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If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Another Man's Shoes - -Author: Victor Bridges - -Release Date: December 9, 2021 [eBook #66916] -[Last updated: July 3, 2022] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Al Haines - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ANOTHER MAN'S SHOES *** - - - - - - - Another Man's Shoes - - - By VICTOR BRIDGES - - - AUTHOR OF - "A Rogue by Compulsion," Etc. - - - - A. L. BURT COMPANY - Publishers New York - - Published by Arrangements with GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY - - - - - Copyright, 1913, - BY GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY - - - - -To M. - -THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED - - - - -ANOTHER MAN'S SHOES - - - -CHAPTER I - -When you are really hungry, and have precisely one and sixpence to -spend upon your dinner, the problem is one which requires a certain -amount of consideration. I hesitated for some time between ---- and -the ----. At ---- they give you four quite decent courses for a -shilling, which leaves sixpence over for a drink and a tip for the -waiter. On the other hand, the tablecloths are generally dirty, and -the atmosphere of the place about as poisonous as that of a Chinese -joss-house. - -In this respect ---- is altogether its superior; but as a set-off, -you don't get anything like as good a shilling's worth in the way of -food. And food being my chief consideration at the moment, I finally -decided on Parelli's. - -As I pushed open the door, the first person I caught sight of was -Billy Logan. For a moment I thought I must be mistaken, but a second -glance showed me the long red scar running down from the corner of -the eye, which Billy had brought away with him as his sole memento of -an unsuccessful insurrection in Chile. - -He was busy eating, and I walked quietly up to his table without his -seeing me. - -"Hullo, Billy!" I said. "What on earth are you doing in this -peaceful spot?" - -He looked up with a start. "Why, it's Jack Burton!" he cried. -"Great Scott! man, I thought you were dead." - -I pulled out a chair and seated myself opposite to him. "Sorry to -disappoint you, Bill," I observed, "but I'm not fit to die just yet." - -"It was that ass, Goldley," explained Billy, reaching across and -gripping my hand, as though to make sure that I was really flesh and -blood. "He told me you'd been knocked on the head at some -God-forsaken place in Bolivia." - -"Yes," I said dryly. "I believe there was a report to that effect. -It suited me not to contradict it." - -Billy grinned. "Well, I was a bit doubtful about it at the time. I -couldn't see you getting wiped out by a dago." - -"I precious nearly was, all the same," I said. "Here, waiter, table -d'hote, and a bottle of lager." - -"You're dining with me," interrupted Billy. - -"In that case," I said, "I'll have a bottle of burgundy instead of -the lager." - -"Bring two," called out Billy. "And now let's hear all about it," he -added, as the waiter slid rapidly away. "Last time I saw you was at -that little dust-up we had in Buenos Ayres. D'you remember?" - -"I do, Billy," I said. "It was on account of that I went for a -health trip to Bolivia." - -Billy chuckled. "I gather you didn't exactly find it." - -I lit a cigarette, pending the arrival of the _hors d'oeuvre_. "I -found something better than health, Billy," I said. "I found gold." - -"Lord!" said Billy. "Where?" - -"I don't think it's got a name," I replied. "Anyhow, I didn't wait -to find out I was on my own, and the whole country was stiff with -Indians. Look here." I pulled up my sleeve and showed him the -traces of a very handsome pucker left by a well-directed arrow. -"That's one of their visiting cards," I added. - -Billy looked at it with the eye of a connoisseur. "You're lucky it -wasn't poisoned," he remarked. "What about the gold?" - -"I can find the place again all right," I said, "but I want money. -It's not a one-man job. That's why I came to London." - -"Got it?" - -I shook my head. "On the contrary, I've spent what I had. They're a -shy lot here, Billy--and I wasn't going to give the show away -absolutely. I shall have to try New York." - -"You're about right," answered Billy. "Unless you roll up in a -frock-coat with introductions, the average Britisher's got no manner -of use for you. You'll do better in the States. When are you going?" - -"As soon as I can get a ship," I replied. "I've hung on here till -I've got just enough left to square my bill. To-morrow I shall go -down to the docks and sign on in the first boat that will take me." - -"I wish I was coming with you," said Billy wistfully. - -"Why not?" I suggested. - -He shook his head. "I'm putting in for a job," he explained: "some -prospecting business in Mexico that Maxwells are running. They've -kept me hanging about for six weeks, so I may as well see it out now." - -"Well, give me an address of some kind," I said. "In case my -business comes off and yours doesn't, I'd like to have you with me." - -Billy pulled out a pencil and a bit of paper and scribbled down a few -words. "This is where I'm staying," he said: "34 Vauxhall Road. -I'll tell 'em where to forward letters when I leave." - -I put the paper in my pocket, and turned my attention to the sardines -and potato salad which the waiter had just dumped down in front of -me. Billy's two bottles of wine, which arrived immediately -afterwards, soon put us into a cheerfully reminiscent mood, and -throughout dinner we yarned away about old friends and old days in -the Argentine, where five years before we had first run across each -other. - -I suggested winding up the evening at a music-hall; but Billy, -unfortunately, had some appointment connected with his job, which -prevented him from coming. However, he not only paid for dinner, but -insisted on lending me a couple of sovereigns, which, to tell the -truth, I was very glad to accept. But for this, by the time I had -paid my bill the next morning, I should have been practically -penniless. - -I said good-bye to him regretfully at the bottom of Gerrard Street, -and then, walking across Leicester Square, made my way slowly down to -the Embankment. I was lodging in Chelsea, and I thought I might just -as well stroll home as waste threepence on a bus. - -It was a fine, soft summer evening, with a faint breeze stirring the -trees, and now and then lifting a scrap of paper from the roadway and -dropping it again languidly after it had tumbled it a few yards. -There were not many people on the Embankment; those that were there -consisting chiefly of engaged couples, with here and there a tattered -piece of human wreckage apparently on the look-out for a comfortable -open-air lodging for the coming night. - -I sauntered slowly on, clinking Billy's two sovereigns in my pocket, -and pondering idly over my own affairs. I had left Bolivia four -months before in high spirits, thinking that for the first time in my -life I had the chance of making some money. That I had found gold in -richly paying quantities I had no shadow of doubt, and I felt -confident that in London I should be able to raise sufficient capital -to get together a proper expedition for penetrating the interior. I -knew enough of the Bolivian authorities to be sure that, as far as -State permission went, a generous measure of bribery was the only -thing necessary. - -Seven or eight weeks in England had been enough to dash all my high -hopes. I suppose English business men are naturally -cautious--requiring to know a great deal about a stranger's record -before they care to accept his statement. Now my record, though -highly interesting to myself, had been of a little too chequered a -nature to inspire confidence in the breast of a capitalist whose -ideas of life are bounded by Lombard Street and, shall we say, -Maidenhead. At all events, I had failed dismally in my purpose, and, -as I had told Billy, had reached the end of my resources without -getting any further in my quest than when I had started. - -I was not sorry to feel that it was all over. My restless life had -ill fitted me for the humdrum respectabilities of London, and I was -beginning to regard the streets, the people, and indeed everything -about me, with an intense and ever-growing distaste. It is true, -that New York would be as bad or even worse, but I had no real -intention of wasting much time in that shrieking inferno. To start -with, my funds would not allow it; and, in any case, I was beginning -to get a bit tired of this dreary chase after wealth. If I could -find a sympathetic capitalist in a few days, well and -good--otherwise, I had quite made up my mind not to worry any more -about the matter. Let the gold stop where it was until some -traveller more suited to the job than I stumbled across it. Life, -after all, is the first thing, and I was not going to waste mine -hanging round office doors, and interviewing fat gentlemen in -frock-coats, when the whole world with all its fun and adventure lay -before me. - -Stopping under a lamp, and leaning over the Embankment, I gazed at -the lights of a small steamer, puffing its way busily down the -Thames. A great desire to get out of this choking atmosphere of -so-called civilisation suddenly gripped me with irresistible force. -I seemed to taste the smack of the salt sea upon my lips, to smell -again the warm, sweet breath of the open pampas. My heart beat -faster and stronger, and I found myself muttering some lines of -Kipling--the only poet I've ever cared two straws about-- - - "The days are sick and cold, and the skies are grey and old, - And the twice breathed airs grow damp; - And I'd sell my tired soul for the bucking beam-sea roll - Of a south Bilbao tramp." - - -Yes, that was what I wanted: the sea, and the sun, and the plains, -and, above all, life--raw, naked life, with its laughter and its -fighting, far away from these stifling streets where men's hearts -grow smug and cold. I threw back my arms, and took in a deep breath. - -"My God!" I muttered, half aloud. "I'm out of this for good and all." - -"I congratulate you," said a voice. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -My nerves are under pretty good control, but I must confess that I -jumped a little at this unexpected interruption. Wheeling round, I -found myself face to face with a tall, broad-shouldered man in -evening dress, which was half concealed by a long fawn-coloured -overcoat. For a moment his features seemed strangely familiar, and I -stared at him, wondering where I had seen them last. Then suddenly -the truth hit me fair and square. - -"Good Lord!" I said, "are you a looking-glass?" - -Except for his clothes, the man was the exact image of myself. - -He smiled--a curious smile that ended with his lips, and had no -effect at all on the cold, steady blue eyes that were taking in every -detail of my appearance. - -"A most remarkable likeness," he observed quietly. "I never thought -I was so good-looking." - -I bowed. "And I never realised how well-dressed I was," I returned -in the same half-mocking tone. - -It was his turn to start, though the motion was almost imperceptible. - -"Even our voices!" he muttered. "Who was the fool who said that -miracles don't happen?" - -I shook my head. "The likeness," I said, "appears to extend to our -ignorance." - -There was a short silence, during which we still looked each other up -and down with the same frank interest. Then he put his hand in his -pocket and pulled out a slim, gold card-case. - -"My name," he said, "is Stuart Northcote. You may have heard of it." -He held out a card. - -I don't think I showed my surprise, though goodness knows I felt it. -Like most people in London, I had certainly heard of Stuart -Northcote. Indeed, I could hardly have avoided doing so, considering -that the Society papers had been full of little else but his doings -and his wealth ever since he appeared mysteriously from nowhere at -the beginning of the season, and rented Lord Lammersfield's house in -Park Lane. - -However, I accepted his card without comment, as though a meeting -with a millionaire double were an everyday event in my own existence. - -"My own name," I said, "is John Burton. I am afraid that a card-case -is outside my present scheme of things." - -He bowed. "Well, Mr. Burton," he began deliberately, "since chance -has thrown us together in this fashion, it seems a pity not to -improve our acquaintance. If you are in no hurry, perhaps you would -give me the pleasure of your society at supper?" - -I don't know what it was--something in his voice, perhaps--but, -anyhow, I had a curious instinct that he was extremely anxious I -should accept. I thought I would test him. - -"It's very kind of you," I said, with a smile, "but, as a matter of -fact, I have just finished dinner." - -He waved aside the objection. "Well, well, a bottle of wine, then. -After all, one doesn't meet one's double every day." - -There was a four-wheeler trundling slowly up the Embankment, and -without waiting for any further reply from me, he raised his hand and -beckoned to the driver. - -As the man drew up, a tattered figure that had been lounging on one -of the seats a little farther down shambled hastily forward as though -to open the door. My eyes happened to be on Northcote at the moment, -and I was amazed at the sudden change that came over him. He looked -like a man in the presence of some imminent danger. Like a flash, -his right hand travelled to his side pocket with a gesture that it -was impossible to misunderstand. - -"Stand back," he said harshly. - -The loafer, astonished at his tone, stopped abruptly in the circle of -white light cast by the electric lamp. - -"Beg pardon, guv'nor," he whined; "on'y goin' to open the door for -yer, guv'nor." - -Northcote's cold blue eyes scrutinised him keenly for a moment. -"That's all right, my man," he said, in a rather different voice. -"Here you are!" - -He flung a silver coin--a half-crown it looked like--on to the -pavement, and with a gasp of amazement the man dived to pick it up. -As he did so, Northcote, still watching him, stepped forward to the -cab and flung open the door. - -"You get in, Mr. Burton, will you?" he said; and then, as I climbed -into the cab, he turned to the driver. "The Milan," he said curtly, -and then, following me, slammed the door. - -As we drove away, I saw the white face of the loafer, who had -apparently recovered his coin, staring after us out of the lamplight. - -Northcote must have guessed that I had noticed his agitation, for he -laughed in a rather forced manner. "I dislike those fellows," he -said. "It's foolish, of course,--one ought to pity the poor -devils,--but somehow or other I can't stand their coming anywhere -near me." - -His words were easy and natural enough, but they did not convince me -in the least. I have seen too many men in danger of their lives to -mistake the symptoms. - -However, the matter being essentially his business and not mine, I -refrained from offering any comments. Indeed, I thought it more -tactful to change the conversation. - -"I'm afraid I'm hardly dressed for the Milan," I said. "I don't know -whether it matters." - -He shrugged his shoulders. "We will have a private room in any -case," he replied. "It is more comfortable." - -He spoke as though the Milan were some sort of Soho pot-house! - -I was just thinking what a pity it was I had wasted such an excellent -appetite on Parelli's when the cab turned the corner into the Strand. -Putting his head out of the window, Northcote gave some instructions -to the driver, which I was unable to catch. Their nature, however, -was obvious a moment later, for, turning to the right just before we -reached the flaring courtyard of the famous restaurant, the man drew -up at a small side entrance. - -We got out, and Northcote, after paying the fare, led the way into -the hall, where a bland and very respectful head waiter came forward -to meet us. - -"I want a private room, and a little light supper of some kind," said -Northcote. - -"Certainly, sir, certainly," replied the other. "Will you come this -way, sir." - -He guided us down a long, brilliantly lit corridor, stopping at the -end door on the left, which he opened. - -We found ourselves in a small but luxuriously furnished room, with a -table already laid for supper, and delightfully decorated with -flowers. - -"This room was engaged to-night by one of the Russian nobility," -explained our conductor suavely. "The order has just been cancelled -by telephone, so, if it will suit you, sir--" - -"It will do excellently," broke in Northcote. - -Another waiter who had followed us into the apartment came forward, -prepared to take our coats and hats. Northcote stopped him with a -gesture. - -"You can leave them here," he said. Then, turning to the head -waiter, he added curtly, "I shall be obliged if you will attend to us -yourself." - -The man bowed, and, signalling to his assistant to withdraw, -presented the menu which the latter had brought in. - -Northcote glanced at it, and then handed it across to me. "Is there -anything particular that you would like?" he asked carelessly. "I -fancy the resources of the Milan are fairly comprehensive." - -I shrugged my shoulders. "I shall be more or less of a spectator in -any case," I said. "You had better settle the question." - -Northcote looked at the card again, and then ordered a couple of -dishes, the names of which conveyed nothing to me. "And bring up a -bottle of '93 Heidsieck," he added, "and some of that old liqueur -brandy." - -The man bowed, and after pulling out our chairs from the table, -noiselessly left the room. I could not help wondering whether the -extraordinary likeness between Northcote and myself had struck him; -but if it had, he had betrayed no sign of having noticed it. - -"I always think a really good head waiter," I observed, "is the most -extraordinary work of art in the world." - -"Yes," said Northcote, seating himself at the table, "and, in -consequence, the most contemptible." - -"That seems rather ungrateful," I remarked. - -Northcote looked at me keenly. "Can you imagine any man who was not -wholly contemptible deliberately moulding himself into a piece of -servile machinery in order to get an easy living? I have infinitely -more respect for a thief than a successful waiter." - -I laughed. "I dare say you are right," I answered. "Anyway, I must -admit that I would sooner be a thief if I had to choose." - -"What are you?" asked Northcote abruptly. - -The question took me by surprise, and for a moment I hesitated. - -"I am not asking out of mere curiosity," he said. - -"I didn't think you were," I returned pleasantly. "That was why I -was doubtful about answering you." - -He smiled, looking at me curiously, with the same disconcerting -intentness. - -"Let us be frank, then," he said suddenly. "It happens that you have -the power to be of considerable service to me, Mr. Burton." - -He paused. - -"Indeed?" I said, lighting a cigarette. - -"On the other hand," he went on, "there is certainly a chance that I -might be of some use to you." - -I thought of the reported extent of his income, and then of my -beautiful Bolivian goldfield. - -"It is quite possible," I admitted gravely. - -He leaned forward with his hands on the table. I noticed that they -were muscular and sunburned--the hands of a man who has done hard -physical work. - -"But I must know more about you," he said. "Who are you? Where do -you come from? What do you want from life?" - -As he asked the last question, the door of the room opened, and the -waiter came in, carrying supper. - -While the man was handing round the dishes and pouring out the -wine--a delicious wine it was, too, by the way--Northcote talked away -lightly and cleverly about several more or less topical subjects. I -answered him occasionally, in the same careless strain; but my mind -was almost wholly occupied with the mysterious suggestion that he had -just let fall. I was wondering what on earth the service could be -that I was capable of rendering him. That it had something to do -with our amazing likeness to each other I felt convinced; but beyond -that it was impossible to guess. The whole thing--our meeting on the -Embankment, his invitation to supper, and the strange hint of an -unknown purpose in his actions--had all been so sudden and bizarre -that I felt as if I had been caught up into some modern version of -the Arabian Nights. - -Still, there could be no harm in making him more or less acquainted -with my innocent past and my embarrassed present. I had nothing I -wished to conceal, except the whereabouts of my goldfield; and it -seemed quite on the cards that, in return for this unknown service -that he wanted from me, I might be able to interest him in my scheme. -In any case, curiosity alone would have made me go through with the -matter now I had got so far. I instinctively felt that Mr. -Northcote's proposals when they came would be of a decidedly -interesting nature. - -So, as soon as the waiter had withdrawn, I filled up my glass again, -and looking across at my companion with a smile, began to satisfy his -curiosity. - -"There's not very much to tell you, after all," I said. "To start -with, I'm thirty-four." - -He gazed at me keenly. "You look five years older," he said. - -"Yes," I retorted. "Perhaps, if you'd been knocking about South -America for fifteen years, you'd show some fairly obvious signs of -it." - -A momentary flicker of surprise passed across his face. Then he -laughed dryly. - -"Oh!" he said. "What part of South America have you been in?" - -"Most of it," I said, "but I know the Argentine best." - -"What were you doing?" he asked. - -"It would be shorter," I said, "to tell you what I wasn't. I've been -a ranchman, a cattle-dealer, a store-keeper, a soldier, a prospector, -and several other little things that happened to roll up. South -America is a great place for teaching one to take a spacious view of -the day's work." - -"So I believe," he said. "And what brings you to England?" - -"An incorrect idea of British enterprise," I answered. "My last -achievement in South America was to strike gold--quite a lot of it, -unless I'm pretty badly mistaken. I came over here to try and raise -some capital." - -"And you've failed?" - -I laughed. "The British capitalist," I said, "is still as rich as he -was when I landed." - -He nodded his head. "What are your plans now?" he asked. - -"I'm sailing for New York as soon as I can get a ship," I answered. - -"Have you many friends in London?" he demanded. - -"There's my landlady," I said. "She is friendly enough as long as I -pay her bill, but that's about the full extent of my social circle." - -There was a short silence. Then Northcote got up from his chair and, -walking across the room, locked the door. I watched him with -interest. - -He seated himself again at the table, and lit a cigarette. - -"Mr. Burton," he said, "what value do you put upon your life? I -mean, for what sum would you be prepared to run a very considerable -risk of losing it?" - -He asked the question in such a business-like and unemotional manner -that I could not repress a smile. - -"I don't know," I said. "If I thought it was really valuable, I -should be strongly inclined to put it up to auction." - -He learned across the table and looked me full in the eyes. - -"If you will do what I want," he said slowly, "I will give you ten -thousand pounds." - - - - -CHAPTER III - -I am fairly used to surprises, but there was a magnificence about -this unexpected offer that for a moment took away my breath. I -leaned back and surveyed my double with genuine admiration. - -"You certainly do business on a large scale, Mr. Northcote," I said. -"Do you pay in cash?" - -For an answer, he thrust his hand into an inside pocket and pulled -out a leather case. This he opened, extracting four bank-notes, -which he laid on the table. - -"Here are two thousand pounds," he said quietly. "If you accept, I -will give you a cheque for the remainder." - -I looked at the notes with that respectful interest that one keeps -for distinguished strangers. There was no doubt that they were -genuine. Then, with some deliberation, I also lit a cigarette. - -"It must be a very unpleasant job," I said regretfully. - -For the first time since I had met him, my companion laughed. It was -a grim, mirthless sort of laugh, however, not in the least suggestive -of encouragement. - -"Yes," he said dryly: "if I threw it open to competition, I fancy -that the entries would be small." Then he paused. "Before I go any -further," he added, "will you give me your word of honour to keep -what I am going to say entirely private, whether you decline or -accept?" - -"Certainly," I said, without hesitation. - -"Very well." Again he stopped for a moment apparently hesitating -over a choice of words. "Within a few days," he said slowly, "unless -I take certain steps, there is every likelihood of my being a dead -man." - -I thought of the little incident on the Embankment, and I felt that -he was speaking the truth. - -"To put it plainly," he said, "I must disappear. If I stay in London -under my own name I shall certainly be killed. It may be a matter of -days or weeks, or even months--that will depend on myself; but the -end is sure and quite unavoidable." - -I poured myself out a glass of brandy and held it up to the light. -"The situation," I observed, "has at least the merit of being a -simple one." - -The same cold smile flickered across his lips. "It is not quite as -simple as it seems. The gentlemen who are so anxious to accelerate -my passage to heaven are doing me the honour of paying me a very -close and intelligent attention. I might possibly be able to avoid -them,--to-night, for instance, I believe I have done so,--but whether -I could get out of the country alive is a very open question." - -"Ah!" I muttered. Light was beginning to dawn on me. - -He nodded, as though answering an unspoken question. "Yes," he said; -"the thought struck me the moment I caught sight of you under the -lamp. If I were a believer in the supernatural, I should say you had -been sent by the Devil. I can't think of any other power that would -be particularly anxious to assist me." - -"Well," I said lightly, "if the Devil sent me, I am at least indebted -to him for a good supper. What is it you want me to do?" - -He paused again. Then, very slowly, he made his amazing -suggestion--the words dropping from his lips with an almost fierce -intensity. - -"I want you to take my place in the world. I want you to change -clothes with me to-night and go out of this restaurant as Stuart -Northcote." - -I took a deep breath and bent forward, gripping the table with my -hands. - -"Yes," I said, "and what then?" - -"I want you to go back to my house in Park Lane, and for three weeks -to live there as I should have done. If you are still alive at the -end of that time, which is extremely improbable, you can do anything -you please." - -For one instant the thought struck me that the whole thing was a -jest--the fruit of some ridiculous bet or the passing whim of a -half-mad millionaire. But one glance at the hard blue eyes, which -were still ruthlessly searching mine, swept the idea abruptly from my -mind. - -"But it's impossible," I broke out. "Even if your servants failed to -see the difference, I should certainly be found out directly I met -any of your friends." - -"How?" he asked. "They might think I had become forgetful, -eccentric, but what else could they imagine?" - -"Oh, think of the hundred things I should be ignorant of: people's -names, your appointments and business affairs--even my way about the -house. Why, I should be bound to betray myself." - -"I have thought of all that," he answered harshly. "If I couldn't -provide against it, I should not have made the proposal." - -I looked at him curiously. "And what is there to prevent me from -taking your money and making no attempt to keep my side of the -bargain?" - -"Nothing," he said, "except your word of honour." - -There was a moment's silence. "Well," I said, with a short laugh, -"the security seems rather inadequate, but if it satisfies you--" I -shrugged my shoulders. "Now, let me see if I have got this -interesting offer quite correct. In return for ten thousand -pounds--two thousand in notes and the rest by cheque--I am to become -Mr. Stuart Northcote for three weeks. It is highly probable that -during that time I shall be assassinated. Failing this unfortunate -interruption, I shall then be at liberty to resume my own character." - -Northcote bowed, half mockingly as it seemed. "You have stated the -idea admirably," he said. - -I helped myself to a second glass of brandy and sipped it with -meditative enjoyment. The prospect of being a millionaire, if only -for three weeks, distinctly appealed to me. Apart from that, there -was something vastly attractive in the fantastic nature of the whole -business. Only a few hours before, I had been grumbling to myself -over the dullness and monotony of life, and here was Fate thrusting -before me an almost incredible chance of adventure and excitement. I -could feel my heart beating faster at the thought. - -"If it is not too inquisitive a question," I said calmly, "I should -rather like to know why your removal is a matter of such urgent -importance to someone?" - -Northcote's eyes narrowed, and his lips set in a singularly -unpleasant smile. "It is a private affair," he answered coldly, "and -I'm afraid it must remain so. I can assure you, however, that in -taking my place you will not be in danger except of assassination. I -have committed no crime"--he laughed--"at least, no crime in the -excellent eyes of the English law." - -"That is comforting," I observed, "but, all the same, I should be -more inclined to accept if I knew who it was that was so anxious to -stick a knife into you." - -"Unfortunately," he answered, "I don't know myself. If I did"--his -face hardened for a moment into a cruel mask. "Well, I think you -have a proverb about two being able to play at the same game. I can -only tell you that the danger is real and imminent. I have good -reason for believing that my own servants are honest, but beyond that -I would trust no one." - -"It seems to me," I said sadly, "that I shall have to stay indoors." - -Northcote thrust his hand into his pocket, and pulled out a small red -leather notebook. - -"After the first ten days," he said, "you can please yourself. To -start with, you would have to carry out certain engagements I have -made, which you will find in this book." - -"And you imagine I could do that successfully?" - -Northcote nodded. "You have excellent nerves and plenty of common -sense. Provided you give your word of honour to carry the part -through to the best of your ability, I am perfectly ready to trust -you. If you fail"--he shrugged his shoulders--"at least I shall have -had my start." - -A sudden mischievous joy in the promised excitement of the situation -came flooding through my heart. With an almost involuntary gesture I -thrust my arm across the table. - -"Very well," I said. "I promise you I'll do my best." - -He gripped my hand, and for a moment we sat there on either side of -the table without speaking a word. - -Northcote was the first to break the silence. - -"I envy you your nerve, Mr. Burton," he said coldly. - -"It's not as good as it was," I replied, with regret. - -Northcote tore a slip of paper out of his pocket-book and, laying it -on the table, began to draw a plan in pencil. I pulled my chair -round so that I could see what he was doing. - -"I'm making you a rough sketch of the inside of the house," he said. -"This is the ground floor, and here's the dining-room and the -billiard-room. Your study and bedroom are on the first floor, -exactly above. They open into each other--like this." He outlined -the various rooms neatly and skilfully, writing their names in the -centre of each square. - -"That's plain enough," I said, taking the paper. "What about the -servants?" - -"There are only three of them--two women, and Milford, the butler. I -have got rid of all the others during the last two weeks. These -three have all been with me since I took the house, and I think you -may trust them. Milford you certainly can. I've treated the man -well, and he's by way of being rather grateful." - -"Well," I said, "if he swallows me as Stuart Northcote, I expect I -shall pull through." - -"Yes," returned Northcote. "The only other person you need worry -about is my cousin--Maurice Furnivall." He paused. "I believe I -have promised to go down and stay with him for several days in -Suffolk. If you can get out of it without difficulty, perhaps you -had better. In any case, be very careful not to make a slip of any -sort when you see him." - -"What kind of man is he?" I asked. - -Northcote frowned. "I am not sure. He is the only relation I have -in the world, and to a certain extent I have trusted him. I -sometimes think I have been foolish. If I knew for certain--" His -brow darkened still more, and his hands clenched until the white skin -stood out upon his knuckles. - -"There is a suggestion of thoroughness about your methods, -Northcote," I observed, "that rather appeals to me." - -"If I had stuck at trifles," said Northcote grimly, "I shouldn't be -here now." He pulled out a cheque-book, and, taking up his pen -again, filled in a cheque for eight thousand pounds. - -"Here's the money," he said. "There are a few hundred pounds in my -account besides this, and if you like I'll sign a couple of cheques -that you can fill in for current expenses. By the way, it may be -necessary for you to imitate my signature--do you think you can do -it?" - -"My experience as a forger is limited," I said, "but I dare say I can -manage it with a little practice. What are you going to do about -money yourself?" - -He laughed. "My arrangements have been made for some time. I have -only been waiting the chance of putting them into practice." - -There came a sudden knock at the door. - -Northcote thrust his cheque-book back into his pocket, and then, -getting up and crossing the room, turned back the key. - -The head waiter entered, and stood apologetically by the threshold. - -"I came to see whether you would require anything else, sir." - -"I think not," said Northcote coldly. "You had better let me have -the bill, though. I suppose there is no objection to our using this -room for a little longer? We are discussing some business matters." - -The waiter bowed. "Oh, certainly not, sir. Half-past twelve is the -hour we have to close; but even then, if you cared to engage a -bedroom--" - -"That will be ample time," said Northcote. - -He produced a five-pound note, which he handed to the waiter, waving -away the latter's offer of change. - -With a gratified murmur of thanks, the man withdrew, leaving us alone. - -Northcote locked the door behind him, and returned to the table. - -"I am ready," he said curtly. - -In a moment I had slipped off my coat and laid it on the chair. - -Our complete transformation must have taken us about a quarter of an -hour. With the exception of his patent leather shoes, which for -absolute comfort were certainly half a size too small, Northcote's -clothes fitted me with extraordinary accuracy. I put them on with a -certain deliberation, enjoying the sensation of finding myself in -really well-cut garments--an experience to which I had been a -stranger for a good many years. When I had finished, I examined -myself in the glass with no little satisfaction. As far as looks -went, the deception was perfect. - -Northcote, who had meanwhile arrayed himself in my own discarded blue -suit, presented just as remarkable a change. He seemed to be the -exact image of the reflection I was accustomed to see each morning in -my lodging-house mirror. - -Stepping to the table, I filled up the two liqueur glasses with a -last taste of the Milan's excellent brandy. - -"Here's to our lost selves!" I said. - -Northcote drank the toast, and setting down the glass handed me his -cheque-book and latch-key, which he had laid on the table in front of -him. I put them away in my pockets with the notes. - -Voltaire's last words came suddenly into my mind. "And now for the -great adventure," I quoted gaily. - -"We had better not go out together," said Northcote. Then he paused. -"Good-bye," he added. "I don't suppose we shall meet again, unless -there is really such a place as hell." - -"I shall at least have a good chance of finding out first," I -retorted. - -I picked up the long fawn-coloured overcoat which lay on the sofa, -and walking across the room, turned the key. Northcote stood where -he was, his arms folded, watching me with his strange, mirthless -smile. - -"Good-bye," I said, "and good luck." And then, going out, I closed -the door behind me. - -Walking along the corridor of the hotel, I reached the side entrance -by which we had come in. A man in livery, who was on duty, at once -stepped forward. - -"Taxi, sir?" he inquired. - -"Yes," I said; "I'll have a taxi." - -I felt quite cool, though my heart was beating a little faster than -usual. This sort of thing was certainly more entertaining than -hunting reluctant capitalists, or even hanging round the docks trying -to fix a free passage to the States. - -When the cab rolled up, I handed a shilling to the obliging gentleman -in livery, and gave the driver Northcote's address in Park Lane. -Then I stepped inside, and with a pleasant feeling of exhilaration -settled myself back on the comfortably cushioned seat. - -I had done it now--there could be no doubt about that! Unless I -broke my word to Northcote, I was in for about as exciting a time as -the most enterprising spirit could wish for. Apart from the cheerful -prospect of finding a knife between my ribs at any hour of the day or -night, I was faced with the truly colossal task of keeping up another -man's identity for three weeks! - -I began to wonder again whether it was not probable that Northcote -was a lunatic, or that he was playing some stupendous practical joke -at my expense. I ran over in my mind the whole of our interview, -from the moment when he had waylaid me. There was certainly no sign -of madness about him, apart from his amazing proposals; and if the -whole thing were a jest, well, it promised to be a pretty expensive -one for its author. Besides that, I felt sure that the man was in -danger of his life, or at all events believed himself to be so. -There was no acting about the sudden flash with which his hand had -travelled to his pocket in that second on the Embankment. - -Pulling out the paper which he had given me, I lit a wax match and -began to study his plan of the house. It seemed simple enough. I -only had to walk upstairs, and my bedroom was facing me on the other -side of the landing, the windows apparently looking out into the -Park. That knowledge, at all events, promised to be sufficient for -the night. I could reserve anything in the nature of further -exploration until the next morning. - -By this time we had reached Hyde Park corner, and, crossing the road, -the driver turned to the right up Park Lane. Beyond knowing the -number, I had not the remotest notion where Northcote lived, and I -had something of a shock when we stopped quite suddenly outside an -imposing-looking mansion only about a hundred yards above Apsley -House. - -"Good Lord!" I muttered. "I hope there's no mistake." - -At all events, the number was on the gate-post right enough, and the -driver seemed quite confident that he had reached his correct -destination. So, pulling myself together, I stepped on to the -pavement and handed the man half a crown. - -He touched his cap respectfully, and putting in his clutch, glided -away slowly in the direction of Oxford Street. - -For perhaps thirty seconds I hesitated; then, mounting the broad -stone steps, I thrust my latch-key into the door. It opened easily -enough, and with a deep breath I stepped in over the threshold. - -I found myself in a large circular hall, surrounded by several stone -pillars and lit by an electric chandelier. A plentiful supply of -palm trees in pots, and some beautiful hanging baskets of hothouse -flowers, lent the place an air of luxury and comfort, which was -increased by the deep easy-chairs of red leather scattered about in -various corners. So far, I had certainly no fault to find with my -new home. - -I had just closed the front door, and was advancing across the thick, -noiseless Turkey carpet, when there was a sound of discreet -footsteps, and a man suddenly appeared from a curtained aperture at -the back of the hall. He was a quiet, pleasant-looking fellow of -about forty-five, with an alert, clean-shaven face, and hair just -beginning to turn grey. His clothes were the conventional costume of -an English butler. - -"This," I said to myself, "must be Milford." - -I took off my hat, so that the light fell full on my face. - -"Any letters, Milford?" I asked easily. - -I was watching him as I spoke, looking out keenly for the slightest -start of surprise or hint that he had noticed something unusual in my -appearance. But nothing could have been more natural than the manner -in which he came forward and relieved me of my coat and hat. - -"There were some letters by the last post, sir," he said. "I have -placed them in the study." - -"Thanks," I said, and turned towards the stairs. - -"Shall I bring you up the brandy and soda now, sir?" he asked. - -I had not the least desire for any more brandy, having already -treated myself with unusual generosity in this respect at the Milan. -Still, as a final drink seemed to be a nightly custom of Northcote's, -I thought I had better follow his usual routine. - -"Yes," I said, "you can bring it up." - -I mounted the wide staircase, which was carpeted in the same -luxurious manner as the hall, and, crossing the landing at the top, -opened the door of the room which Northcote had marked as my study. -The electric switch was just inside, and I turned it on, flooding the -whole apartment with a soft, rich light thrown from an unseen -arrangement of lamps somewhere behind the cornice. - -It was a big and magnificently furnished room. Whatever faults -Northcote may have had, the neglect of his own comfort was apparently -not one of them. From the carved oak book-shelves and the huge -easy-chairs down to the two or three little reading-lamps placed -about on various tables, there seemed to be everything that luxury -could demand or ingenuity contrive. I stood with my back to the open -red-tiled hearth, gazing over it all with distinct approval. - -There was a knock at the door, and Milford came in, carrying a tray, -which contained a decanter, a syphon, and a glass. He placed these -on a small table by the fireplace, and then withdrew as noiselessly -as he had entered. - -On the farther side of the room stood a handsome oak desk, at which -Northcote was evidently accustomed to conduct his business and -correspondence. I walked over to it, and seated myself in the chair. - -So far, everything had gone surprisingly well. A kind of wild -hilarity at the novelty of my amazing position was running through my -veins. I felt inclined to burst out laughing, or to get up and waltz -round the room. - -The thought of Milford's emotions, however, if he should come in -unexpectedly, prevented me from putting my feelings into action. I -pulled out Northcote's pocket-book, and, opening it at the page where -he had jotted down his immediate engagements, began to glance through -them. As I did so, my left hand, in a curious, unconscious way, was -playing with the framework of a small silver mirror which stood on -one side of the desk. - -It was the tiniest sound behind me that attracted my attention--a -sound so soft that, if my hearing had not been particularly acute, I -should certainly have failed to notice it. Without moving, I glanced -sideways in the mirror. - -A long curtain, which apparently concealed a recess at the side of -the fireplace, was being gently moved aside. With every muscle -tense, I watched the process, my heart beating steadily in swift, -insistent strokes. - -Then suddenly, to my amazement, a girl stepped out noiselessly into -the room. Her face was deadly pale, and half hidden by the drooping -hat that she was wearing; but even in the mirror I could see that she -was astonishingly pretty. - -For a moment she paused, then very cautiously she pulled out a small -pistol of some kind from under the long cloak that she was wearing, -and pointed it slowly and carefully at the back of my head. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -I must have fallen forward at the very moment she fired. There was -no report, only the jar of a powerful air-spring, but the bullet -crashed into the woodwork of the desk just exactly in a line with -where my head had been a second before. - -It was a pretty piece of dodging, but I was not ambitious for an -encore. I was across that room and had my fair visitor by the wrist -in considerably less time than it takes to read these words. - -She made no attempt at resistance. Her failure seemed to have robbed -her of any power of motion. She dropped the pistol as soon as I -touched her, and stood facing me with wide-open, horror-stricken eyes. - -With my disengaged hand I picked up the weapon. It was an air pistol -of a rather formidable kind, quite capable of killing a man at twenty -yards. I put it in my pocket, and, releasing my grip on her wrist -stepped back a couple of paces. - -"Won't you sit down?" I said pleasantly. - -My invitation had an unexpected result. With a low moan she put up -her hands in front of her face, and then, before I could catch her, -swayed forwards and sank slowly to the floor. - -"This," I said to myself, "is the mischief." - -However, I couldn't very well leave her lying there, so, stooping -down and raising her in my arms, I carried her to the sofa. - -So far, things had travelled with such cheerful rapidity that I had -had no time for reflection. But at this point it suddenly struck me -that it would be as well to lock the door, in case Milford, or any -other member of the household, had heard the crash of the bullet. -So, crossing the room, I turned the key in the lock, and then came -back to where my unconventional visitor was lying. - -My first impression of her in the mirror had scarcely done her -justice. There is a distinct gap between prettiness and beauty, and -the girl who lay on the sofa was as lovely as a Greek statue. -Indeed, but for the slightly parted lips and the long dark eyelashes, -she might really have been chiselled out of marble. Her face was -quite white, and only the faintest stirring of her breast gave any -impression of life. - -My acquaintance with the world has been fairly varied, but this was a -situation right out of my previous line. Indeed, the problem of how -to act for the best when shut up alone at midnight with a young lady -who has just attempted to assassinate you is one of sufficient -delicacy to baffle the most experienced. I decided that the first -step was to bring her back to consciousness. - -Putting some brandy into a glass, I carefully lifted her up and -poured a few drops between her tightly-shut teeth. The strong spirit -had an almost immediate effect. A faint tinge of colour stole into -her face, and with a deep sigh she opened her eyes. - -When she saw that I was holding her, she shuddered violently, and -shrank back against the arm of the couch. It was not exactly -complimentary, but I decided to overlook it. - -"I hope you're feeling better?" I said, with an encouraging smile. - -Her answer was a glance of such intense hatred and contempt that I -instinctively got up from the sofa. - -"Well," she said, "why don't you ring the bell, and hand me over to -the police?" - -She spoke in low, passionate tones and with a very slight foreign -accent, but her voice was delicious. It was one of those deep, -sorrowful contraltos that seem pathetic with all the woe of the world. - -I looked back steadily into her indignant eyes. - -"I object to the police on principle," I said. "Besides, I really -don't see what they have to do with the matter. You have only -smashed a desk, after all." - -Before she could make any reply there came a sudden sound of -footsteps on the landing outside, followed a moment later by a -discreet knock at the door. - -"Who's that?" I called out. - -The somewhat apologetic voice of Milford answered me through the -panels. "It's only me, sir. I fancied I heard something drop in -your room, and came to see if I could be of any assistance." - -For a second I hesitated, and then, walking to the door, I opened it -just wide enough to prevent him from seeing in. - -"It's nothing, thanks, Milford," I said. "I was cleaning an air -pistol, and the thing went off and smashed the woodwork of the desk. -We'll have a look at it in the morning. By the way, did anyone call -for me while I was out?" - -He shook his head. "No, sir." - -"Well, I may run out and post a letter before I turn in," I added; -"so, if you hear anyone walking about, don't imagine it's a burglar. -Good-night." - -"Good-night, sir." - -I closed the door, and listened to the footsteps of my faithful -retainer dying away in the distance. Then I fastened the lock, and -came back to my visitor. - -"Perhaps it would be as well," I said, "if you gave me back my -latch-key before you forget." - -She had risen to her feet and stood facing me like some beautiful -animal at bay. Her cloak had fallen back, betraying the graciously -moulded lines of her figure, shown off to perfection by the -closely-fitting black dress that she was wearing underneath. - -From her belt hung a small leather bag, of the kind that one sees in -Bond Street shop windows. She opened this, and without speaking took -out a key, and threw it down on the sofa. - -"Thank you," I said. "And now, if you won't think me inquisitive, -may I ask why you wanted to shoot me?" - -She stared at me with a look in which loathing and surprise were very -prettily mingled. - -"Why do you pretend you don't know?" she asked contemptuously. - -I shook my head. "On my honour," I said, "I haven't the remotest -idea." - -Her lip curled delightfully, and she drew herself up to her full -height. "I am Mercia Solano," she said. - -I bowed. "It's a charming name," I observed, "but, under the -circumstances, Mercia seems a little out of place." - -"Ah, you can jest!" she cried bitterly. "You were well named the -Satyr of Culebra." - -"Really!" I said. "You embarrass me. I had no idea people were so -complimentary. But what have I done to deserve all these little -attentions?" - -"What have you done!" Her hands clenched, and her breast rose and -fell in superb indignation. "You ask me what you have done, when the -grass is still brown above my father's body!" - -Burying her face in her hands, she broke down and sobbed like a child. - -I must admit that for a moment I felt an unspeakable brute. Under my -breath I cursed Northcote heartily. - -"You can believe me or not, as you choose," I said, "but I had no -more to do with your father's death than you had." - -She stopped crying, and taking away her hands gazed at me wildly. - -"Oh, what are you saying?" she moaned. "What is the good of lying to -me? Wasn't I by his side when they shot him down? Look here--" She -tore back the sleeve of her dress, baring her arm almost to the -shoulder, and showing an angry scar that seamed its white beauty. -"Here is the very mark of your bullets, and you dare to stand there -and lie to my face! Oh, God! are you a man or a devil?" - -She sank down on the sofa again, in a very abandonment of passion and -grief. - -I crushed back a sudden savage desire to take her in my arms and -explain everything. - -"Look at me," I said, with some sternness, and she raised her head. -"Do I seem to you like a man who is lying?" I went on harshly. "I -swear to you by my mother's name, by everything I hold sacred, that I -was in no way to blame for your father's death. I can't tell you -more at present, but before God I'm speaking the literal truth." - -The savage earnestness in my voice seemed to have some effect. Into -her eyes, which were fixed on mine, there crept a kind of reluctant -doubt, and with puzzled gesture she passed her hand across her -forehead. - -"I--I don't understand," she said faintly. "Guarez--" Then she -stopped abruptly. - -"Yes?" I said, with an encouraging air. It struck me that Guarez was -possibly a gentleman whom it would be healthy to know a little about. - -But an obstinate fit seemed suddenly to have come over her, for her -lips closed and she got up from the sofa without finishing the -sentence. - -It was vastly annoying, for I appeared to have been on the very verge -of finding out something about my unknown and apparently strenuous -past. I couldn't question her further without breaking my promise to -Northcote--indeed, my conscience pricked me with having already -failed to live up to the strict interpretation of my pledge. - -"Well," I said, with a shrug of my shoulders, "we will leave it at -that. Please consider yourself at liberty to leave the house when -you choose." - -I put my hand in my pocket and felt the pistol. "By the way," I -added, taking it out and holding it towards her, "since you've given -me back my latch-key, the least I can do is to restore you your -property." - -She accepted it with an air of bewilderment. - -"Of course you have some more cartridges," I went on, "but I will -trust to your honour--" - -"Honour!" she broke out. "You talk to me of honour! _You!_" - -The inference was so obvious that I could hardly pretend to miss it. - -"Why not?" I demanded. "I've already told you I am perfectly -innocent of the crimes you credit me with." - -I stooped forward and picked up the key from the sofa. "Perhaps you -can tell me," I added, "whether there are any more of these useful -articles wandering about London. If so, I think I shall go to the -expense of a new lock." - -She shook her head, still staring at me in a kind of puzzled wonder. - -"I do not know," she said. "It makes no difference. Whether you are -innocent or guilty, there is no power that can save you." - -This was distinctly cheerful! - -"Perhaps you're right," I said. "But at all events I shall see what -the ironmonger can do in the morning. He may at least delay matters." - -Going to the door, I opened it cautiously, and listened for a moment -to see if any of my household were afoot. - -"The coast seems clear," I said. "I'll come down to the hall and let -you out." - -She made a motion as if to protest, and then changed her mind. - -"Very well," she said wearily. - -With an inward prayer that no inopportune domestic would put in an -appearance on the scene, I led the way cautiously down the big -staircase. It was a strange experience, but by this time I was -becoming case-hardened to strange experiences. Anyway, we reached -the hall without misadventure, and, pulling back the latch of the -front door as quietly as possible, I opened it sufficiently wide to -allow my visitor to pass through. As soon as she was outside, I -followed her, closing the door behind me. - -"I'll just stroll along behind you until you pick up a cab," I said -carelessly. - -In the lamplight I saw a flash of terror leap into her eyes. - -"No, no," she whispered. "You must go back at once, It is not safe." - -"I quite agree with you," I said. "It's horribly unsafe for a girl -to be walking about London alone at this time of night. That's -exactly why I propose to find you a cab." - -She hurriedly laid her hand on my arm. "I don't understand," she -said pitifully. "It's all so different from what I expected, but oh! -please--please--" - -There was a rumble of wheels, and a dejected-looking hansom came -slowly trundling past. I signalled to the driver, who at once pulled -up. - -"Well, here we are," I said cheerfully; "so that settles the matter." - -With a little gasp of relief she dropped my arm, and glanced -nervously up and down the roadway. - -I stepped forward and stood by the wheel so as to protect her dress. -She got in, thanking me in an almost inaudible whisper. - -"Good-night," I said, holding out my hand. "I'll leave you to tell -the driver where you want to go." - -There was an instant's pause, and then with a hurried gesture she -bent forward and laid her hand in mine. - -"Good-night," she said softly. - -I felt the faint pressure of her fingers--the same slender fingers -that had so nearly cut short my promising career, and a curious -thrill of satisfaction ran suddenly through my heart. - -Releasing her hand, I stepped back on to the pavement. I saw the -driver raise the flap and bend down to catch her directions. Then he -wheeled his horse round, and the cab jogged away steadily in the -direction of Oxford Street. - -"And here," I said to myself, "endeth the first lesson." - -As the words rose in my mind, something caught my attention on the -farther side of the road. There was a clump of trees exactly -opposite, just inside the railings of the Park, and in the thick -shadow beneath them I could have sworn that I had detected a movement. - -My nerves must have been pretty badly on edge, for I as nearly as -possible jumped for the area. Fortunately, I pulled myself together -just in time. Taking out a cigarette, I lit it with some -deliberation, and then in a leisurely and dignified fashion mounted -the steps, latchkey in hand, and let myself into the house. All the -time I had a horrible presentiment that at the next second a bullet -would crash into the small of my back; but like most presentiments it -failed to materialise. Still, it was with a feeling of considerable -relief that I closed the door and shot home the bolts at the top and -bottom. - -When I reached my study, the first thing I did was to mix myself a -pretty stiff brandy-and-soda. I wanted it badly. - -"If I keep this job going for three weeks," I reflected, "I shall -probably end up as a confirmed dipsomaniac." - -By the time I had got well into a cigarette, however, my natural good -spirits had begun to reassert themselves. After all, I was still -alive, and, apparently, so far quite unsuspected, which was about as -favourable a situation as I had any right to expect. - -Northcote, however, had plainly been speaking in good faith when he -described his offer as one for which the competition would be scant -if the truth about it were known. Granted that my first evening's -experiences were a fair sample of what I might expect, my chances of -survival seemed quite unhealthily remote. If Mercia had been a man, -I reflected grimly, by this time I should most certainly have been a -ghost. - -Who was she, and what had her relations been with Northcote? That -the ruffian was responsible for her father's death was fairly -obvious, but as to the circumstances of the tragedy I was still -utterly in the dark. They must have been pretty bad to drive a young -girl to such a desperate step, unless in some way or other she was -being made a cat's-paw of by others. - -Anyhow, I made no attempt to disguise from myself the fact that I was -extremely anxious to see her again. Her beautiful face lingered in -my memory as clearly as though I were looking at a picture, and -somehow or other I still seemed to feel the thrill that had gone -through me when she laid her hand in mine. - -I had got as far as this in my meditations when it suddenly struck me -I was becoming maudlin. Also, there could be no doubt that I was as -sleepy as an owl. - -I got up with a laugh and a yawn, and, turning on the light, went -into my bedroom. - -It was a large apartment, even bigger than the sitting-room, and the -magnificent four-poster bed was in keeping with its spaciousness. I -made a tour of inspection, satisfying myself that there were no more -charming ladies or visitors of any kind lying in wait for me, and -then, carefully locking both the door of the room and the door into -the study, I proceeded to take off my clothes and array myself in -Northcote's silk pyjamas, which the faithful Milford had put out for -me. - -My last act was the result of a sudden inspiration. Before getting -into bed, I crossed to the window and looked out very cautiously -through a crack in the Venetian blind. Just as I did so, the dark -figure of a man rose out of the shadow of the trees opposite and -walked quickly down the roadway. - -I got into bed and turned off the light. - -"I wonder," I said to myself, "if that could have been Señor Guarez." - -Five minutes later I was sound asleep. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -Considering the amount of brandy that I had consumed, I awoke next -morning feeling remarkably well. The first thing that met my eyes -was the canopy of the bed. I stared at it in a kind of vague -surprise, wondering how on earth it had got there. Then, with a -sudden shock, the events of the previous evening came racing back -into my mind. I realised that I was in Northcote's bedroom, and that -someone was knocking gently but persistently at the door. - -Jumping out, I thrust my feet into a pair of slippers that lay on the -white sheepskin rug, and, crossing the room, unlocked the door. I -expected to find Milford, but in place of that obliging retainer I -was confronted by a pleasant-looking girl, neatly dressed in a print -costume and cap. She was carrying a tray with a pot of tea and some -letters on it. - -"Oh, come in," I said, seeing that she was hesitating. Then, kicking -off my slippers, I clambered back into bed. - -She came across and laid the tray down on the table beside me. - -"I have brought you up your tea, sir," she said. "Mr. Milford is not -at all well this morning." - -"Oh!" I replied. "I'm sorry for that. What's the matter with him? -He was all right last night." - -She shook her head. "I don't know, sir; but he seems very poorly." - -"Is he in pain?" I asked. - -"Yes, sir. He seems to be suffering a great deal." - -"Well, you'd better send for the doctor at once," I said, pouring -myself out some tea. - -This was distinctly awkward. I certainly didn't want to be deprived -of the services of the one person Northcote had told me I could trust. - -"Shall I send for Dr. Ritchie, sir?" asked the maid. - -I nodded. "Ask him to come round as soon as he can. I'll look in -and see Milford after breakfast." - -The girl finished her various duties in the room, and then withdrew. -When she had gone I sat up in bed and began to examine the small pile -of letters which lay on the tray. Most of them were obviously bills -and circulars, but one which bore a crest on the back of the envelope -seemed of more importance. I tore it open. - - -"105 BELGRAVE SQUARE, S.W. - -"MY DEAR NORTHCOTE,--I had an interview yesterday with Rosedale, and -as far as I can see, everything is plain sailing. Rosedale suggests -the first week in October for launching the Company. There are one -or two matters still I should like to discuss with you, but we shall -have an opportunity on Wednesday night. - -"By the way, I've taken your advice and bought the _Seagull_. Morton -wanted a devilish stiff price for her, but he was ready to take -something on account. He'll have to wait for the rest till the -Company's out!--Yours sincerely, SANGATTE." - - -When I came to the ill-written, sprawling signature, I whistled -gently to myself. Stranger as I was to England, I knew Lord Sangatte -very well indeed by reputation. And a pretty unsavoury reputation it -was, too. - -I reached out for Northcote's notebook, which I had taken out of my -pocket the night before, and turned up his engagements for Wednesday. -There were two or three cryptic references to appointments in the -morning and afternoon, and then, scribbled in at the end in pencil, -"Sangatte's dance." - -"I shall certainly be there," I said to myself complacently. - -That Sangatte and Northcote were promoting a Company was an -interesting bit of information. As a commercial undertaking it -should be out of the common. If rumour was correct, Sangatte was -about as ripe a scoundrel as the English Peerage could show; while -such knowledge of Northcote as I possessed scarcely led me to believe -that over-scrupulousness was one of his besetting virtues. On the -whole, Wednesday night promised to be quite entertaining. - -I got up leisurely, feeling very well satisfied with myself. In the -sunshine, which was streaming pleasantly in through the open window, -my adventure wore a much more cheerful and convincing aspect than it -had done on the previous night. All my nervousness seemed to have -vanished--in place of it I only felt a mischievous and highly -enjoyable curiosity as to what would happen next. - -Routing out Northcote's plan of the house, I discovered that the -bathroom was three doors down, on the right-hand side of the passage. -A proper full-length bath was a luxury to which I had not been -introduced since my arrival in England, so with pleasurable -anticipation I draped myself in Northcote's dressing-gown and set off -along the corridor. - -I found the bath already filled with warm water, while shaving -materials of every kind were laid out on the table at the end of the -room. With delightful deliberation I dallied over my toilet, smoking -a cigarette and enjoying myself to the very limit of my ability. -Then, refreshed and contented, I sauntered back to my bedroom, -looking forward to the entertaining occupation of inspecting -Northcote's wardrobe. - -It proved to be on the same spacious scale as the rest of his -belongings. After careful consideration, I selected a well-cut blue -serge suit and a pair of Dobbie's brown boots, polished to a -harmonious but unobtrusive richness that bore testimony to Milford's -professional abilities. - -Thus equipped, I strolled leisurely downstairs to the dining-room. - -Breakfast was laid for me at the end of the big table, a pleasing -combination of gleaming silver, fresh-cut flowers, and spotless -napery. After the crude service of my lodgings, the sight of these -unwonted accessories gave me a really enviable appetite. - -I had just seated myself, when the girl who had called me came -noiselessly into the room, carrying several dishes and a fragrant urn -of coffee. - -"Dr. Ritchie is coming round as soon as possible, sir," she said, -putting down the tray and beginning to arrange its various contents -in front of me. - -"That's all right," I returned. "I'll look in and see Milford as -soon as I've finished." - -For an agreeable half-hour I lingered over a couple of kidneys, a -delicious piece of omelette, some toast and marmalade, and a large -slice of hot-house melon. Then, with a faint sigh, I extracted a -Cabana from a box on the sideboard and moved myself into one of the -big easy-chairs in the window looking out over the Park. - -A breakfast such as I had eaten is particularly conducive to -meditation, and it was scarcely surprising that my thought turned at -once to the spirited events of the previous evening. Through the -curling smoke of my cigar the beautiful, sorrowful face of my amazing -visitor seemed to rise up again before my eyes. I repeated her name -to myself with a kind of luxurious enjoyment. "Mercia Solano." - -It fitted her admirably. A name of music and colour, shot through -with a certain indefinite sadness. - -Who could she be, and what red chapter in Northcote's past had led up -to the events of last night? That he had not this girl only to fear -was evident from her own words. Besides, I could not imagine -Northcote running away from a woman, however foully he had wronged -her. - -I racked my memory for any clues which last evening's adventure might -suggest. There was her reference to Guarez--whoever Guarez might be. -I wondered again whether he was the gentleman who had been skulking -under the trees opposite, and if so, why he had not taken such a -favorable chance of putting a bullet into me? And what was that -complimentary term she had called me? The Satyr of something or -other--Culebra, if I remembered right. - -Where the devil was Culebra? The name seemed to be familiar to me, -but, think as I would, I was quite unable to place it. The only -thing I felt certain about was that it was somewhere or other in -South America. - -I began to wonder if the key to the mystery lay there. The names -Guarez and Solano certainly suggested that troubled continent, while -the abrupt end of Mercia's father also seemed thoroughly in keeping -with the same cheerful environment. I decided that I would hunt up -Culebra on the map without any waste of time. - -I had reached this point in my meditations when there came a knock at -the door, and my nice-looking parlour-maid again entered. - -"I wonder, sir," she began apologetically, "whether you would care to -see Mr. Milford now. He seems a little better for the moment, so I -thought, perhaps--" - -"You were quite right," I interrupted, getting up from the chair and -putting down my cigar. "I'll come with you at once." - -I felt rather ashamed of myself, but for the time poor Milford's -sudden illness had gone clean out of my head. - -I followed her through the door at the back of the hall, and then -down a big, winding stone staircase that led to the basement. -Milford's room was in front, just under the dining-room. - -When I entered I found him sitting propped up in bed. He was -breathing with evident difficulty, and his face, which was a nasty -grey colour, was covered with small beads of perspiration. - -"Hullo, Milford," I said, "what have you been doing to yourself?" - -He gave me a wan smile. "I don't know, sir," he answered feebly. "I -felt rather queer last night, sir, and when I woke up this morning I -was like this." - -I felt his pulse, which was about as faint and irregular as a pulse -could very well be. - -"Dr. Ritchie's coming round to see you in a minute," I said, with -assumed cheerfulness. "He'll tell us what's the matter. I don't -suppose it's anything very serious. Do you think you ate something -that upset you yesterday?" - -He shook his head. "No, sir. I had my dinner here, and after that -all I took was my usual glass of beer at the Granville, round the -corner. I don't think it can be anything--" A sudden spasm of pain -contracted his face, cutting short his words. - -"Well, you must lie quite still," I said soothingly, "and not worry -about anything. We can rub along all right; if necessary, I'll get -someone else in to help. All you've got to think about is getting -fit again." - -He looked up, a flash of gratitude lighting his suffering face. - -"Thank you, sir," he said faintly. - -As he spoke, there came a sharp ring at the front-door bell. - -"I expect this is Ritchie," I said. "Now we shall find out what the -trouble is." - -It was not the doctor, however, that the girl announced when she came -into the room a minute later. - -"If you please, sir," she said, "Mr. Furnivall has called. I have -shown him into the dining-room." - -For a moment I wondered who the deuce this new visitor might be; then -I suddenly remembered that "Maurice Furnivall" was the name of -Northcote's cousin, about whose good faith my double seemed to -cherish certain dark suspicions. - -"Very well," I said, "I'll come up. If Dr. Ritchie calls while Mr. -Furnivall is here, ask him to look in before he goes." - -I mounted the stairs again, feeling just a little apprehensive about -the approaching interview. I was still too new to my position to -have complete confidence in my likeness to Northcote, amazingly -successful as it had been up to now; and, with the possible exception -of Milford, Maurice Furnivall seemed the most likely person to detect -any shade of difference. However, this feeling lent a spice to the -situation, and when I entered the dining-room it was with a certain -sense of amused elation. - -I took an immediate dislike to Master Maurice the moment I set eyes -on him. A tall, sleek, well-groomed young gentleman, with black hair -carefully parted in the middle and plastered down on each side, he -was lounging comfortably in the arm-chair which I had lately vacated. - -"Hullo," he drawled, "you're uncommon early this morning. What's up?" - -"Milford's seedy," I said a little curtly. - -"What's the matter with the fellow?" he asked. - -"I don't know," I said. "I've just sent for Ritchie." - -He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, you're doing him in style. A -Harley Street specialist for a butler sounds all right. I should -have called in someone a bit cheaper." - -"I've no doubt you would," I said. - -Something in my tone must have warned him that I was not feeling -particularly amiable, for a distinct change came over his manner. - -"I was only joking," he said a little lamely. "I'm sorry the poor -fellow's off colour. A beastly nuisance for you, too." - -I felt a strong desire to kick him, but my promise to Northcote -restrained me. - -"Yes," I said, "it's rather a bother. Have a cigar?" - -He helped himself from the box which I held out. - -"Any news?" he inquired. - -I don't know why--he said it quite naturally--but it suddenly flashed -across my mind that under this apparently innocent question there -lurked a considerable amount of meaning. Could it be possible, I -reflected rapidly, that he knew something about Mercia's midnight -visit? It seemed wildly unlikely, but I made up my mind to test him. - -"Yes," I said coolly. "I had rather a curious experience last night." - -I was watching him as I spoke, and I could have sworn I noticed a -slight tightening of the muscles in his face. - -"Really?" he drawled. "What was that?" - -I laughed lightly. "On second thoughts," I said, "perhaps I ought to -keep it to myself for the present." - -If he was really disappointed, he concealed it admirably. "That's -just like you," he said, with a yawn; "you're always so confoundedly -mysterious. I suppose it's the result of living under a wrong name." - -This was news indeed, but I flatter myself I received it with -admirable composure. - -"I expect it is," I answered, selecting another cigar in place of the -one I had discarded. - -There was a brief pause in the conversation. - -"Well, what about coming down to Ashton?" said Maurice, crossing his -legs and leaning back in his chair. - -I remembered Northcote's advice that I should refuse, but some -obstinate streak at the back of my nature suddenly asserted itself. -I think perhaps it was a feeling that Northcote's suspicions -concerning the sleek young man in front of me were based on very good -grounds that really decided me. I don't like running away from -danger. - -"When do you expect me?" I inquired carelessly. - -Something very like a momentary flash of triumph leaped into his eyes. - -"How about Thursday?" he suggested. "There's a good train from -Liverpool Street at 2.30, and I'll meet you at Woodford." - -"Thursday would do all right," I said. - -"We shall have a pretty festive crowd," he went on, knocking some ash -off his coat. "Sangatte and York have both promised to come, and I -think George Vane will most likely turn up. And then, of course, -there'll be the Baradells." He looked at me with a sort of sly -half-grin as he mentioned the latter name. Evidently my acquaintance -with the Baradells had some special significance. - -"That sounds tolerable," I said. - -"At all events," he finished, "we ought to have some decent shooting. -Reece tells me that the partridges are good, and there are always -plenty of duck about." - -I nodded thoughtfully. It struck me that if there was going to be -any shooting I should be devilish careful whom I stood next. - -I had just arrived at this sound conclusion when, through the open -window, I saw a beautifully appointed limousine car glide up to the -door. - -"Here's Ritchie," I said. "I'll just see what he's got to say." - -Maurice made no attempt to rise. "Right you are," he answered -languidly. "I'll wait and hear the verdict." - -I again felt a rich desire to box his ears, but, consoling myself -with the reflection that it was possibly only a pleasure delayed, I -walked out of the room, closing the door behind me. - -I met the doctor in the hall. A grey-haired, clean-shaven man of -about fifty, with a pompous but rather kind face, he came forward at -once and shook my hand. - -"Good morning, Mr. Northcote," he said. "I'm sorry to hear your -butler's ill. A most excellent fellow, I should think." - -"Yes," I said; "Milford is by way of being rather a treasure. Come -along down and have a look at him, doctor. I'm afraid he's really -bad." - -I led the way down the stone staircase, and we entered the room -together. - -If anything, Milford looked worse than when I had seen him before. -There were mottled patches on his grey face and his lips were twisted -with pain. When he saw us, however, he made a faint effort to raise -himself in bed. - -Ritchie stepped forward at once. "No, no," he said kindly; "you must -lie quite still." - -Then, pulling up a chair, he began to ask a few curt questions, at -the same time taking a brief examination of his patient's eyes and -pulse. His face was rather grave. - -"I am afraid you have eaten something that has disagreed with you -very badly," he said at last. - -Milford lay back on the pillow, his lips twitching faintly. - -"Am I going to die, sir?" he whispered. - -"Oh, dear, no," said Ritchie, with an encouraging smile. "We shall -have you perfectly well in a week or so. Just for the moment, -however, you'll have to keep very still and do exactly what you're -told. I shall send you round a nurse at once, and look you up again -myself this afternoon." - -Milford made a feeble motion as if to protest against this luxury. - -"That's all right, Milford," I said. "You are to do just what the -doctor tells you, and not bother your head about anything." - -He thanked me with a faint smile, and after tucking him up in bed, we -left the room. - -As soon as we were in the passage, I turned to Ritchie. - -"Well," I said, "what's the matter?" - -There was a short silence. - -"The matter," said Ritchie, very quietly, "is that the man has been -poisoned." - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -I don't know whether I started, but the word gave me an unpleasant -jar. - -"Poisoned!" I repeated. "Do you mean poisoned purposely?" - -Ritchie frowned. "I can't say. It's a curious case, but there's no -doubt that he's suffering from some form of poisoning. It might be -one of half a dozen." - -"What are we to do?" I asked. - -"At present," said Ritchie, "the only thing to do is to give him a -strong emetic and keep him warm. I'll send you a nurse straight -away, from St. George's, with full instructions. I shall come round -again myself later in the morning." - -I tried not to show it, but I was feeling horribly upset and very -angry. Could it be possible that by accident Milford had fallen a -victim to some delicate attention aimed at myself? Or had the mere -fact of his loyalty to me been regarded as a sufficient reason for -putting him out of the way? Whichever was the case, I took a very -hearty resolve that, given the opportunity, I would make someone pay -pretty badly for this mistaken effort. - -I conducted Ritchie upstairs, and for some minutes we stood in the -hall, talking about the case. I could see that the good man was -considerably worried over its unusual features. Doctors see some -curious things in their daily rounds, but to find a Park Lane butler -suffering from apparent symptoms of wilful poisoning is enough to -disturb even their unrivalled equanimity. - -He refrained from asking me point-blank whether I had any suspicions -in the matter, but I felt that the question was on the tip of his -tongue. I suppose he thought it best, under the circumstances, to -wait for further developments. - -"I shall be round again about midday," he said finally, collecting -his hat and coat. - -"Very well," I said. "I shall probably be here, but if not, I'll -ring you up and get your report." - -Then I showed him out. - -After the door had closed, I stood still in the hall for a moment in -some doubt. I was wondering whether it would be advisable to tell -Maurice what I had learned, or merely to let him know that Milford -was seriously ill. My instinctive mistrust of the young gentleman -eventually prevailed, and I decided that, for the present at all -events, I would maintain a discreet silence. Under the -circumstances, it could hardly be wondered at if I felt suspicious of -everybody. - -When I entered the dining-room, he greeted me with a languid "Well?" - -"Unfortunately," I said, "that's just what it isn't. Milford's -bad--damned bad." - -"What's the trouble?" he asked. - -I shook my head. "Ritchie doesn't know," I replied, with a coolness -worthy of Ananias. "He thinks it will probably be a matter of some -weeks, however. I'm getting a nurse to look after things." - -Maurice yawned. "What a poisonous nuisance," he observed. - -The epithet was happily chosen, if the remark was a trifle callous. - -"Yes," I replied carelessly. "I suppose I shall have to engage -someone else." - -I had seen enough of Northcote to realise that if I wanted to -preserve my identity, or rather his, I must guard myself against the -grosser forms of sentimentalism. - -"I tell you what it is," said Maurice, "you'd better stroll round to -Seagrave's with me now. I've got to go to Hanover Square anyway, and -we can drop in and fix things straight away. They're sure to have -plenty of decent men on their books." - -The suggestion seemed a sensible one; and although I fully shared -Northcote's lack of confidence in his cousin, I had no wish to -quarrel with the latter for the present. That was a luxury which I -must postpone until I was a little more certain of my ground. - -"Very good," I said. "I'll be ready in a minute. I must just go -upstairs and get some papers." - -"Right you are," he drawled. "Don't be too long." - -I mounted the stairs feeling in anything but an amiable temper. Open -danger one can face with calmness, but this back-door assassination -business was beginning to get on my nerves. I understood why -Northcote had been driven to such a desperate step, and I cursed my -folly in not having insisted on a fuller explanation from him before -tackling the business. The fact probably was that he wanted me to be -killed; thus ridding himself for ever of the danger that threatened -him. For all I knew, he might even have lied to me in what he did -say. - -However, there was no getting out of it now. Apart from going back -on my word (a useful habit that has never particularly appealed to -me), I was determined to see the thing through for my own -satisfaction. I object to being murdered, even in mistake for -someone else, and it was my ardent wish to bring that objection home -very forcibly to my unknown friends. Besides, there was Mercia. -What precisely she was doing in that galley I couldn't say, but, like -the hero in a play, I felt certain that it was "no place for her." I -pictured her in an altogether different environment, a pleasant phase -of thought which restored me to a more harmonious frame of mind. - -What I had really come upstairs for was Northcote's pocket-book. I -had promised him to keep any engagements he had made for the first -few days, and I wanted to see if I had a programme mapped out for -that afternoon. When I turned up the page, I found two entries: one -an appointment with his tailor in Sackville Street at 12.30, and the -other a directors' meeting of the London General Traffic Company at -the Cannon Street Hotel after lunch. Neither sounded particularly -important, but for lack of anything better to do I decided to attend -them both. I was becoming quite interested in Northcote's private -affairs. - -When I came downstairs I found Maurice waiting for me in the hall. -It struck me again that there was a kind of suppressed satisfaction -in his manner, but I put it down as being very probably due to my -imagination. In my present state of mind, it was easy to discover -suspicious symptoms in everyone. - -"By the way," he said carelessly, as the door closed behind us, "do -you want to get another man permanently, or just to fill Milford's -place while he's seedy?" - -"Oh, only for the time, of course," I said. "I couldn't part with -Milford." - -He nodded. "That will be quite easy. Seagrave's can always turn you -in a temporary man. You'd better leave it to them." - -I was about to observe that such was my intention, when a passing -motor suddenly drew up with a jerk alongside of us, and a -good-looking, elderly man in a grey top-hat put his head out of the -window. - -"Hullo, Northcote," he said; "you're the very man I wanted to see." - -This was flattering; but as I hadn't the remotest idea who he was, I -felt slightly embarrassed. - -Maurice, however, unintentionally solved my difficulty. "Good -morning, Lord Lammersfield," he remarked. "I hope Lady Lammersfield -is better?" - -His lordship paid no great attention to Maurice's kind inquiry. He -nodded coldly, and observed that her ladyship was "about the same." -I took a fancy to him at once. - -"I can see you at any time you like," I said, truthfully enough. - -"Are you going to Sangatte's to-morrow night?" he asked. - -"Yes," I said. - -"That will do," he answered. "I'll look out for you there. I only -want to have a short chat." - -With a careless wave of his hand, which was obviously not intended to -include Maurice, he sat back in his seat, and the motor rolled on up -Park Lane. - -"Pleasant fellow, Lammersfield," I observed mischievously. - -Maurice stared after the departing vehicle with anything but an -amiable expression. - -"They don't seem to find him particularly pleasant in the Cabinet," -he retorted. - -I was sufficiently ignorant of English politics for this to be news -to me. - -"Perhaps he is misunderstood," I suggested gently. "A great many of -us are." - -Maurice looked at me keenly. "You're in a devilish funny mood this -morning," he said. "I'm sorry for the people you're going to do -business with." - -From what I had seen of Northcote, this argued a perspicacity with -which I had hardly credited my adopted "cousin." - -"One must be agreeable occasionally," I said, "if only for the sake -of variety." - -Maurice laughed shortly. "I expect you'll be agreeable enough to -Lammersfield," he replied. - -There was obviously some hidden meaning in his words, but it seemed a -little too risky to angle for an explanation. So I contented myself -with a noncommittal smile, storing away the remark in my memory for -future reference. - -We turned into Hanover Square, and crossed the roadway towards Regent -Street. I had not the remotest notion where "Seagrave's" was, but -Maurice pulled up at a small house just beyond the big flower shop, -and I at once noticed the name on a brass plate: - - MESSRS. SEAGRAVE AND CO. - REGISTRY OFFICE. - - -We opened the door and walked in. It was a superior sort of office, -more like a private room, with arm-chairs scattered about, and a -table containing the latest weekly papers. - -A rather pompous, elderly, grey-bearded man in a frock-coat at once -stepped forward. - -"Good morning," I said, by way of opening the conversation. - -He bowed deferentially. "Good morning, gentlemen." - -"I looked in to see if you can let me have a butler for a few days," -I said. "My own man is on the sick list." - -He raised his hands. "Dear me, sir, I am sorry to hear that. Mr. -Northcote of Park Lane, is it not, sir? I believe we had the -pleasure of supplying you with several of your present staff." - -This also was information to me, but I received it with calmness. - -"Perhaps you can continue the good work, then?" I suggested. - -"Certainly, sir, of course. If you will take a chair a minute, I -will just consult our books. I have no doubt that we have someone -who would fill the vacancy." - -Maurice and I seated ourselves, while he bustled off to the other end -of the room and began to turn over the pages of a big ledger. I -picked up a copy of Punch, but I had scarcely glanced at the first -picture when our grey-bearded friend came hurrying back with the -light of discovery in his face. - -"Why, of course, sir, I have got the very man you want, sir. Stupid -of me not to have remembered it; but, as a matter of fact, he was -only entered on our books yesterday afternoon." - -"And who is this paragon?" inquired Maurice. - -"His name is Francis, sir. He is Sir Henry Tregattock's late butler. -A most excellent servant, I believe." - -"Why has he left?" I asked. - -Mr. Seagrave shrugged his shoulders. "I should say he had saved up -some money, and was tired of regular service. He has only entered -himself on our books for temporary engagements. He is a Frenchman by -birth, but speaks English perfectly, and his reference from Sir Henry -is unimpeachable--unimpeachable." - -"Have you had it confirmed?" asked Maurice. - -"I rang up Sir Henry himself just after the man had been in, and he -described him as the best servant he had ever had. Indeed, he seemed -quite distressed at parting with him." - -"That seems satisfactory enough," said Maurice, turning to me. "What -do you think?" - -I nodded. Curiously enough, I had met Sir Henry Tregattock about ten -years before, when he had been the English Minister in Bolivia, and I -remembered him as a level-headed man of the world, who was not in the -least likely to give an excellent character to a servant unless the -latter thoroughly deserved it. - -"Well," I said, "if he likes to come to me, I'll engage him for a -fortnight, at thirty shillings a week." - -Mr. Seagrave beamed and rubbed his hands. "Very good, Mr. Northcote. -Your terms are most generous, and I am sure he will be delighted to -accept. I will telegraph for him at once, and he shall be round this -afternoon." - -"The only thing is," said I, "that I shall probably be out." - -Mr. Seagrave pondered. "Perhaps you had better give me one of your -cards, sir, with just a line in pencil to say that it is all right. -I will take the man round to your house myself." - -This certainly seemed the best arrangement, so, getting out one of -Northcote's cards, I scribbled a few words across it to the effect -that the bearer was the genuine article, and handed it to Mr. -Seagrave. - -With renewed protestations of his gratitude for my distinguished -patronage, the latter bowed us out of his office. - -"I've got to go to my tailor's now," I said to Maurice, when we found -ourselves outside on the pavement. - -"Right oh!" he drawled. "Don't forget it's the two-thirty on -Thursday, if I don't see you before." - -"I shan't forget," I said cheerfully. "I'm looking forward to coming -down to you." - -And with this truthful if somewhat misleading remark, I waved him -farewell and walked off in the direction of Sackville Street. - -My interview with the tailor passed off quite successfully. It -appeared that Northcote had only arranged to call in order to inspect -some stuffs for a new shooting suit. I decided on a kind of -buff-coloured Burberry, which struck me as likely to be useful if I -survived the next three weeks, and then, just to encourage trade, -gave the good man a further order for a pair of riding-breeches. -After that I strolled over to Thierry's in Regent Street and bought -myself a couple of pairs of boots; for, although I could wear them, -Northcote's were just a shade too small to be comfortable. - -After my strict economy of the last few months, the spending of money -in this fashion seemed to me a most attractive pastime. I therefore -continued it by purchasing one or two other odds and ends at the -Stores in Lower Regent Street, including a really admirable -sword-stick, for which I paid nearly five pounds. Under the -circumstances, it appeared to me cheap at the price. - -I was in some doubt what to do with Northcote's cheque for eight -thousand. No other bank except his own was likely to cash it without -inquiries, and although so far my extraordinary likeness to him had -emerged triumphantly through all tests, I still felt a little shy of -facing the penetrating eyes of a cashier. - -At last, however, I decided to risk it. The bank was the Piccadilly -branch of the City and Provincial, so, walking back, I pushed open -the swinging door and marched in with all the calm assurance that I -could assume. - -There were several people at the long counter, but the moment I -appeared an elderly cashier stepped forward, with that polite haste -that bankers only assume for their more important customers. - -"Good morning, Mr. Northcote," he said, with some deference. - -"Good morning," I returned. Then I paused. "I want to cash a cheque -for eight thousand," I added. "Will my account stand it?" - -He smiled. "As far as I know, Mr. Northcote. If you will excuse me, -I will just consult the ledger and see how your balance stands. Of -course it will be perfectly all right about the cheque in any case, -but should you be overdrawing to any extent, perhaps you would prefer -to see the Manager." - -He departed to the back, returning a minute later with the gratifying -information that there was precisely nine thousand one hundred and -forty-eight pounds four shillings and sixpence to my credit. - -I handed him Northcote's cheque, and without further discussion he -opened a drawer and began to count out a pile of bank-notes. - -"I am giving it to you in five-hundreds, Mr. Northcote," he observed. -"Will that be convenient?" - -"Quite," I said affably. It struck me as a most happy adjective to -apply to five-hundred-pound banknotes. - -As soon as I was outside again I took a deep breath. The sensation -that one has the best part of ten thousand pounds in one's pocket is -the most richly satisfying emotion I have ever experienced. A few -days ago I had trod this very pavement with nothing but a fiver -between me and bankruptcy, and now here I was a veritable, if -somewhat precariously situated, Crœsus. I decided to celebrate my -promotion by lunching at the Criterion. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -Over an excellent grouse, followed by mushrooms on toast, and -illuminated by a bottle of Chablis, I leisurely reviewed the -situation. So far, about thirteen hours had elapsed since I had -parted from Northcote at the Milan, and if they had contained one or -two disconcerting experiences, I decided that I might certainly -consider myself lucky to have emerged as successfully as I had. I -was still alive; I had ten thousand pounds in my pocket; and so far I -had apparently played my part without arousing the faintest suspicion. - -There was a reverse side to this attractive picture, of course. In -the first place, I now had ample evidence that Northcote's dread of -assassination was neither a joke nor a delusion. My own animated -interview with Mercia, and the present condition of the luckless -Milford, made it very plain that during the next three weeks any -Insurance Company which knew the facts of the case would politely but -firmly decline to accept my life at less than a hundred per cent. Of -Mercia herself I was no longer afraid, but the mysterious Guarez, and -possibly other gentlemen with equally suggestive names, were -apparently still hanging around, waiting to carry on the good work -which she had so unsuccessfully attempted to inaugurate. - -Then there was this visit to Maurice. Somehow or other, I felt very -uneasy about my hospitable cousin. Even if Northcote had not warned -me against him, his personality would have been quite enough to put -me on my guard. All the time I had been with him I had had a curious -feeling that underneath his easy manner there lurked a bitter and -dangerous hostility. Why he should dislike me, or rather Northcote, -I had no idea, and I was equally ignorant as to whether there was any -possibility of his being connected with my other unknown friends. - -Under the circumstances, it seemed like asking for trouble to have -accepted his invitation. I haven't got that sort of nature, however, -that can sit down patiently under a mystery--especially when my life -is at stake--and I was determined to get to the bottom of things as -rapidly and effectually as I could. A week at Maurice's country -retreat appeared to offer considerable possibilities in this line, -and I was cheerfully prepared to accept any extra risk which might be -involved in the process. - -If I had only had some pal in whom I could place absolute trust, I -think I should have felt perfectly contented. It was more the -loneliness of my situation than the prospect of being murdered at a -moment's notice that disturbed my natural equanimity. - -I was just pondering over this problem when suddenly, like a flash of -light, a brilliant idea leaped into my mind. I brought my hand down -on the arm of my chair with a bang that made a respectable old -gentleman at the next table nearly jump out of his skin. - -Billy Logan! - -Of course! What a double-blanked idiot I had been. If he had not -fixed up his business with Seatons, Billy was exactly the man for my -purpose. True as steel, tough as whipcord, and game for any -conceivable mischief that the world could offer, he would be a -fitting partner for the mad business to which I had pledged myself. - -I hastily ran through my pockets for the address which he had given -me. A horrible doubt seized me that I might perhaps have left it in -my blue suit, but just as I was giving up hope, I found it securely -tucked away in the flap of my pocket-book: - - W. G. LOGAN, - 34 VAUXHALL ROAD, S. W. - - -I looked at it affectionately. With Billy to back me up, I felt -equal to tackling half a dozen Maurices, with a Guarez or two chucked -in to keep them company. - -It was true that by confiding in Billy I should, in word at least, be -breaking my promise to Northcote, but this didn't weigh very heavily -on my mind. All that eminent financier was really concerned about -was my keeping up appearances before the world in general and his -would-be assassins in particular. This I fully intended to do and if -he didn't like my bringing in Billy to assist me, he would most -decidedly have to lump it. - -I made up my mind that I would drive down to Vauxhall Road directly -my meeting at the Cannon Street Hotel was over. Meantime, I would -wire to Billy telling him to be there to meet me. - -Thoroughly cheered up by this happy inspiration, I paid my bill and -told the waiter to order me a taxi. I was just leaving the -restaurant when it suddenly occurred to me that I ought to telephone -to Ritchie and find out how the unfortunate Milford was getting on. - -There was a box in the hall, so I entered it and hunted up the -doctor's number. - -"Is that you, Ritchie?" I asked, in response to a curt "Hullo!" - -"Yes," came the answer. "Who's speaking?" - -"I'm Northcote," I said. "I wanted to know how Milford is." - -"Oh, I'm glad you rang up. I'm happy to say he's much better. We've -managed to get rid of the poison." - -"Is he out of danger?" I asked. - -"Practically, I think. It's rather difficult to say for certain, -because we don't know what the poison was until we've analysed it. -However, he's sleeping now, and his pulse is regular if a bit weak. -The only bad symptom is a curious sort of mental torpor he seems to -be suffering from. It's probably the result of weakness, but we -shall have to watch him carefully. I've told the nurse to ring up -and let me know how he is when he wakes." - -"Well, that seems fairly satisfying, on the whole," I said. "I've -sent in a new man from Seagrave's to look after things, so Milford -will be able to get away for a bit as soon as he's better." - -"The best thing he could do," returned the doctor. "A couple of days -at Brighton will pick him up better than any medicine. I'll let you -know about the poison as soon as I've got the analyst's report." - -"Yes, do," I said; and then, thinking that the conversation was -taking a rather delicate turn, I added: "I must go now. I've got a -meeting at the Cannon Street Hotel at three o'clock. See you -to-morrow morning." - -"Right you are. Good-bye." - -"Good-bye," I echoed, and hung up the receiver. - -The knowledge that Milford was out of danger was a considerable -relief. I liked the man, and shared Northcote's opinion as to his -trustworthiness; while, apart from that, if he had died I should -certainly have been placed in a devilish awkward situation. A police -inquiry into the private doings of Mr. Stuart Northcote's _ménage_ -was a form of excitement which I felt that I could very well dispense -with. - -Getting into my taxi, I started off down Coventry Street, stopping at -the Post Office in Leicester Square to send off my wire to Billy. - -I arrived at the Cannon Street Hotel just as a quarter past three was -striking. I was a little late on purpose, as befitted the dignity of -a King of Finance. A waiter who was standing in the hall evidently -recognised me as Northcote, for he bowed profusely, and without -comment conducted me upstairs to a large room where a number of -prosperous-looking gentlemen in frock-coats were sitting round a long -table. - -They one and all greeted me with a respectful courtesy that still -further heightened my opinion of Northcote's abilities. - -"Good afternoon, gentlemen," I said, seating myself in a vacant chair -at the head of the table. - -There was a chorus of "Good afternoon, Mr. Northcote," and then a -solemn-looking old buffer at my right hand took up a printed paper -and began ingratiatingly to explain to me how far the proceedings had -gone. - -I need hardly say that my ignorance of business is about as profound -as it could possibly be. Sitting there with all these eminent -exponents of the art regarding me with evident respect and -apprehension appealed so forcibly to my sense of humour that it was -all I could do to stop myself from bursting into a shout of laughter. -However, with a great effort, I managed to retain a befitting -gravity, and listened with a sombre frown to my neighbour's -exposition. Finally, I nodded my head as though satisfied, and the -business of the meeting again proceeded on its normal course. - -What that "normal course" precisely was I have neither the ability -nor desire to describe. A great deal of it was necessarily double -Dutch to me, but I played my part with an impressive air of -understanding that seemed to go down most successfully with my -colleagues. Of course I spoke as little as possible, and then only -when I was appealed to on some point of dispute. On such occasions I -gave my decision with curt firmness, and I found that it was almost -invariably accepted without further comment. I began to think the -profession of a Financial Magnate was one in which I was peculiarly -adapted to shine. - -It must have been getting on for half-past five when the proceedings -at length terminated. As we left the room, a bald-headed little man -who had been exceedingly talkative all through came up to me and -inquired whether I would do him the honour of joining him in a glass -of champagne. I replied graciously that I had no particular -objection, and with evident pride he led the way downstairs to the -saloon bar of the hotel. - -"Your good health, Mr. Northcote," he said looking at me respectfully -over his bubbling glass. - -"That same to you," I replied, not to be outdone in politeness. - -"A most satisfactory meeting," he went on, setting down his glass; -"most satisfactory! Pensford gave a little trouble about those -Debentures, but you soon settled him." - -"One has to put one's foot down sometimes," I observed firmly. - -"Yes, yes. Quite so, Mr. Northcote; quite so!" Then he paused. "I -was wondering," he added, a little nervously, "whether you could -possibly give me a tip of any kind about those new South American -Goldfields." - -I suppose I looked at him rather sharply, for he at once put up an -apologetic hand. - -"Please don't think me intrusive, Mr. Northcote," he added hurriedly. -"Your name has been mentioned very freely in the City in connection -with them; but if you would rather not say anything at present, of -course I shall understand." - -His words had naturally given me a bit of a start. I had no idea -that, with the exception of my own discoveries in Bolivia, anyone had -so much as smelt a fresh goldfield in South America. Could this, I -wondered, be the mysterious "Company" alluded to in Sangatte's -letter? I lit a cigarette to give myself time to think. - -"At the present moment," I said gravely, "I am not in a position to -impart any information on the matter." (God knows this was true -enough!) "But," I added, seeing his evident disappointment, "a -little later on I might perhaps be able to give you a useful hint or -two." - -His greedy and rather pasty face brightened at once. "I should be -extremely grateful if you could, Mr. Northcote," he said, "extremely -grateful." - -"Oh, that's all right," I returned, finishing up the rest of the -champagne. "Now I'm afraid I must be off. I've got an appointment -at six." - -He followed me to the door of the hotel, protesting his appreciation -of my kindness, and respectfully waved a podgy hand as a convenient -taxi bore me away down Holborn. It must be a good long way from the -Cannon Street Hotel to Vauxhall Road, but my memories of the meeting -were sufficiently entertaining to prevent my noticing it. Indeed, I -was still smiling thoughtfully to myself over the bald-headed -gentleman's anticipations when the driver pulled up with a jerk -outside a row of depressed-looking three-storey houses, fronted in -dirty stucco. - -"'Ere you are, sir," he said, leaning back and opening the door. -"Number 34." - -I got out and told the man to wait. In case Billy was not at home, -it would be just as well, I thought, to have a cab in readiness. For -all I knew, I might have been followed; and if that were the case, -from what I could see of my surroundings it was not at all the sort -of neighbourhood for an unattended stroll. - -Mounting a dilapidated flight of steps, I gave a pull at the bell, -which tinkled vehemently down in the basement. It was answered after -a long wait by a round-shouldered elderly woman, who put her head -round the doorway and peered at me suspiciously. - -"Is Mr. Logan in?" I asked. - -She shook her head. - -"When will he be back?" I asked. - -She shook her head again. "I dunno," she observed. - -I repressed a strong inclination to swear. "I am a friend of his," I -explained patiently. "I sent him a telegram this afternoon to say I -was coming. Didn't he get it?" - -"No," she replied; "'e didn't get no telergram." - -"But it must have come," I objected. "I sent it off." - -"Oh, it come all right," she said. "The telergram come all right, -sir. I put it in 'is lookin'-glass. Only 'e ain't bin back not -since yesterday." - -"That's a nuisance," I observed. "Can I come in and write him a -letter?" - -She blinked doubtfully. "I dunno as 'ow 'e'd like it." - -"Oh, he'd like it right enough," I assured her. "I don't want to go -into his room; I'll scribble it in the hall if you'll let me have a -sheet of paper and an envelope." - -Something in my sporting offer seemed to reassure the old girl, for -she cautiously pulled back the door just wide enough for me to come -in. - -"I shan't be long," I called out to the cabman, and then, crossing -the threshold, entered the house. - -The landlady opened the door on the left-hand side of the passage. - -"I s'pose it's all right," she said grudgingly. "This 'ere's Mr. -Logan's room." - -I followed her into Billy's sanctum, which proved to be the ordinary -cheaply-furnished front parlour of a London lodging-house. - -"I'll get yer a bit o' paiper," she added, moving ponderously across -it to a small desk against the wall. "'E gen'rally keeps some in 'is -blottin'-book." - -I seated myself at the small table in the centre, which was covered -with a hideous rep cloth, and patiently awaited her investigations. -It pleased me to think that I could soon transfer Billy to more -congenial surroundings. - -After fumbling about for a minute she produced the required articles -and laid them on the table in front of me. - -"Yer want some ink?" she asked. - -"No, thanks," I said. "I've got a pencil. That will do quite well." - -I turned back the cloth, and began to write, while the good lady, -breathing heavily, stood and watched me. - - -"DEAR BILLY,"--I began,--"I'm writing this in your room, as your -landlady will no doubt tell you when you come home. I wired you this -afternoon, saying I was going to look you up; but thanks to your -disgraceful habit of staying out all night, the wire is sitting up, -unopened, in your looking-glass. - -"If you haven't fixed your business with Seatons, chuck it at once. -I've got something for you much more in your line. I can't explain -now, but there's plenty of money in it, and I want you bad, Billy, -very bad. - -"Come along and see me directly you get this. I'm staying at 46A -Park Lane. It's in the telephone book under the name of Stuart -Northcote, so if you like you can ring me up first. If you do, ask -for Mr. Northcote, _not for me_, and the same thing if you come to -the house. Don't make any mistake about this. In case I'm out, the -servants will have instructions to ask you to wait, but you're not to -mention my name, under any circumstances. Just ask for Mr. Northcote. - -"I suppose this sounds mysterious, but I'll explain as soon as I see -you. - -"Don't fail me, Billy. It's the real goods all round." - - -I signed this "Jack Burton," and then folded it up and put it in the -envelope, which I carefully fastened. I was not in the least anxious -for Billy's landlady to read it, so, in order to give the gum a -chance to dry, I felt in my pocket and produced a handful of money, -from which I slowly counted out five shillings. She watched me with -absorbed interest. - -"May I offer you this," I said, "for putting you to so much trouble?" - -"It's a pleasure, sir," she murmured, eagerly accepting the coins. -"Allus glad to oblige a gen'l'man." - -"Then perhaps you wouldn't mind giving this to Mr. Logan as soon as -he comes in," I added, putting the letter in the glass alongside the -telegram. - -"I'll be sure to call 'is notice to it, sir. You can count on that, -sir. I'm only sorry as 'e was out, sir." - -She opened the door for me with almost painful subservience and stood -on the steps blinking and bowing while I walked down and got into the -cab. - -"Where to, sir?" inquired the driver. - -I reflected rapidly. Knowing that Milford was better, I had no -particular desire to go back to Park Lane, even if the new butler had -arrived. The thought of a solitary dinner in that big dining-room -distinctly failed to appeal to me. - -"Oh, drive me to the Café Royal," I said. - -The cooking at that delightful establishment is good enough by itself -to induce a certain satisfaction with the world. Backed as it was, -in the present case, by my feelings of joy in the prospect of Billy's -company, it lifted me into a state of serene optimism such as I had -not known since my first fortnight in England. - -I dined deliberately, choosing my wines after consultation with the -head waiter, and also accepting the latter's excellent advice in the -matter of a cigar. Then for the best part of an hour I sat and -smoked, gently contemplating my fellow-diners through the haze, and -finally deciding that not even the lady with the emeralds, who was -undoubtedly the prettiest woman in the room, could hold a candle to -Mercia Solano. - -Having arrived at this conclusion, I paid my bill and strolled out to -walk back to Park Lane. I had not forgotten the possible dangers of -solitary pedestrian exercise, but the evening was fine, I had my -trusty sword-stick with me, and I felt that I would be damned if M. -Guarez or any other infernal Dago should compel me to spend the -remainder of my life in cabs. - -Nevertheless, despite this defiant mood, I took particular care to -keep my eyes open. The old rhyme, "Thrice blest is he who hath his -quarrel just, but ten times he who gets his blow in fust," has always -struck me as a peculiarly sound piece of philosophy, and I scanned -each harmless passer-by who approached with a wary eye for any -symptom of trouble. - -Unless anyone took a pot-shot at me from the Park railings, I felt -that I was fairly safe, and my sense of security was increased by -seeing a comfortable-looking Bobby standing right under the big -electric light just opposite my home. - -He saluted me as I came up. - -"Good evening, Constable," I said. - -"Good evenin', sir," he returned. "No more trouble with any of them -beggars, I hope?" - -It was just on the tip of my tongue to ask, "What beggars?" when I -suddenly recollected myself. - -"No, thanks," I said, wondering what on earth he meant. - -"Since you complained to me, sir, I've been keeping a good look-out, -and I reckon they've spotted it and cleared off." - -In a flash I realised that Northcote must have taken these ingenious -means of rendering any vigil on the part of M. Guarez and his friends -a somewhat trying affair. - -"I'm much obliged to you," I said. "I don't want to complain -officially, but you might keep your eyes open a bit longer. It's a -nuisance to have people hanging round the house." - -As I spoke, I handed him half a sovereign, which he accepted without -a quiver. - -"Thank you very much, sir," he said. "I'll see you're not bothered -again, sir. Don't you worry about that." - -Bidding him good-night, I mounted the steps of my house, and was just -getting out my latch-key when a telegraph-boy suddenly rode up on a -bicycle and jumped off in the gutter outside. - -He came up the steps, pulling out a wire from his bag. - -"Is that for me?" I asked. "Mr. Stuart Northcote?" - -"Yes, sir." - -I took it from him, and, tearing open the envelope, held up the -message to the light of the street lamp. It consisted of seven words: - - "Get rid of your new butler immediately." - - -I stared at it for a moment, and then laughed. - -"Thanks," I said; "there's no answer." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -I rather like surprises; but, as my old friend Jack Costello used to -say, "You can have too dern much of a good thing." - -With the telegram in my hand I went inside the house, shutting the -door behind me. The light was full on in the hall, and sitting on -the edge of the table I again read through the curt message: - -"Get rid of your new butler immediately." - -It had been sent off from Charing Cross at 9.58, and the sender, -whoever he might be, was evidently a person of direct and frugal -mind. The whole wire came to exactly twelve words, while for -crispness of style its phrasing certainly left little to be desired. - -I stared at it with mingled feelings of doubt, annoyance, and -amusement. If the warning was genuine, and my new butler was really -lurking behind the coal-scuttle with a dagger in his coat-tail -pocket, who the dickens had taken the trouble to put me on my guard? -It must have been someone acquainted with my movements that morning; -but, so far as I knew, Maurice was the only person who answered that -description. I couldn't exactly see Maurice wading in with a kindly -caution; and in any case, if he had wanted to give me the tip, why -couldn't he have done so when he had been with me? - -On the whole, I was more inclined to think that the wire was an -attempt at bluff. It might be that my prompt engagement of another -trustworthy servant in place of Milford had interfered with my -friends' plans, and that they were hoping to frighten me into -clearing him out. - -Anyhow, there was obviously only one course to pursue, and that was -to interview the gentleman myself without delay, and see what I -thought of him. So, crossing to the fireplace, I rang the bell, and -took up a dignified but alert attitude on the hearth-rug. - -As far as promptness was concerned, Francis left nothing to be -desired. Thirty seconds could hardly have elapsed before he had -entered the hall, and was standing before me with a deferential bow -of greeting. - -I looked at him keenly. He was a tall, slim fellow of about -thirty-five, with thick black hair and a rather sallow face. - -"Well, I see you've arrived all right, Francis," I observed. - -He again inclined his head. - -"Yes, sir. I came round with Mr. Seagrave about three o'clock. He -gave the cook your card, sir." - -"Have you seen Milford?" I asked. - -"Yes, sir. I had a short conversation with him." - -"How is he?" - -"He seems a little better, sir. He was anxious to go through the -work with me, but I thought it best not to allow him to talk too -much. I think I can manage quite satisfactorily, with what the cook -has told me." - -I nodded. "Quite right," I said. "There is really nothing to -discuss. I only want you to look after me and carry out the ordinary -duties of a butler. I'll tell you anything you want to know, if you -come and ask." - -He bowed a third time. "Yes, sir--thank you, sir." - -"Well, I'm going to bed now," I said. "I shan't want anything else, -except some hot water. You can call me at the usual time--eight -o'clock." - -I handed him my hat and stick, and, taking some letters from the -table, sauntered slowly up the big stair-case, which led to the -landing above. At the first bend I purposely dropped a letter, and -then, as though suddenly discovering my loss, turned to pick it up. -The strategy, though ingenious, seemed to be a trifle uncalled-for. -Francis was at the other end of the hall, with his back towards me, -apparently placing my stick in the hat-stand. - -With memories of the previous evening in my mind, the first thing I -did on reaching my sitting-room was to walk across to the recess and -pull back the curtain that covered it. Of course I knew it would be -empty, but at the back of my mind I somehow or other had a ridiculous -hope that I should find Mercia standing there, pistol in hand, and -that delicious half-sorrowful, half-scornful expression on her face. -I believe I would willingly have risked ducking another bullet if by -so doing I could have ensured her presence. - -But the recess was void--quite undoubtedly and stupidly void; and -with a feeling of disappointment I sat down in a chair and began to -open Northcote's correspondence. It contained nothing of any -particular importance to me, consisting for the most part of bills -and circulars, with one or two business letters that I contented -myself with just glancing through. I had had enough of business for -one day. - -As I was looking at the last of them, I heard Francis enter my -bedroom. After moving about for several minutes, apparently putting -things straight for the night, he tapped gently at the sitting-room -door and then opened it. - -"Your room is quite ready now, sir," he observed. - -"Thank you, Francis," I said. "Good-night." - -"Good-night, sir." - -He withdrew noiselessly and went out through the bedroom, shutting -the door behind him. - -I waited until he had had time to reach the basement, and then, -getting up from my chair, I began to take one or two simple steps -towards securing my position. Although in my heart I believed the -wire to be a false alarm, it seemed to me that there would be no harm -in adopting a few obvious precautions. - -So, after lighting a pipe, I proceeded to indulge in a thorough -search both of the bedroom and the sitting-room. Having satisfied -myself that there were no strangers or bombs lurking about, I locked -both doors and carefully inspected the fastenings of the windows. -These were quite secure; indeed, so far as I could see, there was no -way, short of gunpowder or a false key, by which anyone could enter -either room without my assistance. To make matters doubly safe, -however, I collected all the fire-irons from the two grates -(reserving only a poker for personal use in case of necessity) and -deposited them in two heaps--one in front of each door. I am a light -sleeper, and I reckoned that anyone making a forcible entrance from -outside would do so to a musical accompaniment that would at once -disturb my slumbers. Then, with a mind relieved, I leisurely -undressed myself and got into bed. - -There was an electric lamp on the table beside me, but by way of a -reserve light I stuffed a box of matches beneath my pillow. My -trusty poker I placed down the side of the bed under the top blanket, -ready to my hand should I be unseasonably disturbed. - -One last look round satisfied me that my preparations were distinctly -efficient. As I flicked off the light and lay back on my pillow, I -felt a kind of half-hope that there might really be something genuine -in the warning I had received. It seemed a pity to have taken so -much trouble for nothing. - -Going to sleep is always a more or less instantaneous business with -me, and, as far as I know, this night was no exception to the rule. -At all events, I have no recollection of anything between the time I -was fingering the handle of my poker in a kind of dreamy satisfaction -and the moment when I started up suddenly in bed with the faint chink -of fire-irons still sounding in my ears. - -I woke with all my faculties keenly on the alert. Everything round -me was in utter darkness, and my hand went out instinctively and -closed upon the electric switch. I must have stayed like that for -several seconds. My heart was beating rapidly, but I don't think I -felt the least afraid. - -Then I heard the door close very gently, and someone take a step -forward into the room. Without making a sound, I reached under the -clothes with my disengaged hand and stealthily withdrew my trusty -poker. Having secured this, I wriggled over into such a position -that I should be facing the intruder, and then, without further -hesitation, I pressed down the switch. - -My intention was either to hurl the poker directly the light went up, -or else to take a flying jump from the bed and land my visitor a good -swipe over the head before he could defend himself. It all depended -upon whether he was carrying a revolver. - -Unfortunately, neither of these excellent designs materialised. The -switch went down with a sharp snap, but instead of a blaze of light -flooding the room, everything remained in darkness. - -I can tell you I didn't stop to wonder what had happened. The danger -of my position struck me with a bang, and in less time than it takes -to say I had hurled myself sideways off the bed in the opposite -direction from the door. - -I was only just in time. - -Almost before I reached the floor I heard the crash of an overturning -table, and then something came down on the pillow with a wicked thud -that made the whole bedstead tremble. - -I fell heavily full-length on the carpet, but it is extraordinary -what activity danger will occasionally lend one. No cat could have -recovered her feet more nimbly or leaped back into the darkness with -such masterly swiftness. The wall of the room was only about a yard -away, and I fetched up against it with a jar that nearly knocked the -breath out of my body. There I stood, panting and shaken, but with -the poker still gripped affectionately in my right hand. - -It was not exactly an inspiriting situation--especially to a man in -pyjamas and bare feet. The only bright spot about it was that my -visitor, having bungled his first shot, was no better off than I was. -Indeed, if, as I imagined, he was none other than my new retainer, I -held the trump card of being a good way the heftier of the two. I -couldn't picture myself being slaughtered by Francis, even in the -dark. - -Crouching down against the wall, I peered out into the blackness in -front of me and listened intently. Since his first magnificent slap -at the bed, my visitor had apparently rested on his laurels. I could -hear him breathing quickly, but beyond that there was not the -faintest sound. Not knowing what had happened to me, he was -evidently waiting for inspiration. - -I did some rapid but necessary thinking. If I called out for help, -it was just possible that I should be sealing my fate; for should he -be armed with a revolver as well as his other weapon, he would -doubtless blaze away in the direction of my voice. Apart from this, -I felt a very strong desire to settle the matter without assistance -from anyone. - -My best plan seemed to be to get to close quarters, trusting to -Providence and the poker that I should get my slam in first. With -this object in view, I began to creep noiselessly along the -wainscoting, keeping my back against the wall. At the third step I -ran against a small picture, which swung sideways and fell from its -nail with a nerve-shaking crash. In a second I had dropped to the -floor, where I crouched breathlessly, waiting the expected shot. - -None came, however: only a slight movement from the direction of the -bed told me that my visitor was on the alert. I stayed as I was, -straining my ears to catch the smallest sound; and then, very faint -but just audible to my excellent sense of hearing, came the stealthy -tread of an advancing footstep. - -During the next moment my mind worked pretty quickly. It was either -a case of waiting where I was, or else rushing forward and lashing -out blindly into the dark. Which I should have done I can't say, for -it was at that crucial instant that my hand happened to touch the -corner of the picture which had just fallen from the wall. - -Never until then had Art properly appealed to me. I clutched that -blessed frame with the gratitude of a starving man who has suddenly -stumbled upon food, and changing the poker over to my left hand, rose -swiftly and joyously to my feet. - -At the slight noise which I made, the footsteps stopped. I knew, -however, that my visitor must be desperately near, and for a tense -second we both stood in absolute silence, each of us holding his -breath for fear of betraying himself to the other. - -Then out of the blackness ahead of me came the faintest possible -rustle. Like a flash I whipped back my right hand, and hurled the -picture with all the force I could straight at the sound. - -I rather think it must have landed on the bridge of my visitor's -nose, since no other point of contact could have produced such a yelp -of surprised agony as that which cleft the darkness. I did not wait -to jeer, but, ducking down again, took a couple of hasty steps to the -left in the direction of the door. He evidently heard me, for, -rushing forward, he landed a vicious smack on the wall, just above my -head, bringing down the plaster in a scattering shower. I retaliated -with a furious swipe at the empty air that nearly put my shoulder -out, and then, feeling that so far I had had all the best of the -duel, I leapt back out of range. - -How the contest would have ended Goodness knows, for at that moment -it was cut short by an unexpected interruption. From the passage -outside came the noise of hurrying footsteps; then the door of the -room burst open, admitting a ray of light that seemed almost blinding -after the total darkness. A figure appeared on the threshold--a tall -figure in white, holding a candle in one hand and a stick of some -sort in the other. - -I blame myself pretty badly for what happened next. If I had only -had the sense of a caterpillar, I should have dashed for the door, so -cutting off all chance of my visitor's escape. As it was, I'm -blessed if I didn't actually jump away in the opposite direction, I -suppose from some silly idea that I was going to be tackled by a -fresh enemy. - -I realised my mistake at once, but it was too late. There was a -swift rush of feet, a wild scuffle on the threshold, and then the -candle went out and I heard Milford's voice shouting for help. - -With an oath I hurled myself forward, stumbling blindly over the -scattered fire-irons. There was still a glimmer of light in the -passage, and by its aid I could see two figures locked in a furious -struggle. - -Just as I reached the door, one of them collapsed, and the other, -breaking free, leaped wildly for the head of the banisters. I was -after him at once, and we went down that staircase in a way that -would have put the fear of God into a couple of chamois. - -If the front door had been locked, I should have had him. As it was, -he just got it open in time, and taking the steps with a flying jump, -landed clear on the pavement outside. With a last effort, I hurled -my poker at him through the gate, only missing him by the merest -fraction. Then he was off, bolting down the street like a rabbit, -and vanishing round the corner before you could count five. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -I walked out into the roadway and picked up my weapon. Except for a -solitary cat, scratching herself under the opposite lamp, Park Lane -was absolutely deserted. As I stood for a moment, staring up and -down the long, brilliantly-lit thoroughfare, I heard a neighbouring -clock strike three. - -I am not a person who gives up very easily, especially when I'm -annoyed, but, dressed as I was, any further pursuit was out of the -question. To dash down Piccadilly at this hour of the night, clad -only in pyjamas and a poker, was to court a publicity that I was only -too anxious to avoid. So, after a slight shiver, for my bare feet -were beginning to get unpleasantly cold, I retraced my steps into the -house. - -As I closed the door, I heard a kind of stifled sob from the back of -the hall, and looking up, I saw in the dim light two women crouching -against the banisters. They were both in their night-dresses, and -one of them, whom I recognised as the parlour-maid, had her hair -streaming down over her shoulders. Very pretty hair it was, too. - -"It's all right," I said comfortingly. "Nobody's hurt." - -The elder of the two women--the cook, I suppose--burst into a torrent -of hysterical relief. - -"Oh, sir! Oh, Mr. Northcote! Oh dear, oh dear! We thought you were -all killed!" - -"Not a bit of it," I said. "Go and put something on, and find out -what's the matter with the electric light." - -My brisk and cheerful manner had the desired effect. Both women -stopped sobbing, and letting go each other's hands, rose unsteadily -to their feet. The parlour-maid even found time to blush. - -There were two candles flickering away on the hall table, and taking -one of them, I hastily mounted the stairs. As I came up, I heard the -sound of voices, and, reaching the landing, I found the faithful -Milford apparently engaged in a wrestling match with a woman dressed -as a nurse. When he saw me, he gave a sort of gulp, and sat down -abruptly on an oak chest behind him. - -"Well, Milford," I said severely, "this is nice behaviour for an -invalid!" - -He caught at the wall to steady himself, and I saw that the front of -his night-dress was stained with blood. - -"Are you hurt?" I asked quickly. - -He shook his head. "No, no, sir; I'm all right. It was the other -man--he was bleeding in the face." - -I turned to the nurse, who, I felt, deserved an explanation. "It was -an attempt at robbery," I explained shamelessly. "I got a new man in -yesterday, and he must have come with a forged character. Anyway, -when I woke up, I found him in my room; so, naturally, I tackled him. -I suppose you heard the noise downstairs?" - -The nurse, who seemed to be a singularly self-possessed lady, nodded -her head. "My patient did," she said, arranging a shawl that she was -carrying round Milford's shoulders. "I tried to keep him in bed, but -it was useless. He pushed me away and rushed upstairs just as he -was. All I could do was to follow him and light the candles." - -"You couldn't have done anything better," I observed. "But for them -God knows where we should have been. The blackguard had evidently -been monkeying with the electric light." - -"I was in the hall," she went on, "when you rushed past. After you'd -gone, I hurried upstairs, and found my patient trying to follow you. -I hope I did right in stopping him. You didn't seem to be in much -need of help." - -"Of course you were right," I said. Then, turning to Milford, I laid -my hand on his shoulder: "You're a good friend, Milford," I added, -"but you're a mighty bad patient. You must go back to bed at once." - -He smiled faintly, but made no answer. Lifting him to his feet, and -supporting him with my arm, I helped him slowly downstairs--the nurse -following. Just as we reached the basement, the electric light went -up, and the parlour-maid, this time with the addition of a -dressing-gown, appeared in the passage. She still seemed a trifle -embarrassed. - -"We found out what was the matter with the light, sir," she said. -"It had been turned off at the main switch." - -"Well, that's all right," I said. "You and Cook go to bed now. -There'll be no more trouble. It was only an attempt at burglary on -the part of that new man I got in yesterday. He's cleared out, and -we can't do anything more until the morning." - -A few minutes later, having seen Milford safely tucked up and left -the nurse in attendance, I made my way back to the hall, where I -fastened the front door and put out both the candles and the electric -light. - -My visitor had left traces of blood all across the carpet, and I -found spots of the same article decorating both the staircase and the -landing above. It was evident that his study of art had been as -intimate as it had been brief. - -Somewhat cheered by this discovery, I entered my room, and, turning -up the light, shut the door. The place was in a cheerful state of -confusion, for, in addition to fire-irons, broken glass, and -fragments of picture-frame, the overturned table and its contents -were scattered generously round the room. - -I tidied up things as well as I could, and then examined with some -interest the marks left by the two unavailing swipes which my -opponent had dealt at me in the duel. What his weapon was I could -not say for certain, but from the traces which it had left behind, it -appeared to have been something in the nature of an axe. My pillow -was practically cut in half, while the dent which he had made in the -wall left me with a certain sense of thankfulness that my head had -not been in the spot where it landed. - -After removing such portions of Park Lane as still adhered to my bare -feet, I got into bed, turning my mangled pillow over on its other -side. I left the electric light full on, for sleeping in the dark -had, somehow or other, ceased to appeal to me. Then, with the -agreeable feeling of a day well spent, I curled myself up under the -clothes, and in five minutes I was fast asleep. - -A little brisk exercise in the small hours of the night must, I -think, be an excellent thing for the health. At all events, I woke -up next morning feeling splendidly fit, and came down to breakfast -with an even better appetite than on the previous day. My -constitution requires an occasional stimulant, and with the job which -I had undertaken there appeared to be little chance of its being -denied this luxury. - -I regret to say that the pretty parlour-maid seemed less fortunate. -I was too sleepy to pay much attention to her when I was called, but -later on, when she brought me in my eggs and bacon, I noticed that -she had dark shadows under her eyes, and a general air of having -spent a bad night. - -"I am afraid you didn't sleep very well," I said. - -She shook her head. "Neither me nor Cook closed our eyes the whole -night, sir," she replied reproachfully. - -"Oh, I'm sorry for that," I said. "You must go to bed early this -evening, to make up for it. Have you heard how Milford is this -morning?" - -"The nurse seemed to think he was doing well, sir. I believe the -doctor is coming round almost at once." - -The words had scarcely left her lips when, through the window, I saw -Ritchie's car roll up to the door, and Ritchie himself step out. - -"There he is," I exclaimed, getting up from the table. "Ask him to -come in here a moment, will you?" - -She went out, and I heard the front door open. A minute later, the -doctor, carrying a glossy hat and dressed in an irreproachable grey -frock-coat, entered the room. - -"Good morning, Mr. Northcote," he said, extending a hand, which I -shook heartily. "And how is the patient this morning?" - -"Well, doctor," I said, "that's one reason why I wanted to see you. -We had rather an exciting time last night." - -He raised his eyebrows interrogatively, and without further waste of -time I trotted out the same old lie which had already done duty for -the nurse. - -"It was a burglary," I said, "or rather, an attempted burglary. I -had engaged another man, called Francis, in place of Milford and I -woke up in the middle of the night and found him in my room, trying -to break into my desk." (This last touch, I thought, was -particularly happy!) - -"Dear me! Dear me!" interjected the doctor, in a shocked voice. - -"Of course I tackled him," I continued; "but he made such a noise -that, unfortunately, he woke up Milford. In spite of his nurse, the -plucky fellow insisted on coming upstairs; and just as he reached the -landing, my man broke away and made a dash for the door. There was a -scuffle in the passage, and Milford got bowled over." - -"Bless my soul!" said the doctor. "Was he hurt?" - -"No," said I; "that's the funny thing about it. Knowing how seedy he -was, I expected to find him dead; but, on the contrary, he seemed to -be none the worse for it." - -Ritchie nodded his head. "It's quite possible," he said -thoughtfully. "A shock of some kind may have been just what he -needed. Still, it must have been touch-and-go. What happened to the -man?" - -"Unfortunately," I said, "he got away. It's an extraordinary case, -because I engaged him through Seagrave's, and his references were all -right, according to them. I'm going straight round there now." - -"I should," said the doctor, "and, what's more, I should put the -matter in the hands of the police right away." - -"Quite so," I assented cordially though it was the very last thing I -had any intention of doing; and with this extra fib I led the way -down to the basement. - -Far from being any the worse for this night's adventure, we found the -gallant Milford sitting up in bed, shifting a large bowl of -bread-and-milk with evident enjoyment. - -"Hullo, Milford!" I said. "That looks hopeful." - -The good fellow positively grinned. "I feel much better to-day, -thank you, sir. I really think I can get up and do my work." - -"I don't know about that," remarked the doctor, laughing, "but -there's no doubt that fighting burglars agrees with you. Let's feel -your pulse." - -The nurse, who had taken the chance of removing the empty bowl, here -observed that her patient had slept soundly ever since we had put him -to bed. - -"Oh, he's much better," said the doctor--"there can be no question -about that. Indeed, I don't think it would do him any harm to get -up. Of course he mustn't think of work for another day or two, but -otherwise we can consider the cure complete. In future, I shall -recommend one burglar to be taken nightly for any case that I feel -doubtful about." - -Chuckling heartily at his own jest, he accompanied me upstairs. "It -really is a most remarkable recovery," he said. "The man is -practically all right again--pulse a little weak, but otherwise -nothing the matter with him. It just illustrates the value of a -sudden mental shock in cases of collapse. By the way, I received the -analyst's report this morning. - -"Oh!" I observed. "What did he say?" - -The doctor frowned. "Well, it's curious, but he admits that at -present he's baffled. There are distinct traces of a vegetable -poison of some kind, but it responds to none of the usual tests. -However, he's going to make some further researches, so I suppose I -shall hear from him again." - -"You must let me know," I said brazenly, handing him his hat. "I -mean to get to the bottom of this." - -Promising he would, and congratulating me again on my frustration of -the burglar, the worthy man went off. What his private opinion of my -household must have been I hardly liked to contemplate; but since he -showed no signs of communicating it to the police, I was well content -to let matters rest as they were. - -Before starting out to have a little chat with my friend Mr. -Seagrave, I summoned the parlour-maid and gave her instructions that -if Billy Logan rang up or called while I was out, she was to tell him -that he would find me at home any time that afternoon. Then, -equipping myself with my trusty sword-stick, I set forth for Hanover -Square. - -It was my intention, as you may imagine, to speak some very plain -words to the portly gentleman who had sent "Francis" round on the -previous day; but, as some forgotten philosopher once observed, "it -takes two to make a quarrel." One can't be brutal to a worm, and Mr. -Seagrave more nearly represented that creature than anybody I have -ever met. - -The moment I entered his office he fell upon me with apologies so -abject that my pretty talent for remonstrance had no chance of -asserting itself. - -"You have received my note, Mr. Northcote. I can't tell you how -distressed I am that such a thing should have occurred in this -office. On behalf of the firm I tender you our deepest, our most -sincere apologies. I only trust that there have been no regrettable -consequences. What the scoundrel's object was, Heaven knows. I--" - -"Look here, Mr. Seagrave," I interrupted, "what the dickens are you -talking about? I've had no note from you yet." - -He goggled at me, rubbing his hands together and cringing like a -frightened spaniel I suppose he must have had some unpleasant -experiences with my spirited double. - -"You must just have missed it, Mr. Northcote," he said. "I sent it -around by one of our young men a quarter of an hour ago. The fact is -that we have heard from Sir Henry Tregattock this morning completely -repudiating any knowledge of Francis. I had written to him -overnight, asking him to confirm the character, and in reply he -stated that he had no idea what I was alluding to. He had never had -a servant of that name, and had not communicated with me in any shape -or form. It's unparalleled, amazing, incredible, but there can be no -doubt that someone else answered the telephone in Sir Henry's name. -Still if there have been no unfortunate developments--" - -I laughed in rather a nasty fashion. "Unfortunate developments!" I -repeated. "Are you aware, Mr. Seagrave, that the man you sent me -yesterday not only attempted to rob the house in the night, but did -his best to murder me?" - -To say that Mr. Seagrave collapsed would be an altogether inadequate -expression. - -"Oh dear, oh dear!" he moaned. "This is terrible, sir, terrible! -Such a thing has never occurred in the whole history of the firm. It -will ruin us when it comes out--absolutely ruin us!" - -His frank egotism rather pleased me. - -"I don't suppose it would do you much good," I replied: "but is there -any reason why it would come out?" - -I saw a ray of hope leap into his distressed face. - -"The fact is," I went on, "that I object to publicity in a case like -this. In the first place, I'm much too busy to be bothered about it. -The man's gone, and, as it happens, there's no harm done. I don't -want a lot of infernal policemen tramping all over my house." (This -was true enough.) "But you ought to be more careful," I added -severely. - -"We ought, sir; indeed we ought. I will never accept a telephone -reference again. I should be more grateful than I can say if you can -see your way to overlook the matter. The scoundrel must evidently -have had an accomplice in Sir Henry's house." - -"Well, you must square things with Sir Henry as best you can," I -said. "All I want is not to be troubled any more in the matter." - -I turned to leave the office, and he bowed me out, fervently -protesting that my peace should not be disturbed, and that he would -for ever consider himself my most humble debtor. - -Quite pleased with the success of my interview, I made my way back to -Park Lane, only stopping at a shop in Bond Street to purchase one of -those linen belts which are made to wear next the skin. In view of -my somewhat uncertain circumstances, it seemed to be tempting -Providence to wander about London with ten thousand pounds in my -pocket. - -During my walk home, my adventure of the previous night served to -occupy my thoughts in a not unpleasant fashion. It was agreeable to -reflect that at least one of my unknown friends was bearing my -handiwork in fairly legible type. Whether "Francis" was the -mysterious Guarez, or another gentleman with similar aims, it was at -least certain that for a few days I should be able to recognise him -under any disguise. I registered a grim vow that no stranger with a -dismantled bridge to his nose should have the opportunity of -approaching within striking distance of me. - -All the afternoon I waited in, in the hopes of hearing from Billy. -By six o'clock, however, no message had arrived; and, feeling rather -worried, I strolled downstairs to see how Milford was getting on. I -found him fully dressed, sitting in an easy-chair in the pantry, and -reading the _Daily Telegraph_. The nurse had gone. - -He seemed quite touchingly pleased to see me, but it was all I could -do to persuade him to retain his comfortable seat. He appeared to -think a kitchen chair altogether beneath my dignity. - -"What I can't make out, Milford," I said, "is how you managed to -upset yourself." - -He was silent a minute. "I can't help thinking, sir," he replied -slowly, "that it must have been that glass of beer I had at the -Granville." - -"But surely," I objected, "if the beer poisoned you, it would have -poisoned everyone else." - -"I don't think the beer would have poisoned me, sir, if it had been -left alone," he said pointedly. - -"What do you mean, Milford?" I asked. - -He shifted a little uneasily in his chair. "Well, sir, it may be -fancy, and you may think I'm speaking foolishly, but I can't help -having an idea that the man I was speaking to may have put something -in it when I wasn't looking." - -"The man?" I said. "What man?" - -"It was a chap in the bar, sir. A big, foreign-looking fellow he -was. He started talking to me when I came in, though, as far as I -know, I'd never set eyes on him before. It's my belief that for some -reason of his own he put something in my drink." - -This theory of Milford's fitted in so exactly with my own suspicions -that for a moment I felt as if I were partly guilty. - -"Would you know him again?" I asked. - -"Oh yes, sir. He was a big, black-haired fellow, with one shoulder a -little higher than the other. I didn't fancy him when he came up and -spoke to me." - -I was just going to observe that the landlord of the premises might -possibly be able to tell us something about the gentleman, when there -came a tap at the door, and the parlour-maid entered. - -"If you please, sir," she said, "Mr. Simpson is here." - -It was an embarrassing moment, as of course I hadn't the faintest -notion who Mr. Simpson might be; but once more Milford came to my -rescue. - -"I sent him a message to come round, sir. You said you might be -motoring down to Woodford to-morrow if it was fine, so I told him -he'd better look in and see whether you wanted the car." - -This was news indeed. Up till that moment I had no idea that I -belonged to the noble army of car owners. - -"Quite right, Milford," I said, getting up. "I think I shall motor -if it's anything like a decent day." - -I went upstairs and found Mr. Simpson in the hall. He proved to be a -small, dark, clean-shaven man dressed in the conventional garb of a -chauffeur. - -"Good evening, sir," he said, touching his forehead. "I just looked -in about the car. Mr. Milford said you might be wanting it to-morrow -to go down to Suffolk." - -"Yes," I said, "I shall if it's fine." - -I had quite decided by this time that I would motor down to Woodford -instead of going by train. - -"Will you be wanting me, sir?" asked Mr. Simpson. - -I reflected rapidly. I am not much of a hand at steering a car, but -still I had tackled the task with average success on several -occasions in Buenos Ayres. What was worrying me was the question of -Billy. If he turned up in time, I intended taking him down to -Woodford with me, and putting him up at the nearest inn; and there -was just the chance that if Simpson came the latter might give the -show away to one of Maurice's servants. On the whole, I decided to -drive myself. - -"No," I said, "I shan't want you, Simpson. Have the car around here -at 10.30, and put some cans of petrol in. I shall only be away for -two or three days." - -He touched his forehead again respectfully, and withdrew. - -My latest discovery had put me into a very cheerful frame of mind. -With a car at my disposal I felt much better equipped for my visit to -Woodford. I was a long way from trusting Master Maurice, and a motor -is a devilish handy thing if you happen to want to leave a place -without ceremony or delay. - -The only fly in my ointment was the non-arrival of Billy. I was -beginning to fear that he must have fixed up his job with Seatons, -and that I should have to get through as best I could without him. -However, I have made it a rule in life never to hunt for trouble -before it arrives, so, still hoping for the best, I went upstairs, -and began in a leisurely manner to array myself for Lord Sangatte's -party. - -I had ordered a little dinner for eight o'clock, and while I was -discussing the excellent sole and cutlets which the cook sent me up, -I further impressed upon the parlour-maid that if Billy arrived -during my absence he was to be detained at all costs. - -"Tell him," I said, "that I shall be back before long, and that I can -put him up for the night. I suppose there is a room ready?" - -"Oh yes, sir," replied the parlour-maid; "it's only a question of -airing the bed." - -"Air it, then," said I; "and, whatever you do, don't let Mr. Logan go -till I come back." - -I waited on till half-past ten, amusing myself by smoking a couple of -cigars, and routing out such of Northcote's clothes as seemed to me -suitable for the country. Then, as there was still no sign of Billy, -I put on my hat and coat, and, sallying forth from the front door, -summoned a taxi, and ordered the man to drive me to Belgrave Square. - -Sangatte's house proved to be a big detached mansion, standing in its -own grounds, and occupying the whole of one corner. It had a -pillared entrance--a sort of Greek portico, from which a red awning -stretched down to the main gate. - -There were a number of carriages and motor broughams arriving and -departing, with a policeman at the gate signalling to the next as -soon as the one in front had deposited its cargo. Whatever his -morals might be, Sangatte evidently entertained in style. - -My modest taxi rolled up in its turn, and I got out, and mounted the -carpeted steps that led into the house. To the left of the hall, -which was full of immaculately dressed men and women, the latter -blazing with diamonds and displaying a lavish amount of white arms -and backs, stood a large anteroom, where a couple of liveried footmen -were waiting to relieve us of our coats and hats. - -Having got rid of these impediments, I returned to the hall, and -slowly made my way towards the staircase, at the top of which -Sangatte was presumably receiving his guests. Several people greeted -me by name, and one or two beautiful ladies smiled at me across the -hall in the most encouraging fashion. It struck me for the first -time that Northcote might possibly have left me legacies of a more -agreeable nature than those which I had at present encountered! - -At last I reached the landing, where a solemn-looking butler who was -posted there evidently recognised me. - -"Mr. Stuart Northcote," he announced in a magnificent voice. - -Lord Sangatte, who, with the assistance of an elderly, grey-haired -lady, was welcoming each guest in turn, stepped forward on hearing my -name. He was a tall, well-built man of about forty-five, with a -heavy, clean-shaven face and hard blue eyes. I took a vigorous -dislike to him immediately. - -"I'm glad you've turned up, Northcote," he whispered, shaking my -hand. "You got my note--eh? I want to have a chat with you as soon -as I've got through with this tomfoolery." - -"Right you are," I returned. "Where shall I find you?" - -"Oh, come to my study," he said hurriedly. "I'll slip away about -eleven, and you'll find me there." Then, raising his voice, he -added: "I don't think you've ever met my aunt--let me introduce you. -Aunt Susan, this is Mr. Northcote." - -The smile which the elderly lady gave me could not have been -described as effusive even by an optimist, but such as it was I -accepted it with a good grace. Indeed, knowing what I did of -Northcote, I rather sympathised with the old girl. Sangatte -evidently noticed her lack of enthusiasm, for an angry light danced -in his eyes. However, he said nothing, and I passed on into the -ballroom beyond, discreetly concealing the amusement that I felt. - -To the strains of a band, which I could just hear above the loud hum -of conversation, a crowded roomful of people were moving -spasmodically about in what I believe is technically known as "a -Boston." I stood for an instant in the doorway, momentarily dazzled -by the blaze of light, the gleam of diamonds, and the wonderfully -coloured frocks that kept flashing past me with a provocative swirl -of silken petticoats. - -Suddenly I realised that there was someone behind me waiting to go -in. I stepped aside, looking up as I did so, and my heart seemed to -perform the absurd and inconvenient feat of jumping into my mouth. -For, just in front of me, her hand resting lightly on the arm of an -elderly man, whose features seemed curiously familiar, was Mercia -Solano. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -I was so glad to see her that I as nearly as possible made an idiot -of myself. Indeed, I was just on the point of stepping forward and -recklessly claiming her acquaintance, when something in Mercia's face -made me pause. She had gone very pale, and I could see that the hand -which was resting on her companion's sleeve had unconsciously -tightened. Her troubled eyes looked momentarily into mine with an -expression partly of fear, partly, it seemed to me, of relief. - -Then she moved on, and the next instant I heard someone behind me -pronounce my name. I turned instinctively, and found myself face to -face with Lord Lammersfield, the handsome, elderly, debonair -statesman who had stopped me on the previous day in Park Lane. In -evening dress, and wearing the ribbon of the Garter, he made a -strikingly distinguished figure. - -"Ah, Northcote," he said, with an easy wave of his hand, "I was just -wondering whether you had arrived. It's a mere matter of chance, -finding anyone in this human maelstrom." - -With an effort I pulled myself together. - -"Yes," I said lightly. "Sangatte ought to provide a crier and a -bell. Not that the latter would be much use." - -Lord Lammersfield smiled cynically. "The human voice," he remarked, -"is a very curious thing. Singly, it can be charming; -collectively--" He shrugged his shoulders. - -"Collectively," I finished, "it strikes me as the most unpleasant of -all animal noises." - -"An excellent description," said Lammersfield. "Suppose we exchange -it for the smoking-room and a couple of Sangatte's cigarettes. I -want to talk over one or two matters, if you can spare me ten -minutes." - -"Why, certainly," I replied; and turning from the door of the -ballroom, I accompanied Lammersfield across the crowded landing and -down a long gallery hung with family portraits. The smoking-room was -at the extreme end, and when we entered we found ourselves in -solitary possession. - -I naturally felt curious as to what the "one or two matters" might be -which a Cabinet Minister was anxious to discuss. It was just -possible, I reflected, that Northcote might have been mixing himself -up with politics, and as I was vastly ignorant of such things myself, -I was keenly on my guard lest I should betray the fact by some inept -remark. - -My mind was soon to be relieved on this point, but in a totally -unexpected fashion. As a matter of fact, Lammersfield's opening -words baffled me much more than any political observation could -possibly have done. - -"It's no good beating about the bush, Northcote," he said quietly. -"I haven't got the money at present, and it is quite impossible for -me to raise it." - -If, in my surprise, I didn't blurt out, "What money?" it was more by -the grace of Heaven than from any particular intelligence on my part. - -"To put matters quite frankly," continued Lammersfield pleasantly, "I -am in your hands. If you choose to press me, I shall have to sell up -Cranleigh and retire from politics. The British public will forgive -anything on the part of its leaders except adultery or loss of money. -The latter, I believe, is regarded as the greater crime of the two, -especially when, as in my case, it arises from a long period of -unsuccessful racing. Should you care to wait, I will pay you -directly I have the opportunity. On the other hand, if my present -diabolic fortune pursues me much longer, there will probably be -nothing left of Cranleigh for you to realise on." - -By this time I had recovered myself sufficiently to grasp the -situation. It was plain that Northcote must have lent money to Lord -Lammersfield--a large sum of money, from the way the latter was -speaking--and that the nominal day of reckoning was at hand. What -Northcote's object had been I had no idea, but I realised with rapid -satisfaction that it put me in the position of being able to do a -good turn to a man who might prove extremely useful. There is -nothing more agreeable than being generous with other people's money, -and I determined to make the most of my opportunity. - -"There is an Indian proverb, Lord Lammersfield," I observed, "which -says that 'Hurry is the Devil.' In the present instance I am -inclined to agree with it." - -"It would certainly be the devil to me," admitted his lordship -frankly. "My five thousand a year from the Home Office is all that I -have to live on at present. If I can hold out till next year, things -ought to right themselves a little. There will be some insurance -money coming in in the spring, and I have a couple of yearlings at -Cranleigh, on which Morris is building very high hopes. Still we can -hardly consider them a trust security!" - -I laughed. If only an average Liberal voter could have overheard his -respected leader, what a study his face would have been. I began to -wonder whether all Cabinet Ministers were as delightfully human as -Lord Lammersfield. - -"Well," I said, knocking the end off my cigarette, "they are good -enough for me. I rather like a slightly speculative investment." - -If my companion failed to satisfy one or two of the conventional -ideas of a successful British statesman, he was at least the master -of his emotions. He received my words without the faintest change of -expression. - -"It might sound a little ironical to say that I am deeply indebted to -you, Northcote," he answered. Then he paused. "To be quite candid," -he added, "I never expected that you would take this--how shall we -put it?--impersonal attitude. Your last letter on the subject--" - -"Ah!" I interrupted quickly, inwardly anathematising Northcote. -"We'll dismiss that last letter if you have no objection. I have -changed my mind since then." - -Lammersfield accepted this eminently true information with a -courteous inclination of his head. - -"As you please," he said. "You leave me under an immense obligation -to you. I can only add that if there is any matter in which I can be -of service to you, now or at any time, you mustn't hesitate to -mention it. The Home Secretaryship is a singularly distasteful -office to an intelligent man, but it has at least the merit of -putting one in a position to be occasionally useful to one's friends." - -I smiled. His lordship's cynical outlook on human nature and on the -privileges of Cabinet rank amused me intensely. He was evidently -prepared for some request on my part in return for the favour I had -done him, and I wondered what Northcote would have asked if he had -been in my place. I had no doubt that my enterprising double must -have had some purpose at the back of his mind when he originally -advanced the money. - -Throwing away my cigarette into the fire, I got up from my chair. - -"Thanks very much," I said; "but at present I don't think there is -anything I want to bother Whitehall about. I shall remember your -offer, though. Perhaps some day I may get arrested for exceeding the -speed limit." - -Lord Lammersfield laughed dryly. "I shall hold myself in readiness -for a summons to Holloway," he said with a bow. "Meanwhile, suppose -we return to the scene of festivity. In a weak moment I said I would -introduce some protégée of my wife's to several of our leading -statesmen; and although, personally, I don't admire the young lady's -taste, after all, a promise is a promise." - -As fate would have it, almost the first person I saw as we re-entered -the ballroom was Mercia. She was standing against the wall, -listening rather absently to a sombre-looking gentleman with long -grey whiskers, whom I recognised from his pictures as one of His -Majesty's most incompetent judges. A sudden determination seized me, -and I turned to Lammersfield. - -"You know everybody," I said. "Who's that pretty girl over there -with old Beauchamp?" - -He looked across. "Ah yes! charming, isn't she? Beauchamp makes up -in taste what he lacks in intelligence. She is a discovery of Lady -Tregattock's, I believe--a Miss de Rosen. They are reported to have -picked her up somewhere in South America. I will introduce you to -her if you like." - -With the memory of "Francis" still pleasantly fresh in my mind, this -information about Lady Tregattock was, to say the least, a trifle -startling. However, Lammersfield's keen eyes were on my face, and I -managed to suppress any sign of surprise. - -"Well, if it's not bothering you too much," I said carelessly. - -"On the contrary," he returned, "I should consider it an amiable duty -to rescue any attractive young woman from Beauchamp." - -I followed him across the room to where the ill-assorted pair were -standing. - -"Miss de Rosen," he said, with a courteous bow, "may I have the -pleasure of introducing a friend of mine--Mr. Stuart Northcote." -Then, turning with a smile to the judge, he added lightly, "Ah, -Beauchamp, you're the very man I want to see. Can you spare him a -moment, Miss de Rosen? I'll leave Northcote to entertain you." - -The thing was done so smoothly and with such delightful dexterity -that, almost before I realised it, I was left alone with Mercia, and -Lammersfield was strolling off, with his hand on the shoulder of an -exceedingly annoyed-looking judge. - -"If I am ever tried for my life," I said, with a smile, "I hope -Beauchamp won't be on the Bench." Then, without waiting for a reply, -I added abruptly, "I want to talk to you. Can we get out of this and -find a couple of seats somewhere?" - -She accepted my arm, and the mere touch of her hand upon my sleeve -filled me with a ridiculous sense of happiness. We made our way -through the crowded ballroom and down the broad staircase into the -hall below, where desultory carriage-loads of late-comers were still -arriving. To the right of the hall was a conservatory--a wonderful -fairyland of azaleas and other flowering shrubs; and in the far -corner, under the shelter of a couple of giant palms, I found two -comfortable and fairly secluded chairs. - -Mercia had seemed very charming to me the other night, but here, in -the softly shaded light which gleamed upon her bare shoulders and -just revealed that strange look of sorrow and tragedy in her eyes, -her beauty held me in a kind of enchanted silence. - -"I have been wondering if I should ever see you again," I said at -last, with a little sigh of satisfaction. - -She looked up at me with a sudden flash of anger that was amazingly -becoming. - -"Aren't you satisfied yet?" she said bitterly. "You have made me -hate and despise myself for the rest of my life. Do you suppose that -I can ever see you without remembering that I have betrayed my -father?" - -"If you mean that you would have pleased your father by putting a -bullet through my head," I returned, "I think you are misjudging him." - -She leant forward, her hand resting on the arm of the chair and her -dark eyes fixed almost piteously on mine. "I wish I understood," she -said. "Somehow, I can't believe that you are lying to me, and yet--" - -"And yet?" I echoed, as she paused. - -She turned away with a little gesture of despair. "I pray to God," -she said wearily, "that after to-night we shall never meet again." - -"There is a good chance of your prayer being granted," I -remarked--"at least, if one may judge by my experience yesterday." - -She looked up quickly. "What do you mean?" - -I shrugged my shoulders. "Only that a butler I engaged in the -morning made a highly creditable attempt to murder me in the middle -of the night." - -I saw her face turn pale. "Oh!" she said, and she laid her hand upon -her breast. "Were you--were you hurt?" she faltered. - -"No," I said, "I wasn't hurt. I am afraid the butler was, rather; -but that was his fault. It's so difficult to see what one's doing in -the dark." Then I paused and looked her full in the face. "The -curious thing is," I added, "that the man was sent to me with -excellent references from Sir Henry Tregattock." - -She met my gaze without flinching, but the last vestige of colour had -left her cheeks. - -"Sir Henry Tregattock?" she repeated in a kind of mechanical way. - -"That's right," I went on, assuming a cheerful, confidential tone. -"I got the fellow through Seagrave's--those people just off Hanover -Square. There was no mistake about it, because I'd been round there -myself in the morning, and Seagrave had assured me that not only was -the reference all that it ought to be, but that he had rung up -Tregattock, and had it confirmed over the telephone." - -She started very slightly, recovering herself at once. "Yes," she -said in a whisper. - -I lay back in my chair, rather enjoying myself, though I must confess -I felt a bit of a brute. "Now we come to the interesting part of the -story," I said. "This morning I learned from Seagrave that not only -was the reference a forged one, but that somebody else had actually -answered the telephone in Tregattock's absence. Sir Henry himself, -apparently, knew nothing whatever about the matter." - -She was silent for a moment, her brows slightly knitted and a puzzled -expression in her eyes. "I don't understand," she said at last. -"Why did you want a new butler? The other night--there was a man -there--" - -"Ah, yes," I interrupted; "the excellent Milford. But, you see, some -of your friends had been kind enough to poison him." - -"Poison him!" she echoed; and then, leaning forward, she stared at me -in obviously genuine horror. "Do you mean that he is dead?" - -"Oh dear, no," I said lightly. "We are rather a tough couple, -Milford and I. Still, they did their best--and, after all, you can't -throw stones you know! You missed me shockingly at five yards." - -I am afraid the last little pleasantry was rather wasted. Mercia had -momentarily covered her face with her hands, and when she took them -down I saw that her beautiful eyes were alight with anger and -indignation. - -"But this is dreadful!" she broke out. "I did not know--I--I had -heard something, but indeed I did not know. It--" She checked -herself abruptly. - -"It was the genial M. Guarez, no doubt," I said. "Just the kind of -thing I should expect from a man with a name like that. I really -didn't imagine that you had anything to do with it." - -"What time," she asked, speaking rather more calmly, "did these -people ring up the telephone?" - -I shook my head. "I don't know the exact hour, but I can find out. -Anyhow, it was on Wednesday afternoon." - -"Ah!" she said, with a quick little intake of her breath. Then she -paused. "You know that I am living with the Tregattocks?" she added. - -"Lammersfield has just told me," I answered. "But it doesn't matter. -I am going down to Woodford to-morrow, to stay with Maurice -Furnivall, so you are not likely to have the distressing experience -of coming across me again--at all events for a few days." - -She looked at me strangely. "You think you will be safer there?" she -asked. - -I laughed. "Well, things can't be much more strenuous than they are -in town; and, after all, Maurice is my cousin, you know." - -"Your cousin!" she repeated half incredulously; and then a sudden -light of revelation dawned in her eyes. With a quick gesture, she -leaned forward and laid her hand on my sleeve. "Don't go," she said -hurriedly. "I--" - -At that moment there was a sound of footsteps in the hall, and round -the corner of the palm trees came the ever-to-be-accursed figure of -Mr. Justice Beauchamp. - -"Ah, Miss de Rosen," he began, with the kind of ponderous fatuity -that passes for humour on the Bench, "I find you like the Arab maiden -beneath the palms." - -Mercia, dear thing, smiled in her most charming manner. "And for the -same reason," she said lightly. "The ballroom is unbearably hot." - -"Without the other attractions of the desert," I added. "There, at -least, one's toes are not trodden on." - -"Nevertheless," observed the judge, addressing Mercia and -ostentatiously disregarding me, "with your permission, I am going to -take you away from your oasis. On my way to rejoin you, I met Sir -Henry. He is anxious for a moment's conversation with you, and I -promised to bring you back with me." - -He offered his arm, and, after hesitating for the fraction of a -second, Mercia got up gracefully from her chair and accepted it. - -As she did so, she flashed one swift glance at me. "You must tell me -the rest of your story later in the evening, Mr. Northcote," she said. - -I bowed, and then stood there for a moment, looking after them, as -the garrulous old gentleman, who obviously imagined that he had -scored off me, conducted her triumphantly out of the conservatory. - -They had certainly left me something to think about. That Mercia was -living with the Tregattocks, under another name, was in itself a -startling bit of information; while, taken in conjunction with the -forged testimonial and its fraudulent confirmation, it began to throw -light on several previously rather dark corners. And yet I fully -believed her denial of any complicity in the Milford affair. Of -course she had tried to shoot me, but, somehow or other, that seemed -a very different sort of thing. Poisoning butlers was a branch of -assassination with which I could not associate Mercia at all. - -I began to wonder how she had got to know the Tregattocks. -Lammersfield had said something about their having picked her up in -South America, and this fitted in accurately enough with my -suspicions of the other evening. Her own phrase, "the Satyr of -Culebra," suddenly recurred to my mind, and I remembered that I had -never hunted up the place on the map, as I had meant to. Tregattock, -I knew, had been Minister in Bolivia for some years, so it was more -than possible that he too was mixed up in my unknown and apparently -very shady past. - -Then there was Maurice, whom at present I was quite unable to fit -into the picture. Mercia, had, for some reason or other, given me a -pretty plain hint that that amiable young gentleman was not to be -trusted--and, indeed, Northcote's words and my own instincts had -already led me to a similar conclusion. And yet, if he was a cousin, -and one whom Northcote had apparently always treated well, why on -earth should he be mixed up with Mercia and those Dago friends of -hers, who, probably for excellent reasons of their own, were so eager -to finish my career? It was just possible that, as my nearest -relation, he might have an eye on my ill-gotten gains; but one -hesitated to accept quite such a damning theory even about Maurice. - -I was still puzzling my brains over all these infernal complications -when a quick step sounded on the tessellated pavement, and, looking -up, I saw Lord Sangatte coming briskly towards me. - -"Good!" he said. "I thought I might find you here. Come along into -the study." - -To tell the truth, in the excitement of meeting Mercia, I had -forgotten all about the appointment he had made, and his running -across me in this opportune fashion was just a stroke of luck. -However, naturally enough, I didn't inform his lordship of this fact, -but accompanied him across the conservatory towards a door on the -farther side, which he opened with a small Yale key. I was certainly -having a most entertaining evening. - -Sangatte's "study" was just the sort of room I should have expected. -That is to say that, with the exception of a large writing-desk, -there were no indications that it had ever been the scene of that -severe mental energy suggested by its title. Its chief furniture -seemed to be a plentiful supply of easy-chairs, a large tantalus -spirit-stand, and a very professional-looking card-table in the -farther corner. - -My noble host started the proceedings by carefully locking the door. -Then observing that "a drink wouldn't be a bad thing," he poured out -a couple of stiff brandies-and-sodas, and handed one of them to me. - -"I wanted that," he said, setting down the empty glass. "I'm just -about played out, Northcote, I can tell you. A week of this awful -entertaining business would finish me. Have a smoke?" - -He held out a cigar-box, and I helped myself to a very promising -Laranage. - -"Yes," I said, "I can imagine a pleasanter way of spending the -evening." - -He laughed sourly. "Well, they're going to pay for it--that's one -consolation." - -Crossing the room to the desk, he opened a drawer, and took out -several sheets of typewritten paper. - -"Here it is," he said, handing them over to me. "Rosedale and I -roughed it out after our last talk with you. I expect you'd like to -take it home with you, but you might run through it first, and see if -anything strikes you now. I shall be seeing Rosedale again -to-morrow." - -With a pleasing sense of anticipation, I accepted the papers, and -settled myself down comfortably in one of the easy-chairs. One -glance showed me that I held in my hand the rough draft of a -prospectus, for across the top of the first page, in big capital -letters, ran the following announcement:-- - - THE AMALGAMATED GOLDFIELDS - OF SOUTH AMERICA LTD. - CAPITAL £2,000,000. - - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -I looked at it for a moment with a kind of dazzled admiration. Then, -after taking a pull at my cigar to restore my composure, I read -through the whole precious document from beginning to end. - -It appeared to me to be one of the finest and boldest works of -fiction that had ever fallen into my hands. Briefly speaking, it -commended in glowing terms to the notice of the British Public a new -and magnificent group of gold-mines which it declared had just been -discovered in the northern provinces of the Argentine. Being fairly -well acquainted with the district myself, I felt almost certain that -the statement was a colossal lie, but I must admit that the evidence -produced was extraordinarily convincing. The Board of Directors -consisted of Stuart Northcote, Esq., Lord Sangatte, Sir Matthew -Rosedale, and Señor Bonito Morales, the ex-President of the Republic. -The latter gentleman I knew to be one of the completest scoundrels -that even South America has produced, a fact which confirmed my -suspicions as to the fraudulent nature of the entire business. - -While I was reading, Lord Sangatte paced up and down the room behind -me, apparently trying to recover from the unwonted exertion of being -civil to a large number of people in succession. As I laid down the -paper he turned impatiently and inquired what I thought of it. - -"It seems fairly convincing," I said coolly, "but we might improve it -a little yet." - -"Well, there will be the notices in the financial papers to go in," -answered Sangatte. "Rosedale is seeing about that. He says he can -do the whole thing for twenty thousand in shares." - -It sounded a fairly cheap way of swindling two millions out of the -pockets of the British Public so I contented myself with an approving -nod. - -"And then there'll be Lammersfield," went on Sangatte. "If you can -only work your business with him, the thing's as good as done. With -an ex-Home Secretary on the board, the shares will go like hot cakes. -I know the idiots." - -It only needed this illuminating observation to make the whole affair -plain to me. I saw at once that Northcote must have advanced the -money to Lord Lammersfield in order to compel that genial nobleman to -fall in with his schemes. As Home Secretary, it would, of course, be -impossible for the latter to accept a Directorship of any kind, so -Northcote's plan had evidently been to compel him to resign office by -a judicious mixture of bullying and bribery. With Lammersfield's -name on the board, "The Amalgamated Goldfields of South America" -would, as Sangatte observed, sell "like hot cakes." It was a pretty -little scheme, worthy indeed of the high opinion I had already formed -of my talented double. - -"Lammersfield will be all right," I said, with a gentle irony that -was wasted on my companion. "He is in my hands." - -Sangatte grinned evilly. "I thought as much. I saw you talking to -him to-night. You're a good man of business, Northcote; I will say -that for you." - -I accepted the compliment with a gracious smile, though I felt a -severe temptation to show his lordship that as a man of action I was -still more accomplished. Indeed, with the honourable exception of -Maurice, I had never met anyone whom I felt a more ardent desire to -kick. - -Blissfully unaware of his peril, Lord Sangatte helped himself to a -second drink. - -"I think I told you in my note," he said, "that I'd fixed up about -the _Seagull_. That old devil, Morton, wanted a thousand for her, -but I beat him down to nine hundred in the end. She's a decent boat, -for her size, but--" - -His interesting discourse was suddenly cut short by a discreet knock. -With an irritable exclamation, he crossed the room and flung open the -door. - -"Well, what is it?" he demanded. - -The footman, who was standing on the mat, bowed apologetically. "I -beg your pardon, my lord, but her ladyship has sent me to ask you if -you could come upstairs." - -I regret to say that Lord Sangatte swore. "Very well," he added; -"tell her I'll be up in a minute." Then, shutting the door and -turning to me, he observed graciously: "I suppose I must go back and -make myself pleasant to all this scum. You take the prospectus and -let me know what you want altered." - -I put the papers in my pocket, and followed him out into the -conservatory, where, before we had taken a couple of steps, we were -pounced on by a stout and elderly lady who made up for her -regrettable lack of costume by an almost painful display of jewels. - -With a muttered excuse, Sangatte bolted, leaving me to face the fire. - -I had not the remotest notion who my new friend might be, but, -fortunately, my ignorance did not matter, for she started talking at -once with a velocity and vehemence that gave me no chance of -replying, even had I wished to. As far as I could gather, Northcote -had accepted some invitation from her which he had failed to comply -with, for she began rebuking me with an arch playfulness that I found -very distressing. - -"Of course I know what you great financiers are--the terrible demands -you have on your time. We poor Society people have to catch you when -we can. But, my dear Mr. Northcote, you can't think how disappointed -poor Constance was. The silly child has taken quite a fancy to -you--ha, ha, ha! She was quite rude to poor dear Lord Clevedon, who -has been really most attentive to her. But girls are all alike, -aren't they? I always say that the thing we haven't got is just the -thing we want. Terribly hot, isn't it? They seem to have asked -everyone in London. I was just saying--" - -To save my reason, I cut short the torrential outpour by asking the -good lady whether I couldn't have the felicity of taking her in to -supper. She jumped at my offer with avidity, and, still bubbling out -an inexhaustible store of commonplace, accepted my escort upstairs to -the big room where Sangatte's guests were restoring their spent -energies. - -On the way, through the interruption of a ferret-faced youth who -waylaid us on the stairs, I discovered that my companion's name was -Mrs. Garnett. Beyond arousing in me a certain vague sympathy for Mr. -Garnett, this information was not of much use, for the only Garnett I -had ever known was a gentleman whom I had seen shot in a saloon brawl -in Villa Maria some years previously. - -Under the circumstances, I refrained from inquiring whether he was -any relation, contenting myself with looking after my companion's -wants, and interjecting an occasional hearty "Yes" or "No" whenever -there was a sufficient break in the monologue to warrant such an -intrusion. - -We must have been in the supper-room for a good half-hour altogether, -during the course of which I consumed the best part of a bottle of -champagne, and, as far as I remember, pledged myself definitely to -come down to Staines on the following Saturday and relieve the -vexation of the amorous Constance. Of course I had no intention of -doing anything of the kind, but even my natural affection for the -truth had become temporarily paralysed, and I should have agreed to -anything rather than attempt to argue. - -On returning to the ballroom, Mrs. Garnett's attention was happily -diverted by some rash stranger. I took the opportunity of escaping, -but only to fall into the clutch of the aged Director of the London -General Traffic Company, who had sat next me at our merry little -meeting on the previous afternoon. - -The old gentleman buttonholed me with such obvious gratification -that, although I was very anxious to find Mercia and continue our -conversation, I didn't like to hurt his feelings by being too curt -with him. When eventually I got away, the ballroom was filling up -again, but there was no sign of the one beautiful face for which my -eyes were hungering. I tried both the landing and the two long -corridors where people were sitting out, but I drew blank in each -case. If Mercia was not at supper it was evident that she must be in -the conservatory, so down I went, praying devoutly that no more of -Northcote's entertaining acquaintances would waylay me on the road. - -To my surprise, I found the place quite empty. I suppose the -combination of supper and a ballroom in which it was now possible to -dance were attractive enough to keep people upstairs; anyhow, I took -advantage of my solitude by seating myself in a retired corner, close -to the door of Sangatte's study, and indulging in a surreptitious -cigarette. - -It was possible, I reflected, that Mercia might have gone home. I -would have one more look round, and if this proved to be the case, I -determined that I would follow her example. Somehow or other, I had -a sort of presentiment that Billy was waiting for me in Park Lane, -and the thought of the cheery grin with which he would receive my -astounding confidence made me long to hurry up our meeting. - -As for my--What was that? From within Sangatte's room had come a -sudden faint cry, followed almost immediately by the muffled crash of -an overturning chair. I leaped to my feet, listening intently, and -then again--Good Lord! it was Mercia's voice! In one stride I had -crossed the intervening space and gripped the handle of the door. It -was locked, but I was in no mood for ceremony. Stepping back, I gave -it the full benefit of my fourteen stone, and with a crash of -splintering wood it flew open before me. - -Sangatte was standing in the centre of the room, his face flushed and -angry. Mercia, panting, indignant, and pale, leaned against the -mantelpiece. When his lordship saw who it was that had so rudely -disturbed his privacy, his expression changed momentarily to one of -utter bewilderment. Then, with a furious scowl, he advanced towards -me. - -"What do you think you're doing?" he demanded, in a hoarse whisper. - -I took absolutely no notice of him. - -"Miss de Rosen," I said, in my most cheerful manner, "I think this is -the dance you were kind enough to promise me." - -Mercia laughed softly. "I think it must be," she said. - -I stepped forward, and for the fraction of a second Sangatte barred -my path. Then his good angel must have whispered in his ear, for he -moved suddenly aside, and, without so much as glancing at him, I -advanced and offered my arm to Mercia. - -"I am sorry I was a trifle late," I said calmly. - -With a charming little smile, she put her hand upon my sleeve. "You -are always the soul of promptness, Mr. Northcote," she said. - -If looks could kill, we should neither of us have reached the door; -but Providence having fortunately arranged otherwise, Sangatte's -murderous expression had no other effect beyond adding to my secret -felicity. As we went out, I looked at him over my shoulder. - -"I'll come back and have a chat with you, if you'll wait here, -Sangatte," I said. - -He made no answer, and I conducted Mercia into the conservatory, -closing the somewhat unhappy-looking door behind me. - -"Our acquaintance," I observed, "seems fated to be rather an exciting -one." - -"It seems fated," she returned, "that I should be under an obligation -to you. I suppose the gods are amusing themselves at our expense." - -I laughed contentedly. "I don't grudge them their fun," I said. "I -was beginning to think you had gone home, and that our interesting -little conversation would have to remain unfinished." - -She stopped for a moment, and looked quickly round, as if to make -sure that there was no one within hearing. - -"I meant what I said," she whispered hurriedly. "Don't go to -Woodford. I--I can't explain to you; indeed I am wrong even in -warning you; but make some excuse to-morrow--don't go." - -"If we went upstairs and found a couple of chairs," I suggested, -"--perhaps--" - -"No, no," she interrupted quickly. "I can't stay here any longer. -Sir Henry is waiting to take me back; and, in any case, I could tell -you nothing more." - -We had reached the big hall, where several people were standing -about, apparently preparing to leave. Amongst them I noticed the -elderly white-haired man who had been Mercia's companion when she -first entered the ballroom. I realised now that he must be Sir Henry -Tregattock, which explained to me why his face had seemed familiar. -He looked much older, however, than when I had met him in La Paz ten -years before. - -He saw us at once and came forward to meet us. - -"Oh, there you are, Mercia," he said. "I was wondering what had -happened to you. I don't want to hurry you, but--" - -He stopped abruptly. His eyes were fixed on mine, and he had -suddenly drawn himself up with a gesture in which amazement and -hostility were very evenly blended. - -Mercia had gone rather white. "You--you know Mr. Northcote," she -faltered. "I will go and put on my things. I shan't be a minute." - -She vanished from my side, leaving me in what appeared likely to be a -somewhat embarrassing position. It seemed to me highly improbable -that Sir Henry could possibly remember me from our five minutes' -conversation in the dim past, and, in any case, if he did, there was -no earthly reason why he should have bristled up in this alarming -fashion. It struck me at once that he must be mistaking me for my -double. - -"I think Miss de Rosen is right, Mr. Northcote," he remarked, with -icy politeness. "We have met before, but under rather different -circumstances." - -"Yes," I said boldly. "I had the pleasure of five minutes' -conversation with you in La Paz ten years ago." - -His eyebrows lifted the fraction of an inch. "Indeed!" he remarked -dryly. "But I was referring to a somewhat later date. Possibly your -experiences in San Luca were not sufficiently pleasant to warrant -your retaining any very clear recollection of them." - -This was what Billy would have called "a jab in the plexus," but I -received it without wincing. - -"I have never been in San Luca in my life," I replied boldly. - -Sir Henry Tregattock's real answer was written legibly in his eyes. -What he actually said was almost as direct. - -"I fear San Luca is not as fortunate as you make out." - -It was the first time that I had ever been called a liar, at all -events by a man, and for a second my temper almost got the better of -me. I took a step forward, and then I recollected my promise to -Northcote. With a big effort I crushed down my anger. - -"It is at least plain that you have retired from diplomacy, Sir -Henry," I said. - -We were both so intent upon paying compliments that for a moment -neither of us noticed that Mercia had returned. It must have been -fairly evident to her that the situation was a trifle strained, and -she had doubtless hurried over her preparations to prevent things -from reaching any distressing crisis. In a white satin opera cloak, -with a light Indian shawl thrown over her hair, she looked more -beautiful than ever. Coming up to Sir Henry, she laid her hand -lightly on his arm. - -"Shall I ask them to call the carriage?" she said. - -He turned at once, and with a bow to Mercia I stepped back into the -conservatory and left them together. - -My brisk little interview with Sir Henry had put me in rather an -aggressive mood, and it occurred to me that the promotion of a -clearer understanding with Lord Sangatte would be an agreeable way of -spending the next few minutes. So, without wasting time, I crossed -the conservatory and knocked at his door. - -"Come in," he said. - -He must have guessed who it was, for there was a distinct and -regrettable lack of cordiality about the invitation. However, I -accepted it for what it was worth, and, entering the room, closed the -door behind me. - -Sangatte was standing with his back to the fireplace, looking about -as amiable as a tiger with a headache. I strolled up to him, and -stationed myself in an equally impressive attitude against the end of -the sofa. - -"Look here, Northcote," he broke out, making an evident effort to -keep his temper, "I'd like to know what on earth you think you're -playing at." - -"We are both looking for information," I returned. "I want to know -what you mean by insulting Miss de Rosen." - -He scowled at me for a moment, and then laughed--a singularly -unpleasant, suggestive sort of laugh. - -"Oh, that's how the land lies, is it!" Then he paused. - -My fingers itched to take him by the throat and bang his head against -the wall, but, fortunately for us both perhaps, that cursed promise -of mine to Northcote held me back. - -"Well, I don't know what you think about it," he said surlily, "but -it seems to me that you and I can't afford to quarrel about a woman -just at present. Women and business don't mix." - -"I think they will in this case," I said, "unless you play the game a -little straighter." - -He favoured me with a glance which no one could have described as -affectionate. - -"You're taking a queer line, Northcote. I'm not a safe man to -threaten, as you ought to know." - -I laughed. "If it comes to that," I said, "you're not altogether -ignorant about me." - -It was a chance shot, for at present I was quite unaware how much of -my double's unsavoury career Sangatte was really acquainted with. -That his knowledge was fairly extensive, however, was plain from his -answer to my remark. - -"I'll give you credit for being a pretty complete scoundrel, -Northcote," he observed graciously, "but, all the same, I tell you -plainly I'm not going to stand any interference in this business. -You play your hand, and I'll play mine." - -"My only objection to that," I observed, "is that your hand seems to -be such an excessively dirty one." - -He flushed hotly. "It's a new thing to find you playing the -moralist," he sneered. "What's the matter? Do you want to marry the -girl?" - -I kept my temper. "Suppose we leave Miss de Rosen's name out of it," -I suggested. "We'll say that, until the Company's launched, it will -be safer for you, and better for business generally, if you can -manage to restrain your emotions within decent limits." - -There must have been a dangerous note in my voice, for, angry as he -was, I could see that my words had sobered him. He made one last -effort at bluff, however. - -"If you think you can frighten me," he declared, "you've got your -money on the wrong horse. This isn't South America, you know." - -I smiled. "If it was, I shouldn't have troubled to warn you," I said -pleasantly. - -There was a short silence, Sangatte eyeing me malevolently and, I -suppose, weighing up the situation. At last he shrugged his -shoulders. - -"Well, have it your own way," he snarled. "I'm not going to wreck -the Company for the sake of any woman in the world." - -"That's right," I said cheerfully. "I thought you'd take a -reasonable view of the matter." - -As I spoke, the big timepiece in the corner gave out a deep, solitary -tang. It was one o'clock. I remembered that Billy might possibly be -waiting for me. - -"Well, as we've settled that little matter," I observed, getting up -from the sofa, "I think I shall go home." Then I paused. -"Good-night," I added. "I must thank you for a most delightful -evening." - -Lord Sangatte's expression was not lacking in eloquence, but as he -condescended to make no reply, I did not prolong the conversation. -Leaving the room, I strolled across the hall to where I had left my -coat and hat, and putting them on with the assistance of the powdered -footman, I went down the steps and out into the Square. - -The stimulating events of the evening were jostling each other so -joyously in my mind that for the moment I had quite forgotten my -ever-present danger. I walked briskly along, reflecting over the -knowledge that I had acquired, and trying to straighten things out -into their proper relation with each other. - -I now had a pretty good idea of how I stood both with Lammersfield -and Sangatte, while my acquaintance with Mercia seemed to be -progressing on the most desirable lines. Whether in her heart she -still believed me guilty of all the bloodthirsty crimes she had -originally laid to my charge I could not quite make up my mind. If -she did, it was all the more encouraging that she should have warned -me against Maurice. - -It suddenly struck me that I had never told her about the mysterious -wire, which, without doubt, had been the means of saving my life. -That the warning had been a genuine one was now fairly obvious. -Could she have sent it herself? and if so, how did it fit in with her -almost passionate disclaimer of any knowledge of the Milford affair? - -I racked my brains vainly over the problem for several minutes, and -then my thoughts flitted to Sir Henry Tregattock. Brief as my -interview had been with him, it had left me with my first gleam of -information as to Northcote's past. San Luca! So that was where the -key to the mystery lay! And a devilish likely place, too, I -reflected, unless rumour had been more than usually misleading. - -I began to regret that in my wanderings in South America I had never -penetrated into the festive region in question. All I knew about it -was that, after having been for two years in the grip of that -infamous filibuster, Ignace Prado, its worthy citizens had finally -succeeded in blowing him and his palace sky-high, and in selecting -another President more to their taste. Very likely Northcote had -been mixed up with this ruffian, and if so, there was some excuse for -M. Guarez and the other gentlemen who were so anxious to murder me. - -The thought of being murdered suddenly brought me back to my -immediate surroundings. I had left the house in such a whirl of -various emotions that it had never occurred to me I was doing an -exceedingly foolish thing in walking home alone at this hour of night. - -Supposing I had been watched and followed! Instinctively I turned -round and looked sharply back down the long curve of lighted -pavement. I was just in that short but rather desolate stretch -behind St. George's Hospital--an ideal spot for anyone who wanted to -stick a knife into a passing stranger without arousing public -interest. - -My inspection, however, proved reassuring. There was no sign of any -impassioned Dago creeping stealthily in my tracks; indeed, the whole -thoroughfare looked about as deserted and peaceful as a London street -possibly could. - -Stepping out into the roadway, and keeping a watchful eye each side -of me, I quickly covered the remaining hundred yards that separated -me from Hyde Park Corner. Here, as usual, despite the lateness of -the hour, there was a certain amount of life and movement. A -stolid-looking policeman was moving slowly down the Park railing, -four or five belated taxis were standing in the opposite gutter, -while a cheerfully illuminated coffee-stall seemed to be doing a -brisk business amongst the drivers and their touts. - -With a comforting feeling of security I crossed the road, and set off -up Park Lane. The full distance was only about one hundred yards, -and I had covered perhaps three-quarters of this, and was just -getting out my latch-key when, without the slightest warning, the -thing happened. - -From the dark shadow of a doorway a noiseless figure suddenly leaped -out on me with the fierce swiftness of a panther. I saw the gleam of -a knife, and at the same instant I lashed out with my fist--I think -the quickest and most savage blow I have struck in my life. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -We must have got home together. I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder, -like the touch of a redhot iron, and my assailant staggered back five -yards and fetched up against the wall with a bang that echoed across -the street. As he did so, there was a clatter of footsteps, and down -the pavement came the figure of a man, sprinting towards us with -silent but business-like rapidity. - -The gentleman who had disturbed me did not wait for further -developments. He must have been a tough soul, for, despite his -collision with the wall, he set off like a hare, twisting away round -the corner to the left, and disappearing from sight before the -newcomer could reach us. - -Directly the latter came under the full glare of the nearest electric -lamp, I saw it was Billy. I gave a whoop of joy, which pulled him up -short in his tempestuous career. - -"Burton!" he cried. "Gad! I might have known it." Then he burst -out laughing. "Where's the other chap?" he demanded. "Have you -eaten him?" - -"No, Billy," I said. "He's gone--vamoosed. He didn't like the look -of you." Then a sharp pain flickered through my shoulder. "I -believe he's punctured me, though," I added ruefully. - -In a moment Billy was by my side. "Bad?" he demanded sharply. "Can -you wait while I fetch him back?" - -I laughed and shook my head. "I don't want him, Billy," I said; -"thanks all the same. Give us an arm and let's get back to the -house. It's all right--I'm not booked this journey." - -"Not by a long way," cried Billy stoutly. "It would take a pickaxe -to kill you. Come along, and we'll have a squint at it." - -I could feel the blood running rather freely down my arm, so, without -wasting any more time, I accepted the support he offered, and we -toddled up the pavement as far as my gate. I was still holding the -latch-key in my hand, but there was no need of it, for the front door -was wide open. - -"Hullo, Billy," I said; "have you been entertaining in my absence?" - -"I'll tell you all about it in a minute," he replied. "Damages -first, though. You may have got it worse than you think." - -"It feels messy," I admitted. "Shut the door and let's go up to the -study." - -What Billy doesn't know about knife-wounds may be justly regarded as -superfluous information. He quickly but carefully relieved me of my -dress-clothes, and then, slitting up the rest with a pair of -scissors, brought the injured portion of my anatomy to light. It -consisted of an ugly-looking cut just on the outside of my arm, from -which the blood was slowly welling in kind of languid spurts. A -brief examination, however, removed the frown from his brow. - -"It's nothing," he said; "only a small vein. I'll dodge that up in -no time." - -"Don't speak in such a disappointed way, Billy," I retorted. "I'm -quite satisfied." - -He grinned, and, taking out his handkerchief, tied it tightly round -my arm. Then, going into the bedroom, he emerged a moment later with -a basin of warm water, a clean towel, and a bottle of listerine. - -"You seem to know your way about," I observed. - -"I ought to," he answered. "I've been waiting here for you the last -three hours. Now look out for squalls--I may hurt you a bit." - -Ten minutes later, bandaged up in the best professional style, I was -lying languidly on the sofa, while Billy mixed a couple of -brandies-and-sodas to relieve our respective fatigue. - -"You're in the chair," I said, accepting the drink which he handed -across. "Get your yarn off first and then I'll talk." - -Billy shrugged his shoulders. "My bit won't take long," he said. "I -only got your note at nine o'clock to-night. Those Maxwell people -sent for me to come up to Liverpool, and when I got there, they kept -me hanging about for twenty-four hours, and then refused to give me -the job." - -"I hope you remonstrated," I said gently. - -Billy smiled. "Old Maxwell knows my opinion of him--if that's any -comfort. Anyhow, I got back to London feeling a bit sick and wishing -I'd fixed up with you, and there was your blessed note sitting in the -glass. I jumped into a cab and came round here at once. The girl -who let me in said you were at some party or something, and that I -was to wait and sleep here. Well, I waited till a quarter to twelve, -and then I rang for her and asked her whether you were making a night -of it. She said she didn't know, and she looked so infernally sleepy -that I told her she'd better go to bed, and that I'd sit up for you. -She hummed and hawed a bit, and said she had something important to -tell you. 'Well, whatever it is,' I said 'it will keep till the -morning'; and finally she went off and left me here with the brandy. -I stuck it till about one o'clock--then I got rather fed up and went -down to the front door for a breath of air. I'd only been there -about two minutes when I suddenly saw a kind of dog-fight going on, -and, knowing your warlike nature, I guessed it was probably you. So -I jogged along to see what was up, and--and here we are." - -"And here we are, Billy," I echoed, "and here's your very good -health." - -We drank to each other in silence, and then Billy put down his glass. - -"And now," he said, "perhaps you'll be kind enough to explain. Last -time I saw you, you were broke to the wide, and just setting off to -the States. Now I find you living in Park Lane like a giddy -millionaire, and calling yourself Stuart Northcote. What's it mean, -you old ruffian?" - -I finished my brandy-and-soda and settled myself comfortably back -amongst the cushions. "I will tell you what it means," I said; "but -you're not to interrupt me till I've done." - -Then slowly, carefully, and, I think, without leaving out any -important detail, I described to him everything which had taken place -since we parted in Leicester Square. Billy sat and listened in -silence, his head resting on his hand and his eyes fixed on mine. It -was not until I had finished that he ventured on his one embracive -criticism. - -"Well, I'm hanged," he remarked. - -He rose from his chair, and with his hands in his pockets paced two -or three times up and down the room. Finally he broke into a long, -low, delighted chuckle. - -"Lord!" he said; "it's colossal!" - -"I thought you would be pleased," I replied contentedly. - -"Pleased!" He stopped his perambulation. "It's the most gorgeous -thing I've ever struck in my life. You were always a nailer at -finding trouble, but this beats the band." - -"And you'll come and see me through, Billy?" - -He brought his fist down with a bang on the table. - -"I'm with you, my son," he said, "to your last half-penny." - -There was a short pause, while Billy, overcome with the magnificence -of his emotions, again attacked the brandy. - -"Now let me see if I've got it right," he began, resuming his -progress up and down the room. "You think that Maurice -what's-his-name--this cousin of yours--is in with the gang that are -trying to put you through it?" - -"Well, it was by his advice I engaged Francis," I pointed out. - -"And I'm to come down with you to-morrow and put up at the nearest -pub--eh?" - -"That's right," I said. "You see, I'm not much afraid of anything -happening to me in the house. However much of a scoundrel Maurice -may be, he's not the sort to run his neck into a noose if he can help -it. My own idea is that some of these gentle Dagoes who have been -making things so lively up here will probably follow me down and try -to arrange a convenient accident. Maurice was talking a lot about -the excellence of the shooting." - -"I see," said Billy thoughtfully. "And that's where I shall come in." - -"Precisely. Between us we ought to be able to scent any trouble -that's hanging around. I've got my mark pretty plainly on one of the -beauties already." - -"I wish we knew who you were," remarked Billy, after pondering over -the situation for a moment. "It would simplify matters so--wouldn't -it? It must be something to do with San Luca. Let's get out a map -and have a squint at the hole." - -"Yes, Billy," I said, "and hunt up a place called Culebra. I'm the -'Satyr of Culebra,' according to Mercia, and I should like to know -exactly where my happy home is." - -Billy searched through the bookshelves, and lugged out a big atlas -and Gazetteer. "Here we are!" he said, turning up the index. -"Culebra 1035, 85-38. Great Scott! It's in Costa Rica." - -"That doesn't help us much," I observed. - -"The funny thing is," said Billy, "that I'm sure I've heard the -phrase somewhere--'the Satyr of Culebra.'" - -"Perhaps they breed them there," I suggested. "It sounds a likely -place." - -"And here's San Luca," he went on, turning back to a map of South -America. "Let's see what they say about it. 'An inland republic, -bordered by Brazil and the Argentine. Population, 300,000, including -Indians--composed of a few negroes, and whites of Spanish and mixed -descent.'" - -"That's M. Guarez all right," I commented. - -"'President,'" he read out, "'General Silveira de Selis, succeeded -the late Ignace Prado, who had defeated and murdered the first -President, Manuel Solano.'" - -"What!" I almost shouted. "By Gad! that settles it! Mercia Solano -must be his daughter, and there's no doubt that my bright double must -have been one of Ignace's blackguards. No wonder the poor girl -wanted to shove a bullet into me!" - -Billy laughed. "It does look rather like it. All the same, she must -be a pretty venomous damsel, I should think." - -"She's a darling, Billy," I said firmly. "And I won't hear a word -against her. I like a girl with plenty of spirit." - -"You've got one," retorted Billy grimly. "You'll make a pretty pair -between you." Then he got up and looked at his watch. "You ought to -turn in now, Jack," he added, "if we're going to start at half-past -ten. That jab of yours will be all right in the morning, but you've -lost a bit of blood, and you'll want some sleep--tough as you are." - -"You're right, Doctor," I said reluctantly, for, strenuous as my -evening had been, I didn't feel in the least like bed. "We'll -continue these interesting speculations to-morrow on our way down." - -"By the way," said Billy, "what about my traps?" - -"Oh, that's all right," I answered, getting up carefully from the -sofa. "We'll stop the car somewhere and buy you a bag and a -toothbrush. Money doesn't count these days." - -"Good," said Billy. "I want a new outfit badly." - -I showed him his room first, and then, coming into mine he helped me -to finish undressing without disturbing the bandage. Beyond locking -both doors, I took no further precautions. I felt that even M. -Guarez and his friends must have an occasional evening off, and that -after my little dust-up outside I might reckon on a few peaceful -hours. - -My hope proved to be well founded. I slept right through the -remainder of the night without interruption, and was only awakened -next morning by the tapping of the pretty housemaid at my door. - -As before, I jumped out of bed and let her in. I remembered, of -course, what Billy had said on the previous evening about her having -something important to tell me, but my first glimpse of her -expression would have made this fact quite plain to me. - -"Well," I said, bracing myself up, "what is it now?" - -She put down the tea beside my bed. "If you please, sir," she said, -"do you know what's happened to Mr. Milford?" - -I stared at her in amazement. "Bless my soul!" I ejaculated, "you -don't mean to say that he's in trouble again?" - -"He went away last night, sir, soon after you left the house, and -he's never come back." - -I digested this startling information in silence. - -"Went away!" I repeated at last. "How did he go away? He was much -too seedy to walk, surely?" - -She shook her head. "I don't know about that, sir. A boy brought a -note for him, and he went away at once in a cab--a taxi-cab, sir." - -I began to laugh. I really couldn't help it. "Well," I said, "Mr. -Milford about takes the biscuit." - -The pretty housemaid looked at me in a rather startled fashion. -"Perhaps he's funny in his head, sir. Cook and me thought that -perhaps he didn't rightly know what he was doing. He seemed very -queer, sir." - -I nodded. "I shouldn't wonder if you've hit it," I said. - -As a matter of fact, her theory didn't strike me as being at all a -probable one, but for the moment I could think of nothing else to say. - -"You might ask Mr. Logan to come in," I added, as she prepared to -withdraw. "We'll see about Milford as soon as I get up." - -A moment later Billy came in, blinking, in his pyjamas. - -"This is a nice game, Billy," I said. "We've lost Milford now." -Then I proceeded to tell him what I had just learned. - -The comic side seemed to strike him as forcibly as it did me. -Anyhow, he sat down on the bed and grinned at me cheerfully. - -"There's no monotony about this job," he observed; "that's one thing -to be said in its favour. What on earth can have happened to the -chap?" - -I shook my head. "Goodness knows," I said, "unless he's been decoyed -away and spifflicated by the gentle Guarez. I should hardly have -thought he'd have been such an ass, though." - -"I suppose he isn't one of the gang?" suggested Billy hopefully. - -"No," I said. "I feel pretty sure Milford's straight. Why did they -try to poison him, otherwise, and why should he have waltzed in and -lent me a hand the other night? I'm rather worried about it, Billy." - -"Yes," said Billy. "It's awkward. What are you going to do?" - -"I don't know," I said, getting out of bed. "I can't put the police -on. We must wait and see--that's all." - -"And, meanwhile," observed Billy, "let's have a look at that arm of -yours." - -He took off the bandage, and inspected the fruits of my last night's -adventure with an approving eye. - -"First chop," he pronounced. "Healed up as clean as a whistle. -That's the result of having led a decent and moral life. I think -we'll keep the bandage on to-day, however, just to make certain." - -"Well, you can put it on again after I've had my bath," I said. "By -the way, can you drive a car?" - -Billy nodded. "I've done a lot of it. Buenos Ayres reeks with 'em -at present." - -"You can drive me down to-day, then," I remarked. "I'm not a -professor at the best of times, and with this arm on me I'd rather be -excused." - -"You leave it to me," said Billy confidently. - -We each of us had a bath, after which Billy did up my arm, and I -returned his kindness by lending him some shaving tackle. The cook's -emotion at Milford's disappearance did not prevent her from sending -up another excellent breakfast, to which we did ample justice, Billy -being vastly impressed at the luxurious scale on which I lived. - -It was then ten o'clock. The car was ordered for ten-thirty, so, -lighting a pipe, I took advantage of the remaining time to go -downstairs and interview what was left of my domestic staff. I was -beginning to fear that, in view of their recent experiences, both the -cook and the housemaid would be giving me notice, or clearing out -while I was away, and this was a tragedy I was determined to prevent -if possible. - -I found them in the kitchen, and, knowing that a rapid attack is the -best weapon of defence, I promptly opened fire. - -"This is a dreadful nuisance about Milford," I said. "There's no -doubt the poor fellow must have been queer in his head. I shall have -inquiries made this morning, and I expect that we shall find him all -right, but, meanwhile, I'm wondering what to do for the best. After -our last experience, I don't want to get in a new man without the -most careful inquiry. Do you two feel equal to looking after the -house for me until I come back? It's rather a large order, I know, -so I intend to give you double wages, if you consider that -arrangement satisfactory." - -My sporting offer proved successful. Both women at once expressed -their readiness and ability to wrestle with the problem, the cook -going so far as to observe, with respectful enthusiasm, that she -would do more than that to oblige a gentleman like myself. - -They were obviously thirsting to discuss Milford's disappearance, -but, under cover of finishing my packing, I escaped upstairs again to -the hall. There I found Billy admiring the marble pillars. - -"This little hut must have cost a bit," he said critically. "I -wonder what Northcote's income is." - -"Well, it's four hundred pounds a year less than it was," I said, -patting my belt with some satisfaction. "Come along up and help me -strap my bags." - -We had just finished our preparations when I heard the car roll up to -the door, and looking out of the window, I saw the faithful Simpson -preparing to dismount. - -"He will bring them out, Billy," I said. "Don't you worry." - -Going downstairs, I gave instructions to this effect, and while my -belongings were being placed in the car routed out a couple of -Northcote's best coats--one for Billy and one for myself. - -"How's the car going, Simpson?" I asked, as the chauffeur, having -secured my luggage, opened the door with a respectful salute. - -"Very sweetly, sir," was his comforting reply. "I ran through 'er -last night, and I don't think you'll have no trouble. The petrol's -in at the back, sir." - -"Mr. Logan's steering her," I said. "I've hurt my arm." - -Billy, who had climbed into the driving-seat, made a brief inspection -of the levers, asked one or two questions, and then, starting on the -switch and sliding in his clutch, set her moving gently down the -street. - -"Thank goodness we're off," I said, with a little sigh of relief. -"I'm just about fed up with Park Lane, Billy." - -He smiled, and, cutting neatly across the bows of an on-rushing -motor-bus, swept us away down Knightsbridge before the indignant -driver of the latter could recall a single adequate word. - -"This is the wrong way, isn't it?" he inquired. "What's the -programme?" - -"I must send a wire to Maurice first," I said; "then we must pick up -some traps for you. What about Harrod's?" - -"Oh, Harrod's will do," said Billy. "I'm not proud." - -He twisted the Napier off to the left down Brompton Road, and pulled -up outside the big shop. As we entered through the swinging doors I -handed him a bundle of notes. - -"Get what you want, Billy," I said, "and shove it in the car. I'll -send off the wire." - -My message to Maurice, composed after some little deliberation, took -the following shape:-- - - -"Don't trouble to meet train. Am motoring down. Arrive -dinner.--NORTHCOTE." - - -Having sent this off, I purchased a good map of Essex and Suffolk at -a neighbouring counter, and then set off to find Billy. - -I discovered him in the shirt department, laying in an impressive -stock of under-clothes, which a sombre assistant was packing away -into a large new Gladstone bag. - -"Found what you wanted?" I inquired. - -Billy nodded. "They're doing their best," he said kindly. "Not -quite my usual style, but good enough for the country." - -The assistant's face was a study, but we had no time to waste in -appreciating it, for there were still various trifles needed, such as -a sponge and a tooth-brush, to complete the bag. Having secured -these, we returned to the car, and deposited the Gladstone with the -rest of the luggage. - -Climbing in, Billy took the wheel, and I spread out the map on my -knee. - -"Right away," I said. "Bank first; and then slap down through the -East End." - -And, with a triumphant toot, we slid off upon our journey. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -It was just about half-past four when we entered the outskirts of -Woodford. The car had gone well enough; indeed, except for a slight -collision with a farm-cart in the neighbourhood of Chelmsford, our -journey down had been a monotonous success. We pulled up at the -Plough, an old-fashioned two-storey inn in the centre of the town, -which boasted a red-and-white notice-board proclaiming its possession -of a "Garage." - -"This looks all right, Billy," I said "If Maurice's place isn't too -far away, you'd better put up here." - -We ran the car into the yard, and then climbed out, leaving our -luggage in the back, and made our way into the bar. There were two -men sitting in the corner, talking to each other, and a middle-aged -lady presiding over the drinks. - -I took off my hat to her, and ordered a couple of whiskies. - -"Do you happen to know," I asked, "where Ashton is--Mr. Maurice -Furnivall's place?" - -"Ashton!" she repeated. "Now, I've heard the name: it's quite close -here somewhere. I expect the Coroner could tell you. Mr. Rowe, the -gentleman wants to know where Ashton is." - -One of the men in the corner looked up. "You've not far to go," he -observed. "Straight on through the town and then down the hill to -the left. Maybe a matter of a mile and a half. You'll find the -drive gates on your right." - -I thanked him and invited him to join us in a drink, an offer which -he accepted with cheerful alacrity. For a coroner he seemed a very -genial person. - -"Can I have a bedroom here for a few days?" inquired Billy casually. - -"Oh yes, I think so, sir," replied the lady behind the bar. "I'll -just call Mr. Martin." - -She went out, returning a minute later with the landlord, a -side-whiskered gentleman in shirt-sleeves. - -Billy repeated his request, and, informing us that there was plenty -of room in the house, our host conducted us out of the bar, and up a -winding staircase to the landing above. - -"This is a nice, bright room," he said, opening the door to the left. -"Looks out on the main street, too--kind of cheerful like." - -"That's good," said Billy. "There may be a dog-fight, or a runaway -horse, or something--one never knows. I'll take it, anyhow." - -"Can we have some tea?" I asked. - -The smiling landlord nodded his head. "Certainly, sir; I'll have it -sent into the dining-room. This way, sir." - -We retraced our steps downstairs, and entered a long room hung around -with pictures of deceased race-horses, intersected by portraits of -the Royal Family. In a few minutes, a Suffolk damsel of buxom -proportions brought in tea, a full-dress affair consisting of jam, -watercress, bread-and-butter, and two kinds of cake. - -Dealing gently with this tribute to our physique, Billy and I -discussed our plan of campaign, and fixed up the best arrangements we -could. I agreed to slip out from Ashton next morning before -breakfast and meet him in the main road to Woodford. In the -meanwhile, he was to pick up all the information possible about -Maurice and his belongings, making special but judicious inquiries as -to whether a gentleman with a broken nose, or another sportsman with -one shoulder higher than the other, had been seen decorating the -neighbourhood. - -"I'll leave the car with you, Billy," I said, "and take a cab on to -Maurice's. Then, in case we want it in a hurry, we can be sure of -getting it." - -"But won't they want to know what you've done with it?" he objected. - -"I shall tell them the truth," I said, "or very nearly. I shall say -the engine wanted looking to, and I left it in the garage here." - -Billy looked at me admiringly. "Jack," he said, "a good parson was -lost in you." - -We ordered a cab, in which I placed my belongings, and then, giving -Billy a few more bank-notes in case of emergency, and instructing him -not to make love to the buxom housemaid, I clambered in and set out -on my journey to Maurice's. - -Ashton proved to be a good-sized, half-timbered house, standing back -in its own grounds some way from the road. As my cab rumbled up the -drive, I caught sight of two men sitting on a seat in the garden, -and, drawing nearer, I saw that one of them was Maurice. They both -rose as soon as we pulled up at the front door, and came across to -meet me. - -"Hallo," said Maurice. "I thought you were going to motor down?" - -I shook hands with him, and also with his companion, a stout, florid -man who looked like a retired bookmaker, but who obviously appeared -to know me. - -"So I did," I answered, "but I left the car in Woodford. The engine -was working all wrong, somehow." - -"That's the worst of motors," observed the fat man, "always goin' -dicky--what?" - -"Brought your chauffeur?" inquired Maurice, as a footman came out and -gathered up my belongings. - -I shook my head. "No," I said, "I didn't think he was necessary this -time." Which, you will observe, was strictly true. - -It may have been my imagination, but I fancied I saw a slight gleam -of satisfaction pass across my "cousin's" face. "Well, come along -into the garden," he said, "unless you'd like tea, or anything. -Baradell's gone to town for the night, and York and Lady Baradell are -out; but Aunt Mary's about somewhere. Do you know where she is, -Vane?" - -The fat man pulled his moustache. "Waterin' the roses," he observed -laconically. "Miss York's with her." - -Our discussion was cut short by the sudden appearance of the two -ladies in question, who emerged from behind a shrubbery and advanced -across the lawn to meet us. "Aunt Mary" was a middle-aged, -quiet-looking woman with grey hair--her companion a tall, handsome -girl of about twenty-eight, in a smart tailor-made costume. - -I had an awkward moment, wondering if I was supposed to know them -both, but the way in which they greeted me removed all doubt on this -point. - -"I'm so glad you were able to come down," said Aunt Mary, without any -obvious enthusiasm, however. "It's not often you can tear yourself -away from London." - -"It's not often I get such charming invitations," I replied, shaking -hands with her. - -She looked at me in a rather surprised way, and it suddenly struck me -that I was being a little too pleasant for the real Northcote. -Whether "Aunt Mary" was any relation or not I had no idea, but she -probably knew my double fairly well, and in that case was doubtless -familiar with his character. As writers say, it behoved me to be -careful! - -Miss York showed more inclination to be friendly. "I hear you've -brought your motor, Mr. Northcote," she said. "I hope it's big -enough to take us all." - -I laughed. "I've brought it as far as Woodford," I said, "and then -it struck. However, it will be all right again in a couple of days, -I think." - -"Beastly fraud, isn't he, Miss York?" observed Sir George Vane, with -quite unconscious humour. - -"Well, it doesn't matter," put in Maurice languidly. "You couldn't -use it if it was here. We're going to shoot to-morrow, the next day -is the Cuthberts' garden-party, and the day after that, this -cricket-match business that Bertie's got up." - -"Oh, cricket!" said Miss York contemptuously. "Bertie's mad about -cricket. Do you play, Mr. Northcote?" - -"Not often," I replied gravely, and I heard Maurice laugh to himself. - -There was a sound of footsteps in the drive, and we all looked up. - -"Here are Bertie and Lady Baradell," said Miss York. "I wonder where -they've been?" - -I suddenly recollected the significant grin with which Maurice had -mentioned the Baradells' name, when he had called on me in Park Lane, -and with some natural interest I scanned the approaching figures. -"Bertie," who, I gathered, was Miss York's brother, was a typical -army man of about thirty, but his companion--well, Lady Baradell -certainly could not be dismissed with any such cursory notice. - -Tall and graceful, she moved towards us with that sort of almost -insolent satisfaction which some beautiful women habitually suggest. -Beautiful she certainly was, but compared to Mercia (I instinctively -compared everyone with Mercia now) it was the beauty of fire against -sunshine. Fire indeed seemed a very fitting simile for Lady -Baradell. It glimmered in her wonderful bronze hair, and smouldered -dangerously in the deep brown eyes with their curious golden-tinted -irises. Her dress, a daring affair of almost flame-coloured -material, completed the illusion. - -"And so the great man has taken pity on us," she said in her slow -musical voice. "Was London so terribly hot as all that, Mr. -Northcote?" - -"I seem to have a very undeserved reputation," I protested. "No one -enjoys the beautiful things of life more than I do." - -Lady Baradell raised her eyebrows and looked round with a smile. - -"Saul among the prophets!" she said. "Maurice, what has happened to -him?" - -I waited for Maurice's answer with a malicious amusement. - -"I don't know," he drawled. "I asked him myself, the other day, and -he said that one must be agreeable occasionally, if only for the sake -of variety." - -There was a general laugh, cut short by the distant sound of a gong. - -"Time to dress," observed Aunt Mary. "Dear me! how quickly the -evenings go!" - -We all moved back towards the house, Maurice thrusting his arm -through mine and remarking in an affable fashion that he would take -me up and show me my room. - -This he did, bringing me to a large, cheerful apartment looking out -over the garden. - -"You'll be all right here, I think," he said. "No one to disturb -you, except the Baradells--they're across the passage. Sure you've -got everything you want?" - -"Yes, thanks," I said. - -"Dinner eight o'clock," he added, and, going out, closed the door. - -I dressed myself in leisurely fashion, taking, as I did so, a kind of -mental stock of my experiences since my arrival. So far, things -appeared to be progressing quite satisfactorily. It was true I had -been a trifle too genial for the part of Northcote, but of my -identity no one in the house, even including Maurice, appeared to -have the faintest suspicion. - -About my fellow-guests I had not yet quite made up my mind. Vane and -York seemed harmless enough in their respective ways, and I could -hardly believe that they were concerned in the plot against me--if -such a thing existed. Lady Baradell was a more complicated issue. -Light and chaffing as her remarks had been, some subtle instinct -warned me that our relations were on a more intimate footing that -would have appeared from her greeting. Whether she knew anything -about Northcote's history or not I was, of course, unaware, but I -felt sure that some kind of understanding existed between them. - -As I tied my tie in the glass, I examined myself critically by the -light of two candles. The likeness was certainly astounding. If I -had not known that I was in reality Jack Burton of Buenos Ayres and -God knows where else, I would have sworn that the face which looked -back at me was that of the man from whom I had parted in the Milan -restaurant three strenuous days before. - -When I got down to the dining-room, I found the whole party -assembled, with the exception of Lady Baradell. She swept in a -moment later, looking superb in a low black evening dress, and -wearing a magnificent collar of emeralds, which were just the right -stones to go with her wonderful copper-coloured hair. - -I was detailed to take in "Aunt Mary," not, I think, wholly to the -latter's satisfaction. Lady Baradell, with Sir George Vane as a -partner, sat on the other side of me. - -I forget what we talked about during dinner--most of it the usual -stock of trivialities, I fancy, enlivened by some very ancient -anecdotes from Sir George, who seemed to possess a magnificent -wardrobe of "humour's cast-off clothes." I remember getting so bored -with the third of his long-winded efforts that I was seized with a -mischievous determination to tell, in an amended form, the -interesting tale of my experiences with "Francis." It struck me that -if Maurice had been responsible for planting that gentleman in the -house, a naïve narration of the consequences might convince him that -my suspicions with regard to his kindly self were still unaroused. -He must know by now how the attempt had ended, and silence in the -matter on my part might well seem suspicious. - -"By the way, Maurice," I said across the table, "I've never told you -about that butler of mine that Seagrave sent me." - -If the fellow was really guilty, his nerve was magnificent. - -"No, you haven't," he said coldly. "How did he turn out?" - -I smiled. "A little abruptly," I answered, "and in the middle of the -night." Then, seeing that I had secured the attention of the table, -I proceeded to sketch my adventure much as I had painted it for the -benefit of Mr. Seagrave. I left out, however, all references to Sir -Henry Tregattock. - -There was a chorus of surprised comment as I concluded. Lady -Baradell looked at me with a curious light in her eyes. - -"What a ruffian!" she exclaimed. "I hope you hurt him." - -"I fancy his nose must be still a little sore," I observed -contentedly. - -"But it's dreadful to think of a man like that being at large," said -Miss York, with a little shudder. "Didn't you go to the police?" - -I shook my head. "I really couldn't be bothered. I told Seagrave, -and left it in his hands." - -Maurice leant back in his chair and laughed. "I'm frightfully sorry -for putting you on to such a rotter," he remarked frankly. "I always -thought Seagrave's were absolutely trustworthy. It's lucky you can -look after yourself so well." - -"Oh, it wasn't your fault, Maurice," I said generously. - -"I should describe it rather as Francis's misfortune," put in Lady -Baradell. - -"Well, we'll leave you to discuss it over your port," said Aunt Mary, -rising from her chair. "You'll find us in the billiard-room, -Maurice, when you've done." - -As soon as we were alone, Maurice pulled his chair up alongside of -mine. "Are you game for some shooting to-morrow, Stuart?" he asked. -"I thought if it was fine we might go out after dusk. Reece says -they're coming in now in good quantities." - -"Yes," I said quietly. "I'm quite ready for any amount of shooting." - -"That's good," said Maurice heartily. "With four guns, we ought to -get some fine sport." - -I was inclined to agree with him, but any observation that I might -have made to this effect was cut short by Sir George Vane, who -promptly took the opening afforded by the mention of ducks to plunge -into another ancient and, this time, rather obscene tale. We -listened courteously until the ordeal was over, and then Maurice -suggested a move into the billiard-room. Here we found Miss York -practising strokes with some skill, while Aunt Mary and Lady Baradell -looked on. - -"I've got to go out a minute and interview the keeper," said Maurice. -"Suppose you four have a game of snooker till I come back. I shan't -be very long, and Vane will score for you." - -The suggestion filled me with a momentary uneasiness. As it happens, -I am rather above the average as a snooker-player, three years' -constant practice in Buenos Ayres with some of the most accomplished -sharpers in the world having left a decidedly beneficial effect on my -game. On the other hand, I had no idea how Northcote played, or -whether he played at all. - -Captain York relieved my embarrassment. - -"If I remember rightly, Northcote," he said, "you're a bit of a dab -at this business. I think I'd better play with my sister." - -"That's very polite to me," protested Lady Baradell, laughing. - -"Don't you worry, Lady Baradell," put in Maurice; "you'll beat them -easily. Stuart never loses at anything." - -Guessing that in the back of Maurice's mind this last remark referred -to my dealings with Francis, I smiled inwardly to myself. - -"I'll try and do my best," I said, "but that's rather a large -compliment to live up to." - -Maurice went out, and, placing the balls, we settled down to the -game. Thanks to a really ingenious display of strategy on my part, -it provided us with a thrilling contest. I played just well enough -to keep our side ahead, without arousing any suspicions that I was -not doing my best. York and his sister were both good, steady -second-raters, while my partner's contributions consisted of -occasional and very dazzling flukes. - -It was after one of these that York observed, laughing, "If I didn't -know Sir Charles, I should say that you were very unlucky in love." - -As he spoke, I was just chalking Lady Baradell's cue and for the -fraction of a second her hand touched mine. - -"I don't think I am," she said, with a curious smile. - -It might have been a coincidence, but somehow or other the incident -left me feeling a little uncomfortable. My peace of mind was not -restored by observing that on several occasions afterwards, when the -others were not looking, Lady Baradell favoured me with a smile which -nothing but the most mule-headed modesty could describe as lacking in -kindness. It seemed as though I had stumbled all unwittingly into -another and exceedingly embarrassing complication. - -However, I played on philosophically until the game ended, at which -point in the proceedings Maurice returned. We then abandoned snooker -for a five-handed game of pool, during which Sir George Vane and Aunt -Mary solaced themselves with picquet. - -At half-past ten some drinks arrived on a tray, and after we had -dealt with them, Aunt Mary hazarded the opinion that bed seemed to -her a sound proposition. - -"And so say all of us," chimed in Miss York, politely suppressing an -incipient yawn. "I can hardly keep my eyes open. We'll leave you -men to ruin yourselves over bridge, or whatever horrible vices you -indulge in after we've gone." - -"My vice," retorted her brother, "will take the short form of one -modest little cigarette. Lady Baradell walked me off my legs this -afternoon." - -There was a general laugh, during which Maurice stepped forward to -the table to light the candles, which had been brought in with the -drinks. - -"Good-night," said Lady Baradell, shaking hands with York and Sir -George. "I believe I am the only one who isn't tired, after all." -She came across to me. "Good-night, Mr. Northcote;" then, so softly -that they only reached my ears, she added the two words, "_au -revoir_." - -It was a situation which most men would have received with -enthusiasm, but personally I derived no joy at all from it. However, -I returned the little private pressure of her hand, and said, -"Good-night, Lady Baradell," in my most amiable manner. Under the -circumstances, I could scarcely do anything else! - -I don't think I played a very prominent part in the half-hour's -conversation that followed. The other men, if I remember rightly, -were discussing the prospects of various horses in the October -handicaps. Apart from the fact that I know nothing, and care less, -about English racing, my thoughts were busy on a sporting topic of an -altogether more delicate nature. It may perhaps seem a little -strange that I should have allowed such an affair to embarrass me -(Billy would have shrieked with mirth at the very idea), but, since I -had met Mercia, my previous views on certain matters had undergone a -change, and, as far as I could see, the result promised to be awkward! - -Maurice, who had glanced at me rather curiously once or twice, -eventually asked me whether I was feeling sleepy. "I'm about ready -for bed," I admitted. "I was up till some unholy hour last night at -Sangatte's." - -"I'm with you," joined in York. "We'll let Vane and Furnivall settle -the Cambridgeshire between them." - -We took our candles, and, bidding the others good-night, left the -billiard-room. I parted from York at the top of the staircase, and, -passing Lady Baradell's room, turned into my own, and shut the door -behind me. - -It was a warm moonlight night, and I opened my window wide and leaned -out for some time before beginning to undress. I still felt worried -and a little apprehensive. The proverbial statement about "a woman -scorned" appeared to me a very mild way of expressing what Lady -Baradell's emotions would probably be under a similar provocation. I -had hoped some instinct would tell Mercia what I was risking on her -account. - -At last, however, the beauty of the garden, bathed as it was in great -spaces of silver and shadow, gradually began to soothe my mind into a -state of sleepy tranquillity. Finally, with a little yawn, I -dismissed Lady Baradell and all the other complications that -surrounded me to their proper place, and, drawing down the blind, -undressed and got into bed. - -I think it must have been the light that kept me awake, for I -generally go to sleep at once. As it was, I lay for some time in a -kind of drowsy semi-consciousness that was just stealing into -slumber, when a faint sound suddenly brought me up alert and -open-eyed. In a moment I had jumped out of bed. - -The door of my room opened quietly, and in the pale gleam of the -moonshine I saw Lady Baradell. She was wearing a long blue silk -dressing-gown, her feet were bare, and her bronze hair floated down -over her shoulders. I must admit she looked wonderfully attractive. - -Closing the door noiselessly, she glided towards me, a laughing gleam -of triumph in her eyes. - -"Ah, Stuart, Stuart!" she whispered, holding out her hands. - -I don't think I have ever felt quite such a fool in my life. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -I suppose it was inevitable that even my best efforts at being -pleasant should have failed to convince Lady Baradell that my -feelings towards her had not changed. People do not as a rule choose -quite such unconventional hours for calling except with the -expectation of a considerably more enthusiastic welcome than I was -prepared to offer. - -I saw suspicion and anger gathering slowly in her face, and finally -she stepped back and clenched her hands. - -"Why are you trying to deceive me?" she broke out passionately. -"There is someone else. Tell me the truth, Stuart, at once." - -The truth being exactly what I didn't want to tell her, I remained in -a state of embarrassed silence. - -"Oh, there's no need for you to speak," she added bitterly; "I know -you too well." Then rage, murderous, ungovernable rage, flamed -suddenly into her eyes. "You fool! Do you think I am the sort of -woman to be picked up and thrown aside at a man's whim? Did you -imagine for one single moment that you could deceive me?" - -"No," I admitted sadly, "I didn't." - -She laughed--an unpleasant, mirthless laugh, and, throwing back her -hair, stared me full in the face like some splendid tigress. - -"I love you, Stuart," she said steadily; "I love you as I don't think -many women have loved men; but I will see you dead before I let any -other woman have you." - -Then, without another word, she turned and left the room. - -I stood for a moment where I was, looking at the door. I felt rather -like a man who had unwittingly touched off a dynamite cartridge. -Whatever might be the precise value of Lady Baradell's last threat, I -knew that I had managed to make an enemy more dangerous than any -Northcote had already bequeathed me. With a heartfelt deliberation I -cursed my double and all his works. - -Somewhat relieved by this outbreak, I again retired to bed. As a -sleeping draught, however, I found that Lady Baradell was a distinct -failure. For a couple of hours at least I must have tossed about -restlessly, turning over in my mind every aspect of this new -development which threatened to complicate still further my already -harassed path. Indeed, it was only sheer physical fatigue that at -last closed my eyes in a welcome unconsciousness. - -Sleep, however brief, always has the excellent effect of restoring me -to my natural cheerfulness. I woke up next morning as buoyant as -though no midnight reception had interfered with my customary eight -hours. The morning sun was blazing into my room through the open -window, and a discreet-looking man-servant was laying out my bath. - -"Would you like it hot or cold, sir?" he inquired. - -"Cold, this weather, I think," said I. "What time is breakfast?" - -"Nine o'clock, sir. It's just gone a quarter to eight now." - -"Good," I observed approvingly. This gave me plenty of time to make -my toilet like a gentleman and get out and see Billy in the roadway, -before joining the rest of the party over their eggs and bacon. - -It was exactly half-past, by the clock on the mantelpiece, as I left -my room. I went downstairs quietly and quickly, for I had no wish to -run into Maurice or anyone else, and made my way across the garden -and out through a small side gate into the main road. The birds were -singing gaily in the hedges, and out of a blue sky the sun shone down -with the most comforting warmth. As the Yankees say, I "felt -good"--distinctly good. - -Billy was sitting on a bank just round the first corner, smoking his -pipe. He waved me a cheerful greeting. - -"They've not scragged you in the night, then," he said with -satisfaction. - -"On the contrary, Billy," I said, "I have met with nothing but -affection and kindness." I seated myself beside him and sniffed -critically. "I don't think much of your 'baccy," I added. - -"It's the Plough's best," retorted Billy. "You're getting swelled -head." Then he slapped me on the shoulder. "Jack," he said, "I've -found my job in life--I can give Sherlock Holmes two stone and put -him out in the first round." - -Billy was not given to boasting, so I looked at him with interest. - -"Proceed, William," I said encouragingly. - -He stuffed the 'baccy down with his thumb and chuckled to himself. -"Last night," he began, "I did a bit of scouting. I thought it would -be just as well to sniff around and see how the land lay, so, as soon -as I'd had some grub, I tootled along here as far as the lodge. I -hung about outside for a bit, taking my bearings, and then, as there -wasn't anybody about, I dropped in over the hedge and tracked up -through the shrubbery till I got to the house. I'd been there about -ten minutes, squatting down under a bush, when who should come up the -drive but your old dot-and-carry-one friend!" - -"Who?" I inquired. - -"Why, the chap who doctored your butler's drink. At least, it was -exactly like your description of him. A big, ugly, lopsided beggar -he was, with one shoulder about an inch higher than the other." - -"Go on, Billy," I said. "This is getting exciting." - -"Well, he crawled up in a hang-dog sort of way, and sat down on the -balustrade just in front of where I was hiding. I thought he was -expecting somebody, and sure enough, he hadn't been there many -minutes when out came a fellow in evening-dress--your cousin, I -should reckon, by the cut of his jib." - -"Maurice did take a little air after dinner," I observed. "He said -he wanted to see the keeper." - -"Did he?" drawled Billy. "Well, he saw him all right. They stood -there jawing for the best part of twenty minutes, and all about you, -my son." - -"Was it interesting?" I asked. - -"What I heard was, but I only got on to about every tenth word. They -were doing the whispering act most of the time. Seemed to me they -were fixing up something for to-day--something about you and the sea -wall, as far as I could get it." - -I nodded. "There's going to be an accident at our shooting party -this afternoon, unless I'm much mistaken," I said. - -"Looks like it," answered Billy grimly. "They seemed cursedly -pleased with themselves, anyhow. The only other thing I heard was -about your girl with the pistol--what's her name--Mercia." - -"Mercia!" I echoed. "What were they saying about her?" - -Billy grinned in a very aggravating manner. "I like to see you -getting interested, Jack," he said. Then, removing his pipe, he -knocked out the ashes against the bank. - -"Billy," I said, "you're playing with death. Get on." - -"I only heard her name," he chuckled. "The lop-sided gentleman -trotted it out and repeated it about four times. I think he was -annoyed with her over something, from the way he was speaking. Your -cousin seemed to be rubbing it in." - -A sudden uneasiness about Mercia's safety flashed through my mind. I -had excellent proof that we were dealing with a pretty reckless gang, -and if it was known that she had warned me against coming to Ashton -she might well be in as grave danger as myself. - -Billy evidently read my thoughts. "I think she's all right at -present," he said, "for the simple reason that the whole gang seem to -be hot on your track. I've not told you the best part yet, Jack. -I've actually had the luck to run 'em to earth." - -He sat back and looked at me proudly. - -"By Jove, Billy!" I cried. "You're a wonder! How did you do it?" - -"Well, after the little confab was over, and your cousin had cleared -off into the house, I gave old Dot-and-carry-one time to get back -into the road, and then I followed him. I had to give him a couple -of hundred yards or so, or he might have tumbled to it. He went -straight back to Woodford, and, as luck would have it, I was just in -time to see him turn into a pub.--not the Plough; another one this -side of it. I followed him in, and found him shifting raw brandy. -He's a Dago right enough--there's no question about it." - -"Did you speak to him?" I asked. - -Billy shook his head. "I thought it best to lie low. The landlord, -who was a talkative sort of ass, seemed to know him, so I waited a -bit, and, after our pal had cleared off, I asked who he was. 'Oh,' -said the landlord, 'that's an Eyetalian gentleman, Moosyer Berretti. -He's just taken the Hollies, Colonel Paton's house, for some months. -Moved in yesterday, I believe. Nice, pleasant-spoken gent he is, -too." - -"There's room for all opinions," I said, with a laugh. "Milford -didn't fancy him at all." - -"The landlord thought no end of him," said Billy. "In fact, he got -quite confidential. His brother, it seems, was gardener at the -Hollies, so of course he knew all about it. There's -Dot-and-carry-one, and a lady he calls his wife, and another chap who -arrived to-day. I asked whether he had a broken nose, and he said -no; so it can't be Francis." - -"I expect it's the gentleman I owe this stiff shoulder to," I said. -"Nice little family party, anyway. Where is the Hollies?" - -Billy jerked his head up the road. "Quite close," he said, "just -outside Woodford. A small white house on the left. I mean to -inspect it to-night." Then he paused. "Jack," he said, "I'm not -quite happy about this shooting business." - -"Neither am I," I answered truthfully. - -"Why do you go? Can't you make some excuse?" - -I shrugged my shoulders. "What's the use? It only means they'll try -some other way. At least I know what to expect this afternoon." - -"Yes, there's that," said Billy. "Look here, I've got an idea. -Suppose I get hold of a boat and cruise around outside the sea wall -while you're shooting. I might be of use some way or another--one -never knows." - -"Right you are, Billy," I said. "There's nothing like having command -of the sea." Then I looked at my watch. "I ought to be trotting -back," I added; "it's just on nine. I'll let you know about meeting -you to-morrow, if we don't run across each other this afternoon. -We're due down on the marsh about half-past five, I think." - -"Well, be careful, old son," said Billy, gripping my hand. "By the -way, have you heard anything about Milford?" - -I shook my head. "I left my address with the cook, and told her to -write if he turned up; but there was nothing from her this morning. -It beats me altogether. I could understand their trying to shift him -in order to plant 'Francis' on me; but after that little business -failed, what on earth could their game be?" - -"Lord knows," said Billy. "But they've got him, evidently. Perhaps -he was more in with Northcote than we think. Anyhow, it's no use -worrying. Keep your eyes skinned this afternoon, and give me a hail -if there's any trouble." - -He went off up the road, and, after waiting for a minute until he had -rounded the corner, I set off back to the house. - -As I came across the garden, I saw Maurice and York standing outside, -on the terrace. - -"Hullo!" cried the latter, "you've beaten us all. I thought I was -down first." - -"It was too fine to lie in bed," I explained. "I've been inspecting -the country." - -If Maurice had any suspicions, he kept them to himself. "I should -never have accused you of laziness," he answered. "Come along in and -let's have some breakfast. The gong's just gone." - -We entered the dining-room, where Aunt Mary was occupying herself -with making the tea, and had scarcely settled into our places when we -were joined by Miss York and Lady Baradell, who came in together. - -If I had not genuinely admired the latter before, I should certainly -have done so now. Far from there being any trace of embarrassment in -her manner, she appeared to be the most cheerful and unconcerned -person in the entire party. - -"Dear me! How terribly energetic everyone is!" she said, looking -quizzically round the room. "Even Mr. Northcote down! I thought he -always breakfasted in bed." - -York laughed. "Down!" he echoed. "Why, he's been out catching -butterflies." - -"The early bird," I said, "is improving in his taste." - -"Well, what are we all going to do this morning?" inquired Aunt Mary -briskly. "I suppose you won't be shooting till this afternoon, will -you, Maurice?" - -The latter shook his head. "We might pick up a few rabbits if anyone -wants to," he answered; "but it's no good trying for duck till later. -What do you think, Stuart?" - -"The duck will do for me all right," I said. I didn't see any reason -for running myself into unnecessary danger. - -"Let's have some tennis this morning," said Miss York. "We haven't -tried the lawn yet. You play, don't you, Mr. Northcote?" - -Having never touched a tennis racquet in my life, I was reluctantly -driven to lie. - -"I think I'll look on and applaud," I said. "The car back-fired the -other day, and my wrist's still reminding me of it." - -There was a general murmur of sympathy, which Maurice capped by -inquiring, I thought a little anxiously, whether I was sure I felt up -to shooting. - -"Oh yes," I said; "I can still hold a gun straight." - -After some discussion, it was agreed that Miss York and Maurice -should take on her brother and Vane. Vane, it appeared, was the -duffer of the party, while York, having played for the army, was -evidently a cut above the others. - -The tennis lawn lay at the side of the house, and after breakfast was -over, and we had had a look at the morning papers, we took out some -chairs and placed them in the shadiest spots we could find which -commanded a view of the court. I was just settling myself down when -I saw Aunt Mary coming towards me. - -So far I had had very little conversation with my hostess, her manner -at our first meeting, though courteous enough superficially, having -plainly showed me that I was by no means a welcome guest from her -point of view. Since then, however, she had perceptibly thawed, and -on the present occasion she came up to me with a smile on her kindly, -rather worried, face. - -"I want to have a little talk with you, Stuart," she said as I pulled -round a chair for her. - -"By all means," I answered, wondering what she might be leading up -to. "We've hardly had the chance of a chat since I came." - -She looked at me thoughtfully. "You seem to me to have changed a -great deal lately." - -This was in the nature of a frontal attack, but I met it calmly. -"Yes," I said, "I have changed." - -"And for the better," she added. "Stuart, when you first came back -from South America, I disliked you intensely." - -I bowed. "You were quite justified in doing so," I said. - -"I don't know what your life out there had been," she went on, "so -it's not fair that I should judge you, but all my instincts seemed to -tell me that you were bad--bad through and through. I dreaded your -influence over Maurice." - -She paused. The idea of anyone demoralising Maurice, if my judgment -of that young man was anything like correct, struck me as bordering -on the humorous. However, Aunt Mary's penetration into Northcote's -character was sufficiently startling to prevent my smiling. - -"It will be Maurice's own fault," I said bluntly, "if he comes to any -harm through me." - -She laid her hand on my arm. "I believe you, Stuart," she said. -"Since you have been down here this time, I seem, somehow, to have -reversed all my previous opinions of you. It's curious, because, as -a rule, my first impressions never alter." - -"I am glad to provide the exception," I said. "And I'm glad, too, -that Maurice has someone who takes an interest in him." - -"Ah!" she said; "it's about Maurice that I want to speak to you." -Then she hesitated a moment. "I am afraid Maurice is getting into -bad hands," she went on. "There is something on his mind--something -that has changed him terribly the last few months. It may be his -money affairs--I know he has been betting very heavily on horses--but -I can't help thinking that there's some other trouble as well." - -I thought that I had a pretty shrewd notion what the other trouble -was. - -"There is no one I can speak to about it except you, Stuart," she -added unhappily. "You at least are our nearest relative, and you -have seen a great deal of life. You know the temptations that a -young man like Maurice may get into. I want you, if you will, to try -and help him. With all his faults, he is dear Alice's boy. If it is -only a matter of money, we might be able to put things right between -us, perhaps; only I don't like to question him myself. He would take -it so much better from you." - -I felt intensely sorry for the poor lady. Maurice was evidently very -dear to her; and although I believed firmly that the young blackguard -was scheming to murder me, I had no wish to bring any more lines of -sorrow into her care-worn face. - -"I give you my word," I said simply, "that I'll do anything I can to -keep Maurice out of trouble." - -She gave me a faint but very genuine smile of gratitude. "Thank you, -Stuart," she said. "I am sorry I misjudged you so." Then she got up -from her chair, just as the tennis party came, laughing and talking, -out of the billiard-room door which led into the garden. "I must go -and look after my house," she added: "I haven't even ordered the -dinner yet. By the way, if you're duck-shooting, I suppose you will -all be late. I must ask Maurice." - -The latter, looking very cool and supercilious, in white flannels, -was just advancing across the lawn. Aunt Mary went up to him, and -after a moment's conversation continued her way to the house. - -Miss York waved her racquet at me. "We shall expect lots of -applause, Mr. Northcote," she said gaily. "You needn't bother to -clap if your wrist's bad, but you must cheer like anything." - -"The tennis-court shall echo with it," I returned encouragingly. - -Miss York laughed. "That's right," she said. "Here's Lady Baradell -coming to help you." - -Even if I had wished to retreat, it would have been too late. -Graceful and beautifully dressed as ever, Lady Baradell was coming -across the garden towards the spot where I was sitting. - -"You have made yourself comfortable, I see," she said, smiling. - -"Oh, trust Northcote for that," put in Vane, with a chuckle, as he -hung up a wonderfully coloured blazer in the tree behind. - -"You've got the best of it, anyway," added Maurice languidly. "I -think we are all mad to play tennis in this sun." - -"Well, let's hope there will be some method in your madness," replied -Lady Baradell. "As spectators, we shall be very critical." - -She sank down into the chair which Aunt Mary had lately vacated, -fanning herself slowly with a big palm-leaf which she was carrying in -her hand. - -"Stuart," she said, when the others had taken their places in the -court, "I wonder what you think of me?" - -"At the present moment," I said, "I think that you are the most -beautiful woman in Suffolk." - -She laughed, looking up at me sideways out of her curious golden -eyes. "I think I was a little hysterical last night," she said -softly. "But you were rather cruel, Stuart, you know. There are -several ways of breaking bad news. Who is she?" - -I hesitated a moment. "I wonder if you would believe me," I said, -"if I told you the truth." - -"Game--love!" There came a triumphant cry from Miss York, as Vane -with misdirected energy sent a ball soaring into the kitchen garden. - -"Game--love," repeated Lady Baradell, staring out over the lawn with -half-shut eyes. "Ah, yes, Stuart, I shall believe you." - -I leaned forward and looked at her steadily. "In a month's time," I -said, "you will forgive me everything for the sake of last night." - -There was a short silence. Then she answered in a low voice: "There -can be no question of forgiveness between you and me." - -Even as she spoke, I saw the door of the billiard-room open, and Aunt -Mary, accompanied by a tall, grave-looking man in dark clothes, came -out on to the lawn. - -Lady Baradell laughed gently. "My husband," she said, "has all the -virtues--even punctuality." - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -"I've ordered dinner for half-past eight," said Aunt Mary, "so don't -be later than eight if you can help it. We shall all be famished by -then." - -"We shall be before that," returned Maurice. "The flight's about -half-past six, and it's only half an hour's walk from the marsh." - -We were standing in the drive with our guns--he and I and York and -Vane. A slack afternoon, succeeded by an early tea, had followed the -tennis, and now we were just setting out upon our duck-shooting -expedition. Baradell had declined to make one of the party, -presumably preferring the society of his wife. - -"We'll make a round through the fields first," said Maurice. "It's -no use getting to the water before six, and we may pick up a few -pheasants and hares if the light's good enough." - -I did not wait for instructions, but slipped into a place between -York and Vane. I thought it very unlikely that Maurice would himself -attempt anything in the gun-accident line, but even so, there was no -point in running unnecessary risks. You never know what sudden happy -inspiration may illuminate the mind of an embarrassed heir. - -Off we went, the dogs ranging round us, and a couple of nondescript -gentlemen in corduroy trousers bringing up the rear. It relieved my -mind to perceive that neither of them had guns. - -This sort of shooting was, of course, quite new to me, but I have too -often been dependent upon my gun for my supper to be likely to miss -anything in the nature of a confiding English bird. Indeed, when -York sang out his congratulations to me for toppling over a -fast-flying pheasant, I began to think that perhaps it would be more -judicious if I restrained my abilities. Except for his money-getting -and love-making talents, I was so confoundedly in the dark as to what -Northcote could do. - -About half-past five we arrived at the bank of a long salt-water -creek. It was perhaps a quarter of a mile wide, and protected from -the sea by a strip of land running parallel with the coast. A -desolate sort of spot, very like bits of the Argentine seaboard, -without so much as a cottage or a hut to break the loneliness of the -surrounding marsh. The only object in sight was an old punt, moored -to a stake under the bank. - -"We must split up now," said Maurice, turning to the rest of us. -"There are four or five places where you can get a good shot at the -duck as they come over, and this is one of them. What do you say, -Stuart? Would you like to stay here?" - -He asked the question with such frank carelessness that for a moment -I wondered whether it was really possible that he was planning my -extinction. Anyhow, I had no intention of refusing. I wanted to see -what was going to happen. - -"I'll stay where I am, certainly," I said. "What's the programme?" - -He pointed to a small, sandy spit covered with reeds, half-way across -the creek. - -"You must punt over to that," he said, "and tie up the boat this -side. About half-past six the duck will come right over you, and if -you're well hidden you ought to get in a couple of good shots at -least." - -I nodded approvingly. "Where will you be?" I asked. - -He jerked his head toward the right "Oh, we shall be down the coast. -Do you think you know your way to the house?" - -"I guess I can find it," I said, smiling. The idea of being "bushed" -on three miles of Sussex mud-flats struck me as a rather entertaining -one. - -"Well, then," said Maurice, "p'raps you won't mind finding your own -road back when the flight's over. It will save us coming round this -way again. Don't bother about the duck. If you leave them in the -punt, I'll tell one of the men to come back and bring them up to the -house." - -"We'll send him along with a trolly--what?" put in the humorous Vane. - -They tramped off, leaving me alone in my glory. For some few minutes -I sat on the bank, watching them walking away down the creek, and -wondering what pleasant surprise Maurice's arrangements might -foreshadow. That there was mischief of some sort on foot I felt -certain, but it was difficult to guess exactly what shape it would -assume. Standing up, I cast a wary eye over my surroundings. As far -as I could see, with the exception of the little island to which -Maurice had directed my attention, and the long strip of land -opposite, there was no cover anywhere sufficiently big to conceal a -rabbit. Of Billy I could see nothing: if he was hanging about in a -boat, it must be round the bend of the coast away to the left, where -the sea wall jutted out into the saltings. - -Untying the punt, I stepped in and pushed off towards the island. It -struck me that if the danger lurked there, it would be just as well -to land before the rest of the party were out of hearing. Unless -York and Vane were in the plot, which seemed highly improbable, my -safety would be pretty well assured so long as they were within -reasonable distance. - -A few strokes of the paddle brought me to my destination. The -island, though thickly covered, was sufficient to show that I had it -entirely to myself. I tied the punt to a snag on the landward side, -and after one last look round settled myself down to wait for the -duck, or whatever else might turn up. - -I had been there for perhaps ten minutes, when from the strip of land -on the farther side of the creek came the weird, melancholy cry of a -curlew. I took my gun and started to rise cautiously to my feet. As -I did so, a sudden inspiration--a veritable flash from the -gods--leaped into my mind. I sank down again and, taking off the -slouch hat I was wearing, placed it on the barrels of my gun. Then, -very slowly and cautiously, I raised it above the reeds. - -Bang! - -Off spun the hat, with a bullet-hole clean through the middle, and a -violent tingling jar in my arm told me that part of the barrel had -apparently gone with it. I dropped the gun, and without a moment's -hesitation jumped high into the air, crashing down full-length -amongst the reeds. - -It was a trick highly popular with the ingenious Indians of Bolivia, -who by this means tempt their guileless and well-pleased opponent to -come within reach of the knife which they invariably carry. -Something of the same purpose was at the back of my mind, and it was -with a grim smile of satisfaction that I discovered that one of my -gun barrels was still undamaged. Lying there, hidden by the thick -vegetation, I quickly extracted the cartridge from the other. Then, -stealthily as a puma, I wriggled my way forward until I reached the -edge of the island. Parting the rushes, I peered cautiously through. - -From the strip of land away to my left a small boat was just putting -out into the creek. It contained two men, and even at that distance -I could see that one of them was without doubt the "Eyetalian" -aristocrat whom Billy had stalked on the previous evening. The -other, who carried a rifle in his hand, I put down as my Park Lane -friend. - -For a lop-sided sculler, the big chap certainly made his boat travel. -It fairly bounded towards me across the creek, the passenger -crouching in the bows, his gun ready for immediate action. Like -Robert Brace's friend, they were evidently coming to "mak' siccar." - -With a gentle smile I cuddled myself back under cover, pushing -forward my gun so that only the extreme point of the barrel protruded -through the reeds. There was no mercy in my heart, though, as a -matter of fact, I felt little personal resentment against either of -my approaching visitors. It was Northcote, not me, that they were -really trying to shoot, and their reasons were probably very -commendable. Nevertheless, it was my intention to plug them both as -accurately as possible so soon as they came within effective range of -my twelve-bore. If there was any subsequent trouble, I had a -bullet-hole through my hat to give evidence in my favour; and after -all, when certain death is in one side of the balance, it's not much -good bothering about the other. - -Nearer and nearer they came, the man in the bows peering forward and -searching the island with a keen gaze. I placed another cartridge -ready beside me, and then, levelling my gun straight at his chest, -put my finger on the trigger. It was at that moment that the boat -stopped. - -For one moment I thought my trick had been discovered, and I as -nearly as possible loosed off without waiting for any further -developments. Then, just as I was hesitating, there came the -unmistakable crack of a Mauser pistol, and I saw a big splinter fly -up off the side of the boat. With an oath the big fellow swung round -and sculled off furiously down the creek, while his companion, -raising his rifle, blazed back in the direction from whence the -bullet had come. - -I can tell you I didn't waste any time. Wriggling back out of my -ambush, I crawled swiftly through the rushes to the farther side of -the island, and there, as I expected, I saw the faithful William. He -had shipped his oars and, kneeling in his boat, was just taking a -careful aim after the retreating pleasure-party. - -"Chuck it, Billy!" I sang out. - -Down went the pistol, and in another moment, with a triumphant shout, -he was pulling in towards the island. - -"Damn it, Jack!" he said, as the boat ran up the bank and he leaped -on shore. "I thought they'd downed you in that time. Look at the -blighters!" - -He pointed down the creek, where our late assailants were travelling -away from us with a vigour which would have done credit to a -championship pair at Henley. Then, sitting down on the bank, he -burst into a roar of laughter. - -"Oh, great!" he gasped, when he had sufficiently recovered. "Jack, -my son, you're all right when it comes to gunning. You had me on as -clean as a whistle. I'd have sworn they'd got you." - -"If you hadn't come cruising around in that fashion, Billy," I said, -"I should have got them. You've saved me from the horrid sin of -shedding blood." - -"I could have pipped them all right myself," he protested. "That -Dago with the gun couldn't shoot for sour apples. How did it all -come about?" - -As briefly as possible I put him in possession of the facts. "It was -a plant," I finished: "there's no doubt about it now. I should have -been found shot, if I'd ever been found at all. Mr. Guarez and his -pal would have cleared out, and Maurice, with a beautiful fat alibi -to keep him out of trouble, would have stepped into the family -property. It's a wicked world, William." - -"You're right," said Billy, shaking his head; "but fortunately it -makes a bloomer sometimes. I saw the whole thing. I'd tied my boat -to the sea wall round the point there, and crawled up on to the top. -I watched you punt over to the island and I was just coming along to -keep you company when that misbegotten skunk let drive. I thought -you were a goner, Jack! You did that stunt so devilish well it took -me in completely." - -"I hope you felt sorry," I said, - -"Sorry!" laughed Billy. "I was in a black rage, I can tell you. If -you hadn't popped up like a Jack-in-the-box, I'd have filled those -two Dagoes fuller of lead than a racing yacht." - -"I'm glad you didn't, Billy," I answered. "I'm looking forward to -doing something in that line myself." Then I looked at my watch. -"It's half-past six," I added. "That's the time the duck were due to -arrive. I'm afraid we've frightened them!" - -"I reckon we have," said Billy. "If I was a duck, I should steer -clear of this place for a fortnight. You'd better come round with me -to the point, and then we'll cut across land to Woodford and have a -drink. You can be back at the house by eight." - -"Good!" I said. "If I'm a bit late, it will keep Master Maurice -guessing. He isn't likely to have seen his pals, so it will be a -pleasant little surprise for him when I roll up safe and sound." - -Leaving the punt where it was (I was not in the mood to save -Maurice's keepers any superfluous trouble), we pushed off in Billy's -boat, and sculled rapidly up the creek. There was no sign anywhere -of our late friends, but a faint sound of shots down the coast told -us that the rest of my party were apparently busy with the duck. - -"I wonder if Maurice is shooting straight," I said, with a chuckle. -"He must have heard our little fusillade, and I suppose he thinks the -whole thing over by now. Rather trying for the nerves, coming into a -fortune all of a sudden!" - -"It will be a lot more trying coming out of it," retorted Billy. -"I'd give a fiver to see his face when you walk in." - -We left the boat at a small landing-stage the other side of the -point, and making our way across the fields, came into Woodford over -the railway line. I spent about half an hour with Billy at the -Plough, drank a couple of sherries and bitters, and talked over our -future campaign. - -"There's nothing like leading trumps," I said. "I shall tell them -straight out when I get back that someone tried to shoot me. I want -to hear Maurice's explanation." - -Billy nodded. "That's the right game," he answered. "If you lie -low, he'll know that you suspect him. Play the hand for all it's -worth, and see what happens." - -"I mean to," I said briskly. "I shall even go so far as to tell him -that I have a witness in the shape of a kind tourist staying at the -Plough, who happened to be out shooting. Perhaps he'll come and see -you, Billy!" - -"I hope so," said Billy; "I know so few English gentlemen!" Then he -chuckled in characteristic fashion. "Meanwhile," he added, "I'm -going to do a bit more scouting. I don't know whether your pals will -clear out after this little 'fox pass,' but I mean to have a squint -round the Hollies to-night and see what's going on. I don't approve -of 'Eyetalian' noblemen waltzing around with rifles. They want -watching." - -"And washing too," I said, "from the glimpse I had of them." Then I -got up. "I must be off now," I added, "or I shall be late for the -resurrection." - -Billy came with me as far as the door. "Shall I meet you somewhere -to-morrow?" he asked, "or can you manage to look in here?" - -I reflected a moment. "I'll come round in the afternoon," I said. -"I'll tell them I want to see how the repairs to the car are getting -on." - -Feeling pleasantly elated at the thought of the surprise in store for -Maurice, I struck out along the road to Ashton at my most brisk pace. -I had covered about three-quarters of the distance, and was just -turning the corner where I had met Billy before breakfast, when I -noticed ahead of me a small boy with a rather dirty face lounging -against the bank. As I came up, he straightened himself, looked at -me keenly, and stepped out into the road. - -"Beg pardon, sir," he said, "but are you Mr. Northcote?" - -"That's right, my son," I replied. - -Putting his hand in his pocket, he produced a well-thumbed envelope. -"Lady asked me to give you this, sir." - -I took the letter and opened it. By the rapidly fading light I could -just see to read the contents-- - - -"If you put any value on your life, you will leave Ashton -immediately. Guarez and the others have followed you down, and your -cousin is in league with them. It is my fault, so I take this last -chance of warning you. I can do no more. If you are indeed wrongly -accused, I pray God that you will escape while there is yet time. -Destroy this letter. M.S." - - -"Where did you get this?" I asked. - -He hesitated. "Lady told me not to tell." - -I put my hand in my pocket and pulled out five shillings. "Look -here, my son," I said, "I'll give you that if you'll answer my -question." - -He shook his head sturdily. "I promised the lady, guv'nor." - -I put back the money, feeling rather ashamed. "Tommy," I said, -"you're a good boy. How did you know I was Mr. Northcote?" - -"Lady described yer, guv'nor. Said yer was a big gent with a brown -face." - -"Did she!" said I, laughing. Then I paused a moment, thinking -rapidly. "Will you take a note back for me?" I asked. "The lady -didn't say you weren't to do that, did she?" - -He shook his head. - -"Very well," I said; "you do it, and I'll give you ten shillings." - -The magnitude of the sum fairly staggered him. - -"'Arf a quid!" he gasped. - -"The terms are synonymous, Tommy," I said, producing the coin. "Here -you are." - -He clutched it tightly in his little brown paw, and while he was -recovering from the shock I tore out a page from my pocket-book and -wrote my message-- - - -"Will you meet me to-morrow at three o'clock at the Plough at -Woodford, or else leave a note for me there, saying where I can see -you? - -"STUART NORTHCOTE." - - -This I folded up and handed to the boy. "There you are," I said. -"Give that to the lady as soon as you can." - -His sudden access of fortune seemed to have paralysed his tongue, for -he contented himself with another nod, and then darted off up the -road as fast as his legs would carry him. - -I waited until he was out of sight, and then I lifted up Mercia's -melodramatic little warning and kissed it. If it had come a trifle -late, it was none the less welcome--and as for its wording, well, it -was good enough for me. My heart was filled with a kind of wild -triumph, for surely the fact of her trying to save me was sufficient -proof that she had believed my word in the face of all evidence to -the contrary. - -If I could only see her to-morrow, I would leave her in no doubt as -to my feelings. I longed to clear up the whole infernal mystery, but -my oath to Northcote rose like a wall between me and my desire. In -love as I was, I couldn't bring myself to betray his secret until the -accursed three weeks had run their span. - -Tearing up the note into tiny fragments, I scattered them judiciously -to the breezes, and, continuing my way, turned in at the side gate. -It was now quite dusk, and even if anyone had been watching, I doubt -if they would have seen me approaching across the lawn. - -As it was, I got right up to the terrace without being spotted. The -French window, which led into the smoking-room, was open, and, -keeping away from the light which streamed out in a great golden -beam, I advanced cautiously until I was within a couple of paces. - -Then I heard Maurice's voice. "It's a most extraordinary thing," he -was saying. "The punt was tied up to the island, according to -George, and yet there wasn't a sign of him anywhere." - -I smiled softly. - -"I hope to God he hasn't fallen into the creek," said York's voice -anxiously. "We'd better all turn out, hadn't we, and have a good -hunt, before we tell the women?" - -"That will be best," said Maurice. "I really am uncommonly anxious -about him." - -I stepped in quietly over the threshold. "In that case, Maurice," I -said, "let me hasten to relieve your feelings." - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -I don't think I shall ever forget Maurice's face! His cheeks went -the colour of grey ash, and for several seconds he stared at me with -a sort of incredulous horror. If I had any remaining doubt as to his -guilt, it was certainly settled in that dramatic interval. - -At last, with a great effort, he recovered himself sufficiently to -give a sickly laugh. - -"By Jove, you gave us a start, Stuart!" he said. "We were just -wondering whether you'd fallen into the creek." - -"No," I replied cheerfully, "it was only my hat that went in." And -taking off the article in question, I held it up to the light so that -they could all see the bullet-hole. - -"Great Scott!" cried York, "what's the meaning of that?" He seized -the hat, and began examining the damage with vast interest, Sir -George peering over his shoulder. - -"It means," I retorted, "at least twenty-five shillings. That's one -of Lincoln & Bennett's best." Then, with a kindly eye on Maurice, I -proceeded to relate my spirited and entertaining experiences. - -When I had finished there was a short silence. It was broken by Sir -George, who, with his usual intelligence, went straight to the heart -of the matter. - -"B--b--but that was murder," he stammered, "cold-blooded murder!" - -"I should describe it rather as hat slaughter," I said coolly, "but -the intention seems to have been pretty obvious." - -Maurice, whose face had not regained its colour, broke in with an -oath. "It's those infernal marshmen!" he cried. "I've had trouble -with them before, but never anything of this kind." - -"What do you mean?" asked York, looking up from the hat. - -"Why, there's a gang of scoundrels round the coast who make their -living shooting duck. I was cautioned about them when I took the -place. They think they own the marsh, and that no one else has a -right to shoot there. I've heard lots of stories about their -blackguardly tricks, but of course I never imagined for a moment -they'd go as far as this." He turned to me. "My dear chap," he -added, "I can't tell you how sorry I am." - -I thought I could tell him very accurately, but I contented myself -with shaking the hand that he thrust impulsively out. - -"Don't worry about it, Maurice," I said. "These little accidents -will happen." - -"You take it uncommonly coolly, Northcote," broke in Sir George. "If -it had happened to me, I'd have had the whole damned countryside -arrested by now--by Gad, I would!" - -"I shall put it in the hands of the police at once," said Maurice. -"Do you think you could recognise the two men?" - -I should love to have said yes, just for the pleasure of watching his -face; but I thought it might be a bit awkward to make such a -statement in view of a subsequent visit from the police. - -"I couldn't swear to them," I said, "but I dare say the obliging -stranger at the Plough could. He got a better sight of them than I -did." - -This, without committing Billy, could, I thought, at least give -Maurice an unpleasant quarter of an hour. - -"Well, it's disgraceful!" burst out Vane; "that's what it -is--disgraceful! It's all this confounded Government--setting class -against class--that leads to this kind of thing. If I had my way, -I'd shoot them down--every man Jack of them." - -I was a little in the dark as to who Sir George's imaginary victims -might be, but, in any case, the sentiment struck me as being a fairly -sound one. - -"Perhaps we'd better not say anything further about it to-night," I -suggested. "I don't want the loss of a hat to disturb the whole -house." - -There was a look of relief on Maurice's face. "You're right, -Stuart," he said. "It would only upset the women. We'll go over to -Woodford first thing in the morning and see the Inspector. I'll have -these brutes run to earth: you may be sure of that." - -With this comforting assurance, we separated to dress for dinner. - -The latter meal, and indeed all the rest of the evening, passed off -cheerfully enough. Lady Baradell and Miss York both seemed to be in -excellent spirits, chaffing us unmercifully over the very minute bag -of duck (one and a half couple) which we had managed to bring back -from our expedition. I could not help wondering what they would have -said if they had known as much about the sporting possibilities of -the Suffolk coast as I did. - -I went to bed early, and just for a change passed a quite uneventful -night. I had become so used to entertaining beautiful ladies or -grappling with would-be assassins that for a time I felt positively -neglected. However, if the night was dull, the next day promised to -be exciting enough, so I consoled myself with this reflection and -went peacefully off to sleep. - -The topic of our visit to the police was broached tactfully at -breakfast next morning by Maurice. - -"I am afraid Stuart and I will have to run over to Woodford on -business," he announced. - -There was an immediate chorus of protest from the ladies. "Oh, but -we've promised to give them their revenge at tennis," said Miss York. - -"I didn't know there was any business at Woodford," remarked Lady -Baradell. "I thought the entire population spent their time talking -politics at the street corners." - -"Oh, it's only a little matter," said Maurice. "It won't take us -long. We'll drive over in the trap, and I'll be back here by eleven." - -"Well, if you must go," put in Aunt Mary, "you might tell Cooper to -send some marmalade. You remember, Stuart; Maurice is sure to -forget." - -I pledged my word that the marmalade should be faithfully dispatched; -and with these two somewhat incongruous errands before us, we set -forth after breakfast in a dogcart. Maurice, who was handling the -reins, seemed to be a little depressed. - -"I hope the police will be able to find the scoundrels without making -too much fuss about it," he said, flicking the steed viciously with -his whip. "One doesn't want the papers to get hold of a thing like -this." - -I quite believed that nothing would annoy him more. "We must hope -for the best," I said cheerfully. "I don't mind a little trouble, if -I can help you clear the neighbourhood of a gang like that." - -I have no doubt that he was grateful for this magnanimous sentiment, -but he didn't trouble to express it in words. We tooled on down the -road in silence, and passing through the outskirts of Woodford, drew -up at the police station, where a polite gentleman in corduroy -trousers shambled forward from a side-walk and took the horse's head. -On the steps stood a depressed-looking constable, who touched his -helmet when he recognised Maurice. - -"Is the Inspector in?" asked the latter. - -The constable at once brisked up. "Yes, sir; just come along 'arf a -minute ago. D'ye want to see him, sir?" - -Maurice nodded, and clambering out of the trap, we followed Robert up -the steps and into the office. - -The Inspector, a large, solid-looking person, was seated at a desk -laboriously writing. As we entered he laid down his pen with a sigh -and wiped his fingers on his trousers. - -"Good morning, Mr. Furnivall," he said. "What can I have the -pleasure of doing for you this morning?" Then, seeing me, he added -politely: "Good morning, sir." - -"Good morning, Inspector," said Maurice. "We have come on rather a -serious business." - -The Inspector assumed what I can only imagine he meant for an -official expression. Placing his hands on his knees and turning his -toes in, he leaned forward and scowled at us. - -"How's that, sir?" he inquired. - -I felt a wild desire to retort, "Not a bit like it!" but fortunately -Maurice took up the dialogue. In curt and apparently indignant -phrases he described the gross outrage of the previous day, turning -every now and then to me to confirm his statements. - -"Poaching and robbery," he finished, "I can put up with, but when it -comes to a cold-blooded and deliberate attempt to murder one of my -guests, I think it is time that the police interfered." - -A more dumbfounded man than that poor police inspector I have seldom -seen. He listened to the story with an amazement that bordered on -the pathetic, and when Maurice had finished, produced a red cotton -handkerchief and wiped his forehead. - -"Lord bless us, Mr. Furnivall!" he observed. "Who'd have thought it?" - -Then his professional instincts got the better of him. "I'll make a -note or two of your statement while it's fresh in me mind," he added, -pulling out a large notebook. "What time might the incident have -occurred?" - -"The incident," I replied, "occurred as nearly as possible at a -quarter to six." - -"Ah!" said he, jotting down the fact; "and maybe, sir, you'd be able -to recognise the men?" - -I shook my head. "I doubt it," I said. "It was getting a bit dusk, -and I wasn't exactly in a position to stare at them. You'd better -try the gentleman at the Plough who came to my rescue. He had a much -better sight of them." - -"Ah!" said the Inspector, "his name being----?" - -"Oh, Loman," said I, "or something like that." - -The Inspector wrote it down, and then shut his notebook with a -determined air. - -"I'll look into the matter at once, gentlemen," he said. "I don't -want to make no promises, but I reckon that by to-morrow we ought to -know something about it. They're a rough lot, them marshmen, but -this'll be a lesson to 'em. I'll teach them they can't go shooting -at gents promiscuous like--not while I'm Inspector." - -This little personal touch rather appealed to me. - -"Thank you," I said. "I'm sure the case couldn't be in more -efficient hands. I'm going over to the Plough now, so I'll tell Mr. -Loman, or whatever his name is, that you'd like to see him." - -We went outside, where the gentleman in corduroy trousers was still -affectionately clutching the horse's bridle under the critical eye of -the constable. - -"Are you coming with me?" I asked Maurice. "I should like to -introduce you to my rescuer--he seems rather a decent sort of chap." - -Maurice shook his head, I thought a trifle sullenly. "I must get -back for the tennis," he said. "Ask your friend over to Ashton -to-morrow--he might like to see the cricket." - -Considering that he believed Billy to be responsible for spoiling his -admirable arrangements, this seemed to me really handsome. - -"Right you are," I said cheerfully. "I shall have a look at the car -afterwards, so don't expect me till you see me. By the way, isn't -there a tea-fight or something on this afternoon?" - -Maurice nodded. "The Cuthberts are giving a garden-party, and I -believe Aunt Mary said some of us might stroll over. But don't you -bother about it, if you've made other arrangements." He brought out -the latter remark with a kind of suggestive leer, that told me -plainly he was thinking of Lady Baradell. - -"Thanks," I said coolly. "You're an ideal host, Maurice." And -leaving him to chew over this compliment at his leisure, I strolled -across the street in the direction of the Plough. - -I found Billy sitting alone in the bar parlour reading the morning -paper, and taking an occasional pull at a large tankard of ale. - -"I hope I'm not interrupting your breakfast, Billy," I said. - -He jumped up smiling, and flung down the paper on the seat. - -"I guessed you'd be over early," he said. - -"Then you guessed more than I did," I retorted. "Why this -confidence?" - -He walked round behind the bar, and taking down an envelope which was -sitting up among the bottles, tossed it across to me. - -"Here's your love letter, my son," he said. "I told the barmaid -you'd be in for it this morning." - -I picked it up, remembering with a sudden thrill of pleasure my -message to Mercia. - -"When did this come, Billy?" I asked. - -"A boy brought it last night about half-past nine. I happened to be -in here, so I told them you were staying at Ashton, and would no -doubt be calling round after breakfast. Not a bad shot--eh? Who is -it? The lady with the gun?" - -I tore open the envelope and quickly read the contents-- - - -"I will be in the old windmill just beyond Barham Bridge at four -o'clock." - - -There was no signature, but I didn't need one. - -"Since you took up detective work, Billy," I said, "your powers of -deduction are improving." - -He chuckled, and coming back from behind the bar flung open the -French window. - -"Let's go out into the garden," he said. "I've tons to tell you, and -the barmaid will be back here in a minute." - -We went down the steps which led to the square patch of lawn behind -the house, and seated ourselves on an old wooden bench in the -sunshine. - -"Things are moving," I said, taking out a pipe and beginning to fill -it with some care. "Maurice and I have just been interviewing the -local inspector. The attempted murder of Mr. Stuart Northcote is now -a problem for the police." - -Billy whistled. "That's good," he observed. "Did Maurice give 'em -any tips?" - -"No," I returned; "they're looking to you for those. I've explained -how an obliging tripper, residing at the Plough, sailed in and -rescued me. You're quite a hero, Billy. The police want to see you -as soon as possible, and Maurice has asked me to invite you over to -Ashton to-morrow to watch the cricket match." - -Billy slapped his knee. "That's good travelling," he observed, -"precious good. But don't think you're the only one who's making -history. I've got a little shock to spring on you that knocks spots -off any of your news." He paused, and then tapped the note which I -was still holding in my hand. "Do you know where your fair -assassin's hanging out?" - -I shook my head. - -"Miss Mercia Solano," said Billy, leaning back and folding his arms, -"is, at the present moment, the honoured guest of M. Baretti." - -I jumped up off the bench. "Good Lord, Billy!" I said, "is that a -fact?" - -He nodded. "And what's more," he added, "I've seen her. Last night, -after that note came, I slipped out and went up to the Hollies. -First of all I had a good look at the place from the road. All the -blinds were down and the shutters closed in front, so I made a bit of -a circle and got in through the plantation at the back. There was a -window open there on the second floor, with a light in the room. -Well, to cut the yarn short, I climbed up one of the trees nearest -the house and had a squint in." - -"And you actually saw Mercia?" I demanded. - -"I saw the whole charming bunch of 'em," said Billy. "There was -Dot-and-carry-one; and the gentleman who put a bullet through your -hat; and a frowsy-looking sort of female; and last, but not least, -your own particular bit of trouble. At least, I suppose it was. A -well-built sort of girl, with stunning eyes?" - -I looked at him with pity. "You have your points, Billy," I said, -"but don't try to describe a beautiful woman. What were they doing?" - -"Jawing at her, as far as I could make out," he answered, with a -grin. "Of course, I couldn't hear anything--I was too far away; but -I could see them waggling their hands and shrugging their shoulders -in the best Dago fashion. Looked to me as if they were trying to -persuade her to do something she didn't want to--stick a knife into -you, I expect." - -"I shouldn't wonder," I said, "but I'll find out this afternoon. -She's going to meet me at four o'clock." - -Billy frowned. "Isn't that rather running your head into it -unnecessarily?" he asked. "She's staying with them in the house, -and, after all, you know precious little about her." - -"That's just the reason why I want to find out some more," I -retorted. Then, laying my hand on his shoulder, I added more -seriously: "I've got to see her Billy; I can't get on without her any -longer." - -He grunted. "Well, it's no good saying anything if you've made up -your mind: I know that. All the same, I think you're an ass, my son. -What are your plans?" - -"Well," said I, "I thought I'd hang about here and look at the car -and do a bit of shopping while you went across and interviewed the -police. Then we might have some lunch, and after that I'll go off -and meet Mercia." - -"Where's the trysting tree?" inquired Billy. - -I gave him the note. - -He read it through, grunted again, and then handed it back to me. -"You know your own business best," he said, "but, if you take my tip, -you'll shove a gun of some sort in your pocket. Where is this -blessed windmill?" - -"I don't know," I said, "but I'll find out while you're making love -to the Inspector." - -"What am I to say to him?" demanded Billy. - -"Oh, just tell him that you were out duck-shooting, and spotted two -sportsmen blowing holes through my hat. If he asks you whether you -could recognise them, you'd better say they were a couple of -rough-looking blackguards something like police constables. We don't -want him to get on to the Hollies yet awhile." - -Billy laughed. "All right," he said, getting up; "I'll handle him -with gloves on. I may as well be off now. Don't get into any more -mischief while I'm away." - -We parted company outside the hotel, Billy going off to the police -station, and I strolling up the street in search of Aunt Mary's -marmalade. Having secured this, and given instructions that it was -to be sent to Ashton at once, I proceeded to make a further -inspection of the old town. My wanderings brought me eventually to -the bar parlour of the Bull, the second principal hotel, which struck -me as a very suitable place for making inquiries as to the -whereabouts of Barham Bridge. - -I was enlightened on this point by a genial, clean-shaven gentleman -in sporting get-up, who was engaged in shifting a morning -sherry-and-bitters. - -"Barham Bridge!" he said. "Oh yes; it's about two miles up the road -to the left. You can't mistake it, because there's an old ruined -mill standing back in the field just beyond." - -I thanked him, and we chatted away cheerfully for about a quarter of -an hour, in the course of which I discovered that his name was -Cumming, that he lived in the neighbourhood, was a keen yachtsman, -and by profession a well-known writer of bloodthirsty -adventure-stories for the popular weekly papers. I only regretted -that circumstances prevented me from being equally confidential. But -for my promise to Northcote, I felt that I could have given him a -plot which would have made him my friend for life! - -Returning to the Plough, I received the key of the garage and -indulged in a brief inspection of the car. My knowledge of motors is -decidedly limited, but as she started up all right, it seemed to me -that there couldn't be much the matter with her. So I contented -myself with filling up the petrol tank and pumping in some oil. It -was while I was engaged in the latter operation that Billy reappeared. - -"They told me you were out here," he said. "Nothing the matter with -the car, is there?" - -"No," I said, "she's all right. I was only filling her up, because -I'm thinking of using her this afternoon. How did you get on with -the Inspector?" - -Billy smiled wickedly. "We've made great friends," he said. "I'm -going down on the marsh with him this afternoon to help hunt out the -criminals. He says it's a dangerous job." - -"It will be a pretty thirsty one," I returned, "if you stick to it -long enough. I'm afraid you've been stuffing the poor man up -shamelessly, Billy." - -"He didn't want it," chuckled Billy, thrusting his arm through mine. -"I do, though. Come inside and have some grub. The chase starts at -half-past two." - -We entered the long dining-room, where an elderly waiter brought us -an excellent lunch of cold partridge and Stilton cheese, which we -assisted in its progress with a couple of bottles of Jacob's -Pilsener. As Billy said, "You can't hunt murderers on air," a remark -which I considered applied with equal force to the nice conduct of a -somewhat complicated love scene. - -"Besides, that's not all my day's work," he added. "When I get back, -I'm going to pay another call at the Hollies. There's a drain pipe -under that window which looks as if it would bear my weight all -right." - -"Look here, Billy," I protested, "it's my show and you're doing all -the dangerous part of it." - -"That's a matter of opinion," he laughed. "Anyhow, I'm quite -satisfied. If you'll tackle Miss Mercia Solano, I'll take on Humpty -Dumpty and the others with the greatest pleasure." - -He got up, glancing at his watch. "I must be off," he added. "I -promised to call for Sherlock at a quarter-past, and one mustn't keep -the Law waiting. I'll tell you all about it to-morrow. What time -does the cricket match start?" - -"Oh, Goodness knows," said I: "about eleven, I suppose." - -"Well, I'll be around some time in the morning. So long, old son, -and don't forget that all women are born liars." - -"Except Mercia," I added. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -I pulled up the car just this side of Barham Bridge, and turned her -on to the strip of level grass that ran parallel with the road. -Mercia seemed to have chosen a pleasantly isolated meeting-place. -Away to my right, on the top of a small hill, stood an old -weather-beaten, half-ruined windmill; but with this exception, -nothing broke the flat monotony of the far-stretching Suffolk -pastures. - -Opening the gate, I made my way up the rough track, which in more -spacious days had apparently been the miller's roadway. It struck me -that if Mercia was playing me false, I was offering a really -beautiful target to anyone in the mill; but I don't think it can have -been this reflection that was sending the blood dancing so cheerfully -through my veins. - -Anyhow, I strode on briskly till I reached the top, where I took a -final glance back to see if I was till unobserved. Then, as I looked -round again, I found Mercia. She was standing in the doorway of the -mill, pale and beautiful as ever, and at the sight of her my heart -gave a great jump that seemed almost like a shout of triumph. It was -only with a big effort that I stopped myself from picking her up in -my arms and kissing her. - -"Ah, it's good to see you again," I said, holding out my hands. - -She drew back with a quick, frightened gesture. - -"You have not been followed?" she whispered. - -I stepped inside. "No," I said; "I came in the car. It's down at -the bottom of the hill." - -She gave a little gasp of relief. "I was so afraid. I thought they -suspected. It's madness our meeting like this." - -"Then I pray God I shall never be sane," I said, with a low, reckless -laugh. "Oh, Mercia,--my sweet, white, wonderful Mercia,--do you -think life has anything for me that I wouldn't throw away with both -hands for the sake of seeing you!" - -The passion in my voice brought a faint tinge of colour into her -face. She leaned against the side of the mill and put up her hands -with a little pleading gesture. - -"Ah, don't, don't!" she whispered. - -I shook my head, smiling down at her tenderly. "Anything else, -Mercia mine," I said; "but you might as well tell the sun not to -shine as tell me not to love you." - -I tried to take her hand, but she wrenched herself free. - -"You mustn't say these things to me," she cried, half sobbing. -"Isn't it enough that I should have tried to save you? Are you quite -merciless? Oh, go, while there's yet time. Go out of my life, and -let me forget you." - -"I won't," I said obstinately. "I love you with every beat of my -heart, Mercia, and all the murdering half-castes in South America -shan't come between us." - -She looked at me piteously. "Do you know what you are saying? Don't -you understand how impossible it is that the daughter of Manuel -Solano can ever be anything to you?" - -"No," I said stoutly, "I don't. I've already sworn to you that I had -no hand in your father's death, and you believe me--I know that you -believe me." - -She raised her eyes to mine. "Yes," she said, more calmly, "I do -believe you. Should I be here if I didn't? I believe you against my -own eyes, against the evidence of all San Luca, against reason -itself. That is why I am trying to save you from the others." - -A thrill of triumph shot through me at her words. - -"Mercia," I whispered softly, "Mercia." - -She lifted her hands again, as though to motion me back. - -"But if you did not kill my father," she went on, "you know who did. -Tell me the truth--ah, for God's sake, tell me the truth!" - -The broken pleading of that piteous cry nearly shattered my resolve. -But I had pledged my word to Northcote, and with a great effort I -steeled myself to be true to it. - -"I know nothing for certain," I said. "If the others believe me -guilty, they are wrong. But why not leave them to take their own -vengeance? They seem quite capable of it." - -She drew herself up with a shudder. "It is too late now. There is -only one escape from the League--death. When they came to me and -told me that you were still alive, I joined them gladly, recklessly. -I thought that at least I should be able to avenge my father. Then -that night in Park Lane I learned, for the first time, that I was -wrong. I deceived them, I lied to them. It would have been no good -my telling them the truth: they would never have believed it. Even -now, I think they suspect me." - -Her half-incoherent sentences gave me my first glimpse of the real -truth. - -"Mercia," I said, "who do you think I am?" - -She stared at me in bewilderment. - -"You are Ignace Prado," she said slowly. - -"Before God," I answered, "I am nothing of the kind." - -There was a moment of strenuous silence. Then, with a wild, -impulsive gesture, she laid her hand on my arm. - -"Who are you?" she whispered fearfully. "Speak, tell me! I feel as -if I was going mad." - -I caught her hands and drew her towards me. "Mercia, my heart," I -said, holding her tightly in my arms and looking down into her dear, -startled eyes, "you must give me your trust, as I have given you my -love. We have got caught up, you and I, into a tangle of the Devil's -own spinning, and God knows how it's all going to end. Listen. I -swear by my love for you that I am not Ignace Prado, and that I know -nothing of your father's death. More than that I can't tell you for -the present, but you must believe me, Mercia--you _shall_ believe -me," I added, almost savagely, as she freed herself from my embrace -and leaned back panting and pale against the wall. - -"I feel that you are speaking the truth," she gasped, "but oh! you -are in terrible danger. Guarez and the others will kill you, as -surely as the sun rises, unless you leave here at once--unless you -disappear altogether. They at least are convinced that you are -Ignace; and your cousin, Maurice Furnivall--he is the man that has -betrayed you--it was he who first told the League that you were in -London." - -"Yes," I said grimly, "I fancied I was indebted to Master Maurice for -that kindness." - -"And you will go, you will go immediately?" - -"I shall go, Mercia," I said, "at precisely the same time that you -do. If you imagine I am going to clear out and leave you alone with -that cheerful gang of cut-throats, you're making a mistake." - -"Oh, but you must," she said beseechingly. "I am in no danger. -Really, I am in no danger." - -"I don't believe you," I said bluntly. "Does Sir Henry Tregattock -know where you are?" - -She looked confused "He--he thinks I am with friends," she stammered. -"I am going back there in a day or so. I will go directly you have -disappeared." - -"You'll do nothing of the kind," I said. "If I go, you'll come with -me. I won't stir a step from Woodford unless it's to take you back -to London." - -She gazed at me despairingly. "What's the use?" she cried. "They -will only kill us both." - -"Will they?" I said. "At present, I think they've got their hands -full in trying to kill me." - -She shook her head. "The League never fails. It's only a matter of -time. Within a week, you will be dead--you and your friend too. Oh, -you don't know what danger you are in. Listen. There were four -others besides Prado and Lopez whom the Council condemned, and every -one of them has been killed since. You know what happened to Lopez." - -"I don't," I said. "I know nothing about the infernal business -except that they've bungled me three times, and that somehow or other -they've managed to get hold of the wretched Milford. I should stick -it out now in any case, if only for the sake of revenging him." - -"Milford," she repeated, looking at me in horror. "Is that the man -they tried to poison?" - -"Yes," I said. "He vanished two days ago, and Heaven knows what's -happened to him by now." - -She drew a deep breath. "Ah," she whispered, "that explains the -disappearance of Da Costa. He was watching the house, and he was to -write to Guarez every day. We have heard nothing." - -I gave an exclamation of surprise. "By Jove!" I cried, "perhaps -Milford's--" - -A sudden sound of voices outside pulled me up abruptly. -Instinctively, I whipped my hand to my pocket, and for a moment we -stood there in absolute silence. Then came the noise of footsteps, -followed almost immediately by a remark in a man's voice, and the -little trill of a woman's laugh. I recognised the latter at once, -and in a flash I had made up my mind. - -"Come, Mercia," I whispered quickly. "It's two of our own party from -Ashton. We must see this through. Leave it to me to explain." - -She made no answer, and we stepped out through the doorway into the -sunshine. - -About ten paces away, York and Lady Baradell were coming up the hill -towards us. As we appeared in the opening they stopped, and for a -moment all four of us stood looking at each other in a prettily -embarrassed silence. - -York was the first to speak. "Then it was you, Northcote!" he -observed. "Lady Baradell declared it must be your car." - -"Lady Baradell was right," I returned cheerfully. "Let me introduce -you all. Miss de Rosen, Lady Baradell, Captain York." - -Lady Baradell, who had favoured Mercia with one swift, incisive -scrutiny, smiled sweetly. - -"We were walking over to the Cuthberts'," she remarked, "and we -happened to see your car standing on the grass. I had no idea you -were an antiquary, Mr. Northcote." - -"No," I said coolly; "I have so many hidden talents." - -York, who seemed to feel that the atmosphere was strained, made a -tactful effort to clear it. - -"Car all right?" he inquired sympathetically. - -"I was just testing it," I said, "and, in the course of doing so, I -as nearly as possible slaughtered Miss de Rosen." - -Mercia smiled with delightful composure. "I have always told Mr. -Northcote he drives much too fast. I thought I should be safe from -him in the wilds of Suffolk, however." - -"You're staying here?" put in Lady Baradell, in a smooth voice. - -"Quite close by with some friends," answered Mercia carelessly, "and -that reminds me I ought to be getting back, or they'll be wondering -what's happened to me. Good-bye, Mr. Northcote; thank you so much -for your ride. You must come over and see us before you go away. -Good-bye." - -She smiled graciously to the others, and turned as if to go. - -"May I have the pleasure of seeing you back, Miss de Rosen?" I -suggested. "I have been guilty of bringing you all this way out of -your road." - -"Oh no," she said, laughing. "I can take a short cut across the -fields. I am quite used to walking about the country alone, really." - -She gave me a little wave of her hand, and set off at a brisk pace -across the hill. Her coolness left me flabbergasted. - -Lady Baradell, who had been looking at me with a kind of malicious -amusement, smiled mockingly. - -"What a popular man you are, Mr. Northcote," she observed. "You -can't get away from your friends, even in Suffolk." - -"No," I said. "The country seems to be sown with them. Next time I -want a little seclusion, I shall stop in London." - -"Pretty girl, that," said York, looking approvingly after Mercia's -retreating figure. - -I was not going to be drawn into any further confidence. - -"Suppose I motor you on to the Cuthberts'?" I suggested. "I'll -promise to drive carefully." - -"That's a sound idea," answered York, with enthusiasm. - -"Well, it must be very carefully," said Lady Baradell. "You -fortunate men aren't bothered with clothes and hair. I don't want to -arrive looking like a suffragette after a fight with a policeman." - -It was so impossible to conceive Lady Baradell in such a condition -that we both laughed. - -"There is no danger," I said. "You saw how unruffled Miss de Rosen -was." - -"It was quite remarkable," admitted her ladyship sweetly. - -Down the hill we went, and two minutes later, with York beside me and -Lady Baradell ensconced in the back I was carefully steering the car -over Barham Bridge and along the winding Suffolk road, which twisted -in and out between the lush meadows and small coppices. - -York, of course, knew the way, and following his directions, we soon -came in sight of an old Jacobean mansion rather the worse for wear, -standing back in pleasantly timbered grounds. - -"How are you going to get back?" I asked. - -"Furnivall and my sister are coming over in the carriage," said York, -"and there'll be plenty of room for us." - -"In that case," I said, "I think I'll desert you basely at the door." - -"Oh, come along in," protested York. Then, turning to Lady Baradell, -he added laughingly: "Tell him he's got to; he'll obey you." - -She shook her head. "I am afraid I sympathise with him. I am sure -he can find a much more pleasant way of spending his time than -talking about turnips and the vicar." - -York groaned. "Well, I call it uncommon mean of you, Northcote," he -grumbled, as we turned in at the lodge. "You and Vane have both -shied off." - -"It's the privilege of age," I said, slowing up the car as we came -round to the front door. "I'll meet you at dinner, and hear all -about it." - -Any remark York may have wished to make was cut short by the -appearance of the butler. - -Lady Baradell, looking extremely unlike a suffragette, stepped -daintily out, and in another minute I was speeding away again down -the drive on my way back to Woodford. - -I was burning to tell Billy about my latest discoveries, but when I -reached the Plough I discovered, as I had feared would be the case, -that he had not yet returned from his man-hunting expedition on the -marshes. I put the car away in the garage, and hung about for the -best part of an hour and a half in the vain hope that he would turn -up. Finally, I went into the lounge and wrote him a short note, -which I gave to the barmaid. I told him that I had made some novel -and highly interesting additions to our stock of knowledge, and -begged him to turn up at Ashton next morning without fail. Then, -feeling that I had already been long enough away to excite Maurice's -suspicions, I set off on my way back to the house. - -I reached Ashton, curiously enough, just at the same time as the -carriage. As a matter of fact, it passed me in the drive, and when I -got up to the front door, I found Maurice and the others standing -round the porch. - -"Well, I hope you are properly ashamed of yourself, Northcote," cried -York, with a laugh. "Here we are, four hopeless wrecks, while you -and Vane and Baradell have been selfishly enjoying yourselves." - -"Was it as bad as that?" I asked sympathetically. "How is the vicar, -and how are the turnips?" - -"The vicar's all right," returned Miss York, with a wry face. "He -was there at tea." - -"Was that the vicar?" observed Lady Baradell dryly. "I thought it -was one of the turnips." - -There was a general laugh, which was interrupted by the appearance of -Maurice's man, carrying a telegram on a silver tray. - -"I beg your pardon, sir," he observed, "but this came this afternoon -just after you had left. I thought it might be important." - -Maurice took the wire, and as he began to open it we resumed our -conversation, Miss York demanding a laughing explanation as to how I -had been spending my afternoon. - -In the middle of my answer, which I must admit was not of a wholly -truthful nature, I happened to look up in Maurice's direction. - -Over the top of the wire I got a glimpse of his eyes, staring at me -with a kind of devilish mixture of hatred, triumph and incredulity. -It was only for an instant. As our glances met the expression -vanished from his face as though it had been wiped off by a sponge, -and with a short laugh he crushed the wire in his hand. - -"Well, this is a pretty sort of nuisance," he remarked. - -There was a chorus of, "What's the matter?" - -"I am afraid I shall have to go up to London to-night. -There's--there's some confounded trouble about a trusteeship or -something--I don't quite understand from the wire; but they want me -to come and talk it over as soon as possible." - -Everybody, except myself, hastened to express their sympathy. - -"Oh, it doesn't really matter," said Maurice. "I have no doubt I -shall be able to get down again to-morrow, or at the latest the day -after. You mustn't think of breaking up the party--any of you. I -dare say this silly business won't keep me more than a few hours, -after all, and Aunt Mary will be only too delighted to look after -you. Ah, here she is." - -Aunt Mary, who had just joined us from the hall, was immediately -acquainted with the news. - -"Must you really go, Maurice dear?" she said. "What a horrid -nuisance! I suppose you have to catch the 9.50 from Woodford. Of -course, I won't hear of anyone cutting short their visit. Stuart -will play host for you while you are away, and we'll manage to amuse -ourselves somehow." - -"Yes," said Maurice, looking at me with a friendly smile. "You'll -see to things, won't you, old chap? I'll just run in now and put my -traps up. Dinner at the usual time, of course." - -As he spoke, the dressing gong sounded, and we all trooped into the -house. - -I made my way up to my own room, where I lit a cigarette and sat down -on the bed. - -"Now what the dickens," said I to myself, "can have been in that -wire?" - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -It was not York's fault that I took no part in the cricket match. -His persistent and pathetic appeals to me at breakfast to fill the -vacant place in his eleven were worthy of a more hopeful cause. - -"Oh, leave Mr. Northcote alone, Bertie," broke in his sister at last. -"You've got ten people already, and that's quite enough for the silly -game." - -"Ten!" retorted her brother. "What's the good of ten, and half of -them village boys? Orbridge are a frightfully hot side." - -"They'll be hotter still by the time the match is over," I said, -looking out contentedly into the blazing sunshine. "It's no day for -violent exercise. I'm going to sit in the shade and criticise." - -"You'll get on very nicely, I'm sure, Captain York," put in Aunt Mary -consolingly. "You always make such a lot of runs yourself." - -"Besides," suggested Lady Baradell, with a characteristic smile, -"think of the honour of winning against odds. If Mr. Northcote -played, it would be a foregone conclusion." - -"Well, it's just my luck," grumbled York dejectedly. "If I'd known -Furnivall was going off to London like this, I'd never have got the -match up. We shall have no one to bowl now, and we shall probably be -fielding all day." - -"A most healthy form of exercise," I observed. "Think of the -appetite you'd have for dinner." - -York, however, declined to be comforted, and it was in a very -dispirited frame of mind that after breakfast he marshalled his team -in the well-kept cricket field at the bottom of the garden. They -consisted chiefly of local talent from Woodford, assisted by York -himself and a sporting young doctor in the neighbourhood, who arrived -on a motor bicycle. The Orbridge team drove over in a brake, -reaching the ground about a quarter to eleven. - -While the preparations were on foot, I strolled about with Miss York, -keeping a watchful eye for Billy. I don't think I showed any outward -symptoms of disturbance, but my interview with Mercia on the previous -day had left me very uneasy in my mind, and I was naturally anxious -to hear if Billy had made any further discoveries. Besides, I felt -sure that in some way or other Maurice's hurried departure for London -was connected with my humble affairs--a fact which by no means -relieved my perplexity. Whom he could have heard from, unless it was -the missing "Da Costa" (whom I imagined to be none other than my old -friend "Francis"), I was quite unable to conceive. - -Lady Baradell, Aunt Mary, and Sir George came out just before the -match started. Baradell himself had been persuaded by the energetic -York to don flannels, though as he pathetically observed, he had not -touched a cricket bat for a dozen years. The rest of us established -ourselves in chairs under the shade of a couple of large elm trees, -and resolutely prepared to take an interest in the proceedings. - -Lady Baradell glanced across at her husband with an expression of -amusement. "Charles looks charming," she observed to Miss York. -"Your brother's clothes fit him to perfection. I hope he won't get -too excited." - -"You're not to laugh at him, my dear," said Aunt Mary. "I think it's -simply splendid of him to play. I am sure he is setting an example -to all of us--especially to you, Stuart." - -"Charles," remarked Lady Baradell, "always sets an example. It's his -profession." - -Miss York laughed. "Do you set an example too, Mr. Northcote?" she -inquired, turning to me. - -"Only on the principle of the 'awful warning,'" I said; "but it's -just as effective." - -"Mr. Northcote," put in Lady Baradell softly, "is a law to himself. -It is a very convenient arrangement if one has the strength of mind -for it." - -"Who's this coming?" interrupted Aunt Mary suddenly. - -We all glanced up in the direction she was looking, and there, just -clambering over the stile that led into the field, was a figure in -grey flannels which I recognised at once as Billy. - -I hastened to explain. "He's a man named Logan," I said, "who's -staying at the Plough. We met him when we were out shooting, and -Maurice asked me to invite him up to the cricket." - -Aunt Mary, who was evidently the soul of hospitality, beamed -good-naturedly. "Oh, how very nice!" she said. "Perhaps he'd play." - -"I dare say he would, if you asked him," I replied mischievously, -getting up from my chair. - -Billy, who has never suffered from shyness, came straight across to -where we were sitting, and took off his hat. In a few words I made -the necessary introductions. - -"I am so glad you were able to come, Mr. Logan," said Aunt Mary -graciously. "Won't you take part in the game for us? Captain York -is one man short, and I know he'd be delighted if you would help him." - -I watched Billy's face with quiet enjoyment. "I am afraid cricket is -not much in my line," he replied politely. "In fact, to tell the -truth, I have never even seen it since I was at school. But surely -Mr. Northcote is playing." - -"Mr. Northcote is doing nothing of the kind," I observed, with a -threatening look at Billy. "He knows his limitations." - -"Uncommon modest chap, Northcote," put in Vane, with a chuckle, -"especially on a hot day." - -Our conversation was interrupted at this period by the appearance of -the Orbridge eleven, who, having lost the toss, streamed out on to -the field, tossing the ball to each other in the most approved -fashion. York and one of the villagers, heavily protected against -casual concussion, followed them to the wickets. - -The match started, and for the next half-hour our comments were -chiefly confined to laudatory ejaculations, such as "Good shot, sir," -"Oh, pretty stroke." Knowing nothing about the phraseology of the -game, I was careful to follow Vane's lead in this respect, a piece of -strategy which I noticed that Billy was also adopting. - -When York was eventually bowled for thirty-six, in a well-intentioned -but misdirected effort to hit the ball into the neighbouring county -of Norfolk, I thought the time had arrived for a little private -conversation with William. I nudged him gently so as to give him the -tip, and then getting up from my chair, I suggested that we should -stroll round to the pavilion and congratulate the dismissed batsman -upon his impressive performance. - -"I'm glad you got a move on," said Billy, as soon as we were out of -hearing. "I've some pretty interesting news for you, my son. And -what's more, I'm dying for a smoke." - -"Well, we'll just go and pat York on the back first," I said. "Lady -Baradell's sure to be watching us." - -Billy looked at me suspiciously. "Who is Lady Baradell?" he asked. -"Seems to me you've been keeping her dark. Another of 'em--eh?" - -"Lady Baradell," I answered cheerfully, "is a very charming woman, -but she doesn't come into our particular trouble--at least, not -officially." - -"I see," said Billy. - -We caught York at the entrance to the pavilion, flushed with his -exertions and magnificent in a red and yellow blazer. I introduced -Billy as the gentleman who had rescued me from the marshmen, and we -chatted away for a few minutes about the attempted crime, and -congratulated York upon his spirited innings. - -"You're the hero of the hour," I said, waving my hand towards the -small group under the elm trees; "go and receive your laurels." - -He sauntered off, protesting with true English mock modesty that he -had played "a rotten innings," and Billy and I made our way to a -deserted bank on the farther side of the field. - -"Not bad news, I hope, Billy?" said I, a little anxiously. - -"It's not altogether serene," he answered, in a rather grave voice. -"I'm afraid your girl's in a bit of a mess." - -My heart seemed to tighten. - -"Nothing serious yet," he added quickly; "but those beauties up at -the Hollies have found out, somehow, that she met you yesterday, and, -unless I'm badly mistaken, they've locked her up." - -"How did you hear this?" I demanded. - -"Through the window," said Billy. "If it had only been a little -wider open I'd have heard a lot more, but fresh air's death to a -Dago." He lit his pipe and puffed away energetically for a moment. -"I climbed up the drain-pipe," he added. "It was as easy as falling -off a tree." - -"You're a brick, Billy," I said warmly. "What did they actually say?" - -"Well, you know the way Dagoes jabber--half-Spanish, half-English, -and going nineteen to the dozen all the time. As far as I could -hear--I was hanging on by my eyelids all the time, you must -remember--someone had sent a message telling them that you and Mercia -had been spending the afternoon together. They were devilish sick -about it, and seemed to be discussing what to do with her. The -gentleman who plugged you was very vicious. If he'd been running the -show, I wouldn't have given twopence for Mercia's chances; but -fortunately old Dot-and-carry-one's the top dog there. He stuck it -out that there must be no violence at present, and the others finally -agreed with him." - -"He's lucky," I said grimly. - -Billy nodded. "Damned lucky," he repeated. "If they'd come to any -other conclusion, I should have plugged the bunch of them through the -window. I had my gun on me. As things turned out, I thought it best -to postpone the picnic." - -"It won't be for long," I said. "We must have Mercia out of that -to-night, whatever happens." - -"Yes," agreed Billy gently. "I think it's time we led trumps. -What's your news?" - -Without waste of words, I told him about my conversation with Mercia -and the arrival of the mysterious wire for Maurice. - -"By Jove!" he said, staring at me thoughtfully, "that does open up -matters a bit. Fancy Northcote being that damned villain Prado! I -always heard he was an Englishman, but I didn't believe it. No -wonder you're unpopular, my lad." - -"I'd like to know how he escaped," I said, "and what this infernal -League is that's on his track." - -Billy smiled. "A man like Prado," he answered ironically, "is likely -to be out when people start blowing up his palace. I shouldn't -wonder in the least if he did it himself, and used the chance to -sneak out of the country. As for the League--well, you know as well -as I do what these rotten little South American States are like. -Prado probably belonged to some secret society that helped him murder -Solano and bag the Presidency; and then, when he'd got the job, I've -no doubt he rounded on them. They must have some pretty strong -reasons for chasing him round the world like this." - -"Well, strong reasons or not," I said, "I'm going to fetch Mercia out -of that house to-night and take her up to London. I shan't rest till -I know she's safe with the Tregattocks." - -"I'm with you," said Billy simply. "How do we work it?" - -I thought rapidly. "We'll take a tip from Maurice," I said. "You go -back to Woodford, and send me a wire about five o'clock saying that -I'm wanted in London immediately. That will give me an excuse for -getting away. I'll tell them that I'm going to motor up, and then -I'll drive over and meet you at the Plough." - -Billy nodded. "Right you are," he said. "I'll see the car's ready." -Then he chuckled. "We ought to have quite a cheery little evening," -he added, rubbing his hands together. - -"It's business, Billy," I said, "not pleasure. We don't want any -fighting if we can get Mercia away without." - -"There's a precious fat chance of that," observed Billy. "I can see -old Dot-and-carry-one handing her over with his blessing--can't you?" - -"He can take his choice," I answered. - -There was a short silence. "And what's the next move when we get to -London?" inquired Billy. - -I shrugged my shoulders. "It's not much good making plans," I said. -"Man proposes and Señor Guarez disposes. The only thing I've quite -made up my mind about is that I'm not going to give the show away -before the three weeks are out. They've got my back up, Billy, apart -altogether from my having given my word to Northcote." - -Billy nodded. "There's Milford, too." - -"There _was_," I said. "And that's another good reason for hanging -on. We'll clear that business up whatever happens." Then I paused. -"I should like to put a spoke in Sangatte's wheel if I could," I -added reflectively. - -"Well, we shan't be dull," said Billy, smiling. "I think I'd better -shift my quarters, and come and camp in Park Lane." - -"Why, of course," I said. "You don't suppose I'm going to let you -out of my sight till it's all over. I want you to be my best man." - -"Anything to oblige," returned Billy. "Though I guess I'm more -likely to be chief mourner." - -As he relieved himself of this encouraging statement, I suddenly -spotted Sir George and Miss York strolling round the ground towards -us. - -"That's settled then, Billy," I said hurriedly. "You get the car -ready and send me the wire, and I'll meet you at the Plough at about -seven o'clock." - -He nodded, and we both got up as the other two approached. - -"We've been sent to fetch you back," began Miss York. "Men are -scarce in the grand stand, so you mustn't be selfish." - -"Doocid good innings of York's--what!" remarked Sir George. "Very -pretty shot that late cut of his." - -"Charming," I said, with enthusiasm; while Billy, evidently feeling -that the ground was dangerous, contented himself with a reflective -smile. - -We all four sauntered back to the small group of chairs under the elm -trees, where York was explaining to Aunt Mary and Lady Baradell some -of the finer beauties of the game. - -"You'll stay to lunch, won't you, Mr. Logan?" said the former. "We -always prepare for an indefinite number on cricket days." - -"That sounds distinctly hopeful," I said, with a laugh, as Billy -signified his pleasure in accepting. "It's just the sort of lunch -that I shall be delighted to meet. Nothing makes one more hungry -than watching other people exert themselves." - -"What an excellent appetite you must enjoy, Mr. Northcote," put in -Miss Vane mischievously. - -Lady Baradell laughed dryly. "An excellent appetite," she repeated, -"but tempered by a stern sense of self-control. That is why Mr. -Northcote is so successful." - -At this point, a sudden roar of "How's that?" proclaimed the downfall -of another wicket. "That's nine," observed York gloomily. "Nine for -ninety-eight, and only Sir Charles left." - -"You might have expressed it a little more kindly," said Lady -Baradell. - -There was a general laugh, and while York was endeavouring to explain -his meaning, we saw Baradell come out of the pavilion, looking -mightily depressed. He walked to the wicket, took guard, as I -believe it's called, and carefully marked the spot with one of the -bails. Then he faced the bowler, played forward with belated -dignity, and had his middle stump sent flying out of the ground. - -"There, but for the grace of God," I remarked, "goes Mr. Stuart -Northcote." - -"Poor dear Sir Charles," murmured Aunt Mary, getting up from her -chair; "at least he tried." - -"And that," said Billy, following her example, "is the best of all -epitaphs." - -With the dismissal of the unfortunate Baronet, the two teams -adjourned for lunch. - -Cricket lunches, I should imagine, are much alike everywhere, so I -will spare you any lengthy description of the repast. I need only -say that at Aunt Mary's request, as the leading representative of the -family, I installed myself at the head of the table, an honour which -was considerably enriched in attraction by the presence of Billy. -Whenever I caught his eye in the intervals of carving cold lamb, I -felt an almost irresistible desire to burst into a shout of laughter. -I could not help picturing the faces of the worthy company if I had -only been able to get up and explain the true facts concerning my -presence at the banquet. - -Such an interlude being unfortunately out of the question, we -finished our lunch, smoked our pipes, and after chatting amiably over -the course of the match and other exciting topics, sauntered back to -the cricket field. - -Not being anxious to appear too intimate with Billy, I left him to -amuse himself with Lady Baradell and the others, while I promenaded -round the ground with Sir George. Billy, who always gets on with -women, seemed perfectly contented: indeed, it was not until just on -half-past three that he got up and made his excuse to Aunt Mary. - -"You will come and see us again, won't you, Mr. Logan?" urged that -hospitable lady. "My nephew will be back to-morrow, and I want you -to meet him." - -"I want to myself," said Billy heartily. "I've heard so much about -him." - -He shook hands all round, lingering a moment over the operation when -it came to Lady Baradell, and then strode off, waving a cheerful -farewell to York, who was perspiring freely in the outfield. - -"A delightful man," observed Aunt Mary. "I wonder what he can be -doing down in this part of the world." - -"He thinks of buying a place," explained Miss York. "He says he's -tired of wandering about, and wants to settle down." - -I repressed a chuckle just in time. - -"That would be very nice," said Aunt Mary complacently. "He is just -the sort of man we want. I was telling him about the Primrose -League, and he was most interested in it. He would be quite an -acquisition to the neighbourhood--don't you think so, Lady Baradell?" - -Lady Baradell smiled. - -To me, the rest of the afternoon dragged in the most distressing -fashion. Even if I had been able to take an interest in the cricket, -I should still have been feverishly impatient for the evening. The -thought of Mercia, helpless in the hands of that precious pack of -scoundrels, filled me with a horrible restlessness that made the -effort of sitting still and exchanging semi-humorous banalities about -the match almost intolerable. I longed for Billy's wire, so that I -might have an excuse for escaping into the house to put my things -together. - -As it was, I was compelled to sit matters out, until the game -terminated in a glorious victory for the visitors by sixty-three -runs. There were the usual congratulations and chaff,--poor Sir -Charles Baradell coming in for a rather unfair share of the -latter,--and then, after filling themselves up with tea to an -alarming extent, the triumphant Orbridge warriors clambered into -their brake and departed. It was while the rest of us were slowly -making our way back up the garden that the telegram arrived. - -I saw Maurice's butler advancing from the house bearing the -inevitable silver tray, and all my muscles seemed instinctively to -tighten. It's good to feel that the time for action is at hand, when -you've been chafing your heart out all day. - -I took the wire and opened it, with an apology to Aunt Mary. - - -"Must see you to-night. Important business in connection with the -Company. JACOBS." - - -I gave a nicely calculated laugh, just tinged with annoyance. - -"It never rains but it pours," I said ruefully. "First Maurice is -called off to town, and now I've got to go." - -"What, to-night!" exclaimed Aunt Mary and Miss York simultaneously. - -"I'm afraid so," I admitted; "it's a matter of business." And then I -read the wire out aloud. I couldn't very well show it them, -considering that the somewhat awkward statement, "sent off from -Woodford 5.40," was decorating the left-hand corner. - -"Oh, dear, dear, I am sorry," cried Aunt Mary. "And there's no train -till the 9.30, too." - -"Oh, that doesn't matter," I said. "If you can give me a lift into -Woodford, I'll motor up." - -"But what about your dinner?" - -"After that tea," I declared, laughing, "dinner is a minor -consideration." - -Aunt Mary looked genuinely distressed. "But, of course, you must -have something to eat," she said. "I'll tell cook to put you up some -sandwiches and a flask. They'll be ready by the time you've packed." - -And without waiting to hear my protests, the dear, kind soul hurried -off into the house. - -I followed, courteously declining the butler's proffered assistance -in packing, and going up to my room, proceeded to stuff my belongings -into the handsome Gladstone bag and dressing-case which Northcote had -bequeathed to me. I had just finished when I heard the trap roll up -to the front door. - -The whole party had assembled in the porch to see me off. - -"You'll come back, Stuart, if you possibly can," said Aunt Mary. - -I felt rather a scoundrel, though it really wasn't my fault. - -"Why, of course," I said cheerily. "Miss York has promised to teach -me tennis. You don't think I am going to miss such a chance." - -"You might ring up Maurice at his rooms and come down with him -to-morrow," she suggested. - -I nodded. "That's a good idea," I said, "if he'll trust himself to -the motor. Well, good-bye, everybody." - -I shook hands with them all except Lady Baradell, who was standing by -the trap patting the horse's neck. As I stepped out and the butler -put my bags in, she came up to me. - -"Good-bye, Stuart," she said, in a low voice. "Will you do a little -commission for me?" - -"Certainly," I said. - -With a quick movement, she handed me a scrap of folded paper. -"You'll find it there," she whispered. Then, as she gave me her -hand, she added aloud some laughing remark apparently for the benefit -of the others. - -Thrusting the paper into my pocket, I climbed up into the trap beside -the coachman. A farewell wave, a chorus of good-byes, above which -there came some vague words from Aunt Mary about "the -sandwiches--under the seat," and I was spinning off down the drive -through the long avenue of beech trees. - -It was not until we were well out on the high road that I took out -Lady Baradell's "commission." It consisted of a few words scribbled -hastily on half a sheet of the Ashton notepaper-- - - -"Maurice's message last night concerned you. I think you are in -great danger, but I don't know what." - - -And there are some gentlemen who profess to understand women! - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -"A good, heavy spanner," I said, "will be about my mark." - -Billy rummaged in the tool-box, selected the article in question, and -handed it over to me. - -"If you get well home with that," he observed, "we shan't have much -need of a gun." - -I stored it away in my side pocket. "No guns, Billy," I said, -"except as a last resort. This is going to be a case of 'all done by -kindness.'" - -Billy grinned, and walking round to the front of the car, proceeded -to start her up. - -The hands of the big clock in the stable-yard were just pointing to -half-past seven. We had squared our account with the Plough, -swallowed down a hasty meal, and strapped our belongings on the grid -at the back. Everything, so to speak, was cleared for action, and as -we slowly turned out of the yard into the street I could feel my -heart beating a little quicker than usual with a pleasant sense of -anticipation. - -Beyond the fact that we meant to get Mercia out of the house, we had -made no particular plans. Somehow or other, we should find a way of -breaking in, and, as Billy said, once inside it would take more than -a couple of Dagoes to stop us. - -We steered our way through the quiet old town, which looked -singularly peaceful in the mellow light of the setting sun. There -was something delightfully incongruous between these pleasant, -well-ordered streets and the wild enterprise on which we were -embarking. I smiled to myself at the thought of what the emotions of -some of the worthy passers-by would have been if they could have -guessed our immediate purpose. - -The Hollies lies a mile and a half outside Woodford, on the Orbridge -road. Billy, of course, thanks to his two previous expeditions, knew -every inch of the land. He halted the car under the shelter of a -small plantation of pine trees, about a hundred yards from the house, -and then as quietly as possible turned her round. - -"She'll be all right here at the side," he said, in a low voice, "but -we'd better leave the engine running. Might be in a bit of a hurry -when we pick her up." - -I nodded my approval, and going round to the back of the car, took -out a couple of pieces of stout cord with which we had thoughtfully -provided ourselves. Billy, meanwhile, having left everything ready -for a flying start, proceeded to equip himself out of the tool-chest -with a duplicate spanner to mine. - -"We'll work round and up through the shrubbery," he whispered, -weighing the implement in his hand. "That brings us out just -opposite the back door." - -"Right you are, Macduff," I said contentedly; "lead on." - -It was already getting dusk, even in the open, and once under cover -of the thick trees we practically said good-bye to daylight. Both -Billy and I, however, possess a good working knowledge of woodcraft, -gained from bitter experience, and I don't think we made more noise -than was absolutely necessary. Anyhow, we finally arrived safe, if a -trifle dishevelled, at the low railing which separated the back -garden of the Hollies from the wood. - -Here we paused, crouching down side by side, and surveying the back -of the house with a kind of suppressed exhilaration. - -Billy laid his hand on my sleeve. "Look here, Jack," he whispered, -"I'll trail across first and see how the land lies. You stop here, -and cover me with the gun. You're a better shot than I am." - -It was just like Billy to bag the dangerous work with such an excuse, -but this was no time for arguing. "Go on, then," I said. "Give me a -hoot when you want me to join you." - -He wriggled off noiselessly through the undergrowth in the direction -of a large fir tree, which cast a gloomy shadow straight across the -lawn. For a moment I was just able to make him out, creeping -silently down this sombre pathway. - -I shifted my gaze to the house and, revolver in hand, watched keenly -for any sign of life. There were four windows looking out at the -back, two on the ground floor and two above. They were all in -darkness and, so far as I could see, tightly closed. - -I spotted Billy once more, just by the back door. Then he -disappeared again, and for perhaps five minutes I waited in cold -tension, my eyes fixed steadily on the house. - -Suddenly, very faint, came the hoot of an owl. - -I thrust the revolver into my hip pocket, and picking my way through -the undergrowth, cautiously followed Billy's track across the lawn. -I found him crouching down under the left-hand window, almost -invisible against the thick creeper. - -"I've got it," he whispered, putting his lips right up against my -ear. "There's a window open at the side--the pantry, I think. We -can get in there." - -He led the way round, stealthily as a panther, and I followed, -clutching the spanner affectionately in my hand. The distance could -not have been more than about twelve yards, but I have never reached -a destination safely with greater thankfulness. - -We found ourselves facing a small window about two feet from the -ground. The top sash was a few inches open, and through the gap we -could see a faint glimmer of light stealing in under the door -opposite. - -"I'd better go first," whispered Billy. "You're so devilish big, -you'll probably stick." - -I nodded, and with infinite care we lowered the sash, until every -possible inch of space was available. Then, mounting on my back, -Billy inserted his legs, and wriggled himself down bit by bit, until -his feet touched the floor. - -For a moment we paused, listening intently for any sounds in the -passage. None came, and Billy, leaning forward through the window, -again whispered in my ear. - -"Head first, Jack. That's the only way for you." - -I took his advice. I never thought I should get through, for my -shoulders are at least a couple of inches broader than Billy's, and -it had been a tight fit for him. A mighty squirm, combined with a -sharp pull from inside at the critical moment, just did the trick, -however, and there I was standing beside him in the darkness, sore -but triumphant. - -We waited a few seconds so that I could recover the breath which had -been nearly squeezed out of my body. Then, treading as delicately as -Agag, we advanced towards the door. Feeling about in the darkness, I -discovered a latch, and the gentlest pressure showed me that the way -was clear. - -"Ready, Billy?" I whispered, drawing out my revolver. - -"Right oh," came the swift response. - -I swung the door open, and we stepped out swiftly into the passage. - -We found ourselves in a long, low corridor lit by one gas jet, which -was flickering away feebly over a baize door at the end. Except for -the loud ticking of a clock in the room opposite, the place was as -silent as a tomb. - -Up the passage we crept, our ears strained for the first sound of -danger. Billy made a mean effort to get to the baize door first, but -I just managed to forestall him. Gripping the handle, I swung it -open, at the same time raising my revolver ready to shoot if it were -needed. - -We were looking into the hall, a square, ill-furnished, dimly lit -place, from which a staircase ran up to the floor above. There were -a couple of doors opposite, both shut, and behind one of them we -could hear the sound of voices. - -Billy laid his hand on my arm, and for a moment we stood there -motionless. Then came the unmistakable clatter of dice, followed a -moment later by a burst of laughter and a peculiarly foul Spanish -oath. In a second we had crossed the hall. - -"_Madre de Dios_! I'm tired of this. You have the luck of Satan!" - -There was the scrape of a chair as the speaker pushed back his seat. - -Billy's hand was on the door-knob. - -"Ready, Jack?" he whispered. - -I nodded. - -There was a crash, a gleam of light, and side by side we hurled -ourselves into the room. - -About what happened next I shall always be a bit confused. I -recollect seeing a man in front of me--a big, dark fellow, his face -wild with amazement and terror, his hand grabbing the back of the -chair from which he had just started up. Then I suppose I must have -flung my spanner, for his face seemed suddenly to double up, and he -went backwards across the table with an ear-splitting shriek. As I -leaped forward, I had a swift inspiring vision of Billy battering -somebody's head against the wall, and the next thing I knew was that -I was kneeling on the floor with a moaning, bloodstained object -writhing feebly in my grip. - -A few quick turns of the cord which I had whipped out of my pocket, -and I rose to my feet again, panting and exultant. - -Billy's voice, cheerful and cool as ever, rang out across the room. - -"Well done, Jack! Now come and give us a hand with this lot." - -He was in the farther corner, sitting comfortably astride of a -furiously agitated mass of arms and legs, from which proceeded an -unintelligible smother of Spanish and English blasphemy. He looked -up smiling as I strode across. - -"Get hold of that off leg, old son, will you?" he added. "Take care -he doesn't bite: he's very peevish." - -A brief scuffle, and our second captive was as trussed and helpless -as the other. - -Billy jumped up with a laugh. "Good work that," he said, "devilish -good!" Then he walked across to where I had left my prisoner. "I -say," he added, "you've put it across old Dot-and-carry-one all -right. Spoilt his beauty for keeps from the look of it." - -I picked up my discarded spanner. - -"I'll leave you here, Billy," I said. "I'm off to find Mercia." - -He nodded. "Right you are. Don't forget there's a female Dago about -somewhere. She might be nasty." - -He leant down over the writhing figure on the floor, and without -waiting any further, I hurried out into the hall. - -For a second I hesitated, wondering whether to go upstairs or to -search the back regions first. The latter seemed the most likely -spot, so crossing the hall and pushing open the baize door, I entered -the passage up which we had so lately crept. - -The first door on the right, where we had heard the clock ticking, -proved to be the kitchen. It was empty, except for a solitary cat -that arched her back and spat at me from the window-sill. - -I gave a hurried glance round, then stepped back into the passage. - -"Mercia!" I shouted. "Mercia!" - -From the end of the corridor came a faint, stifled sound, like the -cry of someone buried alive. - -Two savage strides and I had reached the spot--a worm-eaten trap-door -in the floor fastened down by a wooden bar. In my furious haste, I -wrenched the thing off bodily, and then gripping the ring with both -hands tore away the flap. - -A short flight of stone steps met my gaze. I cleared them with a -reckless jump, and the next moment, in the close, warm darkness, -Mercia was in my arms. - -"Ah," she cried, "it's you, it's you!" and I could feel her dear hand -moving up and down my sleeve with a sobbing, half-incredulous joy. -Then, somehow, our lips met, and all the barriers between us went -down like matchwood in that first passionate kiss. I drew her up -into the passage, and gazed hungrily into her white face. She was -trembling violently, and my own hands were shaking like leaves. - -"They've not hurt you, Mercia?" I whispered. Then my eyes fell on -her wrist, circled by four livid bruises. "By God!" I cried -savagely, "who did that?" - -She hastily drew her sleeve over the marks. - -"It's nothing, it's nothing," she sobbed. "Oh, I'm so glad you've -come!" - -I caught her arm, and gently turned back the covering so that I could -see the bruises. They were the marks of a man's fingers,--there -could be no question about that,--a vicious, brutal grip, which might -easily have broken her wrist. - -"Who was it, Mercia?" I repeated. - -"It was Rojas," she added; "but it doesn't matter. He would have -killed me last night if Guarez had not stopped him. Oh, let's get -away before they know you're here." - -"It's too late for that, Mercia," I said coolly. "They know I'm here -all right. Billy's sitting over them with a spanner in the -drawing-room." - -She gazed at me half-skeptically, and then the old delicious smile -broke through the mist of her eyes. - -"They said last night that you were the Devil. I think I am -beginning to believe them." - -I laughed happily. "They'll be sure of it now," I said. "Where's -the woman?" - -"Juanita? She is in London. Guarez sent her up this morning to find -out about Da Costa. She is to come back by the last train." - -"I am afraid we shall miss her, then," said I. "We must leave here -in ten minutes. Can you be ready, Mercia?" - -"Yes, yes; I am ready. I have only to put a few things in my bag. -But how are we going? Where are you taking me?" - -"The car is outside," I replied. "I'll explain everything when we've -started. I've got a few words to say to Señor Rojas first." - -"You are going to kill him?" she asked dispassionately. - -I shook my head, smiling. "No, Mercia," I said. "Not at present. -He makes life so interesting, I really couldn't spare him." - -"It would be best," she said simply. "And Guarez as well." - -There was a childish candour about her point of view that appealed to -me immensely. - -"Well, you're right, of course," I said; "but they are so absurdly -sensitive on these points in England. If it was San Luca, one might -be reasonable." - -Taking her hand, I led her into the hall, and at the foot of the -stairs I drew her into my arms, and kissed her again on the mouth and -hair and eyes before I let her go. - -I watched her as far as the first landing and then, opening the door, -came back into the sitting-room. - -Billy had shifted the two prisoners into the centre of the floor, and -was seated comfortably on the edge of the table smoking a pipe. - -"It's all right," I said. "The woman's in London, and I've found -Mercia. She'll be ready to come with us directly." - -He nodded. "I heard you." - -"How's Guarez?" I asked, going across to my injured enemy. - -"So that's Guarez, is it?" said Billy, slipping off the table. "Oh, -he's all right; you've only smashed his face a bit. There's no real -damage done; I've been having a squint at him." - -It must be admitted that my late adversary was not a pretty sight. -He lay on the floor saying nothing, but glaring savagely at us out of -one eye. The other had temporarily struck work. - -"He's had enough, anyway," I said; "but I've got one or two words to -say to the other gentleman. Let me introduce you. Señor Rojas of -San Luca, Mr. William Logan of London. Billy, what do you think one -ought to do to a man who crushes a girl's arm till it's nearly -broken?" - -"Flog him," said Billy cheerfully. - -A muffled imprecation--too poignant to repeat, I am afraid--broke -from the prostrate Dago. - -"Besides," added Billy, "it may teach him to use prettier language." - -He bent down, and with a swift jerk hoisted the prisoner to his feet. -I looked round the room. In the farther corner was a stout ash -walking-stick, leaning invitingly against the wall. - -Whatever natural taciturnity Señor Rojas may have possessed vanished -abruptly when he saw me pick up this useful weapon. He burst into a -hideous jargon of Spanish,--the dog-Spanish of the Argentine -Hinterland,--whining and imploring that we should not put this -indignity on him. - -"Kill me, Prado," he shrieked. "Kill me. I do not fear death." - -"Shut up," said Billy. "The Devil's much too good a chap to be -landed with a skunk like you. Come over." - -He hauled the squirming figure across the table, and held it there by -the simple expedient of lying across its head. - -I gave the stick a tentative swish through the air. "This, my -friend," I said in Spanish, "will teach you not to bully women." - -Whether my optimistic prophecy was fulfilled I cannot say, but -certain it is that Señor Rojas was no hand at suppressing his -emotions. He howled and screamed with a vigour that warmed my heart, -and it was only when his voice finally cracked, and the entertainment -became less inspiriting, that I threw down the stick. - -Billy released him, and he slid down on to the floor, blubbering and -sobbing like a naughty boy. - -"Here endeth the first lesson," observed Billy irreverently. Then, -turning over the lachrymose figure with his foot, he added in a kind -voice: "Take my tip, sonny, and pad your trousers next time you come -out Prado-shooting." - -I laughed and threw the stick in the corner of the room. "We'll -leave that as a keepsake," I said. "Come along, Billy. I expect -Mercia's ready by now." - -We went out into the hall, shutting the door behind us, and thus -cutting off the somewhat incoherent curses of Señor Rojas. Mercia, -carrying a bag in her hand, was just coming down the staircase. From -the sparkle in her eyes, I gathered that some echoes of our revelry -must have reached her ears. - -"Mercia," I said, taking the bag, "this is Billy. We owe a lot to -Billy." - -She gave him her hand with that sweet grace that characterised every -movement. - -"How can I thank you?" she said softly. - -Billy bent down and kissed the tips of her fingers. "I don't want -any thanks," he answered, straightening himself and looking at her -with his frank smile. "I love a row any time." - -"Are you quite ready, Mercia?" I asked. - -She nodded, and we went out, closing the front door behind us. - -The car was standing where we had left it, its big headlamps throwing -two broad beams of golden light up the deserted road. As we reached -it, Mercia, who was walking between us, suddenly swayed. I caught -her in my arms, or I believe she would have fallen. - -"I--I think I must be a little faint," she faltered. "I've not had -anything to eat since last night." - -I swore with some vigour. Then, picking her up tenderly, I carried -her to the car and placed her in the back seat. - -"We'll soon remedy that," I said. "I was an idiot not to have -thought of it before." - -I wrenched open my bag, and took out the sandwiches and whisky with -which the ever-to-be-blessed Aunt Mary had so thoughtfully provided -me. Mercia smiled gratefully; and the first sip of the spirit -brought back a faint fleck of colour into her white face. - -Billy was standing by, his brows drawn down in an angry frown. - -"We let that cur off too easily," he growled. "Shall I go back and -give him some more?" - -"No, no," said Mercia. "I am much better. I am sure you have hurt -him quite a lot. I heard him crying, and I was glad; but you mustn't -hurt him any more. Take me away from this place--that's all I want." - -"Just as you like," said Billy reluctantly. "I should love to have -had a cut at him, though." - -He took his seat at the wheel, while I climbed in beside Mercia and -tucked her up comfortably with the rug. A minute later, we were -spinning southwards through the cool night air along the road to -Woodford--and London. - -I shall never forget that drive. A strange, delightful sense of -intimacy had sprung up between Mercia and myself, and I sat there -holding her dear hand under the rug in a rich contentment that needed -no words for its expression. Despite the dangers and perplexities -that still surrounded us, there seemed no longer to be any cause for -worry and doubt. The barriers were down--we knew that we loved each -other, and in the light of that knowledge the world and its -difficulties slipped temporarily into insignificance. - -Indeed, it was only with a painful effort that I at last succeeded in -wrenching myself back to the very necessary thought of our future -proceedings. - -"Mercia," I said, "when are the Tregattocks expecting you back? -Soon?" - -She nodded her head. "I told them I should be away for a few days. -I did not know how long." - -"Well, it seems to me," said I, "that the best thing we can do when -we get to London is to drop you at an hotel. Then you can go back to -them to-morrow, as if you'd just come from Woodford." - -"And you?" she asked anxiously. - -"I must go back to Park Lane. Whatever happens, I must stay there -for another fortnight." - -"But it is madness," she whispered fearfully; "more than ever madness -now. Do you think Rojas will forget--" - -"No," I interrupted, smiling; "I'm quite sure he won't forget for a -long time. All the same, I've no intention of running away. I shall -have Billy with me, and we're a fairly useful combination." Then I -looked straight into her eyes. "Mercia," I said, "why did you come -to Woodford?" - -"Guarez sent for me," she answered simply. "He said that you were to -die the next day, and I thought that perhaps I might save you." - -"But why did he want you?" I persisted. - -"I think he guessed," she said slowly. "Da Costa saw us that night -in Park Lane, and since then Guarez has suspected that you cared for -me. He meant to use me--how do you say?--as a decoy. I was to bring -you to the Hollies, and once there--" She shivered. - -"Things didn't pan out quite as he intended," I finished, with a -laugh. "How did he find out about our meeting?" - -"Your cousin sent a message." - -"Maurice?" I cried. "But he didn't know!" Then a sudden idea struck -me. "By Jove," I said, "Lady Baradell must have told him." - -Mercia looked at me calmly. "Lady Baradell?" she repeated, "the -beautiful woman who loves you?" - -I sat up with a jerk. "Who told you that?" I demanded. - -She shrugged her shoulders. "No one told me. I was watching her -eyes when she spoke with you." - -"Were you!" I said, with some admiration. I was learning quite a lot -about women these days. Then I paused. "I wish I knew why Maurice -had bolted up to London," I added regretfully. "I'm sure he's got -some mischief up his sleeve." - -"To London?" echoed Mercia. "Has your cousin gone to London?" - -In a few words I acquainted her with the details of the telegram -incident. "If it was about me," I finished, "I can't think who sent -it, unless it was your missing Da Costa." - -She shook her head. "It could not have been Da Costa. He would have -let Guarez know first if there had been anything to tell. It is more -like that it was Lord Sangatte." - -"Sangatte!" I repeated in amazement. "What on earth has Sangatte got -to do with this business?" - -Mercia looked troubled. "I do not know, but I fear that your cousin -must have told him something. They were speaking of him last night; -they--they--" she faltered. - -"Yes, Mercia?" I said. - -I felt her clasp tighten. "I think that he would help them, if they -should give me to him. I think that was why Guarez would not let -Rojas kill me." - -It took an instant for the blackguardly scheme to sink into my mind. -Then, at a very opportune moment, Billy blew the horn, drowning the -comment that forced itself from my lips. - -"If that's the case," I said slowly, "I must have a little talk with -Sangatte." - -There was a short silence. - -"Mercia," I went on, "why do you call yourself Miss de Rosen? I -suppose Tregattock knows who you are. He evidently recognised me as -Prado at the dance." - -She shook her head. "No; he doesn't know that I am Mercia Solano. -He was a friend of my father's when he was in San Luca, but I was -only a little girl then. Later, when I was coming to England, some -friends wrote to him about me, and Lady Tregattock invited me to -stay." - -"But why did you hide your real name?" I asked. - -"I did not want my father's murderer to know that I was in England," -answered Mercia. Then, with a kind of passionate break in her voice, -she turned to me. "Oh, I have trusted you--I do trust you with all -my heart! But tell me--ah, for pity's sake tell me!--who are you? -You are so like Prado that even Guarez has been deceived." - -I would have given much to be able to answer her questions, but like -a black barrier my promise to Prado rose between us. I knew well -that deeper even than her love for me was her passion for revenge on -the man who had killed her father; and scoundrel as Prado might be, I -had given him my word that for three weeks I would keep his secret. - -"Just a few days longer, Mercia," I pleaded, "God knows I would tell -you everything now if I could, but I have given my word, and I can't -break it." - -She did not answer for a moment Then slowly came the whispered words: -"It shall be as you wish. I trust you always, because--because I -love you." - -A sudden furious blast from Billy, a violent swerve of the car that -nearly took us into the hedge, and we were out on the road again with -a pretty duet of abuse following us through the darkness. - -Billy looked round with a smile. "Close shave that," he observed. -"Fancy making love in the middle of the road!" - -"Where are we?" I asked. - -He pointed ahead to a clustered mass of lights that spread out long -tentacles into the darkness. - -"That's Romford, or ought to be. I shall have to slow up a bit now. -We're getting into civilisation." - -Through the apparently endless suburbs of London we slowly picked our -way south-westwards. Billy steered with a cheerful confidence that -was characteristic of him, never troubling to ask the way, but -apparently contenting himself with an occasional glance at the stars -to make sure that he was keeping in the right direction. As he -observed to us over his shoulder, "You couldn't very well miss -London, even if you tried." - -The result was that we came in by a route which made up in length -what it lacked in refinement. Interminable slums, lit by flaring -public-houses just discharging their crowds into the street, rolled -past us in monotonous succession. Twice we had to slow up to allow -for the passage of two perspiring policemen and an obstructive -prisoner, followed in either case by a vociferous, but judiciously -unenterprising, crowd. - -At last the houses began to give place to warehouses and factories, -and in a few minutes we were threading the practically deserted -thoroughfares of the City. - -"We're all right now," observed Billy complacently. "Where do you -want to go to?" - -"Mercia is going to put up at an hotel for the night," I said. -"We'll take her there, and then go on to Park Lane." - -"What about the Inns of Court?" he suggested. "I stayed there for a -fortnight last month, so I know the manager." - -Mercia, who was looking very tired, nodded her head. - -"That will do, Billy," I said. "Then you can go in and see him and -arrange about the room. Tell him we've had a breakdown or something." - -We passed the Mansion House and turned down Cheapside, pulling up at -the door of the hotel, where Billy disentangled himself somewhat -stiffly from the wheel. - -"I'll just run in and fix things up," he said. "I shan't be a -minute." - -Mercia and I sat on in the car, in the broad lamplit thoroughfare, -which at this hour was practically deserted. I took her hand and -raised it gently to my lips. - -"Till to-morrow, dearest," I said. "I'll ring you up first thing in -the morning, before you go to the Tregattocks'. Then we can arrange -about meeting." - -She drew the fingers of her other hand down my sleeve. "And you will -be very careful," she pleaded, "for my sake?" - -I smiled at her reassuringly. "Mercia mine," I whispered, "I have -something to live for now." - -Billy came out of the hotel, accompanied by a pleasant-looking, -middle-aged man with a short grey beard. - -"It's all right," he said. "M. Paulhan will see that Miss de Rosen -is quite comfortable." - -The manager bowed. "I will be sure that Mademoiselle has everything -she wishes." - -I opened the door and helped Mercia out, a porter who appeared from -the hotel possessing himself of her bag. I insisted that she should -go straight up to bed, for she was obviously so tired that she could -hardly keep her eyes open. So we parted in the lounge, Mercia going -up in the lift, and Billy and I getting back into the car. - -"I expect we shall find the house all locked up," I said. "I ought -to have sent them a wire from Woodford to say we were coming." - -"Well, it can't be helped," returned Billy. "We shall have to knock -'em up, that's all. Where do you keep the car?" - -"Goodness knows," I laughed. "I never thought of asking Simpson." - -Billy steered neatly round the corner of Park Lane. "It doesn't -matter," he observed. "There's a big garage in Piccadilly. I'll -shove her in there for the night after I've dropped you." - -We slowed down and came to a stop outside the house. Through the -glass above the door I saw that the hall was lit up. - -"Someone's about, after all," I said. - -"I expect they've got the policeman to supper," chuckled Billy. -"Pleasant little surprise for 'em--eh? You go and knock, and I'll -wait and see it's all right." - -I walked up the steps, and thrust my key into the door. As I did so, -it suddenly swung open, and I found myself face to face with a man -who was standing just inside the threshold. Over his shoulder, I -caught a momentary glimpse of the white, startled face of my pretty -housemaid. - -For a second I stared at the man without speaking. He was tall, -broad-shouldered, and middle-aged, with a short, grizzled moustache -and keen, watchful eyes. - -"If you won't think me inquisitive," I remarked politely, "may I ask -who you are?" - -"I am Inspector Neil of Scotland Yard," he said slowly. "I believe -that I am addressing Mr. John Burton." - - -It was a nasty shock, but I met it serenely. - -"Well?" I returned. - -Billy had jumped out of the car, and was coming up the steps. - -The man raised his hand, and laid it quietly but firmly on my -shoulder. - -"Then, sir," he said, "it is my duty to arrest you." - -There was a short pause. - -I looked at him in frank amazement - -"Arrest me!" I repeated. "What on earth for?" - -The answer came with prompt and startling clearness-- - -"For the murder of Stuart Northcote." - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -One seldom does the right thing in moments of great emergency. As an -innocent man I suppose I ought to have started back and exclaimed, -"Good heavens! What is the meaning of this outrage?" But, to tell -the truth, I did nothing of the kind. - -I stared blankly at my new friend for a moment, and then suddenly -burst into a peal of laughter which I was quite unable to suppress. -My mirth seemed to infect Billy, who sat down on the railings and -chuckled like a fool. - -The Inspector's face was a joy! - -"I'm awfully sorry," I jerked out at last. "Suppose we go inside?" - -Still keeping his hand on my shoulder, the Inspector stepped back, -and Billy and I followed him into the hall--the former shutting the -door behind us. - -"Now," I said, "perhaps you'll be kind enough to explain." - -As I spoke, there was a sound of heavy footsteps, and a police -constable came tramping down the staircase. - -The Inspector looked at me with a not unfriendly interest. - -"There is not much to explain, sir. I have a warrant for your arrest -for the murder of Mr. Stuart Northcote, and it is my duty to inform -you that anything you say now will be used in evidence against you." - -"But what makes you think Mr. Northcote is dead?" I inquired. - -"Because his body," returned the Inspector grimly, "is at present in -the East Street mortuary." - -I have had several fairly unpleasant shocks in the course of my life, -but this one was something of a novelty. Even Billy, whose usual -equanimity nothing but an earthquake can disturb, was surprised into -a long low whistle of amazement. - -So they had got him after all! Despite his unscrupulous cunning, -despite the almost devilish ingenuity with which he had covered his -tracks, Ignace Prado's long and black account was ended. I thought -of Mercia, and I was glad. - -"As a breaker of news, Inspector," I said, "you seem to me a little -abrupt. When did this regrettable accident occur?" - -"It's not my place to answer any questions now, sir," replied the -Inspector civilly. "The charge will be read over to you at the -station; and if you wish to employ counsel, we shall afford him the -usual facilities." - -I nodded. "You'll forgive me bothering you," I said, "but I've had -so little experience of being arrested for murder. What happens -next?" - -The Inspector's eyes twinkled. "I shall have to ask you to accompany -me to Bow Street, where you will be detained until this charge is -cleared up." - -"May I come too?" inquired Billy, coolly lighting a cigarette. - -"This is Mr. Logan, Inspector," I said. "I don't know whether you're -looking for him as well?" - -The Inspector shook his head. "I have no warrant for your arrest, -sir; but since you arrived with Mr. Burton, I shall have to keep you -under observation till to-morrow." - -"That'll be all right," returned Billy cheerfully. "I've only got to -put the car in the garage; then I shall come back and go to bed. -You'd better leave Robert with me. He can have a shake-down here, -and we'll stroll round to Bow Street together in the morning." - -I don't know how much experience of this kind of work Inspector Neil -had enjoyed, but our method of accepting the situation evidently -struck him as being both original and entertaining. - -"Very well, sir," he said, with a broad smile. Then turning to the -constable, he added: "Jackson, you are responsible for this gentleman -till to-morrow morning. You will report to me at Bow Street by -telephone if you have anything further to communicate." - -The constable saluted. - -"And ring up now for a taxi." - -As the man stepped forward towards the telephone my pretty housemaid, -who all this time had been hovering in the background listening to -our conversation, suddenly came forward. Her face was very pale, and -she was clasping and unclasping her hands in a pitiable state of -agitation. - -"Oh, what does it mean, sir? They're never going to take you to -prison, sir?" - -She gasped out the words--her eyes fixed pleadingly on mine. - -"It's quite all right," I said soothingly. "You stay on here and -look after the house for me. I shall be back in a couple of days." - -"Oh, sir," she sobbed, "I hope I haven't said anything I oughtn't to -have! They've been asking us questions--all sorts of questions, sir. -Oh, I wouldn't have said anything to hurt you, sir--not for the -world, I wouldn't!" - -The poor girl's distress was so genuine that I must admit I was -rather touched. I laid my hand on her shoulder. - -"It's generally the best to tell the truth," I said, "and I'm sure -you did that." - -"Cheer up, Gwendoline," added Billy kindly. "We're not in the soup -this journey--you can take my word for it." - -There came the sharp honk-honk of a motor horn from outside, followed -by the noise of a taxi pulling up at the door. - -I turned to the Inspector. - -"That sounds like our carriage," I observed. "Ought I to be -handcuffed or anything?" - -He shook his head, smiling again. "I don't think that will be -necessary, sir." - -"So long, Billy," I said. "See you in the morning. You'll look -after Robert, won't you? The cook's got the key of the cellar." - -Billy nodded. "Good!" said he. "We'll do ourselves proud--eh, -Constable?" - -And in this altogether inappropriate fashion I went down the steps to -take my trial for murder. - -There were not many remarks exchanged during our drive to Bow Street. -I saw it was no use questioning the Inspector any further, and, as -you may imagine, I had quite enough to think about without wasting my -energies in making conversation. The whole thing had happened so -unexpectedly and so quietly that I was only just beginning to grasp -it as an accomplished fact. - -There seemed to be little doubt that Prado must have met his death at -the hands of the missing Da Costa. That the rest of the gang were -quite innocent in the matter I had fairly convincing evidence. Where -and when the tragedy had been played out I was quite unable to guess, -and it was equally puzzling to know how the police had discovered the -secret of my identity. Maurice's hurried departure from Ashton was -doubtless connected with this, and I could understand now why he had -looked at me with that strange expression of half-incredulous triumph -when he read the wire. - -Despite the seriousness of the situation, I was not particularly -upset. Indeed, my principal sensation, apart from an ardent desire -to get to bed as soon as possible, was one of genuine relief to feel -that the business was over and done with. Fond as I am of the -strenuous life, I had had just about enough of Mr. Stuart Northcote. -There was a strange pleasure in being Jack Burton again, even with a -charge of murder hanging over my head. - -My musings were cut short by the cab pulling up outside Bow Street. -The Inspector got out first, and I followed, to the evident -excitement of several midnight loafers, who peered at us from the -safe distance of the opposite pavement. - -We went straight up the steps and entered a long, brightly lit -corridor. A policeman who was standing there favoured us with a keen -glance of curiosity, and respectfully touched his helmet to my -companion. - -The latter opened a door on the right. "This way," he said. - -It was an office, a big and very tidy room, with two roll-top desks, -at one of which a grey-haired soldierly-looking man in plain clothes -was seated, writing. He looked up as we entered, and I saw him start -slightly as his eyes fell on me. - -"It's Mr. John Burton," said my captor, with a pardonable touch of -pride in his voice. Then he turned to me. "This is Inspector -Curtis. He will read you the charge." - -Inspector Curtis had quickly conquered his momentary emotions. -"Where was the arrest effected?" he demanded sharply, studying me -with considerable interest. - -"At Park Lane," returned the other. "I was making inquiries, when -Mr. Burton arrived in a car with a companion. I have placed the -latter under observation. No resistance was offered." - -Inspector Curtis nodded, and rising to his feet crossed the room to a -series of pigeon-holes, from one of which he took out an -official-looking paper. - -"I will read you the charge against you," he said. - -I am afraid I cannot recall now the exact phraseology of this -impressive document. Briefly speaking, it accused me of having -wilfully done to death one Stuart Northcote on the night of the 17th -of September at a place called Baxter's Rents in East Street, -Stepney. I need hardly say that, sleepy as I was, I listened with -the utmost attention while the good man read it out slowly in a -serious voice. - -"Thank you very much," I said, when he had finished. Then for the -life of me I was unable to control a long and most inopportune yawn. - -"I really must apologise," I said. "It was most interesting: but the -truth is, I'm half asleep." - -Both of them smiled. - -"You can turn in at once, if you wish to," said Inspector Curtis, -folding up the document. "You are also at liberty to communicate -with your solicitor or to send any other message." - -I shook my head. "A bed," I observed, "is all I want at present. -We'll do the communicating to-morrow morning." - -"Come with me, then," remarked Inspector Neil, and turning round he -conducted me out of the office and down the corridor to a small, -plainly furnished bedroom, the window of which was heavily guarded -with iron bars. There was a bed, however, and the sheets looked -clean, and in my present state of sleepiness that was more than -enough for me. - -"You will be able to send round to-morrow for your own things," said -the Inspector, "but I think you'll be comfortable enough for -to-night." - -"I'm sure I shall," I returned. - -"There's one other thing, sir. I am afraid I shall have to run -through your clothes before I leave you. We are compelled to search -everyone under arrest by regulations. - -"Right you are," I said. "I've really no intention of cutting my -throat, but if it's the rule--" - -I held up my hands, and with deft fingers he went swiftly through my -pockets, taking out the contents. - -"These will be entered and returned to you," he said. "Good-night." - -"Good-night," I replied; and turning the key in the lock, the good -fellow tramped away down the passage, leaving me to myself. - -I am afraid I was much too tired to indulge in any of the proper -emotions for a wrongly accused prisoner. Indeed, beyond reckoning -out in a vague sort of way that the murder must have taken place on -the night of Sangatte's party, I did not bother my head any further -about the matter. Stripping off my clothes as quickly as possible, I -scrambled into bed and flicked off the switch which controlled an -invisible electric light. Five minutes later I was as sound asleep -as I have ever been in my life. - -If the French gentleman who said that life was only worth living for -its new experiences was right in his statement, I had no reason to -complain when I woke up next morning. It was certainly a novel -sensation to open one's eyes in a police station under a charge of -murder, and to find an affable-looking Inspector standing beside -one's bed with a bag in his hand. - -It was my captor of the previous day, and the bag which he was -holding was the one which I had brought up with me from Woodford. - -"Good morning," I said, smiling at him sleepily. - -"I am glad to see you slept all right," he returned. "There are your -things. I went round to Park Lane for them first thing this morning." - -"That was uncommonly good of you, Inspector," I replied gratefully. -"Now I shall be able to do you credit in the dock." - -He grinned amiably. "We can give you a breakfast, of course, and if -there's anything special you want, you can send out for it." - -I shook my head. "I'll leave it to you," I said. "It's not often -one gets a chance of sampling His Majesty's hospitality." - -"Very good." He paused a moment. "You will be taken before the -magistrate at eleven o'clock. Any letters you wish to write will be -attended to at once, provided they are in order. I will let you have -some paper and envelopes with your breakfast." - -I nodded. - -"And if you would like a shave," he continued, "I'll send round for a -barber." - -"It seems to me," I said, "that, next to the Savoy, Bow Street is -about the best hotel in London." - -The Inspector smiled again. "We try to make prisoners on remand as -comfortable as possible," he replied, and going out he left me to my -toilet. - -I dressed quickly, and dispatched with appreciation the plentiful if -somewhat plain breakfast which a stolid constable brought in to me on -a tray. It was while I was engaged in this latter occupation that -the brilliant thought of writing to Lord Lammersfield suddenly -occurred to me. I had been puzzling my brains all the time I was -dressing as to what was the best course to pursue, and I think it -must have been the Bow Street cocoa which inspired me with this happy -idea. - -I pushed aside the tray, and taking a sheet of the notepaper which -the constable had brought in, I composed with some care the following -letter:-- - - - "BOW STREET POLICE STATION, - _Thursday._ - -"DEAR LORD LAMMERSFIELD,--The last time I had the pleasure of meeting -you, at Sangatte's dance, you were good enough to say that I was to -let you know if I ever found myself in prison. As you will see by my -present address, this situation has arisen with unexpected -abruptness. I don't know whether the interesting offence with which -I am charged is now public property, but if so, I can assure you my -present fame is quite unearned. If you could spare me half an hour -of your time later in the day, I should be very grateful for your -advice. In return, I can promise you a story which will help to -relieve the regrettable monotony of the Home Office that you were -complaining of last time we met--Yours sincerely, - -"STUART NORTHCOTE." - - -From what I had seen of Lord Lammersfield, I felt fairly confident -that this letter would bring him to the station. The circumstances -attending the charge against me were so extraordinary, and his own -interests so closely tied up with mine, that his curiosity about the -case, if he had been informed of it, must already be overwhelming. - -I was just addressing the envelope when Inspector Neil came in again, -accompanied by the barber. - -"Here you are, Inspector," I said, handing it to him. "This is the -only letter I want to send at present, but I should be much obliged -if it could be delivered at once." - -He read the address with a mingled expression of surprise and -respect. Then, calling the constable into the room, presumably to -assist the barber in case I made a sudden dash for the razor, he went -out with the letter in his hand. - -I felt rather sorry for that barber. I think he must have had some -inkling as to my identity, for I could see that he was almost -bursting with anxiety to break into conversation. The cold eye of -the constable was on us, however, and the poor man had to pursue his -task in silence. He had just finished, and was mournfully dabbing me -with the towel, when Inspector Neil returned. - -"Your friend of last night, Mr. Logan, is here," he said. "You can -see him now if you want to." - -"I shall be pleased to receive him," I replied, with dignity. - -A minute later Billy was ushered into the room by the constable, who -then withdrew, closing the door behind him. - -Billy looked round with an expression of mild surprise. - -"Hullo, my son!" he observed. "I expected to find you in a dungeon -cell. What's the meaning of this magnificence?" - -"We try to make prisoners on remand as comfortable as possible," I -quoted. "I'm sorry I can't offer you a whisky, but there's some -excellent cocoa here, if that's any good." - -Billy seated himself on the edge of the table and thrust his hands -into his pockets. "Well," he said, "this is rather an unholy -mix-up--eh?" Then he looked at the door. "I suppose we've got an -audience," he added. - -"I expect so," I said, "but it doesn't matter. I'm going to do the -George Washington act in any case now. As Northcote's dead, I -consider our bargain's at an end." - -He nodded. "Of course it is. The only way is to make a clean breast -of it. You'll have to have a lawyer or a counsel or whatever they -call it over here to put the thing properly. I'd better see about -getting one, hadn't I?" - -"I've written to Lammersfield," I said, "and asked him to come and -see me. I'll wait and hear what he's got to say before I take any -further steps." - -Billy slapped his leg. "By Jove!" he cried, "that was a sound -notion. Nothing like having the Home Secretary behind you. Do you -reckon he'll come?" - -"I think so, Billy," I said complacently. - -"Have you heard anything fresh about the facts?" he asked. "Who the -devil put it across Prado, and how did the police get on to your -track?" - -"I think it must have been Da Costa," I answered, "but we shall know -more about it before very long. I'm due to meet the magistrate at -eleven." - -Billy looked at his watch. "Eleven, is it?" he said. "I ought to be -going, then. I've promised to call for your girl and take her to the -court." - -"Mercia!" I exclaimed. "Does she know?" - -"Yes," said Billy. "I told her this morning when she rang up. Was -that wrong?" - -I shrugged my shoulders. "Lord, no," I said. "She'd have heard all -about it by midday in any case. The papers will be shrieking -themselves purple. The only thing is that I don't want her name -dragged in if I can help it." - -"Well, she'd have to come to court in any case," said Billy, "so I -thought I might as well take her, and let her know the real truth -right away. It'll save her a lot of worry." - -I held out my hand. "Billy," I said, "you're a brick." - -He gave me a vigorous grip, and jumped down off the table. - -"Honour amongst thieves, my son," he said, with a laugh. - -He walked to the door and tapped on it with his knuckles. It was -opened by my friend the policeman with a promptness which was -slightly suggestive, and waving his hand to me, Billy passed out into -the passage. - -For the next twenty minutes I occupied myself with straightening out -in my head the exact date and sequence of each occurrence since my -fateful meeting with Prado on the Embankment. I had determined to -tell Lammersfield the entire truth, and I wanted to be able to -present my story as briefly and crisply as possible. - -I had just concluded this task to my own satisfaction when Inspector -Neil returned. - -"The magistrate has arrived," he said. "They are going to take your -case first." - -I got up from my chair. "I'm quite ready, Inspector," I said -cheerfully. - -Any doubts I may have had as to whether my arrest was known to the -public were effectually settled the moment I entered the court. -Despite the earliness of the hour, the place was packed with -spectators. The only face I recognised, as I marched to a sort of -wooden cattle-pen which the Inspector indicated, was that of Maurice, -who, studiously avoiding my eye, was seated in the body of the court. -The Press was there in force, and as I took my seat I could hear the -quick buzz of whispered speculation going on all round me. This, -however, was almost immediately suppressed by a harsh observation of -"Silence!" from a severe-faced gentleman whom I supposed to be the -magistrate's clerk. - -The magistrate himself I took rather a fancy to. He was not unlike -Lord Lammersfield in appearance--a very pleasant, acute-looking man -of about sixty, with sharp, twinkling eyes behind gold-rimmed -pince-nez. I bowed to him politely, and he returned the compliment -with a quick, penetrating glance that seemed to take in my entire -personality. - -The proceedings that followed were what the newspapers would -designate as "Brief and formal." - -First of all, Inspector Neil stepped into the witness-box, and -described with commendable curtness the facts relating to my arrest. -It appeared that another officer had already been dispatched to -effect this at Woodford, and that my arrival at Park Lane in a motor -had been a dramatically unexpected occurrence. - -He was followed by Inspector Curtis, who at once requested the -magistrate to grant a remand until the next day. - -The latter looked at him rather quizzically over his glasses. - -"As I did not grant the warrant for the arrest," he observed in a dry -voice, "it would perhaps be as well to state your grounds." - -I don't think the Inspector was pleased, but he was too old a hand to -betray any sign of annoyance. In quick, short sentences he began a -brief statement of the case for the police, to which I need hardly -say I listened with the most intense interest. - -To start with, he informed the magistrate that the body of the man -found murdered in Baxter's Rents had been identified beyond all -question as that of Stuart Northcote. Secondly, there was ample -evidence to show that I had spent some time with the deceased at the -Milan Hotel two days before the murder. On the night of the crime, I -had attended Lord Sangatte's dance in the character of Stuart -Northcote, and his lordship would bear witness that I had left early -in a state of some agitation. I had not arrived home in Park Lane -until the small hours of the morning, the clothes that I was wearing -being subsequently found saturated with blood. The case still -presented many mysterious features, but he maintained that this -evidence was amply sufficient to justify a remand. - -The magistrate heard him without interruption, and then turned to me. - -"Do you wish to cross-examine the witness?" he asked. - -I shook my head. "I shall be represented by counsel when I appear -again," I replied. "I shall have to pay him, so he may as well do -the work." - -A smile flickered across the magistrate's face. - -"In that case," he said, "I shall remand you until to-morrow. I -presume the police are granting you the usual facilities for -preparing your defence?" - -"I have nothing to complain of," I answered, with an amiable glance -at Inspector Neil. - -The buzz of whispered conversation again broke out in the court, and -looking round I caught sight for the first time of Mercia and Billy. -They were sitting right at the back, but even at that distance -Mercia's face stood out like some beautiful white flower. I made no -sign of recognition, for I knew that the gentlemen of the Press were -watching me with vulturean interest, and I was desperately anxious to -avoid calling attention to her connection with the case. - -I think my little tribute to the civility of the police had pleased -Inspector Neil, for he conducted me back to my apartment in the most -friendly fashion. Indeed, but for the fact that he was careful to -turn the key in the lock when he left me, I might, from his manner, -have been a private guest of his own instead of a suspected murderer. -It struck me that perhaps he did not feel quite so certain as some of -his colleagues as to the obviousness of my guilt. - -I was not left very long to my reflections. A quarter of an hour -could have hardly elapsed when my gaoler returned, coming into the -room with a slightly awestruck expression on his good-natured -countenance. - -"The Home Secretary is here," he said, with a befitting sense of -gravity. "He will see you at once." - -"Thank you, Inspector," I returned, in the same dignified key. - -A minute later Lord Lammersfield was ushered into the room. - -I got up at once, and as the Inspector withdrew, closing the door -behind him, I bowed to my distinguished visitor. - -"It is very good of you to have come so soon," I said. - -For a moment Lord Lammersfield made no answer. - -He was looking at me keenly--a half-puzzled, half-humorous expression -on his handsome, cynical face. Then quite suddenly he held out his -hand. - -"Even a Cabinet Minister, Mr. Northcote," he said, "occasionally -keeps his word." - -I laughed, and we exchanged a grip. - -"Lord Lammersfield," I said, "I asked you to come here so that I -might tell you the truth." Then I paused and looked him straight in -the face. "I am not Stuart Northcote," I added slowly. "That -interesting gentleman is dead. It is apparently the only point on -which the police are correctly informed." - -Lord Lammersfield's expression remained unaltered. "Scotland Yard is -making distinct progress," he observed. Then, placing his hat on the -table, he pulled up a chair and seated himself. - -For a moment I hesitated. - -"I think it will be quickest," I said, "if I tell you my story -straight through. I can at least promise you that you won't be -bored." - -His lordship bowed courteously. "I am never bored," he answered, -"except by politics." - -It is a little characteristic of mine to be able to talk better when -I am on my feet. So while Lammersfield sat on in his chair, -motionless and without betraying any sign of surprise, I paced up and -down the room and let him have the whole amazing narrative of my -adventures since the moment when I had met with Northcote on the -Embankment. I cut out one or two private matters, dealing with -Mercia and Lady Baradell; but with these exceptions I told him the -entire story, in as brief and as straightforward a fashion as -possible. - -When I had quite finished, he sat up and looked at me for a moment -without speaking. Then he laughed quietly, and taking off his -glasses, polished them carefully with his handkerchief. - -"I am much indebted to you, Mr. Burton," he said. "I was under the -impression that gentlemen of your kind were extinct, except in -novels. It is refreshing to find that I was wrong." - -"It is because I object to becoming extinct," I replied, "that I -ventured to send you my message." - -He replaced his glasses, and again examined me with a kind of cynical -amusement. - -"Yes, I should imagine that life was eminently worth living to anyone -with your digestion and morals." Then he paused. "I believe your -story, Mr. Burton," he added. "It is altogether too incredible to be -doubted." - -I bowed. - -"Besides," he continued ironically, "it has the additional merit of -explaining several facts over which our good friend Inspector Curtis -is at present straining his intelligence." - -"I suppose," I said, with some reluctance, "that I shall have to tell -the truth?" - -Lord Lammersfield raised his hand protestingly. "One should never -consider the most desperate course until the alternatives have been -exhausted. I will send George Gordon down to you this afternoon. He -has a natural aversion to the truth that I have never seen equalled; -and if there is any feasible method of extracting you from your -difficulties without resorting to accuracy, you may be sure that he -will find it." - -He had named the most famous young K.C. of the day--a brilliant -criminal barrister, and the rising hope of the Conservative party. - -I began to thank him, but he cut me short. - -"I am looking at the question from a purely selfish point of view. -Much as I admire the British Public, I have no wish that they should -acquire an intimate knowledge of my private relations with the late -Mr. Prado. I would rather you left that part of the story out when -you are confiding in Gordon." - -I nodded. "Of course I shall," I said; "but Prado is sure to have -left some record of the business behind him, and if his cousin comes -into everything--well, you know from my story what sort of a -gentleman Master Maurice Furnivall is." - -Lord Lammersfield shrugged his shoulders. "One attains a certain -measure of philosophy in politics," he said. "At the worst, it will -give me an additional breathing space; and I deserve to be worried if -only for my stupidity in misreading our defunct friend the filibuster -in the way I did. I made certain the fellow was after a title." - -"I don't think we shall hear much more of 'The Amalgamated Goldfields -of South America,'" I said, with a short laugh. - -Lord Lammersfield got up from his chair. "A pity!" he said -regretfully. "It was a good title, and I hate waste." - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -Mr. George Gordon arrived at about half-past three. He was shown -into my room by the Inspector, who announced his name almost as -respectfully as that of the Home Secretary. - -A tall, immaculately dressed young man, with a long chin, a tired -white face, and sleek black hair carefully parted in the middle, he -appeared more like a product of Ranelagh and the Gaiety than the most -successful barrister-politician of the day. - -As the warder withdrew we shook hands, Mr. Gordon looking at me from -under his heavily-lidded eyes with a kind of fatigued curiosity. - -"How do you do?" I said. "I'm very much obliged to you for coming to -my rescue." - -"If half of what Lammersfield told me is right," he answered, "I am -glad to have had the chance." - -It was only when he spoke that you got an idea of the real man. -There was something in his voice that suggested the crack of a whip. - -"Well," I said, "if Lammersfield has told you the story already, -perhaps you'd rather ask me questions." - -He sat down at the table and shook his head. - -"No, Mr. Burton; if you don't mind, I'd rather have your account of -the matter. Lammersfield's ideas of accuracy are political rather -than legal." - -Remembering the latter's opinion of Mr. Gordon, I was unable to -repress a smile. - -"Right you are," I said; and without more ado I plunged straight into -my narrative, telling it just as I had told it to Lord Lammersfield, -with the exception of leaving out all references to that eminent -statesman's private affairs. - -My visitor listened, lounging forward on the table, one hand -supporting his head, and with the other making occasional notes on a -half-sheet of paper. Once or twice he interrupted with sharp, curt -questions which showed with what acute attention he was following my -story. - -When I had finished, he lay back in his chair, crossed his legs, and -stared reflectively at the ceiling. I was just beginning to wonder -whether he thought the whole thing a colossal lie, when he suddenly -sat up and pulled his notes toward him. - -"I suppose you realise, Mr. Burton," he said slowly, "that by -to-morrow you will be the most famous man in England?" - -"One has to pay for one's amusements," I admitted regretfully. - -"On the contrary," he replied, with a dry smile, "if you care to -handle the newspapers in the proper way, I should think the exact -opposite would be the case. Your 'reminiscences' will be worth a -fortune. What I mean, however, is that after to-day every pressman -in England will be on your track, and there will be precious little -of what's happened to you in the last four months that they'll fail -to rout out." - -He was looking at me keenly while he spoke. - -I shrugged my shoulders. "They'll find it devilish uninteresting," I -said. "Up till last week my life here was a model of respectability." - -He was silent for a moment "If your facts are accurate," he said, -"you are not in much danger, of course. To start with, the evidence -of this man Logan constitutes a perfect alibi. On the other hand, it -will be very difficult to avoid your being sent for trial. Your -story is almost too incredible for a magistrate to swallow." - -I made a wry face. "Well, if everything's got to come out," I said, -"it's got to. That's all about it." - -He nodded. "I will find out at once what evidence the police have, -and go into the whole case. There will be no difficulty, of course, -about the appearance of Miss Solano or your friend, Mr. Logan?" - -"None at all," I said. "Logan is staying at my house in Park Lane -with a policeman in attendance. He is sure to be round here later. -Miss Solano is at the Tregattocks', but I should like her name kept -out of it as much as possible." - -He took no notice of this last remark. "Send Logan round to my -chambers as soon as he arrives," he said curtly. "The first thing I -shall do will be to get a warrant for the arrest of Guarez and the -others. Then we must find the butler, Milford--if he's still alive. -That's the man who holds the threads of the case in his hands." - -"You'll probably find him in the Thames," I said, "if you find him -anywhere. My only hope is that he managed to kill Da Costa too." - -Gordon got up from his chair. His languid manner had slipped off him -like a cloak, and his dark eyes glowed with a quick intelligence and -energy that fully explained his remarkable achievements. - -"I will do what I can," he said. "The police are sure to ask for a -further remand to-morrow, and they'd better be allowed to have it. -By the next hearing we shall know where we stand, and we can then -decide whether to fight or to let the case be sent for trial. By the -way, can you give me some addresses of friends in the Argentine or -elsewhere who can establish your identity?" - -I wrote him out the names of several of my more respectable -acquaintances who knew about my journey to England, and he put the -list away in his pocket. - -"I will cable them this afternoon," he said. "Don't forget to send -Logan round. I'll communicate with Miss Solano myself." - -He went off, leaving me with the satisfactory feeling that, as far as -professional assistance was concerned, I had certainly struck the -right quarter. Indeed, the only thing that really worried me was the -prospect of Mercia being dragged in to give evidence. I was -determined that, whatever might happen to me, her true connection -with the case should not be made public if I could prevent it. In -France, of course, it wouldn't have mattered, for Frenchmen would -have regarded her intention to assassinate Prado as the natural and -laudable ambition which I myself considered it to be. But here in -London--well, I could imagine what sort of an uproar such an -admission would evoke from my smug fellow-countrymen. No, whatever -happened, Mercia's real part in the affair must be discreetly cloaked. - -I was curious to know what sort of a figure I was cutting in the -Press. I realised, of course, that every sub-editor in Fleet Street -would be straining himself in his efforts to do justice to such an -opportunity, and it seemed a pity that I, of all people, should -remain ignorant of the result. So when the constable brought me in -my lunch, I asked him whether it was against the regulations to send -out for some evening papers. - -He looked a little doubtful. "I'll inquire about it," he said. -"What papers do you want?" - -"Oh, bring the lot," I replied spaciously. "It isn't every day that -one's accused of murder." - -Half an hour later he returned with a bundle of evening journals -under his arm. - -I started on the _Star_, and my first glimpse showed me that Gordon's -prophecy as to my being the most famous man in England was not far -off the mark. - - STUART NORTHCOTE STABBED TO DEATH. - MURDERED MILLIONAIRESS DOUBLE AT BOW STREET. - WHO IS JOHN BURTON? - AMAZING MYSTERY IN HIGH LIFE. - -The staring headlines spread themselves all across the front page, -three columns of which were devoted to an account of the morning's -proceedings, followed by a sensational description of Northcote's -brief but dazzling career in London society. - -With regard to the murder itself, the paper seemed to be almost as -much in the dark as I was. I gathered, however, that the body of -Stuart Northcote had been found three days before in an East End -lodging-house, dressed in the commonest of seafaring clothes. He had -been stabbed to death, apparently after a fierce struggle, for a -track of blood-stains down the stairs marked where his murderer had -escaped. - -Beyond stating that the dead man had had a visitor late on the -previous night, the landlord of the house had been apparently unable -to throw any light on the matter. He had heard no signs of fighting; -and if he had, he declared that he would probably have taken no -notice. Fights are not regarded very seriously in a Stepney -lodging-house. - -An examination of the murdered man's papers had, it seemed, led the -police to the startling belief that he was none other than Stuart -Northcote, the famous millionaire. They had conducted their -investigations with the utmost secrecy and dispatch, and the result -had been my sensational arrest, and what the _Star_ described in its -leading article as "a mystery of truly staggering dimensions." - -"Truth," finished the editor in his summing-up, "is stranger than -fiction, and even a Sherlock Holmes might at the moment be baffled to -pronounce a judgment upon this amazing crime." - -The penny papers, if slightly less dramatic, devoted an equal amount -of space to the affair--in fact, as far as I could see, any other -topic of discussion was temporarily shelved. In no paper did I find -any suggestions as to the real identity of Stuart Northcote, while -only one--the _Globe_--seemed aware of the fact that I had been -staying with Maurice at Woodford in the guise of his murdered cousin. -All were agreed, however, that it was an "astounding" and -"mysterious" business, and one and all repeated the remark of the -editor of the _Star_ that "truth was stranger than fiction." - -I began to wonder what Mercia's feelings must be. By now she knew -from Billy the true part that I had played in the affair, and that it -was only my intervention that had saved her father's murderer from -the earlier vengeance of the League. I knew this would make no -difference between us; for if her love for me had sprung into life -when she believed that I was Prado, it would certainly survive any -subsequent shock that Fate could deal out. I was more concerned as -to the anxiety I feared she would be suffering. Billy, of course, -would have tried to assure her that I was perfectly safe; but knowing -what she did about the feelings cherished for me by Maurice and -Sangatte, she would doubtless be nervous as to whether there was not -some conspiracy on foot to connect me with the crime. I did not want -to write to her, for I had a pretty confident notion that if I did my -letter would be opened. In any case, it would certainly lead the -police to subject her to all sorts of inconvenient questions. - -I was just pondering over these problems when the constable entered -and told me that Billy had again called, and that if I wished to see -him no objection would be raised. - -"I'm afraid I'm getting a bit of a nuisance, Constable," I said. "I -shall have to present the Station with a new door-knocker when I get -out." - -He made no response beyond a non-committal smile, but retiring from -the room, returned a minute later with Billy in attendance. - -"Well, my son," said the latter, as soon as the door was shut, "been -reading your Press notices?" - -He waved his hands towards the pile of newspapers. - -"I've looked at them, Billy," I said. "For a modest man, I seem to -be making a bit of a splash." - -Billy laughed grimly. "Oh, you're the real thing. You've got the -sea-serpent done to a frazzle. The whole town's talking of you; and -as for the newspaper men--well, they've lined up outside Park Lane -thicker than fleas in a Spanish doss-house. I had to push 'em away -with both hands when I came out just now." - -"Tell me about Mercia, Billy," I said. - -"She's all right. It takes a lot to upset the Solanos. I told her -the whole story before we went to the courthouse, and she never -turned a hair. There's stuff in that girl, or else I'm a Dutchman." - -"Did she send me any message?" I asked eagerly. - -"Said she wasn't exactly tired of you," answered Billy, "or words to -that effect; but we were too busy listening to your detective pal to -bother much about love letters." He paused and chuckled. "It'll be -a knock for Sherlock Holmes when he finds out the facts. He's -reckoning that he's got you booked." - -I shook my head. "He's none too certain about it," I said. "My -sending for Lord Lammersfield gave 'em a bit of a shock; and when -Gordon rolled up this afternoon and undertook my defence, I don't -suppose it made him feel any more confident." - -"Gordon!" repeated Billy. "What, the big Parliament guy?" - -"That's the gentleman," I said. "Lammersfield sent him down to me, -and he's going to run the show for us. By the way, he wants to see -you at his chambers at once: I promised him I'd send you round." - -"Where does he hang out?" demanded Billy. - -"I don't know," I said, "but the Inspector will tell you." Then I -sunk my voice. "Don't say anything to him about Lammersfield having -borrowed money from Prado--I kept that dark; otherwise you can tell -him the truth." - -Billy nodded and jumped up from the bed. - -"Right!" said he. "If I haven't forgotten the way, I will." - -"And, Billy," I added, more anxiously, "keep an eye on Mercia. I'm -not so much worried about Guarez and his lot--Gordon's on their -track; it's that blackguard Sangatte I'm thinking of. Now he knows -I'm tied by the leg, I shouldn't a bit wonder if he took the chance -of trying some dirty trick." - -"I don't quite see what he can do," said Billy. "Mercia's back with -the Tregattocks now, and she ought to be quite safe there." - -"I hope so," I returned; "but I wouldn't trust Sangatte as far as I -could kick him." - -Billy laid a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Neither would I, old -son," he said, "but don't worry yourself about it I'll ring her up on -the telephone as soon as I've been to Gordon, and see that she's all -right. As far as to-morrow goes, I'll call for her and bring her -round to the court-house myself, same as I did to-day." - -I reached up and gripped his hand. "Thanks, William," I said. -"You're what the Bible calls a very present help in time of trouble." - -He laughed, and walking to the door tapped on it for the constable to -let him out. - -"One gets a bit of practice," he answered, "knocking around with you." - -I had no more visitors that evening; indeed, nothing of any -importance happened until next morning, when, about half an hour -before I was due in court, Mr. George Gordon was ushered into my -room. He was carrying a little black leather bag, but with this -exception he looked more like a Bond Street loafer than ever. - -"Well, it's good of you to come and relieve my harassed feelings," I -said. "I was just wondering whether I should see you before the show -started." - -He put his bag down on the table and looked up at me out of his -tired, expressionless eyes. - -"Mr. Burton," he said, "I'm a busy man, even for a K.C.; but there's -no work of mine that won't go to the wall if necessary until this -case is settled." - -I laughed cheerfully. "That will suit me fine," I remarked. "But I -don't quite see where you come in." - -He opened his bag and took several sheets of neatly written notes. - -"I hope," he said dryly, "that I shall come in for the privilege of -your better acquaintance. Your talents, Mr. Burton, are the sort for -which a politician might find many excellent uses." - -I shrugged my shoulders. "Well, I shall be wanting a job," I -admitted, "now Prado's gone." - -He pulled up the chair, and spread out his papers on the table. - -"You've no special objection to my not opposing the remand this -morning?" he asked, looking up at me sharply. - -"It depends upon what you call a special objection," I said. "If you -can get the magistrate to give me bail, or whatever you call it, I -certainly shan't kick. With Guarez and his crowd still at large, I'd -like to be outside, if only to look after Miss Solano." - -"Miss Solano is already being looked after," he said curtly. -"There's a private detective watching the Tregattocks' house night -and day; and as far as Guarez and the others are concerned, I've got -a warrant for the arrest of the whole gang. It's merely a matter of -finding them now." - -"It seems to me," I remarked admiringly, "that I can't do better than -leave the whole thing in your hands." - -He nodded. "I see no good in opposing the police this morning. -Their evidence is too strong for the magistrate to dismiss the case. -Sangatte and one of his servants are prepared to swear that you left -the house at midnight, and we have only the testimony of Miss Solano -and Mr. Logan to contradict them." - -"What time was Prado murdered?" I asked. - -"Some time between twelve-thirty and one. He seems to have had one -visitor earlier in the evening and then another, or else the same man -back again, soon after midnight." - -"How the devil did the police find out he was Northcote?" I -interrupted. - -"He had some papers on him, apparently--what they were I don't know, -but enough to give them a hint of the truth. They wired for Maurice -Furnivall, and he identified the body at once as that of his cousin. -He told the police that he'd felt you were an impostor ever since -you'd arrived at Ashton." - -"There are the makings of a very fine liar about Maurice," I observed -dispassionately. "How did they find out my name?" - -"Partly by means of Northcote's papers, I fancy, and partly through -your Chelsea landlady. She'd been to the police about your -disappearance, and her description of you fitted in, of course, with -that of the dead man." - -"I never thought of that!" I exclaimed. "I ought to have sent the -old lady a message to say I was coming back." Then I paused. -"What's the plan of campaign now?" I added. - -Gordon leaned forward, clasping his hands in front of him, and -speaking in that queer voice of his which finished off each sentence -with a kind of businesslike snap. - -"The police shall have their remand. I'm hoping that by to-morrow we -shall have laid our hands on Guarez and his friends. They've bolted -from the Hollies, of course; but I've put Preston, one of our -smartest men, on their track, and I expect to hear from him any -minute. I'm also moving heaven and earth to find Milford. I've got -the police with me there; so if he's above ground, he ought to turn -up." He rose to his feet and paced slowly across the room. "You -see, the truth is so wildly incredible that I daren't bring it -forward until we have got every possible shred of evidence. The more -the police find out about the case the better for us." - -I was just about to express my agreement when the door opened and the -constable came into the room. - -"The magistrate has just arrived, Mr. Gordon," he said, in a manner -that suggested it was rather impertinent of the magistrate to have -done so before consulting Mr. Gordon's convenience. - -"Very well," said my counsel, gathering up his papers. "I've still -one or two points I want to discuss," he added, turning to me, "so -I'll come back here as soon as the case is over." - -Shyness is not one of my virtues, but I must acknowledge that I felt -a trifle self-conscious as I marched into court for the second time -under the wing of Inspector Neil. Apart from my recently acquired -newspaper fame, which was embarrassing enough in itself, I was called -on to face the eyes of practically every soul with whom I had been on -speaking terms during the past ten days. - -My first glance round the court showed me that the Ashton party was -there _en bloc_. I caught sight of the white, startled face of poor -Aunt Mary; the apoplectic countenance of Sir George Vane; and a few -seats away the gracious and beautifully dressed figure of Lady -Baradell, leaning forward, her eyes fixed on mine with a kind of -passionate curiosity. Of Billy or Mercia I could see nothing. - -As before, the loud buzz of excited conversation that broke out on my -appearance was at once checked by the clerk. His call for order was -endorsed by the magistrate, who, looking sharply round the building, -observed with chilling disapproval, "If the public present are unable -to behave themselves, I shall clear the court." - -This threat had the desired effect. A complete and impressive -silence at once descended upon everyone, broken only by the rising of -a sombre-looking gentleman whom I took to be the counsel for the -police. - -"I am instructed to apply for a further remand, sir," he observed, -addressing the magistrate. "The case for the police is still some -way from complete." - -The magistrate turned politely to my eminent counsellor. - -"Have you anything to say in the matter, Mr. Gordon?" - -Mr. Gordon rose briskly to his feet, and a little shiver of -excitement ran through the court. - -"If the police ask for a remand in the interests of justice," he -began, "we have no objection to offer. To remove any -misunderstanding, however, I wish to state that my client has a -complete answer to the altogether unfounded charge that has been -brought against him. We are ready to assist the police in any -inquiries they may be making." - -Again the eager murmur of conversation broke out, and I caught a -glimpse of Maurice's face, white and savage, staring up at the -impassive Gordon. - -"You don't wish to cross-examine the police?" inquired the magistrate. - -Gordon shook his head. "Not at present. If the case is persisted in -after to-day--" - -A sudden disturbance at the back of the building pulled him up -abruptly in the middle of his sentence. The main entrance door had -been flung open, and three men, evidently in a hurry, had stepped -inside, to the indignant surprise of the policeman on duty, who was -apparently attempting to bar their further progress. - -The magistrate's voice rang out across the court with angry -distinctness. "What's the meaning of all this noise? Who are these -people?" - -Like everyone else, I craned my head forward to get a better view of -the intruders. One of them, I could see, was dressed as a priest; a -second was a tall, clean-shaven man with grey hair. The face of the -third was hidden by the shoulder of the constable, but as I looked -that official moved hastily aside at the sound of the magistrate's -voice. - -I nearly jumped out of my skin. It was Milford! Milford himself -standing there in the corridor beyond any shadow of doubt. He looked -pale and haggard, and his usually immaculate clothes were crumpled -and untidy, but of his identity there could be no possible question. - -I turned eagerly to Gordon, but before I could attract his attention -the man who was dressed as a priest had pushed his way to the centre -of the court and was addressing the magistrate. - -"I must ask your pardon for bursting in on the proceedings like this, -Mr. Cowden," he said in a clear voice, with the faintest possible -touch of a brogue. "I am Father Merrill of Stepney, and I have -brought you a very important witness." - -The excitement of the spectators was naturally at fever pitch, and -despite the clerk's renewed demand for silence, the court buzzed with -a low, eager whisper of speculation. - -The magistrate inclined his head. "There is no need to apologise, -Father Merrill. If you are in a position to throw any light on this -case, you were quite right to attend. Who is your witness?" - -"John Milford, the dead man's servant. He has a statement to make -which will clear up this dreadful business--clear it up beyond -question, I think. Doctor Robbins and myself are here to confirm his -evidence." - -There was a short pause. I saw the police counsel and Inspector -Curtis exchanging some hasty remarks, while the magistrate bent down -and engaged for a moment in consultation with his clerk. Gordon -leaned across to me. - -"Neither Logan nor Miss Solano are in court," he whispered quickly. -"Do you know why?" - -I shook my head. Even the extreme tension of the moment did not -prevent a horrible feeling of anxiety from clutching at my heart. - -Then the magistrate's voice broke in, sharp and decisive. - -"I will hear what these witnesses have to say before granting the -remand." - -The counsel for the police rose as if to protest, but the magistrate -waved him back and called on Milford to take his place in the -witness-box. - -Between my excitement at the unexpected interruption and my dread -that something had happened to Mercia and Billy, it was a moment or -so before I was able to wrench my mind back to its normal clearness. -Then I realised that Milford was standing in the box, and that a -great stillness had descended on the court. - -The magistrate adjusted his glasses. "It will be best," he said -quietly, "if you give us your evidence in your own way. Don't allow -yourself to become hurried or confused. I shall ask you questions -myself, but otherwise no one will interrupt you until you have -finished." - -With a slight bow, Milford stepped to the front of the box, and -placed his hands on the ledge before him. Then, looking straight at -the Bench, he began to speak in the quiet, respectful, unemotional -voice of a well-trained butler. There was something delightfully -incongruous between his own perfect self-possession and the feverish -eagerness with which everyone else in court was hanging on his words. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -"My name, sir, is Milford--John Milford. Up till nine months ago I -was a steward in the employment of the Blue Star Line. That was how -I first came to meet Mr. Northcote. He was one of the passengers in -the _Caledonia_ last October coming from New York." - -"Was he travelling by himself?" asked the magistrate. - -"Yes, sir; he came on board at the last moment. He had one of the -deck cabins, and it was my duty to look after him." - -"How did he come to offer you the position of being his butler?" - -Milford hesitated for a moment. "It was after he had saved my life, -sir. I was washed overboard by a big sea on the third day out, and -Mr. Northcote, who was on deck, jumped into the water and held me up -until they were able to get a boat launched. I was naturally very -grateful, sir; and I think it was that which first gave him the idea. -Having saved my life, he felt that he could trust me with his." - -A little flutter of excitement ran round the court. - -"What do you mean?" asked the magistrate, leaning forward. "Did he -think that his life was in danger?" - -"He knew it, sir. Mr. Northcote was Ignace Prado, the President of -San Luca." - -Milford's statement, which he made quite quietly, did not arouse -anything like the sensation which I expected. I suppose the fact was -that very few people in court knew anything about San Luca except -that it was in South America, in which case Prado's name would convey -to them nothing of its evil significance. - -The magistrate, however, appeared to be better informed. - -"That's rather an amazing statement," he said, looking keenly at -Milford. "I thought Prado was killed in the last revolution." - -"Yes, sir. That was the general impression. As a matter of fact, he -escaped in a boat the night the palace was blown up, and boarded a -steamer in the harbour which brought him to New York. No one knew -this at the time; indeed, there was never any suspicion that he was -still alive until a couple of months ago." - -"Did he tell you all this on the ship?" - -Milford shook his head. "No, sir; I knew nothing about it until the -other day. When Mr. Northcote engaged me, he merely told me that he -intended to take a house in London, and that he wanted a butler whom -he could trust. I accepted the post, sir. I was glad of the chance -to serve him and to show that I was grateful to him. Mr. Northcote -lived in a pretty big way in London at first, as I dare say you know, -sir. We used to entertain a goodish bit, and I had an establishment -of ten or twelve servants under me. Then one day, about a couple of -months ago, something seemed to happen that changed the master -entirely. He broke off nearly all his engagements, shut himself up -in the house, and began to get rid of the servants until there were -only three of us left. It was quite impossible for us to look after -the house properly, but he didn't seem to mind that. He doubled our -wages, without our asking, and told us to do the best we could. We -all thought he was ill; indeed, he looked so bad that once I went so -far as to ask him if he wouldn't see the doctor. But it was no use, -sir, no use at all. He just laughed, and said that he was doctoring -himself." - -"He gave you no reason for this change in his way of living?" - -"Nothing definite, sir; but I knew that he fancied himself in danger. -He gave me special instructions to let no one into the house without -bringing up their names to him first. Things went on like this for -several weeks--in fact, up to eight days ago. That was the third, if -you remember, sir. Mr. Northcote came to me on that day and told me -to order him a taxi-cab, because he was going out at six o'clock. He -had a motor of his own, but of course it was not my place to ask -questions. I ordered him the cab, and he went off. I never saw him -again until the night he was murdered." - -He paused and took a sip from the glass of water which was standing -at the side of the box. - -"According to the evidence of the police," said the magistrate, "Mr. -John Burton returned to Park Lane in his place." - -"Yes, sir." - -"And do you mean to tell us you didn't notice the change?" - -"No, sir. Mr. Burton is the exact double of Mr. Northcote. Even his -voice is the same. He was wearing Mr. Northcote's clothes, and he -seemed perfectly at home, sir. There was nothing to make me doubt -that he was the master." - -Every eye in court was now turned on me. Under ordinary -circumstances, I might have found such a sudden scrutiny a trifle -embarrassing; but I was so interested in Milford's revelation that I -scarcely noticed it. I was waiting to see how much of our mutual -adventure he intended to make public. - -"And when did you first begin to have suspicions about this amazing -deception?" asked the magistrate. - -Milford paused for a moment, as though to make quite certain of his -facts. - -"It was the night of Lord Sangatte's dance, sir--the night of the -murder. Mr. Burton went off about half-past ten, and he hadn't been -gone a matter of a quarter of an hour when a boy came round to the -house with a note for me. It was in the master's writing, sir, and -it told me to come down in a taxi to 7 Baxter's Rents, Stepney, as -quickly as possible. I couldn't make it out at all, having, as I -thought, just seen Mr. Northcote out of the house. Still, there it -was; there couldn't be no doubt about the signature, and it wasn't my -place to fail the master if he might be wanting me. So I looked out -Baxter's Rents in the Directory, and then rung up a cab and told the -man to take me down as far as the corner of East Street It was a -pretty rough neighbourhood, sir, just off the river, and seemingly -fuller of foreigners than English people. Number seven turned out to -be a sailors' lodging-house. I found the master there--he'd told me -what name to ask for him under--but at first sight I shouldn't have -known him. He'd always used to be most particular about his -appearance, sir, but that night he was unshaved and dirty, and -dressed in the roughest of clothes. - -"Well, sir, he took me into the little room he'd got--like a pig-stye -it was--and he shut the door tight and put the bed against it, as if -he was afraid of something." - -By this time the silence in court was so intense as to be almost -painful. From the magistrate to the policeman at the door every soul -present was drinking in Milford's story with a fascinated attention. -His strangely simple, unaffected method of telling it seemed to add -to its effect. - -"You no longer thought that he and Mr. Burton were the same person?" -interrupted the magistrate. - -Milford passed his hand across his forehead. "I don't know, sir; I -was that mazed I can't rightly say what I did think. I just stood -there and stared at the master without saying nothing. So far as I -can remember, it seemed to me I was dreaming." - -"What did he do, then?" - -"He told me to sit down on the bed, sir. Then he started talking -very slow and quiet. First of all, he told me that he was Prado. -From what he said, it seems that he'd gone out from England when he -was almost a boy, and that everyone in San Luca believed him to be a -South American. He'd escaped from the palace just before they'd -blown it up, and he thought at the time he'd got away without being -seen. Of course, me being a steward in the Blue Star, sir, I'd heard -all about the way he'd made himself President, and I didn't need to -be told that there were plenty of people ready to shove a knife into -him if they had half an idea he was still alive. Well, that was what -the trouble was, sir. Somehow or other, it had come out that he -hadn't been killed in the explosion, and the San Luca people had got -on his track. He wasn't a coward, the master wasn't,--he couldn't -have made himself President, or saved my life as he did, if he had -been,--but he knew well enough that he was done for unless he could -manage to get out of London. The people who'd come after him -belonged to some secret society that he'd pretty near wiped out, and -so long as they could get even with him they weren't the sort to mind -much what happened after." - -Milford paused, and again took a brief sip from the glass of water. -I stole a quick glance at Maurice's face. He was staring at the -witness-box with an expression of nervous apprehension that pleased -me intensely. I was not the only person who felt anxious as to what -Milford might bring out next. - -"Go on," said the magistrate. - -"It was then, sir, quite by chance, that he'd come across Mr. Burton. -It was that night he went out in the taxi, sir. He'd gone to sign -some papers at his lawyer's, and coming back along the Embankment he -passed Mr. Burton standing on the pavement. He saw the likeness at -once, sir, and it suddenly struck him that this might be a way of -escape if he could work it properly. Anyhow, it seemed a chance, so -he stopped the cab and got out and spoke to Mr. Burton." - -With the re-introduction of my interesting personality into the -story, I again became the centre of attraction. Everyone present -leaned forward to stare at me, one or two of the ladies going so far -as to produce miniature opera-glasses. It was a trying business, but -I put my hands in my pockets and bore it as serenely as I could. - -"He asked Mr. Burton to supper with him at the Milan, sir. According -to what Mr. Northcote told me, they had a private room. I suppose -the hotel management can say whether that's correct, sir." - -The magistrate nodded. "Yes, yes. It has already been confirmed in -yesterday's evidence." - -It was at this point that the counsel for the police jumped to his -feet and began to protest against what he described "respectfully" as -the "utter irregularity of the proceedings." - -The magistrate, who seemed to be a delightfully independent -gentleman, cut his eloquence short. - -"You will oblige me by sitting down, Mr. Gunn," he observed coldly. -"I have no intention of granting a further remand until I have heard -everything that these witnesses have to say. Go on, Mr. Milford." - -"Well, sir, when the master saw what sort of a gentleman Mr. Burton -was, he made him an offer straight out to change places. Mr. Burton -was to put on his clothes, and go back to Park Lane, and pretend for -three weeks that he was Mr. Northcote." - -A kind of half-delighted, half-incredulous gasp ran round the court. -Whether Milford's evidence was legally permissible or not, there -could be no doubt that the public were intensely satisfied. - -"Really, this is most interesting," observed the magistrate dryly. -"And the accused apparently accepted Mr. Northcote's enterprising -offer? Was he aware of the latter's reasons for wishing to -disappear?" - -"According to what the master told me, sir, Mr. Burton knew that he -might be murdered, but that was about all, sir. He was paid well, -and he was prepared to take the risk." - -"And what do you call being paid well?" - -Milford shook his head. "I don't know, sir. The master didn't say. -He only told me that he gave Mr. Burton some hints about the house -and about the people he was likely to meet, and that they dressed up -in each other's clothes, and Mr. Burton went back to Park Lane." - -"And what did Mr. Northcote do?" - -"He put up at Bruce House for the night, sir. The next morning he -went down east, and bought some second-hand sailor's clothes. His -idea was to get away quiet to Australia; but there wasn't any ship -for four days, so he took the room in Baxter's Rents. He'd been -lying up there ever since." - -"What made him send for you?" - -"Well, sir, there were several reasons. First of all, he wanted to -know whether we'd noticed the difference between him and Mr. Burton, -and whether Mr. Burton was playing the game like--doing what he'd -agreed to. Then there was a paper he wanted me to sign and take to -Mr. Horsfall, his lawyer." - -"What was this paper?" inquired the magistrate sharply. "Have you -got it?" - -Milford put his hand in his inner pocket and pulled out a long blue -envelope. - -"This is it, sir. I don't know what's inside. I only wrote my name -to say I'd seen the master sign it." - -"Give it to me," said the magistrate. Then, raising his head and -looking round, he added: "Is Mr. Horsfall in court?" - -An elderly, clean-shaven man rose from his seat as the policeman -handed up the envelope. - -"I am Mr. Horsfall," he said, with a stiff little inclination of his -head. - -The magistrate put down the envelope beside his blotting-pad. "Very -good," he replied. "I will ask you to look into this as soon as the -evidence is completed." Then he turned to Milford. "Go on," he -said: "what else did Mr. Northcote want you to do?" - -"Please, sir, he wanted me to promise I'd write to him in Australia -and let him know how things turned out. Also he wanted me to get him -some more clothes, and to fix up about his ticket. It was too late -to do anything that night, sir, of course, but I told him I'd find -somewhere to sleep, and set about it first thing in the morning. I -was knocked all of a heap, as you might say, sir, by what he'd told -me." - -"Why didn't you stay at Baxter's Rents?" - -"The house was full, sir; there wasn't a bed to be had, and I didn't -fancy sitting up the rest of the night. I hadn't been very well for -a matter of a couple of days." - -"Where did you sleep?" - -"There was a lodging-house just round the corner, sir,--Number 10 -Smith Street it was,--and I got a room there. I asked the landlord -to give me a knock-up in the morning, for I was that tired I knew I'd -sleep on late if he didn't. Well, sir, he came to me at seven -o'clock, and the very first thing he said to me was that there'd been -a murder in the night at Baxter's Rents. 'Done in a cove at number -three,' he says. 'The police are round there now.' When I heard -that, sir, my heart seemed to go all queer like. I felt certain it -was the master, sir; and it come to me all of a sudden that perhaps -one of them foreigners had followed me down and waited outside till -I'd left him. I got up and dressed, and then I went round to the -house. There was a big crowd outside, all pushing and shoving to get -a look, and an inspector standing on the doorstep." - -He paused for a moment, as if to collect his thoughts. - -"Did you go in?" inquired the magistrate. - -"No, sir. As soon as I heard the people talking, I knew it was Mr. -Northcote. Some of them had seen the body before the police came." - -"But why didn't you go and tell your story to the inspector?" - -Milford made a kind of protesting gesture with his hands. "How could -I go to the police, sir, with a story like that? They'd have thought -I was mad. Besides, I was that knocked over, I didn't rightly know -what to do for the time. I had a sort of feeling that if they found -out I'd been there the night before, they might think I'd had a hand -in it." - -"What did you do?" inquired the magistrate gently. - -"I went back to Smith Street, and I thought the whole thing over. My -first idea was to see Mr. Burton: then I remembered that he was going -down to Ashton, and as likely as not he'd have started. There wasn't -no doubt in my mind as to who'd done the murder. I felt as sure as -anything it was one of the San Luca gang the master had told me -about. As like as not they'd followed me down in a cab; and it -troubled me much, sir, to think that maybe I'd brought his death on -him after he'd saved my life. In a way, as you might say, sir, it -made me feel I was responsible for finding the man who'd done it." - -Milford's voice shook, and he brushed the back of his hand quietly -across his eyes. That Prado, who had proved himself to be one of the -most callous ruffians that even South America has produced, should -have been capable of inspiring such signs of affection was a mystery -which I will make no attempt to solve. It was quite plain, however, -that Milford's distress was genuine. - -"Didn't it appear to you to be a pretty hopeless business?" inquired -the Magistrate. - -Milford nodded. "I just had two things to go on, sir. I knew it was -a foreigner, and I guessed that he couldn't be very far away. Mr. -Northcote wasn't the sort of gentleman who'd have let himself be -killed easy, and I'd heard the people outside the house talking about -the blood-stains down the stairs. So I reckoned it out that he was -probably lying low somewhere in the neighbourhood. There's many a -house round that part would take a man in without asking no questions -so long as he could pay what they wanted." - -He paused to wipe away the perspiration which glistened on his -forehead. - -"Open another of the windows," said the magistrate irritably. "It's -hot enough in here to make us all faint." - -Milford waited a moment, while the policeman pulled down one of the -long sashes at the back of the court. - -"Well?" asked the magistrate interrogatively. - -Milford moistened his lips. "It was a chance, sir, just pure chance, -that put me on the right track. For three days I'd hunted round -without finding out any more than the police had done. Then last -night, just before eight o'clock it was, I was standing outside the -Dockyard Arms when a boy came by with some papers. I bought one, and -the first thing I saw when I opened it was about the arrest of Mr. -Burton. Finding it unexpected like that, sir, gave me quite a turn. -You see, sir, until I saw it in the paper, I didn't even know the -police had discovered it was Mr. Northcote who'd been murdered. I -felt that shaken, sir, I turned in to have a drop of brandy and to -think it over quiet like. The Dockyard bar's divided into -compartments--little wooden compartments--about as high as my -shoulder. I was sitting there having my brandy and thinking over -what I ought to do, when two men came in and sat down in the next -division. They started talking, sir, not very loud, but enough for -me to hear what they were saying. I listened for a bit without -really taking in what they meant, and then all of a sudden it came to -me, sir, like--like a blow in the face." - -He paused. - -"Yes," said the magistrate, "yes?" - -"One of them, sir, was telling the other about a lodger who was ill -in his house, and who wanted to see a priest. The other man said -something about Father Merrill, and the first man said, in a kind of -queer way, 'Well, ye see he was stabbed in the street, and I don't -want no fuss so long as he can pay the rent.' When I heard that, -sir, I pretty near jumped out of my seat, for something told me it -was the man I was looking for. I kept quiet, though, to try and hear -some more; but after that they spoke so low I couldn't catch what -they were saying. I sat on till they'd done their drink and got up -to go, then I slipped out after them. They separated on the -pavement, and my man--the one who'd spoken first--turned off down -towards the river. He was pretty well gone in liqueur, sir, and it -was easy enough to follow him. He went all the way along to -Shadwell, and turned in at a tumble-down, one-storey sort of place -that looked as if it was part of an old warehouse alongside." - -"What time was it then?" - -"It must have been pretty near half-past ten, sir. Anyhow, it was -just striking eleven when I reached the church at the corner of East -Street." - -"You came straight back, then?" - -"Yes, sir. I thought it would be no use trying to get into the house -on my own, even if the man was there. I wanted some one to help -me--some one, too, who'd be the right sort of witness if there was -any trouble. It seemed as like as not that I was the only person who -rightly knew how things lay; and now Mr. Burton had been arrested, it -wouldn't do for me to make any mistake. Well, sir, I turned it all -over in my mind, and I decided at last that I couldn't do any better -than go to this Father Merrill that the man had spoken about in the -Dockyard Arms. You see, I'd heard others speak of him too, sir, in -the lodging-house at Smith Street." - -"Everybody in the East End knows Father Merrill, I believe," -interrupted the magistrate. - -"I should say they did, sir, pretty near. Anyhow, even at that hour, -'twas easy enough finding out where the reverend gentleman lived. I -went to his rooms, and late as it was,--getting on for midnight, to -be correct,--he came down and opened the door himself. I'd fetched -him out of bed, but he didn't seem to mind. He took me into his -sitting-room,--I'd said 'twas a matter of life and death, sir,--and -there I told him the whole story straight through from beginning to -end. Of course, I'd got the master's letter to Mr. Horsfall, and -some old letters of my own in my pocket to show him; but even so, I -was half afraid he wouldn't believe what I was telling him. But he -did, sir. He just looked at me quiet, and asked me one or two -questions, and he seemed to know I was speaking the truth. 'You stop -here,' he said. 'I'll go and put on some things and come with you at -once.' I waited for him, sir, maybe a matter of ten minutes, and -then we set off together. We hadn't got half-way down the street -before he stopped and knocked at one of the houses. 'We'll take Dr. -Robbins with us,' he said to me. 'He's a big man, and he's used to -murderers.'" - -A sudden laugh ran round the strained court, in which the magistrate, -Father Merrill, and the doctor himself joined. - -"Stepney seems to be a most bracing neighbourhood," observed the -first. "Go on, Mr. Milford." - -"Dr. Robbins was up and dressed, as it happened, sir. Directly the -reverend gentleman told him what was the matter, he came along at -once, and we got down to the warehouse just as the clocks were -striking half-past one. It's in a kind of little side street, sir, -just off the river, and at that hour it was quiet as the grave--not a -soul about nowhere. We went up to the house, and the doctor he -rapped on the door with his stick. There was no answer, so he rapped -again louder, and after a bit we heard someone fumbling with the -latch. At last the door began to open slowly, and the man I'd -followed put his head out round the corner. He seemed half-drunk -still, sir, and the language he used was something shocking. The -doctor didn't take much notice of him, though. He just shoved the -door wide open and took him by the shoulder. 'Look here, my man,' he -said to him, sharp-like, 'I'm a doctor, and I've come to see your -lodger. If you make any trouble about it, we shall send straight -away for the police.' That did the trick all right, sir. Directly -the fellow heard the police mentioned, he crumpled up as if he'd been -shot. Then he began to whine out that he hadn't done anything wrong, -and that he knew nothing about the man who was lodging there. 'No -one's accusing you,' said the doctor; 'all you've got to do is to -take us to him, and be quick about it.' Well, sir, he led us down a -passage into a most filthy-smelling sort of room. It was quite dark -at first, but the doctor he had one of those little pocket-lamps, -which he turned on, and there, on a bundle of rags in the corner, was -a man lying and groaning something dreadful to listen to. The doctor -walked across and looked him over for a minute without speaking. -Then he pulled out a pocket-book and wrote down something on one of -the pages. 'Take this round to my house,' he says to me, tearing it -out, 'and come back with the things as quickly as possible. You'll -find my assistant there: he'll give you what I want. Father Merrill -and I will wait here.'" - -"What was the drunken man doing?" asked the magistrate. - -"He was standing in the corner, sir, mumbling to himself. No one -took any notice of him." - -"And you went to the doctor's house and got the things he needed?" - -"Yes, sir. I was back at the warehouse in under the hour. Father -Merrill let me in, and I found that he and the doctor had lit some -candles and got things a bit straight generally. The man on the bed -had stopped groaning, but he still seemed very bad. The doctor was -bending over him, doing him up with bandages and things: I could see -he was cut about something shocking." - -"Was he conscious?" - -"Not rightly, I don't think, sir. He was talking in a kind of broken -English, but it sounded to me all nonsense so far as I could hear. -More like singing than talking, as you might say. The doctor gave -him some medicine out of one of the bottles I'd brought, and that -seemed to quiet him, sir. Anyway, he stopped the noise he was -making. The doctor went on sponging and strapping him up till he'd -done what he could, and then he comes across to Father Merrill and -me. 'He's got it right enough,' he says. 'He'll probably recover -consciousness before he goes off, though.'" - -"What time was this?" inquired the magistrate. - -"About a quarter to three, sir, I should reckon. Anyhow, I know it -didn't begin to get light for some time after. There we stayed, all -three of us, sitting on the window-sill or on a bench there was -against the wall, and watching the man. We didn't dare to leave the -room, for the doctor said he might wake up like any minute, and if we -wanted to ask him anything that would be our only chance. While we -waited, I told the doctor the whole story the same as I'd told it to -Father Merrill." - -"And where was the gentleman who owned the house all this time?" - -"He was in the next room, sir, asleep. They'd put him in there while -I was away. I think he was too drunk to worry much about anything." - -"He seems to have been of a philosophic nature all through," said the -magistrate. "Go on." - -"Well, sir, it must have been just about nine o'clock when the man on -the bed gave a sudden sort of a groan and opened his eyes. The -doctor was at his side quick, sir. He had some medicine all ready in -a glass, and he put his arm round him and lifted him up in bed, and -made him swallow it. It seemed to do him good almost at once, sir, -for he laid back and looked round quite quiet and sensible like. -'Who are you?' he asks. The doctor bends down and wipes his forehead -for him. - -"'I'm a doctor,' he says, 'and this is Father Merrill, a priest. You -wanted to see a priest, you know.' - -"'Yes, yes,' says the man and then a cunning, frightened sort of look -comes into his eyes. - -"The Father comes up to the bed and speaks to him very gentle and -kind. He tells him that he is dying, and asks him if there isn't -something he wants to confess. The man reaches up to him, sir, and -clutches hold of his cloak. 'I am dying, I am dying,' he says, 'are -you sure?' Father Merrill bows his head, and the chap drops back -again on the bed. He lies there for a minute, sir, without speaking, -just breathing hard and picking at the clothes. Then Father Merrill -bends over him and takes both his hands. 'Prado is dead,' he says, -very distinct, 'and an innocent man has been arrested for killing -him.' That seemed, somehow, to do the business, sir. The man on the -bed gives a kind of gasp and pulls himself up on the pillow. 'No, -no,' he whispers. 'I killed him.' Then he takes a long breath. -'Listen,' he says, 'I will tell you.' We all three came round the -bed, sir, and the doctor pulls out a pocket-book and a pencil and -begins to write down what the man was saying. It was hard to follow, -sir, for he spoke English half-foreign like, and his voice was never -better than a whisper. The doctor's got what he said wrote -down--he'll show it you, sir--but in a manner of speaking it was just -what I thought. He was one of the San Luca lot--Da Costa his name -was, and he'd been watching the house in Park Lane. When I drove -down in the taxi he'd followed me, and he'd laid low outside till I -cleared off. Then he'd sneaked in somehow without being seen, sir, -and knocked at the door of the master's room. I suppose Mr. -Northcote must have thought it was me come back, for he unlocked it, -sir, and this Da Costa had got inside and stabbed him before he could -so much as call out. But Mr. Northcote, sir, as I said, he wasn't -the sort of gentleman to go under easy. He'd dropped to the floor, -sir; but it seems he was partly shamming, for when Da Costa jumped on -him to finish him, he whipped out a knife and stabbed him in the -side. How long they fought Da Costa didn't know, but by the time -he'd finished the master he was about done in himself. He'd crawled -away, sir, hardly knowing what he was up to, and got down somewhere -by the river. Here he'd run across the man whose house he was in -now. He told him he'd been stabbed in a street row, and wanted some -place where he could lie up. The man asked him if he had any money, -and when Da Costa showed him a pound he took him to Shadwell, and -there he'd been ever since. That was his whole story, sir, as he -told it to us. You'll find it all written down proper in the -doctor's book, with Da Costa's name signed at the end. He was just -able to do that, sir, before he went off queer again." - -"And you have come straight to the court from Shadwell?" asked the -magistrate, as Milford stopped to finish the glass of water. - -"Yes, sir. The doctor sent out and got a nurse to look after Da -Costa, and then we came right up in a cab." - -There was a short silence while the magistrate made one or two notes. -When he had finished, he adjusted his glasses and looked up. - -"Well, I congratulate you on the way you have given your evidence, -Mr. Milford," he said slowly. "You appear, too, to have acted with -courage and discretion all through these amazing experiences. I have -no doubt the counsel for the police will want to ask you a few -questions before we take the evidence of Dr. Robbins and Father -Merrill; and meanwhile,"--here he turned to Mr. Horsfall,--"perhaps -you, sir, will be good enough to examine these papers." - -* * * * * * * * * - -Of the rest of the proceedings I could not, even if I wished to, give -a very clear or detailed account. All the time Milford had been -telling his story my attention had been so eagerly concentrated on -his words that the reaction when he had finished left me curiously -indifferent as to what the others might say. I only know I listened -vaguely and in a restless fever of impatience. Milford's evidence -had so plainly carried conviction to everyone in court that I knew my -dismissal from the unpleasantly prominent part which I now occupied -was only a matter of time. Even I could tell that the questions -which the prosecuting counsel was putting were intended to clear up -minor points rather than to cast any real doubt on the truth of -Milford's narrative. Whatever the police might think about my -conduct and character, they were obviously no longer under the -delusion that I was a murderer. - -It was another, and to me far more important, question than that of -my immediate liberty which now occupied my thoughts. Ever since -Gordon had leaned over and whispered to me that neither Billy nor -Mercia were in court, a deep uneasiness had been lurking at the back -of my mind. While Milford had been giving his evidence I had been -too interested to think much of anything else; but now the tension -was relaxed, all my previous anxiety about Mercia's safety returned -with double intensity. - -I looked slowly and carefully round the court to make certain that -Gordon was right. Face after face that I knew stood out in turn -before my eyes. I caught sight of the immaculately dressed figure of -Lord Lammersfield leaning back in his seat, his arms folded--a -cynical smile on his lips. A little farther on was the old gentleman -who had unconsciously coached me for my first Company meeting. He -was bending forward eagerly, his hand to his ear, as though unwilling -to miss a single word of the case. York and his sister, my Chelsea -landlady, Dr. Ritchie, the impassive head waiter from the Milan--it -seemed that everybody who had played a part, however small, in Mr. -Stuart Northcote's highly successful comedy had gathered here to -watch the last act unroll itself. Everybody, that is to say, with -three exceptions. Not only were Billy and Mercia conspicuous by -their absence, but with a curious and very unpleasant shock I -suddenly realised that Lord Sangatte was also missing. Search as I -would round the crowded court, I could find no trace of that heavy -face and those hard blue eyes which I remembered and disliked with -such peculiar distinctness. - -It was this discovery which more than anything else filled me with a -savage impatience to get the present proceedings over and done with. -There was some mischief afoot,--something in which Mercia and Billy -and Sangatte were all involved,--and here was I knowing nothing about -it and powerless to help. I felt a wild impulse to jump up out of my -seat and make a dash for the door; but fortunately my common sense -was sufficiently strong to restrain me. I dug my hands deeper in my -pockets, and with apparent calm listened first to the doctor and then -to Father Merrill as, under the magistrate's skilful questions, they -in turn confirmed Milford's story. - -How long the inquiry went on I can't say. It seemed centuries to me, -but I suppose as a matter of fact it was only about three-quarters of -an hour from the time Milford had finished giving his evidence that -the magistrate leaned over and addressed the prosecuting counsel. - -"Do you still persist in pressing for a remand?" he inquired. - -There was a moment of tense excitement in court, while a certain -amount of whispering went on between those responsible. At last the -barrister in charge of the case rose to his feet. - -"On behalf of the police, your worship," he replied, "I am prepared -to withdraw the charge of murder against Mr. Burton." - -"Bravo!" exclaimed a silvery voice at the back which I seemed to -recognise, and instantly a general cheer went up all round the court. -I presume it must have been the nervous strain of the moment which -was responsible for this enthusiasm, for I can hardly believe that I -cut a very heroic or sympathetic figure. Anyhow, the magistrate sat -on the outburst with commendable severity. - -"Will you be good enough to behave yourselves," he said sharply. -"This is a police court--not a music hall." - -Then he turned to the counsel. - -"I shall hand this confession to the police," he said, "and I have no -doubt Mr. Horsfall will be ready to lend his assistance to any -further action that may be taken. Meanwhile, I do not think it -necessary to prolong these proceedings." - -Gordon was on his feet immediately. - -"You dismiss the case, your worship?" - -The magistrate bowed. "The charge is withdrawn, Mr. Gordon," he said. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -Before the excitement had properly subsided, I was in the little room -at the back of the court with Gordon and Inspector Neil. The latter -closed the door, shutting out the confused murmur which we had left -behind us. - -"It's not my place to congratulate you, sir," he observed -apologetically, "but I should like to do so if you will allow me." - -"Why, of course, Inspector," I said, with a smile. "I don't wonder -you suspected me on the evidence you had. It looked like a -certainty." - -He shook his head. "It's an amazing case, sir; but to tell you the -truth, I thought we'd made--a mistake in the charge the minute I'd -arrested you." He crossed the room to the door on the other side. -"This room will be at your disposal, if you wish to talk things over. -I must see what further steps our people propose to take." - -"Let me add my congratulations," said Gordon, as soon as we found -ourselves alone. - -I gripped the hand he offered me. "Thanks," I said. "I'm very much -obliged to you for all the trouble you've taken." - -He smiled in his curious languid manner. "There is no reason to be -grateful to me," he replied. "It was your amazing butler who took -over the defence. I have never had a case in which I've been quite -so superfluous." - -As he spoke, my fears about Billy and Mercia, which had momentarily -lapsed in the excitement of my acquittal, rushed back on me with -redoubled force. - -"Mr. Gordon," I said, "I may want your help more than ever now. -Something has happened to Miss Solano. Billy was to have called for -her and brought her to the court, and neither of them have turned up." - -"I know," he answered quickly. "But don't be too alarmed about it. -I've had a very good man watching the house since yesterday morning; -and unless Preston's quite wrong, Guarez and the others are lying up -somewhere in the East End. They'd hardly dare--" - -"It's not Guarez I'm afraid of," I interrupted: "it's Sangatte." - -"Lord Sangatte!" he echoed in surprise. - -"Yes," I said. Then I remembered that in telling him my story, I had -been rather sparing with my account of the interview in Sangatte's -study. - -"He's in love with her," I added, "in his own way, and I've good -reasons for knowing that it's a pretty poisonous one." - -The words had hardly left my lips when there came a sharp knock at -the door, and a police serjeant entered the room. - -"There are two gentlemen, sir, who wish to see you and Mr. Gordon -immediately. Shall I show them in here?" - -"Yes, yes," I said. Then, turning to Gordon, I added eagerly: "It's -Billy and your man. It must be." - -The serjeant stepped forward and held out a small twisted note. -"Very good, sir," he said. "And there's this letter. I was asked to -hand it to you by a lady who was in court." - -I took the note. A glance showed me that it was addressed in Lady -Baradell's writing, and I thrust it into my pocket without further -consideration. I had no thoughts now for anyone but Mercia. - -My first sight of Billy as he entered told me that there were grounds -for my anxiety. His face was pale and his mouth set in that peculiar -steel-trap fashion which in his case always heralds something in the -nature of a tight corner. He was followed by a small, dark, -sharp-featured man in a blue suit. - -"Much wrong, Billy?" I asked quietly. - -"Sangatte's got hold of Mercia," he said, speaking a little hoarsely. -"We're after them in a motor now. I think we shall be in time." - -Before I could get out a word, Gordon's voice broke in harsh and cold. - -"What does this mean, Wilton?" - -The dark man was just going to answer when Billy stepped forward and -cut him short. - -"Mr. Gordon," he said, "we've no time to explain now. You must let -me take Wilton. Miss Solano has been carried off to Lord Sangatte's -yacht at Burnham. I'm following them in a car which I've got -outside, and I want a man with me who won't stick at trifles." - -"And by God you shall have it!" I cried, with a savage laugh. Then, -seeing his look of astonishment, I added quickly: "I'm free, -Billy--the case is over. Milford turned up at the last minute with -proofs that it was Da Costa." - -With a low exclamation of surprise and satisfaction he gripped me by -the arm. - -"Is that right, Jack? Lord! but it's good news. Get your hat, man, -and come at once. I'll explain it all in the car." - -"Damn the hat!" I cried, snatching up a dusty-looking cap from the -table. "I'm ready, Billy." - -"Go with them, Wilton," broke in Gordon sharply. Then turning to me -he added in an encouraging tone: "If it's a case of forcible -abduction, you're justified in anything short of murder." - -"I'm glad to hear it," I said grimly. - -"And don't worry about all this business," he went on, jerking his -head towards the court. "I'll look after your interests here. Just -send a wire to the house if you're coming back to town to-night." - -I nodded--I think my face showed my thanks--and in another moment we -had hurried down the corridor and were outside the building. - -In the roadway stood a powerful Rolls-Royce with an -embarrassed-looking chauffeur at the wheel. It was already -surrounded by a crowd of spectators, while the stream of people -coming out from the main entrance was adding momentarily to the -congestion. - -Billy elbowed his way through with scant ceremony and opened the door -of the car. - -"You come in with me, Jack," he said. "Wilton will go in front." - -The next minute we had glided down the street and twisted noiselessly -round the corner into the roar and traffic of the Strand. - -Billy didn't wait for me to question him. "It was this way, Jack," -he said quietly. "I went round this morning to fetch Mercia at -half-past ten as I'd arranged yesterday. When I rang the bell and -asked for her, the servant said she'd gone out directly after -breakfast. Well, I didn't worry much: I thought that perhaps she'd -had some shopping or something to do first, and that she'd be coming -back in a minute or two, so I said I'd call again in a quarter of an -hour. I was just turning away when a taxi ran up alongside of me, -and who should jump out but our friend Wilton here. I knew who he -was--I'd met him at Gordon's yesterday--and I could see at once from -his face that something was devilish wrong. The first thing he asked -me was whether Mercia had come back. When I said no, he looked more -worried than ever, and in about two minutes I'd made him choke up the -whole story. - -"It seems Mercia had come out of the house about half-past nine. -Wilton, who'd been told by Gordon not to lose track of her on any -account, followed her as far as Sangatte's house in Belgrave Square. -She reached there at a quarter to ten, and he'd hung about outside -for the best part of half an hour. Then suddenly Sangatte's motor -rolled up to the door, and Sangatte himself came out with Mercia and -got inside. Of course there wasn't a taxi handy, and before Wilton -could find one the car was out of sight. It struck him as just -possible that Sangatte might merely be seeing Mercia home, so he'd -come along back to find out." - -Billy paused for a moment as the Rolls-Royce, dexterously steered by -its driver, wormed its way across the crowded Mansion House Corner. -With my heart full of anxiety and torn with a murderous anger, I -waited for him to continue. - -"I guessed something of what had happened," he went on as the car -turned off down Aldgate. "I knew Mercia had heard Sangatte mentioned -in court as being one of the principal witnesses for the police, and -it struck me at once that he'd probably used this fact to get her to -come and see him. Nothing but the idea of helping you would have -taken her to his house--I felt sure of that. The thing to find out, -of course, was what particular dirty game he was trying to play. I -chewed it over for a minute, and then it seemed to me that the best -thing to do was to go to his house and see when he was expected back. -Wilton agreed with me, so we jumped into the cab and ran down to -Belgrave Square. His butler answered the door,--a white-faced, -cunning-looking sort of skunk,--and when I asked for Sangatte, he -said he was out of town. He wouldn't tell me any more at -first--declared that he 'didn't know where his lordship was or which -day he intended to return'; and when I pressed him a bit, he was half -inclined to be cheeky. I saw the only way was to bribe him. He -looked like the sort of man who'd sell his mother, so I told him -straight out it would be worth a tenner to him if I could find -Sangatte before the evening. With that he started to bargain. I -suppose he guessed that it was Mercia I was after, and that I -couldn't afford to break his neck--anyway, he stuck out for a pony, -and of course I had to give it him. Then I got the truth--at least, -I think so. Sangatte, he said, had gone off yachting for three or -four days, and my only possible chance of catching him was at -Burnham-on-Crouch, where his boat was lying." - -"Billy!" I interrupted, rather desperately. "Do you mean that Mercia -is alone on board with that brute?" - -Billy laid his hand on my arm. "They're only two hours ahead of us, -Jack," he said, "and it takes some time to get a boat of any size -under way." - -"But what does it all mean?" I broke out. "What devil's trick can he -have played to get Mercia to Burnham? She knows--" - -"It's my belief," interrupted Billy, "that she had no idea the car -was going there. Suppose he got her round to the house on the -pretence of giving evidence about you, and then offered to drive her -down to the court. It's only an idea, of course, but it's in keeping -with what one knows about Sangatte, and it fits in with the facts. -Once in the car, it would be impossible for her to escape until they -got to Burnham; and what could a girl do then against two or three -men? No doubt Sangatte's certain of his own crew." - -With a bitter oath, I brought down my clenched fist on the side of -the car. - -"If you're right, Billy," I said slowly, "I'll make Sangatte sorry he -was born." - -There was a short silence, as the car swung on through the dreary -purlieus of Stratford at a pace which brought belated shouts and -curses from the carmen and hawkers that we left behind. - -"Go on, Billy," I said, staring out in front of us. "Talk to me, for -God's sake, or I shall go mad. Tell me how you got hold of the car." - -"Hired it," said Billy. "I saw at once that if this butler skunk was -speaking the truth, the only thing to do was to make a run for -Burnham. I thought of your car at first; then it struck me there -might be a bit of a bother getting hold of it, so I drove straight -down to Garrett's in Bond Street and ordered a Rolls-Royce. They -took about ten minutes getting it ready, and while they were messing -about I sent Wilton round in the taxi to make certain Mercia hadn't -gone home. Then we came right along to Bow Street to let you know -how things stood before we started for Burnham." - -He paused and, bending down, lighted a cigarette. - -"I never dreamed, of course, of the case being over," he added. -"Tell me something about it, old son: it's better than sitting there -thinking. We're doing all we can, you know, Jack." - -I was glad of the chance he gave me. Anything was preferable to -brooding over the thought of Mercia in the hands of Sangatte; so -without waiting I plunged into the story of Milford's dramatic -appearance in court and its amazing developments. - -Through Romford and Brentwood the car sped on: the driver, who knew -something of the extreme urgency of our journey, letting out the -powerful engine to the full extent he dared. Outside the latter -town, we turned off due east, and, free of the traffic, hurried on -still faster through the miles of flat Essex corn-land that separated -us from our goal. - -I repeated to Billy the whole of Milford's story, as nearly as I -could remember it. With his numerous questions and interruptions it -took a long time--indeed, before I had finished we had already -reached the straggling estuary of the Crouch, and the grey tower of -Burnham Church was plainly visible in the distance. I shall never -forget the fever of anger and impatience that seemed to scorch my -heart as the driver turned to point it out. - -Every minute of that last three miles the torture of suspense became -worse. I could see Billy felt the strain almost as much as I did. -His mouth set more grimly than ever, and we sat there side by side -staring out silently towards our approaching goal. - -At last we were in the village. Scarcely slackening our pace, we -hurried up the long main street with its small, untidy-looking grey -houses, and turning off sharp to the right swung round on to the -quay. Regardless of his tyres, the driver pulled up with a jerk, and -in a moment Billy and I were out of the car. - -An old longshoreman in a blue jersey, who had been leaning over the -railings staring down at the tossing collection of boats and yachts -below, looked round with slow surprise at our abrupt appearance. - -I walked towards him, followed by Billy. - -"Can you tell me," I asked quietly, "whether the _Seagull_ has -sailed?" - -He took out a small section of black clay pipe which he had been -holding upside down in his mouth, and spat thoughtfully on the ground. - -"The _Seagull_?" he repeated. "That'd be the schooner as came in -last Tooseday--name o' Sangatte?" - -I nodded. - -He turned towards the broad estuary, and shading his eyes with his -hand stared out to sea. - -"There she be," he said at last, pointing down the river. - -With a horrible sinking sensation at my heart, I followed the line of -his finger. About a mile out a smart-looking vessel of perhaps a -hundred and fifty tons was running swiftly seawards before the fresh -westerly breeze. - -"That's 'er right enough," said the old man. "Put out 'bout one -o'clock, she did. The owner come down in a moty-car--same as you -gentlemen." - -"Was he alone?" I asked, still hoping faintly that we might be -mistaken. - -The old man shook his head. "'E 'ad a young lady with 'im--bit ill -she seemed, too. I see'd 'im 'elping 'er to the boat." - -I think I knew then what natives mean when they talk about "seeing -red." Before I could crush back my fury sufficiently to speak, Billy -broke in. - -"Is there any faster boat in the harbour?" he cried. "We've got an -important letter for the owner, and money's no object if we can catch -her before she gets to sea." - -The man removed his cap and scratched his head with maddening -deliberation. - -"There ain't no sailing boat in Burnham as'll overtake her now," he -observed slowly. "That's the only craft as could do it--that there -petrol launch what come in this morning." - -He pointed down to a rakish-looking little decked-in vessel which was -bobbing about on the tide just below where we were standing. - -"Who does it belong to?" I demanded sharply. - -"Well, I don't know--not in a manner of speaking," drawled the old -man. "A stout, youngish gen'l'man 'e be. I did 'ear tell that 'e -come from Woodford. If you're wanting to see him, as like as not -you'll pick 'im up at the hotel." He turned to point to the building -in question, and then gave a sudden exclamation. "Why, there be the -gen'leman 'isself, sir, over by the lamp-post there." - -I looked up, and my heart gave a sudden jump. In the -square-shouldered, pleasant-faced man strolling slowly along the quay -I recognised an old acquaintance. It was my friend Cumming the -story-writer, the man whom I had met in the Bull Hotel when I was -staying at Ashton. - -Without stopping to explain to Billy, I strode quickly across the -road to meet him. He recognised me at once, and raised his hand in -greeting. - -"How do you do?" he said, with a smile. "I hope you found Barham -Bridge all right?" - -I pulled up in front of him and looked him squarely in the eyes. - -"Mr. Cumming," I said, "you did me a good turn that day. Will you do -me another--a much more important one now?" - -He paused for a moment, looking back at me as though to make certain -I was serious. My expression must have shown him there could be no -doubt about that. - -"What is it?" he asked quietly. - -I turned and pointed to the _Seagull_. "The woman I love is on board -that boat," I said hoarsely. "She has been drugged and carried off -by Lord Sangatte. There's just one chance of catching them--your -petrol launch. If you could get us up alongside, we'd do the rest. -I don't know how many men he has on board, but there are three of us, -and--" - -"I say," he broke in, with shining eyes, "are you pulling my leg?" - -I shook my head with a rather wan smile. - -"Oh, but this is delightful!" he said. Then, seeing my face, he -added politely: "I didn't mean that, of course; but I've been -spending years writing about abductions and murders and things of -that sort, and this is the first real adventure I've ever been mixed -up in." - -"And you'll take us?" I cried. - -"Take you!" he echoed. "Good Lord--rather! I wouldn't miss such a -chance for the world." - -Billy, who had come up in time to catch the last remark, clapped him -unceremoniously on the shoulder. - -"I don't know who you are, my son," he said, "but you're a man, and -the breed's rare. Shake." - -Cumming, who seemed to understand Billy at once, smilingly gripped -hands, and the next minute we were all three hurrying towards the -steps which led down to the water. Leaving the car, Wilton and the -chauffeur came running along the quay to join us. - -"Got room for me, guv'nor?" inquired the latter anxiously. - -"What about the car?" I asked, as Cumming, jumping into a dinghy, -hastily pulled out the sculls from under the seat. - -He grinned cheerfully. "Car's all right, sir. I've given the old -boy five bob to look after her." - -"Come on, then," I said; "the more the better." And without wasting -any more time, we all five scrambled into the boat. - -A few strokes brought us alongside the launch, to which we rapidly -transferred ourselves. Cumming at once squatted down in front of the -motor and began to play with the levers and switches, while the rest -of us distributed our weight about the little craft in the most even -fashion possible. - -"Shall I steer her out for you, sir?" asked the chauffeur. "I've -done a bit of this work over in France." - -Cumming nodded his consent, and as the man gripped the tiller he -started up the engine. The next moment we were swiftly threshing our -way through the crowd of anchored vessels towards the centre of the -estuary. - -Directly we were fairly under way, and the engine was running with -proper smoothness, Cumming scrambled to his feet and took over the -charge of the boat. - -"She can do twenty easy," he observed, with a satisfied chuckle; "we -shall be up to them before they're past the sands." Then he paused. -"What's the programme?" he added. "Hail them, or run up alongside -and jump?" - -"Can you take her in as close as that?" I asked. - -"I could take her to hell," he replied cheerfully, "if there was -enough water. The only thing is, can you chaps get on board?" - -Billy laughed grimly. "Some of us will," he said, "and the others -can swim." - -With a white curve of water foaming away from either bow, the little -vessel ran on down the centre of the river. Far ahead of us, a -beautiful picture in the cloudless afternoon sunshine, the _Seagull_ -swept forward on her way towards the sea. Crouched in the bows, I -stared silently out over the long grey stretch of intervening water, -which every minute was perceptibly lessening in distance. - -Billy, who had been rummaging in the tool-chest, which Cumming had -pointed out to him, crept forward and held out a heavy steel bar. - -"Here you are, Jack," he said. "You freeze on to this. I've got a -gun." - -I took the short but deadly little weapon and thrust it into my side -pocket. I felt somehow that my fists would be all that I should want. - -"Billy," I said, "if we both get on board together, leave Sangatte to -me." - -He nodded. "That'll be all right," he replied. "There'll be quite -enough fun for me with the rest of the crew; you shall have his -lordship all to yourself." Then he paused and looked out at the -stern of the _Seagull_, now no more than half a mile distant. "Don't -you think, Jack," he added, "that you'd better go down into the -cabin, just in case Sangatte's on the watch? If he spotted you, he'd -guess we meant mischief at once, and we might find it a bit of a job -to get on board. You can pop out as we run alongside." - -Billy's suggestion was so obviously a sensible one that although I -was loth to quit the deck, I immediately adopted it. It would never -do for Sangatte to see me in the boat, for the _Seagull_ stood so -much higher out of the water than our own little craft that our only -chance of boarding her was to take the crew by surprise. So into the -cabin I went, where I found the impassive Wilton, who seemed to -consider the whole business as part of his ordinary day's work, -stretched out peacefully on the bunk. - -He sat up as I crawled in; but beyond exchanging a couple of remarks -as to the quickness with which we were overtaking our quarry, we -neither of us made any attempt at conversation. I was in too keen a -state of suspense to talk; while Wilton, I should think, was a -naturally taciturn person even for a detective. Anyhow, we sat there -in silence, listening to the throbbing of the engine and the -ceaseless swish of the water as it raced past the side of the boat. - -How long our vigil lasted I can't say. It was broken at last by the -appearance of Billy, who dropped down into the little well outside -the cabin and thrust his head in through the door. - -"We're just coming up alongside of 'em," he said, in a tone of quiet -satisfaction. "There are three men on deck, but they don't seem to -suspect anything." - -"Sangatte?" I asked eagerly. - -He shook his head. "No sign of him or Mercia; they must be down -below." - -I rose to my feet, followed by Wilton. - -"We three are to make the first shot," went on Billy. "Cumming's -going to run her alongside suddenly, and we must jump for the rails. -One ought to be just able to do it from the cabin top." - -"And then?" I asked; for I knew Billy would have planned the whole -thing out. - -He tapped his pistol pocket with a contented smile. "Then it will be -up to me to keep order on deck while you and Wilton go below and rout -out Mercia. The chauffeur's staying in the boat. He wanted to stick -to us, but we must have someone to help Cumming." - -He swung himself out of the well on to the narrow deck, and Wilton -and I followed suit. We were running level with the _Seagull_ at a -distance of about thirty yards. The three men on her deck were not -paying much attention to us. One of them was steering--the other two -busy attending to the coiling of some loose rope. At the tiller of -our own boat sat Cumming--a cigarette in his mouth, and his eyes -fixed innocently on the water ahead. - -Suddenly, and without shifting his gaze, he gave a quick, faint -little whistle. Billy and I and Wilton leaped on to the cabin top, -and at the same instant the launch swerved inwards towards the -_Seagull_ like a weasel darting on a rabbit. I heard a cry of dismay -and surprise from the man who was steering as he shoved down his helm -in a frantic effort to avoid a collision. At the very last moment, -just when the crash seemed inevitable, Cumming again swerved, and as -he did so we all three made one frantic jump for the _Seagull's_ -rails. - -I missed with my left hand, and my other arm seemed to be almost -wrenched from its socket with the shock. I clung on, though, and the -next moment soaked and half blinded with spray, I was scrambling on -to the deck. A swift glance round showed me that both Billy and -Wilton had been equally successful. - -Paralysed, apparently, at the suddenness of our onslaught, the two -men who had been coiling the rope made no attempt to stop us until we -were fairly on board. Then, as I leaped for the companion-way, they -both dashed forward with a volley of questions and oaths. Only one -of them reached me in time, and he got a smack in the jaw for his -pains that sent him spinning against the rails. At the same moment -Billy's voice, backed doubtless by his revolver, rang out in a harsh -command, and the other stopped short and flung up his hands. - -Without waiting for any further developments, I dropped down the -companion, clearing the short ladder with one jump. There was a door -in front of me--a white cabin door with brass fittings. I seized the -handle and flung it savagely open, just as Wilton's figure appeared -in the opening above. - -Do you remember that hideous picture of "The Startled Robber" in -Hogarth's "Two Apprentices"? It flashed into my mind then as, pale -with amazement, terror, and rage, Sangatte started up at my entrance. -He had evidently been sitting at the table, smoking and drinking, for -there was a bottle of brandy and a half-empty siphon in front of him, -and the air was thick with the fumes of his cigar. - -The same glance that revealed his glaring, terrified eyes also showed -me Mercia. She was on the sofa at the farther end of the cabin, -crouching against the wall like some beautiful, desperate animal at -bay. At the sight of me her face lit up with a joy too wonderful for -words, and she too sprang to her feet, crying out my name. - -Then, silent as a wolf, I flung myself on Sangatte. - -He seized the bottle of brandy by the neck, and struck at me wildly -as I came in. I dashed it aside with my left arm, and the broken -glass and liquor showered over us both. The next moment, locked in -each other's arms, we swayed clear of the table and crashed heavily -against the opposite wall of the cabin. - -He was a powerful man, nearly as big as myself, and fighting with the -fury of absolute terror; but his strength was as nothing against my -own mad rage. Freeing my right arm with a desperate wrench, I drove -my fist full in his face, and I felt the bone and cartilage yield -under my knuckles as if they had been made of crisp wafer. He -clutched me by the throat, but at that smashing blow his grip -relaxed, and a horrible stifled cry burst from his lips. With a -supreme effort, I lifted him clear off his feet and flung him full -length on the cabin floor. - -There came a long-drawn, gasping sigh from Mercia. - -"A--ah!" - -I looked up--my chest heaving, my face and clothes soaked in blood -and brandy. - -"Shall I kill him?" I asked quietly. - -Mercia came forward--her dear face as white as death, but her eyes -shining proudly and serenely. - -"There is no need to kill him," she said softly. "You are always in -time." - -With a low, happy cry I caught her to my heart, and all blood-stained -as I was, she put her arms round me and pressed her lips to mine. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -It was the sudden stamping of feet and the sound of blows outside -that abruptly terminated our embrace. Releasing Mercia, and -snatching up the siphon from the table, I darted to the door, where I -found the faithful Wilton, armed with heavy boat-spanner, vigorously -opposing the attempted advance of two of Sangatte's crew. - -At the sight of me--I must have been a horrible-looking object--their -courage seemed to falter. - -"Come on, Wilton," I yelled, and, swinging back my siphon, I leaped -forward to the attack. - -It was too much for the enemy. However strong their affection for -Sangatte may have been, they evidently had no stomach for further -fighting, and with a simultaneous motion, they turned and bolted. As -they disappeared down the corridor from which they had apparently -emerged, I heard Billy's voice shouting my name from the deck. - -I stepped back into the cabin. - -"Time to go, Mercia," I said, holding out my hand. - -She slipped her soft little fingers into mine, and as she did so, -Sangatte, who had not moved since he had fallen, suddenly raised -himself with an effort on to his elbow. - -"Damn you!" he whispered thickly. "I'll be even with you for -this--damn you both!" Then, with a groan, he sank back again on to -the floor. - -If it gave him any small pleasure to swear at us, I did not grudge it -him--under the circumstances. - -Our departure from the _Seagull_ was distinctly more ceremonious than -our arrival. By aid of his persuasive revolver, Billy had apparently -induced the crew of the vessel to strike sail; for when we reached -the deck, it was to find ourselves rocking idly on the bosom of the -tide, with Cumming's smart little motor bobbing alongside. The three -defeated hands, one of whom was the skipper, were clustered in the -bows, watching Billy with anything but an affectionate expression. - -"Not hurried you, Jack, I hope?" he called out, as we emerged from -the companion, with Wilton guarding the rear. - -"No, thank you, Billy," I said. "I'd quite finished." - -He stepped forward to shake hands with Mercia. "And how's our host?" -he inquired. - -"Our host," I replied, "when he's patched up, will probably be -mistaken for Señor Guarez." - -Billy nodded his head. "You were always a good hand at scattering -keepsakes," he observed contentedly. - -It was at this point that Cumming's face, appearing over the side of -the yacht, inquired with some pathos what time we should want the cab. - -"I suppose we must tear ourselves away," said Billy reluctantly. -"It's a pity, though. I was just beginning to enjoy myself. -Devilish smart crew Sangatte's got--when they're properly handled." - -Despite this handsome compliment, the crew betrayed no particular -signs of regret at our departure. They watched with sullen hostility -while I lowered Mercia into the hands of Cumming and then jumped down -myself after her. Then, pushing away the launch with the boat-hook, -we backed slowly astern, until there was sufficient room to swing her -round towards the shore. A moment later we were racing back against -the wind and tide, while behind us the _Seagull_ still drifted idly -down the centre of the stream. - -A few hastily-exchanged explanations showed us that Billy had been -quite right in his surmises as to Mercia's adventure. By a -cleverly-worded letter, hinting that he was prepared to give evidence -on my behalf, Sangatte had induced her to come and visit him at his -house. Here, after expressing himself as being convinced of my -innocence, he had offered to drive her down to the court; and Mercia, -suspecting nothing of his purpose, had readily assented. Once inside -the big, swiftly-moving limousine, it had been hopeless to try and -escape until Burnham was reached, and then, just before the car drew -up, Sangatte had thrust a handkerchief soaked in chloroform over her -face, which had rendered her practically unconscious until she was -safely in the ship's boat. - -That was the only actual violence she had suffered from. Once on -board, Sangatte, who possessed an abnormal opinion as to his own -fascinations, had adopted the role of the impassioned, half-repentant -lover, whose emotions had run away with him. I suppose he had -thought that his own charms, combined with the hopelessly -compromising position in which Mercia was placed, would be a -sufficiently strong combination to effect his purpose. Anyhow, he -had been giving this ingenious system a fair trial when Fate and my -right fist had so unexpectedly intervened. - -Such was Mercia's story, whispered out hurriedly as we throbbed our -way back up the grey waters of the Crouch. - -In return, Billy and I told her as briefly as possible of the amazing -sequence of events which had led up to our arrival on board. The -astonished Cumming, who now for the first time realised our identity, -listened with such spellbound attention that on two occasions he as -nearly as possible ran us on to the shallows. - -"Well, I'm blessed!" he gasped when I'd finished. "Do you mean to -say you're Burton--_the_ Burton! Why, I was only reading your case -while I was at lunch, and thinking how much I'd like to meet you." - -"Well, you've done it all right," laughed Billy; "and devilish lucky -for us, too." - -"But, good Lord, what a yarn!" went on Cumming, looking with a kind -of curious admiration first at me, and then back at Billy and Mercia. -"It knocks spots off my woolliest efforts, and that's saying -something. And to think of my being in at the death, too! It's -enough to make Oppenheim blue with envy." - -"Come up to town with us and see it through," I suggested. "They've -turned me down as a murderer, it's true, but there are all sorts of -pleasant possibilities still kicking about. I shall probably be -arrested for stealing Northcote's ten thousand as soon as I get back." - -"Anyhow," said Billy, smiling at Mercia, "he can at least promise you -a wedding." - -"And probably a funeral as well," I added, "if I happen to run across -Maurice." - -"I'd love to," said Cumming, steering us deftly in towards the quay -through the crowd of anchored boats. "All the same, I think I'll run -this little jigger round to Maldon first. It would be just as well -to get her out of Burnham in case your pal, Lord Sangatte, puts back -here for plaster. I ought to go up to town to-morrow in any case, so -if you'll give me your address, I'll roll round and 'pay my -respects.'" - -"Do!" I said heartily. "If I'm not in Bow Street, you'll find me at -Lammersfield House, Park Lane." - -"You forget, my son," interrupted Billy. "It doesn't belong to you -now." - -"Yes, it does," I said firmly. "I gave my promise to Northcote, and -I'm not going to shift out of it until the three weeks are up." - -"Good," said Billy. "We ought to have some fun with the heir, -whoever he is." - -Cumming tied up his boat to the steps, and climbing up on to the quay -saw us safely into the car. I don't know whether any of our -operations on board the _Seagull_ had been visible from Burnham, but, -at all events, our old longshore friend did not seem particularly -interested in us. He just pocketed the five shillings I gave him for -looking after the car, and then promptly shuffled off for the hotel -tap without waiting to watch us depart. - -"So long, then," said Cumming, as soon as we had packed ourselves in -and the driver was ready to start. "I'll give your love to Sangatte -as I pass him." - -"Thanks," I said; "and don't worry if he makes any fuss. George -Gordon says we were legally justified in anything short of -manslaughter." - -"Skunk slaughter," said Cumming, "is what you want an indemnity -against." - -We turned off round the corner of the quay, stopping at the Post -Office to send a wire to Gordon. - - -"Expedition successful," I wrote, "Will you meet us Westminster -Palace Hotel five-thirty." - - -"It's just opposite to the House of Commons," I pointed out to Billy, -"so he'll be able to run across even if he's busy. I'm dying to know -what happened after we left." - -"What I'm dying for is some food," remarked Billy, as we came out -again to the car. "I expect Miss Solano agrees with me." - -Mercia shook her head. "I am not very hungry," she said. "Let us -wait till we get back to London." - -"Just as you like," said Billy sadly. "I could do a chop, though--by -Jove, I could!" - -"Jump in, William," I said. "We'll all have the best dinner in -London to-night--unless we're in gaol." - -Mile after mile, the big car carried us back swiftly through the flat -lanes and roads which we had so lately traversed. I was too happy to -talk: most of the time I just lay back in my seat holding Mercia's -hand; while Billy, in the intervals of bemoaning his hunger, filled -up the gaps which we had necessarily left in our somewhat hurried -explanations in the boat. Any doubt that he may have originally felt -about Mercia had plainly vanished. She was part of the firm -now--"one of us," so to speak; and Billy's manner clearly signified -that he approved of the change. - -It was just a quarter-past five by Big Ben as we swung round the -corner of Parliament Square and drew up outside the Westminster -Palace Hotel. - -We were all of us badly in need of a little tidying-up, so the extra -fifteen minutes before our appointment with Gordon was a welcome -interval. I know in my own case that, what with the dust from the -road, and the still surviving traces of my argument with Sangatte, I -found such a rare-looking ruffian gazing back at me from the bedroom -mirror that I felt surprised the hotel people had consented to -receive us. - -However, a bath, a comb, and other toilet accessories soon restored -me to respectability, and sitting on the bed I waited for Billy, who -was taking his turn at the looking-glass. It was then that, putting -my hand in my pocket, I came across Lady Baradell's note. Although, -to tell the truth, I had forgotten all about it in my somewhat -strenuous employment since its arrival, I opened it now not without a -certain pleasant curiosity as to what it might contain. - - -"I suppose I ought to be grateful to you, but I don't think I am. -Now and always you have my good wishes. A. B." - - -I read it through slowly, and the picture of a beautiful woman, her -bronze hair streaming loose over her shoulders, her wonderful amber -eyes fixed on mine, rose with extraordinary clearness before my mind. -With a little sigh over Nature's well-intentioned, if ill-adjusted, -efforts, I took out a match, and striking it on the end of the bed, -set fire to the bottom corner of the note. - -"What are you burning?" asked Billy, looking up from the depths of -his towel. - -"Only a little bit of the past," I said sadly. - -He threw down the towel with his old mischievous chuckle. "If you're -going to start that game, Jack," he said, "you'd better spend your -honeymoon at Vesuvius. It'll save you ruining yourself in matches." - -We went downstairs to the sitting-room I had engaged, where tea was -already laid. A minute later Mercia joined us. Despite all she had -been through, she looked radiantly lovely as she came half shyly into -the room. Indeed, Billy was so overcome that he jumped from his -chair with a little gasp of open admiration. - -"By Jove, Mercia!" he said. "You ought to be abducted twice a day. -It makes you better-looking than ever." - -She laughed sweetly, and came across to where I was standing. "I am -afraid I shall never be more beautiful, then," she said, "unless -there are some very reckless men in the world." - -I drew her arm tenderly through mine. "I don't want you to be any -more beautiful, Mercia," I said; "it would frighten me if you were." - -There was a knock at the door, and a waiter entering announced -"Mistaire Gordon." - -Sleek and debonair as ever, my gallant defender followed hard upon -his heels. - -"Don't trouble to explain anything," he said, shaking hands all -round. "I've got only ten minutes, and I've already heard full -details about the piracy, of which, by the way, I thoroughly approve. -I met Wilton in the hall." - -"I wondered what had happened to him," I remarked. "We were -expecting him up here to tea." - -Gordon shook his head. "You won't get him," he said. "Wilton has -some intelligence as a private detective, but outside his business -he's a miracle of shyness and stupidity." Then he smiled in his -quiet fatigued way. "He asked me to congratulate you, however." - -"Congratulate me!" I echoed. "What about?" - -Gordon accepted the cup of tea which Mercia offered him. "About -fifty thousand, I believe," he drawled. "No doubt there's a good -deal more somewhere, if we can find it." - -We all stared at him in frank astonishment. - -He looked round at us, smiling again from under his curious, -heavily-lidded eyes. - -"You remember the excellent advice given to us in the Gospels, Mr. -Burton--to 'make friends out of the mammon of unrighteousness'? -Well, you appear to have been doing it unawares--that's all. Those -papers which the amazing Mr. Milford sprang on us in court--the ones -addressed to Horsfall, I mean--were Northcote's confession, and -incidentally his will. He has left you everything." - -I jumped up from my chair. "Good Lord!" I cried. "Are you joking?" - -Gordon shook his head. "I never joke outside the House of Commons." - -"But why on earth--?" I began. - -"As far as I can make out," he interrupted, "our deceased friend's -mind worked in this way. It was rather more than possible, of -course, that you would be killed before the three weeks were up, in -which case all Prado's land property, which he had been unable to -sell would have gone to Maurice Furnivall, as the next of kin. This -he was determined to prevent, for by then he seems to have quite made -up his mind that it was Furnivall who'd given him away. He wrote out -a full statement of how affairs really stood, and sent it to Horsfall -with a note that it was only to be opened in the event of his death. -As this statement claimed that he was still alive, and afforded -pretty good proof of the fact, it would have been quite sufficient to -hang up the settlement until he found it safe to reappear, or, at all -events, to communicate with the court." - -"But the will," I broke in, "the will?" - -"Ah!" said Gordon. "Like many robust scoundrels, I think that Mr. -Prado was a bit of a fatalist. Although apparently he'd got off so -neatly, I believe he had some sort of feeling that his days were -numbered. He practically hints as much in his will, which he tells -Horsfall he had drawn up in case 'all his excellent precautions -should prove useless.' It's quite a simple document. He leaves you -everything, 'in the improbable event,' as he puts it, 'of your -surviving him,' Failing that, the property goes to charity." - -"And Maurice gets nothing?" - -"Not a bean," answered Gordon cheerfully. "If he finds himself hard -up, the testator advises him to communicate with San Luca. I should -think it was the only joke Prado ever made." - -"But will it hold good in law?" I asked. - -Gordon shrugged his shoulders. "I think so," he said. "It's a -little irregular, of course, but there's no one to fight it except -Furnivall, and unless he's a fool, he'll lie devilish quiet. I've -quite enough evidence to ask for his arrest for conspiring to murder -you at Woodford. That reminds me, by the way. You're not likely to -be troubled with your South American friends again for a little -while--they got away on the _New York City_ this morning. I can have -them collared the other side, if we want them, of course; but, on the -whole, I thought it best to let them go." - -I nodded my approval. "We shall miss them," I said, "shan't we, -Billy? Still, the best of friends must part." - -"They must," agreed Gordon, pulling out his watch. "I'm due to speak -in the House at five forty-five, and it's ten to six now." - -He hastily picked up his hat and gloves. "Good-bye," he added, -shaking hands all round. "Come and see me at my chambers at -ten-thirty to-morrow, and we'll straighten things out a little. Till -then,"--his eyes twinkled,--"well, try and keep out of mischief as -much as possible." - -"Fifty thousand pounds!" exclaimed Billy, as the door closed behind -him. "Good Lord! Give me some more tea; I feel quite giddy." - -Mercia poured him out another cup, which he gulped down in silence. - -"Fifty thousand pounds," I repeated. "It's a sobering sum, isn't it?" - -"Sobering!" gasped Billy. "It's--it's--" Words failed him -completely. - -"Well, come along," I said, jumping up from my chair. "Let's get -back to Park Lane and see what's happening there. We've all sorts of -things to do before dinner." - -"All sorts of things to do?" echoed Billy reprovingly. "My dear -Jack, you forget yourself: you are now one of the idle rich." - -"Not quite, Billy," I said; "there's a lot of dust to sweep up yet. -We'll start by paying for tea." - -I rang the bell and settled my bill, giving the waiter a tip that -made his hair curl. It pleased me to be able to pass on something of -my own emotions. - -We then went down into the hall, where a porter hurried off to inform -our faithful driver, who by my instructions was refreshing himself -somewhere in the hotel. A minute later, the Rolls-Royce drew up -outside the door. - -"Lammersfield House, Park Lane," I said. - -Billy settled himself back luxuriously, facing me. "And to think," -he murmured, "that ten days ago we were dining at Parelli's." - -"To-night," I said, "we'll all three dine at Park Lane. What do you -say, Mercia?" - -Mercia nodded her head gravely. Ever since Gordon's revelations she -had been curiously silent. - -"That's to say, if there's anyone in the house," I went on, "It's -more than likely that both the women have cleared out by now, and -Heaven knows what's happened to Milford." - -"Well, we shall soon see," remarked Billy consolingly. "In any case, -you can ring up Harrod's and tell them to send some food along. -That's the best of being a millionaire." - -Mercia laid her hand on my sleeve. "I must let the Tregattocks know -I am safe," she said. "They will be anxious about me. You see, I -have been away ever since breakfast." - -"Better send them a wire," I suggested, "saying that you'll be back -by ten. We could ring them up, of course, only it's rather an -impossible situation to explain over the telephone." - -Gliding round the corner of Piccadilly and Park Lane, the big car -swept forward for a hundred yards, and then drew up noiselessly -outside Lammersfield House. By now, the fact that I was for the -moment the most notorious person in England had gone clean out of my -head. This lapse of memory nearly led to a regrettable incident, for -as I jumped out to hold the door open for Mercia, a young man in a -blue suit, who was standing on the pavement, made a sudden dash -towards us. With a warning cry to Billy, I whipped back my fist -ready to strike, and the stranger checked himself abruptly just out -of distance. - -"I say, I'm--I'm awfully sorry," he stammered. "I bey your pardon, -Mr. Burton. The fact is"--here he began to feel in his pocket--"I am -representing the _Daily Wire_. 'Fraid I gave you a bit of a -surprise." - -"It was nothing," I said, "to the surprise I nearly gave you." - -"If you could spare me a few minutes--" he began eagerly. - -"Look here," I said, "I'm busy now--I've got some friends with me. -Come back in half an hour, and we'll have a chat." - -He looked at me sharply as though to see whether I were telling him -the truth, and then, apparently satisfied with the truthfulness of my -countenance, began to express his thanks. - -"It's no business of mine," he added tentatively, "but I suppose you -know Mr. Furnivall is in the house?" - -"What!" I almost shouted. - -"Yes," he said. "I was really sent to interview him, but he declines -to see any pressmen." - -"Does he!" I said. "Well, if you wait here a minute or so, perhaps I -might persuade him to change his mind." - -"This," broke in Billy, softly rubbing his hands together, "just -completes our day." - -I turned to Mercia. "Don't be afraid, dear," I said. "There's not -going to be any more bloodshed." - -She smiled faintly. "I am not afraid," she answered. "One does not -fight with men of his sort. He is a coward and a traitor. He sold -Prado to the League, and he would have killed you when you were at -Ashton." - -I nodded my head. "I know, Mercia," I said sadly. "It's on these -very points we are going to remonstrate with him." - -I led the way up the steps, and then with my hands on the bell I -paused. - -"By Jove, Billy!" I said. "I suppose Maurice still thinks he's come -into all Prado's money." - -"You bet he does," chuckled Billy. - -I gave a joyous peal at the bell, and in a few moments the door -opened, and I found myself face to face with the pretty housemaid. - -She uttered a low exclamation of surprise and delight. "Oh, sir!" -she cried, "you've come back, you've come back!" - -"Of course I have," I said. "I told you I should, and I often speak -the truth." - -She stepped back to make room for us, and we passed through into the -farther hall. - -"Where's Mr. Furnivall?" I asked. - -She opened the inner door. "Mr. Furnivall--" she began, and then she -stopped short; for there, at the foot of the staircase, stood Maurice -himself, staring at me with an expression in which amazement, hatred, -and fear were very evenly blended. - -Some idea of bolting must have passed through his mind, for I saw him -make a quick half-turn towards the banisters. Then I suppose the -futility of the proceeding struck him, for with a big effort he -regained his self-control, and advanced towards us with an -ill-assumed air of dignity. - -"I should have imagined," he said, "that this was the last place you -would have had the impertinence to come to!" - -I looked at him for a minute, with a slightly thoughtful smile. - -"My dear Maurice," I said at last, "if you only had a little more -courage, you'd be a really remarkable rascal. As it is--" I -shrugged my shoulders and began to walk towards him. - -He turned pale and stepped back. - -"If you attempt to make any disturbance here--" he began. - -"Oh, shut up!" I said good-humouredly, and reaching forward I caught -him by the collar. - -He squirmed furiously. "Send for the police," he bellowed, "send for -the police!" - -"You can send for the whole British Army, if you like," I observed, -shaking him into something like silence. "Now listen to me, Maurice. -Your cousin may have been a scoundrel, but, at all events, he trusted -you, and you sold him--sold him like the dirty little Judas Iscariot -you are. Besides that, you did your best to get me murdered." - -"It's not true," he gurgled. - -"Yes, it is," I replied. "Don't contradict me, or I shall get -annoyed. Not only did you try to have me murdered at Ashton, but you -told the most unblushing lies about me to the police." Here I lifted -him up and shook him again till his teeth rattled. "Now, Maurice," I -added, "people who behave to me like that are asking for trouble. -Guarez has got it, Rojas has got it, and I've just been squaring -matters with our mutual friend Sangatte." - -"Look here," he gasped, "you're mistaken; on my honour you are. It's -no good being violent. If you want money--" - -He paused. - -"Well?" I said grimly. - -"I'll--I'll give you a cheque; and you can clear out and start fresh." - -"Billy," I said, "just open that hall door, will you?" - -Then I jerked my prisoner round, so that I could see his face. - -"You appear to be under a slight misapprehension, Maurice," I said. -"In the first place, you are not Prado's heir; and in the second, I -don't happen to be in need of money." - -Tightening my grip on his collar, I moved him slowly backwards across -the hall towards the front door. - -"What are you going to do?" he wailed. - -"If I did my duty," I said pleasantly, "I should wring your neck. As -I don't want to hurt your Aunt Mary's feelings, however, I'm merely -going to throw you out of the house." - -He writhed and twisted like a freshly landed eel, but step by step I -shoved him inexorably backwards towards the door which Billy was -holding open. In moments of great bodily stress the most carefully -assumed refinement is apt to be dissipated, and I regret to say that -Maurice's language would have disgraced a cow-puncher. I don't think -Mercia minded in the least,--fortunately, she is not that sort,--but -his confounded cheek at using it in front of her lent an additional -stimulus to my efforts. - -On the threshold we paused for a strenuous second or so, while I -swung him round so that he could obtain a full view of his -destination. Then with a mighty thrust, and one swift, -accurately-planted kick, I sent him hurtling down the steps and out -into the gutter. - -"So perish all traitors," observed Billy's voice. - -Maurice, who had fallen full length in the mud, slowly scrambled to -his feet. The mixture of pain and fury in his face would have been -funny if it had not been so repulsive. He was choking with emotion, -but before he could recover himself sufficiently to get any of it -out, he was suddenly accosted by the intensely interested -representative of the _Daily Wire_, who had been watching his exit -with a kind of paralysed fascination. - -I suppose it is annoying to be asked for an interview under such -circumstances; still, no irritation could excuse the stream of -blasphemy with which Maurice turned upon his interrogator. For a -moment, the latter was too astounded to reply; then, getting his -chance, as Maurice paused for breath, he began to keep his end up -with a vigour and resource that only the literary temperament can -command. - -Feeling that this dialogue was unsuitable both for Mercia and for my -pretty housemaid, I was just stepping back to close the door when a -voice that I had good reason for remembering suddenly cut into the -uproar. - -"If you don't stop using that language and clear out of here -immediately, I shall call the police. You ought to be ashamed of -yourselves, gentlemen, brawling like this in Park Lane!" - -It was Milford--the redoubtable Milford! Even if I had not -recognised the tone, I should have guessed who it was speaking from -the sentiments. - -At the sound of his rebuke, the exchange of compliments stopped -abruptly. Maurice, who apparently realised that he had been making -an ass of himself, looked round wildly to find some way of escape -from the rapidly increasing fringe of spectators. There was a taxi -on the farther side of the road, the driver of which had drawn up to -watch the fun. Walking across, Maurice gave the man some directions, -and then, without so much as a glance back at the house, jumped -inside and slammed the door. The next moment he was bowling off up -the street. - -I looked round for Milford, but he was already disappearing down the -area steps. Closing the front door, I turned to the pretty -housemaid, who had taken refuge behind the umbrella-stand. - -"Ellen," I said, "Milford's coming in down below. You might send him -straight up." - -"Yes, sir," she gasped, and abandoning her hiding-place, she hurried -off across the hall. - -Billy took a deep breath. "I call this living," he remarked -contentedly. "Fancy Milford turning up like that!" - -"If ever a man had the dramatic instinct," I said, "Milford has." - -The words had hardly passed when the door at the back of the hall -opened and my incomparable retainer stood before us. - -He looked all round, and then bowed gravely. "May I be permitted to -welcome you back, sir? I regret I was not here to receive you." - -I stepped forward, and held out my hand. "Milford," I said, "I'm not -much good at thanking people, but"--then I paused--"well, I'm very -grateful," I finished heartily. - -He accepted my hand with a kind of apologetic movement. "Not at all, -sir. Only too glad to have been of any assistance. May I say how -pleased I am to learn that Mr. Northcote has made you his heir? I -presume, sir, that explains Mr. Furnivall's--" He waved a -significant hand towards the street. - -"That," I said, "and a kick behind." - -Milford nodded gravely. - -"A bad lot, sir--a very bad lot. I always warned Mr. Northcote -against him." - -"Milford," I said, "I don't know how things are here, but do you -think, if we rung up Harrod's or Gunter's or someone, that you could -manage a little dinner for three at, say, eight o'clock? Miss Solano -and Mr. Logan have been through the whole business with me, and we -want to celebrate its success." - -A smile of professional pride stole across Milford's face. -"Certainly, sir," he replied, with a bow. "Everything shall be ready -at eight o'clock; you may rely on that, sir." - -"You're staying here, of course, Billy," I said, as Milford -disappeared. - -"Rather," said Billy. "You don't suppose I'm going to leave you now -you've got fifty thousand? I'll just run down in a cab to my old -digs, and fetch my traps before dinner." - -"Right you are, Billy," I laughed. "And you might send the wire to -Lady Tregattock at the same time." - -* * * * * * * * * - -We are standing in the very room where, ten days before, that -midnight bullet had so nearly ended my adventures. - -"Mercia," I said, "my own sweet Mercia," and taking her hands, I drew -them up on to my shoulders, and gazed down into her dear, upturned -face. - -I think she guessed what was in my mind, for she looked round at the -curtain with a little shudder. - -"Ah!" she whispered, "if I had killed you--" - -"At least," I said, with a twinkle in my eyes, "it would have saved -Sangatte's good looks." Then I bent forward and gently kissed those -soft, sorrowful lips that I loved so well. - -"Mercia," I said, "I know what you are thinking about this money of -Prado's. I know that it was wrung and tortured out of your father's -friends and followers, and that you would starve rather than benefit -in any way by their sufferings." - -"Yes, yes," she whispered; "I knew you would understand." - -"Dearest," I said gently, "we will take it as a trust--you and I and -Billy. God knows how much misery and suffering Prado caused, but -over in Bolivia there's gold enough to undo even his work. It was -Manuel Solano who saved San Luca: it shall be Solano's daughter who -will save her again." - -With a little cry of joy, Mercia seized my hand, and before I could -stop her, raised it to her lips. - -It took me at least five minutes to satisfy myself that this -incorrect procedure had been properly atoned for. - - - -THE END - - - - - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ANOTHER MAN'S SHOES *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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