diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:19:52 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:19:52 -0700 |
| commit | d5f9c65927bc8a7dd08149508b9b94e34cd02631 (patch) | |
| tree | 7a3c96bb96cea962a7d2eb9f208eea932e699b0a /2813-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '2813-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 2813-h/2813-h.htm | 10966 |
1 files changed, 10966 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/2813-h/2813-h.htm b/2813-h/2813-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..040a70a --- /dev/null +++ b/2813-h/2813-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10966 @@ +<?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> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <title> + The Grand Babylon Hotel, by Arnold Bennett + </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 The Grand Babylon Hotel, by Arnold Bennett + +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: The Grand Babylon Hotel + +Author: Arnold Bennett + +Release Date: December 14, 2008 [EBook #2813] +Last Updated: November 1, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GRAND BABYLON HOTEL *** + + + + +Produced by David Reed, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE GRAND BABYLON HÔTEL + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Arnold Bennett + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + <i>T. Racksole & Daughter</i> + </h3> + <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 One. </a> THE + MILLIONAIRE AND THE WAITER <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> Chapter + Two. </a> HOW MR RACKSOLE OBTAINED HIS DINNER <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0003"> Chapter Three. </a> AT THREE A.M. <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> Chapter Four. </a> ENTRANCE OF THE + PRINCE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> Chapter Five. </a> WHAT + OCCURRED TO REGINALD DIMMOCK <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> Chapter + Six. </a> IN THE GOLD ROOM <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> + Chapter Seven. </a> NELLA AND THE PRINCE <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0008"> Chapter Eight. </a> ARRIVAL AND + DEPARTURE OF THE BARONESS <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> Chapter + Nine. </a> TWO WOMEN AND THE REVOLVER <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0010"> Chapter Ten. </a> AT SEA <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0011"> Chapter Eleven. </a> THE COURT + PAWNBROKER <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> Chapter Twelve. </a> ROCCO + AND ROOM NO. 111 <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> Chapter Thirteen. + </a> IN THE STATE BEDROOM <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0014"> + Chapter Fourteen. </a> ROCCO ANSWERS SOME QUESTIONS <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> Chapter Fifteen. </a> END OF THE + YACHT ADVENTURE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> Chapter Sixteen. + </a> THE WOMAN WITH THE RED HAT <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0017"> Chapter Seventeen. </a> THE RELEASE OF + PRINCE EUGEN <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0018"> Chapter Eighteen. </a> IN + THE NIGHT-TIME <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0019"> Chapter Nineteen. + </a> ROYALTY AT THE GRAND BABYLON <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0020"> Chapter Twenty. </a> MR SAMPSON LEVI + BIDS PRINCE EUGEN GOOD MORNING <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0021"> + Chapter Twenty-One. </a> THE RETURN OF FÉLIX BABYLON <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> Chapter Twenty-Two. </a> IN THE WINE + CELLARS OF THE GRAND BABYLON <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0023"> Chapter + Twenty-Three. </a> FURTHER EVENTS IN THE CELLAR <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0024"> Chapter Twenty-Four. </a> THE BOTTLE OF + WINE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0025"> Chapter Twenty-Five. </a> THE + STEAM LAUNCH <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0026"> Chapter Twenty-Six. + </a> THE NIGHT CHASE AND THE MUDLARK <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0027"> Chapter Twenty-Seven. </a> THE + CONFESSION OF MR TOM JACKSON <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0028"> Chapter + Twenty-Eight. </a> THE STATE BEDROOM ONCE + MORE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0029"> Chapter Twenty-Nine. </a> THEODORE + IS CALLED TO THE RESCUE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0030"> Chapter + Thirty. </a> CONCLUSION <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter One THE MILLIONAIRE AND THE WAITER + </h2> + <p> + ‘YES, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + Jules, the celebrated head waiter of the Grand Babylon, was bending + formally towards the alert, middle-aged man who had just entered the + smoking-room and dropped into a basket-chair in the corner by the + conservatory. It was 7.45 on a particularly sultry June night, and dinner + was about to be served at the Grand Babylon. Men of all sizes, ages, and + nationalities, but every one alike arrayed in faultless evening dress, + were dotted about the large, dim apartment. A faint odour of flowers came + from the conservatory, and the tinkle of a fountain. The waiters, + commanded by Jules, moved softly across the thick Oriental rugs, balancing + their trays with the dexterity of jugglers, and receiving and executing + orders with that air of profound importance of which only really + first-class waiters have the secret. The atmosphere was an atmosphere of + serenity and repose, characteristic of the Grand Babylon. It seemed + impossible that anything could occur to mar the peaceful, aristocratic + monotony of existence in that perfectly-managed establishment. Yet on that + night was to happen the mightiest upheaval that the Grand Babylon had ever + known. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, sir?’ repeated Jules, and this time there was a shade of august + disapproval in his voice: it was not usual for him to have to address a + customer twice. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ said the alert, middle-aged man, looking up at length. Beautifully + ignorant of the identity of the great Jules, he allowed his grey eyes to + twinkle as he caught sight of the expression on the waiter’s face. ‘Bring + me an Angel Kiss.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pardon, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Bring me an Angel Kiss, and be good enough to lose no time.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If it’s an American drink, I fear we don’t keep it, sir.’ The voice of + Jules fell icily distinct, and several men glanced round uneasily, as if + to deprecate the slightest disturbance of their calm. The appearance of + the person to whom Jules was speaking, however, reassured them somewhat, + for he had all the look of that expert, the travelled Englishman, who can + differentiate between one hotel and another by instinct, and who knows at + once where he may make a fuss with propriety, and where it is advisable to + behave exactly as at the club. The Grand Babylon was a hotel in whose + smoking-room one behaved as though one was at one’s club. + </p> + <p> + ‘I didn’t suppose you did keep it, but you can mix it, I guess, even in + this hotel.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This isn’t an American hotel, sir.’ The calculated insolence of the words + was cleverly masked beneath an accent of humble submission. + </p> + <p> + The alert, middle-aged man sat up straight, and gazed placidly at Jules, + who was pulling his famous red side-whiskers. + </p> + <p> + ‘Get a liqueur glass,’ he said, half curtly and half with good-humoured + tolerance, ‘pour into it equal quantities of maraschino, cream, and crême + de menthe. Don’t stir it; don’t shake it. Bring it to me. And, I say, tell + the bar-tender—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Bar-tender, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell the bar-tender to make a note of the recipe, as I shall probably + want an Angel Kiss every evening before dinner so long as this weather + lasts.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will send the drink to you, sir,’ said Jules distantly. That was his + parting shot, by which he indicated that he was not as other waiters are, + and that any person who treated him with disrespect did so at his own + peril. + </p> + <p> + A few minutes later, while the alert, middle-aged man was tasting the + Angel Kiss, Jules sat in conclave with Miss Spencer, who had charge of the + bureau of the Grand Babylon. This bureau was a fairly large chamber, with + two sliding glass partitions which overlooked the entrance-hall and the + smoking-room. Only a small portion of the clerical work of the great hotel + was performed there. The place served chiefly as the lair of Miss Spencer, + who was as well known and as important as Jules himself. Most modern + hotels have a male clerk to superintend the bureau. But the Grand Babylon + went its own way. Miss Spencer had been bureau clerk almost since the + Grand Babylon had first raised its massive chimneys to heaven, and she + remained in her place despite the vagaries of other hotels. Always + admirably dressed in plain black silk, with a small diamond brooch, + immaculate wrist-bands, and frizzed yellow hair, she looked now just as + she had looked an indefinite number of years ago. Her age—none knew + it, save herself and perhaps one other, and none cared. The gracious and + alluring contours of her figure were irreproachable; and in the evenings + she was a useful ornament of which any hotel might be innocently proud. + Her knowledge of Bradshaw, of steamship services, and the programmes of + theatres and music-halls was unrivalled; yet she never travelled, she + never went to a theatre or a music-hall. She seemed to spend the whole of + her life in that official lair of hers, imparting information to guests, + telephoning to the various departments, or engaged in intimate + conversations with her special friends on the staff, as at present. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who’s Number 107?’ Jules asked this black-robed lady. + </p> + <p> + Miss Spencer examined her ledgers. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Theodore Racksole, New York.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I thought he must be a New Yorker,’ said Jules, after a brief, + significant pause, ‘but he talks as good English as you or me. Says he + wants an “Angel Kiss”—maraschino and cream, if you please—every + night. I’ll see he doesn’t stop here too long.’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Spencer smiled grimly in response. The notion of referring to + Theodore Racksole as a ‘New Yorker’ appealed to her sense of humour, a + sense in which she was not entirely deficient. She knew, of course, and + she knew that Jules knew, that this Theodore Racksole must be the unique + and only Theodore Racksole, the third richest man in the United States, + and therefore probably in the world. Nevertheless she ranged herself at + once on the side of Jules. + </p> + <p> + Just as there was only one Racksole, so there was only one Jules, and Miss + Spencer instinctively shared the latter’s indignation at the spectacle of + any person whatsoever, millionaire or Emperor, presuming to demand an + ‘Angel Kiss’, that unrespectable concoction of maraschino and cream, + within the precincts of the Grand Babylon. In the world of hotels it was + currently stated that, next to the proprietor, there were three gods at + the Grand Babylon—Jules, the head waiter, Miss Spencer, and, most + powerful of all, Rocco, the renowned chef, who earned two thousand a year, + and had a chalet on the Lake of Lucerne. All the great hotels in + Northumberland Avenue and on the Thames Embankment had tried to get Rocco + away from the Grand Babylon, but without success. Rocco was well aware + that even he could rise no higher than the maître d’hotel of the Grand + Babylon, which, though it never advertised itself, and didn’t belong to a + limited company, stood an easy first among the hotels of Europe—first + in expensiveness, first in exclusiveness, first in that mysterious quality + known as ‘style’. + </p> + <p> + Situated on the Embankment, the Grand Babylon, despite its noble + proportions, was somewhat dwarfed by several colossal neighbours. It had + but three hundred and fifty rooms, whereas there are two hotels within a + quarter of a mile with six hundred and four hundred rooms respectively. On + the other hand, the Grand Babylon was the only hotel in London with a + genuine separate entrance for Royal visitors constantly in use. The Grand + Babylon counted that day wasted on which it did not entertain, at the + lowest, a German prince or the Maharajah of some Indian State. When Felix + Babylon—after whom, and not with any reference to London’s nickname, + the hotel was christened—when Felix Babylon founded the hotel in + 1869 he had set himself to cater for Royalty, and that was the secret of + his triumphant eminence. + </p> + <p> + The son of a rich Swiss hotel proprietor and financier, he had contrived + to established a connection with the officials of several European Courts, + and he had not spared money in that respect. Sundry kings and not a few + princesses called him Felix, and spoke familiarly of the hotel as + ‘Felix’s’; and Felix had found that this was very good for trade. The + Grand Babylon was managed accordingly. The ‘note’ of its policy was + discretion, always discretion, and quietude, simplicity, remoteness. The + place was like a palace incognito. There was no gold sign over the roof, + not even an explanatory word at the entrance. You walked down a small side + street off the Strand, you saw a plain brown building in front of you, + with two mahogany swing doors, and an official behind each; the doors + opened noiselessly; you entered; you were in Felix’s. If you meant to be a + guest, you, or your courier, gave your card to Miss Spencer. Upon no + consideration did you ask for the tariff. It was not good form to mention + prices at the Grand Babylon; the prices were enormous, but you never + mentioned them. At the conclusion of your stay a bill was presented, brief + and void of dry details, and you paid it without a word. You met with a + stately civility, that was all. No one had originally asked you to come; + no one expressed the hope that you would come again. The Grand Babylon was + far above such manoeuvres; it defied competition by ignoring it; and + consequently was nearly always full during the season. + </p> + <p> + If there was one thing more than another that annoyed the Grand Babylon—put + its back up, so to speak—it was to be compared with, or to be + mistaken for, an American hotel. The Grand Babylon was resolutely opposed + to American methods of eating, drinking, and lodging—but especially + American methods of drinking. The resentment of Jules, on being requested + to supply Mr Theodore Racksole with an Angel Kiss, will therefore be + appreciated. + </p> + <p> + ‘Anybody with Mr Theodore Racksole?’ asked Jules, continuing his + conversation with Miss Spencer. He put a scornful stress on every syllable + of the guest’s name. + </p> + <p> + ‘Miss Racksole—she’s in No. 111.’ + </p> + <p> + Jules paused, and stroked his left whisker as it lay on his gleaming white + collar. + </p> + <p> + ‘She’s where?’ he queried, with a peculiar emphasis. + </p> + <p> + ‘No. 111. I couldn’t help it. There was no other room with a bathroom and + dressing-room on that floor.’ Miss Spencer’s voice had an appealing tone + of excuse. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why didn’t you tell Mr Theodore Racksole and Miss Racksole that we were + unable to accommodate them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because Babs was within hearing.’ + </p> + <p> + Only three people in the wide world ever dreamt of applying to Mr Felix + Babylon the playful but mean abbreviation—Babs: those three were + Jules, Miss Spencer, and Rocco. Jules had invented it. No one but he would + have had either the wit or the audacity to do so. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’d better see that Miss Racksole changes her room to-night,’ Jules + said after another pause. ‘Leave it to me: I’ll fix it. Au revoir! It’s + three minutes to eight. I shall take charge of the dining-room myself + to-night.’ + </p> + <p> + And Jules departed, rubbing his fine white hands slowly and meditatively. + It was a trick of his, to rub his hands with a strange, roundabout motion, + and the action denoted that some unusual excitement was in the air. + </p> + <p> + At eight o’clock precisely dinner was served in the immense salle à manger, + that chaste yet splendid apartment of white and gold. At a small table + near one of the windows a young lady sat alone. Her frocks said Paris, but + her face unmistakably said New York. It was a self-possessed and + bewitching face, the face of a woman thoroughly accustomed to doing + exactly what she liked, when she liked, how she liked: the face of a woman + who had taught hundreds of gilded young men the true art of fetching and + carrying, and who, by twenty years or so of parental spoiling, had come to + regard herself as the feminine equivalent of the Tsar of All the Russias. + Such women are only made in America, and they only come to their full + bloom in Europe, which they imagine to be a continent created by + Providence for their diversion. + </p> + <p> + The young lady by the window glanced disapprovingly at the menu card. Then + she looked round the dining-room, and, while admiring the diners, decided + that the room itself was rather small and plain. Then she gazed through + the open window, and told herself that though the Thames by twilight was + passable enough, it was by no means level with the Hudson, on whose shores + her father had a hundred thousand dollar country cottage. Then she + returned to the menu, and with a pursing of lovely lips said that there + appeared to be nothing to eat. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sorry to keep you waiting, Nella.’ It was Mr Racksole, the intrepid + millionaire who had dared to order an Angel Kiss in the smoke-room of the + Grand Babylon. Nella—her proper name was Helen—smiled at her + parent cautiously, reserving to herself the right to scold if she should + feel so inclined. + </p> + <p> + ‘You always are late, father,’ she said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Only on a holiday,’ he added. ‘What is there to eat?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then let’s have it. I’m hungry. I’m never so hungry as when I’m being + seriously idle.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Consommé Britannia,’ she began to read out from the menu, ‘Saumon + d’Ecosse, Sauce Genoise, Aspics de Homard. Oh, heavens! Who wants these + horrid messes on a night like this?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But, Nella, this is the best cooking in Europe,’ he protested. + </p> + <p> + ‘Say, father,’ she said, with seeming irrelevance, ‘had you forgotten it’s + my birthday to-morrow?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have I ever forgotten your birthday, O most costly daughter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘On the whole you’ve been a most satisfactory dad,’ she answered sweetly, + ‘and to reward you I’ll be content this year with the cheapest birthday + treat you ever gave me. Only I’ll have it to-night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ he said, with the long-suffering patience, the readiness for any + surprise, of a parent whom Nella had thoroughly trained, ‘what is it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s this. Let’s have filleted steak and a bottle of Bass for dinner + to-night. It will be simply exquisite. I shall love it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But my dear Nella,’ he exclaimed, ‘steak and beer at Felix’s! It’s + impossible! Moreover, young women still under twenty-three cannot be + permitted to drink Bass.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I said steak and Bass, and as for being twenty-three, shall be going in + twenty-four to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Racksole set her small white teeth. + </p> + <p> + There was a gentle cough. Jules stood over them. It must have been out of + a pure spirit of adventure that he had selected this table for his own + services. Usually Jules did not personally wait at dinner. He merely + hovered observant, like a captain on the bridge during the mate’s watch. + Regular frequenters of the hotel felt themselves honoured when Jules + attached himself to their tables. + </p> + <p> + Theodore Racksole hesitated one second, and then issued the order with a + fine air of carelessness: + </p> + <p> + ‘Filleted steak for two, and a bottle of Bass.’ It was the bravest act of + Theodore Racksole’s life, and yet at more than one previous crisis a high + courage had not been lacking to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s not in the menu, sir,’ said Jules the imperturbable. + </p> + <p> + ‘Never mind. Get it. We want it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very good, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + Jules walked to the service-door, and, merely affecting to look behind, + came immediately back again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Rocco’s compliments, sir, and he regrets to be unable to serve steak + and Bass to-night, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Rocco?’ questioned Racksole lightly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Rocco,’ repeated Jules with firmness. + </p> + <p> + ‘And who is Mr Rocco?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Rocco is our chef, sir.’ Jules had the expression of a man who is + asked to explain who Shakespeare was. + </p> + <p> + The two men looked at each other. It seemed incredible that Theodore + Racksole, the ineffable Racksole, who owned a thousand miles of railway, + several towns, and sixty votes in Congress, should be defied by a waiter, + or even by a whole hotel. Yet so it was. When Europe’s effete back is + against the wall not a regiment of millionaires can turn its flank. Jules + had the calm expression of a strong man sure of victory. His face said: + ‘You beat me once, but not this time, my New York friend!’ + </p> + <p> + As for Nella, knowing her father, she foresaw interesting events, and + waited confidently for the steak. She did not feel hungry, and she could + afford to wait. + </p> + <p> + ‘Excuse me a moment, Nella,’ said Theodore Racksole quietly, ‘I shall be + back in about two seconds,’ and he strode out of the salle à manger. No + one in the room recognized the millionaire, for he was unknown to London, + this being his first visit to Europe for over twenty years. Had anyone + done so, and caught the expression on his face, that man might have + trembled for an explosion which should have blown the entire Grand Babylon + into the Thames. + </p> + <p> + Jules retired strategically to a corner. He had fired; it was the + antagonist’s turn. A long and varied experience had taught Jules that a + guest who embarks on the subjugation of a waiter is almost always lost; + the waiter has so many advantages in such a contest. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Two HOW MR RACKSOLE OBTAINED HIS DINNER + </h2> + <p> + NEVERTHELESS, there are men with a confirmed habit of getting their own + way, even as guests in an exclusive hotel: and Theodore Racksole had long + since fallen into that useful practice—except when his only daughter + Helen, motherless but high-spirited girl, chose to think that his way + crossed hers, in which case Theodore capitulated and fell back. But when + Theodore and his daughter happened to be going one and the same road, + which was pretty often, then Heaven alone might help any obstacle that was + so ill-advised as to stand in their path. Jules, great and observant man + though he was, had not noticed the terrible projecting chins of both + father and daughter, otherwise it is possible he would have reconsidered + the question of the steak and Bass. + </p> + <p> + Theodore Racksole went direct to the entrance-hall of the hotel, and + entered Miss Spencer’s sanctum. + </p> + <p> + ‘I want to see Mr Babylon,’ he said, ‘without the delay of an instant.’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Spencer leisurely raised her flaxen head. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am afraid—,’ she began the usual formula. It was part of her + daily duty to discourage guests who desired to see Mr Babylon. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no,’ said Racksole quickly, ‘I don’t want any “I’m afraids.” This is + business. If you had been the ordinary hotel clerk I should have slipped + you a couple of sovereigns into your hand, and the thing would have been + done. + </p> + <p> + As you are not—as you are obviously above bribes—I merely say + to you, I must see Mr Babylon at once on an affair of the utmost urgency. + My name is Racksole—Theodore Racksole.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of New York?’ questioned a voice at the door, with a slight foreign + accent. + </p> + <p> + The millionaire turned sharply, and saw a rather short, French-looking + man, with a bald head, a grey beard, a long and perfectly-built frock + coat, eye-glasses attached to a minute silver chain, and blue eyes that + seemed to have the transparent innocence of a maid’s. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is only one,’ said Theodore Racksole succinctly. + </p> + <p> + ‘You wish to see me?’ the new-comer suggested. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are Mr Felix Babylon?’ + </p> + <p> + The man bowed. + </p> + <p> + ‘At this moment I wish to see you more than anyone else in the world,’ + said Racksole. ‘I am consumed and burnt up with a desire to see you, Mr + Babylon. + </p> + <p> + I only want a few minutes’ quiet chat. I fancy I can settle my business in + that time.’ + </p> + <p> + With a gesture Mr Babylon invited the millionaire down a side corridor, at + the end of which was Mr Babylon’s private room, a miracle of Louis XV + furniture and tapestry: like most unmarried men with large incomes, Mr + Babylon had ‘tastes’ of a highly expensive sort. + </p> + <p> + The landlord and his guest sat down opposite each other. Theodore Racksole + had met with the usual millionaire’s luck in this adventure, for Mr + Babylon made a practice of not allowing himself to be interviewed by his + guests, however distinguished, however wealthy, however pertinacious. If + he had not chanced to enter Miss Spencer’s office at that precise moment, + and if he had not been impressed in a somewhat peculiar way by the + physiognomy of the millionaire, not all Mr Racksole’s American energy and + ingenuity would have availed for a confabulation with the owner of the + Grand Babylon Hôtel that night. Theodore Racksole, however, was ignorant + that a mere accident had served him. He took all the credit to himself. + </p> + <p> + ‘I read in the New York papers some months ago,’ Theodore started, without + even a clearing of the throat, ‘that this hotel of yours, Mr Babylon, was + to be sold to a limited company, but it appears that the sale was not + carried out.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was not,’ answered Mr Babylon frankly, ‘and the reason was that the + middle-men between the proposed company and myself wished to make a large + secret profit, and I declined to be a party to such a profit. They were + firm; I was firm; and so the affair came to nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The agreed price was satisfactory?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Quite.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘May I ask what the price was?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you a buyer, Mr Racksole?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you a seller, Mr Babylon?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am,’ said Babylon, ‘on terms. The price was four hundred thousand + pounds, including the leasehold and goodwill. But I sell only on the + condition that the buyer does not transfer the property to a limited + company at a higher figure.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will put one question to you, Mr Babylon,’ said the millionaire. ‘What + have your profits averaged during the last four years?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thirty-four thousand pounds per annum.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I buy,’ said Theodore Racksole, smiling contentedly; ‘and we will, if you + please, exchange contract-letters on the spot.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You come quickly to a resolution, Mr Racksole. But perhaps you have been + considering this question for a long time?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘On the contrary,’ Racksole looked at his watch, ‘I have been considering + it for six minutes.’ + </p> + <p> + Felix Babylon bowed, as one thoroughly accustomed to eccentricity of + wealth. + </p> + <p> + ‘The beauty of being well-known,’ Racksole continued, ‘is that you needn’t + trouble about preliminary explanations. You, Mr Babylon, probably know all + about me. I know a good deal about you. We can take each other for granted + without reference. Really, it is as simple to buy an hotel or a railroad + as it is to buy a watch, provided one is equal to the transaction.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Precisely,’ agreed Mr Babylon smiling. ‘Shall we draw up the little + informal contract? There are details to be thought of. But it occurs to me + that you cannot have dined yet, and might prefer to deal with minor + questions after dinner.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have not dined,’ said the millionaire, with emphasis, ‘and in that + connexion will you do me a favour? Will you send for Mr Rocco?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You wish to see him, naturally.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do,’ said the millionaire, and added, ‘about my dinner.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Rocco is a great man,’ murmured Mr Babylon as he touched the bell, + ignoring the last words. ‘My compliments to Mr Rocco,’ he said to the page + who answered his summons, ‘and if it is quite convenient I should be glad + to see him here for a moment.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you give Rocco?’ Racksole inquired. + </p> + <p> + ‘Two thousand a year and the treatment of an Ambassador.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall give him the treatment of an Ambassador and three thousand.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You will be wise,’ said Felix Babylon. + </p> + <p> + At that moment Rocco came into the room, very softly—a man of forty, + thin, with long, thin hands, and an inordinately long brown silky + moustache. + </p> + <p> + ‘Rocco,’ said Felix Babylon, ‘let me introduce Mr Theodore Racksole, of + New York.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sharmed,’ said Rocco, bowing. ‘Ze—ze, vat you call it, + millionaire?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Exactly,’ Racksole put in, and continued quickly: ‘Mr Rocco, I wish to + acquaint you before any other person with the fact that I have purchased + the Grand Babylon Hôtel. If you think well to afford me the privilege of + retaining your services I shall be happy to offer you a remuneration of + three thousand a year.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tree, you said?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Three.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sharmed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And now, Mr Rocco, will you oblige me very much by ordering a plain + beefsteak and a bottle of Bass to be served by Jules—I particularly + desire Jules—at table No. 17 in the dining-room in ten minutes from + now? And will you do me the honour of lunching with me to-morrow?’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Rocco gasped, bowed, muttered something in French, and departed. + </p> + <p> + Five minutes later the buyer and seller of the Grand Babylon Hôtel had + each signed a curt document, scribbled out on the hotel note-paper. Felix + Babylon asked no questions, and it was this heroic absence of curiosity, + of surprise on his part, that more than anything else impressed Theodore + Racksole. How many hotel proprietors in the world, Racksole asked himself, + would have let that beef-steak and Bass go by without a word of comment. + </p> + <p> + ‘From what date do you wish the purchase to take effect?’ asked Babylon. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh,’ said Racksole lightly, ‘it doesn’t matter. Shall we say from + to-night?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As you will. I have long wished to retire. And now that the moment has + come—and so dramatically—I am ready. I shall return to + Switzerland. One cannot spend much money there, but it is my native land. + I shall be the richest man in Switzerland.’ He smiled with a kind of sad + amusement. + </p> + <p> + ‘I suppose you are fairly well off?’ said Racksole, in that easy familiar + style of his, as though the idea had just occurred to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Besides what I shall receive from you, I have half a million invested.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you will be nearly a millionaire?’ + </p> + <p> + Felix Babylon nodded. + </p> + <p> + ‘I congratulate you, my dear sir,’ said Racksole, in the tone of a judge + addressing a newly-admitted barrister. ‘Nine hundred thousand pounds, + expressed in francs, will sound very nice—in Switzerland.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course to you, Mr Racksole, such a sum would be poverty. Now if one + might guess at your own wealth?’ Felix Babylon was imitating the other’s + freedom. + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not know, to five millions or so, what I am worth,’ said Racksole, + with sincerity, his tone indicating that he would have been glad to give + the information if it were in his power. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have had anxieties, Mr Racksole?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Still have them. I am now holiday-making in London with my daughter in + order to get rid of them for a time.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is the purchase of hotels your notion of relaxation, then?’ + </p> + <p> + Racksole shrugged his shoulders. ‘It is a change from railroads,’ he + laughed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, my friend, you little know what you have bought.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! yes I do,’ returned Racksole; ‘I have bought just the first hotel in + the world.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is true, that is true,’ Babylon admitted, gazing meditatively at the + antique Persian carpet. ‘There is nothing, anywhere, like my hotel. But + you will regret the purchase, Mr Racksole. It is no business of mine, of + course, but I cannot help repeating that you will regret the purchase.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I never regret.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you will begin very soon—perhaps to-night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why do you say that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because the Grand Babylon is the Grand Babylon. You think because you + control a railroad, or an iron-works, or a line of steamers, therefore you + can control anything. But no. Not the Grand Babylon. There is something + about the Grand Babylon—’ He threw up his hands. + </p> + <p> + ‘Servants rob you, of course.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course. I suppose I lose a hundred pounds a week in that way. But it + is not that I mean. It is the guests. The guests are too—too + distinguished. + </p> + <p> + The great Ambassadors, the great financiers, the great nobles, all the men + that move the world, put up under my roof. London is the centre of + everything, and my hotel—your hotel—is the centre of London. + Once I had a King and a Dowager Empress staying here at the same time. + Imagine that!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A great honour, Mr Babylon. But wherein lies the difficulty?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Racksole,’ was the grim reply, ‘what has become of your shrewdness—that + shrewdness which has made your fortune so immense that even you cannot + calculate it? Do you not perceive that the roof which habitually shelters + all the force, all the authority of the world, must necessarily also + shelter nameless and numberless plotters, schemers, evil-doers, and + workers of mischief? The thing is as clear as day—and as dark as + night. Mr Racksole, I never know by whom I am surrounded. I never know + what is going forward. + </p> + <p> + Only sometimes I get hints, glimpses of strange acts and strange secrets. + </p> + <p> + You mentioned my servants. They are almost all good servants, skilled, + competent. But what are they besides? For anything I know my fourth + sub-chef may be an agent of some European Government. For anything I know + my invaluable Miss Spencer may be in the pay of a court dressmaker or a + Frankfort banker. Even Rocco may be someone else in addition to Rocco.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That makes it all the more interesting,’ remarked Theodore Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a long time you have been, Father,’ said Nella, when he returned to + table No. 17 in the salle à manger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Only twenty minutes, my dove.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But you said two seconds. There is a difference.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, you see, I had to wait for the steak to cook.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Did you have much trouble in getting my birthday treat?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No trouble. But it didn’t come quite as cheap as you said.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean, Father?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Only that I’ve bought the entire hotel. But don’t split.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Father, you always were a delicious parent. Shall you give me the hotel + for a birthday present?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No. I shall run it—as an amusement. By the way, who is that chair + for?’ + </p> + <p> + He noticed that a third cover had been laid at the table. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is for a friend of mine who came in about five minutes ago. Of + course I told him he must share our steak. He’ll be here in a moment.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘May I respectfully inquire his name?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dimmock—Christian name Reginald; profession, English companion to + Prince Aribert of Posen. I met him when I was in St Petersburg with cousin + Hetty last fall. Oh; here he is. Mr Dimmock, this is my dear father. He + has succeeded with the steak.’ + </p> + <p> + Theodore Racksole found himself confronted by a very young man, with deep + black eyes, and a fresh, boyish expression. They began to talk. + </p> + <p> + Jules approached with the steak. Racksole tried to catch the waiter’s eye, + but could not. The dinner proceeded. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, Father!’ cried Nella, ‘what a lot of mustard you have taken!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have I?’ he said, and then he happened to glance into a mirror on his + left hand between two windows. He saw the reflection of Jules, who stood + behind his chair, and he saw Jules give a slow, significant, ominous wink + to Mr Dimmock—Christian name, Reginald. + </p> + <p> + He examined his mustard in silence. He thought that perhaps he had helped + himself rather plenteously to mustard. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Three AT THREE A.M. + </h2> + <p> + MR REGINALD DIMMOCK proved himself, despite his extreme youth, to be a man + of the world and of experiences, and a practised talker. Conversation + between him and Nella Racksole seemed never to flag. They chattered about + St Petersburg, and the ice on the Neva, and the tenor at the opera who had + been exiled to Siberia, and the quality of Russian tea, and the sweetness + of Russian champagne, and various other aspects of Muscovite existence. + Russia exhausted, Nella lightly outlined her own doings since she had met + the young man in the Tsar’s capital, and this recital brought the topic + round to London, where it stayed till the final piece of steak was eaten. + Theodore Racksole noticed that Mr Dimmock gave very meagre information + about his own movements, either past or future. He regarded the youth as a + typical hanger-on of Courts, and wondered how he had obtained his post of + companion to Prince Aribert of Posen, and who Prince Aribert of Posen + might be. The millionaire thought he had once heard of Posen, but he + wasn’t sure; he rather fancied it was one of those small nondescript + German States of which five-sixths of the subjects are Palace officials, + and the rest charcoal-burners or innkeepers. Until the meal was nearly + over, Racksole said little—perhaps his thoughts were too busy with + Jules’ wink to Mr Dimmock, but when ices had been followed by coffee, he + decided that it might be as well, in the interests of the hotel, to + discover something about his daughter’s friend. He never for an instant + questioned her right to possess her own friends; he had always left her in + the most amazing liberty, relying on her inherited good sense to keep her + out of mischief; but, quite apart from the wink, he was struck by Nella’s + attitude towards Mr Dimmock, an attitude in which an amiable scorn was + blended with an evident desire to propitiate and please. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nella tells me, Mr Dimmock, that you hold a confidential position with + Prince Aribert of Posen,’ said Racksole. ‘You will pardon an American’s + ignorance, but is Prince Aribert a reigning Prince—what, I believe, + you call in Europe, a Prince Regnant?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘His Highness is not a reigning Prince, nor ever likely to be,’ answered + Dimmock. ‘The Grand Ducal Throne of Posen is occupied by his Highness’s + nephew, the Grand Duke Eugen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nephew?’ cried Nella with astonishment. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why not, dear lady?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But Prince Aribert is surely very young?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Prince, by one of those vagaries of chance which occur sometimes in + the history of families, is precisely the same age as the Grand Duke. The + late Grand Duke’s father was twice married. Hence this youthfulness on the + part of an uncle.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How delicious to be the uncle of someone as old as yourself! But I + suppose it is no fun for Prince Aribert. I suppose he has to be + frightfully respectful and obedient, and all that, to his nephew?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Grand Duke and my Serene master are like brothers. At present, of + course, Prince Aribert is nominally heir to the throne, but as no doubt + you are aware, the Grand Duke will shortly marry a near relative of the + Emperor’s, and should there be a family—’ Mr Dimmock stopped and + shrugged his straight shoulders. ‘The Grand Duke,’ he went on, without + finishing the last sentence, ‘would much prefer Prince Aribert to be his + successor. He really doesn’t want to marry. Between ourselves, strictly + between ourselves, he regards marriage as rather a bore. But, of course, + being a German Grand Duke, he is bound to marry. He owes it to his + country, to Posen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How large is Posen?’ asked Racksole bluntly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Father,’ Nella interposed laughing, ‘you shouldn’t ask such inconvenient + questions. You ought to have guessed that it isn’t etiquette to inquire + about the size of a German Dukedom.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sure,’ said Dimmock, with a polite smile, ‘that the Grand Duke is as + much amused as anyone at the size of his territory. I forget the exact + acreage, but I remember that once Prince Aribert and myself walked across + it and back again in a single day.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then the Grand Duke cannot travel very far within his own dominions? You + may say that the sun does set on his empire?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It does,’ said Dimmock. + </p> + <p> + ‘Unless the weather is cloudy,’ Nella put in. ‘Is the Grand Duke content + always to stay at home?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘On the contrary, he is a great traveller, much more so than Prince + Aribert. + </p> + <p> + I may tell you, what no one knows at present, outside this hotel, that his + Royal Highness the Grand Duke, with a small suite, will be here + to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In London?’ asked Nella. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In this hotel?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! How lovely!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is why your humble servant is here to-night—a sort of advance + guard.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But I understood,’ Racksole said, ‘that you were—er—attached + to Prince Aribert, the uncle.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am. Prince Aribert will also be here. The Grand Duke and the Prince + have business about important investments connected with the Grand Duke’s + marriage settlement.... In the highest quarters, you understand.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For so discreet a person,’ thought Racksole, ‘you are fairly + communicative.’ Then he said aloud: ‘Shall we go out on the terrace?’ + </p> + <p> + As they crossed the dining-room Jules stopped Mr Dimmock and handed him a + letter. ‘Just come, sir, by messenger,’ said Jules. + </p> + <p> + Nella dropped behind for a second with her father. ‘Leave me alone with + this boy a little—there’s a dear parent,’ she whispered in his ear. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am a mere cypher, an obedient nobody,’ Racksole replied, pinching her + arm surreptitiously. ‘Treat me as such. Use me as you like. I will go and + look after my hotel’ And soon afterwards he disappeared. + </p> + <p> + Nella and Mr Dimmock sat together on the terrace, sipping iced drinks. + They made a handsome couple, bowered amid plants which blossomed at the + command of a Chelsea wholesale florist. People who passed by remarked + privately that from the look of things there was the beginning of a + romance in that conversation. Perhaps there was, but a more intimate + acquaintance with the character of Nella Racksole would have been + necessary in order to predict what precise form that romance would take. + </p> + <p> + Jules himself served the liquids, and at ten o’clock he brought another + note. Entreating a thousand pardons, Reginald Dimmock, after he had + glanced at the note, excused himself on the plea of urgent business for + his Serene master, uncle of the Grand Duke of Posen. He asked if he might + fetch Mr Racksole, or escort Miss Racksole to her father. But Miss + Racksole said gaily that she felt no need of an escort, and should go to + bed. She added that her father and herself always endeavoured to be + independent of each other. + </p> + <p> + Just then Theodore Racksole had found his way once more into Mr Babylon’s + private room. Before arriving there, however, he had discovered that in + some mysterious manner the news of the change of proprietorship had worked + its way down to the lowest strata of the hotel’s cosmos. The corridors + hummed with it, and even under-servants were to be seen discussing the + thing, just as though it mattered to them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Have a cigar, Mr Racksole,’ said the urbane Mr Babylon, ‘and a mouthful + of the oldest cognac in all Europe.’ + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes these two were talking eagerly, rapidly. Felix Babylon + was astonished at Racksole’s capacity for absorbing the details of hotel + management. And as for Racksole he soon realized that Felix Babylon must + be a prince of hotel managers. It had never occurred to Racksole before + that to manage an hotel, even a large hotel, could be a specially + interesting affair, or that it could make any excessive demands upon the + brains of the manager; but he came to see that he had underrated the + possibilities of an hotel. The business of the Grand Babylon was enormous. + It took Racksole, with all his genius for organization, exactly half an + hour to master the details of the hotel laundry-work. And the laundry-work + was but one branch of activity amid scores, and not a very large one at + that. The machinery of checking supplies, and of establishing a mean ratio + between the raw stuff received in the kitchen and the number of meals + served in the salle à manger and the private rooms, was very complicated + and delicate. When Racksole had grasped it, he at once suggested some + improvements, and this led to a long theoretical discussion, and the + discussion led to digressions, and then Felix Babylon, in a moment of + absent-mindedness, yawned. + </p> + <p> + Racksole looked at the gilt clock on the high mantelpiece. + </p> + <p> + ‘Great Scott!’ he said. ‘It’s three o’clock. Mr Babylon, accept my + apologies for having kept you up to such an absurd hour.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have not spent so pleasant an evening for many years. You have let me + ride my hobby to my heart’s content. It is I who should apologize.’ + </p> + <p> + Racksole rose. + </p> + <p> + ‘I should like to ask you one question,’ said Babylon. ‘Have you ever had + anything to do with hotels before?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never,’ said Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you have missed your vocation. You could have been the greatest of + all hotel-managers. You would have been greater than me, and I am + unequalled, though I keep only one hotel, and some men have half a dozen. + Mr Racksole, why have you never run an hotel?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Heaven knows,’ he laughed, ‘but you flatter me, Mr Babylon.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I? Flatter? You do not know me. I flatter no one, except, perhaps, now + and then an exceptionally distinguished guest. In which case I give + suitable instructions as to the bill.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Speaking of distinguished guests, I am told that a couple of German + princes are coming here to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is so.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Does one do anything? Does one receive them formally—stand bowing + in the entrance-hall, or anything of that sort?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not necessarily. Not unless one wishes. The modern hotel proprietor is + not like an innkeeper of the Middle Ages, and even princes do not expect + to see him unless something should happen to go wrong. As a matter of + fact, though the Grand Duke of Posen and Prince Aribert have both honoured + me by staying here before, I have never even set eyes on them. You will + find all arrangements have been made.’ + </p> + <p> + They talked a little longer, and then Racksole said good night. ‘Let me + see you to your room. The lifts will be closed and the place will be + deserted. + </p> + <p> + As for myself, I sleep here,’ and Mr Babylon pointed to an inner door. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, thanks,’ said Racksole; ‘let me explore my own hotel unaccompanied. I + believe I can discover my room.’ When he got fairly into the passages, + Racksole was not so sure that he could discover his own room. The number + was 107, but he had forgotten whether it was on the first or second floor. + </p> + <p> + Travelling in a lift, one is unconscious of floors. He passed several + lift-doorways, but he could see no glint of a staircase; in all + self-respecting hotels staircases have gone out of fashion, and though + hotel architects still continue, for old sakes’ sake, to build staircases, + they are tucked away in remote corners where their presence is not likely + to offend the eye of a spoiled and cosmopolitan public. The hotel seemed + vast, uncanny, deserted. An electric light glowed here and there at long + intervals. On the thick carpets, Racksole’s thinly-shod feet made no + sound, and he wandered at ease to and fro, rather amused, rather struck by + the peculiar senses of night and mystery which had suddenly come over him. + He fancied he could hear a thousand snores peacefully descending from the + upper realms. At length he found a staircase, a very dark and narrow one, + and presently he was on the first floor. He soon discovered that the + numbers of the rooms on this floor did not get beyond seventy. He + encountered another staircase and ascended to the second floor. By the + decoration of the walls he recognized this floor as his proper home, and + as he strolled through the long corridor he whistled a low, meditative + whistle of satisfaction. He thought he heard a step in the transverse + corridor, and instinctively he obliterated himself in a recess which held + a service-cabinet and a chair. He did hear a step. Peeping cautiously out, + he perceived, what he had not perceived previously, that a piece of white + ribbon had been tied round the handle of the door of one of the bedrooms. + Then a man came round the corner of the transverse corridor, and Racksole + drew back. It was Jules—Jules with his hands in his pockets and a + slouch hat over his eyes, but in other respects attired as usual. + </p> + <p> + Racksole, at that instant, remembered with a special vividness what Felix + Babylon had said to him at their first interview. He wished he had brought + his revolver. He didn’t know why he should feel the desirability of a + revolver in a London hotel of the most unimpeachable fair fame, but he did + feel the desirability of such an instrument of attack and defence. He + privately decided that if Jules went past his recess he would take him by + the throat and in that attitude put a few plain questions to this highly + dubious waiter. But Jules had stopped. The millionaire made another + cautious observation. Jules, with infinite gentleness, was turning the + handle of the door to which the white ribbon was attached. The door slowly + yielded and Jules disappeared within the room. After a brief interval, the + night-prowling Jules reappeared, closed the door as softly as he had + opened it, removed the ribbon, returned upon his steps, and vanished down + the transverse corridor. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is quaint,’ said Racksole; ‘quaint to a degree!’ + </p> + <p> + It occurred to him to look at the number of the room, and he stole towards + it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I’m d—d!’ he murmured wonderingly. + </p> + <p> + The number was 111, his daughter’s room! He tried to open it, but the door + was locked. Rushing to his own room, No. 107, he seized one of a pair of + revolvers (the kind that are made for millionaires) and followed after + Jules down the transverse corridor. At the end of this corridor was a + window; the window was open; and Jules was innocently gazing out of the + window. Ten silent strides, and Theodore Racksole was upon him. + </p> + <p> + ‘One word, my friend,’ the millionaire began, carelessly waving the + revolver in the air. Jules was indubitably startled, but by an admirable + exercise of self-control he recovered possession of his faculties in a + second. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir?’ said Jules. + </p> + <p> + ‘I just want to be informed, what the deuce you were doing in No. 111 a + moment ago.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I had been requested to go there,’ was the calm response. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are a liar, and not a very clever one. That is my daughter’s room. + Now—out with it, before I decide whether to shoot you or throw you + into the street.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Excuse me, sir, No. 111 is occupied by a gentleman.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I advise you that it is a serious error of judgement to contradict me, my + friend. Don’t do it again. We will go to the room together, and you shall + prove that the occupant is a gentleman, and not my daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Impossible, sir,’ said Jules. + </p> + <p> + ‘Scarcely that,’ said Racksole, and he took Jules by the sleeve. The + millionaire knew for a certainty that Nella occupied No. 111, for he had + examined the room with her, and himself seen that her trunks and her maid and + herself had arrived there in safety. ‘Now open the door,’ whispered + Racksole, when they reached No.111. + </p> + <p> + ‘I must knock.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is just what you mustn’t do. Open it. No doubt you have your + pass-key.’ + </p> + <p> + Confronted by the revolver, Jules readily obeyed, yet with a deprecatory + gesture, as though he would not be responsible for this outrage against + the decorum of hotel life. Racksole entered. The room was brilliantly + lighted. + </p> + <p> + ‘A visitor, who insists on seeing you, sir,’ said Jules, and fled. + </p> + <p> + Mr Reginald Dimmock, still in evening dress, and smoking a cigarette, rose + hurriedly from a table. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hello, my dear Mr Racksole, this is an unexpected—ah—pleasure.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where is my daughter? This is her room.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Did I catch what you said, Mr Racksole?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I venture to remark that this is Miss Racksole’s room.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My good sir,’ answered Dimmock, ‘you must be mad to dream of such a + thing. + </p> + <p> + Only my respect for your daughter prevents me from expelling you forcibly, + for such an extraordinary suggestion.’ + </p> + <p> + A small spot half-way down the bridge of the millionaire’s nose turned + suddenly white. + </p> + <p> + ‘With your permission,’ he said in a low calm voice, ‘I will examine the + dressing-room and the bath-room.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Just listen to me a moment,’ Dimmock urged, in a milder tone. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll listen to you afterwards, my young friend,’ said Racksole, and he + proceeded to search the bath-room, and the dressing-room, without any + result whatever. ‘Lest my attitude might be open to misconstruction, Mr + Dimmock, I may as well tell you that I have the most perfect confidence in + my daughter, who is as well able to take care of herself as any woman I + ever met, but since you entered it there have been one or two rather + mysterious occurrences in this hotel. That is all.’ Feeling a draught of + air on his shoulder, Racksole turned to the window. ‘For instance,’ he + added, ‘I perceive that this window is broken, badly broken, and from the + outside. + </p> + <p> + Now, how could that have occurred?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you will kindly hear reason, Mr Racksole,’ said Dimmock in his best + diplomatic manner, ‘I will endeavour to explain things to you. I regarded + your first question to me when you entered my room as being offensively + put, but I now see that you had some justification.’ He smiled politely. + ‘I was passing along this corridor about eleven o’clock, when I found Miss + Racksole in a difficulty with the hotel servants. Miss Racksole was + retiring to rest in this room when a large stone, which must have been + thrown from the Embankment, broke the window, as you see. Apart from the + discomfort of the broken window, she did not care to remain in the room. + She argued that where one stone had come another might follow. She + therefore insisted on her room being changed. The servants said that there + was no other room available with a dressing-room and bath-room attached, + and your daughter made a point of these matters. I at once offered to + exchange apartments with her. She did me the honour to accept my offer. + Our respective belongings were moved—and that is all. Miss Racksole + is at this moment, I trust, asleep in No. 124.’ + </p> + <p> + Theodore Racksole looked at the young man for a few seconds in silence. + </p> + <p> + There was a faint knock at the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come in,’ said Racksole loudly. + </p> + <p> + Someone pushed open the door, but remained standing on the mat. It was + Nella’s maid, in a dressing-gown. + </p> + <p> + ‘Miss Racksole’s compliments, and a thousand excuses, but a book of hers + was left on the mantelshelf in this room. She cannot sleep, and wishes to + read.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Dimmock, I tender my apologies—my formal apologies,’ said + Racksole, when the girl had gone away with the book. ‘Good night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pray don’t mention it,’ said Dimmock suavely—and bowed him out. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Four ENTRANCE OF THE PRINCE + </h2> + <p> + NEVERTHELESS, sundry small things weighed on Racksole’s mind. First there + was Jules’ wink. Then there was the ribbon on the door-handle and Jules’ + visit to No. 111, and the broken window—broken from the outside. + Racksole did not forget that the time was 3 a.m. He slept but little that + night, but he was glad that he had bought the Grand Babylon Hôtel. It was + an acquisition which seemed to promise fun and diversion. + </p> + <p> + The next morning he came across Mr Babylon early. ‘I have emptied my + private room of all personal papers,’ said Babylon, ‘and it is now at your + disposal. + </p> + <p> + I purpose, if agreeable to yourself, to stay on in the hotel as a guest + for the present. We have much to settle with regard to the completion of + the purchase, and also there are things which you might want to ask me. + Also, to tell the truth, I am not anxious to leave the old place with too + much suddenness. It will be a wrench to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall be delighted if you will stay,’ said the millionaire, ‘but it + must be as my guest, not as the guest of the hotel.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are very kind.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As for wishing to consult you, no doubt I shall have need to do so, but I + must say that the show seems to run itself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ said Babylon thoughtfully. ‘I have heard of hotels that run + themselves. If they do, you may be sure that they obey the laws of gravity + and run downwards. You will have your hands full. For example, have you + yet heard about Miss Spencer?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Racksole. ‘What of her?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She has mysteriously vanished during the night, and nobody appears to be + able to throw any light on the affair. Her room is empty, her boxes gone. + </p> + <p> + You will want someone to take her place, and that someone will not be very + easy to get.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘H’m!’ Racksole said, after a pause. ‘Hers is not the only post that falls + vacant to-day.’ + </p> + <p> + A little later, the millionaire installed himself in the late owner’s + private room and rang the bell. + </p> + <p> + ‘I want Jules,’ he said to the page. + </p> + <p> + While waiting for Jules, Racksole considered the question of Miss + Spencer’s disappearance. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good morning, Jules,’ was his cheerful greeting, when the imperturbable + waiter arrived. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good morning, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Take a chair.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We have met before this morning, Jules.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, sir, at 3 a.m.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Rather strange about Miss Spencer’s departure, is it not?’ suggested + Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is remarkable, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are aware, of course, that Mr Babylon has transferred all his + interests in this hotel to me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have been informed to that effect, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I suppose you know everything that goes on in the hotel, Jules?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As the head waiter, sir, it is my business to keep a general eye on + things.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You speak very good English for a foreigner, Jules.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For a foreigner, sir! I am an Englishman, a Hertfordshire man born and + bred. Perhaps my name has misled you, sir. I am only called Jules because + the head waiter of any really high-class hotel must have either a French + or an Italian name.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I see,’ said Racksole. ‘I think you must be rather a clever person, + Jules.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is not for me to say, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How long has the hotel enjoyed the advantage of your services?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A little over twenty years.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is a long time to be in one place. Don’t you think it’s time you got + out of the rut? You are still young, and might make a reputation for + yourself in another and wider sphere.’ + </p> + <p> + Racksole looked at the man steadily, and his glance was steadily returned. + </p> + <p> + ‘You aren’t satisfied with me, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To be frank, Jules, I think—I think you—er—wink too + much. And I think that it is regrettable when a head waiter falls into a + habit of taking white ribbons from the handles of bedroom doors at three + in the morning.’ + </p> + <p> + Jules started slightly. + </p> + <p> + ‘I see how it is, sir. You wish me to go, and one pretext, if I may use + the term, is as good as another. Very well, I can’t say that I’m + surprised. It sometimes happens that there is incompatibility of temper + between a hotel proprietor and his head waiter, and then, unless one of + them goes, the hotel is likely to suffer. I will go, Mr Racksole. In fact, + I had already thought of giving notice.’ + </p> + <p> + The millionaire smiled appreciatively. ‘What wages do you require in lieu + of notice? It is my intention that you leave the hotel within an hour.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I require no wages in lieu of notice, sir. I would scorn to accept + anything. And I will leave the hotel in fifteen minutes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good-day, then. You have my good wishes and my admiration, so long as you + keep out of my hotel.’ + </p> + <p> + Racksole got up. ‘Good-day, sir. And thank you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘By the way, Jules, it will be useless for you to apply to any other + first-rate European hotel for a post, because I shall take measures which + will ensure the rejection of any such application.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Without discussing the question whether or not there aren’t at least half + a dozen hotels in London alone that would jump for joy at the chance of + getting me,’ answered Jules, ‘I may tell you, sir, that I shall retire + from my profession.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Really! You will turn your brains to a different channel.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, sir. I shall take rooms in Albemarle Street or Jermyn Street, and + just be content to be a man-about-town. I have saved some twenty thousand + pounds—a mere trifle, but sufficient for my needs, and I shall now + proceed to enjoy it. Pardon me for troubling you with my personal affairs. + And good-day again.’ + </p> + <p> + That afternoon Racksole went with Felix Babylon first to a firm of + solicitors in the City, and then to a stockbroker, in order to carry out + the practical details of the purchase of the hotel. + </p> + <p> + ‘I mean to settle in England,’ said Racksole, as they were coming back. + ‘It is the only country—’ and he stopped. + </p> + <p> + ‘The only country?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The only country where you can invest money and spend money with a + feeling of security. In the United States there is nothing worth spending + money on, nothing to buy. In France or Italy, there is no real security.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But surely you are a true American?’ questioned Babylon. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am a true American,’ said Racksole, ‘but my father, who began by being + a bedmaker at an Oxford college, and ultimately made ten million dollars + out of iron in Pittsburg—my father took the wise precaution of + having me educated in England. I had my three years at Oxford, like any + son of the upper middle class! It did me good. It has been worth more to + me than many successful speculations. It taught me that the English + language is different from, and better than, the American language, and + that there is something—I haven’t yet found out exactly what—in + English life that Americans will never get. Why,’ he added, ‘in the United + States we still bribe our judges and our newspapers. And we talk of the + eighteenth century as though it was the beginning of the world. Yes, I + shall transfer my securities to London. I shall build a house in Park + Lane, and I shall buy some immemorial country seat with a history as long + as the A. T. and S. railroad, and I shall calmly and gradually settle + down. D’you know—I am rather a good-natured man for a millionaire, + and of a social disposition, and yet I haven’t six real friends in the + whole of New York City. Think of that!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And I,’ said Babylon, ‘have no friends except the friends of my boyhood + in Lausanne. I have spent thirty years in England, and gained nothing but + a perfect knowledge of the English language and as much gold coin as would + fill a rather large box.’ + </p> + <p> + These two plutocrats breathed a simultaneous sigh. + </p> + <p> + ‘Talking of gold coin,’ said Racksole, ‘how much money should you think + Jules has contrived to amass while he has been with you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ Babylon smiled. ‘I should not like to guess. He has had unique + opportunities—opportunities.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Should you consider twenty thousand an extraordinary sum under the + circumstances?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not at all. Has he been confiding in you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Somewhat. I have dismissed him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have dismissed him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why not?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is no reason why not. But I have felt inclined to dismiss him for + the past ten years, and never found courage to do it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was a perfectly simple proceeding, I assure you. Before I had done + with him, I rather liked the fellow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Miss Spencer and Jules—both gone in one day!’ mused Felix Babylon. + </p> + <p> + ‘And no one to take their places,’ said Racksole. ‘And yet the hotel + continues its way!’ + </p> + <p> + But when Racksole reached the Grand Babylon he found that Miss Spencer’s + chair in the bureau was occupied by a stately and imperious girl, dressed + becomingly in black. + </p> + <p> + ‘Heavens, Nella!’ he cried, going to the bureau. ‘What are you doing + here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am taking Mis Spencer’s place. I want to help you with your hotel, Dad. + I fancy I shall make an excellent hotel clerk. I have arranged with a Miss + Selina Smith, one of the typists in the office, to put me up to all the + tips and tricks, and I shall do very well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But look here, Helen Racksole. We shall have the whole of London talking + about this thing—the greatest of all American heiresses a hotel + clerk! And I came here for quiet and rest!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I suppose it was for the sake of quiet and rest that you bought the + hotel, Papa?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You would insist on the steak,’ he retorted. ‘Get out of this, on the + instant.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Here I am, here to stay,’ said Nella, and deliberately laughed at her + parent. + </p> + <p> + Just then the face of a fair-haired man of about thirty years appeared at + the bureau window. He was very well-dressed, very aristocratic in his + pose, and he seemed rather angry. + </p> + <p> + He looked fixedly at Nella and started back. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ach!’ he exclaimed. ‘You!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, your Highness, it is indeed I. Father, this is his Serene Highness + Prince Aribert of Posen—one of our most esteemed customers.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You know my name, Fräulein?’ the new-comer murmured in German. + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly, Prince,’ Nella replied sweetly. ‘You were plain Count + Steenbock last spring in Paris—doubtless travelling incognito—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Silence,’ he entreated, with a wave of the hand, and his forehead went as + white as paper. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Five WHAT OCCURRED TO REGINALD DIMMOCK + </h2> + <p> + IN another moment they were all three talking quite nicely, and with at + any rate an appearance of being natural. Prince Aribert became suave, even + deferential to Nella, and more friendly towards Nella’s father than their + respective positions demanded. The latter amused himself by studying this + sprig of royalty, the first with whom he had ever come into contact. He + decided that the young fellow was personable enough, ‘had no frills on + him,’ and would make an exceptionally good commercial traveller for a + first-class firm. Such was Theodore Racksole’s preliminary estimate of the + man who might one day be the reigning Grand Duke of Posen. + </p> + <p> + It occurred to Nella, and she smiled at the idea, that the bureau of the + hotel was scarcely the correct place in which to receive this august young + man. There he stood, with his head half-way through the bureau window, + negligently leaning against the woodwork, just as though he were a + stockbroker or the manager of a New York burlesque company. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is your Highness travelling quite alone?’ she asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘By a series of accidents I am,’ he said. ‘My equerry was to have met me + at Charing Cross, but he failed to do so—I cannot imagine why.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Dimmock?’ questioned Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, Dimmock. I do not remember that he ever missed an appointment + before. + </p> + <p> + You know him? He has been here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He dined with us last night,’ said Racksole—‘on Nella’s + invitation,’ he added maliciously; ‘but to-day we have seen nothing of + him. I know, however, that he has engaged the State apartments, and also a + suite adjoining the State apartments—No. 55. That is so, isn’t it, + Nella?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, Papa,’ she said, having first demurely examined a ledger. ‘Your + Highness would doubtless like to be conducted to your room—apartments + I mean.’ Then Nella laughed deliberately at the Prince, and said, ‘I don’t + know who is the proper person to conduct you, and that’s a fact. The truth + is that Papa and I are rather raw yet in the hotel line. You see, we only + bought the place last night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have bought the hotel!’ exclaimed the Prince. + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s so,’ said Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘And Felix Babylon has gone?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He is going, if he has not already gone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! I see,’ said the Prince; ‘this is one of your American “strokes”. You + have bought to sell again, is that not it? You are on your holidays, but + you cannot resist making a few thousands by way of relaxation. I have + heard of such things.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We sha’n’t sell again, Prince, until we are tired of our bargain. + Sometimes we tire very quickly, and sometimes we don’t. It depends—eh? + What?’ + </p> + <p> + Racksole broke off suddenly to attend to a servant in livery who had + quietly entered the bureau and was making urgent mysterious signs to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you please, sir,’ the man by frantic gestures implored Mr Theodore + Racksole to come out. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pray don’t let me detain you, Mr Racksole,’ said the Prince, and + therefore the proprietor of the Grand Babylon departed after the servant, + with a queer, curt little bow to Prince Aribert. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mayn’t I come inside?’ said the Prince to Nella immediately the + millionaire had gone. + </p> + <p> + ‘Impossible, Prince,’ Nella laughed. ‘The rule against visitors entering + this bureau is frightfully strict.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How do you know the rule is so strict if you only came into possession + last night?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know because I made the rule myself this morning, your Highness.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But seriously, Miss Racksole, I want to talk to you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you want to talk to me as Prince Aribert or as the friend—the + acquaintance—whom I knew in Paris last year?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As the friend, dear lady, if I may use the term.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And you are sure that you would not like first to be conducted to your + apartments?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not yet. I will wait till Dimmock comes; he cannot fail to be here soon.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then we will have tea served in father’s private room—the + proprietor’s private room, you know.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good!’ he said. + </p> + <p> + Nella talked through a telephone, and rang several bells, and behaved + generally in a manner calculated to prove to Princes and to whomever it + might concern that she was a young woman of business instincts and + training, and then she stepped down from her chair of office, emerged from + the bureau, and, preceded by two menials, led Prince Aribert to the Louis + XV chamber in which her father and Felix Babylon had had their long + confabulation on the previous evening. + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you want to talk to me about?’ she asked her companion, as she + poured out for him a second cup of tea. The Prince looked at her for a + moment as he took the proffered cup, and being a young man of sane, + healthy, instincts, he could think of nothing for the moment except her + loveliness. + </p> + <p> + Nella was indeed beautiful that afternoon. The beauty of even the most + beautiful woman ebbs and flows from hour to hour. Nella’s this afternoon + was at the flood. Vivacious, alert, imperious, and yet ineffably sweet, + she seemed to radiate the very joy and exuberance of life. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have forgotten,’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have forgotten! That is surely very wrong of you? You gave me to + understand that it was something terribly important. But of course I knew + it couldn’t be, because no man, and especially no Prince, ever discussed + anything really important with a woman.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Recollect, Miss Racksole, that this afternoon, here, I am not the + Prince.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are Count Steenbock, is that it?’ + </p> + <p> + He started. ‘For you only,’ he said, unconsciously lowering his voice. + ‘Miss Racksole, I particularly wish that no one here should know that I + was in Paris last spring.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘An affair of State?’ she smiled. + </p> + <p> + ‘An affair of State,’ he replied soberly. ‘Even Dimmock doesn’t know. It + was strange that we should be fellow guests at that quiet out-of-the-way + hotel—strange but delightful. I shall never forget that rainy + afternoon that we spent together in the Museum of the Trocadéro. Let us + talk about that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘About the rain, or the museum?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall never forget that afternoon,’ he repeated, ignoring the lightness + of her question. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nor I,’ she murmured corresponding to his mood. + </p> + <p> + ‘You, too enjoyed it?’ he said eagerly. + </p> + <p> + ‘The sculptures were magnificent,’ she replied, hastily glancing at the + ceiling. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! So they were! Tell me, Miss Racksole, how did you discover my + identity.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I must not say,’ she answered. ‘That is my secret. Do not seek to + penetrate it. Who knows what horrors you might discover if you probed too + far?’ She laughed, but she laughed alone. The Prince remained pensive—as + it were brooding. + </p> + <p> + ‘I never hoped to see you again,’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why not?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘One never sees again those whom one wishes to see.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As for me, I was perfectly convinced that we should meet again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because I always get what I want.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you wanted to see me again?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly. You interested me extremely. I have never met another man who + could talk so well about sculpture as the Count Steenbock.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you really always get what you want, Miss Racksole?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is because your father is so rich, I suppose?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, no, it isn’t!’ she said. ‘It’s simply because I always do get what I + want. It’s got nothing to do with Father at all.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But Mr Racksole is extremely wealthy?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Wealthy isn’t the word, Count. There is no word. It’s positively awful + the amount of dollars poor Papa makes. And the worst of it is he can’t + help it. + </p> + <p> + He told me once that when a man had made ten millions no power on earth + could stop those ten millions from growing into twenty. And so it + continues. + </p> + <p> + I spend what I can, but I can’t come near coping with it; and of course + Papa is no use whatever at spending.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And you have no mother?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who told you I had no mother?’ she asked quietly. + </p> + <p> + ‘I—er—inquired about you,’ he said, with equal candour and + humility. + </p> + <p> + ‘In spite of the fact that you never hoped to see me again?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, in spite of that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How funny!’ she said, and lapsed into a meditative silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yours must be a wonderful existence,’ said the Prince. ‘I envy you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You envy me—what? My father’s wealth?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ he said; ‘your freedom and your responsibilities.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have no responsibilities,’ she remarked. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pardon me,’ he said; ‘you have, and the time is coming when you will feel + them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m only a girl,’ she murmured with sudden simplicity. ‘As for you, + Count, surely you have sufficient responsibilities of your own?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I?’ he said sadly. ‘I have no responsibilities. I am a nobody—a + Serene Highness who has to pretend to be very important, always taking + immense care never to do anything that a Serene Highness ought not to do. + Bah!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But if your nephew, Prince Eugen, were to die, would you not come to the + throne, and would you not then have these responsibilities which you so + much desire?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Eugen die?’ said Prince Aribert, in a curious tone. ‘Impossible. He is + the perfection of health. In three months he will be married. No, I shall + never be anything but a Serene Highness, the most despicable of God’s + creatures.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But what about the State secret which you mentioned? Is not that a + responsibility?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ he said. ‘That is over. That belongs to the past. It was an accident + in my dull career. I shall never be Count Steenbock again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who knows?’ she said. ‘By the way, is not Prince Eugen coming here + to-day? Mr Dimmock told us so.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘See!’ answered the Prince, standing up and bending over her. ‘I am going + to confide in you. I don’t know why, but I am.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t betray State secrets,’ she warned him, smiling into his face. + </p> + <p> + But just then the door of the room was unceremoniously opened. + </p> + <p> + ‘Go right in,’ said a voice sharply. It was Theodore Racksole’s. Two men + entered, bearing a prone form on a stretcher, and Racksole followed them. + </p> + <p> + Nella sprang up. Racksole stared to see his daughter. + </p> + <p> + ‘I didn’t know you were in here, Nell. Here,’ to the two men, ‘out again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why!’ exclaimed Nella, gazing fearfully at the form on the stretcher, + ‘it’s Mr Dimmock!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is,’ her father acquiesced. ‘He’s dead,’ he added laconically. ‘I’d + have broken it to you more gently had I known. Your pardon, Prince.’ There + was a pause. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dimmock dead!’ Prince Aribert whispered under his breath, and he kneeled + down by the side of the stretcher. ‘What does this mean?’ + </p> + <p> + The poor fellow was just walking across the quadrangle towards the portico + when he fell down. A commissionaire who saw him says he was walking very + quickly. At first I thought it was sunstroke, but it couldn’t have been, + though the weather certainly is rather warm. It must be heart disease. But + anyhow, he’s dead. We did what we could. I’ve sent for a doctor, and for + the police. I suppose there’ll have to be an inquest.’ + </p> + <p> + Theodore Racksole stopped, and in an awkward solemn silence they all gazed + at the dead youth. His features were slightly drawn, and his eyes closed; + that was all. He might have been asleep. + </p> + <p> + ‘My poor Dimmock!’ exclaimed the Prince, his voice broken. ‘And I was + angry because the lad did not meet me at Charing Cross!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you sure he is dead, Father?’ Nella said. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’d better go away, Nella,’ was Racksole’s only reply; but the girl + stood still, and began to sob quietly. On the previous night she had + secretly made fun of Reginald Dimmock. She had deliberately set herself to + get information from him on a topic in which she happened to be specially + interested and she had got it, laughing the while at his youthful + crudities—his vanity, his transparent cunning, his absurd airs. She + had not liked him; she had even distrusted him, and decided that he was + not ‘nice’. But now, as he lay on the stretcher, these things were + forgotten. She went so far as to reproach herself for them. Such is the + strange commanding power of death. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oblige me by taking the poor fellow to my apartments,’ said the Prince, + with a gesture to the attendants. ‘Surely it is time the doctor came.’ + </p> + <p> + Racksole felt suddenly at that moment he was nothing but a mere hotel + proprietor with an awkward affair on his hands. For a fraction of a second + he wished he had never bought the Grand Babylon. + </p> + <p> + A quarter of an hour later Prince Aribert, Theodore Racksole, a doctor, + and an inspector of police were in the Prince’s reception-room. They had + just come from an ante-chamber, in which lay the mortal remains of + Reginald Dimmock. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well?’ said Racksole, glancing at the doctor. + </p> + <p> + The doctor was a big, boyish-looking man, with keen, quizzical eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is not heart disease,’ said the doctor. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not heart disease?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then what is it?’ asked the Prince. + </p> + <p> + ‘I may be able to answer that question after the post-mortem,’ said the + doctor. ‘I certainly can’t answer it now. The symptoms are unusual to a + degree.’ + </p> + <p> + The inspector of police began to write in a note-book. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Six IN THE GOLD ROOM + </h2> + <p> + AT the Grand Babylon a great ball was given that night in the Gold Room, a + huge saloon attached to the hotel, though scarcely part of it, and + certainly less exclusive than the hotel itself. Theodore Racksole knew + nothing of the affair, except that it was an entertainment offered by a Mr + and Mrs Sampson Levi to their friends. Who Mr and Mrs Sampson Levi were he + did not know, nor could anyone tell him anything about them except that Mr + Sampson Levi was a prominent member of that part of the Stock Exchange + familiarly called the Kaffir Circus, and that his wife was a stout lady + with an aquiline nose and many diamonds, and that they were very rich and + very hospitable. Theodore Racksole did not want a ball in his hotel that + evening, and just before dinner he had almost a mind to issue a decree + that the Gold Room was to be closed and the ball forbidden, and Mr and Mrs + Sampson Levi might name the amount of damages suffered by them. His + reasons for such a course were threefold—first, he felt depressed + and uneasy; second, he didn’t like the name of Sampson Levi; and, third, + he had a desire to show these so-called plutocrats that their wealth was + nothing to him, that they could not do what they chose with Theodore + Racksole, and that for two pins Theodore Racksole would buy them up, and + the whole Kaffir Circus to boot. But something warned him that though such + a high-handed proceeding might be tolerated in America, that land of + freedom, it would never be tolerated in England. He felt instinctively + that in England there are things you can’t do, and that this particular + thing was one of them. So the ball went forward, and neither Mr nor Mrs + Sampson Levi had ever the least suspicion what a narrow escape they had + had of looking very foolish in the eyes of the thousand or so guests + invited by them to the Gold Room of the Grand Babylon that evening. + </p> + <p> + The Gold Room of the Grand Babylon was built for a ballroom. A balcony, + supported by arches faced with gilt and lapis-lazulo, ran around it, and + from this vantage men and maidens and chaperons who could not or would not + dance might survey the scene. Everyone knew this, and most people took + advantage of it. What everyone did not know—what no one knew—was + that higher up than the balcony there was a little barred window in the + end wall from which the hotel authorities might keep a watchful eye, not + only on the dancers, but on the occupants of the balcony itself. + </p> + <p> + It may seem incredible to the uninitiated that the guests at any social + gathering held in so gorgeous and renowned an apartment as the Gold Room + of the Grand Babylon should need the observation of a watchful eye. Yet so + it was. Strange matters and unexpected faces had been descried from the + little window, and more than one European detective had kept vigil there + with the most eminently satisfactory results. + </p> + <p> + At eleven o’clock Theodore Racksole, afflicted by vexation of spirit, + found himself gazing idly through the little barred window. Nella was with + him. + </p> + <p> + Together they had been wandering about the corridors of the hotel, still + strange to them both, and it was quite by accident that they had lighted + upon the small room which had a surreptitious view of Mr and Mrs Sampson + Levi’s ball. Except for the light of the chandelier of the ball-room the + little cubicle was in darkness. Nella was looking through the window; her + father stood behind. + </p> + <p> + ‘I wonder which is Mrs Sampson Levi?’ Nella said, ‘and whether she matches + her name. Wouldn’t you love to have a name like that, Father—something + that people could take hold of—instead of Racksole?’ + </p> + <p> + The sound of violins and a confused murmur of voices rose gently up to + them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Umphl’ said Theodore. ‘Curse those evening papers!’ he added, + inconsequently but with sincerity. + </p> + <p> + ‘Father, you’re very horrid to-night. What have the evening papers been + doing?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, my young madame, they’ve got me in for one, and you for another; + and they’re manufacturing mysteries like fun. It’s young Dimmock’s death + that has started ‘em.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, Father, you surely didn’t expect to keep yourself out of the + papers. Besides, as regards newspapers, you ought to be glad you aren’t in + New York. Just fancy what the dear old Herald would have made out of a + little transaction like yours of last night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s true,’ assented Racksole. ‘But it’ll be all over New York + to-morrow morning, all the same. The worst of it is that Babylon has gone + off to Switzerland.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t know. Sudden fancy, I guess, for his native heath.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What difference does it make to you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘None. Only I feel sort of lonesome. I feel I want someone to lean up + against in running this hotel.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Father, if you have that feeling you must be getting ill.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ he sighed, ‘I admit it’s unusual with me. But perhaps you haven’t + grasped the fact, Nella, that we’re in the middle of a rather queer + business.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You mean about poor Mr Dimmock?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Partly Dimmock and partly other things. First of all, that Miss Spencer, + or whatever her wretched name is, mysteriously disappears. Then there was + the stone thrown into your bedroom. Then I caught that rascal Jules + conspiring with Dimmock at three o’clock in the morning. Then your + precious Prince Aribert arrives without any suite—which I believe is + a most peculiar and wicked thing for a Prince to do—and moreover I + find my daughter on very intimate terms with the said Prince. Then young + Dimmock goes and dies, and there is to be an inquest; then Prince Eugen + and his suite, who were expected here for dinner, fail to turn up at all—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Prince Eugen has not come?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He has not; and Uncle Aribert is in a deuce of a stew about him, and + telegraphing all over Europe. Altogether, things are working up pretty + lively.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you really think, Dad, there was anything between Jules and poor Mr + Dimmock?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Think! I know! I tell you I saw that scamp give Dimmock a wink last night + at dinner that might have meant—well!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So you caught that wink, did you, Dad?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, did you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course, Dad. I was going to tell you about it.’ + </p> + <p> + The millionaire grunted. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look here, Father,’ Nella whispered suddenly, and pointed to the balcony + immediately below them. ‘Who’s that?’ She indicated a man with a bald + patch on the back of his head, who was propping himself up against the + railing of the balcony and gazing immovable into the ball-room. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, who is it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Isn’t it Jules?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Gemini! By the beard of the prophet, it is!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Perhaps Mr Jules is a guest of Mrs Sampson Levi.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Guest or no guest, he goes out of this hotel, even if I have to throw him + out myself.’ + </p> + <p> + Theodore Racksole disappeared without another word, and Nella followed + him. + </p> + <p> + But when the millionaire arrived on the balcony floor he could see nothing + of Jules, neither there nor in the ball-room itself. Saying no word aloud, + but quietly whispering wicked expletives, he searched everywhere in vain, + and then, at last, by tortuous stairways and corridors returned to his + original post of observation, that he might survey the place anew from the + vantage ground. To his surprise he found a man in the dark little room, + watching the scene of the ball as intently as he himself had been doing a + few minutes before. Hearing footsteps, the man turned with a start. + </p> + <p> + It was Jules. + </p> + <p> + The two exchanged glances in the half light for a second. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good evening, Mr Racksole,’ said Jules calmly. ‘I must apologize for + being here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Force of habit, I suppose,’ said Theodore Racksole drily. + </p> + <p> + ‘Just so, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I fancied I had forbidden you to re-enter this hotel?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I thought your order applied only to my professional capacity. I am here + to-night as the guest of Mr and Mrs Sampson Levi.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In your new rôle of man-about-town, eh?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Exactly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But I don’t allow men-about-town up here, my friend.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For being up here I have already apologized.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then, having apologized, you had better depart; that is my disinterested + advice to you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good night, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And, I say, Mr Jules, if Mr and Mrs Sampson Levi, or any other Hebrews or + Christians, should again invite you to my hotel you will oblige me by + declining the invitation. You’ll find that will be the safest course for + you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good night, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + Before midnight struck Theodore Racksole had ascertained that the + invitation-list of Mr and Mrs Sampson Levi, though a somewhat lengthy one, + contained no reference to any such person as Jules. + </p> + <p> + He sat up very late. To be precise, he sat up all night. He was a man who, + by dint of training, could comfortably dispense with sleep when he felt so + inclined, or when circumstances made such a course advisable. He walked to + and fro in his room, and cogitated as few people beside Theodore Racksole + could cogitate. At 6 a.m. he took a stroll round the business part of his + premises, and watched the supplies come in from Covent Garden, from + Smithfield, from Billingsgate, and from other strange places. He found the + proceedings of the kitchen department quite interesting, and made mental + notes of things that he would have altered, of men whose wages he would + increase and men whose wages he would reduce. At 7 a.m. he happened to be + standing near the luggage lift, and witnessed the descent of vast + quantities of luggage, and its disappearance into a Carter Paterson van. + </p> + <p> + ‘Whose luggage is that?’ he inquired peremptorily. + </p> + <p> + The luggage clerk, with an aggrieved expression, explained to him that it + was the luggage of nobody in particular, that it belonged to various + guests, and was bound for various destinations; that it was, in fact, + ‘expressed’ luggage despatched in advance, and that a similar quantity of + it left the hotel every morning about that hour. + </p> + <p> + Theodore Racksole walked away, and breakfasted upon one cup of tea and + half a slice of toast. + </p> + <p> + At ten o’clock he was informed that the inspector of police desired to see + him. The inspector had come, he said, to superintend the removal of the + body of Reginald Dimmock to the mortuary adjoining the place of inquest, + and a suitable vehicle waited at the back entrance of the hotel. + </p> + <p> + The inspector had also brought subpoenas for himself and Prince Aribert of + Posen and the commissionaire to attend the inquest. + </p> + <p> + ‘I thought Mr Dimmock’s remains were removed last night,’ said Racksole + wearily. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, sir. The fact is the van was engaged on another job.’ + </p> + <p> + The inspector gave the least hint of a professional smile, and Racksole, + disgusted, told him curtly to go and perform his duties. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes a message came from the inspector requesting Mr Racksole + to be good enough to come to him on the first floor. Racksole went. In the + ante-room, where the body of Reginald Dimmock had originally been placed, + were the inspector and Prince Aribert, and two policemen. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well?’ said Racksole, after he and the Prince had exchanged bows. Then he + saw a coffin laid across two chairs. ‘I see a coffin has been obtained,’ + he remarked. ‘Quite right’ He approached it. ‘It’s empty,’ he observed + unthinkingly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Just so,’ said the inspector. ‘The body of the deceased has disappeared. + </p> + <p> + And his Serene Highness Prince Aribert informs me that though he has + occupied a room immediately opposite, on the other side of the corridor, + he can throw no light on the affair.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed, I cannot!’ said the Prince, and though he spoke with sufficient + calmness and dignity, you could see that he was deeply pained, even + distressed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I’m—’ murmured Racksole, and stopped. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Seven NELLA AND THE PRINCE + </h2> + <p> + IT appeared impossible to Theodore Racksole that so cumbrous an article as + a corpse could be removed out of his hotel, with no trace, no hint, no + clue as to the time or the manner of the performance of the deed. After + the first feeling of surprise, Racksole grew coldly and severely angry. He + had a mind to dismiss the entire staff of the hotel. He personally + examined the night-watchman, the chambermaids and all other persons who by + chance might or ought to know something of the affair; but without avail. + The corpse of Reginald Dimmock had vanished utterly—disappeared like + a fleshless spirit. + </p> + <p> + Of course there were the police. But Theodore Racksole held the police in + sorry esteem. He acquainted them with the facts, answered their queries + with a patient weariness, and expected nothing whatever from that + quarter. He also had several interviews with Prince Aribert of Posen, but + though the Prince was suavity itself and beyond doubt genuinely concerned + about the fate of his dead attendant, yet it seemed to Racksole that he + was keeping something back, that he hesitated to say all he knew. + Racksole, with characteristic insight, decided that the death of Reginald + Dimmock was only a minor event, which had occurred, as it were, on the + fringe of some far more profound mystery. And, therefore, he decided to + wait, with his eyes very wide open, until something else happened that + would throw light on the business. At the moment he took only one measure—he + arranged that the theft of Dimmock’s body should not appear in the + newspapers. It is astonishing how well a secret can be kept, when the + possessors of the secret are handled with the proper mixture of firmness + and persuasion. Racksole managed this very neatly. It was a complicated + job, and his success in it rather pleased him. + </p> + <p> + At the same time he was conscious of being temporarily worsted by an + unknown group of schemers, in which he felt convinced that Jules was an + important item. He could scarcely look Nella in the eyes. The girl had + evidently expected him to unmask this conspiracy at once, with a single + stroke of the millionaire’s magic wand. She was thoroughly accustomed, in + the land of her birth, to seeing him achieve impossible feats. Over there + he was a ‘boss’; men trembled before his name; when he wished a thing to + happen—well, it happened; if he desired to know a thing, he just + knew it. But here, in London, Theodore Racksole was not quite the same + Theodore Racksole. He dominated New York; but London, for the most part, + seemed not to take much interest in him; and there were certainly various + persons in London who were capable of snapping their fingers at him—at + Theodore Racksole. Neither he nor his daughter could get used to that + fact. + </p> + <p> + As for Nella, she concerned herself for a little with the ordinary + business of the bureau, and watched the incomings and outgoings of Prince + Aribert with a kindly interest. She perceived, what her father had failed + to perceive, that His Highness had assumed an attitude of reserve merely + to hide the secret distraction and dismay which consumed him. She saw that + the poor fellow had no settled plan in his head, and that he was troubled + by something which, so far, he had confided to nobody. It came to her + knowledge that each morning he walked to and fro on the Victoria + Embankment, alone, and apparently with no object. On the third morning she + decided that driving exercise on the Embankment would be good for her + health, and thereupon ordered a carriage and issued forth, arrayed in a + miraculous putty-coloured gown. Near Blackfriars Bridge she met the + Prince, and the carriage was drawn up by the pavement. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good morning, Prince,’ she greeted him. ‘Are you mistaking this for Hyde + Park?’ + </p> + <p> + He bowed and smiled. + </p> + <p> + ‘I usually walk here in the mornings,’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘You surprise me,’ she returned. ‘I thought I was the only person in + London who preferred the Embankment, with this view of the river, to the + dustiness of Hyde Park. I can’t imagine how it is that London will never + take exercise anywhere except in that ridiculous Park. Now, if they had + Central Park—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I think the Embankment is the finest spot in all London,’ he said. + </p> + <p> + She leaned a little out of the landau, bringing her face nearer to his. + </p> + <p> + ‘I do believe we are kindred spirits, you and I,’ she murmured; and then, + ‘Au revoir, Prince!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘One moment, Miss Racksole.’ His quick tones had a note of entreaty. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am in a hurry,’ she fibbed; ‘I am not merely taking exercise this + morning. You have no idea how busy we are.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! then I will not trouble you. But I leave the Grand Babylon to-night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you?’ she said. ‘Then will your Highness do me the honour of lunching + with me today in Father’s room? Father will be out—he is having a + day in the City with some stockbroking persons.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall be charmed,’ said the Prince, and his face showed that he meant + it. + </p> + <p> + Nella drove off. + </p> + <p> + If the lunch was a success that result was due partly to Rocco, and partly + to Nella. The Prince said little beyond what the ordinary rules of the + conversational game demanded. His hostess talked much and talked well, but + she failed to rouse her guest. When they had had coffee he took a rather + formal leave of her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good-bye, Prince,’ she said, ‘but I thought—that is, no I didn’t. + </p> + <p> + Good-bye.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You thought I wished to discuss something with you. I did; but I have + decided that I have no right to burden your mind with my affairs.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But suppose—suppose I wish to be burdened?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is your good nature.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sit down,’ she said abruptly, ‘and tell me everything; mind, everything. + I adore secrets.’ + </p> + <p> + Almost before he knew it he was talking to her, rapidly, eagerly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why should I weary you with my confidences?’ he said. ‘I don’t know, I + cannot tell; but I feel that I must. I feel that you will understand me + better than anyone else in the world. And yet why should you understand + me? Again, I don’t know. Miss Racksole, I will disclose to you the whole + trouble in a word. Prince Eugen, the hereditary Grand Duke of Posen, has + disappeared. Four days ago I was to have met him at Ostend. He had affairs + in London. He wished me to come with him. I sent Dimmock on in front, and + waited for Eugen. He did not arrive. I telegraphed back to Cologne, his + last stopping-place, and I learned that he had left there in accordance + with his programme; I learned also that he had passed through Brussels. It + must have been between Brussels and the railway station at Ostend Quay + that he disappeared. He was travelling with a single equerry, and the + equerry, too, has vanished. I need not explain to you, Miss Racksole, that + when a person of the importance of my nephew contrives to get lost one + must proceed cautiously. One cannot advertise for him in the London Times. + Such a disappearance must be kept secret. The people at Posen and at + Berlin believe that Eugen is in London, here, at this hotel; or, rather, + they did so believe. But this morning I received a cypher telegram from—from + His Majesty the Emperor, a very peculiar telegram, asking when Eugen might + be expected to return to Posen, and requesting that he should go first to + Berlin. That telegram was addressed to myself. Now, if the Emperor thought + that Eugen was here, why should he have caused the telegram to be + addressed to me? I have hesitated for three days, but I can hesitate no + longer. I must myself go to the Emperor and acquaint him with the facts.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I suppose you’ve just got to keep straight with him?’ Nella was on the + point of saying, but she checked herself and substituted, ‘The Emperor is + your chief, is he not? “First among equals”, you call him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘His Majesty is our over-lord,’ said Aribert quietly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why do you not take immediate steps to inquire as to the whereabouts of + your Royal nephew?’ she asked simply. The affair seemed to her just then + so plain and straightforward. + </p> + <p> + ‘Because one of two things may have happened. Either Eugen may have been, + in plain language, abducted, or he may have had his own reasons for + changing his programme and keeping in the background—out of reach of + telegraph and post and railways.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What sort of reasons?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not ask me. In the history of every family there are passages—’ + He stopped. + </p> + <p> + ‘And what was Prince Eugen’s object in coming to London?’ + </p> + <p> + Aribert hesitated. + </p> + <p> + ‘Money,’ he said at length. ‘As a family we are very poor—poorer + than anyone in Berlin suspects.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Prince Aribert,’ Nella said, ‘shall I tell you what I think?’ She leaned + back in her chair, and looked at him out of half-closed eyes. His pale, + thin, distinguished face held her gaze as if by some fascination. There + could be no mistaking this man for anything else but a Prince. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you will,’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Prince Eugen is the victim of a plot.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You think so?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am perfectly convinced of it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But why? What can be the object of a plot against him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is a point of which you should know more than me,’ she remarked + drily. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! Perhaps, perhaps,’ he said. ‘But, dear Miss Racksole, why are you so + sure?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There are several reasons, and they are connected with Mr Dimmock. Did + you ever suspect, your Highness, that that poor young man was not entirely + loyal to you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He was absolutely loyal,’ said the Prince, with all the earnestness of + conviction. + </p> + <p> + ‘A thousand pardons, but he was not.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Miss Racksole, if any other than yourself made that assertion, I would—I + would—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Consign them to the deepest dungeon in Posen?’ she laughed, lightly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen.’ And she told him of the incidents which had occurred in the + night preceding his arrival in the hotel. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you mean, Miss Racksole, that there was an understanding between poor + Dimmock and this fellow Jules?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There was an understanding.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Impossible!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your Highness, the man who wishes to probe a mystery to its root never + uses the word “impossible”. But I will say this for young Mr Dimmock. I + think he repented, and I think that it was because he repented that he—er—died + so suddenly, and that his body was spirited away.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why has no one told me these things before?’ Aribert exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Princes seldom hear the truth,’ she said. + </p> + <p> + He was astonished at her coolness, her firmness of assertion, her air of + complete acquaintance with the world. + </p> + <p> + ‘Miss Racksole,’ he said, ‘if you will permit me to say it, I have never + in my life met a woman like you. May I rely on your sympathy—your + support?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My support, Prince? But how?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not know,’ he replied. ‘But you could help me if you would. A woman, + when she has brain, always has more brain than a man.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ she said ruefully, ‘I have no brains, but I do believe I could help + you.’ + </p> + <p> + What prompted her to make that assertion she could not have explained, + even to herself. But she made it, and she had a suspicion—a + prescience—that it would be justified, though by what means, through + what good fortune, was still a mystery to her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Go to Berlin,’ she said. ‘I see that you must do that; you have no + alternative. As for the rest, we shall see. Something will occur. I shall + be here. My father will be here. You must count us as your friends.’ + </p> + <p> + He kissed her hand when he left, and afterwards, when she was alone, she + kissed the spot his lips had touched again and again. Now, thinking the + matter out in the calmness of solitude, all seemed strange, unreal, + uncertain to her. Were conspiracies actually possible nowadays? Did queer + things actually happen in Europe? And did they actually happen in London + hotels? She dined with her father that night. + </p> + <p> + ‘I hear Prince Aribert has left,’ said Theodore Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ she assented. She said not a word about their interview. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Eight ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF THE BARONESS + </h2> + <p> + ON the following morning, just before lunch, a lady, accompanied by a maid + and a considerable quantity of luggage, came to the Grand Babylon Hôtel. + She was a plump, little old lady, with white hair and an old-fashioned + bonnet, and she had a quaint, simple smile of surprise at everything in + general. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, she gave the impression of belonging to some aristocracy, + though not the English aristocracy. Her tone to her maid, whom she + addressed in broken English—the girl being apparently English—was + distinctly insolent, with the calm, unconscious insolence peculiar to a + certain type of Continental nobility. The name on the lady’s card ran + thus: ‘Baroness Zerlinski’. She desired rooms on the third floor. It + happened that Nella was in the bureau. + </p> + <p> + ‘On the third floor, madam?’ questioned Nella, in her best clerkly manner. + </p> + <p> + ‘I did say on de tird floor,’ said the plump little old lady. + </p> + <p> + ‘We have accommodation on the second floor.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wish to be high up, out of de dust and in de light,’ explained the + Baroness. + </p> + <p> + ‘We have no suites on the third floor, madam.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never mind, no mattaire! Have you not two rooms that communicate?’ + </p> + <p> + Nella consulted her books, rather awkwardly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Numbers 122 and 123 communicate.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Or is it 121 and 122?’ the little old lady remarked quickly, and then bit + her lip. + </p> + <p> + ‘I beg your pardon. I should have said 121 and 122.’ + </p> + <p> + At the moment Nella regarded the Baroness’s correction of her figures as a + curious chance, but afterwards, when the Baroness had ascended in the + lift, the thing struck her as somewhat strange. Perhaps the Baroness + Zerlinski had stayed at the hotel before. For the sake of convenience an + index of visitors to the hotel was kept and the index extended back for + thirty years. Nella examined it, but it did not contain the name of + Zerlinski. Then it was that Nella began to imagine, what had swiftly + crossed her mind when first the Baroness presented herself at the bureau, + that the features of the Baroness were remotely familiar to her. She + thought, not that she had seen the old lady’s face before, but that she + had seen somewhere, some time, a face of a similar cast. It occurred to + Nella to look at the ‘Almanach de Gotha’—that record of all the + mazes of Continental blue blood; but the ‘Almanach de Gotha’ made no + reference to any barony of Zerlinski. Nella inquired where the Baroness + meant to take lunch, and was informed that a table had been reserved for + her in the dining-room, and she at once decided to lunch in the + dining-room herself. Seated in a corner, half-hidden by a pillar, she + could survey all the guests, and watch each group as it entered or left. + Presently the Baroness appeared, dressed in black, with a tiny lace shawl, + despite the June warmth; very stately, very quaint, and gently smiling. + Nella observed her intently. The lady ate heartily, working without haste + and without delay through the elaborate menu of the luncheon. Nella + noticed that she had beautiful white teeth. Then a remarkable thing + happened. A cream puff was served to the Baroness by way of sweets, and + Nella was astonished to see the little lady remove the top, and with a + spoon quietly take something from the interior which looked like a piece + of folded paper. No one who had not been watching with the eye of a lynx + would have noticed anything extraordinary in the action; indeed, the + chances were nine hundred and ninety-nine to one that it would pass + unheeded. But, unfortunately for the Baroness, it was the thousandth + chance that happened. Nella jumped up, and walking over to the Baroness, + said to her: + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m afraid that the tart is not quite nice, your ladyship.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thanks, it is delightful,’ said the Baroness coldly; her smile had + vanished. ‘Who are you? I thought you were de bureau clerk.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My father is the owner of this hotel. I thought there was something in + the tart which ought not to have been there.’ + </p> + <p> + Nella looked the Baroness full in the face. The piece of folded paper, to + which a little cream had attached itself, lay under the edge of a plate. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, thanks.’ The Baroness smiled her simple smile. + </p> + <p> + Nella departed. She had noticed one trifling thing besides the paper—namely, + that the Baroness could pronounce the English ‘th’ sound if she chose. + </p> + <p> + That afternoon, in her own room, Nella sat meditating at the window for + long time, and then she suddenly sprang up, her eyes brightening. + </p> + <p> + ‘I know,’ she exclaimed, clapping her hands. ‘It’s Miss Spencer, + disguised! + </p> + <p> + Why didn’t I think of that before?’ Her thoughts ran instantly to Prince + Aribert. ‘Perhaps I can help him,’ she said to herself, and gave a little + sigh. She went down to the office and inquired whether the Baroness had + given any instructions about dinner. She felt that some plan must be + formulated. She wanted to get hold of Rocco, and put him in the rack. She + knew now that Rocco, the unequalled, was also concerned in this mysterious + affair. + </p> + <p> + ‘The Baroness Zerlinski has left, about a quarter of an hour ago,’ said + the attendant. + </p> + <p> + ‘But she only arrived this morning.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Baroness’s maid said that her mistress had received a telegram and + must leave at once. The Baroness paid the bill, and went away in a + four-wheeler.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where to?’ + </p> +<p> + ‘The trunks were labelled for Ostend.’ +</p> + <p> + Perhaps it was instinct, perhaps it was the mere spirit of adventure; but + that evening Nella was to be seen of all men on the steamer for Ostend + which leaves Dover at 11 p.m. She told no one of her intentions—not + even her father, who was not in the hotel when she left. She had scribbled + a brief note to him to expect her back in a day or two, and had posted + this at Dover. The steamer was the Marie Henriette, a large and luxurious + boat, whose state-rooms on deck vie with the glories of the Cunard and + White Star liners. One of these state-rooms, the best, was evidently + occupied, for every curtain of its windows was carefully drawn. Nella did + not hope that the Baroness was on board; it was quite possible for the + Baroness to have caught the eight o’clock steamer, and it was also + possible for the Baroness not to have gone to Ostend at all, but to some + other place in an entirely different direction. Nevertheless, Nella had a + faint hope that the lady who called herself Zerlinski might be in that + curtained stateroom, and throughout the smooth moonlit voyage she never + once relaxed her observation of its doors and its windows. + </p> + <p> + The Maria Henriette arrived in Ostend Harbour punctually at 2 a.m. in the + morning. There was the usual heterogeneous, gesticulating crowd on the + quay. + </p> + <p> + Nella kept her post near the door of the state-room, and at length she was + rewarded by seeing it open. Four middle-aged Englishmen issued from it. + From a glimpse of the interior Nella saw that they had spent the voyage in + card-playing. + </p> + <p> + It would not be too much to say that she was distinctly annoyed. She + pretended to be annoyed with circumstances, but really she was annoyed + with Nella Racksole. At two in the morning, without luggage, without any + companionship, and without a plan of campaign, she found herself in a + strange foreign port—a port of evil repute, possessing some of the + worst-managed hotels in Europe. She strolled on the quay for a few + minutes, and then she saw the smoke of another steamer in the offing. She + inquired from an official what that steamer might be, and was told that it + was the eight o’clock from Dover, which had broken down, put into Calais + for some slight necessary repairs, and was arriving at its destination + nearly four hours late. Her mercurial spirits rose again. A minute ago she + was regarding herself as no better than a ninny engaged in a wild-goose + chase. Now she felt that after all she had been very sagacious and + cunning. She was morally sure that she would find the Zerlinski woman on + this second steamer, and she took all the credit to herself in advance. + Such is human nature. + </p> + <p> + The steamer seemed interminably slow in coming into harbour. Nella walked + on the Digue for a few minutes to watch it the better. The town was silent + and almost deserted. It had a false and sinister aspect. She remembered + tales which she had heard of this glittering resort, which in the season + holds more scoundrels than any place in Europe, save only Monte Carlo. She + remembered that the gilded adventurers of every nation under the sun + forgathered there either for business or pleasure, and that some of the + most wonderful crimes of the latter half of the century had been schemed + and matured in that haunt of cosmopolitan iniquity. + </p> + <p> + When the second steamer arrived Nella stood at the end of the gangway, + close to the ticket-collector. The first person to step on shore was—not + the Baroness Zerlinski, but Miss Spencer herself! Nella turned aside + instantly, hiding her face, and Miss Spencer, carrying a small bag, + hurried with assured footsteps to the Custom House. It seemed as if she + knew the port of Ostend fairly well. The moon shone like day, and Nella + had full opportunity to observe her quarry. She could see now quite + plainly that the Baroness Zerlinski had been only Miss Spencer in + disguise. There was the same gait, the same movement of the head and of + the hips; the white hair was easily to be accounted for by a wig, and the + wrinkles by a paint brush and some grease paints. Miss Spencer, whose hair + was now its old accustomed yellow, got through the Custom House without + difficulty, and Nella saw her call a closed carriage and say something to + the driver. The vehicle drove off. Nella jumped into the next carriage—an + open one—that came up. + </p> + <p> + ‘Follow that carriage,’ she said succinctly to the driver in French. + </p> + <p> + ‘Bien, madame!’ The driver whipped up his horse, and the animal shot + forward with a terrific clatter over the cobbles. It appeared that this + driver was quite accustomed to following other carriages. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now I am fairly in for it!’ said Nella to herself. She laughed + unsteadily, but her heart was beating with an extraordinary thump. + </p> + <p> + For some time the pursued vehicle kept well in front. It crossed the town + nearly from end to end, and plunged into a maze of small streets far on + the south side of the Kursaal. Then gradually Nella’s equipage began to + overtake it. The first carriage stopped with a jerk before a tall dark + house, and Miss Spencer emerged. Nella called to her driver to stop, but + he, determined to be in at the death, was engaged in whipping his horse, + and he completely ignored her commands. He drew up triumphantly at the + tall dark house just at the moment when Miss Spencer disappeared into it. + The other carriage drove away. Nella, uncertain what to do, stepped down + from her carriage and gave the driver some money. At the same moment a man + reopened the door of the house, which had closed on Miss Spencer. + </p> + <p> + ‘I want to see Miss Spencer,’ said Nella impulsively. She couldn’t think + of anything else to say. + </p> + <p> + ‘Miss Spencer?’ +</p> + <p> + ‘Yes; she’s just arrived.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s O.K., I suppose,’ said the man. + </p> + <p> + ‘I guess so,’ said Nella, and she walked past him into the house. She was + astonished at her own audacity. + </p> + <p> + Miss Spencer was just going into a room off the narrow hall. Nella + followed her into the apartment, which was shabbily furnished in the + Belgian lodging-house style. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, Miss Spencer,’ she greeted the former Baroness Zerlinski, ‘I guess + you didn’t expect to see me. You left our hotel very suddenly this + afternoon, and you left it very suddenly a few days ago; and so I’ve just + called to make a few inquiries.’ + </p> + <p> + To do the lady justice, Miss Spencer bore the surprising ordeal very well. + </p> + <p> + She did not flinch; she betrayed no emotion. The sole sign of perturbation + was in her hurried breathing. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have ceased to be the Baroness Zerlinski,’ Nella continued. ‘May I + sit down?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly, sit down,’ said Miss Spencer, copying the girl’s tone. ‘You + are a fairly smart young woman, that I will say. What do you want? Weren’t + my books all straight?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your books were all straight. I haven’t come about your books. I have + come about the murder of Reginald Dimmock, the disappearance of his + corpse, and the disappearance of Prince Eugen of Posen. I thought you + might be able to help me in some investigations which I am making.’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Spencer’s eyes gleamed, and she stood up and moved swiftly to the + mantelpiece. + </p> + <p> + ‘You may be a Yankee, but you’re a fool,’ she said. + </p> + <p> + She took hold of the bell-rope. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t ring that bell if you value your life,’ said Nella. + </p> + <p> + ‘If what?’ Miss Spencer remarked. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you value your life,’ said Nella calmly, and with the words she pulled + from her pocket a very neat and dainty little revolver. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Nine TWO WOMEN AND THE REVOLVER + </h2> + <p> + ‘YOU—you’re only doing that to frighten me,’ stammered Miss Spencer, + in a low, quavering voice. + </p> + <p> + ‘Am I?’ Nella replied, as firmly as she could, though her hand shook + violently with excitement, could Miss Spencer but have observed it. ‘Am I? + You said just now that I might be a Yankee girl, but I was a fool. Well, I + am a Yankee girl, as you call it; and in my country, if they don’t teach + revolver-shooting in boarding-schools, there are at least a lot of girls + who can handle a revolver. I happen to be one of them. I tell you that if + you ring that bell you will suffer.’ + </p> + <p> + Most of this was simple bluff on Nella’s part, and she trembled lest Miss + Spencer should perceive that it was simple bluff. Happily for her, Miss + Spencer belonged to that order of women who have every sort of courage + except physical courage. Miss Spencer could have withstood successfully + any moral trial, but persuade her that her skin was in danger, and she + would succumb. Nella at once divined this useful fact, and proceeded + accordingly, hiding the strangeness of her own sensations as well as she + could. + </p> + <p> + ‘You had better sit down now,’ said Nella, ‘and I will ask you a few + questions.’ + </p> + <p> + And Miss Spencer obediently sat down, rather white, and trying to screw + her lips into a formal smile. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why did you leave the Grand Babylon that night?’ Nella began her + examination, putting on a stern, barrister-like expression. + </p> + <p> + ‘I had orders to, Miss Racksole.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Whose orders?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I’m—I’m—the fact is, I’m a married woman, and it was my + husband’s orders.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who is your husband?’ +</p> + <p> +‘Tom Jackson—Jules, you know, head waiter at + the Grand Babylon.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So Jules’s real name is Tom Jackson? Why did he want you to leave without + giving notice?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m sure I don’t know, Miss Racksole. I swear I don’t know. He’s my + husband, and, of course, I do what he tells me, as you will some day do + what your husband tells you. Please heaven you’ll get a better husband + than mine!’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Spencer showed a sign of tears. + </p> + <p> + Nella fingered the revolver, and put it at full cock. ‘Well,’ she + repeated, ‘why did he want you to leave?’ She was tremendously surprised + at her own coolness, and somewhat pleased with it, too. + </p> + <p> + ‘I can’t tell you, I can’t tell you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’ve just got to,’ Nella said, in a terrible, remorseless tone. + </p> + <p> + ‘He—he wished me to come over here to Ostend. Something had gone + wrong. + </p> + <p> + Oh! he’s a fearful man, is Tom. If I told you, he’d—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Had something gone wrong in the hotel, or over here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Both.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Was it about Prince Eugen of Posen?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know—that is, yes, I think so.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What has your husband to do with Prince Eugen?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I believe he has some—some sort of business with him, some money + business.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And was Mr Dimmock in this business?’ +</p> + <p> +‘I fancy so, Miss Racksole. I’m + telling you all I know, that I swear.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Did your husband and Mr Dimmock have a quarrel that night in Room 111?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They had some difficulty.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And the result of that was that you came to Ostend instantly?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes; I suppose so.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what were you to do in Ostend? What were your instructions from this + husband of yours?’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Spencer’s head dropped on her arms on the table which separated her + from Nella, and she appeared to sob violently. + </p> + <p> + ‘Have pity on me,’ she murmured, ‘I can’t tell you any more.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He’d kill me if he knew.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re wandering from the subject,’ observed Nella coldly. ‘This is the + last time I shall warn you. Let me tell you plainly I’ve got the best + reasons for being desperate, and if anything happens to you I shall say I + did it in self-defence. Now, what were you to do in Ostend?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall die for this anyhow,’ whined Miss Spencer, and then, with a sort + of fierce despair, ‘I had to keep watch on Prince Eugen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where? In this house?’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Spencer nodded, and, looking up, Nella could see the traces of tears + in her face. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then Prince Eugen was a prisoner? Some one had captured him at the + instigation of Jules?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, if you must have it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why was it necessary for you specially to come to Ostend?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! Tom trusts me. You see, I know Ostend. Before I took that place at + the Grand Babylon I had travelled over Europe, and Tom knew that I knew a + thing or two.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why did you take the place at the Grand Babylon?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because Tom told me to. He said I should be useful to him there.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is your husband an Anarchist, or something of that kind, Miss Spencer?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know. I’d tell you in a minute if I knew. But he’s one of those + that keep themselves to themselves.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you know if he has ever committed a murder?’ +</p> + <p> +‘Never!’ said Miss + Spencer, with righteous repudiation of the mere idea. + </p> + <p> + ‘But Mr Dimmock was murdered. He was poisoned. If he had not been poisoned + why was his body stolen? It must have been stolen to prevent inquiry, to + hide traces. Tell me about that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I take my dying oath,’ said Miss Spencer, standing up a little way from + the table, ‘I take my dying oath I didn’t know Mr Dimmock was dead till I + saw it in the newspaper.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You swear you had no suspicion of it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I swear I hadn’t.’ + </p> + <p> + Nella was inclined to believe the statement. The woman and the girl looked + at each other in the tawdry, frowsy, lamp-lit room. Miss Spencer nervously + patted her yellow hair into shape, as if gradually recovering her + composure and equanimity. The whole affair seemed like a dream to Nella, a + disturbing, sinister nightmare. She was a little uncertain what to say. + She felt that she had not yet got hold of any very definite information. + ‘Where is Prince Eugen now?’ she asked at length. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know, miss.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He isn’t in this house?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, miss.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! We will see presently.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They took him away, Miss Racksole.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who took him away? Some of your husband’s friends?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Some of his—acquaintances.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then there is a gang of you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A gang of us—a gang! I don’t know what you mean,’ Miss Spencer + quavered. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, but you must know,’ smiled Nella calmly. ‘You can’t possibly be so + innocent as all that, Mrs Tom Jackson. You can’t play games with me. + You’ve just got to remember that I’m what you call a Yankee girl. There’s + one thing that I mean to find out, within the next five minutes, and that + is—how your charming husband kidnapped Prince Eugen, and why he + kidnapped him. Let us begin with the second question. You have evaded it + once.’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Spencer looked into Nella’s face, and then her eyes dropped, and her + fingers worked nervously with the tablecloth. + </p> + <p> + ‘How can I tell you,’ she said, ‘when I don’t know? You’ve got the + whip-hand of me, and you’re tormenting me for your own pleasure.’ She wore + an expression of persecuted innocence. + </p> + <p> + ‘Did Mr Tom Jackson want to get some money out of Prince Eugen?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Money! Not he! Tom’s never short of money.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But I mean a lot of money—tens of thousands, hundreds of + thousands?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tom never wanted money from anyone,’ said Miss Spencer doggedly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then had he some reason for wishing to prevent Prince Eugen from coming + to London?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Perhaps he had. I don’t know. If you kill me, I don’t know.’ Nella + stopped to reflect. Then she raised the revolver. It was a mechanical, + unintentional sort of action, and certainly she had no intention of using + the weapon, but, strange to say, Miss Spencer again cowered before it. + Even at that moment Nella wondered that a woman like Miss Spencer could be + so simple as to think the revolver would actually be used. Having + absolutely no physical cowardice herself, Nella had the greatest + difficulty in imagining that other people could be at the mercy of a + bodily fear. Still, she saw her advantage, and used it relentlessly, and + with as much theatrical gesture as she could command. She raised the + revolver till it was level with Miss Spencer’s face, and suddenly a new, + queer feeling took hold of her. She knew that she would indeed use that + revolver now, if the miserable woman before her drove her too far. She + felt afraid—afraid of herself; she was in the grasp of a savage, + primeval instinct. In a flash she saw Miss Spencer dead at her feet—the + police—a court of justice—the scaffold. It was horrible. + </p> + <p> + ‘Speak,’ she said hoarsely, and Miss Spencer’s face went whiter. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tom did say,’ the woman whispered rapidly, awesomely, ‘that if Prince + Eugen got to London it would upset his scheme.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What scheme? What scheme? Answer me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Heaven help me, I don’t know.’ Miss Spencer sank into a chair. ‘He said + Mr Dimmock had turned tail, and he should have to settle him and then + Rocco—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Rocco! What about Rocco?’ Nella could scarcely hear herself. Her grip of + the revolver tightened. + </p> + <p> + Miss Spencer’s eyes opened wider; she gazed at Nella with a glassy stare. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t ask me. It’s death!’ Her eyes were fixed as if in horror. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is,’ said Nella, and the sound of her voice seemed to her to issue + from the lips of some third person. + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s death,’ repeated Miss Spencer, and gradually her head and shoulders + sank back, and hung loosely over the chair. Nella was conscious of a + sudden revulsion. The woman had surely fainted. Dropping the revolver she + ran round the table. She was herself again—feminine, sympathetic, + the old Nella. She felt immensely relieved that this had happened. But at + the same instant Miss Spencer sprang up from the chair like a cat, seized + the revolver, and with a wild movement of the arm flung it against the + window. It crashed through the glass, exploding as it went, and there was + a tense silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘I told you that you were a fool,’ remarked Miss Spencer slowly, ‘coming + here like a sort of female Jack Sheppard, and trying to get the best of + me. + </p> + <p> + We are on equal terms now. You frightened me, but I knew I was a cleverer + woman than you, and that in the end, if I kept on long enough, I should + win. + </p> + <p> + Now it will be my turn.’ + </p> + <p> + Dumbfounded, and overcome with a miserable sense of the truth of Miss + Spencer’s words, Nella stood still. The idea of her colossal foolishness + swept through her like a flood. She felt almost ashamed. But even at this + juncture she had no fear. She faced the woman bravely, her mind leaping + about in search of some plan. She could think of nothing but a bribe—an + enormous bribe. + </p> + <p> + ‘I admit you’ve won,’ she said, ‘but I’ve not finished yet. Just listen.’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Spencer folded her arms, and glanced at the door, smiling bitterly. + </p> + <p> + ‘You know my father is a millionaire; perhaps you know that he is one of + the richest men in the world. If I give you my word of honour not to + reveal anything that you’ve told me, what will you take to let me go + free?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What sum do you suggest?’ asked Miss Spencer carelessly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Twenty thousand pounds,’ said Nella promptly. She had begun to regard the + affair as a business operation. + </p> + <p> + Miss Spencer’s lip curled. + </p> + <p> + ‘A hundred thousand.’ + </p> + <p> + Again Miss Spencer’s lip curled. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, say a million. I can rely on my father, and so may you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You think you are worth a million to him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do,’ said Nella. + </p> + <p> + ‘And you think we could trust you to see that it was paid?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course you could.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And we should not suffer afterwards in any way?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would give you my word, and my father’s word.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Bah!’ exclaimed Miss Spencer: ‘how do you know I wouldn’t let you go free + for nothing? You are only a rash, silly girl.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know you wouldn’t. I can read your face too well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are right,’ Miss Spencer replied slowly. ‘I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t let + you go for all the dollars in America.’ + </p> + <p> + Nella felt cold down the spine, and sat down again in her chair. A draught + of air from the broken window blew on her cheek. Steps sounded in the + passage; the door opened, but Nella did not turn round. She could not move + her eyes from Miss Spencer’s. There was a noise of rushing water in her + ears. She lost consciousness, and slipped limply to the ground. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Ten AT SEA + </h2> + <p> + IT seemed to Nella that she was being rocked gently in a vast cradle, + which swayed to and fro with a motion at once slow and incredibly gentle. + This sensation continued for some time, and there was added to it the + sound of a quick, quiet, muffled beat. Soft, exhilarating breezes wafted + her forward in spite of herself, and yet she remained in a delicious calm. + She wondered if her mother was kneeling by her side, whispering some + lullaby in her childish ears. Then strange colours swam before her eyes, + her eyelids wavered, and at last she awoke. For a few moments her gaze + travelled to and fro in a vain search for some clue to her surroundings, + was aware of nothing except sense of repose and a feeling of relief that + some mighty and fatal struggle was over; she cared not whether she had + conquered or suffered defeat in the struggle of her soul with some other + soul; it was finished, done with, and the consciousness of its conclusion + satisfied and contented her. Gradually her brain, recovering from its + obsession, began to grasp the phenomena of her surroundings, and she saw + that she was on a yacht, and that the yacht was moving. The motion of the + cradle was the smooth rolling of the vessel; the beat was the beat of its + screw; the strange colours were the cloud tints thrown by the sun as it + rose over a distant and receding shore in the wake of the yacht; her + mother’s lullaby was the crooned song of the man at the wheel. Nella all + through her life had had many experiences of yachting. From the waters of + the River Hudson to those bluer tides of the Mediterranean Sea, she had + yachted in all seasons and all weathers. She loved the water, and now it + seemed deliciously right and proper that she should be on the water again. + She raised her head to look round, and then let it sink back: she was + fatigued, enervated; she desired only solitude and calm; she had no care, + no anxiety, no responsibility: a hundred years might have passed since her + meeting with Miss Spencer, and the memory of that meeting appeared to have + faded into the remotest background of her mind. + </p> + <p> + It was a small yacht, and her practised eye at once told that it belonged + to the highest aristocracy of pleasure craft. As she reclined in the + deck-chair (it did not occur to her at that moment to speculate as to the + identity of the person who had led her therein) she examined all visible + details of the vessel. The deck was as white and smooth as her own hand, + and the seams ran along its length like blue veins. All the brass-work, + from the band round the slender funnel to the concave surface of the + binnacle, shone like gold. + </p> + <p> + The tapered masts stretched upwards at a rakish angle, and the rigging + seemed like spun silk. No sails were set; the yacht was under steam, and + doing about seven or eight knots. She judged that it was a boat of a + hundred tons or so, probably Clyde-built, and not more than two or three + years old. + </p> + <p> + No one was to be seen on deck except the man at the wheel: this man wore a + blue jersey; but there was neither name nor initial on the jersey, nor was + there a name on the white life-buoys lashed to the main rigging, nor on + the polished dinghy which hung on the starboard davits. She called to the + man, and called again, in a feeble voice, but the steerer took no notice + of her, and continued his quiet song as though nothing else existed in the + universe save the yacht, the sea, the sun, and himself. + </p> + <p> + Then her eyes swept the outline of the land from which they were + hastening, and she could just distinguish a lighthouse and a great white + irregular dome, which she recognized as the Kursaal at Ostend, that + gorgeous rival of the gaming palace at Monte Carlo. So she was leaving + Ostend. The rays of the sun fell on her caressingly, like a restorative. + All around the water was changing from wonderful greys and dark blues to + still more wonderful pinks and translucent unearthly greens; the magic + kaleidoscope of dawn was going forward in its accustomed way, regardless + of the vicissitudes of mortals. + </p> + <p> + Here and there in the distance she descried a sail—the brown sail of + some Ostend fishing-boat returning home after a night’s trawling. Then the + beat of paddles caught her ear, and a steamer blundered past, wallowing + clumsily among the waves like a tortoise. It was the Swallow from London. + She could see some of its passengers leaning curiously over the aft-rail. + A girl in a mackintosh signalled to her, and mechanically she answered the + salute with her arm. The officer of the bridge of the Swallow hailed the + yacht, but the man at the wheel offered no reply. In another minute the + Swallow was nothing but a blot in the distance. + </p> + <p> + Nella tried to sit straight in the deck-chair, but she found herself + unable to do so. Throwing off the rug which covered her, she discovered + that she had been tied to the chair by means of a piece of broad webbing. + Instantly she was alert, awake, angry; she knew that her perils were not + over; she felt that possibly they had scarcely yet begun. Her lazy + contentment, her dreamy sense of peace and repose, vanished utterly, and + she steeled herself to meet the dangers of a grave and difficult + situation. + </p> + <p> + Just at that moment a man came up from below. He was a man of forty or so, + clad in irreproachable blue, with a peaked yachting cap. He raised the cap + politely. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good morning,’ he said. ‘Beautiful sunrise, isn’t it?’ The clever and + calculated insolence of his tone cut her like a lash as she lay bound in + the chair. Like all people who have lived easy and joyous lives in those + fair regions where gold smoothes every crease and law keeps a tight hand + on disorder, she found it hard to realize that there were other regions + where gold was useless and law without power. Twenty-four hours ago she + would have declared it impossible that such an experience as she had + suffered could happen to anyone; she would have talked airily about + civilization and the nineteenth century, and progress and the police. But + her experience was teaching her that human nature remains always the same, + and that beneath the thin crust of security on which we good citizens + exist the dark and secret forces of crime continue to move, just as they + did in the days when you couldn’t go from Cheapside to Chelsea without + being set upon by thieves. Her experience was in a fair way to teach her + this lesson better than she could have learnt it even in the bureaux of + the detective police of Paris, London, and St Petersburg. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good morning,’ the man repeated, and she glanced at him with a sullen, + angry gaze. + </p> + <p> + ‘You!’ she exclaimed, ‘You, Mr Thomas Jackson, if that is your name! Loose + me from this chair, and I will talk to you.’ Her eyes flashed as she + spoke, and the contempt in them added mightily to her beauty. Mr Thomas + Jackson, otherwise Jules, erstwhile head waiter at the Grand Babylon, + considered himself a connoisseur in feminine loveliness, and the vision of + Nella Racksole smote him like an exquisite blow. + </p> + <p> + ‘With pleasure,’ he replied. ‘I had forgotten that to prevent you from + falling I had secured you to the chair’; and with a quick movement he + unfastened the band. Nella stood up, quivering with fiery annoyance and + scorn. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now,’ she said, fronting him, ‘what is the meaning of this?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You fainted,’ he replied imperturbably. ‘Perhaps you don’t remember.’ + </p> + <p> + The man offered her a deck-chair with a characteristic gesture. Nella was + obliged to acknowledge, in spite of herself, that the fellow had + distinction, an air of breeding. No one would have guessed that for twenty + years he had been an hotel waiter. His long, lithe figure, and easy, + careless carriage seemed to be the figure and carriage of an aristocrat, + and his voice was quiet, restrained, and authoritative. + </p> + <p> + ‘That has nothing to do with my being carried off in this yacht of yours.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is not my yacht,’ he said, ‘but that is a minor detail. As to the more + important matter, forgive me that I remind you that only a few hours ago + you were threatening a lady in my house with a revolver.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then it was your house?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why not? May I not possess a house?’ He smiled. + </p> + <p> + ‘I must request you to put the yacht about at once, instantly, and take me + back.’ She tried to speak firmly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ he said, ‘I am afraid that’s impossible. I didn’t put out to sea + with the intention of returning at once, instantly.’ In the last words he + gave a faint imitation of her tone. + </p> + <p> + ‘When I do get back,’ she said, ‘when my father gets to know of this + affair, it will be an exceedingly bad day for you, Mr Jackson.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But supposing your father doesn’t hear of it—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Supposing you never get back?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you mean, then, to have my murder on your conscience?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Talking of murder,’ he said, ‘you came very near to murdering my friend, + Miss Spencer. At least, so she tells me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is Miss Spencer on board?’ Nella asked, seeing perhaps a faint ray of + hope in the possible presence of a woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘Miss Spencer is not on board. There is no one on board except you and + myself and a small crew—a very discreet crew, I may add.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will have nothing more to say to you. You must take your own course.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thanks for the permission,’ he said. ‘I will send you up some breakfast.’ + </p> + <p> + He went to the saloon stairs and whistled, and a Negro boy appeared with a + tray of chocolate. Nella took it, and, without the slightest hesitation, + threw it overboard. Mr Jackson walked away a few steps and then returned. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have spirit,’ he said, ‘and I admire spirit. It is a rare quality.’ + </p> + <p> + She made no reply. ‘Why did you mix yourself up in my affairs at all?’ he + went on. Again she made no reply, but the question set her thinking: why + had she mixed herself up in this mysterious business? It was quite at + variance with the usual methods of her gay and butterfly existence to + meddle at all with serious things. Had she acted merely from a desire to + see justice done and wickedness punished? Or was it the desire of + adventure? Or was it, perhaps, the desire to be of service to His Serene + Highness Prince Aribert? ‘It is no fault of mine that you are in this + fix,’ Jules continued. ‘I didn’t bring you into it. You brought yourself + into it. You and your father—you have been moving along at a pace + which is rather too rapid.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That remains to be seen,’ she put in coldly. + </p> + <p> + ‘It does,’ he admitted. ‘And I repeat that I can’t help admiring you—that + is, when you aren’t interfering with my private affairs. That is a + proceeding which I have never tolerated from anyone—not even from a + millionaire, nor even from a beautiful woman.’ He bowed. ‘I will tell you + what I propose to do. I propose to escort you to a place of safety, and to + keep you there till my operations are concluded, and the possibility of + interference entirely removed. You spoke just now of murder. What a crude + notion that was of yours! It is only the amateur who practises murder—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What about Reginald Dimmock?’ she interjected quickly. + </p> + <p> + He paused gravely. + </p> + <p> + ‘Reginald Dimmock,’ he repeated. ‘I had imagined his was a case of heart + disease. Let me send you up some more chocolate. I’m sure you’re hungry.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will starve before I touch your food,’ she said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Gallant creature!’ he murmured, and his eyes roved over her face. Her + superb, supercilious beauty overcame him. ‘Ah!’ he said, ‘what a wife you + would make!’ He approached nearer to her. ‘You and I, Miss Racksole, your + beauty and wealth and my brains—we could conquer the world. Few men + are worthy of you, but I am one of the few. Listen! You might do worse. + Marry me. I am a great man; I shall be greater. I adore you. Marry me, and + I will save your life. All shall be well. I will begin again. The past + shall be as though there had been no past.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This is somewhat sudden—Jules,’ she said with biting contempt. + </p> + <p> + ‘Did you expect me to be conventional?’ he retorted. ‘I love you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Granted,’ she said, for the sake of the argument. ‘Then what will occur + to your present wife?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My present wife?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, Miss Spencer, as she is called.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She told you I was her husband?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Incidentally she did.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She isn’t.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Perhaps she isn’t. But, nevertheless, I think I won’t marry you.’ Nella + stood like a statue of scorn before him. + </p> + <p> + He went still nearer to her. ‘Give me a kiss, then; one kiss—I won’t + ask for more; one kiss from those lips, and you shall go free. Men have + ruined themselves for a kiss. I will.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Coward!’ she ejaculated. + </p> + <p> + ‘Coward!’ he repeated. ‘Coward, am I? Then I’ll be a coward, and you shall + kiss me whether you will or not.’ + </p> + <p> + He put a hand on her shoulder. As she shrank back from his lustrous eyes, + with an involuntary scream, a figure sprang out of the dinghy a few feet + away. With a single blow, neatly directed to Mr Jackson’s ear, Mr Jackson + was stretched senseless on the deck. Prince Aribert of Posen stood over + him with a revolver. It was probably the greatest surprise of Mr Jackson’s + whole life. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ said the Prince to Nella, ‘my being here is the + simplest thing in the world, and I will explain it as soon as I have + finished with this fellow.’ + </p> + <p> + Nella could think of nothing to say, but she noticed the revolver in the + Prince’s hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why,’ she remarked, ‘that’s my revolver.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is,’ he said, ‘and I will explain that, too.’ + </p> + <p> + The man at the wheel gave no heed whatever to the scene. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Eleven THE COURT PAWNBROKER + </h2> + <h3> + ‘MR SAMPSON LEVI wishes to see you, sir.’ + </h3> + <p> + These words, spoken by a servant to Theodore Racksole, aroused the + millionaire from a reverie which had been the reverse of pleasant. The + fact was, and it is necessary to insist on it, that Mr Racksole, owner of + the Grand Babylon Hôtel, was by no means in a state of self-satisfaction. + A mystery had attached itself to his hotel, and with all his acumen and + knowledge of things in general he was unable to solve that mystery. He + laughed at the fruitless efforts of the police, but he could not honestly + say that his own efforts had been less barren. The public was talking, + for, after all, the disappearance of poor Dimmock’s body had got noised + abroad in an indirect sort of way, and Theodore Racksole did not like the + idea of his impeccable hotel being the subject of sinister rumours. He + wondered, grimly, what the public and the Sunday newspapers would say if + they were aware of all the other phenomena, not yet common property: of + Miss Spencer’s disappearance, of Jules’ strange visits, and of the + non-arrival of Prince Eugen of Posen. Theodore Racksole had worried his + brain without result. He had conducted an elaborate private investigation + without result, and he had spent a certain amount of money without result. + The police said that they had a clue; but Racksole remarked that it was + always the business of the police to have a clue, that they seldom had + more than a clue, and that a clue without some sequel to it was a pretty + stupid business. The only sure thing in the whole affair was that a cloud + rested over his hotel, his beautiful new toy, the finest of its kind. The + cloud was not interfering with business, but, nevertheless, it was a + cloud, and he fiercely resented its presence; perhaps it would be more + correct to say that he fiercely resented his inability to dissipate it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Sampson Levi wishes to see you, sir,’ the servant repeated, having + received no sign that his master had heard him. + </p> + <p> + ‘So I hear,’ said Racksole. ‘Does he want to see me, personally?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He asked for you, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Perhaps it is Rocco he wants to see, about a menu or something of that + kind?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will inquire, sir,’ and the servant made a move to withdraw. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop,’ Racksole commanded suddenly. ‘Desire Mr Sampson Levi to step this + way.’ + </p> + <p> + The great stockbroker of the ‘Kaffir Circus’ entered with a simple + unassuming air. He was a rather short, florid man, dressed like a typical + Hebraic financier, with too much watch-chain and too little waistcoat. In + his fat hand he held a gold-headed cane, and an absolutely new silk hat—for + it was Friday, and Mr Levi purchased a new hat every Friday of his life, + holiday times only excepted. He breathed heavily and sniffed through his + nose a good deal, as though he had just performed some Herculean physical + labour. He glanced at the American millionaire with an expression in which + a slight embarrassment might have been detected, but at the same time his + round, red face disclosed a certain frank admiration and good nature. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Racksole, I believe—Mr Theodore Racksole. Proud to meet you, + sir.’ + </p> + <p> + Such were the first words of Mr Sampson Levi. In form they were the + greeting of a third-rate chimney-sweep, but, strangely enough, Theodore + Racksole liked their tone. He said to himself that here, precisely where + no one would have expected to find one, was an honest man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good day,’ said Racksole briefly. ‘To what do I owe the pleasure—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I expect your time is limited,’ answered Sampson Levi. ‘Anyhow, mine is, + and so I’ll come straight to the point, Mr Racksole. I’m a plain man. I + don’t pretend to be a gentleman or any nonsense of that kind. I’m a + stockbroker, that’s what I am, and I don’t care who knows it. The other + night I had a ball in this hotel. It cost me a couple of thousand and odd + pounds, and, by the way, I wrote out a cheque for your bill this morning. + I don’t like balls, but they’re useful to me, and my little wife likes + ‘em, and so we give ‘em. Now, I’ve nothing to say against the hotel + management as regards that ball: it was very decently done, very decently, + but what I want to know is this—Why did you have a private detective + among my guests?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A private detective?’ exclaimed Racksole, somewhat surprised at this + charge. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ Mr Sampson Levi said firmly, fanning himself in his chair, and + gazing at Theodore Racksole with the direct earnest expression of a man + having a grievance. ‘Yes; a private detective. It’s a small matter, I + know, and I dare say you think you’ve got a right, as proprietor of the + show, to do what you like in that line; but I’ve just called to tell you + that I object. I’ve called as a matter of principle. I’m not angry; it’s + the principle of the thing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear Mr Levi,’ said Racksole, ‘I assure you that, having let the Gold + Room to a private individual for a private entertainment, I should never + dream of doing what you suggest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Straight?’ asked Mr Sampson Levi, using his own picturesque language. + </p> + <p> + ‘Straight,’ said Racksole smiling. + </p> + <p> + ‘There was a gent present at my ball that I didn’t ask. I’ve got a + wonderful memory for faces, and I know. Several fellows asked me + afterwards what he was doing there. I was told by someone that he was one + of your waiters, but I didn’t believe that. I know nothing of the Grand + Babylon; it’s not quite my style of tavern, but I don’t think you’d send + one of your own waiters to watch my guests—unless, of course, you + sent him as a waiter; and this chap didn’t do any waiting, though he did + his share of drinking.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Perhaps I can throw some light on this mystery,’ said Racksole. ‘I may + tell you that I was already aware that man had attended your ball + uninvited.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How did you get to know?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘By pure chance, Mr Levi, and not by inquiry. That man was a former waiter + at this hotel—the head waiter, in fact—Jules. No doubt you + have heard of him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not I,’ said Mr Levi positively. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ said Racksole, ‘I was informed that everyone knew Jules, but it + appears not. Well, be that as it may, previously to the night of your + ball, I had dismissed Jules. I had ordered him never to enter the Babylon + again. + </p> + <p> + But on that evening I encountered him here—not in the Gold Room, but + in the hotel itself. I asked him to explain his presence, and he stated he + was your guest. That is all I know of the matter, Mr Levi, and I am + extremely sorry that you should have thought me capable of the enormity of + placing a private detective among your guests.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This is perfectly satisfactory to me,’ Mr Sampson Levi said, after a + pause. + </p> + <p> + ‘I only wanted an explanation, and I’ve got it. I was told by some pals of + mine in the City I might rely on Mr Theodore Racksole going straight to + the point, and I’m glad they were right. Now as to that feller Jules, I + shall make my own inquiries as to him. Might I ask you why you dismissed + him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know why I dismissed him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You don’t know? Oh! come now! I’m only asking because I thought you might + be able to give me a hint why he turned up uninvited at my ball. Sorry if + I’m too inquisitive.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not at all, Mr Levi; but I really don’t know. I only sort of felt that he + was a suspicious character. I dismissed him on instinct, as it were. See?’ + </p> + <p> + Without answering this question Mr Levi asked another. ‘If this Jules is + such a well-known person,’ he said, ‘how could the feller hope to come to + my ball without being recognized?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Give it up,’ said Racksole promptly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I’ll be moving on,’ was Mr Sampson Levi’s next remark. ‘Good day, + and thank ye. I suppose you aren’t doing anything in Kaffirs?’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Racksole smiled a negative. + </p> + <p> + ‘I thought not,’ said Levi. ‘Well, I never touch American rails myself, and + so I reckon we sha’n’t come across each other. Good day.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good day,’ said Racksole politely, following Mr Sampson Levi to the door. + </p> + <p> + With his hand on the handle of the door, Mr Levi stopped, and, gazing at + Theodore Racksole with a shrewd, quizzical expression, remarked: + </p> + <p> + ‘Strange things been going on here lately, eh?’ + </p> + <p> + The two men looked very hard at each other for several seconds. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ Racksole assented. ‘Know anything about them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well—no, not exactly,’ said Mr Levi. ‘But I had a fancy you and I + might be useful to each other; I had a kind of fancy to that effect.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come back and sit down again, Mr Levi,’ Racksole said, attracted by the + evident straightforwardness of the man’s tone. ‘Now, how can we be of + service to each other? I flatter myself I’m something of a judge of + character, especially financial character, and I tell you—if you’ll + put your cards on the table, I’ll do ditto with mine.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Agreed,’ said Mr Sampson Levi. ‘I’ll begin by explaining my interest in + your hotel. I have been expecting to receive a summons from a certain + Prince Eugen of Posen to attend him here, and that summons hasn’t arrived. + It appears that Prince Eugen hasn’t come to London at all. Now, I could + have taken my dying davy that he would have been here yesterday at the + latest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why were you so sure?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Question for question,’ said Levi. ‘Let’s clear the ground first, Mr + Racksole. Why did you buy this hotel? That’s a conundrum that’s been + puzzling a lot of our fellows in the City for some days past. Why did you + buy the Grand Babylon? And what is the next move to be?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is no next move,’ answered Racksole candidly, ‘and I will tell you + why I bought the hotel; there need be no secret about it. I bought it + because of a whim.’ And then Theodore Racksole gave this little Jew, whom + he had begun to respect, a faithful account of the transaction with Mr + Felix Babylon. ‘I suppose,’ he added, ‘you find a difficulty in + appreciating my state of mind when I did the deal.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not a bit,’ said Mr Levi. ‘I once bought an electric launch on the Thames + in a very similar way, and it turned out to be one of the most + satisfactory purchases I ever made. Then it’s a simple accident that you + own this hotel at the present moment?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A simple accident—all because of a beefsteak and a bottle of Bass.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Um!’ grunted Mr Sampson Levi, stroking his triple chin. + </p> + <p> + ‘To return to Prince Eugen,’ Racksole resumed. ‘I was expecting His + Highness here. The State apartments had been prepared for him. He was due + on the very afternoon that young Dimmock died. But he never came, and I + have not heard why he has failed to arrive; nor have I seen his name in + the papers. What his business was in London, I don’t know.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will tell you,’ said Mr Sampson Levi, ‘he was coming to arrange a + loan.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A State loan?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No—a private loan.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Whom from?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘From me, Sampson Levi. You look surprised. If you’d lived in London a + little longer, you’d know that I was just the person the Prince would come + to. Perhaps you aren’t aware that down Throgmorton Street way I’m called + “The Court Pawnbroker”, because I arrange loans for the minor, + second-class Princes of Europe. I’m a stockbroker, but my real business is + financing some of the little Courts of Europe. Now, I may tell you that + the Hereditary Prince of Posen particularly wanted a million, and he + wanted it by a certain date, and he knew that if the affair wasn’t fixed + up by a certain time here he wouldn’t be able to get it by that certain + date. That’s why I’m surprised he isn’t in London.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What did he need a million for?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Debts,’ answered Sampson Levi laconically. + </p> + <p> + ‘His own?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But he isn’t thirty years of age?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What of that? He isn’t the only European Prince who has run up a million + of debts in a dozen years. To a Prince the thing is as easy as eating a + sandwich.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And why has he taken this sudden resolution to liquidate them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because the Emperor and the lady’s parents won’t let him marry till he + has done so! And quite right, too! He’s got to show a clean sheet, or the + Princess Anna of Eckstein-Schwartzburg will never be Princess of Posen. + Even now the Emperor has no idea how much Prince Eugen’s debts amount to. + If he had—!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But would not the Emperor know of this proposed loan?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not necessarily at once. It could be so managed. Twig?’ Mr Sampson Levi + laughed. ‘I’ve carried these little affairs through before. After marriage + it might be allowed to leak out. And you know the Princess Anna’s fortune + is pretty big! Now, Mr Racksole,’ he added, abruptly changing his tone, + ‘where do you suppose Prince Eugen has disappeared to? Because if he + doesn’t turn up to-day he can’t have that million. To-day is the last day. + To-morrow the money will be appropriated, elsewhere. Of course, I’m not + alone in this business, and my friends have something to say.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You ask me where I think Prince Eugen has disappeared to?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you think it’s a disappearance?’ + </p> + <p> + Sampson Levi nodded. ‘Putting two and two together,’ he said, ‘I do. The + Dimmock business is very peculiar—very peculiar, indeed. Dimmock was + a left-handed relation of the Posen family. Twig? Scarcely anyone knows + that. + </p> + <p> + He was made secretary and companion to Prince Aribert, just to keep him in + the domestic circle. His mother was an Irishwoman, whose misfortune was + that she was too beautiful. Twig?’ (Mr Sampson Levi always used this + extraordinary word when he was in a communicative mood.) ‘My belief is + that Dimmock’s death has something to do with the disappearance of Prince + Eugen. + </p> + <p> + The only thing that passes me is this: Why should anyone want to make + Prince Eugen disappear? The poor little Prince hasn’t an enemy in the + world. If he’s been “copped”, as they say, why has he been “copped”? It + won’t do anyone any good.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Won’t it?’ repeated Racksole, with a sudden flash. + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean?’ asked Mr Levi. + </p> + <p> + ‘I mean this: Suppose some other European pauper Prince was anxious to + marry Princess Anna and her fortune, wouldn’t that Prince have an interest + in stopping this loan of yours to Prince Eugen? Wouldn’t he have an + interest in causing Prince Eugen to disappear—at any rate, for a + time?’ + </p> + <p> + Sampson Levi thought hard for a few moments. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Theodore Racksole,’ he said at length, ‘I do believe you have hit on + something.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Twelve ROCCO AND ROOM NO. 111 + </h2> + <p> + ON the afternoon of the same day—the interview just described had + occurred in the morning—Racksole was visited by another idea, and he + said to himself that he ought to have thought of it before. The + conversation with Mr Sampson Levi had continued for a considerable time, + and the two men had exchanged various notions, and agreed to meet again, + but the theory that Reginald Dimmock had probably been a traitor to his + family—a traitor whose repentance had caused his death—had not + been thoroughly discussed; the talk had tended rather to Continental + politics, with a view to discovering what princely family might have an + interest in the temporary disappearance of Prince Eugen. Now, as Racksole + considered in detail the particular affair of Reginald Dimmock, deceased, + he was struck by one point especially, to wit: Why had Dimmock and Jules + manoeuvred to turn Nella Racksole out of Room No. 111 on that first night? + That they had so manoeuvred, that the broken window-pane was not a mere + accident, Racksole felt perfectly sure. He had felt perfectly sure all + along; but the significance of the facts had not struck him. It was plain + to him now that there must be something of extraordinary and peculiar + importance about Room No. 111. After lunch he wandered quietly upstairs + and looked at Room No. 111; that is to say, he looked at the outside of + it; it happened to be occupied, but the guest was leaving that evening. + The thought crossed his mind that there could be no object in gazing + blankly at the outside of a room; yet he gazed; then he wandered quickly + down again to the next floor, and in passing along the corridor of that + floor he stopped, and with an involuntary gesture stamped his foot. + </p> + <p> + ‘Great Scott!’ he said, ‘I’ve got hold of something—No. 111 is + exactly over the State apartments.’ + </p> + <p> + He went to the bureau, and issued instructions that No. 111 was not to be + re-let to anyone until further orders. At the bureau they gave him Nella’s + note, which ran thus: + </p> + <p> + Dearest Papa,—I am going away for a day or two on the trail of a + clue. + </p> + <p> + If I’m not back in three days, begin to inquire for me at Ostend. Till + then leave me alone.—Your sagacious daughter, NELL. + </p> + <p> + These few words, in Nella’s large scrawling hand, filled one side of the + paper. At the bottom was a P.T.O. He turned over, and read the sentence, + underlined, ‘P.S.—Keep an eye on Rocco.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wonder what the little creature is up to?’ he murmured, as he tore the + letter into small fragments, and threw them into the waste-paper basket. + </p> + <p> + Then, without any delay, he took the lift down to the basement, with the + object of making a preliminary inspection of Rocco in his lair. He could + scarcely bring himself to believe that this suave and stately gentleman, + this enthusiast of gastronomy, was concerned in the machinations of Jules + and other rascals unknown. Nevertheless, from habit, he obeyed his + daughter, giving her credit for a certain amount of perspicuity and + cleverness. + </p> + <p> + The kitchens of the Grand Babylon Hôtel are one of the wonders of Europe. + </p> + <p> + Only three years before the events now under narration Felix Babylon had + had them newly installed with every device and patent that the ingenuity + of two continents could supply. They covered nearly an acre of superficial + space. + </p> + <p> + They were walled and floored from end to end with tiles and marble, which + enabled them to be washed down every morning like the deck of a + man-of-war. + </p> + <p> + Visitors were sometimes taken to see the potato-paring machine, the patent + plate-dryer, the Babylon-spit (a contrivance of Felix Babylon’s own), the + silver-grill, the system of connected stock-pots, and other amazing + phenomena of the department. Sometimes, if they were fortunate, they might + also see the artist who sculptured ice into forms of men and beasts for + table ornaments, or the first napkin-folder in London, or the man who + daily invented fresh designs for pastry and blancmanges. Twelve chefs + pursued their labours in those kitchens, helped by ninety assistant chefs, + and a further army of unconsidered menials. Over all these was Rocco, + supreme and unapproachable. Half-way along the suite of kitchens, Rocco + had an apartment of his own, wherein he thought out those magnificent + combinations, those marvellous feats of succulence and originality, which + had given him his fame. Visitors never caught a glimpse of Rocco in the + kitchens, though sometimes, on a special night, he would stroll + nonchalantly through the dining-room, like the great man he was, to + receive the compliments of the hotel habitués—people of insight who + recognized his uniqueness. + </p> + <p> + Theodore Racksole’s sudden and unusual appearance in the kitchen caused a + little stir. He nodded to some of the chefs, but said nothing to anyone, + merely wandering about amid the maze of copper utensils, and white-capped + workers. At length he saw Rocco, surrounded by several admiring chefs. + Rocco was bending over a freshly-roasted partridge which lay on a blue + dish. He plunged a long fork into the back of the bird, and raised it in + the air with his left hand. In his right he held a long glittering + carving-knife. He was giving one of his world-famous exhibitions of + carving. In four swift, unerring, delicate, perfect strokes he cleanly + severed the limbs of the partridge. It was a wonderful achievement—how + wondrous none but the really skilful carver can properly appreciate. The + chefs emitted a hum of applause, and Rocco, long, lean, and graceful, + retired to his own apartment. Racksole followed him. Rocco sat in a chair, + one hand over his eyes; he had not noticed Theodore Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you doing, M. Rocco?’ the millionaire asked smiling. ‘Ah!’ + exclaimed Rocco, starting up with an apology. ‘Pardon! I was inventing a + new mayonnaise, which I shall need for a certain menu next week.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you invent these things without materials, then?’ questioned Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly. I do dem in my mind. I tink dem. Why should I want materials? + I know all flavours. I tink, and tink, and tink, and it is done. I write + down. + </p> + <p> + I give the recipe to my best chef—dere you are. I need not even + taste, I know how it will taste. It is like composing music. De great + composers do not compose at de piano.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I see,’ said Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is because I work like dat dat you pay me three thousand a year,’ + Rocco added gravely. + </p> + <p> + ‘Heard about Jules?’ said Racksole abruptly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Jules?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes. He’s been arrested in Ostend,’ the millionaire continued, lying + cleverly at a venture. ‘They say that he and several others are implicated + in a murder case—the murder of Reginald Dimmock.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Truly?’ drawled Rocco, scarcely hiding a yawn. His indifference was so + superb, so gorgeous, that Racksole instantly divined that it was assumed + for the occasion. + </p> + <p> + ‘It seems that, after all, the police are good for something. But this is + the first time I ever knew them to be worth their salt. There is to be a + thorough and systematic search of the hotel to-morrow,’ Racksole went on. + ‘I have mentioned it to you to warn you that so far as you are concerned + the search is of course merely a matter of form. You will not object to + the detectives looking through your rooms?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly not,’ and Rocco shrugged his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall ask you to say nothing about this to anyone,’ said Racksole. ‘The + news of Jules’ arrest is quite private to myself. The papers know nothing + of it. You comprehend?’ + </p> + <p> + Rocco smiled in his grand manner, and Rocco’s master thereupon went away. + </p> + <p> + Racksole was very well satisfied with the little conversation. It was + perhaps dangerous to tell a series of mere lies to a clever fellow like + Rocco, and Racksole wondered how he should ultimately explain them to this + great master-chef if his and Nella’s suspicions should be unfounded, and + nothing came of them. Nevertheless, Rocco’s manner, a strange elusive + something in the man’s eyes, had nearly convinced Racksole that he was + somehow implicated in Jules’ schemes—and probably in the death of + Reginald Dimmock and the disappearance of Prince Eugen of Posen. + </p> + <p> + That night, or rather about half-past one the next morning, when the last + noises of the hotel’s life had died down, Racksole made his way to Room + 111 on the second floor. He locked the door on the inside, and proceeded + to examine the place, square foot by square foot. Every now and then some + creak or other sound startled him, and he listened intently for a few + seconds. The bedroom was furnished in the ordinary splendid style of + bedrooms at the Grand Babylon Hôtel, and in that respect called for no + remark. What most interested Racksole was the flooring. He pulled up the + thick Oriental carpet, and peered along every plank, but could discover + nothing unusual. + </p> + <p> + Then he went to the dressing-room, and finally to the bathroom, both of + which opened out of the main room. But in neither of these smaller + chambers was he any more successful than in the bedroom itself. Finally he + came to the bath, which was enclosed in a panelled casing of polished + wood, after the manner of baths. Some baths have a cupboard beneath the + taps, with a door at the side, but this one appeared to have none. He + tapped the panels, but not a single one of them gave forth that ‘curious + hollow sound’ which usually betokens a secret place. Idly he turned the + cold-tap of the bath, and the water began to rush in. He turned off the + cold-tap and turned on the waste-tap, and as he did so his knee, which was + pressing against the panelling, slipped forward. The panelling had given + way, and he saw that one large panel was hinged from the inside, and + caught with a hasp, also on the inside. A large space within the casing of + the end of the bath was thus revealed. Before doing anything else, + Racksole tried to repeat the trick with the waste-tap, but he failed; it + would not work again, nor could he in any way perceive that there was any + connection between the rod of the waste-tap and the hasp of the panel. + Racksole could not see into the cavity within the casing, and the electric + light was fixed, and could not be moved about like a candle. He felt in + his pockets, and fortunately discovered a box of matches. Aided by these, + he looked into the cavity, and saw nothing; nothing except a rather large + hole at the far end—some three feet from the casing. With some + difficulty he squeezed himself through the open panel, and took a + half-kneeling, half-sitting posture within. There he struck a match, and + it was a most unfortunate thing that in striking, the box being half open, + he set fire to all the matches, and was half smothered in the atrocious + stink of phosphorus which resulted. One match burned clear on the floor of + the cavity, and, rubbing his eyes, Racksole picked it up, and looked down + the hole which he had previously descried. It was a hole apparently + bottomless, and about eighteen inches square. The curious part about the + hole was that a rope-ladder hung down it. When he saw that rope-ladder + Racksole smiled the smile of a happy man. + </p> + <p> + The match went out. + </p> + <p> + Should he make a long journey, perhaps to some distant corner of the + hotel, for a fresh box of matches, or should he attempt to descend that + rope-ladder in the dark? He decided on the latter course, and he was the + more strongly moved thereto as he could now distinguish a faint, a very + faint tinge of light at the bottom of the hole. + </p> + <p> + With infinite care he compressed himself into the well-like hole, and + descended the latter. At length he arrived on firm ground, perspiring, but + quite safe and quite excited. He saw now that the tinge of light came + through a small hole in the wood. He put his eye to the wood, and found + that he had a fine view of the State bathroom, and through the door of the + State bathroom into the State bedroom. At the massive marble-topped + washstand in the State bedroom a man was visible, bending over some object + which lay thereon. + </p> + <p> + The man was Rocco! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Thirteen IN THE STATE BEDROOM + </h2> + <p> + IT was of course plain to Racksole that the peculiar passageway which he + had, at great personal inconvenience, discovered between the bathroom of + No. 111 and the State bathroom on the floor below must have been specially + designed by some person or persons for the purpose of keeping a nefarious + watch upon the occupants of the State suite of apartments. It was a means + of communication at once simple and ingenious. At that moment he could not + be sure of the precise method employed for it, but he surmised that the + casing of the waterpipes had been used as a ‘well’, while space for the + pipes themselves had been found in the thickness of the ample brick walls + of the Grand Babylon. The eye-hole, through which he now had a view of the + bedroom, was a very minute one, and probably would scarcely be noticed + from the exterior. One thing he observed concerning it, namely, that it + had been made for a man somewhat taller than himself; he was obliged to + stand on tiptoe in order to get his eye in the correct position. He + remembered that both Jules and Rocco were distinctly above the average + height; also that they were both thin men, and could have descended the + well with comparative ease. Theodore Racksole, though not stout, was a + well-set man with large bones. + </p> + <p> + These things flashed through his mind as he gazed, spellbound, at the + mysterious movements of Rocco. The door between the bathroom and the + bedroom was wide open, and his own situation was such that his view + embraced a considerable portion of the bedroom, including the whole of the + immense and gorgeously-upholstered bedstead, but not including the whole + of the marble washstand. He could see only half of the washstand, and at + intervals Rocco passed out of sight as his lithe hands moved over the + object which lay on the marble. At first Theodore Racksole could not + decide what this object was, but after a time, as his eyes grew accustomed + to the position and the light, he made it out. + </p> + <p> + It was the body of a man. Or, rather, to be more exact, Racksole could + discern the legs of a man on that half of the table which was visible to + him. Involuntarily he shuddered, as the conviction forced itself upon him + that Rocco had some unconscious human being helpless on that cold marble + surface. The legs never moved. Therefore, the hapless creature was either + asleep or under the influence of an anaesthetic—or (horrible + thought!) dead. + </p> + <p> + Racksole wanted to call out, to stop by some means or other the dreadful + midnight activity which was proceeding before his astonished eyes; but + fortunately he restrained himself. + </p> + <p> + On the washstand he could see certain strangely-shaped utensils and + instruments which Rocco used from time to time. The work seemed to + Racksole to continue for interminable hours, and then at last Rocco + ceased, gave a sign of satisfaction, whistled several bars from + ‘Cavalleria Rusticana’, and came into the bath-room, where he took off his + coat, and very quietly washed his hands. As he stood calmly and leisurely + wiping those long fingers of his, he was less than four feet from + Racksole, and the cooped-up millionaire trembled, holding his breath, lest + Rocco should detect his presence behind the woodwork. But nothing + happened, and Rocco returned unsuspectingly to the bedroom. Racksole saw + him place some sort of white flannel garment over the prone form on the + table, and then lift it bodily on to the great bed, where it lay awfully + still. The hidden watcher was sure now that it was a corpse upon which + Rocco had been exercising his mysterious and sinister functions. + </p> + <p> + But whose corpse? And what functions? Could this be a West End hotel, + Racksole’s own hotel, in the very heart of London, the best-policed city + in the world? It seemed incredible, impossible; yet so it was. Once more + he remembered what Felix Babylon had said to him and realized the truth of + the saying anew. The proprietor of a vast and complicated establishment + like the Grand Babylon could never know a tithe of the extraordinary and + queer occurrences which happened daily under his very nose; the atmosphere + of such a caravanserai must necessarily be an atmosphere of mystery and + problems apparently inexplicable. Nevertheless, Racksole thought that Fate + was carrying things with rather a high hand when she permitted his chef to + spend the night hours over a man’s corpse in his State bedroom, this + sacred apartment which was supposed to be occupied only by individuals of + Royal Blood. Racksole would not have objected to a certain amount of + mystery, but he decidedly thought that there was a little too much mystery + here for his taste. He thought that even Felix Babylon would have been + surprised at this. + </p> + <p> + The electric chandelier in the centre of the ceiling was not lighted; only + the two lights on either side of the washstand were switched on, and these + did not sufficiently illuminate the features of the man on the bed to + enable Racksole to see them clearly. In vain the millionaire strained his + eyes; he could only make out that the corpse was probably that of a young + man. Just as he was wondering what would be the best course of action to + pursue, he saw Rocco with a square-shaped black box in his hand. Then the + chef switched off the two electric lights, and the State bedroom was in + darkness. In that swift darkness Racksole heard Rocco spring on to the + bed. Another half-dozen moments of suspense, and there was a blinding + flash of white, which endured for several seconds, and showed Rocco + standing like an evil spirit over the corpse, the black box in one hand + and a burning piece of aluminium wire in the other. The aluminium wire + burnt out, and darkness followed blacker than before. + </p> + <p> + Rocco had photographed the corpse by flashlight. + </p> + <p> + But the dazzling flare which had disclosed the features of the dead man to + the insensible lens of the camera had disclosed them also to Theodore + Racksole. The dead man was Reginald Dimmock! + </p> + <p> + Stung into action by this discovery, Racksole tried to find the exit from + his place of concealment. He felt sure that there existed some way out + into the State bathroom, but he sought for it fruitlessly, groping with + both hands and feet. Then he decided that he must ascend the rope-ladder, + make haste for the first-floor corridor, and intercept Rocco when he left + the State apartments. It was a painful and difficult business to ascend + that thin and yielding ladder in such a confined space, but Racksole was + managing it very nicely, and had nearly reached the top, when, by some + untoward freak of chance, the ladder broke above his weight, and he + slipped ignominiously down to the bottom of the wooden tube. Smothering an + excusable curse, Racksole crouched, baffled. Then he saw that the force of + his fall had somehow opened a trap-door at his feet. He squeezed through, + pushed open another tiny door, and in another second stood in the State + bathroom. He was dishevelled, perspiring, rather bewildered; but he was + there. In the next second he had resumed absolute command of all his + faculties. + </p> + <p> + Strange to say, he had moved so quietly that Rocco had apparently not + heard him. He stepped noiselessly to the door between the bathroom and the + bedroom, and stood there in silence. Rocco had switched on again the + lights over the washstand and was busy with his utensils. + </p> + <p> + Racksole deliberately coughed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Fourteen ROCCO ANSWERS SOME QUESTIONS + </h2> + <p> + ROCCO turned round with the swiftness of a startled tiger, and gave + Theodore Racksole one long piercing glance. + </p> + <p> + ‘D—n!’ said Rocco, with as pure an Anglo-Saxon accent and intonation + as Racksole himself could have accomplished. + </p> + <p> + The most extraordinary thing about the situation was that at this juncture + Theodore Racksole did not know what to say. He was so dumbfounded by the + affair, and especially by Rocco’s absolute and sublime calm, that both + speech and thought failed him. + </p> + <p> + ‘I give in,’ said Rocco. ‘From the moment you entered this cursed hotel I + was afraid of you. I told Jules I was afraid of you. I knew there would be + trouble with a man of your kidney, and I was right; confound it! I tell + you I give in. I know when I’m beaten. I’ve got no revolver and no weapons + of any kind. I surrender. Do what you like.’ + </p> + <p> + And with that Rocco sat down on a chair. It was magnificently done. Only a + truly great man could have done it. Rocco actually kept his dignity. + </p> + <p> + For answer, Racksole walked slowly into the vast apartment, seized a + chair, and, dragging it up to Rocco’s chair, sat down opposite to him. + Thus they faced each other, their knees almost touching, both in evening + dress. On Rocco’s right hand was the bed, with the corpse of Reginald + Dimmock. On Racksole’s right hand, and a little behind him, was the marble + washstand, still littered with Rocco’s implements. The electric light + shone on Rocco’s left cheek, leaving the other side of his face in shadow. + Racksole tapped him on the knee twice. + </p> + <p> + ‘So you’re another Englishman masquerading as a foreigner in my hotel,’ + </p> + <p> + Racksole remarked, by way of commencing the interrogation. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m not,’ answered Rocco quietly. ‘I’m a citizen of the United States.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The deuce you are!’ Racksole exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I was born at West Orange, New Jersey, New York State. I call myself + an Italian because it was in Italy that I first made a name as a chef—at + Rome. It is better for a great chef like me to be a foreigner. Imagine a + great chef named Elihu P. Rucker. You can’t imagine it. I changed my + nationality for the same reason that my friend and colleague, Jules, + otherwise Mr Jackson, changed his.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So Jules is your friend and colleague, is he?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He was, but from this moment he is no longer. I began to disapprove of + his methods no less than a week ago, and my disapproval will now take + active form.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Will it?’ said Racksole. ‘I calculate it just won’t, Mr Elihu P. Rucker, + citizen of the United States. Before you are very much older you’ll be in + the kind hands of the police, and your activities, in no matter what + direction, will come to an abrupt conclusion.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is possible,’ sighed Rocco. + </p> + <p> + ‘In the meantime, I’ll ask you one or two questions for my own private + satisfaction. You’ve acknowledged that the game is up, and you may as well + answer them with as much candour as you feel yourself capable of. See?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I see,’ replied Rocco calmly, ‘but I guess I can’t answer all questions. + </p> + <p> + I’ll do what I can.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said Racksole, clearing his throat, ‘what’s the scheme all about? + Tell me in a word.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not in a thousand words. It isn’t my secret, you know.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why was poor little Dimmock poisoned?’ The millionaire’s voice softened + as he looked for an instant at the corpse of the unfortunate young man. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know,’ said Rocco. ‘I don’t mind informing you that I objected to + that part of the business. I wasn’t made aware of it till after it was + done, and then I tell you it got my dander up considerable.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You mean to say you don’t know why Dimmock was done to death?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I mean to say I couldn’t see the sense of it. Of course he—er—died, + because he sort of cried off the scheme, having previously taken a share + of it. I don’t mind saying that much, because you probably guessed it for + yourself. But I solemnly state that I have a conscientious objection to + murder.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then it was murder?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was a kind of murder,’ Rocco admitted. ‘Who did it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Unfair question,’ said Rocco. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who else is in this precious scheme besides Jules and yourself?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t know, on my honour.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, then, tell me this. What have you been doing to Dimmock’s body?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How long were you in that bathroom?’ Rocco parried with sublime + impudence. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t question me, Mr Rucker,’ said Theodore Racksole. ‘I feel very much + inclined to break your back across my knee. Therefore I advise you not to + irritate me. What have you been doing to Dimmock’s body?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ve been embalming it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Em—balming it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly; Richardson’s system of arterial fluid injection, as improved + by myself. You weren’t aware that I included the art of embalming among my + accomplishments. Nevertheless, it is so.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But why?’ asked Racksole, more mystified than ever. ‘Why should you + trouble to embalm the poor chap’s corpse?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Can’t you see? Doesn’t it strike you? That corpse has to be taken care + of. + </p> + <p> + It contains, or rather, it did contain, very serious evidence against some + person or persons unknown to the police. It may be necessary to move it + about from place to place. A corpse can’t be hidden for long; a corpse + betrays itself. One couldn’t throw it in the Thames, for it would have + been found inside twelve hours. One couldn’t bury it—it wasn’t safe. + The only thing was to keep it handy and movable, ready for emergencies. I + needn’t inform you that, without embalming, you can’t keep a corpse handy + and movable for more than four or five days. It’s the kind of thing that + won’t keep. And so it was suggested that I should embalm it, and I did. + Mind you, I still objected to the murder, but I couldn’t go back on a + colleague, you understand. You do understand that, don’t you? Well, here + you are, and here it is, and that’s all.’ + </p> + <p> + Rocco leaned back in his chair as though he had said everything that ought + to be said. He closed his eyes to indicate that so far as he was concerned + the conversation was also closed. Theodore Racksole stood up. + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope,’ said Rocco, suddenly opening his eyes, ‘I hope you’ll call in + the police without any delay. It’s getting late, and I don’t like going + without my night’s rest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where do you suppose you’ll get a night’s rest?’ Racksole asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘In the cells, of course. Haven’t I told you I know when I’m beaten. I’m + not so blind as not to be able to see that there’s at any rate a prima + facie case against me. I expect I shall get off with a year or two’s + imprisonment as accessory after the fact—I think that’s what they + call it. Anyhow, I shall be in a position to prove that I am not + implicated in the murder of this unfortunate nincompoop.’ He pointed, with + a strange, scornful gesture of his elbow, to the bed. ‘And now, shall we + go? Everyone is asleep, but there will be a policeman within call of the + watchman in the portico. I am at your service. Let us go down together, Mr + Racksole. I give you my word to go quietly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay a moment,’ said Theodore Racksole curtly; ‘there is no hurry. It + won’t do you any harm to forego another hour’s sleep, especially as you + will have no work to do to-morrow. I have one or two more questions to put + to you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well?’ Rocco murmured, with an air of tired resignation, as if to say, + ‘What must be must be.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where has Dimmock’s corpse been during the last three or four days, since + he—died?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ answered Rocco, apparently surprised at the simplicity of the + question. ‘It’s been in my room, and one night it was on the roof; once it + went out of the hotel as luggage, but it came back the next day as a case + of Demerara sugar. I forget where else it has been, but it’s been kept + perfectly safe and treated with every consideration.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And who contrived all these manoeuvres?’ asked Racksole as calmly as he + could. + </p> + <p> + ‘I did. That is to say, I invented them and I saw that they were carried + out. You see, the suspicions of your police obliged me to be particularly + spry.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And who carried them out?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! that would be telling tales. But I don’t mind assuring you that my + accomplices were innocent accomplices. It is absurdly easy for a man like + me to impose on underlings—absurdly easy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What did you intend to do with the corpse ultimately?’ Racksole pursued + his inquiry with immovable countenance. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who knows?’ said Rocco, twisting his beautiful moustache. ‘That would + have depended on several things—on your police, for instance. But + probably in the end we should have restored this mortal clay’—again + he jerked his elbow—‘to the man’s sorrowing relatives.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you know who the relatives are?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly. Don’t you? If you don’t I need only hint that Dimmock had a + Prince for his father.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It seems to me,’ said Racksole, with cold sarcasm, ‘that you behaved + rather clumsily in choosing this bedroom as the scene of your operations.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not at all,’ said Rocco. ‘There was no other apartment so suitable in the + whole hotel. Who would have guessed that anything was going on here? It + was the very place for me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I guessed,’ said Racksole succinctly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, you guessed, Mr Racksole. But I had not counted on you. You are the + only smart man in the business. You are an American citizen, and I hadn’t + reckoned to have to deal with that class of person.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Apparently I frightened you this afternoon?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not in the least.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You were not afraid of a search?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I knew that no search was intended. I knew that you were trying to + frighten me. You must really credit me with a little sagacity and insight, + Mr Racksole. Immediately you began to talk to me in the kitchen this + afternoon I felt you were on the track. But I was not frightened. I merely + decided that there was no time to be lost—that I must act quickly. I + did act quickly, but, it seems, not quickly enough. I grant that your + rapidity exceeded mine. Let us go downstairs, I beg.’ + </p> + <p> + Rocco rose and moved towards the door. With an instinctive action Racksole + rushed forward and seized him by the shoulder. + </p> + <p> + ‘No tricks!’ said Racksole. ‘You’re in my custody and don’t forget it.’ + </p> + <p> + Rocco turned on his employer a look of gentle, dignified scorn. ‘Have I + not informed you,’ he said, ‘that I have the intention of going quietly?’ + </p> + <p> + Racksole felt almost ashamed for the moment. It flashed across him that a + man can be great, even in crime. + </p> + <p> + ‘What an ineffable fool you were,’ said Racksole, stopping him at the + threshold, ‘with your talents, your unique talents, to get yourself mixed + up in an affair of this kind. You are ruined. And, by Jove! you were a + great man in your own line.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Racksole,’ said Rocco very quickly, ‘that is the truest word you have + spoken this night. I was a great man in my own line. And I am an ineffable + fool. Alas!’ He brought his long arms to his sides with a thud. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why did you do it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I was fascinated—fascinated by Jules. He, too, is a great man. We + had great opportunities, here in the Grand Babylon. It was a great game. + It was worth the candle. The prizes were enormous. You would admit these + things if you knew the facts. Perhaps some day you will know them, for you + are a fairly clever person at getting to the root of a matter. Yes, I was + blinded, hypnotized.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And now you are ruined.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not ruined, not ruined. Afterwards, in a few years, I shall come up + again. + </p> + <p> + A man of genius like me is never ruined till he is dead. Genius is always + forgiven. I shall be forgiven. Suppose I am sent to prison. When I emerge + I shall be no gaol-bird. I shall be Rocco—the great Rocco. And half + the hotels in Europe will invite me to join them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me tell you, as man to man, that you have achieved your own + degradation. There is no excuse.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know it,’ said Rocco. ‘Let us go.’ + </p> + <p> + Racksole was distinctly and notably impressed by this man—by this + master spirit to whom he was to have paid a salary at the rate of three + thousand pounds a year. He even felt sorry for him. And so, side by side, + the captor and the captured, they passed into the vast deserted corridor + of the hotel. + </p> + <p> + Rocco stopped at the grating of the first lift. + </p> + <p> + ‘It will be locked,’ said Racksole. ‘We must use the stairs to-night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But I have a key. I always carry one,’ said Rocco, and he pulled one out + of his pocket, and, unfastening the iron screen, pushed it open. Racksole + smiled at his readiness and aplomb. + </p> + <p> + ‘After you,’ said Rocco, bowing in his finest manner, and Racksole stepped + into the lift. + </p> + <p> + With the swiftness of lighting Rocco pushed forward the iron screen, which + locked itself automatically. Theodore Racksole was hopelessly a prisoner + within the lift, while Rocco stood free in the corridor. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good-bye, Mr Racksole,’ he remarked suavely, bowing again, lower than + before. ‘Good-bye: I hate to take a mean advantage of you in this fashion, + but really you must allow that you have been very simple. You are a clever + man, as I have already said, up to a certain point. It is past that point + that my own cleverness comes in. Again, good-bye. After all, I shall have + no rest to-night, but perhaps even that will be better that sleeping in a + police cell. If you make a great noise you may wake someone and ultimately + get released from this lift. But I advise you to compose yourself, and + wait till morning. It will be more dignified. For the third time, + good-bye.’ + </p> + <p> + And with that Rocco, without hastening, walked down the corridor and so + out of sight. + </p> + <p> + Racksole said never a word. He was too disgusted with himself to speak. He + clenched his fists, and put his teeth together, and held his breath. In + the silence he could hear the dwindling sound of Rocco’s footsteps on the + thick carpet. + </p> + <p> + It was the greatest blow of Racksole’s life. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the high-born guests of the Grand Babylon were aroused by + a rumour that by some accident the millionaire proprietor of the hotel had + remained all night locked up in the lift. It was also stated that Rocco had + quarrelled with his new master and incontinently left the place. A duchess + said that Rocco’s departure would mean the ruin of the hotel, whereupon + her husband advised her not to talk nonsense. + </p> + <p> + As for Racksole, he sent a message for the detective in charge of the + Dimmock affair, and bravely told him the happenings of the previous night. + </p> + <p> + The narration was a decided ordeal to a man of Racksole’s temperament. + </p> + <p> + ‘A strange story!’ commented Detective Marshall, and he could not avoid a + smile. ‘The climax was unfortunate, but you have certainly got some + valuable facts.’ + </p> + <p> + Racksole said nothing. + </p> + <p> + ‘I myself have a clue,’ added the detective. ‘When your message arrived I + was just coming up to see you. I want you to accompany me to a certain + spot not far from here. Will you come, now, at once?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘With pleasure,’ said Racksole. + </p> + <p> + At that moment a page entered with a telegram. Racksole opened it read: + </p> + <p> + ‘Please come instantly. Nella. Hôtel Wellington, Ostend.’ + </p> + <p> + He looked at his watch. + </p> + <p> + ‘I can’t come,’ he said to the detective. I’m going to Ostend.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To Ostend?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, now.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But really, Mr Racksole,’ protested the detective. ‘My business is + urgent.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So’s mine,’ said Racksole. + </p> + <p> + In ten minutes he was on his way to Victoria Station. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Fifteen END OF THE YACHT ADVENTURE + </h2> + <p> + WE must now return to Nella Racksole and Prince Aribert of Posen on board + the yacht without a name. The Prince’s first business was to make Jules, + otherwise Mr Tom Jackson, perfectly secure by means of several pieces of + rope. Although Mr Jackson had been stunned into a complete + unconsciousness, and there was a contused wound under his ear, no one + could say how soon he might not come to himself and get very violent. So + the Prince, having tied his arms and legs, made him fast to a stanchion. + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope he won’t die,’ said Nella. ‘He looks very white.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Mr Jacksons of this world,’ said Prince Aribert sententiously, ‘never + die till they are hung. By the way, I wonder how it is that no one has + interfered with us. Perhaps they are discreetly afraid of my revolver—of + your revolver, I mean.’ + </p> + <p> + Both he and Nella glanced up at the imperturbable steersman, who kept the + yacht’s head straight out to sea. By this time they were about a couple of + miles from the Belgian shore. + </p> + <p> + Addressing him in French, the Prince ordered the sailor to put the yacht + about, and make again for Ostend Harbour, but the fellow took no notice + whatever of the summons. The Prince raised the revolver, with the idea of + frightening the steersman, and then the man began to talk rapidly in a + mixture of French and Flemish. He said that he had received Jules’ strict + orders not to interfere in any way, no matter what might happen on the + deck of the yacht. He was the captain of the yacht, and he had to make for + a certain English port, the name of which he could not divulge: he was to + keep the vessel at full steam ahead under any and all circumstances. He + seemed to be a very big, a very strong, and a very determined man, and the + Prince was at a loss what course of action to pursue. He asked several + more questions, but the only effect of them was to render the man taciturn + and ill-humoured. + </p> + <p> + In vain Prince Aribert explained that Miss Nella Racksole, daughter of + millionaire Racksole, had been abducted by Mr Tom Jackson; in vain he + flourished the revolver threateningly; the surly but courageous captain + said merely that that had nothing to do with him; he had instructions, and + he should carry them out. He sarcastically begged to remind his + interlocutor that he was the captain of the yacht. + </p> + <p> + ‘It won’t do to shoot him, I suppose,’ said the Prince to Nella. ‘I might + bore a hole into his leg, or something of that kind.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s rather risky, and rather hard on the poor captain, with his + extraordinary sense of duty,’ said Nella. ‘And, besides, the whole crew + might turn on us. No, we must think of something else.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wonder where the crew is,’ said the Prince. + </p> + <p> + Just then Mr Jackson, prone and bound on the deck, showed signs of + recovering from his swoon. His eyes opened, and he gazed vacantly around. + At length he caught sight of the Prince, who approached him with the + revolver well in view. + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s you, is it?’ he murmured faintly. ‘What are you doing on board? + Who’s tied me up like this?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘See here!’ replied the Prince, ‘I don’t want to have any arguments, but + this yacht must return to Ostend at once, where you will be given up to + the authorities.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Really!’ snarled Mr Tom Jackson. ‘Shall I!’ Then he called out in French + to the man at the wheel, ‘Hi André! let these two be put off in the + dinghy.’ + </p> + <p> + It was a peculiar situation. Certain of nothing but the possession of + Nella’s revolver, the Prince scarcely knew whether to carry the argument + further, and with stronger measures, or to accept the situation with as + much dignity as the circumstances would permit. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let us take the dinghy,’ said Nella; ‘we can row ashore in an hour.’ + </p> + <p> + He felt that she was right. To leave the yacht in such a manner seemed + somewhat ignominious, and it certainly involved the escape of that + profound villain, Mr Thomas Jackson. But what else could be done? The + Prince and Nella constituted one party on the vessel; they knew their own + strength, but they did not know the strength of their opponents. They held + the hostile ringleader bound and captive, but this man had proved himself + capable of giving orders, and even to gag him would not help them if the + captain of the yacht persisted in his obstinate course. Moreover, there + was a distinct objection to promiscuous shooting. The Prince felt that + there was no knowing how promiscuous shooting might end. + </p> + <p> + ‘We will take the dinghy,’ said the Prince quickly, to the captain. + </p> + <p> + A bell rang below, and a sailor and the Negro boy appeared on deck. The + pulsations of the screw grew less rapid. The yacht stopped. The dinghy was + lowered. As the Prince and Nella prepared to descend into the little + cock-boat Mr Tom Jackson addressed Nella, all bound as he lay. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good-bye,’ he said, ‘I shall see you again, never fear.’. + </p> + <p> + In another moment they were in the dinghy, and the dinghy was adrift. The + yacht’s screw churned the water, and the beautiful vessel slipped away from + them. As it receded a figure appeared at the stem. It was Mr Thomas + Jackson. + </p> + <p> + He had been released by his minions. He held a white handkerchief to his + ear, and offered a calm, enigmatic smile to the two forlorn but victorious + occupants of the dinghy. Jules had been defeated for once in his life; or + perhaps it would be more just to say that he had been out-manoeuvred. Men + like Jules are incapable of being defeated. It was characteristic of his + luck that now, in the very hour when he had been caught red-handed in a + serious crime against society, he should be effecting a leisurely escape—an + escape which left no clue behind. + </p> + <p> + The sea was utterly calm and blue in the morning sun. The dinghy rocked + itself lazily in the swell of the yacht’s departure. As the mist cleared + away the outline of the shore became more distinct, and it appeared as if + Ostend was distant scarcely a cable’s length. The white dome of the great + Kursaal glittered in the pale turquoise sky, and the smoke of steamers in + the harbour could be plainly distinguished. On the offing was a crowd of + brown-sailed fishing luggers returning with the night’s catch. The + many-hued bathing-vans could be counted on the distant beach. Everything + seemed perfectly normal. It was difficult for either Nella or her + companion to realize that anything extraordinary had happened within the + last hour. Yet there was the yacht, not a mile off, to prove to them that + something very extraordinary had, in fact, happened. The yacht was no + vision, nor was that sinister watching figure at its stern a vision, + either. + </p> + <p> + ‘I suppose Jules was too surprised and too feeble to inquire how I came to + be on board his yacht,’ said the Prince, taking the oars. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! How did you?’ asked Nella, her face lighting up. ‘Really, I had + almost forgotten that part of the affair.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I must begin at the beginning and it will take some time,’ answered the + Prince. ‘Had we not better postpone the recital till we get ashore?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will row and you shall talk,’ said Nella. ‘I want to know now.’ + </p> + <p> + He smiled happily at her, but gently declined to yield up the oars. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it not sufficient that I am here?’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is sufficient, yes,’ she replied, ‘but I want to know.’ + </p> + <p> + With a long, easy stroke he was pulling the dinghy shorewards. She sat in + the stern-sheets. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is no rudder,’ he remarked, ‘so you must direct me. Keep the boat’s + head on the lighthouse. The tide seems to be running in strongly; that + will help us. The people on shore will think that we have only been for a + little early morning excursion.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you kindly tell me how it came about that you were able to save my + life, Prince?’ she said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Save your life, Miss Racksole? I didn’t save your life; I merely knocked + a man down.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You saved my life,’ she repeated. ‘That villain would have stopped at + nothing. I saw it in his eye.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you were a brave woman, for you showed no fear of death.’ His + admiring gaze rested full on her. For a moment the oars ceased to move. + </p> + <p> + She gave a gesture of impatience. + </p> + <p> + ‘It happened that I saw you last night in your carriage,’ he said. ‘The + fact is, I had not had the audacity to go to Berlin with my story. I + stopped in Ostend to see whether I could do a little detective work on my + own account. + </p> + <p> + It was a piece of good luck that I saw you. I followed the carriage as + quickly as I could, and I just caught a glimpse of you as you entered that + awful house. I knew that Jules had something to do with that house. I + guessed what you were doing. I was afraid for you. Fortunately I had + surveyed the house pretty thoroughly. There is an entrance to it at the + back, from a narrow lane. I made my way there. I got into the yard at the + back, and I stood under the window of the room where you had the interview + with Miss Spencer. I heard everything that was said. It was a courageous + enterprise on your part to follow Miss Spencer from the Grand Babylon to + Ostend. Well, I dared not force an entrance, lest I might precipitate + matters too suddenly, and involve both of us in a difficulty. I merely + kept watch. Ah, Miss Racksole! you were magnificent with Miss Spencer; as + I say, I could hear every word, for the window was slightly open. I felt + that you needed no assistance from me. And then she cheated you with a + trick, and the revolver came flying through the window. I picked it up, I + thought it would probably be useful. There was a silence. I did not guess + at first that you had fainted. I thought that you had escaped. When I + found out the truth it was too late for me to intervene. There were two + men, both desperate, besides Miss Spencer—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who was the other man?’ asked Nella. + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not know. It was dark. They drove away with you to the harbour. + Again I followed. I saw them carry you on board. Before the yacht weighed + anchor I managed to climb unobserved into the dinghy. I lay down full + length in it, and no one suspected that I was there. I think you know the + rest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Was the yacht all ready for sea?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The yacht was all ready for sea. The captain fellow was on the bridge, + and steam was up.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then they expected me! How could that be?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They expected some one. I do not think they expected you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Did the second man go on board?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He helped to carry you along the gangway, but he came back again to the + carriage. He was the driver.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And no one else saw the business?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The quay was deserted. You see, the last steamer had arrived for the + night.’ + </p> + <p> + There was a brief silence, and then Nella ejaculated, under her breath. + </p> + <p> + ‘Truly, it is a wonderful world!’ + </p> + <p> + And it was a wonderful world for them, though scarcely perhaps, in the + sense which Nella Racksole had intended. They had just emerged from a + highly disconcerting experience. Among other minor inconveniences, they + had had no breakfast. They were out in the sea in a tiny boat. Neither of + them knew what the day might bring forth. The man, at least, had the most + serious anxieties for the safety of his Royal nephew. And yet—and + yet—neither of them wished that that voyage of the little boat on + the summer tide should come to an end. Each, perhaps unconsciously, had a + vague desire that it might last for ever, he lazily pulling, she directing + his course at intervals by a movement of her distractingly pretty head. + How was this condition of affairs to be explained? Well, they were both + young; they both had superb health, and all the ardour of youth; and—they + were together. + </p> + <p> + The boat was very small indeed; her face was scarcely a yard from his. + She, in his eyes, surrounded by the glamour of beauty and vast wealth; he, + in her eyes, surrounded by the glamour of masculine intrepidity and the + brilliance of a throne. + </p> + <p> + But all voyages come to an end, either at the shore or at the bottom of + the sea, and at length the dinghy passed between the stone jetties of the + harbour. The Prince rowed to the nearest steps, tied up the boat, and they + landed. It was six o’clock in the morning, and a day of gorgeous sunlight + had opened. Few people were about at that early hour. + </p> + <p> + ‘And now, what next?’ said the Prince. ‘I must take you to an hotel.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am in your hands,’ she acquiesced, with a smile which sent the blood + racing through his veins. He perceived now that she was tired and + overcome, suffering from a sudden and natural reaction. + </p> + <p> + At the Hôtel Wellington the Prince told the sleepy door-keeper that they + had come by the early train from Bruges, and wanted breakfast at once. It + was absurdly early, but a common English sovereign will work wonders in + any Belgian hotel, and in a very brief time Nella and the Prince were + breakfasting on the verandah of the hotel upon chocolate that had been + specially and hastily brewed for them. + </p> + <p> + ‘I never tasted such excellent chocolate,’ claimed the Prince. + </p> + <p> + The statement was wildly untrue, for the Hôtel Wellington is not + celebrated for its chocolate. Nevertheless Nella replied enthusiastically, + ‘Nor I.’ + </p> + <p> + Then there was a silence, and Nella, feeling possibly that she had been + too ecstatic, remarked in a very matter-of-fact tone: ‘I must telegraph to + Papa instantly.’ + </p> + <p> + Thus it was that Theodore Racksole received the telegram which drew him + away from Detective Marshall. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Sixteen THE WOMAN WITH THE RED HAT + </h2> + <p> + ‘THERE is one thing, Prince, that we have just got to settle straight + off,’ said Theodore Racksole. + </p> + <p> + They were all three seated—Racksole, his daughter, and Prince + Aribert—round a dinner table in a private room at the Hôtel + Wellington. Racksole had duly arrived by the afternoon boat, and had been + met on the quay by the other two. They had dined early, and Racksole had + heard the full story of the adventures by sea and land of Nella and the + Prince. As to his own adventure of the previous night he said very little, + merely explaining, with as little detail as possible, that Dimmock’s body + had come to light. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is that?’ asked the Prince, in answer to Racksole’s remark. + </p> + <p> + ‘We have got to settle whether we shall tell the police at once all that + has occurred, or whether we shall proceed on our own responsibility. There + can be no doubt as to which course we ought to pursue. Every consideration + of prudence points to the advisability of taking the police into our + confidence, and leaving the matter entirely in their hands.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, Papa!’ Nella burst out in her pouting, impulsive way. ‘You surely + can’t think of such a thing. Why, the fun has only just begun.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you call last night fun?’ questioned Racksole, gazing at her solemnly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I do,’ she said promptly. ‘Now.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I don’t,’ was the millionaire’s laconic response; but perhaps he + was thinking of his own situation in the lift. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you not think we might investigate a little further,’ said the Prince + judiciously, as he cracked a walnut, ‘just a little further—and + then, if we fail to accomplish anything, there would still be ample + opportunity to consult the police?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How do you suggest we should begin?’ asked Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, there is the house which Miss Racksole so intrepidly entered last + evening’—he gave her the homage of an admiring glance; ‘you and I, + Mr Racksole, might examine that abode in detail.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To-night?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly. We might do something.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We might do too much.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For example?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We might shoot someone, or get ourselves mistaken for burglars. If we + outstepped the law, it would be no excuse for us that we had been acting + in a good cause.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘True,’ said the Prince. ‘Nevertheless—’ He stopped. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nevertheless you have a distaste for bringing the police into the + business. + </p> + <p> + You want the hunt all to yourself. You are on fire with the ardour of the + chase. Is not that it? Accept the advice of an older man, Prince, and + sleep on this affair. I have little fancy for nocturnal escapades two + nights together. As for you, Nella, off with you to bed. The Prince and I + will have a yarn over such fluids as can be obtained in this hole.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Papa,’ she said, ‘you are perfectly horrid to-night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Perhaps I am,’ he said. ‘Decidedly I am very cross with you for coming + over here all alone. It was monstrous. If I didn’t happen to be the most + foolish of parents—There! Good-night. It’s nine o’clock. The Prince, + I am sure, will excuse you.’ + </p> + <p> + If Nella had not really been very tired Prince Aribert might have been the + witness of a good-natured but stubborn conflict between the millionaire + and his spirited offspring. As it was, Nella departed with surprising + docility, and the two men were left alone. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now,’ said Racksole suddenly, changing his tone, ‘I fancy that after all + I’m your man for a little amateur investigation to-night. And, if I must + speak the exact truth, I think that to sleep on this affair would be about + the very worst thing we could do. But I was anxious to keep Nella out of + harm’s way at any rate till to-morrow. She is a very difficult creature to + manage, Prince, and I may warn you,’ he laughed grimly, ‘that if we do + succeed in doing anything to-night we shall catch it from her ladyship in + the morning. Are you ready to take that risk?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am,’ the Prince smiled. ‘But Miss Racksole is a young lady of quite + remarkable nerve.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She is,’ said Racksole drily. ‘I wish sometimes she had less.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have the highest admiration for Miss Racksole,’ said the Prince, and he + looked Miss Racksole’s father full in the face. + </p> + <p> + ‘You honour us, Prince,’ Racksole observed. ‘Let us come to business. Am I + right in assuming that you have a reason for keeping the police out of + this business, if it can possibly be done?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said the Prince, and his brow clouded. ‘I am very much afraid that + my poor nephew has involved himself in some scrape that he would wish not + to be divulged.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you do not believe that he is the victim of foul play?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And the reason, if I may ask it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Racksole, we speak in confidence—is it not so? Some years ago my + foolish nephew had an affair—an affair with a feminine star of the + Berlin stage. For anything I know, the lady may have been the very pattern + of her sex, but where a reigning Prince is concerned scandal cannot be + avoided in such a matter. I had thought that the affair was quite at an + end, since my nephew’s betrothal to Princess Anna of Eckstein-Schwartzburg + is shortly to be announced. But yesterday I saw the lady to whom I have + referred driving on the Digue. The coincidence of her presence here with + my nephew’s disappearance is too extraordinary to be disregarded.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But how does this theory square with the murder of Reginald Dimmock?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It does not square with it. My idea is that the murder of poor Dimmock + and the disappearance of my nephew are entirely unconnected—unless, + indeed, this Berlin actress is playing into the hands of the murderers. I + had not thought of that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then what do you propose to do to-night?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I propose to enter the house which Miss Racksole entered last night and + to find out something definite.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I concur,’ said Racksole. ‘I shall heartily enjoy it. But let me tell + you, Prince, and pardon me for speaking bluntly, your surmise is + incorrect. I would wager a hundred thousand dollars that Prince Eugen has + been kidnapped.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What grounds have you for being so sure?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! said Racksole, ‘that is a long story. Let me begin by asking you + this. + </p> + <p> + Are you aware that your nephew, Prince Eugen, owes a million of money?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A million of money!’ cried Prince Aribert astonished. ‘It is impossible!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nevertheless, he does,’ said Racksole calmly. Then he told him all he had + learnt from Mr Sampson Levi. + </p> + <p> + ‘What have you to say to that?’ Racksole ended. Prince Aribert made no + reply. + </p> + <p> + ‘What have you to say to that?’ Racksole insisted. + </p> + <p> + ‘Merely that Eugen is ruined, even if he is alive.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not at all,’ Racksole returned with cheerfulness. ‘Not at all. We shall + see about that. The special thing that I want to know just now from you is + this: + </p> + <p> + Has any previous application ever been made for the hand of the Princess + Anna?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes. Last year. The King of Bosnia sued for it, but his proposal was + declined.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because my nephew was considered to be a more suitable match for her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not because the personal character of his Majesty of Bosnia is scarcely + of the brightest?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No. Unfortunately it is usually impossible to consider questions of + personal character when a royal match is concerned.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then, if for any reason the marriage of Princess Anna with your nephew + was frustrated, the King of Bosnia would have a fair chance in that + quarter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He would. The political aspect of things would be perfectly + satisfactory.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thanks!’ said Racksole. ‘I will wager another hundred thousand dollars + that someone in Bosnia—I don’t accuse the King himself—is at + the bottom of this business. The methods of Balkan politicians have always + been half-Oriental. Let us go.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To this precious house of Nella’s adventure.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But surely it is too early?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So it is,’ said Racksole, ‘and we shall want a few things, too. For + instance, a dark lantern. I think I will go out and forage for a lantern.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And a revolver?’ suggested Prince Aribert. + </p> + <p> + ‘Does it mean revolvers?’ The millionaire laughed. ‘It may come to that.’ + ‘Here you are, then, my friend,’ said Racksole, and he pulled one out of + his hip pocket. ‘And yours?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I,’ said the Prince, ‘I have your daughter’s.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The deuce you have!’ murmured Racksole to himself. + </p> + <p> + It was then half past nine. They decided that it would be impolitic to + begin their operations till after midnight. There were three hours to + spare. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let us go and see the gambling,’ Racksole suggested. ‘We might encounter + the Berlin lady.’ + </p> + <p> + The suggestion, in the first instance, was not made seriously, but it + appeared to both men that they might do worse than spend the intervening + time in the gorgeous saloon of the Kursaal, where, in the season, as much + money is won and lost as at Monte Carlo. It was striking ten o’clock as + they entered the rooms. There was a large company present—a company + which included some of the most notorious persons in Europe. In that + multifarious assemblage all were equal. The electric light shone coldly + and impartially on the just and on the unjust, on the fool and the knave, + on the European and the Asiatic. As usual, women monopolized the best + places at the tables. + </p> + <p> + The scene was familiar enough to Prince Aribert, who had witnessed it + frequently at Monaco, but Theodore Racksole had never before entered any + European gaming palace; he had only the haziest idea of the rules of play, + and he was at once interested. For some time they watched the play at the + table which happened to be nearest to them. Racksole never moved his lips. + </p> + <p> + With his eyes glued on the table, and ears open for every remark, of the + players and the croupier, he took his first lesson in roulette. He saw a + mere youth win fifteen thousand francs, which were stolen in the most + barefaced manner by a rouged girl scarcely older than the youth; he saw + two old gamesters stake their coins, and lose, and walk quietly out of the + place; he saw the bank win fifty thousand francs at a single turn. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is rather good fun,’ he said at length, ‘but the stakes are too + small to make it really exciting. I’ll try my luck, just for the + experience. I’m bound to win.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why?’ asked the Prince. + </p> + <p> + ‘Because I always do, in games of chance,’ Racksole answered with gay + confidence. ‘It is my fate. Then to-night, you must remember, I shall be a + beginner, and you know the tyro’s luck.’ + </p> + <p> + In ten minutes the croupier of that table was obliged to suspend + operations pending the arrival of a further supply of coin. + </p> + <p> + ‘What did I tell you?’ said Racksole, leading the way to another table + further up the room. A hundred curious glances went after him. One old + woman, whose gay attire suggested a false youthfulness, begged him in + French to stake a five-franc piece for her. She offered him the coin. He + took it, and gave her a hundred-franc note in exchange. She clutched the + crisp rustling paper, and with hysterical haste scuttled back to her own + table. + </p> + <p> + At the second table there was a considerable air of excitement. In the + forefront of the players was a woman in a low-cut evening dress of black + silk and a large red picture hat. Her age appeared to be about + twenty-eight; she had dark eyes, full lips, and a distinctly Jewish nose. + She was handsome, but her beauty was of that forbidding, sinister order + which is often called Junoesque. This woman was the centre of attraction. + People said to each other that she had won a hundred and sixty thousand + francs that day at the table. + </p> + <p> + ‘You were right,’ Prince Aribert whispered to Theodore Racksole; ‘that is + the Berlin lady.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The deuce she is! Has she seen you? Will she know you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She would probably know me, but she hasn’t looked up yet.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Keep behind her, then. I propose to find her a little occupation.’ By + dint of a carefully-exercised diplomacy, Racksole manoeuvred himself into + a seat opposite to the lady in the red hat. The fame of his success at the + other table had followed him, and people regarded him as a serious and + formidable player. In the first turn the lady put a thousand francs on + double zero; Racksole put a hundred on number nineteen and a thousand on + the odd numbers. + </p> + <p> + Nineteen won. Racksole received four thousand four hundred francs. Nine + times in succession Racksole backed number nineteen and the odd numbers; + nine times the lady backed double zero. Nine times Racksole won and the + lady lost. The other players, perceiving that the affair had resolved + itself into a duel, stood back for the most part and watched those two. + Prince Aribert never stirred from his position behind the great red hat. + The game continued. Racksole lost trifles from time to time, but + ninety-nine hundredths of the luck was with him. As an English spectator + at the table remarked, ‘he couldn’t do wrong.’ When midnight struck the + lady in the red hat was reduced to a thousand francs. Then she fell into a + winning vein for half an hour, but at one o’clock her resources were + exhausted. Of the hundred and sixty thousand francs which she was reputed + to have had early in the evening, Racksole held about ninety thousand, and + the bank had the rest. + </p> + <p> + It was a calamity for the Juno of the red hat. She jumped up, stamped her + foot, and hurried from the room. At a discreet distance Racksole and the + Prince pursued her. + </p> + <p> + ‘It might be well to ascertain her movements,’ said Racksole. + </p> + <p> + Outside, in the glare of the great arc lights, and within sound of the + surf which beats always at the very foot of the Kursaal, the Juno of the + red hat summoned a fiacre and drove rapidly away. Racksole and the Prince + took an open carriage and started in pursuit. They had not, however, + travelled more than half a mile when Prince Aribert stopped the carriage, + and, bidding Racksole get out, paid the driver and dismissed him. + </p> + <p> + ‘I feel sure I know where she is going,’ he explained, ‘and it will be + better for us to follow on foot.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You mean she is making for the scene of last night’s affair?’ said + Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘Exactly. We shall—what you call, kill two birds with one stone.’ + </p> + <p> + Prince Aribert’s guess was correct. The lady’s carriage stopped in front + of the house where Nella Racksole and Miss Spencer had had their interview + on the previous evening, and the lady vanished into the building just as + the two men appeared at the end of the street. Instead of proceeding along + that street, the Prince led Racksole to the lane which gave on to the + backs of the houses, and he counted the houses as they went up the lane. + In a few minutes they had burglariously climbed over a wall, and crept, + with infinite caution, up a long, narrow piece of ground—half + garden, half paved yard, till they crouched under a window—a window + which was shielded by curtains, but which had been left open a little. + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen,’ said the Prince in his lightest whisper, ‘they are talking.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Berlin lady and Miss Spencer. I’m sure it’s Miss Spencer’s voice.’ + </p> + <p> + Racksole boldly pushed the french window a little wider open, and put his + ear to the aperture, through which came a beam of yellow light. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take my place,’ he whispered to the Prince, ‘they’re talking German. + You’ll understand better.’ + </p> + <p> + Silently they exchanged places under the window, and the Prince listened + intently. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you refuse?’ Miss Spencer’s visitor was saying. + </p> + <p> + There was no answer from Miss Spencer. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not even a thousand francs? I tell you I’ve lost the whole twenty-five + thousand.’ + </p> + <p> + Again no answer. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then I’ll tell the whole story,’ the lady went on, in an angry rush of + words. ‘I did what I promised to do. I enticed him here, and you’ve got + him safe in your vile cellar, poor little man, and you won’t give me a + paltry thousand francs.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have already had your price.’ The words were Miss Spencer’s. They + fell cold and calm on the night air. + </p> + <p> + ‘I want another thousand.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I haven’t it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then we’ll see.’ + </p> + <p> + Prince Aribert heard a rustle of flying skirts; then another movement—a + door banged, and the beam of light through the aperture of the window + suddenly disappeared. He pushed the window wide open. The room was in + darkness, and apparently empty. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now for that lantern of yours,’ he said eagerly to Theodore Racksole, + after he had translated to him the conversation of the two women, Racksole + produced the dark lantern from the capacious pocket of his dust coat, and + lighted it. The ray flashed about the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it?’ exclaimed Prince Aribert with a swift cry, pointing to the + ground. The lantern threw its light on a perpendicular grating at their + feet, through which could be discerned a cellar. They both knelt down, and + peered into the subterranean chamber. On a broken chair a young man sat + listlessly with closed eyes, his head leaning heavily forward on his + chest. + </p> + <p> + In the feeble light of the lantern he had the livid and ghastly appearance + of a corpse. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who can it be?’ said Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is Eugen,’ was the Prince’s low answer. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Seventeen THE RELEASE OF PRINCE EUGEN + </h2> + <p> + ‘EUGEN,’ Prince Aribert called softly. At the sound of his own name the + young man in the cellar feebly raised his head and stared up at the + grating which separated him from his two rescuers. But his features showed + no recognition. He gazed in an aimless, vague, silly manner for a few + seconds, his eyes blinking under the glare of the lantern, and then his + head slowly drooped again on to his chest. He was dressed in a dark tweed + travelling suit, and Racksole observed that one sleeve—the left—was + torn across the upper part of the cuff, and that there were stains of dirt + on the left shoulder. A soiled linen collar, which had lost all its starch + and was half unbuttoned, partially encircled the captive’s neck; his brown + boots were unlaced; a cap, a handkerchief, a portion of a watch-chain, and + a few gold coins lay on the floor. Racksole flashed the lantern into the + corners of the cellar, but he could discover no other furniture except the + chair on which the Hereditary Prince of Posen sat and a small deal table + on which were a plate and a cup. + </p> + <p> + ‘Eugen,’ cried Prince Aribert once more, but this time his forlorn nephew + made no response whatever, and then Aribert added in a low voice to + Racksole: ‘Perhaps he cannot see us clearly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But he must surely recognize your voice,’ said Racksole, in a hard, + gloomy tone. There was a pause, and the two men above ground looked at + each other hesitatingly. Each knew that they must enter that cellar and + get Prince Eugen out of it, and each was somehow afraid to take the next + step. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank God he is not dead!’ said Aribert. + </p> + <p> + ‘He may be worse than dead!’ Racksole replied. + </p> + <p> + ‘Worse than—What do you mean?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I mean—he may be mad.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come,’ Aribert almost shouted, with a sudden access of energy—a + wild impulse for action. And, snatching the lantern from Racksole, he + rushed into the dark room where they had heard the conversation of Miss + Spencer and the lady in the red hat. For a moment Racksole did not stir + from the threshold of the window. ‘Come,’ Prince Aribert repeated, and + there was an imperious command in his utterance. ‘What are you afraid of?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know,’ said Racksole, feeling stupid and queer; ‘I don’t know.’ + </p> + <p> + Then he marched heavily after Prince Aribert into the room. On the + mantelpiece were a couple of candles which had been blown out, and in a + mechanical, unthinking way, Racksole lighted them, and the two men glanced + round the room. It presented no peculiar features: it was just an ordinary + room, rather small, rather mean, rather shabby, with an ugly wallpaper and + ugly pictures in ugly frames. Thrown over a chair was a man’s + evening-dress jacket. The door was closed. Prince Aribert turned the knob, + but he could not open it. + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s locked,’ he said. ‘Evidently they know we’re here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nonsense,’ said Racksole brusquely; ‘how can they know?’ And, taking hold + of the knob, he violently shook the door, and it opened. ‘I told you it + wasn’t locked,’ he added, and this small success of opening the door + seemed to steady the man. It was a curious psychological effect, this + terrorizing (for it amounted to that) of two courageous full-grown men by + the mere apparition of a helpless creature in a cellar. Gradually they + both recovered from it. The next moment they were out in the passage which + led to the front door of the house. The front door stood open. They looked + into the street, up and down, but there was not a soul in sight. The + street, lighted by three gas-lamps only, seemed strangely sinister and + mysterious. + </p> + <p> + ‘She has gone, that’s clear,’ said Racksole, meaning the woman with the + red hat. + </p> + <p> + ‘And Miss Spencer after her, do you think?’ questioned Aribert. + </p> + <p> + ‘No. She would stay. She would never dare to leave. Let us find the cellar + steps.’ + </p> + <p> + The cellar steps were happily not difficult to discover, for in moving a + pace backwards Prince Aribert had a narrow escape of precipitating himself + to the bottom of them. The lantern showed that they were built on a curve. + </p> + <p> + Silently Racksole resumed possession of the lantern and went first, the + Prince close behind him. At the foot was a short passage, and in this + passage crouched the figure of a woman. Her eyes threw back the rays of + the lantern, shining like a cat’s at midnight. Then, as the men went + nearer, they saw that it was Miss Spencer who barred their way. She seemed + half to kneel on the stone floor, and in one hand she held what at first + appeared to be a dagger, but which proved to be nothing more romantic than + a rather long bread-knife. + </p> + <p> + ‘I heard you, I heard you,’ she exclaimed. ‘Get back; you mustn’t come + here.’ + </p> + <p> + There was a desperate and dangerous look on her face, and her form shook + with scarcely controlled passionate energy. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now see here, Miss Spencer,’ Racksole said calmly, ‘I guess we’ve had + enough of this fandango. You’d better get up and clear out, or we’ll just + have to drag you off.’ + </p> + <p> + He went calmly up to her, the lantern in his hand. Without another word + she struck the knife into his arm, and the lantern fell extinguished. + Racksole gave a cry, rather of angry surprise than of pain, and retreated + a few steps. In the darkness they could still perceive the glint of her + eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘I told you you mustn’t come here,’ the woman said. ‘Now get back.’ + </p> + <p> + Racksole positively laughed. It was a queer laugh, but he laughed, and he + could not help it. The idea of this woman, this bureau clerk, stopping his + progress and that of Prince Aribert by means of a bread-knife aroused his + sense of humour. He struck a match, relighted the candle, and faced Miss + Spencer once more. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll do it again,’ she said, with a note of hard resolve. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, no, you won’t, my girl,’ said Racksole; and he pulled out his + revolver, cocked it, raised his hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘Put down that plaything of yours,’ he said firmly. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ she answered. + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall shoot.’ + </p> + <p> + She pressed her lips together. + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall shoot,’ he repeated. ‘One—two—three.’ + </p> + <p> + Bang, bang! He had fired twice, purposely missing her. Miss Spencer never + blenched. Racksole was tremendously surprised—and he would have been + a thousandfold more surprised could he have contrasted her behaviour now + with her abject terror on the previous evening when Nella had threatened + her. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’ve got a bit of pluck,’ he said, ‘but it won’t help you. Why won’t + you let us pass?’ + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact, pluck was just what she had not, really; she had + merely subordinated one terror to another. She was desperately afraid of + Racksole’s revolver, but she was much more afraid of something else. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why won’t you let us pass?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I daren’t,’ she said, with a plaintive tremor; ‘Tom put me in charge.’ + </p> + <p> + That was all. The men could see tears running down her poor wrinkled face. + </p> + <p> + Theodore Racksole began to take off his light overcoat. + </p> + <p> + ‘I see I must take my coat off to you,’ he said, and he almost smiled. + Then, with a quick movement, he threw the coat over Miss Spencer’s head + and flew at her, seizing both her arms, while Prince Aribert assisted. + </p> + <p> + Her struggles ceased—she was beaten. + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s all right,’ said Racksole: ‘I could never have used that revolver—to + mean business with it, of course.’ + </p> + <p> + They carried her, unresisting, upstairs and on to the upper floor, where + they locked her in a bedroom. She lay in the bed as if exhausted. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now for my poor Eugen,’ said Prince Aribert. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t you think we’d better search the house first?’ Racksole suggested; + ‘it will be safer to know just how we stand. We can’t afford any ambushes + or things of that kind, you know.’ + </p> + <p> + The Prince agreed, and they searched the house from top to bottom, but + found no one. Then, having locked the front door and the french window of + the sitting-room, they proceeded again to the cellar. + </p> + <p> + Here a new obstacle confronted them. The cellar door was, of course, + locked; there was no sign of a key, and it appeared to be a heavy door. + They were compelled to return to the bedroom where Miss Spencer was + incarcerated, in order to demand the key of the cellar from her. She still + lay without movement on the bed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tom’s got it,’ she replied, faintly, to their question: ‘Tom’s got it, I + swear to you. He took it for safety.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then how do you feed your prisoner?’ Racksole asked sharply. + </p> + <p> + ‘Through the grating,’ she answered. + </p> + <p> + Both men shuddered. They felt she was speaking the truth. For the third + time they went to the cellar door. In vain Racksole thrust himself against + it; he could do no more than shake it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let’s try both together,’ said Prince Aribert. ‘Now!’ There was a crack. + </p> + <p> + ‘Again,’ said Prince Aribert. There was another crack, and then the upper + hinge gave way. The rest was easy. Over the wreck of the door they entered + Prince Eugen’s prison. + </p> + <p> + The captive still sat on his chair. The terrific noise and bustle of + breaking down the door seemed not to have aroused him from his lethargy, + but when Prince Aribert spoke to him in German he looked at his uncle. + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you not come with us, Eugen?’ said Prince Aribert; ‘you needn’t stay + here any longer, you know.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Leave me alone,’ was the strange reply; ‘leave me alone. What do you + want?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We are here to get you out of this scrape,’ said Aribert gently. Racksole + stood aside. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who is that fellow?’ said Eugen sharply. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is my friend Mr Racksole, an Englishman—or rather, I should + say, an American—to whom we owe a great deal. Come and have supper, + Eugen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I won’t,’ answered Eugen doggedly. ‘I’m waiting here for her. You didn’t + think anyone had kept me here, did you, against my will? I tell you I’m + waiting for her. She said she’d come.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who is she?’ Aribert asked, humouring him. + </p> + <p> + ‘She! Why, you know! I forgot, of course, you don’t know. You mustn’t ask. + </p> + <p> + Don’t pry, Uncle Aribert. She was wearing a red hat.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll take you to her, my dear Eugen.’ Prince Aribert put his hands on the + other’s shoulder, but Eugen shook him off violently, stood up, and then + sat down again. + </p> + <p> + Aribert looked at Racksole, and they both looked at Prince Eugen. The + latter’s face was flushed, and Racksole observed that the left pupil was + more dilated than the right. The man started, muttered odd, fragmentary + scraps of sentences, now grumbling, now whining. + </p> + <p> + ‘His mind is unhinged,’ Racksole whispered in English. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush!’ said Prince Aribert. ‘He understands English.’ But Prince Eugen + took no notice of the brief colloquy. + </p> + <p> + ‘We had better get him upstairs, somehow,’ said Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ Aribert assented. ‘Eugen, the lady with the red hat, the lady you + are waiting for, is upstairs. She has sent us down to ask you to come up. + Won’t you come?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Himmel!’ the poor fellow exclaimed, with a kind of weak anger. ‘Why did + you not say this before?’ + </p> + <p> + He rose, staggered towards Aribert, and fell headlong on the floor. He had + swooned. The two men raised him, carried him up the stone steps, and laid + him with infinite care on a sofa. He lay, breathing queerly through the + nostrils, his eyes closed, his fingers contracted; every now and then a + convulsion ran through his frame. + </p> + <p> + ‘One of us must fetch a doctor,’ said Prince Aribert. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will,’ said Racksole. At that moment there was a quick, curt rap on the + french window, and both Racksole and the Prince glanced round startled. A + girl’s face was pressed against the large window-pane. It was Nella’s. + </p> + <p> + Racksole unfastened the catch, and she entered. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have found you,’ she said lightly; ‘you might have told me. I couldn’t + sleep. I inquired from the hotel-folks if you had retired, and they said + no; so I slipped out. I guessed where you were.’ Racksole interrupted her + with a question as to what she meant by this escapade, but she stopped him + with a careless gesture. ‘What’s this?’ She pointed to the form on the + sofa. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is my nephew, Prince Eugen,’ said Aribert. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hurt?’ she inquired coldly. ‘I hope not.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He is ill,’ said Racksole, ‘his brain is turned.’ + </p> + <p> + Nella began to examine the unconscious Prince with the expert movements of + a girl who had passed through the best hospital course to be obtained in + New York. + </p> + <p> + ‘He has got brain fever,’ she said. ‘That is all, but it will be enough. + Do you know if there is a bed anywhere in this remarkable house?’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Eighteen IN THE NIGHT-TIME + </h2> + <p> + ‘HE must on no account be moved,’ said the dark little Belgian doctor, + whose eyes seemed to peer so quizzically through his spectacles; and he + said it with much positiveness. + </p> + <p> + That pronouncement rather settled their plans for them. It was certainly a + professional triumph for Nella, who, previous to the doctor’s arrival, had + told them the very same thing. Considerable argument had passed before the + doctor was sent for. Prince Aribert was for keeping the whole affair a + deep secret among their three selves. Theodore Racksole agreed so far, but + he suggested further that at no matter what risk they should transport the + patient over to England at once. Racksole had an idea that he should feel + safer in that hotel of his, and better able to deal with any situation + that might arise. Nella scorned the idea. In her quality of an amateur + nurse, she assured them that Prince Eugen was much more seriously ill than + either of them suspected, and she urged that they should take absolute + possession of the house, and keep possession till Prince Eugen was + convalescent. + </p> + <p> + ‘But what about the Spencer female?’ Racksole had said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Keep her where she is. Keep her a prisoner. And hold the house against + all comers. If Jules should come back, simply defy him to enter—that + is all. + </p> + <p> + There are two of you, so you must keep an eye on the former occupiers, if + they return, and on Miss Spencer, while I nurse the patient. But first, + you must send for a doctor.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Doctor!’ Prince Aribert had said, alarmed. ‘Will it not be necessary to + make some awkward explanation to the doctor?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not at all!’ she replied. ‘Why should it be? In a place like Ostend + doctors are far too discreet to ask questions; they see too much to retain + their curiosity. Besides, do you want your nephew to die?’ + </p> + <p> + Both the men were somewhat taken aback by the girl’s sagacious grasp of + the situation, and it came about that they began to obey her like + subordinates. + </p> + <p> + She told her father to sally forth in search of a doctor, and he went. She + gave Prince Aribert certain other orders, and he promptly executed them. + </p> + <p> + By the evening of the following day, everything was going smoothly. The + doctor came and departed several times, and sent medicine, and seemed + fairly optimistic as to the issue of the illness. An old woman had been + induced to come in and cook and clean. Miss Spencer was kept out of sight + on the attic floor, pending some decision as to what to do with her. And + no one outside the house had asked any questions. The inhabitants of that + particular street must have been accustomed to strange behaviour on the + part of their neighbours, unaccountable appearances and disappearances, + strange flittings and arrivals. This strong-minded and active trio—Racksole, + Nella, and Prince Aribert—might have been the lawful and accustomed + tenants of the house, for any outward evidence to the contrary. + </p> + <p> + On the afternoon of the third day Prince Eugen was distinctly and + seriously worse. Nella had sat up with him the previous night and + throughout the day. + </p> + <p> + Her father had spent the morning at the hotel, and Prince Aribert had kept + watch. The two men were never absent from the house at the same time, and + one of them always did duty as sentinel at night. On this afternoon Prince + Aribert and Nella sat together in the patient’s bedroom. The doctor had + just left. Theodore Racksole was downstairs reading the New York Herald. + The Prince and Nella were near the window, which looked on to the + back-garden. + </p> + <p> + It was a queer shabby little bedroom to shelter the august body of a + European personage like Prince Eugen of Posen. Curiously enough, both + Nella and her father, ardent democrats though they were, had been somehow + impressed by the royalty and importance of the fever-stricken Prince—impressed + as they had never been by Aribert. They had both felt that here, under + their care, was a species of individuality quite new to them, and + different from anything they had previously encountered. Even the gestures + and tones of his delirium had an air of abrupt yet condescending command—an + imposing mixture of suavity and haughtiness. As for Nella, she had been + first struck by the beautiful ‘E’ over a crown on the sleeves of his + linen, and by the signet ring on his pale, emaciated hand. After all, + these trifling outward signs are at least as effective as others of deeper + but less obtrusive significance. The Racksoles, too, duly marked the + attitude of Prince Aribert to his nephew: it was at once paternal and + reverential; it disclosed clearly that Prince Aribert continued, in spite + of everything, to regard his nephew as his sovereign lord and master, as a + being surrounded by a natural and inevitable pomp and awe. This attitude, + at the beginning, seemed false and unreal to the Americans; it seemed to + them to be assumed; but gradually they came to perceive that they were + mistaken, and that though America might have cast out ‘the monarchial + superstition’, nevertheless that ‘superstition’ had vigorously survived in + another part of the world. + </p> + <p> + ‘You and Mr Racksole have been extraordinarily kind to me,’ said Prince + Aribert very quietly, after the two had sat some time in silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why? How?’ she asked unaffectedly. ‘We are interested in this affair + ourselves, you know. It began at our hotel—you mustn’t forget that, + Prince.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t,’ he said. ‘I forget nothing. But I cannot help feeling that I + have led you into a strange entanglement. Why should you and Mr Racksole + be here—you who are supposed to be on a holiday!—hiding in a + strange house in a foreign country, subject to all sorts of annoyances and + all sorts of risks, simply because I am anxious to avoid scandal, to avoid + any sort of talk, in connection with my misguided nephew? It is nothing to + you that the Hereditary Prince of Posen should be liable to a public + disgrace. What will it matter to you if the throne of Posen becomes the + laughing-stock of Europe?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I really don’t know, Prince,’ Nella smiled roguishly. ‘But we Americans + have, a habit of going right through with anything we have begun.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ he said, ‘who knows how this thing will end? All our trouble, our + anxieties, our watchfulness, may come to nothing. I tell you that when I + see Eugen lying there, and think that we cannot learn his story until he + recovers, I am ready to go mad. We might be arranging things, making + matters smooth, preparing for the future, if only we knew—knew what + he can tell us. I tell you that I am ready to go mad. If anything should + happen to you, Miss Racksole, I would kill myself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But why?’ she questioned. ‘Supposing, that is, that anything could happen + to me—which it can’t.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because I have dragged you into this,’ he replied, gazing at her. ‘It is + nothing to you. You are only being kind.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How do you know it is nothing to me, Prince?’ she asked him quickly. + </p> + <p> + Just then the sick man made a convulsive movement, and Nella flew to the + bed and soothed him. From the head of the bed she looked over at Prince + Aribert, and he returned her bright, excited glance. She was in her + travelling-frock, with a large white Belgian apron tied over it. Large + dark circles of fatigue and sleeplessness surrounded her eyes, and to the + Prince her cheek seemed hollow and thin; her hair lay thick over the + temples, half covering the ears. Aribert gave no answer to her query—merely + gazed at her with melancholy intensity. + </p> + <p> + ‘I think I will go and rest,’ she said at last. ‘You will know all about + the medicine.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sleep well,’ he said, as he softly opened the door for her. And then he + was alone with Eugen. It was his turn that night to watch, for they still + half-expected some strange, sudden visit, or onslaught, or move of one + kind or another from Jules. Racksole slept in the parlour on the ground + floor. + </p> + <p> + Nella had the front bedroom on the first floor; Miss Spencer was immured + in the attic; the last-named lady had been singularly quiet and incurious, + taking her food from Nella and asking no questions, the old woman went at + nights to her own abode in the purlieus of the harbour. Hour after hour + Aribert sat silent by his nephew’s bed-side, attending mechanically to his + wants, and every now and then gazing hard into the vacant, anguished face, + as if trying to extort from that mask the secrets which it held. Aribert + was tortured by the idea that if he could have only half an hour’s, only a + quarter of an hour’s, rational speech with Prince Eugen, all might be + cleared up and put right, and by the fact that that rational talk was + absolutely impossible on Eugen’s part until the fever had run its course. + As the minutes crept on to midnight the watcher, made nervous by the + intense, electrical atmosphere which seems always to surround a person who + is dangerously ill, grew more and more a prey to vague and terrible + apprehensions. His mind dwelt hysterically on the most fatal + possibilities. + </p> + <p> + He wondered what would occur if by any ill-chance Eugen should die in that + bed—how he would explain the affair to Posen and to the Emperor, how + he would justify himself. He saw himself being tried for murder, sentenced + (him—a Prince of the blood!), led to the scaffold... a scene + unparalleled in Europe for over a century! ... Then he gazed anew at the + sick man, and thought he saw death in every drawn feature of that agonized + face. He could have screamed aloud. His ears heard a peculiar resonant + boom. He started—it was nothing but the city clock striking twelve. + But there was another sound—a mysterious shuffle at the door. He + listened; then jumped from his chair. Nothing now! Nothing! But still he + felt drawn to the door, and after what seemed an interminable interval he + went and opened it, his heart beating furiously. Nella lay in a heap on + the door mat. She was fully dressed, but had apparently lost + consciousness. He clutched at her slender body, picked her up, carried her + to the chair by the fire-place, and laid her in it. He had forgotten all + about Eugen. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it, my angel?’ he whispered, and then he kissed her—kissed + her twice. He could only look at her; he did not know what to do to + succour her. + </p> + <p> + At last she opened her eyes and sighed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where am I?’ she asked vaguely, in a tremulous tone as she recognized + him. ‘Is it you? Did I do anything silly? Did I faint?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What has happened? Were you ill?’ he questioned anxiously. He was + kneeling at her feet, holding her hand tight. + </p> + <p> + ‘I saw Jules by the side of my bed,’ she murmured; ‘I’m sure I saw him; he + laughed at me. I had not undressed. I sprang up, frightened, but he had + gone, and then I ran downstairs—to you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You were dreaming,’ he soothed her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Was I?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You must have been. I have not heard a sound. No one could have entered. + </p> + <p> + But if you like I will wake Mr Racksole.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Perhaps I was dreaming,’ she admitted. ‘How foolish!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You were over-tired,’ he said, still unconsciously holding her hand. They + gazed at each other. She smiled at him. + </p> + <p> + ‘You kissed me,’ she said suddenly, and he blushed red and stood up before + her. ‘Why did you kiss me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! Miss Racksole,’ he murmured, hurrying the words out. ‘Forgive me. It + is unforgivable, but forgive me. I was overpowered by my feelings. I did + not know what I was doing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why did you kiss me?’ she repeated. + </p> + <p> + ‘Because—Nella! I love you. I have no right to say it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why have you no right to say it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If Eugen dies, I shall owe a duty to Posen—I shall be its ruler.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well!’ she said calmly, with an adorable confidence. ‘Papa is worth forty + millions. Would you not abdicate?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ he gave a low cry. ‘Will you force me to say these things? I could + not shirk my duty to Posen, and the reigning Prince of Posen can only + marry a Princess.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But Prince Eugen will live,’ she said positively, ‘and if he lives—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then I shall be free. I would renounce all my rights to make you mine, if—if—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If what, Prince?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you would deign to accept my hand.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Am I, then, rich enough?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nella!’ He bent down to her. + </p> + <p> + Then there was a crash of breaking glass. Aribert went to the window and + opened it. In the starlit gloom he could see that a ladder had been raised + against the back of the house. He thought he heard footsteps at the end of + the garden. + </p> + <p> + ‘It was Jules,’ he exclaimed to Nella, and without another word rushed + upstairs to the attic. The attic was empty. Miss Spencer had mysteriously + vanished. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Nineteen ROYALTY AT THE GRAND BABYLON + </h2> + <p> + THE Royal apartments at the Grand Babylon are famous in the world of + hotels, and indeed elsewhere, as being, in their own way, unsurpassed. + Some of the palaces of Germany, and in particular those of the mad Ludwig + of Bavaria, may possess rooms and saloons which outshine them in gorgeous + luxury and the mere wild fairy-like extravagance of wealth; but there is + nothing, anywhere, even on Eighth Avenue, New York, which can fairly be + called more complete, more perfect, more enticing, or—not least + important—more comfortable. + </p> + <p> + The suite consists of six chambers—the ante-room, the saloon or + audience chamber, the dining-room, the yellow drawing-room (where Royalty + receives its friends), the library, and the State bedroom—to the + last of which we have already been introduced. The most important and most + impressive of these is, of course, the audience chamber, an apartment + fifty feet long by forty feet broad, with a superb outlook over the + Thames, the Shot Tower, and the higher signals of the South-Western + Railway. The decoration of this room is mainly in the German taste, since + four out of every six of its Royal occupants are of Teutonic blood; but + its chief glory is its French ceiling, a masterpiece by Fragonard, taken + bodily from a certain famous palace on the Loire. The walls are of + panelled oak, with an eight-foot dado of Arras cloth imitated from unique + Continental examples. The carpet, woven in one piece, is an antique + specimen of the finest Turkish work, and it was obtained, a bargain, by + Felix Babylon, from an impecunious Roumanian Prince. The silver + candelabra, now fitted with electric light, came from the Rhine, and each + had a separate history. The Royal chair—it is not etiquette to call + it a throne, though it amounts to a throne—was looted by Napoleon + from an Austrian city, and bought by Felix Babylon at the sale of a French + collector. At each corner of the room stands a gigantic grotesque vase of + German faïence of the sixteenth century. These were presented to Felix + Babylon by William the First of Germany, upon the conclusion of his first + incognito visit to London in connection with the French trouble of 1875. + </p> + <p> + There is only one picture in the audience chamber. It is a portrait of the + luckless but noble Dom Pedro, Emperor of the Brazils. Given to Felix + Babylon by Dom Pedro himself, it hangs there solitary and sublime as a + reminder to Kings and Princes that Empires may pass away and greatness + fall. A certain Prince who was occupying the suite during the Jubilee of + 1887—when the Grand Babylon had seven persons of Royal blood under + its roof—sent a curt message to Felix that the portrait must be + removed. Felix respectfully declined to remove it, and the Prince left for + another hotel, where he was robbed of two thousand pounds’ worth of + jewellery. The Royal audience chamber of the Grand Babylon, if people only + knew it, is one of the sights of London, but it is never shown, and if you + ask the hotel servants about its wonders they will tell you only foolish + facts concerning it, as that the Turkey carpet costs fifty pounds to + clean, and that one of the great vases is cracked across the pedestal, + owing to the rough treatment accorded to it during a riotous game of Blind + Man’s Buff, played one night by four young Princesses, a Balkan King, and + his aides-de-camp. + </p> + <p> + In one of the window recesses of this magnificent apartment, on a certain + afternoon in late July, stood Prince Aribert of Posen. He was faultlessly + dressed in the conventional frock-coat of English civilization, with a + gardenia in his button-hole, and the indispensable crease down the front + of the trousers. He seemed to be fairly amused, and also to expect + someone, for at frequent intervals he looked rapidly over his shoulder in + the direction of the door behind the Royal chair. At last a little + wizened, stooping old man, with a distinctly German cast of countenance, + appeared through the door, and laid some papers on a small table by the + side of the chair. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, Hans, my old friend!’ said Aribert, approaching the old man. ‘I must + have a little talk with you about one or two matters. How do you find His + Royal Highness?’ + </p> + <p> + The old man saluted, military fashion. ‘Not very well, your Highness,’ he + answered. ‘I’ve been valet to your Highness’s nephew since his majority, + and I was valet to his Royal father before him, but I never saw—’ He + stopped, and threw up his wrinkled hands deprecatingly. + </p> + <p> + ‘You never saw what?’ Aribert smiled affectionately on the old fellow. You + could perceive that these two, so sharply differentiated in rank, had been + intimate in the past, and would be intimate again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you know, my Prince,’ said the old man, ‘that we are to receive the + financier, Sampson Levi—is that his name?—in the audience + chamber? Surely, if I may humbly suggest, the library would have been good + enough for a financier?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘One would have thought so,’ agreed Prince Aribert, ‘but perhaps your + master has a special reason. Tell me,’ he went on, changing the subject + quickly, ‘how came it that you left the Prince, my nephew, at Ostend, and + returned to Posen?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘His orders, Prince,’ and old Hans, who had had a wide experience of Royal + whims and knew half the secrets of the Courts of Europe, gave Aribert a + look which might have meant anything. ‘He sent me back on an—an + errand, your Highness.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And you were to rejoin him here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Just so, Highness. And I did rejoin him here, although, to tell the + truth, I had begun to fear that I might never see my master again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Prince has been very ill in Ostend, Hans.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So I have gathered,’ Hans responded drily, slowly rubbing his hands + together. ‘And his Highness is not yet perfectly recovered.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not yet. We despaired of his life, Hans, at one time, but thanks to an + excellent constitution, he came safely through the ordeal.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We must take care of him, your Highness.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, indeed,’ said Aribert solemnly, ‘his life is very precious to + Posen.’ + </p> + <p> + At that moment, Eugen, Hereditary Prince of Posen, entered the audience + chamber. He was pale and languid, and his uniform seemed to be a trouble + to him. His hair had been slightly ruffled, and there was a look of + uneasiness, almost of alarmed unrest, in his fine dark eyes. He was like a + man who is afraid to look behind him lest he should see something there + which ought not to be there. But at the same time, here beyond doubt was + Royalty. Nothing could have been more striking than the contrast between + Eugen, a sick man in the shabby house at Ostend, and this Prince Eugen in + the Royal apartments of the Grand Babylon Hôtel, surrounded by the luxury + and pomp which modern civilization can offer to those born in high places. + All the desperate episode of Ostend was now hidden, passed over. It was + supposed never to have occurred. It existed only like a secret shame in + the hearts of those who had witnessed it. Prince Eugen had recovered; at + any rate, he was convalescent, and he had been removed to London, where he + took up again the dropped thread of his princely life. The lady with the + red hat, the incorruptible and savage Miss Spencer, the unscrupulous and + brilliant Jules, the dark, damp cellar, the horrible little bedroom—these + things were over. Thanks to Prince Aribert and the Racksoles, he had + emerged from them in safety. He was able to resume his public and official + career. The Emperor had been informed of his safe arrival in London, after + an unavoidable delay in Ostend; his name once more figured in the Court + chronicle of the newspapers. In short, everything was smothered over. Only—only + Jules, Rocco, and Miss Spencer were still at large; and the body of + Reginald Dimmock lay buried in the domestic mausoleum of the palace at + Posen; and Prince Eugen had still to interview Mr Sampson Levi. + </p> + <p> + That various matters lay heavy on the mind of Prince Eugen was beyond + question. He seemed to have withdrawn within himself. Despite the + extraordinary experiences through which he had recently passed, events + which called aloud for explanations and confidence between the nephew and + the uncle, he would say scarcely a word to Prince Aribert. Any allusion, + however direct, to the days at Ostend, was ignored by him with more or + less ingenuity, and Prince Aribert was really no nearer a full solution of + the mystery of Jules’ plot than he had been on the night when he and + Racksole visited the gaming tables at Ostend. Eugen was well aware that he + had been kidnapped through the agency of the woman in the red hat, but, + doubtless ashamed at having been her dupe, he would not proceed in any way + with the clearing-up of the matter. + </p> + <p> + ‘You will receive in this room, Eugen?’ Aribert questioned him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ was the answer, given pettishly. ‘Why not? Even if I have no proper + retinue here, surely that is no reason why I should not hold audience in a + proper manner?... Hans, you can go.’ The old valet promptly disappeared. + </p> + <p> + ‘Aribert,’ the Hereditary Prince continued, when they were alone in the + chamber, ‘you think I am mad.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear Eugen,’ said Prince Aribert, startled in spite of himself. ‘Don’t + be absurd.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I say you think I am mad. You think that that attack of brain fever has + left its permanent mark on me. Well, perhaps I am mad. Who can tell? God + knows that I have been through enough lately to drive me mad.’ + </p> + <p> + Aribert made no reply. As a matter of strict fact, the thought had crossed + his mind that Eugen’s brain had not yet recovered its normal tone and + activity. This speech of his nephew’s, however, had the effect of + immediately restoring his belief in the latter’s entire sanity. He felt + convinced that if only he could regain his nephew’s confidence, the old + brotherly confidence which had existed between them since the years when + they played together as boys, all might yet be well. But at present there + appeared to be no sign that Eugen meant to give his confidence to anyone. + </p> + <p> + The young Prince had come up out of the valley of the shadow of death, but + some of the valley’s shadow had clung to him, and it seemed he was unable + to dissipate it. + </p> + <p> + ‘By the way,’ said Eugen suddenly, ‘I must reward these Racksoles, I + suppose. I am indeed grateful to them. If I gave the girl a bracelet, and + the father a thousand guineas—how would that meet the case?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear Eugen!’ exclaimed Aribert aghast. ‘A thousand guineas! Do you + know that Theodore Racksole could buy up all Posen from end to end without + making himself a pauper. A thousand guineas! You might as well offer him + sixpence.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then what must I offer?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing, except your thanks. Anything else would be an insult. These are + no ordinary hotel people.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Can’t I give the little girl a bracelet?’ Prince Eugen gave a sinister + laugh. + </p> + <p> + Aribert looked at him steadily. ‘No,’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why did you kiss her—that night?’ asked Prince Eugen carelessly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Kiss whom?’ said Aribert, blushing and angry, despite his most determined + efforts to keep calm and unconcerned. + </p> + <p> + ‘The Racksole girl.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When do you mean?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I mean,’ said Prince Eugen, ‘that night in Ostend when I was ill. You + thought I was in a delirium. Perhaps I was. But somehow I remember that + with extraordinary distinctness. I remember raising my head for a fraction + of an instant, and just in that fraction of an instant you kissed her. Oh, + Uncle Aribert!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen, Eugen, for God’s sake. I love Nella Racksole. I shall marry her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You!’ There was a long pause, and then Eugen laughed. ‘Ah!’ he said. + ‘They all talk like that to start with. I have talked like that myself, + dear uncle; it sounds nice, and it means nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In this case it means everything, Eugen,’ said Aribert quietly. Some + accent of determination in the latter’s tone made Eugen rather more + serious. + </p> + <p> + ‘You can’t marry her,’ he said. ‘The Emperor won’t permit a morganatic + marriage.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Emperor has nothing to do with the affair. I shall renounce my + rights. + </p> + <p> + I shall become a plain citizen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In which case you will have no fortune to speak of.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But my wife will have a fortune. Knowing the sacrifices which I shall + have made in order to marry her, she will not hesitate to place that + fortune in my hands for our mutual use,’ said Aribert stiffly. + </p> + <p> + ‘You will decidedly be rich,’ mused Eugen, as his ideas dwelt on Theodore + Racksole’s reputed wealth. ‘But have you thought of this,’ he asked, and + his mild eyes glowed again in a sort of madness. ‘Have you thought that I + am unmarried, and might die at any moment, and then the throne will + descend to you—to you, Aribert?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The throne will never descend to me, Eugen,’ said Aribert softly, ‘for + you will live. You are thoroughly convalescent. You have nothing to fear.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is the next seven days that I fear,’ said Eugen. + </p> + <p> + ‘The next seven days! Why?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not know. But I fear them. If I can survive them—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Sampson Levi, sire,’ Hans announced in a loud tone. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Twenty MR SAMPSON LEVI BIDS PRINCE EUGEN GOOD MORNING + </h2> + <p> + PRINCE EUGEN started. ‘I will see him,’ he said, with a gesture to Hans as + if to indicate that Mr Sampson Levi might enter at once. + </p> + <p> + ‘I beg one moment first,’ said Aribert, laying a hand gently on his + nephew’s arm, and giving old Hans a glance which had the effect of + precipitating that admirably trained servant through the doorway. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it?’ asked Prince Eugen crossly. ‘Why this sudden seriousness? + Don’t forget that I have an appointment with Mr Sampson Levi, and must not + keep him waiting. Someone said that punctuality is the politeness of + princes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Eugen,’ said Aribert, ‘I wish you to be as serious as I am. Why cannot we + have faith in each other? I want to help you. I have helped you. You are + my titular Sovereign; but on the other hand I have the honour to be your + uncle: + </p> + <p> + I have the honour to be the same age as you, and to have been your + companion from youth up. Give me your confidence. I thought you had given + it me years ago, but I have lately discovered that you had your secrets, + even then. And now, since your illness, you are still more secretive.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean, Aribert?’ said Eugen, in a tone which might have been + either inimical or friendly. ‘What do you want to say?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, in the first place, I want to say that you will not succeed with + the estimable Mr Sampson Levi.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall I not?’ said Eugen lightly. ‘How do you know what my business is + with him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Suffice it to say that I know. You will never get that million pounds out + of him.’ + </p> + <p> + Prince Eugen gasped, and then swallowed his excitement. ‘Who has been + talking? What million?’ His eyes wandered uneasily round the room. ‘Ah!’ + he said, pretending to laugh. ‘I see how it is. I have been chattering in + my delirium. You mustn’t take any notice of that, Aribert. When one has a + fever one’s ideas become grotesque and fanciful.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You never talked in your delirium,’ Aribert replied; ‘at least not about + yourself. I knew about this projected loan before I saw you in Ostend.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who told you?’ demanded Eugen fiercely. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you admit that you are trying to raise a loan?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I admit nothing. Who told you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Theodore Racksole, the millionaire. These rich men have no secrets from + each other. They form a coterie, closer than any coterie of ours. Eugen, + and far more powerful. They talk, and in talking they rule the world, + these millionaires. They are the real monarchs.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Curse them!’ said Eugen. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, perhaps so. But let me return to your case. Imagine my shame, my + disgust, when I found that Racksole could tell me more about your affairs + than I knew myself. Happily, he is a good fellow; one can trust him; + otherwise I should have been tempted to do something desperate when I + discovered that all your private history was in his hands. Eugen, let us + come to the point; why do you want that million? Is it actually true that + you are so deeply in debt? I have no desire to improve the occasion. I + merely ask.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what if I do owe a million?’ said Prince Eugen with assumed valour. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, nothing, my dear Eugen, nothing. Only it is rather a large sum to + have scattered in ten years, is it not? How did you manage it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t ask me, Aribert. I’ve been a fool. But I swear to you that the + woman whom you call “the lady in the red hat” is the last of my follies. I + am about to take a wife, and become a respectable Prince.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then the engagement with Princess Anna is an accomplished fact?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Practically so. As soon as I have settled with Levi, all will be smooth. + </p> + <p> + Aribert, I wouldn’t lose Anna for the Imperial throne. She is a good and + pure woman, and I love her as a man might love an angel.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And yet you would deceive her as to your debts, Eugen?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not her, but her absurd parents, and perhaps the Emperor. They have heard + rumours, and I must set those rumours at rest by presenting to them a + clean sheet.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am glad you have been frank with me, Eugen,’ said Prince Aribert, ‘but + I will be plain with you. You will never marry the Princess Anna.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And why?’ said Eugen, supercilious again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Because her parents will not permit it. Because you will not be able to + present a clean sheet to them. Because this Sampson Levi will never lend + you a million.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Explain yourself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I propose to do so. You were kidnapped—it is a horrid word, but we + must use it—in Ostend.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘True.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you know why?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I suppose because that vile old red-hatted woman and her accomplices + wanted to get some money out of me. Fortunately, thanks to you, they + didn’t.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not at all,’ said Aribert. ‘They wanted no money from you. They knew well + enough that you had no money. They knew you were the naughty schoolboy + among European Princes, with no sense of responsibility or of duty towards + your kingdom. Shall I tell you why they kidnapped you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When you have done abusing me, my dear uncle.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They kidnapped you merely to keep you out of England for a few days, + merely to compel you to fail in your appointment with Sampson Levi. And it + appears to me that they succeeded. Assuming that you don’t obtain the + money from Levi, is there another financier in all Europe from whom you + can get it—on such strange security as you have to offer?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Possibly there is not,’ said Prince Eugen calmly. ‘But, you see, I shall + get it from Sampson Levi. Levi promised it, and I know from other sources + that he is a man of his word. He said that the money, subject to certain + formalities, would be available till—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Till?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Till the end of June.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And it is now the end of July.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, what is a month? He is only too glad to lend the money. He will get + excellent interest. How on earth have you got into your sage old head this + notion of a plot against me? The idea is ridiculous. A plot against me? + What for?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you ever thought of Bosnia?’ asked Aribert coldly. + </p> + <p> + ‘What of Bosnia?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I need not tell you that the King of Bosnia is naturally under + obligations to Austria, to whom he owes his crown. Austria is anxious for + him to make a good influential marriage.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, let him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He is going to. He is going to marry the Princess Anna.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not while I live. He made overtures there a year ago, and was rebuffed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes; but he will make overtures again, and this time he will not be + rebuffed. Oh, Eugen! can’t you see that this plot against you is being + engineered by some persons who know all about your affairs, and whose + desire is to prevent your marriage with Princess Anna? Only one man in + Europe can have any motive for wishing to prevent your marriage with + Princess Anna, and that is the man who means to marry her himself.’ Eugen + went very pale. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then, Aribert, do you mean to convey to me that my detention in Ostend + was contrived by the agents of the King of Bosnia?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘With a view to stopping my negotiations with Sampson Levi, and so putting + an end to the possibility of my marriage with Anna?’ + </p> + <p> + Aribert nodded. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are a good friend to me, Aribert. You mean well. But you are + mistaken. + </p> + <p> + You have been worrying about nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you forgotten about Reginald Dimmock?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I remember you said that he had died.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I said nothing of the sort. I said that he had been assassinated. That + was part of it, my poor Eugen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pooh!’ said Eugen. ‘I don’t believe he was assassinated. And as for + Sampson Levi, I will bet you a thousand marks that he and I come to terms + this morning, and that the million is in my hands before I leave London.’ + Aribert shook his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘You seem to be pretty sure of Mr Levi’s character. Have you had much to + do with him before?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ Eugen hesitated a second, ‘a little. What young man in my position + hasn’t had something to do with Mr Sampson Levi at one time or another?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I haven’t,’ said Aribert. + </p> + <p> + ‘You! You are a fossil.’ He rang a silver bell. ‘Hans! I will receive Mr + Sampson Levi.’ + </p> + <p> + Whereupon Aribert discreetly departed, and Prince Eugen sat down in the + great velvet chair, and began to look at the papers which Hans had + previously placed upon the table. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good morning, your Royal Highness,’ said Sampson Levi, bowing as he + entered. ‘I trust your Royal Highness is well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Moderately, thanks,’ returned the Prince. + </p> + <p> + In spite of the fact that he had had as much to do with people of Royal + blood as any plain man in Europe, Sampson Levi had never yet learned how + to be at ease with these exalted individuals during the first few minutes + of an interview. Afterwards, he resumed command of himself and his + faculties, but at the beginning he was invariably flustered, scarlet of + face, and inclined to perspiration. + </p> + <p> + ‘We will proceed to business at once,’ said Prince Eugen. ‘Will you take a + seat, Mr Levi?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I thank your Royal Highness.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now as to that loan which we had already practically arranged—a + million, I think it was,’ said the Prince airily. + </p> + <p> + ‘A million,’ Levi acquiesced, toying with his enormous watch chain. + </p> + <p> + ‘Everything is now in order. Here are the papers and I should like to + finish the matter up at once.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Exactly, your Highness, but—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But what? You months ago expressed the warmest satisfaction at the + security, though I am quite prepared to admit that the security, is of + rather an unusual nature. You also agreed to the rate of interest. It is + not everyone, Mr Levi, who can lend out a million at 5-1/2 per cent. And + in ten years the whole amount will be paid back. I—er—I + believe I informed you that the fortune of Princess Anna, who is about to + accept my hand, will ultimately amount to something like fifty millions of + marks, which is over two million pounds in your English money.’ Prince + Eugen stopped. He had no fancy for talking in this confidential manner to + financiers, but he felt that circumstances demanded it. + </p> + <p> + ‘You see, it’s like this, your Royal Highness,’ began Mr Sampson Levi, in + his homely English idiom. ‘It’s like this. I said I could keep that bit of + money available till the end of June, and you were to give me an interview + here before that date. Not having heard from your Highness, and not + knowing your Highness’s address, though my German agents made every + inquiry, I concluded, that you had made other arrangements, money being so + cheap this last few months.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I was unfortunately detained at Ostend,’ said Prince Eugen, with as much + haughtiness as he could assume, ‘by—by important business. I have + made no other arrangements, and I shall have need of the million. If you + will be so good as to pay it to my London bankers—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m very sorry,’ said Mr Sampson Levi, with a tremendous and dazzling air + of politeness, which surprised even himself, ‘but my syndicate has now + lent the money elsewhere. It’s in South America—I don’t mind telling + your Highness that we’ve lent it to the Chilean Government.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hang the Chilean Government, Mr Levi,’ exclaimed the Prince, and he went + white. ‘I must have that million. It was an arrangement.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was an arrangement, I admit,’ said Mr Sampson Levi, ‘but your Highness + broke the arrangement.’ + </p> + <p> + There was a long silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you mean to say,’ began the Prince with tense calmness, ‘that you are + not in a position to let me have that million?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I could let your Highness have a million in a couple of years’ time.’ + </p> + <p> + The Prince made a gesture of annoyance. ‘Mr Levi,’ he said, ‘if you do not + place the money in my hands to-morrow you will ruin one of the oldest of + reigning families, and, incidentally, you will alter the map of Europe. + You are not keeping faith, and I had relied on you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pardon me, your Highness,’ said little Levi, rising in resentment, ‘it is + not I who have not kept faith. I beg to repeat that the money is no longer + at my disposal, and to bid your Highness good morning.’ + </p> + <p> + And Mr Sampson Levi left the audience chamber with an awkward, aggrieved + bow. It was a scene characteristic of the end of the nineteenth century—an + overfed, commonplace, pursy little man who had been born in a Brixton + semi-detached villa, and whose highest idea of pleasure was a Sunday up + the river in an expensive electric launch, confronting and utterly + routing, in a hotel belonging to an American millionaire, the + representative of a race of men who had fingered every page of European + history for centuries, and who still, in their native castles, were + surrounded with every outward circumstance of pomp and power. + </p> + <p> + ‘Aribert,’ said Prince Eugen, a little later, ‘you were right. It is all + over. I have only one refuge—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You don’t mean—’ Aribert stopped, dumbfounded. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I do,’ he said quickly. ‘I can manage it so that it will look like + an accident.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Twenty-One THE RETURN OF FÉLIX BABYLON + </h2> + <p> + ON the evening of Prince Eugen’s fateful interview with Mr Sampson Levi, + Theodore Racksole was wandering somewhat aimlessly and uneasily about the + entrance hall and adjacent corridors of the Grand Babylon. He had returned + from Ostend only a day or two previously, and had endeavoured with all his + might to forget the affair which had carried him there—to regard it, + in fact, as done with. But he found himself unable to do so. In vain he + remarked, under his breath, that there were some things which were best + left alone: if his experience as a manipulator of markets, a contriver of + gigantic schemes in New York, had taught him anything at all, it should + surely have taught him that. Yet he could not feel reconciled to such a + position. The mere presence of the princes in his hotel roused the + fighting instincts of this man, who had never in his whole career been + beaten. He had, as it were, taken up arms on their side, and if the + princes of Posen would not continue their own battle, nevertheless he, + Theodore Racksole, wanted to continue it for them. To a certain extent, of + course, the battle had been won, for Prince Eugen had been rescued from an + extremely difficult and dangerous position, and the enemy—consisting + of Jules, Rocco, Miss Spencer, and perhaps others—had been put to + flight. But that, he conceived, was not enough; it was very far from being + enough. That the criminals, for criminals they decidedly were, should + still be at large, he regarded as an absurd anomaly. And there was another + point: he had said nothing to the police of all that had occurred. He + disdained the police, but he could scarcely fail to perceive that if the + police should by accident gain a clue to the real state of the case he + might be placed rather awkwardly, for the simple reason that in the eyes + of the law it amounted to a misdemeanour to conceal as much as he had + concealed. He asked himself, for the thousandth time, why he had adopted a + policy of concealment from the police, why he had become in any way + interested in the Posen matter, and why, at this present moment, he should + be so anxious to prosecute it further? To the first two questions he + replied, rather lamely, that he had been influenced by Nella, and also by + a natural spirit of adventure; to the third he replied that he had always + been in the habit of carrying things through, and was now actuated by a + mere childish, obstinate desire to carry this one through. Moreover, he + was splendidly conscious of his perfect ability to carry it through. One + additional impulse he had, though he did not admit it to himself, being by + nature adverse to big words, and that was an abstract love of justice, the + Anglo-Saxon’s deep-found instinct for helping the right side to conquer, + even when grave risks must thereby be run, with no corresponding + advantage. + </p> + <p> + He was turning these things over in his mind as he walked about the vast + hotel on that evening of the last day in July. The Society papers had been + stating for a week past that London was empty, but, in spite of the + Society papers, London persisted in seeming to be just as full as ever. + The Grand Babylon was certainly not as crowded as it had been a month + earlier, but it was doing a very passable business. At the close of the + season the gay butterflies of the social community have a habit of + hovering for a day or two in the big hotels before they flutter away to + castle and country-house, meadow and moor, lake and stream. The great + basket-chairs in the portico were well filled by old and middle-aged + gentlemen engaged in enjoying the varied delights of liqueurs, cigars, and + the full moon which floated so serenely above the Thames. Here and there a + pretty woman on the arm of a cavalier in immaculate attire swept her train + as she turned to and fro in the promenade of the terrace. Waiters and + uniformed commissionaires and gold-braided doorkeepers moved noiselessly + about; at short intervals the chief of the doorkeepers blew his shrill + whistle and hansoms drove up with tinkling bell to take away a pair of + butterflies to some place of amusement or boredom; occasionally a private + carriage drawn by expensive and self-conscious horses put the hansoms to + shame by its mere outward glory. It was a hot night, a night for the + summer woods, and save for the vehicles there was no rapid movement of any + kind. It seemed as though the world—the world, that is to say, of + the Grand Babylon—was fully engaged in the solemn processes of + digestion and small-talk. Even the long row of the Embankment gas-lamps, + stretching right and left, scarcely trembled in the still, warm, caressing + air. The stars overhead looked down with many blinkings upon the enormous + pile of the Grand Babylon, and the moon regarded it with bland and + changeless face; what they thought of it and its inhabitants cannot, + unfortunately, be recorded. What Theodore Racksole thought of the moon can + be recorded: he thought it was a nuisance. It somehow fascinated his gaze + with its silly stare, and so interfered with his complex meditations. He + glanced round at the well-dressed and satisfied people—his guests, + his customers. They appeared to ignore him absolutely. + </p> + <p> + Probably only a very small percentage of them had the least idea that this + tall spare man, with the iron-grey hair and the thin, firm, resolute face, + who wore his American-cut evening clothes with such careless ease, was the + sole proprietor of the Grand Babylon, and possibly the richest man in + Europe. As has already been stated, Racksole was not a celebrity in + England. + </p> + <p> + The guests of the Grand Babylon saw merely a restless male person, whose + restlessness was rather a disturber of their quietude, but with whom, to + judge by his countenance, it would be inadvisable to remonstrate. + Therefore Theodore Racksole continued his perambulations unchallenged, and + kept saying to himself, ‘I must do something.’ But what? He could think of + no course to pursue. + </p> + <p> + At last he walked straight through the hotel and out at the other + entrance, and so up the little unassuming side street into the roaring + torrent of the narrow and crowded Strand. He jumped on a Putney bus, and + paid his fair to Putney, fivepence, and then, finding that the humble + occupants of the vehicle stared at the spectacle of a man in evening dress + but without a dustcoat, he jumped off again, oblivious of the fact that + the conductor jerked a thumb towards him and winked at the passengers as + who should say, ‘There goes a lunatic.’ He went into a tobacconist’s shop + and asked for a cigar. The shopman mildly inquired what price. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are the best you’ve got?’ asked Theodore Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘Five shillings each, sir,’ said the man promptly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me a penny one,’ was Theodore Racksole’s laconic request, and he + walked out of the shop smoking the penny cigar. It was a new sensation for + him. + </p> + <p> + He was inhaling the aromatic odours of Eugène Rimmel’s establishment for + the sale of scents when a gentleman, walking slowly in the opposite + direction, accosted him with a quiet, ‘Good evening, Mr Racksole.’ The + millionaire did not at first recognize his interlocutor, who wore a + travelling overcoat, and was carrying a handbag. Then a slight, pleased + smile passed over his features, and he held out his hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, Mr Babylon,’ he greeted the other, ‘of all persons in the wide + world you are the man I would most have wished to meet.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You flatter me,’ said the little Anglicized Swiss. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, I don’t,’ answered Racksole; ‘it isn’t my custom, any more than it’s + yours. I wanted to have a real good long yarn with you, and lo! here you + are! Where have you sprung from?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘From Lausanne,’ said Felix Babylon. ‘I had finished my duties there, I + had nothing else to do, and I felt homesick. I felt the nostalgia of + London, and so I came over, just as you see,’ and he raised the handbag + for Racksole’s notice. ‘One toothbrush, one razor, two slippers, eh?’ He + laughed. ‘I was wondering as I walked along where I should stay—me, + Felix Babylon, homeless in London.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should advise you to stay at the Grand Babylon,’ Racksole laughed back. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a good hotel, and I know the proprietor personally.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Rather expensive, is it not?’ said Babylon. + </p> + <p> + ‘To you, sir,’ answered Racksole, ‘the inclusive terms will be exactly + half a crown a week. Do you accept?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I accept,’ said Babylon, and added, ‘You are very good, Mr Racksole.’ + </p> + <p> + They strolled together back to the hotel, saying nothing in particular, + but feeling very content with each other’s company. + </p> + <p> + ‘Many customers?’ asked Felix Babylon. + </p> + <p> + ‘Very tolerable,’ said Racksole, assuming as much of the air of the + professional hotel proprietor as he could. ‘I think I may say in the + storekeeper’s phrase, that if there is any business about I am doing it. + </p> + <p> + To-night the people are all on the terrace in the portico—it’s so + confoundedly hot—and the consumption of ice is simply enormous—nearly + as large as it would be in New York.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In that case,’ said Babylon politely, ‘let me offer you another cigar.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But I have not finished this one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is just why I wish to offer you another one. A cigar such as yours, + my good friend, ought never to be smoked within the precincts of the Grand + Babylon, not even by the proprietor of the Grand Babylon, and especially + when all the guests are assembled in the portico. The fumes of it would + ruin any hotel.’ + </p> + <p> + Theodore Racksole laughingly lighted the Rothschild Havana which Babylon + gave him, and they entered the hotel arm in arm. But no sooner had they + mounted the steps than little Felix became the object of numberless + greetings. It appeared that he had been highly popular among his quondam + guests. At last they reached the managerial room, where Babylon was + regaled on a chicken, and Racksole assisted him in the consumption of a + bottle of Heidsieck Monopole, Carte d’Or. + </p> + <p> + ‘This chicken is almost perfectly grilled,’ said Babylon at length. ‘It is + a credit to the house. But why, my dear Racksole, why in the name of + Heaven did you quarrel with Rocco?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you have heard?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Heard! My dear friend, it was in every newspaper on the Continent. Some + journals prophesied that the Grand Babylon would have to close its doors + within half a year now that Rocco had deserted it. But of course I knew + better. I knew that you must have a good reason for allowing Rocco to + depart, and that you must have made arrangements in advance for a + substitute.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As a matter of fact, I had not made arrangements in advance,’ said + Theodore Racksole, a little ruefully; ‘but happily we have found in our + second sous-chef an artist inferior only to Rocco himself. That, however, + was mere good fortune.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Surely,’ said Babylon, ‘it was indiscreet to trust to mere good fortune + in such a serious matter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I didn’t trust to mere good fortune. I didn’t trust to anything except + Rocco, and he deceived me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But why did you quarrel with him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I didn’t quarrel with him. I found him embalming a corpse in the State + bedroom one night—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You what?’ Babylon almost screamed. + </p> + <p> + ‘I found him embalming a corpse in the State bedroom,’ repeated Racksole + in his quietest tones. + </p> + <p> + The two men gazed at each other, and then Racksole replenished Babylon’s + glass. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell me,’ said Babylon, settling himself deep in an easy chair and + lighting a cigar. + </p> + <p> + And Racksole thereupon recounted to him the whole of the Posen episode, + with every circumstantial detail so far as he knew it. It was a long and + complicated recital, and occupied about an hour. During that time little + Felix never spoke a word, scarcely moved a muscle; only his small eyes + gazed through the bluish haze of smoke. The clock on the mantelpiece + tinkled midnight. + </p> + <p> + ‘Time for whisky and soda,’ said Racksole, and got up as if to ring the + bell; but Babylon waved him back. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have told me that this Sampson Levi had an audience of Prince Eugen + to-day, but you have not told me the result of that audience,’ said + Babylon. + </p> + <p> + ‘Because I do not yet know it. But I shall doubtless know to-morrow. In + the meantime, I feel fairly sure that Levi declined to produce Prince + Eugen’s required million. I have reason to believe that the money was lent + elsewhere.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘H’m!’ mused Babylon; and then, carelessly, ‘I am not at all surprised at + that arrangement for spying through the bathroom of the State apartments.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why are you not surprised?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ said Babylon, ‘it is such an obvious dodge—so easy to carry + out. As for me, I took special care never to involve myself in these + affairs. I knew they existed; I somehow felt that they existed. But I also + felt that they lay outside my sphere. My business was to provide board and + lodging of the most sumptuous kind to those who didn’t mind paying for it; + and I did my business. If anything else went on in the hotel, under the + rose, I long determined to ignore it unless it should happen to be brought + before my notice; and it never was brought before my notice. However, I + admit that there is a certain pleasurable excitement in this kind of + affair and doubtless you have experienced that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have,’ said Racksole simply, ‘though I believe you are laughing at me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘By no means,’ Babylon replied. ‘Now what, if I may ask the question, is + going to be your next step?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is just what I desire to know myself,’ said Theodore Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said Babylon, after a pause, ‘let us begin. In the first place, it + is possible you may be interested to hear that I happened to see Jules + to-day.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You did!’ Racksole remarked with much calmness. ‘Where?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, it was early this morning, in Paris, just before I left there. The + meeting was quite accidental, and Jules seemed rather surprised at meeting + me. He respectfully inquired where I was going, and I said that I was + going to Switzerland. At that moment I thought I was going to Switzerland. + It had occurred to me that after all I should be happier there, and that I + had better turn back and not see London any more. However, I changed my + mind once again, and decided to come on to London, and accept the risks of + being miserable there without my hotel. Then I asked Jules whither he was + bound, and he told me that he was off to Constantinople, being interested + in a new French hotel there. I wished him good luck, and we parted.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Constantinople, eh!’ said Racksole. ‘A highly suitable place for him, I + should say.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But,’ Babylon resumed, ‘I caught sight of him again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘At Charing Cross, a few minutes before I had the pleasure of meeting you. + </p> + <p> + Mr Jules had not gone to Constantinople after all. He did not see me, or I + should have suggested to him that in going from Paris to Constantinople it + is not usual to travel via London.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The cheek of the fellow!’ exclaimed Theodore Racksole. ‘The gorgeous and + colossal cheek of the fellow!’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Twenty-Two IN THE WINE CELLARS OF THE GRAND BABYLON + </h2> + <p> + ‘DO you know anything of the antecedents of this Jules,’ asked Theodore + Racksole, helping himself to whisky. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing whatever,’ said Babylon. ‘Until you told me, I don’t think I was + aware that his true name was Thomas Jackson, though of course I knew that + it was not Jules. I certainly was not aware that Miss Spencer was his + wife, but I had long suspected that their relations were somewhat more + intimate than the nature of their respective duties in the hotel + absolutely demanded. All that I do know of Jules—he will always be + called Jules—is that he gradually, by some mysterious personal + force, acquired a prominent position in the hotel. Decidedly he was the + cleverest and most intellectual waiter I have ever known, and he was + specially skilled in the difficult task of retaining his own dignity while + not interfering with that of other people. + </p> + <p> + I’m afraid this information is a little too vague to be of any practical + assistance in the present difficulty.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the present difficulty?’ Racksole queried, with a simple air. + </p> + <p> + ‘I should imagine that the present difficulty is to account for the man’s + presence in London.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is easily accounted for,’ said Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘How? Do you suppose he is anxious to give himself up to justice, or that + the chains of habit bind him to the hotel?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Neither,’ said Racksole. ‘Jules is going to have another try—that’s + all.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Another try at what?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘At Prince Eugen. Either at his life or his liberty. Most probably the + former this time; almost certainly the former. He has guessed that we are + somewhat handicapped by our anxiety to keep Prince Eugen’s predicament + quite quiet, and he is taking advantage, of that fact. As he already is + fairly rich, on his own admission, the reward which has been offered to + him must be enormous, and he is absolutely determined to get it. He has + several times recently proved himself to be a daring fellow; unless I am + mistaken he will shortly prove himself to be still more daring.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But what can he do? Surely you don’t suggest that he will attempt the + life of Prince Eugen in this hotel?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why not? If Reginald Dimmock fell on mere suspicion that he would turn + out unfaithful to the conspiracy, why not Prince Eugen?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But it would be an unspeakable crime, and do infinite harm to the hotel!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘True!’ Racksole admitted, smiling. Little Felix Babylon seemed to brace + himself for the grasping of his monstrous idea. + </p> + <p> + ‘How could it possibly be done?’ he asked at length. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dimmock was poisoned.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, but you had Rocco here then, and Rocco was in the plot. It is + conceivable that Rocco could have managed it—barely conceivable. But + without Rocco I cannot think it possible. I cannot even think that Jules + would attempt it. You see, in a place like the Grand Babylon, as probably + I needn’t point out to you, food has to pass through so many hands that to + poison one person without killing perhaps fifty would be a most delicate + operation. Moreover, Prince Eugen, unless he has changed his habits, is + always served by his own attendant, old Hans, and therefore any attempt to + tamper with a cooked dish immediately before serving would be hazardous in + the extreme.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Granted,’ said Racksole. ‘The wine, however, might be more easily got at. + </p> + <p> + Had you thought of that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I had not,’ Babylon admitted. ‘You are an ingenious theorist, but I + happen to know that Prince Eugen always has his wine opened in his own + presence. No doubt it would be opened by Hans. Therefore the wine theory + is not tenable, my friend.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not see why,’ said Racksole. ‘I know nothing of wine as an expert, + and I very seldom drink it, but it seems to me that a bottle of wine might + be tampered with while it was still in the cellar, especially if there was + an accomplice in the hotel.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You think, then, that you are not yet rid of all your conspirators?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I think that Jules might still have an accomplice within the building.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And that a bottle of wine could be opened and recorked without leaving + any trace of the operation?’ Babylon was a trifle sarcastic. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t see the necessity of opening the bottle in order to poison the + wine,’ said Racksole. ‘I have never tried to poison anybody by means of a + bottle of wine, and I don’t lay claim to any natural talent as a poisoner, + but I think I could devise several ways of managing the trick. Of course, + I admit I may be entirely mistaken as to Jules’ intentions.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ said Felix Babylon. ‘The wine cellars beneath us are one of the + wonders of London. I hope you are aware, Mr Racksole, that when you bought + the Grand Babylon you bought what is probably the finest stock of wines in + England, if not in Europe. In the valuation I reckoned them at sixty + thousand pounds. And I may say that I always took care that the cellars + were properly guarded. Even Jules would experience a serious difficulty in + breaking into the cellars without the connivance of the wine-clerk, and + the wine-clerk is, or was, incorruptible.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am ashamed to say that I have not yet inspected my wines,’ smiled + Racksole; ‘I have never given them a thought. Once or twice I have taken + the trouble to make a tour of the hotel, but I omitted the cellars in my + excursions.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Impossible, my dear fellow!’ said Babylon, amused at such a confession, + to him—a great connoisseur and lover of fine wines—almost + incredible. ‘But really you must see them to-morrow. If I may, I will + accompany you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why not to-night?’ Racksole suggested, calmly. + </p> + <p> + ‘To-night! It is very late: Hubbard will have gone to bed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And may I ask who is Hubbard? I remember the name but dimly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hubbard is the wine-clerk of the Grand Babylon,’ said Felix, with a + certain emphasis. ‘A sedate man of forty. He has the keys of the cellars. + He knows every bottle of every bin, its date, its qualities, its value. + And he’s a teetotaler. Hubbard is a curiosity. No wine can leave the + cellars without his knowledge, and no person can enter the cellars without + his knowledge. At least, that is how it was in my time,’ Babylon added. + </p> + <p> + ‘We will wake him,’ said Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘But it is one o’clock in the morning,’ Babylon protested. + </p> + <p> + ‘Never mind—that is, if you consent to accompany me. A cellar is the + same by night as by day. Therefore, why not now?’ + </p> + <p> + Babylon shrugged his shoulders. ‘As you wish,’ he agreed, with his + indestructible politeness. + </p> + <p> + ‘And now to find this Mr Hubbard, with his key of the cupboard,’ said + Racksole, as they walked out of the room together. Although the hour was + so late, the hotel was not, of course, closed for the night. A few guests + still remained about in the public rooms, and a few fatigued waiters were + still in attendance. One of these latter was despatched in search of the + singular Mr Hubbard, and it fortunately turned out that this gentleman had + not actually retired, though he was on the point of doing so. He brought + the keys to Mr Racksole in person, and after he had had a little chat with + his former master, the proprietor and the ex-proprietor of the Grand + Babylon Hôtel proceeded on their way to the cellars. + </p> + <p> + These cellars extend over, or rather under, quite half the superficial + areas of the whole hotel—the longitudinal half which lies next to + the Strand. + </p> + <p> + Owing to the fact that the ground slopes sharply from the Strand to the + river, the Grand Babylon is, so to speak, deeper near the Strand than it + is near the Thames. Towards the Thames there is, below the entrance level, + a basement and a sub-basement. Towards the Strand there is basement, + sub-basement, and the huge wine cellars beneath all. After descending the + four flights of the service stairs, and traversing a long passage running + parallel with the kitchen, the two found themselves opposite a door, + which, on being unlocked, gave access to another flight of stairs. At the + foot of this was the main entrance to the cellars. Outside the entrance + was the wine-lift, for the ascension of delicious fluids to the upper + floors, and, opposite, Mr Hubbard’s little office. There was electric + light everywhere. + </p> + <p> + Babylon, who, as being most accustomed to them, held the bunch of keys, + opened the great door, and then they were in the first cellar—the + first of a suite of five. Racksole was struck not only by the icy coolness + of the place, but also by its vastness. Babylon had seized a portable + electric handlight, attached to a long wire, which lay handy, and, waving + it about, disclosed the dimensions of the place. By that flashing + illumination the subterranean chamber looked unutterably weird and + mysterious, with its rows of numbered bins, stretching away into the + distance till the radiance was reduced to the occasional far gleam of the + light on the shoulder of a bottle. Then Babylon switched on the fixed + electric lights, and Theodore Racksole entered upon a personally-conducted + tour of what was quite the most interesting part of his own property. + </p> + <p> + To see the innocent enthusiasm of Felix Babylon for these stores of + exhilarating liquid was what is called in the North ‘a sight for sair + een’. + </p> + <p> + He displayed to Racksole’s bewildered gaze, in their due order, all the + wines of three continents—nay, of four, for the superb and luscious + Constantia wine of Cape Colony was not wanting in that most catholic + collection of vintages. Beginning with the unsurpassed products of + Burgundy, he continued with the clarets of Médoc, Bordeaux, and Sauterne; + then to the champagnes of Ay, Hautvilliers, and Pierry; then to the hocks + and moselles of Germany, and the brilliant imitation champagnes of Main, + Neckar, and Naumburg; then to the famous and adorable Tokay of Hungary, + and all the Austrian varieties of French wines, including Carlowitz and + Somlauer; then to the dry sherries of Spain, including purest Manzanilla, + and Amontillado, and Vino de Pasto; then to the wines of Malaga, both + sweet and dry, and all the ‘Spanish reds’ from Catalonia, including the + dark ‘Tent’ so often used sacramentally; then to the renowned port of + Oporto. Then he proceeded to the Italian cellar, and descanted upon the + excellence of Barolo from Piedmont, of Chianti from Tuscany, of Orvieto + from the Roman States, of the ‘Tears of Christ’ from Naples, and the + commoner Marsala from Sicily. And so on, to an extent and with a fullness + of detail which cannot be rendered here. + </p> + <p> + At the end of the suite of cellars there was a glazed door, which, as + could be seen, gave access to a supplemental and smaller cellar, an + apartment about fifteen or sixteen feet square. + </p> + <p> + ‘Anything special in there?’ asked Racksole curiously, as they stood + before the door, and looked within at the seined ends of bottles. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ exclaimed Babylon, almost smacking his lips, ‘therein lies the cream + of all.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The best champagne, I suppose?’ said Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said Babylon, ‘the best champagne is there—a very special + Sillery, as exquisite as you will find anywhere. But I see, my friend, + that you fall into the common error of putting champagne first among + wines. That distinction belongs to Burgundy. You have old Burgundy in that + cellar, Mr Racksole, which cost me—how much do you think?—eighty + pounds a bottle. + </p> + <p> + Probably it will never be drunk,’ he added with a sigh. ‘It is too + expensive even for princes and plutocrats.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, it will,’ said Racksole quickly. ‘You and I will have a bottle up + to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then,’ continued Babylon, still riding his hobby-horse, ‘there is a + sample of the Rhine wine dated 1706 which caused such a sensation at the + Vienna Exhibition of 1873. There is also a singularly glorious Persian + wine from Shiraz, the like of which I have never seen elsewhere. Also + there is an unrivalled vintage of Romanée-Conti, greatest of all modern + Burgundies. If I remember right Prince Eugen invariably has a bottle when + he comes to stay here. It is not on the hotel wine list, of course, and + only a few customers know of it. We do not precisely hawk it about the + dining-room.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed!’ said Racksole. ‘Let us go inside.’ + </p> + <p> + They entered the stone apartment, rendered almost sacred by the + preciousness of its contents, and Racksole looked round with a strangely + intent and curious air. At the far side was a grating, through which came + a feeble light. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is that?’ asked the millionaire sharply. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is merely a ventilation grating. Good ventilation is absolutely + essential.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Looks broken, doesn’t it?’ Racksole suggested and then, putting a finger + quickly on Babylon’s shoulder, ‘there’s someone in the cellar. Can’t you + hear breathing, down there, behind that bin?’ + </p> + <p> + The two men stood tense and silent for a while, listening, under the ray + of the single electric light in the ceiling. Half the cellar was involved + in gloom. At length Racksole walked firmly down the central passage-way + between the bins and turned to the corner at the right. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come out, you villain!’ he said in a low, well-nigh vicious tone, and + dragged up a cowering figure. + </p> + <p> + He had expected to find a man, but it was his own daughter, Nella + Racksole, upon whom he had laid angry hands. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Twenty-Three FURTHER EVENTS IN THE CELLAR + </h2> + <p> + ‘WELL, Father,’ Nella greeted her astounded parent. ‘You should make sure + that you have got hold of the right person before you use all that + terrible muscular force of yours. I do believe you have broken my shoulder + bone.’ She rubbed her shoulder with a comical expression of pain, and then + stood up before the two men. The skirt of her dark grey dress was torn and + dirty, and the usually trim Nella looked as though she had been shot down + a canvas fire-escape. Mechanically she smoothed her frock, and gave a + straightening touch to her hair. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good evening, Miss Racksole,’ said Felix Babylon, bowing formally. ‘This + is an unexpected pleasure.’ Felix’s drawing-room manners never deserted + him upon any occasion whatever. + </p> + <p> + ‘May I inquire what you are doing in my wine cellar, Nella Racksole?’ said + the millionaire a little stiffly He was certainly somewhat annoyed at + having mistaken his daughter for a criminal; moreover, he hated to be + surprised, and upon this occasion he had been surprised beyond any + ordinary surprise; lastly, he was not at all pleased that Nella should be + observed in that strange predicament by a stranger. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will tell you,’ said Nella. ‘I had been reading rather late in my room—the + night was so close. I heard Big Ben strike half-past twelve, and then I + put the book down, and went out on to the balcony of my window for a + little fresh air before going to bed. I leaned over the balcony very + quietly—you will remember that I am on the third floor now—and + looked down below into the little sunk yard which separates the wall of + the hotel from Salisbury Lane. I was rather astonished to see a figure + creeping across the yard. I knew there was no entrance into the hotel from + that yard, and besides, it is fifteen or twenty feet below the level of + the street. So I watched. The figure went close up against the wall, and + disappeared from my view. I leaned over the balcony as far as I dared, but + I couldn’t see him. I could hear him, however.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What could you hear?’ questioned Racksole sharply. + </p> + <p> + ‘It sounded like a sawing noise,’ said Nella; ‘and it went on for quite a + long time—nearly a quarter of an hour, I should think—a + rasping sort of noise.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why on earth didn’t you come and warn me or someone else in the hotel?’ + asked Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, I don’t know, Dad,’ she replied sweetly. ‘I had got interested in it, + and I thought I would see it out myself. Well, as I was saying, Mr. + Babylon,’ she continued, addressing her remarks to Felix, with a dazzling + smile, ‘that noise went on for quite a long time. At last it stopped, and + the figure reappeared from under the wall, crossed the yard, climbed up + the opposite wall by some means or other, and so over the railings into + Salisbury Lane. I felt rather relieved then, because I knew he hadn’t + actually broken into the hotel. He walked down Salisbury Lane very slowly. + A policeman was just coming up. “Goodnight, officer,” I heard him say to + the policeman, and he asked him for a match. The policeman supplied the + match, and the other man lighted a cigarette, and proceeded further down + the lane. By cricking your neck from my window, Mr Babylon, you can get a + glimpse of the Embankment and the river. I saw the man cross the + Embankment, and lean over the river wall, where he seemed to be talking to + some one. He then walked along the Embankment to Westminster and that was + the last I saw of him. I waited a minute or two for him to come back, but + he didn’t come back, and so I thought it was about time I began to make + inquiries into the affair. I went downstairs instantly, and out of the + hotel, through the quadrangle, into Salisbury Lane, and I looked over + those railings. There was a ladder on the other side, by which it was + perfectly easy—once you had got over the railings—to climb + down into the yard. I was horribly afraid lest someone might walk up + Salisbury Lane and catch me in the act of negotiating those railings, but + no one did, and I surmounted them, with no worse damage than a torn skirt. + I crossed the yard on tiptoe, and I found that in the wall, close to the + ground and almost exactly under my window, there was an iron grating, + about one foot by fourteen inches. I suspected, as there was no other + ironwork near, that the mysterious visitor must have been sawing at this + grating for private purposes of his own. I gave it a good shake, and I was + not at all surprised that a good part of it came off in my hand, leaving + just enough room for a person to creep through. I decided that I would + creep through, and now wish I hadn’t. I don’t know, Mr Babylon, whether + you have ever tried to creep through a small hole with a skirt on. Have + you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have not had that pleasure,’ said little Felix, bowing again, and + absently taking up a bottle which lay to his hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, you are fortunate,’ the imperturbable Nella resumed. ‘For quite + three minutes I thought I should perish in that grating, Dad, with my + shoulder inside and the rest of me outside. However, at last, by the most + amazing and agonizing efforts, I pulled myself through and fell into this + extraordinary cellar more dead than alive. Then I wondered what I should + do next. Should I wait for the mysterious visitor to return, and stab him + with my pocket scissors if he tried to enter, or should I raise an alarm? + First of all I replaced the broken grating, then I struck a match, and I + saw that I had got landed in a wilderness of bottles. The match went out, + and I hadn’t another one. So I sat down in the corner to think. I had just + decided to wait and see if the visitor returned, when I heard footsteps, + and then voices; and then you came in. I must say I was rather taken + aback, especially as I recognized the voice of Mr Babylon. You see, I + didn’t want to frighten you. + </p> + <p> + If I had bobbed up from behind the bottles and said “Booh!” you would have + had a serious shock. I wanted to think of a way of breaking my presence + gently to you. But you saved me the trouble, Dad. Was I really breathing + so loudly that you could hear me?’ + </p> + <p> + The girl ended her strange recital, and there was a moment’s silence in + the cellar. Racksole merely nodded an affirmative to her concluding + question. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, Nell, my girl,’ said the millionaire at length, ‘we are much + obliged for your gymnastic efforts—very much obliged. But now, I + think you had better go off to bed. There is going to be some serious + trouble here, I’ll lay my last dollar on that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But if there is to be a burglary I should so like to see it, Dad,’ Nella + pleaded. ‘I’ve never seen a burglar caught red-handed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This isn’t a burglary, my dear. I calculate it’s something far worse than + a burglary.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What?’ she cried. ‘Murder? Arson? Dynamite plot? How perfectly splendid!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Babylon informs me that Jules is in London,’ said Racksole quietly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Jules!’ she exclaimed under her breath, and her tone changed instantly to + the utmost seriousness. ‘Switch off the light, quick!’ Springing to the + switch, she put the cellar in darkness. + </p> + <p> + ‘What’s that for?’ said her father. + </p> + <p> + ‘If he comes back he would see the light, and be frightened away,’ said + Nella. ‘That wouldn’t do at all.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It wouldn’t, Miss Racksole,’ said Babylon, and there was in his voice a + note of admiration for the girl’s sagacity which Racksole heard with high + paternal pride. + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen, Nella,’ said the latter, drawing his daughter to him in the + profound gloom of the cellar. ‘We fancy that Jules may be trying to tamper + with a certain bottle of wine—a bottle which might possibly be drunk + by Prince Eugen. Now do you think that the man you saw might have been + Jules?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I hadn’t previously thought of him as being Jules, but immediately you + mentioned the name I somehow knew that he was. Yes, I am sure it was + Jules.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, just hear what I have to say. There is no time to lose. If he is + coming at all he will be here very soon—and you can help.’ Racksole + explained what he thought Jules’ tactics might be. He proposed that if the + man returned he should not be interfered with, but merely watched from the + other side of the glass door. + </p> + <p> + ‘You want, as it were, to catch Mr Jules alive?’ said Babylon, who seemed + rather taken aback at this novel method of dealing with criminals. + ‘Surely,’ he added, ‘it would be simpler and easier to inform the police + of your suspicion, and to leave everything to them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear fellow,’ said Racksole, ‘we have already gone much too far + without the police to make it advisable for us to call them in at this + somewhat advanced stage of the proceedings. Besides, if you must know it, + I have a particular desire to capture the scoundrel myself. I will leave + you and Nella here, since Nella insists on seeing everything, and I will + arrange things so that once he has entered the cellar Jules will not get + out of it again—at any rate through the grating. You had better + place yourselves on the other side of the glass door, in the big cellar; + you will be in a position to observe from there, I will skip off at once. + All you have to do is to take note of what the fellow does. If he has any + accomplices within the hotel we shall probably be able by that means to + discover who the accomplice is.’ + </p> + <p> + Lighting a match and shading it with his hands, Racksole showed them both + out of the little cellar. ‘Now if you lock this glass door on the outside + he can’t escape this way: the panes of glass are too small, and the + woodwork too stout. So, if he comes into the trap, you two will have the + pleasure of actually seeing him frantically writhe therein, without any + personal danger; but perhaps you’d better not show yourselves.’ + </p> + <p> + In another moment Felix Babylon and Nella were left to themselves in the + darkness of the cellar, listening to the receding footfalls of Theodore + Racksole. But the sound of these footfalls had not died away before + another sound greeted their ears—the grating of the small cellar was + being removed. + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope your father will be in time,’ whispered Felix + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush!’ the girl warned him, and they stooped side by side in tense + silence. + </p> + <p> + A man cautiously but very neatly wormed his body through the aperture of + the grating. The watchers could only see his form indistinctly in the + darkness. + </p> + <p> + Then, being fairly within the cellar, he walked without the least + hesitation to the electric switch and turned on the light. It was + unmistakably Jules, and he knew the geography of the cellar very well. + Babylon could with difficulty repress a start as he saw this bold and + unscrupulous ex-waiter moving with such an air of assurance and + determination about the precious cellar. Jules went directly to a small + bin which was numbered 17, and took there from the topmost bottle. + </p> + <p> + ‘The Romanee-Conti—Prince Eugen’s wine!’ Babylon exclaimed under his + breath. + </p> + <p> + Jules neatly and quickly removed the seal with an instrument which he had + clearly brought for the purpose. He then took a little flat box from his + pocket, which seemed to contain a sort of black salve. Rubbing his finger + in this, he smeared the top of the neck of the bottle with it, just where + the cork came against the glass. In another instant he had deftly replaced + the seal and restored the bottle to its position. He then turned off the + light, and made for the aperture. When he was half-way through Nella + exclaimed, ‘He will escape, after all. Dad has not had time—we must + stop him.’ + </p> + <p> + But Babylon, that embodiment of caution, forcibly, but nevertheless + politely, restrained this Yankee girl, whom he deemed so rash and + imprudent, and before she could free herself the lithe form of Jules had + disappeared. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Twenty-Four THE BOTTLE OF WINE + </h2> + <p> + AS regards Theodore Racksole, who was to have caught his man from the + outside of the cellar, he made his way as rapidly as possible from the + wine-cellars, up to the ground floor, out of the hotel by the quadrangle, + through the quadrangle, and out into the top of Salisbury Lane. Now, owing + to the vastness of the structure of the Grand Babylon, the mere distance + thus to be traversed amounted to a little short of a quarter of a mile, + and, as it included a number of stairs, about two dozen turnings, and + several passages which at that time of night were in darkness more or less + complete, Racksole could not have been expected to accomplish the journey + in less than five minutes. As a matter of fact, six minutes had elapsed + before he reached the top of Salisbury Lane, because he had been delayed + nearly a minute by some questions addressed to him by a muddled and + whisky-laden guest who had got lost in the corridors. As everybody knows, + there is a sharp short bend in Salisbury Lane near the top. Racksole ran + round this at good racing speed, but he was unfortunate enough to run + straight up against the very policeman who had not long before so + courteously supplied Jules with a match. The policeman seemed to be + scarcely in so pliant a mood just then. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hullo!’ he said, his naturally suspicious nature being doubtless aroused + by the spectacle of a bareheaded man in evening dress running violently + down the lane. ‘What’s this? Where are you for in such a hurry?’ and he + forcibly detained Theodore Racksole for a moment and scrutinized his face. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, officer,’ said Racksole quietly, ‘none of your larks, if you please. + </p> + <p> + I’ve no time to lose.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Beg your pardon, sir,’ the policeman remarked, though hesitatingly and + not quite with good temper, and Racksole was allowed to proceed on his + way. The millionaire’s scheme for trapping Jules was to get down into the + little sunk yard by means of the ladder, and then to secrete himself + behind some convenient abutment of brickwork until Mr Tom Jackson should + have got into the cellar. He therefore nimbly surmounted the railings—the + railings of his own hotel—and was gingerly descending the ladder, + when lo! a rough hand seized him by the coat-collar and with a ferocious + jerk urged him backwards. The fact was, Theodore Racksole had counted + without the policeman. That guardian of the peace, mistrusting Racksole’s + manner, quietly followed him down the lane. The sight of the millionaire + climbing the railings had put him on his mettle, and the result was the + ignominious capture of Racksole. In vain Theodore expostulated, explained, + anathematized. Only one thing would satisfy the stolid policeman—namely, + that Racksole should return with him to the hotel and there establish his + identity. If Racksole then proved to be Racksole, owner of the Grand + Babylon, well and good—the policeman promised to apologize. So + Theodore had no alternative but to accept the suggestion. To prove his + identity was, of course, the work of only a few minutes, after which + Racksole, annoyed, but cool as ever, returned to his railings, while the + policeman went off to another part of his beat, where he would be likely + to meet a comrade and have a chat. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime, our friend Jules, sublimely unconscious of the + altercation going on outside, and of the special risk which he ran, was of + course actually in the cellar, which he had reached before Racksole got to + the railings for the first time. It was, indeed, a happy chance for Jules + that his exit from the cellar coincided with the period during which + Racksole was absent from the railings. As Racksole came down the lane for + the second time, he saw a figure walking about fifty yards in front of him + towards the Embankment. Instantly he divined that it was Jules, and that + the policeman had thrown him just too late. He ran, and Jules, hearing the + noise of pursuit, ran also. The ex-waiter was fleet; he made direct for a + certain spot in the Embankment wall, and, to the intense astonishment of + Racksole, jumped clean over the wall, as it seemed, into the river. ‘Is he + so desperate as to commit suicide?’ Racksole exclaimed as he ran, but a + second later the puff and snort of a steam launch told him that Jules was + not quite driven to suicide. As the millionaire crossed the Embankment + roadway he saw the funnel of the launch move out from under the + river-wall. It swerved into midstream and headed towards London Bridge. + There was a silent mist over the river. Racksole was helpless.... + </p> + <p> + Although Racksole had now been twice worsted in a contest of wits within + the precincts of the Grand Babylon, once by Rocco and once by Jules, he + could not fairly blame himself for the present miscarriage of his plans—a + miscarriage due to the meddlesomeness of an extraneous person, combined + with pure ill-fortune. He did not, therefore, permit the accident to + interfere with his sleep that night. + </p> + <p> + On the following day he sought out Prince Aribert, between whom and + himself there now existed a feeling of unmistakable, frank friendship, and + disclosed to him the happenings of the previous night, and particularly + the tampering with the bottle of Romanée-Conti. + </p> + <p> + ‘I believe you dined with Prince Eugen last night?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I did. And curiously enough we had a bottle of Romanée-Conti, an + admirable wine, of which Eugen is passionately fond.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And you will dine with him to-night?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Most probably. To-day will, I fear, be our last day here. Eugen wishes to + return to Posen early to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Has it struck you, Prince,’ said Racksole, ‘that if Jules had succeeded + in poisoning your nephew, he would probably have succeeded also in + poisoning you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I had not thought of it,’ laughed Aribert, ‘but it would seem so. It + appears that so long as he brings down his particular quarry, Jules is + careless of anything else that may be accidentally involved in the + destruction. However, we need have no fear on that score now. You know the + bottle, and you can destroy it at once.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But I do not propose to destroy it,’ said Racksole calmly. ‘If Prince + Eugen asks for Romanée-Conti to be served to-night, as he probably will, I + propose that that precise bottle shall be served to him—and to you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you would poison us in spite of ourselves?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Scarcely,’ Racksole smiled. ‘My notion is to discover the accomplices + within the hotel. I have already inquired as to the wine-clerk, Hubbard. + Now does it not occur to you as extraordinary that on this particular day + Mr Hubbard should be ill in bed? Hubbard, I am informed, is suffering from + an attack of stomach poisoning, which has supervened during the night. He + says that he does not know what can have caused it. His place in the wine + cellars will be taken to-day by his assistant, a mere youth, but to all + appearances a fairly smart youth. I need not say that we shall keep an eye + on that youth.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘One moment,’ Prince Aribert interrupted. ‘I do not quite understand how + you think the poisoning was to have been effected.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The bottle is now under examination by an expert, who has instructions to + remove as little as possible of the stuff which Jules put on the rim of + the mouth of it. It will be secretly replaced in its bin during the day. + My idea is that by the mere action of pouring out the wine takes up some + of the poison, which I deem to be very strong, and thus becomes fatal as + it enters the glass.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But surely the servant in attendance would wipe the mouth of the bottle?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very carelessly, perhaps. And moreover he would be extremely unlikely to + wipe off all the stuff; some of it has been ingeniously placed just on the + inside edge of the rim. Besides, suppose he forgot to wipe the bottle?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Prince Eugen is always served at dinner by Hans. It is an honour which + the faithful old fellow reserves for himself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But suppose Hans—’ Racksole stopped. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hans an accomplice! My dear Racksole, the suggestion is wildly + impossible.’ + </p> + <p> + That night Prince Aribert dined with his august nephew in the superb + dining-room of the Royal apartments. Hans served, the dishes being brought + to the door by other servants. Aribert found his nephew despondent and + taciturn. On the previous day, when, after the futile interview with + Sampson Levi, Prince Eugen had despairingly threatened to commit suicide, + in such a manner as to make it ‘look like an accident’, Aribert had + compelled him to give his word of honour not to do so. + </p> + <p> + ‘What wine will your Royal Highness take?’ asked old Hans in his soothing + tones, when the soup was served. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sherry,’ was Prince Eugen’s curt order. + </p> + <p> + ‘And Romanée-Conti afterwards?’ said Hans. Aribert looked up quickly. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, not to-night. I’ll try Sillery to-night,’ said Prince Eugen. + </p> + <p> + ‘I think I’ll have Romanée-Conti, Hans, after all,’ he said. ‘It suits me + better than champagne.’ + </p> + <p> + The famous and unsurpassable Burgundy was served with the roast. Old Hans + brought it tenderly in its wicker cradle, inserted the corkscrew with + mathematical precision, and drew the cork, which he offered for his + master’s inspection. Eugen nodded, and told him to put it down. Aribert + watched with intense interest. He could not for an instant believe that + Hans was not the very soul of fidelity, and yet, despite himself, + Racksole’s words had caused him a certain uneasiness. At that moment + Prince Eugen murmured across the table: + </p> + <p> + ‘Aribert, I withdraw my promise. Observe that, I withdraw it.’ Aribert + shook his head emphatically, without removing his gaze from Hans. The + white-haired servant perfunctorily dusted his napkin round the neck of the + bottle of Romanée-Conti, and poured out a glass. Aribert trembled from + head to foot. + </p> + <p> + Eugen took up the glass and held it to the light. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t drink it,’ said Aribert very quietly. ‘It is poisoned.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Poisoned!’ exclaimed Prince Eugen. + </p> + <p> + ‘Poisoned, sire!’ exclaimed old Hans, with an air of profound amazement + and concern, and he seized the glass. ‘Impossible, sire. I myself opened + the bottle. No one else has touched it, and the cork was perfect.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I tell you it is poisoned,’ Aribert repeated. + </p> + <p> + ‘Your Highness will pardon an old man,’ said Hans, ‘but to say that this + wine is poison is to say that I am a murderer. I will prove to you that it + is not poisoned. I will drink it.’ And he raised the glass to his + trembling lips. In that moment Aribert saw that old Hans, at any rate, was + not an accomplice of Jules. Springing up from his seat, he knocked the + glass from the aged servitor’s hands, and the fragments of it fell with a + light tinkling crash partly on the table and partly on the floor. The + Prince and the servant gazed at one another in a distressing and terrible + silence. + </p> + <p> + There was a slight noise, and Aribert looked aside. He saw that Eugen’s + body had slipped forward limply over the left arm of his chair; the + Prince’s arms hung straight and lifeless; his eyes were closed; he was + unconscious. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hans!’ murmured Aribert. ‘Hans! What is this?’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Twenty-Five THE STEAM LAUNCH + </h2> + <p> + MR TOM JACKSON’s notion of making good his escape from the hotel by means + of a steam launch was an excellent one, so far as it went, but Theodore + Racksole, for his part, did not consider that it went quite far enough. + </p> + <p> + Theodore Racksole opined, with peculiar glee, that he now had a tangible + and definite clue for the catching of the Grand Babylon’s ex-waiter. He + knew nothing of the Port of London, but he happened to know a good deal of + the far more complicated, though somewhat smaller, Port of New York, and + he was sure there ought to be no extraordinary difficulty in getting hold + of Jules’ steam launch. To those who are not thoroughly familiar with it + the River Thames and its docks, from London Bridge to Gravesend, seems a + vast and uncharted wilderness of craft—a wilderness in which it + would be perfectly easy to hide even a three-master successfully. To such + people the idea of looking for a steam launch on the river would be about + equivalent to the idea of looking for a needle in a bundle of hay. But the + fact is, there are hundreds of men between St Katherine’s Wharf and + Blackwall who literally know the Thames as the suburban householder knows + his back-garden—who can recognize thousands of ships and put a name + to them at a distance of half a mile, who are informed as to every + movement of vessels on the great stream, who know all the captains, all + the engineers, all the lightermen, all the pilots, all the licensed + watermen, and all the unlicensed scoundrels from the Tower to Gravesend, + and a lot further. By these experts of the Thames the slightest unusual + event on the water is noticed and discussed—a wherry cannot change + hands but they will guess shrewdly upon the price paid and the intentions + of the new owner with regard to it. They have a habit of watching the + river for the mere interest of the sight, and they talk about everything + like housewives gathered of an evening round the cottage door. If the + first mate of a Castle Liner gets the sack they will be able to tell you + what he said to the captain, what the old man said to him, and what both + said to the Board, and having finished off that affair they will + cheerfully turn to discussing whether Bill Stevens sank his barge outside + the West Indian No.2 by accident or on purpose. + </p> + <p> + Theodore Racksole had no satisfactory means of identifying the steam + launch which carried away Mr Tom Jackson. The sky had clouded over soon + after midnight, and there was also a slight mist, and he had only been + able to make out that it was a low craft, about sixty feet long, probably + painted black. He had personally kept a watch all through the night on + vessels going upstream, and during the next morning he had a man to take + his place who warned him whenever a steam launch went towards Westminster. + At noon, after his conversation with Prince Aribert, he went down the + river in a hired row-boat as far as the Custom House, and poked about + everywhere, in search of any vessel which could by any possibility be the + one he was in search of. + </p> + <p> + But he found nothing. He was, therefore, tolerably sure that the + mysterious launch lay somewhere below the Custom House. At the Custom + House stairs, he landed, and asked for a very high official—an + official inferior only to a Commissioner—whom he had entertained + once in New York, and who had met him in London on business at Lloyd’s. In + the large but dingy office of this great man a long conversation took + place—a conversation in which Racksole had to exercise a certain + amount of persuasive power, and which ultimately ended in the high + official ringing his bell. + </p> + <p> + ‘Desire Mr Hazell—room No. 332—to speak to me,’ said the + official to the boy who answered the summons, and then, turning to + Racksole: ‘I need hardly repeat, my dear Mr Racksole, that this is + strictly unofficial.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Agreed, of course,’ said Racksole. + </p> + <p> + Mr Hazell entered. He was a young man of about thirty, dressed in blue + serge, with a pale, keen face, a brown moustache and a rather handsome + brown beard. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Hazell,’ said the high official, ‘let me introduce you to Mr Theodore + Racksole—you will doubtless be familiar with his name. Mr Hazell,’ + he went on to Racksole, ‘is one of our outdoor staff—what we call an + examining officer. Just now he is doing night duty. He has a boat on the + river and a couple of men, and the right to board and examine any craft + whatever. What Mr Hazell and his crew don’t know about the Thames between + here and Gravesend isn’t knowledge.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Glad to meet you, sir,’ said Racksole simply, and they shook hands. + </p> + <p> + Racksole observed with satisfaction that Mr Hazell was entirely at his + ease. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, Hazell,’ the high official continued, ‘Mr Racksole wants you to help + in a little private expedition on the river to-night. I will give you a + night’s leave. I sent for you partly because I thought you would enjoy the + affair and partly because I think I can rely on you to regard it as + entirely unofficial and not to talk about it. You understand? I dare say + you will have no cause to regret having obliged Mr Racksole.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I think I grasp the situation,’ said Hazell, with a slight smile. + </p> + <p> + ‘And, by the way,’ added the high official, ‘although the business is + unofficial, it might be well if you wore your official overcoat. See?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Decidedly,’ said Hazell; ‘I should have done so in any case.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And now, Mr Hazell,’ said Racksole, ‘will you do me the pleasure of + lunching with me? If you agree, I should like to lunch at the place you + usually frequent.’ + </p> + <p> + So it came to pass that Theodore Racksole and George Hazell, outdoor clerk + in the Customs, lunched together at ‘Thomas’s Chop-House’, in the city of + London, upon mutton-chops and coffee. The millionaire soon discovered that + he had got hold of a keen-witted man and a person of much insight. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell me,’ said Hazell, when they had reached the cigarette stage, ‘are + the magazine writers anything like correct?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean?’ asked Racksole, mystified. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, you’re a millionaire—“one of the best”, I believe. One often + sees articles on and interviews with millionaires, which describe their + private railroad cars, their steam yachts on the Hudson, their marble + stables, and so on, and so on. Do you happen to have those things?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have a private car on the New York Central, and I have a two thousand + ton schooner-yacht—though it isn’t on the Hudson. It happens just + now to be on East River. And I am bound to admit that the stables of my + uptown place are fitted with marble.’ Racksole laughed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ said Hazell. ‘Now I can believe that I am lunching with a + millionaire. + </p> + <p> + It’s strange how facts like those—unimportant in themselves—appeal + to the imagination. You seem to me a real millionaire now. You’ve given me + some personal information; I’ll give you some in return. I earn three + hundred a year, and perhaps sixty pounds a year extra for overtime. I live + by myself in two rooms in Muscovy Court. I’ve as much money as I need, and + I always do exactly what I like outside office. As regards the office, I + do as little work as I can, on principle—it’s a fight between us and + the Commissioners who shall get the best. They try to do us down, and we + try to do them down—it’s pretty even on the whole. All’s fair in + war, you know, and there ain’t no ten commandments in a Government + office.’ + </p> + <p> + Racksole laughed. ‘Can you get off this afternoon?’ he asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly,’ said Hazell; ‘I’ll get one of my pals to sign on for me, and + then I shall be free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said Racksole, ‘I should like you to come down with me to the + Grand Babylon. Then we can talk over my little affair at length. And may + we go on your boat? I want to meet your crew.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That will be all right,’ Hazell remarked. ‘My two men are the idlest, + most soul-less chaps you ever saw. They eat too much, and they have an + enormous appetite for beer; but they know the river, and they know their + business, and they will do anything within the fair game if they are paid + for it, and aren’t asked to hurry.’ + </p> + <p> + That night, just after dark, Theodore Racksole embarked with his new + friend George Hazell in one of the black-painted Customs wherries, manned + by a crew of two men—both the later freemen of the river, a + distinction which carries with it certain privileges unfamiliar to the + mere landsman. It was a cloudy and oppressive evening, not a star showing + to illumine the slow tide, now just past its flood. The vast forms of + steamers at anchor—chiefly those of the General Steam Navigation and + the Aberdeen Line—heaved themselves high out of the water, straining + sluggishly at their mooring buoys. On either side the naked walls of + warehouses rose like grey precipices from the stream, holding forth quaint + arms of steam-cranes. To the west the Tower Bridge spanned the river with + its formidable arch, and above that its suspended footpath—a hundred + and fifty feet from earth. + </p> + <p> + Down towards the east and the Pool of London a forest of funnels and masts + was dimly outlined against the sinister sky. Huge barges, each steered by + a single man at the end of a pair of giant oars, lumbered and swirled + down-stream at all angles. Occasionally a tug snorted busily past, + flashing its red and green signals and dragging an unwieldy tail of barges + in its wake. Then a Margate passenger steamer, its electric lights + gleaming from every porthole, swerved round to anchor, with its load of + two thousand fatigued excursionists. Over everything brooded an air of + mystery—a spirit and feeling of strangeness, remoteness, and the + inexplicable. As the broad flat little boat bobbed its way under the + shadow of enormous hulks, beneath stretched hawsers, and past buoys + covered with green slime, Racksole could scarcely believe that he was in + the very heart of London—the most prosaic city in the world. He had + a queer idea that almost anything might happen in this seeming waste of + waters at this weird hour of ten o’clock. It appeared incredible to him + that only a mile or two away people were sitting in theatres applauding + farces, and that at Cannon Street Station, a few yards off, other people + were calmly taking the train to various highly respectable suburbs whose + names he was gradually learning. He had the uplifting sensation of being + in another world which comes to us sometimes amid surroundings violently + different from our usual surroundings. The most ordinary noises—of + men calling, of a chain running through a slot, of a distant siren—translated + themselves to his ears into terrible and haunting sounds, full of + portentous significance. He looked over the side of the boat into the + brown water, and asked himself what frightful secrets lay hidden in its + depth. Then he put his hand into his hip-pocket and touched the stock of + his Colt revolver—that familiar substance comforted him. + </p> + <p> + The oarsmen had instructions to drop slowly down to the Pool, as the wide + reach below the Tower is called. These two men had not been previously + informed of the precise object of the expedition, but now that they were + safely afloat Hazell judged it expedient to give them some notion of it. + ‘We expect to come across a rather suspicious steam launch,’ he said. ‘My + friend here is very anxious to get a sight of her, and until he has seen + her nothing definite can be done.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What sort of a craft is she, sir?’ asked the stroke oar, a fat-faced man + who seemed absolutely incapable of any serious exertion. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know,’ Racksole replied; ‘but as near as I can judge, she’s about + sixty feet in length, and painted black. I fancy I shall recognize her + when I see her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not much to go by, that,’ exclaimed the other man curtly. But he said no + more. He, as well as his mate, had received from Theodore Racksole one + English sovereign as a kind of preliminary fee, and an English sovereign + will do a lot towards silencing the natural sarcastic tendencies and free + speech of a Thames waterman. + </p> + <p> + ‘There’s one thing I noticed,’ said Racksole suddenly, ‘and I forgot to + tell you of it, Mr Hazell. Her screw seemed to move with a rather + irregular, lame sort of beat.’ + </p> + <p> + Both watermen burst into a laugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh,’ said the fat rower, ‘I know what you’re after, sir—it’s Jack + Everett’s launch, commonly called “Squirm”. She’s got a four-bladed + propeller, and one blade is broken off short.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, that’s it, sure enough,’ agreed the man in the bows. ‘And if it’s her + you want, I seed her lying up against Cherry Gardens Pier this very + morning.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let us go to Cherry Gardens Pier by all means, as soon as possible,’ + </p> + <p> + Racksole said, and the boat swung across stream and then began to creep + down by the right bank, feeling its way past wharves, many of which, even + at that hour, were still busy with their cranes, that descended empty into + the bellies of ships and came up full. As the two watermen gingerly + manoeuvred the boat on the ebbing tide, Hazell explained to the + millionaire that the ‘Squirm’ was one of the most notorious craft on the + river. It appeared that when anyone had a nefarious or underhand scheme + afoot which necessitated river work Everett’s launch was always available + for a suitable monetary consideration. The ‘Squirm’ had got itself into a + thousand scrapes, and out of those scrapes again with safety, if not + precisely with honour. The river police kept a watchful eye on it, and the + chief marvel about the whole thing was that old Everett, the owner, had + never yet been seriously compromised in any illegal escapade. Not once had + the officer of the law been able to prove anything definite against the + proprietor of the ‘Squirm’, though several of its quondam hirers were at + that very moment in various of Her Majesty’s prisons throughout the + country. Latterly, however, the launch, with its damaged propeller, which + Everett consistently refused to have repaired, had acquired an evil + reputation, even among evil-doers, and this fraternity had gradually come + to abandon it for less easily recognizable craft. + </p> + <p> + ‘Your friend, Mr Tom Jackson,’ said Hazell to Racksole, ‘committed an + error of discretion when he hired the “Squirm”. A scoundrel of his + experience and calibre ought certainly to have known better than that. You + cannot fail to get a clue now.’ + </p> + <p> + By this time the boat was approaching Cherry Gardens Pier, but + unfortunately a thin night-fog had swept over the river, and objects could + not be discerned with any clearness beyond a distance of thirty yards. As + the Customs boat scraped down past the pier all its occupants strained + eyes for a glimpse of the mysterious launch, but nothing could be seen of + it. The boat continued to float idly down-stream, the men resting on their + oars. + </p> + <p> + Then they narrowly escaped bumping a large Norwegian sailing vessel at + anchor with her stem pointing down-stream. This ship they passed on the + port side. Just as they got clear of her bowsprit the fat man cried out + excitedly, ‘There’s her nose!’ and he put the boat about and began to pull + back against the tide. And surely the missing ‘Squirm’ was comfortably + anchored on the starboard quarter of the Norwegian ship, hidden neatly + between the ship and the shore. The men pulled very quietly alongside. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Twenty-Six THE NIGHT CHASE AND THE MUDLARK + </h2> + <p> + ‘I’LL board her to start with,’ said Hazell, whispering to Racksole. ‘I’ll + make out that I suspect they’ve got dutiable goods on board, and that will + give me a chance to have a good look at her.’ + </p> + <p> + Dressed in his official overcoat and peaked cap, he stepped, rather + jauntily as Racksole thought, on to the low deck of the launch. ‘Anyone + aboard?’ + </p> + <p> + Racksole heard him cry out, and a woman’s voice answered. ‘I’m a Customs + examining officer, and I want to search the launch,’ Hazell shouted, and + then disappeared down into the little saloon amidships, and Racksole heard + no more. It seemed to the millionaire that Hazell had been gone hours, but + at length he returned. + </p> + <p> + ‘Can’t find anything,’ he said, as he jumped into the boat, and then + privately to Racksole: ‘There’s a woman on board. Looks as if she might + coincide with your description of Miss Spencer. Steam’s up, but there’s no + engineer. I asked where the engineer was, and she inquired what business + that was of mine, and requested me to get through with my own business and + clear off. Seems rather a smart sort. I poked my nose into everything, but + I saw no sign of any one else. Perhaps we’d better pull away and lie near + for a bit, just to see if anything queer occurs.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re quite sure he isn’t on board?’ Racksole asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘Quite,’ said Hazell positively: ‘I know how to search a vessel. See + this,’ and he handed to Racksole a sort of steel skewer, about two feet + long, with a wooden handle. ‘That,’ he said, ‘is one of the Customs’ aids + to searching.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I suppose it wouldn’t do to go on board and carry off the lady?’ Racksole + suggested doubtfully. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ Hazell began, with equal doubtfulness, ‘as for that—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where’s ‘e orf?’ It was the man in the bows who interrupted Hazell. + </p> + <p> + Following the direction of the man’s finger, both Hazell and Racksole saw + with more or less distinctness a dinghy slip away from the forefoot of the + Norwegian vessel and disappear downstream into the mist. + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s Jules, I’ll swear,’ cried Racksole. ‘After him, men. Ten pounds + apiece if we overtake him!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lay down to it now, boys!’ said Hazell, and the heavy Customs boat shot + out in pursuit. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is going to be a lark,’ Racksole remarked. + </p> + <p> + ‘Depends on what you call a lark,’ said Hazell; ‘it’s not much of a lark + tearing down midstream like this in a fog. You never know when you mayn’t + be in kingdom come with all these barges knocking around. I expect that + chap hid in the dinghy when he first caught sight of us, and then slipped + his painter as soon as I’d gone.’ + </p> + <p> + The boat was moving at a rapid pace with the tide. Steering was a matter + of luck and instinct more than anything else. Every now and then Hazell, + who held the lines, was obliged to jerk the boat’s head sharply round to + avoid a barge or an anchored vessel. It seemed to Racksole that vessels + were anchored all over the stream. He looked about him anxiously, but for + a long time he could see nothing but mist and vague nautical forms. Then + suddenly he said, quietly enough, ‘We’re on the right road; I can see him + ahead. + </p> + <p> + We’re gaining on him.’ In another minute the dinghy was plainly visible, + not twenty yards away, and the sculler—sculling frantically now—was + unmistakably Jules—Jules in a light tweed suit and a bowler hat. + </p> + <p> + ‘You were right,’ Hazell said; ‘this is a lark. I believe I’m getting + quite excited. It’s more exciting than playing the trombone in an + orchestra. I’ll run him down, eh?—and then we can drag the chap in + from the water.’ + </p> + <p> + Racksole nodded, but at that moment a barge, with her red sails set, stood + out of the fog clean across the bows of the Customs boat, which narrowly + escaped instant destruction. When they got clear, and the usual + interchange of calm, nonchalant swearing was over, the dinghy was barely + to be discerned in the mist, and the fat man was breathing in such a + manner that his sighs might almost have been heard on the banks. Racksole + wanted violently to do something, but there was nothing to do; he could + only sit supine by Hazell’s side in the stern-sheets. Gradually they began + again to overtake the dinghy, whose one-man crew was evidently tiring. As + they came up, hand over fist, the dinghy’s nose swerved aside, and the + tiny craft passed down a water-lane between two anchored mineral barges, + which lay black and deserted about fifty yards from the Surrey shore. ‘To + starboard,’ said Racksole. ‘No, man!’ + </p> + <p> + Hazell replied; ‘we can’t get through there. He’s bound to come out below; + it’s only a feint. I’ll keep our nose straight ahead.’ + </p> + <p> + And they went on, the fat man pounding away, with a face which glistened + even in the thick gloom. It was an empty dinghy which emerged from between + the two barges and went drifting and revolving down towards Greenwich. + </p> + <p> + The fat man gasped a word to his comrade, and the Customs boat stopped + dead. + </p> + <p> + ‘’E’s all right,’ said the man in the bows. ‘If it’s ‘im you want, ‘e’s on + one o’ them barges, so you’ve only got to step on and take ‘im orf.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s all,’ said a voice out of the depths of the nearest barge, and it + was the voice of Jules, otherwise known as Mr Tom Jackson. + </p> + <p> + ‘’Ear ‘im?’ said the fat man smiling. ‘’E’s a good ‘un, ‘e is. But if I + was you, Mr Hazell, or you, sir, I shouldn’t step on to that barge so + quick as all that.’ + </p> + <p> + They backed the boat under the stem of the nearest barge and gazed + upwards. + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s all right,’ said Racksole to Hazell; ‘I’ve got a revolver. How can I + clamber up there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I dare say you’ve got a revolver all right,’ Hazell replied sharply. + </p> + <p> + ‘But you mustn’t use it. There mustn’t be any noise. We should have the + river police down on us in a twinkling if there was a revolver shot, and + it would be the ruin of me. If an inquiry was held the Commissioners + wouldn’t take any official notice of the fact that my superior officer had + put me on to this job, and I should be requested to leave the service.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have no fear on that score,’ said Racksole. ‘I shall, of course, take all + responsibility.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It wouldn’t matter how much responsibility you took,’ Hazell retorted; + ‘you wouldn’t put me back into the service, and my career would be at an + end.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But there are other careers,’ said Racksole, who was really anxious to + lame his ex-waiter by means of a judiciously-aimed bullet. ‘There are + other careers.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Customs is my career,’ said Hazell, ‘so let’s have no shooting. We’ll + wait about a bit; he can’t escape. You can have my skewer if you like’—and + he gave Racksole his searching instrument. ‘And you can do what you + please, provided you do it neatly and don’t make a row over it.’ + </p> + <p> + For a few moments the four men were passive in the boat, surrounded by + swirling mist, with black water beneath them, and towering above them a + half-loaded barge with a desperate and resourceful man on board. Suddenly + the mist parted and shrivelled away in patches, as though before the + breath of some monster. The sky was visible; it was a clear sky, and the + moon was shining. The transformation was just one of those meteorological + quick-changes which happen most frequently on a great river. + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s a sight better,’ said the fat man. At the same moment a head + appeared over the edge of the barge. It was Jules’ face—dark, + sinister and leering. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it Mr Racksole in that boat?’ he inquired calmly; ‘because if so, let + Mr Racksole step up. Mr Racksole has caught me, and he can have me for the + asking. Here I am.’ He stood up to his full height on the barge, tall + against the night sky, and all the occupants of the boat could see that he + held firmly clasped in his right hand a short dagger. ‘Now, Mr Racksole, + you’ve been after me for a long time,’ he continued; ‘here I am. Why don’t + you step up? If you haven’t got the pluck yourself, persuade someone else + to step up in your place ... the same fair treatment will be accorded to + all.’ And Jules laughed a low, penetrating laugh. + </p> + <p> + He was in the midst of this laugh when he lurched suddenly forward. + </p> + <p> + ‘What’r’ you doing of aboard my barge? Off you goes!’ It was a boy’s small + shrill voice that sounded in the night. A ragged boy’s small form had + appeared silently behind Jules, and two small arms with a vicious shove + precipitated him into the water. He fell with a fine gurgling splash. It + was at once obvious that swimming was not among Jules’ accomplishments. He + floundered wildly and sank. When he reappeared he was dragged into the + Customs boat. Rope was produced, and in a minute or two the man lay + ignominiously bound in the bottom of the boat. With the aid of a mudlark—a + mere barge boy, who probably had no more right on the barge than Jules + himself—Racksole had won his game. For the first time for several + weeks the millionaire experienced a sensation of equanimity and + satisfaction. He leaned over the prostrate form of Jules, Hazell’s + professional skewer in his hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you going to do with him now?’ asked Hazell. + </p> + <p> + ‘We’ll row up to the landing steps in front of the Grand Babylon. He shall + be well lodged at my hotel, I promise him.’ + </p> + <p> + Jules spoke no word. + </p> + <p> + Before Racksole parted company with the Customs man that night Jules had + been safely transported into the Grand Babylon Hôtel and the two watermen + had received their £10 apiece. + </p> + <p> + ‘You will sleep here?’ said the millionaire to Mr George Hazell. ‘It is + late.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘With pleasure,’ said Hazell. The next morning he found a sumptuous + breakfast awaiting him, and in his table-napkin was a Bank of England note + for a hundred pounds. But, though he did not hear of them till much later, + many things had happened before Hazell consumed that sumptuous breakfast. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Twenty-Seven THE CONFESSION OF MR TOM JACKSON + </h2> + <p> + IT happened that the small bedroom occupied by Jules during the years he + was head-waiter at the Grand Babylon had remained empty since his sudden + dismissal by Theodore Racksole. No other head-waiter had been formally + appointed in his place; and, indeed, the absence of one man—even the + unique Jules—could scarcely have been noticed in the enormous staff + of a place like the Grand Babylon. The functions of a head-waiter are + generally more ornamental, spectacular, and morally impressive than + useful, and it was so at the great hotel on the Embankment. Racksole + accordingly had the excellent idea of transporting his prisoner, with as + much secrecy as possible, to this empty bedroom. There proved to be no + difficulty in doing so; Jules showed himself perfectly amenable to a show + of superior force. + </p> + <p> + Racksole took upstairs with him an old commissionaire who had been + attached to the outdoor service of the hotel for many years—a + grey-haired man, wiry as a terrier and strong as a mastiff. Entering the + bedroom with Jules, whose hands were bound, he told the commissionaire to + remain outside the door. + </p> + <p> + Jules’ bedroom was quite an ordinary apartment, though perhaps slightly + superior to the usual accommodation provided for servants in the + caravanserais of the West End. It was about fourteen by twelve. It was + furnished with a bedstead, a small wardrobe, a small washstand and + dressing-table, and two chairs. There were two hooks behind the door, a + strip of carpet by the bed, and some cheap ornaments on the iron + mantelpiece. There was also one electric light. The window was a little + square one, high up from the floor, and it looked on the inner quadrangle. + </p> + <p> + The room was on the top storey—the eighth—and from it you had + a view sheer to the ground. Twenty feet below ran a narrow cornice about a + foot wide; three feet or so above the window another and wider cornice + jutted out, and above that was the high steep roof of the hotel, though + you could not see it from the window. As Racksole examined the window and + the outlook, he said to himself that Jules could not escape by that exit, + at any rate. He gave a glance up the chimney, and saw that the flue was + far too small to admit a man’s body. + </p> + <p> + Then he called in the commissionaire, and together they bound Jules firmly + to the bedstead, allowing him, however, to lie down. All the while the + captive never opened his mouth—merely smiled a smile of disdain. + Finally Racksole removed the ornaments, the carpet, the chairs and the + hooks, and wrenched away the switch of the electric light. Then he and the + commissionaire left the room, and Racksole locked the door on the outside + and put the key in his pocket. + </p> + <p> + ‘You will keep watch here,’ he said to the commissionaire, ‘through the + night. You can sit on this chair. Don’t go to sleep. If you hear the + slightest noise in the room blow your cab-whistle; I will arrange to + answer the signal. If there is no noise do nothing whatever. I don’t want + this talked about, you understand. I shall trust you; you can trust me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But the servants will see me here when they get up to-morrow,’ said the + commissionaire, with a faint smile, ‘and they will be pretty certain to + ask what I’m doing of up here. What shall I say to ‘em?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’ve been a soldier, haven’t you?’ asked Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ve seen three campaigns, sir,’ was the reply, and, with a gesture of + pardonable pride, the grey-haired fellow pointed to the medals on his + breast. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, supposing you were on sentry duty and some meddlesome person in + camp asked you what you were doing—what should you say?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should tell him to clear off or take the consequences, and pretty quick + too.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do that to-morrow morning, then, if necessary,’ said Racksole, and + departed. + </p> + <p> + It was then about one o’clock a.m. The millionaire retired to bed—not + his own bed, but a bed on the seventh storey. He did not, however, sleep + very long. Shortly after dawn he was wide awake, and thinking busily about + Jules. + </p> + <p> + He was, indeed, very curious to know Jules’ story, and he determined, if + the thing could be done at all, by persuasion or otherwise, to extract it + from him. With a man of Theodore Racksole’s temperament there is no time + like the present, and at six o’clock, as the bright morning sun brought + gaiety into the window, he dressed and went upstairs again to the eighth + storey. The commissionaire sat stolid, but alert on his chair, and, at the + sight of his master, rose and saluted. + </p> + <p> + ‘Anything happened?’ Racksole asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Servants say anything?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Only a dozen or so of ‘em are up yet, sir. One of ‘em asked what I was + playing at, and so I told her I was looking after a bull bitch and a + litter of pups that you was very particular about, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good,’ said Racksole, as he unlocked the door and entered the room. All + was exactly as he had left it, except that Jules who had been lying on his + back, had somehow turned over and was now lying on his face. He gazed + silently, scowling at the millionaire. Racksole greeted him and + ostentatiously took a revolver from his hip-pocket and laid it on the + dressing-table. Then he seated himself on the dressing-table by the side + of the revolver, his legs dangling an inch or two above the floor. + </p> + <p> + ‘I want to have a talk to you, Jackson,’ he began. + </p> + <p> + ‘You can talk to me as much as you like,’ said Jules. ‘I shan’t interfere, + you may bet on that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should like you to answer some questions.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s different,’ said Jules. ‘I’m not going to answer any questions + while I’m tied up like this. You may bet on that, too.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It will pay you to be reasonable,’ said Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m not going to answer any questions while I’m tied up.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll unfasten your legs, if you like,’ Racksole suggested politely, ‘then + you can sit up. It’s no use you pretending you’ve been uncomfortable, + because I know you haven’t. I calculate you’ve been treated very + handsomely, my son. There you are!’ and he loosened the lower extremities + of his prisoner from their bonds. ‘Now I repeat you may as well be + reasonable. You may as well admit that you’ve been fairly beaten in the + game and act accordingly. I was determined to beat you, by myself, without + the police, and I’ve done it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’ve done yourself,’ retorted Jules. ‘You’ve gone against the law. If + you’d had any sense you wouldn’t have meddled; you’d have left everything + to the police. They’d have muddled about for a year or two, and then done + nothing. Who’s going to tell the police now? Are you? Are you going to + give me up to ‘em, and say, “Here, I’ve caught him for you”. If you do + they’ll ask you to explain several things, and then you’ll look foolish. + One crime doesn’t excuse another, and you’ll find that out.’ + </p> + <p> + With unerring insight, Jules had perceived exactly the difficulty of + Racksole’s position, and it was certainly a difficulty which Racksole did + not attempt to minimize to himself. He knew well that it would have to be + faced. He did not, however, allow Jules to guess his thoughts. + </p> + <p> + ‘Meanwhile,’ he said calmly to the other, ‘you’re here and my prisoner. + </p> + <p> + You’ve committed a variegated assortment of crimes, and among them is + murder. You are due to be hung. You know that. There is no reason why I + should call in the police at all. It will be perfectly easy for me to + finish you off, as you deserve, myself. I shall only be carrying out + justice, and robbing the hangman of his fee. Precisely as I brought you + into the hotel, I can take you out again. A few days ago you borrowed or + stole a steam yacht at Ostend. What you have done with it I don’t know, + nor do I care. But I strongly suspect that my daughter had a narrow escape + of being murdered on your steam yacht. Now I have a steam yacht of my own. + Suppose I use it as you used yours! Suppose I smuggle you on to it, steam + out to sea, and then ask you to step off it into the ocean one night. Such + things have been done. + </p> + <p> + Such things will be done again. If I acted so, I should at least, have the + satisfaction of knowing that I had relieved society from the incubus of a + scoundrel.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But you won’t,’ Jules murmured. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Racksole steadily, ‘I won’t—if you behave yourself this + morning. But I swear to you that if you don’t I will never rest till you + are dead, police or no police. You don’t know Theodore Racksole.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I believe you mean it,’ Jules exclaimed, with an air of surprised + interest, as though he had discovered something of importance. + </p> + <p> + ‘I believe I do,’ Racksole resumed. ‘Now listen. At the best, you will be + given up to the police. At the worst, I shall deal with you myself. With + the police you may have a chance—you may get off with twenty years’ + penal servitude, because, though it is absolutely certain that you + murdered Reginald Dimmock, it would be a little difficult to prove the + case against you. But with me you would have no chance whatever. I have a + few questions to put to you, and it will depend on how you answer them + whether I give you up to the police or take the law into my own hands. And + let me tell you that the latter course would be much simpler for me. And I + would take it, too, did I not feel that you were a very clever and + exceptional man; did I not have a sort of sneaking admiration for your + detestable skill and ingenuity.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You think, then, that I am clever?’ said Jules. ‘You are right. I am. I + should have been much too clever for you if luck had not been against me. + </p> + <p> + You owe your victory, not to skill, but to luck.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is what the vanquished always say. Waterloo was a bit of pure luck + for the English, no doubt, but it was Waterloo all the same.’ + </p> + <p> + Jules yawned elaborately. ‘What do you want to know?’ he inquired, with + politeness. + </p> + <p> + ‘First and foremost, I want to know the names of your accomplices inside + this hotel.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have no more,’ said Jules. ‘Rocco was the last.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t begin by lying to me. If you had no accomplice, how did you + contrive that one particular bottle of Romanée-Conti should be served to + his Highness Prince Eugen?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you discovered that in time, did you?’ said Jules. ‘I was afraid so. + </p> + <p> + Let me explain that that needed no accomplice. The bottle was topmost in + the bin, and naturally it would be taken. Moreover, I left it sticking out + a little further than the rest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You did not arrange, then, that Hubbard should be taken ill the night + before last?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I had no idea,’ said Jules, ‘that the excellent Hubbard was not enjoying + his accustomed health.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell me,’ said Racksole, ‘who or what is the origin of your vendetta + against the life of Prince Eugen?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I had no vendetta against the life of Prince Eugen,’ said Jules, ‘at + least, not to begin with. I merely undertook, for a consideration, to see + that Prince Eugen did not have an interview with a certain Mr Sampson Levi + in London before a certain date, that was all. It seemed simple enough. I + had been engaged in far more complicated transactions before. I was + convinced that I could manage it, with the help of Rocco and Em—and + Miss Spencer.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that woman your wife?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She would like to be,’ he sneered. ‘Please don’t interrupt. I had + completed my arrangements, when you so inconsiderately bought the hotel. I + don’t mind admitting now that from the very moment when you came across me + that night in the corridor I was secretly afraid of you, though I scarcely + admitted the fact even to myself then. I thought it safer to shift the + scene of our operations to Ostend. I had meant to deal with Prince Eugen + in this hotel, but I decided, then, to intercept him on the Continent, and + I despatched Miss Spencer with some instructions. Troubles never come + singly, and it happened that just then that fool Dimmock, who had been in + the swim with us, chose to prove refractory. The slightest hitch would + have upset everything, and I was obliged to—to clear him off the + scene. He wanted to back out—he had a bad attack of conscience, and + violent measures were essential. I regret his untimely decease, but he + brought it on himself. Well, everything was going serenely when you and + your brilliant daughter, apparently determined to meddle, turned up again + among us at Ostend. Only twenty-four hours, however, had to elapse before + the date which had been mentioned to me by my employers. I kept poor + little Eugen for the allotted time, and then you managed to get hold of + him. I do not deny that you scored there, though, according to my original + instructions, you scored too late. The time had passed, and so, so far as + I knew, it didn’t matter a pin whether Prince Eugen saw Mr Sampson Levi or + not. But my employers were still uneasy. They were uneasy even after + little Eugen had lain ill in Ostend for several weeks. It appears that + they feared that even at that date an interview between Prince Eugen and + Mr Sampson Levi might work harm to them. So they applied to me again. This + time they wanted Prince Eugen to be—em—finished off entirely. + They offered high terms.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What terms?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I had received fifty thousand pounds for the first job, of which Rocco + had half. Rocco was also to be made a member of a certain famous European + order, if things went right. That was what he coveted far more than the + money—the vain fellow! For the second job I was offered a hundred + thousand. A tolerably large sum. I regret that I have not been able to + earn it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you mean to tell me,’ asked Racksole, horror-struck by this calm + confession, in spite of his previous knowledge, ‘that you were offered a + hundred thousand pounds to poison Prince Eugen?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You put it rather crudely,’ said Jules in reply. ‘I prefer to say that I + was offered a hundred thousand pounds if Prince Eugen should die within a + reasonable time.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And who were your damnable employers?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That, honestly, I do not know.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You know, I suppose, who paid you the first fifty thousand pounds, and + who promised you the hundred thousand.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said Jules, ‘I know vaguely. I know that he came via Vienna from—em—Bosnia. + My impression was that the affair had some bearing, direct or indirect, on + the projected marriage of the King of Bosnia. He is a young monarch, + scarcely out of political leading-strings, as it were, and doubtless his + Ministers thought that they had better arrange his marriage for him. They + tried last year, and failed because the Princess whom they had in mind had + cast her sparkling eyes on another Prince. That Prince happened to be + Prince Eugen of Posen. The Ministers of the King of Bosnia knew exactly + the circumstances of Prince Eugen. They knew that he could not marry + without liquidating his debts, and they knew that he could only liquidate + his debts through this Jew, Sampson Levi. Unfortunately for me, they + ultimately wanted to make too sure of Prince Eugen. They were afraid he + might after all arrange his marriage without the aid of Mr Sampson Levi, + and so—well, you know the rest.... It is a pity that the poor little + innocent King of Bosnia can’t have the Princess of his Ministers’ choice.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you think that the King himself had no part in this abominable + crime?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I think decidedly not.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am glad of that,’ said Racksole simply. ‘And now, the name of your + immediate employer.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He was merely an agent. He called himself Sleszak—S-l-e-s-z-a-k. + But I imagine that that wasn’t his real name. I don’t know his real name. + An old man, he often used to be found at the Hôtel Ritz, Paris.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Sleszak and I will meet,’ said Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not in this world,’ said Jules quickly. ‘He is dead. I heard only last + night—just before our little tussle.’ + </p> + <p> + There was a silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is well,’ said Racksole at length. ‘Prince Eugen lives, despite all + plots. After all, justice is done.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Racksole is here, but he can see no one, Miss.’ The words came from + behind the door, and the voice was the commissionaire’s. Racksole started + up, and went towards the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nonsense,’ was the curt reply, in feminine tones. ‘Move aside instantly.’ + </p> + <p> + The door opened, and Nella entered. There were tears in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! Dad,’ she exclaimed, ‘I’ve only just heard you were in the hotel. We + looked for you everywhere. Come at once, Prince Eugen is dying—’ + Then she saw the man sitting on the bed, and stopped. + </p> + <p> + Later, when Jules was alone again, he remarked to himself, ‘I may get that + hundred thousand.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Twenty-Eight THE STATE BEDROOM ONCE MORE + </h2> + <p> + WHEN, immediately after the episode of the bottle of Romanée-Conti in the + State dining-room, Prince Aribert and old Hans found that Prince Eugen had + sunk in an unconscious heap over his chair, both the former thought, at + the first instant, that Eugen must have already tasted the poisoned wine. + But a moment’s reflection showed that this was not possible. If the + Hereditary Prince of Posen was dying or dead, his condition was due to + some other agency than the Romanée-Conti. Aribert bent over him, and a + powerful odour from the man’s lips at once disclosed the cause of the + disaster: it was the odour of laudanum. Indeed, the smell of that sinister + drug seemed now to float heavily over the whole table. Across Aribert’s + mind there flashed then the true explanation. Prince Eugen, taking + advantage of Aribert’s attention being momentarily diverted; and yielding + to a sudden impulse of despair, had decided to poison himself, and had + carried out his intention on the spot. + </p> + <p> + The laudanum must have been already in his pocket, and this fact went to + prove that the unfortunate Prince had previously contemplated such a + proceeding, even after his definite promise. Aribert remembered now with + painful vividness his nephew’s words: ‘I withdraw my promise. Observe that—I + withdraw it.’ It must have been instantly after the utterance of that + formal withdrawal that Eugen attempted to destroy himself. + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s laudanum, Hans,’ Aribert exclaimed, rather helplessly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Surely his Highness has not taken poison?’ said Hans. ‘It is impossible!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I fear it is only too possible,’ said the other. ‘It’s laudanum. What are + we to do? Quick, man!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘His Highness must be roused, Prince. He must have an emetic. We had + better carry him to the bedroom.’ + </p> + <p> + They did, and laid him on the great bed; and then Aribert mixed an emetic + of mustard and water, and administered it, but without any effect. The + sufferer lay motionless, with every muscle relaxed. His skin was ice-cold + to the touch, and the eyelids, half-drawn, showed that the pupils were + painfully contracted. + </p> + <p> + ‘Go out, and send for a doctor, Hans. Say that Prince Eugen has been + suddenly taken ill, but that it isn’t serious. The truth must never be + known.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He must be roused, sire,’ Hans said again, as he hurried from the room. + </p> + <p> + Aribert lifted his nephew from the bed, shook him, pinched him, flicked + him cruelly, shouted at him, dragged him about, but to no avail. At length + he desisted, from mere physical fatigue, and laid the Prince back again on + the bed. Every minute that elapsed seemed an hour. Alone with the + unconscious organism in the silence of the great stately chamber, under + the cold yellow glare of the electric lights, Aribert became a prey to the + most despairing thoughts. The tragedy of his nephew’s career forced itself + upon him, and it occurred to him that an early and shameful death had all + along been inevitable for this good-natured, weak-purposed, unhappy child + of a historic throne. A little good fortune, and his character, so evenly + balanced between right and wrong, might have followed the proper path, and + Eugen might have figured at any rate with dignity on the European stage. + But now it appeared that all was over, the last stroke played. And in this + disaster Aribert saw the ruin of his own hopes. For Aribert would have to + occupy his nephew’s throne, and he felt instinctively that nature had not + cut him out for a throne. By a natural impulse he inwardly rebelled + against the prospect of monarchy. Monarchy meant so much for which he knew + himself to be entirely unfitted. It meant a political marriage, which + means a forced marriage, a union against inclination. And then what of + Nella—Nella! + </p> + <p> + Hans returned. ‘I have sent for the nearest doctor, and also for a + specialist,’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good,’ said Aribert. ‘I hope they will hurry.’ Then he sat down and wrote + a card. ‘Take this yourself to Miss Racksole. If she is out of the hotel, + ascertain where she is and follow her. Understand, it is of the first + importance.’ + </p> + <p> + Hans bowed, and departed for the second time, and Aribert was alone again. + </p> + <p> + He gazed at Eugen, and made another frantic attempt to rouse him from the + deadly stupor, but it was useless. He walked away to the window: through + the opened casement he could hear the tinkle of passing hansoms on the + Embankment below, whistles of door-keepers, and the hoot of steam tugs on + the river. The world went on as usual, it appeared. It was an absurd + world. + </p> + <p> + He desired nothing better than to abandon his princely title, and live as + a plain man, the husband of the finest woman on earth.... But now!... + </p> + <p> + Pah! How selfish he was, to be thinking of himself when Eugen lay dying. + Yet—Nella! + </p> + <p> + The door opened, and a man entered, who was obviously the doctor. A few + curt questions, and he had grasped the essentials of the case. ‘Oblige me + by ringing the bell, Prince. I shall want some hot water, and an + able-bodied man and a nurse.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who wants a nurse?’ said a voice, and Nella came quietly in. ‘I am a + nurse,’ she added to the doctor, ‘and at your orders.’ + </p> + <p> + The next two hours were a struggle between life and death. The first + doctor, a specialist who followed him, Nella, Prince Aribert, and old Hans + formed, as it were, a league to save the dying man. None else in the hotel + knew the real seriousness of the case. When a Prince falls ill, and + especially by his own act, the precise truth is not issued broadcast to + the universe. + </p> + <p> + According to official intelligence, a Prince is never seriously ill until + he is dead. Such is statecraft. + </p> + <p> + The worst feature of Prince Eugen’s case was that emetics proved futile. + </p> + <p> + Neither of the doctors could explain their failure, but it was only too + apparent. The league was reduced to helplessness. At last the great + specialist from Manchester Square gave it out that there was no chance for + Prince Eugen unless the natural vigour of his constitution should prove + capable of throwing off the poison unaided by scientific assistance, as a + drunkard can sleep off his potion. Everything had been tried, even to + artificial respiration and the injection of hot coffee. Having emitted + this pronouncement, the great specialist from Manchester Square left. It + was one o’clock in the morning. By one of those strange and futile + coincidences which sometimes startle us by their subtle significance, the + specialist met Theodore Racksole and his captive as they were entering the + hotel. Neither had the least suspicion of the other’s business. + </p> + <p> + In the State bedroom the small group of watchers surrounded the bed. The + slow minutes filed away in dreary procession. Another hour passed. Then + the figure on the bed, hitherto so motionless, twitched and moved; the + lips parted. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is hope,’ said the doctor, and administered a stimulant which was + handed to him by Nella. + </p> + <p> + In a quarter of an hour the patient had regained consciousness. For the + ten thousandth time in the history of medicine a sound constitution had + accomplished a miracle impossible to the accumulated medical skill of + centuries. + </p> + <p> + In due course the doctor left, saying that Prince Eugen was ‘on the high + road to recovery,’ and promising to come again within a few hours. Morning + had dawned. Nella drew the great curtains, and let in a flood of sunlight. + </p> + <p> + Old Hans, overcome by fatigue, dozed in a chair in a far corner of the + room. + </p> + <p> + The reaction had been too much for him. Nella and Prince Aribert looked at + each other. They had not exchanged a word about themselves, yet each knew + what the other had been thinking. They clasped hands with a perfect + understanding. Their brief love-making had been of the silent kind, and it + was silent now. No word was uttered. A shadow had passed from over them, + but only their eyes expressed relief and joy. + </p> + <p> + ‘Aribert!’ The faint call came from the bed. Aribert went to the bedside, + while Nella remained near the window. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it, Eugen?’ he said. ‘You are better now.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You think so?’ murmured the other. ‘I want you to forgive me for all + this, Aribert. I must have caused you an intolerable trouble. I did it so + clumsily; that is what annoys me. Laudanum was a feeble expedient; but I + could think of nothing else, and I daren’t ask anyone for advice. I was + obliged to go out and buy the stuff for myself. It was all very awkward. + </p> + <p> + But, thank goodness, it has not been ineffectual.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean, Eugen? You are better. In a day or so you will be + perfectly recovered.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am dying,’ said Eugen quietly. ‘Do not be deceived. I die because I + wish to die. It is bound to be so. I know by the feel of my heart. In a + few hours it will be over. The throne of Posen will be yours, Aribert. You + will fill it more worthily than I have done. Don’t let them know over + there that I poisoned myself. Swear Hans to secrecy; swear the doctors to + secrecy; and breathe no word yourself. I have been a fool, but I do not + wish it to be known that I was also a coward. Perhaps it is not cowardice; + perhaps it is courage, after all—courage to cut the knot. I could + not have survived the disgrace of any revelations, Aribert, and + revelations would have been sure to come. I have made a fool of myself, + but I am ready to pay for it. We of Posen—we always pay—everything + except our debts. Ah! those debts! Had it not been for those I could have + faced her who was to have been my wife, to have shared my throne. I could + have hidden my past, and begun again. With her help I really could have + begun again. But Fate has been against me—always! always! By the + way, what was that plot against me, Aribert? I forget, I forget.’ + </p> + <p> + His eyes closed. There was a sudden noise. Old Hans had slipped from his + chair to the floor. He picked himself up, dazed, and crept shamefacedly + out of the room. + </p> + <p> + Aribert took his nephew’s hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nonsense, Eugen! You are dreaming. You will be all right soon. Pull + yourself together.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All because of a million,’ the sick man moaned. ‘One miserable million + English pounds. The national debt of Posen is fifty millions, and I, the + Prince of Posen, couldn’t borrow one. If I could have got it, I might have + held my head up again. Good-bye, Aribert.... Who is that girl?’ + </p> + <p> + Aribert looked up. Nella was standing silent at the foot of the bed, her + eyes moist. She came round to the bedside, and put her hand on the + patient’s heart. Scarcely could she feel its pulsation, and to Aribert her + eyes expressed a sudden despair. + </p> + <p> + At that moment Hans re-entered the room and beckoned to her. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have heard that Herr Racksole has returned to the hotel,’ he whispered, + ‘and that he has captured that man Jules, who they say is such a villain.’ + </p> + <p> + Several times during the night Nella inquired for her father, but could + gain no knowledge of his whereabouts. Now, at half-past six in the + morning, a rumour had mysteriously spread among the servants of the hotel + about the happenings of the night before. How it had originated no one + could have determined, but it had originated. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where is my father?’ Nella asked of Hans. + </p> + <p> + He shrugged his shoulders, and pointed upwards. ‘Somewhere at the top, + they say.’ + </p> + <p> + Nella almost ran out of the room. Her interruption of the interview + between Jules and Theodore Racksole has already been described. As she + came downstairs with her father she said again, ‘Prince Eugen is dying—but + I think you can save him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I?’ exclaimed Theodore. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ she repeated positively. ‘I will tell you what I want you to do, + and you must do it.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Twenty-Nine THEODORE IS CALLED TO THE RESCUE + </h2> + <p> + AS Nella passed downstairs from the top storey with her father—the + lifts had not yet begun to work—she drew him into her own room, and + closed the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘What’s this all about?’ he asked, somewhat mystified, and even alarmed by + the extreme seriousness of her face. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dad,’ the girl began, ‘you are very rich, aren’t you? very, very rich?’ + She smiled anxiously, timidly. He did not remember to have seen that + expression on her face before. He wanted to make a facetious reply, but + checked himself. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘I am. You ought to know that by this time.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How soon could you realize a million pounds?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A million—what?’ he cried. Even he was staggered by her calm + reference to this gigantic sum. ‘What on earth are you driving at?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A million pounds, I said. That is to say, five million dollars. How soon + could you realize as much as that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ he answered, ‘in about a month, if I went about it neatly enough. I + could unload as much as that in a month without scaring Wall Street and + other places. But it would want some arrangement.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Useless!’ she exclaimed. ‘Couldn’t you do it quicker, if you really had + to?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If I really had to, I could fix it in a week, but it would make things + lively, and I should lose on the job.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Couldn’t you,’ she persisted, ‘couldn’t you go down this morning and + raise a million, somehow, if it was a matter of life and death?’ + </p> + <p> + He hesitated. ‘Look here, Nella,’ he said, ‘what is it you’ve got up your + sleeve?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Just answer my question, Dad, and try not to think that I’m a stark, + staring lunatic.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I rather expect I could get a million this morning, even in London. But + it would cost pretty dear. It might cost me fifty thousand pounds, and + there would be the dickens of an upset in New York—a sort of grand + universal slump in my holdings.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why should New York know anything about it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why should New York know anything about it!’ he repeated. ‘My girl, when + anyone borrows a million sovereigns the whole world knows about it. Do you + reckon that I can go up to the Governors of the Bank of England and say, + “Look here, lend Theodore Racksole a million for a few weeks, and he’ll + give you an IOU and a covering note on stocks”?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But you could get it?’ she asked again. + </p> + <p> + ‘If there’s a million in London I guess I could handle it,’ he replied. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, Dad,’ and she put her arms round his neck, ‘you’ve just got to go + out and fix it. See? It’s for me. I’ve never asked you for anything really + big before. But I do now. And I want it so badly.’ + </p> + <p> + He stared at her. ‘I award you the prize,’ he said, at length. ‘You + deserve it for colossal and immense coolness. Now you can tell me the true + inward meaning of all this rigmarole. What is it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I want it for Prince Eugen,’ she began, at first hesitatingly, with + pauses. + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s ruined unless he can get a million to pay off his debts. He’s + dreadfully in love with a Princess, and he can’t marry her because of + this. + </p> + <p> + Her parents wouldn’t allow it. He was to have got it from Sampson Levi, + but he arrived too late—owing to Jules.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know all about that—perhaps more than you do. But I don’t see how + it affects you or me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The point is this, Dad,’ Nella continued. ‘He’s tried to commit suicide—he’s + so hipped. Yes, real suicide. He took laudanum last night. It didn’t kill + him straight off—he’s got over the first shock, but he’s in a very + weak state, and he means to die. And I truly believe he will die. Now, if + you could let him have that million, Dad, you would save his life.’ + </p> + <p> + Nella’s item of news was a considerable and disconcerting surprise to + Racksole, but he hid his feelings fairly well. + </p> + <p> + ‘I haven’t the least desire to save his life, Nell. I don’t overmuch + respect your Prince Eugen. I’ve done what I could for him—but only + for the sake of seeing fair play, and because I object to conspiracies and + secret murders. + </p> + <p> + It’s a different thing if he wants to kill himself. What I say is: Let + him. + </p> + <p> + Who is responsible for his being in debt to the tune of a million pounds? + He’s only got himself and his bad habits to thank for that. I suppose if + he does happen to peg out, the throne of Posen will go to Prince Aribert. + And a good thing, too! Aribert is worth twenty of his nephew.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s just it, Dad,’ she said, eagerly following up her chance. ‘I want + you to save Prince Eugen just because Aribert—Prince Aribert—doesn’t + wish to occupy the throne. He’d much prefer not to have it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Much prefer not to have it! Don’t talk nonsense. If he’s honest with + himself, he’ll admit that he’ll be jolly glad to have it. Thrones are in + his blood, so to speak.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are wrong, Father. And the reason is this: If Prince Aribert ascended + the throne of Posen he would be compelled to marry a Princess.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well! A Prince ought to marry a Princess.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But he doesn’t want to. He wants to give up all his royal rights, and + live as a subject. He wants to marry a woman who isn’t a Princess.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is she rich?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Her father is,’ said the girl. ‘Oh, Dad! can’t you guess? He—he + loves me.’ Her head fell on Theodore’s shoulder and she began to cry. + </p> + <p> + The millionaire whistled a very high note. ‘Nell!’ he said at length. ‘And + you? Do you sort of cling to him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dad,’ she answered, ‘you are stupid. Do you imagine I should worry myself + like this if I didn’t?’ She smiled through her tears. She knew from her + father’s tone that she had accomplished a victory. + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s a mighty queer arrangement,’ Theodore remarked. ‘But of course if + you think it’ll be of any use, you had better go down and tell your Prince + Eugen that that million can be fixed up, if he really needs it. I expect + there’ll be decent security, or Sampson Levi wouldn’t have mixed himself + up in it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thanks, Dad. Don’t come with me; I may manage better alone.’ + </p> + <p> + She gave a formal little curtsey and disappeared. Racksole, who had the + talent, so necessary to millionaires, of attending to several matters at + once, the large with the small, went off to give orders about the + breakfast and the remuneration of his assistant of the evening before, Mr + George Hazell. He then sent an invitation to Mr Felix Babylon’s room, + asking that gentleman to take breakfast with him. After he had related to + Babylon the history of Jules’ capture, and had a long discussion with him + upon several points of hotel management, and especially as to the guarding + of wine-cellars, Racksole put on his hat, sallied forth into the Strand, + hailed a hansom, and was driven to the City. The order and nature of his + operations there were too complex and technical to be described here. + </p> + <p> + When Nella returned to the State bedroom both the doctor and the great + specialist were again in attendance. The two physicians moved away from + the bedside as she entered, and began to talk quietly together in the + embrasure of the window. + </p> + <p> + ‘A curious case!’ said the specialist. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes. Of course, as you say, it’s a neurotic temperament that’s at the + bottom of the trouble. When you’ve got that and a vigorous constitution + working one against the other, the results are apt to be distinctly + curious. + </p> + <p> + Do you consider there is any hope, Sir Charles?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If I had seen him when he recovered consciousness I should have said + there was hope. Frankly, when I left last night, or rather this morning, I + didn’t expect to see the Prince alive again—let alone conscious, and + able to talk. According to all the rules of the game, he ought to get over + the shock to the system with perfect ease and certainty. But I don’t think + he will. I don’t think he wants to. And moreover, I think he is still + under the influence of suicidal mania. If he had a razor he would cut his + throat. You must keep his strength up. Inject, if necessary. I will come + in this afternoon. I am due now at St James’s Palace.’ And the specialist + hurried away, with an elaborate bow and a few hasty words of polite + reassurances to Prince Aribert. + </p> + <p> + When he had gone Prince Aribert took the other doctor aside. ‘Forget + everything, doctor,’ he said, ‘except that I am one man and you are + another, and tell me the truth. Shall you be able to save his Highness? + Tell me the truth.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is no truth,’ was the doctor’s reply. ‘The future is not in our + hands, Prince.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But you are hopeful? Yes or no.’ + </p> + <p> + The doctor looked at Prince Aribert. ‘No!’ he said shortly. ‘I am not. I + am never hopeful when the patient is not on my side.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You mean—?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I mean that his Royal Highness has no desire to live. You must have + observed that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Only too well,’ said Aribert. + </p> + <p> + ‘And you are aware of the cause?’ + </p> + <p> + Aribert nodded an affirmative. + </p> + <p> + ‘But cannot remove it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Aribert. He felt a touch on his sleeve. It was Nella’s finger. + </p> + <p> + With a gesture she beckoned him towards the ante-room. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you choose,’ she said, when they were alone, ‘Prince Eugen can be + saved. + </p> + <p> + I have arranged it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have arranged it?’ He bent over her, almost with an air of alarm. ‘Go + and tell him that the million pounds which is so necessary to his + happiness will be forthcoming. Tell him that it will be forthcoming today, + if that will be any satisfaction to him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But what do you mean by this, Nella?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I mean what I say, Aribert,’ and she sought his hand and took it in hers. + </p> + <p> + ‘Just what I say. If a million pounds will save Prince Eugen’s life, it is + at his disposal.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But how—how have you managed it? By what miracle?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My father,’ she replied softly, ‘will do anything that I ask him. Do not + let us waste time. Go and tell Eugen it is arranged, that all will be + well. + </p> + <p> + Go!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But we cannot accept this—this enormous, this incredible favour. It + is impossible.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Aribert,’ she said quickly, ‘remember you are not in Posen holding a + Court reception. You are in England and you are talking to an American + girl who has always been in the habit of having her own way.’ + </p> + <p> + The Prince threw up his hands and went back in to the bedroom. The doctor + was at a table writing out a prescription. Aribert approached the bedside, + his heart beating furiously. Eugen greeted him with a faint, fatigued + smile. + </p> + <p> + ‘Eugen,’ he whispered, ‘listen carefully to me. I have news. With the + assistance of friends I have arranged to borrow that million for you. It + is quite settled, and you may rely on it. But you must get better. Do you + hear me?’ + </p> + <p> + Eugen almost sat up in bed. ‘Tell me I am not delirious,’ he exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course you aren’t,’ Aribert replied. ‘But you mustn’t sit up. You must + take care of yourself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who will lend the money?’ Eugen asked in a feeble, happy whisper. + </p> + <p> + ‘Never mind. You shall hear later. Devote yourself now to getting better.’ + </p> + <p> + The change in the patient’s face was extraordinary. His mind seemed to + have put on an entirely different aspect. The doctor was startled to hear + him murmur a request for food. As for Aribert, he sat down, overcome by + the turmoil of his own thoughts. Till that moment he felt that he had + never appreciated the value and the marvellous power of mere money, of the + lucre which philosophers pretend to despise and men sell their souls for. + His heart almost burst in its admiration for that extraordinary Nella, who + by mere personal force had raised two men out of the deepest slough of + despair to the blissful heights of hope and happiness. ‘These + Anglo-Saxons,’ he said to himself, ‘what a race!’ + </p> + <p> + By the afternoon Eugen was noticeably and distinctly better. The + physicians, puzzled for the third time by the progress of the case, + announced now that all danger was past. The tone of the announcement + seemed to Aribert to imply that the fortunate issue was due wholly to + unrivalled medical skill, but perhaps Aribert was mistaken. Anyhow, he was + in a most charitable mood, and prepared to forgive anything. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nella,’ he said a little later, when they were by themselves again in the + ante-chamber, ‘what am I to say to you? How can I thank you? How can I + thank your father?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You had better not thank my father,’ she said. ‘Dad will affect to regard + the thing as a purely business transaction, as, of course, it is. As for + me, you can—you can—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Kiss me,’ she said. ‘There! Are you sure you’ve formally proposed to me, + mon prince?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! Nell!’ he exclaimed, putting his arms round her again. ‘Be mine! That + is all I want!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’ll find,’ she said, ‘that you’ll want Dad’s consent too!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Will he make difficulties? He could not, Nell—not with you!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Better ask him,’ she said sweetly. + </p> + <p> + A moment later Racksole himself entered the room. ‘Going on all right?’ he + enquired, pointing to the bedroom. ‘Excellently,’ the lovers answered + together, and they both blushed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ said Racksole. ‘Then, if that’s so, and you can spare a minute, I’ve + something to show you, Prince.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter Thirty CONCLUSION + </h2> + <p> + ‘I’VE a great deal to tell you, Prince,’ Racksole began, as soon as they + were out of the room, ‘and also, as I said, something to show you. Will + you come to my room? We will talk there first. The whole hotel is humming + with excitement.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘With pleasure,’ said Aribert. + </p> + <p> + ‘Glad his Highness Prince Eugen is recovering,’ Racksole said, urged by + considerations of politeness. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! As to that—’ Aribert began. ‘If you don’t mind, we’ll discuss + that later, Prince,’ Racksole interrupted him. + </p> + <p> + They were in the proprietor’s private room. + </p> + <p> + ‘I want to tell you all about last night,’ Racksole resumed, ‘about my + capture of Jules, and my examination of him this morning.’ And he launched + into a full account of the whole thing, down to the least details. ‘You + see,’ he concluded, ‘that our suspicions as to Bosnia were tolerably + correct. But as regards Bosnia, the more I think about it, the surer I + feel that nothing can be done to bring their criminal politicians to + justice.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And as to Jules, what do you propose to do?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come this way,’ said Racksole, and led Aribert to another room. A sofa in + this room was covered with a linen cloth. Racksole lifted the cloth—he + could never deny himself a dramatic moment—and disclosed the body of + a dead man. + </p> + <p> + It was Jules, dead, but without a scratch or mark on him. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have sent for the police—not a street constable, but an official + from Scotland Yard,’ said Racksole. + </p> + <p> + ‘How did this happen?’ Aribert asked, amazed and startled. ‘I understood + you to say that he was safely immured in the bedroom.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So he was,’ Racksole replied. ‘I went up there this afternoon, chiefly to + take him some food. The commissionaire was on guard at the door. He had + heard no noise, nothing unusual. Yet when I entered the room Jules was + gone. + </p> + <p> + He had by some means or other loosened his fastenings; he had then managed + to take the door off the wardrobe. He had moved the bed in front of the + window, and by pushing the wardrobe door three parts out of the window and + lodging the inside end of it under the rail at the head of the bed, he had + provided himself with a sort of insecure platform outside the window. All + this he did without making the least sound. He must then have got through + the window, and stood on the little platform. With his fingers he would + just be able to reach the outer edge of the wide cornice under the roof of + the hotel. By main strength of arms he had swung himself on to this + cornice, and so got on to the roof proper. He would then have the run of + the whole roof. + </p> + <p> + At the side of the building facing Salisbury Lane there is an iron + fire-escape, which runs right down from the ridge of the roof into a + little sunk yard level with the cellars. Jules must have thought that his + escape was accomplished. But it unfortunately happened that one rung in + the iron escape-ladder had rusted rotten through being badly painted. It + gave way, and Jules, not expecting anything of the kind, fell to the + ground. That was the end of all his cleverness and ingenuity.’ + </p> + <p> + As Racksole ceased, speaking he replaced the linen cloth with a gesture + from which reverence was not wholly absent. + </p> + <p> + When the grave had closed over the dark and tempestuous career of Tom + Jackson, once the pride of the Grand Babylon, there was little trouble for + the people whose adventures we have described. Miss Spencer, that + yellow-haired, faithful slave and attendant of a brilliant scoundrel, was + never heard of again. Possibly to this day she survives, a mystery to her + fellow-creatures, in the pension of some cheap foreign boarding-house. As + for Rocco, he certainly was heard of again. Several years after the events + set down, it came to the knowledge of Felix Babylon that the unrivalled + Rocco had reached Buenos Aires, and by his culinary skill was there making + the fortune of a new and splendid hotel. Babylon transmitted the + information to Theodore Racksole, and Racksole might, had he chosen, have + put the forces of the law in motion against him. But Racksole, seeing that + everything pointed to the fact that Rocco was now pursuing his vocation + honestly, decided to leave him alone. The one difficulty which Racksole + experienced after the demise of Jules—and it was a difficulty which + he had, of course, anticipated—was connected with the police. The + police, very properly, wanted to know things. They desired to be informed + what Racksole had been doing in the Dimmock affair, between his first + visit to Ostend and his sending for them to take charge of Jules’ dead + body. And Racksole was by no means inclined to tell them everything. + Beyond question he had transgressed the laws of England, and possibly also + the laws of Belgium; and the moral excellence of his motives in doing so + was, of course, in the eyes of legal justice, no excuse for such conduct. + The inquest upon Jules aroused some bother; and about ninety-and-nine + separate and distinct rumours. In the end, however, a compromise was + arrived at. Racksole’s first aim was to pacify the inspector whose clue, + which by the way was a false one, he had so curtly declined to follow up. + That done, the rest needed only tact and patience. He proved to the + satisfaction of the authorities that he had acted in a perfectly honest + spirit, though with a high hand, and that substantial justice had been + done. Also, he subtly indicated that, if it came to the point, he should + defy them to do their worst. Lastly, he was able, through the medium of + the United States Ambassador, to bring certain soothing influences to bear + upon the situation. + </p> + <p> + One afternoon, a fortnight after the recovery of the Hereditary Prince of + Posen, Aribert, who was still staying at the Grand Babylon, expressed a + wish to hold converse with the millionaire. Prince Eugen, accompanied by + Hans and some Court officials whom he had sent for, had departed with + immense éclat, armed with the comfortable million, to arrange formally for + his betrothal. + </p> + <p> + Touching the million, Eugen had given satisfactory personal security, and + the money was to be paid off in fifteen years. + </p> + <p> + ‘You wish to talk to me, Prince,’ said Racksole to Aribert, when they were + seated together in the former’s room. + </p> + <p> + ‘I wish to tell you,’ replied Aribert, ‘that it is my intention to + renounce all my rights and titles as a Royal Prince of Posen, and to be + known in future as Count Hartz—a rank to which I am entitled through + my mother. + </p> + <p> + Also that I have a private income of ten thousand pounds a year, and a + château and a town house in Posen. I tell you this because I am here to + ask the hand of your daughter in marriage. I love her, and I am vain + enough to believe that she loves me. I have already asked her to be my + wife, and she has consented. We await your approval.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You honour us, Prince,’ said Racksole with a slight smile, ‘and in more + ways than one. May I ask your reason for renouncing your princely titles?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Simply because the idea of a morganatic marriage would be as repugnant to + me as it would be to yourself and to Nella.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is good.’ The Prince laughed. ‘I suppose it has occurred to you that + ten thousand pounds per annum, for a man in your position, is a somewhat + small income. Nella is frightfully extravagant. I have known her to spend + sixty thousand dollars in a single year, and have nothing to show for it + at the end. Why! she would ruin you in twelve months.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nella must reform her ways,’ Aribert said. + </p> + <p> + ‘If she is content to do so,’ Racksole went on, ‘well and good! I + consent.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In her name and my own, I thank you,’ said Aribert gravely. + </p> + <p> + ‘And,’ the millionaire continued, ‘so that she may not have to reform too + fiercely, I shall settle on her absolutely, with reversion to your + children, if you have any, a lump sum of fifty million dollars, that is to + say, ten million pounds, in sound, selected railway stock. I reckon that + is about half my fortune. Nella and I have always shared equally.’ + </p> + <p> + Aribert made no reply. The two men shook hands in silence, and then it + happened that Nella entered the room. + </p> + <p> + That night, after dinner, Racksole and his friend Felix Babylon were + walking together on the terrace of the Grand Babylon Hôtel. + </p> + <p> + Felix had begun the conversation. + </p> + <p> + ‘I suppose, Racksole,’ he had said, ‘you aren’t getting tired of the Grand + Babylon?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why do you ask?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because I am getting tired of doing without it. A thousand times since I + sold it to you I have wished I could undo the bargain. I can’t bear + idleness. Will you sell?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I might,’ said Racksole, ‘I might be induced to sell.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What will you take, my friend?’ asked Felix + </p> + <p> + ‘What I gave,’ was the quick answer. + </p> + <p> + ‘Eh!’ Felix exclaimed. ‘I sell you my hotel with Jules, with Rocco, with + Miss Spencer. You go and lose all those three inestimable servants, and + then offer me the hotel without them at the same price! It is monstrous.’ + The little man laughed heartily at his own wit. ‘Nevertheless,’ he added, + ‘we will not quarrel about the price. I accept your terms.’ + </p> + <p> + And so was brought to a close the complex chain of events which had begun + when Theodore Racksole ordered a steak and a bottle of Bass at the table + d’hôte of the Grand Babylon Hôtel. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg’s The Grand Babylon Hotel, by Arnold Bennett + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GRAND BABYLON HOTEL *** + +***** This file should be named 2813-h.htm or 2813-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/1/2813/ + +Produced by David Reed, and David Widger + +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. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” + or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project +Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.” + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +“Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right +of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’ WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm’s +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. + +The Foundation’s principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation’s web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> |