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diff --git a/old/7bxtr10.txt b/old/7bxtr10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e6f4976 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/7bxtr10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8170 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Jennie Baxter, Journalist, by Robert Barr + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Jennie Baxter, Journalist + +Author: Robert Barr + +Release Date: November, 2005 [EBook #9300] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on September 18, 2003] +[Date last updated: October 14, 2004] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JENNIE BAXTER, JOURNALIST *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, David Widger and PG Distributed +Proofreaders from images generously made available by the Canadian +Institute for Historical Microreproductions + + + + +JENNIE BAXTER JOURNALIST + +BY + +ROBERT BARR + + +Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the +year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine. + + + +CONTENTS + +I. JENNIE MAKES HER TOILETTE AND THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A PORTER + +II. JENNIE HAS IMPORTANT CONFERENCES WITH TWO IMPORTANT EDITORS + +III. JENNIE INTERVIEWS A FRIGHTENED OFFICIAL + +IV. JENNIE LEARNS ABOUT THE DIAMONDS OF THE PRINCESS + +V. JENNIE MEETS A GREAT DETECTIVE + +VI. JENNIE SOLVES THE DIAMOND MYSTERY + +VII. JENNIE ARRANGES A CINDERELLA VISIT + +VIII. JENNIE MIXES WITH THE ELITE OF EARTH + +IX. JENNIE REALIZES THAT GREAT EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEHIND + +X. JENNIE ASSISTS IN SEARCHING FOR HERSELF + +XI. JENNIE ELUDES AN OFFER OF MARRIAGE + +XII. JENNIE TOUCHES THE EDGE OF A GOVERNMENT SECRET + +XIII. JENNIE INDULGES IN TEA AND GOSSIP + +XIV. JENNIE BECOMES A SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER + +XV. JENNIE BESTOWS INFORMATION UPON THE CHIEF OF POLICE + +XVI. JENNIE VISITS A MODERN WIZARD IN HIS MAGIC ATTIC + +XVII. JENNIE ENGAGES A ROOM IN A SLEEPING-CAR + +XVIII. JENNIE ENDURES A TERRIBLE NIGHT JOURNEY + +XIX. JENNIE EXPERIENCES THE SURPRISE OF HER LIFE + +XX. JENNIE CONVERSES WITH A YOUNG MAN SHE THINKS MUCH OF + +XXI. JENNIE KEEPS STEP WITH THE WEDDING MARCH + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +JENNIE MAKES HER TOILETTE AND THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A PORTER. + + +Miss Jennie Baxter, with several final and dainty touches that put to +rights her hat and dress--a little pull here and a pat there--regarded +herself with some complacency in the large mirror that was set before +her, as indeed she had every right to do, for she was an exceedingly +pretty girl. It is natural that handsome young women should attire +themselves with extra care, and although Jennie would have been +beautiful under any conceivable condition of dress, she nevertheless did +not neglect the arraying of herself becomingly on that account. All that +was remarkable on this occasion consisted in the fact that she took more +than usual pains to make herself presentable, and it must be admitted +that the effect was as attractive as anyone could wish to have it. Her +appearance was enough to send a friend into ecstasies, or drive an enemy +to despair. + +Jennie's voluminous hair, without being exactly golden, was--as the +poets might term it--the colour of ripe corn, and was distractingly +fluffy at the temples. Her eyes were liquidly, bewitchingly black, of +melting tenderness, and yet, upon occasion, they would harden into +piercing orbs that could look right through a man, and seem to fathom +his innermost thoughts. A smooth, creamy complexion, with a touch of red +in the cheeks, helped to give this combination of blonde and brunette an +appearance so charmingly striking that it may be easily understood she +was not a girl to be passed by with a single glance. Being so favoured +by nature, Jennie did not neglect the aid of art, and it must be +admitted that most of her income was expended in seeing that her +wardrobe contained the best that Paris could supply; and the best in +this instance was not necessarily the most expensive--at least not as +expensive as such supplementing might have been to an ordinary woman, +for Jennie wrote those very readable articles on the latest fashionable +gowns which have appeared in some of the ladies' weeklies, and it was +generally supposed that this fact did not cause her own replenishing +from the _modistes_ she so casually mentioned in her writings to be more +expensive than her purse could afford. Be that as it may, Miss Baxter +was always most becomingly attired, and her whole effect was so +entrancing that men have been known to turn in the street as she passed, +and murmur, "By Jove!" a phrase that, when you take into account the +tone in which it is said, represents the furthermost point of admiration +which the limited vocabulary of a man about town permits him to utter; +and it says something for the honesty of Jennie's black eyes, and the +straightforwardness of her energetic walk, that none of these momentary +admirers ever turned and followed her. + +On this occasion Miss Jennie had paid more than usual attention to her +toilette, for she was about to set out to capture a man, and the man was +no other than Radnor Hardwick, the capable editor of the _Daily Bugle_, +which was considered at that moment to be the most enterprising morning +journal in the great metropolis. Miss Baxter had done work for some +of the evening papers, several of the weeklies, and a number of the +monthlies, and the income she made was reasonably good, but hazardously +fitful. There was an uncertainty about her mode of life which was +displeasing to her, and she resolved, if possible, to capture an editor +on one of the morning papers, and get a salary that was fixed and +secure. That it should be large was a matter of course, and pretty Miss +Jennie had quite enough confidence in herself to believe she would earn +every penny of it. Quite sensibly, she depended upon her skill and her +industry as her ultimate recommendation to a large salary, but she was +woman enough to know that an attractive appearance might be of some +assistance to her in getting a hearing from the editor, even though he +should prove on acquaintance to be a man of iron, which was tolerably +unlikely. She glanced at the dainty little watch attached to her +wristlet, and saw that it lacked a few minutes of five. She knew the +editor came to his office shortly after three, and remained there until +six or half-past, when he went out to dine, returning at ten o'clock, or +earlier, when the serious work of arranging next day's issue began. She +had not sent a note to him, for she knew if she got a reply it would be +merely a request for particulars as to the proposed interview, and she +had a strong faith in the spoken word, as against that which is written. +At five o'clock the editor would have read his letters, and would +probably have seen most of those who were waiting for him, and +Miss Baxter quite rightly conjectured that this hour would be more +appropriate for a short conversation than when he was busy with his +correspondence, or immersed in the hard work of the day, as he would be +after ten o'clock at night. She had enough experience of the world to +know that great matters often depend for their success on apparent +trivialities, and the young woman had set her mind on becoming a member +of the _Daily Bugle_ staff. + +She stepped lightly into the hansom that was waiting for her, and said +to the cabman, "Office of the _Daily Bugle_, please; side entrance." + +The careful toilette made its first impression upon the surly-looking +Irish porter, who, like a gruff and faithful watch-dog, guarded the +entrance to the editorial rooms of the _Bugle_. He was enclosed in a +kind of glass-framed sentry-box, with a door at the side, and a small +arched aperture that was on a level with his face as he sat on a high +stool. He saw to it, not too politely, that no one went up those stairs +unless he had undoubted right to do so. When he caught a glimpse of Miss +Baxter, he slid off the stool and came out of the door to her, which +was an extraordinary concession to a visitor, for Pat Ryan contented +himself, as a usual thing, by saying curtly that the editor was busy, +and could see no one. + +"What did you wish, miss? To see the editor? That's Mr. Hardwick. Have +ye an appointment with him? Ye haven't; then I very much doubt if ye'll +see him this day, mum. It's far better to write to him, thin ye can +state what ye want, an' if he makes an appointment there'll be no +throuble at all, at all." + +"But why should there be any trouble now?" asked Miss Baxter. "The +editor is here to transact business, just as you are at the door to do +the same. I have come on business, and I want to see him. Couldn't you +send up my name to Mr. Hardwick, and tell him I will keep him but a few +moments?" + +"Ah, miss, that's what they all say; they ask for a few moments an' they +shtay an hour. Not that there'd be any blame to an editor if he kept you +as long as he could. An' it's willing I'd be to take up your name, but +I'm afraid that it's little good it 'ud be after doin' ye. There's more +than a dozen men in the waitin'-room now, an' they've been there for +the last half-hour. Not a single one I've sent up has come down again." + +"But surely," said Miss Jennie, in her most coaxing tone, "there must be +some way to see even such a great man as the editor, and if there is, +you know the way." + +"Indade, miss, an' I'm not so sure there is a way, unless you met him in +the strate, which is unlikely. As I've told ye, there's twelve men now +waitin' for him in the big room. Beyont that room there's another one, +an' beyont that again is Mr. Hardwick's office. Now, it's as much as my +place is worth, mum, to put ye in that room beyont the one where the +men are waitin'; but, to tell you the truth, miss," said the Irishman, +lowering his voice, as if he were divulging office secrets, "Mr. +Hardwick, who is a difficult man to deal with, sometimes comes through +the shmall room, and out into the passage whin he doesn't want to see +anyone at all, at all, and goes out into the strate, leavin' everybody +waitin' for him. Now I'll put ye into this room, and if the editor tries +to slip out, then ye can speak with him; but if he asks ye how ye got +there, for the sake of hiven don't tell him I sint ye, because that's +not my duty at all, at all." + +"Indeed, I won't tell him how I got there; or, rather, I'll say I came +there by myself; so all you need to do is to show me the door, and there +won't need to be any lies told. + +"True for ye, an' a very good idea. Well, miss, then will ye just come +up the stairs with me? It's the fourth door down the passage." + +Miss Jennie beamed upon the susceptible Irishman a look of such melting +gratitude that the man, whom bribery had often attempted to corrupt in +vain, was her slave for ever after. They went up the stairs together, at +the head of which the porter stood while Miss Baxter went down the long +passage and stopped at the right door; Ryan nodded and disappeared. + +Miss Baxter opened the door softly and entered. She found the room not +too brilliantly lighted, containing a table and several chairs. The door +to the right hand, which doubtless led into the waiting-room, where the +dozen men were patiently sitting, was closed. The opposite door, which +led into Mr. Hardwick's office, was partly open. Miss Baxter sat down +near the third door, the one by which she had entered from the passage, +ready to intercept the flying editor, should he attempt to escape. + +In the editor's room someone was walking up and down with heavy +footfall, and growling in a deep voice that was plainly audible where +Miss Jennie sat. "You see, Alder, it's like this," said the voice. "Any +paper may have a sensation every day, if it wishes; but what I want is +accuracy, otherwise our sheet has no real influence. When an article +appears in the _Bugle_, I want our readers to understand that that +article is true from beginning to end. I want not only sensation, but +definiteness and not only definiteness, but absolute truth." + +"Well, Mr. Hardwick," interrupted another voice--the owner of which was +either standing still or sitting in a chair, so far as Miss Baxter could +judge by the tone, while the editor uneasily paced to and fro--"what +Hazel is afraid of is that when this blows over he will lose his +situation--" + +"But," interjected the editor, "no one can be sure that he gave the +information. No one knows anything about this but you and I, and we will +certainly keep our mouths shut." + +"What Hazel fears is that the moment we print the account, the Board of +Public Construction will know he gave away the figures, because of their +accuracy. He says that if we permit him to make one or two blunders, +which will not matter in the least in so far as the general account +goes, it will turn suspicion from him. It will be supposed that someone +had access to the books, and in the hurry of transcribing figures +had made the blunders, which they know he would not do, for he has a +reputation for accuracy." + +"Quite so," said the editor; "and it is just that reputation--for +accuracy--that I want to gain for the _Daily Bugle_. Don't you think the +truth of it is that the man wants more money?" + +"Who? Hazel?" + +"Certainly. Does he imagine that he could get more than fifty pounds +elsewhere?" + +"Oh, no; I'm sure the money doesn't come into the matter at all. Of +course he wants the fifty pounds, but he doesn't want to lose his +situation on the Board of Public Construction in the getting of it." + +"Where do you meet this man, at his own house, or in his office at the +Board?" + +"Oh, in his own house, of course." + +"You haven't seen the books, then?" + +"No; but he has the accounts all made out, tabulated beautifully, and +has written a very clear statement of the whole transaction. You +understand, of course, that there has been no defalcation, no +embezzlement, or anything of that sort. The accounts as a whole +balance perfectly, and there isn't a penny of the public funds wrongly +appropriated. All the Board has done is to juggle with figures so that +each department seems to have come out all right, whereas the truth is +that some departments have been carried on at a great profit, while with +others there has been a loss. The object obviously has been to deceive +the public and make it think that all the departments are economically +conducted." + +"I am sorry money hasn't been stolen," said the editor generously, "then +we would have had them on the hip; but, even as it is, the _Bugle_ will +make a great sensation. What I fear is that the opposition press will +seize on those very inaccuracies, and thus try to throw doubt on the +whole affair. Don't you think that you can persuade this person to let +us have the information intact, without the inclusion of those blunders +he seems to insist on? I wouldn't mind paying him a little more money, +if that is what he is after." + +"I don't think that is his object. The truth is, the man is frightened, +and grows more and more so as the day for publication approaches. He is +so anxious about his position that he insisted he was not to be paid by +cheque, but that I should collect the money and hand it over to him in +sovereigns." + +"Well, I'll tell you what to do, Alder. We mustn't seem too eager. Let +the matter rest where it is until Monday. I suppose he expects you to +call upon him again to-day?" + +"Yes; I told him I should be there at seven." + +"Don't go, and don't write any explanation. Let him transfer a little of +his anxiety to the fear of losing his fifty pounds. I want, if possible, +to publish this information with absolute accuracy." + +"Is there any danger, Mr. Hardwick, that some of the other papers may +get on the track of this?" + +"No, I don't think so; not for three days, anyway. If we appear too +eager, this man Hazel may refuse us altogether." + +"Very good, sir." + +Miss Baxter heard the editor stop in his walk, and she heard the +rustling of paper, as if the subordinate were gathering up some +documents on which he had been consulting his chief. She was +panic-stricken to think that either of the men might come out and find +her in the position of an eavesdropper, so with great quietness she +opened the door and slipped out into the hall, going from there to the +entrance of the ordinary waiting-room, in which she found, not the +twelve men that the porter had expatiated upon, but five. Evidently the +other seven had existed only in the porter's imagination, or had become +tired of waiting and had withdrawn. The five looked up at her as she +entered and sat down on a chair near the door. A moment later the door +communicating with the room she had quitted opened, and a clerk came in. +He held two or three slips of paper in his hand, and calling out a name, +one of the men rose. + +"Mr. Hardwick says," spoke up the clerk, "that this matter is in Mr. +Alder's department; would you mind seeing him? Room number five." + +So that man was thus got rid of. The clerk mentioned another name, and +again a man rose. + +"Mr. Hardwick," the clerk said, "has the matter under consideration. +Call again to-morrow at this hour, then he will give you his decision." + +That got rid of number two. The third man was asked to leave his name +and address; the editor would write to him. Number four was told that +if he would set down his proposition in writing, and send it in to Mr. +Hardwick, it would have that gentleman's serious consideration. The +fifth man was not so easily disposed of. He insisted upon seeing the +editor, and presently disappeared inside with the clerk. Miss Baxter +smiled at the rapid dispersion of the group, for it reminded her of the +rhyme about the one little, two little, three little nigger-boys. But +all the time there kept running through her mind the phrase, "Board of +Public Construction," and the name, "Hazel." + +After a few minutes, the persistent man who had insisted upon seeing the +editor came through the general waiting-room, the secretary, or clerk, +or whoever he was, following him. + +"Has your name been sent in, madam?" the young man asked Miss Baxter, as +she rose. "I think not," answered the girl. "Would you take my card to +Mr. Hardwick, and tell him I will detain him but a few moments?" + +In a short time the secretary reappeared, and held the door open for +her. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +JENNIE HAS IMPORTANT CONFERENCES WITH TWO IMPORTANT EDITORS. + + +Mr. Hardwick was a determined-looking young man of about thirty-five, +with a bullet head and closely-cropped black hair. He looked like a +stubborn, strong-willed person, and Miss Baxter's summing up of him was +that he had not the appearance of one who could be coaxed or driven +into doing anything he did not wish to do. He held her card between his +fingers, and glanced from it to her, then down to the card again. + +"Good afternoon, Mr. Hardwick," began Miss Baxter. "I don't know that +you have seen any of my work, but I have written a good deal for some of +the evening papers and for several of the magazines." + +"Yes," said Hardwick, who was standing up preparatory to leaving his +office, and who had not asked the young woman to sit down; "your name is +familiar to me. You wrote, some months since, an account of a personal +visit to the German Emperor; I forget now where it appeared." + +"Oh, yes," said Miss Baxter; "that was written for the _Summer +Magazine_, and was illustrated by photographs." + +"It struck me," continued Hardwick, without looking at her, "that it was +an article written by a person who had never seen the German Emperor, +but who had collected and assimilated material from whatever source +presented itself." + +The young woman, in nowise abashed, laughed; but still the editor did +not look up. + +"Yes," she admitted, "that is precisely how it was written. I never have +had the pleasure of meeting William II. myself." + +"What I have always insisted upon in work submitted to me," growled the +editor in a deep voice, "is absolute accuracy. I take it that you have +called to see me because you wish to do some work for this paper." + +"You are quite right in that surmise also," answered Miss Jennie. +"Still, if I may say so, there was nothing inaccurate in my article +about the German Emperor. My compilation was from thoroughly authentic +sources, so I maintain it was as truthfully exact as anything that has +ever appeared in the _Bugle_." + +"Perhaps our definitions of truth might not quite coincide. However, if +you will write your address on this card I will wire you if I have any +work--that is, any outside work--which I think a woman can do. The +woman's column of the _Bugle_, as you are probably aware, is already in +good hands." + +Miss Jennie seemed annoyed that all her elaborate preparations were +thrown away on this man, who never raised his eyes nor glanced at her, +except once, during their conversation. + +"I do not aspire," she said, rather shortly, "to the position of editor +of a woman's column. I never read a woman's column myself, and, unlike +Mr. Grant Allen, I never met a woman who did." + +She succeeded in making the editor lift his eyes towards her for the +second time. + +"Neither do I intend to leave you my address so that you may send a wire +to me if you have anything that you think I can do. What I wish is a +salaried position on your staff." + +"My good woman," said the editor brusquely, "that is utterly impossible. +I may tell you frankly that I don't believe in women journalists. The +articles we publish by women are sent to this office from their own +homes. Anything that a woman can do for a newspaper I have men who will +do quite as well, if not better; and there are many things that women +can't do at all which men must do. I am perfectly satisfied with my +staff as it stands, Miss Baxter." + +"I think it is generally admitted," said the young woman, "that your +staff is an exceptionally good one, and is most capably led. Still, I +should imagine that there are many things happening in London, society +functions, for instance, where a woman would describe more accurately +what she saw than any man you could send. You have no idea how full of +blunders a man's account of women's dress is as a general rule, and if +you admire accuracy as much as you say, I should think you would not +care to have your paper made a laughing-stock among society ladies, who +never take the trouble to write you a letter and show you where you are +wrong, as men usually do when some mistake regarding their affairs is +made." + +"There is probably something in what you say," replied the editor, with +an air of bringing the discussion to a close. "I don't insist that I am +right, but these are my ideas, and while I am editor of this paper I +shall stand by them, so it is useless for us to discuss the matter +any further, Miss Baxter. I will not have a woman as a member of the +permanent staff of the _Bugle_." + +For the third time he looked up at her, and there was dismissal in his +glance. + +Miss Baxter said indignantly to herself, "This brute of a man hasn't the +slightest idea that I am one of the best dressed women he has ever met." + +But there was no trace of indignation in her voice when she said to him +sweetly, "We will take that as settled. But if upon some other paper, +Mr. Hardwick, I should show evidence of being as good a newspaper +reporter as any member of your staff, may I come up here, and, without +being kept waiting too long, tell you of my triumph?" + +"You would not shake my decision," he said. + +"Oh, don't say that," she murmured, with a smile. "I am sure you +wouldn't like it if anyone called you a fool." + +"Called me a fool?" said the editor sharply, drawing down his dark +brows. "I shouldn't mind it in the least." + +"What, not if it were true? You know it would be true, if I could do +something that all your clever men hadn't accomplished. An editor may +be a very talented man, but, after all, his mission is to see that his +paper is an interesting one, and that it contains, as often as possible, +something which no other sheet does." + +"Oh, I'll see to that," Mr. Hardwick assured her with resolute +confidence. + +"I am certain you will," said Miss Baxter very sweetly; "but now you +won't refuse to let me in whenever I send up my card? I promise you that +I shall not send it until I have done something which will make the +whole staff of the _Daily Bugle_ feel very doleful indeed." + +For the first time Mr. Hardwick gave utterance to a somewhat harsh and +mirthless laugh. + +"Oh, very well," he said, "I'll promise that." + +"Thank you! And good afternoon, Mr. Hardwick. I am _so_ much obliged +to you for consenting to see me. I shall call upon you at this hour +to-morrow afternoon." + +There was something of triumph in her smiling bow to him, and as she +left she heard a long whistle of astonishment in Mr. Hardwick's room. +She hurried down the stairs, threw a bewitching glance at the Irish +porter, who came out of his den and whispered to her,-- + +"It's all right, is it, mum?" + +"More than all right," she answered. "Thank you very much indeed for +your kindness." + +The porter preceded her out to the waiting hansom and held his arm so +that her skirt would not touch the wheel. + +"Drive quickly to the Cafe Royal," she said to the cabman. + +When the hansom drew up in front of the Cafe Royal, Miss Jennie Baxter +did not step put of it, but waited until the stalwart servitor in gold +lace, who ornamented the entrance, hurried from the door to the vehicle. +"Do you know Mr. Stoneham?" she asked with suppressed excitement, "the +editor of the _Evening Graphite_? He is usually here playing dominoes +with somebody about this hour." + +"Oh yes, I know him," was the reply. "I think he is inside at this +moment, but I will make certain." + +In a short time Mr. Stoneham himself appeared, looking perhaps a trifle +disconcerted at having his whereabouts so accurately ascertained. + +"What a blessing it is," said Miss Jennie, with a laugh, "that we poor +reporters know where to find our editors in a case of emergency." + +"This is no case of emergency, Miss Baxter," grumbled Stoneham. "If it's +news, you ought to know that it is too late to be of any use for us +to-day." + +"Ah, yes," was the quick reply, "but what excellent time I am in with +news for to-morrow!" + +"If a man is to live a long life," growled the disturbed editor, "he +must allow to-morrow's news to look after itself. Sufficient for the day +are the worries thereof." + +"As a general rule that is true," assented the girl, "but I have a most +important piece of information for you that wouldn't wait, and in half +an hour from now you will be writing your to-morrow's leader, showing +forth in terse and forcible language the many iniquities of the Board of +Public Construction." + +"Oh," cried the editor, brightening, "if it is anything to the discredit +of the Board of Public Construction, I am glad you came." + +"Well, that's not a bit complimentary to me. You should be glad in any +case; but I'll forgive your bad manners, as I wish you to help me. +Please step into this hansom, because I have most startling intelligence +to impart--news that must not be overheard; and there is no place so +safe for a confidential conference as in a hansom driving through the +streets of London. Drive slowly towards the _Evening Graphite_ office," +she said to the cabman, pushing up the trap-door in the roof of the +vehicle. Mr. Stoneham took his place beside her, and the cabman turned +his horse in the direction indicated. + +"There is little use in going to the office of the paper," said +Stoneham; "there won't be anybody there but the watchman." + +"I know, but we must go in some direction. We can't talk in front of +the Cafe Royal, you know. Now, Mr. Stoneham, in the first place, I want +fifty golden sovereigns. How am I to get them within half an hour?" + +"Good gracious! I don't know; the banks are all closed, but there is a +man at Charing Cross who would perhaps change a cheque for me; there is +a cheque-book at the office." + +"Then that's all right and settled. Mr. Stoneham, there's been some +juggling with the accounts in the office of the Board of Public +Construction." + +"What! a defalcation?" cried Stoneham eagerly. + +"No; merely a shifting round." + +"Ah," said the editor, in a disappointed tone. + +"Oh, you needn't say 'Ah.' It's very serious; it is indeed. The accounts +are calculated to deceive the dear and confiding public, to whose +interests all the daily papers, morning and evening, pretend to be +devoted. The very fact of such deception being attempted, Mr. Stoneham, +ought to call forth the anger of any virtuous editor." + +"Oh, it does, it does; but then it would be a difficult matter to prove. +If some money were gone, now----" + +"My dear sir, the matter is already proved, and quite ripe for your +energetic handling of it; that's what the fifty pounds are for. This +sum will secure for you--to-night, mind, not to-morrow--a statement +bristling with figures which the Board of Construction cannot deny. You +will be able, in a stirring leading article, to express the horror you +undoubtedly feel at the falsification of the figures, and your stern +delight in doing so will probably not be mitigated by the fact that no +other paper in London will have the news, while the matter will be +so important that next day all your beloved contemporaries will be +compelled to allude to it in some shape or other." + +"I see," said the editor, his eyes glistening as the magnitude of the +idea began to appeal more strongly to his imagination. "Who makes this +statement, and how are we to know that it is absolutely correct?" + +"Well, there is a point on which I wish to inform you before going any +further. The statement is not to be absolutely correct; two or +three errors have been purposely put in, the object being to throw +investigators off the track if they try to discover who gave the news to +the Press; for the man who will sell me this document is a clerk in the +office of the Board of Public Construction. So, you see, you are getting +the facts from the inside." + +"Is he so accustomed to falsifying accounts that he cannot get over the +habit even when preparing an article for the truthful Press?" + +"He wants to save his own situation, and quite rightly too, so he has +put a number of errors in the figures of the department over which +he has direct control. He has a reputation for such accuracy that he +imagines the Board will never think he did it, if the figures pertaining +to his department are wrong even in the slightest degree." + +"Quite so. Then we cannot have the pleasure of mentioning his name, and +saying that this honest man has been corrupted by his association with +the scoundrels who form the Board of Public Construction?" + +"Oh, dear, no; his name must not be mentioned in any circumstances, and +that is why payment is to be made in sovereigns rather than by bank +cheque or notes." + +"Well, the traitor seems to be covering up his tracks rather +effectually. How did you come to know him?" + +"I don't know him. I've never met him in my life; but it came to my +knowledge that one of the morning papers had already made all its plans +for getting this information. The clerk was to receive fifty pounds for +the document, but the editor and he are at present negotiating, because +the editor insists upon absolute accuracy, while, as I said, the man +wishes to protect himself, to cover his tracks, as you remarked." + +"Good gracious!" cried Stoneham, "I didn't think the editor of any +morning paper in London was so particular about the accuracy of what he +printed. The pages of the morning sheets do not seem to reflect that +anxiety." + +"So, you see," continued Miss Jennie, unheeding his satirical comment, +"there is no time to be lost; in fact, I should be on my way now to +where this man lives." + +"Here we are at the office, and I shall just run in and write a cheque +for fifty pounds, which we can perhaps get cashed somewhere," cried the +editor, calling the hansom to a halt and stepping out. + +"Tell the watchman to bring me a London Directory," said the girl, and +presently that useful guardian came out with the huge red volume, which +Miss Baxter placed on her knees, and, with a celerity that comes of long +practice, turned over the leaves rapidly, running her finger quickly +down the H column, in which the name "Hazel" was to be found. At last +she came to one designated as being a clerk in the office of the Board +of Public Construction, and his residence was 17, Rupert Square, +Brixton. She put this address down in her notebook and handed back the +volume to the waiting watchman, as the editor came out with the cheque +in his hand. + +The shrewd and energetic dealer in coins, whose little office stands at +the exit from Charing Cross Station, proved quite willing to oblige the +editor of the _Evening Graphite_ with fifty sovereigns in exchange for +the bit of paper, and the editor, handing to Miss Jennie the envelope +containing the gold, saw her drive off for Brixton, while he turned, not +to resume his game of dominoes at the cafe, but to his office, to write +the leader which would express in good set terms the horror he felt at +the action of the Board of Public Construction. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +JENNIE INTERVIEWS A FRIGHTENED OFFICIAL. + + +It was a little past seven o'clock when Miss Baxter's hansom drove up to +the two-storeyed house in Rupert Square numbered 17. She knocked at the +door, and it was speedily opened by a man with some trace of anxiety on +his clouded face, who proved to be Hazel himself, the clerk at the Board +of Public Construction. "You are Mr. Hazel?" she ventured, on entering. + +"Yes," replied the man, quite evidently surprised at seeing a lady +instead of the man he was expecting at that hour; "but I am afraid I +shall have to ask you to excuse me; I am waiting for a visitor who is a +few minutes late, and who may be here at any moment." + +"You are waiting for Mr. Alder, are you not?" + +"Yes," stammered the man, his expression of surprise giving place to one +of consternation. + +"Oh, well, that is all right," said Miss Jennie, reassuringly. "I have +just driven from the office of the _Daily Bugle_. Mr. Alder cannot come +to-night." + +"Ah," said Hazel, closing the door. "Then are you here in his place?" + +"I am here instead of him. Mr. Alder is on other business that he had to +attend to at the editor's request. Now, Mr. Hardwick--that's the editor, +you know----" + +"Yes, I know," answered Hazel. + +They were by this time seated in the front parlour. + +"Well, Mr. Hardwick is very anxious that the figures should be given +with absolute accuracy." + +"Of course, that would be much better," cried the man; "but, you see, I +have gone thoroughly into the question with Mr. Alder already. He said +he would mention what I told him to the editor--put my position before +him, in fact." + +"Oh, he has done so," said Miss Baxter, "and did it very effectively +indeed; in fact, your reasons are quite unanswerable. You fear, of +course, that you will lose your situation, and that is very important, +and no one in the _Bugle_ office wishes you to suffer for what you have +done. Of course, it is all in the public interest." + +"Of course, of course," murmured Hazel, looking down on the table. + +"Well, have you all the documents ready, so that they can be published +at any time?" + +"Quite ready," answered the man. + +"Very well," said the girl, with decision; "here are your fifty pounds. +Just count the money, and see that it is correct. I took the envelope as +it was handed to me, and have not examined the amount myself." + +She poured the sovereigns out on the table, and Hazel, with trembling +fingers, counted them out two by two. + +"That is quite right," he said, rising. He went to a drawer, unlocked +it, and took out a long blue envelope. + +"There," he said, with a sigh that was almost a gasp. "There are the +figures, and a full explanation of them. You will be very careful that +my name does not slip out in any way." + +"Certainly," said Miss Jennie, coolly drawing forth the papers from +their covering. "No one knows your name except Mr. Alder, Mr. Hardwick, +and myself; and I can assure you that I shall not mention it to anyone." + +She glanced rapidly over the documents. + +"I shall just read what you have written," she said, looking up at him; +"and if there is anything here I do not understand you will, perhaps, +be good enough to explain it now,--and then I won't need to come here +again." + +"Very well," said Hazel. The man had no suspicion that his visitor was +not a member of the staff of the paper he had been negotiating with. She +was so thoroughly self-possessed, and showed herself so familiar with +all details which had been discussed by Alder and himself that not the +slightest doubt had entered the clerk's mind. + +Jennie read the documents with great haste, for she knew she was running +a risk in remaining there after seven o'clock. It might be that Alder +would come to Brixton to let the man know the result of his talk with +the editor, or Mr. Hardwick himself might have changed his mind, and +instructed his subordinate to secure the papers. Nevertheless, there was +no sign of hurry in Miss Jennie's demeanour as she placed the papers +back in their blue envelope and bade the anxious Hazel good-bye. + +Once more in the hansom, she ordered the man to drive her to Charing +Cross, and when she was ten minutes away from Rupert Square she changed +her direction and desired him to take her to the office of the _Evening +Graphite_, where she knew Mr. Stoneham would be busy with his leading +article, and probably impatiently awaiting further details of the +conspiracy he was to lay open before the public. A light was burning in +the editorial rooms of the office of the _Evening Graphite_, always a +suspicious thing in such an establishment, and well calculated to cause +the editor of any rival evening paper to tremble, should he catch a +glimpse of burning gas in a spot where the work of the day should be +finished at latest by five o'clock. Light in the room of the evening +journalist usually indicates that something important is on hand. + +A glance at the papers Miss Baxter brought to him showed Mr. Stoneham +that he had at least got the worth of his fifty pounds. There would be a +fluttering in high places next day. He made arrangements before he +left to have the paper issued a little earlier than was customary, +calculating his time with exactitude, so that rival sheets could not +have the news in their first edition, cribbed from the _Graphite_, +and yet the paper would be on the street, with the newsboys shouting, +"'Orrible scandal," before any other evening journal was visible. +And this was accomplished the following day with a precision truly +admirable. + +Mr. Stoneham, with a craft worthy of all commendation, kept back from +the early issue a small fraction of the figures that were in his +possession, so that he might print them in the so-called fourth edition, +and thus put upon the second lot of contents--bills sent out, in huge, +startling black type, "Further Revelations of the Board of Construction +Scandal;" and his scathing leading article, in which he indignantly +demanded a Parliamentary inquiry into the conduct of the Board, was +recognized, even by the friends of that public body, as having seriously +shaken confidence in it. The reception of the news by the other evening +papers was most flattering. One or two ignored it altogether, others +alluded to it as a rumour, that it "alleged" so and so, and threw doubt +on its truth, which was precisely what Mr. Stoneham wished them to do, +as he was in a position to prove the accuracy of his statement. + +Promptly, at five o'clock that afternoon a hansom containing Miss Jennie +Baxter drove up to the side entrance of the _Daily Bugle_ office, and +the young woman once more accosted the Irish porter, who again came out +of his den to receive her. + +"Miss Baxter?" said the Irishman, half by way of salutation, and half by +way of inquiry. "Yes," said the girl. + +"Well, Mr. Hardwick left strict orders with me that if ye came, or, +rather, that _whin_ ye came, I was to conduct ye right up to his room at +once." + +"Oh, that is very satisfactory," cried Miss Jennie, "and somewhat +different from the state of things yesterday." + +"Indeed, and that's very true," said the porter, his voice sinking. +"To-day is not like yesterday at all, at all. There's been great +ructions in this office, mum; although what it's about, fly away with me +if I know. There's been ruunin' back and forrad, an' a plentiful deal of +language used. The proprietor himself has been here, an' he's here now, +an' Mr. Alder came out a minute ago with his face as white as a sheet of +paper. They do be sayin'," added the porter, still further lowering his +voice, and pausing on the stairway, "that Mr. Hardwick is not goin' to +be the editor any more, but that Mr. Alder is to take his place. Anyway, +as far as I can tell, Mr. Hardwick an' Mr. Alder have had a fine fall +out, an' one or other of them is likely to leave the paper." + +"Oh, dear, oh, dear!" said Miss Jennie, also pausing on the stairs. "Is +it so serious as all that?" + +"Indeed it is, mum, an' we none of us know where we're standin', at all, +at all." + +The porter led the way to Mr. Hardwick's room, and announced the +visitor. + +"Ask her to come in," she heard the editor say, and the next instant the +porter left them alone together. + +"Won't you sit down, Miss Baxter?" said Mr. Hardwick, with no trace of +that anger in his voice which she had expected. "I have been waiting for +you. You said you would be here at five, and I like punctuality. Without +beating round the bush, I suppose I may take it for granted that the +_Evening Graphite_ is indebted to you for what it is pleased to call the +Board of Public Construction scandal?" + +"Yes," said the young woman, seating herself; "I came up to tell you +that I procured for the _Graphite_ that interesting bit of information." + +"So I supposed. My colleague, Henry Alder, saw Hazel this afternoon at +the offices of the Board. The good man Hazel is panic-stricken at the +explosion he has caused, and is in a very nervous state of mind, more +especially when he learned that his documents had gone to an unexpected +quarter. Fortunately for him, the offices of the Board are thronged +with journalists who want to get statements from this man or the other +regarding the exposure, and so the visit of Alder to Hazel was not +likely to be noticed or commented upon. Hazel gave a graphic description +of the handsome young woman who had so cleverly wheedled the documents +from him, and who paid him the exact sum agreed upon in the exact way +that it was to have been paid. Alder had not seen you, and has not the +slightest idea how the important news slipped through his fingers; but +when he told me what had happened, I knew at once you were the goddess +of the machine, therefore I have been waiting for you. May I be +permitted to express the opinion that you didn't play your cards at all +well, Miss Baxter?" + +"No? I think I played my cards very much better than you played yours, +you know." + +"Oh, I am not instituting any comparison, and am not at all setting +myself up as a model of strategy. I admit that, having the right cards +in my hands, I played them exceedingly badly; but then, you understand, +I thought I was sure of an exclusive bit of news." + +"No news is exclusive, Mr. Hardwick, until it is printed, and out in the +streets, and the other papers haven't got it." + +"That is very true, and has all the conciseness of an adage. I would +like to ask, Miss Baxter, how much the _Graphite_ paid you for that +article over and above the fifty pounds you gave to Hazel?" + +"Oh! it wasn't a question of money with me; the subject hasn't even been +discussed. Mr. Stoneham is not a generous paymaster, and that is why I +desire to get on a paper which does not count the cost too closely. What +I wished to do was to convince you that I would be a valuable addition +to the _Bugle_ staff; for you seemed to be of opinion that the staff was +already sufficient and complete." + +"Oh, my staff is not to blame in this matter; I alone am to blame in +being too sure of my ground, and not realizing the danger of delay in +such a case. But if you had brought the document to me, you would have +found me by far your best customer. You would have convinced me quite as +effectually as you have done now that you are a very alert young woman, +and I certainly would have been willing to give you four or five times +as much as the _Graphite_ will be able to pay." + +"To tell the truth, I thought of that as I stood here yesterday, but I +saw you were a very difficult man to deal with or to convince, and I +dared not take the risk of letting you know I had the news. You might +very easily have called in Mr. Alder, told him that Hazel had given up +the documents, and sent him flying to Brixton, where very likely the +clerk has a duplicate set. It would have been too late to get the +sensation into any other morning paper, and, even if it were not too +late, you would have had something about the sensation in the _Bugle_, +and so the victory would not have been as complete as it is now. No, I +could not take such a risk. I thought it all out very carefully." + +"You credit us with more energy, Miss Baxter, than we possess. I can +assure you that if you had come here at ten or eleven o'clock with the +documents, I should have been compelled to purchase them from you. +However, that is all past and done with, and there is no use in our +saying anything more about it. I am willing to take all the blame for +our defeat on my shoulders, but there are some other things I am not +willing to do, and perhaps you are in a position to clear up a little +misunderstanding that has arisen in this office. I suppose I may take it +for granted that you overheard the conversation which took place between +Mr. Alder and myself in this room yesterday afternoon?" + +"Well," said Miss Baxter, for the first time in some confusion, "I can +assure you that I did not come here with the intention of listening to +anything. I came into the next room by myself for the purpose of getting +to see you as soon as possible. While not exactly a member of the staff +of the _Evening Graphite_, that paper nevertheless takes about all the +work I am able to do, and so I consider myself bound to keep my eyes and +ears open on its behalf wherever I am." + +"Oh, I don't want to censure you at all," said Hardwick; "I merely wish +to be certain how the thing was done. As I said, I am willing to take +the blame entirely on my own shoulders. I don't think I should have +made use of information obtained in that way myself; still, I am not +venturing to find fault with you for doing so." + +"To find fault with me!" cried Miss Jennie somewhat warmly, "that would +be the pot calling the kettle black indeed. Why, what better were you? +You were bribing a poor man to furnish you with statistics, which he +was very reluctant to let you have; yet you overcame his scruples with +money, quite willing that he should risk his livelihood, so long as you +got the news. If you ask me, I don't see very much difference in our +positions, and I must say that if two men take the risk of talking aloud +about a secret, with a door open leading to another room, which may be +empty or may be not, then they are two very foolish persons." + +"Oh, quite so, quite so," answered Hardwick soothingly. "I have already +disclaimed the critical attitude. The point I wish to be sure of is +this--you overheard the conversation between Alder and myself?" + +"Yes, I did." + +"Would you be able to repeat it?" + +"I don't know that I could repeat it word for word, but I could +certainly give the gist of it." + +"Would you have any objection to telling a gentleman whom I shall call +in a moment, as nearly as possible what Alder said and what I said? +I may add that the gentleman I speak of is Mr. Hempstead, and he is +practically the proprietor of this paper. There has arisen between Mr. +Alder and myself a slight divergence of memory, if I may call it so, and +it seems that you are the only person who can settle the dispute." + +"I am perfectly willing to tell what I heard to anybody." + +"Thank you." + +Mr. Hardwick pressed an electric button, and his secretary came in from +another room. + +"Would you ask Mr. Hempstead to step this way, if he is in his room?" + +In a few minutes Mr. Hempstead entered, bowed somewhat stiffly towards +the lady, but froze up instantly when he heard that she was the person +who had given the Board of Public Construction scandal to the _Evening +Graphite_. + +"I have just this moment learned, Mr. Hempstead, that Miss Baxter was in +the adjoining room when Alder and I were talking over this matter. She +heard the conversation. I have not asked her to repeat it, but sent for +you at once, and she says she is willing to answer any questions you may +ask." + +"In that case, Mr. Hardwick, wouldn't it be well to have Henry Alder +here?" + +"Certainly, if he is on the premises." Then, turning to his secretary, +he said, "Would you find out if Mr. Alder is in his room? Tell him Mr. +Hempstead wishes to see him here." + +When Henry Alder came in, and the secretary had disappeared, Miss Baxter +saw at once that she was in an unenviable situation, for it was quite +evident the three men were scarcely on speaking terms with each other. +Nothing causes such a state of tension in a newspaper office as the +missing of a piece of news that is important. + +"Perhaps it would be better," suggested Hardwick, "if Miss Baxter would +repeat the conversation as she heard it." + +"I don't see the use of that," said Mr. Hempstead. "There is only one +point at issue. Did Mr. Alder warn Mr. Hardwick that by delay he would +lose the publication of this report?" + +"Hardly that," answered the girl. "As I remember it, he said, 'Isn't +there a danger that some other paper may get this?' Mr. Hardwick +replied, 'I don't think so. Not for three days, at least'; and then Mr. +Alder said, 'Very good,' or 'Very well,' or something like that." + +"That quite tallies with my own remembrance," assented Hardwick. "I +admit I am to blame, but I decidedly say that I was not definitely +warned by Mr. Alder that the matter would be lost to us." + +"I told you it would be lost if you delayed," cried Alder, with the +emphasis of an angry man, "and it _has_ been lost. I have been on the +track of this for two weeks, and it is very galling to have missed it at +the last moment through no fault of my own." + +"Still," said Mr. Hempstead coldly, "your version of the conversation +does not quite agree with what Miss Baxter says." + +"Oh, well," said Alder, "I never pretended to give the exact words. I +warned him, and he did not heed the warning." + +"You admit, then, that Miss Baxter's remembrance of the conversation is +correct?" + +"It is practically correct. I do not 'stickle' about words." + +"But you did stickle about words an hour ago," said Mr. Hempstead, with +some severity. "There is a difference in positively stating that the +item would be lost and in merely suggesting that it might be lost." + +"Oh, have it as you wish," said Alder truculently. "It doesn't matter in +the least to me. It is very provoking to work hard for two weeks, and +then have everything nullified by a foolish decision from the editor. +However, as I have said, it doesn't matter to me. I have taken service +on the _Daily Trumpet_, and you may consider my place on the _Bugle_ +vacant"--saying which, the irate Mr. Alder put his hat on his head and +left the room. + +Mr. Hempstead seemed distressed by the discussion, but, for the first +time, Mr. Hardwick smiled grimly. + +"I always insist on accuracy," he said, "and lack of it is one of +Alder's failings." + +"Nevertheless, Mr. Hardwick, you have lost one of your best men. How are +you going to replace him?" inquired the proprietor anxiously. + +"There is little difficulty in replacing even the best man on any staff +in London," replied Hardwick, with a glance at Miss Baxter. "As this +young lady seems to keep her wits about her when the welfare of her +paper is concerned, I shall, if you have no objection, fill Henry +Alder's place with Miss Baxter?" + +Mr. Hempstead arched his eyebrows a trifle, and looked at the girl in +some doubt. + +"I thought you didn't believe in women journalists, Mr. Hardwick," he +murmured at last. + +"I didn't up till to-day, but since the evening papers came out I have +had reason to change my mind. I should much rather have Miss Baxter for +me than against me." + +"Do you think you can fill the position, Miss Baxter?" asked the +proprietor, doubtingly. + +"Oh, I, am sure of it," answered the girl. "I have long wanted a place +on a well-edited paper like the _Bugle_." Again Mr. Hardwick smiled +grimly. The proprietor turned to him, and said, "I don't quite see, +Mr. Hardwick, what a lady can do on this paper outside of the regular +departments." + +"I hardly think there will be any trouble about that, Mr. Hempstead. For +example, who could be better equipped to attempt the solution of that +knotty question about the Princess von Steinheimer's diamonds?" + +"By Jove!" cried Hempstead, his eyes glittering with excitement. "That +is an inspiration. I imagine that if anyone can unravel the mystery, it +is Miss Baxter." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +JENNIE LEARNS ABOUT THE DIAMONDS OF THE PRINCESS. + + +"What about the diamonds of the Princess?" asked Miss Baxter, her +curiosity piqued by the remark of the editor. + +"That is rather a long story," replied Mr. Hardwick, "and before I begin +it, I would like to ask you one or two questions. Can you manipulate a +typewriter?" + +"That depends on what make it is. The ordinary typewriter I understand +very thoroughly." + +"Good. Have you any knowledge of shorthand?" + +"A workable knowledge; I can write about one hundred words a minute." + +"Admirable! admirable! Your coming to this office was indeed an +inspiration, as Mr. Hempstead remarked. You are just the person I have +been looking for." + +"You didn't seem to think so yesterday, Mr. Hardwick," said the girl +with a sly glance at him. + +"Well, many things have happened since yesterday. We are now dealing +with to-day, and with the Princess von Steinheimer." + +"She is a German princess, of course?" + +"An Austrian princess, but an American woman. She was a Miss Briggs of +Chicago; a daughter of Briggs, the railway millionaire, worth somewhere +between twenty and twenty-five millions--dollars, of course. A year or +two ago she married Prince Konrad von Steinheimer; you may remember +having read about it in the papers?" + +"Oh, yes; the usual international match--the girl after the title, he +after the money." + +"I suppose so; but be that as it may, she is the only daughter of old +Briggs, and had spent a good deal of her time in Europe, but she spent +more than time; she spent the old man's money as well, so during her +stay in Europe she accumulated a vast stock of diamonds, some of them +very notable stones. I don't know what the whole collection is worth, +some say a million dollars, while others say double that amount. However +that may be, Miss Briggs became the Princess von Steinheimer, and +brought to Austria with her a million dollars in gold and the diamonds, +which her father gave as dowry; but, of course, being an only child, she +will come in for the rest of his money when the railway magnate dies." + +"Is he likely to die soon? I don't suppose the Prince gave himself away +for a mere million." + +"Oh, you forget the diamonds. As to the likelihood of old Briggs's +death, it didn't strike me as imminent when I had a conversation with +him yesterday." + +"Yesterday? Is he here in London, then?" + +"Yes; he has come over to disentangle the mystery about the diamonds." + +"And what is the mystery? You take a dreadful long time to tell a story, +Mr. Hardwick." + +"The story is important, and it must be told in detail, otherwise you +may go on a long journey for nothing. Are you taking down what I say in +shorthand? That is right, and if you are wise you will not transcribe +your notes so that anyone can read them; they are safer in that form. +The von Steinheimer family have two residences, a house in Vienna and an +ancient castle in the Tyrol, situated on the heights above Meran, a most +picturesque place, I understand; but very shortly you will know more +about it than I do, because the _Bugle_ expects you to go there as its +special correspondent. Here the diamond robbery took place something +like two months ago, and the affair is still as great a mystery as ever. +The Princess was to open the season at Meran, which is a fashionable +resort, by giving a fancy dress ball in Schloss Steinheimer, to which +all the Austrian and foreign notables were invited. It was just before +the ball began that the diamonds were first missed--in fact, the +Princess was about to put them on, she representing some gorgeously +decorated character from the Arabian Nights, when the discovery was made +that the diamonds were gone. She was naturally very much upset over her +loss, and sent at once for the Prince, her husband, insisting that the +police should be notified immediately and detectives called in, as was +perfectly natural. Now here comes a strange feature of the affair, and +this is that the Prince positively forbade any publicity, refusing his +sanction when she demanded that the police should be informed, and yet +the Prince knew better than anyone else the very considerable value of +the stones." + +"What reason did he give for his refusal?" asked Miss Baxter, looking up +from her notes. + +"I am not quite certain about that; but I think he said it was _infra +dig._ for the Steinheimers to call in the police. Anyhow, it was an +excuse which did not satisfy the Princess; but as guests were arriving, +and as it was desirable that there should be no commotion to mar the +occasion, the Princess temporarily yielded to the wish of her husband, +and nothing was said publicly about the robbery. The great ball was the +talk of Meran for several days, and no one suspected the private trouble +that was going on underneath this notable event. During these several +days the Princess insisted that the aid of the police should be invoked, +and the Prince was equally strenuous that nothing should be said or done +about the matter. Then, quite unexpectedly, the Prince veered completely +round, and proclaimed that he would engage the best detectives in +Europe. Strange to say, when he announced this decision to his wife, she +had veered round also, and opposed the calling in of the detectives as +strenuously as he had done heretofore." + +"What reason did she give for her change of front?" asked Miss Jennie. + +"She said, I believe, that it was now too late; that the thieves, +whoever they were, had had time to make away with their plunder, and +there would merely be a fuss and worry for nothing." + +"Do you know, I am inclined to agree with her," asserted the girl. + +"Are you? Then tell me what you think of the case as far as you have got." + +"What do _you_ think?" + +"I sha'n't tell you at this stage, because I know of further particulars +which I will give you later on. I merely want your opinion now, so that +I may see whether what I have to tell you afterwards modifies it in any +way." + +"Well, to me the case looks decidedly dark against the Prince." + +"That is what Mr. Briggs thinks. He imagines his Highness has the +jewels." + +"Where did you get all these particulars?" + +"From Mr. Briggs, who, of course, got them by letter from his daughter." + +"Then we have, as it were, a one-sided statement." + +"Oh, quite so; but still you must remember the Princess does not in the +least suspect her husband of the theft." + +"Well, please go on. What are the further particulars?" + +"The further particulars are that the Prince made some quiet +investigations among the servants, and he found that there was a man +who, although he was a friend of his own, was much more the friend of +the Princess, and this man had, on the day the ball was given, the +entire freedom of the castle. He is a young officer and nobleman. +Lieutenant von Schaumberg, and the Prince knew that this young man was +being hard pressed for some debts of honour which he did not appear to +be in a position to liquidate. The young man went unexpectedly to Vienna +the day after the ball, and on his return settled his obligations. The +Princess, from one of her women, got word of her husband's suspicion. +She went to the Prince at once, and told him she had come to his +own opinion with regard to the lost diamonds. She would, in no +circumstances, have detectives about the place. Then he told her that he +had also changed his mind, and resolved to engage detectives. So here +they were at a deadlock again. She wrote to her father with great +indignation about the Prince's unjust suspicions, saying von Schaumberg +was a gentleman in every sense of the word. I gather that relations +between herself and her husband are somewhat strained, so I imagine +there is much more in this matter than the lost diamonds." + +"You imagine, then, that she is shielding the Lieutenant?" + +"Candidly, I do." + +"And you are of opinion he stole the diamonds?" + +"Yes, I am." + +"I don't agree with you. I still think it was the Prince, and I think +besides this, that he dexterously managed to throw suspicion on the +Lieutenant. Have they called in the detectives yet?" + +"No, they are at a deadlock, as I remarked before." + +"Well, what am I expected to do?" + +"Mr. Briggs cabled to his daughter--he never writes a letter--that +he would come over and straighten out the tangle in fifteen minutes. +He is certain the Prince stole the diamonds, but he did not +tell his daughter so. He informed her he was bringing her a +present of a new typewriting machine, and also a young woman from +Chicago who could write shorthand and would look after the Princess's +correspondence--act as secretary, in fact; for it seems the Princess +has a larger correspondence than she can reasonably attend to, and she +appears therefore to yearn for a typewriter. The old man tells me she is +very careless about her letters, never being able to find anything +she wants, and leaving them about a good deal, so he thinks she needs +someone to look after her affairs; and I have a suspicion that her +father fears she may leave some compromising letter about, so he wishes +to ward off a divorce case." + +"No, I fancy you are mistaken there. The father hasn't the slightest +idea that there can be anything wrong with his daughter. It is probable +the Princess has written some libellous statements about her husband, +and it is quite likely the Prince is a brute and that young von +Schaumberg is a most charming person." + +"Well, as I was saying," continued Hardwick, "the old man cabled his +daughter that he is bringing her a secretary and a typewriter. He +engaged a female Pinkerton detective to enter the castle as secretary to +the Princess and, if possible, to solve the diamond mystery. She is a +young woman who, when she left Chicago, was very anti-English, but +she became acquainted on the steamer with a young Englishman who was +tremendously taken with her, and so at Liverpool she quite calmly broke +her engagement with the old man and fulfilled a new engagement she had +made with the young man by promptly marrying him--special license, I am +told. Old Briggs has therefore a new typewriting machine on his hands, +and so I was going to propose to you that you take the place of the +Chicago Pinkerton person. Briggs has become so disgusted with all these +detective women that he abandoned the idea of sending a female detective +with the machine, and doesn't imagine that whoever is sent will be +either a detective or a newspaper woman. I was introduced to him the +other day by one of those lucky chances which sometimes put interesting +items of news in our way, and he told me the whole story, requesting me +to recommend someone who wrote shorthand and understood the typewriter. +I am to dine with him this evening, and I shall cordially recommend you. +I may say that Briggs has gone to that celebrated London detective Mr. +Cadbury Taylor, and has engaged him to solve the diamond mystery. So +you see you will have a clear field. If you can leave for the castle +to-morrow night, you may have the pleasure of Mr. Cadbury Taylor's +company. He isn't visiting the castle, but goes straight to Vienna; so +if you work your cards rightly, you can be in the same carriage with +him as far as Munich, and during that time you may find out perhaps what +he thinks about the case. I know only this much about his theory, and +that is he thinks the right place to begin is in Vienna, where some, at +least, of the stones are supposed to have been pawned." + +"Oh, this is a delightful case, and I shall enjoy it. Has there been +anything published yet with reference to the robbery?" + +"Not a word; nobody knows anything about it, except the Prince and +Princess, Briggs, myself and yourself, and perhaps one or two of the +servants in the castle--oh, yes, and Cadbury Taylor." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +JENNIE MEETS A GREAT DETECTIVE. + + +Miss Baxter was early at the station before the Continental train left. +She walked up and down the platform, hoping to see Mr. Cadbury Taylor, +with whose face and form she was familiar. She secured a porter who +spoke French, and pretended to him that she knew no English. + +"I desire," she said, "to get into a first-class compartment with +a gentleman whom I shall point out to you. I shall give you five +shillings, so you must let me have your whole attention. My luggage has +been labelled and registered, therefore you will not need to bother +about it, but keep your eye on me and follow me into whatever carriage I +enter, bringing with you the hand-bag and this heavy package." + +The heavy package was a typewriter in its case. Shortly before the train +departed, there sauntered into the station the tall, thin, well-known +form of the celebrated detective. He wore a light ulster that reached +almost to his heels, and his keen, alert face was entirely without beard +or moustache. As he came up the platform, a short, stout man accosted +him. + +"I was afraid you were going to be late," said the detective's friend, +"but I see you are just in time as usual." + +"A railway station," said Mr. Cadbury Taylor, "is not the most inspiring +place in London for the spending of a spare half hour; besides, I had +some facts to get together, which are now tabulated in my note-book, and +I'm quite ready to go, if the train is." + +"I have secured a smoking compartment here where we shall be alone." + +"That's right, Smith," said Cadbury Taylor. "You are always so +thoughtful," and the two men entered the compartment together. + +Just as the guards were shouting, "Take your seats, please," Miss Baxter +made a bolt for the compartment in which the detective and his friend +sat together in opposite corners. + +"I beg your pardon," said Smith, "this is a smoking compartment." The +lady replied to him volubly in French, and next instant the porter +heaved the typewriter and hand-bag on the seat beside her. Smith seemed +to resent the intrusion, and appeared about to blame the porter, but the +man answered rapidly as he banged the door shut, "The lady doesn't speak +any English," and the next moment the train moved out of the station. + +"There was no need," said the detective, "my dear Smith, to depend upon +the porter for the information that the lady could not speak English. +She is the secretary to a very rich employer in Chicago, and came from +that city to New York, where she sailed on the _Servia_ alone, coming to +England to transact some special business, of which I could here give +you full particulars, if it were worth while. She came from Liverpool to +London over the Great Western Railway, and is now on her way to Paris. +All this, of course, is obvious to the most casual observer, and so, my +dear Smith, we may discuss our case with as much security as though we +were entirely alone." + +"But, good heavens, Cadbury!" cried Smith in amazement, "how can you +tell all that?" + +"My dear fellow," said the detective wearily, "no one travels with a +typewriting machine unless that person is a typewriter. The girl, if +you will notice, is now engaged in filling the leaves of her book with +shorthand, therefore that proves her occupation. That she is secretary +to a rich man is evidenced by the fact that she crossed in the _Servia_ +first cabin, as you may see by glancing at the label on the case; that +she came alone, which is to say her employer was not with her, is +indicated by the typewriter being marked 'Not Wanted,' so it was put +down into the hold. If a Chicago business man had been travelling with +his secretary, the typewriter case would have been labelled instead, +'Cabin, wanted,' for a Chicago man of business would have to write some +hundreds of letters, even on the ocean, to be ready for posting the +moment he came ashore. The typewriter case is evidently new, and is +stamped with the name and address of its sellers in Chicago. That she +came by the Great Western is shown by the fact that 'Chester' appears +on still another label. That she has special business in England we may +well believe, otherwise she would have crossed on the French line direct +from New York to Havre. So you see, my dear boy, these are all matters +of observation, and quite patent to anyone who cares to use his eyes." + +"Yes, it all seems very simple now that you have explained it," growled +Smith. + +"I should be a much more mysterious person than I am," remarked the +detective complacently, "if I did not explain so much. This explanation +habit is becoming a vice with me, and I fear I must abandon it." + +"I hope for my sake you won't," said Smith more good-naturedly, "for if +left to myself I never could find out how you arrive at your wonderful +conclusions. Do you expect the Austrian diamond mystery to prove +difficult?" + +"Difficult? Oh, dear no! To tell the truth, I have solved it already, +but in order to give the American a run for his money--and surely he +ought not to object to that, because he is a millionaire who has made his +fortune by giving other people runs for their money, being a railway +man--I am now on my way to Vienna. If I solved the problem off-hand for +him in London, he would have no more appreciation of my talent than you +had a moment ago when I explained why I knew this French girl came from +Chicago." + +"You mustn't mind that, Cadbury," said Smith contritely. "I confess I +was irritated for a moment because it all seemed so simple." + +"My dear fellow, every puzzle in this world is simple except one, and +that is to find any problem which is difficult." + +"Then who stole the diamonds? The lieutenant?" + +The detective smiled and gazed upwards for a few tantalizing moments at +the roof of the carriage. + +"Here we have," he said at last, "an impecunious prince who marries an +American heiress, as so many of them do. The girl begins life in Austria +on one million dollars, say two hundred thousand pounds, and a case +of diamonds said to be worth another two hundred thousand at +least--probably more. Not much danger of running through that very +speedily, is there, Smith?" + +"No, I should think not." + +"So the average man would think," continued the detective. "However, I +have long since got out of the habit of thinking; therefore I make sure. +The first problem I set to myself is this: How much money have the +Prince and Princess spent since they were married? I find that the +repairs on the Schloss Steinheimer, situated in the Tyrol, cost +something like forty thousand pounds. It is a huge place, and the +Steinheimers have not had an heiress in the family for many centuries. +The Prince owed a good deal of money when he was married, and it took +something like sixty thousand pounds to settle those debts; rather +expensive as Continental princes go, but if one must have luxuries, one +cannot save money. Not to weary you with details, I found that the two +hundred thousand pounds were exhausted somewhat more than two months +ago; in fact, just before the alleged robbery. The Prince is, of course, +without money, otherwise he would not have married a Chicago heiress, +and the Princess being without money, what does she naturally do?" + +"Pawns her own diamonds!" cried Smith enthusiastically. + +The detective smiled. + +"I thought it much more probable she would apply to her father for +money. I asked him if this was the case, giving him the date, roughly +speaking, when such a letter had been sent. The old man opened his eyes +at this, and told me he had received such a letter. 'But you did not +send the money?' I ventured, 'No,' he said, 'I did not. The fact is, +money is very tight in Chicago just now, and so I cabled her to run on +her debts for a while.' This exactly bore out the conclusion at which I +had already arrived. So now, having failed to get money from her father, +the lady turns to her diamonds, the only security she possesses. The +chances are that she did so before her father's cable message came, and +that was the reason she so confidently wished information to be given to +the police. She expected to have money to redeem her jewels, and being a +bright woman, she knew the traditional stupidity of the official police, +and so thought there was no danger of her little ruse being discovered. +But when the cable message came saying no money would be sent her, a +different complexion was put upon the whole affair, for she did not know +but if the police were given plenty of time they might stumble on the +diamonds." + +"But, my dear Cadbury, why should she not have taken the diamonds openly +and raised money on them?" + +"My dear fellow, there are a dozen reasons, any one of which will +suffice where a woman is in the case. In the first place, she might fear +to offend the family pride of the von Steinheimers; in the second place, +we cannot tell what her relations with her husband were. She may not +have wished him to know that she was short of money. But that she has +stolen her own diamonds there is not the slightest question in my mind. +All that is necessary for me to do now is to find out how many persons +there are in Vienna who would lend large sums of money on valuable +jewels. The second is to find with which one of those the Princess +pawned her diamonds." + +"But, my dear Cadbury, the lady is in Meran, and Vienna is some hundreds +of miles away. How could a lady in the Tyrol pawn diamonds in Vienna +without her absence being commented on? or do you think she had an agent +to do it for her?" Again the detective smiled indulgently. + +"No, she had no agent. The diamonds never left Vienna. You see, the ball +had been announced, and immediate money was urgently needed. She pawned +the diamonds before she left the capital of Austria, and the chances are +she did not intend anyone to know they were missing; but on the eve of +the ball her husband insisted that she should wear her diamonds, and +therefore, being a quick-witted woman, she announced they had been +stolen. After having made such a statement, she, of course, had to +stick to it; and now, failing to get the money from America, she +is exceedingly anxious that no real detective shall be employed in +investigation." + +At Dover Miss Baxter, having notes of this interesting conversation in +shorthand, witnessed the detective bid good-bye to his friend Smith, who +returned to London by a later train. After that she saw no more of Mr. +Cadbury Taylor, and reached the Schloss Steinheimer at Meran without +further adventure. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +JENNIE SOLVES THE DIAMOND MYSTERY. + + +Miss Baxter found life at the Schloss much different from what she had +expected. The Princess was a young and charming lady, very handsome, but +in a state of constant depression. Once or twice Miss Baxter came upon +her with apparent traces of weeping on her face. The Prince was not +an old man, as she had imagined, but young and of a manly, stalwart +appearance. He evidently possessed a fiendish temper, and moped about +the castle with a constant frown upon his brow. + +The correspondence of the Princess was in the utmost disorder. There +were hundreds upon hundreds of letters, and Miss Baxter set to work +tabulating and arranging them. Meanwhile the young newspaper woman kept +her eyes open. She wandered about the castle unmolested, poked into odd +corners, talked with the servants, and, in fact, with everyone, but +never did she come upon a clue which promised to lead to a solution of +the diamond difficulty. Once she penetrated into a turret room, and +came unexpectedly upon the Prince, who was sitting on the window-ledge, +looking absently out on the broad and smiling valley that lay for miles +below the castle. He sprang to his feet and stared so fiercely at the +intruder that the girl's heart failed her, and she had not even the +presence of mind to turn and run. + +"What do you want?" he said to her shortly, for he spoke English +perfectly. "You are the young woman from Chicago, I suppose?" + +"No," answered Miss Baxter, forgetting for the moment the _role_ she was +playing; "I am from London." + +"Well, it doesn't matter; you are the young woman who is arranging my +wife's correspondence?" + +"Yes." The Prince strode rapidly forward and grasped her by the wrist, +his brow dark with a forbidding frown. He spoke in a hoarse whisper: + +"Listen, my good girl! Do you want to get more money from me than you +will get from the Princess in ten years' service? Hearken, then, to what +I tell you. If there are any letters from--from--men, will you bring +them to me?" + +Miss Baxter was thoroughly frightened, but she said to the Prince +sharply,-- + +"If you do not let go my wrist, I'll scream. How dare you lay your hand +on me?" + +The Prince released her wrist and stepped back. + +"Forgive me," he said; "I'm a very miserable man. Forget what I have +said." + +"How can I forget it?" cried the girl, gathering courage as she saw him +quail before her blazing eyes. "What do you want me to do?" + +"I want you to bring to me any letters written by--by----" + +"Written by von Schaumberg," cried the girl, noticing his hesitation and +filling in the blank. + +A red wave of anger surged up in the Prince's face. + +"Yes," he cried; "bring me a letter to her from von Schaumberg, and I'll +pay you what you ask." + +The girl laughed. + +"Prince," she said, "you will excuse me if I call you a fool. There are +no letters from von Schaumberg, and I have gone through the whole of the +correspondence." + +"What, then, suggested the name von Schaumberg to you? Where did you +ever hear it before?" + +"I heard that you suspected him of stealing the diamonds." + +"And so he did, the cowardly thief. If it were not for mixing the +Princess's name with such carrion as he, I would--" + +But the Prince in his rage stamped up and down the room without saying +what he would do. Miss Baxter quickly brought him to a standstill. + +"It is contrary to my duty to the Princess," she began, hesitatingly, +when he stopped and turned fiercely upon her. + +"What is contrary to your duty?" + +"There are letters, tied very daintily with a blue ribbon, and they are +from a man. The Princess did not allow me to read them, but locked them +away in a secret drawer in her dressing-room, but she is so careless +with her keys and everything else, that I am sure I can get them for +you, if you want them." + +"Yes, yes, I want them," said the Prince, "and will pay you handsomely +for them." + +"Very well," replied Miss Baxter, "you shall have them. If you will wait +here ten minutes, I shall return with them." + +"But," hesitated the Prince, "say nothing to the Princess." + +"Oh, no, I shall not need to; the keys are sure to be on her +dressing-table." + +Miss Baxter ran down to the room of the Princess, and had little +difficulty in obtaining the keys. She unlocked the secret drawer into +which she had seen the Princess place the packet of letters, and taking +them out, she drew another sheet of paper along with them, which she +read with wide-opening eyes, then with her pretty lips pursed, she +actually whistled, which unmaidenly performance merely gave sibilant +expression to her astonishment. Taking both the packet of letters and +the sheet of paper with her, she ran swiftly up the stair and along the +corridor to the room where the Prince was impatiently awaiting her. + +"Give them to me," he snapped, rudely snatching the bundle of documents +from her hand. She still clung to the separate piece of paper and said +nothing. The Prince stood by the window and undid the packet with +trembling hands. He examined one and then another of the letters, +turning at last towards the girl with renewed anger in his face. + +"You are trifling with me, my girl," he cried. + +"No, I am not," she said stoutly. + +"These are my own letters, written by me to my wife before we were +married!" + +"Of course they are. What others did you expect? These are the only +letters, so far as I have learned, that any man has written to her, +and the only letters she cares for of all the thousands she has ever +received. Why, you foolish, blind man, I had not been in this castle a +day before I saw how matters stood. The Princess is breaking her poor +heart because you are unkind to her, and she cares for nobody on earth +but you, great stupid dunce that you are." + +"Is it true? Will you swear it's true?" cried the Prince, dropping the +packet and going hastily toward the girl. Miss Jennie stood with her +back to the wall, and putting her hands behind her, she said,-- + +"No, no; you are not going to touch me again. Of course it's true, and +if you had the sense of a six-year-old child, you would have seen it +long ago; and she paid sixty thousand pounds of your gambling debts, +too." + +"What are you talking about? The Princess has never given me a penny of +her money; I don't need it. Goodness knows, I have money enough of my +own." + +"Well, Cadbury Taylor said that you--Oh, I'll warrant you, it is like +all the rest of his statements, pure moonshine." + +"Of whom are you speaking? And why did my wife protect that wretch whom +she knows has stolen her diamonds?" + +"You mean von Schaumberg?" + +"Yes." + +"I believe the Princess does think he stole them, and the reason the +Princess protects him is to prevent you from challenging him, for she +fears that he, being a military man, will kill you, although I fancy she +would be well rid of you." + +"But he stole the diamonds--there was nobody else." + +"He did nothing of the kind. Read that!" + +The Prince, bewildered, took the sheet that she handed to him and read +it, a wrinkle of bewilderment corrugating his brow. + +"I don't understand what this has to do with the case," he said at last. +"It seems to be an order on the bank at Vienna for the diamonds, written +by the Princess herself." + +"Of course it is. Well, if the diamonds had been delivered, that paper +would now be in the possession of the bank instead of in your hands." + +"Perhaps she mislaid this order and wrote another." + +"Perhaps. Still it might be worth while finding out." + +"Take this, then, to the Princess and ask her." + +"It is not likely she would remember. The better plan is to telegraph at +once to the Vienna bank, asking them to send the diamonds to Meran by +special messenger. No one there knows that the diamonds are missing." + +"I will do so at once," cried the Prince, with more animation in his +voice than Miss Baxter had previously noticed. His Highness was becoming +interested in the game. + +After luncheon the Princess came to Miss Baxter, who was seated at her +desk, and handed her a letter. + +"There is an invitation from the Duchess of Chiselhurst for a grand ball +she is shortly to give in her London house. It is to be a very swell +affair, but I don't care enough for such things to go all the way to +England to enjoy them. Would you therefore send her Grace my regrets?" + +"I will do so at once." + +At that moment there came a messenger from the Prince asking Miss Baxter +to meet him in the library. The girl glanced up at the Princess. + +"Have I your permission to go?" she said. + +The Princess looked at her steadily for a moment, just the faintest +suspicion of a frown on her fair brow. + +"I do not suppose you need my permission." Her Highness spoke with slow +deliberation. "My husband condescends to take considerable interest in +you. Passing along the corridor this morning, I heard your voices in +most animated conversation." + +"Had you sufficient interest in our discussion to stop and listen to +what we said, Princess von Steinheimer?" + +"Ah, now you are becoming insolent, and I must ask you to consider your +engagement with me at an end." + +"Surely you will not dismiss me in this heartless way, Princess. I think +I am entitled to a month's notice, or is it only a week's?" + +"I will pay you a year's salary, or two years' if that will content you. +I have no wish to deal harshly with you, but I desire you to leave at +once," said the Princess, who had little sense of humour, and thus +thought the girl was in earnest when she asked for notice. + +Miss Baxter laughed merrily, and replied when she was able to control +her mirth, "I do hate to leave the castle just when things are becoming +interesting. Still, I don't suppose I shall really need to go away in +spite of your dismissal, for the Prince this morning offered me ten +times the amount of money you are paying." + +"Did he?" + +"Be assured he did; if you don't believe me, ask him. I told him he was +a fool, but, alas, we live in a cynical age, and few men believe all +they hear, so I fear my expression of opinion made little impression on +him." + +"I shall not keep you longer from his Highness," said the Princess with +freezing dignity. + +"Thank you so much. I am just dying to meet him, for I know he has +something most interesting to tell me. Don't you think yourself, +Princess, that a man acts rather like a fool when he is deeply in love?" + +To this there was no reply, and the Princess left the room. + +Miss Jennie jumped to her feet and almost ran to the library. She found +the Prince walking up and down the long room with a telegraph message in +his hand. "You are a most wonderful young woman," he said; "read that." + +"I have been told so by more observing men than you, Prince von +Steinheimer," said the girl, taking the telegram. It was from the +manager of the bank in Vienna, and it ran: "Special messenger leaves +with package by the Meran express to-night." + +"Just as I thought," said Miss Jennie; "the diamonds never left the +bank. I suppose those idiots of servants which the Princess has round +her didn't know what they took away from Vienna and what they left. +Then, when the diamonds were missing, they completely lost their +heads--not that anyone in the castle has much wit to spare. I never saw +such an incompetent lot." + +The Prince laughed. + +"You think, perhaps, I have not wit enough to see that my wife cares for +me, is that it? Is that why you gave me my own letters?" + +"Oh, you are well mated! The Princess now does me the honour of being +jealous. Think of that! As if it were possible that I should take any +interest in you, for I have seen real men in my time." + +The Prince regarded her with his most severe expression. + +"Are you not flattering yourself somewhat, young lady?" + +"Oh, dear no! I take it as the reverse of flattering to be supposed that +I have any liking for such a ninny as you are. Flattering, indeed! And +she has haughtily dismissed me, if you please." + +"The Princess has? What have you been saying to her?" + +"Oh, I made the most innocent remark, and it was the truth too, which +shows that honesty is not always the best policy. I merely told her that +you had offered me ten times the amount of money she is paying me. You +needn't jump as if somebody had shot off a gun at your ear. You know you +did make such an offer." + +"You confounded little mischief-maker," cried the Prince in anger. "Did +you tell her what it was for?" + +"No. She did not ask." + +"I will thank you to apply the cleverness you seem to possess to the +undoing of the harm you have so light-heartedly caused." + +"How can I? I am ordered to leave to-night, when I did _so_ wish to stay +and see the diamond _denouement_." + +"You are not going to-night. I shall speak to the Princess about it if +that should be necessary. Your mention of the diamonds reminds me that +my respected father-in-law, Mr. Briggs, informs me that a celebrated +detective, whom it seems he has engaged--Taylor, I think the name +is--will be here to-morrow to explain the diamond mystery, so you see +you have a competitor." + +"Oh, is Cadbury coming? That is too jolly for anything. I simply _must_ +stay and hear his explanation, for he is a very famous detective, and +the conclusions he has arrived at must be most interesting." + +"I think some explanations are due to me as well. My worthy +father-in-law seems to have commissioned this person without thinking it +necessary to consult me in the least; in fact, Mr. Briggs goes about the +castle looking so dark and lowering when he meets me, that I sometimes +doubt whether this is my own house or not." + +"And is it?" + +"Is it what?" + +"Is it your own house? I was told it was mortgaged up to the tallest +turret. Still, you can't blame Mr. Briggs for being anxious about the +diamonds; they belong to his daughter." + +"They belong to my wife." + +"True. That complicates matters a bit, and gives both Chicago and Vienna +a right to look black. And now, your Highness, I must take my leave of +you; and if the diamonds come safely in the morning, remember I intend +to claim salvage on them. Meanwhile, I am going to write a nice little +story about them." + +In the morning the diamonds arrived by special messenger, who first +took a formal receipt for them, and then most obsequiously took his +departure. By the same train came Mr. Cadbury Taylor, as modest as ever, +but giving some indication in his bearing of the importance of the +discovery his wonderful system had aided him in making. He blandly +evaded the curiosity of Mr. Briggs, and said it would perhaps be better +to reveal the secret in the presence of the Prince and Princess, as his +investigations had led him to conclusions that might be unpleasant for +one of them to hear, yet were not to be divulged in their absence. + +"Just what I suspected," muttered Mr. Briggs, who had long been +convinced that the Prince was the actual culprit. + +The important gathering took place in the library, the Prince, with the +diamonds in his coat pocket, seated at the head of the long table, while +the Princess sat at the foot, as far from her husband as she could +conveniently get without attracting notice. Miss Baxter stood near a +window, reading an important letter from London which had reached her +that morning. The tall, thin detective and the portly Mr. Briggs came in +together, the London man bowing gravely to the Prince and Princess. Mr. +Briggs took a seat at the side of the table, but the detective remained +standing, looking questioningly at Miss Baxter, but evidently not +recognizing her as the lady who had come in upon him and his friend when +they had entered the train. + +"I beg the pardon of your Highness, but what I have to say had better be +said with as few hearers as possible. I should be much obliged if this +young person would read her correspondence in another room." + +"The young woman," said the Prince coldly, "is secretary to her +Highness, and is entirely in her confidence." + +The Princess said nothing, but sat with her eyes upon the table, +apparently taking no note of what was going on. Rich colour came into +her face, and, as the keen detective cast a swift glance at her, he saw +before him a woman conscious of her guilt, fearing exposure, yet not +knowing how to avert it. + +"If your Highness will excuse my persistence," began Mr. Taylor blandly. + +"But I will not," interrupted the Prince gruffly. "Go on with your story +without so much circumlocution." + +The detective, apparently unruffled by the discourtesy he met, bowed +profoundly towards the Prince, cleared his throat, and began. + +"May I ask your Highness," he said, addressing himself to the Princess, +"how much money you possessed just before you left Vienna?" + +The lady looked up at him in surprise, but did not answer. + +"In Heaven's name, what has that to do with the loss of the diamonds?" +rapped out the Prince, his hot temper getting once more the better of +him. Cadbury Taylor spread out his hands and shrugged his shoulders in +protest at the interruption. He spoke with deference, but nevertheless +there was a touch of reproach in his tone. + +"I am accustomed to being listened to with patience, and am generally +allowed to tell my story my own way, your Highness." + +"What I complain of is that you are not telling any story at all, but +are asking instead a very impertinent question." + +"Questions which seem to you irrelevant may be to a trained mind most--" + +"Bosh! Trained donkeys! Do you know where the diamonds are?" + +"Yes, I do," answered Cadbury Taylor, still imperturbable, in spite of +the provocation he was receiving. + +"Well, where are they?" + +"They are in the vaults of your bank in Vienna." + +"I don't believe it. Who stole them then?" + +"They were put there by her Highness the Princess von Steinheimer, +doubtless in security for money--" + +"What!" roared the Prince, springing to his feet, his stentorian voice +ringing to the ceiling. "Do you mean to insinuate, you villain, that my +wife stole her own diamonds?" + +"If your Highness would allow me to proceed in my own--" + +"Enough of this fooling. There are the diamonds," cried the Prince, +jerking the box from his pocket and flinging it on the table. + +"There!" shouted old man Briggs, bringing his clenched fist down on the +oak. "What did I tell you? I knew it all along. The Prince stole the +diamonds, and in his excitement yanks them out of his pocket and proves +it. That was _my_ opinion all along!" + +"Oh, father, father!" moaned the Princess, speaking for the first time. +"How can you say such a thing? My husband couldn't do a mean action if +he tried. The idea of him stealing the diamonds! Not if they were worth +a thousand millions and detection impossible." + +The Prince, who had been glaring at Mr. Briggs, and who seemed on the +point of giving that red-faced gentleman a bit of his mind, turned a +softened gaze upon his wife, who rested her arms on the table and buried +her face in them. + +"Come, come," cried Miss Jennie Baxter, stepping energetically forward; +"I imagine everybody has had enough of this. Clear out, Mr. Briggs, and +take Mr. Taylor with you; I am sure he has not had any breakfast yet, +and he certainly looks hungry. If you hire detectives, Mr. Briggs, you +must take care of them. Out you go. The dining-room is ever so much more +inviting just now than the library; and if you don't see what you want, +ring for it." + +She drove the two speechless men out before her, and, closing the door, +said to the Prince, who was still standing bewildered at having his hand +forced in this manner,-- + +"There! Two fools from four leaves two. Now, my dears--I'm not going to +Highness either of you--you are simply two lone people who like +each other immensely, yet who are drifting apart through foolish +misunderstandings that a few words would put right if either of you had +sense enough to speak them, which you haven't, and that's why I'm here +to speak them for you. Now, madame, I am ready to swear that the Prince +has never said anything to me that did not show his deep love for you, +and if you had overheard us, you would not need me to tell you so. He +thinks that you have a fancy for that idiot von Schaumberg--not that I +ever saw the poor man; but he is bound to be an idiot, or the Prince +wouldn't be jealous of him. As nobody has stolen the diamonds after all +this fuss, so no one has stolen the affection of either of you from the +other. I can see by the way you look at each other that I won't need to +apologize for leaving you alone together while I run upstairs to pack." + +"Oh, but you are not going to leave us?" cried the Princess. + +"I should be delighted to stay; but there is no rest for the wicked, and +I must get back to London." + +With that the girl ran to her room and there re-read the letter she had +received. + +"Dear Miss Baxter (it ran),--We are in a very considerable dilemma here, +so I write asking you to see me in London without delay, going back to +the Tyrol later on if the investigation of the diamond mystery renders +your return necessary. The Duchess of Chiselhurst is giving a great ball +on the 29th. It is to be a very swagger affair, with notables from every +part of Europe, and they seem determined that no one connected with a +newspaper shall be admitted. We have set at work every influence to +obtain an invitation for a reporter, but without success, the reply +invariably given being that an official account will be sent to +the press. Now, I want you to set your ingenuity at work, and gain +admittance if possible, for I am determined to have an account of this +ball written in such a way that everyone who reads it will know that the +writer was present. If you can manage this, I can hardly tell you how +grateful the proprietor and myself will be.--Yours very truly, + +"RADNOR HARDWICK." + +Miss Jennie Baxter sat for some moments musing, with the letter in her +hand. She conned over in her mind the names of those who might be able +to assist her in this task, but she dismissed them one by one, well +knowing that if Mr. Hardwick and the proprietor of the _Bugle_ had +petitioned all their influential friends without avail, she could not +hope to succeed with the help of the very few important personages she +was acquainted with. She wondered if the Princess could get her an +invitation; then suddenly her eyes lit up, and she sprang eagerly to her +feet. + +"What a fortunate thing it is," she cried aloud, "that I did not send +on the refusal of the Princess to the Duchess of Chiselhurst. I had +forgotten all about it until this moment." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +JENNIE ARRANGES A CINDERELLA VISIT. + + +The room which had been allotted to Jennie Baxter in the Schloss +Steinheimer enjoyed a most extended outlook. A door-window gave access +to a stone balcony, which hung against the castle wall like a swallow's +nest at the eaves of a house. This balcony was just wide enough to give +ample space for one of the easy rocking-chairs which the Princess had +imported from America, and which Jennie thought were the only really +comfortable pieces of furniture the old stronghold possessed, much as +she admired the artistic excellence of the mediaeval chairs, tables, and +cabinets which for centuries had served the needs of the ancient line +that had lived in the Schloss. The rocking-chair was as modern as this +morning's daily paper; its woodwork painted a bright scarlet, its arms +like broad shelves, its rockers as sensitively balanced as a marine +compass; in fact, just such a chair as one would find dotted round +the vast verandah of an American summer hotel. In this chair sat Miss +Jennie, two open letters on her lap, and perplexity in the dainty little +frown that faintly ruffled the smoothness of her fair brow. The scene +from the high balcony was one to be remembered; but, although this was +her last day at the Castle, the girl saw nothing of the pretty town of +Meran so far below; the distant chalk-line down the slope beyond which +marked the turbulent course of the foaming Adege; the lofty mountains +all around, or the further snow-peaks, dazzling white against the deep +blue of the sky. + +One of the epistles which lay on her lap was the letter she had received +from the editor recounting the difficulties he had met with while +endeavouring to make arrangements for reporting adequately the Duchess +of Chiselhurst's ball; the other was the still unanswered invitation +from the Duchess to the Princess. Jennie was flattered to know that +already the editor, who had engaged her with unconcealed reluctance, +expected her to accomplish what the entire staff were powerless to +effect. She knew that, had she but the courage, it was only necessary to +accept the invitation in the name of her present hostess, and attend the +great society function as Princess von Steinheimer. Yet she hesitated, +not so much on account of the manifest danger of discovery, but because +she had grown to like the Princess, and this impersonation, if it came +to the knowledge of the one most intimately concerned, as it was almost +sure to do, would doubtless be regarded as an unpardonable liberty. As +she swayed gently back and forth in the gaudy rocking-chair, she thought +of confessing everything to the Princess and asking her assistance; but +pondering on this, she saw that it was staking everything on one throw +of the dice. If the Princess refused, then the scheme became impossible, +as that lady herself would answer the letter of the Duchess and decline +the invitation. Jennie soothed her accusing conscience by telling +herself that this impersonation would do no harm to Princess von +Steinheimer, or to anyone else for that matter, while it would be of +inestimable assistance to her own journalistic career. From that +she drifted to meditation on the inequalities of this life--the +superabundance which some possess, while others, no less deserving, have +difficulty in obtaining the scant necessities. And this consoling train +of thought having fixed her resolve to take the goods the gods scattered +at her feet, or rather threw into her lap, she drew a long sigh of +determination as there came a gentle tap at the door of her room, and +the voice of the Princess herself said, "May I come in?" + +Jennie, a rapid blush flaming her cheeks, sprang to her feet, flung the +letters on a table, and opened the door. + +The visitor entered, looking attractive enough to be a princess of +fairyland, and greeted Miss Baxter most cordially. + +"I am so sorry you are leaving," she said. "Cannot you be persuaded to +change your mind and stay with me? Where could you find a more lovely +view than this from your balcony here?" + +"Or a more lovely hostess?" said the girl, looking at her visitor with +undisguised admiration and quite ignoring the landscape. + +The Princess laughed, and as they now stood together on the balcony she +put out her hands, pushed Jennie gently into the rocking-chair again, +seating herself jauntily on its broad arm, and thus the two looked like +a pair of mischievous schoolgirls, home at vacation time, thoroughly +enjoying their liberty. + +"There! You are now my prisoner, about to be punished for flattery," +cried the Princess. "I saw by the motion of the chair that you had just +jumped up from it when I disturbed you, so there you are, back in it +again. What were you thinking about? A rocking-chair lends itself +deliciously to meditation, and we always dream of someone very +particular as we rock." + +"I am no exception to the rule," sighed Jennie; "I was thinking of you, +Princess." + +"How nice of you to say that; and as one good turn deserves another, +here is proof that a certain young lady has been in my thoughts." + +As she spoke, the Princess took from her pocket an embossed case of +Russian leather, opened it and displayed a string of diamonds, lustrous +as drops of liquid light. + +"I want you to wear these stones in remembrance of our diamond +mystery--that is why I chose diamonds--and also, I confess, because I +want you to think of me every time you put them on. See how conceited I +am! One does not like to be forgotten." + +Jennie took the string, her own eyes for a moment rivalling in +brilliancy the sparkle of the gems; then the moisture obscured her +vision and she automatically poured the stones from one hand to the +other, as if their scintillating glitter hypnotized her. She tried once +or twice to speak, but could not be sure of her voice, so remained +silent. The Princess, noticing her agitation, gently lifted the necklace +and clasped it round the girl's white throat, chattering all the while +with nervous haste. + +"There! you can wear diamonds, and there are so many to whom they are +unbecoming. I also look well in diamonds--at least, so I've been told +over and over again, and I've come to believe it at last. I suppose the +young men have not concealed from you the fact that you are a strikingly +good-looking girl, Jennie. Indeed, and this is brag if you like, we two +resemble one another enough to be sisters, nearly the same height, the +same colour of eyes and hair. Come to the mirror, Miss Handsomeness, and +admire yourself." + +She dragged Jennie to her feet and drew her into the room, placing +her triumphantly before the great looking-glass that reflected back a +full-length portrait. + +"Now confess that you never saw a prettier girl," cried the Princess +gleefully. + +"I don't think I ever did," admitted Jennie, but she was looking at the +image of the Princess and not at her own. The Princess laughed, but Miss +Baxter seemed too much affected by the unexpected present to join in the +merriment. She regarded herself solemnly in the glass for a few moments, +then slowly undid the clasp, and, slipping the string of brilliants from +her neck, handed them back to the Princess. "You are very, very kind, +but I cannot accept so costly a present." + +"Cannot? Why? Have I offended you by anything I have said since you +came?" + +"Oh, no, no. It isn't that." + +"What, then? Don't you like me, after all?" + +"Like you? I _love_ you, Princess!" cried the girl impulsively, throwing +her arms round the other's neck. + +The Princess tried to laugh as she pressed Jennie closely to her, but +there was a tremour of tears in the laughter. + +"You must take this little gift as a souvenir of your visit with me. I +was really--very unhappy when you came, and now--well, you smoothed away +some misunderstandings--I'm more than grateful. And it isn't natural for +a woman to refuse diamonds, Jennie." + +"I know it isn't; and I won't quite refuse them. I'll postpone. It is +possible that something I shall do before long may seriously offend you. +If it does--then good-bye to the necklace! If it doesn't, when I have +told you all about my misdeed--I shall confess courageously--you will +give me the diamonds." + +"Dear me, Jennie, what terrible crime are you about to commit? Why not +tell me now? You have no idea how you have aroused my curiosity." + +"I dare not tell you, Princess; not until my project proves a success or +a failure. We women--some have our way made for us--others have our own +way to make. I am among the others, and I hope you will remember that, +if you are ever angry with me." + +"Is it a new kind of speculation? A fortune made in a day? Gambling?" + +"Something of that sort. I am going to stake a good deal on the turn of +a card; so please pray that luck will not be against me." + +"If pluck will make you win, I am sure you will carry it through, but +if at first you don't succeed, try, try again; and if you haven't the +money, I'll supply the capital. I know I should like to gamble. Anyhow, +you have my best wishes for your success." + +"Thank you, Princess. I can hardly fail after that." + +The time had come when the two friends must part. The carriage was +waiting to take Miss Baxter to the station, and the girl bade good-bye +to her hostess with an uneasy feeling that she was acting disloyally to +one who had befriended her. In her handbag was the invitation to the +ball, and also the letter she had written in the Princess's name +accepting it, which latter she posted in Meran. In due course she +reached London, and presented herself to the editor of the _Daily +Bugle_. + +"Well, Miss Baxter," he said, "you have been extraordinarily successful +in solving the diamond mystery, and I congratulate you. My letter +reached you, I suppose. Have you given any thought to the problem +that now confronts us? Can you get us a full report of the Duchess of +Chiselhurst's ball, written so convincingly that all the guests who read +it will know that the writer was present?" + +"It is entirely a question of money, Mr. Hardwick." + +"Most things are. Well, we are prepared to spend money to get just what +we want." + +"How much?" + +"Whatever is necessary." + +"That's vague. Put it into figures." + +"Five hundred pounds; seven hundred; a thousand if need be." + +"It will not cost you a thousand, and it may come to more than five +hundred. Place the thousand to my credit, and I shall return what is +left. I must go at once to Paris and carry out my plans from that city." + +"Then you have thought out a scheme. What is it?" + +"I have not only thought it out, but most of the arrangements are +already made. I cannot say more about it. You will have to trust wholly +to me." + +"There is a good deal of money at stake, Miss Baxter, and our reputation +as a newspaper as well. I think I should know what you propose to do." + +"Certainly. I propose to obtain for you an accurate description of the +ball, written by one who was present." + +The editor gave utterance to a sort of interjection that always served +him in place of a laugh. + +"In other words, you want neither interference nor advice." + +"Exactly, Mr. Hardwick. You know from experience that little good comes +of talking too much of a secret project not yet completed." + +The editor drummed with his fingers on the table for a few moments +thoughtfully. + +"Very well, then, it shall be as you say. I should have been very glad +to share the responsibility of failure with you; but if you prefer to +take the whole risk yourself, there is nothing more to be said. The +thousand pounds shall be placed to your credit at once. What next?" + +"On the night of the ball I should like you to have three or four expert +shorthand writers here; I don't know how many will be necessary--you +understand more about that than I do; but it is my intention to dictate +the report right along as fast as I can talk until it is finished, and +I don't wish to be stopped or interrupted, so I want the best +stenographers you have; they are to relieve one another just as if +they were taking down a parliamentary speech. The men had better be in +readiness at midnight; I shall be here as soon after that as possible. +If you will kindly run over their type-written MS. before it goes to +the compositors, I will glance at the proofs when I have finished +dictating." + +"Then you hope to attend the ball yourself." + +"Perhaps." + +"You have just returned from the Tyrol, and I fear you don't quite +appreciate the difficulties that are in the way. This is no ordinary +society function, and if you think even a thousand pounds will gain +admittance to an uninvited guest, you will find yourself mistaken." + +"So I understood from your letter." + +Again the editorial interjection did duty for a laugh. + +"You are very sanguine, Miss Baxter. I wish I felt as confident; +however, we will hope for the best, and if we cannot command success, we +will at least endeavour to deserve it." + +Jennie, with the thousand pounds at her disposal, went to Paris, took +rooms at the most aristocratic hotel, engaged a maid, and set about the +construction of a ball dress that would be a dream of beauty. Luckily, +she knew exactly the gown-making resources of Paris, and the craftsmen +to whom she gave her orders were not the less anxious to please her when +they knew that the question of cost was not to be considered. From +Paris she telegraphed in the name of the Princess von Steinheimer to +Claridge's Hotel for an apartment on the night of the ball, and asked +that a suitable equipage be provided to convey her to and from that +festival. + +Arriving at Claridge's, she was well aware her first danger was that +someone who knew the Princess von Steinheimer would call upon her; but +on the valid plea of fatigue from her journey she proclaimed that in no +circumstances could she see any visitor, and thus shipwreck was avoided +at the outset. It was unlikely that the Princess von Steinheimer was +personally known to many who would attend the ball; in fact, the +Princess had given to Jennie as her main reason for refusing the +invitation the excuse that she knew no one in London. She had been +invited merely because of the social position of the Prince in +Vienna, and was unknown by sight even to her hostess, the Duchess of +Chiselhurst. Critically, she compared the chances of success with the +chances of failure, and often it seemed that disaster was inevitable, +unversed as she knew herself to be in the customs of grand society at +one of its high functions, but nevertheless she was undaunted by the +odds against her, and resolved to stake a career on the fortunes of a +night. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +JENNIE MIXES WITH THE ELITE OF EARTH. + + +It is said that a woman magnificently robed is superior to all earthly +tribulations. Such was the case with Jennie as she left her carriage, +walked along the strip of carpet which lay across the pavement under a +canopy, and entered the great hall of the Duke of Chiselhurst's town +house, one of the huge palaces of Western London. Nothing so resplendent +had she ever witnessed, or even imagined, as the scene which met her eye +when she found herself about to ascend the broad stairway at the top of +which the hostess stood to receive her distinguished guests. Early as +she was, the stairway and the rooms beyond seemed already thronged. +Splendid menials in gorgeous livery, crimson the predominant colour, +stood on each step at either side of the stair. Uniforms of every +pattern, from the dazzling oriental raiment of Indian princes and +eastern potentates, to the more sober, but scarcely less rich apparel of +the diplomatic corps, ministers of the Empire, and officers, naval +and military, gave the final note of magnificence and picturesque +decoration. Like tropical flowers in this garden of colour were the +ladies, who, with easy grace, moved to and fro, bestowing a smile here +and a whisper there; and yet, despite her agitation, a hurried, furtive +glance around brought to Jennie the conviction that she was, perhaps, +the best-gowned woman in that assemblage of well-dressed people, which +recognition somewhat calmed her palpitating heart. The whole environment +seemed unreal to her, and she walked forward as if in a dream. She +heard someone cry, "The Princess von Steinheimer," and at first had a +difficulty in realizing that the title, for the moment, pertained +to herself. The next instant her hand was in that of the Duchess of +Chiselhurst, and Jennie heard the lady murmur that it was good of her +to come so far to grace the occasion. The girl made some sort of reply +which she found herself unable afterwards to recall, but the rapid +incoming of other guests led her to hope that, if she had used any +unsuitable phrase, it was either unheard or forgotten in the tension of +the time. She stood aside and formed one of the brilliant group at the +head of the stairs, thankful that this first ordeal was well done with. +Her rapidly beating heart had now opportunity to lessen its pulsations, +and as she soon realized that she was practically unnoticed, her natural +calmness began to return to her. She remembered why she was there, +and her discerning eye enabled her to stamp on a retentive memory +the various particulars of so unaccustomed a spectacle whose very +unfamiliarity made the greater impression upon the girl's mind. She +moved away from the group, determined to saunter through the numerous +rooms thrown open for the occasion, and thus, as it were, get her +bearings. In a short time all fear of discovery left her, and she began +to feel very much at home in the lofty, crowded salons, pausing even +to enjoy a selection which a military band, partly concealed in the +foliage, was rendering in masterly manner, led by the most famous +_impressario_ of the day. The remote probability of meeting anyone here +who knew the Princess reassured her, and there speedily came over her +a sense of delight in all the kaleidoscopic bewilderment of this great +entertainment. She saw that each one there had interest in someone +else, and, to her great relief, found herself left entirely alone with +reasonable assurance that this remoteness would continue to befriend her +until the final gauntlet of leave-taking had to be run; a trial still to +be encountered, the thought of which she resolutely put away from her, +trusting to the luck that had hitherto not deserted her. + +Jennie was in this complaisant frame of mind when she was suddenly +startled by a voice at her side. + +"Ah, Princess, I have been searching everywhere for you, catching +glimpses of you now and then, only to lose you, as, alas, has been my +fate on more serious occasion. May I flatter myself with the belief that +you also remember?" + +There was no recognition in the large frightened eyes that were turned +upon him. They saw a young man bowing low over the unresisting hand he +had taken. His face was clear-cut and unmistakably English. Jennie saw +his closely-cropped auburn head, and, as it raised until it overtopped +her own, the girl, terrified as she was, could not but admire the +sweeping blonde moustache that overshadowed a smile, half-wistful, +half-humorous, which lighted up his handsome face. The ribbon of some +order was worn athwart his breast; otherwise he wore court dress, which +well became his stalwart frame. + +"I am disconsolate to see that I am indeed forgotten, Princess, and so +another cherished delusion fades away from me." + +Her fan concealed the lower part of the girl's face, and she looked at +him over its fleecy semicircle. + +"Put not your trust in princesses," she murmured, a sparkle of latent +mischief lighting up her eyes. + +The young man laughed. "Indeed," he said, "had I served my country as +faithfully as I have been true to my remembrance of you, Princess, I +would have been an ambassador long ere this, covered with decorations. +Have you then lost all recollection of that winter in Washington five +years ago; that whirlwind of gaiety which ended by wafting you away to a +foreign country, and thus the eventful season clings to my memory as +if it were a disastrous western cyclone? Is it possible that I must +re-introduce myself as Donal Stirling?" + +"Not Lord Donal Stirling?" asked Jennie, dimly remembering that she had +heard this name in connection with something diplomatic, and her guess +that he was in that service was strengthened by his previous remark +about being an ambassador. + +"Yes, Lord Donal, if you will cruelly insist on calling me so; but this +cannot take from me the consolation that once, in the conservatory +of the White House, under the very shadow of the President, you +condescended to call me Don." + +"You cannot expect one to remember what happened in Washington five +years ago. You know the administration itself changes every four years, +and memories seldom carry back even so far as that." + +"I had hoped that my most outspoken adoration would have left +reminiscence which might outlast an administration. I have not found +forgetting so easy." + +"Are you quite sure of that, Lord Donal?" asked the girl archly, closing +her fan and giving him for the first time a full view of her face. + +The young man seemed for a moment perplexed, but she went on, giving him +little time for reflection. "Have your diplomatic duties taken you away +from Washington?" + +"Yes, to the other end of the earth. I am now in St. Petersburg, with +ultimate hopes of Vienna, Princess. I happened to be in London this +week, and hearing you were to be here, I moved heaven and earth for an +invitation." + +"Which you obtained, only to find yourself forgotten. How hollow this +world is, isn't it?" + +"Alas, yes. A man in my profession sees a good deal of the seamy side of +life, and I fully believe that my rapidly lessening dependence on human +veracity will be shattered by my superiors sending me to Constantinople. +But let me find you a seat out of this crowd where we may talk of old +times." + +"I don't care so much about the past as I do about the present. Let +us go up into that gallery, where you shall point out to me the +celebrities. I suppose you know them all, while I am an entire stranger +to London Society." + +"That is a capital idea," cried the young man enthusiastically. "Yes, I +think I know most of the people here, at least by name. Ah, here comes +the Royal party; we shall just be in time to have a good look at them." + +The band played the National Anthem, and Lord Donal got two chairs, +which he placed at the edge of the gallery, well hidden from the +promenaders by spreading tropical plants. + +"Oh, this _is_ jolly," cried Jennie, quite forgetting the dignity of a +Princess. "You told me why you came to the ball. Do you know why I am +here?" + +"On the remote chance of meeting me whom you pretended to have +forgotten," replied the young man audaciously. + +"Of course," laughed Jennie; "but aside from that, I came to see the +costumes. You know, we women are libellously said to dress for each +other. Away from the world, in the Tyrol, I have little opportunity +of seeing anything fine in the way of dress, and so I accepted the +invitation of the Duchess." + +"Have you the invitation of the Duchess with you?" + +"Yes, I am going to make some notes on the back of it. Would you like to +see it?" She handed him the letter and then leaned back in her chair, +regarding him closely. The puzzled expression on his face deepened as +he glanced over the invitation, and saw that it was exactly what it +purported to be. He gave the letter back to her, saying,-- + +"So you are here to see the fashions. It is a subject I know little +about; but, judging by effect, I should say that the Princess von +Steinheimer has nothing to learn from anyone present. If I may touch on +a topic so personal, your costume is what they call a creation, is it +not, Princess?" + +"It isn't bad," said the girl, looking down at her gown and then +glancing up at him with merriment dancing in her eyes. The diplomat had +his elbow resting on the balustrade, his head leaning on his hand, and, +quite oblivious to everything else, was gazing at her with such absorbed +intentness that the girl blushed and cast down her eyes. The intense +admiration in his look was undisguised. "Still," she rattled on somewhat +breathlessly, "one gets many hints from others, and the creation of +to-day is merely the old clothes of to-morrow. Invention has no vacation +so far as ladies' apparel is concerned. 'Take no thought of the morrow, +wherewithal ye shall be clothed,' may have been a good motto for the +court of Solomon, but it has little relation with that of Victoria." + +"Solomon--if the saying is his--was hedging. He had many wives, you +know." + +"Well, as I was about to say, you must now turn your attention to +the other guests, and tell me who's who. I have already confessed my +ignorance, and you promised to enlighten me." + +The young man, with visible reluctance, directed his thoughts from the +one to the many, and named this person and that, while Jennie, with +the pencil attached to her card, made cabalistic notes in shorthand, +economizing thus both space and time. When at last she had all the +information that could be desired, she leaned back in her chair with a +little sigh of supreme content. Whatever might now betide, her mission +was fulfilled, if she once got quietly away. The complete details of the +most important society event of the season were at her fingers' ends. +She closed her eyes for a moment to enjoy the satisfaction which success +leaves in its train, and when she opened them again found Lord Donal in +his old posture, absorbed in the contemplation of her undeniable beauty. + +"I see you are determined I shall have no difficulty in remembering you +next time we meet," she said with a smile, at the same time flushing +slightly under his ardent gaze. + +"I was just thinking," he replied, shifting his position a little, "that +the five years which have dealt so hardly with me, have left you five +years younger." + +"Age has many privileges, Lord Donal," she said to him, laughing +outright; "but I don't think you can yet lay claim to any of them. +The pose of the prematurely old is not in the least borne out by your +appearance, however hardly the girl you met in Washington dealt with +you." + +"Ah, Princess, it is very easy for you to treat these serious matters +lightly. He laughs at scars who never felt a wound. Time, being above +all things treacherous, often leaves the face untouched the more +effectually to scar the heart. The hurt concealed is ever the more +dangerous." + +"I fancy it has been concealed so effectually that it is not as deep as +you imagined." + +"Princess, I will confess to you that the wound at Washington was as +nothing to the one received at London." + +"Yes; you told me you had been here for a week." + +"The week has nothing to do with it. I have been here for a night--for +two hours--or three; I have lost count of time since I met you." + +What reply the girl might have made to this speech, delivered with all +the fervency of a man in thorough earnest, will never be known, for at +that moment their _tete-a-tete_ was interrupted by a messenger, who +said,-- + +"His Excellency the Austrian Ambassador begs to be permitted to pay his +regards to the Princess von Steinheimer." + +Lord Donal Stirling never took his eyes from the face of his companion, +and he saw a quick pallor overspread it. He leaned forward and +whispered,-- + +"I know the Ambassador; if you do not wish to meet him, I will intercept +him." + +Jennie rose slowly to her feet, and, looking at the young man with a +calmness she was far from feeling, said coldly,-- + +"Why should I not wish to meet the Ambassador of my adopted country?" + +"I know of no reason. Quite the contrary, for he must be an old friend +of yours, having been your guest at the Schloss Steinheimer a year ago." + +He stepped back as he said this, and Jennie had difficulty in +suppressing the gasp of dismay with which she received his disquieting +disclosure, but she stood her ground without wincing. She was face to +face with the crisis she had foreseen--the coming of one who knew +the Princess. Next instant the aged diplomat was bending over her +outstretched hand, which in courtly fashion the old man raised to his +lips. + +"I am delighted to have the privilege of welcoming you to this gloomy +old city, Princess von Steinheimer, which you illumine with your +presence. Do you stay long in London?" + +"The period of illumination is short, your Excellency. I leave for Paris +to-morrow." + +"So soon? Without even visiting the Embassy? I am distressed to hear +of so speedy a desertion, and yet, knowing the charms of the Schloss +Steinheimer, I can hardly wonder at your wish to return there. The +Prince, I suppose, is as devoted as ever to the chase. I must censure +his Highness, next time we meet, for not coming with you to London; then +I am sure you would have stayed longer with us." + +"The Prince is a model husband, your Excellency," said Jennie, with a +sly glance at Lord Donal, whose expression of uncertainty increased +as this colloquy went on, "and he would have come to London without +a murmur had his wife been selfish enough to tear him away from his +beloved Meran." + +"A model husband!" said the ancient count, with an unctuous chuckle. +"So few of us excel in that respect; but there is this to be +said in our exculpation, few have been matrimonially so fortunate +as the Prince von Steinheimer. I have never ceased to long for a +repetition of the charming visit I paid to your delightful home." + +"If your Excellency but knew how welcome you are, your visits would not +have such long intervals between." + +"It is most kind of you, Princess, to cheer an old man's heart by such +gracious words. It is our misfortune that affairs of State chain us to +our pillar, and, indeed, diplomacy seems to become more difficult as the +years go on, because we have to contend with the genius of rising young +men like Lord Donal Stirling here, who are more than a match for old +dogs that find it impossible to learn new tricks." + +"Indeed, your Excellency," said his lordship, speaking for the first +time since the Ambassador began, "the very reverse of that is the case. +We sit humbly at your feet, ambitious to emulate, but without hope of +excelling." + +The old man chuckled again, and, turning to the girl, began to make his +adieux. + +"Then my former rooms are waiting for me at the Castle?" he concluded. + +"Yes, your Excellency, with the addition of two red rocking-chairs +imported from America, which you will find most comfortable +resting-places when you are free from the cares of State." + +"Ah! The rocking-chairs! I remember now that you were expecting them +when I was there. So they have arrived, safely, I hope; but I think you +had ordered an incredible number, to be certain of having at least one +or two serviceable." + +"No; only a dozen, and they all came through without damage." + +"You young people, you young people!" murmured the Ambassador, bending +again over the hand presented to him, "what unheard-of things you do." + +And so the old man shuffled away, leaving many compliments behind him, +evidently not having the slightest suspicion that he had met anyone but +the person he supposed himself addressing, for his eyesight was not of +the best, and an Ambassador meets many fair and distinguished women. + +The girl sat down with calm dignity, while Lord Donal dropped into his +chair, an expression of complete mystification on his clear-cut, honest +face. Jennie slowly fanned herself, for the heat made itself felt at +that elevated situation, and for a few moments nothing was said by +either. The young man was the first to break silence. + +"Should I be so fortunate as to get an invitation to the Schloss +Steinheimer, may I hope that a red rocking-chair will be allotted to me? +I have not sat in one since I was in the States." + +"Yes, one for you; two for the Ambassador," said Jennie, with a laugh. + +"I should like further to flatter myself that your double generosity to +the Ambassador arises solely from the dignity of his office, and is not +in any way personal." + +"I am very fond of ambassadors; they are courteous gentlemen who seem to +have less distrust than is exhibited by some not so exalted." + +"Distrust! You surely cannot mean that I have distrusted you, Princess?" + +"Oh, I was speaking generally," replied Jennie airily. "You seem to seek +a personal application in what I say." + +"I admit, Princess, that several times this evening I have been +completely at sea." + +"And what is worse, Lord Donal, you have shown it, which is the one +unforgivable fault in diplomacy." + +"You are quite right. If I had you to teach me, I would be an ambassador +within the next five years, or at least a minister." + +The girl looked at him over the top of her fan, covert merriment lurking +in her eyes. + +"When you visit Schloss Steinheimer you might ask the Prince if he +objects to my giving you lessons." + +Here there was another interruption, and the announcement was made that +the United States Ambassador desired to renew his acquaintance with +the Princess von Steinheimer. Lord Donal made use of an impatient +exclamation more emphatic than he intended to give utterance to, but on +looking at his companion in alarm, he saw in her glance a quick flash of +gratitude as unmistakable as if she had spoken her thanks. It was quite +evident that the girl had no desire to meet his Excellency, which is not +to be wondered at, as she had already encountered him three times in her +capacity of journalist. He not only knew the Princess von Steinheimer, +but he knew Jennie Baxter as well. + +She leaned back in her chair and said wearily,-- + +"I seem to be having rather an abundance of diplomatic society this +evening. Are you acquainted with the American Ambassador also, Lord +Donal?" + +"Yes," cried the young man, eagerly springing to his feet. "He was a +prominent politician in Washington while I was there. He is an excellent +man, and I shall have no difficulty in making your excuses to him if you +don't wish to meet him." + +"Thank you so much. You have now an opportunity of retrieving your +diplomatic reputation, if you can postpone the interview without +offending him." + +Lord Donal departed with alacrity, and the moment he was gone all +appearance of languor vanished from Miss Jennie Baxter. + +"Now is my chance," she whispered to herself. "I must be in my carriage +before he returns." + +Eager as she was to be gone, she knew that she should betray no haste. +Expecting to find a stair at the other end of the gallery, she sought +for it, but there was none. Filled with apprehension that she would meet +Lord Donal coming up, she had difficulty in timing her footsteps to the +slow measure that was necessary. She reached the bottom of the stair in +safety and unimpeded, but once on the main floor a new problem presented +itself. Nothing would attract more attention than a young and beautiful +lady walking the long distance between the gallery end of the room and +the entrance stairway entirely alone and unattended. She stood there +hesitating, wondering whether she could venture on finding a quiet +side-exit, which she was sure must exist in this large house, when, to +her dismay, she found Lord Donal again at her side, rather breathless, +as if he had been hurrying in search of her. His brows were knit and +there was an anxious expression on his face. + +"I must have a word with you alone," he whispered. "Let me conduct you +to this alcove under the gallery." + +"No; I am tired. I am going home." + +"I quite understand that, but you must come with me for a moment." + +"Must?" she said, with a suggestion of defiance in her tone. + +"Yes," he answered gravely. "I wish to be of assistance to you. I think +you will need it." + +For a moment she met his unflinching gaze steadily, then her glance +fell, and she said in a low voice, "Very well." + +When they reached the alcove, she inquired rather quaveringly--for she +saw something had happened which had finally settled all the young man's +doubts--"Is it the American Ambassador?" + +"No; there was little trouble there. He expects to meet you later in the +evening. But a telegraphic message has come from Meran, signed by the +Princess von Steinheimer, which expresses a hope that the ball will be a +success, and reiterates the regret of her Highness that she could not be +present. Luckily this communication has not been shown to the Duchess. +I told the Duke, who read it to me, knowing I had been with you all the +evening, that it was likely a practical joke on the part of the Prince; +but the Duke, who is rather a serious person, does not take kindly +to that theory, and if he knew the Prince he would dismiss it as +absurd--which it is. I have asked him not to show the telegram to +anyone, so there is a little time for considering what had best be +done." + +"There is nothing for me to do but to take my leave as quickly and +as quietly as possible," said the girl, with a nervous little laugh +bordering closely on the hysterical. "I was about to make my way out by +some private exit if I could find one." + +"That would be impossible, and the attempt might lead to unexpected +complications. I suggest that you take my arm, and that you bid farewell +to her Grace, pleading fatigue as the reason for your early departure. +Then I will see you to your carriage, and when I return I shall +endeavour to get that unlucky telegram from the Duke by telling him +I should like to find out whether it is a hoax or not. He will have +forgotten about it most likely in the morning. Therefore, all you have +to do is to keep up your courage for a few moments longer until you are +safe in your carriage." + +"You are very kind," she murmured, with downcast eyes. + +"You are very clever, my Princess, but the odds against you were +tremendous. Some time you must tell me why you risked it." + +She made no reply, but took his arm, and together they sauntered through +the rooms until they found the Duchess, when Jennie took her leave of +the hostess with a demure dignity that left nothing to be desired. All +went well until they reached the head of the stair, when the Duke, an +ominous frown on his brow, hurried after them and said,-- + +"My lord, excuse me." + +Lord Donal turned with an ill-concealed expression of impatience, but he +was helpless, for he feared his host might not have the good sense to +avoid a scene even in his own hall. Had it been the Duchess, all would +have been well, for she was a lady of infinite tact, but the Duke, as he +had said, was a stupid man, who needed the constant eye of his wife upon +him to restrain him from blundering. The young man whispered, "Keep +right on until you are in your carriage. I shall ask my man here to call +it for you, but please don't drive away until I come." + +A sign brought a serving man up the stairs. + +"Call the carriage of the Princess von Steinheimer," said his master; +then, as the lady descended the stair, Lord Donal turned, with no very +thankful feeling in his heart, to hear what his host had to say. + +"Lord Donal, the American Ambassador says that woman is not the Princess +von Steinheimer, but is someone of no importance whom he has met several +times in London. He cannot remember her name. Now, who is she, and how +did you come to meet her?" + +"My Lord Duke, it never occurred to me to question the identity of +guests I met under your hospitable roof. I knew the Princess five years +ago in Washington, before she was married. I have not seen her in the +interval, but until you showed me the telegraphic message there was no +question in my mind regarding her." + +"But the American Ambassador is positive." + +"Then he has more confidence in his eyesight than I have. If such a +question, like international difficulties, is to be settled by the +Embassies, let us refer it to Austria, who held a long conversation with +the lady in my presence. Your Excellency," he continued to the Austrian +Ambassador, who was hovering near, waiting to speak to his host, "The +Duke of Chiselhurst has some doubt that the lady who has just departed +is the Princess von Steinheimer. You spoke with her, and can therefore +decide with authority, for his Grace seems disinclined to accept my +testimony." + +"Not the Princess? Nonsense. I know her very well indeed, and a most +charming lady she is. I hope to be her guest again before many months +are past." + +"There, my Lord Duke, you see everything is as it should be. If you will +give me that stupid telegram, I will make some quiet inquiries about it. +Meanwhile, the less said the better. I will see the American Ambassador +and convince him of his error. And now I must make what excuses I can to +the Princess for my desertion of her." + +Placing the telegram in his pocket, he hurried down the stair and out to +the street. There had been some delay about the coming of the carriage, +and he saw the lady he sought, at that moment entering it. + +"Home at once as fast as you can," he heard her say to the coachman. She +had evidently no intention of waiting for him. He sprang forward, thrust +his arm through the carriage window, and grasped her hand. + +"Princess," he cried, "you will not leave me like this. I must see you +to-morrow." + +"No, no," she gasped, shrinking into the corner of the carriage. + +"You cannot be so cruel. Tell me at least where a letter will reach you. +I shall not release your hand until you promise." + +With a quick movement the girl turned back the gauntlet of her long +glove; the next instant the carriage was rattling down the street, while +a chagrined young man stood alone on the kerb with a long, slender white +glove in his hand. + +"By Jove!" he said at last, as he folded it carefully and placed it +in the pocket of his coat. "It is the glove this time, instead of the +slipper!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +JENNIE REALIZES THAT GREAT EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEHIND. + + +Jennie Baxter reached her hotel as quickly as a fast pair of horses +could take her. She had succeeded; yet a few rebellious tears of +disappointment trickled down her cheeks now that she was alone in the +semi-darkness of the carriage. She thought of the eager young man left +standing disconsolately on the kerb, with her glove dangling in his +hand, and she bitterly regretted that unkind fortune had made it +possible for her to meet him only under false pretences. One consolation +was that he had no clue to her identity, and she was resolved never, +never to see him again; yet, such is the contrariness of human nature, +no sooner was she refreshed by this determination than her tears flowed +more freely than ever. + +She knew that she was as capable of enjoying scenes like the function +she had just left as any who were there; as fitted for them by +education, by personal appearance, or by natural gifts of the mind, as +the most welcome of the Duchess's guests; yet she was barred out from +them as effectually as was the lost Peri at the closed gate. Why had +capricious fate selected two girls of probably equal merit, and made one +a princess, while the other had to work hard night and day for the mere +right to live? Nothing is so ineffectual as the little word "why"; it +asks, but never answers. + +With a deep sigh Jennie dried her tears as the carriage pulled up at +the portal of the hotel. The sigh dismissed all frivolities, all futile +"whys"; the girl was now face to face with the realities of life, and +the events she had so recently taken part in would soon blend themselves +into a dream. + +Dismissing the carriage, and walking briskly through the hall, she said +to the night porter,-- + +"Have a hansom at the door for me in fifteen minutes." + +"A hansom, my lady?" gasped the astonished man. + +"Yes." She slipped a sovereign into his hand and ran lightly up the +stairs. The porter was well accustomed to the vagaries of great ladies, +although a hansom at midnight was rather beyond his experience. But if +all womankind tipped so generously, they might order an omnibus, and +welcome; so the hansom was speedily at the door. + +Jennie roused the drowsy maid who was sitting up for her. + +"Come," she said, "you must get everything packed at once. Lay out my +ordinary dress and help me off with this." + +"Where is your other glove, my lady?" asked the maid, busily unhooking, +and untying. + +"Lost. Don't trouble about it. When everything is packed, get some +sleep, and leave word to be called in time for the eight o'clock express +for Paris. Here is money to pay the bill and your fare. It is likely I +shall join you at the station; but if I do not, go to our hotel in Paris +and wait for me there. Say nothing of our destination to anyone, and +answer no questions regarding me, should inquiries be made. Are you sure +you understand?" + +"Yes, my lady." A few moments later Jennie was in the cab, driving +through the nearly deserted streets. She dismissed her vehicle at +Charing Cross, walked down the Strand until she got another, then +proceeded direct to the office of the _Daily Bugle_, whose upper windows +formed a row of lights, all the more brilliant because of the intense +darkness below. + +She found the shorthand writers waiting for her. The editor met her at +the door of the room reserved for her, and said, with visible anxiety on +his brow, "Well, what success?" + +"Complete success," she answered shortly. + +"Good!" he replied emphatically. "Now I propose to read the typewritten +sheets as they come from the machine, correct them for obvious clerical +errors, and send them right away to the compositors. You can, perhaps, +glance over the final proofs, which will be ready almost as soon as you +have finished." + +"Very well. Look closely to the spelling of proper names and verify +titles. There won't be much time for me to go carefully over the last +proofs." + +"All right. You furnish the material, and I'll see that it's used to the +best advantage." + +Jennie entered the room, and there at a desk sat the waiting +stenographer; over his head hung the bulb of an electric light, its +green circular shade throwing the white rays directly down on his open +notebook. The girl was once more in the working world, and its bracing +air acted as a tonic to her overwrought nerves. All longings and regrets +had been put off with the Paris-made gown which the maid at that moment +was carefully packing away. The order of nature seemed reversed; the +butterfly had abandoned its gorgeous wings of gauze, and was habited in +the sombre working garb of the grub. With her hands clasped behind her, +the girl paced up and down the room, pouring forth words, two hundred to +the minute, and sometimes more. Silently one stenographer, tiptoeing in, +replaced another, who as silently departed; and from the adjoining room, +the subdued, nervous, rapid click, click, click of the typewriting +machine invaded, without disturbing, her consciousness. Towards three +o'clock the low drone of the rotaries in the cellar made itself felt +rather than heard; the early edition for the country was being run off. +Time was flying--danced away by nimble feet in the West End, worked away +by nimble fingers in Fleet Street (well-named thoroughfare); play and +work, work and play, each supplementing the other; the acts of the +frivolous recorded by the industrious. + +When a little more than three hours' dictating was finished, the voice +of the girl, now as hoarse as formerly it had been musical, ceased; she +dropped into a chair and rested her tired head on the deserted desk, +closing her wearied eyes. She knew she had spoken between 15,000 and +20,000 words, a number almost equal in quantity to that contained in +many a book which had made an author's fame and fortune. And all for the +ephemeral reading of a day--of a forenoon, more likely--to be forgotten +when the evening journals came out! + +Shortly after the typewriter gave its final click the editor came in. + +"I didn't like to disturb you while you were at work, and so I kept at +my own task, which was no light one, and thus I appreciate the enormous +strain that has rested on you. Your account is magnificent, Miss Baxter; +just what I wanted, and never hoped to get." + +"I am glad you liked it," said the girl, laughing somewhat dismally at +the croaking sound of her own voice. + +"I need not ask you if you were there, for no person but one who was +present, and one who knew how to describe, could have produced such a +vivid account of it all. How did you get in?" + +"In where?" murmured Jennie drowsily. She found difficulty in keeping +her mind on what he was saying. + +"To the Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball." + +"Oh, getting in was easy enough; it was the getting out that was the +trouble." + +"Like prison, eh?" suggested the editor. "Now, will you have a little +wine, or something stronger?" + +"No, no. All I need is rest." + +"Then let me call a cab; I will see you home, if you will permit me." + +"I am too tired to go home; I shall remain here until morning." + +"Nonsense. You must go home and sleep for a week if you want to. Rouse +up; I believe you are talking in your sleep now." + +"I understand perfectly what you are saying and what I am doing. I have +work that must be attended to at eight. Please leave orders that someone +is to call me at seven and bring a cup of coffee and biscuits, or rolls, +or anything that is to be had at that hour. And please don't trouble +further. I am very thankful to you, but will express myself better later +on." + +With this the editor had to be content, and was shortly on his way to +his own well-earned rest. To Jennie it seemed but a moment after he had +gone, that the porter placed coffee and rolls on the desk beside her +saying, "Seven o'clock, miss!" + +The coffee refreshed the girl, and as she passed through the editorial +rooms she noted their forlorn, dishevelled appearance, which all places +show when seen at an unaccustomed hour, their time of activity and +bustle past. The rooms were littered with torn papers; waste-baskets +overflowing; looking silent, scrappy, and abandoned in the grey morning +light which seemed intrusive, usurping the place of the usual artificial +illumination, and betraying a bareness which the other concealed. Jennie +recognized a relationship between her own up-all-night feeling and the +spirit of the deserted rooms. + +At the railway station she found her maid waiting for her, surrounded by +luggage. + +"Have you got your ticket?" + +"Yes, my lady." + +"I have changed my mind, and will not go to Paris just now. Ask a porter +to put those trunks in the left-luggage office, and bring me the keys +and the receipt." + +When this was done and money matters had been adjusted between them, +Jennie gave the girl five pounds more than was due to her, and saw +her into the railway carriage, well pleased with the reward. A hansom +brought Jennie to her flat, and so ended the exhausting episode of the +Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball. + +Yet an event, like a malady, leaves numerous consequences in its train, +extending, who shall say, how far into the future? The first symptom of +these consequences was a correspondence, and, as there is no reading +more dreary than a series of letters, merely their substance is given +here. When Jennie was herself again, she wrote a long letter to +the Princess von Steinheimer, detailing the particulars of her +impersonation, and begging pardon for what she had done, while giving +her reasons for doing it; but, perhaps because it did not occur to her, +she made not the slightest reference to Lord Donal Stirling. Two answers +came to this--one a registered packet containing the diamonds which the +Princess had previously offered to her; the other a letter from the +Princess's own hand. The glitter of the diamonds showed Jennie that she +had been speedily forgiven, and the letter corroborated this. In fact, +the Princess upbraided her for not letting her into the secret earlier. +"It is just the jolly kind of thing I should have delighted in," wrote +her Highness. "And then, if I had known, I should not have sent that +unlucky telegram. It serves you right for not taking me into your +confidence, and I am glad you had a fright. Think of it coming in at +that inopportune moment, just as telegrams do at a play! But, Jennie, +are you sure you told me everything? A letter came from London the day +before yours arrived, and it bewildered me dreadfully at first. Don +Stirling, whom I used to know at Washington (a conceited young fellow he +was then--I hope he has improved since), wrote to say that he had met a +girl at the Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball who had a letter inviting the +Princess von Steinheimer to the festivity. He thought at first she was +the Princess (which is very complimentary to each of us), but found +later that she wasn't. Now he wants to know, you know, and thinks, quite +reasonably, that I must have some inkling who that girl was, and he begs +me, by our old friendship, etc., etc., etc. He is a nice young man, if a +trifle confident (these young diplomatists think they hold the reins of +the universe in their hands), and I should like to oblige him, but I +thought first I would hear what you had to say about it. I am to address +him care of the Embassy at St. Petersburg; so I suppose he's stationed +there now. By the way, how did he get your glove, or is that merely brag +on his part? He says that it is the only clue he has, and he is going to +trace you from that, it seems, if I do not tell him who you are and +send him your address. Now, what am _I_ to say when I write to St. +Petersburg?" + +In reply to this, Jennie sent a somewhat incoherent letter, very +different from her usual style of writing. She had not mentioned the +young man in her former communication, she said, because she had been +trying to forget the incident in which he was the central figure. In no +circumstances could she meet him again, and she implored the Princess +not to disclose her identity to him even by a hint. She explained the +glove episode exactly as it happened; she was compelled to sacrifice +the glove to release her hand. He had been very kind in helping her to +escape from a false position, but it would be too humiliating for her +ever to see him or speak with him again. + +When this letter reached the Schloss at Meran, the Princess telegraphed +to London, "Send me the other glove," and Jennie sent it. A few days +later came a further communication from the Princess. + +"I have puzzled our young man quite effectually, I think, clever as +he imagines himself to be. I wrote him a semi-indignant letter to St. +Petersburg, and said I thought all along he had not really recognized +me at the ball, in spite of his protestations at first. Then I saw how +easily he was deluded into the belief that I was some other woman, and +so the temptation to cozen him further was irresistible. Am I not a good +actress? I asked him. I went on to say, with some show of anger, that a +quiet flirtation in the gallery was all very well in its way, but when +it came to a young man rushing in a frenzy bare-headed into the street +after a respectable married woman who had just got into her carriage and +was about to drive away, it was too much altogether, and thus he came +into possession of the glove. As the remaining glove was of no use to +me, I had great pleasure in sending it to him, but warned him that if +the story of the gloves ever came to the ears of my husband, I should +deny having either owned or worn them. I should like to see Don's amazed +look when the other glove drops out of my letter, which was a bulky +package and cost ever so much in postage. I think the sending of the +glove was an inspiration. I fancy his lordship will be now completely +deluded, and that you need have no further fear of his finding you." + +Jennie read this letter over once or twice, and in spite of her friendly +feeling for the Princess, there was something in the epistle that jarred +on her. Nevertheless she wrote and thanked the Princess for what she had +done, and then she tried to forget all about everything pertaining to +the ball. However, she was not allowed to erase all thought of Lord +Donal from her mind, even if she could have accomplished this task +unimpeded. There shortly arrived a brief note from the Princess +enclosing a letter the young diplomatist at St. Petersburg had written. + +"DEAR PRINCESS" (it ran),--"I am very much obliged to you for the +companion glove, as I am thus enabled to keep one and use the other as a +clue. I see you not only know who the mysterious young lady is, but that +you have since met her, or at least have been in correspondence with +her. If the glove does not lead me to the hand, I shall pay a visit to +you in the hope that you will atone for your present cruelty by telling +me where to find the owner of both glove and hand." + +With regard to this note the Princess had written, "Don is not such a +fool as I took him to be. He must have improved during the last few +years. I wish you would write and tell me exactly what he said to you +that evening." + +But with this wish Jennie did not comply. She merely again urged the +Princess never to divulge the secret. + +For many days Jennie heard nothing more from any of the actors in the +little comedy, and the episode began to take on in her thoughts that air +of unreality which remote events seem to gather round them. She went +on with her daily work to the satisfaction of her employers and the +augmentation of her own banking account, although no experience worthy +of record occurred in her routine for several weeks. But a lull in a +newspaper office is seldom of long duration. + +One afternoon Mr. Hardwick came to the desk at which Jennie was at work, +and said to her,-- + +"Cadbury Taylor called here yesterday, and was very anxious to see you. +Has he been in again this afternoon?" + +"You mean the detective? No, I haven't seen him since that day at the +Schloss Steinheimer. What did he want with me?" + +"As far as I was able to understand, he has a very important case +on hand--a sort of romance in high life; and I think he wants your +assistance to unravel it; it seems to be baffling him." + +"It is not very difficult to baffle Mr. Cadbury Taylor," said the girl, +looking up at her employer with a merry twinkle in her eye. + +"Well, he appears to be in a fog now, and he expressed himself to me +as being very much taken with the neat way in which you unravelled the +diamond mystery at Meran, so he thinks you may be of great assistance +to him in his present difficulty, and is willing to pay in cash or in +kind." + +"Cash payment I understand," said the girl, "but what does he mean by +payment in kind?" + +"Oh, he is willing that you should make a sensational article out of the +episode. It deals entirely, he says, with persons in high life--titled +persons--and so it might make an interesting column or two for the +paper." + +"I see--providing, of course, that the tangled skein was unravelled by +the transcendent genius of Mr. Cadbury Taylor," said the girl cynically. + +"I don't think he wants his name mentioned," continued the editor; "in +fact, he said that it wouldn't do to refer to him at all, for if people +discovered that he made public any of the cases intrusted to him, he +would lose his business. He has been working on this problem for several +weeks, and I believe has made little progress towards its solution. His +client is growing impatient, so it occurred to the detective that you +might consent to help him. He said, with a good deal of complacency, +that he did not know you were connected with the _Bugle_, but he put his +wits at work and has traced you to this office." + +"How clever he is!" said Jennie, laughing; "I am sure I made no secret +of the fact that I work for the _Daily Bugle_." + +"I think Mr. Taylor will have no hesitation in agreeing with you that +he is clever; nevertheless, it might be worth while to see him and to +assist him if you can, because nothing so takes the public as a romance +in high life. Here is his address; would you mind calling on him?" + +"Not at all," replied the young woman, copying the street and number in +her note-book. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +JENNIE ASSISTS IN SEARCHING FOR HERSELF. + + +Next day Jennie Baxter drove to the address the editor had given her, +and she found Mr. Cadbury Taylor at home, in somewhat sumptuous offices +on the first floor. Fastened to his door was a brass plate, which +exposed to public view the carven words-- + + CADBURY TAYLOR, + Private Enquiry Agent. + +The detective was quite evidently very glad to see her. + +"I intended calling to-day at the office of the _Bugle_ on the chance of +finding you," he said; "but I am delighted to meet you here, because we +can talk without fear of interruption. Has the editor told you anything +of this case?" + +"Very little; he didn't seem to know much about it himself." + +"It was impossible for me to go into full particulars with him. I could +only give him a hint or two in order to convey to him some idea of the +interest which the mystery, when solved, might have from a newspaper +standpoint. Of course I wished to gain his assistance so that he might, +perhaps, persuade you to help me in this matter." + +"He seems to be quite willing that I should lend what aid I can," said +Jennie; "but I must have full details before I promise. I have a good +deal of work on hand, and, unless this case is interesting from a +newspaper point of view, as you have just said, I don't think that I +should care to touch it." + +"Oh, you will find it of great interest," the detective assured her with +much eagerness. "It relates to the sudden and hitherto unexplained +disappearance of a woman. That of itself is absorbing, for I may tell +you, as one having a large experience, that there is nothing more +difficult in this world than for any person, and more especially for a +woman, to disappear entirely and leave no trace behind." + +"I should have thought it quite easy," said Jennie, "especially in a +large city like London." + +"You have given expression to the universal opinion, but I pledge you my +word that a completely successful disappearance is one of the most +rare events that we detectives have to meet with in our line of +investigation." + +"Please tell me the story," said the girl; "then we can speak more +understandingly about it." + +The detective selected a packet of papers, one of many which occupied +the end of his table. He slipped from it a rubber band which held the +documents together. + +"The first act of the drama, if we may call it so, began at the Duchess +of Chiselhurst's ball." + +"The Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball!" echoed Jennie, with a shudder. "Oh, +dear!" + +The detective looked up at her. + +"Why do you say 'Oh, dear'?" he asked. + +"Because," said the girl wearily, "I am tired hearing of the Duchess of +Chiselhurst's ball; there seems to have been nothing else in the papers +for weeks past." + +"It has excited a great deal of comment," assented the detective; "and, +by the way, the _Daily Bugle_ had one of the best accounts of it that +was printed in any newspaper." + +"So I have heard," said Jennie carelessly, "but I most confess that I +didn't read that copy of the _Bugle_." + +"You amaze me! I should have thought that would have been the first part +of the paper to which any lady would turn. However, the report of the +ball has nothing to do with what we have in hand. Now, you remember the +Princess von Steinheimer, at whose castle I first had the pleasure of +meeting you?" + +"You had the pleasure of meeting me before that," said Jennie, speaking +without giving thought to what she said. + +"Really!" cried the detective, dropping his papers on the table; "and +where was that?" + +"Oh, well, as you have just said--it has nothing to do with this +case. Perhaps I was wrong in saying you saw me; it would be more +correct to say that I saw you. You must remember that you are a +public character, Mr. Taylor." + +"Ah, quite so," said the detective complacently, turning to his +documents again. "Now, the Princess von Steinheimer was invited to the +Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball, but she did not attend it." + +"Are you sure of that?" said the girl. "I thought her name was among the +list of those present." + +"It was in the list, and that is just where our mystery begins. Someone +else attended the ball as the Princess von Steinheimer; it is this +person that I wish to find." + +"Ah, then you are employed by the Duke of Chiselhurst?" + +"No, I am not, for, strangely enough, I believe the Duke thinks it was +actually the Princess who attended the ball. Only one man knows that the +Princess was not present, one man and two women. Of the latter, one is +the Princess von Steinheimer, and the other, the lady who impersonated +her. The one man is Lord Donal Stirling, of the Diplomatic Service, +whose name is no doubt familiar to you. Lord Donal has done me the +honour to place the case in my hands." + +"Why does his lordship wish to find this--this--fraudulent person?" +asked Jennie, speaking slowly and with difficulty. + +"Because," said the detective, with the air of a man who knows whereof +he speaks, "he is in love with her." + +"What makes you think that?" + +"I don't think it, I know it. Listen to his description of her." + +The detective chose a paper from among his pile of documents, folded, +labelled, and docketed for reference. + +"'The girl is of average height, or perhaps a trifle taller than the +average; carries herself superbly, like a born duchess. Her eyes are of +a deep, velvety black--'" + +"Dear me!" cried the girl, "he describes her as if she were a cat!" + +"Wait a moment," said the detective. + +"I don't see much trace of love in that," continued Jennie breathlessly. + +"Wait a moment," repeated the detective. "'They light up and sparkle +with merriment, and they melt into the most entrancing tenderness.'" + +"Good gracious!" cried Jennie, rising, "the conceit of the man is +illimitable. Does he mean to intimate that he saw tenderness for himself +in the eyes of a woman he had met for an hour or two?" + +"That's just it," said the detective, laughing. "You see the man is head +over ears in love. Please sit down again, Miss Baxter, and listen. I +know this sentimental kind of writing must be irksome to a practical +woman like yourself, but in our business we cannot neglect even the +slightest detail. Let's see, where was I?--'tenderness,' oh, yes. 'Her +hair is of midnight darkness, inclined to ripple, with little whiffs of +curls imperiously defying restraint about her temples. Her complexion is +as pure as the dawn, touched now and then with a blush as delicate as +the petal of a rose.'" + +"Absurd!" cried Jennie impatiently. "The complexion of a woman at a +ball! Of course, she put it on for the occasion." + +"Of course," agreed the detective. "But that merely shows you how deeply +in love he is. Lord Donal is quite a young man. He came up to this room +to consult with me, and certainly he doesn't know the difference between +a complexion developed in a Surrey lane and one purchased in New Bond +Street." + +"Still, the blushing would seem to indicate that the complexion was +genuine," retorted Jennie, apparently quite unflattered by Mr. Taylor's +agreement with the theory she herself had put forward. + +"Oh, I don't know about that. I believe modern science enables an +enamelled woman to blush at will; I wouldn't be sure of it, because it +is outside of my own line of investigation, but I have understood such +is the case." + +"Very likely," assented Jennie. "What is that you have at the bottom of +your packet?" + +"That," said the detective, drawing it forth and handing it to the girl, +"is her glove." + +Jennie picked up the glove--which, alas! she had paid for and only +worn on one occasion--and smoothed it out between her fingers. It was +docketed "G; made by Gaunt et Cie, Boulevard Hausmann; purchased in +Paris by one alleging herself to be the Princess von Steinheimer." + +"You have found out all about it," said Jennie, as she finished reading +the label. + +"Yes, it is our business to do so; but the glove has not been of much +assistance to us." + +"How did he say he became possessed of the glove?" asked the girl +innocently. "Did she give it to him?" + +"No; he tore it from her hand as she was leaving him in the carriage. It +seemed to me a most ungentlemanly thing to do, but of course it was not +my business to tell Lord Donal that." + +"So the glove has not been of much assistance to you. Tell me, then, +what you have done, and perhaps I shall be the better able to advise +you." + +"We have done everything that suggested itself. We traced the alleged +Princess from the Hotel Bristol in Pans to Claridge's in London. I have +a very clever woman in Paris who assisted me, and she found where the +gloves were bought and where the dress was made. Did I read you Lord +Donal's description of the lady's costume?" + +"No, never mind that; go on with your story." + +"Well, Claridge's provided carriage, coachman and footman to take her to +the ball, and this returned with her sometime about midnight. Now, here +a curious thing happened. The lady ordered a hansom as she passed the +night-porter and shortly after packed off her maid in the cab." + +"Her maid!" echoed Jennie. + +"Yes. The maid came down in ordinary street dress shortly after, deeply +veiled, and drove away in the hansom; the lady paid her bill next +morning and went to the eight o'clock Paris express, with carriage and +pair, coachman and footman. Of course it struck me that it might be the +lady herself who had gone off in the cab, but a moment's reflection +showed me that she was not likely to leave the hotel in a cab at +midnight, and allow her maid to take the carriage in state next +morning." + +"That doesn't appear reasonable," murmured Jennie. "You made no attempt, +then, to trace the maid?" + +"Oh yes, we did. We found the cabman who took her from Claridge's, +and he left her at Charing Cross Station, but there all trace of her +vanishes. She probably left on one of the late trains--there are only a +few after midnight--to some place out in the country. The lady took a +first-class ticket to Paris, and departed alone next morning by the +eight o'clock Continental express. My assistant discovered her and took +a snapshot of her as she was walking down the boulevard; here is the +picture." + +The detective handed Miss Baxter an instantaneous view of one of the +boulevards taken in bright sunshine. The principal figure in the +foreground Jennie had no difficulty in recognizing as her own maid, +dressed in that _chic_ fashion which Parisian women affect. + +"She seems to answer the description," said Jennie. + +"So I thought," admitted the detective, "and I sent the portrait to Lord +Donal. See what he has written on the back." + +Jennie turned the picture over, and there under the inscription, "H. +Supposed photo of the missing woman," was written in a bold hand, "Bosh! +Read my description of the girl; this is evidently some Paris lady's +maid." + +"Well, what did you do when you got this picture back?" asked Jennie. + +"I remembered you, and went to the office of the _Daily Bugle_. This +brings us to the present moment. You have now the whole story, and I +shall be very pleased to listen to any suggestions you are good enough +to offer." + +The girl sat where she was for a few moments and pondered over the +situation. The detective, resting his elbow on the table and his chin in +his hand, regarded her with eager anticipation. The more Jennie thought +over the matter, the more she was amazed at the man before her, who +seemed unable to place two and two together. He had already spoken of +the account of the ball which had appeared in the _Daily Bugle_; of +its accuracy and its excellence; he knew that she was a member of the +_Bugle_ staff, yet it had never occurred to him to inquire who wrote +that description; he knew also that she had been a guest at the Schloss +Steinheimer when the invitation to the ball must have reached the +Princess. These facts were so plainly in evidence that the girl was +afraid to speak lest some chance word would form the connecting link +between the detective's mind and the seemingly palpable facts. At last +she looked up, the colour coming and going in her cheeks, as Lord Donal +had so accurately described it. + +"I don't think I can be of any assistance to you in this crisis, Mr. +Taylor. You have already done everything that human ingenuity can +suggest." + +"Yes, I have--everything that _my_ human ingenuity can suggest. But does +nothing occur to you? have you no theory to put forward?" + +"None that would be of any practical advantage. Is Lord Donal certain +that it was not the Princess herself whom he met? Are you thoroughly +convinced that there was really an impersonation?" + +"What do you mean, Miss Baxter?" + +"Well, you met Prince von Steinheimer; what do you think of him?" + +"I thought him an overbearing bully, if you ask me. I can't imagine +what English or American girls see in those foreigners to cause them +to marry. It is the titles, I suppose. The Prince was very +violent--practically ordered me out of the Castle, spoke to his +father-in-law in the most peremptory manner, and I could easily see the +Princess was frightened out of her wits." + +"A very accurate characterization of his Highness, Mr. Taylor. Now, of +course, the Princess being a woman--and a young woman--would naturally +be very anxious to attend the Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball, wouldn't +she?" + +"One would think so." + +"And, as you have just said, she has a bear of a husband, a good deal +older than herself, who does not in the least care for such functions as +that to which the Princess was invited. Is it not quite possible that +the Princess actually attended the ball, but, for reasons of her own, +desired to keep the fact of her presence there a secret; and you must +remember that Lord Donal Stirling had not seen the Princess for five +years." + +"For five years?" said the detective sharply. "How did you learn that, +Miss Baxter?" + +"Well, you know," murmured the girl, with a gasp, "he met her last in +Washington, and the Princess has not been in America for five years; so +you see--" + +"Oh, I was not aware that he had met her in America at all; in fact, +Lord Donal said nothing much about the Princess--all his talk had +reference to this lady who impersonated her." + +Jennie leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes for a moment, and +breathed quickly. + +"I am afraid," she said at last, "that I do not remember with sufficient +minuteness the details you have given me, to be able to advise. I can +only suggest that Lord Donal met the Princess herself at the Duchess of +Chiselhurst's ball. The Princess, naturally, would wish to mislead +him regarding her identity; and so, if he had not met her for some +time--say two years, or three years, or five years, or whatever the +period may be--it is quite possible that the Princess has changed +greatly in the interval, and perhaps she was not reluctant to carry on +a flirtation with the young man--your client. Of course, she could not +allow it to go further than the outside of the door of the Duke of +Chiselhurst's town house, for you must remember there was her husband +in the background--a violent man, as you have said; and Lord Donal must +have thoroughly angered the Princess by what you term his rudeness in +tearing off her glove; and now the Princess will never admit that she +was at the ball, so it seems to me that you are wasting your time in a +wild goose chase. Why, it is absurd to think, if there had been a real +disappearing woman, that you, with all your experience and all your +facilities, should not have unearthed her long ago. You said at the +beginning that nothing was more difficult than to disappear. Very well, +then--why have you been baffled? Simply because the Princess herself +attended the ball, and there has been no disappearing lady at all." + +The detective, with great vehemence, brought down his fist on the table. + +"By Jove!" he cried, "I believe you are right. I have been completely +blinded, the more so that I have the clue to the mystery right here +under my own eyes." + +He fumbled for a moment and brought forth a letter from his pile of +documents. + +"Here is a note from St. Petersburg, written by Lord Donal himself, +saying the Princess had sent him the companion glove to the one you +now have in your hand. He says he is sure the Princess knows who her +impersonator was, but that she won't tell; and, although I had read this +note, it never struck me that the Princess herself was the woman. Miss +Baxter, you have solved the puzzle!" + +"I should be glad to think so," replied the girl, rising, "and I am very +happy if I have enabled you to give up a futile chase." + +"It is as plain as daylight," replied the detective. "Lord Donal's +description fits the Princess exactly, and yet I never thought of her +before." + +Jennie hurried away from the detective's office, happy in the belief +that she had not betrayed herself, although she was not blind to the +fact that her escape was due more to good luck than to any presence of +mind of her own, which had nearly deserted her at one or two points in +the conversation. When Mr. Hardwick saw her, he asked how much space he +should have to reserve for the romance in high life; but she told him +there was nothing in the case, so far as she could see, to interest any +sane reader. + +Here matters rested for a fortnight; then the girl received an urgent +note from Cadbury Taylor, asking her to call at his office next day +promptly at four o'clock. It was very important, he said, and he hoped +she would on no account disappoint him. Jennie's first impulse was not +to go, but she was so anxious to learn what progress the detective had +made in the case, fearing that at last he might have got on the right +track, that she felt it would be unwise to take the risk of not seeing +him. If his suspicions were really aroused, her absence might possibly +serve to confirm them. Exactly at four o'clock next afternoon she +entered his office and found him, to her relief, alone. He sprang up +from his table on seeing her, and said in a whisper, "I am so glad you +have come. I am in rather a quandary. Lord Donal Stirling is in London +on a flying visit. He called here yesterday." + +The girl caught her breath, but said nothing. + +"I explained to him the reasons I have for believing that it was +actually the Princess von Steinheimer whom he met at the Duchess of +Chiselhurst's ball. He laughed at me; there was no convincing him. He +said that theory was more absurd than the sending him a picture of +a housemaid as that of the lady he met at the ball. I used all the +arguments which you had used, but he brushed them aside as of no +consequence, and somehow the case did not appear to be as clear as when +you propounded your theory." + +"Well, what then?" asked the girl. + +"Why, then I asked him to come up here at four o'clock and hear what an +assistant of mine would say about the case." + +"At four o'clock!" cried the girl in terror; "then he may be here at any +moment." + +"He is here now; he is in the next room. Come in, and I will introduce +you, and then I want you to tell him all the circumstances which lead +you to believe that it was the Princess herself whom he met. I am sure +you can place all the points before him so tersely that you will succeed +in bringing him round to your own way of thinking. You will try, won't +you, Miss Baxter? It will be a very great obligement to me." + +"Oh, no, no, no!" cried the girl; "I am not going to admit to anyone +that I have been acting as a detective's assistant. You had no right to +bring me here. I must go at once. If I had known this I would not have +come." + +"It won't take you five minutes," pleaded Cadbury Taylor. "He is at this +moment waiting for you; I told him you would be here at four." + +"I can't help that; you had no right to make an appointment for me +without my knowledge and consent." + +Taylor was about to speak when the door-handle of the inner room turned. + +"I say, detective," remarked Lord Donal, in a voice of some irritation, +"you should have assistants who are more punctual. I am a very busy man, +and must leave for St. Petersburg to-night, so I can't spend all my time +in your office, you know." + +"I am sure I beg your pardon, my lord," said the detective with great +obsequiousness. "This young lady has some objections to giving her +views, but I am sure you will be able to persuade her--" + +He turned, but the place at his side was vacant. The door to the hall +was open, and the girl had escaped as she saw the handle of the inner +door turn. Taylor looked blankly at his client with dropped jaw. Lord +Donal laughed. + +"Your assistant seems to have disappeared as completely as did the lady +at the ball. Why not set your detectives on _her_ track? Perhaps she +will prove to be the person I am in search of." + +"I am very sorry, my lord," stammered the detective. + +"Oh, don't mention it. I am sure you have done all that could be done +with the very ineffective clues which unfortunately are our only +possession, but you are quite wrong in thinking it was the Princess +herself who attended the ball, and I don't blame your assistant for +refusing to bolster up an impossible case. We will consider the search +ended, and if you will kindly let me have your bill at the Diplomatic +Club before six o'clock to-night, I will send you a cheque. Good +afternoon, Mr. Taylor." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +JENNIE ELUDES AN OFFER OF MARRIAGE. + + +As Jennie rapidly hurried away from the office of Mr. Cadbury Taylor, +there arose in her mind some agitation as to what the detective would +think of her sudden flight. She was convinced that, up to the moment of +leaving him so abruptly, he had not the slightest suspicion she herself, +to whom he was then talking, was the person he had been searching for up +and down Europe. What must he think of one who, while speaking with him, +suddenly, without a word of leave-taking, disappeared as if the earth +had opened and swallowed her, and all because the handle of the door to +the inner room had turned? Then the excuse she had given for not wishing +to meet Lord Donal must have struck him as ridiculously inadequate. +When she reached her desk and reflected with more calmness over +the situation, she found no cause to censure herself for her hasty +departure; although she had acted on impulse, she saw there had been +nothing else to do; another moment and she would have been face to face +with Lord Donal himself. + +Next day brought a note from the detective which went far to reassure +her. He apologized for having made the appointment without her +permission, and explained that Lord Donal's unexpected arrival in +London, and his stubborn unbelief that it had been the Princess herself +whom he met at the ball, seemingly left the detective no alternative out +to call on the person who had so persistently advanced the theory, to +explain it to the one most intimately concerned. It had not occurred +to him at the time to think that Miss Baxter might object to meet Lord +Donal, who was an entire stranger to her; but now he saw that he was +wrong, etc., etc., etc. This note did much to convince Jennie that, +after all, the detective had not seen the clues which appeared to be +spread so plainly before his eyes. Cadbury Taylor, however, said nothing +about the search being ended, and a few days later Jennie received a +disquieting letter from the Princess von Steinheimer. + +"My dear Jennie," her Highness wrote, "I am sure the detectives are +after you, and so I thought it best to send you a word of warning. Of +course it is only surmise on my part, but for days there has been a +woman hovering about the castle, trying to get information from my +servants. My maid came directly to me and told me what she knew. The +woman detective had spoken to her. This inquisitive person, who had come +from Paris, wished particularly to know whether I had been seen about +the castle during the week in which the Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball +took place; and so this leads me to suppose that some one is making +inquiries for you. It must be either Lord Donal Stirling or the Duke +of Chiselhurst, but I rather think it is the former. I have written an +indignant letter to Lord Donal, accusing him of having caused detectives +to haunt the castle. I have not yet received a reply, but Lord Donal is +a truthful person, and in a day or two I expect to find out whether or +not he has a hand in this business. Meanwhile, Jennie, be on your guard, +and I will write you again as soon as I have something further to tell." + +The reading of this letter greatly increased Jennie's fears, for she +felt assured that, stupid as the men undoubtedly were, they verged so +closely on the brink of discovery, they were almost certain to stumble +upon the truth if the investigation was continued. She wrote a +hurried note to the Princess, imploring her to be cautious, and not +inadvertently give any clue that would lead to her discovery. Her +letter evidently crossed one from the Princess herself. Lord Donal had +confessed, said the letter, and promised never, never to do it again. +"He says that before my letter was received he had stopped the +detectives, who were doing no good and apparently only annoying innocent +people. He says the search is ended, as far as the detective is +concerned, and that I need fear no more intrusions from inquiry agents, +male or female. He apologized very handsomely, but says he has not given +up hopes of finding the lady who disappeared. And now, Jennie, I trust +that you will admit my cleverness. You see that I had only a word or +two from my maid as a clue, but I unravelled the whole plot and at once +discovered who was the instigator of it, so I think I wouldn't make a +bad detective myself. I am tremendously interested in episodes like +this. I believe if I had known nothing of the impersonation, and if the +case had been put in my hands, I should have discovered you long ago. +Can't you think of some way in which my undoubted talent for research +may be made use of? You don't know how much I envy you in your newspaper +office, always with an absorbing mystery on hand to solve. It must be +like being the editor of a puzzle department. I wish you would let me +help you next time you have anything important to do. Will you promise? + +"When you write again, please send your letter to Vienna, as we are +going into residence there, my husband having been unexpectedly called +to the capital. He holds an important position in the Government, as +perhaps you remember." + +Jennie was delighted to know that all inquiry had ceased, and she wrote +a long letter of gratitude to the Princess. She concluded her epistle by +saying: "It is perfectly absurd of you to envy one who has to work as +hard as I. You are the person to be envied. It is not all beer and +skittles in a newspaper office, which is a good thing, for I don't like +beer, and I don't know what skittles is or are. But I promise you that +the next time I have an interesting case on hand I shall write and +give you full particulars, and I am sure that together we shall be +invincible." + +But one trouble leaves merely to give place to another in this life. +Jennie was disturbed to notice that Mr. Hardwick was becoming more and +more confidential with her. He sat down by her desk whenever there was +a reasonable excuse for doing so, and he consulted her on matters +important and on matters trivial. An advance of salary came to her, +and she knew it was through his influence with the board of directors. +Although Mr. Hardwick was sharp and decisive in business matters, he +proved an awkward man where his affections were concerned, and he often +came and sat by the girl's desk, evidently wishing to say something, and +yet quite as evidently having nothing to say; and thus the situation +became embarrassing. Jennie was a practical girl and had no desire to +complicate the situation by allowing her employer to fall in love with +her, yet it was impossible to go to him and ask that his attentions +might be limited strictly to a business basis. The crisis, however, +was brought on by Mr. Hardwick himself. One day, when they were alone +together, he said abruptly,-- + +"That romance in high life which you were investigating with Mr. Cadbury +Taylor did not come to anything?" + +"No, Mr. Hardwick." + +"Then don't you think we might enact a romance in high life in this very +room; it is high enough from the street to entitle it to be called a +romance in high life," and the editor grinned uneasily, like an unready +man who hopes to relieve a dilemma by a poor joke. + +Jennie, however, did not laugh and did not look up at him, but continued +to scribble shorthand notes on the paper before her. + +"Ah, Mr. Hardwick!" she said with a sigh, "I see you have discovered my +secret, although I had hoped to conceal it even from your alert eyes. +I am, indeed, in the situation of _Ralph Rackstraw_ in 'Pinafore,' 'I +love, and love, alas! above my station,' and now that you know half, you +may as well know all. It arose out of that unfortunate ball given by the +Duchess of Chiselhurst which will haunt me all the rest of my life, I +fear," said Jennie, still without looking up. Mr. Hardwick smothered an +ejaculation and was glad that the girl's eyes were not upon him. There +was a pause of a few moments' duration between them. He took the path +which was left open to him, fondly flattering himself that, while he +had stumbled inadvertently upon her romance, he had kept his own secret +safe. + +"I--I have no right to intrude on your confidences, Miss Baxter," +he said finally with an effort, "and I hope you will excuse me +for--for------" + +"Oh! I have been sure for some days you knew it," interrupted the girl, +looking up, but not at him. "I have been neglecting my work, I fear, and +so you were quite right in speaking." + +"No, your work is all right; it wasn't that exactly--but never mind, we +won't speak of this any more, for I see it embarrasses you." + +"Thank you, Mr. Hardwick," said Jennie, again bending her eyes on the +desk before her. + +The man saw the colour come and go in her cheeks, and thought he had +never beheld anyone so entrancing. He rose quickly, without making +further attempt at explanation, and left the room. One or two tear drops +stained the paper on which the girl was scribbling. She didn't like +giving pain to anyone, but could not hold herself to blame for what +had happened. She made up her mind to leave the _Daily Bugle_ and seek +employment elsewhere, but next day Mr. Hardwick showed no trace of +disappointment, and spoke to her with that curt imperiousness which had +heretofore been his custom. + +"Miss Baxter," he said, "have you been reading the newspapers with any +degree of attention lately?" + +"Yes, Mr. Hardwick." + +"Have you been watching the drift of foreign politics?" + +"Do you refer to that speech by the Prime Minister of Austria a week or +two ago?" + +"Yes, that is what I have in my mind. As you know, then, it amounted +almost to a declaration of war against England--almost, but not quite. +It was a case of saying too much or of not saying enough; however, it +was not followed up, and the Premier has been as dumb as a graven image +ever since. England has many enemies in different parts of the world, +but I must confess that this speech by the Austrian Premier came as a +surprise. There must have been something hidden, which is not visible +from the outside. The Premier is too astute a man not to know exactly +what his words meant, and he was under no delusion as to the manner in +which England would take them. It is a case, then, of, 'When I was so +quickly done for, I wonder what I was begun for'--that is what all +Europe is asking." + +"Is it not generally supposed, Mr. Hardwick, that his object was to +consolidate Austria and Hungary? I understood that local politics were +at the bottom of his fiery speech." + +"Quite so, but the rousing of the war spirit in Austria and Hungary was +useless unless that spirit is given something to do. It needs a war, not +a threat of war, to consolidate Austria and Hungary. If the speech had +been followed up by hostile action, or by another outburst that would +make war inevitable, I could understand it. The tone of the speech +indicates that the Prime Minister meant business at the time he gave +utterance to it. Something has occurred meanwhile to change the +situation, and what that something is, all the newspapers in Europe have +been trying to find out. We have had our regular Vienna representative +at work ever since the words were uttered, and for the past two weeks +he has been assisted by one of the cleverest men I could send him from +London; but up to date, both have failed. Now I propose that you go +quietly to Vienna; I shall not let either of the men know you are +investigating the affair at which they have laboured with such little +success; for both are good men, and I do not want to discourage either +of them; still, above all things, I wish to have the solution of this +mystery. So it occurred to me last night that you might succeed where +others had failed. What do you think of it?" + +"I am willing to try," said Miss Baxter, as there flashed across her +mind an idea that here was a case in which the Princess von Steinheimer +could be of the greatest assistance to her. + +"It has been thought," went on the editor, "that the Emperor is +extremely adverse to having trouble with England or any other country. +Still, if that were the case, a new Cabinet would undoubtedly have been +formed after this intemperate address of the Premier; but this man still +holds his office, and there has been neither explanation nor apology +from Court or Cabinet. I am convinced that there is something behind all +this, a wheel within a wheel of some sort, because, the day after the +speech, there came a rumour from Vienna that an attempt had been made on +the life of the Emperor or of the Premier; it was exceedingly vague, but +it was alleged that a dynamite explosion had taken place in the +palace. This was promptly contradicted, but we all know what official +contradictions amount to. There is internal trouble of some kind at +the Court of Vienna, and if we could publish the full details, such an +article would give us a European reputation. When could you be ready to +begin your journey, Miss Baxter?" + +"I am ready now." + +"Well, in an affair like this it is best to lose no time; you can go +to-morrow morning, then?" + +"Oh, certainly, but I must leave the office at once, and you should get +someone to finish the work I am on." + +"I will attend to that," said the editor. + +Thus relieved, Jennie betook herself to a telegraph office. She knew +that if she wrote a letter to the Princess, who was now in Vienna, she +would probably herself reach that city as soon as her note, so she +telegraphed that something important was on hand which would take her to +Vienna by next day's Orient express, and intimated that it was a matter +in which she might need the assistance of the Princess. Then she +hastened to her rooms to pack up. That evening there came an answering +telegram from Vienna. The Princess asked her to bring her ball dress and +all the rest of her finery. The lady added that she herself would be at +the railway station, and asked Jennie to telegraph to her, _en route_, +the time of her arrival. It was evident that her Highness was quite +prepared to engage in whatever scheme there was on hand, and this fact +encouraged Jennie to hope that success perhaps awaited her. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +JENNIE TOUCHES THE EDGE OF A GOVERNMENT SECRET. + + +True to her promise, the Princess von Steinheimer was waiting at the +immense railway station of Vienna, and she received her friend with +gushing effusion. Jennie left the train as neat as when she had entered +it, for many women have the faculty of taking long journeys without +showing the dishevelled effect which protracted railway travelling seems +to have upon the masculine, and probably more careless, portion of +humanity. + +"Oh, you dear girl!" cried the Princess; "you cannot tell how glad I am +to see you. I was just yearning for someone to talk English to. I am so +tired of French and German, although they flatter me by saying that I +speak those two languages extremely well; yet English is my own tongue, +and it is so delightful to talk with one who can understand every +blessed word you say, which you can easily see those who pretend to +speak English in Vienna do not. What long chats we shall have! And now +come this way to the carriage. There is a man here to look after your +luggage. You are coming right home with me and are going to stay with me +as long as you are in Vienna. Don't say, 'No,' nor make any excuse, nor +talk of going to an hotel, for a suite of rooms is all ready for you, +and your luggage will be there before we are. Now let us enter the +carriage, for I am just pining to hear what it is you have on hand. Some +delicious scandal, I hope." + +"No," answered Jennie; "it pertains to Government matters." + +"Oh, dear!" cried the Princess; "how tiresome! Politics are so dull." + +"I don't think this case is dull," said Jennie; "because it has brought +Austria and England to the verge of war." + +"What a dreadful idea! I hadn't heard anything of it. When did this +happen?" + +"Less than a month ago," and Jennie related the whole circumstance, +giving a synopsis of the Premier's speech. + +"But I see nothing in that speech to cause war," protested the Princess. +"It is as mild as new milk." + +"I don't pretend to understand diplomacy," continued Jennie, blushing +slightly as she remembered Lord Donal; and it seemed that the same +thought struck the Princess at the same moment, for she looked +quizzically at Jennie and burst out into a laugh. + +"You may laugh," cried the girl; "but I tell you that this is a serious +business. They say it only needed a second 'new milk' speech from the +Premier to have England answer most politely in words of honey, and next +instant the two countries would have been at each other's throats." + +"Suppose we write to Lord Donal in St. Petersburg," suggested the +Princess, still laughing, "and ask him to come to Vienna and help us? He +understands all about diplomacy. By the way, Jennie, did Lord Donal ever +find out whom he met at the ball that night?" + +"No, he didn't," answered Miss Baxter shortly. + +"Don't you ever intend to let him know? Are you going to leave the +romance unfinished, like one of Henry James's novels?" + +"It isn't a romance; it is simply a very distressing incident which I +have been trying to forget ever since. It is all very well for you to +laugh, but if you ever mention the subject again I'll leave you and go +to an hotel." + +"Oh, no, you won't," chirruped the Princess brightly; "you daren't. You +know I hold all the trump cards; at any time I can send a letter to +Lord Donal and set the poor young man's mind at rest. So you see, Miss +Jennie, you will have to talk very sweetly and politely to me and not +make any threats, because I am like those dreadful persons in the +sensational plays who possess the guilty secrets of other people and +blackmail them. But you are a nice girl, and I won't say anything you +don't want to hear said. Now, what is it you wish to find out about this +political crisis?" + +"I want to discover why the Premier did not follow up his speech with +another. He must have known when he spoke how his words would be taken +in England; therefore it is thought that he had some plans which +unforeseen circumstances intervening have nullified. I want to know what +those unforeseen circumstances were, and what these plans were. For the +past fortnight the _Daily Bugle_ has had two men here in Vienna trying +to throw some light on the dark recesses of diplomacy. Up to date they +have failed, but at any moment they may succeed; it was because they +failed that I am sent here. Now, have you anything to suggest, Madame la +Princesse?" + +"I suggest, Jennie, that we put our heads together and learn all that +those diplomatists wish to hide. Have you no plans yourself?" + +"I have no very definite plan, but I have a general scheme. These men +I spoke of are trying to discover what other men are endeavouring to +conceal. All the officials are on their guard; they are highly placed, +and are not likely to be got at by bribery. They are clever, alert men +of the world, so hoodwinking them is out of the question; therefore I +think my two fellow journalists have a difficult task before them." + +"But it is the same task that you have before you; why is it not as +difficult for you, Jennie, as for them?" + +"Because I propose to work with people who are not on their guard, and +there is where you can help me, if you are not shocked at my proposal. +Each official has a wife, or at least most of them have. Some of these +wives, in all probability, possess the information that we would like to +get. Women will talk more freely with women than men will with men. Now, +I propose to leave the officials severely alone and to interview their +wives." + +The Princess clapped her hands. + +"Excellent!" she cried. "The women of Vienna are the greatest gossips +you ever heard chattering together. I have never taken any interest in +politics, otherwise I suppose I might have become possessed of some +important Government secrets. Now, Jennie, I'll tell you what I propose +doing. I shall give a formal tea next Thursday afternoon. I shall invite +to that tea a dozen, or two dozen, or three dozen wives of influential +officials about the Court. My husband will like that, because he is +always complaining that I do not pay enough attention to the ladies of +the political circle of Vienna. He takes a great interest in politics, +you know. If we discover nothing at the first tea-meeting, we will have +another, and another, and another, until we do. We are sure to invite +the right woman on one of those occasions, and when we find her I'll +warrant the secret will soon belong to us. Ah, here we are at home, and +we will postpone the discussion of our delightful conspiracy until you +have had something to eat and are rested a bit." + +The carriage drew up at the magnificent palace, well known in Vienna, +which belongs to the Prince von Steinheimer; and shortly afterwards +Jennie Baxter found herself in possession of the finest suite of rooms +she had ever beheld in her life. Jennie laughed as she looked round her +apartment and noted its luxuriant appointments. + +"These are not exactly what we should call 'diggings' in London, are +they?" she said to the Princess, who stood by her side, delighted at the +pleasure of her friend. "We often read of poor penny-a-liners in their +garrets; but I don't think any penny-a-liner ever had such a garret as +this placed at his disposal." + +"I knew you would like the rooms," cried the Princess gaily. "I like +them myself, and I hope they will help to induce you to stay in Vienna +as long as you can. I have given you my own maid Gretlich, and I assure +you it isn't every friend I would lend her to; she is a model servant." + +"Oh, but you mustn't do that," said Jennie. "I cannot rob you of your +maid and also be selfish enough to monopolize these rooms." + +"You are not robbing me; in fact, I am, perhaps, a little artful in +giving you Gretlich, for she is down in the dumps this last week or two, +and I don't know what in the world is the matter with her. I suspect it +is some love affair; but she will say nothing, although I have asked +her time and again what is the trouble. Now, you are such a cheery, +consoling young woman that I thought if Gretlich were in your service +for a time she might brighten up and be her own self again. So you +see, instead of robbing me, I am really taking advantage of your good +nature." + +"I am afraid you are just saying that to make it easier for me to be +selfish; still, you are so generous, Princess, that I am not going to +object to anything you do, but just give myself up to luxury while I +stay in Vienna." + +"That is right. Ah, here is Gretlich. Now, Gretlich, I want you to help +make Miss Baxter's stay here so pleasant that she will never want to +leave us." + +"I shall do my best, your Highness," said the girl, with quiet +deference. + +The Princess left the two alone together, and Jennie saw that Gretlich +was not the least ornamental appendage to the handsome suite of rooms. +Gretlich was an excellent example of that type of fair women for which +Vienna is noted; but she was, as the Princess had said, extremely +downcast, and Jennie, who had a deep sympathy for all who worked, spoke +kindly to the girl and endeavoured to cheer her. There was something of +unaccustomed tenderness in the compassionate tones of Jennie's voice +that touched the girl, for, after a brief and ineffectual effort at +self-control, she broke down and wept. To her pitying listener she +told her story. She had been betrothed to a soldier whose regiment was +stationed in the Burg. When last the girl saw her lover he was to be +that night on guard in the Treasury. Before morning a catastrophe of +some kind occurred. The girl did not know quite what had happened. Some +said there had been a dreadful explosion and her lover had lost his +life. Neither the soldier's relatives nor his betrothed were allowed to +see him after the disaster. He had been buried secretly, and it appeared +to be the intention of the authorities to avoid all publicity. The +relatives and the betrothed of the dead soldier had been warned to keep +silence and seek no further information. It was not till several days +after her lover's death that Gretlich, anxious because he did not keep +his appointment with her, and not hearing from him, fearing that he was +ill, began to make inquiries; then she received together the information +and the caution. + +In the presence of death all consolers are futile, and Jennie realized +this as she endeavoured as well as she could to comfort the girl. Her +heart was so much enlisted in this that perhaps her intellect was the +less active; but here she stood on the very threshold of the secret she +had come to Vienna to discover, and yet had not the slightest suspicion +that the girl's tragedy and her own mission were interwoven. Jennie had +wondered at the stupidity of Cadbury Taylor, who failed to see what +seemed so plainly before him, yet here was Jennie herself come a +thousand miles, more or less, to obtain certain information, and here a +sobbing girl was narrating the very item of news that she had come so +far to learn--all of which would seem to show that none of us are so +bright and clever as we imagine ourselves to be. + +In the afternoon the Princess entered Jennie's sitting-room carrying in +her hand a bunch of letters. + +"There!" she cried, "while you have been resting I have been working, +and we are not going to allow any time to be lost. I have written +with my own hand invitations to about two dozen people to our tea on +Thursday; among others, the wife of the Premier, Countess Stron. I +expect you to devote yourself to that lady and tell me the result of +the conversation after it is over. Have you been talking consolation to +Gretlich? I came up here half an hour ago, and it seemed to me I heard +the sound of crying in this room." + +"Oh, yes," said Jennie, "she has been telling me all her trouble. It +seems she had a lover in the army, and he has been killed in some +accident in the Treasury." + +"What kind of an accident?" + +"Gretlich said there had been an explosion there." + +"Dear me! I never heard of it. It is a curious thing that one must come +from London to tell us our own news. An explosion in the Treasury! and +so serious that a soldier was killed! That arouses my curiosity, so I +shall just sit down and write another invitation to the wife of the +Master of the Treasury." + +"I wish you would, because I should like to know something further about +this myself. Gretlich seems to have had but scant information regarding +the occurrence, and I should like to know more about it so that I might +tell her." + +"We shall learn all about it from madame, and I must write that note at +once for fear I forget it." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +JENNIE INDULGES IN TEA AND GOSSIP. + + +On Thursday afternoon there was a brilliant assemblage in the spacious +salon of the Princess von Steinheimer. The rich attire of the ladies +formed a series of kinetographic pictures that were dazzling, for +Viennese women are adepts in the art of dress, as are their Parisian +sisters. Tea was served, not in cups and saucers, as Jennie had been +accustomed to seeing it handed round, but in goblets of clear, thin +Venetian glass, each set in a holder of encrusted filigree gold. There +were all manner of delicious cakes, for which the city is celebrated. +The tea itself had come overland through Russia from China and had not +suffered the deterioration which an ocean voyage produces. The decoction +was served clear, with sugar if desired, and a slice of lemon, and +Jennie thought it the most delicious brew she had ever tasted. + +"I am so sorry," whispered the Princess to Jennie when an opportunity +occurred, "but the Countess Stron has sent a messenger to say that she +cannot be present this afternoon. It seems her husband, the Premier, +is ill, and she, like a good wife, remains at home to nurse him. This +rather upsets our plans, doesn't it?" + +"Oh, I don't know," replied Jennie. "It is more than likely that the +wife of the Premier would be exceedingly careful not to discuss any +political question in this company. I have counted more upon the wife of +a lesser official than upon the Countess Stron." + +"You are right," said the Princess. "and now come with me. I want to +introduce you to the wife of the Master of the Treasury, and from her, +perhaps, you can learn something of the accident that befell the lover +of poor Gretlich." + +The wife of the Master of the Treasury proved to be a garrulous old lady +who evidently prided herself on knowing everything that was taking place +about her. Jennie and she became quite confidential over their goblets +of tea, a beverage of which the old lady seemed inordinately fond. As +the conversation between them drifted on, Jennie saw that here was a +person who would take a delight in telling everything she knew, and +the only question which now arose was whether she knew anything Jennie +wished to learn. But before she tried her on high politics the girl +determined to find out more about the disaster that had made such an +abrupt ending to Gretlich's young dream. + +"I have been very much interested," she said, "in one of the maids here +who lost her lover some weeks ago in an accident that occurred in the +Treasury. The maid doesn't seem to know very much about what happened, +and was merely told that her lover, a soldier who had been on guard +there that night, was dead." + +"Oh, dear, yes!" whispered the old lady, lowering her voice, "what a +dreadful thing that was, four men killed and eight or nine now in the +hospital. My poor husband has had hardly a wink of sleep since the +event, and the Premier is ill in bed through the worry." + +"Because of the loss of life?" asked Jennie innocently. + +"Oh, no, no! the loss of life wouldn't matter; it is the loss of the +money that is the serious thing, and how they are going to replace it or +account for its disappearance I am sure I don't know. The deficiency is +something over two hundred million florins. Was it not awful?" + +"Was the building shattered to such an extent?" inquired Jennie, who did +not stop to think that such a sum would replace any edifice in Vienna, +even if it had been wiped off the face of the earth. + +"The Treasury was damaged, of course, but the cost of repairs will not +be great. No, my child, it is a much more disturbing affair than the +destruction of any state house in the Empire. What has made the Premier +ill, and what is worrying my poor husband into an untimely grave, is +nothing less than the loss of the war chest." + +"The war chest!" echoed Jennie, "what is that?" + +"My dear, every great nation has a war chest. England has one, so has +France, Germany, Russia--no matter how poor a nation may be, or how +difficult it is to collect the taxes, that nation must have a war +chest. If war were to break out suddenly, even with the most prosperous +country, there would be instant financial panic; ready money would be +difficult to obtain; a loan would be practically impossible; and what +war calls for the very instant it is declared is money--not promises +of money, not paper money, not silver money even, but gold; therefore, +every nation which is in danger of war has a store of gold coin. This +store is not composed mainly, or even largely, of the coins of the +nation which owns the store; it consists of the sovereigns of England, +the louis of France, the Willems d'or of Holland, the eight-florin +pieces of Austria, the double-crown of Germany, the half-imperials of +Russia, the double-Frederics of Denmark, and so on. All gold, gold, +gold! I believe that in the war chest of Austria there were deposited +coins of different nations to the value of something like two hundred +million florins. My husband never told me exactly how much was there, +but sometimes when things looked peaceable there was less money in the +war chest than when there was imminent danger of the European outbreak +which we all fear. The war chest of Austria was in a stone-vaulted room, +one of the strongest dungeons in the Treasury. The public are admitted +into several rooms of the Treasury, but no stranger is ever allowed into +that portion of the building which houses the war chest. This room is +kept under guard night and day. For what happened, my husband feels that +he is in no way to blame, and I don't think his superiors are inclined +to charge him with neglect of duty. It is a singular thing that the day +before the disaster took place he of his own accord doubled the guard +that watched over the room and also the approaches to it. The war chest +was at its fullest. Never, so he tells me, was there so much money in +the war chest as at that particular time. Something had occurred that in +his opinion called for extra watchfulness, and so he doubled the guard. +But about midnight there was a tremendous explosion. The strong door +communicating with the passage was wrenched from its hinges and flung +outwards into the hallway. It is said that dynamite must have been used, +and that in a very large quantity. Not a vestige of the chest remained +but a few splintered pieces of iron. The four soldiers in the room were +blown literally to pieces, and those in the passage-way were stunned by +the shock. The fact that they were unconscious for some minutes seems +to have given the criminal, whoever he was, his chance of escape. For, +although an instant alarm was sent out, and none but those who had a +right to be on the premises were allowed out of or in the Treasury, yet +no one was caught, nor has anyone been caught up to this day." + +"But the gold, the gold?" cried Jennie eagerly. + +"There was not a florin of it left. Every piece has disappeared. It is +at once the most clever and the most gigantic robbery of money that has +taken place within our knowledge." + +"But such a quantity of gold," said Jennie, "must have been of enormous +weight. Two hundred million florins! Why, that is twenty million pounds, +isn't it? It would take a regiment of thieves to carry so much away. How +has that been done? And where is the gold concealed?" + +"Ah, my child, if you can answer your own questions the Austrian +Government will pay you almost any sum you like to name. The police are +completely baffled. Of course, nothing has been said of this gigantic +robbery; but every exit from Vienna is watched, and not only that, but +each frontier is guarded. What the Government wants, of course, is to +get back its gold, the result of years of taxation, which cannot very +easily be re-levied." + +"And when did this robbery take place?" asked Jennie. + +"On the night of the 17th." + +"On the night of the 17th," repeated the girl, more to herself than to +the voluble old woman; "and it was on the 16th that the Premier made his +war speech." + +"Exactly," said the old lady, who overheard the remark not intended +for her ears; "and don't you think there was something striking in the +coincidence?" + +"I don't quite understand. What coincidence?" + +"Well, you know the speech of the Premier was against England. It was +not a speech made on the spur of the moment, but was doubtless the +result of many consultations, perhaps with Russia, perhaps with Germany, +or with France--who knows? We have been growing very friendly with +Russia of late; and as England has spies all over the world, doubtless +her Government knew before the speech was made that it was coming; so +the police appear to think that the whole resources of the British +Government were set at the task of crippling Austria at a critical +moment." + +"Surely you don't mean, madame, that the Government of England would +descend to burglary, robbery--yes, and murder, even, for the poor +soldiers who guarded the treasure were as effectually murdered as if +they had been assassinated in the street? You don't imagine that the +British Government would stoop to such deeds as these?" + +The old lady shook her head wisely. + +"By the time you are my age, my dear, and have seen as much of politics +as I have, you will know that Governments stop at nothing to accomplish +their ends. No private association of thieves could have laid such plans +as would have done away with two hundred millions of florins in gold, +unless they had not only ample resources, but also a master brain to +direct them. Nations hesitate at nothing where their interests are +concerned. It was to the interest of no other Empire but England to +deplete Austria at this moment, and see how complete her machinations +are. No nation trusts another, and if Austria had proof that England is +at the bottom of this robbery, she dare not say anything, because her +war chest is empty. Then, again, she cannot allow either Germany or +Russia to know how effectually she has been robbed, for no one could +tell what either of these nations might do under the circumstances. The +Government fears to let even its own people know what has happened. It +is a stroke of vengeance marvellous in its finality. Austria is +crippled for years to come, unless she finds the stolen gold on her own +territory." + +The old lady had worked herself up into such a state of excitement +during her recital that she did not notice that most of her companion +visitors had taken their leave, and when the Princess approached the +two, she arose with some trepidation. + +"My dear Princess," she said, "your tea has been so good, and the +company of your young compatriot has been so charming, that I have done +nothing but chatter, chatter, chatter away about things which should +only be spoken of under one's breath, and now I must hurry away. May I +venture to hope that you will honour me with your presence at one of my +receptions if I send you a card?" + +"I shall be delighted to do so," replied the Princess, with that +gracious condescension which became her so well. + +The garrulous old lady was the last to take her leave, and when the +Princess was left alone with her guest, she cried,-- + +"Jennie, I have found out absolutely nothing, what have you discovered?" + +"Everything!" replied the girl, walking up and down the floor in +excitement over the unearthing of such a bonanza of news. + +"You don't tell me so! Now do sit down and let me know the full +particulars at once." + +When Jennie's exciting story was finished she said,-- + +"You see, this robbery explains why the Premier did not follow up his +warlike speech. The police seem to think that England has had a hand in +this robbery, but of course that is absurd." + +"I am not so sure of that," replied the Princess, taking as she spoke, +the Chicago point of view, and forgetting for the moment her position +among the aristocracy of Europe. "England takes most things it can get +its hands on, and she is not too slow to pick up a gold mine here and +there, so why should she hesitate when the gold is already minted for +her?" + +"It is too absurd for argument," continued Jennie calmly, "so we won't +talk of that phase of the subject. I must get away to England instantly. +Let us find out when the first train leaves." + +"Nonsense!" protested the Princess; "what do you need to go to England +for? You have seen nothing of Vienna." + +"Oh, I can see Vienna another time; I must get to England with this +account of the robbery." + +"Won't your paper pay for telegraphing such an important piece of news? + +"Oh, yes; there would be no difficulty about that, but I dare not trust +either the post or the telegraph in a case like this. The police are on +the watch." + +"But couldn't you send it through by a code? My father always used to do +his cabling by code; it saved a lot of money and also kept other people +from knowing what his business was." + +"I have a code, but I hesitate about trusting even to that." + +"I'll tell you what we'll do," said the Princess. "I want you to stay in +Vienna." + +"Oh, I shall return," said Jennie. "I've only just had a taste of this +delightful city. I'll come right back." + +"I can't trust you to do anything of the kind. When you get to London +you will stay there. Now here is what I propose, and it will have the +additional advantage of saving your paper a day. We will run down +together into Italy--to Venice; then you can take along your code and +telegraph from there in perfect safety. When that is done you will +return here to Vienna with me. And another thing, you may be sure your +editor will want you to stay right here on the spot to let him know of +any outcome of this sensational _denouement_." + +"That isn't a bad idea," murmured Jennie. "How long will it take us to +get to Venice?" + +"I don't know, but I am sure it will save you hours compared with going +to London. I shall get the exact time for you in a moment." + +Jennie followed the suggestion of the Princess, and together the two +went to the ever-entrancing city of Venice. By the time they reached +there, Jennie had her account written and coded. The long message was +handed in at the telegraph office as soon as the two arrived in Venice. +Jennie also sent the editor a private despatch giving her address in +Venice, and also telling him the reason for sending the telegram from +Italy rather than from Austria or Germany. In the evening she received +a reply from Mr. Hardwick. "This is magnificent," the telegram said. "I +doubt if anything like it has ever been done before. We will startle +the world to-morrow morning. Please return to Vienna, for, as you have +discovered this much, I am perfectly certain that you will be able to +capture the robbers. Of course all the police and all the papers of +Europe will be on the same scent, but I am sure that you will prove a +match for the whole combination." + +"Oh, dear!" cried Jennie, as she handed the message to her friend. "What +a bothersome world this is; there is no finality about anything. One +piece of work simply leads to another. Here I thought I had earned at +least a good month's rest, but, instead of that, a further demand is +made upon me. I am like the genii in fairy tales: no sooner is one +apparently impossible task accomplished than another is set." + +"But what a magnificent thing it would be if you could discover the +robber or robbers." + +"Magnificent enough, yes; but that isn't to be done by inviting a lot of +old women to tea, is it?" + +"True, so we shall have to set our wits together in another direction. +I tell you, Jennie, I know I have influence enough to have you made a +member of the special police. Shall I introduce you as from America, and +say that you have made a speciality of solving mysteries? An appointment +to the special police would allow you to have unrestricted entrance to +the secret portion of the Treasury building. You would see the rooms +damaged by the explosion, and you would learn what the police have +discovered. With that knowledge to begin with, we might then do +something towards solving the problem." + +"Madame la Princesse," cried Jennie enthusiastically, "you are inspired! +The very thing. Let us get back to Vienna." And accordingly the two +conspirators left Italy by the night train for Austria. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +JENNIE BECOMES A SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER. + + +When Jennie returned to Vienna, and was once more installed in her +luxurious rooms at the Palace Steinheimer, she received in due time +a copy of the _Daily Bugle_, sent to her under cover as a registered +letter. The girl could not complain that the editor had failed to make +the most of the news she had sent him. As she opened out the paper she +saw the great black headlines that extended across two columns, and the +news itself dated not from Venice, but from Vienna, was in type much +larger than that ordinarily used in the paper, and was double-leaded. +The headings were startling enough:-- + + PHANTOM GOLD. + + THE MOST GIGANTIC ROBBERY OF MODERN TIMES. + + THE AUSTRIAN WAR CHEST DYNAMITED. + + TWENTY MILLION POUNDS IN COIN LOOTED. + + APPALLING DISASTER AT THE TREASURY IN VIENNA. + + FOUR MEN KILLED, AND SIXTEEN OTHERS MORE OR LESS SERIOUSLY + INJURED. + +"Dear me!" the Princess cried, peering over Jennie's shoulder at these +amazing headings, "how like home that looks. The _Bugle_ doesn't at all +resemble a London journal; it reminds me of a Chicago paper's account of +a baseball match; a baseball match when Chicago was winning, of course, +and when Anson had lined out the ball from the plate to the lake front, +and brought three men in on a home run at a critical point in the game." + +"Good gracious!" cried Jennie, "what language are you speaking? Is it +slang, or some foreign tongue?" + +"It is pure Chicagoese, Jennie, into which I occasionally lapse even +here in prim Vienna. I would like to see a good baseball match, with the +Chicago nine going strong. Let us abandon this effete monarchy, Jennie, +and pay a visit to America." + +"I'll go with pleasure if you will tell me first who robbed the war +chest. If you can place your dainty forefinger on the spot that conceals +two hundred million florins in gold, I'll go anywhere with you." + +"Oh, yes, that reminds me. I spoke to my husband this morning, and asked +him if he could get you enrolled as a special detective, and he said +there would be some difficulty in obtaining such an appointment for a +woman. Would you have any objection to dressing up as a nice young man, +Jennie?" + +"I would very much rather not; I hope you didn't suggest that to the +Prince." + +The Princess laughed merrily and shook her head. + +"No, I told him that I believed that you would solve the mystery if +anyone could, and, remembering what you had done in that affair of +my diamonds, my husband has the greatest faith in your powers as an +investigator; but he fears the authorities here will be reluctant +to allow a woman to have any part in the search. They have very +old-fashioned ideas about women in Austria, and think her proper place +is presiding over a tea-table." + +"Well, if they only knew it," said Jennie archly, "some things have been +discovered over a teacup within our own memories." + +"That is quite true," replied the Princess, "but we can hardly give the +incident as a recommendation to the Austrian authorities. By the way, +have you noticed that no paper in Vienna has said a single word about +the robbery of the war chest?" + +"It must have been telegraphed here very promptly from London, and yet +they do not even deny it, which is the usual way of meeting the truth." + +While they were talking, a message came from his Highness, asking if +he might take the liberty of breaking in upon their conference. A few +moments after, the Prince himself entered the apartment and bowed with +courtly deference to the two ladies. + +"I have succeeded," he said, "beyond my expectations. It seems that a +newspaper in London has published an account of the whole affair, and +the police, who were at their wits end before, are even more flustered +now that the account of the robbery has been made public. By the way, +how did you learn anything about this robbery? It did not strike me at +the time you spoke about Miss Baxter's commission this morning, but I +have been wondering ever since." + +"Jennie received a paper from London," said the Princess hurriedly, +"which said the war chest of Austria had been robbed of two hundred +million florins, but there is nothing about it in the Vienna Press." + +"No," replied the Prince; "nor is there likely to be. The robbery is now +known to all the world except Austria, and I imagine nothing will be +said about it here." + +"Is there, then, any truth in the report?" asked the Princess +innocently. + +"Truth! It's all truth; that is just where the trouble is. There is +little use of our denying it, because this London paper is evidently +well informed, and to deny it we should have to publish something about +the robbery itself, which we are not inclined to do. It is known, +however, who the two correspondents of this London paper are, and I +believe the police are going to make it so interesting for those two +gentlemen that they will be glad to leave Vienna, for a time at least. +Of course, nothing can be done openly, because Englishmen make such a +fuss when their liberties are encroached upon. One of the young men has +been lured across the frontier by a bogus telegram, and I think the +authorities will see that he does not get back in a hurry; the other we +expect to be rid of before long. Of course, we could expel him, but if +we did, it would be thought that we had done so because he had found out +the truth about the explosion." + +"How did you learn of the explosion?" asked the Princess. + +"Oh, I have known all about the affair ever since it happened." + +The Princess gave Jennie a quick look, which said as plainly as words, +"Here was the news that we wanted in our household, and we never +suspected it." "Why didn't you tell me?" cried the Princess indignantly. + +"Well, you see, my dear, you never took much interest in politics, and I +did not think the news would have any attraction for you; besides," he +added, with a smile, "we were all cautioned to keep the matter as secret +as possible." + +"And wonderfully well you have managed it!" exclaimed the Princess. +"That shows what comes of trusting a secret to a lot of men; here it is, +published to all the world." + +"Not quite all the world my dear. As I have said, Austria will know +nothing regarding it." + +"The Princess tells me," said Jennie, "that you were kind enough to +endeavour to get me permission to make some investigation into this +mystery. Have you succeeded?" + +"Yes, Miss Baxter, as I said, I have succeeded quite beyond my +expectations, for the lady detective is comparatively an innovation in +Vienna. However, the truth is, the police are completely in a fog, and +they are ready to welcome help from whatever quarter it comes. Here is a +written permit from the very highest authority, which you do not need to +use except in a case of emergency. Here is also an order from the Chief +of Police, which will open for you every door in Vienna; and finally, +here is a badge which you can pin on some not too conspicuous portion +of your clothing. This badge, I understand, is rarely given out. It is +partly civil and partly military. You can show it to any guard, who +will, on seeing it, give you the right-of-way. In case he does not, +appeal to his superior officer, and allow him to read your police +permit. Should that fail, then play your trump card, which is this +highly important document. The Director of the Police, who is a very +shrewd man, seemed anxious to make your acquaintance before you began +your investigation. He asked me if you would call upon him, but seemed +taken aback when I told him you were my wife's friend and a guest at our +house, so he suggested that you would in all probability wish first to +see the scene of the explosion, and proposed that he should call here +with his carriage and accompany you to the Treasury. He wished to know +if four o'clock in the afternoon would suit your convenience!" + +"Oh, yes!" replied Jennie. "I am eager to begin at once, and, of course, +I shall be much obliged to him if he will act as my guide in the vaults +of the Treasury, and tell me how much they have already discovered." + +"You must not expect much information from the police--in fact, I doubt +if they have discovered anything. Still, if they have, they are more +than likely to keep it to themselves; and I imagine they will hold +a pretty close watch on you, being more anxious to learn what you +discover, and thus take the credit if they can, than to furnish you with +any knowledge of the affair they may happen to possess." + +"That is quite natural, and only what one has a right to expect. I don't +wish to rob the police of whatever repute there is to be gained from +this investigation, and I am quite willing to turn over to them any +clues I may happen to chance upon." + +"Well, if you can convince the Director of that, you will have all the +assistance he can give you. It wouldn't be bad tactics to let him know +that you are acting merely in an amateur way, and that you have no +desire to rob the police of their glory when it comes to the solving of +the problem." Promptly at four o'clock the Director of the Police put +in an appearance at the Palace Steinheimer. He appeared to be a most +obsequious, highly decorated old gentleman, in a very resplendent +uniform, and he could hardly conceal his surprise at learning that the +lady detective was a woman so young and so pretty. Charmed as he was +to find himself in the company of one so engaging, it was nevertheless +evident to Jennie that he placed no very high estimate on the assistance +she might be able to give in solving the mystery of the Treasury. This +trend of mind, she thought, had its advantages, for the Director would +be less loth to give her full particulars of what had already been +accomplished by the police. + +Jennie accompanied the Director to that extensive mass of buildings of +which the Treasury forms a part. The carriage drew up at a doorway, and +here the Director and his companion got out. He led the way into the +edifice, then, descending a stair, entered an arched corridor, at the +door of which two soldiers stood on guard, who saluted as the Chief +passed them. + +"Does this lead to the room where the explosion took place?" asked +Jennie. "Yes." "And is this the only entrance?" "The only entrance, +madame." "Were the men on guard in this doorway injured by the +explosion?" "Yes. They were not seriously injured, but were rendered +incapable for a time of attending to their duties." "Then a person could +have escaped without their seeing him?" "A whole regiment of persons +might have escaped. You will understand the situation exactly if I +compare this corridor to a long cannon, the room at the end being the +breech-loading chamber. Two guards were inside the room, and two others +stood outside the door that communicated with this corridor. These four +men were killed instantly. Of the guards inside the room not a vestige +has been found. The door, one of the strongest that can be made, +somewhat similar to the door of a safe, was flung outward and crushed to +the floor the two guards who stood outside it in the corridor. Between +the chamber in which the chest lay and the outside entrance were sixteen +men on guard. Every one of these was flung down, for the blast, if I may +call it so, travelled through this straight corridor like the charge +along the inside of the muzzle of a gun. The guards nearest the treasure +chamber were, of course, the more seriously injured, but those further +out did not escape the shock, and the door by which we entered this +corridor, while not blown from its hinges, was nevertheless forced +open, its strong bolts snapping like matches. So when you see the great +distance that intervened between the chamber and that door, you will +have some idea of the force of the explosion." + +"There is no exit, then, from the treasure chamber except along this +corridor?" + +"No, madame. The walls at the outside of the chamber are of enormous +strength, because, of course, it was expected that if an attempt at +robbery were ever made, it would be made from the outside, and it is +scarcely possible that even the most expert of thieves could succeed in +passing two guards at the door, sixteen officers and soldiers along the +corridor, two outside the Treasury door, and two in the chamber itself. +Such a large number of soldiers were kept here so that any attempt at +bribery would be impossible. Among such a number one or two were sure +to be incorruptible, and the guards were constantly changed. Seldom was +either officer or man twice on duty here during the month. With such a +large amount at stake every precaution was taken." + +"Are there any rooms at the right or left of this corridor in which the +thieves could have concealed themselves while they fired the mine?" + +"No, the corridor leads to the treasure chamber alone." + +"Then," said Jennie, "I can't see how it was possible for a number of +men to have made away with the treasure in such circumstances as exist +here." + +"Nevertheless, my dear young lady, the treasure is gone. We think that +the mine was laid with the connivance of one or more officers on duty +here. You see the amount at stake was so large that a share of it would +tempt any nine human beings out of any ten. Our theory is that the train +was laid, possibly electric wires being used, which would be unnoticed +along the edge of the corridor, and that the bribed officer exploded the +dynamite by bringing the ends of the wires into contact. We think the +explosion was a great deal more severe than was anticipated. Probably, +it was expected that the shock would break a hole from the treasure +chamber to the street, but so strong were the walls that no impression +was made upon them, and a cabman who was driving past at the time heard +nothing of the sound of the explosion, though he felt a trembling of the +ground, and thought for a moment there had been a shock of earthquake." + +"You think, then, that the thieves were outside?" + +"That seems the only possible opinion to hold." + +"The outside doors were locked and bolted, of course?" + +"Oh, certainly; but if they had a confederate or two in the large +hallway upstairs, these traitors would see to it that there was no +trouble about getting in. Once inside the large hallway, with guards +stunned by the shock, the way to the treasure chamber was absolutely +clear." + +"There were sentries outside the building, I suppose?" + +"Yes." + +"Did they see any vehicle driving near the Treasury?" + +"No, except the cab I spoke of, and the driver has accounted +satisfactorily for his time that night. The absence of any conveyance +is the strange part of it; and, moreover, the sentries, although pacing +outside the walls of this building, heard nothing of the concussion +beyond a low rumble, and those who thought of the matter at all imagined +an explosion had occurred in some distant part of the city." + +"Then the outside doors in the large hall above were not blown open?" + +"No; the officer reports that they were locked and bolted when he +examined them, which was some minutes, of course, after the disaster had +taken place; for he, the officer in charge, had been thrown down and +stunned, seemingly by the concussion of air which took place." + +As Jennie walked down the corridor, she saw more and more of the +evidences of the convulsion. The thick iron-bound door lay where it had +fallen, and it had not been moved since it was lifted to get the two men +from under it. Its ponderous hinges were twisted as if they had been +made of glue, and its massive bolts were snapped across like bits of +glass. All along the corridor on the floor was a thick coating of dust +and _debris_, finely powdered, growing deeper and deeper until they came +to the entrance of the room. There was no window either in corridor or +chamber, and the way was lit by candles held by soldiers who accompanied +them. The scoria crunched under foot as they walked, and in the chamber +itself great heaps of dust, sand and plaster, all pulverized into minute +particles, lay in the corners of the room, piled up on one side higher +than a man's head. There seemed to be tons of this _debris_, and, as +Jennie looked up at the arched ceiling, resembling the roof of a vaulted +dungeon, she saw that the stone itself had been ground to fine dust with +the tremendous force of the blast. + +"Where are the remnants of the treasure chest?" she asked. + +The Director shook his head. "There are no remnants; not a vestige of it +is to be found." + +"Of what was it made?" + +"We used to have an old treasure chest here made of oak, bound with +iron; but some years ago, a new receptacle being needed, one was +especially built of hardened steel, constructed on the modern principles +of those burglar-proof and fire-proof safes." + +"And do you mean to say that there is nothing left of this?" + +"Nothing that we have been able to discover." + +"Well, I have seen places where dynamite explosions have occurred, but +I know of nothing to compare with this. I am sure that if dynamite has +been used, or any explosive now generally obtainable, there would have +been left, at least, some remnant of the safe. Hasn't this pile of +rubbish been disturbed since the explosion?" + +"Yes, it has been turned over; we made a search for the two men, but we +found no trace of them." + +"And you found no particles of iron or steel?" + +"The heap throughout is just as you see it on the surface--a fine, +almost impalpable dust. We had to exercise the greatest care in +searching through it, for the moment it was disturbed with a shovel +it filled the air with suffocating clouds. Of course we shall have it +removed by-and-by, and carted away, but I considered it better to allow +it to remain here until we had penetrated somewhat further into the +mystery than we have already done." + +Jennie stooped and picked up a handful from the heap, her action caused +a mist to rise in the air that made them both choke and cough, and +yet she was instantly struck by the fact that her handful seemed +inordinately heavy for its bulk. + +"May I take some of this with me?" she asked. + +"Of course," replied the Director. "I will have a packet of it put up +for you." + +"I would like to take it with me now," said Jennie. "I have curiosity to +know exactly of what it is composed. Who is the Government analyst? or +have you such an official?" + +"Herr Feltz, in the Graubenstrasse, is a famous analytical chemist; you +cannot do better than go to him." + +"Do you think he knows anything about explosives?" + +"I should suppose so, but if not, he will certainly be able to tell you +who the best man is in that line." + +The Director ordered one of the soldiers who accompanied him to find a +small paper bag, and fill it with some dust from the treasure chamber. +When this was done, he handed the package to Jennie, who said, "I +shall go at once and see Herr Feltz." + +"My carriage is at your disposal, madame." + +"Oh, no, thank you, I do not wish to trouble you further. I am very much +obliged to you for devoting so much time to me already. I shall take a +fiacre." + +"My carriage is at the door," persisted the Director, "and I will +instruct the driver to take you directly to the shop of Herr Feltz; then +no time will be lost, and I think if I am with you, you will be more +sure of attention from the chemist, who is a very busy man." + +Jennie saw the Director did not wish to let her out of his sight, and +although she smiled at his suspicion, she answered politely,-- + +"It is very kind of you to take so much trouble and devote so much +of your time to me. I shall be glad of your company if you are quite +certain I am not keeping you from something more important." + +"There is nothing more important than the investigation we have on +hand," replied the Chief grimly. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +JENNIE BESTOWS INFORMATION UPON THE CHIEF OF POLICE. + + +A few minutes after leaving the Treasury building the carriage of +the Chief stopped in front of the shop of Herr Feltz in the wide +Graubenstrasse. The great chemist himself waited upon them and conducted +them to an inner and private room. + +"I should be obliged to you if you would tell me the component parts +of the mixture in this package," said Jennie, as she handed the filled +paper bag to the chemist. + +"How soon do you wish to know the result?" asked the man of chemicals. + +"As soon as possible," replied Jennie. + +"Could you give me until this hour to-morrow?" + +"That will do very nicely," replied Jennie, looking up at the Director +of Police, who nodded his head. + +With that the two took their leave, and once more the Director of Police +politely handed the girl into his carriage, and they drove to the Palace +Steinheimer. Here she again thanked him cordially for his attentions +during the day. The Director answered, with equal suavity, that his duty +had on this occasion been a pleasure, and asked her permission to call +at the same hour the next afternoon and take her to the chemist. To this +Jennie assented, and cheerily bade him good-evening. The Princess was +waiting for her, wild with curiosity to know what had happened. + +"Oh, Jennie!" she cried, "who fired the mine, and who robbed the +Government?" + +Jennie laughed merrily as she replied,-- + +"Dear Princess, what a compliment you are paying me! Do you think that +in one afternoon I am able to solve a mystery that has defied the +combined talents of all the best detectives in Austria? I wish the +Director of Police had such faith in me as you have." + +"And hasn't he, Jennie?" + +"Indeed he has not. He watched me every moment he was with me, as if he +feared I would disappear into thin air, as the treasure had done." + +"The horrid man. I shall have my husband speak to him, and rid you of +this annoyance." + +"Oh, no, Princess, you mustn't do anything of the kind. I don't mind it +in the least; in fact, it rather amuses me. One would think he had some +suspicion that I stole the money myself." + +"A single word from the Prince will stop all that, you know." + +"Yes, I know. But I really want to help the Director; he is so utterly +stupid." + +"Now, Jennie, take off your hat and sit down here, and tell me every +incident of the afternoon. Don't you see I am just consumed with +curiosity? I know you have discovered something. What is it?" + +"I will not take off my hat, because I am going out again directly; but, +if you love me, get me a cup of that delicious tea of yours." + +"I shall order it at once, but dinner will be served shortly. You are +surely not going out alone to-night?" + +"I really must. Do not forget that I have been used to taking care of +myself in a bigger city than Vienna is, and I shall be quite safe. You +will please excuse my absence from the dinner-table to-night." + +"Nonsense, Jennie! You cannot be allowed to roam round Vienna in that +Bohemian way." + +"Then, Princess, I must go to an hotel, for this roaming round is +strictly necessary, and I don't want to bring the Palace Steinheimer +into disrepute." + +"Jennie, I'll tell you what we will do; we'll both bring it into +disrepute. The Prince is dining at his club to-night with some friends, +so I shall order the carriage, and you and I will roam round together. +You will let me come, won't you? Where are you going?" + +"I am going to the Graubenstrasse to see Herr Feltz." + +"Oh, I know Herr Feltz, and a dear old man he is; he will do anything +for me. If you want a favour from Herr Feltz, you had better take me +with you." + +"I shall be delighted. Ah, here comes the tea! But what is the use of +ordering the carriage? we can walk there in a very few minutes." + +"I think we had better have the carriage. The Prince would be wild if he +heard that we two went walking about the streets of Vienna at night. So, +Jennie, we must pay some respect to conventionality, and we will take +the carriage. Now, tell me where you have been, and what you have seen, +and all about it." Over their belated decoction of tea Jennie related +everything that had happened. + +"And what do you expect to learn from the analysis at the chemist's, +Jennie?" + +"I expect to learn something that will startle the Director of Police." + +"And what is that? Jennie, don't keep me on tenterhooks in this +provoking way. How can you act so? I shall write to Lord Donal and tell +him that you are here in Vienna, if you don't mind." + +"Well, under such a terrible threat as that, I suppose I must divulge +all my suspicions. But I really don't know anything yet; I merely +suspect. The weight of that dust, when I picked up a handful of it, +seemed to indicate that the gold is still there in the rubbish heap." + +"You don't mean to say so! Then there has been no robbery at all?" + +"There may have been a robbery planned, but I do not think any thief got +a portion of the gold. The chances are that they entirely underestimated +the force of the explosive they were using, for, unless I am very much +mistaken, they were dealing with something a hundred times more powerful +than dynamite." + +"And will the chemical analysis show what explosive was used?" + +"No; it will only show of what the _debris_ is composed. It will settle +the question whether or not the gold is in that dust-heap. If it is, +then I think the Government will owe me some thanks, because the +Director of Police talked of carting the rubbish away and dumping it out +of sight somewhere. If the Government gets back its gold, I suppose the +question of who fired the mine is merely of academic interest." + +"The carriage is waiting, your Highness," was the announcement made to +the Princess, who at once jumped up, and said,-- + +"I'll be ready in five minutes. I'm as anxious now as you are to hear +what the chemist has to say; but I thought you told me he wouldn't have +the analysis ready until four o'clock to-morrow. What is the use of +going there to-night?". + +"Because I am reasonably certain that the Director of Police will see +him early to-morrow morning, and I want to get the first copy of the +analysis myself." + +With that the Princess ran away and presently reappeared with her wraps +on. The two drove to the shop of Herr Feltz in the Graubenstrasse, and +were told that the chemist could not be seen in any circumstances. He +had left orders that he was not to be disturbed. + +"Disobey those orders and take in my card," said the Princess. + +A glance at the card dissolved the man's doubts, and he departed to seek +his master. + +"He is working at the analysis now, I'll warrant," whispered the +Princess to her companion. In a short time Herr Feltz himself appeared. +He greeted the Princess with most deferential respect, but seemed +astonished to find in her company the young woman who had called on him +a few hours previously with the Director of the Police. + +"I wanted to ask you," said Jennie, "to finish your analysis somewhat +earlier than four o'clock to-morrow. I suppose it can be done?" + +The man of science smiled and looked at her for a moment, but did not +reply. "You will oblige my friend, I hope," said the Princess. + +"I should be delighted to oblige any friend of your Highness," answered +the chemist slowly, "but, unfortunately, in this instance I have orders +from an authority not to be disputed." + +"What orders?" demanded the Princess. + +"I promised the analysis at four o'clock to-morrow, and at that hour it +will be ready for the young lady. I am ordered not to show the analysis +to anyone before that time." + +"Those orders came from the Director of Police, I suppose?" The chemist +bowed low, but did not speak. + +"I understand how it is, Jennie; he came here immediately after seeing +you home. I suppose he visited you again within the hour after he left +with this young lady--is that the case, Herr Feltz?" + +"Your Highness distresses me by asking questions that I am under pledge +not to answer." + +"Is the analysis completed?" + +"That is another question which I sincerely hope your Highness will not +press." + +"Very well, Herr Feltz, I shall ask you a question or two of which you +will not be so frightened. I have told my friend here that you would do +anything for me, but I see I have been mistaken." + +The chemist made a deprecatory motion of his hands, spreading them out +and bowing. It was plainly apparent that his seeming discourtesy +caused him deep regret. He was about to speak, but the Princess went +impetuously on. + +"Is the Director of Police a friend of yours, Herr Feltz? I don't mean +merely an official friend, but a personal friend?" + +"I am under many obligations to him, your Highness, and besides that, +like any other citizen of Vienna, I am compelled to obey him when he +commands." + +"What I want to learn," continued the Princess, her anger visibly rising +at this unexpected opposition, "is whether you wish the man well or +not?" + +"I certainly wish him well, your Highness." + +"In that case know that if my friend leaves this shop without seeing the +analysis of the material she brought to you, the Director of Police will +be dismissed from his office to-morrow. If you doubt my influence with +my husband to have that done, just try the experiment of sending us away +unsatisfied." + +The old man bowed his white head. + +"Your Highness," he said, "I shall take the responsibility of refusing to +obey the orders of the Director of Police. Excuse me for a moment." + +He retired into his den, and presently emerged with a sheet of paper in +his hand. + +"It must be understood," he said, addressing Jennie, "that the analysis +is but roughly made. I intended to devote the night to a more minute +scrutiny." + +"All I want at the present moment," said Jennie, "is a rough analysis." + +"There it is," said the chemist, handing her the paper. She read,---- + + Calcium 29 + Iron 4 + Quartz ] + Feldspar ] 27 + Mica ] + Gold 36-1/2 + Traces of other substances 3-1/2 + ------- + Total 100 + +Jennie's eyes sparkled as she looked at the figures before her. She +handed the paper to the Princess saying,-- + +"You see, I was right in my surmise. More than one-third of that heap is +pure gold." + +"I should explain," said the chemist, "that I have grouped the quartz, +feldspar, and mica together, without giving the respective portions of +each, because it is evident that the combination represents granite." + +"I understand," said Jennie; "the walls and the roof are of granite." + +"I would further add," continued the chemist, "that I have never met +gold so finely divided as this is." + +"Have you the gold and other ingredients separated?" + +"Yes, madame." + +"I shall take them with me, if you please." + +The chemist shortly after brought her the components, in little glass +vials, labelled. + +"Have you any idea, Herr Feltz, what explosive would reduce gold to such +fine powder as this?" + +"I have only a theoretical knowledge of explosives, and I know of +nothing that would produce such results as we have here. Perhaps +Professor Carl Seigfried could give you some information on that point. +The science of detonation has been his life study, and he stands head +and shoulders above his fellows in that department." + +"Can you give me his address?" + +The chemist wrote the address on a sheet of paper and handed it to the +young woman. + +"Do you happen to know whether Professor Seigfried or his assistants +have been called in during this investigation?" + +"What investigation, madame?" + +"The investigation of the recent terrible explosion." + +"I have heard of no explosion," replied the chemist, evidently +bewildered. + +Then Jennie remembered that, while the particulars of the disaster in +the Treasury were known to the world at large outside of Austria, no +knowledge of the catastrophe had got abroad in Vienna. + +"The Professor," continued the chemist, noticing Jennie's hesitation, +"is not a very practical man. He is deeply learned, and has made some +great discoveries in pure science, but he has done little towards +applying his knowledge to any everyday useful purpose. If you meet him, +you will find him a dreamer and a theorist. But if you once succeed in +interesting him in any matter, he will prosecute it to the very end, +quite regardless of the time he spends or the calls of duty elsewhere." + +"Then he is just the man I wish to see," said Jennie decisively, and +with that they took leave of the chemist and once more entered the +carriage. + +"I want to drive to another place," said Jennie, "before it gets too +late." + +"Good gracious!" cried the Princess, "you surely do not intend to call +on Professor Seigfried to-night?" + +"No; but I want to drive to the office of the Director of Police." + +"Oh, that won't take us long," said the Princess, giving the necessary +order. The coachman took them to the night entrance of the central +police station by the Hohenstaufengasse, and, leaving the Princess in +the carriage, Jennie went in alone to speak with the officer in charge. + +"I wish to see the Director of Police," she said. + +"He will not be here until to-morrow morning. He is at home. Is it +anything important?" + +"Yes. Where is his residence?" + +"If you will have the kindness to inform me what your business is, +madame, we will have pleasure in attending to it without disturbing Herr +Director." + +"I must communicate with the Director in person. The Princess von +Steinheimer is in her carriage outside, and I do not wish to keep her +waiting." At mention of the Princess the officer bestirred himself and +became tremendously polite. + +"I shall call the Director at once, and he will be only too happy to +wait upon you." + +"Oh, have you a telephone here? and can I speak with him myself without +being overheard?" + +"Certainly, madame. If you will step into this room with me, I will call +him up and leave you to speak with him." + +This was done, and when the Chief had answered, Jennie introduced +herself to him. + +"I am Miss Baxter, whom you were kind enough to escort through the +Treasury building this afternoon." + +"Oh, yes," replied the Chief. "I thought we were to postpone further +inquiry until to-morrow." + +"Yes, that was the arrangement; but I wanted to say that if my plans are +interfered with; if I am kept under surveillance, I shall be compelled +to withdraw from the search." + +A few moments elapsed before the Chief replied, and then it was with +some hesitation. + +"I should be distressed to have you withdraw; but, if you wish to do so, +that must be a matter entirely for your own consideration. I have my +own duty to perform, and I must carry it out to the best of my poor +ability." + +"Quite so. I am obliged to you for speaking so plainly. I rather +surmised this afternoon that you looked upon my help in the light of an +interference." + +"I should not have used the word interference," continued the Chief; +"but I must confess that I never knew good results to follow amateur +efforts, which could not have been obtained much more speedily and +effectually by the regular force under my command." + +"Well, the regular force under your command has been at work several +weeks and has apparently not accomplished very much. I have devoted part +of an afternoon and evening to the matter, so before I withdraw I should +like to give you some interesting information which you may impart to +the Government, and I am quite willing that you should take all the +credit for the discovery, as I have no wish to appear in any way as your +competitor. Can you hear me distinctly?" + +"Perfectly, madame," replied the Chief. + +"Then, in the first place, inform the Government that there has been no +robbery." + +"No robbery? What an absurd statement, if you will excuse me speaking so +abruptly! Where is the gold if there was no robbery?" + +"I am coming to that. Next inform the Government that their loss will +be but trifling. That heap of _debris_ which you propose to cart away +contains practically the whole of the missing two hundred million +florins. More than one-third of the heap is pure gold. If you want to +do a favour to a good friend of yours, and at the same time confer a +benefit upon the Government itself, you will advise the Government to +secure the services of Herr Feltz, so that the gold may be extracted +from the rubbish completely and effectually. I put in a word for Herr +Feltz, because I am convinced that he is a most competent man. To-night +his action saved you from dismissal to-morrow, therefore you should be +grateful to him. And now I have the honour to wish you good-night." + +"Wait--wait a moment!" came in beseeching tones through the telephone. +"My dear young lady, pray pardon any fault you have to find with me, and +remain for a moment or two longer. Who, then, caused the explosion, and +why was it accomplished?" + +"That I must leave for you to find out, Herr Director. You see, I am +giving you the results of merely a few hours' inquiry, and you cannot +expect me to discover everything in that time. I don't know how the +explosion was caused, neither do I know who the criminals are or were. +It would probably take me all day to-morrow to find that out; but as I +am leaving the discovery in such competent hands as yours, I must curb +my impatience until you send me full particulars. So, once again, +good-night, Herr Director." + +"No, no, don't go yet. I shall come at once to the station, if you will +be kind enough to stop there until I arrive." + +"The Princess von Steinheimer is waiting for me in her carriage outside, +and I do not wish to delay her any longer." + +"Then let me implore you not to give up your researches." + +"Why? Amateur efforts are so futile, you know, when compared with the +labours of the regular force." + +"Oh, my dear young lady, you must pardon an old man for what he said in +a thoughtless moment. If you knew how many useless amateurs meddle in +our very difficult business you would excuse me. Are you quite convinced +of what you have told me, that the gold is in the rubbish heap?" + +"Perfectly. I will leave for you at the office here the analysis made by +Herr Feltz, and if I can assist you further, it must be on the distinct +understanding that you are not to interfere again with whatever I may +do. Your conduct in going to Herr Feltz to-night after you had left me, +and commanding him not to give me any information, I should hesitate +to characterize by its right name. When I have anything further to +communicate, I will send for you." + +"Thank you; I shall hold myself always at your command." This telephonic +interview being happily concluded, Jennie hurried to the Princess, +stopping on her way to give the paper containing the analysis to the +official in charge, and telling him to hand it to the Director when he +returned to his desk. This done, she passed out into the night, with the +comfortable consciousness that the worries of a busy day had not been +without their compensation. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +JENNIE VISITS A MODERN WIZARD IN HIS MAGIC ATTIC. + + +When Jennie entered the carriage in which her friend was waiting, the +other cried, "Well, have you seen him?" apparently meaning the Director +of Police. + +"No, I did not see him, but I talked with him over the telephone. I wish +you could have heard our conversation; it was the funniest interview I +ever took part in. Two or three times I had to shut off the instrument, +fearing the Director would hear me laugh. I am afraid that before this +business is ended you will be very sorry I am a guest at your house. I +know I shall end by getting myself into an Austrian prison. Just think +of it! Here have I been 'holding up' the Chief of Police in this +Imperial city as if I were a wild western brigand. I have been +terrorizing the man, brow-beating him, threatening him, and he the +person who has the liberty of all Vienna in his hands; who can have me +dragged off to a dungeon-cell any time he likes to give the order." + +"Not from the Palace Steinheimer," said the Princess, with decision. + +"Well, he might hesitate about that; yet, nevertheless, it is too funny +to think that a mere newspaper woman, coming into a city which contains +only one or two of her friends, should dare to talk to the Chief of +Police as I have done to-night, and force him actually to beg that I +shall remain in the city and continue to assist him." + +"Tell me what you said," asked the Princess eagerly; and Jennie related +all that had passed between them over the telephone. + +"And do you mean to say calmly that you are going to give that man the +right to use the astounding information you have acquired, and allow him +to accept complacently all the _kudos_ that such a discovery entitles +you to?" + +"Why, certainly," replied Jennie. "What good is the _kudos_ to me? All +the credit I desire I get in the office of the _Daily Bugle_ in London." + +"But, you silly girl, holding such a secret as you held, you could have +made your fortune," insisted the practical Princess, for the principles +which had been instilled into her during a youth spent in Chicago had +not been entirely eradicated by residence in Vienna. "If you had gone to +the Government and said, 'How much will you give me if I restore to you +the missing gold?' just imagine what their answer would be." + +"Yes, I suppose there was money in the scheme if it had really been a +secret. But you forget that to-morrow morning the Chief of Police would +have known as much as he knows to-night. Of course, if I had gone alone +to the Treasury vault and kept my discovery to myself, I might, perhaps, +have 'held up' the Government of Austria-Hungary as successfully as I +'held up' the Chief of Police to-night. But with the Director watching +everything I did, and going with me to the chemist, there was no +possibility of keeping the matter a secret." + +"Well, Jennie, all I can say is that you are a very foolish girl. Here +you are, working hard, as you said in one of your letters, merely to +make a living, and now, with the greatest nonchalance, you allow a +fortune to slip through your fingers. I am simply not going to allow +this. I shall tell my husband all that has happened, and he will make +the Government treat you honestly; if not generously. I assure you, +Jennie, that Lord Donal--no, I won't mention his name, since you protest +so strenuously--but the future young man, whoever he is, will not think +the less of you because you come to him with a handsome dowry. But here +we are at home; and I won't say another word on the subject if it annoys +you." + +When Jennie reached her delightful apartments--which looked even more +luxuriantly comfortable bathed in the soft radiance that now flooded +them from quiet-toned shaded lamps than they did in the more garish +light of day--she walked up and down her sitting-room in deep +meditation. She was in a quandary--whether or not to risk sending a +coded telegram to her paper was the question that presented itself to +her. If she were sure that no one else would learn the news, she would +prefer to wait until she had further particulars of the Treasury +catastrophe. A good deal would depend on whether or not the Director of +Police took anyone into his confidence that night. If he did not, he +would be aware that only he and the girl possessed this important +piece of news. If a full account of the discovery appeared in the next +morning's _Daily Bugle_, then, when that paper arrived in Vienna, or +even before, if a synopsis were telegraphed to the Government, as it was +morally certain to be, the Director would know at once that she was the +correspondent of the newspaper whom he was so anxious to frighten out +of Vienna. On the other hand, her friendship with the Princess von +Steinheimer gave her such influence with the Chief's superiors, that, +after the lesson she had taught him, he might hesitate to make any move +against her. Then, again, the news that to-night belonged to two persons +might on the morrow come to the knowledge of all the correspondents in +Vienna, and her efforts, so far as the _Bugle_ was concerned, would have +been in vain. This consideration decided the girl, and, casting off all +sign of hesitation, she sat down at her writing table and began the +first chapter of the solution of the Vienna mystery. Her opening +sentence was exceedingly diplomatic: "The Chief of Police of Vienna has +made a most startling discovery." Beginning thus, she went on to details +of the discovery she had that day made. When her account was finished +and codified, she went down to her hostess and said,-- + +"Princess, I want a trustworthy man, who will take a long telegram to +the central telegraph office, pay for it, and come away quickly before +anyone can ask him inconvenient questions." + +"Would it not be better to call a Dienstmanner?" + +"A Dienstmanner? That is your commissionaire, or telegraph messenger? +No, I think not. They are all numbered and can be traced." + +"Oh, I know!" cried the Princess; "I will send our coachman. He will be +out of his livery now, and he is a most reliable man; he will not answer +inconvenient questions, or any others, even if they are asked." + +To her telegram for publication Jennie had added a private despatch to +the editor, stating that it would be rather inconvenient for her if he +published the account next morning, but she left the decision entirely +with him. Here was the news, and if he thought it worth the risk, +he might hold it over; if not, he was to print it regardless of +consequences. + +As a matter of fact, the editor, with fear and trembling, held the news +for a day, so that he might not embarrass his fair representative, but +so anxious was he, that he sat up all night until the other papers were +out, and he heaved a sigh of relief when, on glancing over them, he +found that not one of them contained an inkling of the information +locked up in his desk. And so he dropped off to sleep when the day was +breaking. Next night he had nearly as much anxiety, for although the +_Bugle_ would contain the news, other papers might have it as well, and +thus for the second time he waited in his office until the other sheets, +wet from the press, were brought to him. Again fortune favoured him, and +the triumph belonged to the _Bugle_ alone. + +The morning after her interview with the Director of Police, Jennie, +taking a small hand-satchel, in which she placed the various bottles +containing the different dusts which the chemist had separated, went +abroad alone, and hailing a fiacre, gave the driver the address of +Professor Carl Seigfried. The carriage of the Princess was always at +the disposal of the girl, but on this occasion she did not wish to be +embarrassed with so pretentious an equipage. The cab took her into a +street lined with tall edifices and left her at the number she had +given the driver. The building seemed to be one let out in flats and +tenements; she mounted stair after stair, and only at the very top did +she see the Professor's name painted on a door. Here she rapped several +times without any attention being paid to her summons, but at last the +door was opened partially by a man whom she took, quite accurately, +to be the Professor himself. His head was white; and his face deeply +wrinkled. He glared at her through his glasses, and said sharply, "Young +lady, you have made a mistake; these are the rooms of Professor Carl +Seigfried." + +"It is Professor Carl Seigfried that I wish to see," replied the girl +hurriedly, as the old man was preparing to shut the door. + +"What do you want with him?" + +"I want some information from him about explosives. I have been told +that he knows more about explosives than any other man living." + +"Quite right--he does. What then?" + +"An explosion has taken place producing the most remarkable results. +They say that neither dynamite nor any other known force could have had +such an effect on metals and minerals as this power has had." + +"Ah, dynamite is a toy for children!" cried the old man, opening the +door a little further and exhibiting an interest which had, up to that +moment, been absent from his manner. "Well, where did this explosion +take place? Do you wish me to go and see it?" + +"Perhaps so, later on. At present I wish to show you some of its +effects, but I don't propose to do this standing here in the +passageway." + +"Quite right--quite right," hastily ejaculated the old scientist, +throwing the door wide open. "Of course, I am not accustomed to visits +from fashionable young ladies, and I thought at first there had been +a mistake; but if you have any real scientific problem, I shall be +delighted to give my attention to it. What may appear very extraordinary +to the lay mind will doubtless prove fully explainable by scientists. +Come in, come in." + +The old man shut the door behind her, and led her along a dark passage, +into a large apartment, whose ceiling was the roof of the building. +At first sight it seemed in amazing disorder. Huge as it was, it was +cluttered with curious shaped machines and instruments. A twisted +conglomeration of glass tubing, bent into fantastic tangles, stood on +a central table, and had evidently been occupying the Professor's +attention at the time he was interrupted. The place was lined with +shelving, where the walls were not occupied by cupboards, and every +shelf was burdened with bottles and apparatus of different kinds. +Whatever care Professor Seigfried took of his apparatus, he seemed to +have little for his furniture. There was hardly a decent chair in the +room, except one deep arm-chair, covered with a tiger's skin, in which +the Professor evidently took his ease while meditating or watching the +progress of an experiment. This chair he did not offer to the young +lady; in fact, he did not offer her a seat at all, but sank down on +the tiger's skin himself, placed the tips of his fingers together, and +glared at her through his glittering glasses. + +"Now, young woman," he said abruptly, "what have you brought for me? +Don't begin to chatter, for my time is valuable. Show me what you have +brought, and I will tell you all about it; and most likely a very simple +thing it is." + +Jennie, interested in so rude a man, smiled, drew up the least decrepit +bench she could find, and sat down, in spite of the angry mutterings +of her irritated host. Then she opened her satchel, took out the small +bottle of gold, and handed it to him without a word. The old man +received it somewhat contemptuously, shook it backward and forward +without extracting the cork, adjusted his glasses, then suddenly seemed +to take a nervous interest in the material presented to him. He rose and +went nearer the light. Drawing out the cork with trembling hands, he +poured some of the contents into his open palm. The result was startling +enough. The old man flung up his hands, letting the vial crash into a +thousand pieces on the floor. He staggered forward, shrieking, "Ah, mein +Gott--mein Gott!" + +Then, to the consternation of Jennie, who had already risen in terror +from her chair, the scientist plunged forward on his face. The girl had +difficulty in repressing a shriek. She looked round hurriedly for a bell +to ring, but apparently there was none. She tried to open the door and +cry for help, but in her excitement could neither find handle nor latch. +It seemed to be locked, and the key, doubtless, was in the Professor's +pocket. She thought at first that he had dropped dead, but the continued +moaning as he lay on the floor convinced her of her error. She bent over +him anxiously and cried, "What can I do to help you?" + +With a struggle he muttered, "The bottle, the bottle, in the cupboard +behind you." + +She hurriedly flung open the doors of the cupboard indicated, and found +a bottle of brandy, and a glass, which she partly filled. The old man +had with an effort struggled into a sitting posture, and she held the +glass of fiery liquid to his pallid lips. He gulped down the brandy, and +gasped, "I feel better now. Help me to my chair." + +Assisting him to his feet, she supported him to his arm-chair, when he +shook himself free, crying angrily, "Let me alone! Don't you see I am +all right again?" + +The girl stood aside, and the Professor dropped into his chair, his +nervous hands vibrating on his knees. For a long interval nothing was +said by either, and the girl at last seated herself on the bench she had +formerly occupied. The next words the old man spoke were, "Who sent you +here?" + +"No one, I came of my own accord. I wished to meet someone who had a +large knowledge of explosives, and Herr Feltz, the chemist, gave me your +address." + +"Herr Feltz! Herr Feltz!" he repeated. "So he sent you here?" + +"No one sent me here," insisted the girl. "It is as I tell you. Herr +Feltz merely gave me your address." + +"Where did you get that powdered gold?" + +"It came from the _debris_ of an explosion." + +"I know, you said that before. Where was the explosion? Who caused it?" + +"That I don't know." + +"Don't you know where the explosion was?" + +"Yes, I know where the explosion was, but I don't know who caused it." + +"Who sent you here?" + +"I tell you no one sent me here." + +"That is not true, the man who caused the explosion sent you here. You +are his minion. What do you expect to find out from me?" + +"I expect to learn what explosive was used to produce the result that +seemed to have such a remarkable effect on you." + +"Why do you say that? It had no effect on me. My heart is weak. I am +subject to such attacks, and I ward them off with brandy. Some day they +will kill me. Then you won't learn any secrets from a dead man, will +you?" + +"I hope, Professor Seigfried, that you have many years yet to live, and +I must further add that I did not expect such a reception as I have +received from a man of science, as I was told you were. If you have no +information to give to me, very well, that ends it; all you have to do +is to say so." + +"Who sent you here?" + +"No one, as I have repeated once or twice. If anyone had, I would give +him my opinion of the errand when I got back. You refuse, then, to tell +me anything about the explosive that powdered the gold?" + +"Refuse? Of course I refuse! What did you expect? I suppose the man who +sent you here thought, because you were an engaging young woman and I +an old dotard, I would gabble to you the results of a life's work. Oh, +no, no, no; but I am not an old dotard. I have many years to live yet." + +"I hope so. Well, I must bid you good morning. I shall go to someone +else." + +The old man showed his teeth in a forbidding grin. + +"It is useless. Your bottle is broken, and the material it contained is +dissipated. Not a trace of it is left." + +He waved his thin, emaciated hand in the air as he spoke. + +"Oh, that doesn't matter in the least," said Jennie. "I have several +other bottles here in my satchel." + +The Professor placed his hands on the arms of his chair, and slowly +raised himself to his feet. + +"You have others," he cried, "other bottles? Let me see them--let me see +them!" + +"No," replied Jennie, "I won't." + +With a speed which, after his recent collapse, Jennie had not expected, +the Professor ambled round to the door and placed his back against +it. The glasses over his eyes seemed to sparkle as if with fire. His +talon-like fingers crooked rigidly. He breathed rapidly, and was +evidently labouring under intense excitement. + +"Who knows you came up to see me?" he whispered hoarsely, glaring at +her. + +Jennie, having arisen, stood there, smoothing down her perfectly fitting +glove, and answered with a calmness she was far from feeling,-- + +"Who knows I am here? No one but the Director of Police." + +"Oh, the Director of Police!" echoed the Professor, quite palpably +abashed by the unexpected answer. The rigidity of his attitude relaxed, +and he became once more the old man he had appeared as he sat in a heap +in his chair. "You will excuse me," he muttered, edging round towards +the chair again; "I was excited." + +"I noticed that you were, Professor. But before you sit down again, +please unlock that door." + +"Why?" he asked, pausing on his way to the chair. + +"Because I wish it open." + +"And I," he said in a higher tone, "wish it to remain locked until we +have come to some understanding. I can't let you go out now; but I shall +permit you to go unmolested as soon as you have made some explanation to +me." + +"If you do not unlock the door immediately I shall take this machine and +fling it through the front window out on the street. The crashing glass +on the pavement will soon bring someone to my rescue, Professor, and, as +I have a voice of my own and small hesitation about shouting, I shall +have little difficulty in directing the strangers where to come." + +As Jennie spoke she moved swiftly towards the table on which stood the +strange aggregation of reflectors and bent glass tubing. + +"No, no, no!" screamed the Professor, springing between her and the +table. "Touch anything but that--anything but that. Do not disturb it an +inch--there is danger--death not only to you and me, but perhaps to the +whole city. Keep away from it!" + +"Very well, then," said Jennie, stepping back in spite of her endeavour +to maintain her self-control; "open the door. Open both doors and +leave them so. After that, if you remain seated in your chair, I +shall not touch the machine, nor shall I leave until I make the +explanations you require, and you have answered some questions that +I shall ask. But I must have a clear way to the stair, in case you +should become excited again." + +"I'll unlock the doors; I'll unlock both doors," replied the old man +tremulously, fumbling about in his pockets for his keys. "But keep away +from that machine, unless you want to bring swift destruction on us +all." + +With an eagerness that retarded his speed, the Professor, constantly +looking over his shoulder at his visitor, unlocked the first door, then +hastily he flung open the second, and tottered back to his chair, where +he collapsed on the tiger skin, trembling and exhausted. + +"We may be overheard," he whined. "One can never tell who may sneak +quietly up the stair. I am surrounded by spies trying to find out what I +am doing." + +"Wait a moment," said Jennie. + +She went quickly to the outer door, found that it closed with a spring +latch, opened and shut it two or three times until she was perfectly +familiar with its workings, then she closed it, drew the inner door +nearly shut, and sat down. + +"There," she said, "we are quite safe from interruption, Professor +Seigfried; but I must request you not to move from your chair." + +"I have no intention of doing so," murmured the old man. "Who sent you? +You said you would tell me. I think you owe me an explanation." + +"I think you owe me one," replied the girl. "As I told you before, +no one sent me. I came here entirely of my own accord, and I shall +endeavour to make clear to you exactly why I came. Some time ago there +occurred in this city a terrific explosion--" + +"Where? When?" exclaimed the old man, placing his hands on the arms of +his chair, as if he would rise to his feet. + +"Sit where you are," commanded Jennie firmly, "and I shall tell you all +I can about it. The Government, for reasons of its own, desires to keep +the fact of this explosion a secret, and thus very few people outside +of official circles know anything about it. I am trying to discover the +cause of that disaster." + +"Are you--are you working on behalf of the Government?" asked the old +man eagerly, a tremor of fear in his quavering voice. + +"No. I am conducting my investigations quite independently of the +Government." + +"But why? But why? That is what I don't understand." + +"I would very much rather not answer that question." + +"But that question--everything is involved in that question. I must know +why you are here. If you are not in the employ of the Government, in +whose employ are you?" + +"If I tell you," said Jennie with some hesitation, "will you keep what I +say a secret?" + +"Yes, yes, yes!" cried the scientist impatiently. + +"Well, I am in the service of a London daily newspaper." + +"I see, I see; and they have sent you here to publish broadcast over +the world all you can find out of my doings. I knew you were a spy the +moment I saw you. I should never have let you in." + +"My dear sir, the London paper is not even aware of your existence. They +have not sent me to you at all. They have sent me to learn, if possible, +the cause of the explosion I spoke of. I took some of the _debris_ to +Herr Feltz to analyze it, and he said he had never seen gold, iron, +feldspar, and all that, reduced to such fine, impalpable grains as was +the case with the sample I left with him. I then asked him who in Vienna +knew most about explosives, and he gave me your address. That is why I +am here." + +"But the explosion--you have not told me when and where it occurred!" + +"That, as I have said, is a Government secret." + +"But you stated you are not in the Government employ, therefore it can +be no breach of confidence if you let me have full particulars." + +"I suppose not. Very well, then, the explosion occurred after midnight +on the seventeenth in the vault of the Treasury." + +The old man, in spite of the prohibition, rose uncertainly to his feet. + +Jennie sprang up and said menacingly, "Stay where you are!" + +"I am not going to touch you. If you are so suspicious of every move +I make, then go yourself and bring me what I want. There is a map of +Vienna pinned against the wall yonder. Bring it to me." + +Jennie proceeded in the direction indicated. It was an ordinary map of +the city of Vienna, and as Jennie took it down she noticed that across +the southern part of the city a semi-circular line in pencil had been +drawn. Examining it more closely, she saw that the stationary part of +the compass had been placed on the spot where stood the building which +contained the Professor's studio. She paid closer attention to the +pencil mark and observed that it passed through the Treasury building. + +"Don't look at that map!" shrieked the Professor, beating the air with +his hands. "I asked you to bring it to me. Can't you do a simple action +like that without spying about?" + +Jennie rapidly unfastened the paper from the wall and brought it to him. +The scientist scrutinized it closely, adjusting his glasses the better +to see, then deliberately tore the map into fragments, numerous and +minute. He rose--and this time Jennie made no protest--went to the +window, opened it, and flung the fluttering bits of paper out into the +air, the strong wind carrying them far over the roofs of Vienna. Closing +the casement, he came back to his chair. + +"Was--was anyone hurt at this explosion?" he asked presently. + +"Yes, four men were killed instantly, a dozen were seriously injured and +are now in hospital." + +"Oh, my God--my God!" cried the old man, covering his face with his +hands, swaying from side to side in his chair like a man tortured with +agony and remorse. At last he lifted a face that had grown more pinched +and yellow within the last few minutes. + +"I can tell you nothing," he said, moistening his parched lips. + +"You mean that you _will_ tell me nothing, for I see plainly that you +know everything." + +"I knew nothing of any explosion until you spoke of it. What have I to +do with the Treasury or the Government?" + +"That is just what I want to know." + +"It is absurd. I am no conspirator, but a man of learning." + +"Then you have nothing to fear, Herr Seigfried. If you are innocent, why +are you so loth to give me any assistance in this matter?" + +"It has nothing to do with me. I am a scientist--I am a scientist. All +I wish is to be left alone with my studies. I have nothing to do with +governments or newspapers, or anything belonging to them." + +Jennie sat tracing a pattern on the dusty floor with the point of her +parasol. She spoke very quietly:-- + +"The pencilled line which you drew on the map of Vienna passed through +the Treasury building; the centre of the circle was this garret. Why did +you draw that pencilled semi-circle? Why were you anxious that I should +not see you had done so? Why did you destroy the map?" + +Professor Seigfried sat there looking at her with dropped jaw, but he +made no reply. + +"If you will excuse my saying so," the girl went on, "you are acting +very childishly. It is evident to me that you are no criminal, yet if +the Director of Police had been in my place he would have arrested you +long ago, and that merely because of your own foolish actions." + +"The map proved nothing," he said at last, haltingly, "and besides, both +you and the Director will now have some difficulty in finding it." + +"That is further proof of your folly. The Director doesn't need to find +it. I am here to testify that I saw the map, saw the curved line passing +through the Treasury, and saw you destroy what you thought was an +incriminating piece of evidence. It would be much better if you would +deal as frankly with me as I have done with you. Then I shall give you +the best advice I can--if my advice will be of any assistance to you." + +"Yes, and publish it to all the world." + +"It will have to be published to all the world in any case, for, if I +leave here without full knowledge, I will simply go to the police office +and there tell what I have learned in this room." + +"And if I do speak, you will still go to the Director of the Police and +tell him what you have discovered." + +"No, I give you my word that I will not." + +"What guarantee have I of that?" asked the old man suspiciously. + +"No guarantee at all except my word!" + +"Will you promise not to print in your paper what I tell you?" + +"No, I cannot promise that!" + +"Still, the newspaper doesn't matter," continued the scientist. "The +story would be valueless to you, because no one would believe it. There +is little use in printing a story in a newspaper that will be laughed +at, is there? However, I think you are honest, otherwise you would have +promised not to print a line of what I tell you, and then I should have +known you were lying. It was as easy to promise that as to say you would +not tell the Director of Police. I thought at first some scientific +rival had sent you here to play the spy on me, and learn what I was +doing. I assure you I heard nothing about the explosion you speak of, +yet I was certain it had occurred somewhere along that line which I drew +on the map. I had hoped it was not serious, and begun to believe it was +not. The anxiety of the last month has nearly driven me insane, and, as +you say quite truly, my actions have been childish." The old man in his +excitement had risen from his chair and was now pacing up and down the +room, running his fingers distractedly through his long white hair, and +talking more to himself than to his auditor. + +Jennie had edged her chair nearer to the door, and had made no protest +against his rising, fearing to interrupt his flow of talk and again +arouse his suspicions. + +"I have no wish to protect my inventions. I have never taken out a +patent in my life. What I discover I give freely to the world, but I +will not be robbed of my reputation as a scientist. I want my name to go +down to posterity among those of the great discoverers. You talked just +now of going to the police and telling them what you knew. Foolish +creature! You could no more have gone to the central police office +without my permission, or against my will, than you could go to the +window and whistle back those bits of paper I scattered to the winds. +Before you reached the bottom of the stairs I could have laid Vienna +in a mass of ruins. Yes, I could in all probability have blown up the +entire Empire of Austria. The truth is, that I do not know the limit of +my power, nor dare I test it." + +"Oh, this is a madman!" thought Jennie, as she edged still nearer to the +door. The old man paused in his walk and turned fiercely upon her. + +"You don't believe me?" he said. + +"No, I do not," she answered, the colour leaving her cheeks. + +The aged wizard gave utterance to a hideous chuckle. He took from one of +his numerous shelves a hammer-head without the handle, and for a moment +Jennie thought he was going to attack her; but he merely handed the +metal to her and said,-- + +"Break that in two. Place it between your palms and grind it to powder." + +"You know that is absurd; I cannot do it." + +"Why can't you do it?" + +"Because it is of steel." + +"That is no reason. Why can't you do it?" + +He glared at her fiercely over his glasses, and she saw in his wild eye +all the enthusiasm of an instructor enlightening a pupil. + +"I'll tell you why you can't do it; because every minute particle of +it is held together by an enormous force. It may be heated red-hot +and beaten into this shape and that, but still the force hangs on as +tenaciously as the grip of a giant. Now suppose I had some substance, +a drop of which, placed on that piece of iron, would release the force +which holds the particles together--what would happen?" + +"I don't know," replied Jennie. + +"Oh, yes you do!" cried the Professor impatiently; "but you are like +every other woman--you won't take the trouble to think. What would +happen is this. The force that held the particles together would be +released, and the hammer would fall to powder like that gold you showed +me. The explosion that followed, caused by the sudden release of the +power, would probably wreck this room and extinguish both our lives. You +understand that, do you not?" + +"Yes, I think I do." + +"Well, here is something you won't understand, and probably won't +believe when you hear it. There is but one force in this world and but +one particle of matter. There is only one element, which is the basis of +everything. All the different shapes and conditions of things that we +see are caused by a mere variation of that force in conjunction with +numbers of that particle. Am I getting beyond your depth?" + +"I am afraid you are, Professor." + +"Of course; I know what feeble brains the average woman is possessed +of; still, try and keep that in your mind. Now listen to this. I have +discovered how to disunite that force and that particle. I can, with +a touch, fling loose upon this earth a giant whose strength is +irresistible and immeasurable." + +"Then why object to making your discovery public?" + +"In the first place, because there are still a thousand things and more +to be learned along such a line of investigation. The moment a man +announces his discoveries, he is first ridiculed, then, when the truth +of what he affirms is proven, there rise in every part of the world +other men who say that they knew all about it ten years ago, and will +prove it too--at least, far enough to delude a gullible world; in the +second because I am a humane man, I hesitate to spread broadcast a +knowledge that would enable any fool to destroy the universe. Then there +is a third reason. There is another who, I believe, has discovered how +to make this force loosen its grip on the particle--that is Keely, of +Philadelphia, in the United States--" + +"What! You don't mean the Keely motor man?" cried Jennie, laughing. +"That arrant humbug! Why, all the papers in the world have exposed his +ridiculous pretensions; he has done nothing but spend other people's +money." + +"Yes, the newspapers have ridiculed him. Human beings have, since the +beginning of the world, stoned their prophets. Nevertheless, he has +liberated a force that no gauge made by man can measure. He has been +boastful, if you like, and has said that with a teacupful of water he +would drive a steamship across the Atlantic. I have been silent, working +away with my eye on him, and he has been working away with his eye on +me, for each knows what the other is doing. If either of us discovers +how to control this force, then that man's name will go down to +posterity for ever. He has not yet been able to do it; neither have I. +There is still another difference between us. He appears to be able to +loosen that force in his own presence; I can only do it at a distance. +All my experiments lately have been in the direction of making +modifications with this machine, so as to liberate the force within +the compass, say, of this room; but the problem has baffled me. The +invisible rays which this machine sends out, and which will penetrate +stone, iron, wood, or any other substance, must unite at a focus, and +I have not been able to bring that focus nearer me than something over +half a mile. Last summer I went to an uninhabited part of Switzerland +and there continued my experiments. I blew up at will rocks and boulders +on the mountain sides, the distances varying from a mile to half a mile. +I examined the results of the disintegration, and when you came in and +showed me that gold, I recognized at once that someone had discovered +the secret I have been trying to fathom for the last ten years. I +thought that perhaps you had come from Keely. I am now convinced that +the explosion you speak of in the Treasury was caused by myself. This +machine, which you so recklessly threatened to throw out of the window, +accidentally slipped from its support when I was working here some +time after midnight on the seventeenth. I placed it immediately as you +see it now, where it throws its rays into mid-air, and is consequently +harmless; but I knew an explosion must have taken place in Vienna +somewhere within the radius of half a mile. I drew the pencilled +semi-circle that you saw on the map of Vienna, for in my excitement +in placing the machine upright I had not noticed exactly where it had +pointed, but I knew that, along the line I had drawn, an explosion must +have occurred, and could only hope that it had not been a serious one, +which it seems it was. I waited and waited, hardly daring to leave my +attic, but hearing no news of any disaster, I was torn between the +anxiety that would naturally come to any humane man in my position +who did not wish to destroy life, and the fear that, if nothing had +occurred, I had not actually made the discovery I thought I had made. +You spoke of my actions being childish; but when I realized that I had +myself been the cause of the explosion, a fear of criminal prosecution +came over me. Not that I should object to imprisonment if they would +allow me to continue my experiments; but that, doubtless, they would not +do, for the authorities know nothing of science, and care less." + +In spite of her initial scepticism, Jennie found herself gradually +coming to believe in the efficiency of the harmless-looking mechanism of +glass and iron which she saw on the table before her, and a sensation of +horror held her spellbound as she gazed at it. Its awful possibilities +began slowly to develop in her mind, and she asked breathlessly,--"What +would happen if you were to turn that machine and point it towards the +centre of the earth?" + +"I told you what would happen. Vienna would lie in ruins, and possibly +the whole Austrian Empire, and perhaps some adjoining countries would +become a mass of impalpable dust. It may be that the world itself would +dissolve. I cannot tell what the magnitude of the result might be, for +I have not dared to risk the experiment." + +"Oh, this is too frightful to think about," she cried. "You must destroy +the machine, Professor, and you must never make another." + +"What! And give up the hope that my name will descend to posterity?" + +"Professor Seigfried, when once this machine becomes known to the world, +there will be no posterity for your name to descend to. With the present +hatred of nation against nation, with different countries full of those +unimprisoned maniacs whom we call Jingoes--men preaching the hatred of +one people against another--how long do you think the world will last +when once such knowledge is abroad in it?" + +The Professor looked longingly at the machine he had so slowly and +painfully constructed. + +"It would be of much use to humanity if it were but benevolently +employed. With the coal fields everywhere diminishing, it would supply a +motive force for the universe that would last through the ages." + +"Professor Seigfried," exclaimed Jennie earnestly, "when the Lord +permits a knowledge of that machine to become common property, it is His +will that the end of the world shall come." + +The Professor said nothing, but stood with deeply wrinkled brow, gazing +earnestly at the mechanism. In his hand was the hammer-head which he had +previously given to the girl; his arm went up and down as if he were +estimating its weight; then suddenly, without a word of warning, he +raised it and sent it crashing through the machine, whose splintering +glass fell with a musical tinkle on the floor. + +Jennie gave a startled cry, and with a low moan the Professor struggled +to his chair and fell, rather than sat down, in it. A ghastly pallor +overspread his face, and the girl in alarm ran again to the cupboard, +poured out some brandy and offered it to him, then tried to pour it down +his throat, but his tightly set teeth resisted her efforts. She chafed +his rigid hands, and once he opened his eyes, slowly shaking his head. + +"Try to sip this brandy," she said, seeing his jaws relax. + +"It is useless," he murmured with difficulty. "My life was in the +instrument, as brittle as the glass. I have--" + +He could say no more. Jennie went swiftly downstairs to the office of a +physician, on the first floor, which she had noticed as she came up. + +The medical man, who knew of the philosopher, but was not personally +acquainted with him, for the Professor had few friends, went up the +steps three at a time, and Jennie followed him more slowly. He met the +girl at the door of the attic. + +"It is useless," he said. "Professor Seigfried is dead; and it is my +belief that in his taking away Austria has lost her greatest scientist." + +"I am sure of it," answered the girl, with trembling voice; "but perhaps +after all it is for the best." + +"I doubt that," said the doctor. "I never feel so like quarrelling with +Providence as when some noted man is removed right in the midst of his +usefulness." + +"I am afraid," replied Jennie solemnly, "that we have hardly reached a +state of development that would justify us in criticizing the wisdom of +Providence. In my own short life I have seen several instances where it +seemed that Providence intervened for the protection of His creatures; +and even the sudden death of Professor Seigfried does not shake my +belief that Providence knows best." + +She turned quickly away and went down the stairs in some haste. At the +outer door she heard the doctor call down, "I must have your name and +address, please." + +But Jennie did not pause to answer. She had no wish to undergo +cross-examination at an inquest, knowing that if she told the truth she +would not be believed, while if she attempted to hide it, unexpected +personal inconvenience might arise from such a course. She ran rapidly +to the street corner, hailed a fiacre and drove to a distant part of the +city; then she dismissed the cab, went to a main thoroughfare, took a +tramcar to the centre of the town, and another cab to the Palace. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +JENNIE ENGAGES A ROOM IN A SLEEPING CAR. + + +Jennie had promised Professor Seigfried not to communicate with the +Director of Police, and she now wondered whether it would be breaking +her word, or not, if she let that official know the result of her +investigation, when it would make no difference, one way or the other, +to the Professor. If Professor Seigfried could have foreseen his own +sudden death, would he not, she asked herself, have preferred her to +make public all she knew of him? for had he not constantly reiterated +that fame, and the consequent transmission of his name to posterity, was +what he worked for? Then there was this consideration: if the Chief of +Police was not told how the explosion had been caused, his fruitless +search would go futilely on, and, doubtless, in the course of police +inquiry, many innocent persons would be arrested, put to inconvenience +and expense, and there was even a chance that one or more, who had +absolutely nothing to do with the affair, might be imprisoned for life. +She resolved, therefore, to tell the Director of the Police all she +knew, which she would not have done had Professor Seigfried been alive. +She accordingly sent a messenger for the great official, and just as she +had begun to relate to the impatient Princess what had happened, he was +announced. The three of them held convention in Jennie's drawing-room +with locked doors. + +"I am in a position," began Jennie, "to tell you how the explosion in +the Treasury was caused and who caused it; but before doing so you must +promise to grant me two favours, each of which is in your power to +bestow without inconvenience." + +"What are they?" asked the Director of Police cautiously. + +"To tell what they are is to tell part of my story. You must first +promise blindly, and afterwards keep your promise faithfully." + +"Those are rather unusual terms, Miss Baxter," said the Chief; "but I +accede to them, the more willingly as we have found that all the gold is +still in the Treasury, as you said it was." + +"Very well, then, the first favour is that I shall not be called to +give testimony when an inquest is held on the body of Professor Carl +Seigfried." + +"You amaze me!" cried the Director; "how did you know he was dead? I had +news of it only a moment before I left my office." + +"I was with him when he died," said Jennie simply, which statement +drew forth an exclamation of surprise from both the Princess and the +Director. "My next request is that you destroy utterly a machine which +stands on a table near the centre of the Professor's room. Perhaps the +instrument is already disabled--I believe it is--but, nevertheless, I +shall not rest content until you have seen that every vestige of it is +made away with, because the study of what is left of it may enable some +other scientist to put it in working order again. I entreat you to +attend to this matter yourself. I will go with you, if you wish me +to, and point out the instrument in case it has been moved from its +position." + +"The room is sealed," said the Director, "and nothing will be +touched until I arrive there. What is the nature of this instrument?" + +"It is of a nature so deadly and destructive that, if it got into the +hands of an anarchist, he could, alone, lay the city of Vienna in +ruins." + +"Good heavens!" cried the horrified official, whose bane was the +anarchist, and Jennie, in mentioning this particular type of criminal, +had builded better than she knew. If she had told him that the +Professor's invention might enable Austria to conquer all the +surrounding nations, there is every chance that the machine would have +been carefully preserved. + +"The explosion in the Treasury vaults," continued Jennie, "was +accidentally caused by this instrument, although the machine at the +moment was in a garret half a mile away. You saw the terrible effect of +that explosion; imagine, then, the destruction it would cause in the +hands of one of those anarchists who are so reckless of consequences." + +"I shall destroy the instrument with my own hands," asserted the +Director fervently, mopping his pallid brow. + +Jennie then went on, to the increasing astonishment of the Princess and +the Director, and related every detail of her interview with the late +professor Carl Seigfried. + +"I shall go at once and annihilate that machine," said the Director, +rising when the recital was finished. "I shall see to that myself. Then, +after the inquest, I shall give an order that everything in the attic +is to be destroyed. I wish that every scientific man on the face of the +earth could be safely placed behind prison bars." + +"I am afraid that wouldn't do much good," replied Jennie, "unless you +could prevent chemicals being smuggled in. The scientists would probably +reduce your prison to powder, and walk calmly out through the dust." + +Mr. Hardwick had told Jennie that if she solved the Vienna mystery she +would make a European reputation for the _Daily Bugle_. Jennie did more +than was expected of her, yet the European reputation which the _Bugle_ +established was not one to be envied. It is true that the account +printed of the cause of the explosion, dramatically completed with the +Professor's tragically sudden death, caused a great sensation in London. +The comic papers of the week were full of illustrations showing the uses +to which the Professor's instrument might be put. To say that any sane +man in England believed a word of the article would be to cast an +undeserved slight upon the intelligence of the British public. No one +paused to think that if a newspaper had published an account of what +could be done by the Roeentgen rays, without being able to demonstrate +practically the truth of the assertions made, the contribution would +have been laughed at. If some years ago a newspaper had stated that a +man in York listened to the voice of a friend at that moment standing in +London, and was not only able to hear what his friend said, but could +actually recognize the voice speaking in an ordinary tone, and then +if the paper had added that, unfortunately, the instrument which +accomplished this had been destroyed, people would have denounced the +sensational nature of modern journalism. + +Letters poured in upon the editor, saying that while, as a general rule, +the writers were willing to stand the ordinary lie of commerce daily +printed in the sheet, there was a limit to their credulity and they +objected to be taken for drivelling imbeciles. To complete the +discomfiture of the _Daily Bugle_, the Government of Austria +published an official statement, which Reuter and the special +correspondents scattered broadcast over the earth. The statement was +written in that calm, serious, and consistent tone which diplomatists +use when uttering a falsehood of more than ordinary dimensions. + +Irresponsible rumours had been floating about (the official proclamation +began) to the effect that there had been an explosion in the Treasury +at Vienna. It had been stated that a large quantity of gold had been +stolen, and that a disaster of some kind had occurred in the Treasury +vaults. Then a ridiculous story had been printed which asserted that +Professor Seigfried, one of Austria's honoured dead, had in some manner +that savoured of the Black Art, encompassed this wholesale destruction. +The Government now begged to make the following declarations: First, +not a penny had been stolen out of the Treasury; second, the so-called +war-chest was intact; third, the two hundred million florins reposed +securely within the bolted doors of the Treasury vaults; fourth, +the coins were not, as had been alleged, those belonging to various +countries, which was a covert intimation that Austria had hostile intent +against one or the other of those friendly nations. The whole coinage +in this falsely named war-chest, which was not a war-chest at all, but +merely the receptacle of a reserve fund which Austria possessed, was +entirely in Austrian coinage; fifth, in order that these sensational and +disquieting scandals should be set at rest, the Government announced +that it intended to weigh this gold upon a certain date, and it invited +representatives of the Press, from Russia, Germany, France, and England +to witness this weighing. + +The day after this troy-weight function had taken place in Vienna, long +telegraphic accounts of it appeared in the English press, and several +solemn leading articles were put forward in the editorial columns, +which, without mentioning the name of the _Daily Bugle_, deplored the +voracity of the sensational editor, who respected neither the amity +which should exist between friendly nations, nor the good name of the +honoured and respected dead, in his wolfish hunt for the daily scandal. +Nothing was too high-spiced or improbable for him to print. He traded on +the supposed gullibility of a fickle public. But, fortunately, in the +long run, these staid sheets asserted, such actions recoiled upon the +head of him who promulgated them. Sensational journals merited and +received the scathing contempt of all honest men. Later on, one of the +reviews had an article entitled "Some Aspects of Modern Journalism," +which battered in the head of the _Daily Bugle_ as with a sledge hammer, +and in one of the quarterlies a professor at Cambridge showed the +absurdity of the alleged invention from a scientific point of view. + +"I swear," cried Mr. Hardwick, as he paced up and down his room, "that I +shall be more careful after this in the handling of truth; it is a most +dangerous thing to meddle with. If you tell the truth about a man, you +are mulcted in a libel suit, and if you tell the truth about a nation, +the united Press of the country are down upon you. Ah, well, it makes +the battle of life all the more interesting, and we are baffled to fight +better, as Browning says." + +The editor had sent for Miss Baxter, and she now sat by his desk while +he paced nervously to and fro. The doors were closed and locked so that +they might not be interrupted, and she knew by the editor's manner that +something important was on hand. Jennie had returned to London after +a month's stay in Vienna, and had been occupied for a week at her old +routine work in the office. + +"Now, Miss Baxter," said the editor, when he had proclaimed his distrust +of the truth as a workable material in journalism, "I have a plan to set +before you, and when you know what it is, I am quite prepared to hear +you refuse to have anything to do with it. And, remember, if you _do_ +undertake it, there is but one chance in a million of your succeeding. +It is on this one chance that I propose now to send you to St. +Petersburg--" + +"To St. Petersburg!" echoed the girl in dismay. + +"Yes," said the editor, mistaking the purport of her ejaculation, "it is +a very long trip, but you can travel there in great comfort, and I want +you to spare no expense in obtaining for yourself every luxury that the +various railway lines afford during your journey to St. Petersburg and +back." + +"And what am I to go to St. Petersburg for?" murmured Jennie faintly. + +"Merely for a letter. Here is what has happened, and what is happening. +I shall mention no names, but at present a high and mighty personage in +Russia, who is friendly to Great Britain, has written a private letter, +making some proposals to a certain high and mighty personage in England, +who is friendly to Russia. This communication is entirely unofficial; +neither Government is supposed to know anything at all about it. As a +matter of fact, the Russian Government have a suspicion, and the British +Government have a certainty, that such a document will shortly be in +transit. Nothing may come of it, or great things may come of it. Now +on the night of the 21st, in one of the sleeping cars leaving St. +Petersburg by the Nord Express for Berlin, there will travel a special +messenger having this letter in his possession. I want you to take +passage by that same train and secure a compartment near the messenger, +if possible. This messenger will be a man in whom the respective parties +to the negotiation have implicit confidence. I wish I knew his name, +but I don't; still, the chances are that he is leaving London for St. +Petersburg about this time, and so you might keep your eyes open on your +journey there, for, if you discovered him to be your fellow-passenger, +it might perhaps make the business that comes after easier. You see this +letter," continued the editor, taking from a drawer in his desk a large +envelope, the flap of which was secured by a great piece of stamped +sealing-wax. "This merely contains a humble ordinary copy of to-day's +issue of the _Bugle_, but in outside appearance it might be taken for a +duplicate of the letter which is to leave St. Petersburg on the 21st. +Now, what I would like you to do is to take this envelope in your +hand-bag, and if, on the journey back to London, you have an opportunity +of securing the real letter, and leaving this in its place, you will +have accomplished the greatest service you have yet done for the paper." + +"Oh!" cried Jennie, rising, "I couldn't think of that, Mr. Hardwick--I +couldn't _think_ of doing it. It is nothing short of highway robbery!" + +"I know it looks like that," pleaded Hardwick; "but listen to me. If +I were going to open the letter and use its contents, then you might +charge me with instigating theft. The fact is, the letter will not be +delayed; it will reach the hands of the high and mighty personage in +England quite intact. The only difference is that you will be its bearer +instead of the messenger they send for it." + +"You expect to open the letter, then, in some surreptitious way--some +way that will not be noticed afterwards? Oh, I couldn't do it, +Mr. Hardwick." + +"My dear girl, you are jumping at conclusions. I shall amaze you when +I tell you that I know already practically what the contents of that +letter are." + +"Then what is the use of going to all this expense and trouble trying to +steal it?" + +"Don't say 'steal it,' Miss Baxter. I'll tell you what my motive is. +There is an official in England who has gone out of his way to throw +obstacles in mine. This is needless and irritating, for generally I +manage to get the news I am in quest of; but in several instances, owing +to his opposition, I have not only not got the news, but other papers +have. Now, since the general raking we have had over this Austrian +business, quite aside from the fact that we published the exact truth, +this stupid old official duffer has taken it upon himself to be +exceedingly sneering and obnoxious to me, and I confess I want to take +him down a peg. He hasn't any idea that I know as much about this +business as I do--in fact, he thinks it is an absolute secret; yet, if +I liked, I could to-morrow nullify all the arrangements by simply +publishing what is already in my possession, which action on my part +would create a _furore_ in this country, and no less of a _furore_ in +Russia. For the sake of amity between nations, which I am accused of +disregarding, I hold my hand. + +"Now, if you get possession of that communication, I want you to +telegraph to me while you are _en route_ for London, and I will meet you +at the terminus; then I shall take the document direct to this official, +even before the regular messenger has time to reach him. I shall say to +the official, 'There is the message from the high personage in Russia to +the high personage in England. If you want the document, I will give +it to you, but it must be understood that you are to be a little less +friendly to certain other newspapers, and a little more friendly to +mine, in future.'" + +"And suppose he refuses your terms?" + +"He won't refuse them; but if he does I shall hand him the envelope just +the same." + +"Well, honestly, Mr. Hardwick, I don't think your scheme worth the +amount of money it will cost, and, besides, the chance of my getting +hold of the packet, which will doubtless be locked safely within a +despatch box, and constantly under the eye of the messenger, is most +remote." + +"I am more than willing to risk all that if you will undertake the +journey. You speak lightly of my scheme, but that is merely because you +do not understand the situation. Everything you have heretofore done has +been of temporary advantage to the paper; but if you carry this off, I +expect the benefit to the _Bugle_ will be lasting. It will give me a +standing with certain officials that I have never before succeeded in +getting. In the first place, it will make them afraid of me, and that of +itself is a powerful lever when we are trying to get information which +they are anxious to give to some other paper." + +"Very well, Mr. Hardwick, I will try; though I warn you to expect +nothing but failure. In everything else I have endeavoured to do, I have +felt confident of success from the beginning. In this instance I am +as sure I shall fail." + +"As I told you, Miss Baxter, the project is so difficult that your +failure, if you _do_ fail, will merely prove it to have been +impossible, because I am sure that if anyone on earth could +carry the project to success, you are that person; and, furthermore, I +am very much obliged to you for consenting to attempt such a mission." + +And thus it was that Jennie Baxter found herself in due time in the +great capital of the north, with a room in the Hotel de l'Europe +overlooking the Nevski Prospect. In ordinary circumstances she would +have enjoyed a visit to St. Petersburg; but now she was afraid to +venture out, being under the apprehension that at any moment she might +meet Lord Donal Stirling face to face, and that he would recognize her; +therefore she remained discreetly in her room, watching the strange +street scenes from her window. She found herself scrutinizing everyone +who had the appearance of being an Englishman, and she had to confess to +a little qualm of disappointment when the person in question proved to +be some other than Lord Donal; in fact, during her short stay at St. +Petersburg she saw nothing of the young man. + +Jennie went, on the evening of her arrival, to the offices of the +Sleeping Car Company, to secure a place in one of the carriages that +left at six o'clock on the evening of the 21st. Her initial difficulty +met her when she learned there were several sleeping cars on that +train, and she was puzzled to know which to select. She stood there, +hesitating, with the plans of the carriages on the table before her. + +"You have ample choice," said the clerk; "seats are not usually booked +so long in advance, and only two places have been taken in the train, so +far." + +"I should like to be in a carriage containing some English people," said +the girl, not knowing what excuse to give for her hesitation. + +"Then let me recommend this car, for one compartment has been taken by +the British Embassy--Room C, near the centre, marked with a cross." + +"Ah, well, I will take the compartment next to it--Room D, isn't it?" +said Jennie. + +"Oh, I am sorry to say that also has been taken. Those are the two +which are bespoken. I will see under what name Room D has been booked. +Probably its occupant is English also. But I can give you Room B, on the +other side of the one reserved by the Embassy. It is a two-berth room, +Nos. 5 and 6." + +"That will do quite as well," said Jennie. + +The clerk looked up the order book, and then said,-- + +"It is not recorded here by whom Room D was reserved. As a usual thing," +he continued, lowering his voice almost to a whisper and looking +furtively over his shoulder, "when no name is marked down, that means +the Russian police. So, you see, by taking the third room you will not +only be under the shadow of the British Embassy, but also under the +protection of Russia. Do you wish one berth only, or the whole room? It +is a two-berth compartment." + +"I desire the whole room, if you please." + +She paid the price and departed, wondering if the other room had really +been taken by the police, and whether the authorities were so anxious +for the safety of the special messenger that they considered it +necessary to protect him to the frontier. If, in addition to the natural +precautions of the messenger, there was added the watchfulness of one or +two suspicious Russian policemen, then would her difficult enterprise +become indeed impossible. On the other hand, the ill-paid policemen +might be amenable to the influence of money, and as she was well +supplied with the coin of the realm, their presence might be a help +rather than a hindrance. All in all, she had little liking for the +task she had undertaken, and the more she thought of it, the less it +commended itself to her. Nevertheless, having pledged her word to the +editor, if failure came it would be through no fault of hers. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +JENNIE ENDURES A TERRIBLE NIGHT JOURNEY. + + +Jennie went early to the station on the night of the 21st and entered +the sleeping car as soon as she was allowed to do so. The conductor +seemed unaccountably flustered at her anxiety to get to her room, and he +examined her ticket with great care; then, telling her to follow him, +brought her to Room B, in which were situated berths 5 and 6, upper and +lower. The berths were not made up, and the room showed one seat, made +to accommodate two persons. The conductor went out on the platform +again, and Jennie, finding herself alone in the carriage, walked up and +down the narrow passage-way at the side, to get a better idea of her +surroundings. + +[Illustration: PLAN OF SLEEPING CAR.] + +Room C, next to her own, was the one taken by the British Embassy. Room +D, still further on, was the one that appeared to have been retained by +the police. She stood for a few moments by the broad plate-glass window +that lined the passage and looked out at the crowded platform. For a +time she watched the conductor, who appeared to be gazing anxiously +towards the direction from which passengers streamed, as if looking for +someone in particular. Presently a big man, a huge overcoat belted round +him, with a stern bearded face--looking, the girl thought, typically +Russian--strode up to the conductor and spoke earnestly with him. Then +the two turned to the steps of the car, and Jennie fled to her narrow +little room, closing the door all but about an inch. An instant later +the two men came in, speaking together in French. The larger man had +a gruff voice and spoke the language in a way that showed it was not +native to him. + +"When did you learn that he had changed his room?" asked the man with +the gruff voice. + +"Only this afternoon," replied the conductor. + +"Did you bore holes between that and the adjoining compartment?" + +"Yes, Excellency; but Azof did not tell me whether you wanted the holes +at the top or the bottom." + +"At the bottom, of course," replied the Russian. "Any fool might have +known that. The gas must rise, not fall; then when he feels its effect +and tumbles down, he will be in a denser layer of it, whereas, if we put +it in the top, and he fell down, he would come into pure air, and so +might make his escape. You did not bore the hole over the top berth, I +hope?" + +"Yes, Excellency, but I bored one at the bottom also." + +"Oh, very well, we can easily stop the one at the top. Have you fastened +the window? for the first thing these English do is to open a window." + +"The window is securely fastened, your Excellency, unless he breaks the +glass." + +"Oh, he will not think of doing that until it is too late. The English +are a law-abiding people. How many other passengers are there in the +car?" + +"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Excellency, the Room B has been taken by an +English lady, who is there now." + +"Ten thousand devils!" cried the Russian in a hoarse whisper. "Why did +you not say that before?" + +The voices now fell to so low a murmur that Jennie could not distinguish +the words spoken. A moment later there was a rap at her door, and she +had presence of mind enough to get in the further corner, and say in a +sleepy voice,-- + +"Come in!" + +The conductor opened the door. + +"_Votre billet, s'il vous plait, madame."_ + +"Can't you speak English?" asked Jennie. + +The conductor merely repeated his question, and as Jennie was shaking +her head the big Russian looked over the conductor's shoulder and said +in passable English,-- + +"He is asking for your ticket, madam. Do you not speak French?" In +answer to this direct question Jennie, fumbling in her purse for her +ticket, replied,-- + +"I speak English, and I have already shown him my ticket." She handed +her broad-sheet sleeping-car ticket to the Russian, who had pushed the +conductor aside and now stood within the compartment. + +"There has been a mistake," he said. "Room C is the one that has been +reserved for you." + +"I am sure there isn't any mistake," said Jennie. "I booked berths +5 and 6. See, there are the numbers," pointing to the metallic plates by +the door, "and here are the same numbers on the ticket." + +The Russian shook his head. + +"The mistake has been made at the office of the Sleeping Car Company. I +am a director of the Company." + +"Oh, are you?" asked Jennie innocently. "Is Room C as comfortable as +this one?" + +"It is a duplicate of this one, madam, and is more comfortable, because +it is nearer the centre of the car." + +"Well, there is no mistake about my reserving the two berths, is there?" + +"Oh, no, madam, the room is entirely at your disposal." + +"Well, then, in that case," said Jennie, "I have no objection to making +a change." + +She knew that she would be compelled to change, no matter what her +ticket recorded, so she thought it best to play the simple maiden +abroad, and make as little fuss as possible about the transfer. She had +to rearrange the car in her mind. She was now in Room C, which had been +first reserved by the British Embassy. It was evident that at the +last moment the messenger had decided to take Room A, a four-berth +compartment at the end of the car. The police then would occupy Room B, +which she had first engaged, and, from the bit of conversation she had +overheard, Jennie was convinced that they intended to kill or render +insensible the messenger who bore the important letter. The police were +there not to protect, but to attack. This amazing complication in the +plot concentrated all the girl's sympathies on the unfortunate man who +was messenger between two great personages, even though he travelled +apparently under the protection of the British Embassy at St. +Petersburg. The fact, to put it baldly, that she had intended to rob +him herself, if opportunity occurred, rose before her like an accusing +ghost. "I shall never undertake anything like this again," she cried +to herself, "never, never," and now she resolved to make reparation to +the man she had intended to injure. She would watch for him until he +came down the passage, and then warn him by relating what she had heard. +She had taken off her hat on entering the room; now she put it on +hurriedly, thrusting a long pin through it. As she stood up, there was a +jolt of the train that caused her to sit down again somewhat hurriedly. +Passing her window she saw the lights of the station; the train was in +motion. "Thank Heaven!" she cried fervently, "he is too late. Those +plotting villains will have all their trouble for nothing." + +She glanced upwards towards the ceiling and noticed a hole about an inch +in diameter bored in the thin wooden partition between her compartment +and the next. Turning to the wall behind her she saw that another hole +had been bored in a similar position through to Room B. The car had been +pretty thoroughly prepared for the work in hand, and Jennie laughed +softly to herself as she pictured the discomfiture of the conspirators. +The train was now rushing through the suburbs of St. Petersburg, when +Jennie was startled by hearing a stranger's voice say in French,-- + +"Conductor, I have Room A; which end of the car is that?" + +"This way, Excellency," replied the conductor. Everyone seemed to be +"Excellency" with him. A moment later, Jennie, who had again risen to +her feet, horrified to learn that, after all, the messenger had come, +heard the door of his room click. Everything was silent save the purring +murmur of the swiftly moving train. She stood there for a few moments +tense with excitement, then bethought herself of the hole between her +present compartment and the one she had recently left. She sprang up +on the seat, and placing her eye with some caution at the hole, peered +through. First she thought the compartment was empty, then noticed there +had been placed at the end by the window a huge cylinder that reached +nearly to the ceiling of the room. The lamp above was burning brightly, +and she could see every detail of the compartment, except towards the +floor. As she gazed a man's back slowly rose; he appeared to have been +kneeling on the floor, and he held in his hand the loop of a rubber +tube. Peering downwards, she saw that it was connected with the +cylinder, and that it was undoubtedly pouring whatever gas the cylinder +contained through the hole into Room A. For a moment she had difficulty +in repressing a shriek; but realizing how perfectly helpless she was, +even if an alarm were raised, she fought down all exclamation. She saw +that the man who was regulating the escape of gas was not the one who +had spoken to the conductor. Then, fearing that he might turn his head +and see her eye at the small aperture, she reached up and covered the +lamp, leaving her own room in complete darkness. The double covering, +which closed over the semi-globular lamp like an eyelid, kept every ray +of light from penetrating into the compartment she occupied. + +As Jennie turned to her espionage again, she heard a blow given to the +door in Room A that made it chatter, then there was a sound of a heavy +fall on the floor. The door of Room B was flung open, the head of the +first Russian was thrust in, and he spoke in his own language a single +gruff word. His assistant then turned the cock and shut off the gas from +the cylinder. The door of Room B was instantly shut again, and Jennie +heard the rattle of the key as Room A was being unlocked. + +Jennie jumped down from her perch, threw off her hat, and, with as +little noise as possible, slid her door back an inch or two. The +conductor had unlocked the door of Room A, the tall Russian standing +beside him saying in a whisper,-- + +"Never mind the man, he'll recover the moment you open the door and +window; get the box. Hold your nose with your fingers and keep your +mouth shut. There it is, that black box in the corner." + +The conductor made a dive into the room, and came out with an ordinary +black despatch-box. + +The policeman seemed well provided with the materials for his +burglarious purpose. He selected a key from a jingling bunch, tried it; +selected another; then a third, and the lid of the despatch-box was +thrown back. He took out a letter so exactly the duplicate of the one +Jennie possessed that she clutched her own document to see if it were +still in her pocket. The Russian put the envelope between his knees and +proceeded to lock the box. His imagination had not gone to any such +refinement as the placing of a dummy copy where the original had been. +Quick as thought Jennie acted. She slid open the door quietly and +stepped out into the passage. So intent were the two men on their work +that neither saw her. The tall man gave the box back to the conductor, +then took the letter from between his knees, holding it in his right +hand, when Jennie, as if swayed by the motion of the car, lurched +against him, and, with a sleight of hand that would have made her +reputation on a necromantic stage, she jerked the letter from the amazed +and frightened man; at the same moment allowing the bogus document to +drop on the floor of the car from her other hand. The conductor had just +emerged from Room A, holding his nose and looking comical enough as he +stood there in that position, amazed at the sudden apparition of the +lady. The Russian struck down the conductor's fingers with his right +hand, and by a swift motion of the left closed the door of Compartment +A, all of which happened in a tenth of the time taken to tell it. + +"Oh, pardon me!" cried Jennie in English, "I'm afraid a lurch of the car +threw me against you." + +The Russian, before answering, cast a look at the floor and saw the +large envelope lying there with its seal uppermost. He quietly placed +his huge foot upon it, and then said, with an effort at politeness,-- + +"It is no matter, madam. I fear I am so bulky that I have taken up most +of the passage." + +"It is very good of you to excuse me," said Jennie; "I merely came out +to ask the conductor if he would make up my berth. Would you be good +enough to translate that to him?" + +The Russian surlily told the conductor to attend to the wants of the +lady. The conductor muttered a reply, and that reply the Russian +translated. + +"He will be at your service in a few moments, madam. He must first make +up the berth of the gentleman in Room A." + +"Oh, thank you very much," returned Jennie. "I am in no hurry; any time +within the hour will do." + +With that she retired again into her compartment, the real letter +concealed in the folds of her dress, the bogus one on the floor under +the Russian's foot. She closed the door tightly, then, taking care that +she was not observed through either of the holes the conductor had bored +in the partition, she swiftly placed the important document in a deep +inside pocket of her jacket. As a general rule, women have inside +pockets in their capes, and outside pockets in their jackets; but +Jennie, dealing as she did with many documents in the course of her +profession, had had this jacket especially made, with its deep and roomy +inside pocket. She sat on a corner of the sofa, wondering what was to +be the fate of the unfortunate messenger, for, in spite of the sudden +shutting of the door by the Russian, she caught a glimpse of the man +lying face downwards on the floor of his stifling room. She also had +received a whiff of the sweet, heavy gas which had been used, that +seemed now to be tincturing the whole atmosphere of the car, especially +in the long narrow passage. It was not likely they intended to kill +the man, for his death would cause an awkward investigation, while his +statement that he had been rendered insensible might easily be denied. +As she sat there, the silence disturbed only by the low, soothing rumble +of the train, she heard the ring of the metal cylinder against the +woodwork of the next compartment. The men were evidently removing +their apparatus. A little later the train slowed, finally coming to a +standstill, and looking out of the window into the darkness, she found +they were stopping at an ill-lighted country station. Covering the light +in the ceiling again, the better to see outside, herself, unobserved, +she noted the conductor and another man place the bulky cylinder on the +platform, without the slightest effort at concealment. The tall Russian +stood by and gave curt orders. An instant later the train moved on +again, and when well under way there was a rap at her door. When she +opened it, the conductor said that he would make up her berth now, if it +so pleased her. She stood out in the corridor while this was deftly +and swiftly done. She could not restrain her curiosity regarding the +mysterious occupant of Room A, and to satisfy it she walked slowly up +and down the corridor, her hands behind her, passing and repassing the +open door of her room, and noticing that ever and anon the conductor +cast a suspicious eye in her direction. + +The door of Room A was partly open, but the shaded lamp in the +ceiling left the interior in darkness. There was now no trace of the +intoxicating gas in the corridor, and as she passed Room A she noticed +that a fresh breeze was blowing through the half open doorway, therefore +the window must be up. Once as she passed her own door she saw the +conductor engaged in a task which would keep him from looking into the +corridor for at least a minute, and in that interval she set her +doubts at rest by putting her head swiftly into Room A, and as swiftly +withdrawing it. The man had been lifted on to his sofa, and lay with his +face towards the wall, his head on a pillow. The despatch-box rested on +a corner of the sofa, where, doubtless, he had left it. He was breathing +heavily like a man in a drunken sleep; but the air of the room was sweet +and fresh, and he would doubtless recover. + +Jennie still paced up and down, pondering deeply over what had happened. +At first, when she had secured the important document, she had made up +her mind to return it to the messenger; but further meditation induced +her to change her mind. The messenger had been robbed by the Russian +police; he would tell his superiors exactly what had happened, and yet +the letter would reach its destination as speedily as if he had brought +it himself--as if he had never been touched. Knowing the purpose which +Mr. Hardwick had in his mind, Jennie saw that the letter now was of +tenfold more value to him than it would have been had she taken it from +the messenger. It was evident that the British Embassy, or the messenger +himself, had suspicions that an attempt was to be made to obtain the +document, otherwise Room C of the sleeping car would not have been +changed for Room A at the very last moment. If, then, the editor could +say to the official, "The Russian police robbed your messenger in spite +of all the precautions that could be taken, and my emissary cozened the +Russians; so, you see, I have accomplished what the whole power of the +British Government was powerless to effect; therefore it will be wisdom +on your part to come to terms with me." + +Jennie resolved to relate to Hardwick exactly how she came into +possession of the document, and she knew his alert nature well enough to +be sure he would make the most of the trump card dealt to him. + +"Your room is ready for you," said the conductor in French. + +She had the presence of mind enough not to comprehend his phrase until, +with a motion of his hand, he explained his meaning. She entered her +compartment and closed the door. + +Having decided what disposal to make of the important document, there +now arose in her mind the disquieting problem whether or not it would be +allowed to remain with her. She cogitated over the situation and tried +to work out the mental arithmetic of it. Trains were infrequent on the +Russian railways, and she had no means of estimating when the burly +ruffian who had planned and executed the robbery would get back to St. +Petersburg. There was no doubt that he had not the right to open the +letter and read its contents; that privilege rested with some higher +official in St. Petersburg. The two men had got off at the first +stopping place. It was quite possible that they would not reach the +capital until next morning, when the Berlin express would be well on its +way to the frontier. Once over the frontier she would be safe; but the +moment it was found that the purloined envelope merely contained a +copy of an English newspaper, what might not happen? Would the Russian +authorities dare telegraph to the frontier to have her searched, or +would the big official who had planned the robbery suspect that she, by +legerdemain, had become possessed of the letter so much sought for? Even +if he did suspect her, he would certainly have craft enough not to admit +it. His game would rather be to maintain that this was the veritable +document found in the Englishman's despatch-box; and it was more than +likely, taking into consideration the change of room at the last moment, +which would show the officials the existence of suspicion in the +messenger's mind, or in the minds of those who sent him, the natural +surmise would be that another messenger had gone with the real document, +and that the robbed man was merely a blind to delude the Russian police. +In any case, Jennie concluded, there was absolutely nothing to do but +to remain awake all night and guard the treasure which good luck +had bestowed upon her. She stood up on her bed, about to stuff her +handkerchief into the hole bored in the partition, but suddenly paused +and came down to the floor again. No, discomforting as it was to remain +in a room under possible espionage, she dared not stop the openings, as +that would show she had cognisance of them, and arouse the conductor's +suspicion that, after all, she had understood what had been said; +whereas, if she left them as they were, the fact of her doing so would +be strong confirmation of her ignorance. She took from her bag a scarf, +tied one end round her wrist and the other to the door, so that it could +not be opened, should she fall asleep, without awakening her. Before +entrenching herself thus, she drew the eyelids down over the lamp, and +left her room in darkness. Then, if anyone did spy upon her they would +not see the dark scarf which united her wrist with the door. + +In spite of the danger of her situation she had the utmost difficulty in +keeping awake. The rumble of the train had a very somnolent effect, and +once or twice she started up, fearing that she had been slumbering. Once +she experienced a tightening sensation in her throat, and sprang to the +floor, seeing the rising gas somehow made visible, the colour of blood. +The scarf drew her to her knees, and for a moment she thought someone +clutched her wrist. Panting, she undid the scarf and flooded the room +with light. Her heart was beating wildly, but all was still, save the +ever-present rumble of the train rushing through the darkness over the +boundless plains of Russia. She looked at her tiny watch, it was two +o'clock in the morning. She knew then that she must have fallen asleep +in spite of her strong resolutions. The letter was still in the inside +pocket of her jacket, and all was well at two in the morning. No eye +appeared at either of the apertures, so she covered up the light once +more and lay down again, sighing to think how rumpled her dainty costume +would look in the morning. Now she was resolved not to go to sleep, if +force of will could keep her awake. A moment later she was startled by +someone beating down the partition with an axe. She sprang up, and again +the scarf pulled her back. She untied it from her wrist and noticed +that daylight flooded the compartment. This amazed her; how could it +be daylight so soon? Had she been asleep again, and was the fancied +battering at the door with an axe merely the conclusion of a dream +caused by the conductor's knock? After a breathless pause there came a +gentle rap on her door, and the voice of the conductor said,-- + +"Breakfast at Luga, madame, in three-quarters of an hour." + +"Very good," she replied in English, her voice trembling with fear. +Slowly she untied the scarf from the door and placed it in her handbag. +She shivered notwithstanding her effort at self-control, for she knew +she had slept through the night, and far into the morning. In agitation +she unbuttoned her jacket. Yes; there was the letter, just where she had +placed it. She dare not take it out and examine it, fearing still that +she might be watched from some unseen quarter, but "Thank God," she +said to herself fervently, "this horrible night is ended. Once over the +frontier I am safe." She smoothed and brushed down her dress as well as +she was able, and was greatly refreshed by her wash in cold water, which +is one of the luxuries, not the least acceptable, on a sleeping car. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +JENNIE EXPERIENCES THE SURPRISE OF HER LIFE. + + +At nine o'clock the long train came to a standstill, seventeen minutes +late at Luga, and ample time was allowed for a leisurely breakfast in +the buffet of the station. The restaurant was thronged with numerous +passengers, most of whom seemed hardly yet awake, while many were +unkempt and dishevelled, as if they had had little sleep during the +night. + +Jennie found a small table and sat down beside it, ordering her coffee +and rolls from the waiter who came to serve her. Looking round at the +cosmopolitan company, and listening to the many languages, whose clash +gave a Babel air to the restaurant, Jennie fell to musing on the strange +experiences she had encountered since leaving London. It seemed to her +she had been taking part in some ghastly nightmare, and she shuddered as +she thought of the lawlessness, under cover of law, of this great and +despotic empire, where even the ruler was under the surveillance of his +subordinates, and could not get a letter out of his own dominion in +safety, were he so minded. In her day-dream she became conscious, +without noting its application to herself, that a man was standing +before her table; then a voice which made her heart stop said,-- + +"Ah, lost Princess!" + +She placed her hand suddenly to her throat, for the catch in her +breath seemed to be suffocating her, then looked up and saw Lord Donal +Stirling, in the ordinary everyday dress of an English gentleman, as +well groomed as if he had come, not from a train, but from his own +house. There was a kindly smile on his lips and a sparkle in his eyes, +but his face was of ghastly pallor. + +"Oh, Lord Donal!" she cried, regarding him with eyes of wonder and fear, +"what is wrong with you?" + +"Nothing," the young man replied, with an attempt at a laugh; "nothing, +now that I have found you, Princess. I have been making a night of it, +that's all, and am suffering the consequences in the morning. May I sit +down?" + +He dropped into a chair on the other side of the table, like a man +thoroughly exhausted, unable to stand longer, and went on,-- + +"Like all dissipated men, I am going to break my fast on stimulants. +Waiter," he said, "bring me a large glass of your best brandy." + +"And, waiter," interjected Jennie in French, "bring two breakfasts. I +suppose it was not a meal that you ordered just now, Lord Donal?" + +"I have ordered my breakfast," he said; "still, it pleads in my favour +that I do not carry brandy with me, as I ought to do, and so must drink +the vile stuff they call their best here." + +"You should eat as well," she insisted, taking charge of him as if she +had every right to do so. + +"All shall be as you say, now that I have the happiness of seeing you +sitting opposite me, but don't be surprised if I show a most +unappreciative appetite." + +"What is the matter?" she asked breathlessly. "You certainly look very +ill." + +"I have been drugged and robbed," he replied, lowering his voice. "I +imagine I came to close quarters with death itself. I have spent a night +in Hades, and this morning am barely able to stagger; but the sight of +you, Princess--Ah, well, I feel once more that I belong to the land of +the living!" + +"Please do not call me Princess," said the girl, looking down at the +tablecloth. + +"Then what am I to call you, Princess?" + +"My name is Jennie Baxter," she said in a low voice. + +"_Miss_ Jennie Baxter?" he asked eagerly, with emphasis on the first +word. + +"Miss Jennie Baxter," she answered, still not looking up at him. + +He leaned back in his chair and said,-- + +"Well, this is not such a bad world, after all. To think of meeting you +here in Russia! Have you been in St. Petersburg, then?" + +"Yes. I am a newspaper woman," explained Jennie hurriedly. "When +you met me before, I was there surreptitiously--fraudulently, if +you like; I was there to--to write a report of it for my paper. I +can never thank you enough, Lord Donal, for your kindness to me that +evening." + +"Your thanks are belated," said the young man, with a visible attempt at +gaiety. "You should have written and acknowledged the kindness you are +good enough to say I rendered to you. You knew my address, and etiquette +demanded that you should make your acknowledgments." + +"I was reluctant to write," said Jennie, a smile hovering round her +lips, "fearing my letter might act as a clue. I had no wish to interfere +with the legitimate business of Mr. Cadbury Taylor." + +"Great heavens!" cried the young man, "how came you to know about that? +But of course the Princess von Steinheimer told you of it. She wrote to +me charging me with all sorts of wickedness for endeavouring to find +you." + +"No, Lord Donal, I did not learn it from her. In fact, if you had opened +the door of the inner room at Mr. Cadbury Taylor's a little quicker, you +would have come upon me, for I was the assistant who tried to persuade +him that you really met the Princess von Steinheimer." + +Lord Donal, for the first time, laughed heartily. + +"Well, if that doesn't beat all! And I suppose Cadbury Taylor hasn't the +slightest suspicion that you are the person he was looking for?" + +"No, not the slightest." + +"I say! that is the best joke I have heard in ten years," said Lord +Donal; and here, breakfast arriving, Jennie gave him his directions. + +"You are to drink a small portion of that brandy," she said, "and then +put the rest in your coffee. You must eat a good breakfast, and that +will help you to forget your troubles,--that is, if you have any real +troubles." + +"Oh, my troubles are real enough," said the young man. "When I met you +before, Princess, I was reasonably successful. We even talked about +ambassadorships, didn't we, in spite of the fact that ambassadors were +making themselves unnecessarily obtrusive that night? Now you see before +you a ruined man. No, I am not joking; it is true. I was given a +commission, or, rather, knowing the danger there was in it, I begged +that the commission might be given me. It was merely to take a letter +from St. Petersburg to London. I have failed, and when that is said, all +is said." + +"But surely," cried the girl, blushing guiltily as she realized that +this was the man she had been sent to rob, "you could not be expected to +ward off such a lawless attempt at murder as you have been the victim +of?" + +"That is just what I expected, and what I supposed I could ward off. In +my profession--which, after all has a great similarity to yours, except +that I think we have to do more lying in ours--there must be no such +word as fail. The very best excuses are listened to with tolerance, +perhaps, and a shrug of the shoulders; but failure, no matter from what +cause, is fell doom. I have failed. I shall not make any excuses. I will +go to London and say merely, 'The Russian police have robbed me.' Oh, I +know perfectly well who did the trick, and how it was done. Then I shall +send in my resignation. They will accept it with polite words of regret, +and will say to each other, 'Poor fellow, he had a brilliant career +before him, but he got drunk, or something, and fell into the ditch.' +Ah, well, we won't talk any more about it." + +"Then you don't despise the newspaper profession, Lord Donal?" + +"Despise it! Bless you, no: I look up to it. Belonging myself to a +profession very much lower down in the scale of morality, as I have +said. But, Princess," he added, leaning towards her, "will you resign +from the newspaper if I resign from diplomacy?" + +The girl slowly shook her head, her eyes on the tablecloth before her. + +"I will telegraph my resignation," he said impetuously, "if you will +telegraph yours to your paper." + +"You are feeling ill and worried this morning, Lord Donal, and so you +take a pessimistic view of life. You must not resign." + +"Oh, but I must. I have failed, and that is enough." + +"It isn't enough. You must do nothing until you reach London." + +"I like your word _must_, Jennie," said the young man audaciously. "It +implies something, you know." + +"What does it imply, Lord Donal?" she asked, glancing up at him. + +"It implies that you are going to leave the 'Lord' off my name." + +"That wouldn't be very difficult," replied Jennie. + +"I am delighted to hear you say so," exclaimed his lordship; "and now, +that I may know how it sounds from your dear lips, call me Don." + +"No; if I ever consented to omit the title, I should call you Donal. I +like the name in its entirety." + +He reached his hand across the table. "Are you willing then, to accept a +man at the very lowest ebb of his fortunes? I know that if I were of +the mould that heroes are made of, I would hesitate to proffer you a +blighted life. But I loved you the moment I saw you; and, remembering my +fruitless search for you, I cannot run the risk of losing you again; I +have not the courage." + +She placed her hand in his and looked him, for the first time, squarely +in the eyes. + +"Are you sure, Donal," she said, "that I am not a mere effigy on which +you are hanging the worn-out garments of a past affection? You thought I +was the Princess at first." + +"No, I didn't," he protested. "As soon as I heard you speak, I knew you +were the one I was destined to meet." + +"Ah, Donal, Donal, at lovers' perjuries they say Jove laughs. I don't +think you were quite so certain as all that. But I, too, am a coward, +and I dare not refuse you." + +Lord Donal glanced quickly about him; the room was still crowded. Even +the Berlin Express gave them a long time for breakfast, and was in no +hurry to move westward. His hurried gaze returned to her and he sighed. + +"What an unholy spot for a proposal!" he whispered; "and yet they call +Russia the Great Lone Land. Oh, that we had a portion of it entirely to +ourselves!" + +The girl sat there, a smile on her pretty lips that Lord Donal thought +most tantalizing. A railway official announced in a loud voice that the +train was about to resume its journey. There was a general shuffling of +feet as the passengers rose to take their places. + +"Brothers and sisters kiss each other, you know, on the eve of a railway +journey," said Lord Donal, taking advantage of the confusion. + +Jennie Baxter made no protest. + +"There is plenty of time," he whispered. "I know the leisurely nature of +Russian trains. Now I am going to the telegraph office, to send in my +resignation, and I want you to come with me and send in yours." + +"No, Lord Donal," said the girl. + +"Aren't you going to resign?" he asked, in surprise. + +"Yes, all in good time; but _you_ are not." + +"Oh, I say," he cried, "it is really imperative. I'll tell you all about +it when we get on the train." + +"It is really imperative that you should not send in your resignation. +Indeed, Donal, you need not look at me with that surprised air. You may +as well get accustomed to dictation at once. You did it yourself, you +know. You can't say that I encouraged you. I eluded the vigilant Cadbury +Taylor as long as I could. But, if there is time, go to the telegraph +office and send a message to the real Princess, Palace Steinheimer, +Vienna. Say you are engaged to be married to Jennie Baxter, and ask her +to telegraph you her congratulations at Berlin." + +"I'll do it," replied the young man with gratifying alacrity. + +When Lord Donal came out of the telegraph office, Jennie said to him, +"Wait a moment while I go into the sleeping car and get my rugs and +handbag." + +"I'll go for them," he cried impetuously. + +"Oh, no," she said. "I'll tell you why, later. The conductor is a +villain and was in collusion with the police." + +"Oh, I know that," said Lord Donal. "Poor devil, he can't help himself; +he must do what the police order him to do, while he is in Russia." + +"I'll get my things and go into an ordinary first class carriage. When I +pass this door, you must get your belongings and come and find me. There +is still time, and I don't want the conductor to see us together." + +"Very well," said the young man with exemplary obedience. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +JENNIE CONVERSES WITH A YOUNG MAN SHE THINKS MUCH OF. + + +When the train started, they were seated together in a carriage far +forward. + +"One of my failings," said the girl, "is to act first, and think +afterwards. I am sorry now that I asked you to send that telegram to the +Princess." + +"Why?" + +"Because I have a great deal to tell you, and perhaps you may wish to +withdraw from the rash engagement you have undertaken." + +"A likely thing!" cried the ardent lover. "Indeed, Miss Princess, if you +think you can get rid of me as easily as all that, you are very much +mistaken." + +"Well, I want to tell you why I did not allow you to resign." + +Slowly she undid the large buttons of her jacket, then, taking it by +the lapel and holding it so that no one else could see, she drew partly +forth from the inside pocket the large envelope, until the stamp of the +Embassy was plainly visible. Lord Donal's eyes opened to their widest +capacity, and his breath seemed to stop. + +"Great heavens!" he gasped at last, "do you mean to say _you_ have it?" + +"Yes," she said, buttoning up her jacket again. "I robbed the robbers. +Listen, and I will tell you all that happened. But, first, are you +armed?" + +"Yes," he replied, "I have a trumpery revolver in my pocket; little good +it did me last night." + +"Very well, we shall be across the frontier by noon to-day. If the +Russian authorities find before that time how they have been checkmated, +and if they have any suspicion that I am the cause of it, is it not +likely that they will have me stopped and searched on some pretence or +other?" Lord Donal pondered for a moment. "They are quite capable of +it," he said; "but, Jennie, I will fight for you against the whole +Russian Empire, and somebody will get hurt if you are meddled with. The +police will hesitate, however, before interfering with a messenger from +the Embassy, or anyone in his charge in broad daylight on a crowded +train. We will not go back into that car, but stay here, where some of +our fellow-countrymen are." + +"That is what I was going to propose," said Jennie. "And now listen to +the story I have to tell you, and then you will know exactly why I came +to Russia." + +"Don't tell me anything you would rather not," said the young man +hurriedly. + +"I would rather not, but it must be told," answered the girl. + +The story lasted a long time, and when it was ended the young man cried +enthusiastically in answer to her question,-- + +"Blame you? Why, of course I don't blame you in the slightest. It wasn't +Hardwick who sent you here at all, but Providence. Providence brought us +together, Jennie, and my belief in it hereafter will be unshaken." + +Jennie laughed a contented little laugh, and said she was flattered at +being considered an envoy of Providence. + +"It is only another way of saying you are an angel, Jennie," remarked +the bold young man. + +They crossed the frontier without interference, and, once in Germany, +Jennie took the object of so much contention and placed it in the hands +of her lover. + +"There," she whispered, with a tiny sigh, for she was giving up the +fruits of her greatest achievement, "put that in your despatch box, and +see that it doesn't leave that receptacle until you reach London. I hope +the Russians will like the copy of the _Daily Bugle_ they find in their +envelope." + +The two chatted together throughout the long ride to Berlin, and when 11 +p.m. and the Schleischer station came at last, they still seemed only to +have begun their conversation, so much more remained to be told. + +The telegram from the Princess was handed to Lord Donal at Berlin. + +"I congratulate you most sincerely," she wired; "and tell Jennie the +next time you see her"--Lord Donal laughed as he read this aloud--"that +the Austrian Government has awarded her thirty thousand pounds for her +share in enabling them to recover their gold, and little enough I think +it is, considering what she has done." + +"Now, I call that downright handsome of the Austrian Government," cried +Lord Donal. "I thought they were going to fight us when I read the +speech of their Prime Minister, but, instead of that, they are making +wedding presents to our nice girls." + +"Ah, that comes through the good-heartedness of the Princess, and the +kindness of the Prince," said Jennie. "He has managed it." + +"But what in the world did you do for the Austrian Government, Jennie?" + +"That is a long story, Donal, and I think a most interesting one." + +"Well, let us thank heaven that we have a long journey for you to tell +it and me to listen." + +And saying this, the unabashed, forward young man took the liberty +of kissing his fair companion good-night, right there amidst all the +turmoil and bustle of the Schleischer Bahnhof in Berlin. + +It was early in the morning when the two met again in the restaurant +car. The train had passed Cologne and was now rushing up that +picturesque valley through which runs the brawling little river Vesdre. +Lord Donal and Jennie had the car to themselves, and they chose a table +near the centre of it and there ordered their breakfast. The situation +was a most picturesque one. The broad, clear plate glass windows on each +side displayed, in rapid succession, a series of landscapes well worth +viewing; the densely wooded hills, the cheerful country houses, the +swift roaring stream lashing itself into fleecy foam; now and then a +glimpse of an old ruined castle on the heights, and, in the deep valley, +here and there a water mill. + +It was quite evident that Jennie had slept well, and, youth being on her +side, her rest had compensated for the nightmare of the Russian journey. +She was simply but very effectively dressed, and looked as fresh and +pretty and cool and sweet as a snowdrop. The enchanted young man found +it impossible to lure his eyes away from her, and when, with a little +laugh, Jennie protested that he was missing all the fine scenery, he +answered that he had something much more beautiful to look upon; whereat +Jennie blushed most enticingly, smiled at him, but made no further +protest. Whether it was his joy in meeting Jennie, or the result of his +night's sleep, or his relief at finding that his career was not wrecked, +as he had imagined, or all three together, Lord Donal seemed his old +self again, and was as bright, witty, and cheerful as a boy home for the +holidays. They enjoyed their breakfast with the relish that youth and +a healthy appetite gives to a dainty meal well served. The rolls were +brown and toothsome, the butter, in thick corrugated spirals, was of a +delicious golden colour, cold and crisp. The coffee was all that coffee +should be, and the waiter was silent and attentive. Russia, like an evil +vision, was far behind, and the train sped through splendid scenery +swiftly towards England and home. + +The young man leaned back in his chair, interlaced his fingers +behind his head, and gazed across at Jennie, drawing a sigh of deep +satisfaction. + +"Well, this _is_ jolly," he said. + +"Yes," murmured Jennie, "it's very nice. I always did enjoy foreign +travel, especially when it can be done in luxury; but, alas! luxury +costs money, doesn't it?" + +"Oh, you don't need to mind, you are rich." + +"That is true; I had forgotten all about it." + +"I hope, Jennie, that the fact of my travelling on a _train de luxe_ +has not deluded you regarding my wealth. I should have told you that I +usually travel third class when I am transporting myself in my private +capacity. I am wringing this pampered elegance from the reluctant +pockets of the British taxpayer. When I travel for the British +Government I say, as _Pooh Bah_ said to _Koko_ in the 'Mikado,' 'Do it +well, my boy,' or words to that effect." + +"Indeed," laughed Jennie, "I am in a somewhat similar situation; the +newspaper is paying all the expenses of this trip, but I shall insist +on returning the money to the _Bugle_ now that I have failed in my +mission." + +"Dear me, how much more honest the newspaper business is than diplomacy! +The idea of returning any money never even occurred to me. The mere +suggestion freezes my young blood and makes each particular hair to +stand on end like quills upon the fretful porcupine. Our motto in the +service is, Get all you can, and keep all you get." + +"But then, you see, your case differs from mine; you did your best to +succeed, and I failed through my own choice; and thus I sit here a +traitor to my paper." + +"Well, Jennie," said the young man, picking up the despatch-box, which +he never allowed to leave his sight, and placing it on the table, +"you've only to say the word, and this contentious letter is in your +possession again. Do you regret your generosity?" + +"Oh, no, no, no, no, I would not have it back on any account. Even +looking at the matter in the most materialistic way, success means far +more to you than it does to me. As you say, I am rich, therefore I am +going to give up my newspaper career. I suppose that is why women very +rarely make great successes of their lives. A woman's career so often is +merely of incidental interest to her; a man's career is his whole life." + +"What a pity it is," mused the young man, "that one person's success +usually means another person's failure. If I were the generous, +whole-souled person I sometimes imagine myself to be, I should refuse +to accept success at the price of your failure. You have actually +succeeded, while I have actually failed. With a generosity that makes me +feel small and mean, you hand over your success to me, and I selfishly +accept it. But I compound with my conscience in this way. You and I are +to be married; then we will be one. That one shall be heir to all the +successes of each of us and shall disclaim all the failures of each. +Isn't that a good idea?" + +"Excellent," replied Jennie; "nevertheless, I cannot help feeling just a +little sorry for poor Mr. Hardwick." + +"Who is he--the editor?" + +"Yes. He _did_ have such faith in me that it seems almost a pity to +disappoint him." + +"You mustn't trouble your mind about Hardwick. Don't think of him at +all; think of me instead." + +"I am afraid I do, and have done so for some time past; nevertheless, I +shall get off at Liege and telegraph to him that I am not bringing the +document to London." + +"I will send the telegram for you when we reach there; but, if I +remember rightly what you told me of his purpose, he can't be very +deeply disappointed. I understood you to say that he did not intend to +publish the document, even if he got it." + +"That is quite true. He wished to act as the final messenger himself, +and was to meet me at Charing Cross Station, secure the envelope, and +take it at once to its destination." + +"I must confess," said the young man, with a bewildered expression, +"that I don't see the object of that. Are you sure he told you the +truth?" + +"Oh, yes. The object was this. It seems that there is in the Foreign +Office some crusty old curmudgeon who delights in baffling Mr. Hardwick. +This official--I forget his name; in fact, I don't think Mr. Hardwick +told me who he was--seems to forget the _Daily Bugle_ when important +items of news are to be given out, and Mr. Hardwick says that he favours +one of the rival papers, and the _Bugle_ has been unable, so far, to +receive anything like fair treatment from him; so Mr. Hardwick wanted +to take the document to him, and thus convince him there was danger in +making an enemy of the _Daily Bugle_. As I understood his project, which +didn't commend itself very much to me, Hardwick had no intention of +making a bargain, but simply proposed to hand over the document, and ask +the Foreign Office man to give the _Bugle_ its fair share in what was +going." + +"Do you mean to say that the official in question is the man to whom I +am to give this letter?" + +"Yes." + +"Oh, my prophetic soul, my uncle! Why, that is Sir James Cardiff, the +elder brother of my mother; he is a dear old chap, but I can well +understand an outsider thinking him gruff and uncivil. If the editor +really means what he says, then there will be no difficulty and no +disappointment. If all that is needed is the winning over of old Jimmy +to be civil to Hardwick, I can guarantee that. I am the especial +_protege_ of my uncle. Everything I know I have learned from him. +He cannot understand why the British Government does not appoint me +immediately Ambassador to France; Jimmy would do it to-morrow if he had +the power. It was through him that I heard of this letter, and I believe +his influence had a good deal to do with my getting the commission of +special messenger. It was the chagrin that my uncle Jimmy would have +felt, had I failed, that put the final drop of bitterness in my cup of +sorrow when I came to my senses after my encounter with the Russian +police. That would have been a stunning blow to Sir James Cardiff. We +shall reach Charing Cross about 7.30 to-night, and Sir James will be +there with his brougham to take charge of me when I arrive. Now, what +do you say to our settling all this under the canopy of Charing Cross +Station? If you telegraph Mr. Hardwick to meet us there, I will +introduce him to Sir James, and he will never have any more trouble in +that quarter." + +"I think," said the girl, looking down at the tablecloth, "that I'd +rather not have Mr. Hardwick meet us." + +"Of course not," answered the young man quickly. "What was I thinking +about? It will be a family gathering, and we don't want any outsiders +about, do we?" + +Jennie laughed, but made no reply. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +JENNIE KEEPS STEP WITH THE WEDDING MARCH. + + +They had a smooth and speedy passage across from Calais to Dover, and +the train drew in at Charing Cross Station exactly on time. Lord Donal +recognized his uncle's brougham waiting for him, and on handing the +young lady out of the railway carriage he espied the old man himself +closely scrutinizing the passengers. Sir James, catching sight of him, +came eagerly forward and clasped both his nephew's hands. + +"Donal," he cried, "I am very glad indeed to see you. Is everything +right?" + +"As right as can be, uncle." + +"Then I am glad of that, too, for we have had some very disquieting +hints from the East." + +"They were quite justified, as I shall tell you later on; but meanwhile, +uncle, allow me to introduce to you Miss Baxter, who has done me the +honour of promising to be my wife." + +Jennie blushed in the searching rays of the electric light as the old +man turned quickly towards her. Sir James held her hand in his for some +moments before he spoke, gazing intently at her. Then he said slowly, +"Ah, Donal, Donal, you always had a keen eye for the beautiful." + +"Oh, I say," cried the young man, abashed at his uncle's frankness, "I +don't call that a diplomatic remark at all, you know." + +"Indeed, Sir James," said the girl, laughing merrily, "it is better than +diplomatic, it is complimentary, and I assure you I appreciate it. The +first time he met me he took me for quite another person." + +"Then, whoever that person is, my dear," replied the old man, "I'll +guarantee she is a lovely woman. And you mustn't mind what I say; nobody +else does, otherwise my boy Donal here would be much higher in the +service than the present moment finds him; but I am pleased to tell +you that the journey he has now finished will prove greatly to his +advantage." + +"Indeed, uncle, that is true," said the young man, looking at his +betrothed, "for on this journey I met again Miss Baxter, whom, to my +great grief, I had lost for some time. And now, uncle, I want you to +do me a great favour. Do you know Mr. Hardwick, editor of the _Daily +Bugle_?" + +"Yes, I know him; but I don't like him, nor his paper either." + +"Well, neither do the Russians, for that matter, by this time, and I +merely wish to tell you that if it hadn't been for his action, and for +the promptness of a member of his staff, I should have failed in this +mission. I was drugged by the Russian police and robbed. Miss Baxter, +who was on the train, saw something of what was going forward, and +succeeded, most deftly, in despoiling the robbers. I was lying +insensible at the time and helpless. She secured the document and handed +it back to me when we had crossed the frontier, leaving in the hands of +the Russians a similar envelope containing a copy of the _Daily Bugle_; +therefore, uncle, if in future you can do anything to oblige Mr. +Hardwick, you will help in a measure to cancel the obligation which our +family owes to him." + +"My dear boy, I shall be delighted to do so. I am afraid I have been +rather uncivil to him. If you wish it, I will go at once and apologize +to him." + +"Oh, no," cried Jennie, "you must not do that; but if you can help him +without jeopardizing the service, I, for one, will be very glad." + +"So shall I," said Donal. + +The old man took out his card-case, and on the back of his card +scribbled a most cordial invitation to Hardwick, asking him to call on +him. He handed this to Jennie, and said,-- + +"Tell Mr. Hardwick that I shall be pleased to see him at any time." + +"And now," said Lord Donal, "you must let us both escort you home in the +carriage." + +"No, no. I shall take a hansom, and will go directly to the office of +the _Bugle_, for Mr. Hardwick will be there by this time." + +"But we can drive you there." + +"No, please." + +She held out her hand to Sir James and said, with the least bit of +hesitation before uttering the last word, "Good night--uncle." + +"Good night, my dear," said the old man, "and God bless you," he added +with a tenderness which his appearance, so solemn and stately, left one +unprepared for. + +Lord Donal saw his betrothed into a hansom, protesting all the while at +thus having to allow her to go off unprotected. + +"What an old darling he is," murmured Jennie, ignoring his protests. "I +think if Mr. Hardwick had allowed me to look after the interests of the +paper at the Foreign Office, Sir James would not have snubbed me." + +"If the Foreign Office dared to do such a thing, it would hear of +something not to its advantage from the Diplomatic Service; and so, +goodnight, my dear." And, with additions, the nephew repeated the +benediction of the uncle. + +Jennie drove directly to the office of the _Daily Bugle_, and, for the +last time, mounting the stairs, entered the editorial rooms. She found +Mr. Hardwick at his desk, and he sprang up quickly on seeing who his +visitor was. "Ah, you have returned," he cried. "You didn't telegraph to +me, so I suppose that means failure." + +"I don't know, Mr. Hardwick. It all depends on whether or not your +object was exactly what you told me it was." + +"And what was that? I think I told you that my desire was to get +possession of the document which was being transmitted from St. +Petersburg to London." + +"No; you said the object was the mollifying of old Sir James Cardiff, of +the Foreign Office." + +"Exactly; that was the ultimate object, of course." + +"Very well. Read this card. Sir James gave it to me at Charing Cross +Station less than half an hour ago." + +The editor took the card, turned it over in his hands once or twice, and +read the cordial message which the old man had scribbled on the back of +it. + +"Then you have succeeded," cried Hardwick. "You got the document; but +why did you give it to Sir James yourself, instead of letting me hand it +to him?" + +"That is a long story. To put it briefly, it was because the messenger +carrying the document was Lord Donal Stirling, who is--who is--an old +friend of mine. Sir James is his uncle, and Lord Donal promised that he +would persuade the old man to let other newspapers have no advantages +which he refused to the _Daily Bugle_. I did not give the document to +Sir James, I gave it back to Lord Donal." + +"Lord Donal Stirling--Lord Donal Stirling," mused the editor. "Where +have I heard that name before?" + +"He is a member of the British Embassy at St. Petersburg, so you may +have seen his name in the despatches." + +"No. He is not so celebrated as all that comes to. Ah, I remember now. I +met the detective the other night and asked him if anything had come of +that romance in high life, to solve which he had asked your assistance. +He said the search for the missing lady had been abandoned, and +mentioned the name of Lord Donal Stirling as the foolish young man who +had been engaged in the pursuit of the unknown." + +Jennie coloured at this and drew herself up indignantly. + +"Before you say anything further against Lord Donal," she cried hotly, +"I wish to inform you that he and I are to be married." + +"Oh, I beg your pardon," said the editor icily. "Then, having failed to +find the other girl, he has speedily consoled himself by--" + +"There was no other girl. I was the person of whom Mr. Cadbury Taylor +was in search. I willingly gave him valuable assistance in the task of +failing to find myself. Having only a stupid man to deal with, I had +little difficulty in accomplishing my purpose. Neither Mr. Taylor nor +Mr. Hardwick ever suspected that the missing person was in their own +employ." + +"Well, I'm blessed!" ejaculated Hardwick. "So you baffled Cadbury Taylor +in searching for yourself, as you baffled me in getting hold of the +Russian letter. It seems to me, Miss Baxter, that where your own +inclinations do not coincide with the wishes of your employers, the +interests of those who pay you fall to the ground." + +"Mr. Cadbury Taylor didn't pay me anything for my services as amateur +detective, and he has, therefore, no right to grumble. As for the St. +Petersburg trip, I shall send you a cheque for all expenses incurred as +soon as I reach home." + +"Oh, you mistake me," asserted Mr. Hardwick earnestly. "I had no thought +of even hinting that you have not earned over and over again all the +money the _Daily Bugle_ has paid you; besides, I was longing for your +return, for I want your assistance in solving a mystery that has rather +puzzled us all. Paris is in a turmoil just now over the--" + +Jennie's clear laugh rang out. + +"I am going over to Paris in a day or two, Mr. Hardwick, to solve the +mystery of dressmaking, and I think, from what I know of it already, it +will require my whole attention. I must insist on returning to you the +cost of the St. Petersburg journey, for, after all, it proved to be +rather a personal excursion, and I couldn't think of allowing the paper +to pay for it. I merely came in to-night to hand you this card from +Sir James Cardiff, and I also desired to tender to you personally my +resignation. And so I must bid you good-bye, Mr. Hardwick," said the +girl holding out her hand; "and I thank you very much indeed for having +given me a chance to work on your paper." + +Before the editor could reply, she was gone, and that good man sat down +in his chair bewildered by the suddenness of it all, the room looking +empty and dismal, lacking her presence. + +"Confound Lord Donal Stirling!" he muttered under his breath, and then, +as an editor should he went on impassively with his night's work. + + * * * * * + +It was intended that the wedding should be rather a quiet affair, but +circumstances proved too strong for the young people. Lord Donal was +very popular and the bride was very beautiful. Sir James thought it +necessary to invite a great many people, and he intimated to Lord Donal +that a highly placed personage desired to honour the function with his +presence. And thus the event created quite a little flutter in the smart +set. The society papers affirmed that this elevated personage had been +particularly pleased by some diplomatic service which Lord Donal had +recently rendered him; but then, of course, one can never believe what +one reads in the society press. However, the man of exalted rank was +there, and so people said that perhaps there might be something in +the rumour. Naturally there was a great turn-out of ambassadors and +ministers, and their presence gave colour and dignity to the crush +at St. George's, Hanover Square. The Princess von Steinheimer made a +special journey from Vienna to attend, and on this occasion she brought +the Prince with her. The general opinion was that the bridegroom was a +very noble-looking fellow, and that the bride, in her sumptuous wedding +apparel, was quite too lovely for anything. + +The Princess was exceedingly bright and gay, and she chatted with her +old friends the Ambassadors from Austria and America. + +"I'm _so_ sorry," she said to the Ambassador from America, "that I did +not have time to speak with you at the Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball, +but I was compelled to leave early. You should have come to me sooner. +The Count here was much more gallant. We had a most delightful +conversation, hadn't we, Count? I was with Lord Donal, you remember." + +"Oh, yes," replied the aged Austrian, bowing low; "I shall not soon +forget the charming conversation I had with your Highness, and I hope +you, on your part, have not forgotten the cordial invitation you gave me +to visit again your castle at Meran." + +"Indeed, Count, you know very well how glad I am to see you at any time, +either in Vienna or at Meran." + +The American Ambassador remained silent, and glanced alternately from +the bride to the Princess with a puzzled expression on his face. + +The mystery of the Duchess of Chiselhurst's Ball proved too much for +him, as the search for the missing lady had proved too much for Mr. +Cadbury Taylor. + + +THE END + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Jennie Baxter, Journalist, by Robert Barr + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JENNIE BAXTER, JOURNALIST *** + +This file should be named 7bxtr10.txt or 7bxtr10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 7bxtr11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 7bxtr10a.txt + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, David Widger and PG Distributed +Proofreaders from images generously made available by the Canadian +Institute for Historical Microreproductions + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Jennie Baxter, Journalist + +Author: Robert Barr + +Release Date: November, 2005 [EBook #9300] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on September 18, 2003] +[Date last updated: October 14, 2004] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JENNIE BAXTER, JOURNALIST *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, David Widger and PG Distributed +Proofreaders from images generously made available by the Canadian +Institute for Historical Microreproductions + + + + + +JENNIE BAXTER JOURNALIST + +BY + +ROBERT BARR + + +Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the +year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine. + + + +CONTENTS + +I. JENNIE MAKES HER TOILETTE AND THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A PORTER + +II. JENNIE HAS IMPORTANT CONFERENCES WITH TWO IMPORTANT EDITORS + +III. JENNIE INTERVIEWS A FRIGHTENED OFFICIAL + +IV. JENNIE LEARNS ABOUT THE DIAMONDS OF THE PRINCESS + +V. JENNIE MEETS A GREAT DETECTIVE + +VI. JENNIE SOLVES THE DIAMOND MYSTERY + +VII. JENNIE ARRANGES A CINDERELLA VISIT + +VIII. JENNIE MIXES WITH THE ELITE OF EARTH + +IX. JENNIE REALIZES THAT GREAT EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEHIND + +X. JENNIE ASSISTS IN SEARCHING FOR HERSELF + +XI. JENNIE ELUDES AN OFFER OF MARRIAGE + +XII. JENNIE TOUCHES THE EDGE OF A GOVERNMENT SECRET + +XIII. JENNIE INDULGES IN TEA AND GOSSIP + +XIV. JENNIE BECOMES A SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER + +XV. JENNIE BESTOWS INFORMATION UPON THE CHIEF OF POLICE + +XVI. JENNIE VISITS A MODERN WIZARD IN HIS MAGIC ATTIC + +XVII. JENNIE ENGAGES A ROOM IN A SLEEPING-CAR + +XVIII. JENNIE ENDURES A TERRIBLE NIGHT JOURNEY + +XIX. JENNIE EXPERIENCES THE SURPRISE OF HER LIFE + +XX. JENNIE CONVERSES WITH A YOUNG MAN SHE THINKS MUCH OF + +XXI. JENNIE KEEPS STEP WITH THE WEDDING MARCH + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +JENNIE MAKES HER TOILETTE AND THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A PORTER. + + +Miss Jennie Baxter, with several final and dainty touches that put to +rights her hat and dress--a little pull here and a pat there--regarded +herself with some complacency in the large mirror that was set before +her, as indeed she had every right to do, for she was an exceedingly +pretty girl. It is natural that handsome young women should attire +themselves with extra care, and although Jennie would have been +beautiful under any conceivable condition of dress, she nevertheless did +not neglect the arraying of herself becomingly on that account. All that +was remarkable on this occasion consisted in the fact that she took more +than usual pains to make herself presentable, and it must be admitted +that the effect was as attractive as anyone could wish to have it. Her +appearance was enough to send a friend into ecstasies, or drive an enemy +to despair. + +Jennie's voluminous hair, without being exactly golden, was--as the +poets might term it--the colour of ripe corn, and was distractingly +fluffy at the temples. Her eyes were liquidly, bewitchingly black, of +melting tenderness, and yet, upon occasion, they would harden into +piercing orbs that could look right through a man, and seem to fathom +his innermost thoughts. A smooth, creamy complexion, with a touch of red +in the cheeks, helped to give this combination of blonde and brunette an +appearance so charmingly striking that it may be easily understood she +was not a girl to be passed by with a single glance. Being so favoured +by nature, Jennie did not neglect the aid of art, and it must be +admitted that most of her income was expended in seeing that her +wardrobe contained the best that Paris could supply; and the best in +this instance was not necessarily the most expensive--at least not as +expensive as such supplementing might have been to an ordinary woman, +for Jennie wrote those very readable articles on the latest fashionable +gowns which have appeared in some of the ladies' weeklies, and it was +generally supposed that this fact did not cause her own replenishing +from the _modistes_ she so casually mentioned in her writings to be more +expensive than her purse could afford. Be that as it may, Miss Baxter +was always most becomingly attired, and her whole effect was so +entrancing that men have been known to turn in the street as she passed, +and murmur, "By Jove!" a phrase that, when you take into account the +tone in which it is said, represents the furthermost point of admiration +which the limited vocabulary of a man about town permits him to utter; +and it says something for the honesty of Jennie's black eyes, and the +straightforwardness of her energetic walk, that none of these momentary +admirers ever turned and followed her. + +On this occasion Miss Jennie had paid more than usual attention to her +toilette, for she was about to set out to capture a man, and the man was +no other than Radnor Hardwick, the capable editor of the _Daily Bugle_, +which was considered at that moment to be the most enterprising morning +journal in the great metropolis. Miss Baxter had done work for some +of the evening papers, several of the weeklies, and a number of the +monthlies, and the income she made was reasonably good, but hazardously +fitful. There was an uncertainty about her mode of life which was +displeasing to her, and she resolved, if possible, to capture an editor +on one of the morning papers, and get a salary that was fixed and +secure. That it should be large was a matter of course, and pretty Miss +Jennie had quite enough confidence in herself to believe she would earn +every penny of it. Quite sensibly, she depended upon her skill and her +industry as her ultimate recommendation to a large salary, but she was +woman enough to know that an attractive appearance might be of some +assistance to her in getting a hearing from the editor, even though he +should prove on acquaintance to be a man of iron, which was tolerably +unlikely. She glanced at the dainty little watch attached to her +wristlet, and saw that it lacked a few minutes of five. She knew the +editor came to his office shortly after three, and remained there until +six or half-past, when he went out to dine, returning at ten o'clock, or +earlier, when the serious work of arranging next day's issue began. She +had not sent a note to him, for she knew if she got a reply it would be +merely a request for particulars as to the proposed interview, and she +had a strong faith in the spoken word, as against that which is written. +At five o'clock the editor would have read his letters, and would +probably have seen most of those who were waiting for him, and +Miss Baxter quite rightly conjectured that this hour would be more +appropriate for a short conversation than when he was busy with his +correspondence, or immersed in the hard work of the day, as he would be +after ten o'clock at night. She had enough experience of the world to +know that great matters often depend for their success on apparent +trivialities, and the young woman had set her mind on becoming a member +of the _Daily Bugle_ staff. + +She stepped lightly into the hansom that was waiting for her, and said +to the cabman, "Office of the _Daily Bugle_, please; side entrance." + +The careful toilette made its first impression upon the surly-looking +Irish porter, who, like a gruff and faithful watch-dog, guarded the +entrance to the editorial rooms of the _Bugle_. He was enclosed in a +kind of glass-framed sentry-box, with a door at the side, and a small +arched aperture that was on a level with his face as he sat on a high +stool. He saw to it, not too politely, that no one went up those stairs +unless he had undoubted right to do so. When he caught a glimpse of Miss +Baxter, he slid off the stool and came out of the door to her, which +was an extraordinary concession to a visitor, for Pat Ryan contented +himself, as a usual thing, by saying curtly that the editor was busy, +and could see no one. + +"What did you wish, miss? To see the editor? That's Mr. Hardwick. Have +ye an appointment with him? Ye haven't; then I very much doubt if ye'll +see him this day, mum. It's far better to write to him, thin ye can +state what ye want, an' if he makes an appointment there'll be no +throuble at all, at all." + +"But why should there be any trouble now?" asked Miss Baxter. "The +editor is here to transact business, just as you are at the door to do +the same. I have come on business, and I want to see him. Couldn't you +send up my name to Mr. Hardwick, and tell him I will keep him but a few +moments?" + +"Ah, miss, that's what they all say; they ask for a few moments an' they +shtay an hour. Not that there'd be any blame to an editor if he kept you +as long as he could. An' it's willing I'd be to take up your name, but +I'm afraid that it's little good it 'ud be after doin' ye. There's more +than a dozen men in the waitin'-room now, an' they've been there for +the last half-hour. Not a single one I've sent up has come down again." + +"But surely," said Miss Jennie, in her most coaxing tone, "there must be +some way to see even such a great man as the editor, and if there is, +you know the way." + +"Indade, miss, an' I'm not so sure there is a way, unless you met him in +the strate, which is unlikely. As I've told ye, there's twelve men now +waitin' for him in the big room. Beyont that room there's another one, +an' beyont that again is Mr. Hardwick's office. Now, it's as much as my +place is worth, mum, to put ye in that room beyont the one where the +men are waitin'; but, to tell you the truth, miss," said the Irishman, +lowering his voice, as if he were divulging office secrets, "Mr. +Hardwick, who is a difficult man to deal with, sometimes comes through +the shmall room, and out into the passage whin he doesn't want to see +anyone at all, at all, and goes out into the strate, leavin' everybody +waitin' for him. Now I'll put ye into this room, and if the editor tries +to slip out, then ye can speak with him; but if he asks ye how ye got +there, for the sake of hiven don't tell him I sint ye, because that's +not my duty at all, at all." + +"Indeed, I won't tell him how I got there; or, rather, I'll say I came +there by myself; so all you need to do is to show me the door, and there +won't need to be any lies told. + +"True for ye, an' a very good idea. Well, miss, then will ye just come +up the stairs with me? It's the fourth door down the passage." + +Miss Jennie beamed upon the susceptible Irishman a look of such melting +gratitude that the man, whom bribery had often attempted to corrupt in +vain, was her slave for ever after. They went up the stairs together, at +the head of which the porter stood while Miss Baxter went down the long +passage and stopped at the right door; Ryan nodded and disappeared. + +Miss Baxter opened the door softly and entered. She found the room not +too brilliantly lighted, containing a table and several chairs. The door +to the right hand, which doubtless led into the waiting-room, where the +dozen men were patiently sitting, was closed. The opposite door, which +led into Mr. Hardwick's office, was partly open. Miss Baxter sat down +near the third door, the one by which she had entered from the passage, +ready to intercept the flying editor, should he attempt to escape. + +In the editor's room someone was walking up and down with heavy +footfall, and growling in a deep voice that was plainly audible where +Miss Jennie sat. "You see, Alder, it's like this," said the voice. "Any +paper may have a sensation every day, if it wishes; but what I want is +accuracy, otherwise our sheet has no real influence. When an article +appears in the _Bugle_, I want our readers to understand that that +article is true from beginning to end. I want not only sensation, but +definiteness and not only definiteness, but absolute truth." + +"Well, Mr. Hardwick," interrupted another voice--the owner of which was +either standing still or sitting in a chair, so far as Miss Baxter could +judge by the tone, while the editor uneasily paced to and fro--"what +Hazel is afraid of is that when this blows over he will lose his +situation--" + +"But," interjected the editor, "no one can be sure that he gave the +information. No one knows anything about this but you and I, and we will +certainly keep our mouths shut." + +"What Hazel fears is that the moment we print the account, the Board of +Public Construction will know he gave away the figures, because of their +accuracy. He says that if we permit him to make one or two blunders, +which will not matter in the least in so far as the general account +goes, it will turn suspicion from him. It will be supposed that someone +had access to the books, and in the hurry of transcribing figures +had made the blunders, which they know he would not do, for he has a +reputation for accuracy." + +"Quite so," said the editor; "and it is just that reputation--for +accuracy--that I want to gain for the _Daily Bugle_. Don't you think the +truth of it is that the man wants more money?" + +"Who? Hazel?" + +"Certainly. Does he imagine that he could get more than fifty pounds +elsewhere?" + +"Oh, no; I'm sure the money doesn't come into the matter at all. Of +course he wants the fifty pounds, but he doesn't want to lose his +situation on the Board of Public Construction in the getting of it." + +"Where do you meet this man, at his own house, or in his office at the +Board?" + +"Oh, in his own house, of course." + +"You haven't seen the books, then?" + +"No; but he has the accounts all made out, tabulated beautifully, and +has written a very clear statement of the whole transaction. You +understand, of course, that there has been no defalcation, no +embezzlement, or anything of that sort. The accounts as a whole +balance perfectly, and there isn't a penny of the public funds wrongly +appropriated. All the Board has done is to juggle with figures so that +each department seems to have come out all right, whereas the truth is +that some departments have been carried on at a great profit, while with +others there has been a loss. The object obviously has been to deceive +the public and make it think that all the departments are economically +conducted." + +"I am sorry money hasn't been stolen," said the editor generously, "then +we would have had them on the hip; but, even as it is, the _Bugle_ will +make a great sensation. What I fear is that the opposition press will +seize on those very inaccuracies, and thus try to throw doubt on the +whole affair. Don't you think that you can persuade this person to let +us have the information intact, without the inclusion of those blunders +he seems to insist on? I wouldn't mind paying him a little more money, +if that is what he is after." + +"I don't think that is his object. The truth is, the man is frightened, +and grows more and more so as the day for publication approaches. He is +so anxious about his position that he insisted he was not to be paid by +cheque, but that I should collect the money and hand it over to him in +sovereigns." + +"Well, I'll tell you what to do, Alder. We mustn't seem too eager. Let +the matter rest where it is until Monday. I suppose he expects you to +call upon him again to-day?" + +"Yes; I told him I should be there at seven." + +"Don't go, and don't write any explanation. Let him transfer a little of +his anxiety to the fear of losing his fifty pounds. I want, if possible, +to publish this information with absolute accuracy." + +"Is there any danger, Mr. Hardwick, that some of the other papers may +get on the track of this?" + +"No, I don't think so; not for three days, anyway. If we appear too +eager, this man Hazel may refuse us altogether." + +"Very good, sir." + +Miss Baxter heard the editor stop in his walk, and she heard the +rustling of paper, as if the subordinate were gathering up some +documents on which he had been consulting his chief. She was +panic-stricken to think that either of the men might come out and find +her in the position of an eavesdropper, so with great quietness she +opened the door and slipped out into the hall, going from there to the +entrance of the ordinary waiting-room, in which she found, not the +twelve men that the porter had expatiated upon, but five. Evidently the +other seven had existed only in the porter's imagination, or had become +tired of waiting and had withdrawn. The five looked up at her as she +entered and sat down on a chair near the door. A moment later the door +communicating with the room she had quitted opened, and a clerk came in. +He held two or three slips of paper in his hand, and calling out a name, +one of the men rose. + +"Mr. Hardwick says," spoke up the clerk, "that this matter is in Mr. +Alder's department; would you mind seeing him? Room number five." + +So that man was thus got rid of. The clerk mentioned another name, and +again a man rose. + +"Mr. Hardwick," the clerk said, "has the matter under consideration. +Call again to-morrow at this hour, then he will give you his decision." + +That got rid of number two. The third man was asked to leave his name +and address; the editor would write to him. Number four was told that +if he would set down his proposition in writing, and send it in to Mr. +Hardwick, it would have that gentleman's serious consideration. The +fifth man was not so easily disposed of. He insisted upon seeing the +editor, and presently disappeared inside with the clerk. Miss Baxter +smiled at the rapid dispersion of the group, for it reminded her of the +rhyme about the one little, two little, three little nigger-boys. But +all the time there kept running through her mind the phrase, "Board of +Public Construction," and the name, "Hazel." + +After a few minutes, the persistent man who had insisted upon seeing the +editor came through the general waiting-room, the secretary, or clerk, +or whoever he was, following him. + +"Has your name been sent in, madam?" the young man asked Miss Baxter, as +she rose. "I think not," answered the girl. "Would you take my card to +Mr. Hardwick, and tell him I will detain him but a few moments?" + +In a short time the secretary reappeared, and held the door open for +her. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +JENNIE HAS IMPORTANT CONFERENCES WITH TWO IMPORTANT EDITORS. + + +Mr. Hardwick was a determined-looking young man of about thirty-five, +with a bullet head and closely-cropped black hair. He looked like a +stubborn, strong-willed person, and Miss Baxter's summing up of him was +that he had not the appearance of one who could be coaxed or driven +into doing anything he did not wish to do. He held her card between his +fingers, and glanced from it to her, then down to the card again. + +"Good afternoon, Mr. Hardwick," began Miss Baxter. "I don't know that +you have seen any of my work, but I have written a good deal for some of +the evening papers and for several of the magazines." + +"Yes," said Hardwick, who was standing up preparatory to leaving his +office, and who had not asked the young woman to sit down; "your name is +familiar to me. You wrote, some months since, an account of a personal +visit to the German Emperor; I forget now where it appeared." + +"Oh, yes," said Miss Baxter; "that was written for the _Summer +Magazine_, and was illustrated by photographs." + +"It struck me," continued Hardwick, without looking at her, "that it was +an article written by a person who had never seen the German Emperor, +but who had collected and assimilated material from whatever source +presented itself." + +The young woman, in nowise abashed, laughed; but still the editor did +not look up. + +"Yes," she admitted, "that is precisely how it was written. I never have +had the pleasure of meeting William II. myself." + +"What I have always insisted upon in work submitted to me," growled the +editor in a deep voice, "is absolute accuracy. I take it that you have +called to see me because you wish to do some work for this paper." + +"You are quite right in that surmise also," answered Miss Jennie. +"Still, if I may say so, there was nothing inaccurate in my article +about the German Emperor. My compilation was from thoroughly authentic +sources, so I maintain it was as truthfully exact as anything that has +ever appeared in the _Bugle_." + +"Perhaps our definitions of truth might not quite coincide. However, if +you will write your address on this card I will wire you if I have any +work--that is, any outside work--which I think a woman can do. The +woman's column of the _Bugle_, as you are probably aware, is already in +good hands." + +Miss Jennie seemed annoyed that all her elaborate preparations were +thrown away on this man, who never raised his eyes nor glanced at her, +except once, during their conversation. + +"I do not aspire," she said, rather shortly, "to the position of editor +of a woman's column. I never read a woman's column myself, and, unlike +Mr. Grant Allen, I never met a woman who did." + +She succeeded in making the editor lift his eyes towards her for the +second time. + +"Neither do I intend to leave you my address so that you may send a wire +to me if you have anything that you think I can do. What I wish is a +salaried position on your staff." + +"My good woman," said the editor brusquely, "that is utterly impossible. +I may tell you frankly that I don't believe in women journalists. The +articles we publish by women are sent to this office from their own +homes. Anything that a woman can do for a newspaper I have men who will +do quite as well, if not better; and there are many things that women +can't do at all which men must do. I am perfectly satisfied with my +staff as it stands, Miss Baxter." + +"I think it is generally admitted," said the young woman, "that your +staff is an exceptionally good one, and is most capably led. Still, I +should imagine that there are many things happening in London, society +functions, for instance, where a woman would describe more accurately +what she saw than any man you could send. You have no idea how full of +blunders a man's account of women's dress is as a general rule, and if +you admire accuracy as much as you say, I should think you would not +care to have your paper made a laughing-stock among society ladies, who +never take the trouble to write you a letter and show you where you are +wrong, as men usually do when some mistake regarding their affairs is +made." + +"There is probably something in what you say," replied the editor, with +an air of bringing the discussion to a close. "I don't insist that I am +right, but these are my ideas, and while I am editor of this paper I +shall stand by them, so it is useless for us to discuss the matter +any further, Miss Baxter. I will not have a woman as a member of the +permanent staff of the _Bugle_." + +For the third time he looked up at her, and there was dismissal in his +glance. + +Miss Baxter said indignantly to herself, "This brute of a man hasn't the +slightest idea that I am one of the best dressed women he has ever met." + +But there was no trace of indignation in her voice when she said to him +sweetly, "We will take that as settled. But if upon some other paper, +Mr. Hardwick, I should show evidence of being as good a newspaper +reporter as any member of your staff, may I come up here, and, without +being kept waiting too long, tell you of my triumph?" + +"You would not shake my decision," he said. + +"Oh, don't say that," she murmured, with a smile. "I am sure you +wouldn't like it if anyone called you a fool." + +"Called me a fool?" said the editor sharply, drawing down his dark +brows. "I shouldn't mind it in the least." + +"What, not if it were true? You know it would be true, if I could do +something that all your clever men hadn't accomplished. An editor may +be a very talented man, but, after all, his mission is to see that his +paper is an interesting one, and that it contains, as often as possible, +something which no other sheet does." + +"Oh, I'll see to that," Mr. Hardwick assured her with resolute +confidence. + +"I am certain you will," said Miss Baxter very sweetly; "but now you +won't refuse to let me in whenever I send up my card? I promise you that +I shall not send it until I have done something which will make the +whole staff of the _Daily Bugle_ feel very doleful indeed." + +For the first time Mr. Hardwick gave utterance to a somewhat harsh and +mirthless laugh. + +"Oh, very well," he said, "I'll promise that." + +"Thank you! And good afternoon, Mr. Hardwick. I am _so_ much obliged +to you for consenting to see me. I shall call upon you at this hour +to-morrow afternoon." + +There was something of triumph in her smiling bow to him, and as she +left she heard a long whistle of astonishment in Mr. Hardwick's room. +She hurried down the stairs, threw a bewitching glance at the Irish +porter, who came out of his den and whispered to her,-- + +"It's all right, is it, mum?" + +"More than all right," she answered. "Thank you very much indeed for +your kindness." + +The porter preceded her out to the waiting hansom and held his arm so +that her skirt would not touch the wheel. + +"Drive quickly to the Cafe Royal," she said to the cabman. + +When the hansom drew up in front of the Cafe Royal, Miss Jennie Baxter +did not step put of it, but waited until the stalwart servitor in gold +lace, who ornamented the entrance, hurried from the door to the vehicle. +"Do you know Mr. Stoneham?" she asked with suppressed excitement, "the +editor of the _Evening Graphite_? He is usually here playing dominoes +with somebody about this hour." + +"Oh yes, I know him," was the reply. "I think he is inside at this +moment, but I will make certain." + +In a short time Mr. Stoneham himself appeared, looking perhaps a trifle +disconcerted at having his whereabouts so accurately ascertained. + +"What a blessing it is," said Miss Jennie, with a laugh, "that we poor +reporters know where to find our editors in a case of emergency." + +"This is no case of emergency, Miss Baxter," grumbled Stoneham. "If it's +news, you ought to know that it is too late to be of any use for us +to-day." + +"Ah, yes," was the quick reply, "but what excellent time I am in with +news for to-morrow!" + +"If a man is to live a long life," growled the disturbed editor, "he +must allow to-morrow's news to look after itself. Sufficient for the day +are the worries thereof." + +"As a general rule that is true," assented the girl, "but I have a most +important piece of information for you that wouldn't wait, and in half +an hour from now you will be writing your to-morrow's leader, showing +forth in terse and forcible language the many iniquities of the Board of +Public Construction." + +"Oh," cried the editor, brightening, "if it is anything to the discredit +of the Board of Public Construction, I am glad you came." + +"Well, that's not a bit complimentary to me. You should be glad in any +case; but I'll forgive your bad manners, as I wish you to help me. +Please step into this hansom, because I have most startling intelligence +to impart--news that must not be overheard; and there is no place so +safe for a confidential conference as in a hansom driving through the +streets of London. Drive slowly towards the _Evening Graphite_ office," +she said to the cabman, pushing up the trap-door in the roof of the +vehicle. Mr. Stoneham took his place beside her, and the cabman turned +his horse in the direction indicated. + +"There is little use in going to the office of the paper," said +Stoneham; "there won't be anybody there but the watchman." + +"I know, but we must go in some direction. We can't talk in front of +the Café Royal, you know. Now, Mr. Stoneham, in the first place, I want +fifty golden sovereigns. How am I to get them within half an hour?" + +"Good gracious! I don't know; the banks are all closed, but there is a +man at Charing Cross who would perhaps change a cheque for me; there is +a cheque-book at the office." + +"Then that's all right and settled. Mr. Stoneham, there's been some +juggling with the accounts in the office of the Board of Public +Construction." + +"What! a defalcation?" cried Stoneham eagerly. + +"No; merely a shifting round." + +"Ah," said the editor, in a disappointed tone. + +"Oh, you needn't say 'Ah.' It's very serious; it is indeed. The accounts +are calculated to deceive the dear and confiding public, to whose +interests all the daily papers, morning and evening, pretend to be +devoted. The very fact of such deception being attempted, Mr. Stoneham, +ought to call forth the anger of any virtuous editor." + +"Oh, it does, it does; but then it would be a difficult matter to prove. +If some money were gone, now----" + +"My dear sir, the matter is already proved, and quite ripe for your +energetic handling of it; that's what the fifty pounds are for. This +sum will secure for you--to-night, mind, not to-morrow--a statement +bristling with figures which the Board of Construction cannot deny. You +will be able, in a stirring leading article, to express the horror you +undoubtedly feel at the falsification of the figures, and your stern +delight in doing so will probably not be mitigated by the fact that no +other paper in London will have the news, while the matter will be +so important that next day all your beloved contemporaries will be +compelled to allude to it in some shape or other." + +"I see," said the editor, his eyes glistening as the magnitude of the +idea began to appeal more strongly to his imagination. "Who makes this +statement, and how are we to know that it is absolutely correct?" + +"Well, there is a point on which I wish to inform you before going any +further. The statement is not to be absolutely correct; two or +three errors have been purposely put in, the object being to throw +investigators off the track if they try to discover who gave the news to +the Press; for the man who will sell me this document is a clerk in the +office of the Board of Public Construction. So, you see, you are getting +the facts from the inside." + +"Is he so accustomed to falsifying accounts that he cannot get over the +habit even when preparing an article for the truthful Press?" + +"He wants to save his own situation, and quite rightly too, so he has +put a number of errors in the figures of the department over which +he has direct control. He has a reputation for such accuracy that he +imagines the Board will never think he did it, if the figures pertaining +to his department are wrong even in the slightest degree." + +"Quite so. Then we cannot have the pleasure of mentioning his name, and +saying that this honest man has been corrupted by his association with +the scoundrels who form the Board of Public Construction?" + +"Oh, dear, no; his name must not be mentioned in any circumstances, and +that is why payment is to be made in sovereigns rather than by bank +cheque or notes." + +"Well, the traitor seems to be covering up his tracks rather +effectually. How did you come to know him?" + +"I don't know him. I've never met him in my life; but it came to my +knowledge that one of the morning papers had already made all its plans +for getting this information. The clerk was to receive fifty pounds for +the document, but the editor and he are at present negotiating, because +the editor insists upon absolute accuracy, while, as I said, the man +wishes to protect himself, to cover his tracks, as you remarked." + +"Good gracious!" cried Stoneham, "I didn't think the editor of any +morning paper in London was so particular about the accuracy of what he +printed. The pages of the morning sheets do not seem to reflect that +anxiety." + +"So, you see," continued Miss Jennie, unheeding his satirical comment, +"there is no time to be lost; in fact, I should be on my way now to +where this man lives." + +"Here we are at the office, and I shall just run in and write a cheque +for fifty pounds, which we can perhaps get cashed somewhere," cried the +editor, calling the hansom to a halt and stepping out. + +"Tell the watchman to bring me a London Directory," said the girl, and +presently that useful guardian came out with the huge red volume, which +Miss Baxter placed on her knees, and, with a celerity that comes of long +practice, turned over the leaves rapidly, running her finger quickly +down the H column, in which the name "Hazel" was to be found. At last +she came to one designated as being a clerk in the office of the Board +of Public Construction, and his residence was 17, Rupert Square, +Brixton. She put this address down in her notebook and handed back the +volume to the waiting watchman, as the editor came out with the cheque +in his hand. + +The shrewd and energetic dealer in coins, whose little office stands at +the exit from Charing Cross Station, proved quite willing to oblige the +editor of the _Evening Graphite_ with fifty sovereigns in exchange for +the bit of paper, and the editor, handing to Miss Jennie the envelope +containing the gold, saw her drive off for Brixton, while he turned, not +to resume his game of dominoes at the café, but to his office, to write +the leader which would express in good set terms the horror he felt at +the action of the Board of Public Construction. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +JENNIE INTERVIEWS A FRIGHTENED OFFICIAL. + + +It was a little past seven o'clock when Miss Baxter's hansom drove up to +the two-storeyed house in Rupert Square numbered 17. She knocked at the +door, and it was speedily opened by a man with some trace of anxiety on +his clouded face, who proved to be Hazel himself, the clerk at the Board +of Public Construction. "You are Mr. Hazel?" she ventured, on entering. + +"Yes," replied the man, quite evidently surprised at seeing a lady +instead of the man he was expecting at that hour; "but I am afraid I +shall have to ask you to excuse me; I am waiting for a visitor who is a +few minutes late, and who may be here at any moment." + +"You are waiting for Mr. Alder, are you not?" + +"Yes," stammered the man, his expression of surprise giving place to one +of consternation. + +"Oh, well, that is all right," said Miss Jennie, reassuringly. "I have +just driven from the office of the _Daily Bugle_. Mr. Alder cannot come +to-night." + +"Ah," said Hazel, closing the door. "Then are you here in his place?" + +"I am here instead of him. Mr. Alder is on other business that he had to +attend to at the editor's request. Now, Mr. Hardwick--that's the editor, +you know----" + +"Yes, I know," answered Hazel. + +They were by this time seated in the front parlour. + +"Well, Mr. Hardwick is very anxious that the figures should be given +with absolute accuracy." + +"Of course, that would be much better," cried the man; "but, you see, I +have gone thoroughly into the question with Mr. Alder already. He said +he would mention what I told him to the editor--put my position before +him, in fact." + +"Oh, he has done so," said Miss Baxter, "and did it very effectively +indeed; in fact, your reasons are quite unanswerable. You fear, of +course, that you will lose your situation, and that is very important, +and no one in the _Bugle_ office wishes you to suffer for what you have +done. Of course, it is all in the public interest." + +"Of course, of course," murmured Hazel, looking down on the table. + +"Well, have you all the documents ready, so that they can be published +at any time?" + +"Quite ready," answered the man. + +"Very well," said the girl, with decision; "here are your fifty pounds. +Just count the money, and see that it is correct. I took the envelope as +it was handed to me, and have not examined the amount myself." + +She poured the sovereigns out on the table, and Hazel, with trembling +fingers, counted them out two by two. + +"That is quite right," he said, rising. He went to a drawer, unlocked +it, and took out a long blue envelope. + +"There," he said, with a sigh that was almost a gasp. "There are the +figures, and a full explanation of them. You will be very careful that +my name does not slip out in any way." + +"Certainly," said Miss Jennie, coolly drawing forth the papers from +their covering. "No one knows your name except Mr. Alder, Mr. Hardwick, +and myself; and I can assure you that I shall not mention it to anyone." + +She glanced rapidly over the documents. + +"I shall just read what you have written," she said, looking up at him; +"and if there is anything here I do not understand you will, perhaps, +be good enough to explain it now,--and then I won't need to come here +again." + +"Very well," said Hazel. The man had no suspicion that his visitor was +not a member of the staff of the paper he had been negotiating with. She +was so thoroughly self-possessed, and showed herself so familiar with +all details which had been discussed by Alder and himself that not the +slightest doubt had entered the clerk's mind. + +Jennie read the documents with great haste, for she knew she was running +a risk in remaining there after seven o'clock. It might be that Alder +would come to Brixton to let the man know the result of his talk with +the editor, or Mr. Hardwick himself might have changed his mind, and +instructed his subordinate to secure the papers. Nevertheless, there was +no sign of hurry in Miss Jennie's demeanour as she placed the papers +back in their blue envelope and bade the anxious Hazel good-bye. + +Once more in the hansom, she ordered the man to drive her to Charing +Cross, and when she was ten minutes away from Rupert Square she changed +her direction and desired him to take her to the office of the _Evening +Graphite_, where she knew Mr. Stoneham would be busy with his leading +article, and probably impatiently awaiting further details of the +conspiracy he was to lay open before the public. A light was burning in +the editorial rooms of the office of the _Evening Graphite_, always a +suspicious thing in such an establishment, and well calculated to cause +the editor of any rival evening paper to tremble, should he catch a +glimpse of burning gas in a spot where the work of the day should be +finished at latest by five o'clock. Light in the room of the evening +journalist usually indicates that something important is on hand. + +A glance at the papers Miss Baxter brought to him showed Mr. Stoneham +that he had at least got the worth of his fifty pounds. There would be a +fluttering in high places next day. He made arrangements before he +left to have the paper issued a little earlier than was customary, +calculating his time with exactitude, so that rival sheets could not +have the news in their first edition, cribbed from the _Graphite_, +and yet the paper would be on the street, with the newsboys shouting, +"'Orrible scandal," before any other evening journal was visible. +And this was accomplished the following day with a precision truly +admirable. + +Mr. Stoneham, with a craft worthy of all commendation, kept back from +the early issue a small fraction of the figures that were in his +possession, so that he might print them in the so-called fourth edition, +and thus put upon the second lot of contents--bills sent out, in huge, +startling black type, "Further Revelations of the Board of Construction +Scandal;" and his scathing leading article, in which he indignantly +demanded a Parliamentary inquiry into the conduct of the Board, was +recognized, even by the friends of that public body, as having seriously +shaken confidence in it. The reception of the news by the other evening +papers was most flattering. One or two ignored it altogether, others +alluded to it as a rumour, that it "alleged" so and so, and threw doubt +on its truth, which was precisely what Mr. Stoneham wished them to do, +as he was in a position to prove the accuracy of his statement. + +Promptly, at five o'clock that afternoon a hansom containing Miss Jennie +Baxter drove up to the side entrance of the _Daily Bugle_ office, and +the young woman once more accosted the Irish porter, who again came out +of his den to receive her. + +"Miss Baxter?" said the Irishman, half by way of salutation, and half by +way of inquiry. "Yes," said the girl. + +"Well, Mr. Hardwick left strict orders with me that if ye came, or, +rather, that _whin_ ye came, I was to conduct ye right up to his room at +once." + +"Oh, that is very satisfactory," cried Miss Jennie, "and somewhat +different from the state of things yesterday." + +"Indeed, and that's very true," said the porter, his voice sinking. +"To-day is not like yesterday at all, at all. There's been great +ructions in this office, mum; although what it's about, fly away with me +if I know. There's been ruunin' back and forrad, an' a plentiful deal of +language used. The proprietor himself has been here, an' he's here now, +an' Mr. Alder came out a minute ago with his face as white as a sheet of +paper. They do be sayin'," added the porter, still further lowering his +voice, and pausing on the stairway, "that Mr. Hardwick is not goin' to +be the editor any more, but that Mr. Alder is to take his place. Anyway, +as far as I can tell, Mr. Hardwick an' Mr. Alder have had a fine fall +out, an' one or other of them is likely to leave the paper." + +"Oh, dear, oh, dear!" said Miss Jennie, also pausing on the stairs. "Is +it so serious as all that?" + +"Indeed it is, mum, an' we none of us know where we're standin', at all, +at all." + +The porter led the way to Mr. Hardwick's room, and announced the +visitor. + +"Ask her to come in," she heard the editor say, and the next instant the +porter left them alone together. + +"Won't you sit down, Miss Baxter?" said Mr. Hardwick, with no trace of +that anger in his voice which she had expected. "I have been waiting for +you. You said you would be here at five, and I like punctuality. Without +beating round the bush, I suppose I may take it for granted that the +_Evening Graphite_ is indebted to you for what it is pleased to call the +Board of Public Construction scandal?" + +"Yes," said the young woman, seating herself; "I came up to tell you +that I procured for the _Graphite_ that interesting bit of information." + +"So I supposed. My colleague, Henry Alder, saw Hazel this afternoon at +the offices of the Board. The good man Hazel is panic-stricken at the +explosion he has caused, and is in a very nervous state of mind, more +especially when he learned that his documents had gone to an unexpected +quarter. Fortunately for him, the offices of the Board are thronged +with journalists who want to get statements from this man or the other +regarding the exposure, and so the visit of Alder to Hazel was not +likely to be noticed or commented upon. Hazel gave a graphic description +of the handsome young woman who had so cleverly wheedled the documents +from him, and who paid him the exact sum agreed upon in the exact way +that it was to have been paid. Alder had not seen you, and has not the +slightest idea how the important news slipped through his fingers; but +when he told me what had happened, I knew at once you were the goddess +of the machine, therefore I have been waiting for you. May I be +permitted to express the opinion that you didn't play your cards at all +well, Miss Baxter?" + +"No? I think I played my cards very much better than you played yours, +you know." + +"Oh, I am not instituting any comparison, and am not at all setting +myself up as a model of strategy. I admit that, having the right cards +in my hands, I played them exceedingly badly; but then, you understand, +I thought I was sure of an exclusive bit of news." + +"No news is exclusive, Mr. Hardwick, until it is printed, and out in the +streets, and the other papers haven't got it." + +"That is very true, and has all the conciseness of an adage. I would +like to ask, Miss Baxter, how much the _Graphite_ paid you for that +article over and above the fifty pounds you gave to Hazel?" + +"Oh! it wasn't a question of money with me; the subject hasn't even been +discussed. Mr. Stoneham is not a generous paymaster, and that is why I +desire to get on a paper which does not count the cost too closely. What +I wished to do was to convince you that I would be a valuable addition +to the _Bugle_ staff; for you seemed to be of opinion that the staff was +already sufficient and complete." + +"Oh, my staff is not to blame in this matter; I alone am to blame in +being too sure of my ground, and not realizing the danger of delay in +such a case. But if you had brought the document to me, you would have +found me by far your best customer. You would have convinced me quite as +effectually as you have done now that you are a very alert young woman, +and I certainly would have been willing to give you four or five times +as much as the _Graphite_ will be able to pay." + +"To tell the truth, I thought of that as I stood here yesterday, but I +saw you were a very difficult man to deal with or to convince, and I +dared not take the risk of letting you know I had the news. You might +very easily have called in Mr. Alder, told him that Hazel had given up +the documents, and sent him flying to Brixton, where very likely the +clerk has a duplicate set. It would have been too late to get the +sensation into any other morning paper, and, even if it were not too +late, you would have had something about the sensation in the _Bugle_, +and so the victory would not have been as complete as it is now. No, I +could not take such a risk. I thought it all out very carefully." + +"You credit us with more energy, Miss Baxter, than we possess. I can +assure you that if you had come here at ten or eleven o'clock with the +documents, I should have been compelled to purchase them from you. +However, that is all past and done with, and there is no use in our +saying anything more about it. I am willing to take all the blame for +our defeat on my shoulders, but there are some other things I am not +willing to do, and perhaps you are in a position to clear up a little +misunderstanding that has arisen in this office. I suppose I may take it +for granted that you overheard the conversation which took place between +Mr. Alder and myself in this room yesterday afternoon?" + +"Well," said Miss Baxter, for the first time in some confusion, "I can +assure you that I did not come here with the intention of listening to +anything. I came into the next room by myself for the purpose of getting +to see you as soon as possible. While not exactly a member of the staff +of the _Evening Graphite_, that paper nevertheless takes about all the +work I am able to do, and so I consider myself bound to keep my eyes and +ears open on its behalf wherever I am." + +"Oh, I don't want to censure you at all," said Hardwick; "I merely wish +to be certain how the thing was done. As I said, I am willing to take +the blame entirely on my own shoulders. I don't think I should have +made use of information obtained in that way myself; still, I am not +venturing to find fault with you for doing so." + +"To find fault with me!" cried Miss Jennie somewhat warmly, "that would +be the pot calling the kettle black indeed. Why, what better were you? +You were bribing a poor man to furnish you with statistics, which he +was very reluctant to let you have; yet you overcame his scruples with +money, quite willing that he should risk his livelihood, so long as you +got the news. If you ask me, I don't see very much difference in our +positions, and I must say that if two men take the risk of talking aloud +about a secret, with a door open leading to another room, which may be +empty or may be not, then they are two very foolish persons." + +"Oh, quite so, quite so," answered Hardwick soothingly. "I have already +disclaimed the critical attitude. The point I wish to be sure of is +this--you overheard the conversation between Alder and myself?" + +"Yes, I did." + +"Would you be able to repeat it?" + +"I don't know that I could repeat it word for word, but I could +certainly give the gist of it." + +"Would you have any objection to telling a gentleman whom I shall call +in a moment, as nearly as possible what Alder said and what I said? +I may add that the gentleman I speak of is Mr. Hempstead, and he is +practically the proprietor of this paper. There has arisen between Mr. +Alder and myself a slight divergence of memory, if I may call it so, and +it seems that you are the only person who can settle the dispute." + +"I am perfectly willing to tell what I heard to anybody." + +"Thank you." + +Mr. Hardwick pressed an electric button, and his secretary came in from +another room. + +"Would you ask Mr. Hempstead to step this way, if he is in his room?" + +In a few minutes Mr. Hempstead entered, bowed somewhat stiffly towards +the lady, but froze up instantly when he heard that she was the person +who had given the Board of Public Construction scandal to the _Evening +Graphite_. + +"I have just this moment learned, Mr. Hempstead, that Miss Baxter was in +the adjoining room when Alder and I were talking over this matter. She +heard the conversation. I have not asked her to repeat it, but sent for +you at once, and she says she is willing to answer any questions you may +ask." + +"In that case, Mr. Hardwick, wouldn't it be well to have Henry Alder +here?" + +"Certainly, if he is on the premises." Then, turning to his secretary, +he said, "Would you find out if Mr. Alder is in his room? Tell him Mr. +Hempstead wishes to see him here." + +When Henry Alder came in, and the secretary had disappeared, Miss Baxter +saw at once that she was in an unenviable situation, for it was quite +evident the three men were scarcely on speaking terms with each other. +Nothing causes such a state of tension in a newspaper office as the +missing of a piece of news that is important. + +"Perhaps it would be better," suggested Hardwick, "if Miss Baxter would +repeat the conversation as she heard it." + +"I don't see the use of that," said Mr. Hempstead. "There is only one +point at issue. Did Mr. Alder warn Mr. Hardwick that by delay he would +lose the publication of this report?" + +"Hardly that," answered the girl. "As I remember it, he said, 'Isn't +there a danger that some other paper may get this?' Mr. Hardwick +replied, 'I don't think so. Not for three days, at least'; and then Mr. +Alder said, 'Very good,' or 'Very well,' or something like that." + +"That quite tallies with my own remembrance," assented Hardwick. "I +admit I am to blame, but I decidedly say that I was not definitely +warned by Mr. Alder that the matter would be lost to us." + +"I told you it would be lost if you delayed," cried Alder, with the +emphasis of an angry man, "and it _has_ been lost. I have been on the +track of this for two weeks, and it is very galling to have missed it at +the last moment through no fault of my own." + +"Still," said Mr. Hempstead coldly, "your version of the conversation +does not quite agree with what Miss Baxter says." + +"Oh, well," said Alder, "I never pretended to give the exact words. I +warned him, and he did not heed the warning." + +"You admit, then, that Miss Baxter's remembrance of the conversation is +correct?" + +"It is practically correct. I do not 'stickle' about words." + +"But you did stickle about words an hour ago," said Mr. Hempstead, with +some severity. "There is a difference in positively stating that the +item would be lost and in merely suggesting that it might be lost." + +"Oh, have it as you wish," said Alder truculently. "It doesn't matter in +the least to me. It is very provoking to work hard for two weeks, and +then have everything nullified by a foolish decision from the editor. +However, as I have said, it doesn't matter to me. I have taken service +on the _Daily Trumpet_, and you may consider my place on the _Bugle_ +vacant"--saying which, the irate Mr. Alder put his hat on his head and +left the room. + +Mr. Hempstead seemed distressed by the discussion, but, for the first +time, Mr. Hardwick smiled grimly. + +"I always insist on accuracy," he said, "and lack of it is one of +Alder's failings." + +"Nevertheless, Mr. Hardwick, you have lost one of your best men. How are +you going to replace him?" inquired the proprietor anxiously. + +"There is little difficulty in replacing even the best man on any staff +in London," replied Hardwick, with a glance at Miss Baxter. "As this +young lady seems to keep her wits about her when the welfare of her +paper is concerned, I shall, if you have no objection, fill Henry +Alder's place with Miss Baxter?" + +Mr. Hempstead arched his eyebrows a trifle, and looked at the girl in +some doubt. + +"I thought you didn't believe in women journalists, Mr. Hardwick," he +murmured at last. + +"I didn't up till to-day, but since the evening papers came out I have +had reason to change my mind. I should much rather have Miss Baxter for +me than against me." + +"Do you think you can fill the position, Miss Baxter?" asked the +proprietor, doubtingly. + +"Oh, I, am sure of it," answered the girl. "I have long wanted a place +on a well-edited paper like the _Bugle_." Again Mr. Hardwick smiled +grimly. The proprietor turned to him, and said, "I don't quite see, +Mr. Hardwick, what a lady can do on this paper outside of the regular +departments." + +"I hardly think there will be any trouble about that, Mr. Hempstead. For +example, who could be better equipped to attempt the solution of that +knotty question about the Princess von Steinheimer's diamonds?" + +"By Jove!" cried Hempstead, his eyes glittering with excitement. "That +is an inspiration. I imagine that if anyone can unravel the mystery, it +is Miss Baxter." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +JENNIE LEARNS ABOUT THE DIAMONDS OF THE PRINCESS. + + +"What about the diamonds of the Princess?" asked Miss Baxter, her +curiosity piqued by the remark of the editor. + +"That is rather a long story," replied Mr. Hardwick, "and before I begin +it, I would like to ask you one or two questions. Can you manipulate a +typewriter?" + +"That depends on what make it is. The ordinary typewriter I understand +very thoroughly." + +"Good. Have you any knowledge of shorthand?" + +"A workable knowledge; I can write about one hundred words a minute." + +"Admirable! admirable! Your coming to this office was indeed an +inspiration, as Mr. Hempstead remarked. You are just the person I have +been looking for." + +"You didn't seem to think so yesterday, Mr. Hardwick," said the girl +with a sly glance at him. + +"Well, many things have happened since yesterday. We are now dealing +with to-day, and with the Princess von Steinheimer." + +"She is a German princess, of course?" + +"An Austrian princess, but an American woman. She was a Miss Briggs of +Chicago; a daughter of Briggs, the railway millionaire, worth somewhere +between twenty and twenty-five millions--dollars, of course. A year or +two ago she married Prince Konrad von Steinheimer; you may remember +having read about it in the papers?" + +"Oh, yes; the usual international match--the girl after the title, he +after the money." + +"I suppose so; but be that as it may, she is the only daughter of old +Briggs, and had spent a good deal of her time in Europe, but she spent +more than time; she spent the old man's money as well, so during her +stay in Europe she accumulated a vast stock of diamonds, some of them +very notable stones. I don't know what the whole collection is worth, +some say a million dollars, while others say double that amount. However +that may be, Miss Briggs became the Princess von Steinheimer, and +brought to Austria with her a million dollars in gold and the diamonds, +which her father gave as dowry; but, of course, being an only child, she +will come in for the rest of his money when the railway magnate dies." + +"Is he likely to die soon? I don't suppose the Prince gave himself away +for a mere million." + +"Oh, you forget the diamonds. As to the likelihood of old Briggs's +death, it didn't strike me as imminent when I had a conversation with +him yesterday." + +"Yesterday? Is he here in London, then?" + +"Yes; he has come over to disentangle the mystery about the diamonds." + +"And what is the mystery? You take a dreadful long time to tell a story, +Mr. Hardwick." + +"The story is important, and it must be told in detail, otherwise you +may go on a long journey for nothing. Are you taking down what I say in +shorthand? That is right, and if you are wise you will not transcribe +your notes so that anyone can read them; they are safer in that form. +The von Steinheimer family have two residences, a house in Vienna and an +ancient castle in the Tyrol, situated on the heights above Meran, a most +picturesque place, I understand; but very shortly you will know more +about it than I do, because the _Bugle_ expects you to go there as its +special correspondent. Here the diamond robbery took place something +like two months ago, and the affair is still as great a mystery as ever. +The Princess was to open the season at Meran, which is a fashionable +resort, by giving a fancy dress ball in Schloss Steinheimer, to which +all the Austrian and foreign notables were invited. It was just before +the ball began that the diamonds were first missed--in fact, the +Princess was about to put them on, she representing some gorgeously +decorated character from the Arabian Nights, when the discovery was made +that the diamonds were gone. She was naturally very much upset over her +loss, and sent at once for the Prince, her husband, insisting that the +police should be notified immediately and detectives called in, as was +perfectly natural. Now here comes a strange feature of the affair, and +this is that the Prince positively forbade any publicity, refusing his +sanction when she demanded that the police should be informed, and yet +the Prince knew better than anyone else the very considerable value of +the stones." + +"What reason did he give for his refusal?" asked Miss Baxter, looking up +from her notes. + +"I am not quite certain about that; but I think he said it was _infra +dig._ for the Steinheimers to call in the police. Anyhow, it was an +excuse which did not satisfy the Princess; but as guests were arriving, +and as it was desirable that there should be no commotion to mar the +occasion, the Princess temporarily yielded to the wish of her husband, +and nothing was said publicly about the robbery. The great ball was the +talk of Meran for several days, and no one suspected the private trouble +that was going on underneath this notable event. During these several +days the Princess insisted that the aid of the police should be invoked, +and the Prince was equally strenuous that nothing should be said or done +about the matter. Then, quite unexpectedly, the Prince veered completely +round, and proclaimed that he would engage the best detectives in +Europe. Strange to say, when he announced this decision to his wife, she +had veered round also, and opposed the calling in of the detectives as +strenuously as he had done heretofore." + +"What reason did she give for her change of front?" asked Miss Jennie. + +"She said, I believe, that it was now too late; that the thieves, +whoever they were, had had time to make away with their plunder, and +there would merely be a fuss and worry for nothing." + +"Do you know, I am inclined to agree with her," asserted the girl. + +"Are you? Then tell me what you think of the case as far as you have got." + +"What do _you_ think?" + +"I sha'n't tell you at this stage, because I know of further particulars +which I will give you later on. I merely want your opinion now, so that +I may see whether what I have to tell you afterwards modifies it in any +way." + +"Well, to me the case looks decidedly dark against the Prince." + +"That is what Mr. Briggs thinks. He imagines his Highness has the +jewels." + +"Where did you get all these particulars?" + +"From Mr. Briggs, who, of course, got them by letter from his daughter." + +"Then we have, as it were, a one-sided statement." + +"Oh, quite so; but still you must remember the Princess does not in the +least suspect her husband of the theft." + +"Well, please go on. What are the further particulars?" + +"The further particulars are that the Prince made some quiet +investigations among the servants, and he found that there was a man +who, although he was a friend of his own, was much more the friend of +the Princess, and this man had, on the day the ball was given, the +entire freedom of the castle. He is a young officer and nobleman. +Lieutenant von Schaumberg, and the Prince knew that this young man was +being hard pressed for some debts of honour which he did not appear to +be in a position to liquidate. The young man went unexpectedly to Vienna +the day after the ball, and on his return settled his obligations. The +Princess, from one of her women, got word of her husband's suspicion. +She went to the Prince at once, and told him she had come to his +own opinion with regard to the lost diamonds. She would, in no +circumstances, have detectives about the place. Then he told her that he +had also changed his mind, and resolved to engage detectives. So here +they were at a deadlock again. She wrote to her father with great +indignation about the Prince's unjust suspicions, saying von Schaumberg +was a gentleman in every sense of the word. I gather that relations +between herself and her husband are somewhat strained, so I imagine +there is much more in this matter than the lost diamonds." + +"You imagine, then, that she is shielding the Lieutenant?" + +"Candidly, I do." + +"And you are of opinion he stole the diamonds?" + +"Yes, I am." + +"I don't agree with you. I still think it was the Prince, and I think +besides this, that he dexterously managed to throw suspicion on the +Lieutenant. Have they called in the detectives yet?" + +"No, they are at a deadlock, as I remarked before." + +"Well, what am I expected to do?" + +"Mr. Briggs cabled to his daughter--he never writes a letter--that +he would come over and straighten out the tangle in fifteen minutes. +He is certain the Prince stole the diamonds, but he did not +tell his daughter so. He informed her he was bringing her a +present of a new typewriting machine, and also a young woman from +Chicago who could write shorthand and would look after the Princess's +correspondence--act as secretary, in fact; for it seems the Princess +has a larger correspondence than she can reasonably attend to, and she +appears therefore to yearn for a typewriter. The old man tells me she is +very careless about her letters, never being able to find anything +she wants, and leaving them about a good deal, so he thinks she needs +someone to look after her affairs; and I have a suspicion that her +father fears she may leave some compromising letter about, so he wishes +to ward off a divorce case." + +"No, I fancy you are mistaken there. The father hasn't the slightest +idea that there can be anything wrong with his daughter. It is probable +the Princess has written some libellous statements about her husband, +and it is quite likely the Prince is a brute and that young von +Schaumberg is a most charming person." + +"Well, as I was saying," continued Hardwick, "the old man cabled his +daughter that he is bringing her a secretary and a typewriter. He +engaged a female Pinkerton detective to enter the castle as secretary to +the Princess and, if possible, to solve the diamond mystery. She is a +young woman who, when she left Chicago, was very anti-English, but +she became acquainted on the steamer with a young Englishman who was +tremendously taken with her, and so at Liverpool she quite calmly broke +her engagement with the old man and fulfilled a new engagement she had +made with the young man by promptly marrying him--special license, I am +told. Old Briggs has therefore a new typewriting machine on his hands, +and so I was going to propose to you that you take the place of the +Chicago Pinkerton person. Briggs has become so disgusted with all these +detective women that he abandoned the idea of sending a female detective +with the machine, and doesn't imagine that whoever is sent will be +either a detective or a newspaper woman. I was introduced to him the +other day by one of those lucky chances which sometimes put interesting +items of news in our way, and he told me the whole story, requesting me +to recommend someone who wrote shorthand and understood the typewriter. +I am to dine with him this evening, and I shall cordially recommend you. +I may say that Briggs has gone to that celebrated London detective Mr. +Cadbury Taylor, and has engaged him to solve the diamond mystery. So +you see you will have a clear field. If you can leave for the castle +to-morrow night, you may have the pleasure of Mr. Cadbury Taylor's +company. He isn't visiting the castle, but goes straight to Vienna; so +if you work your cards rightly, you can be in the same carriage with +him as far as Munich, and during that time you may find out perhaps what +he thinks about the case. I know only this much about his theory, and +that is he thinks the right place to begin is in Vienna, where some, at +least, of the stones are supposed to have been pawned." + +"Oh, this is a delightful case, and I shall enjoy it. Has there been +anything published yet with reference to the robbery?" + +"Not a word; nobody knows anything about it, except the Prince and +Princess, Briggs, myself and yourself, and perhaps one or two of the +servants in the castle--oh, yes, and Cadbury Taylor." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +JENNIE MEETS A GREAT DETECTIVE. + + +Miss Baxter was early at the station before the Continental train left. +She walked up and down the platform, hoping to see Mr. Cadbury Taylor, +with whose face and form she was familiar. She secured a porter who +spoke French, and pretended to him that she knew no English. + +"I desire," she said, "to get into a first-class compartment with +a gentleman whom I shall point out to you. I shall give you five +shillings, so you must let me have your whole attention. My luggage has +been labelled and registered, therefore you will not need to bother +about it, but keep your eye on me and follow me into whatever carriage I +enter, bringing with you the hand-bag and this heavy package." + +The heavy package was a typewriter in its case. Shortly before the train +departed, there sauntered into the station the tall, thin, well-known +form of the celebrated detective. He wore a light ulster that reached +almost to his heels, and his keen, alert face was entirely without beard +or moustache. As he came up the platform, a short, stout man accosted +him. + +"I was afraid you were going to be late," said the detective's friend, +"but I see you are just in time as usual." + +"A railway station," said Mr. Cadbury Taylor, "is not the most inspiring +place in London for the spending of a spare half hour; besides, I had +some facts to get together, which are now tabulated in my note-book, and +I'm quite ready to go, if the train is." + +"I have secured a smoking compartment here where we shall be alone." + +"That's right, Smith," said Cadbury Taylor. "You are always so +thoughtful," and the two men entered the compartment together. + +Just as the guards were shouting, "Take your seats, please," Miss Baxter +made a bolt for the compartment in which the detective and his friend +sat together in opposite corners. + +"I beg your pardon," said Smith, "this is a smoking compartment." The +lady replied to him volubly in French, and next instant the porter +heaved the typewriter and hand-bag on the seat beside her. Smith seemed +to resent the intrusion, and appeared about to blame the porter, but the +man answered rapidly as he banged the door shut, "The lady doesn't speak +any English," and the next moment the train moved out of the station. + +"There was no need," said the detective, "my dear Smith, to depend upon +the porter for the information that the lady could not speak English. +She is the secretary to a very rich employer in Chicago, and came from +that city to New York, where she sailed on the _Servia_ alone, coming to +England to transact some special business, of which I could here give +you full particulars, if it were worth while. She came from Liverpool to +London over the Great Western Railway, and is now on her way to Paris. +All this, of course, is obvious to the most casual observer, and so, my +dear Smith, we may discuss our case with as much security as though we +were entirely alone." + +"But, good heavens, Cadbury!" cried Smith in amazement, "how can you +tell all that?" + +"My dear fellow," said the detective wearily, "no one travels with a +typewriting machine unless that person is a typewriter. The girl, if +you will notice, is now engaged in filling the leaves of her book with +shorthand, therefore that proves her occupation. That she is secretary +to a rich man is evidenced by the fact that she crossed in the _Servia_ +first cabin, as you may see by glancing at the label on the case; that +she came alone, which is to say her employer was not with her, is +indicated by the typewriter being marked 'Not Wanted,' so it was put +down into the hold. If a Chicago business man had been travelling with +his secretary, the typewriter case would have been labelled instead, +'Cabin, wanted,' for a Chicago man of business would have to write some +hundreds of letters, even on the ocean, to be ready for posting the +moment he came ashore. The typewriter case is evidently new, and is +stamped with the name and address of its sellers in Chicago. That she +came by the Great Western is shown by the fact that 'Chester' appears +on still another label. That she has special business in England we may +well believe, otherwise she would have crossed on the French line direct +from New York to Havre. So you see, my dear boy, these are all matters +of observation, and quite patent to anyone who cares to use his eyes." + +"Yes, it all seems very simple now that you have explained it," growled +Smith. + +"I should be a much more mysterious person than I am," remarked the +detective complacently, "if I did not explain so much. This explanation +habit is becoming a vice with me, and I fear I must abandon it." + +"I hope for my sake you won't," said Smith more good-naturedly, "for if +left to myself I never could find out how you arrive at your wonderful +conclusions. Do you expect the Austrian diamond mystery to prove +difficult?" + +"Difficult? Oh, dear no! To tell the truth, I have solved it already, +but in order to give the American a run for his money--and surely he +ought not to object to that, because he is a millionaire who has made his +fortune by giving other people runs for their money, being a railway +man--I am now on my way to Vienna. If I solved the problem off-hand for +him in London, he would have no more appreciation of my talent than you +had a moment ago when I explained why I knew this French girl came from +Chicago." + +"You mustn't mind that, Cadbury," said Smith contritely. "I confess I +was irritated for a moment because it all seemed so simple." + +"My dear fellow, every puzzle in this world is simple except one, and +that is to find any problem which is difficult." + +"Then who stole the diamonds? The lieutenant?" + +The detective smiled and gazed upwards for a few tantalizing moments at +the roof of the carriage. + +"Here we have," he said at last, "an impecunious prince who marries an +American heiress, as so many of them do. The girl begins life in Austria +on one million dollars, say two hundred thousand pounds, and a case +of diamonds said to be worth another two hundred thousand at +least--probably more. Not much danger of running through that very +speedily, is there, Smith?" + +"No, I should think not." + +"So the average man would think," continued the detective. "However, I +have long since got out of the habit of thinking; therefore I make sure. +The first problem I set to myself is this: How much money have the +Prince and Princess spent since they were married? I find that the +repairs on the Schloss Steinheimer, situated in the Tyrol, cost +something like forty thousand pounds. It is a huge place, and the +Steinheimers have not had an heiress in the family for many centuries. +The Prince owed a good deal of money when he was married, and it took +something like sixty thousand pounds to settle those debts; rather +expensive as Continental princes go, but if one must have luxuries, one +cannot save money. Not to weary you with details, I found that the two +hundred thousand pounds were exhausted somewhat more than two months +ago; in fact, just before the alleged robbery. The Prince is, of course, +without money, otherwise he would not have married a Chicago heiress, +and the Princess being without money, what does she naturally do?" + +"Pawns her own diamonds!" cried Smith enthusiastically. + +The detective smiled. + +"I thought it much more probable she would apply to her father for +money. I asked him if this was the case, giving him the date, roughly +speaking, when such a letter had been sent. The old man opened his eyes +at this, and told me he had received such a letter. 'But you did not +send the money?' I ventured, 'No,' he said, 'I did not. The fact is, +money is very tight in Chicago just now, and so I cabled her to run on +her debts for a while.' This exactly bore out the conclusion at which I +had already arrived. So now, having failed to get money from her father, +the lady turns to her diamonds, the only security she possesses. The +chances are that she did so before her father's cable message came, and +that was the reason she so confidently wished information to be given to +the police. She expected to have money to redeem her jewels, and being a +bright woman, she knew the traditional stupidity of the official police, +and so thought there was no danger of her little ruse being discovered. +But when the cable message came saying no money would be sent her, a +different complexion was put upon the whole affair, for she did not know +but if the police were given plenty of time they might stumble on the +diamonds." + +"But, my dear Cadbury, why should she not have taken the diamonds openly +and raised money on them?" + +"My dear fellow, there are a dozen reasons, any one of which will +suffice where a woman is in the case. In the first place, she might fear +to offend the family pride of the von Steinheimers; in the second place, +we cannot tell what her relations with her husband were. She may not +have wished him to know that she was short of money. But that she has +stolen her own diamonds there is not the slightest question in my mind. +All that is necessary for me to do now is to find out how many persons +there are in Vienna who would lend large sums of money on valuable +jewels. The second is to find with which one of those the Princess +pawned her diamonds." + +"But, my dear Cadbury, the lady is in Meran, and Vienna is some hundreds +of miles away. How could a lady in the Tyrol pawn diamonds in Vienna +without her absence being commented on? or do you think she had an agent +to do it for her?" Again the detective smiled indulgently. + +"No, she had no agent. The diamonds never left Vienna. You see, the ball +had been announced, and immediate money was urgently needed. She pawned +the diamonds before she left the capital of Austria, and the chances are +she did not intend anyone to know they were missing; but on the eve of +the ball her husband insisted that she should wear her diamonds, and +therefore, being a quick-witted woman, she announced they had been +stolen. After having made such a statement, she, of course, had to +stick to it; and now, failing to get the money from America, she +is exceedingly anxious that no real detective shall be employed in +investigation." + +At Dover Miss Baxter, having notes of this interesting conversation in +shorthand, witnessed the detective bid good-bye to his friend Smith, who +returned to London by a later train. After that she saw no more of Mr. +Cadbury Taylor, and reached the Schloss Steinheimer at Meran without +further adventure. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +JENNIE SOLVES THE DIAMOND MYSTERY. + + +Miss Baxter found life at the Schloss much different from what she had +expected. The Princess was a young and charming lady, very handsome, but +in a state of constant depression. Once or twice Miss Baxter came upon +her with apparent traces of weeping on her face. The Prince was not +an old man, as she had imagined, but young and of a manly, stalwart +appearance. He evidently possessed a fiendish temper, and moped about +the castle with a constant frown upon his brow. + +The correspondence of the Princess was in the utmost disorder. There +were hundreds upon hundreds of letters, and Miss Baxter set to work +tabulating and arranging them. Meanwhile the young newspaper woman kept +her eyes open. She wandered about the castle unmolested, poked into odd +corners, talked with the servants, and, in fact, with everyone, but +never did she come upon a clue which promised to lead to a solution of +the diamond difficulty. Once she penetrated into a turret room, and +came unexpectedly upon the Prince, who was sitting on the window-ledge, +looking absently out on the broad and smiling valley that lay for miles +below the castle. He sprang to his feet and stared so fiercely at the +intruder that the girl's heart failed her, and she had not even the +presence of mind to turn and run. + +"What do you want?" he said to her shortly, for he spoke English +perfectly. "You are the young woman from Chicago, I suppose?" + +"No," answered Miss Baxter, forgetting for the moment the _role_ she was +playing; "I am from London." + +"Well, it doesn't matter; you are the young woman who is arranging my +wife's correspondence?" + +"Yes." The Prince strode rapidly forward and grasped her by the wrist, +his brow dark with a forbidding frown. He spoke in a hoarse whisper: + +"Listen, my good girl! Do you want to get more money from me than you +will get from the Princess in ten years' service? Hearken, then, to what +I tell you. If there are any letters from--from--men, will you bring +them to me?" + +Miss Baxter was thoroughly frightened, but she said to the Prince +sharply,-- + +"If you do not let go my wrist, I'll scream. How dare you lay your hand +on me?" + +The Prince released her wrist and stepped back. + +"Forgive me," he said; "I'm a very miserable man. Forget what I have +said." + +"How can I forget it?" cried the girl, gathering courage as she saw him +quail before her blazing eyes. "What do you want me to do?" + +"I want you to bring to me any letters written by--by----" + +"Written by von Schaumberg," cried the girl, noticing his hesitation and +filling in the blank. + +A red wave of anger surged up in the Prince's face. + +"Yes," he cried; "bring me a letter to her from von Schaumberg, and I'll +pay you what you ask." + +The girl laughed. + +"Prince," she said, "you will excuse me if I call you a fool. There are +no letters from von Schaumberg, and I have gone through the whole of the +correspondence." + +"What, then, suggested the name von Schaumberg to you? Where did you +ever hear it before?" + +"I heard that you suspected him of stealing the diamonds." + +"And so he did, the cowardly thief. If it were not for mixing the +Princess's name with such carrion as he, I would--" + +But the Prince in his rage stamped up and down the room without saying +what he would do. Miss Baxter quickly brought him to a standstill. + +"It is contrary to my duty to the Princess," she began, hesitatingly, +when he stopped and turned fiercely upon her. + +"What is contrary to your duty?" + +"There are letters, tied very daintily with a blue ribbon, and they are +from a man. The Princess did not allow me to read them, but locked them +away in a secret drawer in her dressing-room, but she is so careless +with her keys and everything else, that I am sure I can get them for +you, if you want them." + +"Yes, yes, I want them," said the Prince, "and will pay you handsomely +for them." + +"Very well," replied Miss Baxter, "you shall have them. If you will wait +here ten minutes, I shall return with them." + +"But," hesitated the Prince, "say nothing to the Princess." + +"Oh, no, I shall not need to; the keys are sure to be on her +dressing-table." + +Miss Baxter ran down to the room of the Princess, and had little +difficulty in obtaining the keys. She unlocked the secret drawer into +which she had seen the Princess place the packet of letters, and taking +them out, she drew another sheet of paper along with them, which she +read with wide-opening eyes, then with her pretty lips pursed, she +actually whistled, which unmaidenly performance merely gave sibilant +expression to her astonishment. Taking both the packet of letters and +the sheet of paper with her, she ran swiftly up the stair and along the +corridor to the room where the Prince was impatiently awaiting her. + +"Give them to me," he snapped, rudely snatching the bundle of documents +from her hand. She still clung to the separate piece of paper and said +nothing. The Prince stood by the window and undid the packet with +trembling hands. He examined one and then another of the letters, +turning at last towards the girl with renewed anger in his face. + +"You are trifling with me, my girl," he cried. + +"No, I am not," she said stoutly. + +"These are my own letters, written by me to my wife before we were +married!" + +"Of course they are. What others did you expect? These are the only +letters, so far as I have learned, that any man has written to her, +and the only letters she cares for of all the thousands she has ever +received. Why, you foolish, blind man, I had not been in this castle a +day before I saw how matters stood. The Princess is breaking her poor +heart because you are unkind to her, and she cares for nobody on earth +but you, great stupid dunce that you are." + +"Is it true? Will you swear it's true?" cried the Prince, dropping the +packet and going hastily toward the girl. Miss Jennie stood with her +back to the wall, and putting her hands behind her, she said,-- + +"No, no; you are not going to touch me again. Of course it's true, and +if you had the sense of a six-year-old child, you would have seen it +long ago; and she paid sixty thousand pounds of your gambling debts, +too." + +"What are you talking about? The Princess has never given me a penny of +her money; I don't need it. Goodness knows, I have money enough of my +own." + +"Well, Cadbury Taylor said that you--Oh, I'll warrant you, it is like +all the rest of his statements, pure moonshine." + +"Of whom are you speaking? And why did my wife protect that wretch whom +she knows has stolen her diamonds?" + +"You mean von Schaumberg?" + +"Yes." + +"I believe the Princess does think he stole them, and the reason the +Princess protects him is to prevent you from challenging him, for she +fears that he, being a military man, will kill you, although I fancy she +would be well rid of you." + +"But he stole the diamonds--there was nobody else." + +"He did nothing of the kind. Read that!" + +The Prince, bewildered, took the sheet that she handed to him and read +it, a wrinkle of bewilderment corrugating his brow. + +"I don't understand what this has to do with the case," he said at last. +"It seems to be an order on the bank at Vienna for the diamonds, written +by the Princess herself." + +"Of course it is. Well, if the diamonds had been delivered, that paper +would now be in the possession of the bank instead of in your hands." + +"Perhaps she mislaid this order and wrote another." + +"Perhaps. Still it might be worth while finding out." + +"Take this, then, to the Princess and ask her." + +"It is not likely she would remember. The better plan is to telegraph at +once to the Vienna bank, asking them to send the diamonds to Meran by +special messenger. No one there knows that the diamonds are missing." + +"I will do so at once," cried the Prince, with more animation in his +voice than Miss Baxter had previously noticed. His Highness was becoming +interested in the game. + +After luncheon the Princess came to Miss Baxter, who was seated at her +desk, and handed her a letter. + +"There is an invitation from the Duchess of Chiselhurst for a grand ball +she is shortly to give in her London house. It is to be a very swell +affair, but I don't care enough for such things to go all the way to +England to enjoy them. Would you therefore send her Grace my regrets?" + +"I will do so at once." + +At that moment there came a messenger from the Prince asking Miss Baxter +to meet him in the library. The girl glanced up at the Princess. + +"Have I your permission to go?" she said. + +The Princess looked at her steadily for a moment, just the faintest +suspicion of a frown on her fair brow. + +"I do not suppose you need my permission." Her Highness spoke with slow +deliberation. "My husband condescends to take considerable interest in +you. Passing along the corridor this morning, I heard your voices in +most animated conversation." + +"Had you sufficient interest in our discussion to stop and listen to +what we said, Princess von Steinheimer?" + +"Ah, now you are becoming insolent, and I must ask you to consider your +engagement with me at an end." + +"Surely you will not dismiss me in this heartless way, Princess. I think +I am entitled to a month's notice, or is it only a week's?" + +"I will pay you a year's salary, or two years' if that will content you. +I have no wish to deal harshly with you, but I desire you to leave at +once," said the Princess, who had little sense of humour, and thus +thought the girl was in earnest when she asked for notice. + +Miss Baxter laughed merrily, and replied when she was able to control +her mirth, "I do hate to leave the castle just when things are becoming +interesting. Still, I don't suppose I shall really need to go away in +spite of your dismissal, for the Prince this morning offered me ten +times the amount of money you are paying." + +"Did he?" + +"Be assured he did; if you don't believe me, ask him. I told him he was +a fool, but, alas, we live in a cynical age, and few men believe all +they hear, so I fear my expression of opinion made little impression on +him." + +"I shall not keep you longer from his Highness," said the Princess with +freezing dignity. + +"Thank you so much. I am just dying to meet him, for I know he has +something most interesting to tell me. Don't you think yourself, +Princess, that a man acts rather like a fool when he is deeply in love?" + +To this there was no reply, and the Princess left the room. + +Miss Jennie jumped to her feet and almost ran to the library. She found +the Prince walking up and down the long room with a telegraph message in +his hand. "You are a most wonderful young woman," he said; "read that." + +"I have been told so by more observing men than you, Prince von +Steinheimer," said the girl, taking the telegram. It was from the +manager of the bank in Vienna, and it ran: "Special messenger leaves +with package by the Meran express to-night." + +"Just as I thought," said Miss Jennie; "the diamonds never left the +bank. I suppose those idiots of servants which the Princess has round +her didn't know what they took away from Vienna and what they left. +Then, when the diamonds were missing, they completely lost their +heads--not that anyone in the castle has much wit to spare. I never saw +such an incompetent lot." + +The Prince laughed. + +"You think, perhaps, I have not wit enough to see that my wife cares for +me, is that it? Is that why you gave me my own letters?" + +"Oh, you are well mated! The Princess now does me the honour of being +jealous. Think of that! As if it were possible that I should take any +interest in you, for I have seen real men in my time." + +The Prince regarded her with his most severe expression. + +"Are you not flattering yourself somewhat, young lady?" + +"Oh, dear no! I take it as the reverse of flattering to be supposed that +I have any liking for such a ninny as you are. Flattering, indeed! And +she has haughtily dismissed me, if you please." + +"The Princess has? What have you been saying to her?" + +"Oh, I made the most innocent remark, and it was the truth too, which +shows that honesty is not always the best policy. I merely told her that +you had offered me ten times the amount of money she is paying me. You +needn't jump as if somebody had shot off a gun at your ear. You know you +did make such an offer." + +"You confounded little mischief-maker," cried the Prince in anger. "Did +you tell her what it was for?" + +"No. She did not ask." + +"I will thank you to apply the cleverness you seem to possess to the +undoing of the harm you have so light-heartedly caused." + +"How can I? I am ordered to leave to-night, when I did _so_ wish to stay +and see the diamond _dénouement_." + +"You are not going to-night. I shall speak to the Princess about it if +that should be necessary. Your mention of the diamonds reminds me that +my respected father-in-law, Mr. Briggs, informs me that a celebrated +detective, whom it seems he has engaged--Taylor, I think the name +is--will be here to-morrow to explain the diamond mystery, so you see +you have a competitor." + +"Oh, is Cadbury coming? That is too jolly for anything. I simply _must_ +stay and hear his explanation, for he is a very famous detective, and +the conclusions he has arrived at must be most interesting." + +"I think some explanations are due to me as well. My worthy +father-in-law seems to have commissioned this person without thinking it +necessary to consult me in the least; in fact, Mr. Briggs goes about the +castle looking so dark and lowering when he meets me, that I sometimes +doubt whether this is my own house or not." + +"And is it?" + +"Is it what?" + +"Is it your own house? I was told it was mortgaged up to the tallest +turret. Still, you can't blame Mr. Briggs for being anxious about the +diamonds; they belong to his daughter." + +"They belong to my wife." + +"True. That complicates matters a bit, and gives both Chicago and Vienna +a right to look black. And now, your Highness, I must take my leave of +you; and if the diamonds come safely in the morning, remember I intend +to claim salvage on them. Meanwhile, I am going to write a nice little +story about them." + +In the morning the diamonds arrived by special messenger, who first +took a formal receipt for them, and then most obsequiously took his +departure. By the same train came Mr. Cadbury Taylor, as modest as ever, +but giving some indication in his bearing of the importance of the +discovery his wonderful system had aided him in making. He blandly +evaded the curiosity of Mr. Briggs, and said it would perhaps be better +to reveal the secret in the presence of the Prince and Princess, as his +investigations had led him to conclusions that might be unpleasant for +one of them to hear, yet were not to be divulged in their absence. + +"Just what I suspected," muttered Mr. Briggs, who had long been +convinced that the Prince was the actual culprit. + +The important gathering took place in the library, the Prince, with the +diamonds in his coat pocket, seated at the head of the long table, while +the Princess sat at the foot, as far from her husband as she could +conveniently get without attracting notice. Miss Baxter stood near a +window, reading an important letter from London which had reached her +that morning. The tall, thin detective and the portly Mr. Briggs came in +together, the London man bowing gravely to the Prince and Princess. Mr. +Briggs took a seat at the side of the table, but the detective remained +standing, looking questioningly at Miss Baxter, but evidently not +recognizing her as the lady who had come in upon him and his friend when +they had entered the train. + +"I beg the pardon of your Highness, but what I have to say had better be +said with as few hearers as possible. I should be much obliged if this +young person would read her correspondence in another room." + +"The young woman," said the Prince coldly, "is secretary to her +Highness, and is entirely in her confidence." + +The Princess said nothing, but sat with her eyes upon the table, +apparently taking no note of what was going on. Rich colour came into +her face, and, as the keen detective cast a swift glance at her, he saw +before him a woman conscious of her guilt, fearing exposure, yet not +knowing how to avert it. + +"If your Highness will excuse my persistence," began Mr. Taylor blandly. + +"But I will not," interrupted the Prince gruffly. "Go on with your story +without so much circumlocution." + +The detective, apparently unruffled by the discourtesy he met, bowed +profoundly towards the Prince, cleared his throat, and began. + +"May I ask your Highness," he said, addressing himself to the Princess, +"how much money you possessed just before you left Vienna?" + +The lady looked up at him in surprise, but did not answer. + +"In Heaven's name, what has that to do with the loss of the diamonds?" +rapped out the Prince, his hot temper getting once more the better of +him. Cadbury Taylor spread out his hands and shrugged his shoulders in +protest at the interruption. He spoke with deference, but nevertheless +there was a touch of reproach in his tone. + +"I am accustomed to being listened to with patience, and am generally +allowed to tell my story my own way, your Highness." + +"What I complain of is that you are not telling any story at all, but +are asking instead a very impertinent question." + +"Questions which seem to you irrelevant may be to a trained mind most--" + +"Bosh! Trained donkeys! Do you know where the diamonds are?" + +"Yes, I do," answered Cadbury Taylor, still imperturbable, in spite of +the provocation he was receiving. + +"Well, where are they?" + +"They are in the vaults of your bank in Vienna." + +"I don't believe it. Who stole them then?" + +"They were put there by her Highness the Princess von Steinheimer, +doubtless in security for money--" + +"What!" roared the Prince, springing to his feet, his stentorian voice +ringing to the ceiling. "Do you mean to insinuate, you villain, that my +wife stole her own diamonds?" + +"If your Highness would allow me to proceed in my own--" + +"Enough of this fooling. There are the diamonds," cried the Prince, +jerking the box from his pocket and flinging it on the table. + +"There!" shouted old man Briggs, bringing his clenched fist down on the +oak. "What did I tell you? I knew it all along. The Prince stole the +diamonds, and in his excitement yanks them out of his pocket and proves +it. That was _my_ opinion all along!" + +"Oh, father, father!" moaned the Princess, speaking for the first time. +"How can you say such a thing? My husband couldn't do a mean action if +he tried. The idea of him stealing the diamonds! Not if they were worth +a thousand millions and detection impossible." + +The Prince, who had been glaring at Mr. Briggs, and who seemed on the +point of giving that red-faced gentleman a bit of his mind, turned a +softened gaze upon his wife, who rested her arms on the table and buried +her face in them. + +"Come, come," cried Miss Jennie Baxter, stepping energetically forward; +"I imagine everybody has had enough of this. Clear out, Mr. Briggs, and +take Mr. Taylor with you; I am sure he has not had any breakfast yet, +and he certainly looks hungry. If you hire detectives, Mr. Briggs, you +must take care of them. Out you go. The dining-room is ever so much more +inviting just now than the library; and if you don't see what you want, +ring for it." + +She drove the two speechless men out before her, and, closing the door, +said to the Prince, who was still standing bewildered at having his hand +forced in this manner,-- + +"There! Two fools from four leaves two. Now, my dears--I'm not going to +Highness either of you--you are simply two lone people who like +each other immensely, yet who are drifting apart through foolish +misunderstandings that a few words would put right if either of you had +sense enough to speak them, which you haven't, and that's why I'm here +to speak them for you. Now, madame, I am ready to swear that the Prince +has never said anything to me that did not show his deep love for you, +and if you had overheard us, you would not need me to tell you so. He +thinks that you have a fancy for that idiot von Schaumberg--not that I +ever saw the poor man; but he is bound to be an idiot, or the Prince +wouldn't be jealous of him. As nobody has stolen the diamonds after all +this fuss, so no one has stolen the affection of either of you from the +other. I can see by the way you look at each other that I won't need to +apologize for leaving you alone together while I run upstairs to pack." + +"Oh, but you are not going to leave us?" cried the Princess. + +"I should be delighted to stay; but there is no rest for the wicked, and +I must get back to London." + +With that the girl ran to her room and there re-read the letter she had +received. + +"Dear Miss Baxter (it ran),--We are in a very considerable dilemma here, +so I write asking you to see me in London without delay, going back to +the Tyrol later on if the investigation of the diamond mystery renders +your return necessary. The Duchess of Chiselhurst is giving a great ball +on the 29th. It is to be a very swagger affair, with notables from every +part of Europe, and they seem determined that no one connected with a +newspaper shall be admitted. We have set at work every influence to +obtain an invitation for a reporter, but without success, the reply +invariably given being that an official account will be sent to +the press. Now, I want you to set your ingenuity at work, and gain +admittance if possible, for I am determined to have an account of this +ball written in such a way that everyone who reads it will know that the +writer was present. If you can manage this, I can hardly tell you how +grateful the proprietor and myself will be.--Yours very truly, + +"RADNOR HARDWICK." + +Miss Jennie Baxter sat for some moments musing, with the letter in her +hand. She conned over in her mind the names of those who might be able +to assist her in this task, but she dismissed them one by one, well +knowing that if Mr. Hardwick and the proprietor of the _Bugle_ had +petitioned all their influential friends without avail, she could not +hope to succeed with the help of the very few important personages she +was acquainted with. She wondered if the Princess could get her an +invitation; then suddenly her eyes lit up, and she sprang eagerly to her +feet. + +"What a fortunate thing it is," she cried aloud, "that I did not send +on the refusal of the Princess to the Duchess of Chiselhurst. I had +forgotten all about it until this moment." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +JENNIE ARRANGES A CINDERELLA VISIT. + + +The room which had been allotted to Jennie Baxter in the Schloss +Steinheimer enjoyed a most extended outlook. A door-window gave access +to a stone balcony, which hung against the castle wall like a swallow's +nest at the eaves of a house. This balcony was just wide enough to give +ample space for one of the easy rocking-chairs which the Princess had +imported from America, and which Jennie thought were the only really +comfortable pieces of furniture the old stronghold possessed, much as +she admired the artistic excellence of the mediæval chairs, tables, and +cabinets which for centuries had served the needs of the ancient line +that had lived in the Schloss. The rocking-chair was as modern as this +morning's daily paper; its woodwork painted a bright scarlet, its arms +like broad shelves, its rockers as sensitively balanced as a marine +compass; in fact, just such a chair as one would find dotted round +the vast verandah of an American summer hotel. In this chair sat Miss +Jennie, two open letters on her lap, and perplexity in the dainty little +frown that faintly ruffled the smoothness of her fair brow. The scene +from the high balcony was one to be remembered; but, although this was +her last day at the Castle, the girl saw nothing of the pretty town of +Meran so far below; the distant chalk-line down the slope beyond which +marked the turbulent course of the foaming Adege; the lofty mountains +all around, or the further snow-peaks, dazzling white against the deep +blue of the sky. + +One of the epistles which lay on her lap was the letter she had received +from the editor recounting the difficulties he had met with while +endeavouring to make arrangements for reporting adequately the Duchess +of Chiselhurst's ball; the other was the still unanswered invitation +from the Duchess to the Princess. Jennie was flattered to know that +already the editor, who had engaged her with unconcealed reluctance, +expected her to accomplish what the entire staff were powerless to +effect. She knew that, had she but the courage, it was only necessary to +accept the invitation in the name of her present hostess, and attend the +great society function as Princess von Steinheimer. Yet she hesitated, +not so much on account of the manifest danger of discovery, but because +she had grown to like the Princess, and this impersonation, if it came +to the knowledge of the one most intimately concerned, as it was almost +sure to do, would doubtless be regarded as an unpardonable liberty. As +she swayed gently back and forth in the gaudy rocking-chair, she thought +of confessing everything to the Princess and asking her assistance; but +pondering on this, she saw that it was staking everything on one throw +of the dice. If the Princess refused, then the scheme became impossible, +as that lady herself would answer the letter of the Duchess and decline +the invitation. Jennie soothed her accusing conscience by telling +herself that this impersonation would do no harm to Princess von +Steinheimer, or to anyone else for that matter, while it would be of +inestimable assistance to her own journalistic career. From that +she drifted to meditation on the inequalities of this life--the +superabundance which some possess, while others, no less deserving, have +difficulty in obtaining the scant necessities. And this consoling train +of thought having fixed her resolve to take the goods the gods scattered +at her feet, or rather threw into her lap, she drew a long sigh of +determination as there came a gentle tap at the door of her room, and +the voice of the Princess herself said, "May I come in?" + +Jennie, a rapid blush flaming her cheeks, sprang to her feet, flung the +letters on a table, and opened the door. + +The visitor entered, looking attractive enough to be a princess of +fairyland, and greeted Miss Baxter most cordially. + +"I am so sorry you are leaving," she said. "Cannot you be persuaded to +change your mind and stay with me? Where could you find a more lovely +view than this from your balcony here?" + +"Or a more lovely hostess?" said the girl, looking at her visitor with +undisguised admiration and quite ignoring the landscape. + +The Princess laughed, and as they now stood together on the balcony she +put out her hands, pushed Jennie gently into the rocking-chair again, +seating herself jauntily on its broad arm, and thus the two looked like +a pair of mischievous schoolgirls, home at vacation time, thoroughly +enjoying their liberty. + +"There! You are now my prisoner, about to be punished for flattery," +cried the Princess. "I saw by the motion of the chair that you had just +jumped up from it when I disturbed you, so there you are, back in it +again. What were you thinking about? A rocking-chair lends itself +deliciously to meditation, and we always dream of someone very +particular as we rock." + +"I am no exception to the rule," sighed Jennie; "I was thinking of you, +Princess." + +"How nice of you to say that; and as one good turn deserves another, +here is proof that a certain young lady has been in my thoughts." + +As she spoke, the Princess took from her pocket an embossed case of +Russian leather, opened it and displayed a string of diamonds, lustrous +as drops of liquid light. + +"I want you to wear these stones in remembrance of our diamond +mystery--that is why I chose diamonds--and also, I confess, because I +want you to think of me every time you put them on. See how conceited I +am! One does not like to be forgotten." + +Jennie took the string, her own eyes for a moment rivalling in +brilliancy the sparkle of the gems; then the moisture obscured her +vision and she automatically poured the stones from one hand to the +other, as if their scintillating glitter hypnotized her. She tried once +or twice to speak, but could not be sure of her voice, so remained +silent. The Princess, noticing her agitation, gently lifted the necklace +and clasped it round the girl's white throat, chattering all the while +with nervous haste. + +"There! you can wear diamonds, and there are so many to whom they are +unbecoming. I also look well in diamonds--at least, so I've been told +over and over again, and I've come to believe it at last. I suppose the +young men have not concealed from you the fact that you are a strikingly +good-looking girl, Jennie. Indeed, and this is brag if you like, we two +resemble one another enough to be sisters, nearly the same height, the +same colour of eyes and hair. Come to the mirror, Miss Handsomeness, and +admire yourself." + +She dragged Jennie to her feet and drew her into the room, placing +her triumphantly before the great looking-glass that reflected back a +full-length portrait. + +"Now confess that you never saw a prettier girl," cried the Princess +gleefully. + +"I don't think I ever did," admitted Jennie, but she was looking at the +image of the Princess and not at her own. The Princess laughed, but Miss +Baxter seemed too much affected by the unexpected present to join in the +merriment. She regarded herself solemnly in the glass for a few moments, +then slowly undid the clasp, and, slipping the string of brilliants from +her neck, handed them back to the Princess. "You are very, very kind, +but I cannot accept so costly a present." + +"Cannot? Why? Have I offended you by anything I have said since you +came?" + +"Oh, no, no. It isn't that." + +"What, then? Don't you like me, after all?" + +"Like you? I _love_ you, Princess!" cried the girl impulsively, throwing +her arms round the other's neck. + +The Princess tried to laugh as she pressed Jennie closely to her, but +there was a tremour of tears in the laughter. + +"You must take this little gift as a souvenir of your visit with me. I +was really--very unhappy when you came, and now--well, you smoothed away +some misunderstandings--I'm more than grateful. And it isn't natural for +a woman to refuse diamonds, Jennie." + +"I know it isn't; and I won't quite refuse them. I'll postpone. It is +possible that something I shall do before long may seriously offend you. +If it does--then good-bye to the necklace! If it doesn't, when I have +told you all about my misdeed--I shall confess courageously--you will +give me the diamonds." + +"Dear me, Jennie, what terrible crime are you about to commit? Why not +tell me now? You have no idea how you have aroused my curiosity." + +"I dare not tell you, Princess; not until my project proves a success or +a failure. We women--some have our way made for us--others have our own +way to make. I am among the others, and I hope you will remember that, +if you are ever angry with me." + +"Is it a new kind of speculation? A fortune made in a day? Gambling?" + +"Something of that sort. I am going to stake a good deal on the turn of +a card; so please pray that luck will not be against me." + +"If pluck will make you win, I am sure you will carry it through, but +if at first you don't succeed, try, try again; and if you haven't the +money, I'll supply the capital. I know I should like to gamble. Anyhow, +you have my best wishes for your success." + +"Thank you, Princess. I can hardly fail after that." + +The time had come when the two friends must part. The carriage was +waiting to take Miss Baxter to the station, and the girl bade good-bye +to her hostess with an uneasy feeling that she was acting disloyally to +one who had befriended her. In her handbag was the invitation to the +ball, and also the letter she had written in the Princess's name +accepting it, which latter she posted in Meran. In due course she +reached London, and presented herself to the editor of the _Daily +Bugle_. + +"Well, Miss Baxter," he said, "you have been extraordinarily successful +in solving the diamond mystery, and I congratulate you. My letter +reached you, I suppose. Have you given any thought to the problem +that now confronts us? Can you get us a full report of the Duchess of +Chiselhurst's ball, written so convincingly that all the guests who read +it will know that the writer was present?" + +"It is entirely a question of money, Mr. Hardwick." + +"Most things are. Well, we are prepared to spend money to get just what +we want." + +"How much?" + +"Whatever is necessary." + +"That's vague. Put it into figures." + +"Five hundred pounds; seven hundred; a thousand if need be." + +"It will not cost you a thousand, and it may come to more than five +hundred. Place the thousand to my credit, and I shall return what is +left. I must go at once to Paris and carry out my plans from that city." + +"Then you have thought out a scheme. What is it?" + +"I have not only thought it out, but most of the arrangements are +already made. I cannot say more about it. You will have to trust wholly +to me." + +"There is a good deal of money at stake, Miss Baxter, and our reputation +as a newspaper as well. I think I should know what you propose to do." + +"Certainly. I propose to obtain for you an accurate description of the +ball, written by one who was present." + +The editor gave utterance to a sort of interjection that always served +him in place of a laugh. + +"In other words, you want neither interference nor advice." + +"Exactly, Mr. Hardwick. You know from experience that little good comes +of talking too much of a secret project not yet completed." + +The editor drummed with his fingers on the table for a few moments +thoughtfully. + +"Very well, then, it shall be as you say. I should have been very glad +to share the responsibility of failure with you; but if you prefer to +take the whole risk yourself, there is nothing more to be said. The +thousand pounds shall be placed to your credit at once. What next?" + +"On the night of the ball I should like you to have three or four expert +shorthand writers here; I don't know how many will be necessary--you +understand more about that than I do; but it is my intention to dictate +the report right along as fast as I can talk until it is finished, and +I don't wish to be stopped or interrupted, so I want the best +stenographers you have; they are to relieve one another just as if +they were taking down a parliamentary speech. The men had better be in +readiness at midnight; I shall be here as soon after that as possible. +If you will kindly run over their type-written MS. before it goes to +the compositors, I will glance at the proofs when I have finished +dictating." + +"Then you hope to attend the ball yourself." + +"Perhaps." + +"You have just returned from the Tyrol, and I fear you don't quite +appreciate the difficulties that are in the way. This is no ordinary +society function, and if you think even a thousand pounds will gain +admittance to an uninvited guest, you will find yourself mistaken." + +"So I understood from your letter." + +Again the editorial interjection did duty for a laugh. + +"You are very sanguine, Miss Baxter. I wish I felt as confident; +however, we will hope for the best, and if we cannot command success, we +will at least endeavour to deserve it." + +Jennie, with the thousand pounds at her disposal, went to Paris, took +rooms at the most aristocratic hotel, engaged a maid, and set about the +construction of a ball dress that would be a dream of beauty. Luckily, +she knew exactly the gown-making resources of Paris, and the craftsmen +to whom she gave her orders were not the less anxious to please her when +they knew that the question of cost was not to be considered. From +Paris she telegraphed in the name of the Princess von Steinheimer to +Claridge's Hotel for an apartment on the night of the ball, and asked +that a suitable equipage be provided to convey her to and from that +festival. + +Arriving at Claridge's, she was well aware her first danger was that +someone who knew the Princess von Steinheimer would call upon her; but +on the valid plea of fatigue from her journey she proclaimed that in no +circumstances could she see any visitor, and thus shipwreck was avoided +at the outset. It was unlikely that the Princess von Steinheimer was +personally known to many who would attend the ball; in fact, the +Princess had given to Jennie as her main reason for refusing the +invitation the excuse that she knew no one in London. She had been +invited merely because of the social position of the Prince in +Vienna, and was unknown by sight even to her hostess, the Duchess of +Chiselhurst. Critically, she compared the chances of success with the +chances of failure, and often it seemed that disaster was inevitable, +unversed as she knew herself to be in the customs of grand society at +one of its high functions, but nevertheless she was undaunted by the +odds against her, and resolved to stake a career on the fortunes of a +night. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +JENNIE MIXES WITH THE ELITE OF EARTH. + + +It is said that a woman magnificently robed is superior to all earthly +tribulations. Such was the case with Jennie as she left her carriage, +walked along the strip of carpet which lay across the pavement under a +canopy, and entered the great hall of the Duke of Chiselhurst's town +house, one of the huge palaces of Western London. Nothing so resplendent +had she ever witnessed, or even imagined, as the scene which met her eye +when she found herself about to ascend the broad stairway at the top of +which the hostess stood to receive her distinguished guests. Early as +she was, the stairway and the rooms beyond seemed already thronged. +Splendid menials in gorgeous livery, crimson the predominant colour, +stood on each step at either side of the stair. Uniforms of every +pattern, from the dazzling oriental raiment of Indian princes and +eastern potentates, to the more sober, but scarcely less rich apparel of +the diplomatic corps, ministers of the Empire, and officers, naval +and military, gave the final note of magnificence and picturesque +decoration. Like tropical flowers in this garden of colour were the +ladies, who, with easy grace, moved to and fro, bestowing a smile here +and a whisper there; and yet, despite her agitation, a hurried, furtive +glance around brought to Jennie the conviction that she was, perhaps, +the best-gowned woman in that assemblage of well-dressed people, which +recognition somewhat calmed her palpitating heart. The whole environment +seemed unreal to her, and she walked forward as if in a dream. She +heard someone cry, "The Princess von Steinheimer," and at first had a +difficulty in realizing that the title, for the moment, pertained +to herself. The next instant her hand was in that of the Duchess of +Chiselhurst, and Jennie heard the lady murmur that it was good of her +to come so far to grace the occasion. The girl made some sort of reply +which she found herself unable afterwards to recall, but the rapid +incoming of other guests led her to hope that, if she had used any +unsuitable phrase, it was either unheard or forgotten in the tension of +the time. She stood aside and formed one of the brilliant group at the +head of the stairs, thankful that this first ordeal was well done with. +Her rapidly beating heart had now opportunity to lessen its pulsations, +and as she soon realized that she was practically unnoticed, her natural +calmness began to return to her. She remembered why she was there, +and her discerning eye enabled her to stamp on a retentive memory +the various particulars of so unaccustomed a spectacle whose very +unfamiliarity made the greater impression upon the girl's mind. She +moved away from the group, determined to saunter through the numerous +rooms thrown open for the occasion, and thus, as it were, get her +bearings. In a short time all fear of discovery left her, and she began +to feel very much at home in the lofty, crowded salons, pausing even +to enjoy a selection which a military band, partly concealed in the +foliage, was rendering in masterly manner, led by the most famous +_impressario_ of the day. The remote probability of meeting anyone here +who knew the Princess reassured her, and there speedily came over her +a sense of delight in all the kaleidoscopic bewilderment of this great +entertainment. She saw that each one there had interest in someone +else, and, to her great relief, found herself left entirely alone with +reasonable assurance that this remoteness would continue to befriend her +until the final gauntlet of leave-taking had to be run; a trial still to +be encountered, the thought of which she resolutely put away from her, +trusting to the luck that had hitherto not deserted her. + +Jennie was in this complaisant frame of mind when she was suddenly +startled by a voice at her side. + +"Ah, Princess, I have been searching everywhere for you, catching +glimpses of you now and then, only to lose you, as, alas, has been my +fate on more serious occasion. May I flatter myself with the belief that +you also remember?" + +There was no recognition in the large frightened eyes that were turned +upon him. They saw a young man bowing low over the unresisting hand he +had taken. His face was clear-cut and unmistakably English. Jennie saw +his closely-cropped auburn head, and, as it raised until it overtopped +her own, the girl, terrified as she was, could not but admire the +sweeping blonde moustache that overshadowed a smile, half-wistful, +half-humorous, which lighted up his handsome face. The ribbon of some +order was worn athwart his breast; otherwise he wore court dress, which +well became his stalwart frame. + +"I am disconsolate to see that I am indeed forgotten, Princess, and so +another cherished delusion fades away from me." + +Her fan concealed the lower part of the girl's face, and she looked at +him over its fleecy semicircle. + +"Put not your trust in princesses," she murmured, a sparkle of latent +mischief lighting up her eyes. + +The young man laughed. "Indeed," he said, "had I served my country as +faithfully as I have been true to my remembrance of you, Princess, I +would have been an ambassador long ere this, covered with decorations. +Have you then lost all recollection of that winter in Washington five +years ago; that whirlwind of gaiety which ended by wafting you away to a +foreign country, and thus the eventful season clings to my memory as +if it were a disastrous western cyclone? Is it possible that I must +re-introduce myself as Donal Stirling?" + +"Not Lord Donal Stirling?" asked Jennie, dimly remembering that she had +heard this name in connection with something diplomatic, and her guess +that he was in that service was strengthened by his previous remark +about being an ambassador. + +"Yes, Lord Donal, if you will cruelly insist on calling me so; but this +cannot take from me the consolation that once, in the conservatory +of the White House, under the very shadow of the President, you +condescended to call me Don." + +"You cannot expect one to remember what happened in Washington five +years ago. You know the administration itself changes every four years, +and memories seldom carry back even so far as that." + +"I had hoped that my most outspoken adoration would have left +reminiscence which might outlast an administration. I have not found +forgetting so easy." + +"Are you quite sure of that, Lord Donal?" asked the girl archly, closing +her fan and giving him for the first time a full view of her face. + +The young man seemed for a moment perplexed, but she went on, giving him +little time for reflection. "Have your diplomatic duties taken you away +from Washington?" + +"Yes, to the other end of the earth. I am now in St. Petersburg, with +ultimate hopes of Vienna, Princess. I happened to be in London this +week, and hearing you were to be here, I moved heaven and earth for an +invitation." + +"Which you obtained, only to find yourself forgotten. How hollow this +world is, isn't it?" + +"Alas, yes. A man in my profession sees a good deal of the seamy side of +life, and I fully believe that my rapidly lessening dependence on human +veracity will be shattered by my superiors sending me to Constantinople. +But let me find you a seat out of this crowd where we may talk of old +times." + +"I don't care so much about the past as I do about the present. Let +us go up into that gallery, where you shall point out to me the +celebrities. I suppose you know them all, while I am an entire stranger +to London Society." + +"That is a capital idea," cried the young man enthusiastically. "Yes, I +think I know most of the people here, at least by name. Ah, here comes +the Royal party; we shall just be in time to have a good look at them." + +The band played the National Anthem, and Lord Donal got two chairs, +which he placed at the edge of the gallery, well hidden from the +promenaders by spreading tropical plants. + +"Oh, this _is_ jolly," cried Jennie, quite forgetting the dignity of a +Princess. "You told me why you came to the ball. Do you know why I am +here?" + +"On the remote chance of meeting me whom you pretended to have +forgotten," replied the young man audaciously. + +"Of course," laughed Jennie; "but aside from that, I came to see the +costumes. You know, we women are libellously said to dress for each +other. Away from the world, in the Tyrol, I have little opportunity +of seeing anything fine in the way of dress, and so I accepted the +invitation of the Duchess." + +"Have you the invitation of the Duchess with you?" + +"Yes, I am going to make some notes on the back of it. Would you like to +see it?" She handed him the letter and then leaned back in her chair, +regarding him closely. The puzzled expression on his face deepened as +he glanced over the invitation, and saw that it was exactly what it +purported to be. He gave the letter back to her, saying,-- + +"So you are here to see the fashions. It is a subject I know little +about; but, judging by effect, I should say that the Princess von +Steinheimer has nothing to learn from anyone present. If I may touch on +a topic so personal, your costume is what they call a creation, is it +not, Princess?" + +"It isn't bad," said the girl, looking down at her gown and then +glancing up at him with merriment dancing in her eyes. The diplomat had +his elbow resting on the balustrade, his head leaning on his hand, and, +quite oblivious to everything else, was gazing at her with such absorbed +intentness that the girl blushed and cast down her eyes. The intense +admiration in his look was undisguised. "Still," she rattled on somewhat +breathlessly, "one gets many hints from others, and the creation of +to-day is merely the old clothes of to-morrow. Invention has no vacation +so far as ladies' apparel is concerned. 'Take no thought of the morrow, +wherewithal ye shall be clothed,' may have been a good motto for the +court of Solomon, but it has little relation with that of Victoria." + +"Solomon--if the saying is his--was hedging. He had many wives, you +know." + +"Well, as I was about to say, you must now turn your attention to +the other guests, and tell me who's who. I have already confessed my +ignorance, and you promised to enlighten me." + +The young man, with visible reluctance, directed his thoughts from the +one to the many, and named this person and that, while Jennie, with +the pencil attached to her card, made cabalistic notes in shorthand, +economizing thus both space and time. When at last she had all the +information that could be desired, she leaned back in her chair with a +little sigh of supreme content. Whatever might now betide, her mission +was fulfilled, if she once got quietly away. The complete details of the +most important society event of the season were at her fingers' ends. +She closed her eyes for a moment to enjoy the satisfaction which success +leaves in its train, and when she opened them again found Lord Donal in +his old posture, absorbed in the contemplation of her undeniable beauty. + +"I see you are determined I shall have no difficulty in remembering you +next time we meet," she said with a smile, at the same time flushing +slightly under his ardent gaze. + +"I was just thinking," he replied, shifting his position a little, "that +the five years which have dealt so hardly with me, have left you five +years younger." + +"Age has many privileges, Lord Donal," she said to him, laughing +outright; "but I don't think you can yet lay claim to any of them. +The pose of the prematurely old is not in the least borne out by your +appearance, however hardly the girl you met in Washington dealt with +you." + +"Ah, Princess, it is very easy for you to treat these serious matters +lightly. He laughs at scars who never felt a wound. Time, being above +all things treacherous, often leaves the face untouched the more +effectually to scar the heart. The hurt concealed is ever the more +dangerous." + +"I fancy it has been concealed so effectually that it is not as deep as +you imagined." + +"Princess, I will confess to you that the wound at Washington was as +nothing to the one received at London." + +"Yes; you told me you had been here for a week." + +"The week has nothing to do with it. I have been here for a night--for +two hours--or three; I have lost count of time since I met you." + +What reply the girl might have made to this speech, delivered with all +the fervency of a man in thorough earnest, will never be known, for at +that moment their _tête-à-tête_ was interrupted by a messenger, who +said,-- + +"His Excellency the Austrian Ambassador begs to be permitted to pay his +regards to the Princess von Steinheimer." + +Lord Donal Stirling never took his eyes from the face of his companion, +and he saw a quick pallor overspread it. He leaned forward and +whispered,-- + +"I know the Ambassador; if you do not wish to meet him, I will intercept +him." + +Jennie rose slowly to her feet, and, looking at the young man with a +calmness she was far from feeling, said coldly,-- + +"Why should I not wish to meet the Ambassador of my adopted country?" + +"I know of no reason. Quite the contrary, for he must be an old friend +of yours, having been your guest at the Schloss Steinheimer a year ago." + +He stepped back as he said this, and Jennie had difficulty in +suppressing the gasp of dismay with which she received his disquieting +disclosure, but she stood her ground without wincing. She was face to +face with the crisis she had foreseen--the coming of one who knew +the Princess. Next instant the aged diplomat was bending over her +outstretched hand, which in courtly fashion the old man raised to his +lips. + +"I am delighted to have the privilege of welcoming you to this gloomy +old city, Princess von Steinheimer, which you illumine with your +presence. Do you stay long in London?" + +"The period of illumination is short, your Excellency. I leave for Paris +to-morrow." + +"So soon? Without even visiting the Embassy? I am distressed to hear +of so speedy a desertion, and yet, knowing the charms of the Schloss +Steinheimer, I can hardly wonder at your wish to return there. The +Prince, I suppose, is as devoted as ever to the chase. I must censure +his Highness, next time we meet, for not coming with you to London; then +I am sure you would have stayed longer with us." + +"The Prince is a model husband, your Excellency," said Jennie, with a +sly glance at Lord Donal, whose expression of uncertainty increased +as this colloquy went on, "and he would have come to London without +a murmur had his wife been selfish enough to tear him away from his +beloved Meran." + +"A model husband!" said the ancient count, with an unctuous chuckle. +"So few of us excel in that respect; but there is this to be +said in our exculpation, few have been matrimonially so fortunate +as the Prince von Steinheimer. I have never ceased to long for a +repetition of the charming visit I paid to your delightful home." + +"If your Excellency but knew how welcome you are, your visits would not +have such long intervals between." + +"It is most kind of you, Princess, to cheer an old man's heart by such +gracious words. It is our misfortune that affairs of State chain us to +our pillar, and, indeed, diplomacy seems to become more difficult as the +years go on, because we have to contend with the genius of rising young +men like Lord Donal Stirling here, who are more than a match for old +dogs that find it impossible to learn new tricks." + +"Indeed, your Excellency," said his lordship, speaking for the first +time since the Ambassador began, "the very reverse of that is the case. +We sit humbly at your feet, ambitious to emulate, but without hope of +excelling." + +The old man chuckled again, and, turning to the girl, began to make his +adieux. + +"Then my former rooms are waiting for me at the Castle?" he concluded. + +"Yes, your Excellency, with the addition of two red rocking-chairs +imported from America, which you will find most comfortable +resting-places when you are free from the cares of State." + +"Ah! The rocking-chairs! I remember now that you were expecting them +when I was there. So they have arrived, safely, I hope; but I think you +had ordered an incredible number, to be certain of having at least one +or two serviceable." + +"No; only a dozen, and they all came through without damage." + +"You young people, you young people!" murmured the Ambassador, bending +again over the hand presented to him, "what unheard-of things you do." + +And so the old man shuffled away, leaving many compliments behind him, +evidently not having the slightest suspicion that he had met anyone but +the person he supposed himself addressing, for his eyesight was not of +the best, and an Ambassador meets many fair and distinguished women. + +The girl sat down with calm dignity, while Lord Donal dropped into his +chair, an expression of complete mystification on his clear-cut, honest +face. Jennie slowly fanned herself, for the heat made itself felt at +that elevated situation, and for a few moments nothing was said by +either. The young man was the first to break silence. + +"Should I be so fortunate as to get an invitation to the Schloss +Steinheimer, may I hope that a red rocking-chair will be allotted to me? +I have not sat in one since I was in the States." + +"Yes, one for you; two for the Ambassador," said Jennie, with a laugh. + +"I should like further to flatter myself that your double generosity to +the Ambassador arises solely from the dignity of his office, and is not +in any way personal." + +"I am very fond of ambassadors; they are courteous gentlemen who seem to +have less distrust than is exhibited by some not so exalted." + +"Distrust! You surely cannot mean that I have distrusted you, Princess?" + +"Oh, I was speaking generally," replied Jennie airily. "You seem to seek +a personal application in what I say." + +"I admit, Princess, that several times this evening I have been +completely at sea." + +"And what is worse, Lord Donal, you have shown it, which is the one +unforgivable fault in diplomacy." + +"You are quite right. If I had you to teach me, I would be an ambassador +within the next five years, or at least a minister." + +The girl looked at him over the top of her fan, covert merriment lurking +in her eyes. + +"When you visit Schloss Steinheimer you might ask the Prince if he +objects to my giving you lessons." + +Here there was another interruption, and the announcement was made that +the United States Ambassador desired to renew his acquaintance with +the Princess von Steinheimer. Lord Donal made use of an impatient +exclamation more emphatic than he intended to give utterance to, but on +looking at his companion in alarm, he saw in her glance a quick flash of +gratitude as unmistakable as if she had spoken her thanks. It was quite +evident that the girl had no desire to meet his Excellency, which is not +to be wondered at, as she had already encountered him three times in her +capacity of journalist. He not only knew the Princess von Steinheimer, +but he knew Jennie Baxter as well. + +She leaned back in her chair and said wearily,-- + +"I seem to be having rather an abundance of diplomatic society this +evening. Are you acquainted with the American Ambassador also, Lord +Donal?" + +"Yes," cried the young man, eagerly springing to his feet. "He was a +prominent politician in Washington while I was there. He is an excellent +man, and I shall have no difficulty in making your excuses to him if you +don't wish to meet him." + +"Thank you so much. You have now an opportunity of retrieving your +diplomatic reputation, if you can postpone the interview without +offending him." + +Lord Donal departed with alacrity, and the moment he was gone all +appearance of languor vanished from Miss Jennie Baxter. + +"Now is my chance," she whispered to herself. "I must be in my carriage +before he returns." + +Eager as she was to be gone, she knew that she should betray no haste. +Expecting to find a stair at the other end of the gallery, she sought +for it, but there was none. Filled with apprehension that she would meet +Lord Donal coming up, she had difficulty in timing her footsteps to the +slow measure that was necessary. She reached the bottom of the stair in +safety and unimpeded, but once on the main floor a new problem presented +itself. Nothing would attract more attention than a young and beautiful +lady walking the long distance between the gallery end of the room and +the entrance stairway entirely alone and unattended. She stood there +hesitating, wondering whether she could venture on finding a quiet +side-exit, which she was sure must exist in this large house, when, to +her dismay, she found Lord Donal again at her side, rather breathless, +as if he had been hurrying in search of her. His brows were knit and +there was an anxious expression on his face. + +"I must have a word with you alone," he whispered. "Let me conduct you +to this alcove under the gallery." + +"No; I am tired. I am going home." + +"I quite understand that, but you must come with me for a moment." + +"Must?" she said, with a suggestion of defiance in her tone. + +"Yes," he answered gravely. "I wish to be of assistance to you. I think +you will need it." + +For a moment she met his unflinching gaze steadily, then her glance +fell, and she said in a low voice, "Very well." + +When they reached the alcove, she inquired rather quaveringly--for she +saw something had happened which had finally settled all the young man's +doubts--"Is it the American Ambassador?" + +"No; there was little trouble there. He expects to meet you later in the +evening. But a telegraphic message has come from Meran, signed by the +Princess von Steinheimer, which expresses a hope that the ball will be a +success, and reiterates the regret of her Highness that she could not be +present. Luckily this communication has not been shown to the Duchess. +I told the Duke, who read it to me, knowing I had been with you all the +evening, that it was likely a practical joke on the part of the Prince; +but the Duke, who is rather a serious person, does not take kindly +to that theory, and if he knew the Prince he would dismiss it as +absurd--which it is. I have asked him not to show the telegram to +anyone, so there is a little time for considering what had best be +done." + +"There is nothing for me to do but to take my leave as quickly and +as quietly as possible," said the girl, with a nervous little laugh +bordering closely on the hysterical. "I was about to make my way out by +some private exit if I could find one." + +"That would be impossible, and the attempt might lead to unexpected +complications. I suggest that you take my arm, and that you bid farewell +to her Grace, pleading fatigue as the reason for your early departure. +Then I will see you to your carriage, and when I return I shall +endeavour to get that unlucky telegram from the Duke by telling him +I should like to find out whether it is a hoax or not. He will have +forgotten about it most likely in the morning. Therefore, all you have +to do is to keep up your courage for a few moments longer until you are +safe in your carriage." + +"You are very kind," she murmured, with downcast eyes. + +"You are very clever, my Princess, but the odds against you were +tremendous. Some time you must tell me why you risked it." + +She made no reply, but took his arm, and together they sauntered through +the rooms until they found the Duchess, when Jennie took her leave of +the hostess with a demure dignity that left nothing to be desired. All +went well until they reached the head of the stair, when the Duke, an +ominous frown on his brow, hurried after them and said,-- + +"My lord, excuse me." + +Lord Donal turned with an ill-concealed expression of impatience, but he +was helpless, for he feared his host might not have the good sense to +avoid a scene even in his own hall. Had it been the Duchess, all would +have been well, for she was a lady of infinite tact, but the Duke, as he +had said, was a stupid man, who needed the constant eye of his wife upon +him to restrain him from blundering. The young man whispered, "Keep +right on until you are in your carriage. I shall ask my man here to call +it for you, but please don't drive away until I come." + +A sign brought a serving man up the stairs. + +"Call the carriage of the Princess von Steinheimer," said his master; +then, as the lady descended the stair, Lord Donal turned, with no very +thankful feeling in his heart, to hear what his host had to say. + +"Lord Donal, the American Ambassador says that woman is not the Princess +von Steinheimer, but is someone of no importance whom he has met several +times in London. He cannot remember her name. Now, who is she, and how +did you come to meet her?" + +"My Lord Duke, it never occurred to me to question the identity of +guests I met under your hospitable roof. I knew the Princess five years +ago in Washington, before she was married. I have not seen her in the +interval, but until you showed me the telegraphic message there was no +question in my mind regarding her." + +"But the American Ambassador is positive." + +"Then he has more confidence in his eyesight than I have. If such a +question, like international difficulties, is to be settled by the +Embassies, let us refer it to Austria, who held a long conversation with +the lady in my presence. Your Excellency," he continued to the Austrian +Ambassador, who was hovering near, waiting to speak to his host, "The +Duke of Chiselhurst has some doubt that the lady who has just departed +is the Princess von Steinheimer. You spoke with her, and can therefore +decide with authority, for his Grace seems disinclined to accept my +testimony." + +"Not the Princess? Nonsense. I know her very well indeed, and a most +charming lady she is. I hope to be her guest again before many months +are past." + +"There, my Lord Duke, you see everything is as it should be. If you will +give me that stupid telegram, I will make some quiet inquiries about it. +Meanwhile, the less said the better. I will see the American Ambassador +and convince him of his error. And now I must make what excuses I can to +the Princess for my desertion of her." + +Placing the telegram in his pocket, he hurried down the stair and out to +the street. There had been some delay about the coming of the carriage, +and he saw the lady he sought, at that moment entering it. + +"Home at once as fast as you can," he heard her say to the coachman. She +had evidently no intention of waiting for him. He sprang forward, thrust +his arm through the carriage window, and grasped her hand. + +"Princess," he cried, "you will not leave me like this. I must see you +to-morrow." + +"No, no," she gasped, shrinking into the corner of the carriage. + +"You cannot be so cruel. Tell me at least where a letter will reach you. +I shall not release your hand until you promise." + +With a quick movement the girl turned back the gauntlet of her long +glove; the next instant the carriage was rattling down the street, while +a chagrined young man stood alone on the kerb with a long, slender white +glove in his hand. + +"By Jove!" he said at last, as he folded it carefully and placed it +in the pocket of his coat. "It is the glove this time, instead of the +slipper!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +JENNIE REALIZES THAT GREAT EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEHIND. + + +Jennie Baxter reached her hotel as quickly as a fast pair of horses +could take her. She had succeeded; yet a few rebellious tears of +disappointment trickled down her cheeks now that she was alone in the +semi-darkness of the carriage. She thought of the eager young man left +standing disconsolately on the kerb, with her glove dangling in his +hand, and she bitterly regretted that unkind fortune had made it +possible for her to meet him only under false pretences. One consolation +was that he had no clue to her identity, and she was resolved never, +never to see him again; yet, such is the contrariness of human nature, +no sooner was she refreshed by this determination than her tears flowed +more freely than ever. + +She knew that she was as capable of enjoying scenes like the function +she had just left as any who were there; as fitted for them by +education, by personal appearance, or by natural gifts of the mind, as +the most welcome of the Duchess's guests; yet she was barred out from +them as effectually as was the lost Peri at the closed gate. Why had +capricious fate selected two girls of probably equal merit, and made one +a princess, while the other had to work hard night and day for the mere +right to live? Nothing is so ineffectual as the little word "why"; it +asks, but never answers. + +With a deep sigh Jennie dried her tears as the carriage pulled up at +the portal of the hotel. The sigh dismissed all frivolities, all futile +"whys"; the girl was now face to face with the realities of life, and +the events she had so recently taken part in would soon blend themselves +into a dream. + +Dismissing the carriage, and walking briskly through the hall, she said +to the night porter,-- + +"Have a hansom at the door for me in fifteen minutes." + +"A hansom, my lady?" gasped the astonished man. + +"Yes." She slipped a sovereign into his hand and ran lightly up the +stairs. The porter was well accustomed to the vagaries of great ladies, +although a hansom at midnight was rather beyond his experience. But if +all womankind tipped so generously, they might order an omnibus, and +welcome; so the hansom was speedily at the door. + +Jennie roused the drowsy maid who was sitting up for her. + +"Come," she said, "you must get everything packed at once. Lay out my +ordinary dress and help me off with this." + +"Where is your other glove, my lady?" asked the maid, busily unhooking, +and untying. + +"Lost. Don't trouble about it. When everything is packed, get some +sleep, and leave word to be called in time for the eight o'clock express +for Paris. Here is money to pay the bill and your fare. It is likely I +shall join you at the station; but if I do not, go to our hotel in Paris +and wait for me there. Say nothing of our destination to anyone, and +answer no questions regarding me, should inquiries be made. Are you sure +you understand?" + +"Yes, my lady." A few moments later Jennie was in the cab, driving +through the nearly deserted streets. She dismissed her vehicle at +Charing Cross, walked down the Strand until she got another, then +proceeded direct to the office of the _Daily Bugle_, whose upper windows +formed a row of lights, all the more brilliant because of the intense +darkness below. + +She found the shorthand writers waiting for her. The editor met her at +the door of the room reserved for her, and said, with visible anxiety on +his brow, "Well, what success?" + +"Complete success," she answered shortly. + +"Good!" he replied emphatically. "Now I propose to read the typewritten +sheets as they come from the machine, correct them for obvious clerical +errors, and send them right away to the compositors. You can, perhaps, +glance over the final proofs, which will be ready almost as soon as you +have finished." + +"Very well. Look closely to the spelling of proper names and verify +titles. There won't be much time for me to go carefully over the last +proofs." + +"All right. You furnish the material, and I'll see that it's used to the +best advantage." + +Jennie entered the room, and there at a desk sat the waiting +stenographer; over his head hung the bulb of an electric light, its +green circular shade throwing the white rays directly down on his open +notebook. The girl was once more in the working world, and its bracing +air acted as a tonic to her overwrought nerves. All longings and regrets +had been put off with the Paris-made gown which the maid at that moment +was carefully packing away. The order of nature seemed reversed; the +butterfly had abandoned its gorgeous wings of gauze, and was habited in +the sombre working garb of the grub. With her hands clasped behind her, +the girl paced up and down the room, pouring forth words, two hundred to +the minute, and sometimes more. Silently one stenographer, tiptoeing in, +replaced another, who as silently departed; and from the adjoining room, +the subdued, nervous, rapid click, click, click of the typewriting +machine invaded, without disturbing, her consciousness. Towards three +o'clock the low drone of the rotaries in the cellar made itself felt +rather than heard; the early edition for the country was being run off. +Time was flying--danced away by nimble feet in the West End, worked away +by nimble fingers in Fleet Street (well-named thoroughfare); play and +work, work and play, each supplementing the other; the acts of the +frivolous recorded by the industrious. + +When a little more than three hours' dictating was finished, the voice +of the girl, now as hoarse as formerly it had been musical, ceased; she +dropped into a chair and rested her tired head on the deserted desk, +closing her wearied eyes. She knew she had spoken between 15,000 and +20,000 words, a number almost equal in quantity to that contained in +many a book which had made an author's fame and fortune. And all for the +ephemeral reading of a day--of a forenoon, more likely--to be forgotten +when the evening journals came out! + +Shortly after the typewriter gave its final click the editor came in. + +"I didn't like to disturb you while you were at work, and so I kept at +my own task, which was no light one, and thus I appreciate the enormous +strain that has rested on you. Your account is magnificent, Miss Baxter; +just what I wanted, and never hoped to get." + +"I am glad you liked it," said the girl, laughing somewhat dismally at +the croaking sound of her own voice. + +"I need not ask you if you were there, for no person but one who was +present, and one who knew how to describe, could have produced such a +vivid account of it all. How did you get in?" + +"In where?" murmured Jennie drowsily. She found difficulty in keeping +her mind on what he was saying. + +"To the Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball." + +"Oh, getting in was easy enough; it was the getting out that was the +trouble." + +"Like prison, eh?" suggested the editor. "Now, will you have a little +wine, or something stronger?" + +"No, no. All I need is rest." + +"Then let me call a cab; I will see you home, if you will permit me." + +"I am too tired to go home; I shall remain here until morning." + +"Nonsense. You must go home and sleep for a week if you want to. Rouse +up; I believe you are talking in your sleep now." + +"I understand perfectly what you are saying and what I am doing. I have +work that must be attended to at eight. Please leave orders that someone +is to call me at seven and bring a cup of coffee and biscuits, or rolls, +or anything that is to be had at that hour. And please don't trouble +further. I am very thankful to you, but will express myself better later +on." + +With this the editor had to be content, and was shortly on his way to +his own well-earned rest. To Jennie it seemed but a moment after he had +gone, that the porter placed coffee and rolls on the desk beside her +saying, "Seven o'clock, miss!" + +The coffee refreshed the girl, and as she passed through the editorial +rooms she noted their forlorn, dishevelled appearance, which all places +show when seen at an unaccustomed hour, their time of activity and +bustle past. The rooms were littered with torn papers; waste-baskets +overflowing; looking silent, scrappy, and abandoned in the grey morning +light which seemed intrusive, usurping the place of the usual artificial +illumination, and betraying a bareness which the other concealed. Jennie +recognized a relationship between her own up-all-night feeling and the +spirit of the deserted rooms. + +At the railway station she found her maid waiting for her, surrounded by +luggage. + +"Have you got your ticket?" + +"Yes, my lady." + +"I have changed my mind, and will not go to Paris just now. Ask a porter +to put those trunks in the left-luggage office, and bring me the keys +and the receipt." + +When this was done and money matters had been adjusted between them, +Jennie gave the girl five pounds more than was due to her, and saw +her into the railway carriage, well pleased with the reward. A hansom +brought Jennie to her flat, and so ended the exhausting episode of the +Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball. + +Yet an event, like a malady, leaves numerous consequences in its train, +extending, who shall say, how far into the future? The first symptom of +these consequences was a correspondence, and, as there is no reading +more dreary than a series of letters, merely their substance is given +here. When Jennie was herself again, she wrote a long letter to +the Princess von Steinheimer, detailing the particulars of her +impersonation, and begging pardon for what she had done, while giving +her reasons for doing it; but, perhaps because it did not occur to her, +she made not the slightest reference to Lord Donal Stirling. Two answers +came to this--one a registered packet containing the diamonds which the +Princess had previously offered to her; the other a letter from the +Princess's own hand. The glitter of the diamonds showed Jennie that she +had been speedily forgiven, and the letter corroborated this. In fact, +the Princess upbraided her for not letting her into the secret earlier. +"It is just the jolly kind of thing I should have delighted in," wrote +her Highness. "And then, if I had known, I should not have sent that +unlucky telegram. It serves you right for not taking me into your +confidence, and I am glad you had a fright. Think of it coming in at +that inopportune moment, just as telegrams do at a play! But, Jennie, +are you sure you told me everything? A letter came from London the day +before yours arrived, and it bewildered me dreadfully at first. Don +Stirling, whom I used to know at Washington (a conceited young fellow he +was then--I hope he has improved since), wrote to say that he had met a +girl at the Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball who had a letter inviting the +Princess von Steinheimer to the festivity. He thought at first she was +the Princess (which is very complimentary to each of us), but found +later that she wasn't. Now he wants to know, you know, and thinks, quite +reasonably, that I must have some inkling who that girl was, and he begs +me, by our old friendship, etc., etc., etc. He is a nice young man, if a +trifle confident (these young diplomatists think they hold the reins of +the universe in their hands), and I should like to oblige him, but I +thought first I would hear what you had to say about it. I am to address +him care of the Embassy at St. Petersburg; so I suppose he's stationed +there now. By the way, how did he get your glove, or is that merely brag +on his part? He says that it is the only clue he has, and he is going to +trace you from that, it seems, if I do not tell him who you are and +send him your address. Now, what am _I_ to say when I write to St. +Petersburg?" + +In reply to this, Jennie sent a somewhat incoherent letter, very +different from her usual style of writing. She had not mentioned the +young man in her former communication, she said, because she had been +trying to forget the incident in which he was the central figure. In no +circumstances could she meet him again, and she implored the Princess +not to disclose her identity to him even by a hint. She explained the +glove episode exactly as it happened; she was compelled to sacrifice +the glove to release her hand. He had been very kind in helping her to +escape from a false position, but it would be too humiliating for her +ever to see him or speak with him again. + +When this letter reached the Schloss at Meran, the Princess telegraphed +to London, "Send me the other glove," and Jennie sent it. A few days +later came a further communication from the Princess. + +"I have puzzled our young man quite effectually, I think, clever as +he imagines himself to be. I wrote him a semi-indignant letter to St. +Petersburg, and said I thought all along he had not really recognized +me at the ball, in spite of his protestations at first. Then I saw how +easily he was deluded into the belief that I was some other woman, and +so the temptation to cozen him further was irresistible. Am I not a good +actress? I asked him. I went on to say, with some show of anger, that a +quiet flirtation in the gallery was all very well in its way, but when +it came to a young man rushing in a frenzy bare-headed into the street +after a respectable married woman who had just got into her carriage and +was about to drive away, it was too much altogether, and thus he came +into possession of the glove. As the remaining glove was of no use to +me, I had great pleasure in sending it to him, but warned him that if +the story of the gloves ever came to the ears of my husband, I should +deny having either owned or worn them. I should like to see Don's amazed +look when the other glove drops out of my letter, which was a bulky +package and cost ever so much in postage. I think the sending of the +glove was an inspiration. I fancy his lordship will be now completely +deluded, and that you need have no further fear of his finding you." + +Jennie read this letter over once or twice, and in spite of her friendly +feeling for the Princess, there was something in the epistle that jarred +on her. Nevertheless she wrote and thanked the Princess for what she had +done, and then she tried to forget all about everything pertaining to +the ball. However, she was not allowed to erase all thought of Lord +Donal from her mind, even if she could have accomplished this task +unimpeded. There shortly arrived a brief note from the Princess +enclosing a letter the young diplomatist at St. Petersburg had written. + +"DEAR PRINCESS" (it ran),--"I am very much obliged to you for the +companion glove, as I am thus enabled to keep one and use the other as a +clue. I see you not only know who the mysterious young lady is, but that +you have since met her, or at least have been in correspondence with +her. If the glove does not lead me to the hand, I shall pay a visit to +you in the hope that you will atone for your present cruelty by telling +me where to find the owner of both glove and hand." + +With regard to this note the Princess had written, "Don is not such a +fool as I took him to be. He must have improved during the last few +years. I wish you would write and tell me exactly what he said to you +that evening." + +But with this wish Jennie did not comply. She merely again urged the +Princess never to divulge the secret. + +For many days Jennie heard nothing more from any of the actors in the +little comedy, and the episode began to take on in her thoughts that air +of unreality which remote events seem to gather round them. She went +on with her daily work to the satisfaction of her employers and the +augmentation of her own banking account, although no experience worthy +of record occurred in her routine for several weeks. But a lull in a +newspaper office is seldom of long duration. + +One afternoon Mr. Hardwick came to the desk at which Jennie was at work, +and said to her,-- + +"Cadbury Taylor called here yesterday, and was very anxious to see you. +Has he been in again this afternoon?" + +"You mean the detective? No, I haven't seen him since that day at the +Schloss Steinheimer. What did he want with me?" + +"As far as I was able to understand, he has a very important case +on hand--a sort of romance in high life; and I think he wants your +assistance to unravel it; it seems to be baffling him." + +"It is not very difficult to baffle Mr. Cadbury Taylor," said the girl, +looking up at her employer with a merry twinkle in her eye. + +"Well, he appears to be in a fog now, and he expressed himself to me +as being very much taken with the neat way in which you unravelled the +diamond mystery at Meran, so he thinks you may be of great assistance +to him in his present difficulty, and is willing to pay in cash or in +kind." + +"Cash payment I understand," said the girl, "but what does he mean by +payment in kind?" + +"Oh, he is willing that you should make a sensational article out of the +episode. It deals entirely, he says, with persons in high life--titled +persons--and so it might make an interesting column or two for the +paper." + +"I see--providing, of course, that the tangled skein was unravelled by +the transcendent genius of Mr. Cadbury Taylor," said the girl cynically. + +"I don't think he wants his name mentioned," continued the editor; "in +fact, he said that it wouldn't do to refer to him at all, for if people +discovered that he made public any of the cases intrusted to him, he +would lose his business. He has been working on this problem for several +weeks, and I believe has made little progress towards its solution. His +client is growing impatient, so it occurred to the detective that you +might consent to help him. He said, with a good deal of complacency, +that he did not know you were connected with the _Bugle_, but he put his +wits at work and has traced you to this office." + +"How clever he is!" said Jennie, laughing; "I am sure I made no secret +of the fact that I work for the _Daily Bugle_." + +"I think Mr. Taylor will have no hesitation in agreeing with you that +he is clever; nevertheless, it might be worth while to see him and to +assist him if you can, because nothing so takes the public as a romance +in high life. Here is his address; would you mind calling on him?" + +"Not at all," replied the young woman, copying the street and number in +her note-book. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +JENNIE ASSISTS IN SEARCHING FOR HERSELF. + + +Next day Jennie Baxter drove to the address the editor had given her, +and she found Mr. Cadbury Taylor at home, in somewhat sumptuous offices +on the first floor. Fastened to his door was a brass plate, which +exposed to public view the carven words-- + + CADBURY TAYLOR, + Private Enquiry Agent. + +The detective was quite evidently very glad to see her. + +"I intended calling to-day at the office of the _Bugle_ on the chance of +finding you," he said; "but I am delighted to meet you here, because we +can talk without fear of interruption. Has the editor told you anything +of this case?" + +"Very little; he didn't seem to know much about it himself." + +"It was impossible for me to go into full particulars with him. I could +only give him a hint or two in order to convey to him some idea of the +interest which the mystery, when solved, might have from a newspaper +standpoint. Of course I wished to gain his assistance so that he might, +perhaps, persuade you to help me in this matter." + +"He seems to be quite willing that I should lend what aid I can," said +Jennie; "but I must have full details before I promise. I have a good +deal of work on hand, and, unless this case is interesting from a +newspaper point of view, as you have just said, I don't think that I +should care to touch it." + +"Oh, you will find it of great interest," the detective assured her with +much eagerness. "It relates to the sudden and hitherto unexplained +disappearance of a woman. That of itself is absorbing, for I may tell +you, as one having a large experience, that there is nothing more +difficult in this world than for any person, and more especially for a +woman, to disappear entirely and leave no trace behind." + +"I should have thought it quite easy," said Jennie, "especially in a +large city like London." + +"You have given expression to the universal opinion, but I pledge you my +word that a completely successful disappearance is one of the most +rare events that we detectives have to meet with in our line of +investigation." + +"Please tell me the story," said the girl; "then we can speak more +understandingly about it." + +The detective selected a packet of papers, one of many which occupied +the end of his table. He slipped from it a rubber band which held the +documents together. + +"The first act of the drama, if we may call it so, began at the Duchess +of Chiselhurst's ball." + +"The Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball!" echoed Jennie, with a shudder. "Oh, +dear!" + +The detective looked up at her. + +"Why do you say 'Oh, dear'?" he asked. + +"Because," said the girl wearily, "I am tired hearing of the Duchess of +Chiselhurst's ball; there seems to have been nothing else in the papers +for weeks past." + +"It has excited a great deal of comment," assented the detective; "and, +by the way, the _Daily Bugle_ had one of the best accounts of it that +was printed in any newspaper." + +"So I have heard," said Jennie carelessly, "but I most confess that I +didn't read that copy of the _Bugle_." + +"You amaze me! I should have thought that would have been the first part +of the paper to which any lady would turn. However, the report of the +ball has nothing to do with what we have in hand. Now, you remember the +Princess von Steinheimer, at whose castle I first had the pleasure of +meeting you?" + +"You had the pleasure of meeting me before that," said Jennie, speaking +without giving thought to what she said. + +"Really!" cried the detective, dropping his papers on the table; "and +where was that?" + +"Oh, well, as you have just said--it has nothing to do with this +case. Perhaps I was wrong in saying you saw me; it would be more +correct to say that I saw you. You must remember that you are a +public character, Mr. Taylor." + +"Ah, quite so," said the detective complacently, turning to his +documents again. "Now, the Princess von Steinheimer was invited to the +Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball, but she did not attend it." + +"Are you sure of that?" said the girl. "I thought her name was among the +list of those present." + +"It was in the list, and that is just where our mystery begins. Someone +else attended the ball as the Princess von Steinheimer; it is this +person that I wish to find." + +"Ah, then you are employed by the Duke of Chiselhurst?" + +"No, I am not, for, strangely enough, I believe the Duke thinks it was +actually the Princess who attended the ball. Only one man knows that the +Princess was not present, one man and two women. Of the latter, one is +the Princess von Steinheimer, and the other, the lady who impersonated +her. The one man is Lord Donal Stirling, of the Diplomatic Service, +whose name is no doubt familiar to you. Lord Donal has done me the +honour to place the case in my hands." + +"Why does his lordship wish to find this--this--fraudulent person?" +asked Jennie, speaking slowly and with difficulty. + +"Because," said the detective, with the air of a man who knows whereof +he speaks, "he is in love with her." + +"What makes you think that?" + +"I don't think it, I know it. Listen to his description of her." + +The detective chose a paper from among his pile of documents, folded, +labelled, and docketed for reference. + +"'The girl is of average height, or perhaps a trifle taller than the +average; carries herself superbly, like a born duchess. Her eyes are of +a deep, velvety black--'" + +"Dear me!" cried the girl, "he describes her as if she were a cat!" + +"Wait a moment," said the detective. + +"I don't see much trace of love in that," continued Jennie breathlessly. + +"Wait a moment," repeated the detective. "'They light up and sparkle +with merriment, and they melt into the most entrancing tenderness.'" + +"Good gracious!" cried Jennie, rising, "the conceit of the man is +illimitable. Does he mean to intimate that he saw tenderness for himself +in the eyes of a woman he had met for an hour or two?" + +"That's just it," said the detective, laughing. "You see the man is head +over ears in love. Please sit down again, Miss Baxter, and listen. I +know this sentimental kind of writing must be irksome to a practical +woman like yourself, but in our business we cannot neglect even the +slightest detail. Let's see, where was I?--'tenderness,' oh, yes. 'Her +hair is of midnight darkness, inclined to ripple, with little whiffs of +curls imperiously defying restraint about her temples. Her complexion is +as pure as the dawn, touched now and then with a blush as delicate as +the petal of a rose.'" + +"Absurd!" cried Jennie impatiently. "The complexion of a woman at a +ball! Of course, she put it on for the occasion." + +"Of course," agreed the detective. "But that merely shows you how deeply +in love he is. Lord Donal is quite a young man. He came up to this room +to consult with me, and certainly he doesn't know the difference between +a complexion developed in a Surrey lane and one purchased in New Bond +Street." + +"Still, the blushing would seem to indicate that the complexion was +genuine," retorted Jennie, apparently quite unflattered by Mr. Taylor's +agreement with the theory she herself had put forward. + +"Oh, I don't know about that. I believe modern science enables an +enamelled woman to blush at will; I wouldn't be sure of it, because it +is outside of my own line of investigation, but I have understood such +is the case." + +"Very likely," assented Jennie. "What is that you have at the bottom of +your packet?" + +"That," said the detective, drawing it forth and handing it to the girl, +"is her glove." + +Jennie picked up the glove--which, alas! she had paid for and only +worn on one occasion--and smoothed it out between her fingers. It was +docketed "G; made by Gaunt et Cie, Boulevard Hausmann; purchased in +Paris by one alleging herself to be the Princess von Steinheimer." + +"You have found out all about it," said Jennie, as she finished reading +the label. + +"Yes, it is our business to do so; but the glove has not been of much +assistance to us." + +"How did he say he became possessed of the glove?" asked the girl +innocently. "Did she give it to him?" + +"No; he tore it from her hand as she was leaving him in the carriage. It +seemed to me a most ungentlemanly thing to do, but of course it was not +my business to tell Lord Donal that." + +"So the glove has not been of much assistance to you. Tell me, then, +what you have done, and perhaps I shall be the better able to advise +you." + +"We have done everything that suggested itself. We traced the alleged +Princess from the Hotel Bristol in Pans to Claridge's in London. I have +a very clever woman in Paris who assisted me, and she found where the +gloves were bought and where the dress was made. Did I read you Lord +Donal's description of the lady's costume?" + +"No, never mind that; go on with your story." + +"Well, Claridge's provided carriage, coachman and footman to take her to +the ball, and this returned with her sometime about midnight. Now, here +a curious thing happened. The lady ordered a hansom as she passed the +night-porter and shortly after packed off her maid in the cab." + +"Her maid!" echoed Jennie. + +"Yes. The maid came down in ordinary street dress shortly after, deeply +veiled, and drove away in the hansom; the lady paid her bill next +morning and went to the eight o'clock Paris express, with carriage and +pair, coachman and footman. Of course it struck me that it might be the +lady herself who had gone off in the cab, but a moment's reflection +showed me that she was not likely to leave the hotel in a cab at +midnight, and allow her maid to take the carriage in state next +morning." + +"That doesn't appear reasonable," murmured Jennie. "You made no attempt, +then, to trace the maid?" + +"Oh yes, we did. We found the cabman who took her from Claridge's, +and he left her at Charing Cross Station, but there all trace of her +vanishes. She probably left on one of the late trains--there are only a +few after midnight--to some place out in the country. The lady took a +first-class ticket to Paris, and departed alone next morning by the +eight o'clock Continental express. My assistant discovered her and took +a snapshot of her as she was walking down the boulevard; here is the +picture." + +The detective handed Miss Baxter an instantaneous view of one of the +boulevards taken in bright sunshine. The principal figure in the +foreground Jennie had no difficulty in recognizing as her own maid, +dressed in that _chic_ fashion which Parisian women affect. + +"She seems to answer the description," said Jennie. + +"So I thought," admitted the detective, "and I sent the portrait to Lord +Donal. See what he has written on the back." + +Jennie turned the picture over, and there under the inscription, "H. +Supposed photo of the missing woman," was written in a bold hand, "Bosh! +Read my description of the girl; this is evidently some Paris lady's +maid." + +"Well, what did you do when you got this picture back?" asked Jennie. + +"I remembered you, and went to the office of the _Daily Bugle_. This +brings us to the present moment. You have now the whole story, and I +shall be very pleased to listen to any suggestions you are good enough +to offer." + +The girl sat where she was for a few moments and pondered over the +situation. The detective, resting his elbow on the table and his chin in +his hand, regarded her with eager anticipation. The more Jennie thought +over the matter, the more she was amazed at the man before her, who +seemed unable to place two and two together. He had already spoken of +the account of the ball which had appeared in the _Daily Bugle_; of +its accuracy and its excellence; he knew that she was a member of the +_Bugle_ staff, yet it had never occurred to him to inquire who wrote +that description; he knew also that she had been a guest at the Schloss +Steinheimer when the invitation to the ball must have reached the +Princess. These facts were so plainly in evidence that the girl was +afraid to speak lest some chance word would form the connecting link +between the detective's mind and the seemingly palpable facts. At last +she looked up, the colour coming and going in her cheeks, as Lord Donal +had so accurately described it. + +"I don't think I can be of any assistance to you in this crisis, Mr. +Taylor. You have already done everything that human ingenuity can +suggest." + +"Yes, I have--everything that _my_ human ingenuity can suggest. But does +nothing occur to you? have you no theory to put forward?" + +"None that would be of any practical advantage. Is Lord Donal certain +that it was not the Princess herself whom he met? Are you thoroughly +convinced that there was really an impersonation?" + +"What do you mean, Miss Baxter?" + +"Well, you met Prince von Steinheimer; what do you think of him?" + +"I thought him an overbearing bully, if you ask me. I can't imagine +what English or American girls see in those foreigners to cause them +to marry. It is the titles, I suppose. The Prince was very +violent--practically ordered me out of the Castle, spoke to his +father-in-law in the most peremptory manner, and I could easily see the +Princess was frightened out of her wits." + +"A very accurate characterization of his Highness, Mr. Taylor. Now, of +course, the Princess being a woman--and a young woman--would naturally +be very anxious to attend the Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball, wouldn't +she?" + +"One would think so." + +"And, as you have just said, she has a bear of a husband, a good deal +older than herself, who does not in the least care for such functions as +that to which the Princess was invited. Is it not quite possible that +the Princess actually attended the ball, but, for reasons of her own, +desired to keep the fact of her presence there a secret; and you must +remember that Lord Donal Stirling had not seen the Princess for five +years." + +"For five years?" said the detective sharply. "How did you learn that, +Miss Baxter?" + +"Well, you know," murmured the girl, with a gasp, "he met her last in +Washington, and the Princess has not been in America for five years; so +you see--" + +"Oh, I was not aware that he had met her in America at all; in fact, +Lord Donal said nothing much about the Princess--all his talk had +reference to this lady who impersonated her." + +Jennie leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes for a moment, and +breathed quickly. + +"I am afraid," she said at last, "that I do not remember with sufficient +minuteness the details you have given me, to be able to advise. I can +only suggest that Lord Donal met the Princess herself at the Duchess of +Chiselhurst's ball. The Princess, naturally, would wish to mislead +him regarding her identity; and so, if he had not met her for some +time--say two years, or three years, or five years, or whatever the +period may be--it is quite possible that the Princess has changed +greatly in the interval, and perhaps she was not reluctant to carry on +a flirtation with the young man--your client. Of course, she could not +allow it to go further than the outside of the door of the Duke of +Chiselhurst's town house, for you must remember there was her husband +in the background--a violent man, as you have said; and Lord Donal must +have thoroughly angered the Princess by what you term his rudeness in +tearing off her glove; and now the Princess will never admit that she +was at the ball, so it seems to me that you are wasting your time in a +wild goose chase. Why, it is absurd to think, if there had been a real +disappearing woman, that you, with all your experience and all your +facilities, should not have unearthed her long ago. You said at the +beginning that nothing was more difficult than to disappear. Very well, +then--why have you been baffled? Simply because the Princess herself +attended the ball, and there has been no disappearing lady at all." + +The detective, with great vehemence, brought down his fist on the table. + +"By Jove!" he cried, "I believe you are right. I have been completely +blinded, the more so that I have the clue to the mystery right here +under my own eyes." + +He fumbled for a moment and brought forth a letter from his pile of +documents. + +"Here is a note from St. Petersburg, written by Lord Donal himself, +saying the Princess had sent him the companion glove to the one you +now have in your hand. He says he is sure the Princess knows who her +impersonator was, but that she won't tell; and, although I had read this +note, it never struck me that the Princess herself was the woman. Miss +Baxter, you have solved the puzzle!" + +"I should be glad to think so," replied the girl, rising, "and I am very +happy if I have enabled you to give up a futile chase." + +"It is as plain as daylight," replied the detective. "Lord Donal's +description fits the Princess exactly, and yet I never thought of her +before." + +Jennie hurried away from the detective's office, happy in the belief +that she had not betrayed herself, although she was not blind to the +fact that her escape was due more to good luck than to any presence of +mind of her own, which had nearly deserted her at one or two points in +the conversation. When Mr. Hardwick saw her, he asked how much space he +should have to reserve for the romance in high life; but she told him +there was nothing in the case, so far as she could see, to interest any +sane reader. + +Here matters rested for a fortnight; then the girl received an urgent +note from Cadbury Taylor, asking her to call at his office next day +promptly at four o'clock. It was very important, he said, and he hoped +she would on no account disappoint him. Jennie's first impulse was not +to go, but she was so anxious to learn what progress the detective had +made in the case, fearing that at last he might have got on the right +track, that she felt it would be unwise to take the risk of not seeing +him. If his suspicions were really aroused, her absence might possibly +serve to confirm them. Exactly at four o'clock next afternoon she +entered his office and found him, to her relief, alone. He sprang up +from his table on seeing her, and said in a whisper, "I am so glad you +have come. I am in rather a quandary. Lord Donal Stirling is in London +on a flying visit. He called here yesterday." + +The girl caught her breath, but said nothing. + +"I explained to him the reasons I have for believing that it was +actually the Princess von Steinheimer whom he met at the Duchess of +Chiselhurst's ball. He laughed at me; there was no convincing him. He +said that theory was more absurd than the sending him a picture of +a housemaid as that of the lady he met at the ball. I used all the +arguments which you had used, but he brushed them aside as of no +consequence, and somehow the case did not appear to be as clear as when +you propounded your theory." + +"Well, what then?" asked the girl. + +"Why, then I asked him to come up here at four o'clock and hear what an +assistant of mine would say about the case." + +"At four o'clock!" cried the girl in terror; "then he may be here at any +moment." + +"He is here now; he is in the next room. Come in, and I will introduce +you, and then I want you to tell him all the circumstances which lead +you to believe that it was the Princess herself whom he met. I am sure +you can place all the points before him so tersely that you will succeed +in bringing him round to your own way of thinking. You will try, won't +you, Miss Baxter? It will be a very great obligement to me." + +"Oh, no, no, no!" cried the girl; "I am not going to admit to anyone +that I have been acting as a detective's assistant. You had no right to +bring me here. I must go at once. If I had known this I would not have +come." + +"It won't take you five minutes," pleaded Cadbury Taylor. "He is at this +moment waiting for you; I told him you would be here at four." + +"I can't help that; you had no right to make an appointment for me +without my knowledge and consent." + +Taylor was about to speak when the door-handle of the inner room turned. + +"I say, detective," remarked Lord Donal, in a voice of some irritation, +"you should have assistants who are more punctual. I am a very busy man, +and must leave for St. Petersburg to-night, so I can't spend all my time +in your office, you know." + +"I am sure I beg your pardon, my lord," said the detective with great +obsequiousness. "This young lady has some objections to giving her +views, but I am sure you will be able to persuade her--" + +He turned, but the place at his side was vacant. The door to the hall +was open, and the girl had escaped as she saw the handle of the inner +door turn. Taylor looked blankly at his client with dropped jaw. Lord +Donal laughed. + +"Your assistant seems to have disappeared as completely as did the lady +at the ball. Why not set your detectives on _her_ track? Perhaps she +will prove to be the person I am in search of." + +"I am very sorry, my lord," stammered the detective. + +"Oh, don't mention it. I am sure you have done all that could be done +with the very ineffective clues which unfortunately are our only +possession, but you are quite wrong in thinking it was the Princess +herself who attended the ball, and I don't blame your assistant for +refusing to bolster up an impossible case. We will consider the search +ended, and if you will kindly let me have your bill at the Diplomatic +Club before six o'clock to-night, I will send you a cheque. Good +afternoon, Mr. Taylor." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +JENNIE ELUDES AN OFFER OF MARRIAGE. + + +As Jennie rapidly hurried away from the office of Mr. Cadbury Taylor, +there arose in her mind some agitation as to what the detective would +think of her sudden flight. She was convinced that, up to the moment of +leaving him so abruptly, he had not the slightest suspicion she herself, +to whom he was then talking, was the person he had been searching for up +and down Europe. What must he think of one who, while speaking with him, +suddenly, without a word of leave-taking, disappeared as if the earth +had opened and swallowed her, and all because the handle of the door to +the inner room had turned? Then the excuse she had given for not wishing +to meet Lord Donal must have struck him as ridiculously inadequate. +When she reached her desk and reflected with more calmness over +the situation, she found no cause to censure herself for her hasty +departure; although she had acted on impulse, she saw there had been +nothing else to do; another moment and she would have been face to face +with Lord Donal himself. + +Next day brought a note from the detective which went far to reassure +her. He apologized for having made the appointment without her +permission, and explained that Lord Donal's unexpected arrival in +London, and his stubborn unbelief that it had been the Princess herself +whom he met at the ball, seemingly left the detective no alternative out +to call on the person who had so persistently advanced the theory, to +explain it to the one most intimately concerned. It had not occurred +to him at the time to think that Miss Baxter might object to meet Lord +Donal, who was an entire stranger to her; but now he saw that he was +wrong, etc., etc., etc. This note did much to convince Jennie that, +after all, the detective had not seen the clues which appeared to be +spread so plainly before his eyes. Cadbury Taylor, however, said nothing +about the search being ended, and a few days later Jennie received a +disquieting letter from the Princess von Steinheimer. + +"My dear Jennie," her Highness wrote, "I am sure the detectives are +after you, and so I thought it best to send you a word of warning. Of +course it is only surmise on my part, but for days there has been a +woman hovering about the castle, trying to get information from my +servants. My maid came directly to me and told me what she knew. The +woman detective had spoken to her. This inquisitive person, who had come +from Paris, wished particularly to know whether I had been seen about +the castle during the week in which the Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball +took place; and so this leads me to suppose that some one is making +inquiries for you. It must be either Lord Donal Stirling or the Duke +of Chiselhurst, but I rather think it is the former. I have written an +indignant letter to Lord Donal, accusing him of having caused detectives +to haunt the castle. I have not yet received a reply, but Lord Donal is +a truthful person, and in a day or two I expect to find out whether or +not he has a hand in this business. Meanwhile, Jennie, be on your guard, +and I will write you again as soon as I have something further to tell." + +The reading of this letter greatly increased Jennie's fears, for she +felt assured that, stupid as the men undoubtedly were, they verged so +closely on the brink of discovery, they were almost certain to stumble +upon the truth if the investigation was continued. She wrote a +hurried note to the Princess, imploring her to be cautious, and not +inadvertently give any clue that would lead to her discovery. Her +letter evidently crossed one from the Princess herself. Lord Donal had +confessed, said the letter, and promised never, never to do it again. +"He says that before my letter was received he had stopped the +detectives, who were doing no good and apparently only annoying innocent +people. He says the search is ended, as far as the detective is +concerned, and that I need fear no more intrusions from inquiry agents, +male or female. He apologized very handsomely, but says he has not given +up hopes of finding the lady who disappeared. And now, Jennie, I trust +that you will admit my cleverness. You see that I had only a word or +two from my maid as a clue, but I unravelled the whole plot and at once +discovered who was the instigator of it, so I think I wouldn't make a +bad detective myself. I am tremendously interested in episodes like +this. I believe if I had known nothing of the impersonation, and if the +case had been put in my hands, I should have discovered you long ago. +Can't you think of some way in which my undoubted talent for research +may be made use of? You don't know how much I envy you in your newspaper +office, always with an absorbing mystery on hand to solve. It must be +like being the editor of a puzzle department. I wish you would let me +help you next time you have anything important to do. Will you promise? + +"When you write again, please send your letter to Vienna, as we are +going into residence there, my husband having been unexpectedly called +to the capital. He holds an important position in the Government, as +perhaps you remember." + +Jennie was delighted to know that all inquiry had ceased, and she wrote +a long letter of gratitude to the Princess. She concluded her epistle by +saying: "It is perfectly absurd of you to envy one who has to work as +hard as I. You are the person to be envied. It is not all beer and +skittles in a newspaper office, which is a good thing, for I don't like +beer, and I don't know what skittles is or are. But I promise you that +the next time I have an interesting case on hand I shall write and +give you full particulars, and I am sure that together we shall be +invincible." + +But one trouble leaves merely to give place to another in this life. +Jennie was disturbed to notice that Mr. Hardwick was becoming more and +more confidential with her. He sat down by her desk whenever there was +a reasonable excuse for doing so, and he consulted her on matters +important and on matters trivial. An advance of salary came to her, +and she knew it was through his influence with the board of directors. +Although Mr. Hardwick was sharp and decisive in business matters, he +proved an awkward man where his affections were concerned, and he often +came and sat by the girl's desk, evidently wishing to say something, and +yet quite as evidently having nothing to say; and thus the situation +became embarrassing. Jennie was a practical girl and had no desire to +complicate the situation by allowing her employer to fall in love with +her, yet it was impossible to go to him and ask that his attentions +might be limited strictly to a business basis. The crisis, however, +was brought on by Mr. Hardwick himself. One day, when they were alone +together, he said abruptly,-- + +"That romance in high life which you were investigating with Mr. Cadbury +Taylor did not come to anything?" + +"No, Mr. Hardwick." + +"Then don't you think we might enact a romance in high life in this very +room; it is high enough from the street to entitle it to be called a +romance in high life," and the editor grinned uneasily, like an unready +man who hopes to relieve a dilemma by a poor joke. + +Jennie, however, did not laugh and did not look up at him, but continued +to scribble shorthand notes on the paper before her. + +"Ah, Mr. Hardwick!" she said with a sigh, "I see you have discovered my +secret, although I had hoped to conceal it even from your alert eyes. +I am, indeed, in the situation of _Ralph Rackstraw_ in 'Pinafore,' 'I +love, and love, alas! above my station,' and now that you know half, you +may as well know all. It arose out of that unfortunate ball given by the +Duchess of Chiselhurst which will haunt me all the rest of my life, I +fear," said Jennie, still without looking up. Mr. Hardwick smothered an +ejaculation and was glad that the girl's eyes were not upon him. There +was a pause of a few moments' duration between them. He took the path +which was left open to him, fondly flattering himself that, while he +had stumbled inadvertently upon her romance, he had kept his own secret +safe. + +"I--I have no right to intrude on your confidences, Miss Baxter," +he said finally with an effort, "and I hope you will excuse me +for--for------" + +"Oh! I have been sure for some days you knew it," interrupted the girl, +looking up, but not at him. "I have been neglecting my work, I fear, and +so you were quite right in speaking." + +"No, your work is all right; it wasn't that exactly--but never mind, we +won't speak of this any more, for I see it embarrasses you." + +"Thank you, Mr. Hardwick," said Jennie, again bending her eyes on the +desk before her. + +The man saw the colour come and go in her cheeks, and thought he had +never beheld anyone so entrancing. He rose quickly, without making +further attempt at explanation, and left the room. One or two tear drops +stained the paper on which the girl was scribbling. She didn't like +giving pain to anyone, but could not hold herself to blame for what +had happened. She made up her mind to leave the _Daily Bugle_ and seek +employment elsewhere, but next day Mr. Hardwick showed no trace of +disappointment, and spoke to her with that curt imperiousness which had +heretofore been his custom. + +"Miss Baxter," he said, "have you been reading the newspapers with any +degree of attention lately?" + +"Yes, Mr. Hardwick." + +"Have you been watching the drift of foreign politics?" + +"Do you refer to that speech by the Prime Minister of Austria a week or +two ago?" + +"Yes, that is what I have in my mind. As you know, then, it amounted +almost to a declaration of war against England--almost, but not quite. +It was a case of saying too much or of not saying enough; however, it +was not followed up, and the Premier has been as dumb as a graven image +ever since. England has many enemies in different parts of the world, +but I must confess that this speech by the Austrian Premier came as a +surprise. There must have been something hidden, which is not visible +from the outside. The Premier is too astute a man not to know exactly +what his words meant, and he was under no delusion as to the manner in +which England would take them. It is a case, then, of, 'When I was so +quickly done for, I wonder what I was begun for'--that is what all +Europe is asking." + +"Is it not generally supposed, Mr. Hardwick, that his object was to +consolidate Austria and Hungary? I understood that local politics were +at the bottom of his fiery speech." + +"Quite so, but the rousing of the war spirit in Austria and Hungary was +useless unless that spirit is given something to do. It needs a war, not +a threat of war, to consolidate Austria and Hungary. If the speech had +been followed up by hostile action, or by another outburst that would +make war inevitable, I could understand it. The tone of the speech +indicates that the Prime Minister meant business at the time he gave +utterance to it. Something has occurred meanwhile to change the +situation, and what that something is, all the newspapers in Europe have +been trying to find out. We have had our regular Vienna representative +at work ever since the words were uttered, and for the past two weeks +he has been assisted by one of the cleverest men I could send him from +London; but up to date, both have failed. Now I propose that you go +quietly to Vienna; I shall not let either of the men know you are +investigating the affair at which they have laboured with such little +success; for both are good men, and I do not want to discourage either +of them; still, above all things, I wish to have the solution of this +mystery. So it occurred to me last night that you might succeed where +others had failed. What do you think of it?" + +"I am willing to try," said Miss Baxter, as there flashed across her +mind an idea that here was a case in which the Princess von Steinheimer +could be of the greatest assistance to her. + +"It has been thought," went on the editor, "that the Emperor is +extremely adverse to having trouble with England or any other country. +Still, if that were the case, a new Cabinet would undoubtedly have been +formed after this intemperate address of the Premier; but this man still +holds his office, and there has been neither explanation nor apology +from Court or Cabinet. I am convinced that there is something behind all +this, a wheel within a wheel of some sort, because, the day after the +speech, there came a rumour from Vienna that an attempt had been made on +the life of the Emperor or of the Premier; it was exceedingly vague, but +it was alleged that a dynamite explosion had taken place in the +palace. This was promptly contradicted, but we all know what official +contradictions amount to. There is internal trouble of some kind at +the Court of Vienna, and if we could publish the full details, such an +article would give us a European reputation. When could you be ready to +begin your journey, Miss Baxter?" + +"I am ready now." + +"Well, in an affair like this it is best to lose no time; you can go +to-morrow morning, then?" + +"Oh, certainly, but I must leave the office at once, and you should get +someone to finish the work I am on." + +"I will attend to that," said the editor. + +Thus relieved, Jennie betook herself to a telegraph office. She knew +that if she wrote a letter to the Princess, who was now in Vienna, she +would probably herself reach that city as soon as her note, so she +telegraphed that something important was on hand which would take her to +Vienna by next day's Orient express, and intimated that it was a matter +in which she might need the assistance of the Princess. Then she +hastened to her rooms to pack up. That evening there came an answering +telegram from Vienna. The Princess asked her to bring her ball dress and +all the rest of her finery. The lady added that she herself would be at +the railway station, and asked Jennie to telegraph to her, _en route_, +the time of her arrival. It was evident that her Highness was quite +prepared to engage in whatever scheme there was on hand, and this fact +encouraged Jennie to hope that success perhaps awaited her. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +JENNIE TOUCHES THE EDGE OF A GOVERNMENT SECRET. + + +True to her promise, the Princess von Steinheimer was waiting at the +immense railway station of Vienna, and she received her friend with +gushing effusion. Jennie left the train as neat as when she had entered +it, for many women have the faculty of taking long journeys without +showing the dishevelled effect which protracted railway travelling seems +to have upon the masculine, and probably more careless, portion of +humanity. + +"Oh, you dear girl!" cried the Princess; "you cannot tell how glad I am +to see you. I was just yearning for someone to talk English to. I am so +tired of French and German, although they flatter me by saying that I +speak those two languages extremely well; yet English is my own tongue, +and it is so delightful to talk with one who can understand every +blessed word you say, which you can easily see those who pretend to +speak English in Vienna do not. What long chats we shall have! And now +come this way to the carriage. There is a man here to look after your +luggage. You are coming right home with me and are going to stay with me +as long as you are in Vienna. Don't say, 'No,' nor make any excuse, nor +talk of going to an hotel, for a suite of rooms is all ready for you, +and your luggage will be there before we are. Now let us enter the +carriage, for I am just pining to hear what it is you have on hand. Some +delicious scandal, I hope." + +"No," answered Jennie; "it pertains to Government matters." + +"Oh, dear!" cried the Princess; "how tiresome! Politics are so dull." + +"I don't think this case is dull," said Jennie; "because it has brought +Austria and England to the verge of war." + +"What a dreadful idea! I hadn't heard anything of it. When did this +happen?" + +"Less than a month ago," and Jennie related the whole circumstance, +giving a synopsis of the Premier's speech. + +"But I see nothing in that speech to cause war," protested the Princess. +"It is as mild as new milk." + +"I don't pretend to understand diplomacy," continued Jennie, blushing +slightly as she remembered Lord Donal; and it seemed that the same +thought struck the Princess at the same moment, for she looked +quizzically at Jennie and burst out into a laugh. + +"You may laugh," cried the girl; "but I tell you that this is a serious +business. They say it only needed a second 'new milk' speech from the +Premier to have England answer most politely in words of honey, and next +instant the two countries would have been at each other's throats." + +"Suppose we write to Lord Donal in St. Petersburg," suggested the +Princess, still laughing, "and ask him to come to Vienna and help us? He +understands all about diplomacy. By the way, Jennie, did Lord Donal ever +find out whom he met at the ball that night?" + +"No, he didn't," answered Miss Baxter shortly. + +"Don't you ever intend to let him know? Are you going to leave the +romance unfinished, like one of Henry James's novels?" + +"It isn't a romance; it is simply a very distressing incident which I +have been trying to forget ever since. It is all very well for you to +laugh, but if you ever mention the subject again I'll leave you and go +to an hotel." + +"Oh, no, you won't," chirruped the Princess brightly; "you daren't. You +know I hold all the trump cards; at any time I can send a letter to +Lord Donal and set the poor young man's mind at rest. So you see, Miss +Jennie, you will have to talk very sweetly and politely to me and not +make any threats, because I am like those dreadful persons in the +sensational plays who possess the guilty secrets of other people and +blackmail them. But you are a nice girl, and I won't say anything you +don't want to hear said. Now, what is it you wish to find out about this +political crisis?" + +"I want to discover why the Premier did not follow up his speech with +another. He must have known when he spoke how his words would be taken +in England; therefore it is thought that he had some plans which +unforeseen circumstances intervening have nullified. I want to know what +those unforeseen circumstances were, and what these plans were. For the +past fortnight the _Daily Bugle_ has had two men here in Vienna trying +to throw some light on the dark recesses of diplomacy. Up to date they +have failed, but at any moment they may succeed; it was because they +failed that I am sent here. Now, have you anything to suggest, Madame la +Princesse?" + +"I suggest, Jennie, that we put our heads together and learn all that +those diplomatists wish to hide. Have you no plans yourself?" + +"I have no very definite plan, but I have a general scheme. These men +I spoke of are trying to discover what other men are endeavouring to +conceal. All the officials are on their guard; they are highly placed, +and are not likely to be got at by bribery. They are clever, alert men +of the world, so hoodwinking them is out of the question; therefore I +think my two fellow journalists have a difficult task before them." + +"But it is the same task that you have before you; why is it not as +difficult for you, Jennie, as for them?" + +"Because I propose to work with people who are not on their guard, and +there is where you can help me, if you are not shocked at my proposal. +Each official has a wife, or at least most of them have. Some of these +wives, in all probability, possess the information that we would like to +get. Women will talk more freely with women than men will with men. Now, +I propose to leave the officials severely alone and to interview their +wives." + +The Princess clapped her hands. + +"Excellent!" she cried. "The women of Vienna are the greatest gossips +you ever heard chattering together. I have never taken any interest in +politics, otherwise I suppose I might have become possessed of some +important Government secrets. Now, Jennie, I'll tell you what I propose +doing. I shall give a formal tea next Thursday afternoon. I shall invite +to that tea a dozen, or two dozen, or three dozen wives of influential +officials about the Court. My husband will like that, because he is +always complaining that I do not pay enough attention to the ladies of +the political circle of Vienna. He takes a great interest in politics, +you know. If we discover nothing at the first tea-meeting, we will have +another, and another, and another, until we do. We are sure to invite +the right woman on one of those occasions, and when we find her I'll +warrant the secret will soon belong to us. Ah, here we are at home, and +we will postpone the discussion of our delightful conspiracy until you +have had something to eat and are rested a bit." + +The carriage drew up at the magnificent palace, well known in Vienna, +which belongs to the Prince von Steinheimer; and shortly afterwards +Jennie Baxter found herself in possession of the finest suite of rooms +she had ever beheld in her life. Jennie laughed as she looked round her +apartment and noted its luxuriant appointments. + +"These are not exactly what we should call 'diggings' in London, are +they?" she said to the Princess, who stood by her side, delighted at the +pleasure of her friend. "We often read of poor penny-a-liners in their +garrets; but I don't think any penny-a-liner ever had such a garret as +this placed at his disposal." + +"I knew you would like the rooms," cried the Princess gaily. "I like +them myself, and I hope they will help to induce you to stay in Vienna +as long as you can. I have given you my own maid Gretlich, and I assure +you it isn't every friend I would lend her to; she is a model servant." + +"Oh, but you mustn't do that," said Jennie. "I cannot rob you of your +maid and also be selfish enough to monopolize these rooms." + +"You are not robbing me; in fact, I am, perhaps, a little artful in +giving you Gretlich, for she is down in the dumps this last week or two, +and I don't know what in the world is the matter with her. I suspect it +is some love affair; but she will say nothing, although I have asked +her time and again what is the trouble. Now, you are such a cheery, +consoling young woman that I thought if Gretlich were in your service +for a time she might brighten up and be her own self again. So you +see, instead of robbing me, I am really taking advantage of your good +nature." + +"I am afraid you are just saying that to make it easier for me to be +selfish; still, you are so generous, Princess, that I am not going to +object to anything you do, but just give myself up to luxury while I +stay in Vienna." + +"That is right. Ah, here is Gretlich. Now, Gretlich, I want you to help +make Miss Baxter's stay here so pleasant that she will never want to +leave us." + +"I shall do my best, your Highness," said the girl, with quiet +deference. + +The Princess left the two alone together, and Jennie saw that Gretlich +was not the least ornamental appendage to the handsome suite of rooms. +Gretlich was an excellent example of that type of fair women for which +Vienna is noted; but she was, as the Princess had said, extremely +downcast, and Jennie, who had a deep sympathy for all who worked, spoke +kindly to the girl and endeavoured to cheer her. There was something of +unaccustomed tenderness in the compassionate tones of Jennie's voice +that touched the girl, for, after a brief and ineffectual effort at +self-control, she broke down and wept. To her pitying listener she +told her story. She had been betrothed to a soldier whose regiment was +stationed in the Burg. When last the girl saw her lover he was to be +that night on guard in the Treasury. Before morning a catastrophe of +some kind occurred. The girl did not know quite what had happened. Some +said there had been a dreadful explosion and her lover had lost his +life. Neither the soldier's relatives nor his betrothed were allowed to +see him after the disaster. He had been buried secretly, and it appeared +to be the intention of the authorities to avoid all publicity. The +relatives and the betrothed of the dead soldier had been warned to keep +silence and seek no further information. It was not till several days +after her lover's death that Gretlich, anxious because he did not keep +his appointment with her, and not hearing from him, fearing that he was +ill, began to make inquiries; then she received together the information +and the caution. + +In the presence of death all consolers are futile, and Jennie realized +this as she endeavoured as well as she could to comfort the girl. Her +heart was so much enlisted in this that perhaps her intellect was the +less active; but here she stood on the very threshold of the secret she +had come to Vienna to discover, and yet had not the slightest suspicion +that the girl's tragedy and her own mission were interwoven. Jennie had +wondered at the stupidity of Cadbury Taylor, who failed to see what +seemed so plainly before him, yet here was Jennie herself come a +thousand miles, more or less, to obtain certain information, and here a +sobbing girl was narrating the very item of news that she had come so +far to learn--all of which would seem to show that none of us are so +bright and clever as we imagine ourselves to be. + +In the afternoon the Princess entered Jennie's sitting-room carrying in +her hand a bunch of letters. + +"There!" she cried, "while you have been resting I have been working, +and we are not going to allow any time to be lost. I have written +with my own hand invitations to about two dozen people to our tea on +Thursday; among others, the wife of the Premier, Countess Stron. I +expect you to devote yourself to that lady and tell me the result of +the conversation after it is over. Have you been talking consolation to +Gretlich? I came up here half an hour ago, and it seemed to me I heard +the sound of crying in this room." + +"Oh, yes," said Jennie, "she has been telling me all her trouble. It +seems she had a lover in the army, and he has been killed in some +accident in the Treasury." + +"What kind of an accident?" + +"Gretlich said there had been an explosion there." + +"Dear me! I never heard of it. It is a curious thing that one must come +from London to tell us our own news. An explosion in the Treasury! and +so serious that a soldier was killed! That arouses my curiosity, so I +shall just sit down and write another invitation to the wife of the +Master of the Treasury." + +"I wish you would, because I should like to know something further about +this myself. Gretlich seems to have had but scant information regarding +the occurrence, and I should like to know more about it so that I might +tell her." + +"We shall learn all about it from madame, and I must write that note at +once for fear I forget it." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +JENNIE INDULGES IN TEA AND GOSSIP. + + +On Thursday afternoon there was a brilliant assemblage in the spacious +salon of the Princess von Steinheimer. The rich attire of the ladies +formed a series of kinetographic pictures that were dazzling, for +Viennese women are adepts in the art of dress, as are their Parisian +sisters. Tea was served, not in cups and saucers, as Jennie had been +accustomed to seeing it handed round, but in goblets of clear, thin +Venetian glass, each set in a holder of encrusted filigree gold. There +were all manner of delicious cakes, for which the city is celebrated. +The tea itself had come overland through Russia from China and had not +suffered the deterioration which an ocean voyage produces. The decoction +was served clear, with sugar if desired, and a slice of lemon, and +Jennie thought it the most delicious brew she had ever tasted. + +"I am so sorry," whispered the Princess to Jennie when an opportunity +occurred, "but the Countess Stron has sent a messenger to say that she +cannot be present this afternoon. It seems her husband, the Premier, +is ill, and she, like a good wife, remains at home to nurse him. This +rather upsets our plans, doesn't it?" + +"Oh, I don't know," replied Jennie. "It is more than likely that the +wife of the Premier would be exceedingly careful not to discuss any +political question in this company. I have counted more upon the wife of +a lesser official than upon the Countess Stron." + +"You are right," said the Princess. "and now come with me. I want to +introduce you to the wife of the Master of the Treasury, and from her, +perhaps, you can learn something of the accident that befell the lover +of poor Gretlich." + +The wife of the Master of the Treasury proved to be a garrulous old lady +who evidently prided herself on knowing everything that was taking place +about her. Jennie and she became quite confidential over their goblets +of tea, a beverage of which the old lady seemed inordinately fond. As +the conversation between them drifted on, Jennie saw that here was a +person who would take a delight in telling everything she knew, and +the only question which now arose was whether she knew anything Jennie +wished to learn. But before she tried her on high politics the girl +determined to find out more about the disaster that had made such an +abrupt ending to Gretlich's young dream. + +"I have been very much interested," she said, "in one of the maids here +who lost her lover some weeks ago in an accident that occurred in the +Treasury. The maid doesn't seem to know very much about what happened, +and was merely told that her lover, a soldier who had been on guard +there that night, was dead." + +"Oh, dear, yes!" whispered the old lady, lowering her voice, "what a +dreadful thing that was, four men killed and eight or nine now in the +hospital. My poor husband has had hardly a wink of sleep since the +event, and the Premier is ill in bed through the worry." + +"Because of the loss of life?" asked Jennie innocently. + +"Oh, no, no! the loss of life wouldn't matter; it is the loss of the +money that is the serious thing, and how they are going to replace it or +account for its disappearance I am sure I don't know. The deficiency is +something over two hundred million florins. Was it not awful?" + +"Was the building shattered to such an extent?" inquired Jennie, who did +not stop to think that such a sum would replace any edifice in Vienna, +even if it had been wiped off the face of the earth. + +"The Treasury was damaged, of course, but the cost of repairs will not +be great. No, my child, it is a much more disturbing affair than the +destruction of any state house in the Empire. What has made the Premier +ill, and what is worrying my poor husband into an untimely grave, is +nothing less than the loss of the war chest." + +"The war chest!" echoed Jennie, "what is that?" + +"My dear, every great nation has a war chest. England has one, so has +France, Germany, Russia--no matter how poor a nation may be, or how +difficult it is to collect the taxes, that nation must have a war +chest. If war were to break out suddenly, even with the most prosperous +country, there would be instant financial panic; ready money would be +difficult to obtain; a loan would be practically impossible; and what +war calls for the very instant it is declared is money--not promises +of money, not paper money, not silver money even, but gold; therefore, +every nation which is in danger of war has a store of gold coin. This +store is not composed mainly, or even largely, of the coins of the +nation which owns the store; it consists of the sovereigns of England, +the louis of France, the Willems d'or of Holland, the eight-florin +pieces of Austria, the double-crown of Germany, the half-imperials of +Russia, the double-Frederics of Denmark, and so on. All gold, gold, +gold! I believe that in the war chest of Austria there were deposited +coins of different nations to the value of something like two hundred +million florins. My husband never told me exactly how much was there, +but sometimes when things looked peaceable there was less money in the +war chest than when there was imminent danger of the European outbreak +which we all fear. The war chest of Austria was in a stone-vaulted room, +one of the strongest dungeons in the Treasury. The public are admitted +into several rooms of the Treasury, but no stranger is ever allowed into +that portion of the building which houses the war chest. This room is +kept under guard night and day. For what happened, my husband feels that +he is in no way to blame, and I don't think his superiors are inclined +to charge him with neglect of duty. It is a singular thing that the day +before the disaster took place he of his own accord doubled the guard +that watched over the room and also the approaches to it. The war chest +was at its fullest. Never, so he tells me, was there so much money in +the war chest as at that particular time. Something had occurred that in +his opinion called for extra watchfulness, and so he doubled the guard. +But about midnight there was a tremendous explosion. The strong door +communicating with the passage was wrenched from its hinges and flung +outwards into the hallway. It is said that dynamite must have been used, +and that in a very large quantity. Not a vestige of the chest remained +but a few splintered pieces of iron. The four soldiers in the room were +blown literally to pieces, and those in the passage-way were stunned by +the shock. The fact that they were unconscious for some minutes seems +to have given the criminal, whoever he was, his chance of escape. For, +although an instant alarm was sent out, and none but those who had a +right to be on the premises were allowed out of or in the Treasury, yet +no one was caught, nor has anyone been caught up to this day." + +"But the gold, the gold?" cried Jennie eagerly. + +"There was not a florin of it left. Every piece has disappeared. It is +at once the most clever and the most gigantic robbery of money that has +taken place within our knowledge." + +"But such a quantity of gold," said Jennie, "must have been of enormous +weight. Two hundred million florins! Why, that is twenty million pounds, +isn't it? It would take a regiment of thieves to carry so much away. How +has that been done? And where is the gold concealed?" + +"Ah, my child, if you can answer your own questions the Austrian +Government will pay you almost any sum you like to name. The police are +completely baffled. Of course, nothing has been said of this gigantic +robbery; but every exit from Vienna is watched, and not only that, but +each frontier is guarded. What the Government wants, of course, is to +get back its gold, the result of years of taxation, which cannot very +easily be re-levied." + +"And when did this robbery take place?" asked Jennie. + +"On the night of the 17th." + +"On the night of the 17th," repeated the girl, more to herself than to +the voluble old woman; "and it was on the 16th that the Premier made his +war speech." + +"Exactly," said the old lady, who overheard the remark not intended +for her ears; "and don't you think there was something striking in the +coincidence?" + +"I don't quite understand. What coincidence?" + +"Well, you know the speech of the Premier was against England. It was +not a speech made on the spur of the moment, but was doubtless the +result of many consultations, perhaps with Russia, perhaps with Germany, +or with France--who knows? We have been growing very friendly with +Russia of late; and as England has spies all over the world, doubtless +her Government knew before the speech was made that it was coming; so +the police appear to think that the whole resources of the British +Government were set at the task of crippling Austria at a critical +moment." + +"Surely you don't mean, madame, that the Government of England would +descend to burglary, robbery--yes, and murder, even, for the poor +soldiers who guarded the treasure were as effectually murdered as if +they had been assassinated in the street? You don't imagine that the +British Government would stoop to such deeds as these?" + +The old lady shook her head wisely. + +"By the time you are my age, my dear, and have seen as much of politics +as I have, you will know that Governments stop at nothing to accomplish +their ends. No private association of thieves could have laid such plans +as would have done away with two hundred millions of florins in gold, +unless they had not only ample resources, but also a master brain to +direct them. Nations hesitate at nothing where their interests are +concerned. It was to the interest of no other Empire but England to +deplete Austria at this moment, and see how complete her machinations +are. No nation trusts another, and if Austria had proof that England is +at the bottom of this robbery, she dare not say anything, because her +war chest is empty. Then, again, she cannot allow either Germany or +Russia to know how effectually she has been robbed, for no one could +tell what either of these nations might do under the circumstances. The +Government fears to let even its own people know what has happened. It +is a stroke of vengeance marvellous in its finality. Austria is +crippled for years to come, unless she finds the stolen gold on her own +territory." + +The old lady had worked herself up into such a state of excitement +during her recital that she did not notice that most of her companion +visitors had taken their leave, and when the Princess approached the +two, she arose with some trepidation. + +"My dear Princess," she said, "your tea has been so good, and the +company of your young compatriot has been so charming, that I have done +nothing but chatter, chatter, chatter away about things which should +only be spoken of under one's breath, and now I must hurry away. May I +venture to hope that you will honour me with your presence at one of my +receptions if I send you a card?" + +"I shall be delighted to do so," replied the Princess, with that +gracious condescension which became her so well. + +The garrulous old lady was the last to take her leave, and when the +Princess was left alone with her guest, she cried,-- + +"Jennie, I have found out absolutely nothing, what have you discovered?" + +"Everything!" replied the girl, walking up and down the floor in +excitement over the unearthing of such a bonanza of news. + +"You don't tell me so! Now do sit down and let me know the full +particulars at once." + +When Jennie's exciting story was finished she said,-- + +"You see, this robbery explains why the Premier did not follow up his +warlike speech. The police seem to think that England has had a hand in +this robbery, but of course that is absurd." + +"I am not so sure of that," replied the Princess, taking as she spoke, +the Chicago point of view, and forgetting for the moment her position +among the aristocracy of Europe. "England takes most things it can get +its hands on, and she is not too slow to pick up a gold mine here and +there, so why should she hesitate when the gold is already minted for +her?" + +"It is too absurd for argument," continued Jennie calmly, "so we won't +talk of that phase of the subject. I must get away to England instantly. +Let us find out when the first train leaves." + +"Nonsense!" protested the Princess; "what do you need to go to England +for? You have seen nothing of Vienna." + +"Oh, I can see Vienna another time; I must get to England with this +account of the robbery." + +"Won't your paper pay for telegraphing such an important piece of news? + +"Oh, yes; there would be no difficulty about that, but I dare not trust +either the post or the telegraph in a case like this. The police are on +the watch." + +"But couldn't you send it through by a code? My father always used to do +his cabling by code; it saved a lot of money and also kept other people +from knowing what his business was." + +"I have a code, but I hesitate about trusting even to that." + +"I'll tell you what we'll do," said the Princess. "I want you to stay in +Vienna." + +"Oh, I shall return," said Jennie. "I've only just had a taste of this +delightful city. I'll come right back." + +"I can't trust you to do anything of the kind. When you get to London +you will stay there. Now here is what I propose, and it will have the +additional advantage of saving your paper a day. We will run down +together into Italy--to Venice; then you can take along your code and +telegraph from there in perfect safety. When that is done you will +return here to Vienna with me. And another thing, you may be sure your +editor will want you to stay right here on the spot to let him know of +any outcome of this sensational _dénouement_." + +"That isn't a bad idea," murmured Jennie. "How long will it take us to +get to Venice?" + +"I don't know, but I am sure it will save you hours compared with going +to London. I shall get the exact time for you in a moment." + +Jennie followed the suggestion of the Princess, and together the two +went to the ever-entrancing city of Venice. By the time they reached +there, Jennie had her account written and coded. The long message was +handed in at the telegraph office as soon as the two arrived in Venice. +Jennie also sent the editor a private despatch giving her address in +Venice, and also telling him the reason for sending the telegram from +Italy rather than from Austria or Germany. In the evening she received +a reply from Mr. Hardwick. "This is magnificent," the telegram said. "I +doubt if anything like it has ever been done before. We will startle +the world to-morrow morning. Please return to Vienna, for, as you have +discovered this much, I am perfectly certain that you will be able to +capture the robbers. Of course all the police and all the papers of +Europe will be on the same scent, but I am sure that you will prove a +match for the whole combination." + +"Oh, dear!" cried Jennie, as she handed the message to her friend. "What +a bothersome world this is; there is no finality about anything. One +piece of work simply leads to another. Here I thought I had earned at +least a good month's rest, but, instead of that, a further demand is +made upon me. I am like the genii in fairy tales: no sooner is one +apparently impossible task accomplished than another is set." + +"But what a magnificent thing it would be if you could discover the +robber or robbers." + +"Magnificent enough, yes; but that isn't to be done by inviting a lot of +old women to tea, is it?" + +"True, so we shall have to set our wits together in another direction. +I tell you, Jennie, I know I have influence enough to have you made a +member of the special police. Shall I introduce you as from America, and +say that you have made a speciality of solving mysteries? An appointment +to the special police would allow you to have unrestricted entrance to +the secret portion of the Treasury building. You would see the rooms +damaged by the explosion, and you would learn what the police have +discovered. With that knowledge to begin with, we might then do +something towards solving the problem." + +"Madame la Princesse," cried Jennie enthusiastically, "you are inspired! +The very thing. Let us get back to Vienna." And accordingly the two +conspirators left Italy by the night train for Austria. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +JENNIE BECOMES A SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER. + + +When Jennie returned to Vienna, and was once more installed in her +luxurious rooms at the Palace Steinheimer, she received in due time +a copy of the _Daily Bugle_, sent to her under cover as a registered +letter. The girl could not complain that the editor had failed to make +the most of the news she had sent him. As she opened out the paper she +saw the great black headlines that extended across two columns, and the +news itself dated not from Venice, but from Vienna, was in type much +larger than that ordinarily used in the paper, and was double-leaded. +The headings were startling enough:-- + + PHANTOM GOLD. + + THE MOST GIGANTIC ROBBERY OF MODERN TIMES. + + THE AUSTRIAN WAR CHEST DYNAMITED. + + TWENTY MILLION POUNDS IN COIN LOOTED. + + APPALLING DISASTER AT THE TREASURY IN VIENNA. + + FOUR MEN KILLED, AND SIXTEEN OTHERS MORE OR LESS SERIOUSLY + INJURED. + +"Dear me!" the Princess cried, peering over Jennie's shoulder at these +amazing headings, "how like home that looks. The _Bugle_ doesn't at all +resemble a London journal; it reminds me of a Chicago paper's account of +a baseball match; a baseball match when Chicago was winning, of course, +and when Anson had lined out the ball from the plate to the lake front, +and brought three men in on a home run at a critical point in the game." + +"Good gracious!" cried Jennie, "what language are you speaking? Is it +slang, or some foreign tongue?" + +"It is pure Chicagoese, Jennie, into which I occasionally lapse even +here in prim Vienna. I would like to see a good baseball match, with the +Chicago nine going strong. Let us abandon this effete monarchy, Jennie, +and pay a visit to America." + +"I'll go with pleasure if you will tell me first who robbed the war +chest. If you can place your dainty forefinger on the spot that conceals +two hundred million florins in gold, I'll go anywhere with you." + +"Oh, yes, that reminds me. I spoke to my husband this morning, and asked +him if he could get you enrolled as a special detective, and he said +there would be some difficulty in obtaining such an appointment for a +woman. Would you have any objection to dressing up as a nice young man, +Jennie?" + +"I would very much rather not; I hope you didn't suggest that to the +Prince." + +The Princess laughed merrily and shook her head. + +"No, I told him that I believed that you would solve the mystery if +anyone could, and, remembering what you had done in that affair of +my diamonds, my husband has the greatest faith in your powers as an +investigator; but he fears the authorities here will be reluctant +to allow a woman to have any part in the search. They have very +old-fashioned ideas about women in Austria, and think her proper place +is presiding over a tea-table." + +"Well, if they only knew it," said Jennie archly, "some things have been +discovered over a teacup within our own memories." + +"That is quite true," replied the Princess, "but we can hardly give the +incident as a recommendation to the Austrian authorities. By the way, +have you noticed that no paper in Vienna has said a single word about +the robbery of the war chest?" + +"It must have been telegraphed here very promptly from London, and yet +they do not even deny it, which is the usual way of meeting the truth." + +While they were talking, a message came from his Highness, asking if +he might take the liberty of breaking in upon their conference. A few +moments after, the Prince himself entered the apartment and bowed with +courtly deference to the two ladies. + +"I have succeeded," he said, "beyond my expectations. It seems that a +newspaper in London has published an account of the whole affair, and +the police, who were at their wits end before, are even more flustered +now that the account of the robbery has been made public. By the way, +how did you learn anything about this robbery? It did not strike me at +the time you spoke about Miss Baxter's commission this morning, but I +have been wondering ever since." + +"Jennie received a paper from London," said the Princess hurriedly, +"which said the war chest of Austria had been robbed of two hundred +million florins, but there is nothing about it in the Vienna Press." + +"No," replied the Prince; "nor is there likely to be. The robbery is now +known to all the world except Austria, and I imagine nothing will be +said about it here." + +"Is there, then, any truth in the report?" asked the Princess +innocently. + +"Truth! It's all truth; that is just where the trouble is. There is +little use of our denying it, because this London paper is evidently +well informed, and to deny it we should have to publish something about +the robbery itself, which we are not inclined to do. It is known, +however, who the two correspondents of this London paper are, and I +believe the police are going to make it so interesting for those two +gentlemen that they will be glad to leave Vienna, for a time at least. +Of course, nothing can be done openly, because Englishmen make such a +fuss when their liberties are encroached upon. One of the young men has +been lured across the frontier by a bogus telegram, and I think the +authorities will see that he does not get back in a hurry; the other we +expect to be rid of before long. Of course, we could expel him, but if +we did, it would be thought that we had done so because he had found out +the truth about the explosion." + +"How did you learn of the explosion?" asked the Princess. + +"Oh, I have known all about the affair ever since it happened." + +The Princess gave Jennie a quick look, which said as plainly as words, +"Here was the news that we wanted in our household, and we never +suspected it." "Why didn't you tell me?" cried the Princess indignantly. + +"Well, you see, my dear, you never took much interest in politics, and I +did not think the news would have any attraction for you; besides," he +added, with a smile, "we were all cautioned to keep the matter as secret +as possible." + +"And wonderfully well you have managed it!" exclaimed the Princess. +"That shows what comes of trusting a secret to a lot of men; here it is, +published to all the world." + +"Not quite all the world my dear. As I have said, Austria will know +nothing regarding it." + +"The Princess tells me," said Jennie, "that you were kind enough to +endeavour to get me permission to make some investigation into this +mystery. Have you succeeded?" + +"Yes, Miss Baxter, as I said, I have succeeded quite beyond my +expectations, for the lady detective is comparatively an innovation in +Vienna. However, the truth is, the police are completely in a fog, and +they are ready to welcome help from whatever quarter it comes. Here is a +written permit from the very highest authority, which you do not need to +use except in a case of emergency. Here is also an order from the Chief +of Police, which will open for you every door in Vienna; and finally, +here is a badge which you can pin on some not too conspicuous portion +of your clothing. This badge, I understand, is rarely given out. It is +partly civil and partly military. You can show it to any guard, who +will, on seeing it, give you the right-of-way. In case he does not, +appeal to his superior officer, and allow him to read your police +permit. Should that fail, then play your trump card, which is this +highly important document. The Director of the Police, who is a very +shrewd man, seemed anxious to make your acquaintance before you began +your investigation. He asked me if you would call upon him, but seemed +taken aback when I told him you were my wife's friend and a guest at our +house, so he suggested that you would in all probability wish first to +see the scene of the explosion, and proposed that he should call here +with his carriage and accompany you to the Treasury. He wished to know +if four o'clock in the afternoon would suit your convenience!" + +"Oh, yes!" replied Jennie. "I am eager to begin at once, and, of course, +I shall be much obliged to him if he will act as my guide in the vaults +of the Treasury, and tell me how much they have already discovered." + +"You must not expect much information from the police--in fact, I doubt +if they have discovered anything. Still, if they have, they are more +than likely to keep it to themselves; and I imagine they will hold +a pretty close watch on you, being more anxious to learn what you +discover, and thus take the credit if they can, than to furnish you with +any knowledge of the affair they may happen to possess." + +"That is quite natural, and only what one has a right to expect. I don't +wish to rob the police of whatever repute there is to be gained from +this investigation, and I am quite willing to turn over to them any +clues I may happen to chance upon." + +"Well, if you can convince the Director of that, you will have all the +assistance he can give you. It wouldn't be bad tactics to let him know +that you are acting merely in an amateur way, and that you have no +desire to rob the police of their glory when it comes to the solving of +the problem." Promptly at four o'clock the Director of the Police put +in an appearance at the Palace Steinheimer. He appeared to be a most +obsequious, highly decorated old gentleman, in a very resplendent +uniform, and he could hardly conceal his surprise at learning that the +lady detective was a woman so young and so pretty. Charmed as he was +to find himself in the company of one so engaging, it was nevertheless +evident to Jennie that he placed no very high estimate on the assistance +she might be able to give in solving the mystery of the Treasury. This +trend of mind, she thought, had its advantages, for the Director would +be less loth to give her full particulars of what had already been +accomplished by the police. + +Jennie accompanied the Director to that extensive mass of buildings of +which the Treasury forms a part. The carriage drew up at a doorway, and +here the Director and his companion got out. He led the way into the +edifice, then, descending a stair, entered an arched corridor, at the +door of which two soldiers stood on guard, who saluted as the Chief +passed them. + +"Does this lead to the room where the explosion took place?" asked +Jennie. "Yes." "And is this the only entrance?" "The only entrance, +madame." "Were the men on guard in this doorway injured by the +explosion?" "Yes. They were not seriously injured, but were rendered +incapable for a time of attending to their duties." "Then a person could +have escaped without their seeing him?" "A whole regiment of persons +might have escaped. You will understand the situation exactly if I +compare this corridor to a long cannon, the room at the end being the +breech-loading chamber. Two guards were inside the room, and two others +stood outside the door that communicated with this corridor. These four +men were killed instantly. Of the guards inside the room not a vestige +has been found. The door, one of the strongest that can be made, +somewhat similar to the door of a safe, was flung outward and crushed to +the floor the two guards who stood outside it in the corridor. Between +the chamber in which the chest lay and the outside entrance were sixteen +men on guard. Every one of these was flung down, for the blast, if I may +call it so, travelled through this straight corridor like the charge +along the inside of the muzzle of a gun. The guards nearest the treasure +chamber were, of course, the more seriously injured, but those further +out did not escape the shock, and the door by which we entered this +corridor, while not blown from its hinges, was nevertheless forced +open, its strong bolts snapping like matches. So when you see the great +distance that intervened between the chamber and that door, you will +have some idea of the force of the explosion." + +"There is no exit, then, from the treasure chamber except along this +corridor?" + +"No, madame. The walls at the outside of the chamber are of enormous +strength, because, of course, it was expected that if an attempt at +robbery were ever made, it would be made from the outside, and it is +scarcely possible that even the most expert of thieves could succeed in +passing two guards at the door, sixteen officers and soldiers along the +corridor, two outside the Treasury door, and two in the chamber itself. +Such a large number of soldiers were kept here so that any attempt at +bribery would be impossible. Among such a number one or two were sure +to be incorruptible, and the guards were constantly changed. Seldom was +either officer or man twice on duty here during the month. With such a +large amount at stake every precaution was taken." + +"Are there any rooms at the right or left of this corridor in which the +thieves could have concealed themselves while they fired the mine?" + +"No, the corridor leads to the treasure chamber alone." + +"Then," said Jennie, "I can't see how it was possible for a number of +men to have made away with the treasure in such circumstances as exist +here." + +"Nevertheless, my dear young lady, the treasure is gone. We think that +the mine was laid with the connivance of one or more officers on duty +here. You see the amount at stake was so large that a share of it would +tempt any nine human beings out of any ten. Our theory is that the train +was laid, possibly electric wires being used, which would be unnoticed +along the edge of the corridor, and that the bribed officer exploded the +dynamite by bringing the ends of the wires into contact. We think the +explosion was a great deal more severe than was anticipated. Probably, +it was expected that the shock would break a hole from the treasure +chamber to the street, but so strong were the walls that no impression +was made upon them, and a cabman who was driving past at the time heard +nothing of the sound of the explosion, though he felt a trembling of the +ground, and thought for a moment there had been a shock of earthquake." + +"You think, then, that the thieves were outside?" + +"That seems the only possible opinion to hold." + +"The outside doors were locked and bolted, of course?" + +"Oh, certainly; but if they had a confederate or two in the large +hallway upstairs, these traitors would see to it that there was no +trouble about getting in. Once inside the large hallway, with guards +stunned by the shock, the way to the treasure chamber was absolutely +clear." + +"There were sentries outside the building, I suppose?" + +"Yes." + +"Did they see any vehicle driving near the Treasury?" + +"No, except the cab I spoke of, and the driver has accounted +satisfactorily for his time that night. The absence of any conveyance +is the strange part of it; and, moreover, the sentries, although pacing +outside the walls of this building, heard nothing of the concussion +beyond a low rumble, and those who thought of the matter at all imagined +an explosion had occurred in some distant part of the city." + +"Then the outside doors in the large hall above were not blown open?" + +"No; the officer reports that they were locked and bolted when he +examined them, which was some minutes, of course, after the disaster had +taken place; for he, the officer in charge, had been thrown down and +stunned, seemingly by the concussion of air which took place." + +As Jennie walked down the corridor, she saw more and more of the +evidences of the convulsion. The thick iron-bound door lay where it had +fallen, and it had not been moved since it was lifted to get the two men +from under it. Its ponderous hinges were twisted as if they had been +made of glue, and its massive bolts were snapped across like bits of +glass. All along the corridor on the floor was a thick coating of dust +and _débris_, finely powdered, growing deeper and deeper until they came +to the entrance of the room. There was no window either in corridor or +chamber, and the way was lit by candles held by soldiers who accompanied +them. The scoria crunched under foot as they walked, and in the chamber +itself great heaps of dust, sand and plaster, all pulverized into minute +particles, lay in the corners of the room, piled up on one side higher +than a man's head. There seemed to be tons of this _débris_, and, as +Jennie looked up at the arched ceiling, resembling the roof of a vaulted +dungeon, she saw that the stone itself had been ground to fine dust with +the tremendous force of the blast. + +"Where are the remnants of the treasure chest?" she asked. + +The Director shook his head. "There are no remnants; not a vestige of it +is to be found." + +"Of what was it made?" + +"We used to have an old treasure chest here made of oak, bound with +iron; but some years ago, a new receptacle being needed, one was +especially built of hardened steel, constructed on the modern principles +of those burglar-proof and fire-proof safes." + +"And do you mean to say that there is nothing left of this?" + +"Nothing that we have been able to discover." + +"Well, I have seen places where dynamite explosions have occurred, but +I know of nothing to compare with this. I am sure that if dynamite has +been used, or any explosive now generally obtainable, there would have +been left, at least, some remnant of the safe. Hasn't this pile of +rubbish been disturbed since the explosion?" + +"Yes, it has been turned over; we made a search for the two men, but we +found no trace of them." + +"And you found no particles of iron or steel?" + +"The heap throughout is just as you see it on the surface--a fine, +almost impalpable dust. We had to exercise the greatest care in +searching through it, for the moment it was disturbed with a shovel +it filled the air with suffocating clouds. Of course we shall have it +removed by-and-by, and carted away, but I considered it better to allow +it to remain here until we had penetrated somewhat further into the +mystery than we have already done." + +Jennie stooped and picked up a handful from the heap, her action caused +a mist to rise in the air that made them both choke and cough, and +yet she was instantly struck by the fact that her handful seemed +inordinately heavy for its bulk. + +"May I take some of this with me?" she asked. + +"Of course," replied the Director. "I will have a packet of it put up +for you." + +"I would like to take it with me now," said Jennie. "I have curiosity to +know exactly of what it is composed. Who is the Government analyst? or +have you such an official?" + +"Herr Feltz, in the Graubenstrasse, is a famous analytical chemist; you +cannot do better than go to him." + +"Do you think he knows anything about explosives?" + +"I should suppose so, but if not, he will certainly be able to tell you +who the best man is in that line." + +The Director ordered one of the soldiers who accompanied him to find a +small paper bag, and fill it with some dust from the treasure chamber. +When this was done, he handed the package to Jennie, who said, "I +shall go at once and see Herr Feltz." + +"My carriage is at your disposal, madame." + +"Oh, no, thank you, I do not wish to trouble you further. I am very much +obliged to you for devoting so much time to me already. I shall take a +fiacre." + +"My carriage is at the door," persisted the Director, "and I will +instruct the driver to take you directly to the shop of Herr Feltz; then +no time will be lost, and I think if I am with you, you will be more +sure of attention from the chemist, who is a very busy man." + +Jennie saw the Director did not wish to let her out of his sight, and +although she smiled at his suspicion, she answered politely,-- + +"It is very kind of you to take so much trouble and devote so much +of your time to me. I shall be glad of your company if you are quite +certain I am not keeping you from something more important." + +"There is nothing more important than the investigation we have on +hand," replied the Chief grimly. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +JENNIE BESTOWS INFORMATION UPON THE CHIEF OF POLICE. + + +A few minutes after leaving the Treasury building the carriage of +the Chief stopped in front of the shop of Herr Feltz in the wide +Graubenstrasse. The great chemist himself waited upon them and conducted +them to an inner and private room. + +"I should be obliged to you if you would tell me the component parts +of the mixture in this package," said Jennie, as she handed the filled +paper bag to the chemist. + +"How soon do you wish to know the result?" asked the man of chemicals. + +"As soon as possible," replied Jennie. + +"Could you give me until this hour to-morrow?" + +"That will do very nicely," replied Jennie, looking up at the Director +of Police, who nodded his head. + +With that the two took their leave, and once more the Director of Police +politely handed the girl into his carriage, and they drove to the Palace +Steinheimer. Here she again thanked him cordially for his attentions +during the day. The Director answered, with equal suavity, that his duty +had on this occasion been a pleasure, and asked her permission to call +at the same hour the next afternoon and take her to the chemist. To this +Jennie assented, and cheerily bade him good-evening. The Princess was +waiting for her, wild with curiosity to know what had happened. + +"Oh, Jennie!" she cried, "who fired the mine, and who robbed the +Government?" + +Jennie laughed merrily as she replied,-- + +"Dear Princess, what a compliment you are paying me! Do you think that +in one afternoon I am able to solve a mystery that has defied the +combined talents of all the best detectives in Austria? I wish the +Director of Police had such faith in me as you have." + +"And hasn't he, Jennie?" + +"Indeed he has not. He watched me every moment he was with me, as if he +feared I would disappear into thin air, as the treasure had done." + +"The horrid man. I shall have my husband speak to him, and rid you of +this annoyance." + +"Oh, no, Princess, you mustn't do anything of the kind. I don't mind it +in the least; in fact, it rather amuses me. One would think he had some +suspicion that I stole the money myself." + +"A single word from the Prince will stop all that, you know." + +"Yes, I know. But I really want to help the Director; he is so utterly +stupid." + +"Now, Jennie, take off your hat and sit down here, and tell me every +incident of the afternoon. Don't you see I am just consumed with +curiosity? I know you have discovered something. What is it?" + +"I will not take off my hat, because I am going out again directly; but, +if you love me, get me a cup of that delicious tea of yours." + +"I shall order it at once, but dinner will be served shortly. You are +surely not going out alone to-night?" + +"I really must. Do not forget that I have been used to taking care of +myself in a bigger city than Vienna is, and I shall be quite safe. You +will please excuse my absence from the dinner-table to-night." + +"Nonsense, Jennie! You cannot be allowed to roam round Vienna in that +Bohemian way." + +"Then, Princess, I must go to an hotel, for this roaming round is +strictly necessary, and I don't want to bring the Palace Steinheimer +into disrepute." + +"Jennie, I'll tell you what we will do; we'll both bring it into +disrepute. The Prince is dining at his club to-night with some friends, +so I shall order the carriage, and you and I will roam round together. +You will let me come, won't you? Where are you going?" + +"I am going to the Graubenstrasse to see Herr Feltz." + +"Oh, I know Herr Feltz, and a dear old man he is; he will do anything +for me. If you want a favour from Herr Feltz, you had better take me +with you." + +"I shall be delighted. Ah, here comes the tea! But what is the use of +ordering the carriage? we can walk there in a very few minutes." + +"I think we had better have the carriage. The Prince would be wild if he +heard that we two went walking about the streets of Vienna at night. So, +Jennie, we must pay some respect to conventionality, and we will take +the carriage. Now, tell me where you have been, and what you have seen, +and all about it." Over their belated decoction of tea Jennie related +everything that had happened. + +"And what do you expect to learn from the analysis at the chemist's, +Jennie?" + +"I expect to learn something that will startle the Director of Police." + +"And what is that? Jennie, don't keep me on tenterhooks in this +provoking way. How can you act so? I shall write to Lord Donal and tell +him that you are here in Vienna, if you don't mind." + +"Well, under such a terrible threat as that, I suppose I must divulge +all my suspicions. But I really don't know anything yet; I merely +suspect. The weight of that dust, when I picked up a handful of it, +seemed to indicate that the gold is still there in the rubbish heap." + +"You don't mean to say so! Then there has been no robbery at all?" + +"There may have been a robbery planned, but I do not think any thief got +a portion of the gold. The chances are that they entirely underestimated +the force of the explosive they were using, for, unless I am very much +mistaken, they were dealing with something a hundred times more powerful +than dynamite." + +"And will the chemical analysis show what explosive was used?" + +"No; it will only show of what the _débris_ is composed. It will settle +the question whether or not the gold is in that dust-heap. If it is, +then I think the Government will owe me some thanks, because the +Director of Police talked of carting the rubbish away and dumping it out +of sight somewhere. If the Government gets back its gold, I suppose the +question of who fired the mine is merely of academic interest." + +"The carriage is waiting, your Highness," was the announcement made to +the Princess, who at once jumped up, and said,-- + +"I'll be ready in five minutes. I'm as anxious now as you are to hear +what the chemist has to say; but I thought you told me he wouldn't have +the analysis ready until four o'clock to-morrow. What is the use of +going there to-night?". + +"Because I am reasonably certain that the Director of Police will see +him early to-morrow morning, and I want to get the first copy of the +analysis myself." + +With that the Princess ran away and presently reappeared with her wraps +on. The two drove to the shop of Herr Feltz in the Graubenstrasse, and +were told that the chemist could not be seen in any circumstances. He +had left orders that he was not to be disturbed. + +"Disobey those orders and take in my card," said the Princess. + +A glance at the card dissolved the man's doubts, and he departed to seek +his master. + +"He is working at the analysis now, I'll warrant," whispered the +Princess to her companion. In a short time Herr Feltz himself appeared. +He greeted the Princess with most deferential respect, but seemed +astonished to find in her company the young woman who had called on him +a few hours previously with the Director of the Police. + +"I wanted to ask you," said Jennie, "to finish your analysis somewhat +earlier than four o'clock to-morrow. I suppose it can be done?" + +The man of science smiled and looked at her for a moment, but did not +reply. "You will oblige my friend, I hope," said the Princess. + +"I should be delighted to oblige any friend of your Highness," answered +the chemist slowly, "but, unfortunately, in this instance I have orders +from an authority not to be disputed." + +"What orders?" demanded the Princess. + +"I promised the analysis at four o'clock to-morrow, and at that hour it +will be ready for the young lady. I am ordered not to show the analysis +to anyone before that time." + +"Those orders came from the Director of Police, I suppose?" The chemist +bowed low, but did not speak. + +"I understand how it is, Jennie; he came here immediately after seeing +you home. I suppose he visited you again within the hour after he left +with this young lady--is that the case, Herr Feltz?" + +"Your Highness distresses me by asking questions that I am under pledge +not to answer." + +"Is the analysis completed?" + +"That is another question which I sincerely hope your Highness will not +press." + +"Very well, Herr Feltz, I shall ask you a question or two of which you +will not be so frightened. I have told my friend here that you would do +anything for me, but I see I have been mistaken." + +The chemist made a deprecatory motion of his hands, spreading them out +and bowing. It was plainly apparent that his seeming discourtesy +caused him deep regret. He was about to speak, but the Princess went +impetuously on. + +"Is the Director of Police a friend of yours, Herr Feltz? I don't mean +merely an official friend, but a personal friend?" + +"I am under many obligations to him, your Highness, and besides that, +like any other citizen of Vienna, I am compelled to obey him when he +commands." + +"What I want to learn," continued the Princess, her anger visibly rising +at this unexpected opposition, "is whether you wish the man well or +not?" + +"I certainly wish him well, your Highness." + +"In that case know that if my friend leaves this shop without seeing the +analysis of the material she brought to you, the Director of Police will +be dismissed from his office to-morrow. If you doubt my influence with +my husband to have that done, just try the experiment of sending us away +unsatisfied." + +The old man bowed his white head. + +"Your Highness," he said, "I shall take the responsibility of refusing to +obey the orders of the Director of Police. Excuse me for a moment." + +He retired into his den, and presently emerged with a sheet of paper in +his hand. + +"It must be understood," he said, addressing Jennie, "that the analysis +is but roughly made. I intended to devote the night to a more minute +scrutiny." + +"All I want at the present moment," said Jennie, "is a rough analysis." + +"There it is," said the chemist, handing her the paper. She read,---- + + Calcium 29 + Iron 4 + Quartz ] + Feldspar ] 27 + Mica ] + Gold 36-1/2 + Traces of other substances 3-1/2 + ------- + Total 100 + +Jennie's eyes sparkled as she looked at the figures before her. She +handed the paper to the Princess saying,-- + +"You see, I was right in my surmise. More than one-third of that heap is +pure gold." + +"I should explain," said the chemist, "that I have grouped the quartz, +feldspar, and mica together, without giving the respective portions of +each, because it is evident that the combination represents granite." + +"I understand," said Jennie; "the walls and the roof are of granite." + +"I would further add," continued the chemist, "that I have never met +gold so finely divided as this is." + +"Have you the gold and other ingredients separated?" + +"Yes, madame." + +"I shall take them with me, if you please." + +The chemist shortly after brought her the components, in little glass +vials, labelled. + +"Have you any idea, Herr Feltz, what explosive would reduce gold to such +fine powder as this?" + +"I have only a theoretical knowledge of explosives, and I know of +nothing that would produce such results as we have here. Perhaps +Professor Carl Seigfried could give you some information on that point. +The science of detonation has been his life study, and he stands head +and shoulders above his fellows in that department." + +"Can you give me his address?" + +The chemist wrote the address on a sheet of paper and handed it to the +young woman. + +"Do you happen to know whether Professor Seigfried or his assistants +have been called in during this investigation?" + +"What investigation, madame?" + +"The investigation of the recent terrible explosion." + +"I have heard of no explosion," replied the chemist, evidently +bewildered. + +Then Jennie remembered that, while the particulars of the disaster in +the Treasury were known to the world at large outside of Austria, no +knowledge of the catastrophe had got abroad in Vienna. + +"The Professor," continued the chemist, noticing Jennie's hesitation, +"is not a very practical man. He is deeply learned, and has made some +great discoveries in pure science, but he has done little towards +applying his knowledge to any everyday useful purpose. If you meet him, +you will find him a dreamer and a theorist. But if you once succeed in +interesting him in any matter, he will prosecute it to the very end, +quite regardless of the time he spends or the calls of duty elsewhere." + +"Then he is just the man I wish to see," said Jennie decisively, and +with that they took leave of the chemist and once more entered the +carriage. + +"I want to drive to another place," said Jennie, "before it gets too +late." + +"Good gracious!" cried the Princess, "you surely do not intend to call +on Professor Seigfried to-night?" + +"No; but I want to drive to the office of the Director of Police." + +"Oh, that won't take us long," said the Princess, giving the necessary +order. The coachman took them to the night entrance of the central +police station by the Hohenstaufengasse, and, leaving the Princess in +the carriage, Jennie went in alone to speak with the officer in charge. + +"I wish to see the Director of Police," she said. + +"He will not be here until to-morrow morning. He is at home. Is it +anything important?" + +"Yes. Where is his residence?" + +"If you will have the kindness to inform me what your business is, +madame, we will have pleasure in attending to it without disturbing Herr +Director." + +"I must communicate with the Director in person. The Princess von +Steinheimer is in her carriage outside, and I do not wish to keep her +waiting." At mention of the Princess the officer bestirred himself and +became tremendously polite. + +"I shall call the Director at once, and he will be only too happy to +wait upon you." + +"Oh, have you a telephone here? and can I speak with him myself without +being overheard?" + +"Certainly, madame. If you will step into this room with me, I will call +him up and leave you to speak with him." + +This was done, and when the Chief had answered, Jennie introduced +herself to him. + +"I am Miss Baxter, whom you were kind enough to escort through the +Treasury building this afternoon." + +"Oh, yes," replied the Chief. "I thought we were to postpone further +inquiry until to-morrow." + +"Yes, that was the arrangement; but I wanted to say that if my plans are +interfered with; if I am kept under surveillance, I shall be compelled +to withdraw from the search." + +A few moments elapsed before the Chief replied, and then it was with +some hesitation. + +"I should be distressed to have you withdraw; but, if you wish to do so, +that must be a matter entirely for your own consideration. I have my +own duty to perform, and I must carry it out to the best of my poor +ability." + +"Quite so. I am obliged to you for speaking so plainly. I rather +surmised this afternoon that you looked upon my help in the light of an +interference." + +"I should not have used the word interference," continued the Chief; +"but I must confess that I never knew good results to follow amateur +efforts, which could not have been obtained much more speedily and +effectually by the regular force under my command." + +"Well, the regular force under your command has been at work several +weeks and has apparently not accomplished very much. I have devoted part +of an afternoon and evening to the matter, so before I withdraw I should +like to give you some interesting information which you may impart to +the Government, and I am quite willing that you should take all the +credit for the discovery, as I have no wish to appear in any way as your +competitor. Can you hear me distinctly?" + +"Perfectly, madame," replied the Chief. + +"Then, in the first place, inform the Government that there has been no +robbery." + +"No robbery? What an absurd statement, if you will excuse me speaking so +abruptly! Where is the gold if there was no robbery?" + +"I am coming to that. Next inform the Government that their loss will +be but trifling. That heap of _débris_ which you propose to cart away +contains practically the whole of the missing two hundred million +florins. More than one-third of the heap is pure gold. If you want to +do a favour to a good friend of yours, and at the same time confer a +benefit upon the Government itself, you will advise the Government to +secure the services of Herr Feltz, so that the gold may be extracted +from the rubbish completely and effectually. I put in a word for Herr +Feltz, because I am convinced that he is a most competent man. To-night +his action saved you from dismissal to-morrow, therefore you should be +grateful to him. And now I have the honour to wish you good-night." + +"Wait--wait a moment!" came in beseeching tones through the telephone. +"My dear young lady, pray pardon any fault you have to find with me, and +remain for a moment or two longer. Who, then, caused the explosion, and +why was it accomplished?" + +"That I must leave for you to find out, Herr Director. You see, I am +giving you the results of merely a few hours' inquiry, and you cannot +expect me to discover everything in that time. I don't know how the +explosion was caused, neither do I know who the criminals are or were. +It would probably take me all day to-morrow to find that out; but as I +am leaving the discovery in such competent hands as yours, I must curb +my impatience until you send me full particulars. So, once again, +good-night, Herr Director." + +"No, no, don't go yet. I shall come at once to the station, if you will +be kind enough to stop there until I arrive." + +"The Princess von Steinheimer is waiting for me in her carriage outside, +and I do not wish to delay her any longer." + +"Then let me implore you not to give up your researches." + +"Why? Amateur efforts are so futile, you know, when compared with the +labours of the regular force." + +"Oh, my dear young lady, you must pardon an old man for what he said in +a thoughtless moment. If you knew how many useless amateurs meddle in +our very difficult business you would excuse me. Are you quite convinced +of what you have told me, that the gold is in the rubbish heap?" + +"Perfectly. I will leave for you at the office here the analysis made by +Herr Feltz, and if I can assist you further, it must be on the distinct +understanding that you are not to interfere again with whatever I may +do. Your conduct in going to Herr Feltz to-night after you had left me, +and commanding him not to give me any information, I should hesitate +to characterize by its right name. When I have anything further to +communicate, I will send for you." + +"Thank you; I shall hold myself always at your command." This telephonic +interview being happily concluded, Jennie hurried to the Princess, +stopping on her way to give the paper containing the analysis to the +official in charge, and telling him to hand it to the Director when he +returned to his desk. This done, she passed out into the night, with the +comfortable consciousness that the worries of a busy day had not been +without their compensation. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +JENNIE VISITS A MODERN WIZARD IN HIS MAGIC ATTIC. + + +When Jennie entered the carriage in which her friend was waiting, the +other cried, "Well, have you seen him?" apparently meaning the Director +of Police. + +"No, I did not see him, but I talked with him over the telephone. I wish +you could have heard our conversation; it was the funniest interview I +ever took part in. Two or three times I had to shut off the instrument, +fearing the Director would hear me laugh. I am afraid that before this +business is ended you will be very sorry I am a guest at your house. I +know I shall end by getting myself into an Austrian prison. Just think +of it! Here have I been 'holding up' the Chief of Police in this +Imperial city as if I were a wild western brigand. I have been +terrorizing the man, brow-beating him, threatening him, and he the +person who has the liberty of all Vienna in his hands; who can have me +dragged off to a dungeon-cell any time he likes to give the order." + +"Not from the Palace Steinheimer," said the Princess, with decision. + +"Well, he might hesitate about that; yet, nevertheless, it is too funny +to think that a mere newspaper woman, coming into a city which contains +only one or two of her friends, should dare to talk to the Chief of +Police as I have done to-night, and force him actually to beg that I +shall remain in the city and continue to assist him." + +"Tell me what you said," asked the Princess eagerly; and Jennie related +all that had passed between them over the telephone. + +"And do you mean to say calmly that you are going to give that man the +right to use the astounding information you have acquired, and allow him +to accept complacently all the _kudos_ that such a discovery entitles +you to?" + +"Why, certainly," replied Jennie. "What good is the _kudos_ to me? All +the credit I desire I get in the office of the _Daily Bugle_ in London." + +"But, you silly girl, holding such a secret as you held, you could have +made your fortune," insisted the practical Princess, for the principles +which had been instilled into her during a youth spent in Chicago had +not been entirely eradicated by residence in Vienna. "If you had gone to +the Government and said, 'How much will you give me if I restore to you +the missing gold?' just imagine what their answer would be." + +"Yes, I suppose there was money in the scheme if it had really been a +secret. But you forget that to-morrow morning the Chief of Police would +have known as much as he knows to-night. Of course, if I had gone alone +to the Treasury vault and kept my discovery to myself, I might, perhaps, +have 'held up' the Government of Austria-Hungary as successfully as I +'held up' the Chief of Police to-night. But with the Director watching +everything I did, and going with me to the chemist, there was no +possibility of keeping the matter a secret." + +"Well, Jennie, all I can say is that you are a very foolish girl. Here +you are, working hard, as you said in one of your letters, merely to +make a living, and now, with the greatest nonchalance, you allow a +fortune to slip through your fingers. I am simply not going to allow +this. I shall tell my husband all that has happened, and he will make +the Government treat you honestly; if not generously. I assure you, +Jennie, that Lord Donal--no, I won't mention his name, since you protest +so strenuously--but the future young man, whoever he is, will not think +the less of you because you come to him with a handsome dowry. But here +we are at home; and I won't say another word on the subject if it annoys +you." + +When Jennie reached her delightful apartments--which looked even more +luxuriantly comfortable bathed in the soft radiance that now flooded +them from quiet-toned shaded lamps than they did in the more garish +light of day--she walked up and down her sitting-room in deep +meditation. She was in a quandary--whether or not to risk sending a +coded telegram to her paper was the question that presented itself to +her. If she were sure that no one else would learn the news, she would +prefer to wait until she had further particulars of the Treasury +catastrophe. A good deal would depend on whether or not the Director of +Police took anyone into his confidence that night. If he did not, he +would be aware that only he and the girl possessed this important +piece of news. If a full account of the discovery appeared in the next +morning's _Daily Bugle_, then, when that paper arrived in Vienna, or +even before, if a synopsis were telegraphed to the Government, as it was +morally certain to be, the Director would know at once that she was the +correspondent of the newspaper whom he was so anxious to frighten out +of Vienna. On the other hand, her friendship with the Princess von +Steinheimer gave her such influence with the Chief's superiors, that, +after the lesson she had taught him, he might hesitate to make any move +against her. Then, again, the news that to-night belonged to two persons +might on the morrow come to the knowledge of all the correspondents in +Vienna, and her efforts, so far as the _Bugle_ was concerned, would have +been in vain. This consideration decided the girl, and, casting off all +sign of hesitation, she sat down at her writing table and began the +first chapter of the solution of the Vienna mystery. Her opening +sentence was exceedingly diplomatic: "The Chief of Police of Vienna has +made a most startling discovery." Beginning thus, she went on to details +of the discovery she had that day made. When her account was finished +and codified, she went down to her hostess and said,-- + +"Princess, I want a trustworthy man, who will take a long telegram to +the central telegraph office, pay for it, and come away quickly before +anyone can ask him inconvenient questions." + +"Would it not be better to call a Dienstmanner?" + +"A Dienstmanner? That is your commissionaire, or telegraph messenger? +No, I think not. They are all numbered and can be traced." + +"Oh, I know!" cried the Princess; "I will send our coachman. He will be +out of his livery now, and he is a most reliable man; he will not answer +inconvenient questions, or any others, even if they are asked." + +To her telegram for publication Jennie had added a private despatch to +the editor, stating that it would be rather inconvenient for her if he +published the account next morning, but she left the decision entirely +with him. Here was the news, and if he thought it worth the risk, +he might hold it over; if not, he was to print it regardless of +consequences. + +As a matter of fact, the editor, with fear and trembling, held the news +for a day, so that he might not embarrass his fair representative, but +so anxious was he, that he sat up all night until the other papers were +out, and he heaved a sigh of relief when, on glancing over them, he +found that not one of them contained an inkling of the information +locked up in his desk. And so he dropped off to sleep when the day was +breaking. Next night he had nearly as much anxiety, for although the +_Bugle_ would contain the news, other papers might have it as well, and +thus for the second time he waited in his office until the other sheets, +wet from the press, were brought to him. Again fortune favoured him, and +the triumph belonged to the _Bugle_ alone. + +The morning after her interview with the Director of Police, Jennie, +taking a small hand-satchel, in which she placed the various bottles +containing the different dusts which the chemist had separated, went +abroad alone, and hailing a fiacre, gave the driver the address of +Professor Carl Seigfried. The carriage of the Princess was always at +the disposal of the girl, but on this occasion she did not wish to be +embarrassed with so pretentious an equipage. The cab took her into a +street lined with tall edifices and left her at the number she had +given the driver. The building seemed to be one let out in flats and +tenements; she mounted stair after stair, and only at the very top did +she see the Professor's name painted on a door. Here she rapped several +times without any attention being paid to her summons, but at last the +door was opened partially by a man whom she took, quite accurately, +to be the Professor himself. His head was white; and his face deeply +wrinkled. He glared at her through his glasses, and said sharply, "Young +lady, you have made a mistake; these are the rooms of Professor Carl +Seigfried." + +"It is Professor Carl Seigfried that I wish to see," replied the girl +hurriedly, as the old man was preparing to shut the door. + +"What do you want with him?" + +"I want some information from him about explosives. I have been told +that he knows more about explosives than any other man living." + +"Quite right--he does. What then?" + +"An explosion has taken place producing the most remarkable results. +They say that neither dynamite nor any other known force could have had +such an effect on metals and minerals as this power has had." + +"Ah, dynamite is a toy for children!" cried the old man, opening the +door a little further and exhibiting an interest which had, up to that +moment, been absent from his manner. "Well, where did this explosion +take place? Do you wish me to go and see it?" + +"Perhaps so, later on. At present I wish to show you some of its +effects, but I don't propose to do this standing here in the +passageway." + +"Quite right--quite right," hastily ejaculated the old scientist, +throwing the door wide open. "Of course, I am not accustomed to visits +from fashionable young ladies, and I thought at first there had been +a mistake; but if you have any real scientific problem, I shall be +delighted to give my attention to it. What may appear very extraordinary +to the lay mind will doubtless prove fully explainable by scientists. +Come in, come in." + +The old man shut the door behind her, and led her along a dark passage, +into a large apartment, whose ceiling was the roof of the building. +At first sight it seemed in amazing disorder. Huge as it was, it was +cluttered with curious shaped machines and instruments. A twisted +conglomeration of glass tubing, bent into fantastic tangles, stood on +a central table, and had evidently been occupying the Professor's +attention at the time he was interrupted. The place was lined with +shelving, where the walls were not occupied by cupboards, and every +shelf was burdened with bottles and apparatus of different kinds. +Whatever care Professor Seigfried took of his apparatus, he seemed to +have little for his furniture. There was hardly a decent chair in the +room, except one deep arm-chair, covered with a tiger's skin, in which +the Professor evidently took his ease while meditating or watching the +progress of an experiment. This chair he did not offer to the young +lady; in fact, he did not offer her a seat at all, but sank down on +the tiger's skin himself, placed the tips of his fingers together, and +glared at her through his glittering glasses. + +"Now, young woman," he said abruptly, "what have you brought for me? +Don't begin to chatter, for my time is valuable. Show me what you have +brought, and I will tell you all about it; and most likely a very simple +thing it is." + +Jennie, interested in so rude a man, smiled, drew up the least decrepit +bench she could find, and sat down, in spite of the angry mutterings +of her irritated host. Then she opened her satchel, took out the small +bottle of gold, and handed it to him without a word. The old man +received it somewhat contemptuously, shook it backward and forward +without extracting the cork, adjusted his glasses, then suddenly seemed +to take a nervous interest in the material presented to him. He rose and +went nearer the light. Drawing out the cork with trembling hands, he +poured some of the contents into his open palm. The result was startling +enough. The old man flung up his hands, letting the vial crash into a +thousand pieces on the floor. He staggered forward, shrieking, "Ah, mein +Gott--mein Gott!" + +Then, to the consternation of Jennie, who had already risen in terror +from her chair, the scientist plunged forward on his face. The girl had +difficulty in repressing a shriek. She looked round hurriedly for a bell +to ring, but apparently there was none. She tried to open the door and +cry for help, but in her excitement could neither find handle nor latch. +It seemed to be locked, and the key, doubtless, was in the Professor's +pocket. She thought at first that he had dropped dead, but the continued +moaning as he lay on the floor convinced her of her error. She bent over +him anxiously and cried, "What can I do to help you?" + +With a struggle he muttered, "The bottle, the bottle, in the cupboard +behind you." + +She hurriedly flung open the doors of the cupboard indicated, and found +a bottle of brandy, and a glass, which she partly filled. The old man +had with an effort struggled into a sitting posture, and she held the +glass of fiery liquid to his pallid lips. He gulped down the brandy, and +gasped, "I feel better now. Help me to my chair." + +Assisting him to his feet, she supported him to his arm-chair, when he +shook himself free, crying angrily, "Let me alone! Don't you see I am +all right again?" + +The girl stood aside, and the Professor dropped into his chair, his +nervous hands vibrating on his knees. For a long interval nothing was +said by either, and the girl at last seated herself on the bench she had +formerly occupied. The next words the old man spoke were, "Who sent you +here?" + +"No one, I came of my own accord. I wished to meet someone who had a +large knowledge of explosives, and Herr Feltz, the chemist, gave me your +address." + +"Herr Feltz! Herr Feltz!" he repeated. "So he sent you here?" + +"No one sent me here," insisted the girl. "It is as I tell you. Herr +Feltz merely gave me your address." + +"Where did you get that powdered gold?" + +"It came from the _débris_ of an explosion." + +"I know, you said that before. Where was the explosion? Who caused it?" + +"That I don't know." + +"Don't you know where the explosion was?" + +"Yes, I know where the explosion was, but I don't know who caused it." + +"Who sent you here?" + +"I tell you no one sent me here." + +"That is not true, the man who caused the explosion sent you here. You +are his minion. What do you expect to find out from me?" + +"I expect to learn what explosive was used to produce the result that +seemed to have such a remarkable effect on you." + +"Why do you say that? It had no effect on me. My heart is weak. I am +subject to such attacks, and I ward them off with brandy. Some day they +will kill me. Then you won't learn any secrets from a dead man, will +you?" + +"I hope, Professor Seigfried, that you have many years yet to live, and +I must further add that I did not expect such a reception as I have +received from a man of science, as I was told you were. If you have no +information to give to me, very well, that ends it; all you have to do +is to say so." + +"Who sent you here?" + +"No one, as I have repeated once or twice. If anyone had, I would give +him my opinion of the errand when I got back. You refuse, then, to tell +me anything about the explosive that powdered the gold?" + +"Refuse? Of course I refuse! What did you expect? I suppose the man who +sent you here thought, because you were an engaging young woman and I +an old dotard, I would gabble to you the results of a life's work. Oh, +no, no, no; but I am not an old dotard. I have many years to live yet." + +"I hope so. Well, I must bid you good morning. I shall go to someone +else." + +The old man showed his teeth in a forbidding grin. + +"It is useless. Your bottle is broken, and the material it contained is +dissipated. Not a trace of it is left." + +He waved his thin, emaciated hand in the air as he spoke. + +"Oh, that doesn't matter in the least," said Jennie. "I have several +other bottles here in my satchel." + +The Professor placed his hands on the arms of his chair, and slowly +raised himself to his feet. + +"You have others," he cried, "other bottles? Let me see them--let me see +them!" + +"No," replied Jennie, "I won't." + +With a speed which, after his recent collapse, Jennie had not expected, +the Professor ambled round to the door and placed his back against +it. The glasses over his eyes seemed to sparkle as if with fire. His +talon-like fingers crooked rigidly. He breathed rapidly, and was +evidently labouring under intense excitement. + +"Who knows you came up to see me?" he whispered hoarsely, glaring at +her. + +Jennie, having arisen, stood there, smoothing down her perfectly fitting +glove, and answered with a calmness she was far from feeling,-- + +"Who knows I am here? No one but the Director of Police." + +"Oh, the Director of Police!" echoed the Professor, quite palpably +abashed by the unexpected answer. The rigidity of his attitude relaxed, +and he became once more the old man he had appeared as he sat in a heap +in his chair. "You will excuse me," he muttered, edging round towards +the chair again; "I was excited." + +"I noticed that you were, Professor. But before you sit down again, +please unlock that door." + +"Why?" he asked, pausing on his way to the chair. + +"Because I wish it open." + +"And I," he said in a higher tone, "wish it to remain locked until we +have come to some understanding. I can't let you go out now; but I shall +permit you to go unmolested as soon as you have made some explanation to +me." + +"If you do not unlock the door immediately I shall take this machine and +fling it through the front window out on the street. The crashing glass +on the pavement will soon bring someone to my rescue, Professor, and, as +I have a voice of my own and small hesitation about shouting, I shall +have little difficulty in directing the strangers where to come." + +As Jennie spoke she moved swiftly towards the table on which stood the +strange aggregation of reflectors and bent glass tubing. + +"No, no, no!" screamed the Professor, springing between her and the +table. "Touch anything but that--anything but that. Do not disturb it an +inch--there is danger--death not only to you and me, but perhaps to the +whole city. Keep away from it!" + +"Very well, then," said Jennie, stepping back in spite of her endeavour +to maintain her self-control; "open the door. Open both doors and +leave them so. After that, if you remain seated in your chair, I +shall not touch the machine, nor shall I leave until I make the +explanations you require, and you have answered some questions that +I shall ask. But I must have a clear way to the stair, in case you +should become excited again." + +"I'll unlock the doors; I'll unlock both doors," replied the old man +tremulously, fumbling about in his pockets for his keys. "But keep away +from that machine, unless you want to bring swift destruction on us +all." + +With an eagerness that retarded his speed, the Professor, constantly +looking over his shoulder at his visitor, unlocked the first door, then +hastily he flung open the second, and tottered back to his chair, where +he collapsed on the tiger skin, trembling and exhausted. + +"We may be overheard," he whined. "One can never tell who may sneak +quietly up the stair. I am surrounded by spies trying to find out what I +am doing." + +"Wait a moment," said Jennie. + +She went quickly to the outer door, found that it closed with a spring +latch, opened and shut it two or three times until she was perfectly +familiar with its workings, then she closed it, drew the inner door +nearly shut, and sat down. + +"There," she said, "we are quite safe from interruption, Professor +Seigfried; but I must request you not to move from your chair." + +"I have no intention of doing so," murmured the old man. "Who sent you? +You said you would tell me. I think you owe me an explanation." + +"I think you owe me one," replied the girl. "As I told you before, +no one sent me. I came here entirely of my own accord, and I shall +endeavour to make clear to you exactly why I came. Some time ago there +occurred in this city a terrific explosion--" + +"Where? When?" exclaimed the old man, placing his hands on the arms of +his chair, as if he would rise to his feet. + +"Sit where you are," commanded Jennie firmly, "and I shall tell you all +I can about it. The Government, for reasons of its own, desires to keep +the fact of this explosion a secret, and thus very few people outside +of official circles know anything about it. I am trying to discover the +cause of that disaster." + +"Are you--are you working on behalf of the Government?" asked the old +man eagerly, a tremor of fear in his quavering voice. + +"No. I am conducting my investigations quite independently of the +Government." + +"But why? But why? That is what I don't understand." + +"I would very much rather not answer that question." + +"But that question--everything is involved in that question. I must know +why you are here. If you are not in the employ of the Government, in +whose employ are you?" + +"If I tell you," said Jennie with some hesitation, "will you keep what I +say a secret?" + +"Yes, yes, yes!" cried the scientist impatiently. + +"Well, I am in the service of a London daily newspaper." + +"I see, I see; and they have sent you here to publish broadcast over +the world all you can find out of my doings. I knew you were a spy the +moment I saw you. I should never have let you in." + +"My dear sir, the London paper is not even aware of your existence. They +have not sent me to you at all. They have sent me to learn, if possible, +the cause of the explosion I spoke of. I took some of the _débris_ to +Herr Feltz to analyze it, and he said he had never seen gold, iron, +feldspar, and all that, reduced to such fine, impalpable grains as was +the case with the sample I left with him. I then asked him who in Vienna +knew most about explosives, and he gave me your address. That is why I +am here." + +"But the explosion--you have not told me when and where it occurred!" + +"That, as I have said, is a Government secret." + +"But you stated you are not in the Government employ, therefore it can +be no breach of confidence if you let me have full particulars." + +"I suppose not. Very well, then, the explosion occurred after midnight +on the seventeenth in the vault of the Treasury." + +The old man, in spite of the prohibition, rose uncertainly to his feet. + +Jennie sprang up and said menacingly, "Stay where you are!" + +"I am not going to touch you. If you are so suspicious of every move +I make, then go yourself and bring me what I want. There is a map of +Vienna pinned against the wall yonder. Bring it to me." + +Jennie proceeded in the direction indicated. It was an ordinary map of +the city of Vienna, and as Jennie took it down she noticed that across +the southern part of the city a semi-circular line in pencil had been +drawn. Examining it more closely, she saw that the stationary part of +the compass had been placed on the spot where stood the building which +contained the Professor's studio. She paid closer attention to the +pencil mark and observed that it passed through the Treasury building. + +"Don't look at that map!" shrieked the Professor, beating the air with +his hands. "I asked you to bring it to me. Can't you do a simple action +like that without spying about?" + +Jennie rapidly unfastened the paper from the wall and brought it to him. +The scientist scrutinized it closely, adjusting his glasses the better +to see, then deliberately tore the map into fragments, numerous and +minute. He rose--and this time Jennie made no protest--went to the +window, opened it, and flung the fluttering bits of paper out into the +air, the strong wind carrying them far over the roofs of Vienna. Closing +the casement, he came back to his chair. + +"Was--was anyone hurt at this explosion?" he asked presently. + +"Yes, four men were killed instantly, a dozen were seriously injured and +are now in hospital." + +"Oh, my God--my God!" cried the old man, covering his face with his +hands, swaying from side to side in his chair like a man tortured with +agony and remorse. At last he lifted a face that had grown more pinched +and yellow within the last few minutes. + +"I can tell you nothing," he said, moistening his parched lips. + +"You mean that you _will_ tell me nothing, for I see plainly that you +know everything." + +"I knew nothing of any explosion until you spoke of it. What have I to +do with the Treasury or the Government?" + +"That is just what I want to know." + +"It is absurd. I am no conspirator, but a man of learning." + +"Then you have nothing to fear, Herr Seigfried. If you are innocent, why +are you so loth to give me any assistance in this matter?" + +"It has nothing to do with me. I am a scientist--I am a scientist. All +I wish is to be left alone with my studies. I have nothing to do with +governments or newspapers, or anything belonging to them." + +Jennie sat tracing a pattern on the dusty floor with the point of her +parasol. She spoke very quietly:-- + +"The pencilled line which you drew on the map of Vienna passed through +the Treasury building; the centre of the circle was this garret. Why did +you draw that pencilled semi-circle? Why were you anxious that I should +not see you had done so? Why did you destroy the map?" + +Professor Seigfried sat there looking at her with dropped jaw, but he +made no reply. + +"If you will excuse my saying so," the girl went on, "you are acting +very childishly. It is evident to me that you are no criminal, yet if +the Director of Police had been in my place he would have arrested you +long ago, and that merely because of your own foolish actions." + +"The map proved nothing," he said at last, haltingly, "and besides, both +you and the Director will now have some difficulty in finding it." + +"That is further proof of your folly. The Director doesn't need to find +it. I am here to testify that I saw the map, saw the curved line passing +through the Treasury, and saw you destroy what you thought was an +incriminating piece of evidence. It would be much better if you would +deal as frankly with me as I have done with you. Then I shall give you +the best advice I can--if my advice will be of any assistance to you." + +"Yes, and publish it to all the world." + +"It will have to be published to all the world in any case, for, if I +leave here without full knowledge, I will simply go to the police office +and there tell what I have learned in this room." + +"And if I do speak, you will still go to the Director of the Police and +tell him what you have discovered." + +"No, I give you my word that I will not." + +"What guarantee have I of that?" asked the old man suspiciously. + +"No guarantee at all except my word!" + +"Will you promise not to print in your paper what I tell you?" + +"No, I cannot promise that!" + +"Still, the newspaper doesn't matter," continued the scientist. "The +story would be valueless to you, because no one would believe it. There +is little use in printing a story in a newspaper that will be laughed +at, is there? However, I think you are honest, otherwise you would have +promised not to print a line of what I tell you, and then I should have +known you were lying. It was as easy to promise that as to say you would +not tell the Director of Police. I thought at first some scientific +rival had sent you here to play the spy on me, and learn what I was +doing. I assure you I heard nothing about the explosion you speak of, +yet I was certain it had occurred somewhere along that line which I drew +on the map. I had hoped it was not serious, and begun to believe it was +not. The anxiety of the last month has nearly driven me insane, and, as +you say quite truly, my actions have been childish." The old man in his +excitement had risen from his chair and was now pacing up and down the +room, running his fingers distractedly through his long white hair, and +talking more to himself than to his auditor. + +Jennie had edged her chair nearer to the door, and had made no protest +against his rising, fearing to interrupt his flow of talk and again +arouse his suspicions. + +"I have no wish to protect my inventions. I have never taken out a +patent in my life. What I discover I give freely to the world, but I +will not be robbed of my reputation as a scientist. I want my name to go +down to posterity among those of the great discoverers. You talked just +now of going to the police and telling them what you knew. Foolish +creature! You could no more have gone to the central police office +without my permission, or against my will, than you could go to the +window and whistle back those bits of paper I scattered to the winds. +Before you reached the bottom of the stairs I could have laid Vienna +in a mass of ruins. Yes, I could in all probability have blown up the +entire Empire of Austria. The truth is, that I do not know the limit of +my power, nor dare I test it." + +"Oh, this is a madman!" thought Jennie, as she edged still nearer to the +door. The old man paused in his walk and turned fiercely upon her. + +"You don't believe me?" he said. + +"No, I do not," she answered, the colour leaving her cheeks. + +The aged wizard gave utterance to a hideous chuckle. He took from one of +his numerous shelves a hammer-head without the handle, and for a moment +Jennie thought he was going to attack her; but he merely handed the +metal to her and said,-- + +"Break that in two. Place it between your palms and grind it to powder." + +"You know that is absurd; I cannot do it." + +"Why can't you do it?" + +"Because it is of steel." + +"That is no reason. Why can't you do it?" + +He glared at her fiercely over his glasses, and she saw in his wild eye +all the enthusiasm of an instructor enlightening a pupil. + +"I'll tell you why you can't do it; because every minute particle of +it is held together by an enormous force. It may be heated red-hot +and beaten into this shape and that, but still the force hangs on as +tenaciously as the grip of a giant. Now suppose I had some substance, +a drop of which, placed on that piece of iron, would release the force +which holds the particles together--what would happen?" + +"I don't know," replied Jennie. + +"Oh, yes you do!" cried the Professor impatiently; "but you are like +every other woman--you won't take the trouble to think. What would +happen is this. The force that held the particles together would be +released, and the hammer would fall to powder like that gold you showed +me. The explosion that followed, caused by the sudden release of the +power, would probably wreck this room and extinguish both our lives. You +understand that, do you not?" + +"Yes, I think I do." + +"Well, here is something you won't understand, and probably won't +believe when you hear it. There is but one force in this world and but +one particle of matter. There is only one element, which is the basis of +everything. All the different shapes and conditions of things that we +see are caused by a mere variation of that force in conjunction with +numbers of that particle. Am I getting beyond your depth?" + +"I am afraid you are, Professor." + +"Of course; I know what feeble brains the average woman is possessed +of; still, try and keep that in your mind. Now listen to this. I have +discovered how to disunite that force and that particle. I can, with +a touch, fling loose upon this earth a giant whose strength is +irresistible and immeasurable." + +"Then why object to making your discovery public?" + +"In the first place, because there are still a thousand things and more +to be learned along such a line of investigation. The moment a man +announces his discoveries, he is first ridiculed, then, when the truth +of what he affirms is proven, there rise in every part of the world +other men who say that they knew all about it ten years ago, and will +prove it too--at least, far enough to delude a gullible world; in the +second because I am a humane man, I hesitate to spread broadcast a +knowledge that would enable any fool to destroy the universe. Then there +is a third reason. There is another who, I believe, has discovered how +to make this force loosen its grip on the particle--that is Keely, of +Philadelphia, in the United States--" + +"What! You don't mean the Keely motor man?" cried Jennie, laughing. +"That arrant humbug! Why, all the papers in the world have exposed his +ridiculous pretensions; he has done nothing but spend other people's +money." + +"Yes, the newspapers have ridiculed him. Human beings have, since the +beginning of the world, stoned their prophets. Nevertheless, he has +liberated a force that no gauge made by man can measure. He has been +boastful, if you like, and has said that with a teacupful of water he +would drive a steamship across the Atlantic. I have been silent, working +away with my eye on him, and he has been working away with his eye on +me, for each knows what the other is doing. If either of us discovers +how to control this force, then that man's name will go down to +posterity for ever. He has not yet been able to do it; neither have I. +There is still another difference between us. He appears to be able to +loosen that force in his own presence; I can only do it at a distance. +All my experiments lately have been in the direction of making +modifications with this machine, so as to liberate the force within +the compass, say, of this room; but the problem has baffled me. The +invisible rays which this machine sends out, and which will penetrate +stone, iron, wood, or any other substance, must unite at a focus, and +I have not been able to bring that focus nearer me than something over +half a mile. Last summer I went to an uninhabited part of Switzerland +and there continued my experiments. I blew up at will rocks and boulders +on the mountain sides, the distances varying from a mile to half a mile. +I examined the results of the disintegration, and when you came in and +showed me that gold, I recognized at once that someone had discovered +the secret I have been trying to fathom for the last ten years. I +thought that perhaps you had come from Keely. I am now convinced that +the explosion you speak of in the Treasury was caused by myself. This +machine, which you so recklessly threatened to throw out of the window, +accidentally slipped from its support when I was working here some +time after midnight on the seventeenth. I placed it immediately as you +see it now, where it throws its rays into mid-air, and is consequently +harmless; but I knew an explosion must have taken place in Vienna +somewhere within the radius of half a mile. I drew the pencilled +semi-circle that you saw on the map of Vienna, for in my excitement +in placing the machine upright I had not noticed exactly where it had +pointed, but I knew that, along the line I had drawn, an explosion must +have occurred, and could only hope that it had not been a serious one, +which it seems it was. I waited and waited, hardly daring to leave my +attic, but hearing no news of any disaster, I was torn between the +anxiety that would naturally come to any humane man in my position +who did not wish to destroy life, and the fear that, if nothing had +occurred, I had not actually made the discovery I thought I had made. +You spoke of my actions being childish; but when I realized that I had +myself been the cause of the explosion, a fear of criminal prosecution +came over me. Not that I should object to imprisonment if they would +allow me to continue my experiments; but that, doubtless, they would not +do, for the authorities know nothing of science, and care less." + +In spite of her initial scepticism, Jennie found herself gradually +coming to believe in the efficiency of the harmless-looking mechanism of +glass and iron which she saw on the table before her, and a sensation of +horror held her spellbound as she gazed at it. Its awful possibilities +began slowly to develop in her mind, and she asked breathlessly,--"What +would happen if you were to turn that machine and point it towards the +centre of the earth?" + +"I told you what would happen. Vienna would lie in ruins, and possibly +the whole Austrian Empire, and perhaps some adjoining countries would +become a mass of impalpable dust. It may be that the world itself would +dissolve. I cannot tell what the magnitude of the result might be, for +I have not dared to risk the experiment." + +"Oh, this is too frightful to think about," she cried. "You must destroy +the machine, Professor, and you must never make another." + +"What! And give up the hope that my name will descend to posterity?" + +"Professor Seigfried, when once this machine becomes known to the world, +there will be no posterity for your name to descend to. With the present +hatred of nation against nation, with different countries full of those +unimprisoned maniacs whom we call Jingoes--men preaching the hatred of +one people against another--how long do you think the world will last +when once such knowledge is abroad in it?" + +The Professor looked longingly at the machine he had so slowly and +painfully constructed. + +"It would be of much use to humanity if it were but benevolently +employed. With the coal fields everywhere diminishing, it would supply a +motive force for the universe that would last through the ages." + +"Professor Seigfried," exclaimed Jennie earnestly, "when the Lord +permits a knowledge of that machine to become common property, it is His +will that the end of the world shall come." + +The Professor said nothing, but stood with deeply wrinkled brow, gazing +earnestly at the mechanism. In his hand was the hammer-head which he had +previously given to the girl; his arm went up and down as if he were +estimating its weight; then suddenly, without a word of warning, he +raised it and sent it crashing through the machine, whose splintering +glass fell with a musical tinkle on the floor. + +Jennie gave a startled cry, and with a low moan the Professor struggled +to his chair and fell, rather than sat down, in it. A ghastly pallor +overspread his face, and the girl in alarm ran again to the cupboard, +poured out some brandy and offered it to him, then tried to pour it down +his throat, but his tightly set teeth resisted her efforts. She chafed +his rigid hands, and once he opened his eyes, slowly shaking his head. + +"Try to sip this brandy," she said, seeing his jaws relax. + +"It is useless," he murmured with difficulty. "My life was in the +instrument, as brittle as the glass. I have--" + +He could say no more. Jennie went swiftly downstairs to the office of a +physician, on the first floor, which she had noticed as she came up. + +The medical man, who knew of the philosopher, but was not personally +acquainted with him, for the Professor had few friends, went up the +steps three at a time, and Jennie followed him more slowly. He met the +girl at the door of the attic. + +"It is useless," he said. "Professor Seigfried is dead; and it is my +belief that in his taking away Austria has lost her greatest scientist." + +"I am sure of it," answered the girl, with trembling voice; "but perhaps +after all it is for the best." + +"I doubt that," said the doctor. "I never feel so like quarrelling with +Providence as when some noted man is removed right in the midst of his +usefulness." + +"I am afraid," replied Jennie solemnly, "that we have hardly reached a +state of development that would justify us in criticizing the wisdom of +Providence. In my own short life I have seen several instances where it +seemed that Providence intervened for the protection of His creatures; +and even the sudden death of Professor Seigfried does not shake my +belief that Providence knows best." + +She turned quickly away and went down the stairs in some haste. At the +outer door she heard the doctor call down, "I must have your name and +address, please." + +But Jennie did not pause to answer. She had no wish to undergo +cross-examination at an inquest, knowing that if she told the truth she +would not be believed, while if she attempted to hide it, unexpected +personal inconvenience might arise from such a course. She ran rapidly +to the street corner, hailed a fiacre and drove to a distant part of the +city; then she dismissed the cab, went to a main thoroughfare, took a +tramcar to the centre of the town, and another cab to the Palace. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +JENNIE ENGAGES A ROOM IN A SLEEPING CAR. + + +Jennie had promised Professor Seigfried not to communicate with the +Director of Police, and she now wondered whether it would be breaking +her word, or not, if she let that official know the result of her +investigation, when it would make no difference, one way or the other, +to the Professor. If Professor Seigfried could have foreseen his own +sudden death, would he not, she asked herself, have preferred her to +make public all she knew of him? for had he not constantly reiterated +that fame, and the consequent transmission of his name to posterity, was +what he worked for? Then there was this consideration: if the Chief of +Police was not told how the explosion had been caused, his fruitless +search would go futilely on, and, doubtless, in the course of police +inquiry, many innocent persons would be arrested, put to inconvenience +and expense, and there was even a chance that one or more, who had +absolutely nothing to do with the affair, might be imprisoned for life. +She resolved, therefore, to tell the Director of the Police all she +knew, which she would not have done had Professor Seigfried been alive. +She accordingly sent a messenger for the great official, and just as she +had begun to relate to the impatient Princess what had happened, he was +announced. The three of them held convention in Jennie's drawing-room +with locked doors. + +"I am in a position," began Jennie, "to tell you how the explosion in +the Treasury was caused and who caused it; but before doing so you must +promise to grant me two favours, each of which is in your power to +bestow without inconvenience." + +"What are they?" asked the Director of Police cautiously. + +"To tell what they are is to tell part of my story. You must first +promise blindly, and afterwards keep your promise faithfully." + +"Those are rather unusual terms, Miss Baxter," said the Chief; "but I +accede to them, the more willingly as we have found that all the gold is +still in the Treasury, as you said it was." + +"Very well, then, the first favour is that I shall not be called to +give testimony when an inquest is held on the body of Professor Carl +Seigfried." + +"You amaze me!" cried the Director; "how did you know he was dead? I had +news of it only a moment before I left my office." + +"I was with him when he died," said Jennie simply, which statement +drew forth an exclamation of surprise from both the Princess and the +Director. "My next request is that you destroy utterly a machine which +stands on a table near the centre of the Professor's room. Perhaps the +instrument is already disabled--I believe it is--but, nevertheless, I +shall not rest content until you have seen that every vestige of it is +made away with, because the study of what is left of it may enable some +other scientist to put it in working order again. I entreat you to +attend to this matter yourself. I will go with you, if you wish me +to, and point out the instrument in case it has been moved from its +position." + +"The room is sealed," said the Director, "and nothing will be +touched until I arrive there. What is the nature of this instrument?" + +"It is of a nature so deadly and destructive that, if it got into the +hands of an anarchist, he could, alone, lay the city of Vienna in +ruins." + +"Good heavens!" cried the horrified official, whose bane was the +anarchist, and Jennie, in mentioning this particular type of criminal, +had builded better than she knew. If she had told him that the +Professor's invention might enable Austria to conquer all the +surrounding nations, there is every chance that the machine would have +been carefully preserved. + +"The explosion in the Treasury vaults," continued Jennie, "was +accidentally caused by this instrument, although the machine at the +moment was in a garret half a mile away. You saw the terrible effect of +that explosion; imagine, then, the destruction it would cause in the +hands of one of those anarchists who are so reckless of consequences." + +"I shall destroy the instrument with my own hands," asserted the +Director fervently, mopping his pallid brow. + +Jennie then went on, to the increasing astonishment of the Princess and +the Director, and related every detail of her interview with the late +professor Carl Seigfried. + +"I shall go at once and annihilate that machine," said the Director, +rising when the recital was finished. "I shall see to that myself. Then, +after the inquest, I shall give an order that everything in the attic +is to be destroyed. I wish that every scientific man on the face of the +earth could be safely placed behind prison bars." + +"I am afraid that wouldn't do much good," replied Jennie, "unless you +could prevent chemicals being smuggled in. The scientists would probably +reduce your prison to powder, and walk calmly out through the dust." + +Mr. Hardwick had told Jennie that if she solved the Vienna mystery she +would make a European reputation for the _Daily Bugle_. Jennie did more +than was expected of her, yet the European reputation which the _Bugle_ +established was not one to be envied. It is true that the account +printed of the cause of the explosion, dramatically completed with the +Professor's tragically sudden death, caused a great sensation in London. +The comic papers of the week were full of illustrations showing the uses +to which the Professor's instrument might be put. To say that any sane +man in England believed a word of the article would be to cast an +undeserved slight upon the intelligence of the British public. No one +paused to think that if a newspaper had published an account of what +could be done by the Röentgen rays, without being able to demonstrate +practically the truth of the assertions made, the contribution would +have been laughed at. If some years ago a newspaper had stated that a +man in York listened to the voice of a friend at that moment standing in +London, and was not only able to hear what his friend said, but could +actually recognize the voice speaking in an ordinary tone, and then +if the paper had added that, unfortunately, the instrument which +accomplished this had been destroyed, people would have denounced the +sensational nature of modern journalism. + +Letters poured in upon the editor, saying that while, as a general rule, +the writers were willing to stand the ordinary lie of commerce daily +printed in the sheet, there was a limit to their credulity and they +objected to be taken for drivelling imbeciles. To complete the +discomfiture of the _Daily Bugle_, the Government of Austria +published an official statement, which Reuter and the special +correspondents scattered broadcast over the earth. The statement was +written in that calm, serious, and consistent tone which diplomatists +use when uttering a falsehood of more than ordinary dimensions. + +Irresponsible rumours had been floating about (the official proclamation +began) to the effect that there had been an explosion in the Treasury +at Vienna. It had been stated that a large quantity of gold had been +stolen, and that a disaster of some kind had occurred in the Treasury +vaults. Then a ridiculous story had been printed which asserted that +Professor Seigfried, one of Austria's honoured dead, had in some manner +that savoured of the Black Art, encompassed this wholesale destruction. +The Government now begged to make the following declarations: First, +not a penny had been stolen out of the Treasury; second, the so-called +war-chest was intact; third, the two hundred million florins reposed +securely within the bolted doors of the Treasury vaults; fourth, +the coins were not, as had been alleged, those belonging to various +countries, which was a covert intimation that Austria had hostile intent +against one or the other of those friendly nations. The whole coinage +in this falsely named war-chest, which was not a war-chest at all, but +merely the receptacle of a reserve fund which Austria possessed, was +entirely in Austrian coinage; fifth, in order that these sensational and +disquieting scandals should be set at rest, the Government announced +that it intended to weigh this gold upon a certain date, and it invited +representatives of the Press, from Russia, Germany, France, and England +to witness this weighing. + +The day after this troy-weight function had taken place in Vienna, long +telegraphic accounts of it appeared in the English press, and several +solemn leading articles were put forward in the editorial columns, +which, without mentioning the name of the _Daily Bugle_, deplored the +voracity of the sensational editor, who respected neither the amity +which should exist between friendly nations, nor the good name of the +honoured and respected dead, in his wolfish hunt for the daily scandal. +Nothing was too high-spiced or improbable for him to print. He traded on +the supposed gullibility of a fickle public. But, fortunately, in the +long run, these staid sheets asserted, such actions recoiled upon the +head of him who promulgated them. Sensational journals merited and +received the scathing contempt of all honest men. Later on, one of the +reviews had an article entitled "Some Aspects of Modern Journalism," +which battered in the head of the _Daily Bugle_ as with a sledge hammer, +and in one of the quarterlies a professor at Cambridge showed the +absurdity of the alleged invention from a scientific point of view. + +"I swear," cried Mr. Hardwick, as he paced up and down his room, "that I +shall be more careful after this in the handling of truth; it is a most +dangerous thing to meddle with. If you tell the truth about a man, you +are mulcted in a libel suit, and if you tell the truth about a nation, +the united Press of the country are down upon you. Ah, well, it makes +the battle of life all the more interesting, and we are baffled to fight +better, as Browning says." + +The editor had sent for Miss Baxter, and she now sat by his desk while +he paced nervously to and fro. The doors were closed and locked so that +they might not be interrupted, and she knew by the editor's manner that +something important was on hand. Jennie had returned to London after +a month's stay in Vienna, and had been occupied for a week at her old +routine work in the office. + +"Now, Miss Baxter," said the editor, when he had proclaimed his distrust +of the truth as a workable material in journalism, "I have a plan to set +before you, and when you know what it is, I am quite prepared to hear +you refuse to have anything to do with it. And, remember, if you _do_ +undertake it, there is but one chance in a million of your succeeding. +It is on this one chance that I propose now to send you to St. +Petersburg--" + +"To St. Petersburg!" echoed the girl in dismay. + +"Yes," said the editor, mistaking the purport of her ejaculation, "it is +a very long trip, but you can travel there in great comfort, and I want +you to spare no expense in obtaining for yourself every luxury that the +various railway lines afford during your journey to St. Petersburg and +back." + +"And what am I to go to St. Petersburg for?" murmured Jennie faintly. + +"Merely for a letter. Here is what has happened, and what is happening. +I shall mention no names, but at present a high and mighty personage in +Russia, who is friendly to Great Britain, has written a private letter, +making some proposals to a certain high and mighty personage in England, +who is friendly to Russia. This communication is entirely unofficial; +neither Government is supposed to know anything at all about it. As a +matter of fact, the Russian Government have a suspicion, and the British +Government have a certainty, that such a document will shortly be in +transit. Nothing may come of it, or great things may come of it. Now +on the night of the 21st, in one of the sleeping cars leaving St. +Petersburg by the Nord Express for Berlin, there will travel a special +messenger having this letter in his possession. I want you to take +passage by that same train and secure a compartment near the messenger, +if possible. This messenger will be a man in whom the respective parties +to the negotiation have implicit confidence. I wish I knew his name, +but I don't; still, the chances are that he is leaving London for St. +Petersburg about this time, and so you might keep your eyes open on your +journey there, for, if you discovered him to be your fellow-passenger, +it might perhaps make the business that comes after easier. You see this +letter," continued the editor, taking from a drawer in his desk a large +envelope, the flap of which was secured by a great piece of stamped +sealing-wax. "This merely contains a humble ordinary copy of to-day's +issue of the _Bugle_, but in outside appearance it might be taken for a +duplicate of the letter which is to leave St. Petersburg on the 21st. +Now, what I would like you to do is to take this envelope in your +hand-bag, and if, on the journey back to London, you have an opportunity +of securing the real letter, and leaving this in its place, you will +have accomplished the greatest service you have yet done for the paper." + +"Oh!" cried Jennie, rising, "I couldn't think of that, Mr. Hardwick--I +couldn't _think_ of doing it. It is nothing short of highway robbery!" + +"I know it looks like that," pleaded Hardwick; "but listen to me. If +I were going to open the letter and use its contents, then you might +charge me with instigating theft. The fact is, the letter will not be +delayed; it will reach the hands of the high and mighty personage in +England quite intact. The only difference is that you will be its bearer +instead of the messenger they send for it." + +"You expect to open the letter, then, in some surreptitious way--some +way that will not be noticed afterwards? Oh, I couldn't do it, +Mr. Hardwick." + +"My dear girl, you are jumping at conclusions. I shall amaze you when +I tell you that I know already practically what the contents of that +letter are." + +"Then what is the use of going to all this expense and trouble trying to +steal it?" + +"Don't say 'steal it,' Miss Baxter. I'll tell you what my motive is. +There is an official in England who has gone out of his way to throw +obstacles in mine. This is needless and irritating, for generally I +manage to get the news I am in quest of; but in several instances, owing +to his opposition, I have not only not got the news, but other papers +have. Now, since the general raking we have had over this Austrian +business, quite aside from the fact that we published the exact truth, +this stupid old official duffer has taken it upon himself to be +exceedingly sneering and obnoxious to me, and I confess I want to take +him down a peg. He hasn't any idea that I know as much about this +business as I do--in fact, he thinks it is an absolute secret; yet, if +I liked, I could to-morrow nullify all the arrangements by simply +publishing what is already in my possession, which action on my part +would create a _furore_ in this country, and no less of a _furore_ in +Russia. For the sake of amity between nations, which I am accused of +disregarding, I hold my hand. + +"Now, if you get possession of that communication, I want you to +telegraph to me while you are _en route_ for London, and I will meet you +at the terminus; then I shall take the document direct to this official, +even before the regular messenger has time to reach him. I shall say to +the official, 'There is the message from the high personage in Russia to +the high personage in England. If you want the document, I will give +it to you, but it must be understood that you are to be a little less +friendly to certain other newspapers, and a little more friendly to +mine, in future.'" + +"And suppose he refuses your terms?" + +"He won't refuse them; but if he does I shall hand him the envelope just +the same." + +"Well, honestly, Mr. Hardwick, I don't think your scheme worth the +amount of money it will cost, and, besides, the chance of my getting +hold of the packet, which will doubtless be locked safely within a +despatch box, and constantly under the eye of the messenger, is most +remote." + +"I am more than willing to risk all that if you will undertake the +journey. You speak lightly of my scheme, but that is merely because you +do not understand the situation. Everything you have heretofore done has +been of temporary advantage to the paper; but if you carry this off, I +expect the benefit to the _Bugle_ will be lasting. It will give me a +standing with certain officials that I have never before succeeded in +getting. In the first place, it will make them afraid of me, and that of +itself is a powerful lever when we are trying to get information which +they are anxious to give to some other paper." + +"Very well, Mr. Hardwick, I will try; though I warn you to expect +nothing but failure. In everything else I have endeavoured to do, I have +felt confident of success from the beginning. In this instance I am +as sure I shall fail." + +"As I told you, Miss Baxter, the project is so difficult that your +failure, if you _do_ fail, will merely prove it to have been +impossible, because I am sure that if anyone on earth could +carry the project to success, you are that person; and, furthermore, I +am very much obliged to you for consenting to attempt such a mission." + +And thus it was that Jennie Baxter found herself in due time in the +great capital of the north, with a room in the Hotel de l'Europe +overlooking the Nevski Prospect. In ordinary circumstances she would +have enjoyed a visit to St. Petersburg; but now she was afraid to +venture out, being under the apprehension that at any moment she might +meet Lord Donal Stirling face to face, and that he would recognize her; +therefore she remained discreetly in her room, watching the strange +street scenes from her window. She found herself scrutinizing everyone +who had the appearance of being an Englishman, and she had to confess to +a little qualm of disappointment when the person in question proved to +be some other than Lord Donal; in fact, during her short stay at St. +Petersburg she saw nothing of the young man. + +Jennie went, on the evening of her arrival, to the offices of the +Sleeping Car Company, to secure a place in one of the carriages that +left at six o'clock on the evening of the 21st. Her initial difficulty +met her when she learned there were several sleeping cars on that +train, and she was puzzled to know which to select. She stood there, +hesitating, with the plans of the carriages on the table before her. + +"You have ample choice," said the clerk; "seats are not usually booked +so long in advance, and only two places have been taken in the train, so +far." + +"I should like to be in a carriage containing some English people," said +the girl, not knowing what excuse to give for her hesitation. + +"Then let me recommend this car, for one compartment has been taken by +the British Embassy--Room C, near the centre, marked with a cross." + +"Ah, well, I will take the compartment next to it--Room D, isn't it?" +said Jennie. + +"Oh, I am sorry to say that also has been taken. Those are the two +which are bespoken. I will see under what name Room D has been booked. +Probably its occupant is English also. But I can give you Room B, on the +other side of the one reserved by the Embassy. It is a two-berth room, +Nos. 5 and 6." + +"That will do quite as well," said Jennie. + +The clerk looked up the order book, and then said,-- + +"It is not recorded here by whom Room D was reserved. As a usual thing," +he continued, lowering his voice almost to a whisper and looking +furtively over his shoulder, "when no name is marked down, that means +the Russian police. So, you see, by taking the third room you will not +only be under the shadow of the British Embassy, but also under the +protection of Russia. Do you wish one berth only, or the whole room? It +is a two-berth compartment." + +"I desire the whole room, if you please." + +She paid the price and departed, wondering if the other room had really +been taken by the police, and whether the authorities were so anxious +for the safety of the special messenger that they considered it +necessary to protect him to the frontier. If, in addition to the natural +precautions of the messenger, there was added the watchfulness of one or +two suspicious Russian policemen, then would her difficult enterprise +become indeed impossible. On the other hand, the ill-paid policemen +might be amenable to the influence of money, and as she was well +supplied with the coin of the realm, their presence might be a help +rather than a hindrance. All in all, she had little liking for the +task she had undertaken, and the more she thought of it, the less it +commended itself to her. Nevertheless, having pledged her word to the +editor, if failure came it would be through no fault of hers. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +JENNIE ENDURES A TERRIBLE NIGHT JOURNEY. + + +Jennie went early to the station on the night of the 21st and entered +the sleeping car as soon as she was allowed to do so. The conductor +seemed unaccountably flustered at her anxiety to get to her room, and he +examined her ticket with great care; then, telling her to follow him, +brought her to Room B, in which were situated berths 5 and 6, upper and +lower. The berths were not made up, and the room showed one seat, made +to accommodate two persons. The conductor went out on the platform +again, and Jennie, finding herself alone in the carriage, walked up and +down the narrow passage-way at the side, to get a better idea of her +surroundings. + +[Illustration: PLAN OF SLEEPING CAR.] + +Room C, next to her own, was the one taken by the British Embassy. Room +D, still further on, was the one that appeared to have been retained by +the police. She stood for a few moments by the broad plate-glass window +that lined the passage and looked out at the crowded platform. For a +time she watched the conductor, who appeared to be gazing anxiously +towards the direction from which passengers streamed, as if looking for +someone in particular. Presently a big man, a huge overcoat belted round +him, with a stern bearded face--looking, the girl thought, typically +Russian--strode up to the conductor and spoke earnestly with him. Then +the two turned to the steps of the car, and Jennie fled to her narrow +little room, closing the door all but about an inch. An instant later +the two men came in, speaking together in French. The larger man had +a gruff voice and spoke the language in a way that showed it was not +native to him. + +"When did you learn that he had changed his room?" asked the man with +the gruff voice. + +"Only this afternoon," replied the conductor. + +"Did you bore holes between that and the adjoining compartment?" + +"Yes, Excellency; but Azof did not tell me whether you wanted the holes +at the top or the bottom." + +"At the bottom, of course," replied the Russian. "Any fool might have +known that. The gas must rise, not fall; then when he feels its effect +and tumbles down, he will be in a denser layer of it, whereas, if we put +it in the top, and he fell down, he would come into pure air, and so +might make his escape. You did not bore the hole over the top berth, I +hope?" + +"Yes, Excellency, but I bored one at the bottom also." + +"Oh, very well, we can easily stop the one at the top. Have you fastened +the window? for the first thing these English do is to open a window." + +"The window is securely fastened, your Excellency, unless he breaks the +glass." + +"Oh, he will not think of doing that until it is too late. The English +are a law-abiding people. How many other passengers are there in the +car?" + +"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Excellency, the Room B has been taken by an +English lady, who is there now." + +"Ten thousand devils!" cried the Russian in a hoarse whisper. "Why did +you not say that before?" + +The voices now fell to so low a murmur that Jennie could not distinguish +the words spoken. A moment later there was a rap at her door, and she +had presence of mind enough to get in the further corner, and say in a +sleepy voice,-- + +"Come in!" + +The conductor opened the door. + +"_Votre billet, s'il vous plaît, madame."_ + +"Can't you speak English?" asked Jennie. + +The conductor merely repeated his question, and as Jennie was shaking +her head the big Russian looked over the conductor's shoulder and said +in passable English,-- + +"He is asking for your ticket, madam. Do you not speak French?" In +answer to this direct question Jennie, fumbling in her purse for her +ticket, replied,-- + +"I speak English, and I have already shown him my ticket." She handed +her broad-sheet sleeping-car ticket to the Russian, who had pushed the +conductor aside and now stood within the compartment. + +"There has been a mistake," he said. "Room C is the one that has been +reserved for you." + +"I am sure there isn't any mistake," said Jennie. "I booked berths +5 and 6. See, there are the numbers," pointing to the metallic plates by +the door, "and here are the same numbers on the ticket." + +The Russian shook his head. + +"The mistake has been made at the office of the Sleeping Car Company. I +am a director of the Company." + +"Oh, are you?" asked Jennie innocently. "Is Room C as comfortable as +this one?" + +"It is a duplicate of this one, madam, and is more comfortable, because +it is nearer the centre of the car." + +"Well, there is no mistake about my reserving the two berths, is there?" + +"Oh, no, madam, the room is entirely at your disposal." + +"Well, then, in that case," said Jennie, "I have no objection to making +a change." + +She knew that she would be compelled to change, no matter what her +ticket recorded, so she thought it best to play the simple maiden +abroad, and make as little fuss as possible about the transfer. She had +to rearrange the car in her mind. She was now in Room C, which had been +first reserved by the British Embassy. It was evident that at the +last moment the messenger had decided to take Room A, a four-berth +compartment at the end of the car. The police then would occupy Room B, +which she had first engaged, and, from the bit of conversation she had +overheard, Jennie was convinced that they intended to kill or render +insensible the messenger who bore the important letter. The police were +there not to protect, but to attack. This amazing complication in the +plot concentrated all the girl's sympathies on the unfortunate man who +was messenger between two great personages, even though he travelled +apparently under the protection of the British Embassy at St. +Petersburg. The fact, to put it baldly, that she had intended to rob +him herself, if opportunity occurred, rose before her like an accusing +ghost. "I shall never undertake anything like this again," she cried +to herself, "never, never," and now she resolved to make reparation to +the man she had intended to injure. She would watch for him until he +came down the passage, and then warn him by relating what she had heard. +She had taken off her hat on entering the room; now she put it on +hurriedly, thrusting a long pin through it. As she stood up, there was a +jolt of the train that caused her to sit down again somewhat hurriedly. +Passing her window she saw the lights of the station; the train was in +motion. "Thank Heaven!" she cried fervently, "he is too late. Those +plotting villains will have all their trouble for nothing." + +She glanced upwards towards the ceiling and noticed a hole about an inch +in diameter bored in the thin wooden partition between her compartment +and the next. Turning to the wall behind her she saw that another hole +had been bored in a similar position through to Room B. The car had been +pretty thoroughly prepared for the work in hand, and Jennie laughed +softly to herself as she pictured the discomfiture of the conspirators. +The train was now rushing through the suburbs of St. Petersburg, when +Jennie was startled by hearing a stranger's voice say in French,-- + +"Conductor, I have Room A; which end of the car is that?" + +"This way, Excellency," replied the conductor. Everyone seemed to be +"Excellency" with him. A moment later, Jennie, who had again risen to +her feet, horrified to learn that, after all, the messenger had come, +heard the door of his room click. Everything was silent save the purring +murmur of the swiftly moving train. She stood there for a few moments +tense with excitement, then bethought herself of the hole between her +present compartment and the one she had recently left. She sprang up +on the seat, and placing her eye with some caution at the hole, peered +through. First she thought the compartment was empty, then noticed there +had been placed at the end by the window a huge cylinder that reached +nearly to the ceiling of the room. The lamp above was burning brightly, +and she could see every detail of the compartment, except towards the +floor. As she gazed a man's back slowly rose; he appeared to have been +kneeling on the floor, and he held in his hand the loop of a rubber +tube. Peering downwards, she saw that it was connected with the +cylinder, and that it was undoubtedly pouring whatever gas the cylinder +contained through the hole into Room A. For a moment she had difficulty +in repressing a shriek; but realizing how perfectly helpless she was, +even if an alarm were raised, she fought down all exclamation. She saw +that the man who was regulating the escape of gas was not the one who +had spoken to the conductor. Then, fearing that he might turn his head +and see her eye at the small aperture, she reached up and covered the +lamp, leaving her own room in complete darkness. The double covering, +which closed over the semi-globular lamp like an eyelid, kept every ray +of light from penetrating into the compartment she occupied. + +As Jennie turned to her espionage again, she heard a blow given to the +door in Room A that made it chatter, then there was a sound of a heavy +fall on the floor. The door of Room B was flung open, the head of the +first Russian was thrust in, and he spoke in his own language a single +gruff word. His assistant then turned the cock and shut off the gas from +the cylinder. The door of Room B was instantly shut again, and Jennie +heard the rattle of the key as Room A was being unlocked. + +Jennie jumped down from her perch, threw off her hat, and, with as +little noise as possible, slid her door back an inch or two. The +conductor had unlocked the door of Room A, the tall Russian standing +beside him saying in a whisper,-- + +"Never mind the man, he'll recover the moment you open the door and +window; get the box. Hold your nose with your fingers and keep your +mouth shut. There it is, that black box in the corner." + +The conductor made a dive into the room, and came out with an ordinary +black despatch-box. + +The policeman seemed well provided with the materials for his +burglarious purpose. He selected a key from a jingling bunch, tried it; +selected another; then a third, and the lid of the despatch-box was +thrown back. He took out a letter so exactly the duplicate of the one +Jennie possessed that she clutched her own document to see if it were +still in her pocket. The Russian put the envelope between his knees and +proceeded to lock the box. His imagination had not gone to any such +refinement as the placing of a dummy copy where the original had been. +Quick as thought Jennie acted. She slid open the door quietly and +stepped out into the passage. So intent were the two men on their work +that neither saw her. The tall man gave the box back to the conductor, +then took the letter from between his knees, holding it in his right +hand, when Jennie, as if swayed by the motion of the car, lurched +against him, and, with a sleight of hand that would have made her +reputation on a necromantic stage, she jerked the letter from the amazed +and frightened man; at the same moment allowing the bogus document to +drop on the floor of the car from her other hand. The conductor had just +emerged from Room A, holding his nose and looking comical enough as he +stood there in that position, amazed at the sudden apparition of the +lady. The Russian struck down the conductor's fingers with his right +hand, and by a swift motion of the left closed the door of Compartment +A, all of which happened in a tenth of the time taken to tell it. + +"Oh, pardon me!" cried Jennie in English, "I'm afraid a lurch of the car +threw me against you." + +The Russian, before answering, cast a look at the floor and saw the +large envelope lying there with its seal uppermost. He quietly placed +his huge foot upon it, and then said, with an effort at politeness,-- + +"It is no matter, madam. I fear I am so bulky that I have taken up most +of the passage." + +"It is very good of you to excuse me," said Jennie; "I merely came out +to ask the conductor if he would make up my berth. Would you be good +enough to translate that to him?" + +The Russian surlily told the conductor to attend to the wants of the +lady. The conductor muttered a reply, and that reply the Russian +translated. + +"He will be at your service in a few moments, madam. He must first make +up the berth of the gentleman in Room A." + +"Oh, thank you very much," returned Jennie. "I am in no hurry; any time +within the hour will do." + +With that she retired again into her compartment, the real letter +concealed in the folds of her dress, the bogus one on the floor under +the Russian's foot. She closed the door tightly, then, taking care that +she was not observed through either of the holes the conductor had bored +in the partition, she swiftly placed the important document in a deep +inside pocket of her jacket. As a general rule, women have inside +pockets in their capes, and outside pockets in their jackets; but +Jennie, dealing as she did with many documents in the course of her +profession, had had this jacket especially made, with its deep and roomy +inside pocket. She sat on a corner of the sofa, wondering what was to +be the fate of the unfortunate messenger, for, in spite of the sudden +shutting of the door by the Russian, she caught a glimpse of the man +lying face downwards on the floor of his stifling room. She also had +received a whiff of the sweet, heavy gas which had been used, that +seemed now to be tincturing the whole atmosphere of the car, especially +in the long narrow passage. It was not likely they intended to kill +the man, for his death would cause an awkward investigation, while his +statement that he had been rendered insensible might easily be denied. +As she sat there, the silence disturbed only by the low, soothing rumble +of the train, she heard the ring of the metal cylinder against the +woodwork of the next compartment. The men were evidently removing +their apparatus. A little later the train slowed, finally coming to a +standstill, and looking out of the window into the darkness, she found +they were stopping at an ill-lighted country station. Covering the light +in the ceiling again, the better to see outside, herself, unobserved, +she noted the conductor and another man place the bulky cylinder on the +platform, without the slightest effort at concealment. The tall Russian +stood by and gave curt orders. An instant later the train moved on +again, and when well under way there was a rap at her door. When she +opened it, the conductor said that he would make up her berth now, if it +so pleased her. She stood out in the corridor while this was deftly +and swiftly done. She could not restrain her curiosity regarding the +mysterious occupant of Room A, and to satisfy it she walked slowly up +and down the corridor, her hands behind her, passing and repassing the +open door of her room, and noticing that ever and anon the conductor +cast a suspicious eye in her direction. + +The door of Room A was partly open, but the shaded lamp in the +ceiling left the interior in darkness. There was now no trace of the +intoxicating gas in the corridor, and as she passed Room A she noticed +that a fresh breeze was blowing through the half open doorway, therefore +the window must be up. Once as she passed her own door she saw the +conductor engaged in a task which would keep him from looking into the +corridor for at least a minute, and in that interval she set her +doubts at rest by putting her head swiftly into Room A, and as swiftly +withdrawing it. The man had been lifted on to his sofa, and lay with his +face towards the wall, his head on a pillow. The despatch-box rested on +a corner of the sofa, where, doubtless, he had left it. He was breathing +heavily like a man in a drunken sleep; but the air of the room was sweet +and fresh, and he would doubtless recover. + +Jennie still paced up and down, pondering deeply over what had happened. +At first, when she had secured the important document, she had made up +her mind to return it to the messenger; but further meditation induced +her to change her mind. The messenger had been robbed by the Russian +police; he would tell his superiors exactly what had happened, and yet +the letter would reach its destination as speedily as if he had brought +it himself--as if he had never been touched. Knowing the purpose which +Mr. Hardwick had in his mind, Jennie saw that the letter now was of +tenfold more value to him than it would have been had she taken it from +the messenger. It was evident that the British Embassy, or the messenger +himself, had suspicions that an attempt was to be made to obtain the +document, otherwise Room C of the sleeping car would not have been +changed for Room A at the very last moment. If, then, the editor could +say to the official, "The Russian police robbed your messenger in spite +of all the precautions that could be taken, and my emissary cozened the +Russians; so, you see, I have accomplished what the whole power of the +British Government was powerless to effect; therefore it will be wisdom +on your part to come to terms with me." + +Jennie resolved to relate to Hardwick exactly how she came into +possession of the document, and she knew his alert nature well enough to +be sure he would make the most of the trump card dealt to him. + +"Your room is ready for you," said the conductor in French. + +She had the presence of mind enough not to comprehend his phrase until, +with a motion of his hand, he explained his meaning. She entered her +compartment and closed the door. + +Having decided what disposal to make of the important document, there +now arose in her mind the disquieting problem whether or not it would be +allowed to remain with her. She cogitated over the situation and tried +to work out the mental arithmetic of it. Trains were infrequent on the +Russian railways, and she had no means of estimating when the burly +ruffian who had planned and executed the robbery would get back to St. +Petersburg. There was no doubt that he had not the right to open the +letter and read its contents; that privilege rested with some higher +official in St. Petersburg. The two men had got off at the first +stopping place. It was quite possible that they would not reach the +capital until next morning, when the Berlin express would be well on its +way to the frontier. Once over the frontier she would be safe; but the +moment it was found that the purloined envelope merely contained a +copy of an English newspaper, what might not happen? Would the Russian +authorities dare telegraph to the frontier to have her searched, or +would the big official who had planned the robbery suspect that she, by +legerdemain, had become possessed of the letter so much sought for? Even +if he did suspect her, he would certainly have craft enough not to admit +it. His game would rather be to maintain that this was the veritable +document found in the Englishman's despatch-box; and it was more than +likely, taking into consideration the change of room at the last moment, +which would show the officials the existence of suspicion in the +messenger's mind, or in the minds of those who sent him, the natural +surmise would be that another messenger had gone with the real document, +and that the robbed man was merely a blind to delude the Russian police. +In any case, Jennie concluded, there was absolutely nothing to do but +to remain awake all night and guard the treasure which good luck +had bestowed upon her. She stood up on her bed, about to stuff her +handkerchief into the hole bored in the partition, but suddenly paused +and came down to the floor again. No, discomforting as it was to remain +in a room under possible espionage, she dared not stop the openings, as +that would show she had cognisance of them, and arouse the conductor's +suspicion that, after all, she had understood what had been said; +whereas, if she left them as they were, the fact of her doing so would +be strong confirmation of her ignorance. She took from her bag a scarf, +tied one end round her wrist and the other to the door, so that it could +not be opened, should she fall asleep, without awakening her. Before +entrenching herself thus, she drew the eyelids down over the lamp, and +left her room in darkness. Then, if anyone did spy upon her they would +not see the dark scarf which united her wrist with the door. + +In spite of the danger of her situation she had the utmost difficulty in +keeping awake. The rumble of the train had a very somnolent effect, and +once or twice she started up, fearing that she had been slumbering. Once +she experienced a tightening sensation in her throat, and sprang to the +floor, seeing the rising gas somehow made visible, the colour of blood. +The scarf drew her to her knees, and for a moment she thought someone +clutched her wrist. Panting, she undid the scarf and flooded the room +with light. Her heart was beating wildly, but all was still, save the +ever-present rumble of the train rushing through the darkness over the +boundless plains of Russia. She looked at her tiny watch, it was two +o'clock in the morning. She knew then that she must have fallen asleep +in spite of her strong resolutions. The letter was still in the inside +pocket of her jacket, and all was well at two in the morning. No eye +appeared at either of the apertures, so she covered up the light once +more and lay down again, sighing to think how rumpled her dainty costume +would look in the morning. Now she was resolved not to go to sleep, if +force of will could keep her awake. A moment later she was startled by +someone beating down the partition with an axe. She sprang up, and again +the scarf pulled her back. She untied it from her wrist and noticed +that daylight flooded the compartment. This amazed her; how could it +be daylight so soon? Had she been asleep again, and was the fancied +battering at the door with an axe merely the conclusion of a dream +caused by the conductor's knock? After a breathless pause there came a +gentle rap on her door, and the voice of the conductor said,-- + +"Breakfast at Luga, madame, in three-quarters of an hour." + +"Very good," she replied in English, her voice trembling with fear. +Slowly she untied the scarf from the door and placed it in her handbag. +She shivered notwithstanding her effort at self-control, for she knew +she had slept through the night, and far into the morning. In agitation +she unbuttoned her jacket. Yes; there was the letter, just where she had +placed it. She dare not take it out and examine it, fearing still that +she might be watched from some unseen quarter, but "Thank God," she +said to herself fervently, "this horrible night is ended. Once over the +frontier I am safe." She smoothed and brushed down her dress as well as +she was able, and was greatly refreshed by her wash in cold water, which +is one of the luxuries, not the least acceptable, on a sleeping car. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +JENNIE EXPERIENCES THE SURPRISE OF HER LIFE. + + +At nine o'clock the long train came to a standstill, seventeen minutes +late at Luga, and ample time was allowed for a leisurely breakfast in +the buffet of the station. The restaurant was thronged with numerous +passengers, most of whom seemed hardly yet awake, while many were +unkempt and dishevelled, as if they had had little sleep during the +night. + +Jennie found a small table and sat down beside it, ordering her coffee +and rolls from the waiter who came to serve her. Looking round at the +cosmopolitan company, and listening to the many languages, whose clash +gave a Babel air to the restaurant, Jennie fell to musing on the strange +experiences she had encountered since leaving London. It seemed to her +she had been taking part in some ghastly nightmare, and she shuddered as +she thought of the lawlessness, under cover of law, of this great and +despotic empire, where even the ruler was under the surveillance of his +subordinates, and could not get a letter out of his own dominion in +safety, were he so minded. In her day-dream she became conscious, +without noting its application to herself, that a man was standing +before her table; then a voice which made her heart stop said,-- + +"Ah, lost Princess!" + +She placed her hand suddenly to her throat, for the catch in her +breath seemed to be suffocating her, then looked up and saw Lord Donal +Stirling, in the ordinary everyday dress of an English gentleman, as +well groomed as if he had come, not from a train, but from his own +house. There was a kindly smile on his lips and a sparkle in his eyes, +but his face was of ghastly pallor. + +"Oh, Lord Donal!" she cried, regarding him with eyes of wonder and fear, +"what is wrong with you?" + +"Nothing," the young man replied, with an attempt at a laugh; "nothing, +now that I have found you, Princess. I have been making a night of it, +that's all, and am suffering the consequences in the morning. May I sit +down?" + +He dropped into a chair on the other side of the table, like a man +thoroughly exhausted, unable to stand longer, and went on,-- + +"Like all dissipated men, I am going to break my fast on stimulants. +Waiter," he said, "bring me a large glass of your best brandy." + +"And, waiter," interjected Jennie in French, "bring two breakfasts. I +suppose it was not a meal that you ordered just now, Lord Donal?" + +"I have ordered my breakfast," he said; "still, it pleads in my favour +that I do not carry brandy with me, as I ought to do, and so must drink +the vile stuff they call their best here." + +"You should eat as well," she insisted, taking charge of him as if she +had every right to do so. + +"All shall be as you say, now that I have the happiness of seeing you +sitting opposite me, but don't be surprised if I show a most +unappreciative appetite." + +"What is the matter?" she asked breathlessly. "You certainly look very +ill." + +"I have been drugged and robbed," he replied, lowering his voice. "I +imagine I came to close quarters with death itself. I have spent a night +in Hades, and this morning am barely able to stagger; but the sight of +you, Princess--Ah, well, I feel once more that I belong to the land of +the living!" + +"Please do not call me Princess," said the girl, looking down at the +tablecloth. + +"Then what am I to call you, Princess?" + +"My name is Jennie Baxter," she said in a low voice. + +"_Miss_ Jennie Baxter?" he asked eagerly, with emphasis on the first +word. + +"Miss Jennie Baxter," she answered, still not looking up at him. + +He leaned back in his chair and said,-- + +"Well, this is not such a bad world, after all. To think of meeting you +here in Russia! Have you been in St. Petersburg, then?" + +"Yes. I am a newspaper woman," explained Jennie hurriedly. "When +you met me before, I was there surreptitiously--fraudulently, if +you like; I was there to--to write a report of it for my paper. I +can never thank you enough, Lord Donal, for your kindness to me that +evening." + +"Your thanks are belated," said the young man, with a visible attempt at +gaiety. "You should have written and acknowledged the kindness you are +good enough to say I rendered to you. You knew my address, and etiquette +demanded that you should make your acknowledgments." + +"I was reluctant to write," said Jennie, a smile hovering round her +lips, "fearing my letter might act as a clue. I had no wish to interfere +with the legitimate business of Mr. Cadbury Taylor." + +"Great heavens!" cried the young man, "how came you to know about that? +But of course the Princess von Steinheimer told you of it. She wrote to +me charging me with all sorts of wickedness for endeavouring to find +you." + +"No, Lord Donal, I did not learn it from her. In fact, if you had opened +the door of the inner room at Mr. Cadbury Taylor's a little quicker, you +would have come upon me, for I was the assistant who tried to persuade +him that you really met the Princess von Steinheimer." + +Lord Donal, for the first time, laughed heartily. + +"Well, if that doesn't beat all! And I suppose Cadbury Taylor hasn't the +slightest suspicion that you are the person he was looking for?" + +"No, not the slightest." + +"I say! that is the best joke I have heard in ten years," said Lord +Donal; and here, breakfast arriving, Jennie gave him his directions. + +"You are to drink a small portion of that brandy," she said, "and then +put the rest in your coffee. You must eat a good breakfast, and that +will help you to forget your troubles,--that is, if you have any real +troubles." + +"Oh, my troubles are real enough," said the young man. "When I met you +before, Princess, I was reasonably successful. We even talked about +ambassadorships, didn't we, in spite of the fact that ambassadors were +making themselves unnecessarily obtrusive that night? Now you see before +you a ruined man. No, I am not joking; it is true. I was given a +commission, or, rather, knowing the danger there was in it, I begged +that the commission might be given me. It was merely to take a letter +from St. Petersburg to London. I have failed, and when that is said, all +is said." + +"But surely," cried the girl, blushing guiltily as she realized that +this was the man she had been sent to rob, "you could not be expected to +ward off such a lawless attempt at murder as you have been the victim +of?" + +"That is just what I expected, and what I supposed I could ward off. In +my profession--which, after all has a great similarity to yours, except +that I think we have to do more lying in ours--there must be no such +word as fail. The very best excuses are listened to with tolerance, +perhaps, and a shrug of the shoulders; but failure, no matter from what +cause, is fell doom. I have failed. I shall not make any excuses. I will +go to London and say merely, 'The Russian police have robbed me.' Oh, I +know perfectly well who did the trick, and how it was done. Then I shall +send in my resignation. They will accept it with polite words of regret, +and will say to each other, 'Poor fellow, he had a brilliant career +before him, but he got drunk, or something, and fell into the ditch.' +Ah, well, we won't talk any more about it." + +"Then you don't despise the newspaper profession, Lord Donal?" + +"Despise it! Bless you, no: I look up to it. Belonging myself to a +profession very much lower down in the scale of morality, as I have +said. But, Princess," he added, leaning towards her, "will you resign +from the newspaper if I resign from diplomacy?" + +The girl slowly shook her head, her eyes on the tablecloth before her. + +"I will telegraph my resignation," he said impetuously, "if you will +telegraph yours to your paper." + +"You are feeling ill and worried this morning, Lord Donal, and so you +take a pessimistic view of life. You must not resign." + +"Oh, but I must. I have failed, and that is enough." + +"It isn't enough. You must do nothing until you reach London." + +"I like your word _must_, Jennie," said the young man audaciously. "It +implies something, you know." + +"What does it imply, Lord Donal?" she asked, glancing up at him. + +"It implies that you are going to leave the 'Lord' off my name." + +"That wouldn't be very difficult," replied Jennie. + +"I am delighted to hear you say so," exclaimed his lordship; "and now, +that I may know how it sounds from your dear lips, call me Don." + +"No; if I ever consented to omit the title, I should call you Donal. I +like the name in its entirety." + +He reached his hand across the table. "Are you willing then, to accept a +man at the very lowest ebb of his fortunes? I know that if I were of +the mould that heroes are made of, I would hesitate to proffer you a +blighted life. But I loved you the moment I saw you; and, remembering my +fruitless search for you, I cannot run the risk of losing you again; I +have not the courage." + +She placed her hand in his and looked him, for the first time, squarely +in the eyes. + +"Are you sure, Donal," she said, "that I am not a mere effigy on which +you are hanging the worn-out garments of a past affection? You thought I +was the Princess at first." + +"No, I didn't," he protested. "As soon as I heard you speak, I knew you +were the one I was destined to meet." + +"Ah, Donal, Donal, at lovers' perjuries they say Jove laughs. I don't +think you were quite so certain as all that. But I, too, am a coward, +and I dare not refuse you." + +Lord Donal glanced quickly about him; the room was still crowded. Even +the Berlin Express gave them a long time for breakfast, and was in no +hurry to move westward. His hurried gaze returned to her and he sighed. + +"What an unholy spot for a proposal!" he whispered; "and yet they call +Russia the Great Lone Land. Oh, that we had a portion of it entirely to +ourselves!" + +The girl sat there, a smile on her pretty lips that Lord Donal thought +most tantalizing. A railway official announced in a loud voice that the +train was about to resume its journey. There was a general shuffling of +feet as the passengers rose to take their places. + +"Brothers and sisters kiss each other, you know, on the eve of a railway +journey," said Lord Donal, taking advantage of the confusion. + +Jennie Baxter made no protest. + +"There is plenty of time," he whispered. "I know the leisurely nature of +Russian trains. Now I am going to the telegraph office, to send in my +resignation, and I want you to come with me and send in yours." + +"No, Lord Donal," said the girl. + +"Aren't you going to resign?" he asked, in surprise. + +"Yes, all in good time; but _you_ are not." + +"Oh, I say," he cried, "it is really imperative. I'll tell you all about +it when we get on the train." + +"It is really imperative that you should not send in your resignation. +Indeed, Donal, you need not look at me with that surprised air. You may +as well get accustomed to dictation at once. You did it yourself, you +know. You can't say that I encouraged you. I eluded the vigilant Cadbury +Taylor as long as I could. But, if there is time, go to the telegraph +office and send a message to the real Princess, Palace Steinheimer, +Vienna. Say you are engaged to be married to Jennie Baxter, and ask her +to telegraph you her congratulations at Berlin." + +"I'll do it," replied the young man with gratifying alacrity. + +When Lord Donal came out of the telegraph office, Jennie said to him, +"Wait a moment while I go into the sleeping car and get my rugs and +handbag." + +"I'll go for them," he cried impetuously. + +"Oh, no," she said. "I'll tell you why, later. The conductor is a +villain and was in collusion with the police." + +"Oh, I know that," said Lord Donal. "Poor devil, he can't help himself; +he must do what the police order him to do, while he is in Russia." + +"I'll get my things and go into an ordinary first class carriage. When I +pass this door, you must get your belongings and come and find me. There +is still time, and I don't want the conductor to see us together." + +"Very well," said the young man with exemplary obedience. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +JENNIE CONVERSES WITH A YOUNG MAN SHE THINKS MUCH OF. + + +When the train started, they were seated together in a carriage far +forward. + +"One of my failings," said the girl, "is to act first, and think +afterwards. I am sorry now that I asked you to send that telegram to the +Princess." + +"Why?" + +"Because I have a great deal to tell you, and perhaps you may wish to +withdraw from the rash engagement you have undertaken." + +"A likely thing!" cried the ardent lover. "Indeed, Miss Princess, if you +think you can get rid of me as easily as all that, you are very much +mistaken." + +"Well, I want to tell you why I did not allow you to resign." + +Slowly she undid the large buttons of her jacket, then, taking it by +the lapel and holding it so that no one else could see, she drew partly +forth from the inside pocket the large envelope, until the stamp of the +Embassy was plainly visible. Lord Donal's eyes opened to their widest +capacity, and his breath seemed to stop. + +"Great heavens!" he gasped at last, "do you mean to say _you_ have it?" + +"Yes," she said, buttoning up her jacket again. "I robbed the robbers. +Listen, and I will tell you all that happened. But, first, are you +armed?" + +"Yes," he replied, "I have a trumpery revolver in my pocket; little good +it did me last night." + +"Very well, we shall be across the frontier by noon to-day. If the +Russian authorities find before that time how they have been checkmated, +and if they have any suspicion that I am the cause of it, is it not +likely that they will have me stopped and searched on some pretence or +other?" Lord Donal pondered for a moment. "They are quite capable of +it," he said; "but, Jennie, I will fight for you against the whole +Russian Empire, and somebody will get hurt if you are meddled with. The +police will hesitate, however, before interfering with a messenger from +the Embassy, or anyone in his charge in broad daylight on a crowded +train. We will not go back into that car, but stay here, where some of +our fellow-countrymen are." + +"That is what I was going to propose," said Jennie. "And now listen to +the story I have to tell you, and then you will know exactly why I came +to Russia." + +"Don't tell me anything you would rather not," said the young man +hurriedly. + +"I would rather not, but it must be told," answered the girl. + +The story lasted a long time, and when it was ended the young man cried +enthusiastically in answer to her question,-- + +"Blame you? Why, of course I don't blame you in the slightest. It wasn't +Hardwick who sent you here at all, but Providence. Providence brought us +together, Jennie, and my belief in it hereafter will be unshaken." + +Jennie laughed a contented little laugh, and said she was flattered at +being considered an envoy of Providence. + +"It is only another way of saying you are an angel, Jennie," remarked +the bold young man. + +They crossed the frontier without interference, and, once in Germany, +Jennie took the object of so much contention and placed it in the hands +of her lover. + +"There," she whispered, with a tiny sigh, for she was giving up the +fruits of her greatest achievement, "put that in your despatch box, and +see that it doesn't leave that receptacle until you reach London. I hope +the Russians will like the copy of the _Daily Bugle_ they find in their +envelope." + +The two chatted together throughout the long ride to Berlin, and when 11 +p.m. and the Schleischer station came at last, they still seemed only to +have begun their conversation, so much more remained to be told. + +The telegram from the Princess was handed to Lord Donal at Berlin. + +"I congratulate you most sincerely," she wired; "and tell Jennie the +next time you see her"--Lord Donal laughed as he read this aloud--"that +the Austrian Government has awarded her thirty thousand pounds for her +share in enabling them to recover their gold, and little enough I think +it is, considering what she has done." + +"Now, I call that downright handsome of the Austrian Government," cried +Lord Donal. "I thought they were going to fight us when I read the +speech of their Prime Minister, but, instead of that, they are making +wedding presents to our nice girls." + +"Ah, that comes through the good-heartedness of the Princess, and the +kindness of the Prince," said Jennie. "He has managed it." + +"But what in the world did you do for the Austrian Government, Jennie?" + +"That is a long story, Donal, and I think a most interesting one." + +"Well, let us thank heaven that we have a long journey for you to tell +it and me to listen." + +And saying this, the unabashed, forward young man took the liberty +of kissing his fair companion good-night, right there amidst all the +turmoil and bustle of the Schleischer Bahnhof in Berlin. + +It was early in the morning when the two met again in the restaurant +car. The train had passed Cologne and was now rushing up that +picturesque valley through which runs the brawling little river Vesdre. +Lord Donal and Jennie had the car to themselves, and they chose a table +near the centre of it and there ordered their breakfast. The situation +was a most picturesque one. The broad, clear plate glass windows on each +side displayed, in rapid succession, a series of landscapes well worth +viewing; the densely wooded hills, the cheerful country houses, the +swift roaring stream lashing itself into fleecy foam; now and then a +glimpse of an old ruined castle on the heights, and, in the deep valley, +here and there a water mill. + +It was quite evident that Jennie had slept well, and, youth being on her +side, her rest had compensated for the nightmare of the Russian journey. +She was simply but very effectively dressed, and looked as fresh and +pretty and cool and sweet as a snowdrop. The enchanted young man found +it impossible to lure his eyes away from her, and when, with a little +laugh, Jennie protested that he was missing all the fine scenery, he +answered that he had something much more beautiful to look upon; whereat +Jennie blushed most enticingly, smiled at him, but made no further +protest. Whether it was his joy in meeting Jennie, or the result of his +night's sleep, or his relief at finding that his career was not wrecked, +as he had imagined, or all three together, Lord Donal seemed his old +self again, and was as bright, witty, and cheerful as a boy home for the +holidays. They enjoyed their breakfast with the relish that youth and +a healthy appetite gives to a dainty meal well served. The rolls were +brown and toothsome, the butter, in thick corrugated spirals, was of a +delicious golden colour, cold and crisp. The coffee was all that coffee +should be, and the waiter was silent and attentive. Russia, like an evil +vision, was far behind, and the train sped through splendid scenery +swiftly towards England and home. + +The young man leaned back in his chair, interlaced his fingers +behind his head, and gazed across at Jennie, drawing a sigh of deep +satisfaction. + +"Well, this _is_ jolly," he said. + +"Yes," murmured Jennie, "it's very nice. I always did enjoy foreign +travel, especially when it can be done in luxury; but, alas! luxury +costs money, doesn't it?" + +"Oh, you don't need to mind, you are rich." + +"That is true; I had forgotten all about it." + +"I hope, Jennie, that the fact of my travelling on a _train de luxe_ +has not deluded you regarding my wealth. I should have told you that I +usually travel third class when I am transporting myself in my private +capacity. I am wringing this pampered elegance from the reluctant +pockets of the British taxpayer. When I travel for the British +Government I say, as _Pooh Bah_ said to _Koko_ in the 'Mikado,' 'Do it +well, my boy,' or words to that effect." + +"Indeed," laughed Jennie, "I am in a somewhat similar situation; the +newspaper is paying all the expenses of this trip, but I shall insist +on returning the money to the _Bugle_ now that I have failed in my +mission." + +"Dear me, how much more honest the newspaper business is than diplomacy! +The idea of returning any money never even occurred to me. The mere +suggestion freezes my young blood and makes each particular hair to +stand on end like quills upon the fretful porcupine. Our motto in the +service is, Get all you can, and keep all you get." + +"But then, you see, your case differs from mine; you did your best to +succeed, and I failed through my own choice; and thus I sit here a +traitor to my paper." + +"Well, Jennie," said the young man, picking up the despatch-box, which +he never allowed to leave his sight, and placing it on the table, +"you've only to say the word, and this contentious letter is in your +possession again. Do you regret your generosity?" + +"Oh, no, no, no, no, I would not have it back on any account. Even +looking at the matter in the most materialistic way, success means far +more to you than it does to me. As you say, I am rich, therefore I am +going to give up my newspaper career. I suppose that is why women very +rarely make great successes of their lives. A woman's career so often is +merely of incidental interest to her; a man's career is his whole life." + +"What a pity it is," mused the young man, "that one person's success +usually means another person's failure. If I were the generous, +whole-souled person I sometimes imagine myself to be, I should refuse +to accept success at the price of your failure. You have actually +succeeded, while I have actually failed. With a generosity that makes me +feel small and mean, you hand over your success to me, and I selfishly +accept it. But I compound with my conscience in this way. You and I are +to be married; then we will be one. That one shall be heir to all the +successes of each of us and shall disclaim all the failures of each. +Isn't that a good idea?" + +"Excellent," replied Jennie; "nevertheless, I cannot help feeling just a +little sorry for poor Mr. Hardwick." + +"Who is he--the editor?" + +"Yes. He _did_ have such faith in me that it seems almost a pity to +disappoint him." + +"You mustn't trouble your mind about Hardwick. Don't think of him at +all; think of me instead." + +"I am afraid I do, and have done so for some time past; nevertheless, I +shall get off at Liege and telegraph to him that I am not bringing the +document to London." + +"I will send the telegram for you when we reach there; but, if I +remember rightly what you told me of his purpose, he can't be very +deeply disappointed. I understood you to say that he did not intend to +publish the document, even if he got it." + +"That is quite true. He wished to act as the final messenger himself, +and was to meet me at Charing Cross Station, secure the envelope, and +take it at once to its destination." + +"I must confess," said the young man, with a bewildered expression, +"that I don't see the object of that. Are you sure he told you the +truth?" + +"Oh, yes. The object was this. It seems that there is in the Foreign +Office some crusty old curmudgeon who delights in baffling Mr. Hardwick. +This official--I forget his name; in fact, I don't think Mr. Hardwick +told me who he was--seems to forget the _Daily Bugle_ when important +items of news are to be given out, and Mr. Hardwick says that he favours +one of the rival papers, and the _Bugle_ has been unable, so far, to +receive anything like fair treatment from him; so Mr. Hardwick wanted +to take the document to him, and thus convince him there was danger in +making an enemy of the _Daily Bugle_. As I understood his project, which +didn't commend itself very much to me, Hardwick had no intention of +making a bargain, but simply proposed to hand over the document, and ask +the Foreign Office man to give the _Bugle_ its fair share in what was +going." + +"Do you mean to say that the official in question is the man to whom I +am to give this letter?" + +"Yes." + +"Oh, my prophetic soul, my uncle! Why, that is Sir James Cardiff, the +elder brother of my mother; he is a dear old chap, but I can well +understand an outsider thinking him gruff and uncivil. If the editor +really means what he says, then there will be no difficulty and no +disappointment. If all that is needed is the winning over of old Jimmy +to be civil to Hardwick, I can guarantee that. I am the especial +_protégé_ of my uncle. Everything I know I have learned from him. +He cannot understand why the British Government does not appoint me +immediately Ambassador to France; Jimmy would do it to-morrow if he had +the power. It was through him that I heard of this letter, and I believe +his influence had a good deal to do with my getting the commission of +special messenger. It was the chagrin that my uncle Jimmy would have +felt, had I failed, that put the final drop of bitterness in my cup of +sorrow when I came to my senses after my encounter with the Russian +police. That would have been a stunning blow to Sir James Cardiff. We +shall reach Charing Cross about 7.30 to-night, and Sir James will be +there with his brougham to take charge of me when I arrive. Now, what +do you say to our settling all this under the canopy of Charing Cross +Station? If you telegraph Mr. Hardwick to meet us there, I will +introduce him to Sir James, and he will never have any more trouble in +that quarter." + +"I think," said the girl, looking down at the tablecloth, "that I'd +rather not have Mr. Hardwick meet us." + +"Of course not," answered the young man quickly. "What was I thinking +about? It will be a family gathering, and we don't want any outsiders +about, do we?" + +Jennie laughed, but made no reply. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +JENNIE KEEPS STEP WITH THE WEDDING MARCH. + + +They had a smooth and speedy passage across from Calais to Dover, and +the train drew in at Charing Cross Station exactly on time. Lord Donal +recognized his uncle's brougham waiting for him, and on handing the +young lady out of the railway carriage he espied the old man himself +closely scrutinizing the passengers. Sir James, catching sight of him, +came eagerly forward and clasped both his nephew's hands. + +"Donal," he cried, "I am very glad indeed to see you. Is everything +right?" + +"As right as can be, uncle." + +"Then I am glad of that, too, for we have had some very disquieting +hints from the East." + +"They were quite justified, as I shall tell you later on; but meanwhile, +uncle, allow me to introduce to you Miss Baxter, who has done me the +honour of promising to be my wife." + +Jennie blushed in the searching rays of the electric light as the old +man turned quickly towards her. Sir James held her hand in his for some +moments before he spoke, gazing intently at her. Then he said slowly, +"Ah, Donal, Donal, you always had a keen eye for the beautiful." + +"Oh, I say," cried the young man, abashed at his uncle's frankness, "I +don't call that a diplomatic remark at all, you know." + +"Indeed, Sir James," said the girl, laughing merrily, "it is better than +diplomatic, it is complimentary, and I assure you I appreciate it. The +first time he met me he took me for quite another person." + +"Then, whoever that person is, my dear," replied the old man, "I'll +guarantee she is a lovely woman. And you mustn't mind what I say; nobody +else does, otherwise my boy Donal here would be much higher in the +service than the present moment finds him; but I am pleased to tell +you that the journey he has now finished will prove greatly to his +advantage." + +"Indeed, uncle, that is true," said the young man, looking at his +betrothed, "for on this journey I met again Miss Baxter, whom, to my +great grief, I had lost for some time. And now, uncle, I want you to +do me a great favour. Do you know Mr. Hardwick, editor of the _Daily +Bugle_?" + +"Yes, I know him; but I don't like him, nor his paper either." + +"Well, neither do the Russians, for that matter, by this time, and I +merely wish to tell you that if it hadn't been for his action, and for +the promptness of a member of his staff, I should have failed in this +mission. I was drugged by the Russian police and robbed. Miss Baxter, +who was on the train, saw something of what was going forward, and +succeeded, most deftly, in despoiling the robbers. I was lying +insensible at the time and helpless. She secured the document and handed +it back to me when we had crossed the frontier, leaving in the hands of +the Russians a similar envelope containing a copy of the _Daily Bugle_; +therefore, uncle, if in future you can do anything to oblige Mr. +Hardwick, you will help in a measure to cancel the obligation which our +family owes to him." + +"My dear boy, I shall be delighted to do so. I am afraid I have been +rather uncivil to him. If you wish it, I will go at once and apologize +to him." + +"Oh, no," cried Jennie, "you must not do that; but if you can help him +without jeopardizing the service, I, for one, will be very glad." + +"So shall I," said Donal. + +The old man took out his card-case, and on the back of his card +scribbled a most cordial invitation to Hardwick, asking him to call on +him. He handed this to Jennie, and said,-- + +"Tell Mr. Hardwick that I shall be pleased to see him at any time." + +"And now," said Lord Donal, "you must let us both escort you home in the +carriage." + +"No, no. I shall take a hansom, and will go directly to the office of +the _Bugle_, for Mr. Hardwick will be there by this time." + +"But we can drive you there." + +"No, please." + +She held out her hand to Sir James and said, with the least bit of +hesitation before uttering the last word, "Good night--uncle." + +"Good night, my dear," said the old man, "and God bless you," he added +with a tenderness which his appearance, so solemn and stately, left one +unprepared for. + +Lord Donal saw his betrothed into a hansom, protesting all the while at +thus having to allow her to go off unprotected. + +"What an old darling he is," murmured Jennie, ignoring his protests. "I +think if Mr. Hardwick had allowed me to look after the interests of the +paper at the Foreign Office, Sir James would not have snubbed me." + +"If the Foreign Office dared to do such a thing, it would hear of +something not to its advantage from the Diplomatic Service; and so, +goodnight, my dear." And, with additions, the nephew repeated the +benediction of the uncle. + +Jennie drove directly to the office of the _Daily Bugle_, and, for the +last time, mounting the stairs, entered the editorial rooms. She found +Mr. Hardwick at his desk, and he sprang up quickly on seeing who his +visitor was. "Ah, you have returned," he cried. "You didn't telegraph to +me, so I suppose that means failure." + +"I don't know, Mr. Hardwick. It all depends on whether or not your +object was exactly what you told me it was." + +"And what was that? I think I told you that my desire was to get +possession of the document which was being transmitted from St. +Petersburg to London." + +"No; you said the object was the mollifying of old Sir James Cardiff, of +the Foreign Office." + +"Exactly; that was the ultimate object, of course." + +"Very well. Read this card. Sir James gave it to me at Charing Cross +Station less than half an hour ago." + +The editor took the card, turned it over in his hands once or twice, and +read the cordial message which the old man had scribbled on the back of +it. + +"Then you have succeeded," cried Hardwick. "You got the document; but +why did you give it to Sir James yourself, instead of letting me hand it +to him?" + +"That is a long story. To put it briefly, it was because the messenger +carrying the document was Lord Donal Stirling, who is--who is--an old +friend of mine. Sir James is his uncle, and Lord Donal promised that he +would persuade the old man to let other newspapers have no advantages +which he refused to the _Daily Bugle_. I did not give the document to +Sir James, I gave it back to Lord Donal." + +"Lord Donal Stirling--Lord Donal Stirling," mused the editor. "Where +have I heard that name before?" + +"He is a member of the British Embassy at St. Petersburg, so you may +have seen his name in the despatches." + +"No. He is not so celebrated as all that comes to. Ah, I remember now. I +met the detective the other night and asked him if anything had come of +that romance in high life, to solve which he had asked your assistance. +He said the search for the missing lady had been abandoned, and +mentioned the name of Lord Donal Stirling as the foolish young man who +had been engaged in the pursuit of the unknown." + +Jennie coloured at this and drew herself up indignantly. + +"Before you say anything further against Lord Donal," she cried hotly, +"I wish to inform you that he and I are to be married." + +"Oh, I beg your pardon," said the editor icily. "Then, having failed to +find the other girl, he has speedily consoled himself by--" + +"There was no other girl. I was the person of whom Mr. Cadbury Taylor +was in search. I willingly gave him valuable assistance in the task of +failing to find myself. Having only a stupid man to deal with, I had +little difficulty in accomplishing my purpose. Neither Mr. Taylor nor +Mr. Hardwick ever suspected that the missing person was in their own +employ." + +"Well, I'm blessed!" ejaculated Hardwick. "So you baffled Cadbury Taylor +in searching for yourself, as you baffled me in getting hold of the +Russian letter. It seems to me, Miss Baxter, that where your own +inclinations do not coincide with the wishes of your employers, the +interests of those who pay you fall to the ground." + +"Mr. Cadbury Taylor didn't pay me anything for my services as amateur +detective, and he has, therefore, no right to grumble. As for the St. +Petersburg trip, I shall send you a cheque for all expenses incurred as +soon as I reach home." + +"Oh, you mistake me," asserted Mr. Hardwick earnestly. "I had no thought +of even hinting that you have not earned over and over again all the +money the _Daily Bugle_ has paid you; besides, I was longing for your +return, for I want your assistance in solving a mystery that has rather +puzzled us all. Paris is in a turmoil just now over the--" + +Jennie's clear laugh rang out. + +"I am going over to Paris in a day or two, Mr. Hardwick, to solve the +mystery of dressmaking, and I think, from what I know of it already, it +will require my whole attention. I must insist on returning to you the +cost of the St. Petersburg journey, for, after all, it proved to be +rather a personal excursion, and I couldn't think of allowing the paper +to pay for it. I merely came in to-night to hand you this card from +Sir James Cardiff, and I also desired to tender to you personally my +resignation. And so I must bid you good-bye, Mr. Hardwick," said the +girl holding out her hand; "and I thank you very much indeed for having +given me a chance to work on your paper." + +Before the editor could reply, she was gone, and that good man sat down +in his chair bewildered by the suddenness of it all, the room looking +empty and dismal, lacking her presence. + +"Confound Lord Donal Stirling!" he muttered under his breath, and then, +as an editor should he went on impassively with his night's work. + + * * * * * + +It was intended that the wedding should be rather a quiet affair, but +circumstances proved too strong for the young people. Lord Donal was +very popular and the bride was very beautiful. Sir James thought it +necessary to invite a great many people, and he intimated to Lord Donal +that a highly placed personage desired to honour the function with his +presence. And thus the event created quite a little flutter in the smart +set. The society papers affirmed that this elevated personage had been +particularly pleased by some diplomatic service which Lord Donal had +recently rendered him; but then, of course, one can never believe what +one reads in the society press. However, the man of exalted rank was +there, and so people said that perhaps there might be something in +the rumour. Naturally there was a great turn-out of ambassadors and +ministers, and their presence gave colour and dignity to the crush +at St. George's, Hanover Square. The Princess von Steinheimer made a +special journey from Vienna to attend, and on this occasion she brought +the Prince with her. The general opinion was that the bridegroom was a +very noble-looking fellow, and that the bride, in her sumptuous wedding +apparel, was quite too lovely for anything. + +The Princess was exceedingly bright and gay, and she chatted with her +old friends the Ambassadors from Austria and America. + +"I'm _so_ sorry," she said to the Ambassador from America, "that I did +not have time to speak with you at the Duchess of Chiselhurst's ball, +but I was compelled to leave early. You should have come to me sooner. +The Count here was much more gallant. We had a most delightful +conversation, hadn't we, Count? I was with Lord Donal, you remember." + +"Oh, yes," replied the aged Austrian, bowing low; "I shall not soon +forget the charming conversation I had with your Highness, and I hope +you, on your part, have not forgotten the cordial invitation you gave me +to visit again your castle at Meran." + +"Indeed, Count, you know very well how glad I am to see you at any time, +either in Vienna or at Meran." + +The American Ambassador remained silent, and glanced alternately from +the bride to the Princess with a puzzled expression on his face. + +The mystery of the Duchess of Chiselhurst's Ball proved too much for +him, as the search for the missing lady had proved too much for Mr. +Cadbury Taylor. + + +THE END + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Jennie Baxter, Journalist, by Robert Barr + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JENNIE BAXTER, JOURNALIST *** + +This file should be named 8bxtr10.txt or 8bxtr10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 8bxtr11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 8bxtr10a.txt + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, David Widger and PG Distributed +Proofreaders from images generously made available by the Canadian +Institute for Historical Microreproductions + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS*Ver.02/11/02*END* + diff --git a/old/8bxtr10.zip b/old/8bxtr10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b861d51 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/8bxtr10.zip diff --git a/old/9300-h.htm.2021-01-26 b/old/9300-h.htm.2021-01-26 new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b7922cf --- /dev/null +++ b/old/9300-h.htm.2021-01-26 @@ -0,0 +1,9673 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Jennie Baxter Journalist, by Robert Barr + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Jennie Baxter, Journalist, by Robert Barr + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Jennie Baxter, Journalist + +Author: Robert Barr + +Release Date: August 3, 2009 [EBook #9300] +Last Updated: October 31, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JENNIE BAXTER, JOURNALIST *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, David Widger and PG +Distributed Proofreaders from images generously made +available by the Canadian Institute for Historical +Microreproductions + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + JENNIE BAXTER JOURNALIST + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Robert Barr + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h4> + Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the<br /> year one + thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine. + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> JENNIE MAKES + HER TOILETTE AND THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A PORTER <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> JENNIE HAS IMPORTANT + CONFERENCES WITH TWO IMPORTANT EDITORS <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> + CHAPTER III. </a> JENNIE INTERVIEWS A FRIGHTENED OFFICIAL + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> JENNIE + LEARNS ABOUT THE DIAMONDS OF THE PRINCESS <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> JENNIE MEETS A GREAT + DETECTIVE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> JENNIE + SOLVES THE DIAMOND MYSTERY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER + VII. </a> JENNIE ARRANGES A CINDERELLA VISIT <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> JENNIE MIXES WITH + THE ELITE OF EARTH <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> JENNIE + REALIZES THAT GREAT EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEHIND <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> JENNIE ASSISTS IN + SEARCHING FOR HERSELF <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. + </a> JENNIE ELUDES AN OFFER OF MARRIAGE <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> JENNIE TOUCHES THE + EDGE OF A GOVERNMENT SECRET <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER + XIII. </a> JENNIE INDULGES IN TEA AND GOSSIP <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> JENNIE BECOMES A + SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. + </a> JENNIE BESTOWS INFORMATION UPON THE CHIEF OF POLICE + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a> JENNIE + VISITS A MODERN WIZARD IN HIS MAGIC ATTIC <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. </a> JENNIE ENGAGES A + ROOM IN A SLEEPING CAR <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER + XVIII. </a> JENNIE ENDURES A TERRIBLE NIGHT + JOURNEY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. </a> JENNIE + EXPERIENCES THE SURPRISE OF HER LIFE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0020"> + CHAPTER XX. </a> JENNIE CONVERSES WITH A YOUNG MAN SHE THINKS + MUCH OF <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. </a> JENNIE + KEEPS STEP WITH THE WEDDING MARCH <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. JENNIE MAKES HER TOILETTE AND THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A PORTER. + </h2> + <p> + Miss Jennie Baxter, with several final and dainty touches that put to + rights her hat and dress—a little pull here and a pat there—regarded + herself with some complacency in the large mirror that was set before her, + as indeed she had every right to do, for she was an exceedingly pretty + girl. It is natural that handsome young women should attire themselves + with extra care, and although Jennie would have been beautiful under any + conceivable condition of dress, she nevertheless did not neglect the + arraying of herself becomingly on that account. All that was remarkable on + this occasion consisted in the fact that she took more than usual pains to + make herself presentable, and it must be admitted that the effect was as + attractive as anyone could wish to have it. Her appearance was enough to + send a friend into ecstasies, or drive an enemy to despair. + </p> + <p> + Jennie’s voluminous hair, without being exactly golden, was—as the + poets might term it—the colour of ripe corn, and was distractingly + fluffy at the temples. Her eyes were liquidly, bewitchingly black, of + melting tenderness, and yet, upon occasion, they would harden into + piercing orbs that could look right through a man, and seem to fathom his + innermost thoughts. A smooth, creamy complexion, with a touch of red in + the cheeks, helped to give this combination of blonde and brunette an + appearance so charmingly striking that it may be easily understood she was + not a girl to be passed by with a single glance. Being so favoured by + nature, Jennie did not neglect the aid of art, and it must be admitted + that most of her income was expended in seeing that her wardrobe contained + the best that Paris could supply; and the best in this instance was not + necessarily the most expensive—at least not as expensive as such + supplementing might have been to an ordinary woman, for Jennie wrote those + very readable articles on the latest fashionable gowns which have appeared + in some of the ladies’ weeklies, and it was generally supposed that this + fact did not cause her own replenishing from the <i>modistes</i> she so + casually mentioned in her writings to be more expensive than her purse + could afford. Be that as it may, Miss Baxter was always most becomingly + attired, and her whole effect was so entrancing that men have been known + to turn in the street as she passed, and murmur, “By Jove!” a phrase that, + when you take into account the tone in which it is said, represents the + furthermost point of admiration which the limited vocabulary of a man + about town permits him to utter; and it says something for the honesty of + Jennie’s black eyes, and the straightforwardness of her energetic walk, + that none of these momentary admirers ever turned and followed her. + </p> + <p> + On this occasion Miss Jennie had paid more than usual attention to her + toilette, for she was about to set out to capture a man, and the man was + no other than Radnor Hardwick, the capable editor of the <i>Daily Bugle</i>, + which was considered at that moment to be the most enterprising morning + journal in the great metropolis. Miss Baxter had done work for some of the + evening papers, several of the weeklies, and a number of the monthlies, + and the income she made was reasonably good, but hazardously fitful. There + was an uncertainty about her mode of life which was displeasing to her, + and she resolved, if possible, to capture an editor on one of the morning + papers, and get a salary that was fixed and secure. That it should be + large was a matter of course, and pretty Miss Jennie had quite enough + confidence in herself to believe she would earn every penny of it. Quite + sensibly, she depended upon her skill and her industry as her ultimate + recommendation to a large salary, but she was woman enough to know that an + attractive appearance might be of some assistance to her in getting a + hearing from the editor, even though he should prove on acquaintance to be + a man of iron, which was tolerably unlikely. She glanced at the dainty + little watch attached to her wristlet, and saw that it lacked a few + minutes of five. She knew the editor came to his office shortly after + three, and remained there until six or half-past, when he went out to + dine, returning at ten o’clock, or earlier, when the serious work of + arranging next day’s issue began. She had not sent a note to him, for she + knew if she got a reply it would be merely a request for particulars as to + the proposed interview, and she had a strong faith in the spoken word, as + against that which is written. At five o’clock the editor would have read + his letters, and would probably have seen most of those who were waiting + for him, and Miss Baxter quite rightly conjectured that this hour would be + more appropriate for a short conversation than when he was busy with his + correspondence, or immersed in the hard work of the day, as he would be + after ten o’clock at night. She had enough experience of the world to know + that great matters often depend for their success on apparent + trivialities, and the young woman had set her mind on becoming a member of + the <i>Daily Bugle</i> staff. + </p> + <p> + She stepped lightly into the hansom that was waiting for her, and said to + the cabman, “Office of the <i>Daily Bugle</i>, please; side entrance.” + </p> + <p> + The careful toilette made its first impression upon the surly-looking + Irish porter, who, like a gruff and faithful watch-dog, guarded the + entrance to the editorial rooms of the <i>Bugle</i>. He was enclosed in a + kind of glass-framed sentry-box, with a door at the side, and a small + arched aperture that was on a level with his face as he sat on a high + stool. He saw to it, not too politely, that no one went up those stairs + unless he had undoubted right to do so. When he caught a glimpse of Miss + Baxter, he slid off the stool and came out of the door to her, which was + an extraordinary concession to a visitor, for Pat Ryan contented himself, + as a usual thing, by saying curtly that the editor was busy, and could see + no one. + </p> + <p> + “What did you wish, miss? To see the editor? That’s Mr. Hardwick. Have ye + an appointment with him? Ye haven’t; then I very much doubt if ye’ll see + him this day, mum. It’s far better to write to him, thin ye can state what + ye want, an’ if he makes an appointment there’ll be no throuble at all, at + all.” + </p> + <p> + “But why should there be any trouble now?” asked Miss Baxter. “The editor + is here to transact business, just as you are at the door to do the same. + I have come on business, and I want to see him. Couldn’t you send up my + name to Mr. Hardwick, and tell him I will keep him but a few moments?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, miss, that’s what they all say; they ask for a few moments an’ they + shtay an hour. Not that there’d be any blame to an editor if he kept you + as long as he could. An’ it’s willing I’d be to take up your name, but I’m + afraid that it’s little good it ‘ud be after doin’ ye. There’s more than a + dozen men in the waitin’-room now, an’ they’ve been there for the last + half-hour. Not a single one I’ve sent up has come down again.” + </p> + <p> + “But surely,” said Miss Jennie, in her most coaxing tone, “there must be + some way to see even such a great man as the editor, and if there is, you + know the way.” + </p> + <p> + “Indade, miss, an’ I’m not so sure there is a way, unless you met him in + the strate, which is unlikely. As I’ve told ye, there’s twelve men now + waitin’ for him in the big room. Beyont that room there’s another one, an’ + beyont that again is Mr. Hardwick’s office. Now, it’s as much as my place + is worth, mum, to put ye in that room beyont the one where the men are + waitin’; but, to tell you the truth, miss,” said the Irishman, lowering + his voice, as if he were divulging office secrets, “Mr. Hardwick, who is a + difficult man to deal with, sometimes comes through the shmall room, and + out into the passage whin he doesn’t want to see anyone at all, at all, + and goes out into the strate, leavin’ everybody waitin’ for him. Now I’ll + put ye into this room, and if the editor tries to slip out, then ye can + speak with him; but if he asks ye how ye got there, for the sake of hiven + don’t tell him I sint ye, because that’s not my duty at all, at all.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, I won’t tell him how I got there; or, rather, I’ll say I came + there by myself; so all you need to do is to show me the door, and there + won’t need to be any lies told. + </p> + <p> + “True for ye, an’ a very good idea. Well, miss, then will ye just come up + the stairs with me? It’s the fourth door down the passage.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Jennie beamed upon the susceptible Irishman a look of such melting + gratitude that the man, whom bribery had often attempted to corrupt in + vain, was her slave for ever after. They went up the stairs together, at + the head of which the porter stood while Miss Baxter went down the long + passage and stopped at the right door; Ryan nodded and disappeared. + </p> + <p> + Miss Baxter opened the door softly and entered. She found the room not too + brilliantly lighted, containing a table and several chairs. The door to + the right hand, which doubtless led into the waiting-room, where the dozen + men were patiently sitting, was closed. The opposite door, which led into + Mr. Hardwick’s office, was partly open. Miss Baxter sat down near the + third door, the one by which she had entered from the passage, ready to + intercept the flying editor, should he attempt to escape. + </p> + <p> + In the editor’s room someone was walking up and down with heavy footfall, + and growling in a deep voice that was plainly audible where Miss Jennie + sat. “You see, Alder, it’s like this,” said the voice. “Any paper may have + a sensation every day, if it wishes; but what I want is accuracy, + otherwise our sheet has no real influence. When an article appears in the + <i>Bugle</i>, I want our readers to understand that that article is true + from beginning to end. I want not only sensation, but definiteness and not + only definiteness, but absolute truth.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Hardwick,” interrupted another voice—the owner of which + was either standing still or sitting in a chair, so far as Miss Baxter + could judge by the tone, while the editor uneasily paced to and fro—“what + Hazel is afraid of is that when this blows over he will lose his situation—” + </p> + <p> + “But,” interjected the editor, “no one can be sure that he gave the + information. No one knows anything about this but you and I, and we will + certainly keep our mouths shut.” + </p> + <p> + “What Hazel fears is that the moment we print the account, the Board of + Public Construction will know he gave away the figures, because of their + accuracy. He says that if we permit him to make one or two blunders, which + will not matter in the least in so far as the general account goes, it + will turn suspicion from him. It will be supposed that someone had access + to the books, and in the hurry of transcribing figures had made the + blunders, which they know he would not do, for he has a reputation for + accuracy.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so,” said the editor; “and it is just that reputation—for + accuracy—that I want to gain for the <i>Daily Bugle</i>. Don’t you + think the truth of it is that the man wants more money?” + </p> + <p> + “Who? Hazel?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly. Does he imagine that he could get more than fifty pounds + elsewhere?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no; I’m sure the money doesn’t come into the matter at all. Of course + he wants the fifty pounds, but he doesn’t want to lose his situation on + the Board of Public Construction in the getting of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Where do you meet this man, at his own house, or in his office at the + Board?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, in his own house, of course.” + </p> + <p> + “You haven’t seen the books, then?” + </p> + <p> + “No; but he has the accounts all made out, tabulated beautifully, and has + written a very clear statement of the whole transaction. You understand, + of course, that there has been no defalcation, no embezzlement, or + anything of that sort. The accounts as a whole balance perfectly, and + there isn’t a penny of the public funds wrongly appropriated. All the + Board has done is to juggle with figures so that each department seems to + have come out all right, whereas the truth is that some departments have + been carried on at a great profit, while with others there has been a + loss. The object obviously has been to deceive the public and make it + think that all the departments are economically conducted.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry money hasn’t been stolen,” said the editor generously, “then + we would have had them on the hip; but, even as it is, the <i>Bugle</i> + will make a great sensation. What I fear is that the opposition press will + seize on those very inaccuracies, and thus try to throw doubt on the whole + affair. Don’t you think that you can persuade this person to let us have + the information intact, without the inclusion of those blunders he seems + to insist on? I wouldn’t mind paying him a little more money, if that is + what he is after.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t think that is his object. The truth is, the man is frightened, + and grows more and more so as the day for publication approaches. He is so + anxious about his position that he insisted he was not to be paid by + cheque, but that I should collect the money and hand it over to him in + sovereigns.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I’ll tell you what to do, Alder. We mustn’t seem too eager. Let the + matter rest where it is until Monday. I suppose he expects you to call + upon him again to-day?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; I told him I should be there at seven.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t go, and don’t write any explanation. Let him transfer a little of + his anxiety to the fear of losing his fifty pounds. I want, if possible, + to publish this information with absolute accuracy.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there any danger, Mr. Hardwick, that some of the other papers may get + on the track of this?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don’t think so; not for three days, anyway. If we appear too eager, + this man Hazel may refuse us altogether.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good, sir.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Baxter heard the editor stop in his walk, and she heard the rustling + of paper, as if the subordinate were gathering up some documents on which + he had been consulting his chief. She was panic-stricken to think that + either of the men might come out and find her in the position of an + eavesdropper, so with great quietness she opened the door and slipped out + into the hall, going from there to the entrance of the ordinary + waiting-room, in which she found, not the twelve men that the porter had + expatiated upon, but five. Evidently the other seven had existed only in + the porter’s imagination, or had become tired of waiting and had + withdrawn. The five looked up at her as she entered and sat down on a + chair near the door. A moment later the door communicating with the room + she had quitted opened, and a clerk came in. He held two or three slips of + paper in his hand, and calling out a name, one of the men rose. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Hardwick says,” spoke up the clerk, “that this matter is in Mr. + Alder’s department; would you mind seeing him? Room number five.” + </p> + <p> + So that man was thus got rid of. The clerk mentioned another name, and + again a man rose. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Hardwick,” the clerk said, “has the matter under consideration. Call + again to-morrow at this hour, then he will give you his decision.” + </p> + <p> + That got rid of number two. The third man was asked to leave his name and + address; the editor would write to him. Number four was told that if he + would set down his proposition in writing, and send it in to Mr. Hardwick, + it would have that gentleman’s serious consideration. The fifth man was + not so easily disposed of. He insisted upon seeing the editor, and + presently disappeared inside with the clerk. Miss Baxter smiled at the + rapid dispersion of the group, for it reminded her of the rhyme about the + one little, two little, three little nigger-boys. But all the time there + kept running through her mind the phrase, “Board of Public Construction,” + and the name, “Hazel.” + </p> + <p> + After a few minutes, the persistent man who had insisted upon seeing the + editor came through the general waiting-room, the secretary, or clerk, or + whoever he was, following him. + </p> + <p> + “Has your name been sent in, madam?” the young man asked Miss Baxter, as + she rose. “I think not,” answered the girl. “Would you take my card to Mr. + Hardwick, and tell him I will detain him but a few moments?” + </p> + <p> + In a short time the secretary reappeared, and held the door open for her. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. JENNIE HAS IMPORTANT CONFERENCES WITH TWO IMPORTANT EDITORS. + </h2> + <p> + Mr. Hardwick was a determined-looking young man of about thirty-five, with + a bullet head and closely-cropped black hair. He looked like a stubborn, + strong-willed person, and Miss Baxter’s summing up of him was that he had + not the appearance of one who could be coaxed or driven into doing + anything he did not wish to do. He held her card between his fingers, and + glanced from it to her, then down to the card again. + </p> + <p> + “Good afternoon, Mr. Hardwick,” began Miss Baxter. “I don’t know that you + have seen any of my work, but I have written a good deal for some of the + evening papers and for several of the magazines.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Hardwick, who was standing up preparatory to leaving his + office, and who had not asked the young woman to sit down; “your name is + familiar to me. You wrote, some months since, an account of a personal + visit to the German Emperor; I forget now where it appeared.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes,” said Miss Baxter; “that was written for the <i>Summer Magazine</i>, + and was illustrated by photographs.” + </p> + <p> + “It struck me,” continued Hardwick, without looking at her, “that it was + an article written by a person who had never seen the German Emperor, but + who had collected and assimilated material from whatever source presented + itself.” + </p> + <p> + The young woman, in nowise abashed, laughed; but still the editor did not + look up. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she admitted, “that is precisely how it was written. I never have + had the pleasure of meeting William II. myself.” + </p> + <p> + “What I have always insisted upon in work submitted to me,” growled the + editor in a deep voice, “is absolute accuracy. I take it that you have + called to see me because you wish to do some work for this paper.” + </p> + <p> + “You are quite right in that surmise also,” answered Miss Jennie. “Still, + if I may say so, there was nothing inaccurate in my article about the + German Emperor. My compilation was from thoroughly authentic sources, so I + maintain it was as truthfully exact as anything that has ever appeared in + the <i>Bugle</i>.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps our definitions of truth might not quite coincide. However, if + you will write your address on this card I will wire you if I have any + work—that is, any outside work—which I think a woman can do. + The woman’s column of the <i>Bugle</i>, as you are probably aware, is + already in good hands.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Jennie seemed annoyed that all her elaborate preparations were thrown + away on this man, who never raised his eyes nor glanced at her, except + once, during their conversation. + </p> + <p> + “I do not aspire,” she said, rather shortly, “to the position of editor of + a woman’s column. I never read a woman’s column myself, and, unlike Mr. + Grant Allen, I never met a woman who did.” + </p> + <p> + She succeeded in making the editor lift his eyes towards her for the + second time. + </p> + <p> + “Neither do I intend to leave you my address so that you may send a wire + to me if you have anything that you think I can do. What I wish is a + salaried position on your staff.” + </p> + <p> + “My good woman,” said the editor brusquely, “that is utterly impossible. I + may tell you frankly that I don’t believe in women journalists. The + articles we publish by women are sent to this office from their own homes. + Anything that a woman can do for a newspaper I have men who will do quite + as well, if not better; and there are many things that women can’t do at + all which men must do. I am perfectly satisfied with my staff as it + stands, Miss Baxter.” + </p> + <p> + “I think it is generally admitted,” said the young woman, “that your staff + is an exceptionally good one, and is most capably led. Still, I should + imagine that there are many things happening in London, society functions, + for instance, where a woman would describe more accurately what she saw + than any man you could send. You have no idea how full of blunders a man’s + account of women’s dress is as a general rule, and if you admire accuracy + as much as you say, I should think you would not care to have your paper + made a laughing-stock among society ladies, who never take the trouble to + write you a letter and show you where you are wrong, as men usually do + when some mistake regarding their affairs is made.” + </p> + <p> + “There is probably something in what you say,” replied the editor, with an + air of bringing the discussion to a close. “I don’t insist that I am + right, but these are my ideas, and while I am editor of this paper I shall + stand by them, so it is useless for us to discuss the matter any further, + Miss Baxter. I will not have a woman as a member of the permanent staff of + the <i>Bugle</i>.” + </p> + <p> + For the third time he looked up at her, and there was dismissal in his + glance. + </p> + <p> + Miss Baxter said indignantly to herself, “This brute of a man hasn’t the + slightest idea that I am one of the best dressed women he has ever met.” + </p> + <p> + But there was no trace of indignation in her voice when she said to him + sweetly, “We will take that as settled. But if upon some other paper, Mr. + Hardwick, I should show evidence of being as good a newspaper reporter as + any member of your staff, may I come up here, and, without being kept + waiting too long, tell you of my triumph?” + </p> + <p> + “You would not shake my decision,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don’t say that,” she murmured, with a smile. “I am sure you wouldn’t + like it if anyone called you a fool.” + </p> + <p> + “Called me a fool?” said the editor sharply, drawing down his dark brows. + “I shouldn’t mind it in the least.” + </p> + <p> + “What, not if it were true? You know it would be true, if I could do + something that all your clever men hadn’t accomplished. An editor may be a + very talented man, but, after all, his mission is to see that his paper is + an interesting one, and that it contains, as often as possible, something + which no other sheet does.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I’ll see to that,” Mr. Hardwick assured her with resolute confidence. + </p> + <p> + “I am certain you will,” said Miss Baxter very sweetly; “but now you won’t + refuse to let me in whenever I send up my card? I promise you that I shall + not send it until I have done something which will make the whole staff of + the <i>Daily Bugle</i> feel very doleful indeed.” + </p> + <p> + For the first time Mr. Hardwick gave utterance to a somewhat harsh and + mirthless laugh. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, very well,” he said, “I’ll promise that.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you! And good afternoon, Mr. Hardwick. I am <i>so</i> much obliged + to you for consenting to see me. I shall call upon you at this hour + to-morrow afternoon.” + </p> + <p> + There was something of triumph in her smiling bow to him, and as she left + she heard a long whistle of astonishment in Mr. Hardwick’s room. She + hurried down the stairs, threw a bewitching glance at the Irish porter, + who came out of his den and whispered to her,— + </p> + <p> + “It’s all right, is it, mum?” + </p> + <p> + “More than all right,” she answered. “Thank you very much indeed for your + kindness.” + </p> + <p> + The porter preceded her out to the waiting hansom and held his arm so that + her skirt would not touch the wheel. + </p> + <p> + “Drive quickly to the Cafe Royal,” she said to the cabman. + </p> + <p> + When the hansom drew up in front of the Cafe Royal, Miss Jennie Baxter did + not step put of it, but waited until the stalwart servitor in gold lace, + who ornamented the entrance, hurried from the door to the vehicle. “Do you + know Mr. Stoneham?” she asked with suppressed excitement, “the editor of + the <i>Evening Graphite</i>? He is usually here playing dominoes with + somebody about this hour.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes, I know him,” was the reply. “I think he is inside at this moment, + but I will make certain.” + </p> + <p> + In a short time Mr. Stoneham himself appeared, looking perhaps a trifle + disconcerted at having his whereabouts so accurately ascertained. + </p> + <p> + “What a blessing it is,” said Miss Jennie, with a laugh, “that we poor + reporters know where to find our editors in a case of emergency.” + </p> + <p> + “This is no case of emergency, Miss Baxter,” grumbled Stoneham. “If it’s + news, you ought to know that it is too late to be of any use for us + to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, yes,” was the quick reply, “but what excellent time I am in with news + for to-morrow!” + </p> + <p> + “If a man is to live a long life,” growled the disturbed editor, “he must + allow to-morrow’s news to look after itself. Sufficient for the day are + the worries thereof.” + </p> + <p> + “As a general rule that is true,” assented the girl, “but I have a most + important piece of information for you that wouldn’t wait, and in half an + hour from now you will be writing your to-morrow’s leader, showing forth + in terse and forcible language the many iniquities of the Board of Public + Construction.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” cried the editor, brightening, “if it is anything to the discredit + of the Board of Public Construction, I am glad you came.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that’s not a bit complimentary to me. You should be glad in any + case; but I’ll forgive your bad manners, as I wish you to help me. Please + step into this hansom, because I have most startling intelligence to + impart—news that must not be overheard; and there is no place so + safe for a confidential conference as in a hansom driving through the + streets of London. Drive slowly towards the <i>Evening Graphite</i> + office,” she said to the cabman, pushing up the trap-door in the roof of + the vehicle. Mr. Stoneham took his place beside her, and the cabman turned + his horse in the direction indicated. + </p> + <p> + “There is little use in going to the office of the paper,” said Stoneham; + “there won’t be anybody there but the watchman.” + </p> + <p> + “I know, but we must go in some direction. We can’t talk in front of the + Café Royal, you know. Now, Mr. Stoneham, in the first place, I want fifty + golden sovereigns. How am I to get them within half an hour?” + </p> + <p> + “Good gracious! I don’t know; the banks are all closed, but there is a man + at Charing Cross who would perhaps change a cheque for me; there is a + cheque-book at the office.” + </p> + <p> + “Then that’s all right and settled. Mr. Stoneham, there’s been some + juggling with the accounts in the office of the Board of Public + Construction.” + </p> + <p> + “What! a defalcation?” cried Stoneham eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “No; merely a shifting round.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” said the editor, in a disappointed tone. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you needn’t say ‘Ah.’ It’s very serious; it is indeed. The accounts + are calculated to deceive the dear and confiding public, to whose + interests all the daily papers, morning and evening, pretend to be + devoted. The very fact of such deception being attempted, Mr. Stoneham, + ought to call forth the anger of any virtuous editor.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it does, it does; but then it would be a difficult matter to prove. + If some money were gone, now——” + </p> + <p> + “My dear sir, the matter is already proved, and quite ripe for your + energetic handling of it; that’s what the fifty pounds are for. This sum + will secure for you—to-night, mind, not to-morrow—a statement + bristling with figures which the Board of Construction cannot deny. You + will be able, in a stirring leading article, to express the horror you + undoubtedly feel at the falsification of the figures, and your stern + delight in doing so will probably not be mitigated by the fact that no + other paper in London will have the news, while the matter will be so + important that next day all your beloved contemporaries will be compelled + to allude to it in some shape or other.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said the editor, his eyes glistening as the magnitude of the idea + began to appeal more strongly to his imagination. “Who makes this + statement, and how are we to know that it is absolutely correct?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, there is a point on which I wish to inform you before going any + further. The statement is not to be absolutely correct; two or three + errors have been purposely put in, the object being to throw investigators + off the track if they try to discover who gave the news to the Press; for + the man who will sell me this document is a clerk in the office of the + Board of Public Construction. So, you see, you are getting the facts from + the inside.” + </p> + <p> + “Is he so accustomed to falsifying accounts that he cannot get over the + habit even when preparing an article for the truthful Press?” + </p> + <p> + “He wants to save his own situation, and quite rightly too, so he has put + a number of errors in the figures of the department over which he has + direct control. He has a reputation for such accuracy that he imagines the + Board will never think he did it, if the figures pertaining to his + department are wrong even in the slightest degree.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so. Then we cannot have the pleasure of mentioning his name, and + saying that this honest man has been corrupted by his association with the + scoundrels who form the Board of Public Construction?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear, no; his name must not be mentioned in any circumstances, and + that is why payment is to be made in sovereigns rather than by bank cheque + or notes.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, the traitor seems to be covering up his tracks rather effectually. + How did you come to know him?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know him. I’ve never met him in my life; but it came to my + knowledge that one of the morning papers had already made all its plans + for getting this information. The clerk was to receive fifty pounds for + the document, but the editor and he are at present negotiating, because + the editor insists upon absolute accuracy, while, as I said, the man + wishes to protect himself, to cover his tracks, as you remarked.” + </p> + <p> + “Good gracious!” cried Stoneham, “I didn’t think the editor of any morning + paper in London was so particular about the accuracy of what he printed. + The pages of the morning sheets do not seem to reflect that anxiety.” + </p> + <p> + “So, you see,” continued Miss Jennie, unheeding his satirical comment, + “there is no time to be lost; in fact, I should be on my way now to where + this man lives.” + </p> + <p> + “Here we are at the office, and I shall just run in and write a cheque for + fifty pounds, which we can perhaps get cashed somewhere,” cried the + editor, calling the hansom to a halt and stepping out. + </p> + <p> + “Tell the watchman to bring me a London Directory,” said the girl, and + presently that useful guardian came out with the huge red volume, which + Miss Baxter placed on her knees, and, with a celerity that comes of long + practice, turned over the leaves rapidly, running her finger quickly down + the H column, in which the name “Hazel” was to be found. At last she came + to one designated as being a clerk in the office of the Board of Public + Construction, and his residence was 17, Rupert Square, Brixton. She put + this address down in her notebook and handed back the volume to the + waiting watchman, as the editor came out with the cheque in his hand. + </p> + <p> + The shrewd and energetic dealer in coins, whose little office stands at + the exit from Charing Cross Station, proved quite willing to oblige the + editor of the <i>Evening Graphite</i> with fifty sovereigns in exchange + for the bit of paper, and the editor, handing to Miss Jennie the envelope + containing the gold, saw her drive off for Brixton, while he turned, not + to resume his game of dominoes at the café, but to his office, to write + the leader which would express in good set terms the horror he felt at the + action of the Board of Public Construction. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. JENNIE INTERVIEWS A FRIGHTENED OFFICIAL. + </h2> + <p> + It was a little past seven o’clock when Miss Baxter’s hansom drove up to + the two-storeyed house in Rupert Square numbered 17. She knocked at the + door, and it was speedily opened by a man with some trace of anxiety on + his clouded face, who proved to be Hazel himself, the clerk at the Board + of Public Construction. “You are Mr. Hazel?” she ventured, on entering. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied the man, quite evidently surprised at seeing a lady instead + of the man he was expecting at that hour; “but I am afraid I shall have to + ask you to excuse me; I am waiting for a visitor who is a few minutes + late, and who may be here at any moment.” + </p> + <p> + “You are waiting for Mr. Alder, are you not?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” stammered the man, his expression of surprise giving place to one + of consternation. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, that is all right,” said Miss Jennie, reassuringly. “I have + just driven from the office of the <i>Daily Bugle</i>. Mr. Alder cannot + come to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” said Hazel, closing the door. “Then are you here in his place?” + </p> + <p> + “I am here instead of him. Mr. Alder is on other business that he had to + attend to at the editor’s request. Now, Mr. Hardwick—that’s the + editor, you know——” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know,” answered Hazel. + </p> + <p> + They were by this time seated in the front parlour. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Hardwick is very anxious that the figures should be given with + absolute accuracy.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, that would be much better,” cried the man; “but, you see, I + have gone thoroughly into the question with Mr. Alder already. He said he + would mention what I told him to the editor—put my position before + him, in fact.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he has done so,” said Miss Baxter, “and did it very effectively + indeed; in fact, your reasons are quite unanswerable. You fear, of course, + that you will lose your situation, and that is very important, and no one + in the <i>Bugle</i> office wishes you to suffer for what you have done. Of + course, it is all in the public interest.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, of course,” murmured Hazel, looking down on the table. + </p> + <p> + “Well, have you all the documents ready, so that they can be published at + any time?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite ready,” answered the man. + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said the girl, with decision; “here are your fifty pounds. + Just count the money, and see that it is correct. I took the envelope as + it was handed to me, and have not examined the amount myself.” + </p> + <p> + She poured the sovereigns out on the table, and Hazel, with trembling + fingers, counted them out two by two. + </p> + <p> + “That is quite right,” he said, rising. He went to a drawer, unlocked it, + and took out a long blue envelope. + </p> + <p> + “There,” he said, with a sigh that was almost a gasp. “There are the + figures, and a full explanation of them. You will be very careful that my + name does not slip out in any way.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” said Miss Jennie, coolly drawing forth the papers from their + covering. “No one knows your name except Mr. Alder, Mr. Hardwick, and + myself; and I can assure you that I shall not mention it to anyone.” + </p> + <p> + She glanced rapidly over the documents. + </p> + <p> + “I shall just read what you have written,” she said, looking up at him; + “and if there is anything here I do not understand you will, perhaps, be + good enough to explain it now,—and then I won’t need to come here + again.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said Hazel. The man had no suspicion that his visitor was not + a member of the staff of the paper he had been negotiating with. She was + so thoroughly self-possessed, and showed herself so familiar with all + details which had been discussed by Alder and himself that not the + slightest doubt had entered the clerk’s mind. + </p> + <p> + Jennie read the documents with great haste, for she knew she was running a + risk in remaining there after seven o’clock. It might be that Alder would + come to Brixton to let the man know the result of his talk with the + editor, or Mr. Hardwick himself might have changed his mind, and + instructed his subordinate to secure the papers. Nevertheless, there was + no sign of hurry in Miss Jennie’s demeanour as she placed the papers back + in their blue envelope and bade the anxious Hazel good-bye. + </p> + <p> + Once more in the hansom, she ordered the man to drive her to Charing + Cross, and when she was ten minutes away from Rupert Square she changed + her direction and desired him to take her to the office of the <i>Evening + Graphite</i>, where she knew Mr. Stoneham would be busy with his leading + article, and probably impatiently awaiting further details of the + conspiracy he was to lay open before the public. A light was burning in + the editorial rooms of the office of the <i>Evening Graphite</i>, always a + suspicious thing in such an establishment, and well calculated to cause + the editor of any rival evening paper to tremble, should he catch a + glimpse of burning gas in a spot where the work of the day should be + finished at latest by five o’clock. Light in the room of the evening + journalist usually indicates that something important is on hand. + </p> + <p> + A glance at the papers Miss Baxter brought to him showed Mr. Stoneham that + he had at least got the worth of his fifty pounds. There would be a + fluttering in high places next day. He made arrangements before he left to + have the paper issued a little earlier than was customary, calculating his + time with exactitude, so that rival sheets could not have the news in + their first edition, cribbed from the <i>Graphite</i>, and yet the paper + would be on the street, with the newsboys shouting, “‘Orrible scandal,” + before any other evening journal was visible. And this was accomplished + the following day with a precision truly admirable. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Stoneham, with a craft worthy of all commendation, kept back from the + early issue a small fraction of the figures that were in his possession, + so that he might print them in the so-called fourth edition, and thus put + upon the second lot of contents—bills sent out, in huge, startling + black type, “Further Revelations of the Board of Construction Scandal;” + and his scathing leading article, in which he indignantly demanded a + Parliamentary inquiry into the conduct of the Board, was recognized, even + by the friends of that public body, as having seriously shaken confidence + in it. The reception of the news by the other evening papers was most + flattering. One or two ignored it altogether, others alluded to it as a + rumour, that it “alleged” so and so, and threw doubt on its truth, which + was precisely what Mr. Stoneham wished them to do, as he was in a position + to prove the accuracy of his statement. + </p> + <p> + Promptly, at five o’clock that afternoon a hansom containing Miss Jennie + Baxter drove up to the side entrance of the <i>Daily Bugle</i> office, and + the young woman once more accosted the Irish porter, who again came out of + his den to receive her. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Baxter?” said the Irishman, half by way of salutation, and half by + way of inquiry. “Yes,” said the girl. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Hardwick left strict orders with me that if ye came, or, + rather, that <i>whin</i> ye came, I was to conduct ye right up to his room + at once.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that is very satisfactory,” cried Miss Jennie, “and somewhat + different from the state of things yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, and that’s very true,” said the porter, his voice sinking. + “To-day is not like yesterday at all, at all. There’s been great ructions + in this office, mum; although what it’s about, fly away with me if I know. + There’s been ruunin’ back and forrad, an’ a plentiful deal of language + used. The proprietor himself has been here, an’ he’s here now, an’ Mr. + Alder came out a minute ago with his face as white as a sheet of paper. + They do be sayin’,” added the porter, still further lowering his voice, + and pausing on the stairway, “that Mr. Hardwick is not goin’ to be the + editor any more, but that Mr. Alder is to take his place. Anyway, as far + as I can tell, Mr. Hardwick an’ Mr. Alder have had a fine fall out, an’ + one or other of them is likely to leave the paper.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear, oh, dear!” said Miss Jennie, also pausing on the stairs. “Is it + so serious as all that?” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed it is, mum, an’ we none of us know where we’re standin’, at all, + at all.” + </p> + <p> + The porter led the way to Mr. Hardwick’s room, and announced the visitor. + </p> + <p> + “Ask her to come in,” she heard the editor say, and the next instant the + porter left them alone together. + </p> + <p> + “Won’t you sit down, Miss Baxter?” said Mr. Hardwick, with no trace of + that anger in his voice which she had expected. “I have been waiting for + you. You said you would be here at five, and I like punctuality. Without + beating round the bush, I suppose I may take it for granted that the <i>Evening + Graphite</i> is indebted to you for what it is pleased to call the Board + of Public Construction scandal?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the young woman, seating herself; “I came up to tell you that + I procured for the <i>Graphite</i> that interesting bit of information.” + </p> + <p> + “So I supposed. My colleague, Henry Alder, saw Hazel this afternoon at the + offices of the Board. The good man Hazel is panic-stricken at the + explosion he has caused, and is in a very nervous state of mind, more + especially when he learned that his documents had gone to an unexpected + quarter. Fortunately for him, the offices of the Board are thronged with + journalists who want to get statements from this man or the other + regarding the exposure, and so the visit of Alder to Hazel was not likely + to be noticed or commented upon. Hazel gave a graphic description of the + handsome young woman who had so cleverly wheedled the documents from him, + and who paid him the exact sum agreed upon in the exact way that it was to + have been paid. Alder had not seen you, and has not the slightest idea how + the important news slipped through his fingers; but when he told me what + had happened, I knew at once you were the goddess of the machine, + therefore I have been waiting for you. May I be permitted to express the + opinion that you didn’t play your cards at all well, Miss Baxter?” + </p> + <p> + “No? I think I played my cards very much better than you played yours, you + know.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I am not instituting any comparison, and am not at all setting myself + up as a model of strategy. I admit that, having the right cards in my + hands, I played them exceedingly badly; but then, you understand, I + thought I was sure of an exclusive bit of news.” + </p> + <p> + “No news is exclusive, Mr. Hardwick, until it is printed, and out in the + streets, and the other papers haven’t got it.” + </p> + <p> + “That is very true, and has all the conciseness of an adage. I would like + to ask, Miss Baxter, how much the <i>Graphite</i> paid you for that + article over and above the fifty pounds you gave to Hazel?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! it wasn’t a question of money with me; the subject hasn’t even been + discussed. Mr. Stoneham is not a generous paymaster, and that is why I + desire to get on a paper which does not count the cost too closely. What I + wished to do was to convince you that I would be a valuable addition to + the <i>Bugle</i> staff; for you seemed to be of opinion that the staff was + already sufficient and complete.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my staff is not to blame in this matter; I alone am to blame in being + too sure of my ground, and not realizing the danger of delay in such a + case. But if you had brought the document to me, you would have found me + by far your best customer. You would have convinced me quite as + effectually as you have done now that you are a very alert young woman, + and I certainly would have been willing to give you four or five times as + much as the <i>Graphite</i> will be able to pay.” + </p> + <p> + “To tell the truth, I thought of that as I stood here yesterday, but I saw + you were a very difficult man to deal with or to convince, and I dared not + take the risk of letting you know I had the news. You might very easily + have called in Mr. Alder, told him that Hazel had given up the documents, + and sent him flying to Brixton, where very likely the clerk has a + duplicate set. It would have been too late to get the sensation into any + other morning paper, and, even if it were not too late, you would have had + something about the sensation in the <i>Bugle</i>, and so the victory + would not have been as complete as it is now. No, I could not take such a + risk. I thought it all out very carefully.” + </p> + <p> + “You credit us with more energy, Miss Baxter, than we possess. I can + assure you that if you had come here at ten or eleven o’clock with the + documents, I should have been compelled to purchase them from you. + However, that is all past and done with, and there is no use in our saying + anything more about it. I am willing to take all the blame for our defeat + on my shoulders, but there are some other things I am not willing to do, + and perhaps you are in a position to clear up a little misunderstanding + that has arisen in this office. I suppose I may take it for granted that + you overheard the conversation which took place between Mr. Alder and + myself in this room yesterday afternoon?” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Miss Baxter, for the first time in some confusion, “I can + assure you that I did not come here with the intention of listening to + anything. I came into the next room by myself for the purpose of getting + to see you as soon as possible. While not exactly a member of the staff of + the <i>Evening Graphite</i>, that paper nevertheless takes about all the + work I am able to do, and so I consider myself bound to keep my eyes and + ears open on its behalf wherever I am.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don’t want to censure you at all,” said Hardwick; “I merely wish to + be certain how the thing was done. As I said, I am willing to take the + blame entirely on my own shoulders. I don’t think I should have made use + of information obtained in that way myself; still, I am not venturing to + find fault with you for doing so.” + </p> + <p> + “To find fault with me!” cried Miss Jennie somewhat warmly, “that would be + the pot calling the kettle black indeed. Why, what better were you? You + were bribing a poor man to furnish you with statistics, which he was very + reluctant to let you have; yet you overcame his scruples with money, quite + willing that he should risk his livelihood, so long as you got the news. + If you ask me, I don’t see very much difference in our positions, and I + must say that if two men take the risk of talking aloud about a secret, + with a door open leading to another room, which may be empty or may be + not, then they are two very foolish persons.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, quite so, quite so,” answered Hardwick soothingly. “I have already + disclaimed the critical attitude. The point I wish to be sure of is this—you + overheard the conversation between Alder and myself?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I did.” + </p> + <p> + “Would you be able to repeat it?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know that I could repeat it word for word, but I could certainly + give the gist of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Would you have any objection to telling a gentleman whom I shall call in + a moment, as nearly as possible what Alder said and what I said? I may add + that the gentleman I speak of is Mr. Hempstead, and he is practically the + proprietor of this paper. There has arisen between Mr. Alder and myself a + slight divergence of memory, if I may call it so, and it seems that you + are the only person who can settle the dispute.” + </p> + <p> + “I am perfectly willing to tell what I heard to anybody.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hardwick pressed an electric button, and his secretary came in from + another room. + </p> + <p> + “Would you ask Mr. Hempstead to step this way, if he is in his room?” + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes Mr. Hempstead entered, bowed somewhat stiffly towards the + lady, but froze up instantly when he heard that she was the person who had + given the Board of Public Construction scandal to the <i>Evening Graphite</i>. + </p> + <p> + “I have just this moment learned, Mr. Hempstead, that Miss Baxter was in + the adjoining room when Alder and I were talking over this matter. She + heard the conversation. I have not asked her to repeat it, but sent for + you at once, and she says she is willing to answer any questions you may + ask.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case, Mr. Hardwick, wouldn’t it be well to have Henry Alder + here?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, if he is on the premises.” Then, turning to his secretary, he + said, “Would you find out if Mr. Alder is in his room? Tell him Mr. + Hempstead wishes to see him here.” + </p> + <p> + When Henry Alder came in, and the secretary had disappeared, Miss Baxter + saw at once that she was in an unenviable situation, for it was quite + evident the three men were scarcely on speaking terms with each other. + Nothing causes such a state of tension in a newspaper office as the + missing of a piece of news that is important. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps it would be better,” suggested Hardwick, “if Miss Baxter would + repeat the conversation as she heard it.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t see the use of that,” said Mr. Hempstead. “There is only one + point at issue. Did Mr. Alder warn Mr. Hardwick that by delay he would + lose the publication of this report?” + </p> + <p> + “Hardly that,” answered the girl. “As I remember it, he said, ‘Isn’t there + a danger that some other paper may get this?’ Mr. Hardwick replied, ‘I + don’t think so. Not for three days, at least’; and then Mr. Alder said, + ‘Very good,’ or ‘Very well,’ or something like that.” + </p> + <p> + “That quite tallies with my own remembrance,” assented Hardwick. “I admit + I am to blame, but I decidedly say that I was not definitely warned by Mr. + Alder that the matter would be lost to us.” + </p> + <p> + “I told you it would be lost if you delayed,” cried Alder, with the + emphasis of an angry man, “and it <i>has</i> been lost. I have been on the + track of this for two weeks, and it is very galling to have missed it at + the last moment through no fault of my own.” + </p> + <p> + “Still,” said Mr. Hempstead coldly, “your version of the conversation does + not quite agree with what Miss Baxter says.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well,” said Alder, “I never pretended to give the exact words. I + warned him, and he did not heed the warning.” + </p> + <p> + “You admit, then, that Miss Baxter’s remembrance of the conversation is + correct?” + </p> + <p> + “It is practically correct. I do not ‘stickle’ about words.” + </p> + <p> + “But you did stickle about words an hour ago,” said Mr. Hempstead, with + some severity. “There is a difference in positively stating that the item + would be lost and in merely suggesting that it might be lost.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, have it as you wish,” said Alder truculently. “It doesn’t matter in + the least to me. It is very provoking to work hard for two weeks, and then + have everything nullified by a foolish decision from the editor. However, + as I have said, it doesn’t matter to me. I have taken service on the <i>Daily + Trumpet</i>, and you may consider my place on the <i>Bugle</i> vacant”—saying + which, the irate Mr. Alder put his hat on his head and left the room. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hempstead seemed distressed by the discussion, but, for the first + time, Mr. Hardwick smiled grimly. + </p> + <p> + “I always insist on accuracy,” he said, “and lack of it is one of Alder’s + failings.” + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless, Mr. Hardwick, you have lost one of your best men. How are + you going to replace him?” inquired the proprietor anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “There is little difficulty in replacing even the best man on any staff in + London,” replied Hardwick, with a glance at Miss Baxter. “As this young + lady seems to keep her wits about her when the welfare of her paper is + concerned, I shall, if you have no objection, fill Henry Alder’s place + with Miss Baxter?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hempstead arched his eyebrows a trifle, and looked at the girl in some + doubt. + </p> + <p> + “I thought you didn’t believe in women journalists, Mr. Hardwick,” he + murmured at last. + </p> + <p> + “I didn’t up till to-day, but since the evening papers came out I have had + reason to change my mind. I should much rather have Miss Baxter for me + than against me.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think you can fill the position, Miss Baxter?” asked the + proprietor, doubtingly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I, am sure of it,” answered the girl. “I have long wanted a place on + a well-edited paper like the <i>Bugle</i>.” Again Mr. Hardwick smiled + grimly. The proprietor turned to him, and said, “I don’t quite see, Mr. + Hardwick, what a lady can do on this paper outside of the regular + departments.” + </p> + <p> + “I hardly think there will be any trouble about that, Mr. Hempstead. For + example, who could be better equipped to attempt the solution of that + knotty question about the Princess von Steinheimer’s diamonds?” + </p> + <p> + “By Jove!” cried Hempstead, his eyes glittering with excitement. “That is + an inspiration. I imagine that if anyone can unravel the mystery, it is + Miss Baxter.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. JENNIE LEARNS ABOUT THE DIAMONDS OF THE PRINCESS. + </h2> + <p> + “What about the diamonds of the Princess?” asked Miss Baxter, her + curiosity piqued by the remark of the editor. + </p> + <p> + “That is rather a long story,” replied Mr. Hardwick, “and before I begin + it, I would like to ask you one or two questions. Can you manipulate a + typewriter?” + </p> + <p> + “That depends on what make it is. The ordinary typewriter I understand + very thoroughly.” + </p> + <p> + “Good. Have you any knowledge of shorthand?” + </p> + <p> + “A workable knowledge; I can write about one hundred words a minute.” + </p> + <p> + “Admirable! admirable! Your coming to this office was indeed an + inspiration, as Mr. Hempstead remarked. You are just the person I have + been looking for.” + </p> + <p> + “You didn’t seem to think so yesterday, Mr. Hardwick,” said the girl with + a sly glance at him. + </p> + <p> + “Well, many things have happened since yesterday. We are now dealing with + to-day, and with the Princess von Steinheimer.” + </p> + <p> + “She is a German princess, of course?” + </p> + <p> + “An Austrian princess, but an American woman. She was a Miss Briggs of + Chicago; a daughter of Briggs, the railway millionaire, worth somewhere + between twenty and twenty-five millions—dollars, of course. A year + or two ago she married Prince Konrad von Steinheimer; you may remember + having read about it in the papers?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes; the usual international match—the girl after the title, he + after the money.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose so; but be that as it may, she is the only daughter of old + Briggs, and had spent a good deal of her time in Europe, but she spent + more than time; she spent the old man’s money as well, so during her stay + in Europe she accumulated a vast stock of diamonds, some of them very + notable stones. I don’t know what the whole collection is worth, some say + a million dollars, while others say double that amount. However that may + be, Miss Briggs became the Princess von Steinheimer, and brought to + Austria with her a million dollars in gold and the diamonds, which her + father gave as dowry; but, of course, being an only child, she will come + in for the rest of his money when the railway magnate dies.” + </p> + <p> + “Is he likely to die soon? I don’t suppose the Prince gave himself away + for a mere million.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you forget the diamonds. As to the likelihood of old Briggs’s death, + it didn’t strike me as imminent when I had a conversation with him + yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + “Yesterday? Is he here in London, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; he has come over to disentangle the mystery about the diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is the mystery? You take a dreadful long time to tell a story, + Mr. Hardwick.” + </p> + <p> + “The story is important, and it must be told in detail, otherwise you may + go on a long journey for nothing. Are you taking down what I say in + shorthand? That is right, and if you are wise you will not transcribe your + notes so that anyone can read them; they are safer in that form. The von + Steinheimer family have two residences, a house in Vienna and an ancient + castle in the Tyrol, situated on the heights above Meran, a most + picturesque place, I understand; but very shortly you will know more about + it than I do, because the <i>Bugle</i> expects you to go there as its + special correspondent. Here the diamond robbery took place something like + two months ago, and the affair is still as great a mystery as ever. The + Princess was to open the season at Meran, which is a fashionable resort, + by giving a fancy dress ball in Schloss Steinheimer, to which all the + Austrian and foreign notables were invited. It was just before the ball + began that the diamonds were first missed—in fact, the Princess was + about to put them on, she representing some gorgeously decorated character + from the Arabian Nights, when the discovery was made that the diamonds + were gone. She was naturally very much upset over her loss, and sent at + once for the Prince, her husband, insisting that the police should be + notified immediately and detectives called in, as was perfectly natural. + Now here comes a strange feature of the affair, and this is that the + Prince positively forbade any publicity, refusing his sanction when she + demanded that the police should be informed, and yet the Prince knew + better than anyone else the very considerable value of the stones.” + </p> + <p> + “What reason did he give for his refusal?” asked Miss Baxter, looking up + from her notes. + </p> + <p> + “I am not quite certain about that; but I think he said it was <i>infra + dig.</i> for the Steinheimers to call in the police. Anyhow, it was an + excuse which did not satisfy the Princess; but as guests were arriving, + and as it was desirable that there should be no commotion to mar the + occasion, the Princess temporarily yielded to the wish of her husband, and + nothing was said publicly about the robbery. The great ball was the talk + of Meran for several days, and no one suspected the private trouble that + was going on underneath this notable event. During these several days the + Princess insisted that the aid of the police should be invoked, and the + Prince was equally strenuous that nothing should be said or done about the + matter. Then, quite unexpectedly, the Prince veered completely round, and + proclaimed that he would engage the best detectives in Europe. Strange to + say, when he announced this decision to his wife, she had veered round + also, and opposed the calling in of the detectives as strenuously as he + had done heretofore.” + </p> + <p> + “What reason did she give for her change of front?” asked Miss Jennie. + </p> + <p> + “She said, I believe, that it was now too late; that the thieves, whoever + they were, had had time to make away with their plunder, and there would + merely be a fuss and worry for nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know, I am inclined to agree with her,” asserted the girl. + </p> + <p> + “Are you? Then tell me what you think of the case as far as you have got.” + </p> + <p> + “What do <i>you</i> think?” + </p> + <p> + “I sha’n’t tell you at this stage, because I know of further particulars + which I will give you later on. I merely want your opinion now, so that I + may see whether what I have to tell you afterwards modifies it in any + way.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, to me the case looks decidedly dark against the Prince.” + </p> + <p> + “That is what Mr. Briggs thinks. He imagines his Highness has the jewels.” + </p> + <p> + “Where did you get all these particulars?” + </p> + <p> + “From Mr. Briggs, who, of course, got them by letter from his daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we have, as it were, a one-sided statement.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, quite so; but still you must remember the Princess does not in the + least suspect her husband of the theft.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, please go on. What are the further particulars?” + </p> + <p> + “The further particulars are that the Prince made some quiet + investigations among the servants, and he found that there was a man who, + although he was a friend of his own, was much more the friend of the + Princess, and this man had, on the day the ball was given, the entire + freedom of the castle. He is a young officer and nobleman. Lieutenant von + Schaumberg, and the Prince knew that this young man was being hard pressed + for some debts of honour which he did not appear to be in a position to + liquidate. The young man went unexpectedly to Vienna the day after the + ball, and on his return settled his obligations. The Princess, from one of + her women, got word of her husband’s suspicion. She went to the Prince at + once, and told him she had come to his own opinion with regard to the lost + diamonds. She would, in no circumstances, have detectives about the place. + Then he told her that he had also changed his mind, and resolved to engage + detectives. So here they were at a deadlock again. She wrote to her father + with great indignation about the Prince’s unjust suspicions, saying von + Schaumberg was a gentleman in every sense of the word. I gather that + relations between herself and her husband are somewhat strained, so I + imagine there is much more in this matter than the lost diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “You imagine, then, that she is shielding the Lieutenant?” + </p> + <p> + “Candidly, I do.” + </p> + <p> + “And you are of opinion he stole the diamonds?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I am.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t agree with you. I still think it was the Prince, and I think + besides this, that he dexterously managed to throw suspicion on the + Lieutenant. Have they called in the detectives yet?” + </p> + <p> + “No, they are at a deadlock, as I remarked before.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what am I expected to do?” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Briggs cabled to his daughter—he never writes a letter—that + he would come over and straighten out the tangle in fifteen minutes. He is + certain the Prince stole the diamonds, but he did not tell his daughter + so. He informed her he was bringing her a present of a new typewriting + machine, and also a young woman from Chicago who could write shorthand and + would look after the Princess’s correspondence—act as secretary, in + fact; for it seems the Princess has a larger correspondence than she can + reasonably attend to, and she appears therefore to yearn for a typewriter. + The old man tells me she is very careless about her letters, never being + able to find anything she wants, and leaving them about a good deal, so he + thinks she needs someone to look after her affairs; and I have a suspicion + that her father fears she may leave some compromising letter about, so he + wishes to ward off a divorce case.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I fancy you are mistaken there. The father hasn’t the slightest idea + that there can be anything wrong with his daughter. It is probable the + Princess has written some libellous statements about her husband, and it + is quite likely the Prince is a brute and that young von Schaumberg is a + most charming person.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, as I was saying,” continued Hardwick, “the old man cabled his + daughter that he is bringing her a secretary and a typewriter. He engaged + a female Pinkerton detective to enter the castle as secretary to the + Princess and, if possible, to solve the diamond mystery. She is a young + woman who, when she left Chicago, was very anti-English, but she became + acquainted on the steamer with a young Englishman who was tremendously + taken with her, and so at Liverpool she quite calmly broke her engagement + with the old man and fulfilled a new engagement she had made with the + young man by promptly marrying him—special license, I am told. Old + Briggs has therefore a new typewriting machine on his hands, and so I was + going to propose to you that you take the place of the Chicago Pinkerton + person. Briggs has become so disgusted with all these detective women that + he abandoned the idea of sending a female detective with the machine, and + doesn’t imagine that whoever is sent will be either a detective or a + newspaper woman. I was introduced to him the other day by one of those + lucky chances which sometimes put interesting items of news in our way, + and he told me the whole story, requesting me to recommend someone who + wrote shorthand and understood the typewriter. I am to dine with him this + evening, and I shall cordially recommend you. I may say that Briggs has + gone to that celebrated London detective Mr. Cadbury Taylor, and has + engaged him to solve the diamond mystery. So you see you will have a clear + field. If you can leave for the castle to-morrow night, you may have the + pleasure of Mr. Cadbury Taylor’s company. He isn’t visiting the castle, + but goes straight to Vienna; so if you work your cards rightly, you can be + in the same carriage with him as far as Munich, and during that time you + may find out perhaps what he thinks about the case. I know only this much + about his theory, and that is he thinks the right place to begin is in + Vienna, where some, at least, of the stones are supposed to have been + pawned.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, this is a delightful case, and I shall enjoy it. Has there been + anything published yet with reference to the robbery?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a word; nobody knows anything about it, except the Prince and + Princess, Briggs, myself and yourself, and perhaps one or two of the + servants in the castle—oh, yes, and Cadbury Taylor.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. JENNIE MEETS A GREAT DETECTIVE. + </h2> + <p> + Miss Baxter was early at the station before the Continental train left. + She walked up and down the platform, hoping to see Mr. Cadbury Taylor, + with whose face and form she was familiar. She secured a porter who spoke + French, and pretended to him that she knew no English. + </p> + <p> + “I desire,” she said, “to get into a first-class compartment with a + gentleman whom I shall point out to you. I shall give you five shillings, + so you must let me have your whole attention. My luggage has been labelled + and registered, therefore you will not need to bother about it, but keep + your eye on me and follow me into whatever carriage I enter, bringing with + you the hand-bag and this heavy package.” + </p> + <p> + The heavy package was a typewriter in its case. Shortly before the train + departed, there sauntered into the station the tall, thin, well-known form + of the celebrated detective. He wore a light ulster that reached almost to + his heels, and his keen, alert face was entirely without beard or + moustache. As he came up the platform, a short, stout man accosted him. + </p> + <p> + “I was afraid you were going to be late,” said the detective’s friend, + “but I see you are just in time as usual.” + </p> + <p> + “A railway station,” said Mr. Cadbury Taylor, “is not the most inspiring + place in London for the spending of a spare half hour; besides, I had some + facts to get together, which are now tabulated in my note-book, and I’m + quite ready to go, if the train is.” + </p> + <p> + “I have secured a smoking compartment here where we shall be alone.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s right, Smith,” said Cadbury Taylor. “You are always so + thoughtful,” and the two men entered the compartment together. + </p> + <p> + Just as the guards were shouting, “Take your seats, please,” Miss Baxter + made a bolt for the compartment in which the detective and his friend sat + together in opposite corners. + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon,” said Smith, “this is a smoking compartment.” The lady + replied to him volubly in French, and next instant the porter heaved the + typewriter and hand-bag on the seat beside her. Smith seemed to resent the + intrusion, and appeared about to blame the porter, but the man answered + rapidly as he banged the door shut, “The lady doesn’t speak any English,” + and the next moment the train moved out of the station. + </p> + <p> + “There was no need,” said the detective, “my dear Smith, to depend upon + the porter for the information that the lady could not speak English. She + is the secretary to a very rich employer in Chicago, and came from that + city to New York, where she sailed on the <i>Servia</i> alone, coming to + England to transact some special business, of which I could here give you + full particulars, if it were worth while. She came from Liverpool to + London over the Great Western Railway, and is now on her way to Paris. All + this, of course, is obvious to the most casual observer, and so, my dear + Smith, we may discuss our case with as much security as though we were + entirely alone.” + </p> + <p> + “But, good heavens, Cadbury!” cried Smith in amazement, “how can you tell + all that?” + </p> + <p> + “My dear fellow,” said the detective wearily, “no one travels with a + typewriting machine unless that person is a typewriter. The girl, if you + will notice, is now engaged in filling the leaves of her book with + shorthand, therefore that proves her occupation. That she is secretary to + a rich man is evidenced by the fact that she crossed in the <i>Servia</i> + first cabin, as you may see by glancing at the label on the case; that she + came alone, which is to say her employer was not with her, is indicated by + the typewriter being marked ‘Not Wanted,’ so it was put down into the + hold. If a Chicago business man had been travelling with his secretary, + the typewriter case would have been labelled instead, ‘Cabin, wanted,’ for + a Chicago man of business would have to write some hundreds of letters, + even on the ocean, to be ready for posting the moment he came ashore. The + typewriter case is evidently new, and is stamped with the name and address + of its sellers in Chicago. That she came by the Great Western is shown by + the fact that ‘Chester’ appears on still another label. That she has + special business in England we may well believe, otherwise she would have + crossed on the French line direct from New York to Havre. So you see, my + dear boy, these are all matters of observation, and quite patent to anyone + who cares to use his eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it all seems very simple now that you have explained it,” growled + Smith. + </p> + <p> + “I should be a much more mysterious person than I am,” remarked the + detective complacently, “if I did not explain so much. This explanation + habit is becoming a vice with me, and I fear I must abandon it.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope for my sake you won’t,” said Smith more good-naturedly, “for if + left to myself I never could find out how you arrive at your wonderful + conclusions. Do you expect the Austrian diamond mystery to prove + difficult?” + </p> + <p> + “Difficult? Oh, dear no! To tell the truth, I have solved it already, but + in order to give the American a run for his money—and surely he + ought not to object to that, because he is a millionaire who has made his + fortune by giving other people runs for their money, being a railway man—I + am now on my way to Vienna. If I solved the problem off-hand for him in + London, he would have no more appreciation of my talent than you had a + moment ago when I explained why I knew this French girl came from + Chicago.” + </p> + <p> + “You mustn’t mind that, Cadbury,” said Smith contritely. “I confess I was + irritated for a moment because it all seemed so simple.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear fellow, every puzzle in this world is simple except one, and that + is to find any problem which is difficult.” + </p> + <p> + “Then who stole the diamonds? The lieutenant?” + </p> + <p> + The detective smiled and gazed upwards for a few tantalizing moments at + the roof of the carriage. + </p> + <p> + “Here we have,” he said at last, “an impecunious prince who marries an + American heiress, as so many of them do. The girl begins life in Austria + on one million dollars, say two hundred thousand pounds, and a case of + diamonds said to be worth another two hundred thousand at least—probably + more. Not much danger of running through that very speedily, is there, + Smith?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I should think not.” + </p> + <p> + “So the average man would think,” continued the detective. “However, I + have long since got out of the habit of thinking; therefore I make sure. + The first problem I set to myself is this: How much money have the Prince + and Princess spent since they were married? I find that the repairs on the + Schloss Steinheimer, situated in the Tyrol, cost something like forty + thousand pounds. It is a huge place, and the Steinheimers have not had an + heiress in the family for many centuries. The Prince owed a good deal of + money when he was married, and it took something like sixty thousand + pounds to settle those debts; rather expensive as Continental princes go, + but if one must have luxuries, one cannot save money. Not to weary you + with details, I found that the two hundred thousand pounds were exhausted + somewhat more than two months ago; in fact, just before the alleged + robbery. The Prince is, of course, without money, otherwise he would not + have married a Chicago heiress, and the Princess being without money, what + does she naturally do?” + </p> + <p> + “Pawns her own diamonds!” cried Smith enthusiastically. + </p> + <p> + The detective smiled. + </p> + <p> + “I thought it much more probable she would apply to her father for money. + I asked him if this was the case, giving him the date, roughly speaking, + when such a letter had been sent. The old man opened his eyes at this, and + told me he had received such a letter. ‘But you did not send the money?’ I + ventured, ‘No,’ he said, ‘I did not. The fact is, money is very tight in + Chicago just now, and so I cabled her to run on her debts for a while.’ + This exactly bore out the conclusion at which I had already arrived. So + now, having failed to get money from her father, the lady turns to her + diamonds, the only security she possesses. The chances are that she did so + before her father’s cable message came, and that was the reason she so + confidently wished information to be given to the police. She expected to + have money to redeem her jewels, and being a bright woman, she knew the + traditional stupidity of the official police, and so thought there was no + danger of her little ruse being discovered. But when the cable message + came saying no money would be sent her, a different complexion was put + upon the whole affair, for she did not know but if the police were given + plenty of time they might stumble on the diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear Cadbury, why should she not have taken the diamonds openly + and raised money on them?” + </p> + <p> + “My dear fellow, there are a dozen reasons, any one of which will suffice + where a woman is in the case. In the first place, she might fear to offend + the family pride of the von Steinheimers; in the second place, we cannot + tell what her relations with her husband were. She may not have wished him + to know that she was short of money. But that she has stolen her own + diamonds there is not the slightest question in my mind. All that is + necessary for me to do now is to find out how many persons there are in + Vienna who would lend large sums of money on valuable jewels. The second + is to find with which one of those the Princess pawned her diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear Cadbury, the lady is in Meran, and Vienna is some hundreds + of miles away. How could a lady in the Tyrol pawn diamonds in Vienna + without her absence being commented on? or do you think she had an agent + to do it for her?” Again the detective smiled indulgently. + </p> + <p> + “No, she had no agent. The diamonds never left Vienna. You see, the ball + had been announced, and immediate money was urgently needed. She pawned + the diamonds before she left the capital of Austria, and the chances are + she did not intend anyone to know they were missing; but on the eve of the + ball her husband insisted that she should wear her diamonds, and + therefore, being a quick-witted woman, she announced they had been stolen. + After having made such a statement, she, of course, had to stick to it; + and now, failing to get the money from America, she is exceedingly anxious + that no real detective shall be employed in investigation.” + </p> + <p> + At Dover Miss Baxter, having notes of this interesting conversation in + shorthand, witnessed the detective bid good-bye to his friend Smith, who + returned to London by a later train. After that she saw no more of Mr. + Cadbury Taylor, and reached the Schloss Steinheimer at Meran without + further adventure. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. JENNIE SOLVES THE DIAMOND MYSTERY. + </h2> + <p> + Miss Baxter found life at the Schloss much different from what she had + expected. The Princess was a young and charming lady, very handsome, but + in a state of constant depression. Once or twice Miss Baxter came upon her + with apparent traces of weeping on her face. The Prince was not an old + man, as she had imagined, but young and of a manly, stalwart appearance. + He evidently possessed a fiendish temper, and moped about the castle with + a constant frown upon his brow. + </p> + <p> + The correspondence of the Princess was in the utmost disorder. There were + hundreds upon hundreds of letters, and Miss Baxter set to work tabulating + and arranging them. Meanwhile the young newspaper woman kept her eyes + open. She wandered about the castle unmolested, poked into odd corners, + talked with the servants, and, in fact, with everyone, but never did she + come upon a clue which promised to lead to a solution of the diamond + difficulty. Once she penetrated into a turret room, and came unexpectedly + upon the Prince, who was sitting on the window-ledge, looking absently out + on the broad and smiling valley that lay for miles below the castle. He + sprang to his feet and stared so fiercely at the intruder that the girl’s + heart failed her, and she had not even the presence of mind to turn and + run. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want?” he said to her shortly, for he spoke English + perfectly. “You are the young woman from Chicago, I suppose?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Miss Baxter, forgetting for the moment the <i>role</i> she + was playing; “I am from London.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it doesn’t matter; you are the young woman who is arranging my + wife’s correspondence?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” The Prince strode rapidly forward and grasped her by the wrist, his + brow dark with a forbidding frown. He spoke in a hoarse whisper: + </p> + <p> + “Listen, my good girl! Do you want to get more money from me than you will + get from the Princess in ten years’ service? Hearken, then, to what I tell + you. If there are any letters from—from—men, will you bring + them to me?” + </p> + <p> + Miss Baxter was thoroughly frightened, but she said to the Prince sharply,— + </p> + <p> + “If you do not let go my wrist, I’ll scream. How dare you lay your hand on + me?” + </p> + <p> + The Prince released her wrist and stepped back. + </p> + <p> + “Forgive me,” he said; “I’m a very miserable man. Forget what I have + said.” + </p> + <p> + “How can I forget it?” cried the girl, gathering courage as she saw him + quail before her blazing eyes. “What do you want me to do?” + </p> + <p> + “I want you to bring to me any letters written by—by——” + </p> + <p> + “Written by von Schaumberg,” cried the girl, noticing his hesitation and + filling in the blank. + </p> + <p> + A red wave of anger surged up in the Prince’s face. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he cried; “bring me a letter to her from von Schaumberg, and I’ll + pay you what you ask.” + </p> + <p> + The girl laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Prince,” she said, “you will excuse me if I call you a fool. There are no + letters from von Schaumberg, and I have gone through the whole of the + correspondence.” + </p> + <p> + “What, then, suggested the name von Schaumberg to you? Where did you ever + hear it before?” + </p> + <p> + “I heard that you suspected him of stealing the diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “And so he did, the cowardly thief. If it were not for mixing the + Princess’s name with such carrion as he, I would—” + </p> + <p> + But the Prince in his rage stamped up and down the room without saying + what he would do. Miss Baxter quickly brought him to a standstill. + </p> + <p> + “It is contrary to my duty to the Princess,” she began, hesitatingly, when + he stopped and turned fiercely upon her. + </p> + <p> + “What is contrary to your duty?” + </p> + <p> + “There are letters, tied very daintily with a blue ribbon, and they are + from a man. The Princess did not allow me to read them, but locked them + away in a secret drawer in her dressing-room, but she is so careless with + her keys and everything else, that I am sure I can get them for you, if + you want them.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, I want them,” said the Prince, “and will pay you handsomely for + them.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” replied Miss Baxter, “you shall have them. If you will wait + here ten minutes, I shall return with them.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” hesitated the Prince, “say nothing to the Princess.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, I shall not need to; the keys are sure to be on her + dressing-table.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Baxter ran down to the room of the Princess, and had little + difficulty in obtaining the keys. She unlocked the secret drawer into + which she had seen the Princess place the packet of letters, and taking + them out, she drew another sheet of paper along with them, which she read + with wide-opening eyes, then with her pretty lips pursed, she actually + whistled, which unmaidenly performance merely gave sibilant expression to + her astonishment. Taking both the packet of letters and the sheet of paper + with her, she ran swiftly up the stair and along the corridor to the room + where the Prince was impatiently awaiting her. + </p> + <p> + “Give them to me,” he snapped, rudely snatching the bundle of documents + from her hand. She still clung to the separate piece of paper and said + nothing. The Prince stood by the window and undid the packet with + trembling hands. He examined one and then another of the letters, turning + at last towards the girl with renewed anger in his face. + </p> + <p> + “You are trifling with me, my girl,” he cried. + </p> + <p> + “No, I am not,” she said stoutly. + </p> + <p> + “These are my own letters, written by me to my wife before we were + married!” + </p> + <p> + “Of course they are. What others did you expect? These are the only + letters, so far as I have learned, that any man has written to her, and + the only letters she cares for of all the thousands she has ever received. + Why, you foolish, blind man, I had not been in this castle a day before I + saw how matters stood. The Princess is breaking her poor heart because you + are unkind to her, and she cares for nobody on earth but you, great stupid + dunce that you are.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it true? Will you swear it’s true?” cried the Prince, dropping the + packet and going hastily toward the girl. Miss Jennie stood with her back + to the wall, and putting her hands behind her, she said,— + </p> + <p> + “No, no; you are not going to touch me again. Of course it’s true, and if + you had the sense of a six-year-old child, you would have seen it long + ago; and she paid sixty thousand pounds of your gambling debts, too.” + </p> + <p> + “What are you talking about? The Princess has never given me a penny of + her money; I don’t need it. Goodness knows, I have money enough of my + own.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Cadbury Taylor said that you—Oh, I’ll warrant you, it is like + all the rest of his statements, pure moonshine.” + </p> + <p> + “Of whom are you speaking? And why did my wife protect that wretch whom + she knows has stolen her diamonds?” + </p> + <p> + “You mean von Schaumberg?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe the Princess does think he stole them, and the reason the + Princess protects him is to prevent you from challenging him, for she + fears that he, being a military man, will kill you, although I fancy she + would be well rid of you.” + </p> + <p> + “But he stole the diamonds—there was nobody else.” + </p> + <p> + “He did nothing of the kind. Read that!” + </p> + <p> + The Prince, bewildered, took the sheet that she handed to him and read it, + a wrinkle of bewilderment corrugating his brow. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t understand what this has to do with the case,” he said at last. + “It seems to be an order on the bank at Vienna for the diamonds, written + by the Princess herself.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course it is. Well, if the diamonds had been delivered, that paper + would now be in the possession of the bank instead of in your hands.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps she mislaid this order and wrote another.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps. Still it might be worth while finding out.” + </p> + <p> + “Take this, then, to the Princess and ask her.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not likely she would remember. The better plan is to telegraph at + once to the Vienna bank, asking them to send the diamonds to Meran by + special messenger. No one there knows that the diamonds are missing.” + </p> + <p> + “I will do so at once,” cried the Prince, with more animation in his voice + than Miss Baxter had previously noticed. His Highness was becoming + interested in the game. + </p> + <p> + After luncheon the Princess came to Miss Baxter, who was seated at her + desk, and handed her a letter. + </p> + <p> + “There is an invitation from the Duchess of Chiselhurst for a grand ball + she is shortly to give in her London house. It is to be a very swell + affair, but I don’t care enough for such things to go all the way to + England to enjoy them. Would you therefore send her Grace my regrets?” + </p> + <p> + “I will do so at once.” + </p> + <p> + At that moment there came a messenger from the Prince asking Miss Baxter + to meet him in the library. The girl glanced up at the Princess. + </p> + <p> + “Have I your permission to go?” she said. + </p> + <p> + The Princess looked at her steadily for a moment, just the faintest + suspicion of a frown on her fair brow. + </p> + <p> + “I do not suppose you need my permission.” Her Highness spoke with slow + deliberation. “My husband condescends to take considerable interest in + you. Passing along the corridor this morning, I heard your voices in most + animated conversation.” + </p> + <p> + “Had you sufficient interest in our discussion to stop and listen to what + we said, Princess von Steinheimer?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, now you are becoming insolent, and I must ask you to consider your + engagement with me at an end.” + </p> + <p> + “Surely you will not dismiss me in this heartless way, Princess. I think I + am entitled to a month’s notice, or is it only a week’s?” + </p> + <p> + “I will pay you a year’s salary, or two years’ if that will content you. I + have no wish to deal harshly with you, but I desire you to leave at once,” + said the Princess, who had little sense of humour, and thus thought the + girl was in earnest when she asked for notice. + </p> + <p> + Miss Baxter laughed merrily, and replied when she was able to control her + mirth, “I do hate to leave the castle just when things are becoming + interesting. Still, I don’t suppose I shall really need to go away in + spite of your dismissal, for the Prince this morning offered me ten times + the amount of money you are paying.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he?” + </p> + <p> + “Be assured he did; if you don’t believe me, ask him. I told him he was a + fool, but, alas, we live in a cynical age, and few men believe all they + hear, so I fear my expression of opinion made little impression on him.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall not keep you longer from his Highness,” said the Princess with + freezing dignity. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you so much. I am just dying to meet him, for I know he has + something most interesting to tell me. Don’t you think yourself, Princess, + that a man acts rather like a fool when he is deeply in love?” + </p> + <p> + To this there was no reply, and the Princess left the room. + </p> + <p> + Miss Jennie jumped to her feet and almost ran to the library. She found + the Prince walking up and down the long room with a telegraph message in + his hand. “You are a most wonderful young woman,” he said; “read that.” + </p> + <p> + “I have been told so by more observing men than you, Prince von + Steinheimer,” said the girl, taking the telegram. It was from the manager + of the bank in Vienna, and it ran: “Special messenger leaves with package + by the Meran express to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “Just as I thought,” said Miss Jennie; “the diamonds never left the bank. + I suppose those idiots of servants which the Princess has round her didn’t + know what they took away from Vienna and what they left. Then, when the + diamonds were missing, they completely lost their heads—not that + anyone in the castle has much wit to spare. I never saw such an + incompetent lot.” + </p> + <p> + The Prince laughed. + </p> + <p> + “You think, perhaps, I have not wit enough to see that my wife cares for + me, is that it? Is that why you gave me my own letters?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you are well mated! The Princess now does me the honour of being + jealous. Think of that! As if it were possible that I should take any + interest in you, for I have seen real men in my time.” + </p> + <p> + The Prince regarded her with his most severe expression. + </p> + <p> + “Are you not flattering yourself somewhat, young lady?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear no! I take it as the reverse of flattering to be supposed that I + have any liking for such a ninny as you are. Flattering, indeed! And she + has haughtily dismissed me, if you please.” + </p> + <p> + “The Princess has? What have you been saying to her?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I made the most innocent remark, and it was the truth too, which + shows that honesty is not always the best policy. I merely told her that + you had offered me ten times the amount of money she is paying me. You + needn’t jump as if somebody had shot off a gun at your ear. You know you + did make such an offer.” + </p> + <p> + “You confounded little mischief-maker,” cried the Prince in anger. “Did + you tell her what it was for?” + </p> + <p> + “No. She did not ask.” + </p> + <p> + “I will thank you to apply the cleverness you seem to possess to the + undoing of the harm you have so light-heartedly caused.” + </p> + <p> + “How can I? I am ordered to leave to-night, when I did <i>so</i> wish to + stay and see the diamond <i>dénouement</i>.” + </p> + <p> + “You are not going to-night. I shall speak to the Princess about it if + that should be necessary. Your mention of the diamonds reminds me that my + respected father-in-law, Mr. Briggs, informs me that a celebrated + detective, whom it seems he has engaged—Taylor, I think the name is—will + be here to-morrow to explain the diamond mystery, so you see you have a + competitor.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, is Cadbury coming? That is too jolly for anything. I simply <i>must</i> + stay and hear his explanation, for he is a very famous detective, and the + conclusions he has arrived at must be most interesting.” + </p> + <p> + “I think some explanations are due to me as well. My worthy father-in-law + seems to have commissioned this person without thinking it necessary to + consult me in the least; in fact, Mr. Briggs goes about the castle looking + so dark and lowering when he meets me, that I sometimes doubt whether this + is my own house or not.” + </p> + <p> + “And is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Is it what?” + </p> + <p> + “Is it your own house? I was told it was mortgaged up to the tallest + turret. Still, you can’t blame Mr. Briggs for being anxious about the + diamonds; they belong to his daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “They belong to my wife.” + </p> + <p> + “True. That complicates matters a bit, and gives both Chicago and Vienna a + right to look black. And now, your Highness, I must take my leave of you; + and if the diamonds come safely in the morning, remember I intend to claim + salvage on them. Meanwhile, I am going to write a nice little story about + them.” + </p> + <p> + In the morning the diamonds arrived by special messenger, who first took a + formal receipt for them, and then most obsequiously took his departure. By + the same train came Mr. Cadbury Taylor, as modest as ever, but giving some + indication in his bearing of the importance of the discovery his wonderful + system had aided him in making. He blandly evaded the curiosity of Mr. + Briggs, and said it would perhaps be better to reveal the secret in the + presence of the Prince and Princess, as his investigations had led him to + conclusions that might be unpleasant for one of them to hear, yet were not + to be divulged in their absence. + </p> + <p> + “Just what I suspected,” muttered Mr. Briggs, who had long been convinced + that the Prince was the actual culprit. + </p> + <p> + The important gathering took place in the library, the Prince, with the + diamonds in his coat pocket, seated at the head of the long table, while + the Princess sat at the foot, as far from her husband as she could + conveniently get without attracting notice. Miss Baxter stood near a + window, reading an important letter from London which had reached her that + morning. The tall, thin detective and the portly Mr. Briggs came in + together, the London man bowing gravely to the Prince and Princess. Mr. + Briggs took a seat at the side of the table, but the detective remained + standing, looking questioningly at Miss Baxter, but evidently not + recognizing her as the lady who had come in upon him and his friend when + they had entered the train. + </p> + <p> + “I beg the pardon of your Highness, but what I have to say had better be + said with as few hearers as possible. I should be much obliged if this + young person would read her correspondence in another room.” + </p> + <p> + “The young woman,” said the Prince coldly, “is secretary to her Highness, + and is entirely in her confidence.” + </p> + <p> + The Princess said nothing, but sat with her eyes upon the table, + apparently taking no note of what was going on. Rich colour came into her + face, and, as the keen detective cast a swift glance at her, he saw before + him a woman conscious of her guilt, fearing exposure, yet not knowing how + to avert it. + </p> + <p> + “If your Highness will excuse my persistence,” began Mr. Taylor blandly. + </p> + <p> + “But I will not,” interrupted the Prince gruffly. “Go on with your story + without so much circumlocution.” + </p> + <p> + The detective, apparently unruffled by the discourtesy he met, bowed + profoundly towards the Prince, cleared his throat, and began. + </p> + <p> + “May I ask your Highness,” he said, addressing himself to the Princess, + “how much money you possessed just before you left Vienna?” + </p> + <p> + The lady looked up at him in surprise, but did not answer. + </p> + <p> + “In Heaven’s name, what has that to do with the loss of the diamonds?” + rapped out the Prince, his hot temper getting once more the better of him. + Cadbury Taylor spread out his hands and shrugged his shoulders in protest + at the interruption. He spoke with deference, but nevertheless there was a + touch of reproach in his tone. + </p> + <p> + “I am accustomed to being listened to with patience, and am generally + allowed to tell my story my own way, your Highness.” + </p> + <p> + “What I complain of is that you are not telling any story at all, but are + asking instead a very impertinent question.” + </p> + <p> + “Questions which seem to you irrelevant may be to a trained mind most—” + </p> + <p> + “Bosh! Trained donkeys! Do you know where the diamonds are?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I do,” answered Cadbury Taylor, still imperturbable, in spite of the + provocation he was receiving. + </p> + <p> + “Well, where are they?” + </p> + <p> + “They are in the vaults of your bank in Vienna.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t believe it. Who stole them then?” + </p> + <p> + “They were put there by her Highness the Princess von Steinheimer, + doubtless in security for money—” + </p> + <p> + “What!” roared the Prince, springing to his feet, his stentorian voice + ringing to the ceiling. “Do you mean to insinuate, you villain, that my + wife stole her own diamonds?” + </p> + <p> + “If your Highness would allow me to proceed in my own—” + </p> + <p> + “Enough of this fooling. There are the diamonds,” cried the Prince, + jerking the box from his pocket and flinging it on the table. + </p> + <p> + “There!” shouted old man Briggs, bringing his clenched fist down on the + oak. “What did I tell you? I knew it all along. The Prince stole the + diamonds, and in his excitement yanks them out of his pocket and proves + it. That was <i>my</i> opinion all along!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, father, father!” moaned the Princess, speaking for the first time. + “How can you say such a thing? My husband couldn’t do a mean action if he + tried. The idea of him stealing the diamonds! Not if they were worth a + thousand millions and detection impossible.” + </p> + <p> + The Prince, who had been glaring at Mr. Briggs, and who seemed on the + point of giving that red-faced gentleman a bit of his mind, turned a + softened gaze upon his wife, who rested her arms on the table and buried + her face in them. + </p> + <p> + “Come, come,” cried Miss Jennie Baxter, stepping energetically forward; “I + imagine everybody has had enough of this. Clear out, Mr. Briggs, and take + Mr. Taylor with you; I am sure he has not had any breakfast yet, and he + certainly looks hungry. If you hire detectives, Mr. Briggs, you must take + care of them. Out you go. The dining-room is ever so much more inviting + just now than the library; and if you don’t see what you want, ring for + it.” + </p> + <p> + She drove the two speechless men out before her, and, closing the door, + said to the Prince, who was still standing bewildered at having his hand + forced in this manner,— + </p> + <p> + “There! Two fools from four leaves two. Now, my dears—I’m not going + to Highness either of you—you are simply two lone people who like + each other immensely, yet who are drifting apart through foolish + misunderstandings that a few words would put right if either of you had + sense enough to speak them, which you haven’t, and that’s why I’m here to + speak them for you. Now, madame, I am ready to swear that the Prince has + never said anything to me that did not show his deep love for you, and if + you had overheard us, you would not need me to tell you so. He thinks that + you have a fancy for that idiot von Schaumberg—not that I ever saw + the poor man; but he is bound to be an idiot, or the Prince wouldn’t be + jealous of him. As nobody has stolen the diamonds after all this fuss, so + no one has stolen the affection of either of you from the other. I can see + by the way you look at each other that I won’t need to apologize for + leaving you alone together while I run upstairs to pack.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but you are not going to leave us?” cried the Princess. + </p> + <p> + “I should be delighted to stay; but there is no rest for the wicked, and I + must get back to London.” + </p> + <p> + With that the girl ran to her room and there re-read the letter she had + received. + </p> + <p> + “Dear Miss Baxter (it ran),—We are in a very considerable dilemma + here, so I write asking you to see me in London without delay, going back + to the Tyrol later on if the investigation of the diamond mystery renders + your return necessary. The Duchess of Chiselhurst is giving a great ball + on the 29th. It is to be a very swagger affair, with notables from every + part of Europe, and they seem determined that no one connected with a + newspaper shall be admitted. We have set at work every influence to obtain + an invitation for a reporter, but without success, the reply invariably + given being that an official account will be sent to the press. Now, I + want you to set your ingenuity at work, and gain admittance if possible, + for I am determined to have an account of this ball written in such a way + that everyone who reads it will know that the writer was present. If you + can manage this, I can hardly tell you how grateful the proprietor and + myself will be.—Yours very truly, + </p> + <p> + “RADNOR HARDWICK.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Jennie Baxter sat for some moments musing, with the letter in her + hand. She conned over in her mind the names of those who might be able to + assist her in this task, but she dismissed them one by one, well knowing + that if Mr. Hardwick and the proprietor of the <i>Bugle</i> had petitioned + all their influential friends without avail, she could not hope to succeed + with the help of the very few important personages she was acquainted + with. She wondered if the Princess could get her an invitation; then + suddenly her eyes lit up, and she sprang eagerly to her feet. + </p> + <p> + “What a fortunate thing it is,” she cried aloud, “that I did not send on + the refusal of the Princess to the Duchess of Chiselhurst. I had forgotten + all about it until this moment.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. JENNIE ARRANGES A CINDERELLA VISIT. + </h2> + <p> + The room which had been allotted to Jennie Baxter in the Schloss + Steinheimer enjoyed a most extended outlook. A door-window gave access to + a stone balcony, which hung against the castle wall like a swallow’s nest + at the eaves of a house. This balcony was just wide enough to give ample + space for one of the easy rocking-chairs which the Princess had imported + from America, and which Jennie thought were the only really comfortable + pieces of furniture the old stronghold possessed, much as she admired the + artistic excellence of the mediæval chairs, tables, and cabinets which for + centuries had served the needs of the ancient line that had lived in the + Schloss. The rocking-chair was as modern as this morning’s daily paper; + its woodwork painted a bright scarlet, its arms like broad shelves, its + rockers as sensitively balanced as a marine compass; in fact, just such a + chair as one would find dotted round the vast verandah of an American + summer hotel. In this chair sat Miss Jennie, two open letters on her lap, + and perplexity in the dainty little frown that faintly ruffled the + smoothness of her fair brow. The scene from the high balcony was one to be + remembered; but, although this was her last day at the Castle, the girl + saw nothing of the pretty town of Meran so far below; the distant + chalk-line down the slope beyond which marked the turbulent course of the + foaming Adege; the lofty mountains all around, or the further snow-peaks, + dazzling white against the deep blue of the sky. + </p> + <p> + One of the epistles which lay on her lap was the letter she had received + from the editor recounting the difficulties he had met with while + endeavouring to make arrangements for reporting adequately the Duchess of + Chiselhurst’s ball; the other was the still unanswered invitation from the + Duchess to the Princess. Jennie was flattered to know that already the + editor, who had engaged her with unconcealed reluctance, expected her to + accomplish what the entire staff were powerless to effect. She knew that, + had she but the courage, it was only necessary to accept the invitation in + the name of her present hostess, and attend the great society function as + Princess von Steinheimer. Yet she hesitated, not so much on account of the + manifest danger of discovery, but because she had grown to like the + Princess, and this impersonation, if it came to the knowledge of the one + most intimately concerned, as it was almost sure to do, would doubtless be + regarded as an unpardonable liberty. As she swayed gently back and forth + in the gaudy rocking-chair, she thought of confessing everything to the + Princess and asking her assistance; but pondering on this, she saw that it + was staking everything on one throw of the dice. If the Princess refused, + then the scheme became impossible, as that lady herself would answer the + letter of the Duchess and decline the invitation. Jennie soothed her + accusing conscience by telling herself that this impersonation would do no + harm to Princess von Steinheimer, or to anyone else for that matter, while + it would be of inestimable assistance to her own journalistic career. From + that she drifted to meditation on the inequalities of this life—the + superabundance which some possess, while others, no less deserving, have + difficulty in obtaining the scant necessities. And this consoling train of + thought having fixed her resolve to take the goods the gods scattered at + her feet, or rather threw into her lap, she drew a long sigh of + determination as there came a gentle tap at the door of her room, and the + voice of the Princess herself said, “May I come in?” + </p> + <p> + Jennie, a rapid blush flaming her cheeks, sprang to her feet, flung the + letters on a table, and opened the door. + </p> + <p> + The visitor entered, looking attractive enough to be a princess of + fairyland, and greeted Miss Baxter most cordially. + </p> + <p> + “I am so sorry you are leaving,” she said. “Cannot you be persuaded to + change your mind and stay with me? Where could you find a more lovely view + than this from your balcony here?” + </p> + <p> + “Or a more lovely hostess?” said the girl, looking at her visitor with + undisguised admiration and quite ignoring the landscape. + </p> + <p> + The Princess laughed, and as they now stood together on the balcony she + put out her hands, pushed Jennie gently into the rocking-chair again, + seating herself jauntily on its broad arm, and thus the two looked like a + pair of mischievous schoolgirls, home at vacation time, thoroughly + enjoying their liberty. + </p> + <p> + “There! You are now my prisoner, about to be punished for flattery,” cried + the Princess. “I saw by the motion of the chair that you had just jumped + up from it when I disturbed you, so there you are, back in it again. What + were you thinking about? A rocking-chair lends itself deliciously to + meditation, and we always dream of someone very particular as we rock.” + </p> + <p> + “I am no exception to the rule,” sighed Jennie; “I was thinking of you, + Princess.” + </p> + <p> + “How nice of you to say that; and as one good turn deserves another, here + is proof that a certain young lady has been in my thoughts.” + </p> + <p> + As she spoke, the Princess took from her pocket an embossed case of + Russian leather, opened it and displayed a string of diamonds, lustrous as + drops of liquid light. + </p> + <p> + “I want you to wear these stones in remembrance of our diamond mystery—that + is why I chose diamonds—and also, I confess, because I want you to + think of me every time you put them on. See how conceited I am! One does + not like to be forgotten.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie took the string, her own eyes for a moment rivalling in brilliancy + the sparkle of the gems; then the moisture obscured her vision and she + automatically poured the stones from one hand to the other, as if their + scintillating glitter hypnotized her. She tried once or twice to speak, + but could not be sure of her voice, so remained silent. The Princess, + noticing her agitation, gently lifted the necklace and clasped it round + the girl’s white throat, chattering all the while with nervous haste. + </p> + <p> + “There! you can wear diamonds, and there are so many to whom they are + unbecoming. I also look well in diamonds—at least, so I’ve been told + over and over again, and I’ve come to believe it at last. I suppose the + young men have not concealed from you the fact that you are a strikingly + good-looking girl, Jennie. Indeed, and this is brag if you like, we two + resemble one another enough to be sisters, nearly the same height, the + same colour of eyes and hair. Come to the mirror, Miss Handsomeness, and + admire yourself.” + </p> + <p> + She dragged Jennie to her feet and drew her into the room, placing her + triumphantly before the great looking-glass that reflected back a + full-length portrait. + </p> + <p> + “Now confess that you never saw a prettier girl,” cried the Princess + gleefully. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t think I ever did,” admitted Jennie, but she was looking at the + image of the Princess and not at her own. The Princess laughed, but Miss + Baxter seemed too much affected by the unexpected present to join in the + merriment. She regarded herself solemnly in the glass for a few moments, + then slowly undid the clasp, and, slipping the string of brilliants from + her neck, handed them back to the Princess. “You are very, very kind, but + I cannot accept so costly a present.” + </p> + <p> + “Cannot? Why? Have I offended you by anything I have said since you came?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, no. It isn’t that.” + </p> + <p> + “What, then? Don’t you like me, after all?” + </p> + <p> + “Like you? I <i>love</i> you, Princess!” cried the girl impulsively, + throwing her arms round the other’s neck. + </p> + <p> + The Princess tried to laugh as she pressed Jennie closely to her, but + there was a tremour of tears in the laughter. + </p> + <p> + “You must take this little gift as a souvenir of your visit with me. I was + really—very unhappy when you came, and now—well, you smoothed + away some misunderstandings—I’m more than grateful. And it isn’t + natural for a woman to refuse diamonds, Jennie.” + </p> + <p> + “I know it isn’t; and I won’t quite refuse them. I’ll postpone. It is + possible that something I shall do before long may seriously offend you. + If it does—then good-bye to the necklace! If it doesn’t, when I have + told you all about my misdeed—I shall confess courageously—you + will give me the diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me, Jennie, what terrible crime are you about to commit? Why not + tell me now? You have no idea how you have aroused my curiosity.” + </p> + <p> + “I dare not tell you, Princess; not until my project proves a success or a + failure. We women—some have our way made for us—others have + our own way to make. I am among the others, and I hope you will remember + that, if you are ever angry with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it a new kind of speculation? A fortune made in a day? Gambling?” + </p> + <p> + “Something of that sort. I am going to stake a good deal on the turn of a + card; so please pray that luck will not be against me.” + </p> + <p> + “If pluck will make you win, I am sure you will carry it through, but if + at first you don’t succeed, try, try again; and if you haven’t the money, + I’ll supply the capital. I know I should like to gamble. Anyhow, you have + my best wishes for your success.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Princess. I can hardly fail after that.” + </p> + <p> + The time had come when the two friends must part. The carriage was waiting + to take Miss Baxter to the station, and the girl bade good-bye to her + hostess with an uneasy feeling that she was acting disloyally to one who + had befriended her. In her handbag was the invitation to the ball, and + also the letter she had written in the Princess’s name accepting it, which + latter she posted in Meran. In due course she reached London, and + presented herself to the editor of the <i>Daily Bugle</i>. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Miss Baxter,” he said, “you have been extraordinarily successful in + solving the diamond mystery, and I congratulate you. My letter reached + you, I suppose. Have you given any thought to the problem that now + confronts us? Can you get us a full report of the Duchess of Chiselhurst’s + ball, written so convincingly that all the guests who read it will know + that the writer was present?” + </p> + <p> + “It is entirely a question of money, Mr. Hardwick.” + </p> + <p> + “Most things are. Well, we are prepared to spend money to get just what we + want.” + </p> + <p> + “How much?” + </p> + <p> + “Whatever is necessary.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s vague. Put it into figures.” + </p> + <p> + “Five hundred pounds; seven hundred; a thousand if need be.” + </p> + <p> + “It will not cost you a thousand, and it may come to more than five + hundred. Place the thousand to my credit, and I shall return what is left. + I must go at once to Paris and carry out my plans from that city.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you have thought out a scheme. What is it?” + </p> + <p> + “I have not only thought it out, but most of the arrangements are already + made. I cannot say more about it. You will have to trust wholly to me.” + </p> + <p> + “There is a good deal of money at stake, Miss Baxter, and our reputation + as a newspaper as well. I think I should know what you propose to do.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly. I propose to obtain for you an accurate description of the + ball, written by one who was present.” + </p> + <p> + The editor gave utterance to a sort of interjection that always served him + in place of a laugh. + </p> + <p> + “In other words, you want neither interference nor advice.” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly, Mr. Hardwick. You know from experience that little good comes of + talking too much of a secret project not yet completed.” + </p> + <p> + The editor drummed with his fingers on the table for a few moments + thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, then, it shall be as you say. I should have been very glad to + share the responsibility of failure with you; but if you prefer to take + the whole risk yourself, there is nothing more to be said. The thousand + pounds shall be placed to your credit at once. What next?” + </p> + <p> + “On the night of the ball I should like you to have three or four expert + shorthand writers here; I don’t know how many will be necessary—you + understand more about that than I do; but it is my intention to dictate + the report right along as fast as I can talk until it is finished, and I + don’t wish to be stopped or interrupted, so I want the best stenographers + you have; they are to relieve one another just as if they were taking down + a parliamentary speech. The men had better be in readiness at midnight; I + shall be here as soon after that as possible. If you will kindly run over + their type-written MS. before it goes to the compositors, I will glance at + the proofs when I have finished dictating.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you hope to attend the ball yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps.” + </p> + <p> + “You have just returned from the Tyrol, and I fear you don’t quite + appreciate the difficulties that are in the way. This is no ordinary + society function, and if you think even a thousand pounds will gain + admittance to an uninvited guest, you will find yourself mistaken.” + </p> + <p> + “So I understood from your letter.” + </p> + <p> + Again the editorial interjection did duty for a laugh. + </p> + <p> + “You are very sanguine, Miss Baxter. I wish I felt as confident; however, + we will hope for the best, and if we cannot command success, we will at + least endeavour to deserve it.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie, with the thousand pounds at her disposal, went to Paris, took + rooms at the most aristocratic hotel, engaged a maid, and set about the + construction of a ball dress that would be a dream of beauty. Luckily, she + knew exactly the gown-making resources of Paris, and the craftsmen to whom + she gave her orders were not the less anxious to please her when they knew + that the question of cost was not to be considered. From Paris she + telegraphed in the name of the Princess von Steinheimer to Claridge’s + Hotel for an apartment on the night of the ball, and asked that a suitable + equipage be provided to convey her to and from that festival. + </p> + <p> + Arriving at Claridge’s, she was well aware her first danger was that + someone who knew the Princess von Steinheimer would call upon her; but on + the valid plea of fatigue from her journey she proclaimed that in no + circumstances could she see any visitor, and thus shipwreck was avoided at + the outset. It was unlikely that the Princess von Steinheimer was + personally known to many who would attend the ball; in fact, the Princess + had given to Jennie as her main reason for refusing the invitation the + excuse that she knew no one in London. She had been invited merely because + of the social position of the Prince in Vienna, and was unknown by sight + even to her hostess, the Duchess of Chiselhurst. Critically, she compared + the chances of success with the chances of failure, and often it seemed + that disaster was inevitable, unversed as she knew herself to be in the + customs of grand society at one of its high functions, but nevertheless + she was undaunted by the odds against her, and resolved to stake a career + on the fortunes of a night. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. JENNIE MIXES WITH THE ELITE OF EARTH. + </h2> + <p> + It is said that a woman magnificently robed is superior to all earthly + tribulations. Such was the case with Jennie as she left her carriage, + walked along the strip of carpet which lay across the pavement under a + canopy, and entered the great hall of the Duke of Chiselhurst’s town + house, one of the huge palaces of Western London. Nothing so resplendent + had she ever witnessed, or even imagined, as the scene which met her eye + when she found herself about to ascend the broad stairway at the top of + which the hostess stood to receive her distinguished guests. Early as she + was, the stairway and the rooms beyond seemed already thronged. Splendid + menials in gorgeous livery, crimson the predominant colour, stood on each + step at either side of the stair. Uniforms of every pattern, from the + dazzling oriental raiment of Indian princes and eastern potentates, to the + more sober, but scarcely less rich apparel of the diplomatic corps, + ministers of the Empire, and officers, naval and military, gave the final + note of magnificence and picturesque decoration. Like tropical flowers in + this garden of colour were the ladies, who, with easy grace, moved to and + fro, bestowing a smile here and a whisper there; and yet, despite her + agitation, a hurried, furtive glance around brought to Jennie the + conviction that she was, perhaps, the best-gowned woman in that assemblage + of well-dressed people, which recognition somewhat calmed her palpitating + heart. The whole environment seemed unreal to her, and she walked forward + as if in a dream. She heard someone cry, “The Princess von Steinheimer,” + and at first had a difficulty in realizing that the title, for the moment, + pertained to herself. The next instant her hand was in that of the Duchess + of Chiselhurst, and Jennie heard the lady murmur that it was good of her + to come so far to grace the occasion. The girl made some sort of reply + which she found herself unable afterwards to recall, but the rapid + incoming of other guests led her to hope that, if she had used any + unsuitable phrase, it was either unheard or forgotten in the tension of + the time. She stood aside and formed one of the brilliant group at the + head of the stairs, thankful that this first ordeal was well done with. + Her rapidly beating heart had now opportunity to lessen its pulsations, + and as she soon realized that she was practically unnoticed, her natural + calmness began to return to her. She remembered why she was there, and her + discerning eye enabled her to stamp on a retentive memory the various + particulars of so unaccustomed a spectacle whose very unfamiliarity made + the greater impression upon the girl’s mind. She moved away from the + group, determined to saunter through the numerous rooms thrown open for + the occasion, and thus, as it were, get her bearings. In a short time all + fear of discovery left her, and she began to feel very much at home in the + lofty, crowded salons, pausing even to enjoy a selection which a military + band, partly concealed in the foliage, was rendering in masterly manner, + led by the most famous <i>impressario</i> of the day. The remote + probability of meeting anyone here who knew the Princess reassured her, + and there speedily came over her a sense of delight in all the + kaleidoscopic bewilderment of this great entertainment. She saw that each + one there had interest in someone else, and, to her great relief, found + herself left entirely alone with reasonable assurance that this remoteness + would continue to befriend her until the final gauntlet of leave-taking + had to be run; a trial still to be encountered, the thought of which she + resolutely put away from her, trusting to the luck that had hitherto not + deserted her. + </p> + <p> + Jennie was in this complaisant frame of mind when she was suddenly + startled by a voice at her side. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Princess, I have been searching everywhere for you, catching glimpses + of you now and then, only to lose you, as, alas, has been my fate on more + serious occasion. May I flatter myself with the belief that you also + remember?” + </p> + <p> + There was no recognition in the large frightened eyes that were turned + upon him. They saw a young man bowing low over the unresisting hand he had + taken. His face was clear-cut and unmistakably English. Jennie saw his + closely-cropped auburn head, and, as it raised until it overtopped her + own, the girl, terrified as she was, could not but admire the sweeping + blonde moustache that overshadowed a smile, half-wistful, half-humorous, + which lighted up his handsome face. The ribbon of some order was worn + athwart his breast; otherwise he wore court dress, which well became his + stalwart frame. + </p> + <p> + “I am disconsolate to see that I am indeed forgotten, Princess, and so + another cherished delusion fades away from me.” + </p> + <p> + Her fan concealed the lower part of the girl’s face, and she looked at him + over its fleecy semicircle. + </p> + <p> + “Put not your trust in princesses,” she murmured, a sparkle of latent + mischief lighting up her eyes. + </p> + <p> + The young man laughed. “Indeed,” he said, “had I served my country as + faithfully as I have been true to my remembrance of you, Princess, I would + have been an ambassador long ere this, covered with decorations. Have you + then lost all recollection of that winter in Washington five years ago; + that whirlwind of gaiety which ended by wafting you away to a foreign + country, and thus the eventful season clings to my memory as if it were a + disastrous western cyclone? Is it possible that I must re-introduce myself + as Donal Stirling?” + </p> + <p> + “Not Lord Donal Stirling?” asked Jennie, dimly remembering that she had + heard this name in connection with something diplomatic, and her guess + that he was in that service was strengthened by his previous remark about + being an ambassador. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Lord Donal, if you will cruelly insist on calling me so; but this + cannot take from me the consolation that once, in the conservatory of the + White House, under the very shadow of the President, you condescended to + call me Don.” + </p> + <p> + “You cannot expect one to remember what happened in Washington five years + ago. You know the administration itself changes every four years, and + memories seldom carry back even so far as that.” + </p> + <p> + “I had hoped that my most outspoken adoration would have left reminiscence + which might outlast an administration. I have not found forgetting so + easy.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you quite sure of that, Lord Donal?” asked the girl archly, closing + her fan and giving him for the first time a full view of her face. + </p> + <p> + The young man seemed for a moment perplexed, but she went on, giving him + little time for reflection. “Have your diplomatic duties taken you away + from Washington?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, to the other end of the earth. I am now in St. Petersburg, with + ultimate hopes of Vienna, Princess. I happened to be in London this week, + and hearing you were to be here, I moved heaven and earth for an + invitation.” + </p> + <p> + “Which you obtained, only to find yourself forgotten. How hollow this + world is, isn’t it?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas, yes. A man in my profession sees a good deal of the seamy side of + life, and I fully believe that my rapidly lessening dependence on human + veracity will be shattered by my superiors sending me to Constantinople. + But let me find you a seat out of this crowd where we may talk of old + times.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t care so much about the past as I do about the present. Let us go + up into that gallery, where you shall point out to me the celebrities. I + suppose you know them all, while I am an entire stranger to London + Society.” + </p> + <p> + “That is a capital idea,” cried the young man enthusiastically. “Yes, I + think I know most of the people here, at least by name. Ah, here comes the + Royal party; we shall just be in time to have a good look at them.” + </p> + <p> + The band played the National Anthem, and Lord Donal got two chairs, which + he placed at the edge of the gallery, well hidden from the promenaders by + spreading tropical plants. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, this <i>is</i> jolly,” cried Jennie, quite forgetting the dignity of + a Princess. “You told me why you came to the ball. Do you know why I am + here?” + </p> + <p> + “On the remote chance of meeting me whom you pretended to have forgotten,” + replied the young man audaciously. + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” laughed Jennie; “but aside from that, I came to see the + costumes. You know, we women are libellously said to dress for each other. + Away from the world, in the Tyrol, I have little opportunity of seeing + anything fine in the way of dress, and so I accepted the invitation of the + Duchess.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you the invitation of the Duchess with you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I am going to make some notes on the back of it. Would you like to + see it?” She handed him the letter and then leaned back in her chair, + regarding him closely. The puzzled expression on his face deepened as he + glanced over the invitation, and saw that it was exactly what it purported + to be. He gave the letter back to her, saying,— + </p> + <p> + “So you are here to see the fashions. It is a subject I know little about; + but, judging by effect, I should say that the Princess von Steinheimer has + nothing to learn from anyone present. If I may touch on a topic so + personal, your costume is what they call a creation, is it not, Princess?” + </p> + <p> + “It isn’t bad,” said the girl, looking down at her gown and then glancing + up at him with merriment dancing in her eyes. The diplomat had his elbow + resting on the balustrade, his head leaning on his hand, and, quite + oblivious to everything else, was gazing at her with such absorbed + intentness that the girl blushed and cast down her eyes. The intense + admiration in his look was undisguised. “Still,” she rattled on somewhat + breathlessly, “one gets many hints from others, and the creation of to-day + is merely the old clothes of to-morrow. Invention has no vacation so far + as ladies’ apparel is concerned. ‘Take no thought of the morrow, + wherewithal ye shall be clothed,’ may have been a good motto for the court + of Solomon, but it has little relation with that of Victoria.” + </p> + <p> + “Solomon—if the saying is his—was hedging. He had many wives, + you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, as I was about to say, you must now turn your attention to the + other guests, and tell me who’s who. I have already confessed my + ignorance, and you promised to enlighten me.” + </p> + <p> + The young man, with visible reluctance, directed his thoughts from the one + to the many, and named this person and that, while Jennie, with the pencil + attached to her card, made cabalistic notes in shorthand, economizing thus + both space and time. When at last she had all the information that could + be desired, she leaned back in her chair with a little sigh of supreme + content. Whatever might now betide, her mission was fulfilled, if she once + got quietly away. The complete details of the most important society event + of the season were at her fingers’ ends. She closed her eyes for a moment + to enjoy the satisfaction which success leaves in its train, and when she + opened them again found Lord Donal in his old posture, absorbed in the + contemplation of her undeniable beauty. + </p> + <p> + “I see you are determined I shall have no difficulty in remembering you + next time we meet,” she said with a smile, at the same time flushing + slightly under his ardent gaze. + </p> + <p> + “I was just thinking,” he replied, shifting his position a little, “that + the five years which have dealt so hardly with me, have left you five + years younger.” + </p> + <p> + “Age has many privileges, Lord Donal,” she said to him, laughing outright; + “but I don’t think you can yet lay claim to any of them. The pose of the + prematurely old is not in the least borne out by your appearance, however + hardly the girl you met in Washington dealt with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Princess, it is very easy for you to treat these serious matters + lightly. He laughs at scars who never felt a wound. Time, being above all + things treacherous, often leaves the face untouched the more effectually + to scar the heart. The hurt concealed is ever the more dangerous.” + </p> + <p> + “I fancy it has been concealed so effectually that it is not as deep as + you imagined.” + </p> + <p> + “Princess, I will confess to you that the wound at Washington was as + nothing to the one received at London.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; you told me you had been here for a week.” + </p> + <p> + “The week has nothing to do with it. I have been here for a night—for + two hours—or three; I have lost count of time since I met you.” + </p> + <p> + What reply the girl might have made to this speech, delivered with all the + fervency of a man in thorough earnest, will never be known, for at that + moment their <i>tête-à -tête</i> was interrupted by a messenger, who said,— + </p> + <p> + “His Excellency the Austrian Ambassador begs to be permitted to pay his + regards to the Princess von Steinheimer.” + </p> + <p> + Lord Donal Stirling never took his eyes from the face of his companion, + and he saw a quick pallor overspread it. He leaned forward and whispered,— + </p> + <p> + “I know the Ambassador; if you do not wish to meet him, I will intercept + him.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie rose slowly to her feet, and, looking at the young man with a + calmness she was far from feeling, said coldly,— + </p> + <p> + “Why should I not wish to meet the Ambassador of my adopted country?” + </p> + <p> + “I know of no reason. Quite the contrary, for he must be an old friend of + yours, having been your guest at the Schloss Steinheimer a year ago.” + </p> + <p> + He stepped back as he said this, and Jennie had difficulty in suppressing + the gasp of dismay with which she received his disquieting disclosure, but + she stood her ground without wincing. She was face to face with the crisis + she had foreseen—the coming of one who knew the Princess. Next + instant the aged diplomat was bending over her outstretched hand, which in + courtly fashion the old man raised to his lips. + </p> + <p> + “I am delighted to have the privilege of welcoming you to this gloomy old + city, Princess von Steinheimer, which you illumine with your presence. Do + you stay long in London?” + </p> + <p> + “The period of illumination is short, your Excellency. I leave for Paris + to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “So soon? Without even visiting the Embassy? I am distressed to hear of so + speedy a desertion, and yet, knowing the charms of the Schloss + Steinheimer, I can hardly wonder at your wish to return there. The Prince, + I suppose, is as devoted as ever to the chase. I must censure his + Highness, next time we meet, for not coming with you to London; then I am + sure you would have stayed longer with us.” + </p> + <p> + “The Prince is a model husband, your Excellency,” said Jennie, with a sly + glance at Lord Donal, whose expression of uncertainty increased as this + colloquy went on, “and he would have come to London without a murmur had + his wife been selfish enough to tear him away from his beloved Meran.” + </p> + <p> + “A model husband!” said the ancient count, with an unctuous chuckle. “So + few of us excel in that respect; but there is this to be said in our + exculpation, few have been matrimonially so fortunate as the Prince von + Steinheimer. I have never ceased to long for a repetition of the charming + visit I paid to your delightful home.” + </p> + <p> + “If your Excellency but knew how welcome you are, your visits would not + have such long intervals between.” + </p> + <p> + “It is most kind of you, Princess, to cheer an old man’s heart by such + gracious words. It is our misfortune that affairs of State chain us to our + pillar, and, indeed, diplomacy seems to become more difficult as the years + go on, because we have to contend with the genius of rising young men like + Lord Donal Stirling here, who are more than a match for old dogs that find + it impossible to learn new tricks.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, your Excellency,” said his lordship, speaking for the first time + since the Ambassador began, “the very reverse of that is the case. We sit + humbly at your feet, ambitious to emulate, but without hope of excelling.” + </p> + <p> + The old man chuckled again, and, turning to the girl, began to make his + adieux. + </p> + <p> + “Then my former rooms are waiting for me at the Castle?” he concluded. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, your Excellency, with the addition of two red rocking-chairs + imported from America, which you will find most comfortable resting-places + when you are free from the cares of State.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! The rocking-chairs! I remember now that you were expecting them when + I was there. So they have arrived, safely, I hope; but I think you had + ordered an incredible number, to be certain of having at least one or two + serviceable.” + </p> + <p> + “No; only a dozen, and they all came through without damage.” + </p> + <p> + “You young people, you young people!” murmured the Ambassador, bending + again over the hand presented to him, “what unheard-of things you do.” + </p> + <p> + And so the old man shuffled away, leaving many compliments behind him, + evidently not having the slightest suspicion that he had met anyone but + the person he supposed himself addressing, for his eyesight was not of the + best, and an Ambassador meets many fair and distinguished women. + </p> + <p> + The girl sat down with calm dignity, while Lord Donal dropped into his + chair, an expression of complete mystification on his clear-cut, honest + face. Jennie slowly fanned herself, for the heat made itself felt at that + elevated situation, and for a few moments nothing was said by either. The + young man was the first to break silence. + </p> + <p> + “Should I be so fortunate as to get an invitation to the Schloss + Steinheimer, may I hope that a red rocking-chair will be allotted to me? I + have not sat in one since I was in the States.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, one for you; two for the Ambassador,” said Jennie, with a laugh. + </p> + <p> + “I should like further to flatter myself that your double generosity to + the Ambassador arises solely from the dignity of his office, and is not in + any way personal.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very fond of ambassadors; they are courteous gentlemen who seem to + have less distrust than is exhibited by some not so exalted.” + </p> + <p> + “Distrust! You surely cannot mean that I have distrusted you, Princess?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I was speaking generally,” replied Jennie airily. “You seem to seek a + personal application in what I say.” + </p> + <p> + “I admit, Princess, that several times this evening I have been completely + at sea.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is worse, Lord Donal, you have shown it, which is the one + unforgivable fault in diplomacy.” + </p> + <p> + “You are quite right. If I had you to teach me, I would be an ambassador + within the next five years, or at least a minister.” + </p> + <p> + The girl looked at him over the top of her fan, covert merriment lurking + in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “When you visit Schloss Steinheimer you might ask the Prince if he objects + to my giving you lessons.” + </p> + <p> + Here there was another interruption, and the announcement was made that + the United States Ambassador desired to renew his acquaintance with the + Princess von Steinheimer. Lord Donal made use of an impatient exclamation + more emphatic than he intended to give utterance to, but on looking at his + companion in alarm, he saw in her glance a quick flash of gratitude as + unmistakable as if she had spoken her thanks. It was quite evident that + the girl had no desire to meet his Excellency, which is not to be wondered + at, as she had already encountered him three times in her capacity of + journalist. He not only knew the Princess von Steinheimer, but he knew + Jennie Baxter as well. + </p> + <p> + She leaned back in her chair and said wearily,— + </p> + <p> + “I seem to be having rather an abundance of diplomatic society this + evening. Are you acquainted with the American Ambassador also, Lord + Donal?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” cried the young man, eagerly springing to his feet. “He was a + prominent politician in Washington while I was there. He is an excellent + man, and I shall have no difficulty in making your excuses to him if you + don’t wish to meet him.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you so much. You have now an opportunity of retrieving your + diplomatic reputation, if you can postpone the interview without offending + him.” + </p> + <p> + Lord Donal departed with alacrity, and the moment he was gone all + appearance of languor vanished from Miss Jennie Baxter. + </p> + <p> + “Now is my chance,” she whispered to herself. “I must be in my carriage + before he returns.” + </p> + <p> + Eager as she was to be gone, she knew that she should betray no haste. + Expecting to find a stair at the other end of the gallery, she sought for + it, but there was none. Filled with apprehension that she would meet Lord + Donal coming up, she had difficulty in timing her footsteps to the slow + measure that was necessary. She reached the bottom of the stair in safety + and unimpeded, but once on the main floor a new problem presented itself. + Nothing would attract more attention than a young and beautiful lady + walking the long distance between the gallery end of the room and the + entrance stairway entirely alone and unattended. She stood there + hesitating, wondering whether she could venture on finding a quiet + side-exit, which she was sure must exist in this large house, when, to her + dismay, she found Lord Donal again at her side, rather breathless, as if + he had been hurrying in search of her. His brows were knit and there was + an anxious expression on his face. + </p> + <p> + “I must have a word with you alone,” he whispered. “Let me conduct you to + this alcove under the gallery.” + </p> + <p> + “No; I am tired. I am going home.” + </p> + <p> + “I quite understand that, but you must come with me for a moment.” + </p> + <p> + “Must?” she said, with a suggestion of defiance in her tone. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he answered gravely. “I wish to be of assistance to you. I think + you will need it.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment she met his unflinching gaze steadily, then her glance fell, + and she said in a low voice, “Very well.” + </p> + <p> + When they reached the alcove, she inquired rather quaveringly—for + she saw something had happened which had finally settled all the young + man’s doubts—“Is it the American Ambassador?” + </p> + <p> + “No; there was little trouble there. He expects to meet you later in the + evening. But a telegraphic message has come from Meran, signed by the + Princess von Steinheimer, which expresses a hope that the ball will be a + success, and reiterates the regret of her Highness that she could not be + present. Luckily this communication has not been shown to the Duchess. I + told the Duke, who read it to me, knowing I had been with you all the + evening, that it was likely a practical joke on the part of the Prince; + but the Duke, who is rather a serious person, does not take kindly to that + theory, and if he knew the Prince he would dismiss it as absurd—which + it is. I have asked him not to show the telegram to anyone, so there is a + little time for considering what had best be done.” + </p> + <p> + “There is nothing for me to do but to take my leave as quickly and as + quietly as possible,” said the girl, with a nervous little laugh bordering + closely on the hysterical. “I was about to make my way out by some private + exit if I could find one.” + </p> + <p> + “That would be impossible, and the attempt might lead to unexpected + complications. I suggest that you take my arm, and that you bid farewell + to her Grace, pleading fatigue as the reason for your early departure. + Then I will see you to your carriage, and when I return I shall endeavour + to get that unlucky telegram from the Duke by telling him I should like to + find out whether it is a hoax or not. He will have forgotten about it most + likely in the morning. Therefore, all you have to do is to keep up your + courage for a few moments longer until you are safe in your carriage.” + </p> + <p> + “You are very kind,” she murmured, with downcast eyes. + </p> + <p> + “You are very clever, my Princess, but the odds against you were + tremendous. Some time you must tell me why you risked it.” + </p> + <p> + She made no reply, but took his arm, and together they sauntered through + the rooms until they found the Duchess, when Jennie took her leave of the + hostess with a demure dignity that left nothing to be desired. All went + well until they reached the head of the stair, when the Duke, an ominous + frown on his brow, hurried after them and said,— + </p> + <p> + “My lord, excuse me.” + </p> + <p> + Lord Donal turned with an ill-concealed expression of impatience, but he + was helpless, for he feared his host might not have the good sense to + avoid a scene even in his own hall. Had it been the Duchess, all would + have been well, for she was a lady of infinite tact, but the Duke, as he + had said, was a stupid man, who needed the constant eye of his wife upon + him to restrain him from blundering. The young man whispered, “Keep right + on until you are in your carriage. I shall ask my man here to call it for + you, but please don’t drive away until I come.” + </p> + <p> + A sign brought a serving man up the stairs. + </p> + <p> + “Call the carriage of the Princess von Steinheimer,” said his master; + then, as the lady descended the stair, Lord Donal turned, with no very + thankful feeling in his heart, to hear what his host had to say. + </p> + <p> + “Lord Donal, the American Ambassador says that woman is not the Princess + von Steinheimer, but is someone of no importance whom he has met several + times in London. He cannot remember her name. Now, who is she, and how did + you come to meet her?” + </p> + <p> + “My Lord Duke, it never occurred to me to question the identity of guests + I met under your hospitable roof. I knew the Princess five years ago in + Washington, before she was married. I have not seen her in the interval, + but until you showed me the telegraphic message there was no question in + my mind regarding her.” + </p> + <p> + “But the American Ambassador is positive.” + </p> + <p> + “Then he has more confidence in his eyesight than I have. If such a + question, like international difficulties, is to be settled by the + Embassies, let us refer it to Austria, who held a long conversation with + the lady in my presence. Your Excellency,” he continued to the Austrian + Ambassador, who was hovering near, waiting to speak to his host, “The Duke + of Chiselhurst has some doubt that the lady who has just departed is the + Princess von Steinheimer. You spoke with her, and can therefore decide + with authority, for his Grace seems disinclined to accept my testimony.” + </p> + <p> + “Not the Princess? Nonsense. I know her very well indeed, and a most + charming lady she is. I hope to be her guest again before many months are + past.” + </p> + <p> + “There, my Lord Duke, you see everything is as it should be. If you will + give me that stupid telegram, I will make some quiet inquiries about it. + Meanwhile, the less said the better. I will see the American Ambassador + and convince him of his error. And now I must make what excuses I can to + the Princess for my desertion of her.” + </p> + <p> + Placing the telegram in his pocket, he hurried down the stair and out to + the street. There had been some delay about the coming of the carriage, + and he saw the lady he sought, at that moment entering it. + </p> + <p> + “Home at once as fast as you can,” he heard her say to the coachman. She + had evidently no intention of waiting for him. He sprang forward, thrust + his arm through the carriage window, and grasped her hand. + </p> + <p> + “Princess,” he cried, “you will not leave me like this. I must see you + to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” she gasped, shrinking into the corner of the carriage. + </p> + <p> + “You cannot be so cruel. Tell me at least where a letter will reach you. I + shall not release your hand until you promise.” + </p> + <p> + With a quick movement the girl turned back the gauntlet of her long glove; + the next instant the carriage was rattling down the street, while a + chagrined young man stood alone on the kerb with a long, slender white + glove in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “By Jove!” he said at last, as he folded it carefully and placed it in the + pocket of his coat. “It is the glove this time, instead of the slipper!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. JENNIE REALIZES THAT GREAT EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEHIND. + </h2> + <p> + Jennie Baxter reached her hotel as quickly as a fast pair of horses could + take her. She had succeeded; yet a few rebellious tears of disappointment + trickled down her cheeks now that she was alone in the semi-darkness of + the carriage. She thought of the eager young man left standing + disconsolately on the kerb, with her glove dangling in his hand, and she + bitterly regretted that unkind fortune had made it possible for her to + meet him only under false pretences. One consolation was that he had no + clue to her identity, and she was resolved never, never to see him again; + yet, such is the contrariness of human nature, no sooner was she refreshed + by this determination than her tears flowed more freely than ever. + </p> + <p> + She knew that she was as capable of enjoying scenes like the function she + had just left as any who were there; as fitted for them by education, by + personal appearance, or by natural gifts of the mind, as the most welcome + of the Duchess’s guests; yet she was barred out from them as effectually + as was the lost Peri at the closed gate. Why had capricious fate selected + two girls of probably equal merit, and made one a princess, while the + other had to work hard night and day for the mere right to live? Nothing + is so ineffectual as the little word “why”; it asks, but never answers. + </p> + <p> + With a deep sigh Jennie dried her tears as the carriage pulled up at the + portal of the hotel. The sigh dismissed all frivolities, all futile + “whys”; the girl was now face to face with the realities of life, and the + events she had so recently taken part in would soon blend themselves into + a dream. + </p> + <p> + Dismissing the carriage, and walking briskly through the hall, she said to + the night porter,— + </p> + <p> + “Have a hansom at the door for me in fifteen minutes.” + </p> + <p> + “A hansom, my lady?” gasped the astonished man. + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” She slipped a sovereign into his hand and ran lightly up the + stairs. The porter was well accustomed to the vagaries of great ladies, + although a hansom at midnight was rather beyond his experience. But if all + womankind tipped so generously, they might order an omnibus, and welcome; + so the hansom was speedily at the door. + </p> + <p> + Jennie roused the drowsy maid who was sitting up for her. + </p> + <p> + “Come,” she said, “you must get everything packed at once. Lay out my + ordinary dress and help me off with this.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is your other glove, my lady?” asked the maid, busily unhooking, + and untying. + </p> + <p> + “Lost. Don’t trouble about it. When everything is packed, get some sleep, + and leave word to be called in time for the eight o’clock express for + Paris. Here is money to pay the bill and your fare. It is likely I shall + join you at the station; but if I do not, go to our hotel in Paris and + wait for me there. Say nothing of our destination to anyone, and answer no + questions regarding me, should inquiries be made. Are you sure you + understand?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my lady.” A few moments later Jennie was in the cab, driving through + the nearly deserted streets. She dismissed her vehicle at Charing Cross, + walked down the Strand until she got another, then proceeded direct to the + office of the <i>Daily Bugle</i>, whose upper windows formed a row of + lights, all the more brilliant because of the intense darkness below. + </p> + <p> + She found the shorthand writers waiting for her. The editor met her at the + door of the room reserved for her, and said, with visible anxiety on his + brow, “Well, what success?” + </p> + <p> + “Complete success,” she answered shortly. + </p> + <p> + “Good!” he replied emphatically. “Now I propose to read the typewritten + sheets as they come from the machine, correct them for obvious clerical + errors, and send them right away to the compositors. You can, perhaps, + glance over the final proofs, which will be ready almost as soon as you + have finished.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well. Look closely to the spelling of proper names and verify + titles. There won’t be much time for me to go carefully over the last + proofs.” + </p> + <p> + “All right. You furnish the material, and I’ll see that it’s used to the + best advantage.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie entered the room, and there at a desk sat the waiting stenographer; + over his head hung the bulb of an electric light, its green circular shade + throwing the white rays directly down on his open notebook. The girl was + once more in the working world, and its bracing air acted as a tonic to + her overwrought nerves. All longings and regrets had been put off with the + Paris-made gown which the maid at that moment was carefully packing away. + The order of nature seemed reversed; the butterfly had abandoned its + gorgeous wings of gauze, and was habited in the sombre working garb of the + grub. With her hands clasped behind her, the girl paced up and down the + room, pouring forth words, two hundred to the minute, and sometimes more. + Silently one stenographer, tiptoeing in, replaced another, who as silently + departed; and from the adjoining room, the subdued, nervous, rapid click, + click, click of the typewriting machine invaded, without disturbing, her + consciousness. Towards three o’clock the low drone of the rotaries in the + cellar made itself felt rather than heard; the early edition for the + country was being run off. Time was flying—danced away by nimble + feet in the West End, worked away by nimble fingers in Fleet Street + (well-named thoroughfare); play and work, work and play, each + supplementing the other; the acts of the frivolous recorded by the + industrious. + </p> + <p> + When a little more than three hours’ dictating was finished, the voice of + the girl, now as hoarse as formerly it had been musical, ceased; she + dropped into a chair and rested her tired head on the deserted desk, + closing her wearied eyes. She knew she had spoken between 15,000 and + 20,000 words, a number almost equal in quantity to that contained in many + a book which had made an author’s fame and fortune. And all for the + ephemeral reading of a day—of a forenoon, more likely—to be + forgotten when the evening journals came out! + </p> + <p> + Shortly after the typewriter gave its final click the editor came in. + </p> + <p> + “I didn’t like to disturb you while you were at work, and so I kept at my + own task, which was no light one, and thus I appreciate the enormous + strain that has rested on you. Your account is magnificent, Miss Baxter; + just what I wanted, and never hoped to get.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad you liked it,” said the girl, laughing somewhat dismally at the + croaking sound of her own voice. + </p> + <p> + “I need not ask you if you were there, for no person but one who was + present, and one who knew how to describe, could have produced such a + vivid account of it all. How did you get in?” + </p> + <p> + “In where?” murmured Jennie drowsily. She found difficulty in keeping her + mind on what he was saying. + </p> + <p> + “To the Duchess of Chiselhurst’s ball.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, getting in was easy enough; it was the getting out that was the + trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “Like prison, eh?” suggested the editor. “Now, will you have a little + wine, or something stronger?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no. All I need is rest.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let me call a cab; I will see you home, if you will permit me.” + </p> + <p> + “I am too tired to go home; I shall remain here until morning.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense. You must go home and sleep for a week if you want to. Rouse up; + I believe you are talking in your sleep now.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand perfectly what you are saying and what I am doing. I have + work that must be attended to at eight. Please leave orders that someone + is to call me at seven and bring a cup of coffee and biscuits, or rolls, + or anything that is to be had at that hour. And please don’t trouble + further. I am very thankful to you, but will express myself better later + on.” + </p> + <p> + With this the editor had to be content, and was shortly on his way to his + own well-earned rest. To Jennie it seemed but a moment after he had gone, + that the porter placed coffee and rolls on the desk beside her saying, + “Seven o’clock, miss!” + </p> + <p> + The coffee refreshed the girl, and as she passed through the editorial + rooms she noted their forlorn, dishevelled appearance, which all places + show when seen at an unaccustomed hour, their time of activity and bustle + past. The rooms were littered with torn papers; waste-baskets overflowing; + looking silent, scrappy, and abandoned in the grey morning light which + seemed intrusive, usurping the place of the usual artificial illumination, + and betraying a bareness which the other concealed. Jennie recognized a + relationship between her own up-all-night feeling and the spirit of the + deserted rooms. + </p> + <p> + At the railway station she found her maid waiting for her, surrounded by + luggage. + </p> + <p> + “Have you got your ticket?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my lady.” + </p> + <p> + “I have changed my mind, and will not go to Paris just now. Ask a porter + to put those trunks in the left-luggage office, and bring me the keys and + the receipt.” + </p> + <p> + When this was done and money matters had been adjusted between them, + Jennie gave the girl five pounds more than was due to her, and saw her + into the railway carriage, well pleased with the reward. A hansom brought + Jennie to her flat, and so ended the exhausting episode of the Duchess of + Chiselhurst’s ball. + </p> + <p> + Yet an event, like a malady, leaves numerous consequences in its train, + extending, who shall say, how far into the future? The first symptom of + these consequences was a correspondence, and, as there is no reading more + dreary than a series of letters, merely their substance is given here. + When Jennie was herself again, she wrote a long letter to the Princess von + Steinheimer, detailing the particulars of her impersonation, and begging + pardon for what she had done, while giving her reasons for doing it; but, + perhaps because it did not occur to her, she made not the slightest + reference to Lord Donal Stirling. Two answers came to this—one a + registered packet containing the diamonds which the Princess had + previously offered to her; the other a letter from the Princess’s own + hand. The glitter of the diamonds showed Jennie that she had been speedily + forgiven, and the letter corroborated this. In fact, the Princess + upbraided her for not letting her into the secret earlier. “It is just the + jolly kind of thing I should have delighted in,” wrote her Highness. “And + then, if I had known, I should not have sent that unlucky telegram. It + serves you right for not taking me into your confidence, and I am glad you + had a fright. Think of it coming in at that inopportune moment, just as + telegrams do at a play! But, Jennie, are you sure you told me everything? + A letter came from London the day before yours arrived, and it bewildered + me dreadfully at first. Don Stirling, whom I used to know at Washington (a + conceited young fellow he was then—I hope he has improved since), + wrote to say that he had met a girl at the Duchess of Chiselhurst’s ball + who had a letter inviting the Princess von Steinheimer to the festivity. + He thought at first she was the Princess (which is very complimentary to + each of us), but found later that she wasn’t. Now he wants to know, you + know, and thinks, quite reasonably, that I must have some inkling who that + girl was, and he begs me, by our old friendship, etc., etc., etc. He is a + nice young man, if a trifle confident (these young diplomatists think they + hold the reins of the universe in their hands), and I should like to + oblige him, but I thought first I would hear what you had to say about it. + I am to address him care of the Embassy at St. Petersburg; so I suppose + he’s stationed there now. By the way, how did he get your glove, or is + that merely brag on his part? He says that it is the only clue he has, and + he is going to trace you from that, it seems, if I do not tell him who you + are and send him your address. Now, what am <i>I</i> to say when I write + to St. Petersburg?” + </p> + <p> + In reply to this, Jennie sent a somewhat incoherent letter, very different + from her usual style of writing. She had not mentioned the young man in + her former communication, she said, because she had been trying to forget + the incident in which he was the central figure. In no circumstances could + she meet him again, and she implored the Princess not to disclose her + identity to him even by a hint. She explained the glove episode exactly as + it happened; she was compelled to sacrifice the glove to release her hand. + He had been very kind in helping her to escape from a false position, but + it would be too humiliating for her ever to see him or speak with him + again. + </p> + <p> + When this letter reached the Schloss at Meran, the Princess telegraphed to + London, “Send me the other glove,” and Jennie sent it. A few days later + came a further communication from the Princess. + </p> + <p> + “I have puzzled our young man quite effectually, I think, clever as he + imagines himself to be. I wrote him a semi-indignant letter to St. + Petersburg, and said I thought all along he had not really recognized me + at the ball, in spite of his protestations at first. Then I saw how easily + he was deluded into the belief that I was some other woman, and so the + temptation to cozen him further was irresistible. Am I not a good actress? + I asked him. I went on to say, with some show of anger, that a quiet + flirtation in the gallery was all very well in its way, but when it came + to a young man rushing in a frenzy bare-headed into the street after a + respectable married woman who had just got into her carriage and was about + to drive away, it was too much altogether, and thus he came into + possession of the glove. As the remaining glove was of no use to me, I had + great pleasure in sending it to him, but warned him that if the story of + the gloves ever came to the ears of my husband, I should deny having + either owned or worn them. I should like to see Don’s amazed look when the + other glove drops out of my letter, which was a bulky package and cost + ever so much in postage. I think the sending of the glove was an + inspiration. I fancy his lordship will be now completely deluded, and that + you need have no further fear of his finding you.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie read this letter over once or twice, and in spite of her friendly + feeling for the Princess, there was something in the epistle that jarred + on her. Nevertheless she wrote and thanked the Princess for what she had + done, and then she tried to forget all about everything pertaining to the + ball. However, she was not allowed to erase all thought of Lord Donal from + her mind, even if she could have accomplished this task unimpeded. There + shortly arrived a brief note from the Princess enclosing a letter the + young diplomatist at St. Petersburg had written. + </p> + <p> + “DEAR PRINCESS” (it ran),—“I am very much obliged to you for the + companion glove, as I am thus enabled to keep one and use the other as a + clue. I see you not only know who the mysterious young lady is, but that + you have since met her, or at least have been in correspondence with her. + If the glove does not lead me to the hand, I shall pay a visit to you in + the hope that you will atone for your present cruelty by telling me where + to find the owner of both glove and hand.” + </p> + <p> + With regard to this note the Princess had written, “Don is not such a fool + as I took him to be. He must have improved during the last few years. I + wish you would write and tell me exactly what he said to you that + evening.” + </p> + <p> + But with this wish Jennie did not comply. She merely again urged the + Princess never to divulge the secret. + </p> + <p> + For many days Jennie heard nothing more from any of the actors in the + little comedy, and the episode began to take on in her thoughts that air + of unreality which remote events seem to gather round them. She went on + with her daily work to the satisfaction of her employers and the + augmentation of her own banking account, although no experience worthy of + record occurred in her routine for several weeks. But a lull in a + newspaper office is seldom of long duration. + </p> + <p> + One afternoon Mr. Hardwick came to the desk at which Jennie was at work, + and said to her,— + </p> + <p> + “Cadbury Taylor called here yesterday, and was very anxious to see you. + Has he been in again this afternoon?” + </p> + <p> + “You mean the detective? No, I haven’t seen him since that day at the + Schloss Steinheimer. What did he want with me?” + </p> + <p> + “As far as I was able to understand, he has a very important case on hand—a + sort of romance in high life; and I think he wants your assistance to + unravel it; it seems to be baffling him.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not very difficult to baffle Mr. Cadbury Taylor,” said the girl, + looking up at her employer with a merry twinkle in her eye. + </p> + <p> + “Well, he appears to be in a fog now, and he expressed himself to me as + being very much taken with the neat way in which you unravelled the + diamond mystery at Meran, so he thinks you may be of great assistance to + him in his present difficulty, and is willing to pay in cash or in kind.” + </p> + <p> + “Cash payment I understand,” said the girl, “but what does he mean by + payment in kind?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he is willing that you should make a sensational article out of the + episode. It deals entirely, he says, with persons in high life—titled + persons—and so it might make an interesting column or two for the + paper.” + </p> + <p> + “I see—providing, of course, that the tangled skein was unravelled + by the transcendent genius of Mr. Cadbury Taylor,” said the girl + cynically. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t think he wants his name mentioned,” continued the editor; “in + fact, he said that it wouldn’t do to refer to him at all, for if people + discovered that he made public any of the cases intrusted to him, he would + lose his business. He has been working on this problem for several weeks, + and I believe has made little progress towards its solution. His client is + growing impatient, so it occurred to the detective that you might consent + to help him. He said, with a good deal of complacency, that he did not + know you were connected with the <i>Bugle</i>, but he put his wits at work + and has traced you to this office.” + </p> + <p> + “How clever he is!” said Jennie, laughing; “I am sure I made no secret of + the fact that I work for the <i>Daily Bugle</i>.” + </p> + <p> + “I think Mr. Taylor will have no hesitation in agreeing with you that he + is clever; nevertheless, it might be worth while to see him and to assist + him if you can, because nothing so takes the public as a romance in high + life. Here is his address; would you mind calling on him?” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all,” replied the young woman, copying the street and number in + her note-book. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. JENNIE ASSISTS IN SEARCHING FOR HERSELF. + </h2> + <p> + Next day Jennie Baxter drove to the address the editor had given her, and + she found Mr. Cadbury Taylor at home, in somewhat sumptuous offices on the + first floor. Fastened to his door was a brass plate, which exposed to + public view the carven words— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + CADBURY TAYLOR, + Private Enquiry Agent. +</pre> + <p> + The detective was quite evidently very glad to see her. + </p> + <p> + “I intended calling to-day at the office of the <i>Bugle</i> on the chance + of finding you,” he said; “but I am delighted to meet you here, because we + can talk without fear of interruption. Has the editor told you anything of + this case?” + </p> + <p> + “Very little; he didn’t seem to know much about it himself.” + </p> + <p> + “It was impossible for me to go into full particulars with him. I could + only give him a hint or two in order to convey to him some idea of the + interest which the mystery, when solved, might have from a newspaper + standpoint. Of course I wished to gain his assistance so that he might, + perhaps, persuade you to help me in this matter.” + </p> + <p> + “He seems to be quite willing that I should lend what aid I can,” said + Jennie; “but I must have full details before I promise. I have a good deal + of work on hand, and, unless this case is interesting from a newspaper + point of view, as you have just said, I don’t think that I should care to + touch it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you will find it of great interest,” the detective assured her with + much eagerness. “It relates to the sudden and hitherto unexplained + disappearance of a woman. That of itself is absorbing, for I may tell you, + as one having a large experience, that there is nothing more difficult in + this world than for any person, and more especially for a woman, to + disappear entirely and leave no trace behind.” + </p> + <p> + “I should have thought it quite easy,” said Jennie, “especially in a large + city like London.” + </p> + <p> + “You have given expression to the universal opinion, but I pledge you my + word that a completely successful disappearance is one of the most rare + events that we detectives have to meet with in our line of investigation.” + </p> + <p> + “Please tell me the story,” said the girl; “then we can speak more + understandingly about it.” + </p> + <p> + The detective selected a packet of papers, one of many which occupied the + end of his table. He slipped from it a rubber band which held the + documents together. + </p> + <p> + “The first act of the drama, if we may call it so, began at the Duchess of + Chiselhurst’s ball.” + </p> + <p> + “The Duchess of Chiselhurst’s ball!” echoed Jennie, with a shudder. “Oh, + dear!” + </p> + <p> + The detective looked up at her. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you say ‘Oh, dear’?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Because,” said the girl wearily, “I am tired hearing of the Duchess of + Chiselhurst’s ball; there seems to have been nothing else in the papers + for weeks past.” + </p> + <p> + “It has excited a great deal of comment,” assented the detective; “and, by + the way, the <i>Daily Bugle</i> had one of the best accounts of it that + was printed in any newspaper.” + </p> + <p> + “So I have heard,” said Jennie carelessly, “but I most confess that I + didn’t read that copy of the <i>Bugle</i>.” + </p> + <p> + “You amaze me! I should have thought that would have been the first part + of the paper to which any lady would turn. However, the report of the ball + has nothing to do with what we have in hand. Now, you remember the + Princess von Steinheimer, at whose castle I first had the pleasure of + meeting you?” + </p> + <p> + “You had the pleasure of meeting me before that,” said Jennie, speaking + without giving thought to what she said. + </p> + <p> + “Really!” cried the detective, dropping his papers on the table; “and + where was that?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, as you have just said—it has nothing to do with this + case. Perhaps I was wrong in saying you saw me; it would be more correct + to say that I saw you. You must remember that you are a public character, + Mr. Taylor.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, quite so,” said the detective complacently, turning to his documents + again. “Now, the Princess von Steinheimer was invited to the Duchess of + Chiselhurst’s ball, but she did not attend it.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure of that?” said the girl. “I thought her name was among the + list of those present.” + </p> + <p> + “It was in the list, and that is just where our mystery begins. Someone + else attended the ball as the Princess von Steinheimer; it is this person + that I wish to find.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, then you are employed by the Duke of Chiselhurst?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I am not, for, strangely enough, I believe the Duke thinks it was + actually the Princess who attended the ball. Only one man knows that the + Princess was not present, one man and two women. Of the latter, one is the + Princess von Steinheimer, and the other, the lady who impersonated her. + The one man is Lord Donal Stirling, of the Diplomatic Service, whose name + is no doubt familiar to you. Lord Donal has done me the honour to place + the case in my hands.” + </p> + <p> + “Why does his lordship wish to find this—this—fraudulent + person?” asked Jennie, speaking slowly and with difficulty. + </p> + <p> + “Because,” said the detective, with the air of a man who knows whereof he + speaks, “he is in love with her.” + </p> + <p> + “What makes you think that?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t think it, I know it. Listen to his description of her.” + </p> + <p> + The detective chose a paper from among his pile of documents, folded, + labelled, and docketed for reference. + </p> + <p> + “‘The girl is of average height, or perhaps a trifle taller than the + average; carries herself superbly, like a born duchess. Her eyes are of a + deep, velvety black—‘” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me!” cried the girl, “he describes her as if she were a cat!” + </p> + <p> + “Wait a moment,” said the detective. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t see much trace of love in that,” continued Jennie breathlessly. + </p> + <p> + “Wait a moment,” repeated the detective. “‘They light up and sparkle with + merriment, and they melt into the most entrancing tenderness.’” + </p> + <p> + “Good gracious!” cried Jennie, rising, “the conceit of the man is + illimitable. Does he mean to intimate that he saw tenderness for himself + in the eyes of a woman he had met for an hour or two?” + </p> + <p> + “That’s just it,” said the detective, laughing. “You see the man is head + over ears in love. Please sit down again, Miss Baxter, and listen. I know + this sentimental kind of writing must be irksome to a practical woman like + yourself, but in our business we cannot neglect even the slightest detail. + Let’s see, where was I?—‘tenderness,’ oh, yes. ‘Her hair is of + midnight darkness, inclined to ripple, with little whiffs of curls + imperiously defying restraint about her temples. Her complexion is as pure + as the dawn, touched now and then with a blush as delicate as the petal of + a rose.’” + </p> + <p> + “Absurd!” cried Jennie impatiently. “The complexion of a woman at a ball! + Of course, she put it on for the occasion.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” agreed the detective. “But that merely shows you how deeply + in love he is. Lord Donal is quite a young man. He came up to this room to + consult with me, and certainly he doesn’t know the difference between a + complexion developed in a Surrey lane and one purchased in New Bond + Street.” + </p> + <p> + “Still, the blushing would seem to indicate that the complexion was + genuine,” retorted Jennie, apparently quite unflattered by Mr. Taylor’s + agreement with the theory she herself had put forward. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don’t know about that. I believe modern science enables an + enamelled woman to blush at will; I wouldn’t be sure of it, because it is + outside of my own line of investigation, but I have understood such is the + case.” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely,” assented Jennie. “What is that you have at the bottom of + your packet?” + </p> + <p> + “That,” said the detective, drawing it forth and handing it to the girl, + “is her glove.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie picked up the glove—which, alas! she had paid for and only + worn on one occasion—and smoothed it out between her fingers. It was + docketed “G; made by Gaunt et Cie, Boulevard Hausmann; purchased in Paris + by one alleging herself to be the Princess von Steinheimer.” + </p> + <p> + “You have found out all about it,” said Jennie, as she finished reading + the label. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it is our business to do so; but the glove has not been of much + assistance to us.” + </p> + <p> + “How did he say he became possessed of the glove?” asked the girl + innocently. “Did she give it to him?” + </p> + <p> + “No; he tore it from her hand as she was leaving him in the carriage. It + seemed to me a most ungentlemanly thing to do, but of course it was not my + business to tell Lord Donal that.” + </p> + <p> + “So the glove has not been of much assistance to you. Tell me, then, what + you have done, and perhaps I shall be the better able to advise you.” + </p> + <p> + “We have done everything that suggested itself. We traced the alleged + Princess from the Hotel Bristol in Pans to Claridge’s in London. I have a + very clever woman in Paris who assisted me, and she found where the gloves + were bought and where the dress was made. Did I read you Lord Donal’s + description of the lady’s costume?” + </p> + <p> + “No, never mind that; go on with your story.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Claridge’s provided carriage, coachman and footman to take her to + the ball, and this returned with her sometime about midnight. Now, here a + curious thing happened. The lady ordered a hansom as she passed the + night-porter and shortly after packed off her maid in the cab.” + </p> + <p> + “Her maid!” echoed Jennie. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. The maid came down in ordinary street dress shortly after, deeply + veiled, and drove away in the hansom; the lady paid her bill next morning + and went to the eight o’clock Paris express, with carriage and pair, + coachman and footman. Of course it struck me that it might be the lady + herself who had gone off in the cab, but a moment’s reflection showed me + that she was not likely to leave the hotel in a cab at midnight, and allow + her maid to take the carriage in state next morning.” + </p> + <p> + “That doesn’t appear reasonable,” murmured Jennie. “You made no attempt, + then, to trace the maid?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes, we did. We found the cabman who took her from Claridge’s, and he + left her at Charing Cross Station, but there all trace of her vanishes. + She probably left on one of the late trains—there are only a few + after midnight—to some place out in the country. The lady took a + first-class ticket to Paris, and departed alone next morning by the eight + o’clock Continental express. My assistant discovered her and took a + snapshot of her as she was walking down the boulevard; here is the + picture.” + </p> + <p> + The detective handed Miss Baxter an instantaneous view of one of the + boulevards taken in bright sunshine. The principal figure in the + foreground Jennie had no difficulty in recognizing as her own maid, + dressed in that <i>chic</i> fashion which Parisian women affect. + </p> + <p> + “She seems to answer the description,” said Jennie. + </p> + <p> + “So I thought,” admitted the detective, “and I sent the portrait to Lord + Donal. See what he has written on the back.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie turned the picture over, and there under the inscription, “H. + Supposed photo of the missing woman,” was written in a bold hand, “Bosh! + Read my description of the girl; this is evidently some Paris lady’s + maid.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what did you do when you got this picture back?” asked Jennie. + </p> + <p> + “I remembered you, and went to the office of the <i>Daily Bugle</i>. This + brings us to the present moment. You have now the whole story, and I shall + be very pleased to listen to any suggestions you are good enough to + offer.” + </p> + <p> + The girl sat where she was for a few moments and pondered over the + situation. The detective, resting his elbow on the table and his chin in + his hand, regarded her with eager anticipation. The more Jennie thought + over the matter, the more she was amazed at the man before her, who seemed + unable to place two and two together. He had already spoken of the account + of the ball which had appeared in the <i>Daily Bugle</i>; of its accuracy + and its excellence; he knew that she was a member of the <i>Bugle</i> + staff, yet it had never occurred to him to inquire who wrote that + description; he knew also that she had been a guest at the Schloss + Steinheimer when the invitation to the ball must have reached the + Princess. These facts were so plainly in evidence that the girl was afraid + to speak lest some chance word would form the connecting link between the + detective’s mind and the seemingly palpable facts. At last she looked up, + the colour coming and going in her cheeks, as Lord Donal had so accurately + described it. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t think I can be of any assistance to you in this crisis, Mr. + Taylor. You have already done everything that human ingenuity can + suggest.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have—everything that <i>my</i> human ingenuity can suggest. + But does nothing occur to you? have you no theory to put forward?” + </p> + <p> + “None that would be of any practical advantage. Is Lord Donal certain that + it was not the Princess herself whom he met? Are you thoroughly convinced + that there was really an impersonation?” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean, Miss Baxter?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you met Prince von Steinheimer; what do you think of him?” + </p> + <p> + “I thought him an overbearing bully, if you ask me. I can’t imagine what + English or American girls see in those foreigners to cause them to marry. + It is the titles, I suppose. The Prince was very violent—practically + ordered me out of the Castle, spoke to his father-in-law in the most + peremptory manner, and I could easily see the Princess was frightened out + of her wits.” + </p> + <p> + “A very accurate characterization of his Highness, Mr. Taylor. Now, of + course, the Princess being a woman—and a young woman—would + naturally be very anxious to attend the Duchess of Chiselhurst’s ball, + wouldn’t she?” + </p> + <p> + “One would think so.” + </p> + <p> + “And, as you have just said, she has a bear of a husband, a good deal + older than herself, who does not in the least care for such functions as + that to which the Princess was invited. Is it not quite possible that the + Princess actually attended the ball, but, for reasons of her own, desired + to keep the fact of her presence there a secret; and you must remember + that Lord Donal Stirling had not seen the Princess for five years.” + </p> + <p> + “For five years?” said the detective sharply. “How did you learn that, + Miss Baxter?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you know,” murmured the girl, with a gasp, “he met her last in + Washington, and the Princess has not been in America for five years; so + you see—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I was not aware that he had met her in America at all; in fact, Lord + Donal said nothing much about the Princess—all his talk had + reference to this lady who impersonated her.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes for a moment, and + breathed quickly. + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid,” she said at last, “that I do not remember with sufficient + minuteness the details you have given me, to be able to advise. I can only + suggest that Lord Donal met the Princess herself at the Duchess of + Chiselhurst’s ball. The Princess, naturally, would wish to mislead him + regarding her identity; and so, if he had not met her for some time—say + two years, or three years, or five years, or whatever the period may be—it + is quite possible that the Princess has changed greatly in the interval, + and perhaps she was not reluctant to carry on a flirtation with the young + man—your client. Of course, she could not allow it to go further + than the outside of the door of the Duke of Chiselhurst’s town house, for + you must remember there was her husband in the background—a violent + man, as you have said; and Lord Donal must have thoroughly angered the + Princess by what you term his rudeness in tearing off her glove; and now + the Princess will never admit that she was at the ball, so it seems to me + that you are wasting your time in a wild goose chase. Why, it is absurd to + think, if there had been a real disappearing woman, that you, with all + your experience and all your facilities, should not have unearthed her + long ago. You said at the beginning that nothing was more difficult than + to disappear. Very well, then—why have you been baffled? Simply + because the Princess herself attended the ball, and there has been no + disappearing lady at all.” + </p> + <p> + The detective, with great vehemence, brought down his fist on the table. + </p> + <p> + “By Jove!” he cried, “I believe you are right. I have been completely + blinded, the more so that I have the clue to the mystery right here under + my own eyes.” + </p> + <p> + He fumbled for a moment and brought forth a letter from his pile of + documents. + </p> + <p> + “Here is a note from St. Petersburg, written by Lord Donal himself, saying + the Princess had sent him the companion glove to the one you now have in + your hand. He says he is sure the Princess knows who her impersonator was, + but that she won’t tell; and, although I had read this note, it never + struck me that the Princess herself was the woman. Miss Baxter, you have + solved the puzzle!” + </p> + <p> + “I should be glad to think so,” replied the girl, rising, “and I am very + happy if I have enabled you to give up a futile chase.” + </p> + <p> + “It is as plain as daylight,” replied the detective. “Lord Donal’s + description fits the Princess exactly, and yet I never thought of her + before.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie hurried away from the detective’s office, happy in the belief that + she had not betrayed herself, although she was not blind to the fact that + her escape was due more to good luck than to any presence of mind of her + own, which had nearly deserted her at one or two points in the + conversation. When Mr. Hardwick saw her, he asked how much space he should + have to reserve for the romance in high life; but she told him there was + nothing in the case, so far as she could see, to interest any sane reader. + </p> + <p> + Here matters rested for a fortnight; then the girl received an urgent note + from Cadbury Taylor, asking her to call at his office next day promptly at + four o’clock. It was very important, he said, and he hoped she would on no + account disappoint him. Jennie’s first impulse was not to go, but she was + so anxious to learn what progress the detective had made in the case, + fearing that at last he might have got on the right track, that she felt + it would be unwise to take the risk of not seeing him. If his suspicions + were really aroused, her absence might possibly serve to confirm them. + Exactly at four o’clock next afternoon she entered his office and found + him, to her relief, alone. He sprang up from his table on seeing her, and + said in a whisper, “I am so glad you have come. I am in rather a quandary. + Lord Donal Stirling is in London on a flying visit. He called here + yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + The girl caught her breath, but said nothing. + </p> + <p> + “I explained to him the reasons I have for believing that it was actually + the Princess von Steinheimer whom he met at the Duchess of Chiselhurst’s + ball. He laughed at me; there was no convincing him. He said that theory + was more absurd than the sending him a picture of a housemaid as that of + the lady he met at the ball. I used all the arguments which you had used, + but he brushed them aside as of no consequence, and somehow the case did + not appear to be as clear as when you propounded your theory.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what then?” asked the girl. + </p> + <p> + “Why, then I asked him to come up here at four o’clock and hear what an + assistant of mine would say about the case.” + </p> + <p> + “At four o’clock!” cried the girl in terror; “then he may be here at any + moment.” + </p> + <p> + “He is here now; he is in the next room. Come in, and I will introduce + you, and then I want you to tell him all the circumstances which lead you + to believe that it was the Princess herself whom he met. I am sure you can + place all the points before him so tersely that you will succeed in + bringing him round to your own way of thinking. You will try, won’t you, + Miss Baxter? It will be a very great obligement to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, no, no!” cried the girl; “I am not going to admit to anyone that + I have been acting as a detective’s assistant. You had no right to bring + me here. I must go at once. If I had known this I would not have come.” + </p> + <p> + “It won’t take you five minutes,” pleaded Cadbury Taylor. “He is at this + moment waiting for you; I told him you would be here at four.” + </p> + <p> + “I can’t help that; you had no right to make an appointment for me without + my knowledge and consent.” + </p> + <p> + Taylor was about to speak when the door-handle of the inner room turned. + </p> + <p> + “I say, detective,” remarked Lord Donal, in a voice of some irritation, + “you should have assistants who are more punctual. I am a very busy man, + and must leave for St. Petersburg to-night, so I can’t spend all my time + in your office, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure I beg your pardon, my lord,” said the detective with great + obsequiousness. “This young lady has some objections to giving her views, + but I am sure you will be able to persuade her—” + </p> + <p> + He turned, but the place at his side was vacant. The door to the hall was + open, and the girl had escaped as she saw the handle of the inner door + turn. Taylor looked blankly at his client with dropped jaw. Lord Donal + laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Your assistant seems to have disappeared as completely as did the lady at + the ball. Why not set your detectives on <i>her</i> track? Perhaps she + will prove to be the person I am in search of.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very sorry, my lord,” stammered the detective. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don’t mention it. I am sure you have done all that could be done with + the very ineffective clues which unfortunately are our only possession, + but you are quite wrong in thinking it was the Princess herself who + attended the ball, and I don’t blame your assistant for refusing to + bolster up an impossible case. We will consider the search ended, and if + you will kindly let me have your bill at the Diplomatic Club before six + o’clock to-night, I will send you a cheque. Good afternoon, Mr. Taylor.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. JENNIE ELUDES AN OFFER OF MARRIAGE. + </h2> + <p> + As Jennie rapidly hurried away from the office of Mr. Cadbury Taylor, + there arose in her mind some agitation as to what the detective would + think of her sudden flight. She was convinced that, up to the moment of + leaving him so abruptly, he had not the slightest suspicion she herself, + to whom he was then talking, was the person he had been searching for up + and down Europe. What must he think of one who, while speaking with him, + suddenly, without a word of leave-taking, disappeared as if the earth had + opened and swallowed her, and all because the handle of the door to the + inner room had turned? Then the excuse she had given for not wishing to + meet Lord Donal must have struck him as ridiculously inadequate. When she + reached her desk and reflected with more calmness over the situation, she + found no cause to censure herself for her hasty departure; although she + had acted on impulse, she saw there had been nothing else to do; another + moment and she would have been face to face with Lord Donal himself. + </p> + <p> + Next day brought a note from the detective which went far to reassure her. + He apologized for having made the appointment without her permission, and + explained that Lord Donal’s unexpected arrival in London, and his stubborn + unbelief that it had been the Princess herself whom he met at the ball, + seemingly left the detective no alternative out to call on the person who + had so persistently advanced the theory, to explain it to the one most + intimately concerned. It had not occurred to him at the time to think that + Miss Baxter might object to meet Lord Donal, who was an entire stranger to + her; but now he saw that he was wrong, etc., etc., etc. This note did much + to convince Jennie that, after all, the detective had not seen the clues + which appeared to be spread so plainly before his eyes. Cadbury Taylor, + however, said nothing about the search being ended, and a few days later + Jennie received a disquieting letter from the Princess von Steinheimer. + </p> + <p> + “My dear Jennie,” her Highness wrote, “I am sure the detectives are after + you, and so I thought it best to send you a word of warning. Of course it + is only surmise on my part, but for days there has been a woman hovering + about the castle, trying to get information from my servants. My maid came + directly to me and told me what she knew. The woman detective had spoken + to her. This inquisitive person, who had come from Paris, wished + particularly to know whether I had been seen about the castle during the + week in which the Duchess of Chiselhurst’s ball took place; and so this + leads me to suppose that some one is making inquiries for you. It must be + either Lord Donal Stirling or the Duke of Chiselhurst, but I rather think + it is the former. I have written an indignant letter to Lord Donal, + accusing him of having caused detectives to haunt the castle. I have not + yet received a reply, but Lord Donal is a truthful person, and in a day or + two I expect to find out whether or not he has a hand in this business. + Meanwhile, Jennie, be on your guard, and I will write you again as soon as + I have something further to tell.” + </p> + <p> + The reading of this letter greatly increased Jennie’s fears, for she felt + assured that, stupid as the men undoubtedly were, they verged so closely + on the brink of discovery, they were almost certain to stumble upon the + truth if the investigation was continued. She wrote a hurried note to the + Princess, imploring her to be cautious, and not inadvertently give any + clue that would lead to her discovery. Her letter evidently crossed one + from the Princess herself. Lord Donal had confessed, said the letter, and + promised never, never to do it again. “He says that before my letter was + received he had stopped the detectives, who were doing no good and + apparently only annoying innocent people. He says the search is ended, as + far as the detective is concerned, and that I need fear no more intrusions + from inquiry agents, male or female. He apologized very handsomely, but + says he has not given up hopes of finding the lady who disappeared. And + now, Jennie, I trust that you will admit my cleverness. You see that I had + only a word or two from my maid as a clue, but I unravelled the whole plot + and at once discovered who was the instigator of it, so I think I wouldn’t + make a bad detective myself. I am tremendously interested in episodes like + this. I believe if I had known nothing of the impersonation, and if the + case had been put in my hands, I should have discovered you long ago. + Can’t you think of some way in which my undoubted talent for research may + be made use of? You don’t know how much I envy you in your newspaper + office, always with an absorbing mystery on hand to solve. It must be like + being the editor of a puzzle department. I wish you would let me help you + next time you have anything important to do. Will you promise? + </p> + <p> + “When you write again, please send your letter to Vienna, as we are going + into residence there, my husband having been unexpectedly called to the + capital. He holds an important position in the Government, as perhaps you + remember.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie was delighted to know that all inquiry had ceased, and she wrote a + long letter of gratitude to the Princess. She concluded her epistle by + saying: “It is perfectly absurd of you to envy one who has to work as hard + as I. You are the person to be envied. It is not all beer and skittles in + a newspaper office, which is a good thing, for I don’t like beer, and I + don’t know what skittles is or are. But I promise you that the next time I + have an interesting case on hand I shall write and give you full + particulars, and I am sure that together we shall be invincible.” + </p> + <p> + But one trouble leaves merely to give place to another in this life. + Jennie was disturbed to notice that Mr. Hardwick was becoming more and + more confidential with her. He sat down by her desk whenever there was a + reasonable excuse for doing so, and he consulted her on matters important + and on matters trivial. An advance of salary came to her, and she knew it + was through his influence with the board of directors. Although Mr. + Hardwick was sharp and decisive in business matters, he proved an awkward + man where his affections were concerned, and he often came and sat by the + girl’s desk, evidently wishing to say something, and yet quite as + evidently having nothing to say; and thus the situation became + embarrassing. Jennie was a practical girl and had no desire to complicate + the situation by allowing her employer to fall in love with her, yet it + was impossible to go to him and ask that his attentions might be limited + strictly to a business basis. The crisis, however, was brought on by Mr. + Hardwick himself. One day, when they were alone together, he said + abruptly,— + </p> + <p> + “That romance in high life which you were investigating with Mr. Cadbury + Taylor did not come to anything?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Mr. Hardwick.” + </p> + <p> + “Then don’t you think we might enact a romance in high life in this very + room; it is high enough from the street to entitle it to be called a + romance in high life,” and the editor grinned uneasily, like an unready + man who hopes to relieve a dilemma by a poor joke. + </p> + <p> + Jennie, however, did not laugh and did not look up at him, but continued + to scribble shorthand notes on the paper before her. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Mr. Hardwick!” she said with a sigh, “I see you have discovered my + secret, although I had hoped to conceal it even from your alert eyes. I + am, indeed, in the situation of <i>Ralph Rackstraw</i> in ‘Pinafore,’ ‘I + love, and love, alas! above my station,’ and now that you know half, you + may as well know all. It arose out of that unfortunate ball given by the + Duchess of Chiselhurst which will haunt me all the rest of my life, I + fear,” said Jennie, still without looking up. Mr. Hardwick smothered an + ejaculation and was glad that the girl’s eyes were not upon him. There was + a pause of a few moments’ duration between them. He took the path which + was left open to him, fondly flattering himself that, while he had + stumbled inadvertently upon her romance, he had kept his own secret safe. + </p> + <p> + “I—I have no right to intrude on your confidences, Miss Baxter,” he + said finally with an effort, “and I hope you will excuse me for—for———” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I have been sure for some days you knew it,” interrupted the girl, + looking up, but not at him. “I have been neglecting my work, I fear, and + so you were quite right in speaking.” + </p> + <p> + “No, your work is all right; it wasn’t that exactly—but never mind, + we won’t speak of this any more, for I see it embarrasses you.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Mr. Hardwick,” said Jennie, again bending her eyes on the desk + before her. + </p> + <p> + The man saw the colour come and go in her cheeks, and thought he had never + beheld anyone so entrancing. He rose quickly, without making further + attempt at explanation, and left the room. One or two tear drops stained + the paper on which the girl was scribbling. She didn’t like giving pain to + anyone, but could not hold herself to blame for what had happened. She + made up her mind to leave the <i>Daily Bugle</i> and seek employment + elsewhere, but next day Mr. Hardwick showed no trace of disappointment, + and spoke to her with that curt imperiousness which had heretofore been + his custom. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Baxter,” he said, “have you been reading the newspapers with any + degree of attention lately?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Mr. Hardwick.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you been watching the drift of foreign politics?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you refer to that speech by the Prime Minister of Austria a week or + two ago?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that is what I have in my mind. As you know, then, it amounted + almost to a declaration of war against England—almost, but not + quite. It was a case of saying too much or of not saying enough; however, + it was not followed up, and the Premier has been as dumb as a graven image + ever since. England has many enemies in different parts of the world, but + I must confess that this speech by the Austrian Premier came as a + surprise. There must have been something hidden, which is not visible from + the outside. The Premier is too astute a man not to know exactly what his + words meant, and he was under no delusion as to the manner in which + England would take them. It is a case, then, of, ‘When I was so quickly + done for, I wonder what I was begun for’—that is what all Europe is + asking.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it not generally supposed, Mr. Hardwick, that his object was to + consolidate Austria and Hungary? I understood that local politics were at + the bottom of his fiery speech.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so, but the rousing of the war spirit in Austria and Hungary was + useless unless that spirit is given something to do. It needs a war, not a + threat of war, to consolidate Austria and Hungary. If the speech had been + followed up by hostile action, or by another outburst that would make war + inevitable, I could understand it. The tone of the speech indicates that + the Prime Minister meant business at the time he gave utterance to it. + Something has occurred meanwhile to change the situation, and what that + something is, all the newspapers in Europe have been trying to find out. + We have had our regular Vienna representative at work ever since the words + were uttered, and for the past two weeks he has been assisted by one of + the cleverest men I could send him from London; but up to date, both have + failed. Now I propose that you go quietly to Vienna; I shall not let + either of the men know you are investigating the affair at which they have + laboured with such little success; for both are good men, and I do not + want to discourage either of them; still, above all things, I wish to have + the solution of this mystery. So it occurred to me last night that you + might succeed where others had failed. What do you think of it?” + </p> + <p> + “I am willing to try,” said Miss Baxter, as there flashed across her mind + an idea that here was a case in which the Princess von Steinheimer could + be of the greatest assistance to her. + </p> + <p> + “It has been thought,” went on the editor, “that the Emperor is extremely + adverse to having trouble with England or any other country. Still, if + that were the case, a new Cabinet would undoubtedly have been formed after + this intemperate address of the Premier; but this man still holds his + office, and there has been neither explanation nor apology from Court or + Cabinet. I am convinced that there is something behind all this, a wheel + within a wheel of some sort, because, the day after the speech, there came + a rumour from Vienna that an attempt had been made on the life of the + Emperor or of the Premier; it was exceedingly vague, but it was alleged + that a dynamite explosion had taken place in the palace. This was promptly + contradicted, but we all know what official contradictions amount to. + There is internal trouble of some kind at the Court of Vienna, and if we + could publish the full details, such an article would give us a European + reputation. When could you be ready to begin your journey, Miss Baxter?” + </p> + <p> + “I am ready now.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, in an affair like this it is best to lose no time; you can go + to-morrow morning, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, certainly, but I must leave the office at once, and you should get + someone to finish the work I am on.” + </p> + <p> + “I will attend to that,” said the editor. + </p> + <p> + Thus relieved, Jennie betook herself to a telegraph office. She knew that + if she wrote a letter to the Princess, who was now in Vienna, she would + probably herself reach that city as soon as her note, so she telegraphed + that something important was on hand which would take her to Vienna by + next day’s Orient express, and intimated that it was a matter in which she + might need the assistance of the Princess. Then she hastened to her rooms + to pack up. That evening there came an answering telegram from Vienna. The + Princess asked her to bring her ball dress and all the rest of her finery. + The lady added that she herself would be at the railway station, and asked + Jennie to telegraph to her, <i>en route</i>, the time of her arrival. It + was evident that her Highness was quite prepared to engage in whatever + scheme there was on hand, and this fact encouraged Jennie to hope that + success perhaps awaited her. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. JENNIE TOUCHES THE EDGE OF A GOVERNMENT SECRET. + </h2> + <p> + True to her promise, the Princess von Steinheimer was waiting at the + immense railway station of Vienna, and she received her friend with + gushing effusion. Jennie left the train as neat as when she had entered + it, for many women have the faculty of taking long journeys without + showing the dishevelled effect which protracted railway travelling seems + to have upon the masculine, and probably more careless, portion of + humanity. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you dear girl!” cried the Princess; “you cannot tell how glad I am to + see you. I was just yearning for someone to talk English to. I am so tired + of French and German, although they flatter me by saying that I speak + those two languages extremely well; yet English is my own tongue, and it + is so delightful to talk with one who can understand every blessed word + you say, which you can easily see those who pretend to speak English in + Vienna do not. What long chats we shall have! And now come this way to the + carriage. There is a man here to look after your luggage. You are coming + right home with me and are going to stay with me as long as you are in + Vienna. Don’t say, ‘No,’ nor make any excuse, nor talk of going to an + hotel, for a suite of rooms is all ready for you, and your luggage will be + there before we are. Now let us enter the carriage, for I am just pining + to hear what it is you have on hand. Some delicious scandal, I hope.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Jennie; “it pertains to Government matters.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear!” cried the Princess; “how tiresome! Politics are so dull.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t think this case is dull,” said Jennie; “because it has brought + Austria and England to the verge of war.” + </p> + <p> + “What a dreadful idea! I hadn’t heard anything of it. When did this + happen?” + </p> + <p> + “Less than a month ago,” and Jennie related the whole circumstance, giving + a synopsis of the Premier’s speech. + </p> + <p> + “But I see nothing in that speech to cause war,” protested the Princess. + “It is as mild as new milk.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t pretend to understand diplomacy,” continued Jennie, blushing + slightly as she remembered Lord Donal; and it seemed that the same thought + struck the Princess at the same moment, for she looked quizzically at + Jennie and burst out into a laugh. + </p> + <p> + “You may laugh,” cried the girl; “but I tell you that this is a serious + business. They say it only needed a second ‘new milk’ speech from the + Premier to have England answer most politely in words of honey, and next + instant the two countries would have been at each other’s throats.” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose we write to Lord Donal in St. Petersburg,” suggested the + Princess, still laughing, “and ask him to come to Vienna and help us? He + understands all about diplomacy. By the way, Jennie, did Lord Donal ever + find out whom he met at the ball that night?” + </p> + <p> + “No, he didn’t,” answered Miss Baxter shortly. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you ever intend to let him know? Are you going to leave the romance + unfinished, like one of Henry James’s novels?” + </p> + <p> + “It isn’t a romance; it is simply a very distressing incident which I have + been trying to forget ever since. It is all very well for you to laugh, + but if you ever mention the subject again I’ll leave you and go to an + hotel.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, you won’t,” chirruped the Princess brightly; “you daren’t. You + know I hold all the trump cards; at any time I can send a letter to Lord + Donal and set the poor young man’s mind at rest. So you see, Miss Jennie, + you will have to talk very sweetly and politely to me and not make any + threats, because I am like those dreadful persons in the sensational plays + who possess the guilty secrets of other people and blackmail them. But you + are a nice girl, and I won’t say anything you don’t want to hear said. + Now, what is it you wish to find out about this political crisis?” + </p> + <p> + “I want to discover why the Premier did not follow up his speech with + another. He must have known when he spoke how his words would be taken in + England; therefore it is thought that he had some plans which unforeseen + circumstances intervening have nullified. I want to know what those + unforeseen circumstances were, and what these plans were. For the past + fortnight the <i>Daily Bugle</i> has had two men here in Vienna trying to + throw some light on the dark recesses of diplomacy. Up to date they have + failed, but at any moment they may succeed; it was because they failed + that I am sent here. Now, have you anything to suggest, Madame la + Princesse?” + </p> + <p> + “I suggest, Jennie, that we put our heads together and learn all that + those diplomatists wish to hide. Have you no plans yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “I have no very definite plan, but I have a general scheme. These men I + spoke of are trying to discover what other men are endeavouring to + conceal. All the officials are on their guard; they are highly placed, and + are not likely to be got at by bribery. They are clever, alert men of the + world, so hoodwinking them is out of the question; therefore I think my + two fellow journalists have a difficult task before them.” + </p> + <p> + “But it is the same task that you have before you; why is it not as + difficult for you, Jennie, as for them?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I propose to work with people who are not on their guard, and + there is where you can help me, if you are not shocked at my proposal. + Each official has a wife, or at least most of them have. Some of these + wives, in all probability, possess the information that we would like to + get. Women will talk more freely with women than men will with men. Now, I + propose to leave the officials severely alone and to interview their + wives.” + </p> + <p> + The Princess clapped her hands. + </p> + <p> + “Excellent!” she cried. “The women of Vienna are the greatest gossips you + ever heard chattering together. I have never taken any interest in + politics, otherwise I suppose I might have become possessed of some + important Government secrets. Now, Jennie, I’ll tell you what I propose + doing. I shall give a formal tea next Thursday afternoon. I shall invite + to that tea a dozen, or two dozen, or three dozen wives of influential + officials about the Court. My husband will like that, because he is always + complaining that I do not pay enough attention to the ladies of the + political circle of Vienna. He takes a great interest in politics, you + know. If we discover nothing at the first tea-meeting, we will have + another, and another, and another, until we do. We are sure to invite the + right woman on one of those occasions, and when we find her I’ll warrant + the secret will soon belong to us. Ah, here we are at home, and we will + postpone the discussion of our delightful conspiracy until you have had + something to eat and are rested a bit.” + </p> + <p> + The carriage drew up at the magnificent palace, well known in Vienna, + which belongs to the Prince von Steinheimer; and shortly afterwards Jennie + Baxter found herself in possession of the finest suite of rooms she had + ever beheld in her life. Jennie laughed as she looked round her apartment + and noted its luxuriant appointments. + </p> + <p> + “These are not exactly what we should call ‘diggings’ in London, are + they?” she said to the Princess, who stood by her side, delighted at the + pleasure of her friend. “We often read of poor penny-a-liners in their + garrets; but I don’t think any penny-a-liner ever had such a garret as + this placed at his disposal.” + </p> + <p> + “I knew you would like the rooms,” cried the Princess gaily. “I like them + myself, and I hope they will help to induce you to stay in Vienna as long + as you can. I have given you my own maid Gretlich, and I assure you it + isn’t every friend I would lend her to; she is a model servant.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but you mustn’t do that,” said Jennie. “I cannot rob you of your maid + and also be selfish enough to monopolize these rooms.” + </p> + <p> + “You are not robbing me; in fact, I am, perhaps, a little artful in giving + you Gretlich, for she is down in the dumps this last week or two, and I + don’t know what in the world is the matter with her. I suspect it is some + love affair; but she will say nothing, although I have asked her time and + again what is the trouble. Now, you are such a cheery, consoling young + woman that I thought if Gretlich were in your service for a time she might + brighten up and be her own self again. So you see, instead of robbing me, + I am really taking advantage of your good nature.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid you are just saying that to make it easier for me to be + selfish; still, you are so generous, Princess, that I am not going to + object to anything you do, but just give myself up to luxury while I stay + in Vienna.” + </p> + <p> + “That is right. Ah, here is Gretlich. Now, Gretlich, I want you to help + make Miss Baxter’s stay here so pleasant that she will never want to leave + us.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall do my best, your Highness,” said the girl, with quiet deference. + </p> + <p> + The Princess left the two alone together, and Jennie saw that Gretlich was + not the least ornamental appendage to the handsome suite of rooms. + Gretlich was an excellent example of that type of fair women for which + Vienna is noted; but she was, as the Princess had said, extremely + downcast, and Jennie, who had a deep sympathy for all who worked, spoke + kindly to the girl and endeavoured to cheer her. There was something of + unaccustomed tenderness in the compassionate tones of Jennie’s voice that + touched the girl, for, after a brief and ineffectual effort at + self-control, she broke down and wept. To her pitying listener she told + her story. She had been betrothed to a soldier whose regiment was + stationed in the Burg. When last the girl saw her lover he was to be that + night on guard in the Treasury. Before morning a catastrophe of some kind + occurred. The girl did not know quite what had happened. Some said there + had been a dreadful explosion and her lover had lost his life. Neither the + soldier’s relatives nor his betrothed were allowed to see him after the + disaster. He had been buried secretly, and it appeared to be the intention + of the authorities to avoid all publicity. The relatives and the betrothed + of the dead soldier had been warned to keep silence and seek no further + information. It was not till several days after her lover’s death that + Gretlich, anxious because he did not keep his appointment with her, and + not hearing from him, fearing that he was ill, began to make inquiries; + then she received together the information and the caution. + </p> + <p> + In the presence of death all consolers are futile, and Jennie realized + this as she endeavoured as well as she could to comfort the girl. Her + heart was so much enlisted in this that perhaps her intellect was the less + active; but here she stood on the very threshold of the secret she had + come to Vienna to discover, and yet had not the slightest suspicion that + the girl’s tragedy and her own mission were interwoven. Jennie had + wondered at the stupidity of Cadbury Taylor, who failed to see what seemed + so plainly before him, yet here was Jennie herself come a thousand miles, + more or less, to obtain certain information, and here a sobbing girl was + narrating the very item of news that she had come so far to learn—all + of which would seem to show that none of us are so bright and clever as we + imagine ourselves to be. + </p> + <p> + In the afternoon the Princess entered Jennie’s sitting-room carrying in + her hand a bunch of letters. + </p> + <p> + “There!” she cried, “while you have been resting I have been working, and + we are not going to allow any time to be lost. I have written with my own + hand invitations to about two dozen people to our tea on Thursday; among + others, the wife of the Premier, Countess Stron. I expect you to devote + yourself to that lady and tell me the result of the conversation after it + is over. Have you been talking consolation to Gretlich? I came up here + half an hour ago, and it seemed to me I heard the sound of crying in this + room.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes,” said Jennie, “she has been telling me all her trouble. It seems + she had a lover in the army, and he has been killed in some accident in + the Treasury.” + </p> + <p> + “What kind of an accident?” + </p> + <p> + “Gretlich said there had been an explosion there.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me! I never heard of it. It is a curious thing that one must come + from London to tell us our own news. An explosion in the Treasury! and so + serious that a soldier was killed! That arouses my curiosity, so I shall + just sit down and write another invitation to the wife of the Master of + the Treasury.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish you would, because I should like to know something further about + this myself. Gretlich seems to have had but scant information regarding + the occurrence, and I should like to know more about it so that I might + tell her.” + </p> + <p> + “We shall learn all about it from madame, and I must write that note at + once for fear I forget it.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. JENNIE INDULGES IN TEA AND GOSSIP. + </h2> + <p> + On Thursday afternoon there was a brilliant assemblage in the spacious + salon of the Princess von Steinheimer. The rich attire of the ladies + formed a series of kinetographic pictures that were dazzling, for Viennese + women are adepts in the art of dress, as are their Parisian sisters. Tea + was served, not in cups and saucers, as Jennie had been accustomed to + seeing it handed round, but in goblets of clear, thin Venetian glass, each + set in a holder of encrusted filigree gold. There were all manner of + delicious cakes, for which the city is celebrated. The tea itself had come + overland through Russia from China and had not suffered the deterioration + which an ocean voyage produces. The decoction was served clear, with sugar + if desired, and a slice of lemon, and Jennie thought it the most delicious + brew she had ever tasted. + </p> + <p> + “I am so sorry,” whispered the Princess to Jennie when an opportunity + occurred, “but the Countess Stron has sent a messenger to say that she + cannot be present this afternoon. It seems her husband, the Premier, is + ill, and she, like a good wife, remains at home to nurse him. This rather + upsets our plans, doesn’t it?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don’t know,” replied Jennie. “It is more than likely that the wife + of the Premier would be exceedingly careful not to discuss any political + question in this company. I have counted more upon the wife of a lesser + official than upon the Countess Stron.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right,” said the Princess, “and now come with me. I want to + introduce you to the wife of the Master of the Treasury, and from her, + perhaps, you can learn something of the accident that befell the lover of + poor Gretlich.” + </p> + <p> + The wife of the Master of the Treasury proved to be a garrulous old lady + who evidently prided herself on knowing everything that was taking place + about her. Jennie and she became quite confidential over their goblets of + tea, a beverage of which the old lady seemed inordinately fond. As the + conversation between them drifted on, Jennie saw that here was a person + who would take a delight in telling everything she knew, and the only + question which now arose was whether she knew anything Jennie wished to + learn. But before she tried her on high politics the girl determined to + find out more about the disaster that had made such an abrupt ending to + Gretlich’s young dream. + </p> + <p> + “I have been very much interested,” she said, “in one of the maids here + who lost her lover some weeks ago in an accident that occurred in the + Treasury. The maid doesn’t seem to know very much about what happened, and + was merely told that her lover, a soldier who had been on guard there that + night, was dead.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear, yes!” whispered the old lady, lowering her voice, “what a + dreadful thing that was, four men killed and eight or nine now in the + hospital. My poor husband has had hardly a wink of sleep since the event, + and the Premier is ill in bed through the worry.” + </p> + <p> + “Because of the loss of life?” asked Jennie innocently. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, no! the loss of life wouldn’t matter; it is the loss of the money + that is the serious thing, and how they are going to replace it or account + for its disappearance I am sure I don’t know. The deficiency is something + over two hundred million florins. Was it not awful?” + </p> + <p> + “Was the building shattered to such an extent?” inquired Jennie, who did + not stop to think that such a sum would replace any edifice in Vienna, + even if it had been wiped off the face of the earth. + </p> + <p> + “The Treasury was damaged, of course, but the cost of repairs will not be + great. No, my child, it is a much more disturbing affair than the + destruction of any state house in the Empire. What has made the Premier + ill, and what is worrying my poor husband into an untimely grave, is + nothing less than the loss of the war chest.” + </p> + <p> + “The war chest!” echoed Jennie, “what is that?” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, every great nation has a war chest. England has one, so has + France, Germany, Russia—no matter how poor a nation may be, or how + difficult it is to collect the taxes, that nation must have a war chest. + If war were to break out suddenly, even with the most prosperous country, + there would be instant financial panic; ready money would be difficult to + obtain; a loan would be practically impossible; and what war calls for the + very instant it is declared is money—not promises of money, not + paper money, not silver money even, but gold; therefore, every nation + which is in danger of war has a store of gold coin. This store is not + composed mainly, or even largely, of the coins of the nation which owns + the store; it consists of the sovereigns of England, the louis of France, + the Willems d’or of Holland, the eight-florin pieces of Austria, the + double-crown of Germany, the half-imperials of Russia, the + double-Frederics of Denmark, and so on. All gold, gold, gold! I believe + that in the war chest of Austria there were deposited coins of different + nations to the value of something like two hundred million florins. My + husband never told me exactly how much was there, but sometimes when + things looked peaceable there was less money in the war chest than when + there was imminent danger of the European outbreak which we all fear. The + war chest of Austria was in a stone-vaulted room, one of the strongest + dungeons in the Treasury. The public are admitted into several rooms of + the Treasury, but no stranger is ever allowed into that portion of the + building which houses the war chest. This room is kept under guard night + and day. For what happened, my husband feels that he is in no way to + blame, and I don’t think his superiors are inclined to charge him with + neglect of duty. It is a singular thing that the day before the disaster + took place he of his own accord doubled the guard that watched over the + room and also the approaches to it. The war chest was at its fullest. + Never, so he tells me, was there so much money in the war chest as at that + particular time. Something had occurred that in his opinion called for + extra watchfulness, and so he doubled the guard. But about midnight there + was a tremendous explosion. The strong door communicating with the passage + was wrenched from its hinges and flung outwards into the hallway. It is + said that dynamite must have been used, and that in a very large quantity. + Not a vestige of the chest remained but a few splintered pieces of iron. + The four soldiers in the room were blown literally to pieces, and those in + the passage-way were stunned by the shock. The fact that they were + unconscious for some minutes seems to have given the criminal, whoever he + was, his chance of escape. For, although an instant alarm was sent out, + and none but those who had a right to be on the premises were allowed out + of or in the Treasury, yet no one was caught, nor has anyone been caught + up to this day.” + </p> + <p> + “But the gold, the gold?” cried Jennie eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “There was not a florin of it left. Every piece has disappeared. It is at + once the most clever and the most gigantic robbery of money that has taken + place within our knowledge.” + </p> + <p> + “But such a quantity of gold,” said Jennie, “must have been of enormous + weight. Two hundred million florins! Why, that is twenty million pounds, + isn’t it? It would take a regiment of thieves to carry so much away. How + has that been done? And where is the gold concealed?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, my child, if you can answer your own questions the Austrian + Government will pay you almost any sum you like to name. The police are + completely baffled. Of course, nothing has been said of this gigantic + robbery; but every exit from Vienna is watched, and not only that, but + each frontier is guarded. What the Government wants, of course, is to get + back its gold, the result of years of taxation, which cannot very easily + be re-levied.” + </p> + <p> + “And when did this robbery take place?” asked Jennie. + </p> + <p> + “On the night of the 17th.” + </p> + <p> + “On the night of the 17th,” repeated the girl, more to herself than to the + voluble old woman; “and it was on the 16th that the Premier made his war + speech.” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly,” said the old lady, who overheard the remark not intended for + her ears; “and don’t you think there was something striking in the + coincidence?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t quite understand. What coincidence?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you know the speech of the Premier was against England. It was not + a speech made on the spur of the moment, but was doubtless the result of + many consultations, perhaps with Russia, perhaps with Germany, or with + France—who knows? We have been growing very friendly with Russia of + late; and as England has spies all over the world, doubtless her + Government knew before the speech was made that it was coming; so the + police appear to think that the whole resources of the British Government + were set at the task of crippling Austria at a critical moment.” + </p> + <p> + “Surely you don’t mean, madame, that the Government of England would + descend to burglary, robbery—yes, and murder, even, for the poor + soldiers who guarded the treasure were as effectually murdered as if they + had been assassinated in the street? You don’t imagine that the British + Government would stoop to such deeds as these?” + </p> + <p> + The old lady shook her head wisely. + </p> + <p> + “By the time you are my age, my dear, and have seen as much of politics as + I have, you will know that Governments stop at nothing to accomplish their + ends. No private association of thieves could have laid such plans as + would have done away with two hundred millions of florins in gold, unless + they had not only ample resources, but also a master brain to direct them. + Nations hesitate at nothing where their interests are concerned. It was to + the interest of no other Empire but England to deplete Austria at this + moment, and see how complete her machinations are. No nation trusts + another, and if Austria had proof that England is at the bottom of this + robbery, she dare not say anything, because her war chest is empty. Then, + again, she cannot allow either Germany or Russia to know how effectually + she has been robbed, for no one could tell what either of these nations + might do under the circumstances. The Government fears to let even its own + people know what has happened. It is a stroke of vengeance marvellous in + its finality. Austria is crippled for years to come, unless she finds the + stolen gold on her own territory.” + </p> + <p> + The old lady had worked herself up into such a state of excitement during + her recital that she did not notice that most of her companion visitors + had taken their leave, and when the Princess approached the two, she arose + with some trepidation. + </p> + <p> + “My dear Princess,” she said, “your tea has been so good, and the company + of your young compatriot has been so charming, that I have done nothing + but chatter, chatter, chatter away about things which should only be + spoken of under one’s breath, and now I must hurry away. May I venture to + hope that you will honour me with your presence at one of my receptions if + I send you a card?” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be delighted to do so,” replied the Princess, with that gracious + condescension which became her so well. + </p> + <p> + The garrulous old lady was the last to take her leave, and when the + Princess was left alone with her guest, she cried,— + </p> + <p> + “Jennie, I have found out absolutely nothing, what have you discovered?” + </p> + <p> + “Everything!” replied the girl, walking up and down the floor in + excitement over the unearthing of such a bonanza of news. + </p> + <p> + “You don’t tell me so! Now do sit down and let me know the full + particulars at once.” + </p> + <p> + When Jennie’s exciting story was finished she said,— + </p> + <p> + “You see, this robbery explains why the Premier did not follow up his + warlike speech. The police seem to think that England has had a hand in + this robbery, but of course that is absurd.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not so sure of that,” replied the Princess, taking as she spoke, the + Chicago point of view, and forgetting for the moment her position among + the aristocracy of Europe. “England takes most things it can get its hands + on, and she is not too slow to pick up a gold mine here and there, so why + should she hesitate when the gold is already minted for her?” + </p> + <p> + “It is too absurd for argument,” continued Jennie calmly, “so we won’t + talk of that phase of the subject. I must get away to England instantly. + Let us find out when the first train leaves.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense!” protested the Princess; “what do you need to go to England + for? You have seen nothing of Vienna.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I can see Vienna another time; I must get to England with this + account of the robbery.” + </p> + <p> + “Won’t your paper pay for telegraphing such an important piece of news? + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes; there would be no difficulty about that, but I dare not trust + either the post or the telegraph in a case like this. The police are on + the watch.” + </p> + <p> + “But couldn’t you send it through by a code? My father always used to do + his cabling by code; it saved a lot of money and also kept other people + from knowing what his business was.” + </p> + <p> + “I have a code, but I hesitate about trusting even to that.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll tell you what we’ll do,” said the Princess. “I want you to stay in + Vienna.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I shall return,” said Jennie. “I’ve only just had a taste of this + delightful city. I’ll come right back.” + </p> + <p> + “I can’t trust you to do anything of the kind. When you get to London you + will stay there. Now here is what I propose, and it will have the + additional advantage of saving your paper a day. We will run down together + into Italy—to Venice; then you can take along your code and + telegraph from there in perfect safety. When that is done you will return + here to Vienna with me. And another thing, you may be sure your editor + will want you to stay right here on the spot to let him know of any + outcome of this sensational <i>dénouement</i>.” + </p> + <p> + “That isn’t a bad idea,” murmured Jennie. “How long will it take us to get + to Venice?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know, but I am sure it will save you hours compared with going to + London. I shall get the exact time for you in a moment.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie followed the suggestion of the Princess, and together the two went + to the ever-entrancing city of Venice. By the time they reached there, + Jennie had her account written and coded. The long message was handed in + at the telegraph office as soon as the two arrived in Venice. Jennie also + sent the editor a private despatch giving her address in Venice, and also + telling him the reason for sending the telegram from Italy rather than + from Austria or Germany. In the evening she received a reply from Mr. + Hardwick. “This is magnificent,” the telegram said. “I doubt if anything + like it has ever been done before. We will startle the world to-morrow + morning. Please return to Vienna, for, as you have discovered this much, I + am perfectly certain that you will be able to capture the robbers. Of + course all the police and all the papers of Europe will be on the same + scent, but I am sure that you will prove a match for the whole + combination.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear!” cried Jennie, as she handed the message to her friend. “What a + bothersome world this is; there is no finality about anything. One piece + of work simply leads to another. Here I thought I had earned at least a + good month’s rest, but, instead of that, a further demand is made upon me. + I am like the genii in fairy tales: no sooner is one apparently impossible + task accomplished than another is set.” + </p> + <p> + “But what a magnificent thing it would be if you could discover the robber + or robbers.” + </p> + <p> + “Magnificent enough, yes; but that isn’t to be done by inviting a lot of + old women to tea, is it?” + </p> + <p> + “True, so we shall have to set our wits together in another direction. I + tell you, Jennie, I know I have influence enough to have you made a member + of the special police. Shall I introduce you as from America, and say that + you have made a speciality of solving mysteries? An appointment to the + special police would allow you to have unrestricted entrance to the secret + portion of the Treasury building. You would see the rooms damaged by the + explosion, and you would learn what the police have discovered. With that + knowledge to begin with, we might then do something towards solving the + problem.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame la Princesse,” cried Jennie enthusiastically, “you are inspired! + The very thing. Let us get back to Vienna.” And accordingly the two + conspirators left Italy by the night train for Austria. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. JENNIE BECOMES A SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER. + </h2> + <p> + When Jennie returned to Vienna, and was once more installed in her + luxurious rooms at the Palace Steinheimer, she received in due time a copy + of the <i>Daily Bugle</i>, sent to her under cover as a registered letter. + The girl could not complain that the editor had failed to make the most of + the news she had sent him. As she opened out the paper she saw the great + black headlines that extended across two columns, and the news itself + dated not from Venice, but from Vienna, was in type much larger than that + ordinarily used in the paper, and was double-leaded. The headings were + startling enough:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + PHANTOM GOLD. + + THE MOST GIGANTIC ROBBERY OF MODERN TIMES. + + THE AUSTRIAN WAR CHEST DYNAMITED. + + TWENTY MILLION POUNDS IN COIN LOOTED. + + APPALLING DISASTER AT THE TREASURY IN VIENNA. + + FOUR MEN KILLED, AND SIXTEEN OTHERS MORE OR LESS SERIOUSLY + INJURED. +</pre> + <p> + “Dear me!” the Princess cried, peering over Jennie’s shoulder at these + amazing headings, “how like home that looks. The <i>Bugle</i> doesn’t at + all resemble a London journal; it reminds me of a Chicago paper’s account + of a baseball match; a baseball match when Chicago was winning, of course, + and when Anson had lined out the ball from the plate to the lake front, + and brought three men in on a home run at a critical point in the game.” + </p> + <p> + “Good gracious!” cried Jennie, “what language are you speaking? Is it + slang, or some foreign tongue?” + </p> + <p> + “It is pure Chicagoese, Jennie, into which I occasionally lapse even here + in prim Vienna. I would like to see a good baseball match, with the + Chicago nine going strong. Let us abandon this effete monarchy, Jennie, + and pay a visit to America.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll go with pleasure if you will tell me first who robbed the war chest. + If you can place your dainty forefinger on the spot that conceals two + hundred million florins in gold, I’ll go anywhere with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, that reminds me. I spoke to my husband this morning, and asked + him if he could get you enrolled as a special detective, and he said there + would be some difficulty in obtaining such an appointment for a woman. + Would you have any objection to dressing up as a nice young man, Jennie?” + </p> + <p> + “I would very much rather not; I hope you didn’t suggest that to the + Prince.” + </p> + <p> + The Princess laughed merrily and shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “No, I told him that I believed that you would solve the mystery if anyone + could, and, remembering what you had done in that affair of my diamonds, + my husband has the greatest faith in your powers as an investigator; but + he fears the authorities here will be reluctant to allow a woman to have + any part in the search. They have very old-fashioned ideas about women in + Austria, and think her proper place is presiding over a tea-table.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if they only knew it,” said Jennie archly, “some things have been + discovered over a teacup within our own memories.” + </p> + <p> + “That is quite true,” replied the Princess, “but we can hardly give the + incident as a recommendation to the Austrian authorities. By the way, have + you noticed that no paper in Vienna has said a single word about the + robbery of the war chest?” + </p> + <p> + “It must have been telegraphed here very promptly from London, and yet + they do not even deny it, which is the usual way of meeting the truth.” + </p> + <p> + While they were talking, a message came from his Highness, asking if he + might take the liberty of breaking in upon their conference. A few moments + after, the Prince himself entered the apartment and bowed with courtly + deference to the two ladies. + </p> + <p> + “I have succeeded,” he said, “beyond my expectations. It seems that a + newspaper in London has published an account of the whole affair, and the + police, who were at their wits end before, are even more flustered now + that the account of the robbery has been made public. By the way, how did + you learn anything about this robbery? It did not strike me at the time + you spoke about Miss Baxter’s commission this morning, but I have been + wondering ever since.” + </p> + <p> + “Jennie received a paper from London,” said the Princess hurriedly, “which + said the war chest of Austria had been robbed of two hundred million + florins, but there is nothing about it in the Vienna Press.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied the Prince; “nor is there likely to be. The robbery is now + known to all the world except Austria, and I imagine nothing will be said + about it here.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there, then, any truth in the report?” asked the Princess innocently. + </p> + <p> + “Truth! It’s all truth; that is just where the trouble is. There is little + use of our denying it, because this London paper is evidently well + informed, and to deny it we should have to publish something about the + robbery itself, which we are not inclined to do. It is known, however, who + the two correspondents of this London paper are, and I believe the police + are going to make it so interesting for those two gentlemen that they will + be glad to leave Vienna, for a time at least. Of course, nothing can be + done openly, because Englishmen make such a fuss when their liberties are + encroached upon. One of the young men has been lured across the frontier + by a bogus telegram, and I think the authorities will see that he does not + get back in a hurry; the other we expect to be rid of before long. Of + course, we could expel him, but if we did, it would be thought that we had + done so because he had found out the truth about the explosion.” + </p> + <p> + “How did you learn of the explosion?” asked the Princess. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I have known all about the affair ever since it happened.” + </p> + <p> + The Princess gave Jennie a quick look, which said as plainly as words, + “Here was the news that we wanted in our household, and we never suspected + it.” “Why didn’t you tell me?” cried the Princess indignantly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you see, my dear, you never took much interest in politics, and I + did not think the news would have any attraction for you; besides,” he + added, with a smile, “we were all cautioned to keep the matter as secret + as possible.” + </p> + <p> + “And wonderfully well you have managed it!” exclaimed the Princess. “That + shows what comes of trusting a secret to a lot of men; here it is, + published to all the world.” + </p> + <p> + “Not quite all the world my dear. As I have said, Austria will know + nothing regarding it.” + </p> + <p> + “The Princess tells me,” said Jennie, “that you were kind enough to + endeavour to get me permission to make some investigation into this + mystery. Have you succeeded?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Miss Baxter, as I said, I have succeeded quite beyond my + expectations, for the lady detective is comparatively an innovation in + Vienna. However, the truth is, the police are completely in a fog, and + they are ready to welcome help from whatever quarter it comes. Here is a + written permit from the very highest authority, which you do not need to + use except in a case of emergency. Here is also an order from the Chief of + Police, which will open for you every door in Vienna; and finally, here is + a badge which you can pin on some not too conspicuous portion of your + clothing. This badge, I understand, is rarely given out. It is partly + civil and partly military. You can show it to any guard, who will, on + seeing it, give you the right-of-way. In case he does not, appeal to his + superior officer, and allow him to read your police permit. Should that + fail, then play your trump card, which is this highly important document. + The Director of the Police, who is a very shrewd man, seemed anxious to + make your acquaintance before you began your investigation. He asked me if + you would call upon him, but seemed taken aback when I told him you were + my wife’s friend and a guest at our house, so he suggested that you would + in all probability wish first to see the scene of the explosion, and + proposed that he should call here with his carriage and accompany you to + the Treasury. He wished to know if four o’clock in the afternoon would + suit your convenience!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes!” replied Jennie. “I am eager to begin at once, and, of course, I + shall be much obliged to him if he will act as my guide in the vaults of + the Treasury, and tell me how much they have already discovered.” + </p> + <p> + “You must not expect much information from the police—in fact, I + doubt if they have discovered anything. Still, if they have, they are more + than likely to keep it to themselves; and I imagine they will hold a + pretty close watch on you, being more anxious to learn what you discover, + and thus take the credit if they can, than to furnish you with any + knowledge of the affair they may happen to possess.” + </p> + <p> + “That is quite natural, and only what one has a right to expect. I don’t + wish to rob the police of whatever repute there is to be gained from this + investigation, and I am quite willing to turn over to them any clues I may + happen to chance upon.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if you can convince the Director of that, you will have all the + assistance he can give you. It wouldn’t be bad tactics to let him know + that you are acting merely in an amateur way, and that you have no desire + to rob the police of their glory when it comes to the solving of the + problem.” Promptly at four o’clock the Director of the Police put in an + appearance at the Palace Steinheimer. He appeared to be a most obsequious, + highly decorated old gentleman, in a very resplendent uniform, and he + could hardly conceal his surprise at learning that the lady detective was + a woman so young and so pretty. Charmed as he was to find himself in the + company of one so engaging, it was nevertheless evident to Jennie that he + placed no very high estimate on the assistance she might be able to give + in solving the mystery of the Treasury. This trend of mind, she thought, + had its advantages, for the Director would be less loth to give her full + particulars of what had already been accomplished by the police. + </p> + <p> + Jennie accompanied the Director to that extensive mass of buildings of + which the Treasury forms a part. The carriage drew up at a doorway, and + here the Director and his companion got out. He led the way into the + edifice, then, descending a stair, entered an arched corridor, at the door + of which two soldiers stood on guard, who saluted as the Chief passed + them. + </p> + <p> + “Does this lead to the room where the explosion took place?” asked Jennie. + “Yes.” “And is this the only entrance?” “The only entrance, madame.” “Were + the men on guard in this doorway injured by the explosion?” “Yes. They + were not seriously injured, but were rendered incapable for a time of + attending to their duties.” “Then a person could have escaped without + their seeing him?” “A whole regiment of persons might have escaped. You + will understand the situation exactly if I compare this corridor to a long + cannon, the room at the end being the breech-loading chamber. Two guards + were inside the room, and two others stood outside the door that + communicated with this corridor. These four men were killed instantly. Of + the guards inside the room not a vestige has been found. The door, one of + the strongest that can be made, somewhat similar to the door of a safe, + was flung outward and crushed to the floor the two guards who stood + outside it in the corridor. Between the chamber in which the chest lay and + the outside entrance were sixteen men on guard. Every one of these was + flung down, for the blast, if I may call it so, travelled through this + straight corridor like the charge along the inside of the muzzle of a gun. + The guards nearest the treasure chamber were, of course, the more + seriously injured, but those further out did not escape the shock, and the + door by which we entered this corridor, while not blown from its hinges, + was nevertheless forced open, its strong bolts snapping like matches. So + when you see the great distance that intervened between the chamber and + that door, you will have some idea of the force of the explosion.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no exit, then, from the treasure chamber except along this + corridor?” + </p> + <p> + “No, madame. The walls at the outside of the chamber are of enormous + strength, because, of course, it was expected that if an attempt at + robbery were ever made, it would be made from the outside, and it is + scarcely possible that even the most expert of thieves could succeed in + passing two guards at the door, sixteen officers and soldiers along the + corridor, two outside the Treasury door, and two in the chamber itself. + Such a large number of soldiers were kept here so that any attempt at + bribery would be impossible. Among such a number one or two were sure to + be incorruptible, and the guards were constantly changed. Seldom was + either officer or man twice on duty here during the month. With such a + large amount at stake every precaution was taken.” + </p> + <p> + “Are there any rooms at the right or left of this corridor in which the + thieves could have concealed themselves while they fired the mine?” + </p> + <p> + “No, the corridor leads to the treasure chamber alone.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said Jennie, “I can’t see how it was possible for a number of men + to have made away with the treasure in such circumstances as exist here.” + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless, my dear young lady, the treasure is gone. We think that the + mine was laid with the connivance of one or more officers on duty here. + You see the amount at stake was so large that a share of it would tempt + any nine human beings out of any ten. Our theory is that the train was + laid, possibly electric wires being used, which would be unnoticed along + the edge of the corridor, and that the bribed officer exploded the + dynamite by bringing the ends of the wires into contact. We think the + explosion was a great deal more severe than was anticipated. Probably, it + was expected that the shock would break a hole from the treasure chamber + to the street, but so strong were the walls that no impression was made + upon them, and a cabman who was driving past at the time heard nothing of + the sound of the explosion, though he felt a trembling of the ground, and + thought for a moment there had been a shock of earthquake.” + </p> + <p> + “You think, then, that the thieves were outside?” + </p> + <p> + “That seems the only possible opinion to hold.” + </p> + <p> + “The outside doors were locked and bolted, of course?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, certainly; but if they had a confederate or two in the large hallway + upstairs, these traitors would see to it that there was no trouble about + getting in. Once inside the large hallway, with guards stunned by the + shock, the way to the treasure chamber was absolutely clear.” + </p> + <p> + “There were sentries outside the building, I suppose?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Did they see any vehicle driving near the Treasury?” + </p> + <p> + “No, except the cab I spoke of, and the driver has accounted + satisfactorily for his time that night. The absence of any conveyance is + the strange part of it; and, moreover, the sentries, although pacing + outside the walls of this building, heard nothing of the concussion beyond + a low rumble, and those who thought of the matter at all imagined an + explosion had occurred in some distant part of the city.” + </p> + <p> + “Then the outside doors in the large hall above were not blown open?” + </p> + <p> + “No; the officer reports that they were locked and bolted when he examined + them, which was some minutes, of course, after the disaster had taken + place; for he, the officer in charge, had been thrown down and stunned, + seemingly by the concussion of air which took place.” + </p> + <p> + As Jennie walked down the corridor, she saw more and more of the evidences + of the convulsion. The thick iron-bound door lay where it had fallen, and + it had not been moved since it was lifted to get the two men from under + it. Its ponderous hinges were twisted as if they had been made of glue, + and its massive bolts were snapped across like bits of glass. All along + the corridor on the floor was a thick coating of dust and <i>débris</i>, + finely powdered, growing deeper and deeper until they came to the entrance + of the room. There was no window either in corridor or chamber, and the + way was lit by candles held by soldiers who accompanied them. The scoria + crunched under foot as they walked, and in the chamber itself great heaps + of dust, sand and plaster, all pulverized into minute particles, lay in + the corners of the room, piled up on one side higher than a man’s head. + There seemed to be tons of this <i>débris</i>, and, as Jennie looked up at + the arched ceiling, resembling the roof of a vaulted dungeon, she saw that + the stone itself had been ground to fine dust with the tremendous force of + the blast. + </p> + <p> + “Where are the remnants of the treasure chest?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + The Director shook his head. “There are no remnants; not a vestige of it + is to be found.” + </p> + <p> + “Of what was it made?” + </p> + <p> + “We used to have an old treasure chest here made of oak, bound with iron; + but some years ago, a new receptacle being needed, one was especially + built of hardened steel, constructed on the modern principles of those + burglar-proof and fire-proof safes.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you mean to say that there is nothing left of this?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing that we have been able to discover.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I have seen places where dynamite explosions have occurred, but I + know of nothing to compare with this. I am sure that if dynamite has been + used, or any explosive now generally obtainable, there would have been + left, at least, some remnant of the safe. Hasn’t this pile of rubbish been + disturbed since the explosion?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it has been turned over; we made a search for the two men, but we + found no trace of them.” + </p> + <p> + “And you found no particles of iron or steel?” + </p> + <p> + “The heap throughout is just as you see it on the surface—a fine, + almost impalpable dust. We had to exercise the greatest care in searching + through it, for the moment it was disturbed with a shovel it filled the + air with suffocating clouds. Of course we shall have it removed by-and-by, + and carted away, but I considered it better to allow it to remain here + until we had penetrated somewhat further into the mystery than we have + already done.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie stooped and picked up a handful from the heap, her action caused a + mist to rise in the air that made them both choke and cough, and yet she + was instantly struck by the fact that her handful seemed inordinately + heavy for its bulk. + </p> + <p> + “May I take some of this with me?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” replied the Director. “I will have a packet of it put up for + you.” + </p> + <p> + “I would like to take it with me now,” said Jennie. “I have curiosity to + know exactly of what it is composed. Who is the Government analyst? or + have you such an official?” + </p> + <p> + “Herr Feltz, in the Graubenstrasse, is a famous analytical chemist; you + cannot do better than go to him.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think he knows anything about explosives?” + </p> + <p> + “I should suppose so, but if not, he will certainly be able to tell you + who the best man is in that line.” + </p> + <p> + The Director ordered one of the soldiers who accompanied him to find a + small paper bag, and fill it with some dust from the treasure chamber. + When this was done, he handed the package to Jennie, who said, “I shall go + at once and see Herr Feltz.” + </p> + <p> + “My carriage is at your disposal, madame.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, thank you, I do not wish to trouble you further. I am very much + obliged to you for devoting so much time to me already. I shall take a + fiacre.” + </p> + <p> + “My carriage is at the door,” persisted the Director, “and I will instruct + the driver to take you directly to the shop of Herr Feltz; then no time + will be lost, and I think if I am with you, you will be more sure of + attention from the chemist, who is a very busy man.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie saw the Director did not wish to let her out of his sight, and + although she smiled at his suspicion, she answered politely,— + </p> + <p> + “It is very kind of you to take so much trouble and devote so much of your + time to me. I shall be glad of your company if you are quite certain I am + not keeping you from something more important.” + </p> + <p> + “There is nothing more important than the investigation we have on hand,” + replied the Chief grimly. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. JENNIE BESTOWS INFORMATION UPON THE CHIEF OF POLICE. + </h2> + <p> + A few minutes after leaving the Treasury building the carriage of the + Chief stopped in front of the shop of Herr Feltz in the wide + Graubenstrasse. The great chemist himself waited upon them and conducted + them to an inner and private room. + </p> + <p> + “I should be obliged to you if you would tell me the component parts of + the mixture in this package,” said Jennie, as she handed the filled paper + bag to the chemist. + </p> + <p> + “How soon do you wish to know the result?” asked the man of chemicals. + </p> + <p> + “As soon as possible,” replied Jennie. + </p> + <p> + “Could you give me until this hour to-morrow?” + </p> + <p> + “That will do very nicely,” replied Jennie, looking up at the Director of + Police, who nodded his head. + </p> + <p> + With that the two took their leave, and once more the Director of Police + politely handed the girl into his carriage, and they drove to the Palace + Steinheimer. Here she again thanked him cordially for his attentions + during the day. The Director answered, with equal suavity, that his duty + had on this occasion been a pleasure, and asked her permission to call at + the same hour the next afternoon and take her to the chemist. To this + Jennie assented, and cheerily bade him good-evening. The Princess was + waiting for her, wild with curiosity to know what had happened. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Jennie!” she cried, “who fired the mine, and who robbed the + Government?” + </p> + <p> + Jennie laughed merrily as she replied,— + </p> + <p> + “Dear Princess, what a compliment you are paying me! Do you think that in + one afternoon I am able to solve a mystery that has defied the combined + talents of all the best detectives in Austria? I wish the Director of + Police had such faith in me as you have.” + </p> + <p> + “And hasn’t he, Jennie?” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed he has not. He watched me every moment he was with me, as if he + feared I would disappear into thin air, as the treasure had done.” + </p> + <p> + “The horrid man. I shall have my husband speak to him, and rid you of this + annoyance.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, Princess, you mustn’t do anything of the kind. I don’t mind it in + the least; in fact, it rather amuses me. One would think he had some + suspicion that I stole the money myself.” + </p> + <p> + “A single word from the Prince will stop all that, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know. But I really want to help the Director; he is so utterly + stupid.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, Jennie, take off your hat and sit down here, and tell me every + incident of the afternoon. Don’t you see I am just consumed with + curiosity? I know you have discovered something. What is it?” + </p> + <p> + “I will not take off my hat, because I am going out again directly; but, + if you love me, get me a cup of that delicious tea of yours.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall order it at once, but dinner will be served shortly. You are + surely not going out alone to-night?” + </p> + <p> + “I really must. Do not forget that I have been used to taking care of + myself in a bigger city than Vienna is, and I shall be quite safe. You + will please excuse my absence from the dinner-table to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense, Jennie! You cannot be allowed to roam round Vienna in that + Bohemian way.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, Princess, I must go to an hotel, for this roaming round is strictly + necessary, and I don’t want to bring the Palace Steinheimer into + disrepute.” + </p> + <p> + “Jennie, I’ll tell you what we will do; we’ll both bring it into + disrepute. The Prince is dining at his club to-night with some friends, so + I shall order the carriage, and you and I will roam round together. You + will let me come, won’t you? Where are you going?” + </p> + <p> + “I am going to the Graubenstrasse to see Herr Feltz.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know Herr Feltz, and a dear old man he is; he will do anything for + me. If you want a favour from Herr Feltz, you had better take me with + you.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be delighted. Ah, here comes the tea! But what is the use of + ordering the carriage? we can walk there in a very few minutes.” + </p> + <p> + “I think we had better have the carriage. The Prince would be wild if he + heard that we two went walking about the streets of Vienna at night. So, + Jennie, we must pay some respect to conventionality, and we will take the + carriage. Now, tell me where you have been, and what you have seen, and + all about it.” Over their belated decoction of tea Jennie related + everything that had happened. + </p> + <p> + “And what do you expect to learn from the analysis at the chemist’s, + Jennie?” + </p> + <p> + “I expect to learn something that will startle the Director of Police.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is that? Jennie, don’t keep me on tenterhooks in this provoking + way. How can you act so? I shall write to Lord Donal and tell him that you + are here in Vienna, if you don’t mind.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, under such a terrible threat as that, I suppose I must divulge all + my suspicions. But I really don’t know anything yet; I merely suspect. The + weight of that dust, when I picked up a handful of it, seemed to indicate + that the gold is still there in the rubbish heap.” + </p> + <p> + “You don’t mean to say so! Then there has been no robbery at all?” + </p> + <p> + “There may have been a robbery planned, but I do not think any thief got a + portion of the gold. The chances are that they entirely underestimated the + force of the explosive they were using, for, unless I am very much + mistaken, they were dealing with something a hundred times more powerful + than dynamite.” + </p> + <p> + “And will the chemical analysis show what explosive was used?” + </p> + <p> + “No; it will only show of what the <i>débris</i> is composed. It will + settle the question whether or not the gold is in that dust-heap. If it + is, then I think the Government will owe me some thanks, because the + Director of Police talked of carting the rubbish away and dumping it out + of sight somewhere. If the Government gets back its gold, I suppose the + question of who fired the mine is merely of academic interest.” + </p> + <p> + “The carriage is waiting, your Highness,” was the announcement made to the + Princess, who at once jumped up, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “I’ll be ready in five minutes. I’m as anxious now as you are to hear what + the chemist has to say; but I thought you told me he wouldn’t have the + analysis ready until four o’clock to-morrow. What is the use of going + there to-night?”. + </p> + <p> + “Because I am reasonably certain that the Director of Police will see him + early to-morrow morning, and I want to get the first copy of the analysis + myself.” + </p> + <p> + With that the Princess ran away and presently reappeared with her wraps + on. The two drove to the shop of Herr Feltz in the Graubenstrasse, and + were told that the chemist could not be seen in any circumstances. He had + left orders that he was not to be disturbed. + </p> + <p> + “Disobey those orders and take in my card,” said the Princess. + </p> + <p> + A glance at the card dissolved the man’s doubts, and he departed to seek + his master. + </p> + <p> + “He is working at the analysis now, I’ll warrant,” whispered the Princess + to her companion. In a short time Herr Feltz himself appeared. He greeted + the Princess with most deferential respect, but seemed astonished to find + in her company the young woman who had called on him a few hours + previously with the Director of the Police. + </p> + <p> + “I wanted to ask you,” said Jennie, “to finish your analysis somewhat + earlier than four o’clock to-morrow. I suppose it can be done?” + </p> + <p> + The man of science smiled and looked at her for a moment, but did not + reply. “You will oblige my friend, I hope,” said the Princess. + </p> + <p> + “I should be delighted to oblige any friend of your Highness,” answered + the chemist slowly, “but, unfortunately, in this instance I have orders + from an authority not to be disputed.” + </p> + <p> + “What orders?” demanded the Princess. + </p> + <p> + “I promised the analysis at four o’clock to-morrow, and at that hour it + will be ready for the young lady. I am ordered not to show the analysis to + anyone before that time.” + </p> + <p> + “Those orders came from the Director of Police, I suppose?” The chemist + bowed low, but did not speak. + </p> + <p> + “I understand how it is, Jennie; he came here immediately after seeing you + home. I suppose he visited you again within the hour after he left with + this young lady—is that the case, Herr Feltz?” + </p> + <p> + “Your Highness distresses me by asking questions that I am under pledge + not to answer.” + </p> + <p> + “Is the analysis completed?” + </p> + <p> + “That is another question which I sincerely hope your Highness will not + press.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, Herr Feltz, I shall ask you a question or two of which you + will not be so frightened. I have told my friend here that you would do + anything for me, but I see I have been mistaken.” + </p> + <p> + The chemist made a deprecatory motion of his hands, spreading them out and + bowing. It was plainly apparent that his seeming discourtesy caused him + deep regret. He was about to speak, but the Princess went impetuously on. + </p> + <p> + “Is the Director of Police a friend of yours, Herr Feltz? I don’t mean + merely an official friend, but a personal friend?” + </p> + <p> + “I am under many obligations to him, your Highness, and besides that, like + any other citizen of Vienna, I am compelled to obey him when he commands.” + </p> + <p> + “What I want to learn,” continued the Princess, her anger visibly rising + at this unexpected opposition, “is whether you wish the man well or not?” + </p> + <p> + “I certainly wish him well, your Highness.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case know that if my friend leaves this shop without seeing the + analysis of the material she brought to you, the Director of Police will + be dismissed from his office to-morrow. If you doubt my influence with my + husband to have that done, just try the experiment of sending us away + unsatisfied.” + </p> + <p> + The old man bowed his white head. + </p> + <p> + “Your Highness,” he said, “I shall take the responsibility of refusing to + obey the orders of the Director of Police. Excuse me for a moment.” + </p> + <p> + He retired into his den, and presently emerged with a sheet of paper in + his hand. + </p> + <p> + “It must be understood,” he said, addressing Jennie, “that the analysis is + but roughly made. I intended to devote the night to a more minute + scrutiny.” + </p> + <p> + “All I want at the present moment,” said Jennie, “is a rough analysis.” + </p> + <p> + “There it is,” said the chemist, handing her the paper. She read,—— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Calcium 29 + Iron 4 + Quartz ] + Feldspar ] 27 + Mica ] + Gold 36-1/2 + Traces of other substances 3-1/2 + ———- + Total 100 +</pre> + <p> + Jennie’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the figures before her. She handed + the paper to the Princess saying,— + </p> + <p> + “You see, I was right in my surmise. More than one-third of that heap is + pure gold.” + </p> + <p> + “I should explain,” said the chemist, “that I have grouped the quartz, + feldspar, and mica together, without giving the respective portions of + each, because it is evident that the combination represents granite.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand,” said Jennie; “the walls and the roof are of granite.” + </p> + <p> + “I would further add,” continued the chemist, “that I have never met gold + so finely divided as this is.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you the gold and other ingredients separated?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, madame.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall take them with me, if you please.” + </p> + <p> + The chemist shortly after brought her the components, in little glass + vials, labelled. + </p> + <p> + “Have you any idea, Herr Feltz, what explosive would reduce gold to such + fine powder as this?” + </p> + <p> + “I have only a theoretical knowledge of explosives, and I know of nothing + that would produce such results as we have here. Perhaps Professor Carl + Seigfried could give you some information on that point. The science of + detonation has been his life study, and he stands head and shoulders above + his fellows in that department.” + </p> + <p> + “Can you give me his address?” + </p> + <p> + The chemist wrote the address on a sheet of paper and handed it to the + young woman. + </p> + <p> + “Do you happen to know whether Professor Seigfried or his assistants have + been called in during this investigation?” + </p> + <p> + “What investigation, madame?” + </p> + <p> + “The investigation of the recent terrible explosion.” + </p> + <p> + “I have heard of no explosion,” replied the chemist, evidently bewildered. + </p> + <p> + Then Jennie remembered that, while the particulars of the disaster in the + Treasury were known to the world at large outside of Austria, no knowledge + of the catastrophe had got abroad in Vienna. + </p> + <p> + “The Professor,” continued the chemist, noticing Jennie’s hesitation, “is + not a very practical man. He is deeply learned, and has made some great + discoveries in pure science, but he has done little towards applying his + knowledge to any everyday useful purpose. If you meet him, you will find + him a dreamer and a theorist. But if you once succeed in interesting him + in any matter, he will prosecute it to the very end, quite regardless of + the time he spends or the calls of duty elsewhere.” + </p> + <p> + “Then he is just the man I wish to see,” said Jennie decisively, and with + that they took leave of the chemist and once more entered the carriage. + </p> + <p> + “I want to drive to another place,” said Jennie, “before it gets too + late.” + </p> + <p> + “Good gracious!” cried the Princess, “you surely do not intend to call on + Professor Seigfried to-night?” + </p> + <p> + “No; but I want to drive to the office of the Director of Police.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that won’t take us long,” said the Princess, giving the necessary + order. The coachman took them to the night entrance of the central police + station by the Hohenstaufengasse, and, leaving the Princess in the + carriage, Jennie went in alone to speak with the officer in charge. + </p> + <p> + “I wish to see the Director of Police,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “He will not be here until to-morrow morning. He is at home. Is it + anything important?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Where is his residence?” + </p> + <p> + “If you will have the kindness to inform me what your business is, madame, + we will have pleasure in attending to it without disturbing Herr + Director.” + </p> + <p> + “I must communicate with the Director in person. The Princess von + Steinheimer is in her carriage outside, and I do not wish to keep her + waiting.” At mention of the Princess the officer bestirred himself and + became tremendously polite. + </p> + <p> + “I shall call the Director at once, and he will be only too happy to wait + upon you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, have you a telephone here? and can I speak with him myself without + being overheard?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, madame. If you will step into this room with me, I will call + him up and leave you to speak with him.” + </p> + <p> + This was done, and when the Chief had answered, Jennie introduced herself + to him. + </p> + <p> + “I am Miss Baxter, whom you were kind enough to escort through the + Treasury building this afternoon.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes,” replied the Chief. “I thought we were to postpone further + inquiry until to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that was the arrangement; but I wanted to say that if my plans are + interfered with; if I am kept under surveillance, I shall be compelled to + withdraw from the search.” + </p> + <p> + A few moments elapsed before the Chief replied, and then it was with some + hesitation. + </p> + <p> + “I should be distressed to have you withdraw; but, if you wish to do so, + that must be a matter entirely for your own consideration. I have my own + duty to perform, and I must carry it out to the best of my poor ability.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so. I am obliged to you for speaking so plainly. I rather surmised + this afternoon that you looked upon my help in the light of an + interference.” + </p> + <p> + “I should not have used the word interference,” continued the Chief; “but + I must confess that I never knew good results to follow amateur efforts, + which could not have been obtained much more speedily and effectually by + the regular force under my command.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, the regular force under your command has been at work several weeks + and has apparently not accomplished very much. I have devoted part of an + afternoon and evening to the matter, so before I withdraw I should like to + give you some interesting information which you may impart to the + Government, and I am quite willing that you should take all the credit for + the discovery, as I have no wish to appear in any way as your competitor. + Can you hear me distinctly?” + </p> + <p> + “Perfectly, madame,” replied the Chief. + </p> + <p> + “Then, in the first place, inform the Government that there has been no + robbery.” + </p> + <p> + “No robbery? What an absurd statement, if you will excuse me speaking so + abruptly! Where is the gold if there was no robbery?” + </p> + <p> + “I am coming to that. Next inform the Government that their loss will be + but trifling. That heap of <i>débris</i> which you propose to cart away + contains practically the whole of the missing two hundred million florins. + More than one-third of the heap is pure gold. If you want to do a favour + to a good friend of yours, and at the same time confer a benefit upon the + Government itself, you will advise the Government to secure the services + of Herr Feltz, so that the gold may be extracted from the rubbish + completely and effectually. I put in a word for Herr Feltz, because I am + convinced that he is a most competent man. To-night his action saved you + from dismissal to-morrow, therefore you should be grateful to him. And now + I have the honour to wish you good-night.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait—wait a moment!” came in beseeching tones through the + telephone. “My dear young lady, pray pardon any fault you have to find + with me, and remain for a moment or two longer. Who, then, caused the + explosion, and why was it accomplished?” + </p> + <p> + “That I must leave for you to find out, Herr Director. You see, I am + giving you the results of merely a few hours’ inquiry, and you cannot + expect me to discover everything in that time. I don’t know how the + explosion was caused, neither do I know who the criminals are or were. It + would probably take me all day to-morrow to find that out; but as I am + leaving the discovery in such competent hands as yours, I must curb my + impatience until you send me full particulars. So, once again, good-night, + Herr Director.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, don’t go yet. I shall come at once to the station, if you will be + kind enough to stop there until I arrive.” + </p> + <p> + “The Princess von Steinheimer is waiting for me in her carriage outside, + and I do not wish to delay her any longer.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let me implore you not to give up your researches.” + </p> + <p> + “Why? Amateur efforts are so futile, you know, when compared with the + labours of the regular force.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my dear young lady, you must pardon an old man for what he said in a + thoughtless moment. If you knew how many useless amateurs meddle in our + very difficult business you would excuse me. Are you quite convinced of + what you have told me, that the gold is in the rubbish heap?” + </p> + <p> + “Perfectly. I will leave for you at the office here the analysis made by + Herr Feltz, and if I can assist you further, it must be on the distinct + understanding that you are not to interfere again with whatever I may do. + Your conduct in going to Herr Feltz to-night after you had left me, and + commanding him not to give me any information, I should hesitate to + characterize by its right name. When I have anything further to + communicate, I will send for you.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you; I shall hold myself always at your command.” This telephonic + interview being happily concluded, Jennie hurried to the Princess, + stopping on her way to give the paper containing the analysis to the + official in charge, and telling him to hand it to the Director when he + returned to his desk. This done, she passed out into the night, with the + comfortable consciousness that the worries of a busy day had not been + without their compensation. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. JENNIE VISITS A MODERN WIZARD IN HIS MAGIC ATTIC. + </h2> + <p> + When Jennie entered the carriage in which her friend was waiting, the + other cried, “Well, have you seen him?” apparently meaning the Director of + Police. + </p> + <p> + “No, I did not see him, but I talked with him over the telephone. I wish + you could have heard our conversation; it was the funniest interview I + ever took part in. Two or three times I had to shut off the instrument, + fearing the Director would hear me laugh. I am afraid that before this + business is ended you will be very sorry I am a guest at your house. I + know I shall end by getting myself into an Austrian prison. Just think of + it! Here have I been ‘holding up’ the Chief of Police in this Imperial + city as if I were a wild western brigand. I have been terrorizing the man, + brow-beating him, threatening him, and he the person who has the liberty + of all Vienna in his hands; who can have me dragged off to a dungeon-cell + any time he likes to give the order.” + </p> + <p> + “Not from the Palace Steinheimer,” said the Princess, with decision. + </p> + <p> + “Well, he might hesitate about that; yet, nevertheless, it is too funny to + think that a mere newspaper woman, coming into a city which contains only + one or two of her friends, should dare to talk to the Chief of Police as I + have done to-night, and force him actually to beg that I shall remain in + the city and continue to assist him.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me what you said,” asked the Princess eagerly; and Jennie related + all that had passed between them over the telephone. + </p> + <p> + “And do you mean to say calmly that you are going to give that man the + right to use the astounding information you have acquired, and allow him + to accept complacently all the <i>kudos</i> that such a discovery entitles + you to?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, certainly,” replied Jennie. “What good is the <i>kudos</i> to me? + All the credit I desire I get in the office of the <i>Daily Bugle</i> in + London.” + </p> + <p> + “But, you silly girl, holding such a secret as you held, you could have + made your fortune,” insisted the practical Princess, for the principles + which had been instilled into her during a youth spent in Chicago had not + been entirely eradicated by residence in Vienna. “If you had gone to the + Government and said, ‘How much will you give me if I restore to you the + missing gold?’ just imagine what their answer would be.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I suppose there was money in the scheme if it had really been a + secret. But you forget that to-morrow morning the Chief of Police would + have known as much as he knows to-night. Of course, if I had gone alone to + the Treasury vault and kept my discovery to myself, I might, perhaps, have + ‘held up’ the Government of Austria-Hungary as successfully as I ‘held up’ + the Chief of Police to-night. But with the Director watching everything I + did, and going with me to the chemist, there was no possibility of keeping + the matter a secret.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Jennie, all I can say is that you are a very foolish girl. Here you + are, working hard, as you said in one of your letters, merely to make a + living, and now, with the greatest nonchalance, you allow a fortune to + slip through your fingers. I am simply not going to allow this. I shall + tell my husband all that has happened, and he will make the Government + treat you honestly; if not generously. I assure you, Jennie, that Lord + Donal—no, I won’t mention his name, since you protest so strenuously—but + the future young man, whoever he is, will not think the less of you + because you come to him with a handsome dowry. But here we are at home; + and I won’t say another word on the subject if it annoys you.” + </p> + <p> + When Jennie reached her delightful apartments—which looked even more + luxuriantly comfortable bathed in the soft radiance that now flooded them + from quiet-toned shaded lamps than they did in the more garish light of + day—she walked up and down her sitting-room in deep meditation. She + was in a quandary—whether or not to risk sending a coded telegram to + her paper was the question that presented itself to her. If she were sure + that no one else would learn the news, she would prefer to wait until she + had further particulars of the Treasury catastrophe. A good deal would + depend on whether or not the Director of Police took anyone into his + confidence that night. If he did not, he would be aware that only he and + the girl possessed this important piece of news. If a full account of the + discovery appeared in the next morning’s <i>Daily Bugle</i>, then, when + that paper arrived in Vienna, or even before, if a synopsis were + telegraphed to the Government, as it was morally certain to be, the + Director would know at once that she was the correspondent of the + newspaper whom he was so anxious to frighten out of Vienna. On the other + hand, her friendship with the Princess von Steinheimer gave her such + influence with the Chief’s superiors, that, after the lesson she had + taught him, he might hesitate to make any move against her. Then, again, + the news that to-night belonged to two persons might on the morrow come to + the knowledge of all the correspondents in Vienna, and her efforts, so far + as the <i>Bugle</i> was concerned, would have been in vain. This + consideration decided the girl, and, casting off all sign of hesitation, + she sat down at her writing table and began the first chapter of the + solution of the Vienna mystery. Her opening sentence was exceedingly + diplomatic: “The Chief of Police of Vienna has made a most startling + discovery.” Beginning thus, she went on to details of the discovery she + had that day made. When her account was finished and codified, she went + down to her hostess and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Princess, I want a trustworthy man, who will take a long telegram to the + central telegraph office, pay for it, and come away quickly before anyone + can ask him inconvenient questions.” + </p> + <p> + “Would it not be better to call a Dienstmanner?” + </p> + <p> + “A Dienstmanner? That is your commissionaire, or telegraph messenger? No, + I think not. They are all numbered and can be traced.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know!” cried the Princess; “I will send our coachman. He will be + out of his livery now, and he is a most reliable man; he will not answer + inconvenient questions, or any others, even if they are asked.” + </p> + <p> + To her telegram for publication Jennie had added a private despatch to the + editor, stating that it would be rather inconvenient for her if he + published the account next morning, but she left the decision entirely + with him. Here was the news, and if he thought it worth the risk, he might + hold it over; if not, he was to print it regardless of consequences. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, the editor, with fear and trembling, held the news + for a day, so that he might not embarrass his fair representative, but so + anxious was he, that he sat up all night until the other papers were out, + and he heaved a sigh of relief when, on glancing over them, he found that + not one of them contained an inkling of the information locked up in his + desk. And so he dropped off to sleep when the day was breaking. Next night + he had nearly as much anxiety, for although the <i>Bugle</i> would contain + the news, other papers might have it as well, and thus for the second time + he waited in his office until the other sheets, wet from the press, were + brought to him. Again fortune favoured him, and the triumph belonged to + the <i>Bugle</i> alone. + </p> + <p> + The morning after her interview with the Director of Police, Jennie, + taking a small hand-satchel, in which she placed the various bottles + containing the different dusts which the chemist had separated, went + abroad alone, and hailing a fiacre, gave the driver the address of + Professor Carl Seigfried. The carriage of the Princess was always at the + disposal of the girl, but on this occasion she did not wish to be + embarrassed with so pretentious an equipage. The cab took her into a + street lined with tall edifices and left her at the number she had given + the driver. The building seemed to be one let out in flats and tenements; + she mounted stair after stair, and only at the very top did she see the + Professor’s name painted on a door. Here she rapped several times without + any attention being paid to her summons, but at last the door was opened + partially by a man whom she took, quite accurately, to be the Professor + himself. His head was white; and his face deeply wrinkled. He glared at + her through his glasses, and said sharply, “Young lady, you have made a + mistake; these are the rooms of Professor Carl Seigfried.” + </p> + <p> + “It is Professor Carl Seigfried that I wish to see,” replied the girl + hurriedly, as the old man was preparing to shut the door. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want with him?” + </p> + <p> + “I want some information from him about explosives. I have been told that + he knows more about explosives than any other man living.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite right—he does. What then?” + </p> + <p> + “An explosion has taken place producing the most remarkable results. They + say that neither dynamite nor any other known force could have had such an + effect on metals and minerals as this power has had.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, dynamite is a toy for children!” cried the old man, opening the door + a little further and exhibiting an interest which had, up to that moment, + been absent from his manner. “Well, where did this explosion take place? + Do you wish me to go and see it?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps so, later on. At present I wish to show you some of its effects, + but I don’t propose to do this standing here in the passageway.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite right—quite right,” hastily ejaculated the old scientist, + throwing the door wide open. “Of course, I am not accustomed to visits + from fashionable young ladies, and I thought at first there had been a + mistake; but if you have any real scientific problem, I shall be delighted + to give my attention to it. What may appear very extraordinary to the lay + mind will doubtless prove fully explainable by scientists. Come in, come + in.” + </p> + <p> + The old man shut the door behind her, and led her along a dark passage, + into a large apartment, whose ceiling was the roof of the building. At + first sight it seemed in amazing disorder. Huge as it was, it was + cluttered with curious shaped machines and instruments. A twisted + conglomeration of glass tubing, bent into fantastic tangles, stood on a + central table, and had evidently been occupying the Professor’s attention + at the time he was interrupted. The place was lined with shelving, where + the walls were not occupied by cupboards, and every shelf was burdened + with bottles and apparatus of different kinds. Whatever care Professor + Seigfried took of his apparatus, he seemed to have little for his + furniture. There was hardly a decent chair in the room, except one deep + arm-chair, covered with a tiger’s skin, in which the Professor evidently + took his ease while meditating or watching the progress of an experiment. + This chair he did not offer to the young lady; in fact, he did not offer + her a seat at all, but sank down on the tiger’s skin himself, placed the + tips of his fingers together, and glared at her through his glittering + glasses. + </p> + <p> + “Now, young woman,” he said abruptly, “what have you brought for me? Don’t + begin to chatter, for my time is valuable. Show me what you have brought, + and I will tell you all about it; and most likely a very simple thing it + is.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie, interested in so rude a man, smiled, drew up the least decrepit + bench she could find, and sat down, in spite of the angry mutterings of + her irritated host. Then she opened her satchel, took out the small bottle + of gold, and handed it to him without a word. The old man received it + somewhat contemptuously, shook it backward and forward without extracting + the cork, adjusted his glasses, then suddenly seemed to take a nervous + interest in the material presented to him. He rose and went nearer the + light. Drawing out the cork with trembling hands, he poured some of the + contents into his open palm. The result was startling enough. The old man + flung up his hands, letting the vial crash into a thousand pieces on the + floor. He staggered forward, shrieking, “Ah, mein Gott—mein Gott!” + </p> + <p> + Then, to the consternation of Jennie, who had already risen in terror from + her chair, the scientist plunged forward on his face. The girl had + difficulty in repressing a shriek. She looked round hurriedly for a bell + to ring, but apparently there was none. She tried to open the door and cry + for help, but in her excitement could neither find handle nor latch. It + seemed to be locked, and the key, doubtless, was in the Professor’s + pocket. She thought at first that he had dropped dead, but the continued + moaning as he lay on the floor convinced her of her error. She bent over + him anxiously and cried, “What can I do to help you?” + </p> + <p> + With a struggle he muttered, “The bottle, the bottle, in the cupboard + behind you.” + </p> + <p> + She hurriedly flung open the doors of the cupboard indicated, and found a + bottle of brandy, and a glass, which she partly filled. The old man had + with an effort struggled into a sitting posture, and she held the glass of + fiery liquid to his pallid lips. He gulped down the brandy, and gasped, “I + feel better now. Help me to my chair.” + </p> + <p> + Assisting him to his feet, she supported him to his arm-chair, when he + shook himself free, crying angrily, “Let me alone! Don’t you see I am all + right again?” + </p> + <p> + The girl stood aside, and the Professor dropped into his chair, his + nervous hands vibrating on his knees. For a long interval nothing was said + by either, and the girl at last seated herself on the bench she had + formerly occupied. The next words the old man spoke were, “Who sent you + here?” + </p> + <p> + “No one, I came of my own accord. I wished to meet someone who had a large + knowledge of explosives, and Herr Feltz, the chemist, gave me your + address.” + </p> + <p> + “Herr Feltz! Herr Feltz!” he repeated. “So he sent you here?” + </p> + <p> + “No one sent me here,” insisted the girl. “It is as I tell you. Herr Feltz + merely gave me your address.” + </p> + <p> + “Where did you get that powdered gold?” + </p> + <p> + “It came from the <i>débris</i> of an explosion.” + </p> + <p> + “I know, you said that before. Where was the explosion? Who caused it?” + </p> + <p> + “That I don’t know.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you know where the explosion was?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know where the explosion was, but I don’t know who caused it.” + </p> + <p> + “Who sent you here?” + </p> + <p> + “I tell you no one sent me here.” + </p> + <p> + “That is not true, the man who caused the explosion sent you here. You are + his minion. What do you expect to find out from me?” + </p> + <p> + “I expect to learn what explosive was used to produce the result that + seemed to have such a remarkable effect on you.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you say that? It had no effect on me. My heart is weak. I am + subject to such attacks, and I ward them off with brandy. Some day they + will kill me. Then you won’t learn any secrets from a dead man, will you?” + </p> + <p> + “I hope, Professor Seigfried, that you have many years yet to live, and I + must further add that I did not expect such a reception as I have received + from a man of science, as I was told you were. If you have no information + to give to me, very well, that ends it; all you have to do is to say so.” + </p> + <p> + “Who sent you here?” + </p> + <p> + “No one, as I have repeated once or twice. If anyone had, I would give him + my opinion of the errand when I got back. You refuse, then, to tell me + anything about the explosive that powdered the gold?” + </p> + <p> + “Refuse? Of course I refuse! What did you expect? I suppose the man who + sent you here thought, because you were an engaging young woman and I an + old dotard, I would gabble to you the results of a life’s work. Oh, no, + no, no; but I am not an old dotard. I have many years to live yet.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so. Well, I must bid you good morning. I shall go to someone + else.” + </p> + <p> + The old man showed his teeth in a forbidding grin. + </p> + <p> + “It is useless. Your bottle is broken, and the material it contained is + dissipated. Not a trace of it is left.” + </p> + <p> + He waved his thin, emaciated hand in the air as he spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that doesn’t matter in the least,” said Jennie. “I have several other + bottles here in my satchel.” + </p> + <p> + The Professor placed his hands on the arms of his chair, and slowly raised + himself to his feet. + </p> + <p> + “You have others,” he cried, “other bottles? Let me see them—let me + see them!” + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied Jennie, “I won’t.” + </p> + <p> + With a speed which, after his recent collapse, Jennie had not expected, + the Professor ambled round to the door and placed his back against it. The + glasses over his eyes seemed to sparkle as if with fire. His talon-like + fingers crooked rigidly. He breathed rapidly, and was evidently labouring + under intense excitement. + </p> + <p> + “Who knows you came up to see me?” he whispered hoarsely, glaring at her. + </p> + <p> + Jennie, having arisen, stood there, smoothing down her perfectly fitting + glove, and answered with a calmness she was far from feeling,— + </p> + <p> + “Who knows I am here? No one but the Director of Police.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the Director of Police!” echoed the Professor, quite palpably abashed + by the unexpected answer. The rigidity of his attitude relaxed, and he + became once more the old man he had appeared as he sat in a heap in his + chair. “You will excuse me,” he muttered, edging round towards the chair + again; “I was excited.” + </p> + <p> + “I noticed that you were, Professor. But before you sit down again, please + unlock that door.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” he asked, pausing on his way to the chair. + </p> + <p> + “Because I wish it open.” + </p> + <p> + “And I,” he said in a higher tone, “wish it to remain locked until we have + come to some understanding. I can’t let you go out now; but I shall permit + you to go unmolested as soon as you have made some explanation to me.” + </p> + <p> + “If you do not unlock the door immediately I shall take this machine and + fling it through the front window out on the street. The crashing glass on + the pavement will soon bring someone to my rescue, Professor, and, as I + have a voice of my own and small hesitation about shouting, I shall have + little difficulty in directing the strangers where to come.” + </p> + <p> + As Jennie spoke she moved swiftly towards the table on which stood the + strange aggregation of reflectors and bent glass tubing. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, no!” screamed the Professor, springing between her and the table. + “Touch anything but that—anything but that. Do not disturb it an + inch—there is danger—death not only to you and me, but perhaps + to the whole city. Keep away from it!” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, then,” said Jennie, stepping back in spite of her endeavour to + maintain her self-control; “open the door. Open both doors and leave them + so. After that, if you remain seated in your chair, I shall not touch the + machine, nor shall I leave until I make the explanations you require, and + you have answered some questions that I shall ask. But I must have a clear + way to the stair, in case you should become excited again.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll unlock the doors; I’ll unlock both doors,” replied the old man + tremulously, fumbling about in his pockets for his keys. “But keep away + from that machine, unless you want to bring swift destruction on us all.” + </p> + <p> + With an eagerness that retarded his speed, the Professor, constantly + looking over his shoulder at his visitor, unlocked the first door, then + hastily he flung open the second, and tottered back to his chair, where he + collapsed on the tiger skin, trembling and exhausted. + </p> + <p> + “We may be overheard,” he whined. “One can never tell who may sneak + quietly up the stair. I am surrounded by spies trying to find out what I + am doing.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait a moment,” said Jennie. + </p> + <p> + She went quickly to the outer door, found that it closed with a spring + latch, opened and shut it two or three times until she was perfectly + familiar with its workings, then she closed it, drew the inner door nearly + shut, and sat down. + </p> + <p> + “There,” she said, “we are quite safe from interruption, Professor + Seigfried; but I must request you not to move from your chair.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no intention of doing so,” murmured the old man. “Who sent you? + You said you would tell me. I think you owe me an explanation.” + </p> + <p> + “I think you owe me one,” replied the girl. “As I told you before, no one + sent me. I came here entirely of my own accord, and I shall endeavour to + make clear to you exactly why I came. Some time ago there occurred in this + city a terrific explosion—” + </p> + <p> + “Where? When?” exclaimed the old man, placing his hands on the arms of his + chair, as if he would rise to his feet. + </p> + <p> + “Sit where you are,” commanded Jennie firmly, “and I shall tell you all I + can about it. The Government, for reasons of its own, desires to keep the + fact of this explosion a secret, and thus very few people outside of + official circles know anything about it. I am trying to discover the cause + of that disaster.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you—are you working on behalf of the Government?” asked the old + man eagerly, a tremor of fear in his quavering voice. + </p> + <p> + “No. I am conducting my investigations quite independently of the + Government.” + </p> + <p> + “But why? But why? That is what I don’t understand.” + </p> + <p> + “I would very much rather not answer that question.” + </p> + <p> + “But that question—everything is involved in that question. I must + know why you are here. If you are not in the employ of the Government, in + whose employ are you?” + </p> + <p> + “If I tell you,” said Jennie with some hesitation, “will you keep what I + say a secret?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, yes!” cried the scientist impatiently. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I am in the service of a London daily newspaper.” + </p> + <p> + “I see, I see; and they have sent you here to publish broadcast over the + world all you can find out of my doings. I knew you were a spy the moment + I saw you. I should never have let you in.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear sir, the London paper is not even aware of your existence. They + have not sent me to you at all. They have sent me to learn, if possible, + the cause of the explosion I spoke of. I took some of the <i>débris</i> to + Herr Feltz to analyze it, and he said he had never seen gold, iron, + feldspar, and all that, reduced to such fine, impalpable grains as was the + case with the sample I left with him. I then asked him who in Vienna knew + most about explosives, and he gave me your address. That is why I am + here.” + </p> + <p> + “But the explosion—you have not told me when and where it occurred!” + </p> + <p> + “That, as I have said, is a Government secret.” + </p> + <p> + “But you stated you are not in the Government employ, therefore it can be + no breach of confidence if you let me have full particulars.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose not. Very well, then, the explosion occurred after midnight on + the seventeenth in the vault of the Treasury.” + </p> + <p> + The old man, in spite of the prohibition, rose uncertainly to his feet. + </p> + <p> + Jennie sprang up and said menacingly, “Stay where you are!” + </p> + <p> + “I am not going to touch you. If you are so suspicious of every move I + make, then go yourself and bring me what I want. There is a map of Vienna + pinned against the wall yonder. Bring it to me.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie proceeded in the direction indicated. It was an ordinary map of the + city of Vienna, and as Jennie took it down she noticed that across the + southern part of the city a semi-circular line in pencil had been drawn. + Examining it more closely, she saw that the stationary part of the compass + had been placed on the spot where stood the building which contained the + Professor’s studio. She paid closer attention to the pencil mark and + observed that it passed through the Treasury building. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t look at that map!” shrieked the Professor, beating the air with his + hands. “I asked you to bring it to me. Can’t you do a simple action like + that without spying about?” + </p> + <p> + Jennie rapidly unfastened the paper from the wall and brought it to him. + The scientist scrutinized it closely, adjusting his glasses the better to + see, then deliberately tore the map into fragments, numerous and minute. + He rose—and this time Jennie made no protest—went to the + window, opened it, and flung the fluttering bits of paper out into the + air, the strong wind carrying them far over the roofs of Vienna. Closing + the casement, he came back to his chair. + </p> + <p> + “Was—was anyone hurt at this explosion?” he asked presently. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, four men were killed instantly, a dozen were seriously injured and + are now in hospital.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my God—my God!” cried the old man, covering his face with his + hands, swaying from side to side in his chair like a man tortured with + agony and remorse. At last he lifted a face that had grown more pinched + and yellow within the last few minutes. + </p> + <p> + “I can tell you nothing,” he said, moistening his parched lips. + </p> + <p> + “You mean that you <i>will</i> tell me nothing, for I see plainly that you + know everything.” + </p> + <p> + “I knew nothing of any explosion until you spoke of it. What have I to do + with the Treasury or the Government?” + </p> + <p> + “That is just what I want to know.” + </p> + <p> + “It is absurd. I am no conspirator, but a man of learning.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you have nothing to fear, Herr Seigfried. If you are innocent, why + are you so loth to give me any assistance in this matter?” + </p> + <p> + “It has nothing to do with me. I am a scientist—I am a scientist. + All I wish is to be left alone with my studies. I have nothing to do with + governments or newspapers, or anything belonging to them.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie sat tracing a pattern on the dusty floor with the point of her + parasol. She spoke very quietly:— + </p> + <p> + “The pencilled line which you drew on the map of Vienna passed through the + Treasury building; the centre of the circle was this garret. Why did you + draw that pencilled semi-circle? Why were you anxious that I should not + see you had done so? Why did you destroy the map?” + </p> + <p> + Professor Seigfried sat there looking at her with dropped jaw, but he made + no reply. + </p> + <p> + “If you will excuse my saying so,” the girl went on, “you are acting very + childishly. It is evident to me that you are no criminal, yet if the + Director of Police had been in my place he would have arrested you long + ago, and that merely because of your own foolish actions.” + </p> + <p> + “The map proved nothing,” he said at last, haltingly, “and besides, both + you and the Director will now have some difficulty in finding it.” + </p> + <p> + “That is further proof of your folly. The Director doesn’t need to find + it. I am here to testify that I saw the map, saw the curved line passing + through the Treasury, and saw you destroy what you thought was an + incriminating piece of evidence. It would be much better if you would deal + as frankly with me as I have done with you. Then I shall give you the best + advice I can—if my advice will be of any assistance to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and publish it to all the world.” + </p> + <p> + “It will have to be published to all the world in any case, for, if I + leave here without full knowledge, I will simply go to the police office + and there tell what I have learned in this room.” + </p> + <p> + “And if I do speak, you will still go to the Director of the Police and + tell him what you have discovered.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I give you my word that I will not.” + </p> + <p> + “What guarantee have I of that?” asked the old man suspiciously. + </p> + <p> + “No guarantee at all except my word!” + </p> + <p> + “Will you promise not to print in your paper what I tell you?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I cannot promise that!” + </p> + <p> + “Still, the newspaper doesn’t matter,” continued the scientist. “The story + would be valueless to you, because no one would believe it. There is + little use in printing a story in a newspaper that will be laughed at, is + there? However, I think you are honest, otherwise you would have promised + not to print a line of what I tell you, and then I should have known you + were lying. It was as easy to promise that as to say you would not tell + the Director of Police. I thought at first some scientific rival had sent + you here to play the spy on me, and learn what I was doing. I assure you I + heard nothing about the explosion you speak of, yet I was certain it had + occurred somewhere along that line which I drew on the map. I had hoped it + was not serious, and begun to believe it was not. The anxiety of the last + month has nearly driven me insane, and, as you say quite truly, my actions + have been childish.” The old man in his excitement had risen from his + chair and was now pacing up and down the room, running his fingers + distractedly through his long white hair, and talking more to himself than + to his auditor. + </p> + <p> + Jennie had edged her chair nearer to the door, and had made no protest + against his rising, fearing to interrupt his flow of talk and again arouse + his suspicions. + </p> + <p> + “I have no wish to protect my inventions. I have never taken out a patent + in my life. What I discover I give freely to the world, but I will not be + robbed of my reputation as a scientist. I want my name to go down to + posterity among those of the great discoverers. You talked just now of + going to the police and telling them what you knew. Foolish creature! You + could no more have gone to the central police office without my + permission, or against my will, than you could go to the window and + whistle back those bits of paper I scattered to the winds. Before you + reached the bottom of the stairs I could have laid Vienna in a mass of + ruins. Yes, I could in all probability have blown up the entire Empire of + Austria. The truth is, that I do not know the limit of my power, nor dare + I test it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, this is a madman!” thought Jennie, as she edged still nearer to the + door. The old man paused in his walk and turned fiercely upon her. + </p> + <p> + “You don’t believe me?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “No, I do not,” she answered, the colour leaving her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + The aged wizard gave utterance to a hideous chuckle. He took from one of + his numerous shelves a hammer-head without the handle, and for a moment + Jennie thought he was going to attack her; but he merely handed the metal + to her and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Break that in two. Place it between your palms and grind it to powder.” + </p> + <p> + “You know that is absurd; I cannot do it.” + </p> + <p> + “Why can’t you do it?” + </p> + <p> + “Because it is of steel.” + </p> + <p> + “That is no reason. Why can’t you do it?” + </p> + <p> + He glared at her fiercely over his glasses, and she saw in his wild eye + all the enthusiasm of an instructor enlightening a pupil. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll tell you why you can’t do it; because every minute particle of it is + held together by an enormous force. It may be heated red-hot and beaten + into this shape and that, but still the force hangs on as tenaciously as + the grip of a giant. Now suppose I had some substance, a drop of which, + placed on that piece of iron, would release the force which holds the + particles together—what would happen?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know,” replied Jennie. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes you do!” cried the Professor impatiently; “but you are like every + other woman—you won’t take the trouble to think. What would happen + is this. The force that held the particles together would be released, and + the hammer would fall to powder like that gold you showed me. The + explosion that followed, caused by the sudden release of the power, would + probably wreck this room and extinguish both our lives. You understand + that, do you not?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I think I do.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, here is something you won’t understand, and probably won’t believe + when you hear it. There is but one force in this world and but one + particle of matter. There is only one element, which is the basis of + everything. All the different shapes and conditions of things that we see + are caused by a mere variation of that force in conjunction with numbers + of that particle. Am I getting beyond your depth?” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid you are, Professor.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course; I know what feeble brains the average woman is possessed of; + still, try and keep that in your mind. Now listen to this. I have + discovered how to disunite that force and that particle. I can, with a + touch, fling loose upon this earth a giant whose strength is irresistible + and immeasurable.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why object to making your discovery public?” + </p> + <p> + “In the first place, because there are still a thousand things and more to + be learned along such a line of investigation. The moment a man announces + his discoveries, he is first ridiculed, then, when the truth of what he + affirms is proven, there rise in every part of the world other men who say + that they knew all about it ten years ago, and will prove it too—at + least, far enough to delude a gullible world; in the second because I am a + humane man, I hesitate to spread broadcast a knowledge that would enable + any fool to destroy the universe. Then there is a third reason. There is + another who, I believe, has discovered how to make this force loosen its + grip on the particle—that is Keely, of Philadelphia, in the United + States—” + </p> + <p> + “What! You don’t mean the Keely motor man?” cried Jennie, laughing. “That + arrant humbug! Why, all the papers in the world have exposed his + ridiculous pretensions; he has done nothing but spend other people’s + money.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, the newspapers have ridiculed him. Human beings have, since the + beginning of the world, stoned their prophets. Nevertheless, he has + liberated a force that no gauge made by man can measure. He has been + boastful, if you like, and has said that with a teacupful of water he + would drive a steamship across the Atlantic. I have been silent, working + away with my eye on him, and he has been working away with his eye on me, + for each knows what the other is doing. If either of us discovers how to + control this force, then that man’s name will go down to posterity for + ever. He has not yet been able to do it; neither have I. There is still + another difference between us. He appears to be able to loosen that force + in his own presence; I can only do it at a distance. All my experiments + lately have been in the direction of making modifications with this + machine, so as to liberate the force within the compass, say, of this + room; but the problem has baffled me. The invisible rays which this + machine sends out, and which will penetrate stone, iron, wood, or any + other substance, must unite at a focus, and I have not been able to bring + that focus nearer me than something over half a mile. Last summer I went + to an uninhabited part of Switzerland and there continued my experiments. + I blew up at will rocks and boulders on the mountain sides, the distances + varying from a mile to half a mile. I examined the results of the + disintegration, and when you came in and showed me that gold, I recognized + at once that someone had discovered the secret I have been trying to + fathom for the last ten years. I thought that perhaps you had come from + Keely. I am now convinced that the explosion you speak of in the Treasury + was caused by myself. This machine, which you so recklessly threatened to + throw out of the window, accidentally slipped from its support when I was + working here some time after midnight on the seventeenth. I placed it + immediately as you see it now, where it throws its rays into mid-air, and + is consequently harmless; but I knew an explosion must have taken place in + Vienna somewhere within the radius of half a mile. I drew the pencilled + semi-circle that you saw on the map of Vienna, for in my excitement in + placing the machine upright I had not noticed exactly where it had + pointed, but I knew that, along the line I had drawn, an explosion must + have occurred, and could only hope that it had not been a serious one, + which it seems it was. I waited and waited, hardly daring to leave my + attic, but hearing no news of any disaster, I was torn between the anxiety + that would naturally come to any humane man in my position who did not + wish to destroy life, and the fear that, if nothing had occurred, I had + not actually made the discovery I thought I had made. You spoke of my + actions being childish; but when I realized that I had myself been the + cause of the explosion, a fear of criminal prosecution came over me. Not + that I should object to imprisonment if they would allow me to continue my + experiments; but that, doubtless, they would not do, for the authorities + know nothing of science, and care less.” + </p> + <p> + In spite of her initial scepticism, Jennie found herself gradually coming + to believe in the efficiency of the harmless-looking mechanism of glass + and iron which she saw on the table before her, and a sensation of horror + held her spellbound as she gazed at it. Its awful possibilities began + slowly to develop in her mind, and she asked breathlessly,—“What + would happen if you were to turn that machine and point it towards the + centre of the earth?” + </p> + <p> + “I told you what would happen. Vienna would lie in ruins, and possibly the + whole Austrian Empire, and perhaps some adjoining countries would become a + mass of impalpable dust. It may be that the world itself would dissolve. I + cannot tell what the magnitude of the result might be, for I have not + dared to risk the experiment.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, this is too frightful to think about,” she cried. “You must destroy + the machine, Professor, and you must never make another.” + </p> + <p> + “What! And give up the hope that my name will descend to posterity?” + </p> + <p> + “Professor Seigfried, when once this machine becomes known to the world, + there will be no posterity for your name to descend to. With the present + hatred of nation against nation, with different countries full of those + unimprisoned maniacs whom we call Jingoes—men preaching the hatred + of one people against another—how long do you think the world will + last when once such knowledge is abroad in it?” + </p> + <p> + The Professor looked longingly at the machine he had so slowly and + painfully constructed. + </p> + <p> + “It would be of much use to humanity if it were but benevolently employed. + With the coal fields everywhere diminishing, it would supply a motive + force for the universe that would last through the ages.” + </p> + <p> + “Professor Seigfried,” exclaimed Jennie earnestly, “when the Lord permits + a knowledge of that machine to become common property, it is His will that + the end of the world shall come.” + </p> + <p> + The Professor said nothing, but stood with deeply wrinkled brow, gazing + earnestly at the mechanism. In his hand was the hammer-head which he had + previously given to the girl; his arm went up and down as if he were + estimating its weight; then suddenly, without a word of warning, he raised + it and sent it crashing through the machine, whose splintering glass fell + with a musical tinkle on the floor. + </p> + <p> + Jennie gave a startled cry, and with a low moan the Professor struggled to + his chair and fell, rather than sat down, in it. A ghastly pallor + overspread his face, and the girl in alarm ran again to the cupboard, + poured out some brandy and offered it to him, then tried to pour it down + his throat, but his tightly set teeth resisted her efforts. She chafed his + rigid hands, and once he opened his eyes, slowly shaking his head. + </p> + <p> + “Try to sip this brandy,” she said, seeing his jaws relax. + </p> + <p> + “It is useless,” he murmured with difficulty. “My life was in the + instrument, as brittle as the glass. I have—” + </p> + <p> + He could say no more. Jennie went swiftly downstairs to the office of a + physician, on the first floor, which she had noticed as she came up. + </p> + <p> + The medical man, who knew of the philosopher, but was not personally + acquainted with him, for the Professor had few friends, went up the steps + three at a time, and Jennie followed him more slowly. He met the girl at + the door of the attic. + </p> + <p> + “It is useless,” he said. “Professor Seigfried is dead; and it is my + belief that in his taking away Austria has lost her greatest scientist.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure of it,” answered the girl, with trembling voice; “but perhaps + after all it is for the best.” + </p> + <p> + “I doubt that,” said the doctor. “I never feel so like quarrelling with + Providence as when some noted man is removed right in the midst of his + usefulness.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid,” replied Jennie solemnly, “that we have hardly reached a + state of development that would justify us in criticizing the wisdom of + Providence. In my own short life I have seen several instances where it + seemed that Providence intervened for the protection of His creatures; and + even the sudden death of Professor Seigfried does not shake my belief that + Providence knows best.” + </p> + <p> + She turned quickly away and went down the stairs in some haste. At the + outer door she heard the doctor call down, “I must have your name and + address, please.” + </p> + <p> + But Jennie did not pause to answer. She had no wish to undergo + cross-examination at an inquest, knowing that if she told the truth she + would not be believed, while if she attempted to hide it, unexpected + personal inconvenience might arise from such a course. She ran rapidly to + the street corner, hailed a fiacre and drove to a distant part of the + city; then she dismissed the cab, went to a main thoroughfare, took a + tramcar to the centre of the town, and another cab to the Palace. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. JENNIE ENGAGES A ROOM IN A SLEEPING CAR. + </h2> + <p> + Jennie had promised Professor Seigfried not to communicate with the + Director of Police, and she now wondered whether it would be breaking her + word, or not, if she let that official know the result of her + investigation, when it would make no difference, one way or the other, to + the Professor. If Professor Seigfried could have foreseen his own sudden + death, would he not, she asked herself, have preferred her to make public + all she knew of him? for had he not constantly reiterated that fame, and + the consequent transmission of his name to posterity, was what he worked + for? Then there was this consideration: if the Chief of Police was not + told how the explosion had been caused, his fruitless search would go + futilely on, and, doubtless, in the course of police inquiry, many + innocent persons would be arrested, put to inconvenience and expense, and + there was even a chance that one or more, who had absolutely nothing to do + with the affair, might be imprisoned for life. She resolved, therefore, to + tell the Director of the Police all she knew, which she would not have + done had Professor Seigfried been alive. She accordingly sent a messenger + for the great official, and just as she had begun to relate to the + impatient Princess what had happened, he was announced. The three of them + held convention in Jennie’s drawing-room with locked doors. + </p> + <p> + “I am in a position,” began Jennie, “to tell you how the explosion in the + Treasury was caused and who caused it; but before doing so you must + promise to grant me two favours, each of which is in your power to bestow + without inconvenience.” + </p> + <p> + “What are they?” asked the Director of Police cautiously. + </p> + <p> + “To tell what they are is to tell part of my story. You must first promise + blindly, and afterwards keep your promise faithfully.” + </p> + <p> + “Those are rather unusual terms, Miss Baxter,” said the Chief; “but I + accede to them, the more willingly as we have found that all the gold is + still in the Treasury, as you said it was.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, then, the first favour is that I shall not be called to give + testimony when an inquest is held on the body of Professor Carl + Seigfried.” + </p> + <p> + “You amaze me!” cried the Director; “how did you know he was dead? I had + news of it only a moment before I left my office.” + </p> + <p> + “I was with him when he died,” said Jennie simply, which statement drew + forth an exclamation of surprise from both the Princess and the Director. + “My next request is that you destroy utterly a machine which stands on a + table near the centre of the Professor’s room. Perhaps the instrument is + already disabled—I believe it is—but, nevertheless, I shall + not rest content until you have seen that every vestige of it is made away + with, because the study of what is left of it may enable some other + scientist to put it in working order again. I entreat you to attend to + this matter yourself. I will go with you, if you wish me to, and point out + the instrument in case it has been moved from its position.” + </p> + <p> + “The room is sealed,” said the Director, “and nothing will be touched + until I arrive there. What is the nature of this instrument?” + </p> + <p> + “It is of a nature so deadly and destructive that, if it got into the + hands of an anarchist, he could, alone, lay the city of Vienna in ruins.” + </p> + <p> + “Good heavens!” cried the horrified official, whose bane was the + anarchist, and Jennie, in mentioning this particular type of criminal, had + builded better than she knew. If she had told him that the Professor’s + invention might enable Austria to conquer all the surrounding nations, + there is every chance that the machine would have been carefully + preserved. + </p> + <p> + “The explosion in the Treasury vaults,” continued Jennie, “was + accidentally caused by this instrument, although the machine at the moment + was in a garret half a mile away. You saw the terrible effect of that + explosion; imagine, then, the destruction it would cause in the hands of + one of those anarchists who are so reckless of consequences.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall destroy the instrument with my own hands,” asserted the Director + fervently, mopping his pallid brow. + </p> + <p> + Jennie then went on, to the increasing astonishment of the Princess and + the Director, and related every detail of her interview with the late + professor Carl Seigfried. + </p> + <p> + “I shall go at once and annihilate that machine,” said the Director, + rising when the recital was finished. “I shall see to that myself. Then, + after the inquest, I shall give an order that everything in the attic is + to be destroyed. I wish that every scientific man on the face of the earth + could be safely placed behind prison bars.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid that wouldn’t do much good,” replied Jennie, “unless you + could prevent chemicals being smuggled in. The scientists would probably + reduce your prison to powder, and walk calmly out through the dust.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hardwick had told Jennie that if she solved the Vienna mystery she + would make a European reputation for the <i>Daily Bugle</i>. Jennie did + more than was expected of her, yet the European reputation which the <i>Bugle</i> + established was not one to be envied. It is true that the account printed + of the cause of the explosion, dramatically completed with the Professor’s + tragically sudden death, caused a great sensation in London. The comic + papers of the week were full of illustrations showing the uses to which + the Professor’s instrument might be put. To say that any sane man in + England believed a word of the article would be to cast an undeserved + slight upon the intelligence of the British public. No one paused to think + that if a newspaper had published an account of what could be done by the + Röentgen rays, without being able to demonstrate practically the truth of + the assertions made, the contribution would have been laughed at. If some + years ago a newspaper had stated that a man in York listened to the voice + of a friend at that moment standing in London, and was not only able to + hear what his friend said, but could actually recognize the voice speaking + in an ordinary tone, and then if the paper had added that, unfortunately, + the instrument which accomplished this had been destroyed, people would + have denounced the sensational nature of modern journalism. + </p> + <p> + Letters poured in upon the editor, saying that while, as a general rule, + the writers were willing to stand the ordinary lie of commerce daily + printed in the sheet, there was a limit to their credulity and they + objected to be taken for drivelling imbeciles. To complete the + discomfiture of the <i>Daily Bugle</i>, the Government of Austria + published an official statement, which Reuter and the special + correspondents scattered broadcast over the earth. The statement was + written in that calm, serious, and consistent tone which diplomatists use + when uttering a falsehood of more than ordinary dimensions. + </p> + <p> + Irresponsible rumours had been floating about (the official proclamation + began) to the effect that there had been an explosion in the Treasury at + Vienna. It had been stated that a large quantity of gold had been stolen, + and that a disaster of some kind had occurred in the Treasury vaults. Then + a ridiculous story had been printed which asserted that Professor + Seigfried, one of Austria’s honoured dead, had in some manner that + savoured of the Black Art, encompassed this wholesale destruction. The + Government now begged to make the following declarations: First, not a + penny had been stolen out of the Treasury; second, the so-called war-chest + was intact; third, the two hundred million florins reposed securely within + the bolted doors of the Treasury vaults; fourth, the coins were not, as + had been alleged, those belonging to various countries, which was a covert + intimation that Austria had hostile intent against one or the other of + those friendly nations. The whole coinage in this falsely named war-chest, + which was not a war-chest at all, but merely the receptacle of a reserve + fund which Austria possessed, was entirely in Austrian coinage; fifth, in + order that these sensational and disquieting scandals should be set at + rest, the Government announced that it intended to weigh this gold upon a + certain date, and it invited representatives of the Press, from Russia, + Germany, France, and England to witness this weighing. + </p> + <p> + The day after this troy-weight function had taken place in Vienna, long + telegraphic accounts of it appeared in the English press, and several + solemn leading articles were put forward in the editorial columns, which, + without mentioning the name of the <i>Daily Bugle</i>, deplored the + voracity of the sensational editor, who respected neither the amity which + should exist between friendly nations, nor the good name of the honoured + and respected dead, in his wolfish hunt for the daily scandal. Nothing was + too high-spiced or improbable for him to print. He traded on the supposed + gullibility of a fickle public. But, fortunately, in the long run, these + staid sheets asserted, such actions recoiled upon the head of him who + promulgated them. Sensational journals merited and received the scathing + contempt of all honest men. Later on, one of the reviews had an article + entitled “Some Aspects of Modern Journalism,” which battered in the head + of the <i>Daily Bugle</i> as with a sledge hammer, and in one of the + quarterlies a professor at Cambridge showed the absurdity of the alleged + invention from a scientific point of view. + </p> + <p> + “I swear,” cried Mr. Hardwick, as he paced up and down his room, “that I + shall be more careful after this in the handling of truth; it is a most + dangerous thing to meddle with. If you tell the truth about a man, you are + mulcted in a libel suit, and if you tell the truth about a nation, the + united Press of the country are down upon you. Ah, well, it makes the + battle of life all the more interesting, and we are baffled to fight + better, as Browning says.” + </p> + <p> + The editor had sent for Miss Baxter, and she now sat by his desk while he + paced nervously to and fro. The doors were closed and locked so that they + might not be interrupted, and she knew by the editor’s manner that + something important was on hand. Jennie had returned to London after a + month’s stay in Vienna, and had been occupied for a week at her old + routine work in the office. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Miss Baxter,” said the editor, when he had proclaimed his distrust + of the truth as a workable material in journalism, “I have a plan to set + before you, and when you know what it is, I am quite prepared to hear you + refuse to have anything to do with it. And, remember, if you <i>do</i> + undertake it, there is but one chance in a million of your succeeding. It + is on this one chance that I propose now to send you to St. Petersburg—” + </p> + <p> + “To St. Petersburg!” echoed the girl in dismay. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the editor, mistaking the purport of her ejaculation, “it is a + very long trip, but you can travel there in great comfort, and I want you + to spare no expense in obtaining for yourself every luxury that the + various railway lines afford during your journey to St. Petersburg and + back.” + </p> + <p> + “And what am I to go to St. Petersburg for?” murmured Jennie faintly. + </p> + <p> + “Merely for a letter. Here is what has happened, and what is happening. I + shall mention no names, but at present a high and mighty personage in + Russia, who is friendly to Great Britain, has written a private letter, + making some proposals to a certain high and mighty personage in England, + who is friendly to Russia. This communication is entirely unofficial; + neither Government is supposed to know anything at all about it. As a + matter of fact, the Russian Government have a suspicion, and the British + Government have a certainty, that such a document will shortly be in + transit. Nothing may come of it, or great things may come of it. Now on + the night of the 21st, in one of the sleeping cars leaving St. Petersburg + by the Nord Express for Berlin, there will travel a special messenger + having this letter in his possession. I want you to take passage by that + same train and secure a compartment near the messenger, if possible. This + messenger will be a man in whom the respective parties to the negotiation + have implicit confidence. I wish I knew his name, but I don’t; still, the + chances are that he is leaving London for St. Petersburg about this time, + and so you might keep your eyes open on your journey there, for, if you + discovered him to be your fellow-passenger, it might perhaps make the + business that comes after easier. You see this letter,” continued the + editor, taking from a drawer in his desk a large envelope, the flap of + which was secured by a great piece of stamped sealing-wax. “This merely + contains a humble ordinary copy of to-day’s issue of the <i>Bugle</i>, but + in outside appearance it might be taken for a duplicate of the letter + which is to leave St. Petersburg on the 21st. Now, what I would like you + to do is to take this envelope in your hand-bag, and if, on the journey + back to London, you have an opportunity of securing the real letter, and + leaving this in its place, you will have accomplished the greatest service + you have yet done for the paper.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” cried Jennie, rising, “I couldn’t think of that, Mr. Hardwick—I + couldn’t <i>think</i> of doing it. It is nothing short of highway + robbery!” + </p> + <p> + “I know it looks like that,” pleaded Hardwick; “but listen to me. If I + were going to open the letter and use its contents, then you might charge + me with instigating theft. The fact is, the letter will not be delayed; it + will reach the hands of the high and mighty personage in England quite + intact. The only difference is that you will be its bearer instead of the + messenger they send for it.” + </p> + <p> + “You expect to open the letter, then, in some surreptitious way—some + way that will not be noticed afterwards? Oh, I couldn’t do it, Mr. + Hardwick.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear girl, you are jumping at conclusions. I shall amaze you when I + tell you that I know already practically what the contents of that letter + are.” + </p> + <p> + “Then what is the use of going to all this expense and trouble trying to + steal it?” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t say ‘steal it,’ Miss Baxter. I’ll tell you what my motive is. There + is an official in England who has gone out of his way to throw obstacles + in mine. This is needless and irritating, for generally I manage to get + the news I am in quest of; but in several instances, owing to his + opposition, I have not only not got the news, but other papers have. Now, + since the general raking we have had over this Austrian business, quite + aside from the fact that we published the exact truth, this stupid old + official duffer has taken it upon himself to be exceedingly sneering and + obnoxious to me, and I confess I want to take him down a peg. He hasn’t + any idea that I know as much about this business as I do—in fact, he + thinks it is an absolute secret; yet, if I liked, I could to-morrow + nullify all the arrangements by simply publishing what is already in my + possession, which action on my part would create a <i>furore</i> in this + country, and no less of a <i>furore</i> in Russia. For the sake of amity + between nations, which I am accused of disregarding, I hold my hand. + </p> + <p> + “Now, if you get possession of that communication, I want you to telegraph + to me while you are <i>en route</i> for London, and I will meet you at the + terminus; then I shall take the document direct to this official, even + before the regular messenger has time to reach him. I shall say to the + official, ‘There is the message from the high personage in Russia to the + high personage in England. If you want the document, I will give it to + you, but it must be understood that you are to be a little less friendly + to certain other newspapers, and a little more friendly to mine, in + future.’” + </p> + <p> + “And suppose he refuses your terms?” + </p> + <p> + “He won’t refuse them; but if he does I shall hand him the envelope just + the same.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, honestly, Mr. Hardwick, I don’t think your scheme worth the amount + of money it will cost, and, besides, the chance of my getting hold of the + packet, which will doubtless be locked safely within a despatch box, and + constantly under the eye of the messenger, is most remote.” + </p> + <p> + “I am more than willing to risk all that if you will undertake the + journey. You speak lightly of my scheme, but that is merely because you do + not understand the situation. Everything you have heretofore done has been + of temporary advantage to the paper; but if you carry this off, I expect + the benefit to the <i>Bugle</i> will be lasting. It will give me a + standing with certain officials that I have never before succeeded in + getting. In the first place, it will make them afraid of me, and that of + itself is a powerful lever when we are trying to get information which + they are anxious to give to some other paper.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, Mr. Hardwick, I will try; though I warn you to expect nothing + but failure. In everything else I have endeavoured to do, I have felt + confident of success from the beginning. In this instance I am as sure I + shall fail.” + </p> + <p> + “As I told you, Miss Baxter, the project is so difficult that your + failure, if you <i>do</i> fail, will merely prove it to have been + impossible, because I am sure that if anyone on earth could carry the + project to success, you are that person; and, furthermore, I am very much + obliged to you for consenting to attempt such a mission.” + </p> + <p> + And thus it was that Jennie Baxter found herself in due time in the great + capital of the north, with a room in the Hotel de l’Europe overlooking the + Nevski Prospect. In ordinary circumstances she would have enjoyed a visit + to St. Petersburg; but now she was afraid to venture out, being under the + apprehension that at any moment she might meet Lord Donal Stirling face to + face, and that he would recognize her; therefore she remained discreetly + in her room, watching the strange street scenes from her window. She found + herself scrutinizing everyone who had the appearance of being an + Englishman, and she had to confess to a little qualm of disappointment + when the person in question proved to be some other than Lord Donal; in + fact, during her short stay at St. Petersburg she saw nothing of the young + man. + </p> + <p> + Jennie went, on the evening of her arrival, to the offices of the Sleeping + Car Company, to secure a place in one of the carriages that left at six + o’clock on the evening of the 21st. Her initial difficulty met her when + she learned there were several sleeping cars on that train, and she was + puzzled to know which to select. She stood there, hesitating, with the + plans of the carriages on the table before her. + </p> + <p> + “You have ample choice,” said the clerk; “seats are not usually booked so + long in advance, and only two places have been taken in the train, so + far.” + </p> + <p> + “I should like to be in a carriage containing some English people,” said + the girl, not knowing what excuse to give for her hesitation. + </p> + <p> + “Then let me recommend this car, for one compartment has been taken by the + British Embassy—Room C, near the centre, marked with a cross.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, well, I will take the compartment next to it—Room D, isn’t it?” + said Jennie. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I am sorry to say that also has been taken. Those are the two which + are bespoken. I will see under what name Room D has been booked. Probably + its occupant is English also. But I can give you Room B, on the other side + of the one reserved by the Embassy. It is a two-berth room, Nos. 5 and 6.” + </p> + <p> + “That will do quite as well,” said Jennie. + </p> + <p> + The clerk looked up the order book, and then said,— + </p> + <p> + “It is not recorded here by whom Room D was reserved. As a usual thing,” + he continued, lowering his voice almost to a whisper and looking furtively + over his shoulder, “when no name is marked down, that means the Russian + police. So, you see, by taking the third room you will not only be under + the shadow of the British Embassy, but also under the protection of + Russia. Do you wish one berth only, or the whole room? It is a two-berth + compartment.” + </p> + <p> + “I desire the whole room, if you please.” + </p> + <p> + She paid the price and departed, wondering if the other room had really + been taken by the police, and whether the authorities were so anxious for + the safety of the special messenger that they considered it necessary to + protect him to the frontier. If, in addition to the natural precautions of + the messenger, there was added the watchfulness of one or two suspicious + Russian policemen, then would her difficult enterprise become indeed + impossible. On the other hand, the ill-paid policemen might be amenable to + the influence of money, and as she was well supplied with the coin of the + realm, their presence might be a help rather than a hindrance. All in all, + she had little liking for the task she had undertaken, and the more she + thought of it, the less it commended itself to her. Nevertheless, having + pledged her word to the editor, if failure came it would be through no + fault of hers. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. JENNIE ENDURES A TERRIBLE NIGHT JOURNEY. + </h2> + <p> + Jennie went early to the station on the night of the 21st and entered the + sleeping car as soon as she was allowed to do so. The conductor seemed + unaccountably flustered at her anxiety to get to her room, and he examined + her ticket with great care; then, telling her to follow him, brought her + to Room B, in which were situated berths 5 and 6, upper and lower. The + berths were not made up, and the room showed one seat, made to accommodate + two persons. The conductor went out on the platform again, and Jennie, + finding herself alone in the carriage, walked up and down the narrow + passage-way at the side, to get a better idea of her surroundings. + </p> + <p> + Room C, next to her own, was the one taken by the British Embassy. Room D, + still further on, was the one that appeared to have been retained by the + police. She stood for a few moments by the broad plate-glass window that + lined the passage and looked out at the crowded platform. For a time she + watched the conductor, who appeared to be gazing anxiously towards the + direction from which passengers streamed, as if looking for someone in + particular. Presently a big man, a huge overcoat belted round him, with a + stern bearded face—looking, the girl thought, typically Russian—strode + up to the conductor and spoke earnestly with him. Then the two turned to + the steps of the car, and Jennie fled to her narrow little room, closing + the door all but about an inch. An instant later the two men came in, + speaking together in French. The larger man had a gruff voice and spoke + the language in a way that showed it was not native to him. + </p> + <p> + “When did you learn that he had changed his room?” asked the man with the + gruff voice. + </p> + <p> + “Only this afternoon,” replied the conductor. + </p> + <p> + “Did you bore holes between that and the adjoining compartment?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Excellency; but Azof did not tell me whether you wanted the holes at + the top or the bottom.” + </p> + <p> + “At the bottom, of course,” replied the Russian. “Any fool might have + known that. The gas must rise, not fall; then when he feels its effect and + tumbles down, he will be in a denser layer of it, whereas, if we put it in + the top, and he fell down, he would come into pure air, and so might make + his escape. You did not bore the hole over the top berth, I hope?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Excellency, but I bored one at the bottom also.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, very well, we can easily stop the one at the top. Have you fastened + the window? for the first thing these English do is to open a window.” + </p> + <p> + “The window is securely fastened, your Excellency, unless he breaks the + glass.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he will not think of doing that until it is too late. The English are + a law-abiding people. How many other passengers are there in the car?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I forgot to tell you, Excellency, the Room B has been taken by an + English lady, who is there now.” + </p> + <p> + “Ten thousand devils!” cried the Russian in a hoarse whisper. “Why did you + not say that before?” + </p> + <p> + The voices now fell to so low a murmur that Jennie could not distinguish + the words spoken. A moment later there was a rap at her door, and she had + presence of mind enough to get in the further corner, and say in a sleepy + voice,— + </p> + <p> + “Come in!” + </p> + <p> + The conductor opened the door. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Votre billet, s’il vous plaît, madame.”</i> + </p> + <p> + “Can’t you speak English?” asked Jennie. + </p> + <p> + The conductor merely repeated his question, and as Jennie was shaking her + head the big Russian looked over the conductor’s shoulder and said in + passable English,— + </p> + <p> + “He is asking for your ticket, madam. Do you not speak French?” In answer + to this direct question Jennie, fumbling in her purse for her ticket, + replied,— + </p> + <p> + “I speak English, and I have already shown him my ticket.” She handed her + broad-sheet sleeping-car ticket to the Russian, who had pushed the + conductor aside and now stood within the compartment. + </p> + <p> + “There has been a mistake,” he said. “Room C is the one that has been + reserved for you.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure there isn’t any mistake,” said Jennie. “I booked berths 5 and + 6. See, there are the numbers,” pointing to the metallic plates by the + door, “and here are the same numbers on the ticket.” + </p> + <p> + The Russian shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “The mistake has been made at the office of the Sleeping Car Company. I am + a director of the Company.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, are you?” asked Jennie innocently. “Is Room C as comfortable as this + one?” + </p> + <p> + “It is a duplicate of this one, madam, and is more comfortable, because it + is nearer the centre of the car.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, there is no mistake about my reserving the two berths, is there?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, madam, the room is entirely at your disposal.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, in that case,” said Jennie, “I have no objection to making a + change.” + </p> + <p> + She knew that she would be compelled to change, no matter what her ticket + recorded, so she thought it best to play the simple maiden abroad, and + make as little fuss as possible about the transfer. She had to rearrange + the car in her mind. She was now in Room C, which had been first reserved + by the British Embassy. It was evident that at the last moment the + messenger had decided to take Room A, a four-berth compartment at the end + of the car. The police then would occupy Room B, which she had first + engaged, and, from the bit of conversation she had overheard, Jennie was + convinced that they intended to kill or render insensible the messenger + who bore the important letter. The police were there not to protect, but + to attack. This amazing complication in the plot concentrated all the + girl’s sympathies on the unfortunate man who was messenger between two + great personages, even though he travelled apparently under the protection + of the British Embassy at St. Petersburg. The fact, to put it baldly, that + she had intended to rob him herself, if opportunity occurred, rose before + her like an accusing ghost. “I shall never undertake anything like this + again,” she cried to herself, “never, never,” and now she resolved to make + reparation to the man she had intended to injure. She would watch for him + until he came down the passage, and then warn him by relating what she had + heard. She had taken off her hat on entering the room; now she put it on + hurriedly, thrusting a long pin through it. As she stood up, there was a + jolt of the train that caused her to sit down again somewhat hurriedly. + Passing her window she saw the lights of the station; the train was in + motion. “Thank Heaven!” she cried fervently, “he is too late. Those + plotting villains will have all their trouble for nothing.” + </p> + <p> + She glanced upwards towards the ceiling and noticed a hole about an inch + in diameter bored in the thin wooden partition between her compartment and + the next. Turning to the wall behind her she saw that another hole had + been bored in a similar position through to Room B. The car had been + pretty thoroughly prepared for the work in hand, and Jennie laughed softly + to herself as she pictured the discomfiture of the conspirators. The train + was now rushing through the suburbs of St. Petersburg, when Jennie was + startled by hearing a stranger’s voice say in French,— + </p> + <p> + “Conductor, I have Room A; which end of the car is that?” + </p> + <p> + “This way, Excellency,” replied the conductor. Everyone seemed to be + “Excellency” with him. A moment later, Jennie, who had again risen to her + feet, horrified to learn that, after all, the messenger had come, heard + the door of his room click. Everything was silent save the purring murmur + of the swiftly moving train. She stood there for a few moments tense with + excitement, then bethought herself of the hole between her present + compartment and the one she had recently left. She sprang up on the seat, + and placing her eye with some caution at the hole, peered through. First + she thought the compartment was empty, then noticed there had been placed + at the end by the window a huge cylinder that reached nearly to the + ceiling of the room. The lamp above was burning brightly, and she could + see every detail of the compartment, except towards the floor. As she + gazed a man’s back slowly rose; he appeared to have been kneeling on the + floor, and he held in his hand the loop of a rubber tube. Peering + downwards, she saw that it was connected with the cylinder, and that it + was undoubtedly pouring whatever gas the cylinder contained through the + hole into Room A. For a moment she had difficulty in repressing a shriek; + but realizing how perfectly helpless she was, even if an alarm were + raised, she fought down all exclamation. She saw that the man who was + regulating the escape of gas was not the one who had spoken to the + conductor. Then, fearing that he might turn his head and see her eye at + the small aperture, she reached up and covered the lamp, leaving her own + room in complete darkness. The double covering, which closed over the + semi-globular lamp like an eyelid, kept every ray of light from + penetrating into the compartment she occupied. + </p> + <p> + As Jennie turned to her espionage again, she heard a blow given to the + door in Room A that made it chatter, then there was a sound of a heavy + fall on the floor. The door of Room B was flung open, the head of the + first Russian was thrust in, and he spoke in his own language a single + gruff word. His assistant then turned the cock and shut off the gas from + the cylinder. The door of Room B was instantly shut again, and Jennie + heard the rattle of the key as Room A was being unlocked. + </p> + <p> + Jennie jumped down from her perch, threw off her hat, and, with as little + noise as possible, slid her door back an inch or two. The conductor had + unlocked the door of Room A, the tall Russian standing beside him saying + in a whisper,— + </p> + <p> + “Never mind the man, he’ll recover the moment you open the door and + window; get the box. Hold your nose with your fingers and keep your mouth + shut. There it is, that black box in the corner.” + </p> + <p> + The conductor made a dive into the room, and came out with an ordinary + black despatch-box. + </p> + <p> + The policeman seemed well provided with the materials for his burglarious + purpose. He selected a key from a jingling bunch, tried it; selected + another; then a third, and the lid of the despatch-box was thrown back. He + took out a letter so exactly the duplicate of the one Jennie possessed + that she clutched her own document to see if it were still in her pocket. + The Russian put the envelope between his knees and proceeded to lock the + box. His imagination had not gone to any such refinement as the placing of + a dummy copy where the original had been. Quick as thought Jennie acted. + She slid open the door quietly and stepped out into the passage. So intent + were the two men on their work that neither saw her. The tall man gave the + box back to the conductor, then took the letter from between his knees, + holding it in his right hand, when Jennie, as if swayed by the motion of + the car, lurched against him, and, with a sleight of hand that would have + made her reputation on a necromantic stage, she jerked the letter from the + amazed and frightened man; at the same moment allowing the bogus document + to drop on the floor of the car from her other hand. The conductor had + just emerged from Room A, holding his nose and looking comical enough as + he stood there in that position, amazed at the sudden apparition of the + lady. The Russian struck down the conductor’s fingers with his right hand, + and by a swift motion of the left closed the door of Compartment A, all of + which happened in a tenth of the time taken to tell it. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, pardon me!” cried Jennie in English, “I’m afraid a lurch of the car + threw me against you.” + </p> + <p> + The Russian, before answering, cast a look at the floor and saw the large + envelope lying there with its seal uppermost. He quietly placed his huge + foot upon it, and then said, with an effort at politeness,— + </p> + <p> + “It is no matter, madam. I fear I am so bulky that I have taken up most of + the passage.” + </p> + <p> + “It is very good of you to excuse me,” said Jennie; “I merely came out to + ask the conductor if he would make up my berth. Would you be good enough + to translate that to him?” + </p> + <p> + The Russian surlily told the conductor to attend to the wants of the lady. + The conductor muttered a reply, and that reply the Russian translated. + </p> + <p> + “He will be at your service in a few moments, madam. He must first make up + the berth of the gentleman in Room A.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, thank you very much,” returned Jennie. “I am in no hurry; any time + within the hour will do.” + </p> + <p> + With that she retired again into her compartment, the real letter + concealed in the folds of her dress, the bogus one on the floor under the + Russian’s foot. She closed the door tightly, then, taking care that she + was not observed through either of the holes the conductor had bored in + the partition, she swiftly placed the important document in a deep inside + pocket of her jacket. As a general rule, women have inside pockets in + their capes, and outside pockets in their jackets; but Jennie, dealing as + she did with many documents in the course of her profession, had had this + jacket especially made, with its deep and roomy inside pocket. She sat on + a corner of the sofa, wondering what was to be the fate of the unfortunate + messenger, for, in spite of the sudden shutting of the door by the + Russian, she caught a glimpse of the man lying face downwards on the floor + of his stifling room. She also had received a whiff of the sweet, heavy + gas which had been used, that seemed now to be tincturing the whole + atmosphere of the car, especially in the long narrow passage. It was not + likely they intended to kill the man, for his death would cause an awkward + investigation, while his statement that he had been rendered insensible + might easily be denied. As she sat there, the silence disturbed only by + the low, soothing rumble of the train, she heard the ring of the metal + cylinder against the woodwork of the next compartment. The men were + evidently removing their apparatus. A little later the train slowed, + finally coming to a standstill, and looking out of the window into the + darkness, she found they were stopping at an ill-lighted country station. + Covering the light in the ceiling again, the better to see outside, + herself, unobserved, she noted the conductor and another man place the + bulky cylinder on the platform, without the slightest effort at + concealment. The tall Russian stood by and gave curt orders. An instant + later the train moved on again, and when well under way there was a rap at + her door. When she opened it, the conductor said that he would make up her + berth now, if it so pleased her. She stood out in the corridor while this + was deftly and swiftly done. She could not restrain her curiosity + regarding the mysterious occupant of Room A, and to satisfy it she walked + slowly up and down the corridor, her hands behind her, passing and + repassing the open door of her room, and noticing that ever and anon the + conductor cast a suspicious eye in her direction. + </p> + <p> + The door of Room A was partly open, but the shaded lamp in the ceiling + left the interior in darkness. There was now no trace of the intoxicating + gas in the corridor, and as she passed Room A she noticed that a fresh + breeze was blowing through the half open doorway, therefore the window + must be up. Once as she passed her own door she saw the conductor engaged + in a task which would keep him from looking into the corridor for at least + a minute, and in that interval she set her doubts at rest by putting her + head swiftly into Room A, and as swiftly withdrawing it. The man had been + lifted on to his sofa, and lay with his face towards the wall, his head on + a pillow. The despatch-box rested on a corner of the sofa, where, + doubtless, he had left it. He was breathing heavily like a man in a + drunken sleep; but the air of the room was sweet and fresh, and he would + doubtless recover. + </p> + <p> + Jennie still paced up and down, pondering deeply over what had happened. + At first, when she had secured the important document, she had made up her + mind to return it to the messenger; but further meditation induced her to + change her mind. The messenger had been robbed by the Russian police; he + would tell his superiors exactly what had happened, and yet the letter + would reach its destination as speedily as if he had brought it himself—as + if he had never been touched. Knowing the purpose which Mr. Hardwick had + in his mind, Jennie saw that the letter now was of tenfold more value to + him than it would have been had she taken it from the messenger. It was + evident that the British Embassy, or the messenger himself, had suspicions + that an attempt was to be made to obtain the document, otherwise Room C of + the sleeping car would not have been changed for Room A at the very last + moment. If, then, the editor could say to the official, “The Russian + police robbed your messenger in spite of all the precautions that could be + taken, and my emissary cozened the Russians; so, you see, I have + accomplished what the whole power of the British Government was powerless + to effect; therefore it will be wisdom on your part to come to terms with + me.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie resolved to relate to Hardwick exactly how she came into possession + of the document, and she knew his alert nature well enough to be sure he + would make the most of the trump card dealt to him. + </p> + <p> + “Your room is ready for you,” said the conductor in French. + </p> + <p> + She had the presence of mind enough not to comprehend his phrase until, + with a motion of his hand, he explained his meaning. She entered her + compartment and closed the door. + </p> + <p> + Having decided what disposal to make of the important document, there now + arose in her mind the disquieting problem whether or not it would be + allowed to remain with her. She cogitated over the situation and tried to + work out the mental arithmetic of it. Trains were infrequent on the + Russian railways, and she had no means of estimating when the burly + ruffian who had planned and executed the robbery would get back to St. + Petersburg. There was no doubt that he had not the right to open the + letter and read its contents; that privilege rested with some higher + official in St. Petersburg. The two men had got off at the first stopping + place. It was quite possible that they would not reach the capital until + next morning, when the Berlin express would be well on its way to the + frontier. Once over the frontier she would be safe; but the moment it was + found that the purloined envelope merely contained a copy of an English + newspaper, what might not happen? Would the Russian authorities dare + telegraph to the frontier to have her searched, or would the big official + who had planned the robbery suspect that she, by legerdemain, had become + possessed of the letter so much sought for? Even if he did suspect her, he + would certainly have craft enough not to admit it. His game would rather + be to maintain that this was the veritable document found in the + Englishman’s despatch-box; and it was more than likely, taking into + consideration the change of room at the last moment, which would show the + officials the existence of suspicion in the messenger’s mind, or in the + minds of those who sent him, the natural surmise would be that another + messenger had gone with the real document, and that the robbed man was + merely a blind to delude the Russian police. In any case, Jennie + concluded, there was absolutely nothing to do but to remain awake all + night and guard the treasure which good luck had bestowed upon her. She + stood up on her bed, about to stuff her handkerchief into the hole bored + in the partition, but suddenly paused and came down to the floor again. + No, discomforting as it was to remain in a room under possible espionage, + she dared not stop the openings, as that would show she had cognisance of + them, and arouse the conductor’s suspicion that, after all, she had + understood what had been said; whereas, if she left them as they were, the + fact of her doing so would be strong confirmation of her ignorance. She + took from her bag a scarf, tied one end round her wrist and the other to + the door, so that it could not be opened, should she fall asleep, without + awakening her. Before entrenching herself thus, she drew the eyelids down + over the lamp, and left her room in darkness. Then, if anyone did spy upon + her they would not see the dark scarf which united her wrist with the + door. + </p> + <p> + In spite of the danger of her situation she had the utmost difficulty in + keeping awake. The rumble of the train had a very somnolent effect, and + once or twice she started up, fearing that she had been slumbering. Once + she experienced a tightening sensation in her throat, and sprang to the + floor, seeing the rising gas somehow made visible, the colour of blood. + The scarf drew her to her knees, and for a moment she thought someone + clutched her wrist. Panting, she undid the scarf and flooded the room with + light. Her heart was beating wildly, but all was still, save the + ever-present rumble of the train rushing through the darkness over the + boundless plains of Russia. She looked at her tiny watch, it was two + o’clock in the morning. She knew then that she must have fallen asleep in + spite of her strong resolutions. The letter was still in the inside pocket + of her jacket, and all was well at two in the morning. No eye appeared at + either of the apertures, so she covered up the light once more and lay + down again, sighing to think how rumpled her dainty costume would look in + the morning. Now she was resolved not to go to sleep, if force of will + could keep her awake. A moment later she was startled by someone beating + down the partition with an axe. She sprang up, and again the scarf pulled + her back. She untied it from her wrist and noticed that daylight flooded + the compartment. This amazed her; how could it be daylight so soon? Had + she been asleep again, and was the fancied battering at the door with an + axe merely the conclusion of a dream caused by the conductor’s knock? + After a breathless pause there came a gentle rap on her door, and the + voice of the conductor said,— + </p> + <p> + “Breakfast at Luga, madame, in three-quarters of an hour.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good,” she replied in English, her voice trembling with fear. Slowly + she untied the scarf from the door and placed it in her handbag. She + shivered notwithstanding her effort at self-control, for she knew she had + slept through the night, and far into the morning. In agitation she + unbuttoned her jacket. Yes; there was the letter, just where she had + placed it. She dare not take it out and examine it, fearing still that she + might be watched from some unseen quarter, but “Thank God,” she said to + herself fervently, “this horrible night is ended. Once over the frontier I + am safe.” She smoothed and brushed down her dress as well as she was able, + and was greatly refreshed by her wash in cold water, which is one of the + luxuries, not the least acceptable, on a sleeping car. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. JENNIE EXPERIENCES THE SURPRISE OF HER LIFE. + </h2> + <p> + At nine o’clock the long train came to a standstill, seventeen minutes + late at Luga, and ample time was allowed for a leisurely breakfast in the + buffet of the station. The restaurant was thronged with numerous + passengers, most of whom seemed hardly yet awake, while many were unkempt + and dishevelled, as if they had had little sleep during the night. + </p> + <p> + Jennie found a small table and sat down beside it, ordering her coffee and + rolls from the waiter who came to serve her. Looking round at the + cosmopolitan company, and listening to the many languages, whose clash + gave a Babel air to the restaurant, Jennie fell to musing on the strange + experiences she had encountered since leaving London. It seemed to her she + had been taking part in some ghastly nightmare, and she shuddered as she + thought of the lawlessness, under cover of law, of this great and despotic + empire, where even the ruler was under the surveillance of his + subordinates, and could not get a letter out of his own dominion in + safety, were he so minded. In her day-dream she became conscious, without + noting its application to herself, that a man was standing before her + table; then a voice which made her heart stop said,— + </p> + <p> + “Ah, lost Princess!” + </p> + <p> + She placed her hand suddenly to her throat, for the catch in her breath + seemed to be suffocating her, then looked up and saw Lord Donal Stirling, + in the ordinary everyday dress of an English gentleman, as well groomed as + if he had come, not from a train, but from his own house. There was a + kindly smile on his lips and a sparkle in his eyes, but his face was of + ghastly pallor. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Lord Donal!” she cried, regarding him with eyes of wonder and fear, + “what is wrong with you?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” the young man replied, with an attempt at a laugh; “nothing, + now that I have found you, Princess. I have been making a night of it, + that’s all, and am suffering the consequences in the morning. May I sit + down?” + </p> + <p> + He dropped into a chair on the other side of the table, like a man + thoroughly exhausted, unable to stand longer, and went on,— + </p> + <p> + “Like all dissipated men, I am going to break my fast on stimulants. + Waiter,” he said, “bring me a large glass of your best brandy.” + </p> + <p> + “And, waiter,” interjected Jennie in French, “bring two breakfasts. I + suppose it was not a meal that you ordered just now, Lord Donal?” + </p> + <p> + “I have ordered my breakfast,” he said; “still, it pleads in my favour + that I do not carry brandy with me, as I ought to do, and so must drink + the vile stuff they call their best here.” + </p> + <p> + “You should eat as well,” she insisted, taking charge of him as if she had + every right to do so. + </p> + <p> + “All shall be as you say, now that I have the happiness of seeing you + sitting opposite me, but don’t be surprised if I show a most + unappreciative appetite.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter?” she asked breathlessly. “You certainly look very + ill.” + </p> + <p> + “I have been drugged and robbed,” he replied, lowering his voice. “I + imagine I came to close quarters with death itself. I have spent a night + in Hades, and this morning am barely able to stagger; but the sight of + you, Princess—Ah, well, I feel once more that I belong to the land + of the living!” + </p> + <p> + “Please do not call me Princess,” said the girl, looking down at the + tablecloth. + </p> + <p> + “Then what am I to call you, Princess?” + </p> + <p> + “My name is Jennie Baxter,” she said in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Miss</i> Jennie Baxter?” he asked eagerly, with emphasis on the first + word. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Jennie Baxter,” she answered, still not looking up at him. + </p> + <p> + He leaned back in his chair and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Well, this is not such a bad world, after all. To think of meeting you + here in Russia! Have you been in St. Petersburg, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. I am a newspaper woman,” explained Jennie hurriedly. “When you met + me before, I was there surreptitiously—fraudulently, if you like; I + was there to—to write a report of it for my paper. I can never thank + you enough, Lord Donal, for your kindness to me that evening.” + </p> + <p> + “Your thanks are belated,” said the young man, with a visible attempt at + gaiety. “You should have written and acknowledged the kindness you are + good enough to say I rendered to you. You knew my address, and etiquette + demanded that you should make your acknowledgments.” + </p> + <p> + “I was reluctant to write,” said Jennie, a smile hovering round her lips, + “fearing my letter might act as a clue. I had no wish to interfere with + the legitimate business of Mr. Cadbury Taylor.” + </p> + <p> + “Great heavens!” cried the young man, “how came you to know about that? + But of course the Princess von Steinheimer told you of it. She wrote to me + charging me with all sorts of wickedness for endeavouring to find you.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Lord Donal, I did not learn it from her. In fact, if you had opened + the door of the inner room at Mr. Cadbury Taylor’s a little quicker, you + would have come upon me, for I was the assistant who tried to persuade him + that you really met the Princess von Steinheimer.” + </p> + <p> + Lord Donal, for the first time, laughed heartily. + </p> + <p> + “Well, if that doesn’t beat all! And I suppose Cadbury Taylor hasn’t the + slightest suspicion that you are the person he was looking for?” + </p> + <p> + “No, not the slightest.” + </p> + <p> + “I say! that is the best joke I have heard in ten years,” said Lord Donal; + and here, breakfast arriving, Jennie gave him his directions. + </p> + <p> + “You are to drink a small portion of that brandy,” she said, “and then put + the rest in your coffee. You must eat a good breakfast, and that will help + you to forget your troubles,—that is, if you have any real + troubles.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my troubles are real enough,” said the young man. “When I met you + before, Princess, I was reasonably successful. We even talked about + ambassadorships, didn’t we, in spite of the fact that ambassadors were + making themselves unnecessarily obtrusive that night? Now you see before + you a ruined man. No, I am not joking; it is true. I was given a + commission, or, rather, knowing the danger there was in it, I begged that + the commission might be given me. It was merely to take a letter from St. + Petersburg to London. I have failed, and when that is said, all is said.” + </p> + <p> + “But surely,” cried the girl, blushing guiltily as she realized that this + was the man she had been sent to rob, “you could not be expected to ward + off such a lawless attempt at murder as you have been the victim of?” + </p> + <p> + “That is just what I expected, and what I supposed I could ward off. In my + profession—which, after all has a great similarity to yours, except + that I think we have to do more lying in ours—there must be no such + word as fail. The very best excuses are listened to with tolerance, + perhaps, and a shrug of the shoulders; but failure, no matter from what + cause, is fell doom. I have failed. I shall not make any excuses. I will + go to London and say merely, ‘The Russian police have robbed me.’ Oh, I + know perfectly well who did the trick, and how it was done. Then I shall + send in my resignation. They will accept it with polite words of regret, + and will say to each other, ‘Poor fellow, he had a brilliant career before + him, but he got drunk, or something, and fell into the ditch.’ Ah, well, + we won’t talk any more about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you don’t despise the newspaper profession, Lord Donal?” + </p> + <p> + “Despise it! Bless you, no: I look up to it. Belonging myself to a + profession very much lower down in the scale of morality, as I have said. + But, Princess,” he added, leaning towards her, “will you resign from the + newspaper if I resign from diplomacy?” + </p> + <p> + The girl slowly shook her head, her eyes on the tablecloth before her. + </p> + <p> + “I will telegraph my resignation,” he said impetuously, “if you will + telegraph yours to your paper.” + </p> + <p> + “You are feeling ill and worried this morning, Lord Donal, and so you take + a pessimistic view of life. You must not resign.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but I must. I have failed, and that is enough.” + </p> + <p> + “It isn’t enough. You must do nothing until you reach London.” + </p> + <p> + “I like your word <i>must</i>, Jennie,” said the young man audaciously. + “It implies something, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “What does it imply, Lord Donal?” she asked, glancing up at him. + </p> + <p> + “It implies that you are going to leave the ‘Lord’ off my name.” + </p> + <p> + “That wouldn’t be very difficult,” replied Jennie. + </p> + <p> + “I am delighted to hear you say so,” exclaimed his lordship; “and now, + that I may know how it sounds from your dear lips, call me Don.” + </p> + <p> + “No; if I ever consented to omit the title, I should call you Donal. I + like the name in its entirety.” + </p> + <p> + He reached his hand across the table. “Are you willing then, to accept a + man at the very lowest ebb of his fortunes? I know that if I were of the + mould that heroes are made of, I would hesitate to proffer you a blighted + life. But I loved you the moment I saw you; and, remembering my fruitless + search for you, I cannot run the risk of losing you again; I have not the + courage.” + </p> + <p> + She placed her hand in his and looked him, for the first time, squarely in + the eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure, Donal,” she said, “that I am not a mere effigy on which you + are hanging the worn-out garments of a past affection? You thought I was + the Princess at first.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I didn’t,” he protested. “As soon as I heard you speak, I knew you + were the one I was destined to meet.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Donal, Donal, at lovers’ perjuries they say Jove laughs. I don’t + think you were quite so certain as all that. But I, too, am a coward, and + I dare not refuse you.” + </p> + <p> + Lord Donal glanced quickly about him; the room was still crowded. Even the + Berlin Express gave them a long time for breakfast, and was in no hurry to + move westward. His hurried gaze returned to her and he sighed. + </p> + <p> + “What an unholy spot for a proposal!” he whispered; “and yet they call + Russia the Great Lone Land. Oh, that we had a portion of it entirely to + ourselves!” + </p> + <p> + The girl sat there, a smile on her pretty lips that Lord Donal thought + most tantalizing. A railway official announced in a loud voice that the + train was about to resume its journey. There was a general shuffling of + feet as the passengers rose to take their places. + </p> + <p> + “Brothers and sisters kiss each other, you know, on the eve of a railway + journey,” said Lord Donal, taking advantage of the confusion. + </p> + <p> + Jennie Baxter made no protest. + </p> + <p> + “There is plenty of time,” he whispered. “I know the leisurely nature of + Russian trains. Now I am going to the telegraph office, to send in my + resignation, and I want you to come with me and send in yours.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Lord Donal,” said the girl. + </p> + <p> + “Aren’t you going to resign?” he asked, in surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, all in good time; but <i>you</i> are not.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I say,” he cried, “it is really imperative. I’ll tell you all about + it when we get on the train.” + </p> + <p> + “It is really imperative that you should not send in your resignation. + Indeed, Donal, you need not look at me with that surprised air. You may as + well get accustomed to dictation at once. You did it yourself, you know. + You can’t say that I encouraged you. I eluded the vigilant Cadbury Taylor + as long as I could. But, if there is time, go to the telegraph office and + send a message to the real Princess, Palace Steinheimer, Vienna. Say you + are engaged to be married to Jennie Baxter, and ask her to telegraph you + her congratulations at Berlin.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll do it,” replied the young man with gratifying alacrity. + </p> + <p> + When Lord Donal came out of the telegraph office, Jennie said to him, + “Wait a moment while I go into the sleeping car and get my rugs and + handbag.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll go for them,” he cried impetuously. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no,” she said. “I’ll tell you why, later. The conductor is a villain + and was in collusion with the police.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know that,” said Lord Donal. “Poor devil, he can’t help himself; he + must do what the police order him to do, while he is in Russia.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll get my things and go into an ordinary first class carriage. When I + pass this door, you must get your belongings and come and find me. There + is still time, and I don’t want the conductor to see us together.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said the young man with exemplary obedience. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. JENNIE CONVERSES WITH A YOUNG MAN SHE THINKS MUCH OF. + </h2> + <p> + When the train started, they were seated together in a carriage far + forward. + </p> + <p> + “One of my failings,” said the girl, “is to act first, and think + afterwards. I am sorry now that I asked you to send that telegram to the + Princess.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I have a great deal to tell you, and perhaps you may wish to + withdraw from the rash engagement you have undertaken.” + </p> + <p> + “A likely thing!” cried the ardent lover. “Indeed, Miss Princess, if you + think you can get rid of me as easily as all that, you are very much + mistaken.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I want to tell you why I did not allow you to resign.” + </p> + <p> + Slowly she undid the large buttons of her jacket, then, taking it by the + lapel and holding it so that no one else could see, she drew partly forth + from the inside pocket the large envelope, until the stamp of the Embassy + was plainly visible. Lord Donal’s eyes opened to their widest capacity, + and his breath seemed to stop. + </p> + <p> + “Great heavens!” he gasped at last, “do you mean to say <i>you</i> have + it?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she said, buttoning up her jacket again. “I robbed the robbers. + Listen, and I will tell you all that happened. But, first, are you armed?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he replied, “I have a trumpery revolver in my pocket; little good + it did me last night.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, we shall be across the frontier by noon to-day. If the Russian + authorities find before that time how they have been checkmated, and if + they have any suspicion that I am the cause of it, is it not likely that + they will have me stopped and searched on some pretence or other?” Lord + Donal pondered for a moment. “They are quite capable of it,” he said; + “but, Jennie, I will fight for you against the whole Russian Empire, and + somebody will get hurt if you are meddled with. The police will hesitate, + however, before interfering with a messenger from the Embassy, or anyone + in his charge in broad daylight on a crowded train. We will not go back + into that car, but stay here, where some of our fellow-countrymen are.” + </p> + <p> + “That is what I was going to propose,” said Jennie. “And now listen to the + story I have to tell you, and then you will know exactly why I came to + Russia.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t tell me anything you would rather not,” said the young man + hurriedly. + </p> + <p> + “I would rather not, but it must be told,” answered the girl. + </p> + <p> + The story lasted a long time, and when it was ended the young man cried + enthusiastically in answer to her question,— + </p> + <p> + “Blame you? Why, of course I don’t blame you in the slightest. It wasn’t + Hardwick who sent you here at all, but Providence. Providence brought us + together, Jennie, and my belief in it hereafter will be unshaken.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie laughed a contented little laugh, and said she was flattered at + being considered an envoy of Providence. + </p> + <p> + “It is only another way of saying you are an angel, Jennie,” remarked the + bold young man. + </p> + <p> + They crossed the frontier without interference, and, once in Germany, + Jennie took the object of so much contention and placed it in the hands of + her lover. + </p> + <p> + “There,” she whispered, with a tiny sigh, for she was giving up the fruits + of her greatest achievement, “put that in your despatch box, and see that + it doesn’t leave that receptacle until you reach London. I hope the + Russians will like the copy of the <i>Daily Bugle</i> they find in their + envelope.” + </p> + <p> + The two chatted together throughout the long ride to Berlin, and when 11 + p.m. and the Schleischer station came at last, they still seemed only to + have begun their conversation, so much more remained to be told. + </p> + <p> + The telegram from the Princess was handed to Lord Donal at Berlin. + </p> + <p> + “I congratulate you most sincerely,” she wired; “and tell Jennie the next + time you see her”—Lord Donal laughed as he read this aloud—“that + the Austrian Government has awarded her thirty thousand pounds for her + share in enabling them to recover their gold, and little enough I think it + is, considering what she has done.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, I call that downright handsome of the Austrian Government,” cried + Lord Donal. “I thought they were going to fight us when I read the speech + of their Prime Minister, but, instead of that, they are making wedding + presents to our nice girls.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that comes through the good-heartedness of the Princess, and the + kindness of the Prince,” said Jennie. “He has managed it.” + </p> + <p> + “But what in the world did you do for the Austrian Government, Jennie?” + </p> + <p> + “That is a long story, Donal, and I think a most interesting one.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, let us thank heaven that we have a long journey for you to tell it + and me to listen.” + </p> + <p> + And saying this, the unabashed, forward young man took the liberty of + kissing his fair companion good-night, right there amidst all the turmoil + and bustle of the Schleischer Bahnhof in Berlin. + </p> + <p> + It was early in the morning when the two met again in the restaurant car. + The train had passed Cologne and was now rushing up that picturesque + valley through which runs the brawling little river Vesdre. Lord Donal and + Jennie had the car to themselves, and they chose a table near the centre + of it and there ordered their breakfast. The situation was a most + picturesque one. The broad, clear plate glass windows on each side + displayed, in rapid succession, a series of landscapes well worth viewing; + the densely wooded hills, the cheerful country houses, the swift roaring + stream lashing itself into fleecy foam; now and then a glimpse of an old + ruined castle on the heights, and, in the deep valley, here and there a + water mill. + </p> + <p> + It was quite evident that Jennie had slept well, and, youth being on her + side, her rest had compensated for the nightmare of the Russian journey. + She was simply but very effectively dressed, and looked as fresh and + pretty and cool and sweet as a snowdrop. The enchanted young man found it + impossible to lure his eyes away from her, and when, with a little laugh, + Jennie protested that he was missing all the fine scenery, he answered + that he had something much more beautiful to look upon; whereat Jennie + blushed most enticingly, smiled at him, but made no further protest. + Whether it was his joy in meeting Jennie, or the result of his night’s + sleep, or his relief at finding that his career was not wrecked, as he had + imagined, or all three together, Lord Donal seemed his old self again, and + was as bright, witty, and cheerful as a boy home for the holidays. They + enjoyed their breakfast with the relish that youth and a healthy appetite + gives to a dainty meal well served. The rolls were brown and toothsome, + the butter, in thick corrugated spirals, was of a delicious golden colour, + cold and crisp. The coffee was all that coffee should be, and the waiter + was silent and attentive. Russia, like an evil vision, was far behind, and + the train sped through splendid scenery swiftly towards England and home. + </p> + <p> + The young man leaned back in his chair, interlaced his fingers behind his + head, and gazed across at Jennie, drawing a sigh of deep satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + “Well, this <i>is</i> jolly,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” murmured Jennie, “it’s very nice. I always did enjoy foreign + travel, especially when it can be done in luxury; but, alas! luxury costs + money, doesn’t it?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you don’t need to mind, you are rich.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true; I had forgotten all about it.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope, Jennie, that the fact of my travelling on a <i>train de luxe</i> + has not deluded you regarding my wealth. I should have told you that I + usually travel third class when I am transporting myself in my private + capacity. I am wringing this pampered elegance from the reluctant pockets + of the British taxpayer. When I travel for the British Government I say, + as <i>Pooh Bah</i> said to <i>Koko</i> in the ‘Mikado,’ ‘Do it well, my + boy,’ or words to that effect.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed,” laughed Jennie, “I am in a somewhat similar situation; the + newspaper is paying all the expenses of this trip, but I shall insist on + returning the money to the <i>Bugle</i> now that I have failed in my + mission.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me, how much more honest the newspaper business is than diplomacy! + The idea of returning any money never even occurred to me. The mere + suggestion freezes my young blood and makes each particular hair to stand + on end like quills upon the fretful porcupine. Our motto in the service + is, Get all you can, and keep all you get.” + </p> + <p> + “But then, you see, your case differs from mine; you did your best to + succeed, and I failed through my own choice; and thus I sit here a traitor + to my paper.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Jennie,” said the young man, picking up the despatch-box, which he + never allowed to leave his sight, and placing it on the table, “you’ve + only to say the word, and this contentious letter is in your possession + again. Do you regret your generosity?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, no, no, no, I would not have it back on any account. Even looking + at the matter in the most materialistic way, success means far more to you + than it does to me. As you say, I am rich, therefore I am going to give up + my newspaper career. I suppose that is why women very rarely make great + successes of their lives. A woman’s career so often is merely of + incidental interest to her; a man’s career is his whole life.” + </p> + <p> + “What a pity it is,” mused the young man, “that one person’s success + usually means another person’s failure. If I were the generous, + whole-souled person I sometimes imagine myself to be, I should refuse to + accept success at the price of your failure. You have actually succeeded, + while I have actually failed. With a generosity that makes me feel small + and mean, you hand over your success to me, and I selfishly accept it. But + I compound with my conscience in this way. You and I are to be married; + then we will be one. That one shall be heir to all the successes of each + of us and shall disclaim all the failures of each. Isn’t that a good + idea?” + </p> + <p> + “Excellent,” replied Jennie; “nevertheless, I cannot help feeling just a + little sorry for poor Mr. Hardwick.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is he—the editor?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. He <i>did</i> have such faith in me that it seems almost a pity to + disappoint him.” + </p> + <p> + “You mustn’t trouble your mind about Hardwick. Don’t think of him at all; + think of me instead.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid I do, and have done so for some time past; nevertheless, I + shall get off at Liege and telegraph to him that I am not bringing the + document to London.” + </p> + <p> + “I will send the telegram for you when we reach there; but, if I remember + rightly what you told me of his purpose, he can’t be very deeply + disappointed. I understood you to say that he did not intend to publish + the document, even if he got it.” + </p> + <p> + “That is quite true. He wished to act as the final messenger himself, and + was to meet me at Charing Cross Station, secure the envelope, and take it + at once to its destination.” + </p> + <p> + “I must confess,” said the young man, with a bewildered expression, “that + I don’t see the object of that. Are you sure he told you the truth?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes. The object was this. It seems that there is in the Foreign + Office some crusty old curmudgeon who delights in baffling Mr. Hardwick. + This official—I forget his name; in fact, I don’t think Mr. Hardwick + told me who he was—seems to forget the <i>Daily Bugle</i> when + important items of news are to be given out, and Mr. Hardwick says that he + favours one of the rival papers, and the <i>Bugle</i> has been unable, so + far, to receive anything like fair treatment from him; so Mr. Hardwick + wanted to take the document to him, and thus convince him there was danger + in making an enemy of the <i>Daily Bugle</i>. As I understood his project, + which didn’t commend itself very much to me, Hardwick had no intention of + making a bargain, but simply proposed to hand over the document, and ask + the Foreign Office man to give the <i>Bugle</i> its fair share in what was + going.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to say that the official in question is the man to whom I am + to give this letter?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my prophetic soul, my uncle! Why, that is Sir James Cardiff, the + elder brother of my mother; he is a dear old chap, but I can well + understand an outsider thinking him gruff and uncivil. If the editor + really means what he says, then there will be no difficulty and no + disappointment. If all that is needed is the winning over of old Jimmy to + be civil to Hardwick, I can guarantee that. I am the especial <i>protégé</i> + of my uncle. Everything I know I have learned from him. He cannot + understand why the British Government does not appoint me immediately + Ambassador to France; Jimmy would do it to-morrow if he had the power. It + was through him that I heard of this letter, and I believe his influence + had a good deal to do with my getting the commission of special messenger. + It was the chagrin that my uncle Jimmy would have felt, had I failed, that + put the final drop of bitterness in my cup of sorrow when I came to my + senses after my encounter with the Russian police. That would have been a + stunning blow to Sir James Cardiff. We shall reach Charing Cross about + 7.30 to-night, and Sir James will be there with his brougham to take + charge of me when I arrive. Now, what do you say to our settling all this + under the canopy of Charing Cross Station? If you telegraph Mr. Hardwick + to meet us there, I will introduce him to Sir James, and he will never + have any more trouble in that quarter.” + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said the girl, looking down at the tablecloth, “that I’d rather + not have Mr. Hardwick meet us.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course not,” answered the young man quickly. “What was I thinking + about? It will be a family gathering, and we don’t want any outsiders + about, do we?” + </p> + <p> + Jennie laughed, but made no reply. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. JENNIE KEEPS STEP WITH THE WEDDING MARCH. + </h2> + <p> + They had a smooth and speedy passage across from Calais to Dover, and the + train drew in at Charing Cross Station exactly on time. Lord Donal + recognized his uncle’s brougham waiting for him, and on handing the young + lady out of the railway carriage he espied the old man himself closely + scrutinizing the passengers. Sir James, catching sight of him, came + eagerly forward and clasped both his nephew’s hands. + </p> + <p> + “Donal,” he cried, “I am very glad indeed to see you. Is everything + right?” + </p> + <p> + “As right as can be, uncle.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I am glad of that, too, for we have had some very disquieting hints + from the East.” + </p> + <p> + “They were quite justified, as I shall tell you later on; but meanwhile, + uncle, allow me to introduce to you Miss Baxter, who has done me the + honour of promising to be my wife.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie blushed in the searching rays of the electric light as the old man + turned quickly towards her. Sir James held her hand in his for some + moments before he spoke, gazing intently at her. Then he said slowly, “Ah, + Donal, Donal, you always had a keen eye for the beautiful.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I say,” cried the young man, abashed at his uncle’s frankness, “I + don’t call that a diplomatic remark at all, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, Sir James,” said the girl, laughing merrily, “it is better than + diplomatic, it is complimentary, and I assure you I appreciate it. The + first time he met me he took me for quite another person.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, whoever that person is, my dear,” replied the old man, “I’ll + guarantee she is a lovely woman. And you mustn’t mind what I say; nobody + else does, otherwise my boy Donal here would be much higher in the service + than the present moment finds him; but I am pleased to tell you that the + journey he has now finished will prove greatly to his advantage.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, uncle, that is true,” said the young man, looking at his + betrothed, “for on this journey I met again Miss Baxter, whom, to my great + grief, I had lost for some time. And now, uncle, I want you to do me a + great favour. Do you know Mr. Hardwick, editor of the <i>Daily Bugle</i>?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know him; but I don’t like him, nor his paper either.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, neither do the Russians, for that matter, by this time, and I + merely wish to tell you that if it hadn’t been for his action, and for the + promptness of a member of his staff, I should have failed in this mission. + I was drugged by the Russian police and robbed. Miss Baxter, who was on + the train, saw something of what was going forward, and succeeded, most + deftly, in despoiling the robbers. I was lying insensible at the time and + helpless. She secured the document and handed it back to me when we had + crossed the frontier, leaving in the hands of the Russians a similar + envelope containing a copy of the <i>Daily Bugle</i>; therefore, uncle, if + in future you can do anything to oblige Mr. Hardwick, you will help in a + measure to cancel the obligation which our family owes to him.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear boy, I shall be delighted to do so. I am afraid I have been + rather uncivil to him. If you wish it, I will go at once and apologize to + him.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no,” cried Jennie, “you must not do that; but if you can help him + without jeopardizing the service, I, for one, will be very glad.” + </p> + <p> + “So shall I,” said Donal. + </p> + <p> + The old man took out his card-case, and on the back of his card scribbled + a most cordial invitation to Hardwick, asking him to call on him. He + handed this to Jennie, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Tell Mr. Hardwick that I shall be pleased to see him at any time.” + </p> + <p> + “And now,” said Lord Donal, “you must let us both escort you home in the + carriage.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no. I shall take a hansom, and will go directly to the office of the + <i>Bugle</i>, for Mr. Hardwick will be there by this time.” + </p> + <p> + “But we can drive you there.” + </p> + <p> + “No, please.” + </p> + <p> + She held out her hand to Sir James and said, with the least bit of + hesitation before uttering the last word, “Good night—uncle.” + </p> + <p> + “Good night, my dear,” said the old man, “and God bless you,” he added + with a tenderness which his appearance, so solemn and stately, left one + unprepared for. + </p> + <p> + Lord Donal saw his betrothed into a hansom, protesting all the while at + thus having to allow her to go off unprotected. + </p> + <p> + “What an old darling he is,” murmured Jennie, ignoring his protests. “I + think if Mr. Hardwick had allowed me to look after the interests of the + paper at the Foreign Office, Sir James would not have snubbed me.” + </p> + <p> + “If the Foreign Office dared to do such a thing, it would hear of + something not to its advantage from the Diplomatic Service; and so, + goodnight, my dear.” And, with additions, the nephew repeated the + benediction of the uncle. + </p> + <p> + Jennie drove directly to the office of the <i>Daily Bugle</i>, and, for + the last time, mounting the stairs, entered the editorial rooms. She found + Mr. Hardwick at his desk, and he sprang up quickly on seeing who his + visitor was. “Ah, you have returned,” he cried. “You didn’t telegraph to + me, so I suppose that means failure.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know, Mr. Hardwick. It all depends on whether or not your object + was exactly what you told me it was.” + </p> + <p> + “And what was that? I think I told you that my desire was to get + possession of the document which was being transmitted from St. Petersburg + to London.” + </p> + <p> + “No; you said the object was the mollifying of old Sir James Cardiff, of + the Foreign Office.” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly; that was the ultimate object, of course.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well. Read this card. Sir James gave it to me at Charing Cross + Station less than half an hour ago.” + </p> + <p> + The editor took the card, turned it over in his hands once or twice, and + read the cordial message which the old man had scribbled on the back of + it. + </p> + <p> + “Then you have succeeded,” cried Hardwick. “You got the document; but why + did you give it to Sir James yourself, instead of letting me hand it to + him?” + </p> + <p> + “That is a long story. To put it briefly, it was because the messenger + carrying the document was Lord Donal Stirling, who is—who is—an + old friend of mine. Sir James is his uncle, and Lord Donal promised that + he would persuade the old man to let other newspapers have no advantages + which he refused to the <i>Daily Bugle</i>. I did not give the document to + Sir James, I gave it back to Lord Donal.” + </p> + <p> + “Lord Donal Stirling—Lord Donal Stirling,” mused the editor. “Where + have I heard that name before?” + </p> + <p> + “He is a member of the British Embassy at St. Petersburg, so you may have + seen his name in the despatches.” + </p> + <p> + “No. He is not so celebrated as all that comes to. Ah, I remember now. I + met the detective the other night and asked him if anything had come of + that romance in high life, to solve which he had asked your assistance. He + said the search for the missing lady had been abandoned, and mentioned the + name of Lord Donal Stirling as the foolish young man who had been engaged + in the pursuit of the unknown.” + </p> + <p> + Jennie coloured at this and drew herself up indignantly. + </p> + <p> + “Before you say anything further against Lord Donal,” she cried hotly, “I + wish to inform you that he and I are to be married.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I beg your pardon,” said the editor icily. “Then, having failed to + find the other girl, he has speedily consoled himself by—” + </p> + <p> + “There was no other girl. I was the person of whom Mr. Cadbury Taylor was + in search. I willingly gave him valuable assistance in the task of failing + to find myself. Having only a stupid man to deal with, I had little + difficulty in accomplishing my purpose. Neither Mr. Taylor nor Mr. + Hardwick ever suspected that the missing person was in their own employ.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I’m blessed!” ejaculated Hardwick. “So you baffled Cadbury Taylor + in searching for yourself, as you baffled me in getting hold of the + Russian letter. It seems to me, Miss Baxter, that where your own + inclinations do not coincide with the wishes of your employers, the + interests of those who pay you fall to the ground.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Cadbury Taylor didn’t pay me anything for my services as amateur + detective, and he has, therefore, no right to grumble. As for the St. + Petersburg trip, I shall send you a cheque for all expenses incurred as + soon as I reach home.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you mistake me,” asserted Mr. Hardwick earnestly. “I had no thought + of even hinting that you have not earned over and over again all the money + the <i>Daily Bugle</i> has paid you; besides, I was longing for your + return, for I want your assistance in solving a mystery that has rather + puzzled us all. Paris is in a turmoil just now over the—” + </p> + <p> + Jennie’s clear laugh rang out. + </p> + <p> + “I am going over to Paris in a day or two, Mr. Hardwick, to solve the + mystery of dressmaking, and I think, from what I know of it already, it + will require my whole attention. I must insist on returning to you the + cost of the St. Petersburg journey, for, after all, it proved to be rather + a personal excursion, and I couldn’t think of allowing the paper to pay + for it. I merely came in to-night to hand you this card from Sir James + Cardiff, and I also desired to tender to you personally my resignation. + And so I must bid you good-bye, Mr. Hardwick,” said the girl holding out + her hand; “and I thank you very much indeed for having given me a chance + to work on your paper.” + </p> + <p> + Before the editor could reply, she was gone, and that good man sat down in + his chair bewildered by the suddenness of it all, the room looking empty + and dismal, lacking her presence. + </p> + <p> + “Confound Lord Donal Stirling!” he muttered under his breath, and then, as + an editor should he went on impassively with his night’s work. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + It was intended that the wedding should be rather a quiet affair, but + circumstances proved too strong for the young people. Lord Donal was very + popular and the bride was very beautiful. Sir James thought it necessary + to invite a great many people, and he intimated to Lord Donal that a + highly placed personage desired to honour the function with his presence. + And thus the event created quite a little flutter in the smart set. The + society papers affirmed that this elevated personage had been particularly + pleased by some diplomatic service which Lord Donal had recently rendered + him; but then, of course, one can never believe what one reads in the + society press. However, the man of exalted rank was there, and so people + said that perhaps there might be something in the rumour. Naturally there + was a great turn-out of ambassadors and ministers, and their presence gave + colour and dignity to the crush at St. George’s, Hanover Square. The + Princess von Steinheimer made a special journey from Vienna to attend, and + on this occasion she brought the Prince with her. The general opinion was + that the bridegroom was a very noble-looking fellow, and that the bride, + in her sumptuous wedding apparel, was quite too lovely for anything. + </p> + <p> + The Princess was exceedingly bright and gay, and she chatted with her old + friends the Ambassadors from Austria and America. + </p> + <p> + “I’m <i>so</i> sorry,” she said to the Ambassador from America, “that I + did not have time to speak with you at the Duchess of Chiselhurst’s ball, + but I was compelled to leave early. You should have come to me sooner. The + Count here was much more gallant. We had a most delightful conversation, + hadn’t we, Count? I was with Lord Donal, you remember.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes,” replied the aged Austrian, bowing low; “I shall not soon forget + the charming conversation I had with your Highness, and I hope you, on + your part, have not forgotten the cordial invitation you gave me to visit + again your castle at Meran.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, Count, you know very well how glad I am to see you at any time, + either in Vienna or at Meran.” + </p> + <p> + The American Ambassador remained silent, and glanced alternately from the + bride to the Princess with a puzzled expression on his face. + </p> + <p> + The mystery of the Duchess of Chiselhurst’s Ball proved too much for him, + as the search for the missing lady had proved too much for Mr. Cadbury + Taylor. + </p> + <p> + THE END <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg’s Jennie Baxter, Journalist, by Robert Barr + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JENNIE BAXTER, JOURNALIST *** + +***** This file should be named 9300-h.htm or 9300-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/9/3/0/9300/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, David Widger and PG +Distributed Proofreaders from images generously made +available by the Canadian Institute for Historical +Microreproductions + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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