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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/28149-8.txt b/28149-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..259e948 --- /dev/null +++ b/28149-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6019 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Her Ladyship's Elephant, by David Dwight Wells + +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: Her Ladyship's Elephant + +Author: David Dwight Wells + +Release Date: February 21, 2009 [EBook #28149] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HER LADYSHIP'S ELEPHANT *** + + + + +Produced by Annie McGuire, from scans obtained from Google +Print project. + + + + + + + + + + + +Her Ladyship's + +Elephant + + +By + +D. D. Wells + + +London +William Heinemann +1912 + + +FIRST EDITION, 3s. 6d., _May +1898_. NEW IMPRESSIONS, _August +1898_; _November 1899_; _September +1905_. HEINEMANN'S SEVENPENNY +NOVELS, _July 1912_. + + +[Illustration: "He sat down hurriedly on the breakfast table"] + + + + +HEINEMANN'S + +Sevenpenny Novels + + +By Hall Caine + + The Bondman + The Scapegoat + +By R. L. Stevenson + + The Ebb-Tide + (With LLOYD OSBOURNE) + +By Jack London + + The Call of the Wild + +By H. G. Wells + + The War of the Worlds + +By Robert S. Hichens + + Flames + +By R. Harding Davis + + Soldiers of Fortune + +By E. L. Voynich + + The Gadfly + +By Maxwell Gray + + The Last Sentence + +By D. D. Wells + + Her Ladyship's Elephant + + + + +_A WORD TO THE WISE_ + + +_A well-known English novelist once told me that of all his published +works--and their name is legion--one only had been founded on fact, and +that one his critics united in condemning as impossible and unnatural. +In the case of my own little book, I venture to forestall such criticism +by stating that while the characters which appear in its pages are at +the most only composite photographs, the one "impossible" and +"unnatural" figure, the elephant, had his foundation in actual fact; and +the history of its acquirement by the Consul, as hereinafter set forth, +is the truthful narration of an actual experience, one of many episodes, +stranger than fiction, which went to form the warp and woof of my +diplomatic experience._ + + _DAVID DWIGHT WELLS._ + + + + +CHAPTER I + +IN WHICH THE SAME QUESTION IS ANSWERED IN TWO WAYS + + +Harold Stanley Malcolm St. Hubart Scarsdale, Esq., of "The Towers," +Sussex, sat uncomfortably on a very comfortable chair. His +patent-leather boots were manifestly new, his trousers fresh from the +presser, his waistcoat immaculate, while his frock coat with its white +gardenia, and his delicate grey suede gloves, completed an admirable +toilet. He was, in short, got up for the occasion, a thoroughly healthy, +muscular, well-groomed animal; good-natured too, fond in his big-hearted +boyish way of most other animals, and enough of a sportsman to find no +pleasure in winging tame or driven grouse and pheasants. He was +possessed, moreover, of sufficient brains to pass with credit an +examination which gave him a post in the War Office, and had recently +become, owing to the interposition of Providence and a restive mare, the +eldest son. + +In spite of all this, he was very much out of his depth as he sat there; +for he was face to face with a crisis in his life, and that crisis was +embodied in a woman. And such a woman!--quite unlike anything his +conservative British brain had ever seen or imagined before the present +London season: a mixture of Parisian daintiness and coquetry, nicely +tempered by Anglo-Saxon breeding and common sense--in a word, an +American. + +He had come to propose to her, or rather she had sent for him, to what +end he hardly knew. Of this only was he certain, that she had turned his +world topsy-turvy; cast down his conventional gods; admired him for what +he considered his fallings-off from the established order of things; +laughed at his great coups; cared not a whit for his most valued +possessions; and become, in short, the most incomprehensible, +bewitching, lovable woman on earth. + +He had talked to her about the weather, the opera, the Court Ball, and +now--now he must speak to her of his love, unless, blessed reprieve! she +spoke first--which she did. + +"Now, Mr. Scarsdale," she remarked, "I have not sent for you to talk +amiable society nonsense: I want an explanation." + +"Yes, Miss Vernon," he replied, nerving himself for the ordeal. + +"Why did you propose to Aunt Eliza at the Andersons' crush last night?" + +"Because----" he faltered. "Well, really, you see she is your only +relative in England--your chaperon--and it is customary here to address +offers of marriage to the head of the family." + +"I really don't see why you want to marry her," continued his tormentor. +"She is over sixty. Oh, you needn't be shocked; Aunt Eliza is not +sensitive about her age, and it is well to look these things fairly in +the face. You can't honestly call her handsome, though she is a dear +good old soul, but, I fear, too inured to Chicago to assimilate readily +with English society. Of course her private means are enormous----" + +"Good heavens! Miss Vernon," he exclaimed, "there has been some dreadful +mistake! I entertain the highest respect for your aunt, Miss Cogbill, +but I don't wish to marry her; I wish to marry--somebody else----" + +"Really! Why don't you propose to Miss Somebody Else in person, then?" + +"It is usual----" he began, but she cut him short, exclaiming: + +"Oh, bother! Excuse me, I didn't mean to be rude, but really, you know, +any girl who was old enough to marry would be quite capable of giving +you your--answer." The last word, after a pause for consideration, was +accompanied by a bewitching, if ambiguous, smile. + +"I--I hope you are not offended," he floundered on, in desperate straits +by this time. + +"Oh dear, no," she returned serenely, "I'm only grieved for Aunt Eliza. +You shouldn't have done it, really; it must have upset her dreadfully; +she's too old for that sort of thing. Do tell me what she said to you." + +"She said I must propose on my own account," he blurted out, "and that +she could not pretend to advise me." + +"Clever Aunt Eliza!" murmured Miss Vernon. + +"So you see," continued her lover, determined to have it over and know +the worst, "I came to you." + +"For more advice?" she queried, and, receiving no answer, continued +demurely: "Of course I haven't the remotest idea whom you mean to +honour, but it does seem to me that the wives of Englishmen allow +themselves to be treated shamefully, and I once made out a list of +objections which I always said I would present to any Englishman who +proposed to me. Of course," she hastened to add, "you will probably +marry an English girl, who won't mind." + +"I haven't said so!" he interjected. + +"No," she said meditatively, "you haven't. I'll tell you what they are +if you wish." + +"Do," he begged. + +"Well, in the first place," she continued, "I should refuse to be a +'chattel.'" + +"Oh I say----" he began. But she went on, unheeding his expostulation: + +"Then my husband couldn't beat me, not even once, though the law allows +it." + +"What do you take us for?" he exclaimed. + +"Then," she proceeded, "he would have to love me better than his horses +and his dogs." + +"Oh I say! Mabel," he burst out, teased beyond all limits of endurance, +"don't chaff me; I'm awfully in earnest, you know, and if you will +accept what little I have to offer--three thousand a year, and 'The +Towers,' now poor Bob's gone----" He paused, but she made no answer, +only he noticed that all of a sudden she had become very serious. + +"Lady Mary, my mother, you know, would of course leave the place to you +at once, but there's no title; my father was only a knight. I'm +sorry----" + +"Oh," she replied, "I wouldn't have married you if you had had one; +quite enough of my countrywomen have made fools of themselves on that +account." + +"Then you will marry me!" he cried, and sprang towards her. + +She saw her slip and tried to correct it. + +"I haven't said----" she began, but the sentence was never finished; for +Harold Stanley Malcolm St. Hubart Scarsdale, of "The Towers," Sussex, +closed the argument and the lips of Miss Mabel Vernon, of Chicago, +Illinois, U.S.A., at one and the same time. + + * * * * * + +Robert Allingford, United States Consul at Christchurch, England, and +Marion, youngest daughter of Sir Peter and Lady Steele, were seated on +the balcony of the Hyde Park Club one hot afternoon. Everybody had gone +down to the races at Goodwood, and the season was drawing its last gasp. +The "Row," which they overlooked, was almost deserted, save for an +occasional depressed brougham, while the stretches of the Park beyond +were given over to nursemaids and their attendant "Tommies" and +"Bobbies." + +Mamma was there, of course. One must be conventional in London, even in +July; but she was talking to the other man, Jack Carrington, who had +been invited especially for that purpose, and was doing his duty nobly. + +The afternoon tea had been cleared away, and the balcony was deserted. +In another week Marion would go into the country, and he would return to +his consulate. He might never have such another chance. Opportunities +for a proposal are so rare in London that it does not do to miss them. A +ball affords almost the only opening, and when one remembers the offers +to which one has been a third party, on the other side of a thin paper +screen--well, it makes a man cautious. + +Robert Allingford had planned and worked up this tea with patience and +success. Jack was to be best man, in consideration of his devotion to +mamma--provided, of course, that the services of a best man should be +required. On this point Allingford was doubtful. He was sure that Lady +Steele understood; he knew that Sir Peter had smiled on him indulgently +for the past fortnight; his friends chaffed him about it openly at +dinners and at the club; but Marion--he was very far from certain if she +comprehended the state of affairs in the slightest degree. + +He had given her river-parties, box-parties, dinners, flowers, candy--in +short, paid her every possible attention; but then she expected +Americans to do so; it was "just their way," and "didn't mean anything." + +He greatly feared that his proposal would be a shock to her, and English +girls, he had been told, did not like shocks. He wondered if it would +have been better to ask Lady Steele for her daughter's hand, but this he +felt was beyond him. Proposing was bad enough anyway, but to attempt a +declaration in cold blood--he simply couldn't. Moreover he felt that it +must be now or never. Jack had been giving him the field for five +minutes already, and he had not even made a beginning. He would go in +and get it over. + +"You are leaving town next week," he said. "I shall miss you." + +"You have been very good to me," she replied simply. + +"Good to myself, you mean. It is the greatest pleasure I have in life to +give you pleasure, Marion." + +"Mr. Allingford!" she said, half rising. He had used her Christian name +for the first time. + +"Forgive me if I call you Marion," he went on, noting with relief that +her ladyship was talking charity bazaar to Jack, and so assuring him +from interruption. + +"I mean, give me the right to do so. You see I'm awfully in love with +you; I can't help loving the sweetest girl I know. You must have seen +how I cared." + +"Lately, yes--I have suspected it," she answered in a low voice. + +"Do you mind? I can't help it if you do. I'll love you anyway, but I +want you to be my wife, to care for me just a little; I don't ask +more." + +"I think you must speak to mamma." + +"But I don't wish--I mean, can't you give me something to go on--some +assurance?" + +She blushed and looked down, repeating the phrase, "I think you must +speak to mamma." + +"Is that equivalent----" he began; then he saw that it was, and added, +"My darling!" + +Her head sank lower, he had her hand in a moment, and wondered if he +might venture to kiss her, screened as they both were by her sunshade, +but hesitated to do so because of the ominous silence at the other end +of the balcony. + +"If you have nothing better to do this evening," said Lady Steele's +voice to him, "come to us. Sir Peter and I are dining at home, and if +you will partake of a family dinner with us we shall be delighted." + +He bowed his acceptance. + +"Come, Marion," her ladyship continued. "We have spent a charming +afternoon, Mr. Allingford, thanks to your hospitality. We are at home on +Thursdays after September; Mr. Carrington, you must come and hear more +about my bazaar." And they were gone. + +Jack stepped to the bell. "Well, Bob," he said to Allingford, "is it +brandy and soda or champagne?" + +"Champagne," replied that gentleman. + +"Then," remarked Carrington, after ordering a bottle of '80 +"Perrier"--"then, Bob, my boy, let me congratulate you." + +"I think I deserve it," he replied, as he wrung his friend's hand; "for +I believe I have won for my wife the most charming girl in London." + +"I am awfully glad for you," said Carrington, "and I consider her a very +lucky young woman." + +"I don't know about that," returned Allingford, "and I'm sure I don't +see what she can find to care for in me. Why, we hardly know each other. +I've only met her in public, and not over a couple of dozen times at +that." + +"Oh, you will find it much more fun becoming acquainted after you are +engaged. Our English conventions are beautifully Chinese in some +respects." + +Allingford laughed, saying: "I don't know that I'm going to be engaged. +I can't imagine why her family should approve of the match; I haven't a +title and never can have, and I'm only in consular service. Now if I had +been a diplomat----" + +"My dear fellow," said Carrington, "you seem to forget that you have a +few dozen copper-mines at your disposal, and a larger income than you +can conveniently spend. Her people haven't forgotten it, however, as +I'll venture to prophesy that you'll find out before to-morrow morning. +As for your being an American and a Consul, that doesn't count. Just +make the settlements sufficiently large, and as long as you don't eat +with your knife or drink out of your finger-bowl they will pardon the +rest as amiable eccentricities." + +"You are a cynic, Carrington, and I don't believe it," said Allingford, +rising to go. "Anyway, what do you know about marriage?" + +"Nothing, and I am not likely to," rejoined his friend, "but I've lived +in London." + +The dinner that night at Belgrave Square did not serve to put the Consul +at his ease. True, he sat by Marion, but no word was spoken of what had +passed that afternoon, and he could not help feeling that he was in an +anomalous position. He had on his company manners, and was not at his +best in consequence. He felt he was being watched and would be +criticised in the drawing-room after dinner, which made him nervous. Sir +Peter had several married daughters, one of whom was present, and +Allingford wondered how their husbands had behaved under similar +circumstances. He gave Lady Steele, at whose right he sat, ample +opportunity to question him concerning his family history and future +plans and prospects--a chance of which she was not slow to avail +herself. + +When the ladies had departed and had left the two gentlemen to their +coffee and cigars, Sir Peter lost no time in opening the question, and +said, somewhat bluntly: + +"So I hear that you wish to marry my daughter." + +The Consul signified that such was the case. + +"I'm sure I don't know why," resumed her father, with true British +candour. "I become so used to my children that I sometimes wonder what +other people can see in them. Marion is a good little girl, however, +I'll say that for her--a good little girl and not extravagant." + +Sir Peter's manner was reassuring, and Allingford hastened to say that +he was sensible of the great honour Miss Steele had done him in +considering his suit, and that he should strive to prove himself worthy +of her. + +"I don't doubt it, my dear fellow, I don't doubt it." And the baronet +paused, smiling so amiably that the Consul was disconcerted, and began +to fear an unpleasant surprise. + +"I trust," he returned, "that you are not averse to me as a son-in-law?" + +"Personally much the reverse; but I always ask the man who comes to me +as you have done one question, and on his answer I base my approval or +disapproval of his suit." + +"And that question is?" + +"Can you support a wife, Mr. Allingford?" + +"As a gentleman I could not have asked her hand if such were not the +case." + +"Ah," replied Sir Peter, "that is quite right." + +"As for my position----" continued the young man. + +"You hold a public office in the service of your country. I consider +that sufficient guarantee of your position, both moral and social." + +Allingford, who knew something of American practical politics, thought +this by no means followed, but forbore to say so, and Sir Peter +continued: + +"Have you any family?" + +"No relations in the world except my younger brother, Dick, who manages +the property at home, while I play at politics abroad." + +"I see," said his host. "One question more and I have done. I dislike +talking business after dinner--it should be left to the lawyers; but, +seeing that you are an American and do not understand such things, I +thought----" + +The Consul stopped him by a gesture. "You are referring to the +settlements, Sir Peter," he said. "Set your mind at rest on that score. +I'll do the proper thing." + +"Of course, my dear fellow, of course; I don't doubt that for a moment. +But--er--you won't think me mercenary if I ask you to be--in short--more +definite. I speak most disinterestedly, purely out of consideration for +my daughter's future." + +Allingford frowned slightly as Carrington's prophecy came back to him. +His prospective father-in-law was quite within his rights in speaking as +he did, but why couldn't he have left it at least till to-morrow? + +"Would a copper-mine do?" he said, looking up. "I'd give her a +copper-mine." + +"Really, I don't know what to say," replied Sir Peter, in some +perplexity. "I'm quite ignorant of such matters. Are--er--copper-mines +valuable?" + +"The one I'm thinking of has been worth a quarter of a million since it +started, and we have only begun to work it," replied the Consul. + +"Bless my soul!" ejaculated his host. "You don't say so! Do you go in +much for that sort of thing?" + +"Yes, I've quite a number." + +"Dear me!" said Sir Peter dreamily, "a quarter of a million." Then +waking up he added: "But I'm forgetting the time. My dear +Allingford--er--your Christian name escapes me." + +"Robert, Sir Peter." + +"Thanks. I was going to say, my dear Robert, that you must go upstairs +and see mamma." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +IN WHICH THE CONSUL LOSES A RELATIVE AND GAINS A WIFE + + +When Robert Allingford entered the smoking-room of his club, one +afternoon early in October, he was genuinely glad to find that it had +but one occupant, and that he was Harold Scarsdale. The two men had met +each other for the first time at a house-party some eighteen months +before, and their acquaintance had ripened into true friendship. + +"Hello!" he cried, accosting that gentleman. "You're enjoying to the +full your last hours of bachelor bliss, I see." + +"Speak for yourself," replied Scarsdale, who looked extremely bored. +"You're also on the dizzy brink." + +"It's a fact," admitted the Consul; "we are both to be married +to-morrow. But that is all the more reason why we should make the most +of our remaining freedom. You look as glum as if you'd lost your last +friend. Come, cheer up, and have something to drink." + +"They say," remarked the Englishman as he acquiesced in the Consul's +suggestion, "that a man only needs to be married to find out of how +little importance he really is; but I've been anticipating my fate. Miss +Vernon's rooms are a wilderness of the vanities of life, and here I am, +banished to the club as a stern reality." + +"Quite so," replied the American. "I'm in the same box. The dressmakers +have driven me clean out of Belgrave Square. But you, you really have my +sympathy, for you are to marry one of my countrywomen, and they are apt +to prove rather exacting mistresses at times like these." + +"Oh, I'm fairly well treated," said Scarsdale; "much better than I +deserve, I dare say. How is it with you?" + +"Oh," laughed Allingford, "I feel as if I were playing a game of blind +man's buff with English conventionalities: at least I seem to run foul +of them most of the time. I used to imagine that getting married was a +comparatively simple matter; but what with a highly complicated ceremony +and an irresponsible best man, my cup of misery is well-nigh +overflowing." + +"I suppose you have been doing your required fifteen days of residence +in the parish? London is slow work, now every one is out of town," +remarked Scarsdale. + +"My second-best hand-bag has been residing for the past fortnight in an +adjacent attic, in fulfilment of the law," returned the American; "but +affairs at the consulate have kept me on post more than I could have +wished." + +"I should not think you would have much business at this season of the +year." + +"On the contrary, it is just the time when the migratory American, who +has spent the summer in doing Europe, returns to England dead broke, and +expects, nay, demands, to be helped home." + +"Do you have many cases of that sort?" + +"Lots. In fact, one especially importunate fellow nearly caused me to +lose my train for London yesterday. I gave him what he asked to get rid +of him." + +"I suppose that sort of thing is a good deal like throwing money into +the sea," said Scarsdale. "It never comes back." + +"Not often, I regret to say; but in this case my distressed countryman +put up collateral." + +"Indeed. I trust you can realise on it if need be." + +"I don't think I want to," said the Consul, "seeing it's an elephant." + +"What!" cried Scarsdale. + +"An elephant, or rather, to be exact, an order for one to be delivered +by the Nubian and Red Sea Line of freighters in two or three days at +Southampton Docks. My friend promises to redeem it before arrival, +expects advices from the States, &c., but meanwhile is terribly hard +up." + +"I hope he will be true to his promises, otherwise I wish you joy of +your elephant. You might give it to Lady Steele," suggested Scarsdale. + +"Yes. I think I can see it tethered to the railings in Belgrave Square," +remarked the Consul; "but I am not losing sleep on that account, for, +though I've informed the steamship people that I am, temporarily, the +owner of the beast, I more than suspect that the order and the elephant +are both myths. But I have been telling you of my affairs long enough; +how go yours?" + +"Swimmingly," replied the Englishman. "Miss Vernon has only one relative +in England, thank Heaven! but my family have settled down on me in +swarms." + +"Is Lady Diana Melton in town for the occasion?" asked Allingford. + +Scarsdale flushed, and for the moment did not reply. + +"I beg your pardon," said the American, "if I have asked an unfortunate +question." + +"Not at all," replied his friend. "My great-aunt, who, as you know, is a +somewhat determined old person, has the bad taste to dislike Americans. +So she has confined herself to a frigid refusal of our wedding +invitation, and sent an impossible spoon to the bride." + +"So you are not to have her country place for your honeymoon," said +Allingford. "From what I have heard of Melton Court, it would be quite +an ideal spot under the circumstances." + +"No, we are not going there. The fact is, I don't know where we are +going," added Scarsdale. + +"Really!" + +"Yes. As you were saying just now, your countrywomen are apt to prove +exacting, and the future Mrs. Scarsdale has taken it into her head that +I am much too prosaic to plan a wedding trip--that I would do the usual +round, in fact, and that she would be bored in consequence; so she has +taken the arrangements upon herself, and the whole thing is to be a +surprise for me. I don't even know the station from which we start." + +"I'm afraid I can't commiserate you," returned Allingford, laughing, +"for I'm guilty of doing the very same thing myself, and my bride elect +has no idea of our destination. She spends most of her spare time in +trying to guess it." + +At this moment a card was handed to Allingford, who said: "Why, here is +my best man, Jack Carrington. You know him, don't you? I wonder what can +have started him on my trail," and he requested the page to show him up. + +A moment later Carrington entered the room. He was one of the +best-dressed, most perfect-mannered young men in London, the friend of +every one who knew him, a thoroughly delightful and irresponsible +creature. To-day, however, there was a seriousness about his face that +proclaimed his mission to be of no very pleasant character. + +After greeting his friends, he asked for a few words in private with his +principal, and as a result of this colloquy Allingford excused himself +to Scardsdale, saying that he must return to his lodgings at once, as +Carrington had brought him news that his brother Dick had arrived +unexpectedly from America, and was awaiting him there. + +"What a delightful surprise for you!" exclaimed Scarsdale. + +"Yes, very--of course," returned Allingford drily; and after a mutual +interchange of congratulations on the events of the morrow, and regrets +that neither could be at the wedding of the other, the Consul and his +best man left the club. + +"He did not seem over-enthusiastic at Carrington's news," mused +Scarsdale, and then his mind turned to his own affairs. + +It was not astonishing that Robert Allingford received the news of his +brother's arrival without any show of rejoicing. A family skeleton is +never an enjoyable possession, but when it is not even decently +interred, but very much alive, and in the shape of a brother who has +attained notoriety as a black sheep of an unusually intense dye, it may +be looked upon as little less than a curse. + +Yet there were redeeming qualities about Dick Allingford. In spite of +his thoroughly bad name, he was one of the most kind-hearted and +engaging of men, while the way in which he had managed his own and his +brother's property left nothing to be desired. Moreover, he was quite in +his element among his miners. Indeed his qualities, good and bad, were +of a kind that endeared him to them. He loved the good things of this +life, however, in a wholly uncontrollable manner, and, as his income +afforded almost unlimited scope for these desires, his achievements +would have put most yellow-covered novels to the blush. Dick's redeeming +virtue was a blind devotion to his elder brother, from whom he demanded +unlimited advice and assistance in extricating him from a +thousand-and-one scrapes, and inexhaustible patience and forgiveness for +those peccadilloes. When Robert had taken a public office in England it +was on the distinct understanding that Richard should confine his +attentions to America, and so far he had not violated the contract. The +Consul had taken care that his brother should not be informed of the +day of his marriage until it was too late for him to attend in person, +for he shuddered to think of the rig that Richard would run in staid and +conventional English society. Accordingly he hastened to his lodgings, +full of anxious fore-bodings. On arrival his worst fears were fulfilled. +Dick received him with open arms, very affectionate, very penitent, and +very drunk. From that gentleman's somewhat disconnected description the +Consul obtained a lurid inkling of what seemed to have been a triumphal +progress of unrestrained dissipation from Southampton to London, of +which indignant barmaids and a wrecked four-in-hand formed the most +redeeming features. + +"Now explain yourself!" cried Robert in wrath, at the conclusion of his +brother's recital. "What do you mean by this disgraceful conduct, and +why are you in England at all?" + +"Saw 'proaching marriage--newspaper," hiccoughed Dick--"took first +steamer." + +"What did you come for?" demanded Allingford sternly. + +"Come? Congratulate you--see the bride." + +"Not on your life!" exclaimed the Consul. "You are beastly drunk and not +fit for decent society." + +"Fault--railroad company--bad whisky," explained the unregenerate one. + +"I'll take your word for it," replied his brother. "You ought to be a +judge of whisky. But you won't go to my wedding unless you are sober." +And he rang for his valet. + +"This is my brother, Parsons," he remarked to that individual when he +entered. "You may put him to bed at once. Use my room for the purpose, +and engage another for me for to-night." + +"Yes, sir," replied his valet, who was too well trained to betray any +emotion. + +"When you have got him settled," continued the Consul, "lock him in, and +let him stay till morning." With which he straightway departed, leaving +his stupefied brother to the tender mercies of the shocked and sedate +Parsons. + +Allingford stood a good deal in awe of his valet, and dreaded to see the +reproachful look of outraged dignity which he knew would greet him on +his return. So he again sought the club, intending to find Scarsdale and +continue their conversation; but that gentleman had departed, and the +Consul was forced to console himself with a brandy and soda, and settle +down to a quiet hour of reflection. + +He had been engaged upwards of three months, and, it is needless to say, +had learned much in that space of time. An engagement is a liberal +education to any man, for it presents a series of entirely new problems +to be solved. He ceases to think of and for himself alone, and the +accuracy with which he can adjust himself to these novel conditions +determines the success or failure of his married life. Robert +Allingford, however, was engaged to a woman of another nation; of his +own race, indeed, and speaking his own tongue, but educated under widely +differing standards and ideals, and on a plane of comparative simplicity +when viewed in the light of her complex American sister. The little +English girl was an endless mystery to him, and it was only in later +life that he discovered that he was constantly endowing her with a +complicated nature which she did not possess. He could not understand a +woman who generally--I do not say invariably, for Marion Steele was +human after all, but who generally meant what she said, whose pleasures +were healthy and direct, and who was really simple and genuinely +ignorant of most things pertaining to the world worldly. He knew that +world well enough--ten years of mining had taught him that--and he had +been left to its tender mercies when still a boy, with no relatives +except his younger brother, who, as may well be imagined, was rather a +burden than a help. + +But if Robert Allingford had seen the rough side of life, it had taught +him to understand human nature, and, as he had been blessed with a large +heart and a considerable measure of adaptability, he managed to get on +very well on both sides of the Atlantic. True, he seldom appreciated +what the British mind held to contain worth; but he was tolerant, and +his tolerance begat, unconsciously, sympathy. On the other hand, the +Consul was as much of a mystery to his fiancée as she had ever been to +him. In her eyes he was always doing the unexpected. For one thing, she +never knew when to take him seriously, and was afraid of what he might +do or say; but she soon learned to trust him implicitly, and to estimate +him at his true sterling worth. + +In short, both had partially adjusted themselves to each other, and were +likely to live very happily, with enough of the unknown in their +characters to keep them from becoming bored. Allingford had never spoken +definitely to his fiancée concerning his younger brother, and she knew +instinctively that it was a subject to be avoided. To her father she had +said something, but Sir Peter had little interest in his children's +affairs beyond seeing that they were suitably married; and since he was +satisfied with the settlements and the man, was content to leave well +enough alone. + +The Consul, therefore, thought himself justified in saying nothing +about the unexpected arrival of his brother, especially as the chances +of that gentleman's being in a fit state to appear at the wedding seemed +highly problematical. + +Next morning there were no signs of repentance or of Dick; for if a +deserted bed, an open window, and the smashed glass of a neighbouring +skylight signified anything, it was that Mr. Richard Allingford was +still unregenerate and at large. + +The bridal day dawned bright and clear, and Carrington lunched with the +Consul just before the ceremony, which, thanks to English law, took +place at that most impossible hour of the day, 2.30 P.M. + +The bridegroom floundered through the intricacies of the service, signed +his name in the vestry, and achieved his carriage in a kind of dream; +but woke up sufficiently to the realities of life at the reception, to +endure with fortitude the indiscriminate kissing of scores of new +relations. Then he drank his own health and the healths of other +people, and at last escaped upstairs to prepare for the journey and +have a quiet fifteen minutes with his best man. + +"Now remember," he said to that irresponsible individual, "you are the +only one who knows our destination this evening, and if you breathe it +to a soul I'll come back and murder you." + +"My dear fellow," replied Carrington, "you don't suppose, after I've +endured weeks of cross-questioning and inquisitorial advances from the +bride and her family, that I am going to strike my colours and give the +whole thing away at the eleventh hour." + +"You have been a trump, Jack," rejoined the Consul, "and I only wish you +may be as happy some time as I am to-day." + +"It is your day; don't worry about my affairs," returned Carrington, +with a forced laugh which gave colour to the popular report that the +only vulnerable point in his armour of good nature lay in his +impecunious condition and the consequent impossibility of his marrying +on his own account. + +It was only a passing cloud, however, and he hastened to change the +subject, saying: "Come, you are late already, and a bride must not be +kept waiting." + +Allingford was thereupon hustled downstairs, and wept upon from all +quarters, and his life was threatened with rice and old shoes; but he +reached the street somehow with Mrs. Robert in tow, and, barring the +circumstance that in his agitation he had embraced the butler instead of +Sir Peter, he acquitted himself very well under the trying ordeal. + +As they drove to the station his wife was strangely quiet, and he +rallied her on the fact. + +"Why," he said, "you haven't spoken since we started." + +Her face grew troubled. "I was wondering----" she began. + +"If you would be happy?" he asked. "I'll do my best." + +"No, no, I'm sure of that, only--do tell me where we are going." + +The Consul laughed. "You women are just the same all the world over," +he replied, but otherwise did not commit himself; but his wife noticed +that he looked worried and anxious, and that he breathed a sigh of +unmistakable relief as their train drew out of Waterloo Station. She did +not know that the one cloud which he had feared might darken his wedding +day had now been dispelled: he had seen nothing of his brother. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +IN WHICH THE LONDON AND SOUTH WESTERN RAIL-WAY ACCOMPLISHES WHAT THE +MARRIAGE SERVICE FORBIDS + + +It might be supposed that the heir to "The Towers" and Lady Scarsdale's +very considerable property would meet with some decided opposition from +his family to his proposed alliance with Mabel Vernon, an unknown +American, who, though fairly provided with this world's goods, could in +no sense be termed a great heiress. But the fact of the matter was that +the prejudices of his own people were as nothing when compared with +those of Aunt Eliza. In the first place she did not wish her niece to +marry at all, on the ground that no man was good enough for her; and in +the second place she had decided that if Mabel must have a partner in +life, he was to be born under the Stars and Stripes. Her wrath, +therefore, was great when she heard of the engagement, and she declared +that she had a good mind to cut the young couple off with a cent, a +threat that meant something from a woman who had bought corner lots in +Chicago immediately after the great fire, and still held them. Scarsdale +never forgot his first interview with her after she had learned the +news. + +"I mistrusted you were round for no good," she said, "though I wasn't +quite certain which one of us you wanted." + +He bit his lip. + +"There's nothing to laugh at, young man," she continued severely; +"marrying me would have been no joke." + +"I'm sure, Miss Cogbill----" began Scarsdale. + +"You call me Aunt Eliza in the future," she broke in; "that is who I am, +and if I choose to remember your wife when I'm gone she'll be as rich as +a duchess, as I dare say you know." + +"I had no thought of your leaving her anything, and I am quite able to +support her without your assistance," he replied, nettled by her +implication. + +"I am glad to hear it; it sounds encouraging," returned the aunt. "Tell +me, have you ever done anything to support yourself?" + +"Rather! As a younger son, I should have had a very poor chance if I'd +not." + +"How many towers have you got?" was her next question. + +"I don't know," said Scarsdale, laughing at her very literal +interpretation of the name of his estate. + +"Have they fire-escapes?" + +"I'm afraid not," he replied, "but you must come and see for yourself. +My mother will be happy to welcome you." + +"No, I guess not; I'm too old to start climbing." + +"Oh, you wouldn't have to live in them," he hastened to assure her; +"there are other parts to the house, and my mother----" + +"That's her ladyship?" + +"Yes." + +"You are sure you haven't any title?" asked Aunt Eliza suspiciously. + +"No, nor any chance of having one." + +"Well, I do feel relieved," she commented. "The Psalms say not to put +your trust in princes, but I guess if King David had ever been through a +London season he wouldn't have drawn the line there; and what's good +enough for him is good enough for me." + +"I think you can trust me, Aunt Eliza." + +"I hope so, though I never expected to see a niece of mine married to a +man of war." + +"Not a man of war," he corrected, "only a man in the War Office--a very +different thing, I assure you." + +"I am rejoiced to hear it," she replied. "Now run along to Mabel, and +I'll write your mother and tell her that I guess you'll do." Which she +straightway did, and that letter is still preserved as one of the +literary curiosities of "The Towers," Sussex. + +The first meeting of Aunt Eliza and Lady Scarsdale took place the day +before the wedding. It was pleasant, short, and to the point, and at +its conclusion each parted from the other with mingled feelings of +wonder and respect. Indeed, no one could fail to respect Miss Cogbill. +Alone and unaided she had amassed and managed a great fortune. She was +shrewd and keen beyond the nature of women, and seldom minced matters in +her speech; but nevertheless she was possessed of much native refinement +and prim, old-time courtesy that did not always seem in accordance with +the business side of her nature. + +As time went on she became reconciled to Scarsdale, but his lack of +appreciation of business was a thorn in her flesh, and, indeed, her +inclinations had led her in quite another direction. + +"Now look at that young Carrington who comes to see you once in a while; +if you had to marry an Englishman, why didn't you take him?" she said +once to her niece. + +"Why, Aunt Eliza," replied that young lady, "what are you thinking of? +According to your own standards, he is much less desirable than Harold, +for he has not a cent." + +"He'd make money fast enough if his training didn't get in his way," she +retorted, "which is more than can be said of your future husband." + +The wedding was very quiet, at Miss Vernon's suggestion and with her +aunt's approval, for neither of them cared for that lavish display with +which a certain class of Americans are, unfortunately, associated. There +was to be a reception at the hotel, to which a large number of people +had been asked; but at the ceremony scarcely a dozen were present. +Scarsdale's mother and immediate family, a brother official, who served +as best man, and Aunt Eliza made up the party. + +At the bride's request, the service had been as much abbreviated as the +Church would allow, and the whole matter was finished in a surprisingly +short space of time. The reception followed, and an hour later the happy +pair were ready to leave; but their destination was still a mystery to +the groom. + +"I think you might just give me a hint," he suggested to Aunt Eliza, +whom he shrewdly suspected knew all about it. + +"Do you?" she replied. "Well, I think that Mabel is quite capable of +taking care of herself and you too, and that the sooner you realise it +the better. As for your being consulted or informed about your wedding +trip, why, my niece has been four times round the world already, and is +better able to plan an ordinary honeymoon excursion than a man who +spends his time turning out bombs, and nitro-glycerine, and monitors, +and things." + +Aunt Eliza's notions of the duties of the War Office were still somewhat +vague. + +After the bridal couple had left, Miss Cogbill and Lady Scarsdale +received the remaining guests, and, when the function was over, her +ladyship gave her American relative a cordial invitation to stay at "The +Towers" till after the honeymoon; but Aunt Eliza refused. + +"I'll come some day and be glad to," she said; "but I'm off to-morrow +for two weeks in Paris. I always go there when I'm blue; it cheers one +up so, and you meet more Americans there nowadays than you do at home." + +"Perhaps you will see the happy pair before you return," suggested Lady +Scarsdale. + +"Now, your ladyship," said Aunt Eliza, "that isn't fair; but to tell you +the truth of the matter, I've no more idea where they are going, beyond +their first stop, than you have." + +"And that is----?" + +"They will write you from there to-morrow," replied Miss Cogbill, "and +then you will know as much as I do." + +Scarsdale was quite too happy to be seriously worried over his ignorance +of their destination; in fact, he was rather amused at his wife's little +mystery, and, beyond indulging in some banter on the subject, was well +content to let the matter drop. He entertained her, however, by making +wild guesses as to where they were to pass the night from what he had +learned of their point of departure, Waterloo Station; but soon turned +to more engrossing topics, and before he realised it an hour had passed +away, and the train began to slow up for their first stop out of London. + +"Is this the end of our journey?" he queried. + +"What, Basingstoke?" she cried. "How could you think I'd be so +unromantic? Why, it is only a miserable, dirty railway junction!" + +"Perhaps we change carriages here?" + +"Wrong again; but the train stops for a few minutes, and if you'll be +good you may run out and have a breath of fresh air and something to +drink." + +"How do you know," he asked, "that I sha'n't go forward and see how the +luggage is labelled?" + +"That would not be playing fair," she replied, pouting, "and I should be +dreadfully cross with you." + +"I'll promise to be good," he hastened to assure her, and, as the train +drew up, stepped out upon the platform. + +His first intention had been to make straight for the refreshment-room; +but he had only taken a few steps in that direction, when he saw +advancing from the opposite end of the train none other than Robert +Allingford, who, like himself, was a bridegroom of that day. + +"Why, Benedick!" he cried, "who would have thought of meeting you!" + +"Just what I was going to say," replied the Consul, heartily shaking his +outstretched hand. "I never imagined that we would select the same +train. Come, let's have a drink to celebrate our auspicious meeting. +There is time enough." + +"Are you sure?" asked the careful Englishman. + +"Quite," replied his American friend. "I asked a porter, and he said we +had ten minutes." + +They accordingly repaired to the luncheon-bar, and were soon discussing +whiskies and sodas. + +"Tell me," said the Consul, as he put down his glass, "have you +discovered your destination yet?" + +"Haven't the remotest idea," returned the other. "Mrs. Scarsdale +insisted on buying the tickets, and watches over them jealously. If it +had not been for the look of the thing, I would have bribed the guard to +tell me where I was going. By the way, won't you shake hands with my +wife? She is just forward." + +"With pleasure," replied Allingford, "if you will return the compliment; +my carriage is the first of its class at the rear of the train. We have +still six minutes." With which the two husbands separated, each to seek +the other's wife. + +Scarsdale met with a cordial welcome from Mrs. Allingford, and was soon +seated by her side chatting merrily. + +"We should sympathise with each other," she said, laughing, "for I +understand that we are both in ignorance of our destination." + +"Indeed we should," he replied. "I dare say that at this moment your +husband and my wife are gloating over their superior knowledge." + +"Oh, well," she continued, "our time will come; and now tell me how you +have endured the vicissitudes of the day." + +"I think you and I have no cause for complaint," rejoined Scarsdale. +"You see we understand our conventions; but I fear that our respective +partners have not had such an easy time." + +"I shouldn't think it would have worried Mrs. Scarsdale," returned the +Englishwoman. + +"Of course it didn't," said that lady's husband; "nothing ever worries +her. But I think signing the register puzzled her a bit; she said it +made her feel as if she was at an hotel." + +"Robert enjoyed it thoroughly," said Mrs. Allingford. + +"Had he no criticisms to offer?" + +"None, except that one seemed to get a good deal more for one's money +than in the States." + +"The almighty dollar!" said Scarsdale, laughing, and added, as he looked +at his watch: "I must be off, or your husband will be turning me out; +our ten minutes are almost up." + +Once on the platform, he paused aghast. The forward half of the train +had disappeared, and an engine was backing up in its place to couple on +to the second part. Allingford was nowhere in sight. + +"Where is the rest of the train?" cried Scarsdale, seizing an astonished +guard. + +"The forward division, sir?" + +"Yes! yes! For Heaven's sake speak, man! Where is it?" + +"That was the Exeter division. Went five minutes ago." + +"But I thought we had ten minutes!" + +"This division, yes, sir," replied the guard, indicating that portion of +the train still in the station, "the forward part only five." + +In this way, then, had Allingford unconsciously deceived him, and +without doubt the American Consul had been carried off with his, +Scarsdale's, wife. The awful discovery staggered him, but he controlled +himself sufficiently to ask the destination of the section still in the +station. + +"Bournemouth, sir, Southampton first stop. Are you going? we are just +off." + +"No," replied Scarsdale. The guard waved his flag, the shrill whistle +blew, and the train began to move. Then he thought of Mrs. Allingford; +he could scarcely leave her. Besides, what was the use of remaining at +Basingstoke, when he did not even know his own destination? He tore open +the door of the carriage he had just left, and swung himself in as it +swept past him. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +IN WHICH LADY MELTON FEELS THAT HER AVERSION IS JUSTIFIED + + +From what has been said it may be imagined that Mrs. Scarsdale, _née_ +Vernon, was an excellent hand at light and amusing conversation; and so +pleasantly did she receive the Consul, and so amusingly rally him on the +events of the day, that he scarcely seemed to have been with her a +minute, when a slight jolt caused him to look up and out, only to +perceive the Basingstoke Station sliding rapidly past the windows. +Allingford's first impulse was to dash from the carriage, a dangerous +experiment when one remembers the rapidity with which a light English +train gets under way. In this, however, he was forestalled by Mrs. +Scarsdale, who clung to his coat-tails, declaring that he should not +desert her; so that by the time he was able to free himself the train +had attained such speed as to preclude any longer the question of +escape. The sensations which Mr. Allingford and Mrs. Scarsdale +experienced when they realised that they were being borne swiftly away, +the one from his wife and the other from her husband, may be better +imagined than described. The deserted bride threw herself into the +farthest corner of the carriage and began to laugh hysterically, while +the Consul plunged his hands into his pockets and gave vent to a +monosyllabic expletive, of which he meant every letter. + +After the first moments of astonishment and stupefaction both somewhat +recovered their senses, and mutual explanations and recriminations began +forthwith. + +"How has this dreadful thing happened?" demanded Mrs. Scarsdale, in a +voice quavering with suppressed emotion. + +"I'm afraid it's my fault," said Allingford ruefully. "The guard told me +we had ten minutes." + +"That was for your division of the train, stupid!" exclaimed the lady +wrathfully. + +"I didn't know that," explained the Consul, "and so I told your husband +we had ten minutes, which probably accounts for his being left." + +"Then I'll never, never forgive you," she cried, and burst into tears, +murmuring between her sobs: "Poor, dear Harold! what will he do?" + +"Do!" exclaimed the Consul, "I should think he had done enough, in all +conscience. Why, confound him, he's gone off with my wife!" + +"Don't you call my husband names!" sobbed Mrs. Scarsdale. + +"Well, he certainly has enough of his own, that's a fact." + +"If you were a man," retorted the disconsolate bride, "you would do +something, instead of making stupid jokes about my poor Stanley. I'm a +distressed American citizen----" + +"No, you're not; you became a British subject when you married +Scarsdale," corrected Allingford. + +"Well, I won't be, so there! I tell you I'm an American woman in +distress, and you are my Consul and you've got to help me." + +"I'll help you with the greatest pleasure in the world. I'm quite as +anxious to recover my wife as you can be to find your husband." + +"Then what do you advise?" she asked. + +"We are going somewhere at a rapid rate," he replied. "When we arrive, +we will leave the train and return to Basingstoke as soon as possible. +Now do you happen to know our next stop?" + +"Yes: Salisbury." + +"How long before we get there?" + +"About three quarters of an hour." + +"That will at least give us time," he said, "to consider what is best to +be done. Have you a railway guide?" + +"I think there is a South Western time-table in the pocket of dear +Malcolm's coat," she said, indicating a garment on the seat beside her. + +"Why don't you call him St. Hubart and be done with it?" queried +Allingford, as he searched for and found the desired paper. "You've +given him all his other names." + +"I reserve that for important occasions," she replied; "it sounds so +impressive." + +Mabel Scarsdale, it will be noticed, was fast regaining her composure, +now that a definite course of action had been determined upon. But she +could not help feeling depressed, for it must be admitted that it is +disheartening to lose your husband before you have been married a day. +What would he do, she wondered, when he found that the train had gone? +Had he discovered its departure soon enough to warn Mrs. Allingford to +leave her carriage? and if not, where had she gone, and had he +accompanied her? The event certainly afforded ample grounds for +speculation; but her reverie was interrupted by the Consul, who had been +deeply immersed in the time-table. + +"There is no train back to Basingstoke before ten to-night," he said, +"so we must spend the evening in Salisbury and telegraph them to await +our return." + +"Possibly my husband may have chased the train and caught the rear +carriage. I have seen people do that," she ventured. + +"The guard's van, you mean," he explained. "In that case he is +travelling down with us and will put in an appearance directly we reach +Salisbury, though I don't think it's likely. However, there's nothing to +worry about, and I must beg you not to do so, unless you wish to make me +more miserable than I already am for my share in this deplorable +blunder." + +"You don't think they would follow us to Salisbury?" + +"No; that is"--and he plunged into the intricacies of the time-table +once more--"they couldn't; besides, they would receive our telegram +before they could leave Basingstoke." + +"Could they have gone off on the other train?" + +"Impossible," he replied. "By Jove, they neither of them know where +they are bound for!" + +"Quite true," she said, "they do not. We had tickets for Exeter; but as +a joke I never let my husband see them." + +"We were going to Bournemouth, and here are my tickets," he returned, +holding them up, "but my wife doesn't know it." + +"You think there is no question that they are waiting for us at +Basingstoke?" she asked. + +"Not a doubt of it; and so we have nothing to do but kill time till we +can rejoin them, which won't be hard in your society," he replied. + +"I'm sorry I can't be so polite," she returned, "but I want my husband, +and if you talk to me much more I shall probably cry." + +The Consul at this made a dive for an adjacent newspaper, in which he +remained buried till the train slowed down for Salisbury. + +"I suppose," he said apologetically, as they drew up at their +destination, "that you won't object to my appropriating Scarsdale's +coat and hat? I dare say he is sporting mine." + +A tearful sniff was the only reply as he gathered up the various +impedimenta with which the carriage was littered, and assisted his fair +though doleful companion to alight. Returning a few moments later from +the arduous duty of rescuing her luggage, which was, of course, labelled +for Exeter, he found her still alone, there being no sign of Scarsdale +in or out of the train, and no telegram for them from Basingstoke--a +chance on which Allingford had counted considerably, though he had not +thought it wise to mention it. Indeed, the fact that no inquiry had been +made for them puzzled and worried him greatly, for it seemed almost +certain that were their deserted partners still at Basingstoke, their +first action would have been to telegraph to the fugitives. However, he +put the best face he could on the matter, assured Mrs. Scarsdale that +everything must be all right, and despatched his telegram back to their +point of separation. Under the most favourable circumstances they could +not receive an answer under half an hour, and with this information the +Consul was forced to return to the disconsolate bride. + +"There is no use in loafing around here," he said. "Suppose we go and +see the cathedral? It will be something to do, and may distract our +thoughts." + +"I don't think mine could well be more distracted than they are now," +replied she; "besides, we might miss the telegram." + +"Oh, I'll fix that," he returned; "I'll have it sent up after us. Come, +you had better go. You can't sit and look at that pea-green engine for +thirty minutes; it is enough to give you a fit of the blues." + +"Well, just as you please," she said, and they started up into the town, +and made their way to the cathedral. + +It is not to the point of this narrative to discourse on the beauties of +that structure; the finest shaft of Purbec marble it contains would +prove cold consolation to either a bride or a bridegroom deserted on the +wedding day. But the cool quiet of the great building seemed +unconsciously to soothe their troubled spirits, though when they each +revisited the spot in after years they discovered that it was entirely +new to them, and that they possessed not the faintest recollection of +its appearance, within or without. + +At last, after having consulted their watches for the hundredth time, +they began to stroll down the great central aisle, towards the main +entrance. Suddenly Mrs. Scarsdale clutched the Consul's arm, and pointed +before her to where a messenger-boy, with a look of expectancy on his +face and an envelope in his hand, stood framed in a Gothic doorway. Then +they made a wild, scrambling rush down the church, the bride reaching +the goal first, and snatching the telegram from its astonished bearer. + +"For Mr. Allingford," he began, but she had already torn open the +envelope and was devouring its contents. + +For a moment the words seemed to swim before her eyes, then, as their +meaning became clear to her, she gave a frightened gasp, dropped the +message on the floor, sat down hard on the tomb of a crusader, and burst +into tears. + +Allingford gazed at her silently for a moment, and meditatively +scratched his head; then he paid and dismissed the amazed boy, and +finally picked up the crumpled bit of paper. It was from the +station-master at Basingstoke, and read as follows: + + "_Parties mentioned left in second division for Southampton and + South Coast Resorts. Destination not known._" + +It was incomprehensible, but he had expected it. If Mr. Scarsdale had +remained at Basingstoke he would certainly have telegraphed them from +there at their first stop, Salisbury. Evidently he, too, had been +carried away on the train; but where? It was some relief to know that +his wife was not wholly alone, but he did not at all like the idea of +her going off into space with another man, and the fact that he had +done the same thing himself was no consolation. Then his mind reverted +to Mrs. Scarsdale, who still wept on the tomb of the crusader. What in +thunder was he going to do with her? To get her back to her aunt in +London at that time of night was out of the question; but where else +could he take her? + +This point, however, was settled at once, and in an unexpected manner, +by the lady herself. Drying her eyes, she remarked suddenly: "I'm a +little fool!" + +"Not at all," he replied; "your emotion is quite natural under the +circumstances." + +"But crying won't get us out of this awful predicament." + +"Unfortunately no, or we should have arrived at a solution long ago." + +"That," remarked the lady, "is merely another way of making a statement +which you just now disputed. I _am_ a little fool, and I mean to dry my +eyes and attend strictly to business. Tell me exactly what this message +implies." + +"It means," said the Consul, "that it is impossible for you to rejoin +your husband to-night." + +Her lip quivered dangerously; but she controlled herself sufficiently to +exclaim: "But what are we to do?" + +"Well," he replied, "I should advise remaining here. There is a good +hotel." + +"But we can't. Don't you see I must not remain--with you?" She spoke the +last words with an effort. + +"Yes," he rejoined. "It is awkward; but you can't spend the night in the +streets; you must have somewhere to sleep." + +"Let us go back to Basingstoke, then." + +"I can't see that that would help matters," he said gloomily; "we would +have to spend the night there just the same. Besides, I think it is +going to rain." They were standing outside the church by this time. +"No," he continued, "our best course, our only course, in fact, is to +stay here to-night, return to Basingstoke to-morrow morning, and wait +for them there. You may be sure they are having quite as bad a time as +we are. If I only knew some one here----" + +"Bravo!" she interrupted, clapping her hands, "I believe you have solved +the problem. Look: do you see that carriage over there? What coat of +arms has it? Quick! your eyes are better than mine." + +In the gathering twilight he saw driving leisurely by, with coachman and +footman on the box, a handsome barouche, on the panels of which a coat +of arms was emblazoned. + +"Well," he said, gazing hard at it, "there is a helmet with a plume, +balanced on a stick of peppermint candy----" + +"Yes, yes!" she cried, "the crest. Go on!" + +"Down on the ground-storey," he continued, "there is a pink shield +divided in quarters, with the same helmet in the north-east division, +and a lot of silver ticket-punchers in the one below it." + +"Spurs," she interjected. + +"Well, perhaps they are," he admitted. "Then there are a couple of +two-tailed blue lions swimming in a crimson lake----" + +"The Melton arms!" she cried. "I looked them up in 'Burke's Peerage' +when that old catawampus refused to come to our wedding. We will spend +to-night with Lady Diana!" + +"But I thought----" began the Consul, when his companion interrupted +him, exclaiming: + +"Chase that carriage as hard as you know how, and bring it here!" + +Allingford felt that this was a time for action and not for speech. The +days of his collegiate triumphs, when he had put his best foot foremost +on the cinder-track, rose to his mind, and he fled across the green and +into the gathering gloom, which had now swallowed up her ladyship's +chariot, with a swiftness that caused his companion to murmur: "Well, he +can sprint!" + +Presently the equipage was seen returning with the heated and triumphant +Consul inside. It drew up before her, and the footman alighted and +approached questioningly. + +"Is this Lady Melton's carriage?" she asked. + +"Yes, madam." + +"Then you may drive this gentleman and me to Melton Court." + +"But, madam----" + +"I am Mrs. Scarsdale, Lady Diana's great-niece," she said quietly. The +footman touched his hat. + +"Was her ladyship expecting you? We were sent to meet this next train, +but----" + +"No, we are here unexpectedly ourselves; but I dare say there will be +room for all, as the carriage holds four." + +"There will only be Lord Cowbray, madam, and his lordship may not arrive +till the nine-thirty. If you would not mind driving to the station?" + +"It is just what we wish," she replied, and calmly stepped into the +carriage and seated herself by the Consul's side, who was so amazed at +the turn affairs had taken that he remained speechless. + +"Shall I see to your luggage, madam?" inquired the footman as they drew +up opposite the waiting-room door. + +"No," she replied, stepping out on the platform. "We will attend to it +ourselves; it will only be necessary to take up our hand-bags for +to-night." + +Accompanied by the Consul she went in search of their belongings, and at +her suggestion he took a Gladstone belonging to the absent Scarsdale, +and a dressing-case which she designated as her own property. + +"I was anxious to have a word alone with you," she said as they emerged +once more on the platform, "and we can't talk on personal matters during +the drive to the Court. You see my position is a little peculiar." + +"Excuse me for asking the question," he replied, "but are your relations +with your husband's great-aunt quite cordial?" + +"On the contrary, they are quite the reverse. She detests all Americans, +and was very much put out at poor Harold for marrying me. Her refusal to +be present at our wedding was almost an insult," she returned. + +"That doesn't seem to promise a pleasant reception at Melton Court," he +said. + +"Far from it; but any port is acceptable in a storm, and she can hardly +refuse us shelter. After all I've done nothing to be ashamed of in +marrying my husband or being carried off with you." + +"Oh, I'll trust you to hold your own with any dowager in the United +Kingdom; but where do I come in?" + +"You are my Consul, and under the circumstances my national protector; I +can't do without you." + +"I am not at all sure that her ladyship will see it in that light; but, +as you say, it is better than nothing, and our position can't be worse +than it is at present." + +"Then it is agreed we stand by each other through thick and thin?" + +"Exactly," he replied, and shook her extended hand. At this moment the +train came in, and they returned to the carriage. + +Lord Cowbray did not put in an appearance, and they were soon under way +for Melton Court, which was some miles distant from the town. By the +time they entered the grounds it was quite dark, and they could only see +that the park was extensive, and that the Court seemed large and gloomy +and might have dated from the Elizabethan period. + +On entering the central hall they at once saw evidences of a large +house-party, whose presence did not tend to put them more at their ease, +and Mrs. Scarsdale lost no time in sending a message to Lady Melton, to +the effect that her great-niece had arrived unexpectedly and would much +appreciate a few words with her in private. + +They were shown into a little reception-room, and the footman returned +shortly to say that her ladyship would be with them soon. After what +seemed an endless time, but was in reality barely fifteen minutes, their +hostess entered. She was a fine-looking woman of sixty or over, with a +stern, hard face, and a set expression about her thin lips, that boded +little good to offenders, whatever their age or sex. She looked her +guests over through her gold eye-glasses, and, after waiting a moment +for them to speak, said coldly: + +"I think there is some mistake. I was told that my niece wished to see +me." + +"I said your great-niece," returned Mrs. Scarsdale. + +"Oh, my great-niece. Well? I do not recognise you." + +"It would be strange if you did, Lady Melton," returned the bride, "as +you've never seen me. I am the wife of your great-nephew, Harold Stanley +Malcolm St. Hubart Scarsdale." + +"I do not see your husband present," said her ladyship, directing an icy +glare at the unfortunate Consul. + +"No," replied her niece, "I've lost him." + +"Lost him!" + +"Yes, at Basingstoke. He went to speak to a lady in another part of the +train. I could make it clearer to you, I think, by saying that she was +Sir Peter Steele's youngest daughter." + +"I never thought of knowing the Steeles when I was in London," commented +her hostess, "but St. Hubart was always liberal in his tastes." A remark +which caused the Consul to flush with pent-up wrath. + +"Oh, he didn't know her," interjected Mabel, hastening to correct the +unfortunate turn which the conversation had taken. "She was this +gentleman's wife." + +Her ladyship bowed very, very slightly in the Consul's direction, to +indicate that his affairs, matrimonial or otherwise, could have for her +no possible interest. + +"And that is the last we have heard of them," continued the bride, +"except for a telegram from the station-master at Basingstoke, which +says they went to Southampton----" + +"Do I understand you to say," broke in their hostess, betraying the +first sign of interest she had so far evinced, "that my nephew has +eloped with----?" + +"No, no!" cried Mrs. Scarsdale, "you do not in the least comprehend the +true state of affairs," and she poured forth a voluble if disconnected +account of their adventures. + +"Pardon me," exclaimed the old lady when she had finished, "but what is +all this rigmarole? A most surprising affair, I must say, and quite +worthy of your nationality. I was averse to my nephew's marrying you +from the first; but I hardly expected to be justified on his wedding +day." + +"In that case," said Mrs. Scarsdale, "the sooner we leave your house the +better." + +"You will do nothing of the sort," replied her great-aunt. "Your coming +to me is the only wise thing you have done. Of course you will remain +here till your husband can be found. As for this person----" indicating +Allingford. + +"This _gentleman_," said his partner in misfortune, coming to his +rescue, "is Mr. Robert Allingford, United States Consul at Christchurch. +As my husband had gone off with his wife, I thought the least I could do +was to take him with me." + +"I can hardly see the necessity of that course," commented her hostess. + +"Now that I have seen Mrs. Scarsdale in safe hands, I could not think of +trespassing longer upon your hospitality," put in the Consul; but his +companion intervened. + +"I am not going to be deserted twice in a day!" she cried. "If you go, I +go with you!" + +"About that," said her ladyship frigidly, "there can be no question," +and she rang the bell. + +"You will conduct this lady and this gentleman," she continued to the +footman who answered her summons, "to the green room and the tower room +respectively." Then, turning to her unwilling guests, she added: "As my +dinner-table is fully arranged for this evening, and my guests are now +awaiting me, you will pardon it if I have your dinner served in my +private sitting-room. We will discuss your affairs at length to-morrow +morning; but now I must bid you good-night," and with an inclination of +her head she dismissed them from her presence. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +IN WHICH A TRUNK IS SENT TO MELTON COURT + +Scarcely had the sun risen the next morning when the Consul, after a +sleepless night, stole downstairs and found his way out upon the +terrace, for a quiet stroll and a breath of fresh, cool air. Moreover, +he was in need of an uninterrupted hour in which to arrange his plans in +such a manner as would most surely tend to effect the double reunion he +so earnestly desired. + +It seemed well-nigh impossible, in the small space of country which had +probably been traversed by all parties, that they could lose each other +for more than a few hours. To make the situation more clear to those who +have never had the misfortune to suffer from the intricacies of English +railway travel, the following diagram is appended. The triangle is +isosceles, the sides being thirty-five miles long, the base twenty. + +[Illustration] + +He reviewed his own adventures of yesterday afternoon. He had acted on +what seemed to be the only sensible and reasonable plan to pursue; +namely, to leave the train at its first stop, and return as soon as +possible to the point of divergence. It seemed fair to assume that Mr. +Scarsdale and Mrs. Allingford had done the same thing, and, such being +the case, it was easy to imagine what their course of action had been. A +glance at the time-table told him that the first point at which they +could leave their division of the train had been Southampton; from which +place they could, almost immediately, catch an express back to the +junction they had left, arriving there shortly after seven on the past +evening. + +His own course and that of Mrs. Scarsdale seemed clear; it was simply a +return to Basingstoke immediately after breakfast, and rejoin their +friends, who had been spending the night at that place. + +It was possible that they had lost the returning express and remained in +Southampton; but if they acted in a rational manner, they must +eventually return to the junction. But supposing Mrs. Allingford and Mr. +Scarsdale had not done the obvious thing; supposing that chance had +intervened and upset their plans, as in his own case? He suddenly found +himself face to face with the startling fact that not only were he and +Mrs. Scarsdale not at Salisbury or Basingstoke, but that they were at +present at the one place where his wife and Mrs. Scarsdale's husband +would never think of looking for them--Melton Court. + +Allingford jammed his hat hard on the back of his head, and set off at a +brisk pace to Salisbury and the nearest telegraph station; arriving at +his destination shortly before seven, to find that he had a good +half-hour to wait before the operators arrived. The office was opened at +last, however, and he lost no time in telegraphing to Basingstoke for +information, and in a little while received an answer from the +station-master at that point which cheered him up considerably, though +it was not quite as explicit as he could have wished. It read as +follows: + + "_Scarsdale telegraphed last evening from Southampton, saying he + had left train there with Mrs. Allingford and was returning at once + to Basingstoke._" + +The Consul was pleased to find that his conjectures had been correct. +He felt that a great weight had been lifted from his mind. Their missing +partners had undoubtedly spent the night at Basingstoke and would soon +consult the station-master at that point, who would doubtless show them +the messages he had received. Allingford looked out a good train, +telegraphed the hour of their arrival, and then, as his reception of the +night before had not inclined him to trespass on Lady Melton's grudging +hospitality more than was absolutely necessary, he had a leisurely +breakfast at the hotel, and, engaging a fly, drove back to the Court, +reaching there about half-past nine. + +Mrs. Scarsdale had also passed a disturbed night, but, unlike her +companion in misfortune, she did not venture out at unearthly hours in +the morning. She was up, however, and saw him depart, which was in some +ways a comfort, since it assured her that he was losing no time in +continuing their quest. + +At eight a maid arrived with warm water and a message from her ladyship +that she wished Mrs. Scarsdale to breakfast with her in private at nine +o'clock, and that she would be obliged if her great-niece would keep her +room till that time. The bride was considerably piqued by this message +and the distrust it implied, but felt it would be wise to accede to the +request, and sent word accordingly. + +As she entered Lady Melton's boudoir an hour later, her hostess rose to +receive her, kissing her coldly on the forehead, and saying: + +"You will pardon my requesting you to keep your room; but your presence +is not as yet known to my guests, and your appearance among them +immediately after your marriage, without your husband, might cause +unpleasant speculation and comment. Do you agree with me?" + +"Quite," replied Mrs. Scarsdale. She had misjudged Lady Melton, she +thought; but she disliked her nevertheless, and wished to be very +guarded. + +"Now," said that personage, "I want to hear the whole affair. No, I do +not want you to tell it," as her guest opened her mouth to speak; "not +in your own way, I mean. You would probably wander from the point, and +my time is of importance. I will ask you questions, and you will be kind +enough to answer them, as plainly and shortly as possible." + +Mrs. Scarsdale bowed; she was so angry at the cool insolence that this +statement implied that she did not feel she could trust herself to +speak. + +"Now we will begin," said her ladyship, as she proceeded to demolish a +boiled egg. "What is your Christian name?" + +"Mabel." + +"Very well. Then I shall call you Mabel in future; it is ridiculous to +address you as Mrs. Scarsdale." + +"I really don't see----" began that lady. + +"Excuse me," interrupted her questioner, "I will make the comments when +necessary. When were you married?" + +"Yesterday afternoon at two-thirty o'clock." + +"Where did you and your husband intend to pass last night?" + +"At Exeter." + +"Are you sure?" + +"I ought to be. I bought the tickets." + +"You bought the tickets! Is that customary in your country?" + +"I am not here to discuss the customs of my country, Lady Melton. I +bought the tickets because I chose to do so, and considered myself +better fitted to arrange the trip than my husband." + +"Really! I suppose that is the reason you selected the most roundabout +way to reach Exeter. Your husband could have told you that you should +have taken another railway, the Great Western." + +"My husband," said Mrs. Scarsdale stiffly, "did not know our +destination." + +"What!" + +"I say that my husband did not know our destination." + +Her ladyship surveyed her for a moment in shocked and silent +disapproval, and then remarked: + +"I think I understood you to say that you travelled together as far as +Basingstoke?" + +"Yes, and there St. Hubart met a friend." + +"This consular person?" + +"Mr. Allingford? Yes. He was also married yesterday, and came to our +carriage to congratulate me." + +"And my nephew went to speak to Mrs. Allingford." + +"Exactly. And the first thing we knew the train was moving." + +"Go on." + +"That is just what we did, though Mr. Allingford tried to leave the +carriage and return to his wife." + +"It would have been better had he never left her." + +"But I restrained him." + +"How did you restrain him?" + +"By his coat-tails." + +"Excuse me. Do I understand you to say that you forcibly detained him?" + +"I'm sorry if you are shocked; it was all I could catch hold of." + +"I shall reserve my criticism of these very astonishing performances, +Mabel; but permit me to say that you have much to learn concerning the +manners and customs of English society." + +"Then," said Mrs. Scarsdale, ignoring this last remark, "we came to +Salisbury." + +"And telegraphed to Basingstoke for information." + +"Exactly. But they could tell us nothing; so when I saw your +carriage----" + +"How did you know it was mine?" + +"I looked out your coat of arms in 'Burke.'" + +Her ladyship smiled grimly. Perhaps something might be made of this fair +barbarian--in time, a great deal of time; but still this knowledge of +the peerage sounded hopeful, and it was with a little less severity in +her voice that she demanded: + +"And what do you mean to do now?" + +"Go back to Basingstoke this morning." + +"Alone?" + +"No, with Mr. Allingford." + +"Do you expect to find your husband there?" + +"I should think he would naturally return as soon as possible to where +he lost me." + +"I don't know," said her ladyship. "Was Mrs. Allingford pretty?" + +"If you are going to adopt that tack, Lady Melton, the sooner we part +the better," said her visitor angrily. + +"We do not 'adopt tacks' in England," returned her ladyship calmly; "and +as I consider myself responsible for your actions while you are under my +roof, I shall not allow you to go to Basingstoke, or anywhere else, with +a person who, whatever his official position, is totally unknown to me." + +"You don't mean to keep me here against my will!" + +"I mean to send you to your relations, wherever they are, under the +charge of my butler--a most respectable married man--provided the +journey can be accomplished between now and nightfall." + +"Well, it can't," replied her grand-niece triumphantly. "Aunt Eliza +left for Paris this morning, and all my other relations are in Chicago." + +Lady Melton was, however, a woman of decision, and not to be easily +baffled. + +"Then I will send you to your mother-in-law, Lady Scarsdale; I suppose +she has returned to 'The Towers'?" + +"I believe so. But I do not intend to go there without my husband; it +would be ignominious." + +"Perhaps you can suggest a better plan," said her ladyship coldly. + +"Well, if you refuse to let me go to Basingstoke----" began the bride. + +"I do. Proceed." + +"Then Mr. Allingford might go for me, and tell St. Hubart where I am. I +know he is waiting for me there, but he would never think of my being +here----Excuse me, I mean----" she stammered, blushing, for she saw she +had made a slip. + +"We will not discuss your meaning," said her hostess, "but your plan +seems feasible and proper. You may receive the consular person in my +private sitting-room and arrange matters at once." + +Her niece turned to go, but she stopped her, saying: + +"One word more. I do not think it necessary for your friend Mr. +Allingford to return with my nephew. Pray make this clear to him." + +After having been dismissed from her hostess' presence, Mrs. Scarsdale +lost no time in sending for the Consul, who had just returned, and +proceeded to work off on that unfortunate gentleman the rage engendered +by her recent interview. + +"I'm inclined to think," he said when she had finished, "that in this +instance the catawampus is right. There is no use of your gallivanting +over the country after your husband; he ought to come to you. I'll run +down to Basingstoke at once, send him back, and with Mrs. Allingford go +on my way rejoicing. There is no need of my returning, and I guess her +ladyship won't cry her eyes out if I don't." + +"You haven't yet told me the result of your excursion this morning," she +said, hoping to divert the conversation from so obvious a truth. + +"This," he replied, holding up the telegram he had just received from +the station-master at Basingstoke. + +After reading the message, Mrs. Scarsdale was most anxious that he +should lose no time in starting, and with mutual expressions of +friendship, and boundless thanks from the deserted bride, they parted: +he for the junction, she for a further interview with her great-aunt. + +When her ladyship learned that Scarsdale had left Southampton for +Basingstoke, and was doubtless now in that place, she advised his wife +to remain in seclusion till the members of the house-party, which +luckily was breaking up that day, had departed; and retired herself to +prepare a few remarks with which to welcome her errant great-nephew. +Later in the day, however, she so far relented towards his wife as to +suggest that she take a stroll on the terrace while the few remaining +guests were indulging in a post-prandial siesta. + +It was from this coign of vantage that she saw approaching the worn and +drooping figure of Mr. Allingford. She rushed to meet him, and demanded, +without even giving him time to get his breath: + +"Where is my husband?" + +"I don't know," he gasped. + +"Or your wife?" + +"Or my wife." + +"Aren't they in Basingstoke?" + +"No, and haven't been there. I've turned that confounded town inside +out, and catechised every one about the station, from the divisional +superintendent to the charwoman. They did not come last night, nor +arrive this morning. Since leaving Southampton, if they did leave it, +they have entirely disappeared." + +"Why do you say, 'if they did leave' Southampton?" + +"Because no one saw them go. I have learned by endless telegraphing that +they alighted at that point, told a porter they had been carried past +their destination, and wished to return at once to Basingstoke. He +indicated their train, they disappeared in the crowd--and that's all." + +"Haven't they telegraphed again to Basingstoke?" + +"Not since last night." + +"Or to Salisbury?" + +"No. I inquired on the chance, but no message had come." + +"It is horrible!" she exclaimed. "I'm the most miserable woman on +earth!" + +"Don't cry," he begged despairingly. + +"No," she said, "I won't. Do you think it would be any good to telegraph +to Aunt Eliza and Lady Scarsdale?" + +"I have already done so. Your Aunt Eliza has left for Paris. She +wouldn't have done that if she had heard about this; and it gave Lady +Scarsdale a fit--the telegram I mean--but she didn't know anything." + +"Is that all?" + +"Not quite. I have telegraphed to my Vice-Consul at Christchurch, +asking for news of Scarsdale, and telling him to forward anything that +had come for me. They might have _written_ there, you know, to save talk +in the office; but I haven't as yet had a reply." + +"I must consult Lady Melton; the situation is too dreadful for words. +Suppose they have had an accident; suppose----" she faltered. + +"Nonsense!" he rejoined, "bad news always travels quickly; don't make +yourself uneasy on that score. They've got side-tracked in some +out-of-the-way place, just as we have. I'll go to Southampton to-morrow +and work up the trail. Now you run off and consult the catawampus." + +When her ladyship had heard the whole story, she summed up as follows: + +"As your friend has seen fit to return, you may tell him his chamber +will be again made ready for to-night, and you will both dine in my +sitting-room as before. To-morrow I shall send you home to Lady +Scarsdale." + +"But----" + +"There is nothing more to be said on the subject. I have made up my +mind." And having pronounced sentence, she left her distracted +great-niece to her own reflections. + +It was a very doleful couple who sat down to dinner that evening in Lady +Melton's private room. + +"It is ridiculous!" said Mrs. Scarsdale. "We are being treated like +naughty children. I feel as if I were about to be whipped and put to +bed. Sent home with the butler, indeed! I'd just like to see her +ladyship try to do it!" + +"How are you going to prevent her?" asked the Consul. + +"I'm not a child, and I won't be treated as one! If I am to be sent home +in disgrace, you will have to come with me." + +"Well, I like that! You seem to forget I've lost my wife. My first duty +is to find her." + +"Your first duty is to me. If you go to Southampton, I go with you." + +"I'm afraid there'll be an awful row with her ladyship." + +"Let there be, then; I don't care!" + +"I really think," he expostulated, "that you had better stay here one +day more. I'll get you a reprieve from the custody of the butler, and +have a try at Southampton myself. There is a cross-line from here, and +it won't take any time to run over. I've tracked horse-thieves in +Kentucky when I was sheriff, and I guess I can find a bridegroom where +it's all open country as it is round here." + +At this moment a servant knocked and entered, saying: + +"Please, madam, her ladyship's orders is that you are to be ready at +seven to-morrow morning, to start with Mr. Bright, the butler, for 'The +Towers.'" + +"I----!" began Mrs. Scarsdale, rising in wrath and indignation; but +before she could further complicate matters by a direct refusal, the +footman had turned to Allingford, and, handing him a telegram, had left +the room. Forgetful of all else, she rushed to the Consul's side as +with nervous fingers he tore it open. What joyful news might it not +contain! One look at his face, however, blasted all her hopes. Horror, +consternation, and surprise were depicted thereon as he read the +despatch. Something dreadful must have happened. + +"Tell me the worst!" she cried. "Is it Harold?" + +"It is the last straw," he replied. + +"Is he dead?" + +"I wish he was." + +"You wish my husband dead?" + +"Oh, confound your husband!" + +"Mr. Allingford----!" + +"No, no, I don't mean that. I'm not responsible for what I'm saying," he +replied, and groaned aloud. But his companion was not to be put off. + +"Is that telegram from my husband?" + +"No." + +"From my mother-in-law?" + +"No." + +"From Aunt Eliza?" + +"No." + +"From the station-master at Basingstoke?" + +"Guess again." + +"From your Vice-Consul?" + +"Yes." + +"Has he heard anything of our lost ones?" + +"It has nothing to do with that." + +"Then what is the matter? What does it all mean?" + +"It means," replied the Consul, "that I've got to leave here by the +first train." + +"Explain yourself," she demanded. + +"I'll try," he replied, mopping his brow. "You see, an American applied +to me to lend him some money, a few days ago, and put up as collateral +an elephant." + +"Harold told me the story. I thought it very amusing." + +"You won't when I've finished. The elephant arrived day before yesterday +at Southampton, and, as I had informed the steamship company that I was +the temporary owner of the beast, they forwarded it to my consulate at +Christchurch." + +"How does that affect us?" + +"Affect us!" he cried. "Do you remember what I telegraphed my +Vice-Consul?" + +"Yes, almost word for word," she answered. "You asked for news of the +fugitives, and, on the chance of their writing to Christchurch, told him +to forward here anything that might have come for you." + +"Exactly," shrieked the Consul; "and the blamed fool has forwarded the +elephant!" + +"What! Here? To Melton Court?" she exclaimed, aghast. + +"That is what I said. The beast is on the way now, and ought to be here +bright and early to-morrow morning." + +"How awful! What will you do?" + +"Get out," he replied laconically. + +"And leave me?" + +"I don't know about you, but I mean to leave the elephant. I don't wish +to start a bigger circus than I have on hand already." + +"But would it be quite right to our hostess?" expostulated her niece. + +"If you've any conscientious scruples on the subject, you can stay and +tend the beast. I'm leaving by the first train." + +"But it's your elephant." + +"Of course it is, and I've a right to do what I choose with it. I mean +to leave it to Lady Melton, in payment for my board and lodging. After +the way she's treated me I don't want to owe her anything." + +"Really, Mr. Allingford----" began his companion. + +"Now look here," he retorted; "would you want an elephant tagging you +round on your honeymoon?" + +"Well, no, I don't think I should," she replied, laughing. + +"Besides," he continued, "how am I to prosecute a search for our missing +halves with a Noah's ark in tow?" + +"That does put the matter in a different light," she admitted. + +"You bet it does!" he replied. "As for her ladyship, she can do what she +pleases with my slight token of regard. Give it to the poor of the +parish, if she likes; I don't ask her to keep it." + +"But what is to become of me?" + +"Oh, you are to be sent home with the butler early to-morrow morning." + +"I won't go!" + +"Then join me." + +"But supposing we don't find my husband to-morrow----" + +"Then I'll take you down to my consulate at Christchurch for the night. +I have plenty of friends there with whom you can stay." + +"That settles it," she replied. + +So it was that they stole away from the Court in the grey dawn of the +next morning, footed it to Salisbury, recovered their baggage, and +boarded the early train for Southampton. As it moved out of the station +they passed a long line of box cars on a siding, from one of which the +angry scream of an elephant resounded. + +"Just in time," said the Consul with a sigh of relief. "I wish her +ladyship joy of my little remembrance." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +IN WHICH MR. SCARSDALE CHANGES HIS NAME + +Mr. Scarsdale entered Mrs. Allingford's compartment with so great an +impetus, when he swung himself into her carriage at Basingstoke, that he +completely lost his balance, and shot past her on all fours, to land in +a heap on the floor. A second later the guard banged the door, and the +train was off. + +"What does this mean?" exclaimed the Consul's wife, "and where is my +husband?" + +"Excuse me," gasped Scarsdale, picking himself up from the floor, "but I +couldn't leave you." + +"So it appears," she replied coldly. "But you have not answered my +question, and----" as the train began to move rapidly, "it is not +possible that we are getting under way!" + +"Yes," he said gloomily, "we are off to Southampton." + +"Answer me instantly: where is my husband?" she demanded. + +"Gone to Exeter, I suppose, with my wife." + +"What do you mean?" + +"That he was carried off in the first division of the train, which left +five minutes ago." + +"But I thought we stopped ten minutes." + +"So _you_ did; _we_ stopped only five. When I left you just now, I saw +that the forward half of this train had disappeared, and the guard told +me it had gone to Exeter, and that this portion was just leaving for +Southampton. I thought it better to stay with you than to let you go by +yourself; so as the carriage was moving, and it was impossible to get +you out, I jumped in." + +"Thank you," she said simply; and for a moment there was silence between +them while the train rattled over the points, and, reaching the +outskirts of the town, began to increase its speed. The little +Englishwoman did not, however, emulate her fair American partner in +distress, who was at this moment indulging in hysterics in the other +train; she had been too well trained to betray her feelings before a man +whom she knew but slightly, even over the loss of a husband; so, after +remaining quiet for a little, she controlled herself sufficiently to +say, very calmly: + +"I do not see that we can either of us blame ourselves for what has +happened; we must try and make the best of it, and rejoin your wife and +my husband as soon as possible." + +Plucky little woman! thought Scarsdale to himself; to Mrs. Allingford he +said: + +"I am glad you see things in so sensible a light. You must let me help +you in every way that is in my power." + +"You say our first stop is Southampton?" she asked. + +"Yes, we reach there in less than an hour. They slip some carriages at +Winchester, but the train doesn't stop," he replied. + +"Then I think we should alight at Southampton," she said, "and return +at once to Basingstoke." + +"That would certainly be our best course. When you lose a man in a +crowd, it is much better to wait at the point where you lost him till he +finds you than to hunt for him yourself, as you will both miss each +other." + +"Then you propose to let them find us." + +"That is my idea. Of course I'll telegraph to the station-master at +Basingstoke that we will return there, so that if they wire for +information concerning us he can give it them." + +"Where do you think they have gone?" + +"If we either of us knew our destination it would be far easier," he +said, laughing. "I hope this will be a lesson to my wife." + +"But surely the train must stop before it reaches Exeter." + +"Undoubtedly; but as I have no time-table, I can't say where. Perhaps +your husband has one in his overcoat. If you will permit me," and he +proceeded to examine the garment in question. + +No time-table was forthcoming, however, and they were forced to resign +themselves to waiting till they reached Southampton. + +Mrs. Allingford bore up bravely, and even tried to make conversation; +but it proved to be a dreary ride, and when they drew up at their +destination they were both exceedingly thankful. + +"Is there a train back to Basingstoke soon?" asked Scarsdale of the +first railway porter he saw. + +"Yes, sir, over there on the left. Express leaves in three or four +minutes," replied that individual, as he hurried away with somebody +else's baggage. + +"I'll take you over," said Scarsdale. + +"No," replied his companion, "I can find it. You attend to the telegram +and my luggage." + +He dashed off accordingly, and when he returned they both entered the +train on the left. + +"I've sent the telegram," he said, "and I have also discovered your +destination." + +"How?" she inquired. + +"By the labels on the luggage. It was marked for Bournemouth, and a +jolly hard time I had to induce them to take it out of the van and send +it back with us." + +"It seems to me," she said after a little, "that we've been waiting here +more than four minutes. I trust we are not in the wrong train. One has +just gone out." + +"Hi! guard!" called Scarsdale from the window. "Is this the express for +Basingstoke?" + +"No, sir," replied the official. "It was the train beyond you, which has +just left. Sorry if you've made a mistake, sir." + +"Confound it, yes!" cried Scarsdale. "Where does this train go?" + +"Stopping train for Winchester." + +"Can we go on to Basingstoke?" + +"Not by this train, sir." + +"But from Winchester?" + +"There is sure to be a train this evening, sir." + +"It has been a chapter of accidents," he said, explaining it to Mrs. +Allingford, "but we had better go to Winchester, I think; it is on the +way anyhow." + +"Yes," she assented, "and then get on to Basingstoke as fast as we can, +and not be discouraged." + +"Quite right," he replied, and entered into a description of Southampton +docks and the varied cargoes that were received there, in the hope of +distracting her mind. + +"Oh, look!" she cried, as, once more started on their travels, they came +in sight of the shipping, "see what they are loading on that truck! I do +believe it is an elephant!" + +After what seemed an interminable journey, they at length arrived at +Winchester, and as soon as Scarsdale had seen Mrs. Allingford +established in the ladies' waiting-room, he hastened to ascertain their +chances of getting to Basingstoke that night. On his return he wore a +very long face, which his companion was not slow to interpret. + +"Are there no trains?" she exclaimed, in evident dismay. + +"There is one," he replied, "but we should not reach our destination +till very late, almost midnight in fact, and we cannot tell that we +should find your husband even then. I think our best course would be to +remain here." + +"Oh, but that is impossible." + +"No, there is a very fair hotel." + +"I didn't mean that. But can't you see the position in which I am +placed?" + +He did see, and he knew that what he proposed seemed to her almost an +impossibility; but as they were now situated he considered that +circumstances altered cases. + +"I am sure, Mrs. Allingford," he said, "that your good sense, which has +carried you through so much this afternoon, will show you the necessity +of acting as I have suggested. You must not forget that you are now a +married woman, and can do things which before were not permissible." + +"Still," she contended, "to go to a public hotel with a gentleman who is +a comparative stranger, and pass the night there, seems to me not the +thing at all; and if we were recognised by anybody----" She paused, +hardly knowing how to complete her sentence. + +"Then go alone. There are other hotels; I will put up somewhere else," +he replied. + +"No, no, I couldn't be left alone; I've never been alone before in my +life. That would be worse than all else. You see, if you were only +related to me it would be so different." + +"I am quite willing to pass myself off as any relation you please, for +the sake of appearances." + +"But that would be deceitful." + +"I think the exigencies of the case will excuse that; besides, it is my +own affair, not yours. Will you have me as a brother for one night +only?" he asked, laughing. + +"But I have no brother," she replied. + +"Then as your husband's brother," he suggested; "that would be better +still, as he is an American and not known here." + +"Do you really think it best?" + +"To save you annoyance, I think it is a pardonable deception. What is +his name?" + +"Richard. But I don't know much about him." + +"Then we will consider that that is settled," he said cheerfully, and, +without giving her time to argue the matter, summoned a fly, which +presently deposited them bag and baggage at the hotel door. To make +assurance doubly sure, he hastened to sign their names in the visitors' +book: + +"Mrs. Robert Allingford, Christchurch, England. + +"Mr. Richard Allingford, U.S.A." + +"Can you give my sister and me good rooms for to-night?" he asked the +landlady. + +"Yes, sir, two nice rooms just opposite each other." + +He said that that would do very well, and they were soon installed. + +Once in her apartment, Mrs. Allingford indulged in a good cry, while +Scarsdale strolled out before dinner to have a smoke and think it over. +He did not see much further use in telegraphing just at that moment. +Later it would, perhaps, be well to send a message to Basingstoke, +saying that they were detained at Winchester and would come on next +morning; for he had quickly learned that Mrs. Scarsdale and Mr. +Allingford would be able to leave the train at Salisbury, and justly +surmised that they had done so. + +Presently, having finished his cigar, he returned to the hotel to find +Mrs. Allingford ready for dinner, and much refreshed by her tears and +subsequent ablutions. They neither of them ate much, and after the fish +they gave up any attempt to make conversation as worse than useless, and +finished the repast in silence. + +"I'm afraid," she said, as she folded her napkin, "that you've found me +very poor company." + +"I'm nothing to boast of myself," he replied. + +"I hope they are not as miserable as we are," she added, as they rose to +leave the table. "I haven't been able to eat a thing." + +Scarsdale did not reply; he had a gloomy suspicion that his wife was +making a very good meal somewhere. Not that he doubted her love; but he +did not believe her devotion included loss of appetite. + +"Don't you think they are miserable?" she queried, uneasy at his +silence. + +"Not so miserable as we are," he said. "They are both Americans, you +see, and Americans don't take things seriously as a rule." + +"What do you suppose they are doing?" was her next question. + +"Seated swinging their feet over the edge of Salisbury platform, +finishing my five-pound box of American candy," he said. + +She tried to be amused, and even forced a little laugh; but it was a +dismal failure, and, realising it, she at once excused herself and +retired to her room for the night, leaving Scarsdale to pass the evening +as best he could. He approved of her circumspection, but it was beastly +dull, and, as he sat smoking in the winter garden which the hotel +boasted, he felt that he should soon become insufferably bored. + +He presently, therefore, overcame his natural reserve sufficiently to +respond to the advances of the only person in the room who seemed +inclined to be sociable. The stranger was a florid, shaggy-bearded man +of a distinctively American type, a person Scarsdale would naturally +have avoided under ordinary circumstances; but to-night he felt the need +of human society, no matter whose, and in a few moments they had drifted +into conversation. At first the subjects under discussion were harmless +enough, relating mainly to Winchester and neighbouring points of +interest, concerning which Scarsdale was forced to confess himself +ignorant, as it was his first visit to the place. Before long, however, +they began to touch on more dangerous ground, and he saw that, even with +a casual acquaintance of this sort, he must be guarded if he was to +remain consistent in his role of brother to the deserted bride. + +"Were you ever in America?" was the first question which startled him. + +He replied in the affirmative, as he could honestly do, having been +taken by his father to Canada when but a lad. But the stranger was not +satisfied, and began, after the manner of his nation, a series of +leading questions, which kept Scarsdale busy in trying to assimilate +with some regard to truth the character he had chosen. It was at this +moment that a waiter came to him and asked in a perfectly audible voice +if he was Mr. Richard Allingford. Scarsdale was forced to admit the +fact, and to reply to a message sent, as the waiter took unnecessary +pains to explain, "By your sister, sir." + +"Excuse me," interjected his companion, "but may I ask if your sister's +name is Mrs. Robert Allingford?" + +The Englishman would have given worlds to deny the fact, but in the +presence of the waiter, who still lingered, and in the face of the +evidence in the visitors' book, only one course was open to him, and he +replied reluctantly in the affirmative. + +"Wife of the United States Consul at Christchurch?" + +"Yes," said Scarsdale. + +Now he could once more tell the truth, he felt happier; but he had a +premonition that all was not well, and heartily wished he had never +encouraged this American, who might know more than was convenient. + +"Why, Dick!" said that personage, leaning across the little table that +separated them, and grasping both his hands--"Why, Dick! Don't you know +me?" + +If a thunderbolt had shattered the floor at the Englishman's feet he +could not have been more dumfounded. The one seemingly impossible thing +had come to pass. In all this great world, with every chance against it, +fate had ordained that the little provincial city in which he had +planned to play, for one night only, another man's part, should also +contain one of that man's friends, and they two had met. He was so +staggered, as the possibilities contingent on this mischance crowded +through his brain, that he could only stammer out: + +"You have the advantage of me." + +"Well, I don't much wonder," continued his new-found friend. "If I have +changed as much in fifteen years as you have, it isn't strange you +didn't recognise me. Lord! I'd never have known you if you hadn't told +me who you were." + +"You must do me as great a favour," said Scarsdale, regaining a little +of his self-composure. If so long a time had elapsed since their last +meeting, he felt that things were not so bad after all, and that he +could reasonably hope to bluff it out. + +"Well," said the other, "the boys used to call me Faro Charlie; now you +remember." + +The Englishman tried to look as if he did, and the American proceeded to +further elucidate matters by saying: + +"Why, surely you ain't forgotten me as was your pal out to Red Dog, the +time you was prospecting for copper and struck gold?" + +"No, no," said Scarsdale. "Of course I remember you now." He couldn't be +supposed to have forgotten such an event, he felt; but the whole affair +was most unfortunate. + +"I guess you've settled down and become pious, from the looks of you," +continued Faro Charlie; "but you'll have a drink for old times' sake +just the same." + +"No, thanks, you must excuse me," he replied, feeling that he must drop +this unwelcome friend as soon as possible. But the friend had no +intention of being dropped, and contented himself by saying: + +"Rats!" and ordering two whiskies. + +"Why, I've known the day," he continued, "when Slippery Dick--we used to +call you Slippery Dick, you remember, 'cause you could cheat worse at +poker than any man in the camp." Scarsdale writhed. "Well, as I was +saying, you'd have shot a man then who refused to drink with you." + +The Englishman sat aghast. Little had he thought he was impersonating a +card-sharper and a wholesale murderer. The whisky came and he drank it, +feeling that he needed a bracer. + +"Now," said Faro Charlie, "I want to hear all about what you've been +doing, first and last. Tending copper-mines, I heered, out to Michigan." + +This, the Englishman felt, was going too far. It was bad enough to have +to impersonate such a fellow as "Slippery Dick," but to endow him with a +fictitious history that was at all comparable with Faro Charlie's +account of his earlier years required too great an effort of +imagination. And the fact that a quiet little man, who was sitting near +by, edged up his chair and seemed deeply interested in the conversation, +did not tend to put him more at his ease. No wonder, he thought, the +Consul did not talk much about his brother. He therefore hastened to +change the subject. + +"Have you seen much of the Indians lately?" he ventured; it seemed such +a safe topic. + +"Thinking of that little squaw you was so chummy with down to Injun +Reservation?" queried his friend, punching him jovially in the ribs. +"You knew, didn't you, that they'd had her up for horse-stealing to +Fort Smith? Reckon as they'd a hung her if she hadn't been a woman. She +was a limb! Guess you had your hands full when you tackled her." + +Scarsdale decided his choice of a subject had not been fortunate, and +begged Faro Charlie to have some more whisky. + +"Sure," replied that individual. "Drink with you all night." + +"I'm afraid you can't do that," replied Scarsdale, hastening to rid +himself of his unwelcome friend. "I have some important business to +attend to this evening." + +"I wish you weren't in such a rush. Come back and we'll paint the town, +eh?" + +Scarsdale thought it extremely unlikely, and shaking hands fled to the +street with a sigh of relief; for he had had a very bad quarter of an +hour. What cursed luck that he should have run across this American +horror! He must avoid him at all costs to-morrow morning. + +In his hurry he had not noticed that the quiet little man had left the +winter garden with him. His one thought was to get away. He determined +to send that telegram to Basingstoke at once, and go to bed before any +one else recognised him: one of Slippery Dick's friends was enough. + +But unkind fate had not yet done with him, and a new and more terrible +surprise was in store for the unfortunate bridegroom. He had scarcely +gone a dozen yards from the hotel entrance, when a voice said just +beside him: + +"Excuse me, Mr. Richard Allingford, but may I have a few words with +you?" + +Scarsdale turned, and finding himself face to face with the quiet little +man, who had seemed so interested in his conversation of a few moments +ago, said: + +"I seem to be in great demand to-night. Why do you wish to see me? I +don't know you." + +"No," said the man who stood beside him. "No, you do not know me, Mr. +Richard Allingford; but you will." + +He was a quiet, unpretending little man; but there was something about +his dress and bearing, and the snap with which he shut his jaw at the +end of a sentence, an air of decision, in short, which caused the +Englishman to feel that he would do well to conciliate this stranger, +whoever he might be, so he said shortly: + +"What do you want with me? Speak quickly; I'm in a hurry." + +"I couldn't help overhearing some of your conversation just now at the +hotel, and so I took the liberty of following you to ask you a +question." + +"Yes?" said Scarsdale interrogatively. + +"If I mistake not you are the brother of the United States Consul at +Christchurch, and came over to his wedding." + +"Yes," he admitted; for he did not see how he could well deny to one man +what he had just confessed to another. + +"You have been in England about ten days, I think?" + +"As long as that, certainly." + +"May I ask what ship you came on?" + +"By what right do you ask me these questions?" + +"You will see presently." + +"But suppose I refuse to answer them?" + +The unknown shrugged his shoulders, and said quietly: + +"Now wasn't it the _Paris_?" + +"Yes," said Scarsdale, who remembered with joy having seen that fact +chronicled in a London paper. + +"I suppose you have never been in Winchester before?" + +"Never in my life." + +"Not last week?" + +"Look here!" said Scarsdale angrily, "what the devil are you driving +at?" + +"It is a pity you should have such a good memory for past and not for +recent events," said the quiet little man, "a great pity." + +"I tell you I have never been here!" + +"Didn't dine at the Lion's Head last Wednesday, for instance?" + +"No, I did not, and I've had enough of this insolence!" + +"So have I," said the little man, blowing a little whistle. "So have I, +and therefore I arrest you, Richard Allingford, in the Queen's name." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +IN WHICH MR. SCARSDALE REAPS ANOTHER'S WHIRLWIND + +Scarsdale was absolutely staggered by the word "arrest." Arrest! What +nonsense! Who was this man who talked of arresting _him_, Harold +Scarsdale, peaceably engaged in trying to find his wife and proceed on +his honeymoon? The first sensations of surprise and incredulity were +quickly followed, however, by a realisation of the horrible situation in +which his own stupidity had placed him. In the eyes of the law he was +not Harold Scarsdale, but Richard Allingford, and he shuddered to think +with what crime he might be charged; for, from what he had learned in +the last half-hour, he could not doubt that he was posing as one of the +most abandoned characters that had ever visited the town of Winchester. + +A person who consorted with horse-thieves, cheated at cards, and thought +nothing of shooting friends who were not thirsty, would surely be +satisfied with no ordinary crime. Of what was he accused? He hardly +dared to ask. And how was he to get out of this dreadful dilemma? His +reflections, however, were cut short by the arrival of a burly +policeman, in answer to his captor's whistle. The little man at once +addressed the newcomer, quite ignoring Scarsdale. + +"Here's your man Allingford; not a doubt of it," he said. + +"Got your warrant?" inquired the policeman, laying a detaining hand on +the prisoner's shoulder. + +"Here it is," replied the first speaker, producing a paper, which the +officer glanced at and returned, saying at the same time to Scarsdale: + +"Now, then, come along o' me, and don't make no resistance if you knows +what's good for you." + +"I do not intend to offer any resistance," replied that gentleman, and +turning to the little man he asked: "By what right do you arrest me, and +on what charge?" + +"I'm Private Detective Smithers," replied his captor, "and this," again +producing the paper he had already shown to the policeman, "is my +warrant. You know the charge well enough." + +"I'm entirely ignorant of it!" cried Scarsdale hotly. + +"Of course," said the detective. "They always are," and he winked at the +officer. + +"I tell you I don't know anything about it!" reiterated the unfortunate +bridegroom. + +"I must caution you," remarked the policeman, "that anything you says +may be used against you as evidence." + +"I demand to know why I am arrested. I have a right to do so." + +"Tell him, Bill," said the detective, "and stop his row." + +The officer, thus admonished, nodded his head, and replied shortly: + +"Two charges: 'sault and battery on the landlord of the Lion's Head, and +disturbing the peace on last Wednesday night." + +"I deny the charge!" cried Scarsdale. + +"Of course you do," replied the policeman; "I suppose you would. Now +you've had your say, are you coming along peaceable, or are you not?" + +"Certainly I am," replied the prisoner, and they started up the street, +followed by a small crowd, which had already collected. + +"I must warn you," continued Scarsdale, when they were fairly under way, +"that you are making a mistake. I am not the man you take me for." + +"I suppose you'll deny your name is Richard Allingford next," said the +detective, laughing. + +"I do deny it." + +"Well I'm blessed!" remarked his captor. + +The policeman simply said: "Come on, that's too thin!" and jerked him +roughly by the arm. + +Scarsdale quickened his pace, saying angrily: + +"If you'd only give a man a chance to explain!" + +"You'll have chance enough, when you come up to-morrow, to explain to +the court," replied the officer, "and a pretty bill of damages into the +bargain." + +"Oh, if it's only a fine," remarked the prisoner, feeling much relieved, +"I'll pay it and welcome, rather than have a row." + +"Maybe you won't have the option," replied one of his captors; while the +other added cheerfully: "What you needs is thirty days, and I 'opes +you'll get it." + +At the police court Scarsdale did not help his case by insisting on +giving his right name, and denying all knowledge of the charge. His +statements were entered against him, he was relieved of his watch, +purse, and jewellery, and introduced to the cold comforts of the +lock-up. + +On being asked if he wished to communicate with any one, he replied that +the next morning would be quite time enough; for he knew that Mrs. +Allingford could give him little help in his present predicament, and +he did not wish to disturb her night's rest to no purpose. + +It can be well imagined that the accommodations of an English provincial +prison are not luxurious; but the room was clean, and fortune favoured +him in that he had only two companions, both of whom were stupid drunk, +and went to sleep very peaceably on the floor. + +Scarsdale improvised a bed on a settee, and, using his coat as a pillow, +passed a fairly comfortable night. Luckily he was of a somewhat +phlegmatic temperament, and withal very tired after the day's exertions; +so, in spite of the misfortunes which were crowding about him, he was +able to resign himself to the inevitable, and eventually to drop off to +sleep. + +Early next morning, however, he arranged to have a note delivered to +Mrs. Allingford at the hotel, in which he informed that lady of his +unfortunate predicament, begging her not to distress herself on his +account; and assuring her that in all probability it was merely a +matter of a trifling fine, and that he should be at liberty to rejoin +her within a few hours. + +He felt very little of what he wrote; but as long as there was a chance +of things coming out right, he wished to spare her all possible worry. + +His ready money procured him a better breakfast than he could have hoped +for, and by nine o'clock, when the court opened, he was refreshed and +ready for whatever might befall. His two companions in misfortune +preceded him for trial, but their cases were soon disposed of, and +Harold Scarsdale, _alias_ Richard Allingford, was put into the dock. + +The court-room consisted of a plainly furnished apartment, containing a +raised platform at one end, on which were placed the desk and armchair +of the police magistrate, while in front were several rows of benches +for the accommodation of the public: but as the cases were of no general +interest, Scarsdale was relieved to see that the attendance was meagre. +Mrs. Allingford was present, however, looking very white and distressed, +but managing to muster up a smile to greet him as he entered. + +The proceedings were short and to the point. The police constable, on +being called and given the oath, kissed the book and deposed that at +about a quarter to nine on the previous evening, while on his accustomed +beat, he had been summoned by Private Detective Smithers to aid in +arresting the prisoner, who had professed ignorance of the charge, the +truth of which he afterwards denied, and who persisted in asserting that +he was not Richard Allingford. + +Private Detective Smithers now took the stand and stated the case from +his point of view; which was, in short, that the conversation he had +overheard at the hotel between the prisoner and another person here +present, and the statement which the prisoner made to him personally, +proved that he was without doubt the Richard Allingford mentioned in the +indictment. In conclusion he begged that the person styling himself Faro +Charlie should be summoned to corroborate his testimony. Faro Charlie +was accordingly called and placed in the dock, and after the usual +preliminaries the magistrate examined him as follows: + +"What is your name?" + +"Faro Charlie." + +"Any other name?" + +"Smith." + +"Very well, Charles Smith; are you a citizen of the United States?" + +"I be." + +"Of what occupation?" + +"Miner." + +"Do you recognise the prisoner as the person whom you met at the George +last evening?" + +"I do." + +"Can you swear that he is Richard Allingford?" + +"No." + +Scarsdale's heart leaped at that "no"; salvation was at hand after all. + +The magistrate continued: + +"Do you believe this person to be Richard Allingford?" + +"Yes, on the whole I think I do." The prisoner's heart sank. "But," +continued the witness, "I can't be sure. Fifteen years is a long time. I +wouldn't have known him if he hadn't owned up to his name. He might be +playing me for a sucker." + +"In other words, you think the prisoner to be Richard Allingford, but +are unwilling to swear to his identity?" + +"That's the stuff," replied Faro Charlie. "I swored as a man was my +uncle, three years ago at 'Frisco, and he put a bullet into me next day, +'cause I lost him the case. After which I ain't swearing against a pal," +and he left the stand. + +The case now proceeded, and the detective related how on Wednesday, the +16th of October, the prisoner, Richard Allingford, in company with other +lawless characters, had dined at the Lion's Head, and, during a dispute +with the landlord concerning the quality of the wine, had thrown that +personage out of his own second-storey window; telling his wife, who +protested against such actions, to put her husband in the bill, which +they left without settling. Then they proceeded to paint the town of +Winchester a lurid crimson, breaking windows, beating a policeman who +interfered, and raiding a night coffee-stall in the process. + +This recital of wrong and outrage being finished, the magistrate +addressed the prisoner as follows: + +"What is your name?" + +"Harold Stanley Malcolm St. Hubart Scarsdale." + +Some one in the audience murmured, "O Lor'!" + +"You refuse to admit that your name is Richard Allingford?" continued +the justice. + +"I have just given you my name." + +"Are you an American?" + +"No, I am an Englishman." + +"Where do you live?" + +"'The Towers,' Sussex." + +The audience again voiced its sentiments; this time to the effect that +the prisoner was "a 'owling swell"; but order was restored and the case +once more proceeded. + +"What is your profession?" + +"I am a clerk in the War Office." + +"Does not that interfere with the management of your estate?" asked his +interlocutor, to whom the last two statements savoured of contradiction. + +"I have just succeeded to the estate, through the death of an elder +brother." + +"Ah, I see. Now in regard to last evening. Do you admit meeting at the +George the person who calls himself Charles Smith?" + +"Yes." + +"Did not you represent yourself to him as being Richard Allingford?" + +"Yes." + +This reply caused a sensation in the court. + +"I suppose," said the magistrate, "that you realise that this is a +serious admission." + +"It is the truth." + +"Perhaps you can explain it to the satisfaction of the court." + +"I assumed the name," said Scarsdale with an effort, "to screen from +possible annoyance a lady who was under my protection. With the +permission of the court, however, I should prefer not to go into this +matter further, as it has no direct bearing on the charge. My action was +foolish, and I have been punished for it." + +"You certainly chose an unfortunate alias," commented the magistrate +drily, and, much to the prisoner's relief, turned to another phase of +the case. + +"What are you doing in Winchester?" + +"I am on my honeymoon. I was married yesterday." + +A titter of laughter ran round the court-room; but the magistrate +frowned, and continued: + +"I suppose that is the reason why you registered under an assumed name, +and are travelling with somebody else's wife?" + +There was more laughter, for the justice had a local reputation as a +wit. Scarsdale boiled inwardly, but held his peace; while his judge, who +seemed to feel that he had strayed a little from the subject in hand, +after a moment's silence asked shortly: + +"Do you plead guilty or not guilty to these charges?" + +"Not guilty!" + +"Do you wish this matter settled here or in a superior court?" + +"I desire that it be settled here, provided I am given an opportunity to +prove my identity." + +"You will be given every reasonable opportunity. What do you wish?" + +"I wish to ask first by whom these charges are preferred." + +"The charge of assault and battery has been brought by the landlord of +the Lion's Head." + +"I infer that the landlord served Richard Allingford in person on the +night in question, and would be likely to know him if he saw him." + +The magistrate conferred with the detective, and replied that such was +the case. + +"If the question is not out of order," resumed the prisoner, "may I ask +if the landlord of the Lion's Head is a reputable witness, and one whose +testimony might be relied on?" + +"I think you may trust yourself in his hands," replied the justice, who +had seen all along whither the case was tending. + +"Then," said Scarsdale, "I shall be satisfied to rest my case on his +identification." + +"That is quite a proper request," replied the magistrate. "Is the +landlord of the Lion's Head present?" + +At this a dapper little man jumped up in the audience, and explained +that he was the landlord's physician, and that his patient, though +convalescent, was still disabled by his injuries and unable to attend +court. + +On inquiry being made as to when he could put in an appearance, the +physician replied that he thought the landlord could come the next day. + +The magistrate therefore consulted for a moment with the detective, and +then said to the prisoner: + +"Your case is remanded for trial until to-morrow." + +Scarsdale held up his hand in token that he wished to speak. + +"Well," said the magistrate, "what else?" + +"If I can, by the time this court meets to-morrow, produce reputable +witnesses from London to prove my identity," asked the prisoner, "will +their evidence be admitted?" + +"If they can identify themselves as such to the satisfaction of the +court, yes." + +The magistrate thereupon dismissed the case, and Scarsdale was removed +from the court-room. + +He felt he had come off singularly well, and, except for the annoyance +and delay would have little further trouble. What he most desired was an +interview with Mrs. Allingford; but what with a change in his quarters, +owing to the deferment of the trial, and the difficulty of getting word +to her, it was the middle of the afternoon before this was accomplished. + +The unfortunate little woman seemed completely broken down by this fresh +disaster, and it was some time before she could control herself +sufficiently to talk calmly with him. + +"I shall never, never forgive myself," she sobbed. "It is all my fault +that you have incurred this disgrace. I can never look your wife in the +face again." + +"Nonsense!" he said, trying to cheer her up. "There is no disgrace in +being arrested for what somebody else has done; and as for its being +your fault, why, it was I who proposed to pass myself off as your +husband's brother." + +"But I allowed it, only I did not know anything about my brother-in-law, +except that he existed; his being in England is a complete surprise to +me." A remark which caused Scarsdale to be thankful that he had said +nothing to her about that scene at the club when the Consul heard of +Dick's arrival. "He must be very wicked. I'm so sorry. But we won't talk +about him now; we will talk about you. What can I do to retrieve +myself?" she continued. + +"Let us consider your own affairs first," he replied. "I wasn't able to +send a telegram to Basingstoke last night; I was arrested on my way to +the office." + +"I sent one, though, this morning, right after the trial." + +"I didn't know that you knew where to go," he said. + +"I didn't," she returned; "but that queer American person, who wouldn't +swear to your identity, sent it for me. He is very odd, but I'm sure he +has a good heart. He was so distressed over the whole affair, and +offered to be of any assistance he could." + +"Oh!" said Scarsdale. He was not pre-possessed in Faro Charlie's favour. + +"So I think," she went on, "that if they are at Basingstoke, they will +be here in a few hours. I told them all about your arrest and where I +was staying." + +"So far so good. Allingford can identify me even to the satisfaction of +this magistrate, I think. But it is just as well to have two strings to +one's bow, so I have another plan to suggest; but first let me hear if +you have done anything else." + +"No; but I think I shall telegraph to my mother. I can't spend another +night here alone." + +"Why don't you wait and see if your husband does not turn up? I hate to +give our affairs more publicity than is necessary," he suggested. + +"Would you prefer me to do so?" + +"Yes, very much; if you don't mind." + +"Then I will. I think, after my share in this unfortunate business, you +ought to have the first consideration. Now tell me your plan." + +"I propose that we telegraph to your husband's best man, Jack +Carrington, asking him to come to Winchester this evening. He can +identify me, and identify himself also, for he has a brother who is an +officer in one of the regiments stationed here." + +"Just the thing!" she cried. "I'll send it at once." + +"No," replied Scarsdale. "You write it and I'll send it." He did not +wish any more of his plans to be revealed to Faro Charlie. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +IN WHICH A SERIOUS CHARGE IS LAID AT THE CONSUL'S DOOR + +Jack Carrington, Esquire, Gentleman, sat in his snug little +sitting-room, in one of the side streets of Mayfair, shortly before +seven in the evening, feeling uncommonly blue. He was, without doubt, in +a most unfortunate position. Born and bred a gentleman; educated to do +nothing, yet debarred by lack of family influence from the two +professions he might properly have entered, the army and the diplomatic +corps; with not quite enough money to support his position as a +bachelor, and no hopes of ever having any more, the outlook, +matrimonially at least, was anything but encouraging, and there was a +lady--with whose existence this narrative has no concern--who, had +fortune smiled, might now be Mrs. Carrington: a possibility which had +brought our quondam best man almost to the point of determining, +according to those false standards which are happily fast passing away +from English society, to be no longer a _gentleman_, but to go into +trade. + +Such, then, was his condition when the door-bell rang, and a moment +later a card was brought to him bearing the name of Lady Scarsdale. He +looked at it, scarcely believing his eyes. How came it that she should +call on him at an hour so strikingly unconventional? It was therefore +with no little bewilderment that he gave orders to have her shown in. + +When her ladyship, whom he had never seen before, entered his parlour, +he found himself face to face with a strikingly handsome woman of middle +age, dressed in semi-mourning. She accepted his outstretched hand, held +it a second, and, taking the seat he offered, said, with just a glance +in the direction of a demure little woman who followed her into the +room: + +"Miss Wilkins." + +Carrington bowed, and Miss Wilkins, maid or attendant, whichever she +might be, retired to the remote end of the room, and promptly immersed +herself in the only volume within reach, a French novel which Jack felt +sure she had never seen before, and would not be likely to peruse to any +great extent. + +"You will naturally be surprised at my presence here this evening," said +Lady Scarsdale. + +Her host bowed and smiled, to show that pleasure and gratification were +mingled; indeed, until she further declared her position he hardly knew +how he ought to feel. + +Her ladyship continued: + +"My object in coming is unusual; it is, in short, to request your aid +and assistance in a very extraordinary and delicate matter." + +Jack bowed again, and his visitor proceeded: + +"You will excuse me if I seem agitated"--she certainly did seem very +much so, if red eyes and a quivering lip meant anything--"but I have +scarcely recovered from the shock occasioned by the arrival of a +telegram received this morning from a Mr. Allingford, at whose marriage, +I think, you assisted." + +"I was his best man." + +"So I understand." + +"Nothing wrong, I hope?" + +"That you shall hear. Do you know my son, Mr. Scarsdale?" + +"Only slightly." + +"You may be aware that he was married yesterday." Jack nodded, and she +continued: "To a Miss Vernon, an American. You know her, I believe?" + +"Quite well," replied her host. "She is a most charming woman." + +"Now this Mr. Allingford telegraphs me," resumed his visitor, "from my +aunt Lady Melton's country seat, Melton Court, that he is staying there +with my son's wife, who was Miss Vernon." + +"Staying there with Allingford! At Melton Court!" gasped Jack, to whom +this seemed the most improbable combination of circumstances. "But +where is her husband?" + +"I regret to say," replied her ladyship, "that, as a result of the two +couples meeting each other at Basingstoke, they in some way became +separated and carried off in different trains; so that my +daughter-in-law and Mr. Allingford are now at my aunt's country place, +near Salisbury, while my son and Mrs. Allingford have gone off together +somewhere on the South Coast, and no trace can be found of them." + +"But how did it happen?" + +"The whole affair seems to have been the result of some deplorable +blunder or accident; but in any event it is most distressing, and I came +up at once to London, thinking you might be able to help me. But I see +from your surprise that you have heard nothing from either party." + +"Not a word. But I am quite at your service." + +"Thanks. You may not know that, actuated by a spirit which I cannot +admire, my son's wife and your friend each insisted on arranging the +details of their wedding trips, and keeping the matter a profound +secret, so that neither Mrs. Allingford nor my son knew their +destination." + +"Yes, I have heard something of it; but I infer that you have not +honoured me by this visit without the hope that I may be able to aid +you. Pray tell me how I can be of service." + +My chief desire in calling on you, Mr. Carrington, was to learn if you +had had any news of my son or his wife; but, of course, on my journey to +town I have been thinking of various expedients, and though I hesitate +to ask so great a favour from one I hardly know, you could, I think, be +of great assistance to me. + +"With pleasure. Do you wish me to telegraph to Allingford, or go in +search of your son?" + +"Neither. But I should be very grateful to you if you would go for me to +Melton Court; I have not myself sufficient strength for the journey +to-night; it is already late and I have no one to send. But I feel that +my daughter-in-law is in an anomalous and probably unpleasant position; +so, as I knew you to be a friend of both parties, I thought that perhaps +you would be good enough to represent me, and see what could be done +towards the solution of this unfortunate problem. My son's best man left +for the Continent immediately after the ceremony, or I would have gone +to him instead." + +"There is nothing I should like better than to serve you," replied Jack, +"but, to speak frankly, I have not the honour of knowing Lady Melton." + +"If you will permit me to use your desk, I will give you a line of +introduction." + +Carrington bowed his consent. + +"Now," she said, giving him the note, "when can you leave?" + +"At once," he replied, "by the first train." + +"You will, of course, act as you think best," she continued. "I am +staying at the Berkeley for to-night, and if Mabel's husband has not +rejoined her before you arrive, you had better bring her to me there +to-morrow. As you are going on my behalf you must, of course, let me +bear all expenses of the trip." + +On this ground her ladyship was firm in spite of Carrington's +protestations, and they finally parted, with many expressions of +gratitude, on a mutual and highly satisfactory understanding. + +As Jack employed a valet only on state occasions, he was, after a +hurried dinner, deep in his preparations for immediate departure, when, +about half-past eight, Mrs. Allingford's telegram from Winchester +arrived, which it is hardly necessary to say startled him considerably. +The news that Scarsdale was under arrest for the crime of another +person, and the fact that it lay in his power to free him, seemed to +prove without doubt that his first duty was to go to Winchester; but he +had promised Lady Scarsdale to go to Melton Court, and it was impossible +to do both that night. He was uncertain how to act, and what his +ultimate decision would have been it is difficult to say, had not an +outside influence decided matters for him. Another caller was announced. + +"I'm not at home. Can't see anybody," said Carrington. + +"That's not true, young man, and you've got to see me," replied a voice, +and, as the door opened, to his astonishment Aunt Eliza advanced into +the middle of the room, which was littered with his toilet articles. + +"Why, Miss Cogbill!" he exclaimed, rising to greet her, "I thought you +were in Paris." + +"So I should be if I hadn't been stopped at Calais by a telegram from +that good-for-nothing Consul of yours." + +"Allingford. Then you know where they are?" + +"Yes, and of all the fools----!" + +"I've also heard from Scarsdale and Mrs. Allingford." + +"You have! Where are they?" + +"Winchester." + +"Winchester! What are they doing there?" + +"He's been arrested." + +"Arrested!" + +"Yes. Sit down and I'll tell you about it." Which he proceeded to do, +and also about Lady Scarsdale's visit. + +"Just so," commented Aunt Eliza when he had finished. "Now what do you +propose doing next?" + +"I suppose the proper thing would be to put the two couples in +communication with each other," suggested Jack. + +"Well, I'm not so sure," she said. "You and I are the only ones who know +all the facts, and we must not act in a hurry. Now there's Allingford +and Mabel down at Melton Court. They'll keep till to-morrow, I guess. It +would just spoil her night's rest to know that her husband was in jail +at Winchester, and send her over to him by the first train to-morrow +morning, like as not, to weep on his neck and complicate the course of +justice. Anyway, I don't think the two couples had better meet till we +are present to soothe their ruffled feelings; for, after the mess that +the Consul's brother has got them into, I dare say that, left to +themselves, the Scarsdales and Allingfords wouldn't be real cordial to +each other. But I see you are packing up. Now where are you going?" + +"I was going down to Salisbury, at Lady Scarsdale's request." + +"You're needed elsewhere. You go right down to Winchester this evening, +so as you can be there when the court opens first thing to-morrow +morning, to identify my good-for-nothing nephew, liberate him, and send +him and Mrs. Allingford over to Melton Court as soon as you can. I'll be +there before you to break the news to Mabel." + +"Well, you see," he said, "I've promised her ladyship." + +"Never mind that; your business is to fish these young people out of +their troubles. I'll drive at once to Lady Scarsdale's hotel, and tell +her of your change of plans, and go down myself by the first train +to-morrow morning to Salisbury." + +"Then," he said, closing his valise with a snap, "I shall leave at once +for Winchester." + +"Good boy!" said Aunt Eliza. "It's too bad they spoiled you by making +you a gentleman; you have a first-class head for business." + +"It is just what I've been thinking myself," he said ruefully. + +"Have you?" cried the old lady, her face lighting up with genuine +interest. "I'm glad to hear it. You just put this matter through +successfully, and maybe it will be worth more to you than your expenses. +Now I must be off, and so must you." + +"Very well. I'll put up at the George," he said, as he helped her into a +hansom. + +"Right you are!" she cried, and signalled her driver to go on. + +As Carrington found that he would not reach Winchester till late, he +telegraphed Mrs. Allingford that he would see her the next morning, and +that he had received news of the whereabouts of her husband and +Scarsdale's wife, who were all right and would join them on the morrow. + +On his arrival he went straight to the hotel that Mrs. Allingford had +designated in her telegram, to find that that lady had retired for the +night, leaving, however, a note for him which contained full +instructions, and stated in addition that she had received his telegram, +for which she was profoundly grateful, and that he must not hesitate to +wake her if, by so doing, he could cause her to rejoin her husband one +instant sooner. + +As it was by this time close upon midnight, Carrington decided to let +matters rest as they were till morning; especially as he had before he +slept to hunt up his brother at the barracks, and so insure his +attendance at court the next day. This was easily arranged; but the two +men had much to talk over, and it was nearly daybreak when Jack set out +to return to the hotel. + +The shortest way back was by a cross cut through the mysterious darkness +of the cathedral close, within which he heard the voices of two men in +heated dispute, the tone of the one shrill with rage, while those of the +other proclaimed that he had been drinking. + +Carrington would have passed without noticing, so intent was he on his +own affairs, had not a name which one of them pronounced arrested his +attention and caused him to stop. + +"You call Robert Allingford a thief!" came the thick tones of the +intoxicated man. + +"I say he stole it!" cried the shrill voice of the other. + +"Call my brother a thief!" reiterated the first speaker. "He's +Consul--gentleman. Gentlemen don't steal elephants." + +"I say he stole it! Right away that day! Didn't wait for me to redeem +it." + +"You dare to call my brother thief!" The voice grew menacing. + +"Twenty pounds he gave me--only one hundred dollars--for an elephant. I +say he's a thief----!" + +Here the shrill voice died away in a gulp, and there was a sound of +blows and scuffling. + +Carrington forced his way through the hedge, crying: + +"Hold on! What is this about?" + +At the sound of his voice the owner of elephants exclaimed: "The +bobbies!" and, disengaging himself from the other, fled down the road; +while his companion, who had started to follow him, was detained by +Jack, who recognised his captive as none other than Richard Allingford. + +"What are you doing here?" he demanded. + +"Oh," said Allingford, "it's Mr. Carrington. Delighted to see you, I'm +sure. Correcting that fellow. Says brother Robert stole elephant." His +arrest had somewhat sobered him. + +"Of course," said Carrington, "he didn't steal the elephant." + +"Where is he?" + +"Your brother?" + +"Yes." + +"At Melton Court, near Salisbury; but you must not go there." + +"Yes, I will," replied Slippery Dick, waxing pugnacious, "Take the +elephant fellow along, too--make him eat his words. Call my brother a +thief, will he?" + +"You'll do nothing of the kind," said his captor. "You're wanted here by +the police." + +"What!" + +"Yes. For assault and battery, and disturbing the peace. They have +arrested another man, a Mr. Scarsdale, by mistake in your place." + +"I don't know anything about it. Never been here before to-night," +protested the unregenerate one. + +"Well, you must come along with me and give yourself up, or----." But +Carrington never finished the sentence; for at that moment he struck the +ground very hard, and by the time he realised that Slippery Dick had +tripped him, that personage had disappeared into the darkness, thus +justifying his sobriquet. + +Jack picked himself up and struggled through the hedge; but no one was +in sight, and the dull, distant sound of flying feet seemed to indicate +that the Consul's brother was seeking fresh fields and pastures new with +uncommon celerity. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +IN WHICH THE CONSUL AND MRS. SCARSDALE EMULATE THE KING OF FRANCE AND +TWENTY THOUSAND OF HIS COMPATRIOTS + +Another day was dawning, a day that was destined to be most arduous, +eventful, and important in the lives of all those with whom this +narrative has to deal. Yet, at this hour in the morning, Carrington, +sitting shivering on his bedside; Lady Melton, listening in her chamber +for the departing footsteps of the faithful Bright; Aunt Eliza, drinking +an early cup of coffee in preparation for a long day's work; the Consul +and Mrs. Scarsdale, journeying to Southampton; Slippery Dick, pouncing +on the sometime owner of elephants at a way-side alehouse; Scarsdale, +pacing his prison cell; Mrs. Allingford, waiting, 'twixt hope and fear, +for news of her husband; and the elephant, shrieking in his +box-stall--these, one and all, entered regretfully upon this day +fraught with so many complications. + +Carrington had decided, as he wended his way home to the hotel after his +somewhat startling encounter with the Consul's unregenerate brother, +that he was in no wise bound to report the matter to the authorities. +His mission was to extricate Mr. Scarsdale from unjust imprisonment, not +to incriminate any one else; and he foresaw that any attempt on his part +to interfere, as an avenger of justice, might entail subsequent +attendance at the local police court whenever the true culprit fell into +the hands of the law. + +When Jack had thus determined on his course of action, he resigned +himself peacefully to slumber, of which he stood much in need; but no +sooner, apparently, had his head touched the pillow than he was awakened +by a knocking at his chamber door. In reply to his sleepy inquiries, he +was informed that Mrs. Allingford was up and in the ladies' +drawing-room, and would much appreciate it if she could see him as soon +as possible. + +Carrington replied that he would be happy to wait on her in a few +minutes, as soon as he was dressed, in fact, and cursed himself heartily +for having been fool enough to be any one's best man. Half-past six! It +was inhuman to call him up at such a time. He had not had three hours' +sleep. He wished himself at Melton Court more than ever. There, at +least, they rose at decent hours. + +As he entered the hotel drawing-room, a few minutes later, in a somewhat +calmer frame of mind, due to a bath and a cup of coffee, Mrs. Allingford +rose to meet him, took both his hands in hers, and, holding them +tightly, stood for a moment with her upturned eyes looking fixedly into +his. He would never have known her for the happy bride of two short days +ago; she seemed more like a widow, years older, and with all the joy of +her youth crushed out by trouble. + +"Words cannot express what your coming means to me. It is the kindest +thing you've ever done," she said simply; but her tone and manner told +him of her gratitude and relief. + +"It is very little to do," he replied, feeling, all at once, that he had +been a brute not to have seen her the night before. + +"My husband! Oh, tell me about my husband!" she exclaimed, dropping all +restraint. + +"What a child she was, in spite of her wedding-ring!" he thought; but he +felt very sorry for her, and answered gently: + +"I blame myself for not telling you sooner. He is safe and well.' + +"Thank God!" she murmured. + +"And at present at Melton Court, the country place of Lady Melton, Mr. +Scarsdale's great-aunt." And then he told her such of her husband's +adventures as he knew. + +"When is the first train to Salisbury?" she cried, interrupting the +recital. + +"I dare say there is an early morning train," he returned; "but I should +suggest your waiting for the one at nine-thirty, as then Mr. Scarsdale +can accompany you." + +"But he is in prison." + +"Yes, I know; but he won't be very long." + +"You are sure they will release him?" + +"There's not a doubt of it. I have arranged all that." + +"Now tell me more about my husband, everything you know. Poor Bob! if he +has suffered as I have, he must indeed be wretched." + +Jack was morally sure that the Consul had done nothing of the kind, but +he forbore to say so. Not that he doubted for a moment that Allingford +loved his wife ardently; but he knew him to be a somewhat easy-going +personage, who, when he could not have things as he wanted them, +resigned himself to making the best of things as they were. From what he +knew of Mrs. Scarsdale, moreover, he thought it safe to conclude that +she had resigned herself to the exigencies of the case, and that both of +them looked on the whole affair as a practical joke played upon them by +Fate, of which they could clearly perceive the humorous side. He +therefore turned the conversation by recounting all he knew, even to the +minutest circumstance, of her husband's adventures; and she, in her +turn, poured into his ear her tale of woe in Winchester. + +"I can't understand," he said, at the conclusion of her narrative, "why +Allingford did not receive the telegram you sent to Basingstoke +yesterday." + +"As I think I told you," she replied, "that strange person, Faro +Charlie, offered to send it for me, and as I had no change I gave him a +five-pound note." + +"Oh!" said Carrington, "perhaps that solves the mystery. Did your friend +bring you back the change?" + +"N--o," admitted Mrs. Allingford; "that is, not yet." + +"I'm afraid you will never hear from your five-pound note, and that +Allingford never received his telegram from Winchester," commented +Carrington; "but it has disposed of Faro Charlie as a witness, and +perhaps that was worth the money." + +"Do you really think he meant to take it?" she asked in a shocked tone. + +"I'm sure of it," he replied, "and time will prove the correctness of +my theory." And time did. + +They breakfasted together, and, at Carrington's suggestion, all the +baggage was sent to the station, in order that they might have every +chance of making the train. Jack's brother joined them about half-past +eight, and the three proceeded to the court, where a few words from that +officer to the magistrate, with whom he was personally acquainted, were +sufficient to bring Scarsdale's case first on the docket. + +The landlord of the Lion's Head appeared, a mass of bandages, and +groaning dolefully to excite the sympathy of the court; but he testified +without hesitation that the prisoner, though somewhat resembling Richard +Allingford, was not he; and it did not need Carrington's identification +to make Scarsdale a free man. Then there were mutual congratulations, +and a hurried drive to the station, where they just succeeded in +catching the train; and, almost before he knew it, Jack was standing +alone upon the platform, while his two friends were speeding towards +the goal of all their hopes, _viâ_ Southampton and Salisbury. + + * * * * * + +"I suppose," said Mrs. Scarsdale to the Consul, as their train drew out +of Salisbury in the first flush of the sunrise on the morning which saw +Mr. Scarsdale's liberation from durance vile--"I suppose you realise +that you have exiled me from the home of my ancestors." + +"How so?" asked the Consul. + +"Why, you don't imagine that I shall ever dare to show my face at Melton +Court again. Just picture to yourself her ladyship and your elephant! +She will never forgive us, and will cut poor Harold off with a +shilling." + +"That won't hurt him much, from all I've heard of her ladyship's +finances," he replied. + +"I think," she resumed, "that I ought to be very angry with you; but I +can't help laughing, it is so absurd. A bull in a china-shop would be +tame compared with an elephant at Melton Court. What do you think she +will do with the beast?" + +"Pasture it on the front lawn to keep away objectionable relatives," +retorted the Consul. "But, seriously speaking, have you any definite +plan of campaign?" + +"Certainly not. What do you suppose I carry you round for, if it is not +to plan campaigns?" + +"Which you generally alter. You will please remember that the visit to +Melton Court was entirely owing to you." + +"Quite, and I shall probably upset this one; but proceed." + +"Well, in the first place, as soon as we reach Southampton I think we +had better have a good breakfast." + +"That is no news. You are a man; therefore you eat. Go on." + +"Do you object?" + +"Not at all. I expected it; I'll even eat with you." + +"Well said. After this necessary duty, I propose to go to the station +and thoroughly investigate the matter of the arrival and departure of +my wife and your husband." + +"If they were at Basingstoke we should have heard from them before +this," she said; "and even if they were not, they should have +telegraphed." + +"Very probably they did," he replied; "but, as you ought to know, there +is nothing more obliging and more generally dense than an English minor +official. I dare say that the key to the whole mystery is at this moment +reposing, neatly done up in red tape, at the office of that disgusting +little junction. But here we are at Southampton. Now for breakfast; and +then the American Sherlock Holmes will sift this matter to the bottom." +And the Consul, in excellent spirits, assisted her to alight. + +Indeed, now that the elephant had been left behind, he felt that, +actually as well as metaphorically, a great weight had been lifted from +his shoulders. + +"Evidently," remarked Allingford, as they were finishing a breakfast in +one of the cosy principal hotels--"evidently the loss of your husband +has not included the loss of your appetite." + +"Of course it hasn't," replied Mrs. Scarsdale. "Why shouldn't I eat a +good breakfast? I have no use for conventions which make one do +disagreeable things just because one happens to feel miserable." + +"Do you feel very miserable? I thought you seemed rather cheerful on the +whole," he commented. + +"Well, you are not to think anything so unpleasant or personal. I'm +utterly wretched; and if you don't believe it I won't eat a mouthful." + +"I'm sure," he returned, "that your husband would be much put out if he +knew you contemplated doing anything so foolish." + +"Do you know," she said, "that I'm beginning to have serious doubts that +I ever had a husband? Do you think he's a myth, and that you and I will +have to go through life together in an endless pursuit of what doesn't +exist?" + +"Good Lord, I hope not!" he exclaimed. + +"That is very uncomplimentary to me," she retorted. + +"In the face of that remark," he replied, pushing back his chair, "I am +silent." + +"Do you know," said his companion after a moment, as she folded her +napkin, "that the keen sense of humour with which we Americans are +endowed saves a large percentage of us from going mad or committing +suicide?" + +"Are you thinking of doing either?" he asked anxiously. + +"I am thinking," she replied, "that we have had two exceedingly amusing +days, and I am almost sorry they are over." + +"Don't you want to find your husband?" he exclaimed. + +"Of course I do; but it has been a sort of breathing-space before +settling down to the seriousness of married life, and that elephant +episode was funny. I think it was worth two days of any husband; don't +you?" + +"I don't know," returned the Consul, somewhat ruefully. "I'd just as +lief that Scarsdale had had the beast." + +"Oh, I wouldn't!" she cried. "He would have spoiled all the fun. He'd +have done some stupid, rational thing. Donated it to the 'Zoo' in +London, I should think; wasted the elephant, in fact. It took the spirit +of American humour to play your colossal, practical joke. I wonder if it +has arrived at the Court yet. I can fancy it sticking its head, trunk +and all, through the great window in Lady Melton's dining-room." + +"She called me a consular person," remarked that official stiffly. + +"Hence the elephant," laughed his fair companion. "Cause and effect. +But, joking apart, there is a pitiful side to our adventure. When I +think of those two matter-of-fact, serious British things, your better +half and my--my husband, and of what a miserable time they have been +having, unrelieved by any spark of humour, it almost makes me cry." + +"Hold on!" cried Allingford, "You are just as bad as your great-aunt. +She calls me a consular person, and you call my wife a British thing! I +wish I had another elephant." + +"I beg your pardon, I do really," she replied. "I classed my husband in +the same category. But don't you agree with me that it's sad? I'm sure +your poor wife has cried her eyes out; and as for my husband, I doubt if +he's eaten anything, and I'm certain he's worn his most unbecoming +clothes." + +"You are wrong there," interrupted Allingford; "he packed all the worst +specimens, and I rescued them at Salisbury. I tried them on yesterday, +and there wasn't a suit I'd have had the face to wear in public." + +"There, run along and turn the station upside down; you've talked +enough," she said, laughing, and drove him playfully out of the room. + +It was about half-past nine that the Consul meditatively mopped his +head, as he reached the top step of the hotel porch. He was heated by +his exertions, but exceedingly complacent. He had interviewed sixteen +porters, five guards, the station agent, three char-women, four +policemen, and the barmaid--the latter twice, once on business and once +on pleasure; and he had discovered from the thirtieth individual, and +after twenty-nine failures and a drink, the simple fact that those he +sought had gone to Winchester. He did not think he could have faced Mrs. +Scarsdale if he had failed. As it was, he returned triumphant, and, as +he approached their private parlour, he mentally pictured in advance the +scene which would await him: her radiant smile, her voluble expression +of thanks, their joyful journey to Winchester; in short, success. He +pushed open the door, and this is what really happened: an angry woman +with a flushed, tear-stained face rushed across the room, shoved a +newspaper at him, and cried: + +"You brute!" + +The Consul dropped into the nearest chair. He looked at the infuriated +Mrs. Scarsdale, he looked at the crumpled newspaper, he heard the last +echo of that opprobrious monosyllable, and he said: + +"Well I'm jiggered!" + +Then, recollecting his news, he continued: + +"Oh, I forgot. I've found out where they have gone; it's Winchester." + +"Is that all you've got to tell me?" she cried. "All, in the face of +this?" And she again shoved the newspaper towards him. He looked to +where her finger pointed. He was hopelessly bewildered, and wondered if +her native humour had inopportunely failed her and she had gone mad. + +"Read!" she commanded. + +His wandering eye followed the direction of her finger, and he read +slowly, with open mouth, a short account of the arrest and partial trial +at Winchester of one Richard Allingford, who claimed to be Harold +Scarsdale. + +"Tell me," she thundered, "is that my husband?" + +"Well," he said, slowly, "I guess it is," and he re-read the last +sentence of the paragraph in the newspaper: + + "_The prisoner insisted that he was Harold Scarsdale, and could + prove his identity. He was accompanied by a woman who claimed to be + Mrs. Robert Allingford, wife of the well-known United States Consul + at Christchurch. The prisoner was remanded till this morning._" + +"Have you a brother?" + +"Yes." + +"Has he ever been arrested?" + +"Arrested! Why, I've spent most of my time for the past twenty years in +bailing him out." + +"But why has my husband taken his name?" she demanded. + +"That is a matter you'll have to settle with Scarsdale; and if you look +as you do now, I'm real sorry for him," he replied. + +"You don't care a bit!" she cried. + +"Oh, yes I do; but I want you to see it from its humorous side," he +answered. + +At this remark Mrs. Scarsdale burst into a flood of tears, and +Allingford gave a sigh of relief, and, strolling to the window, was soon +lost in admiration of the view. + +Suddenly a voice said, in the sweetness of its accustomed tones: + +"Why were you so pleased when I began to cry?" And Mrs. Scarsdale, calm +and composed, stood beside him. + +"Hard storm is a good thing to clear the atmosphere after a +thunder-shower," replied the Consul laconically. + +"I was real mad with you," she admitted. + +"Great Scott! don't you suppose I knew that?" he cried. + +They both laughed, and peace was restored. + +"Do you really think it is poor Harold?" + +"I suppose he doesn't get called St. Hubart when he's in 'quod'?" + +"Be sensible and answer my question. Is it my husband or your brother +who is on trial at Winchester?" + +"I don't know," he replied. + +"What are you going to do about it?" she asked. + +"Go and see." + +"When is the next train?" + +The Consul pulled out his watch. + +"In twelve and a half minutes," he said. "I've paid the hotel bill. +Here, hold on! You turn to the left for the elevator!" But Mrs. +Scarsdale was half-way downstairs on her way to the station. + +An hour later, as the Consul and his fair companion emerged at the +station at Winchester, the first person they saw was Carrington. + +"We've been found at last!" cried the Consul, advancing towards Jack +with outstretched hand, exclaiming: "Well, Columbus Carrington, if ever +I get lost again, I'll telegraph you first thing." + +In a minute questions and answers were flying between them. Where had +they been? Where had they come from? Why was Carrington here? Why had +Scarsdale been arrested? + +Jack bore up manfully, answering as best he could. + +"Perhaps you can tell me the whereabouts of my wife and this lady's +husband?" said the Consul. + +"They have been staying here," he replied, "but they have gone." + +"Gone!" cried Allingford in blank amazement. "Gone! Where? When?" + +"Why, to Salisbury," replied Jack. "I sent them over there early this +morning." + +"You did, did you?" spluttered the Consul. "What right had you to send +them anywhere?" + +"Why, to join you at Lady Diana's." + +"Join us!" screamed Allingford. "Why, we left Melton Court at half-past +four this morning, and have been on the road ever since trying to join +them." + +"It seems to be a typical example of cross-purposes," replied +Carrington. + +"It's pure cussedness!" said the Consul. + +"But I thought my husband was--in prison," chimed in Mrs. Scarsdale; +"the paper said so." + +"Merely a case of mistaken identity," Jack hastened to assure her. "I +had him set free in no time. And that reminds me: I ran across your +brother here last evening, Allingford. It is he who has caused all the +trouble. Frankly, I am almost sorry I did not give him over to the +police." + +"I wish you had," replied the Consul; "I wouldn't have bailed him out +till my honeymoon was over. Where is he now?" + +"I'm inclined to believe," replied Carrington, "that he has gone to +Melton Court in search of you, in company with a man who talked some +nonsense about your having stolen an elephant from him." + +Allingford and Mrs. Scarsdale both began to laugh. + +"I don't see anything funny about that," said Jack. + +"Oh, don't you?" returned the Consul. "Well, you would if you knew the +rest of the story." And in a few brief words he explained about the +elephant's arrival and their subsequent flight. + +"Heavens, man!" cried Carrington, "you don't seem to realise what you +have let Scarsdale and your wife in for!" + +"Great Scott!" exclaimed the Consul, "I never thought of that. Why, I +reckon it's rampaging all over the place by this time, and the old lady +must be in a perfect fury. When's the next train back? We can't get +there too quickly." + +"One goes in five minutes," said Jack. + +"If I'd ever suspected," gasped Mrs. Scarsdale to Allingford as they +rushed down the platform, "that you were laying such a trap for my poor +husband----" + +"I'm sure I didn't do it on purpose," he replied; "but if they happen to +meet the catawampus after she's met the elephant, they'll be in for a +pretty hot time." + +"Your brother was bad enough," she groaned as the train pulled out; "but +as for your elephant----! It's worse than being arrested!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + +IN WHICH LADY MELTON RECEIVES A STRANGE VISITOR + +However harassing and disturbing the events of the past few days had +been to the people particularly interested in them, to the mind of one +the proceedings of all those with whom he had come in contact had been +characterised by an ignorance, not only of the necessities of life, but +even of the very etiquette that lends a becoming dignity to existence, +which seemed almost pitiful. Not since the elephant left his native +shore had he received what he considered to be proper, or even +intelligent, attention. On the voyage, indeed, though his quarters were +crowded, and denied by the proximity of low-caste beasts, his material +wants had been considered; but since yesterday, when he had landed in +the midst of a howling wilderness of iron monsters, who could neither +see nor hear and were no respecters of persons, there had been a +scarcity even of food and water. All night he had been dragged about the +country at a speed unbecoming the dignity of a ruler of the jungle +(without even the company of his mahout, who had lost the train at +Southampton); and, now that the earth had ceased to move past him and +was once more still, he expressed his opinion of the ignorant and +degraded people of this wretched country in no uncertain voice. Then, +finding that the pen in which he was confined was cramped and dirty, and +wholly unfitted for one of his exalted position, he exerted himself to +be free, and in a short time reduced his car to kindling-wood. Being now +at liberty, he naturally desired his breakfast; but what was one to do +when men disfigured the earth with bars of steel over which one tripped, +and stored the fruits of the land in squat yellow bungalows, with fluted +iron roofs which were difficult to tear off? Therefore the elephant +lifted up his voice in rage, whereat many things happened, and a +high-caste man, clad in the blue of the sky and the gold of the sun, ran +up and down upon the earth, and declared that he should forthwith be +taken to the "Court" and delivered to the "Damconsul." + +What a "Damconsul" was the elephant did not know; but concluded that it +was the title these barbarous people bestowed on the Maharajah of that +district. Since he lived at a Court, it seemed certain that he would +know how to appreciate and fittingly entertain him. The elephant +therefore consented to follow his attendant slaves, though they +understood not the noble art of riding him, but were fain to lead him +like a beast of burden. On the way he found a spring of sweet water, of +which he drank his fill, despite the protestations of his leaders and +the outcries of the inhabitants of the bungalow of the well, whose +lamentations showed them to be of low caste and little sensible of the +honour done them. + +The procession at length reached the gate of the Court; and while the +attendants were in the lodge explaining matters to the astonished +keeper, the elephant, realising that "drink was good but food better," +determined to do a little foraging on his own account, and so moved +softly off, taking along the stake to which his keepers fondly imagined +he was tethered. + +He judged that he was now in the park of the Court of the "Damconsul"; +and the fact that there were many clumps of familiar plants scattered +over the grass increased his belief that this was the case. He tried a +few coleus and ate a croton or two; but found them insipid and lacking +the freshness of those which bloomed in his native land. Then turning to +a grove of young palms, he tore a number up by the roots; which he found +required no expenditure of strength, and so gave him little +satisfaction. Moreover, they grew in green tubs, which rolled about +between his feet and were pitfalls for the unwary. He lay down on a few +of the beds; but the foliage was pitifully thin and afforded him no +comfortable resting-place; moreover, there were curious rows of +slanting things which glistened in the sunlight, and which he much +wished to investigate. On examination he found them quite brittle, and +easily smashed a number of them with his trunk. Nor was this all, for in +the wreckage he discovered a large quantity of most excellent +fruit--grapes and nectarines and some very passable plums. Evidently the +"Damconsul" was an enlightened person, who knew how to live; and, +indeed, it is not fitting for even an elephant to turn up his trunk at +espalier peaches at a guinea apiece. + +Certainly, thought the elephant, things might be worse. And after a bath +in a neighbouring fountain, which cost the lives of some two score of +goldfish, he really felt refreshed, and approached the palace, which he +considered rather dingy, in order to pay his respects to its owner. +Coming round to the front of the building he discovered a marble +terrace, gleaming white in the sunshine, and flanked by two groups of +statuary--Hercules with his club, and Diana with her bow: though, being +unacquainted with Greek mythology, he did not recognise them as such. +On the terrace itself was set a breakfast-table resplendent with silver +and chaste with fair linen; and by it sat a houri, holding a sunshade +over her golden head. The elephant, wishing to conciliate this vision of +beauty, advanced towards her, trumpeting gently; but his friendly +overtures were evidently misinterpreted, for the houri, giving a wild +scream, dropped her sunshade, and fled for safety to the shoulders of +Hercules, from which vantage-point she called loudly for help. + +Feeling that such conduct was indecorous in the extreme, he ignored her +with a lofty contempt; and, having tested the quality of the masonry, +ventured upon the terrace and inspected the feast. There were more +nectarines--but he had had enough of those--and something steaming in a +silver vessel, the like of which he remembered to have encountered once +before in the bungalow of a sahib. Moreover, he had not forgotten how it +spouted a boiling liquid when one took it up in one's trunk. At this +moment a shameless female slave appeared at a window, in response to +the cries of the houri, and abused him. He could not, it is true, +understand her barbarous language; but the tone implied abuse. Such an +insult from the scum of the earth could not be allowed to pass +unnoticed. He filled his trunk with water from a marble basin near at +hand, and squirted it at her with all his force, and the scum of the +earth departed quickly. + +"It would be well," thought the elephant, "to find the 'Damconsul' +before further untoward incidents could occur"; and with this end in +view, he turned himself about, preparatory to leaving the terrace. He +forgot, however, that marble may be slippery; his hind legs suddenly +slid from under him, and he sat hurriedly down on the breakfast-table. +It was at this singularly inopportune moment that Lady Diana appeared +upon the scene. + +Her ladyship awoke that morning to what was destined to be the most +eventful and disturbing day of her peaceful and well-ordered life, with +a feeling of irritation and regret that it had dawned, which, in the +light of subsequent events, would seem to have been almost a +premonition of coming evil. She was, though at this early hour she +little knew it, destined to receive a series of shocks of volcanic force +and suddenness, between sunrise and sunset, any one of which would have +served to overthrow her preconceived notions of what life, and +especially life at Melton Court, ought to be. + +As yet she knew nothing of all this; but she did know that, though it +was long after the hour appointed, she had heard no sound of her +great-niece's departing footsteps. She waited till she must have missed +the train, and then rang her bedroom bell sharply to learn why her +orders had been disobeyed. + +"If you please, my lady," replied her maid in answer to her mistress's +questions, "Bright did not go because we could not find Mrs. Scarsdale." + +"Could not find my niece! And why not, pray?" demanded her ladyship +angrily. + +"She was not in her room, my lady, or anywhere about the Court; only +this note, directed to your ladyship, on her dressing-table." + +"Why didn't you say so to begin with, then?" cried her mistress testily. +"Open the window, that I may see what this means." + +The note was short and painstakingly polite; but its perusal did not +seem to please Lady Diana, for she frowned and set her thin lips as she +re-read it. The missive ran as follows: + + "DEAR LADY MELTON, + + "I write to apologise for the somewhat unconventional manner in + which I am leaving your house; but as your plans for my disposal + to-day did not accord with my own ideas of what is fitting, I have + thought it best to leave thus early, and so avoid any awkwardness + which might arise from conflicting arrangements. I wish you to know + that I shall be with friends by this evening, so that you need feel + no anxiety about my position. Pray accept my thanks for your + hospitality, which I am sure my husband will much appreciate, and + believe me, + + "Yours respectfully, + "MABEL SCARSDALE." + +This communication her ladyship tore up into small fragments, and then +snapped out: + +"Is there anything more?" + +"Yes, if you please, my lady," replied the maid; "a note for you from +Mr. Allingford, left in his room." + +Lady Melton took it as gingerly as if it were fresh from some infected +district, and, spreading it out on the bed before her, read it with a +contemptuous smile. + + "YOUR LADYSHIP," wrote the Consul, "I have the honour to inform you + that I am leaving at the earliest possible moment, not wishing to + impose my company longer than is absolutely necessary where it is + so evidently undesired. That there may be no burden of obligation + between us, I beg you to accept a trunk belonging to me, which will + arrive this morning, as compensation for my board and lodging. + + "I remain + "Your Ladyship's Obedient Servant, + "ROBERT ALLINGFORD, + "_U.S. Consul, Christchurch, England_. + + "P.S.--I mail you to-day a deed of gift of the property in + question, legally attested, so that there may be no question of + ownership. + + "R. A." + +"Insolence!" gasped Lady Melton, when she comprehended the contents of +this astonishing communication. Then turning to her maid, she commanded: + +"If this person's trunk arrives here, have it sent back to him +instantly." And she fumed with rage at the thought. + +"How dare he suppose that I would for a moment accept a gratuity!" + +Indeed, so wrought up was she that it was with difficulty that she +controlled herself sufficiently to breakfast on the terrace. Moreover, +her interview with Bright, the butler, whom she encountered on her way +downstairs and who announced the arrival of her great-nephew and a +strange lady, was hardly soothing; for it forced her to believe that +that faithful servant, after years of probity, had at last strayed from +the temperate paths of virtue. Seeing him dishevelled and bewildered, +she had sternly rebuked him for his appearance, and from his disjointed +replies had only gathered that his astounding state was in some way due +to the Consul. + +"Has that insolent person's trunk arrived?" she inquired; when, to her +astonishment, her old retainer, who had always observed in her presence +a respectful and highly deferential demeanour, actually tittered. + +"Bright!" she said sternly. + +"Beg pardon, my lady," giggled Bright, his face still wreathed in +smiles; "but the way you put it." + +"What have you done with this person's belongings? Have my orders been +carried out?" + +"You mean in regard to the--the----" + +"Trunk. Yes, let it be put off the place immediately." + +"Please, your ladyship," he replied, with difficulty restraining his +laughter, "it won't go." + +"Will not go?" + +"No, my lady; it's been rampaging through the greenhouses, and is now on +the terrace, where it douched Anne most awful." + +"Leave me at once, Bright, and do not let me see you again till you are +in a more decent state," she commanded, and swept by him, ignoring his +protestations of innocence and respect. + +She found Scarsdale awaiting her in the reception-room, and accorded him +a very frigid greeting, suggesting that they should have their interview +on the terrace, where he had left Mrs. Allingford safely ensconced in an +armchair, while he went to meet his great-aunt. + +Her ladyship had been considerably ruffled both by her interview with +Bright and by the arrival of Scarsdale, towards whom, in the light of +recent events, she felt a strong resentment; and a vision of the +Consul's wife perched most indecorously on the shoulders of Hercules, +which she beheld as she emerged on the terrace, did not tend to calm her +already excited nerves. But before she could speak her eyes followed the +direction of the unknown lady's gaze, and she saw, for the first time, +her unwelcome visitor. + +When you come suddenly face to face with an elephant seated amidst the +wreck of cherished Chippendale and ancestral Sèvres, it is not +calculated to increase your composure or equalise your temper; and Lady +Diana may be pardoned, as the vastness of the Consul's impudence dawned +upon her, for giving vent to expressions both of anger and amazement, +albeit her appearance produced no less of a disturbance in the breast of +him who sat amidst the ruins of the breakfast-table. The elephant felt +that in the presence of the Maharanee, for such he believed her to be, +his position was undignified. She was, without doubt, the wife of the +"Damconsul," and, as such, should be paid all proper respect and +deference. He, therefore, bowed his head in submission, completing in +the process his work of destruction. Whereat Mrs. Allingford shrieked +and clung more closely to the protecting shoulders of Hercules. + +Serious as the situation was, it was not without its humorous side, and +it took all Scarsdale's command of himself to control his face +sufficiently to address his relative with becoming respect. + +"Why, aunt," he said, "I didn't know that you had gone in for pets!" + +"Harold Stanley Malcolm St. Hubart Scarsdale," replied her ladyship--she +prided herself on never forgetting a name--"you are one of the most +impudent and worthless young men that I have the honour to count among +my relatives; but you have been in India, and you ought to know how to +manage this monster." + +"I've seen enough of them," he answered. "What do you want him to do?" + +"Do!" she cried wrathfully. "I should think anybody would know that I +wished it to get up and go away." + +"Oh," said he, and made a remark in Hindustani to the elephant, whereat +the beast gradually and deliberately proceeded to rise from the wreck of +the breakfast, till he seemed to the spectators to be forty feet high. +Then, in response to Scarsdale's cries of "Mail! mail!" (Go on) he +turned himself about, and, after sending the teapot through the nearest +window with a disdainful kick of one hind leg, he lurched down the steps +of the terrace and on to the lawn, where he remained contentedly +standing, gently rocking to and fro, while he meditatively removed from +his person, by means of his trunk, the fragments of the feast, with +which he was liberally bespattered. + +Scarsdale, seeing that his lordship was in an amicable frame of mind, +hastened to assist Mrs. Allingford to descend from her somewhat uneasy +perch. + +"St. Hubart," said Lady Melton, who, throughout this trying ordeal, had +lost none of her natural dignity, "you have done me a service. I shall +not forget it." + +Scarsdale thought it would be difficult to forget the elephant. + +"I will even forgive you," she continued, "for marrying that American." + +"It was so good of you to receive my wife," he said. "I trust you are +pleased with her." + +"I am not pleased at all," she said sharply. "I consider her forward and +disrespectful, and I am glad she is gone." + +"Gone!" he exclaimed. + +"You may well be surprised," said his great-aunt, "but such is the +case." + +"But where has she gone?" + +"That I do not know; she left without consulting me, and against my +advice and wishes." + +"Did she go alone?" + +"She went," replied her ladyship, "with one of the most insolent persons +it has ever been my misfortune to meet. He is owner of that!" And she +pointed to the elephant. + +"But who is he?" demanded Scarsdale, not recognising, from her +description, his friend the Consul. + +"He disgraces," she continued, "a public office given him by a foreign +Government." + +"You are surely not talking about Allingford!" he exclaimed. + +"That, I believe, is his name," replied Lady Melton. + +"What, my husband!" cried the Consul's wife, who up to this point had +kept silence. "You dare to call my husband a disgrace----!" Here Mrs. +Allingford became dumb with indignation. + +"If he is your husband," returned her ladyship, "I am exceedingly sorry +for you. As for 'daring' to apply to him any epithet I please, I +consider myself fully justified in so doing after the indignity to which +he has condemned me. I am glad, however, to have met you, as I am thus +enabled to return you your husband's property, with the request that you +take your elephant and leave my grounds as quickly as possible." + +"Do you mean to say that my husband owns that monster?" gasped Mrs. +Allingford. + +"Such is the case," replied Lady Melton, "and I leave it in your hands. +St. Hubart, I trust _you_ will join me at breakfast as soon as another +can be prepared." + +"Excuse me," he said apologetically, "but really, you know, I can't +leave Mrs. Allingford in the lurch. Besides, I must follow my wife." + +His great-aunt faced round in a fury. + +"That is sufficient!" she cried. "Leave my presence at once! I never +desire to see either of you again." + +"Don't let us part as enemies, aunt," he said, offering her his hand; +but she swept past him into the house. + +Scarsdale gloomily watched her depart, and then became conscious of a +hand laid on his arm. + +"I am so sorry!" murmured Mrs. Allingford. "I only seem to bring you +trouble." + +"Oh, you mustn't feel badly about this," he said. "We have quarrelled +ever since I was born. I'm much more worried about you." + +"What am I going to do with it?" she exclaimed, looking hopelessly at +her husband's property as it stood rocking before her. + +"The first thing is to get it off the place," replied Scarsdale, +assuming a cheerfulness which he did not feel. "We may find its keepers +at the lodge, and we can make our plans as we walk along." + +"Come on, Jehoshaphat, or whatever you may happen to be called!" he +cried, addressing the elephant, and at the same time grasping the rope +bridle which still dangled from its neck; and the beast, recognising a +kindred spirit speaking to him in his native tongue, followed docilely +where he led. + +"I think," continued Scarsdale, as they trudged slowly across the park, +"that our best course will be to take the elephant to Christchurch. +Indeed, we ought to have gone there in the first instance." + +"What do you expect to gain by that?" she asked quickly, ready in this +strange dilemma to catch at any straw which gave opportunity of escape. + +"Why, your husband's consulate is situated there, and that is his local +habitation in this country, where he is certain to turn up sooner or +later, and where, if the laws of his consular service are anything like +ours, he would be obliged to report every few days." + +"You propose to go there and await his return?" + +"Yes," he said. "I don't see that we can do better. Ten to one your +husband and my wife will hear of our affair at Winchester, and may be on +their way there now to hunt us up; while if we attempted to follow them, +it is more than likely that they would return here. I, for one, am about +tired of chasing myself around the country; as a steady occupation it is +beginning to pall." + +"There is a group of men at the lodge," she said, as they drew near the +gates with the elephant in tow. + +"Then let us hope that there are some station people among them, and +that we can arrange for Jehoshaphat's transportation without loss of +time," replied Scarsdale. + +His hope was, in the first instance, justified; for the station-master +at Salisbury, learning of the Consul's early departure that morning, and +beginning to doubt the wisdom of inflicting the elephant on so important +a personage as Lady Melton, had come up to the Court himself to see how +things were going, and had been horrified beyond measure at the +exaggerated reports of the lodgekeeper as to the havoc the beast had +created. He was therefore unfeignedly relieved at Scarsdale's arrival; a +relief, however, which instantly gave way to stubborn opposition at the +first hint of putting the animal again in his charge. + +Elephants were not in his line, he pointed out, and he had no desire to +transport them about the country. Couldn't think of acting without +receiving advices from the main offices of the railway company in +London, an affair of several days; wouldn't assume charge of the +creature during the interval on any account; and shouldn't stir a step +in the matter till the wrecked van had been paid for. + +This ended the affair, as far as Scarsdale was concerned. He had no +intention of paying damages for the Consul's elephant, but he wished to +deliver it and the Consul's wife at Christchurch as soon as possible. If +this could not be accomplished one way, it must be another. There were +plenty of horses and carriages to be had; indeed, the landau and pair +which had brought them from Salisbury was still at the gates. The roads +were good, the distance to Christchurch was not excessive--say thirty +miles--and the elephant could walk. It merely remained to find a leader +or driver, and they could start at once on their journey across country. + +All this he explained to his fair companion, and she readily acquiesced. + +"The only problem to be solved, then, is where to find a mahout," he +said in conclusion. + +She threw him an inquiring glance; but he felt it was asking too much, +and said so. + +"If it were any other country, I'd ride the beast myself to oblige you; +but in England, and as a representative of one of the first families of +the county, I couldn't. The prejudices of the locality would never +recover from the shock, and I should not be able to show my face in the +streets of Salisbury. But perhaps we can find a substitute. Is there any +one here," he went on, addressing the little group of men, "who +understands an elephant?" + +"Tom, 'e knows the bloomin' beasts," said a member of the company; and +Tom, groom to her ladyship, and cockney every inch of him, was pushed +forward for inspection. + +One glance at the trim form, concealed though it was by stable costume, +was sufficient to assure Scarsdale that he had found his man. + +"You have been a soldier," he said, "and in India?" + +"Yes, sir," replied the man, touching the peak of his cap in a military +salute. + +"Do you think you could manage him?" continued Scarsdale, indicating +the elephant, which, wearied with the morning's exertions, had knelt +down, and seemed on the point of taking a nap. + +"Do I think as 'ow I could manage 'im? I should 'ope so, if I ain't +fergot is 'eathen language, sir." + +"I'll give you eighteen pence a mile," said Scarsdale, quick to act on +the man's decision. + +"Make it two bob, sir, an' I'll ride 'im ter Inja." + +"That's too far," he replied, laughing; "my pocket wouldn't stand the +strain; but I'll give you the price to Christchurch." + +"Right you are," replied the hostler, closing the bargain at once. "Me +name's Tom Ropes. What d'yer call 'im, sir?" pointing to his recumbent +charge. + +"I don't know what he was christened. I call him Jehoshaphat." + +"A Christian name fer a 'eathen brute," commented Tom. "Give me a leg +up, one er yer." + +Once astride the beast's neck, with Scarsdale's cane as an improvised +ankus, he poured out a flood of cockney-Indian jargon which no Hindoo +could ever have recognised as his native tongue, but which evidently had +a familiar sound to the elephant, who proceeded to rise, first with his +fore feet and then with his hind feet; after which his novel mahout, who +throughout these manoeuvres had retained a precarious hold by one ear, +hastened to seat himself more firmly upon him. + +"All right?" queried Scarsdale, looking up; and on receiving an answer +in the affirmative, added: "Keep your feet well under his ears, and hit +him on the head with your stick if he gets fractious. All you need do is +to follow our carriage. Trust to his judgment about bridges; he knows +what will hold him." + +Arrangements, on a liberal scale, having been made for the use of the +conveyance which had brought them from the station, they were ready to +start in a very short space of time; Scarsdale stipulating that they +head towards Southampton, taking the least travelled roads, and in any +event giving Salisbury a wide berth. This was agreed to; and thereupon +commenced one of the most extraordinary progresses that had ever stirred +up a staid and conventional countryside: Scarsdale and Mrs. Allingford +leading off in the landau, since it was necessary to keep the horse well +in front of the elephant, and Tom and his charge plodding on in their +wake. + +As they left the lodge behind them and came out into the open country, +the Consul's wife, turning to her companion in misfortune, said, between +tears and smiles: + +"What do you think is going to happen next?" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +IN WHICH THERE ARE TWO CLAIMANTS FOR ONE DINNER + +The village clock was on the stroke of one when the little procession +drew up before the door of the principal inn in the main square of a +small town on the road between Salisbury and Southampton. + +Scarsdale had been surprised to find how little excitement they had +created in their progress through the countryside; but then he had +chosen the most unfrequented roads, avoiding villages as he would a +pestilence. Man and beast must be fed somewhere, however, and, according +to Tom, the elephant was giving no uncertain signs that he wanted his +dinner. So, against his better judgment, Scarsdale had turned aside into +a neighbouring town, whence, after an hour's rest and refreshment, he +determined to push on that afternoon to a quiet inn he knew of, near +Fording Bridge, and thence to Christchurch the following morning. + +Both he and Mrs. Allingford had been as quiet as mice during the last +hour; indeed, the novel position in which they found themselves inclined +them rather to thought than conversation. + +Their entrance into the town was effected more easily than could have +been hoped for; though, in some unknown manner, a rumour of their coming +seemed to have preceded them: for a crowd had collected along the main +street, which cheered them vociferously, under the mistaken impression +that they were the proprietors of a circus. No travelling show that +wound its course through those country lanes had ever possessed such an +attraction, and the people moved away after they had passed, full of +wonder at the appearance of this strange monster among them, and regret +that with such a beginning there was nothing more to follow. + +Once they had come to a halt, they were surrounded by a curious crowd, +and Scarsdale lost no time in entering into explanations with the +landlord of the inn, who came hurrying out to receive his novel guests. + +It was at this point that their troubles first began; for mine host, +while he professed to furnish entertainment for man and beast, was +dubious concerning the monster which it was proposed to quarter on him +so unexpectedly. The lady and gentleman, their coachman, horses, and +even the cockney mahout were more than welcome; but elephants were not +in his line of business. He didn't know if he could give satisfaction; +feared his accommodations were not sufficiently ample; would like to +oblige, but had the reputation of his house to maintain, &c., &c. + +When Scarsdale happened, however, casually to mention that it was Lady +Melton's elephant a change came over the face of affairs, of which he +was not slow to take advantage. + +Her ladyship was well known throughout the county, while her reputation +for severity had a still wider circulation, and the landlord was in +abject fear of her, though, nevertheless, obstinately determined to have +none of the beast. + +The subject of all this altercation had meantime appropriated the public +horse-trough to his exclusive use for drinking and bathing purposes, and +was enjoying himself in consequence, which was more than could be said +of his rider, who shared unwillingly in his ablutions. + +"Give 'im the word to sit down, sir. S'welp me, I'll be drownded with +'is tricks!" cried Tom. + +"I don't speak his infernal language," returned Scarsdale testily; +"that's your business." + +"I've told 'im all I know, sir, an' it's no use." + +"Then I'm afraid you'll have to stay up and get wet." + +"Couldn't yer 'elp me down, sir? Quit that, yer 'eathen!" as he dodged a +shower of water. + +"Certainly not," replied Scarsdale. "You can't leave him riderless in a +public place." + +Then, turning to the landlord, who stood by in sore perplexity, +aimlessly rubbing his hands, he continued: + +"It's a beastly shame that a gentleman can't take a lady's elephant out +for--exercise without running up against all this nonsense in the first +little hamlet he comes across! One would almost think you had never seen +an elephant before." + +The landlord, whose eyes had up to this time been fairly bulging with +curiosity, now declared himself desolated at such an uncalled-for +suspicion. + +"Perhaps it would be better if the gentleman were to send for a +constable." + +Mine host neglected to add that he had done so on his own responsibility +in his first burst of agitation. + +But Scarsdale, noting the excellent effect which his rating had produced +on the landlord, determined that he should have some more of it. + +"If you are afraid," he said, "of damaging your ramshackle old inn, +perhaps you'll consent to give my elephant his dinner in the square?" + +Mine host rolled up his eyes at this new phase of the question. + +"I suppose," continued Scarsdale, "that the dignity of this 'tuppenny +ha'penny' town won't be seriously impaired by his presence for an hour +in your elegant plaza!" + +The last portion of this speech was lost on the landlord, because he did +not know what a "plaza" was; but it sounded imposing, and he hastened to +assure his guest that the town would feel honoured by the elephant's +presence, though he would have to procure a permit from the mayor. +Should he show him the way to that functionary's house? + +This, however, proved to be unnecessary, as the mayor himself was +present in the crowd, a pompous, fussy little man, full of the +importance of his office. Lady Melton's name, which he had heard +mentioned in connection with the affair, acted as a charm, and brought +him bustling forward to shake Scarsdale's hand, assure him that no +permit was required, and snub the innkeeper. + +"Anything I can do for a relation of her ladyship's--I think you said a +relation?" he inquired. + +Scarsdale had not said anything of the kind, but unwillingly admitted +that he was her nephew. Upon receiving this intelligence the mayor +positively beamed, called Scarsdale "your lordship," and became most +solicitous after Lady Melton's health. Her nephew gravely assured him +that he might make his mind easy on that score, as his aunt was in the +best of health, and that as soon as he returned to Melton Court (a most +uncertain date, he thought grimly) he would be sure to convey to her his +kind inquiries. + +His worship on this was positively effusive, declared himself devoted to +Scarsdale's interests, and insisted that he and "her ladyship," +indicating Mrs. Allingford--another slip which his companion did not +trouble to correct--must do him the honour of dining with Mrs. Mayor +and himself. + +Scarsdale was now beginning to fear that he was doing it rather too +well, and hastened to excuse "her ladyship" and himself, declaring that +they could not think of trespassing on his worship's hospitality, and +that they would be quite comfortable at the inn, if only the elephant +might be permitted to have his dinner in the square. + +The mayor declared that it was just what he most desired; but would his +lordship kindly indicate of what that meal must consist? + +This was a poser; but Scarsdale plunged recklessly on, for, having once +entered the broad road of deception, there was no turning back, and he +was surprised himself at the facility with which he could romance. + +"That is just the trouble of taking charge of other people's pets," he +said, with shameless indifference to the demands of truth. "I'm sure I +don't know much more about the brute than you do; and as his mahout was +away when we started out, I had to take one of the grooms. What _does_ +Jehoshaphat eat, Tom?" + +"Hay, sir--me lud, I mean," answered Tom, falling in with the humour of +the situation. + +"Oh! hay, of course," said Scarsdale. + +"How much, your lordship?" queried the mayor. + +"How much? Confound it! how should I know? Do you take me for an +elephant trainer?" A remark which nearly reduced his worship to chaos; +but Scarsdale, relenting, added: + +"Say five or six tons--I don't know." + +"But it is not easy, my lord, to procure such an amount at short +notice," expostulated the official. + +"Oh, then, get him a waggon-load or two as a first course, and we'll +find something else a little later." + +"It shall be procured at once. I--er--trust your lordship will not take +it amiss, since you will not dine with me, if I offer you a glass +of--shall we say champagne?" + +"With pleasure," said Scarsdale. + +"And her ladyship?" looking towards the carriage. + +Mrs. Allingford bowed, and the mayor whispered a few words in mine +host's ear. + +Just at that moment, as Scarsdale was drawing his first easy breath, +feeling at last that things were going smoothly, the very worst +_contretemps_ that could possibly happen occurred. Two dusty figures +shambled around the corner of a neighbouring street into the square, and +one of them in a high-pitched voice, that was distinctly heard by every +member of the crowd, exclaimed: + +"Hi, there! What are you doing with my elephant?" + +Scarsdale swung round to face the newcomers, a premonition of coming +evil strong upon him, though a careful inspection assured him that he +knew them not; yet conviction hang in every note of that challenge. + +They were, in a word, the owner of elephants and the unregenerate Dick. + +From early dawn they had made their way across country, in as straight +a line as possible from Winchester to Salisbury, sometimes on foot and +sometimes in such conveyances as they could hire from place to place; +but ever buoyed up by hope--hope of finding that which was lost; hope of +restoring elephants to their rightful owners; hope of clearing a +brother's name. And here, unexpectedly, they had come upon the object of +their search in the hands of total strangers. + +"Who the devil are you?" cried Scarsdale hotly, scenting danger, and +determined to face the worst at once. "I don't know you." + +"I'm Richard Allingford," said the larger of the two men, pushing +forward till he faced the bewildered Englishman. + +At this point Scarsdale, whose coolness alone could have saved the +situation, lost his head. His temper, which had been severely tried by +the vicissitudes of the day, gave way in the presence of the man whose +escapades had caused him such needless suffering and indignity, and, +regardless of results, he spoke his mind. + +"So you're Richard Allingford, are you? Then allow me to tell you that +you are the prettiest scoundrel that I've run across in a long time! +Curse you! Do you know I've spent two days, this week, in Winchester +jail on your account?" + +A broad grin broke over Richard's face. + +"I guess you must be Scarsdale," he said. "But what in thunder are you +doing with my brother's elephant?" + +"It's mine!" arose the shrill voice of his companion. "I tell you he +stole it from me!" + +This was too much for Mrs. Allingford, and, to make a bad matter worse, +she cried from the carriage: + +"The Consul did not steal the elephant! It is his property, and I'm his +wife!" + +A voice from the crowd chimed in: + +"But 'e said it was 'er ladyship's helephant!" + +The mayor's face was a study in its various shades of suspicion--anger +at being, as he very naturally supposed, duped; and certainty of the +duplicity of all concerned, as the contradictory conversation +continued. And there is no knowing how quickly he might have +precipitated the final catastrophe, if the elephant had not chosen this +opportunity for creating a diversion on his own account, which, for the +time being, distracted every one's thoughts. He had had, it will be +remembered, a very light breakfast, which only served to whet the edge +of his appetite. It therefore took him but a short time to locate the +whereabouts of a lad who, emerging from the inn with an appetising +dinner of bacon and greens arranged in a basket balanced on his head, +stood gaping on the outskirts of the crowd, unmindful of the cooling +viands. Some playful breeze must have wafted the savoury odour of +cabbage to the elephant's nostrils; for suddenly, and without previous +warning, flinging his trunk in the air with a joyous trumpet, he pounded +down the road, nearly unseating his rider, and scattering the crowd to +right and left. + +"Wait for me when you get to Christchurch!" Scarsdale called to Tom as +the latter shot past him, and then joined in the rush which followed +close on the elephant's heels, the mayor and the landlord well to the +fore; while Mrs. Allingford's driver, who was only human, increased the +confusion by whipping up his horses and joining in the chase. + +Ahead of the excited beast and the noisy throng which followed it, +holding on like grim death to his dinner-basket, fled the worse-scared +boy that had ever been seen in that town. Fortunately the chase was of +short duration, for the cubicle of the telegraph-clerk at the railway +station was just ahead, and offered a ready refuge. Into it flew the +lad, dinner and all, and slammed the door, just in time to escape from +the elephant's curling trunk. + +The beast, despoiled of his meal, circled the building trumpeting with +rage, and finally took up a position across the rails, where he stood +guard, prepared to fall upon any one who should venture out. + +All the station attendants and officials were now added to the crowd +which swarmed about the elephant, and the business of the town +practically came to a standstill. + +The station-master only added to the excitement by declaring that a +train for Salisbury was due, and that the line must be cleared; while +the telegraph-clerk announced from an upper storey that wild horses, let +alone elephants, would not drag him forth from the shelter of his +office, and the blubbering of the unfortunate boy made a monotonous +accompaniment to his speech. The mayor blustered, the navvies swore, Tom +addressed floods of unintelligible jargon to the obstinate beast, and, +as a last resort, Scarsdale coaxed and wheedled him in very defective +Hindustani. But it was all useless; not an inch would the elephant +budge, and no one in all that assemblage was clever enough to think of +giving him the telegraph-clerk's dinner. + +In the midst of this confusion, a shrill whistle was heard in the +distance, and some one with a clearer head than the rest cried out to +"set the signals against the train"--a suggestion which was at once +acted upon, and in a moment more the engine drew up, panting, within a +dozen feet of the elephant, who was so intent on the contents of the +cubicle that he never noticed its arrival. + +As a general thing, it is the American tourist who alights from a train +on no provocation, while his English cousin is content to sit quiet, and +leave the affairs of the line in the hands of the company. In this case, +however, some subtle sense of the unusual obstacle seemed to have +communicated itself to the passengers; for no sooner had the engine +halted than heads were thrust out of every window, and the greatest +excitement prevailed. + +"I don't know if Scarsdale and my wife are here," said Allingford, who, +in company with Carrington and Mrs. Scarsdale, occupied one of the +forward carriages, "but there is her ladyship's elephant!" + +"You're right," cried his fair companion, taking his place at the +window. Then, as she caught sight of Scarsdale, she exclaimed "St. +Hubart!" and pushing open the door, jumped out, and fled down the line. + +"By Jove! that's my wife!" exclaimed the Consul, fleeing after her, and +upsetting a porter in his haste. + +From a distance Carrington saw a confused mingling of four persons, and +sighed as he caught himself wondering if he would ever be fool enough to +do that sort of thing in public. + +As he slowly approached them he heard scraps of their conversation. + +"By the way, Allingford," Scarsdale was saying, "I brought you back your +elephant, which it seems you were careless enough, in the hurry of +departure, to leave behind you at Melton Court. I hope you are properly +grateful." + +"Oh, it isn't mine," replied the Consul; "it belongs to her Ladyship." + +"Well, she said it was yours," returned her nephew. + +"Ah, that was merely her excessive amiability," said Allingford. + +"It had not struck me in that light before," replied Scarsdale. "Anyway, +I've brought it back to you, and a nice time I've had of it." + +"Did you pilot it all the way from Melton Court?" queried the Consul. + +"I did," replied the Englishman, "through the main streets of this town; +that is where my Indian training stood me in good stead; but it has +ruined my character--most of the inhabitants look on me with suspicion." + +"Was your holding up of our train intentional?" + +"No," said Scarsdale regretfully, "it wasn't. There are lots of damages +to pay, I assure you." + +"You must settle them with Lady Melton." + +"But what am I to do with the beast?" + +"My dear fellow," returned the Consul, "I've been your wife's devoted +slave for the last two days, and I have restored her safe and sound to +your arms, but I really can't undertake to manage your aunt's elephants +into the bargain." + +"But at least you might advise me." + +"Turn him over to Cassim." + +"To whom?" + +"Why, to his own mahout, the little brown man who is dancing round him +now. I discovered him tearing his hair at Southampton station, where he +was left by mistake yesterday, and brought him along." + +"Then for heaven's sake make him get his beast off the line!" cried +Scarsdale, dragging Allingford up to the native keeper. + +"My lord desireth his mid-day meal, and the sahib of the watch-tower +hath it within," explained that functionary. + +"Tell his lordship that he'll have a great deal better dinner if he will +go back to the square," said Allingford. + +Just what the mahout said to the elephant will never be known, but it +proved convincing: for, with a grunt of dissatisfaction, the beast +consented to retrace his steps. + +"And now that we have settled this little matter," said the Consul, +"there is nothing left for us but to express our unbounded gratitude +to--well, to the elephant for reuniting us all, and start once more on +our honeymoons; for which this train is mighty convenient." + +"I have a word to say about that," cried the mayor. "I'm by no means +satisfied about the ownership of this elephant. I've been given to +understand that it belongs to Lady Melton. Is this so?" + +"Yes," said the Consul and Mr. and Mrs. Scarsdale. + +"No," said Mrs. Allingford, Carrington, Tom, and the original owner, in +one and the same breath. + +"I say, Bob, did you steal it after all?" queried the graceless Richard. + +"I took it in payment of a debt," replied his brother hotly. + +"Only twenty pounds!" groaned the elephant man. "It's as good as a +steal!" + +"And I gave it to Lady Melton," continued the Consul, "in payment for my +board and lodging." + +"And she gave it to me," said Mrs. Allingford. + +"I lost my lord at the place of docks," wailed the mahout. + +"'E 'ired me to ride hit," cried Tom, indicating Scarsdale. + +"And what right have you to it, sir?" blustered the mayor, turning to +that gentleman. + +"I don't know," replied Scarsdale. + +"I consider this most unsatisfactory," continued his worship. "I think I +may define the actions of those who have had a hand in this affair +as--ahem!--contradictory and open to question. I shall telegraph Lady +Melton, and pending her reply I must detain you all as suspicious +characters." + + * * * * * + +So it came to pass that the nine, gathered together in the chief parlour +of the inn, with a constable on duty, awaited for some hours a response +to the mayor's telegram. It arrived finally, embodied in the person of +Aunt Eliza, who had gone to Melton Court that morning, and was now fresh +from an interview with the mayor, which had resulted in the freedom of +all concerned. + +The old lady looked the couples over through her eye-glasses, and gave +vent to an expressive "Humph!" + +To her niece alone did she deign to express herself more fully, nor did +she scruple to mince her words. + +"Well, Mabel," she remarked, "you ought to be ashamed of yourself. I +gave you a first-class recommendation only two days ago, as being well +fitted to plan and carry out a honeymoon, and look what a mess you've +made of it! Where did you come from last?" + +"From Winchester," replied her niece, "where I was looking for my +husband, who had been arrested for impersonating Mr. Allingford's +brother," and she pointed to Dick, who joined the group on hearing his +name mentioned. + +"What business have you to be holding a public office, with a brother +like that?" Miss Cogbill demanded sternly of the Consul; but noting his +evident discomfiture, she had the grace to add: + +"You're by no means a fool, however, barring your habit of losing +things. That deed of gift you presented to Lady Melton was a clever +stroke of business, and has helped you all out of a bad hole." + +"Have you seen her ladyship? What did she say?" cried the Consul. + +"She said a good deal," replied Aunt Eliza. "Naturally she was pretty +mad, for the beast had done a heap of damage, but she was bound to admit +you weren't to blame for its getting loose, and, as I pointed out to +her, you had a right to pay for your board and lodging if you chose, +though, from the looks of her ramshackle old place, I thought you'd +given more than the accommodation was worth. Besides which there were +grievances and plenty on your side of the question. By her own showing +she hadn't been decently civil to you, and had turned over that monster +to your deserted and defenceless wife, and cast my nephew adrift, and +tried to send my niece home with the butler. Her ladyship saw the +justice of my remarks. She means well, but her training's against her. +When I came to the elephant, though, I struck a snag, for she gave me +to understand that she'd turned it off the place and never wanted to +hear of it again. 'Now, your ladyship,' says I, 'turning an elephant +adrift in the world isn't like casting your bread upon the waters; +you're bound to find it before many days.' And I hadn't more than got +the words out of my mouth when in came that telegram from the mayor, +saying that traffic was blocked on the railway in both directions, and +nine people arrested, all along of that beast. Her ladyship's lawyer," +continued Aunt Eliza, indicating a gentleman of unmistakably legal +appearance who had followed her into the room, "backed me up by pointing +out that the deed of gift was good, and the elephant her property, and +that she'd be obliged to pay for any damage it might do; after which she +climbed down from her ancestral tree quick enough, and was willing to +listen to reason. So here I am, and here is the lawyer; and now, if you +please, we will attend to business." + +This she proceeded to do, and in an amazingly short space of time, with +the authority of the lawyer, had settled the scruples of the mayor; +received a release of indebtedness from the Consul, who willingly +surrendered his papers, declaring that he had had "more than twenty +pounds' worth of fun out of the elephant"; and transferred the documents +to the lawyer, with instructions to sell the beast to the original +consignees at Southampton, and to remit the purchase-money to the +elephant man, less the twenty pounds for damages, which, she added, +"Just cancels his debt to the Consul, making him square on the +transaction." + +The lawyer patted his hands, saying: + +"Very well argued, Miss Cogbill." + +"Lady Melton," said Aunt Eliza, turning to Mr. and Mrs. Scarsdale and +Mr. and Mrs. Allingford, "has authorised me to say, on her behalf, that +she overlooks and regrets the events of the last few days, and wishes +them to be forgotten. In token of which she requests you four to dine +with her, and spend the night at Melton Court; and I may add that +you'll be fools if you don't accept." After which dissent was +impossible. + +"And I want to tell you," said Miss Cogbill, turning to Carrington, +"that you've managed this affair very well; and as I'm in want of a +likely young man as my business agent, if you call on me to-morrow in +town, we'll see if we can't find something more profitable for you to do +than hunting up stray honeymooners." + +"Say!" interjected the graceless Richard, who was far from pleased at +the turn affairs had taken--"Say, where do I come in?" + +"Young man," said Aunt Eliza, turning on him like a flash, "did you buy +a return ticket to America?" + +"Yes, but----" + +"Well, then," she interrupted, "you use it, the first chance you get. +And as for you," addressing the two married couples, "the sooner you +start for Melton Court the better; and don't let me hear of your being +lost again." + +"Aren't you coming with us, Miss Cogbill?" asked Scarsdale. + +"The lawyer and I," replied that lady, "are the only two responsible +persons in this crowd, and we'll stay right here and look after--Her +Ladyship's Elephant." + + + + +HEINEMANN'S + +CHEAPER NOVELS + + +A LITTLE LIST OF DELIGHTFUL BOOKS TO READ BY + + Sir G. Parker, M.P. + H. G. Wells + Jack London + E. F. Benson + John Galsworthy + H. de Vere Stacpoole + Philip Gibbs + Joseph Conrad + Stephen Crane + Duncan Schwann + Robert Hichens + Lloyd Osbourne + R. L. Stevenson + Richard Harding Davis + D. D. Wells + Baroness von Hutten + Frank Danby + Elizabeth Robins + Florence C. Price + Sybil Spottiswoode + Mrs. Henry Dudeney + Justin Huntly McCarthy + Eleanor Abbott + Charles Turley + Flora Annie Steel + Eleanor Mordaunt + Mrs. Hodgson Burnett + E. L. Voynich + Maxwell Gray + +_On all Bookstalls and of all Booksellers_ + +LONDON +WILLIAM HEINEMANN +MCMXII + + + + +_HEINEMANN'S 1s NET NOVELS_ + + +MOLLY MAKE-BELIEVE + +By ELEANOR HALLOWEL ABBOTT + +A New Novel + +Was that boy a fool? Or did he behave a trifle imprudently in trying +circumstances? It is difficult to say till you know Molly, who is +described by the press as "one of the most lovable, fascinating and +wholly adorable little heroines whose acquaintance any man has made for +years." One thing is certain, no sooner do you make Molly's acquaintance +than you introduce her to all your friends. + + +THE WEAVERS + +By Sir GILBERT PARKER + +Author of "The Ladder of Swords," etc. + +Sir Gilbert Parker is one of our finest romance writers of the present +day. This is a story of Egypt--full of rich colour, brilliant flowing +descriptions. It has the flavour of the Desert, the Nile and the +indefinable sense of immortality that belongs to the land of the +Pharaohs. + + +TOTO + +By H. DE VERE STACPOOLE + +Author of "The Blue Lagoon," etc. + +Written with that _verve_ and wonderfully infectious humour which is +characteristic of this author. THE OUTLOOK says: "That rare and +delightful thing, a French novel written in English." + + * * * * * + +THREE BOOKS + +By BARONESS VON HUTTEN + + +PAM + +Pam is a "classic" before her time so to speak. People are compared to +"Pam"; so to their disadvantage are most girl heroines of the novels. +She is inimitable, by herself, and oh! so wholly charming! + + +WHAT BECAME OF PAM + +"Whether we have or have not read 'Pam,' we shall certainly find 'What +became of Pam' interesting."--DAILY TELEGRAPH. + + +OUR LADY OF THE BEECHES + +Balzac says "The dramas of life do not lie in the circumstances +surrounding--they lie in the heart.' This is a drama of the heart. + +"This tender idyll ... we can only recommend our readers to buy and read +it for themselves."--DAILY MAIL. + + * * * * * + +THE ADVENTURER + +By LLOYD OSBOURNE + +"Crowded with thrilling incident the narrative races along. The book can +be recommended to all who enjoy a tale of pure adventure."--TIMES. + + +BACCARAT + +By FRANK DANBY + +Author of "Pigs in Clover," etc. + +This brilliant caustic writer here gives one of her vividest pictures of +a certain clique in society. She wields no timid pen and does not +hesitate to catch them _in flagrante delicto_. Yet the book is no +"preachment" from a self-assumed pulpit, it is a novel simply. + + +THE COUNTRY HOUSE + +By JOHN GALSWORTHY + +Author of "A Man of Property," etc. + +This problem of the country family, the county family, is such that it +concerns every one of us vitally. What they had to solve we have to +solve. And it is Mr. Galsworthy's strong point that he never fails to +give us a new vision, nor to hold our interest intent throughout. It is +an inspiring work. + + +LORD KENTWELL'S LOVE AFFAIR + +By FLORENCE C. PRICE + +A good story of London society and of political society. Lord Kentwell +and his sisters provide a most spirited picture, and there is besides a +background of big happenings very cleverly drawn. + + +THE SEA WOLF + +By JACK LONDON + +Author of "The Call of the Wild." + +A gruesome, thrilling story of the sea. Mr. London brings always the +breath of big spaces, the tenseness of great actions and the flesh and +blood of real life, of adventures really lived, into his books. As a +story, apart from anything else, it is probably as good a book as Mr. +London has ever written. + + +THE NIGGER OF THE "NARCISSUS" + +By JOSEPH CONRAD + +Author of "Typhoon," etc. + +Mr. Conrad is a writer to whom the public instinctively turn nowadays +for an exciting, closely analysed study of men. The DAILY CHRONICLE +says: "It is written by a man who knows every phase of the sea ... and +it is written by a man who can write." + + +THE MAGNETIC NORTH + +By ELIZABETH ROBINS + +Author of "Come and Find Me," etc. + +A story of the ever-calling North. + +"It is all so excellently written, so vividly realised, so picturesquely +put before the reader that it would be impossible not to be attracted." +--WESTMINSTER GAZETTE. + + +TWO NOVELS by E. F. BENSON + +Author of "Sheaves," etc. etc. + + +THE BLOTTING BOOK + +A murder story, most ingeniously worked out. Mr. Benson carries the +reader along full speed to a truly dramatic ending. + + +THE BABE B.A. + +A very differed story from the "Blotting Book." It is a light, highly +entertaining account of Cambridge undergraduate life which already ranks +with "Verdant Green" among University classics. + + +TWO NOVELS + +By Mrs. HENRY DUDENEY + + +THE MATERNITY OF HARRIET WICKEN + +A picture in low tones, but of whole-hearted conviction and quiet +sympathetic appeal. Mrs. Dudeney has realised to perfection the +work-a-day world and its stories. + + +THE ORCHARD THIEF + +A charming country tale with, in particular, one great scene of striking +dramatic force. The contrast of this author's power to charm and to +impress as she wills, is markedly shown in this capital book. + + +THE TIME MACHINE + +By H. G. WELLS + +Author of "The War of the Worlds," "Kips," etc. + +You pull certain levers, having seated yourself in the saddle, and you +are conveyed either backwards or forwards. When Mr. Wells is in the +saddle it is easy to see how highly pleasurable the adventures will be. +This clever idea has given Mr. Wells opportunity for full play of his +philosophic views. + + +IF I WERE KING + +By JUSTIN HUNTLY MCCARTHY + +A mediaeval romance of love and chivalry in which the poet Francois +Villon plays the leading part. It has drama, this story, and it seizes +the imagination. + + +MARCIA IN GERMANY + +By SYBIL SPOTTISWOODE + +Author of "Hedwig in England," etc. + +Marcia is a bright, pleasant English girl, who goes to stay with her +German relations. As others before she finds it difficult to grasp a +different point of view, a different civilisation. The result is +amusingly set forth by this author, whose dialogue is always good. + + +GODFREY MARTIN: School Boy + +By CHARLES TURLEY + +One of the very best of boys' books. It is one of the rarest of all rare +things--a thoroughly sensible school story. The boys are human, neither +saints nor super-sinners, and the masters for once behave in a totally +reasonable way. And that doesn't prevent it being a rattling good story. + + +THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE + +By STEPHEN CRANE + +Author of "The Open Boat," etc. + +The thunders of war, the life of regiments, the soul of humanity in +stress and dangers, its qualities and shortcomings are all written on +the pages of this thrilling and absorbing book. From the first paragraph +our enthusiasm is gained and is not let go till the last. + +"Simply unapproached in intimate knowledge and sustained imaginative +strength."--SAT. REVIEW. + + +The STREET of ADVENTURE + +By PHILIP GIBBS + +The "Street" is Fleet Street of course, for in what other are so many +adventures to be found. The EVENING STANDARD says: "It has the quality +of big work.... The book positively pants with life." + + + + +_HEINEMANN'S 2s NET NOVELS_ + + +THE SHUTTLE + +By MRS. HODGSON BURNETT + +Author of "Little Lord Fauntleroy," "The Secret Garden," etc. + +"Takes its place at once and without dispute among the greater permanent +works of fiction. Breadth and sanity of outlook, absolute mastery of +human character and life, bigness of story interest, place Mrs. Hodgson +Burnett's new book alongside the best work of George Eliot.... The +dignity and strength of a great novel such as this put to the blush all +but a very few living English storytellers."--PALL MALL GAZETTE. + +"A remarkable novel, for it is written with a sincerity and glow and +power which bear the reader restlessly along the strange current of +events that the writer sets herself to describe."--STANDARD. + +"Mrs. Burnett has the gift of a narrator to a high degree, and in spite +of its faults, her latest novel makes a highly readable story."--DAILY +MAIL. + +"A novel of the highest rank."--DAILY GRAPHIC. + +Mrs. Burnett is a past-master in drawing her own countrywomen, and Betty +is a dazzling vision of youthful charm combined with business-like +competence."--THE QUEEN. + +"The story is rich and spacious; it illustrates human nature, both +British and American, in a simple and massive way, and paints both in +the primary colours."--WESTMINSTER GAZETTE. + + +BELLA DONNA + +By ROBERT HICHENS + +Author of "The Londoners," "Flames," "An Imaginative Man," etc. + +This is the excellent novel on which the excellent play of the same +title is founded. It is a book full of weird, haunting scenes of passion +in the desert, full of the strange sinister fatalism of Eastern minds. + +"This is one of the best novels that we have ever read, and quite the +best that Mr. Robert Hichens has written. It combines the two elements +of which every good novel ought to be composed, subtle analysis of +character and an exciting plot.... We will not spoil the reading of this +book by sketching the thrilling plot, which is enacted on the Nile and +its banks. Needless to say, the Egyptian scenery and servants are +described by Mr. Hichens with affectionate familiarity."--SATURDAY +REVIEW. + +"It is admirable drama. It lives with a present life, and moves swiftly. +Some of the situations are intensely thrilling; the dialogue is firm and +easy; the whole treatment forcible without theatricalism.... Our +attention is fixed at the start, and kept to the end, on a duel between +Isaacson and Bella Donna. It is magnificent ... there can be no denying +it is a very fine novel."--THE EVENING STANDARD AND ST. JAMES'S GAZETTE. + +"It is particularly interesting; its characters are drawn with +particular care and splendid skill.... 'Bella Donna' is a fine study of +a woman of passion; remorseless in its truth, fascinating in its +unmasking of the hidden springs of selfish desire."--THE GLOBE. + + +THE BOOK OF A BACHELOR + +By DUNCAN SCHWANN + +Author of "The Magic of the Hill" + +Mr. Duncan Schwann has recently been acclaimed as one of the four great +humourists in England at the present time. This "Book of a Bachelor" is +delightful reading of a light kind, but it carries weight also, for Mr. +Schwann has picked out the little feeblenesses and frailty of this world +as a background to his airy frivolity. + +"A picturesque romance of modern life is this story by Duncan +Schwann.... There is, indeed, a good deal of cleverness in the +book."--WESTMINSTER GAZETTE. + +"... Is decidedly entertaining. Mr. Schwann is an admirable journalist +who has already given proof of his power, but he has done nothing so +good as this ... which is intelligent, humorous, and on the side of the +angels."--BRITISH WEEKLY. + +"There is knowledge of the world and some mild philosophy to be found in +this pleasant romance of modern life."--GLOBE. + + +A SHIP OF SOLACE + +By ELEANOR MORDAUNT + +Author of "The Garden of Contentment" + +"The Garden of Contentment," those charming letters to Mr. Nobody, has +never ceased to sell from the moment it was published. The same may be +said of "A Ship of Solace," which is filled with the breath of the sea, +and the pleasing state of mind of complete idleness. It is a book for +quiet hours, to which one can turn with pleasurable anticipation of +repose and refreshment. + +"Readers who like the scent of real sea air will revel in this truly +delightful book."--DAILY TELEGRAPH. + + +THE GIFT OF THE GODS + +By FLORA ANNIE STEEL + +Author of "On the Face of the Waters," "The Potter's Thumb," "From the +Five Rivers," etc. etc. + +"She has that gift, rare now among novelists, of being interested, first +of all, in the story she has to tell. She is herself so strongly +interested that her readers are carried along with her and share in her +vitality and freshness."--STANDARD. + +"Mrs. Steel gives us one admirably dramatic scene,--the death of an old +woman from shock at a sudden disillusion while on her way to the +Communion Table.... The squalid and starveling lot of crofters living on +barren soil in or towards the last decade of the 19th century is well +depicted."--ATHENÆUM. + + + + +THE NOVELS OF + +E. F. BENSON + +Uniform Edition. Crown 8vo. With coloured + +Frontispiece and Wrapper. Each vol. 2s net + + * * * * * + +DODO + +"The readers of Mr. Benson's book will delight in this story. It is full +of interest and cleverness."--_Pall Mall Gazette._ + + +THE VINTAGE + +"We would recommend this to our readers. It has vivid characters staged +cleverly and a subtle charm which make the work thoroughly +enjoyable."--_British Weekly._ + + +MAMMON & CO. + +"Bright, witty dialogues and gay fascinating scenes. Full of humorous +sayings and witty things."--_Daily Telegraph._ + + +THE LUCK OF THE VAILS + +"This is a really thrilling and exciting tale of crime and mystery. It +is readable all through and full of entertainment."--_Times._ + + +SCARLET AND HYSSOP + +"Must be accounted a really brilliant piece of work, unsurpassed by +anything Mr Benson has given us."--_Pall Mall Gazette._ + + +THE BOOK OF MONTHS & A REAPING + +"The Bock of Months' is full of charm--real, persuasive, penetrating +charm--there rings the sincerity of real feeling and purpose."--_Daily +Chronicle._ + + +THE CHALLONERS + +"'The Challoners' must be pronounced not only the best book he has given +us but one of the best novels."--_Daily Mail._ + + +THE ANGEL OF PAIN + +"An admirably constructed story, brilliant character sketches, flashes +of good talk--a remarkably clever book."--_Guardian._ + + +THE IMAGE OF THE SAND + +"Even the sceptic must admit the grim power of the book."--_Bookman._ + + +PAUL + +"Mr. Benson at his gayest and best. Nothing could be more natural or +more amusing than most of the dialogue--full of admirable portraiture +and an abundance both of humour and humanity."--_Outlook._ + + +SHEAVES + +"Brilliant, clever, full of wise observations and sage +counsels."--_Standard._ + + +THE CLIMBER + +"His story is written with striking effect, and the author's wonderful +power of observation is to be found in almost every page."--_World._ + + +JUGGERNAUT + +"Delightful in its literary brightness and charm, it is also full of +exquisite and appealing humanity ... a fine achievement."--_Liverpool +Mercury._ + + +ACCOUNT RENDERED + +"This is an admirably written study of English modern life. Lovers of +Mr. Benson's work will be charmed with his latest novel."--_T.P.'s +Weekly._ + + +THE OSBORNES + +"As human and sincere as anything in 'Sheaves' or the 'Challoners.' A +charming story."--_Observer._ + + + + +_HEINEMANN'S 7d NET NOVELS_ + + +THE BONDMAN + +By HALL CAINE + +"Mr. Hall Caine has in this work placed himself beyond the front rank of +the novelists of the day. He has produced a story which is distinctly +ahead of all the fictional literature of our time, and fit to rank with +the most powerful fictional writing of the past century."--THE SCOTSMAN. + + +THE SCAPEGOAT + +By HALL CAINE + +"There are passages in 'The Scapegoat' which entitle Mr. Hall Caine to a +high place amongst contemporary writers of fiction."--DAILY CHRONICLE. + + +THE EBB-TIDE + +By R. L. STEVENSON (In conjunction with LLOYD-OSBOURNE) + +"The master storyteller is apparent to the reader of this book. It is +full of freshness, incident and character. It is a splendid +tale."--GUARDIAN. + + +THE CALL OF THE WILD + +By JACK LONDON + +"It is impossible not to recognise the skill with which Mr. London +follows out point by point the training of a sledge dog. 'The Call of +the Wild' is a very remarkable book."--DAILY TELEGRAPH. + + +THE WAR OF THE WORLDS + +By H. G. WELLS + +"Original and ingenious romance which attests strongly the variety and +fertility of Mr. Wells' imagination."--DAILY CHRONICLE. + + +FLAMES + +By ROBERT HICHENS + +"The picturesque charm of Mr. Hichens' style and his indisputable +command of the weird and mysterious will hold attention fixed from the +first chapter of this powerful story to the last."--GRAPHIC. + + +THE GADFLY + +By E. L. VOYNICH + +"It is more interesting and rich in promise than ninety-nine out of +every hundred novels that pass through the reviewer's hand."--ACADEMY. + + +SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE + +By RICHARD HARDING DAVIS + +"Mr. Davis has the dramatic gift--he carries you along with him. One +need not wish for a better story of action than this."--ACADEMY. + + +THE LAST SENTENCE + +By MAXWELL GRAY + +"Any reader who wants an absorbing story, full of cleverness and +excitement, should read this book."--DAILY NEWS. + + +HER LADYSHIP'S ELEPHANT + +By D. D. WELLS + +"It is an admirable piece of humour with not a dull page in it from +beginning to end."--ATHENÆUM. + + * * * * * + +London: WILLIAM HEINEMANN, 21 Bedford St., W.C. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Her Ladyship's Elephant, by David Dwight Wells + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HER LADYSHIP'S ELEPHANT *** + +***** This file should be named 28149-8.txt or 28149-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/1/4/28149/ + +Produced by Annie McGuire, from scans obtained from Google +Print project. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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D. Wells. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Her Ladyship's Elephant, by David Dwight Wells + +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: Her Ladyship's Elephant + +Author: David Dwight Wells + +Release Date: February 21, 2009 [EBook #28149] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HER LADYSHIP'S ELEPHANT *** + + + + +Produced by Annie McGuire, from scans obtained from Google +Print project. + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>Her Ladyship's</h1> + +<h1>Elephant</h1> + +<h3>By</h3> + +<h2>D. D. Wells</h2> + +<h3>London</h3> + +<h3>William Heinemann</h3> + +<h3>1912</h3> + +<h4><span class="smcap">First Edition</span>, 3s. 6d., <i>May</i></h4> + +<h4><i>1898</i>. <span class="smcap">New Impressions</span>, <i>August</i></h4> + +<h4><i>1898</i>; <i>November 1899</i>; <i>September</i></h4> + +<h4><i>1905</i>. <span class="smcap">Heinemann's Sevenpenny</span></h4> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Novels</span>, <i>July 1912</i>.</h4> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 411px;"> +<img src="images/ill_001.jpg" width="411" height="600" alt=""He sat down hurriedly on the breakfast table"" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"He sat down hurriedly on the breakfast table"</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>HEINEMANN'S</h2> + +<h3>Sevenpenny Novels</h3> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 9em;">By Hall Caine</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">The Bondman</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">The Scapegoat</span><br /><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 9em;">By R. L. Stevenson</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">The Ebb-Tide</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 15em;">(With LLOYD OSBOURNE)</span><br /><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 9em;">By Jack London</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">The Call of the Wild</span><br /><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 9em;">By H. G. Wells</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">The War of the Worlds</span><br /><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 9em;">By Robert S. Hichens</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">Flames</span><br /><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 9em;">By R. Harding Davis</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">Soldiers of Fortune</span><br /><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 9em;">By E. L. Voynich</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">The Gadfly</span><br /><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 9em;">By Maxwell Gray</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">The Last Sentence</span><br /><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 9em;">By D. D. Wells</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">Her Ladyship's Elephant</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I</b></a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II</b></a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III</b></a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV</b></a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V</b></a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI</b></a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII</b></a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII</b></a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX</b></a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X</b></a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI</b></a></span><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><i>A WORD TO THE WISE</i></h2> + +<p><i>A well-known English novelist once told me that of all his published +works—and their name is legion—one only had been founded on fact, and +that one his critics united in condemning as impossible and unnatural. +In the case of my own little book, I venture to forestall such criticism +by stating that while the characters which appear in its pages are at +the most only composite photographs, the one "impossible" and +"unnatural" figure, the elephant, had his foundation in actual fact; and +the history of its acquirement by the Consul, as hereinafter set forth, +is the truthful narration of an actual experience, one of many episodes, +stranger than fiction, which went to form the warp and woof of my +diplomatic experience.</i></p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 50em;"><i>DAVID DWIGHT WELLS.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>IN WHICH THE SAME QUESTION IS ANSWERED IN TWO WAYS</h3> + +<p>Harold Stanley Malcolm St. Hubart Scarsdale, Esq., of "The Towers," +Sussex, sat uncomfortably on a very comfortable chair. His +patent-leather boots were manifestly new, his trousers fresh from the +presser, his waistcoat immaculate, while his frock coat with its white +gardenia, and his delicate grey suede gloves, completed an admirable +toilet. He was, in short, got up for the occasion, a thoroughly healthy, +muscular, well-groomed animal; good-natured too, fond in his big-hearted +boyish way of most other animals, and enough of a sportsman to find no +pleasure in winging tame or driven grouse and pheasants. He was +possessed, moreover, of sufficient brains to pass with credit an +examination which gave him a post in the War Office, and had recently +become, owing to the interposition of Providence and a restive mare, the +eldest son.</p> + +<p>In spite of all this, he was very much out of his depth as he sat there; +for he was face to face with a crisis in his life, and that crisis was +embodied in a woman. And such a woman!—quite unlike anything his +conservative British brain had ever seen or imagined before the present +London season: a mixture of Parisian daintiness and coquetry, nicely +tempered by Anglo-Saxon breeding and common sense—in a word, an +American.</p> + +<p>He had come to propose to her, or rather she had sent for him, to what +end he hardly knew. Of this only was he certain, that she had turned his +world topsy-turvy; cast down his conventional gods; admired him for what +he considered his fallings-off from the established order of things; +laughed at his great coups; cared not a whit for his most valued +possessions; and become, in short, the most incomprehensible, +bewitching, lovable woman on earth.</p> + +<p>He had talked to her about the weather, the opera, the Court Ball, and +now—now he must speak to her of his love, unless, blessed reprieve! she +spoke first—which she did.</p> + +<p>"Now, Mr. Scarsdale," she remarked, "I have not sent for you to talk +amiable society nonsense: I want an explanation."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Miss Vernon," he replied, nerving himself for the ordeal.</p> + +<p>"Why did you propose to Aunt Eliza at the Andersons' crush last night?"</p> + +<p>"Because——" he faltered. "Well, really, you see she is your only +relative in England—your chaperon—and it is customary here to address +offers of marriage to the head of the family."</p> + +<p>"I really don't see why you want to marry her," continued his tormentor. +"She is over sixty. Oh, you needn't be shocked; Aunt Eliza is not +sensitive about her age, and it is well to look these things fairly in +the face. You can't honestly call her handsome, though she is a dear +good old soul, but, I fear, too inured to Chicago to assimilate readily +with English society. Of course her private means are enormous——"</p> + +<p>"Good heavens! Miss Vernon," he exclaimed, "there has been some dreadful +mistake! I entertain the highest respect for your aunt, Miss Cogbill, +but I don't wish to marry her; I wish to marry—somebody else——"</p> + +<p>"Really! Why don't you propose to Miss Somebody Else in person, then?"</p> + +<p>"It is usual——" he began, but she cut him short, exclaiming:</p> + +<p>"Oh, bother! Excuse me, I didn't mean to be rude, but really, you know, +any girl who was old enough to marry would be quite capable of giving +you your—answer." The last word, after a pause for consideration, was +accompanied by a bewitching, if ambiguous, smile.</p> + +<p>"I—I hope you are not offended," he floundered on, in desperate straits +by this time.</p> + +<p>"Oh dear, no," she returned serenely, "I'm only grieved for Aunt Eliza. +You shouldn't have done it, really; it must have upset her dreadfully; +she's too old for that sort of thing. Do tell me what she said to you."</p> + +<p>"She said I must propose on my own account," he blurted out, "and that +she could not pretend to advise me."</p> + +<p>"Clever Aunt Eliza!" murmured Miss Vernon.</p> + +<p>"So you see," continued her lover, determined to have it over and know +the worst, "I came to you."</p> + +<p>"For more advice?" she queried, and, receiving no answer, continued +demurely: "Of course I haven't the remotest idea whom you mean to +honour, but it does seem to me that the wives of Englishmen allow +themselves to be treated shamefully, and I once made out a list of +objections which I always said I would present to any Englishman who +proposed to me. Of course," she hastened to add, "you will probably +marry an English girl, who won't mind."</p> + +<p>"I haven't said so!" he interjected.</p> + +<p>"No," she said meditatively, "you haven't. I'll tell you what they are +if you wish."</p> + +<p>"Do," he begged.</p> + +<p>"Well, in the first place," she continued, "I should refuse to be a +'chattel.'"</p> + +<p>"Oh I say——" he began. But she went on, unheeding his expostulation:</p> + +<p>"Then my husband couldn't beat me, not even once, though the law allows +it."</p> + +<p>"What do you take us for?" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Then," she proceeded, "he would have to love me better than his horses +and his dogs."</p> + +<p>"Oh I say! Mabel," he burst out, teased beyond all limits of endurance, +"don't chaff me; I'm awfully in earnest, you know, and if you will +accept what little I have to offer—three thousand a year, and 'The +Towers,' now poor Bob's gone——" He paused, but she made no answer, +only he noticed that all of a sudden she had become very serious.</p> + +<p>"Lady Mary, my mother, you know, would of course leave the place to you +at once, but there's no title; my father was only a knight. I'm +sorry——"</p> + +<p>"Oh," she replied, "I wouldn't have married you if you had had one; +quite enough of my countrywomen have made fools of themselves on that +account."</p> + +<p>"Then you will marry me!" he cried, and sprang towards her.</p> + +<p>She saw her slip and tried to correct it.</p> + +<p>"I haven't said——" she began, but the sentence was never finished; for +Harold Stanley Malcolm St. Hubart Scarsdale, of "The Towers," Sussex, +closed the argument and the lips of Miss Mabel Vernon, of Chicago, +Illinois, U.S.A., at one and the same time.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Robert Allingford, United States Consul at Christchurch, England, and +Marion, youngest daughter of Sir Peter and Lady Steele, were seated on +the balcony of the Hyde Park Club one hot afternoon. Everybody had gone +down to the races at Goodwood, and the season was drawing its last gasp. +The "Row," which they overlooked, was almost deserted, save for an +occasional depressed brougham, while the stretches of the Park beyond +were given over to nursemaids and their attendant "Tommies" and +"Bobbies."</p> + +<p>Mamma was there, of course. One must be conventional in London, even in +July; but she was talking to the other man, Jack Carrington, who had +been invited especially for that purpose, and was doing his duty nobly.</p> + +<p>The afternoon tea had been cleared away, and the balcony was deserted. +In another week Marion would go into the country, and he would return to +his consulate. He might never have such another chance. Opportunities +for a proposal are so rare in London that it does not do to miss them. A +ball affords almost the only opening, and when one remembers the offers +to which one has been a third party, on the other side of a thin paper +screen—well, it makes a man cautious.</p> + +<p>Robert Allingford had planned and worked up this tea with patience and +success. Jack was to be best man, in consideration of his devotion to +mamma—provided, of course, that the services of a best man should be +required. On this point Allingford was doubtful. He was sure that Lady +Steele understood; he knew that Sir Peter had smiled on him indulgently +for the past fortnight; his friends chaffed him about it openly at +dinners and at the club; but Marion—he was very far from certain if she +comprehended the state of affairs in the slightest degree.</p> + +<p>He had given her river-parties, box-parties, dinners, flowers, candy—in +short, paid her every possible attention; but then she expected +Americans to do so; it was "just their way," and "didn't mean anything."</p> + +<p>He greatly feared that his proposal would be a shock to her, and English +girls, he had been told, did not like shocks. He wondered if it would +have been better to ask Lady Steele for her daughter's hand, but this he +felt was beyond him. Proposing was bad enough anyway, but to attempt a +declaration in cold blood—he simply couldn't. Moreover he felt that it +must be now or never. Jack had been giving him the field for five +minutes already, and he had not even made a beginning. He would go in +and get it over.</p> + +<p>"You are leaving town next week," he said. "I shall miss you."</p> + +<p>"You have been very good to me," she replied simply.</p> + +<p>"Good to myself, you mean. It is the greatest pleasure I have in life to +give you pleasure, Marion."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Allingford!" she said, half rising. He had used her Christian name +for the first time.</p> + +<p>"Forgive me if I call you Marion," he went on, noting with relief that +her ladyship was talking charity bazaar to Jack, and so assuring him +from interruption.</p> + +<p>"I mean, give me the right to do so. You see I'm awfully in love with +you; I can't help loving the sweetest girl I know. You must have seen +how I cared."</p> + +<p>"Lately, yes—I have suspected it," she answered in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Do you mind? I can't help it if you do. I'll love you anyway, but I +want you to be my wife, to care for me just a little; I don't ask +more."</p> + +<p>"I think you must speak to mamma."</p> + +<p>"But I don't wish—I mean, can't you give me something to go on—some +assurance?"</p> + +<p>She blushed and looked down, repeating the phrase, "I think you must +speak to mamma."</p> + +<p>"Is that equivalent——" he began; then he saw that it was, and added, +"My darling!"</p> + +<p>Her head sank lower, he had her hand in a moment, and wondered if he +might venture to kiss her, screened as they both were by her sunshade, +but hesitated to do so because of the ominous silence at the other end +of the balcony.</p> + +<p>"If you have nothing better to do this evening," said Lady Steele's +voice to him, "come to us. Sir Peter and I are dining at home, and if +you will partake of a family dinner with us we shall be delighted."</p> + +<p>He bowed his acceptance.</p> + +<p>"Come, Marion," her ladyship continued. "We have spent a charming +afternoon, Mr. Allingford, thanks to your hospitality. We are at home on +Thursdays after September; Mr. Carrington, you must come and hear more +about my bazaar." And they were gone.</p> + +<p>Jack stepped to the bell. "Well, Bob," he said to Allingford, "is it +brandy and soda or champagne?"</p> + +<p>"Champagne," replied that gentleman.</p> + +<p>"Then," remarked Carrington, after ordering a bottle of '80 +"Perrier"—"then, Bob, my boy, let me congratulate you."</p> + +<p>"I think I deserve it," he replied, as he wrung his friend's hand; "for +I believe I have won for my wife the most charming girl in London."</p> + +<p>"I am awfully glad for you," said Carrington, "and I consider her a very +lucky young woman."</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that," returned Allingford, "and I'm sure I don't +see what she can find to care for in me. Why, we hardly know each other. +I've only met her in public, and not over a couple of dozen times at +that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you will find it much more fun becoming acquainted after you are +engaged. Our English conventions are beautifully Chinese in some +respects."</p> + +<p>Allingford laughed, saying: "I don't know that I'm going to be engaged. +I can't imagine why her family should approve of the match; I haven't a +title and never can have, and I'm only in consular service. Now if I had +been a diplomat——"</p> + +<p>"My dear fellow," said Carrington, "you seem to forget that you have a +few dozen copper-mines at your disposal, and a larger income than you +can conveniently spend. Her people haven't forgotten it, however, as +I'll venture to prophesy that you'll find out before to-morrow morning. +As for your being an American and a Consul, that doesn't count. Just +make the settlements sufficiently large, and as long as you don't eat +with your knife or drink out of your finger-bowl they will pardon the +rest as amiable eccentricities."</p> + +<p>"You are a cynic, Carrington, and I don't believe it," said Allingford, +rising to go. "Anyway, what do you know about marriage?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing, and I am not likely to," rejoined his friend, "but I've lived +in London."</p> + +<p>The dinner that night at Belgrave Square did not serve to put the Consul +at his ease. True, he sat by Marion, but no word was spoken of what had +passed that afternoon, and he could not help feeling that he was in an +anomalous position. He had on his company manners, and was not at his +best in consequence. He felt he was being watched and would be +criticised in the drawing-room after dinner, which made him nervous. Sir +Peter had several married daughters, one of whom was present, and +Allingford wondered how their husbands had behaved under similar +circumstances. He gave Lady Steele, at whose right he sat, ample +opportunity to question him concerning his family history and future +plans and prospects—a chance of which she was not slow to avail +herself.</p> + +<p>When the ladies had departed and had left the two gentlemen to their +coffee and cigars, Sir Peter lost no time in opening the question, and +said, somewhat bluntly:</p> + +<p>"So I hear that you wish to marry my daughter."</p> + +<p>The Consul signified that such was the case.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I don't know why," resumed her father, with true British +candour. "I become so used to my children that I sometimes wonder what +other people can see in them. Marion is a good little girl, however, +I'll say that for her—a good little girl and not extravagant."</p> + +<p>Sir Peter's manner was reassuring, and Allingford hastened to say that +he was sensible of the great honour Miss Steele had done him in +considering his suit, and that he should strive to prove himself worthy +of her.</p> + +<p>"I don't doubt it, my dear fellow, I don't doubt it." And the baronet +paused, smiling so amiably that the Consul was disconcerted, and began +to fear an unpleasant surprise.</p> + +<p>"I trust," he returned, "that you are not averse to me as a son-in-law?"</p> + +<p>"Personally much the reverse; but I always ask the man who comes to me +as you have done one question, and on his answer I base my approval or +disapproval of his suit."</p> + +<p>"And that question is?"</p> + +<p>"Can you support a wife, Mr. Allingford?"</p> + +<p>"As a gentleman I could not have asked her hand if such were not the +case."</p> + +<p>"Ah," replied Sir Peter, "that is quite right."</p> + +<p>"As for my position——" continued the young man.</p> + +<p>"You hold a public office in the service of your country. I consider +that sufficient guarantee of your position, both moral and social."</p> + +<p>Allingford, who knew something of American practical politics, thought +this by no means followed, but forbore to say so, and Sir Peter +continued:</p> + +<p>"Have you any family?"</p> + +<p>"No relations in the world except my younger brother, Dick, who manages +the property at home, while I play at politics abroad."</p> + +<p>"I see," said his host. "One question more and I have done. I dislike +talking business after dinner—it should be left to the lawyers; but, +seeing that you are an American and do not understand such things, I +thought——"</p> + +<p>The Consul stopped him by a gesture. "You are referring to the +settlements, Sir Peter," he said. "Set your mind at rest on that score. +I'll do the proper thing."</p> + +<p>"Of course, my dear fellow, of course; I don't doubt that for a moment. +But—er—you won't think me mercenary if I ask you to be—in short—more +definite. I speak most disinterestedly, purely out of consideration for +my daughter's future."</p> + +<p>Allingford frowned slightly as Carrington's prophecy came back to him. +His prospective father-in-law was quite within his rights in speaking as +he did, but why couldn't he have left it at least till to-morrow?</p> + +<p>"Would a copper-mine do?" he said, looking up. "I'd give her a +copper-mine."</p> + +<p>"Really, I don't know what to say," replied Sir Peter, in some +perplexity. "I'm quite ignorant of such matters. Are—er—copper-mines +valuable?"</p> + +<p>"The one I'm thinking of has been worth a quarter of a million since it +started, and we have only begun to work it," replied the Consul.</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul!" ejaculated his host. "You don't say so! Do you go in +much for that sort of thing?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've quite a number."</p> + +<p>"Dear me!" said Sir Peter dreamily, "a quarter of a million." Then +waking up he added: "But I'm forgetting the time. My dear +Allingford—er—your Christian name escapes me."</p> + +<p>"Robert, Sir Peter."</p> + +<p>"Thanks. I was going to say, my dear Robert, that you must go upstairs +and see mamma."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>IN WHICH THE CONSUL LOSES A RELATIVE AND GAINS A WIFE</h3> + +<p>When Robert Allingford entered the smoking-room of his club, one +afternoon early in October, he was genuinely glad to find that it had +but one occupant, and that he was Harold Scarsdale. The two men had met +each other for the first time at a house-party some eighteen months +before, and their acquaintance had ripened into true friendship.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" he cried, accosting that gentleman. "You're enjoying to the +full your last hours of bachelor bliss, I see."</p> + +<p>"Speak for yourself," replied Scarsdale, who looked extremely bored. +"You're also on the dizzy brink."</p> + +<p>"It's a fact," admitted the Consul; "we are both to be married +to-morrow. But that is all the more reason why we should make the most +of our remaining freedom. You look as glum as if you'd lost your last +friend. Come, cheer up, and have something to drink."</p> + +<p>"They say," remarked the Englishman as he acquiesced in the Consul's +suggestion, "that a man only needs to be married to find out of how +little importance he really is; but I've been anticipating my fate. Miss +Vernon's rooms are a wilderness of the vanities of life, and here I am, +banished to the club as a stern reality."</p> + +<p>"Quite so," replied the American. "I'm in the same box. The dressmakers +have driven me clean out of Belgrave Square. But you, you really have my +sympathy, for you are to marry one of my countrywomen, and they are apt +to prove rather exacting mistresses at times like these."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm fairly well treated," said Scarsdale; "much better than I +deserve, I dare say. How is it with you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh," laughed Allingford, "I feel as if I were playing a game of blind +man's buff with English conventionalities: at least I seem to run foul +of them most of the time. I used to imagine that getting married was a +comparatively simple matter; but what with a highly complicated ceremony +and an irresponsible best man, my cup of misery is well-nigh +overflowing."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you have been doing your required fifteen days of residence +in the parish? London is slow work, now every one is out of town," +remarked Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"My second-best hand-bag has been residing for the past fortnight in an +adjacent attic, in fulfilment of the law," returned the American; "but +affairs at the consulate have kept me on post more than I could have +wished."</p> + +<p>"I should not think you would have much business at this season of the +year."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, it is just the time when the migratory American, who +has spent the summer in doing Europe, returns to England dead broke, and +expects, nay, demands, to be helped home."</p> + +<p>"Do you have many cases of that sort?"</p> + +<p>"Lots. In fact, one especially importunate fellow nearly caused me to +lose my train for London yesterday. I gave him what he asked to get rid +of him."</p> + +<p>"I suppose that sort of thing is a good deal like throwing money into +the sea," said Scarsdale. "It never comes back."</p> + +<p>"Not often, I regret to say; but in this case my distressed countryman +put up collateral."</p> + +<p>"Indeed. I trust you can realise on it if need be."</p> + +<p>"I don't think I want to," said the Consul, "seeing it's an elephant."</p> + +<p>"What!" cried Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"An elephant, or rather, to be exact, an order for one to be delivered +by the Nubian and Red Sea Line of freighters in two or three days at +Southampton Docks. My friend promises to redeem it before arrival, +expects advices from the States, &c., but meanwhile is terribly hard +up."</p> + +<p>"I hope he will be true to his promises, otherwise I wish you joy of +your elephant. You might give it to Lady Steele," suggested Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I think I can see it tethered to the railings in Belgrave Square," +remarked the Consul; "but I am not losing sleep on that account, for, +though I've informed the steamship people that I am, temporarily, the +owner of the beast, I more than suspect that the order and the elephant +are both myths. But I have been telling you of my affairs long enough; +how go yours?"</p> + +<p>"Swimmingly," replied the Englishman. "Miss Vernon has only one relative +in England, thank Heaven! but my family have settled down on me in +swarms."</p> + +<p>"Is Lady Diana Melton in town for the occasion?" asked Allingford.</p> + +<p>Scarsdale flushed, and for the moment did not reply.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," said the American, "if I have asked an unfortunate +question."</p> + +<p>"Not at all," replied his friend. "My great-aunt, who, as you know, is a +somewhat determined old person, has the bad taste to dislike Americans. +So she has confined herself to a frigid refusal of our wedding +invitation, and sent an impossible spoon to the bride."</p> + +<p>"So you are not to have her country place for your honeymoon," said +Allingford. "From what I have heard of Melton Court, it would be quite +an ideal spot under the circumstances."</p> + +<p>"No, we are not going there. The fact is, I don't know where we are +going," added Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"Really!"</p> + +<p>"Yes. As you were saying just now, your countrywomen are apt to prove +exacting, and the future Mrs. Scarsdale has taken it into her head that +I am much too prosaic to plan a wedding trip—that I would do the usual +round, in fact, and that she would be bored in consequence; so she has +taken the arrangements upon herself, and the whole thing is to be a +surprise for me. I don't even know the station from which we start."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I can't commiserate you," returned Allingford, laughing, +"for I'm guilty of doing the very same thing myself, and my bride elect +has no idea of our destination. She spends most of her spare time in +trying to guess it."</p> + +<p>At this moment a card was handed to Allingford, who said: "Why, here is +my best man, Jack Carrington. You know him, don't you? I wonder what can +have started him on my trail," and he requested the page to show him up.</p> + +<p>A moment later Carrington entered the room. He was one of the +best-dressed, most perfect-mannered young men in London, the friend of +every one who knew him, a thoroughly delightful and irresponsible +creature. To-day, however, there was a seriousness about his face that +proclaimed his mission to be of no very pleasant character.</p> + +<p>After greeting his friends, he asked for a few words in private with his +principal, and as a result of this colloquy Allingford excused himself +to Scardsdale, saying that he must return to his lodgings at once, as +Carrington had brought him news that his brother Dick had arrived +unexpectedly from America, and was awaiting him there.</p> + +<p>"What a delightful surprise for you!" exclaimed Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"Yes, very—of course," returned Allingford drily; and after a mutual +interchange of congratulations on the events of the morrow, and regrets +that neither could be at the wedding of the other, the Consul and his +best man left the club.</p> + +<p>"He did not seem over-enthusiastic at Carrington's news," mused +Scarsdale, and then his mind turned to his own affairs.</p> + +<p>It was not astonishing that Robert Allingford received the news of his +brother's arrival without any show of rejoicing. A family skeleton is +never an enjoyable possession, but when it is not even decently +interred, but very much alive, and in the shape of a brother who has +attained notoriety as a black sheep of an unusually intense dye, it may +be looked upon as little less than a curse.</p> + +<p>Yet there were redeeming qualities about Dick Allingford. In spite of +his thoroughly bad name, he was one of the most kind-hearted and +engaging of men, while the way in which he had managed his own and his +brother's property left nothing to be desired. Moreover, he was quite in +his element among his miners. Indeed his qualities, good and bad, were +of a kind that endeared him to them. He loved the good things of this +life, however, in a wholly uncontrollable manner, and, as his income +afforded almost unlimited scope for these desires, his achievements +would have put most yellow-covered novels to the blush. Dick's redeeming +virtue was a blind devotion to his elder brother, from whom he demanded +unlimited advice and assistance in extricating him from a +thousand-and-one scrapes, and inexhaustible patience and forgiveness for +those peccadilloes. When Robert had taken a public office in England it +was on the distinct understanding that Richard should confine his +attentions to America, and so far he had not violated the contract. The +Consul had taken care that his brother should not be informed of the +day of his marriage until it was too late for him to attend in person, +for he shuddered to think of the rig that Richard would run in staid and +conventional English society. Accordingly he hastened to his lodgings, +full of anxious fore-bodings. On arrival his worst fears were fulfilled. +Dick received him with open arms, very affectionate, very penitent, and +very drunk. From that gentleman's somewhat disconnected description the +Consul obtained a lurid inkling of what seemed to have been a triumphal +progress of unrestrained dissipation from Southampton to London, of +which indignant barmaids and a wrecked four-in-hand formed the most +redeeming features.</p> + +<p>"Now explain yourself!" cried Robert in wrath, at the conclusion of his +brother's recital. "What do you mean by this disgraceful conduct, and +why are you in England at all?"</p> + +<p>"Saw 'proaching marriage—newspaper," hiccoughed Dick—"took first +steamer."</p> + +<p>"What did you come for?" demanded Allingford sternly.</p> + +<p>"Come? Congratulate you—see the bride."</p> + +<p>"Not on your life!" exclaimed the Consul. "You are beastly drunk and not +fit for decent society."</p> + +<p>"Fault—railroad company—bad whisky," explained the unregenerate one.</p> + +<p>"I'll take your word for it," replied his brother. "You ought to be a +judge of whisky. But you won't go to my wedding unless you are sober." +And he rang for his valet.</p> + +<p>"This is my brother, Parsons," he remarked to that individual when he +entered. "You may put him to bed at once. Use my room for the purpose, +and engage another for me for to-night."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," replied his valet, who was too well trained to betray any +emotion.</p> + +<p>"When you have got him settled," continued the Consul, "lock him in, and +let him stay till morning." With which he straightway departed, leaving +his stupefied brother to the tender mercies of the shocked and sedate +Parsons.</p> + +<p>Allingford stood a good deal in awe of his valet, and dreaded to see the +reproachful look of outraged dignity which he knew would greet him on +his return. So he again sought the club, intending to find Scarsdale and +continue their conversation; but that gentleman had departed, and the +Consul was forced to console himself with a brandy and soda, and settle +down to a quiet hour of reflection.</p> + +<p>He had been engaged upwards of three months, and, it is needless to say, +had learned much in that space of time. An engagement is a liberal +education to any man, for it presents a series of entirely new problems +to be solved. He ceases to think of and for himself alone, and the +accuracy with which he can adjust himself to these novel conditions +determines the success or failure of his married life. Robert +Allingford, however, was engaged to a woman of another nation; of his +own race, indeed, and speaking his own tongue, but educated under widely +differing standards and ideals, and on a plane of comparative simplicity +when viewed in the light of her complex American sister. The little +English girl was an endless mystery to him, and it was only in later +life that he discovered that he was constantly endowing her with a +complicated nature which she did not possess. He could not understand a +woman who generally—I do not say invariably, for Marion Steele was +human after all, but who generally meant what she said, whose pleasures +were healthy and direct, and who was really simple and genuinely +ignorant of most things pertaining to the world worldly. He knew that +world well enough—ten years of mining had taught him that—and he had +been left to its tender mercies when still a boy, with no relatives +except his younger brother, who, as may well be imagined, was rather a +burden than a help.</p> + +<p>But if Robert Allingford had seen the rough side of life, it had taught +him to understand human nature, and, as he had been blessed with a large +heart and a considerable measure of adaptability, he managed to get on +very well on both sides of the Atlantic. True, he seldom appreciated +what the British mind held to contain worth; but he was tolerant, and +his tolerance begat, unconsciously, sympathy. On the other hand, the +Consul was as much of a mystery to his fiancée as she had ever been to +him. In her eyes he was always doing the unexpected. For one thing, she +never knew when to take him seriously, and was afraid of what he might +do or say; but she soon learned to trust him implicitly, and to estimate +him at his true sterling worth.</p> + +<p>In short, both had partially adjusted themselves to each other, and were +likely to live very happily, with enough of the unknown in their +characters to keep them from becoming bored. Allingford had never spoken +definitely to his fiancée concerning his younger brother, and she knew +instinctively that it was a subject to be avoided. To her father she had +said something, but Sir Peter had little interest in his children's +affairs beyond seeing that they were suitably married; and since he was +satisfied with the settlements and the man, was content to leave well +enough alone.</p> + +<p>The Consul, therefore, thought himself justified in saying nothing +about the unexpected arrival of his brother, especially as the chances +of that gentleman's being in a fit state to appear at the wedding seemed +highly problematical.</p> + +<p>Next morning there were no signs of repentance or of Dick; for if a +deserted bed, an open window, and the smashed glass of a neighbouring +skylight signified anything, it was that Mr. Richard Allingford was +still unregenerate and at large.</p> + +<p>The bridal day dawned bright and clear, and Carrington lunched with the +Consul just before the ceremony, which, thanks to English law, took +place at that most impossible hour of the day, 2.30 <span class="smcap">p.m.</span></p> + +<p>The bridegroom floundered through the intricacies of the service, signed +his name in the vestry, and achieved his carriage in a kind of dream; +but woke up sufficiently to the realities of life at the reception, to +endure with fortitude the indiscriminate kissing of scores of new +relations. Then he drank his own health and the healths of other +people, and at last escaped upstairs to prepare for the journey and +have a quiet fifteen minutes with his best man.</p> + +<p>"Now remember," he said to that irresponsible individual, "you are the +only one who knows our destination this evening, and if you breathe it +to a soul I'll come back and murder you."</p> + +<p>"My dear fellow," replied Carrington, "you don't suppose, after I've +endured weeks of cross-questioning and inquisitorial advances from the +bride and her family, that I am going to strike my colours and give the +whole thing away at the eleventh hour."</p> + +<p>"You have been a trump, Jack," rejoined the Consul, "and I only wish you +may be as happy some time as I am to-day."</p> + +<p>"It is your day; don't worry about my affairs," returned Carrington, +with a forced laugh which gave colour to the popular report that the +only vulnerable point in his armour of good nature lay in his +impecunious condition and the consequent impossibility of his marrying +on his own account.</p> + +<p>It was only a passing cloud, however, and he hastened to change the +subject, saying: "Come, you are late already, and a bride must not be +kept waiting."</p> + +<p>Allingford was thereupon hustled downstairs, and wept upon from all +quarters, and his life was threatened with rice and old shoes; but he +reached the street somehow with Mrs. Robert in tow, and, barring the +circumstance that in his agitation he had embraced the butler instead of +Sir Peter, he acquitted himself very well under the trying ordeal.</p> + +<p>As they drove to the station his wife was strangely quiet, and he +rallied her on the fact.</p> + +<p>"Why," he said, "you haven't spoken since we started."</p> + +<p>Her face grew troubled. "I was wondering——" she began.</p> + +<p>"If you would be happy?" he asked. "I'll do my best."</p> + +<p>"No, no, I'm sure of that, only—do tell me where we are going."</p> + +<p>The Consul laughed. "You women are just the same all the world over," +he replied, but otherwise did not commit himself; but his wife noticed +that he looked worried and anxious, and that he breathed a sigh of +unmistakable relief as their train drew out of Waterloo Station. She did +not know that the one cloud which he had feared might darken his wedding +day had now been dispelled: he had seen nothing of his brother.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>IN WHICH THE LONDON AND SOUTH WESTERN RAIL-WAY ACCOMPLISHES WHAT THE +MARRIAGE SERVICE FORBIDS</h3> + +<p>It might be supposed that the heir to "The Towers" and Lady Scarsdale's +very considerable property would meet with some decided opposition from +his family to his proposed alliance with Mabel Vernon, an unknown +American, who, though fairly provided with this world's goods, could in +no sense be termed a great heiress. But the fact of the matter was that +the prejudices of his own people were as nothing when compared with +those of Aunt Eliza. In the first place she did not wish her niece to +marry at all, on the ground that no man was good enough for her; and in +the second place she had decided that if Mabel must have a partner in +life, he was to be born under the Stars and Stripes. Her wrath, +therefore, was great when she heard of the engagement, and she declared +that she had a good mind to cut the young couple off with a cent, a +threat that meant something from a woman who had bought corner lots in +Chicago immediately after the great fire, and still held them. Scarsdale +never forgot his first interview with her after she had learned the +news.</p> + +<p>"I mistrusted you were round for no good," she said, "though I wasn't +quite certain which one of us you wanted."</p> + +<p>He bit his lip.</p> + +<p>"There's nothing to laugh at, young man," she continued severely; +"marrying me would have been no joke."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure, Miss Cogbill——" began Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"You call me Aunt Eliza in the future," she broke in; "that is who I am, +and if I choose to remember your wife when I'm gone she'll be as rich as +a duchess, as I dare say you know."</p> + +<p>"I had no thought of your leaving her anything, and I am quite able to +support her without your assistance," he replied, nettled by her +implication.</p> + +<p>"I am glad to hear it; it sounds encouraging," returned the aunt. "Tell +me, have you ever done anything to support yourself?"</p> + +<p>"Rather! As a younger son, I should have had a very poor chance if I'd +not."</p> + +<p>"How many towers have you got?" was her next question.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Scarsdale, laughing at her very literal +interpretation of the name of his estate.</p> + +<p>"Have they fire-escapes?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid not," he replied, "but you must come and see for yourself. +My mother will be happy to welcome you."</p> + +<p>"No, I guess not; I'm too old to start climbing."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you wouldn't have to live in them," he hastened to assure her; +"there are other parts to the house, and my mother——"</p> + +<p>"That's her ladyship?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"You are sure you haven't any title?" asked Aunt Eliza suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"No, nor any chance of having one."</p> + +<p>"Well, I do feel relieved," she commented. "The Psalms say not to put +your trust in princes, but I guess if King David had ever been through a +London season he wouldn't have drawn the line there; and what's good +enough for him is good enough for me."</p> + +<p>"I think you can trust me, Aunt Eliza."</p> + +<p>"I hope so, though I never expected to see a niece of mine married to a +man of war."</p> + +<p>"Not a man of war," he corrected, "only a man in the War Office—a very +different thing, I assure you."</p> + +<p>"I am rejoiced to hear it," she replied. "Now run along to Mabel, and +I'll write your mother and tell her that I guess you'll do." Which she +straightway did, and that letter is still preserved as one of the +literary curiosities of "The Towers," Sussex.</p> + +<p>The first meeting of Aunt Eliza and Lady Scarsdale took place the day +before the wedding. It was pleasant, short, and to the point, and at +its conclusion each parted from the other with mingled feelings of +wonder and respect. Indeed, no one could fail to respect Miss Cogbill. +Alone and unaided she had amassed and managed a great fortune. She was +shrewd and keen beyond the nature of women, and seldom minced matters in +her speech; but nevertheless she was possessed of much native refinement +and prim, old-time courtesy that did not always seem in accordance with +the business side of her nature.</p> + +<p>As time went on she became reconciled to Scarsdale, but his lack of +appreciation of business was a thorn in her flesh, and, indeed, her +inclinations had led her in quite another direction.</p> + +<p>"Now look at that young Carrington who comes to see you once in a while; +if you had to marry an Englishman, why didn't you take him?" she said +once to her niece.</p> + +<p>"Why, Aunt Eliza," replied that young lady, "what are you thinking of? +According to your own standards, he is much less desirable than Harold, +for he has not a cent."</p> + +<p>"He'd make money fast enough if his training didn't get in his way," she +retorted, "which is more than can be said of your future husband."</p> + +<p>The wedding was very quiet, at Miss Vernon's suggestion and with her +aunt's approval, for neither of them cared for that lavish display with +which a certain class of Americans are, unfortunately, associated. There +was to be a reception at the hotel, to which a large number of people +had been asked; but at the ceremony scarcely a dozen were present. +Scarsdale's mother and immediate family, a brother official, who served +as best man, and Aunt Eliza made up the party.</p> + +<p>At the bride's request, the service had been as much abbreviated as the +Church would allow, and the whole matter was finished in a surprisingly +short space of time. The reception followed, and an hour later the happy +pair were ready to leave; but their destination was still a mystery to +the groom.</p> + +<p>"I think you might just give me a hint," he suggested to Aunt Eliza, +whom he shrewdly suspected knew all about it.</p> + +<p>"Do you?" she replied. "Well, I think that Mabel is quite capable of +taking care of herself and you too, and that the sooner you realise it +the better. As for your being consulted or informed about your wedding +trip, why, my niece has been four times round the world already, and is +better able to plan an ordinary honeymoon excursion than a man who +spends his time turning out bombs, and nitro-glycerine, and monitors, +and things."</p> + +<p>Aunt Eliza's notions of the duties of the War Office were still somewhat +vague.</p> + +<p>After the bridal couple had left, Miss Cogbill and Lady Scarsdale +received the remaining guests, and, when the function was over, her +ladyship gave her American relative a cordial invitation to stay at "The +Towers" till after the honeymoon; but Aunt Eliza refused.</p> + +<p>"I'll come some day and be glad to," she said; "but I'm off to-morrow +for two weeks in Paris. I always go there when I'm blue; it cheers one +up so, and you meet more Americans there nowadays than you do at home."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you will see the happy pair before you return," suggested Lady +Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"Now, your ladyship," said Aunt Eliza, "that isn't fair; but to tell you +the truth of the matter, I've no more idea where they are going, beyond +their first stop, than you have."</p> + +<p>"And that is——?"</p> + +<p>"They will write you from there to-morrow," replied Miss Cogbill, "and +then you will know as much as I do."</p> + +<p>Scarsdale was quite too happy to be seriously worried over his ignorance +of their destination; in fact, he was rather amused at his wife's little +mystery, and, beyond indulging in some banter on the subject, was well +content to let the matter drop. He entertained her, however, by making +wild guesses as to where they were to pass the night from what he had +learned of their point of departure, Waterloo Station; but soon turned +to more engrossing topics, and before he realised it an hour had passed +away, and the train began to slow up for their first stop out of London.</p> + +<p>"Is this the end of our journey?" he queried.</p> + +<p>"What, Basingstoke?" she cried. "How could you think I'd be so +unromantic? Why, it is only a miserable, dirty railway junction!"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we change carriages here?"</p> + +<p>"Wrong again; but the train stops for a few minutes, and if you'll be +good you may run out and have a breath of fresh air and something to +drink."</p> + +<p>"How do you know," he asked, "that I sha'n't go forward and see how the +luggage is labelled?"</p> + +<p>"That would not be playing fair," she replied, pouting, "and I should be +dreadfully cross with you."</p> + +<p>"I'll promise to be good," he hastened to assure her, and, as the train +drew up, stepped out upon the platform.</p> + +<p>His first intention had been to make straight for the refreshment-room; +but he had only taken a few steps in that direction, when he saw +advancing from the opposite end of the train none other than Robert +Allingford, who, like himself, was a bridegroom of that day.</p> + +<p>"Why, Benedick!" he cried, "who would have thought of meeting you!"</p> + +<p>"Just what I was going to say," replied the Consul, heartily shaking his +outstretched hand. "I never imagined that we would select the same +train. Come, let's have a drink to celebrate our auspicious meeting. +There is time enough."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure?" asked the careful Englishman.</p> + +<p>"Quite," replied his American friend. "I asked a porter, and he said we +had ten minutes."</p> + +<p>They accordingly repaired to the luncheon-bar, and were soon discussing +whiskies and sodas.</p> + +<p>"Tell me," said the Consul, as he put down his glass, "have you +discovered your destination yet?"</p> + +<p>"Haven't the remotest idea," returned the other. "Mrs. Scarsdale +insisted on buying the tickets, and watches over them jealously. If it +had not been for the look of the thing, I would have bribed the guard to +tell me where I was going. By the way, won't you shake hands with my +wife? She is just forward."</p> + +<p>"With pleasure," replied Allingford, "if you will return the compliment; +my carriage is the first of its class at the rear of the train. We have +still six minutes." With which the two husbands separated, each to seek +the other's wife.</p> + +<p>Scarsdale met with a cordial welcome from Mrs. Allingford, and was soon +seated by her side chatting merrily.</p> + +<p>"We should sympathise with each other," she said, laughing, "for I +understand that we are both in ignorance of our destination."</p> + +<p>"Indeed we should," he replied. "I dare say that at this moment your +husband and my wife are gloating over their superior knowledge."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well," she continued, "our time will come; and now tell me how you +have endured the vicissitudes of the day."</p> + +<p>"I think you and I have no cause for complaint," rejoined Scarsdale. +"You see we understand our conventions; but I fear that our respective +partners have not had such an easy time."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't think it would have worried Mrs. Scarsdale," returned the +Englishwoman.</p> + +<p>"Of course it didn't," said that lady's husband; "nothing ever worries +her. But I think signing the register puzzled her a bit; she said it +made her feel as if she was at an hotel."</p> + +<p>"Robert enjoyed it thoroughly," said Mrs. Allingford.</p> + +<p>"Had he no criticisms to offer?"</p> + +<p>"None, except that one seemed to get a good deal more for one's money +than in the States."</p> + +<p>"The almighty dollar!" said Scarsdale, laughing, and added, as he looked +at his watch: "I must be off, or your husband will be turning me out; +our ten minutes are almost up."</p> + +<p>Once on the platform, he paused aghast. The forward half of the train +had disappeared, and an engine was backing up in its place to couple on +to the second part. Allingford was nowhere in sight.</p> + +<p>"Where is the rest of the train?" cried Scarsdale, seizing an astonished +guard.</p> + +<p>"The forward division, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Yes! yes! For Heaven's sake speak, man! Where is it?"</p> + +<p>"That was the Exeter division. Went five minutes ago."</p> + +<p>"But I thought we had ten minutes!"</p> + +<p>"This division, yes, sir," replied the guard, indicating that portion of +the train still in the station, "the forward part only five."</p> + +<p>In this way, then, had Allingford unconsciously deceived him, and +without doubt the American Consul had been carried off with his, +Scarsdale's, wife. The awful discovery staggered him, but he controlled +himself sufficiently to ask the destination of the section still in the +station.</p> + +<p>"Bournemouth, sir, Southampton first stop. Are you going? we are just +off."</p> + +<p>"No," replied Scarsdale. The guard waved his flag, the shrill whistle +blew, and the train began to move. Then he thought of Mrs. Allingford; +he could scarcely leave her. Besides, what was the use of remaining at +Basingstoke, when he did not even know his own destination? He tore open +the door of the carriage he had just left, and swung himself in as it +swept past him.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>IN WHICH LADY MELTON FEELS THAT HER AVERSION IS JUSTIFIED</h3> + +<p>From what has been said it may be imagined that Mrs. Scarsdale, <i>née</i> +Vernon, was an excellent hand at light and amusing conversation; and so +pleasantly did she receive the Consul, and so amusingly rally him on the +events of the day, that he scarcely seemed to have been with her a +minute, when a slight jolt caused him to look up and out, only to +perceive the Basingstoke Station sliding rapidly past the windows. +Allingford's first impulse was to dash from the carriage, a dangerous +experiment when one remembers the rapidity with which a light English +train gets under way. In this, however, he was forestalled by Mrs. +Scarsdale, who clung to his coat-tails, declaring that he should not +desert her; so that by the time he was able to free himself the train +had attained such speed as to preclude any longer the question of +escape. The sensations which Mr. Allingford and Mrs. Scarsdale +experienced when they realised that they were being borne swiftly away, +the one from his wife and the other from her husband, may be better +imagined than described. The deserted bride threw herself into the +farthest corner of the carriage and began to laugh hysterically, while +the Consul plunged his hands into his pockets and gave vent to a +monosyllabic expletive, of which he meant every letter.</p> + +<p>After the first moments of astonishment and stupefaction both somewhat +recovered their senses, and mutual explanations and recriminations began +forthwith.</p> + +<p>"How has this dreadful thing happened?" demanded Mrs. Scarsdale, in a +voice quavering with suppressed emotion.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid it's my fault," said Allingford ruefully. "The guard told me +we had ten minutes."</p> + +<p>"That was for your division of the train, stupid!" exclaimed the lady +wrathfully.</p> + +<p>"I didn't know that," explained the Consul, "and so I told your husband +we had ten minutes, which probably accounts for his being left."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll never, never forgive you," she cried, and burst into tears, +murmuring between her sobs: "Poor, dear Harold! what will he do?"</p> + +<p>"Do!" exclaimed the Consul, "I should think he had done enough, in all +conscience. Why, confound him, he's gone off with my wife!"</p> + +<p>"Don't you call my husband names!" sobbed Mrs. Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"Well, he certainly has enough of his own, that's a fact."</p> + +<p>"If you were a man," retorted the disconsolate bride, "you would do +something, instead of making stupid jokes about my poor Stanley. I'm a +distressed American citizen——"</p> + +<p>"No, you're not; you became a British subject when you married +Scarsdale," corrected Allingford.</p> + +<p>"Well, I won't be, so there! I tell you I'm an American woman in +distress, and you are my Consul and you've got to help me."</p> + +<p>"I'll help you with the greatest pleasure in the world. I'm quite as +anxious to recover my wife as you can be to find your husband."</p> + +<p>"Then what do you advise?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"We are going somewhere at a rapid rate," he replied. "When we arrive, +we will leave the train and return to Basingstoke as soon as possible. +Now do you happen to know our next stop?"</p> + +<p>"Yes: Salisbury."</p> + +<p>"How long before we get there?"</p> + +<p>"About three quarters of an hour."</p> + +<p>"That will at least give us time," he said, "to consider what is best to +be done. Have you a railway guide?"</p> + +<p>"I think there is a South Western time-table in the pocket of dear +Malcolm's coat," she said, indicating a garment on the seat beside her.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you call him St. Hubart and be done with it?" queried +Allingford, as he searched for and found the desired paper. "You've +given him all his other names."</p> + +<p>"I reserve that for important occasions," she replied; "it sounds so +impressive."</p> + +<p>Mabel Scarsdale, it will be noticed, was fast regaining her composure, +now that a definite course of action had been determined upon. But she +could not help feeling depressed, for it must be admitted that it is +disheartening to lose your husband before you have been married a day. +What would he do, she wondered, when he found that the train had gone? +Had he discovered its departure soon enough to warn Mrs. Allingford to +leave her carriage? and if not, where had she gone, and had he +accompanied her? The event certainly afforded ample grounds for +speculation; but her reverie was interrupted by the Consul, who had been +deeply immersed in the time-table.</p> + +<p>"There is no train back to Basingstoke before ten to-night," he said, +"so we must spend the evening in Salisbury and telegraph them to await +our return."</p> + +<p>"Possibly my husband may have chased the train and caught the rear +carriage. I have seen people do that," she ventured.</p> + +<p>"The guard's van, you mean," he explained. "In that case he is +travelling down with us and will put in an appearance directly we reach +Salisbury, though I don't think it's likely. However, there's nothing to +worry about, and I must beg you not to do so, unless you wish to make me +more miserable than I already am for my share in this deplorable +blunder."</p> + +<p>"You don't think they would follow us to Salisbury?"</p> + +<p>"No; that is"—and he plunged into the intricacies of the time-table +once more—"they couldn't; besides, they would receive our telegram +before they could leave Basingstoke."</p> + +<p>"Could they have gone off on the other train?"</p> + +<p>"Impossible," he replied. "By Jove, they neither of them know where +they are bound for!"</p> + +<p>"Quite true," she said, "they do not. We had tickets for Exeter; but as +a joke I never let my husband see them."</p> + +<p>"We were going to Bournemouth, and here are my tickets," he returned, +holding them up, "but my wife doesn't know it."</p> + +<p>"You think there is no question that they are waiting for us at +Basingstoke?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Not a doubt of it; and so we have nothing to do but kill time till we +can rejoin them, which won't be hard in your society," he replied.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry I can't be so polite," she returned, "but I want my husband, +and if you talk to me much more I shall probably cry."</p> + +<p>The Consul at this made a dive for an adjacent newspaper, in which he +remained buried till the train slowed down for Salisbury.</p> + +<p>"I suppose," he said apologetically, as they drew up at their +destination, "that you won't object to my appropriating Scarsdale's +coat and hat? I dare say he is sporting mine."</p> + +<p>A tearful sniff was the only reply as he gathered up the various +impedimenta with which the carriage was littered, and assisted his fair +though doleful companion to alight. Returning a few moments later from +the arduous duty of rescuing her luggage, which was, of course, labelled +for Exeter, he found her still alone, there being no sign of Scarsdale +in or out of the train, and no telegram for them from Basingstoke—a +chance on which Allingford had counted considerably, though he had not +thought it wise to mention it. Indeed, the fact that no inquiry had been +made for them puzzled and worried him greatly, for it seemed almost +certain that were their deserted partners still at Basingstoke, their +first action would have been to telegraph to the fugitives. However, he +put the best face he could on the matter, assured Mrs. Scarsdale that +everything must be all right, and despatched his telegram back to their +point of separation. Under the most favourable circumstances they could +not receive an answer under half an hour, and with this information the +Consul was forced to return to the disconsolate bride.</p> + +<p>"There is no use in loafing around here," he said. "Suppose we go and +see the cathedral? It will be something to do, and may distract our +thoughts."</p> + +<p>"I don't think mine could well be more distracted than they are now," +replied she; "besides, we might miss the telegram."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll fix that," he returned; "I'll have it sent up after us. Come, +you had better go. You can't sit and look at that pea-green engine for +thirty minutes; it is enough to give you a fit of the blues."</p> + +<p>"Well, just as you please," she said, and they started up into the town, +and made their way to the cathedral.</p> + +<p>It is not to the point of this narrative to discourse on the beauties of +that structure; the finest shaft of Purbec marble it contains would +prove cold consolation to either a bride or a bridegroom deserted on the +wedding day. But the cool quiet of the great building seemed +unconsciously to soothe their troubled spirits, though when they each +revisited the spot in after years they discovered that it was entirely +new to them, and that they possessed not the faintest recollection of +its appearance, within or without.</p> + +<p>At last, after having consulted their watches for the hundredth time, +they began to stroll down the great central aisle, towards the main +entrance. Suddenly Mrs. Scarsdale clutched the Consul's arm, and pointed +before her to where a messenger-boy, with a look of expectancy on his +face and an envelope in his hand, stood framed in a Gothic doorway. Then +they made a wild, scrambling rush down the church, the bride reaching +the goal first, and snatching the telegram from its astonished bearer.</p> + +<p>"For Mr. Allingford," he began, but she had already torn open the +envelope and was devouring its contents.</p> + +<p>For a moment the words seemed to swim before her eyes, then, as their +meaning became clear to her, she gave a frightened gasp, dropped the +message on the floor, sat down hard on the tomb of a crusader, and burst +into tears.</p> + +<p>Allingford gazed at her silently for a moment, and meditatively +scratched his head; then he paid and dismissed the amazed boy, and +finally picked up the crumpled bit of paper. It was from the +station-master at Basingstoke, and read as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>"Parties mentioned left in second division for Southampton and +South Coast Resorts. Destination not known."</i></p></div> + +<p>It was incomprehensible, but he had expected it. If Mr. Scarsdale had +remained at Basingstoke he would certainly have telegraphed them from +there at their first stop, Salisbury. Evidently he, too, had been +carried away on the train; but where? It was some relief to know that +his wife was not wholly alone, but he did not at all like the idea of +her going off into space with another man, and the fact that he had +done the same thing himself was no consolation. Then his mind reverted +to Mrs. Scarsdale, who still wept on the tomb of the crusader. What in +thunder was he going to do with her? To get her back to her aunt in +London at that time of night was out of the question; but where else +could he take her?</p> + +<p>This point, however, was settled at once, and in an unexpected manner, +by the lady herself. Drying her eyes, she remarked suddenly: "I'm a +little fool!"</p> + +<p>"Not at all," he replied; "your emotion is quite natural under the +circumstances."</p> + +<p>"But crying won't get us out of this awful predicament."</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately no, or we should have arrived at a solution long ago."</p> + +<p>"That," remarked the lady, "is merely another way of making a statement +which you just now disputed. I <i>am</i> a little fool, and I mean to dry my +eyes and attend strictly to business. Tell me exactly what this message +implies."</p> + +<p>"It means," said the Consul, "that it is impossible for you to rejoin +your husband to-night."</p> + +<p>Her lip quivered dangerously; but she controlled herself sufficiently to +exclaim: "But what are we to do?"</p> + +<p>"Well," he replied, "I should advise remaining here. There is a good +hotel."</p> + +<p>"But we can't. Don't you see I must not remain—with you?" She spoke the +last words with an effort.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he rejoined. "It is awkward; but you can't spend the night in the +streets; you must have somewhere to sleep."</p> + +<p>"Let us go back to Basingstoke, then."</p> + +<p>"I can't see that that would help matters," he said gloomily; "we would +have to spend the night there just the same. Besides, I think it is +going to rain." They were standing outside the church by this time. +"No," he continued, "our best course, our only course, in fact, is to +stay here to-night, return to Basingstoke to-morrow morning, and wait +for them there. You may be sure they are having quite as bad a time as +we are. If I only knew some one here——"</p> + +<p>"Bravo!" she interrupted, clapping her hands, "I believe you have solved +the problem. Look: do you see that carriage over there? What coat of +arms has it? Quick! your eyes are better than mine."</p> + +<p>In the gathering twilight he saw driving leisurely by, with coachman and +footman on the box, a handsome barouche, on the panels of which a coat +of arms was emblazoned.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, gazing hard at it, "there is a helmet with a plume, +balanced on a stick of peppermint candy——"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes!" she cried, "the crest. Go on!"</p> + +<p>"Down on the ground-storey," he continued, "there is a pink shield +divided in quarters, with the same helmet in the north-east division, +and a lot of silver ticket-punchers in the one below it."</p> + +<p>"Spurs," she interjected.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps they are," he admitted. "Then there are a couple of +two-tailed blue lions swimming in a crimson lake——"</p> + +<p>"The Melton arms!" she cried. "I looked them up in 'Burke's Peerage' +when that old catawampus refused to come to our wedding. We will spend +to-night with Lady Diana!"</p> + +<p>"But I thought——" began the Consul, when his companion interrupted +him, exclaiming:</p> + +<p>"Chase that carriage as hard as you know how, and bring it here!"</p> + +<p>Allingford felt that this was a time for action and not for speech. The +days of his collegiate triumphs, when he had put his best foot foremost +on the cinder-track, rose to his mind, and he fled across the green and +into the gathering gloom, which had now swallowed up her ladyship's +chariot, with a swiftness that caused his companion to murmur: "Well, he +can sprint!"</p> + +<p>Presently the equipage was seen returning with the heated and triumphant +Consul inside. It drew up before her, and the footman alighted and +approached questioningly.</p> + +<p>"Is this Lady Melton's carriage?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, madam."</p> + +<p>"Then you may drive this gentleman and me to Melton Court."</p> + +<p>"But, madam——"</p> + +<p>"I am Mrs. Scarsdale, Lady Diana's great-niece," she said quietly. The +footman touched his hat.</p> + +<p>"Was her ladyship expecting you? We were sent to meet this next train, +but——"</p> + +<p>"No, we are here unexpectedly ourselves; but I dare say there will be +room for all, as the carriage holds four."</p> + +<p>"There will only be Lord Cowbray, madam, and his lordship may not arrive +till the nine-thirty. If you would not mind driving to the station?"</p> + +<p>"It is just what we wish," she replied, and calmly stepped into the +carriage and seated herself by the Consul's side, who was so amazed at +the turn affairs had taken that he remained speechless.</p> + +<p>"Shall I see to your luggage, madam?" inquired the footman as they drew +up opposite the waiting-room door.</p> + +<p>"No," she replied, stepping out on the platform. "We will attend to it +ourselves; it will only be necessary to take up our hand-bags for +to-night."</p> + +<p>Accompanied by the Consul she went in search of their belongings, and at +her suggestion he took a Gladstone belonging to the absent Scarsdale, +and a dressing-case which she designated as her own property.</p> + +<p>"I was anxious to have a word alone with you," she said as they emerged +once more on the platform, "and we can't talk on personal matters during +the drive to the Court. You see my position is a little peculiar."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me for asking the question," he replied, "but are your relations +with your husband's great-aunt quite cordial?"</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, they are quite the reverse. She detests all Americans, +and was very much put out at poor Harold for marrying me. Her refusal to +be present at our wedding was almost an insult," she returned.</p> + +<p>"That doesn't seem to promise a pleasant reception at Melton Court," he +said.</p> + +<p>"Far from it; but any port is acceptable in a storm, and she can hardly +refuse us shelter. After all I've done nothing to be ashamed of in +marrying my husband or being carried off with you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll trust you to hold your own with any dowager in the United +Kingdom; but where do I come in?"</p> + +<p>"You are my Consul, and under the circumstances my national protector; I +can't do without you."</p> + +<p>"I am not at all sure that her ladyship will see it in that light; but, +as you say, it is better than nothing, and our position can't be worse +than it is at present."</p> + +<p>"Then it is agreed we stand by each other through thick and thin?"</p> + +<p>"Exactly," he replied, and shook her extended hand. At this moment the +train came in, and they returned to the carriage.</p> + +<p>Lord Cowbray did not put in an appearance, and they were soon under way +for Melton Court, which was some miles distant from the town. By the +time they entered the grounds it was quite dark, and they could only see +that the park was extensive, and that the Court seemed large and gloomy +and might have dated from the Elizabethan period.</p> + +<p>On entering the central hall they at once saw evidences of a large +house-party, whose presence did not tend to put them more at their ease, +and Mrs. Scarsdale lost no time in sending a message to Lady Melton, to +the effect that her great-niece had arrived unexpectedly and would much +appreciate a few words with her in private.</p> + +<p>They were shown into a little reception-room, and the footman returned +shortly to say that her ladyship would be with them soon. After what +seemed an endless time, but was in reality barely fifteen minutes, their +hostess entered. She was a fine-looking woman of sixty or over, with a +stern, hard face, and a set expression about her thin lips, that boded +little good to offenders, whatever their age or sex. She looked her +guests over through her gold eye-glasses, and, after waiting a moment +for them to speak, said coldly:</p> + +<p>"I think there is some mistake. I was told that my niece wished to see +me."</p> + +<p>"I said your great-niece," returned Mrs. Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my great-niece. Well? I do not recognise you."</p> + +<p>"It would be strange if you did, Lady Melton," returned the bride, "as +you've never seen me. I am the wife of your great-nephew, Harold Stanley +Malcolm St. Hubart Scarsdale."</p> + +<p>"I do not see your husband present," said her ladyship, directing an icy +glare at the unfortunate Consul.</p> + +<p>"No," replied her niece, "I've lost him."</p> + +<p>"Lost him!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, at Basingstoke. He went to speak to a lady in another part of the +train. I could make it clearer to you, I think, by saying that she was +Sir Peter Steele's youngest daughter."</p> + +<p>"I never thought of knowing the Steeles when I was in London," commented +her hostess, "but St. Hubart was always liberal in his tastes." A remark +which caused the Consul to flush with pent-up wrath.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he didn't know her," interjected Mabel, hastening to correct the +unfortunate turn which the conversation had taken. "She was this +gentleman's wife."</p> + +<p>Her ladyship bowed very, very slightly in the Consul's direction, to +indicate that his affairs, matrimonial or otherwise, could have for her +no possible interest.</p> + +<p>"And that is the last we have heard of them," continued the bride, +"except for a telegram from the station-master at Basingstoke, which +says they went to Southampton——"</p> + +<p>"Do I understand you to say," broke in their hostess, betraying the +first sign of interest she had so far evinced, "that my nephew has +eloped with——?"</p> + +<p>"No, no!" cried Mrs. Scarsdale, "you do not in the least comprehend the +true state of affairs," and she poured forth a voluble if disconnected +account of their adventures.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me," exclaimed the old lady when she had finished, "but what is +all this rigmarole? A most surprising affair, I must say, and quite +worthy of your nationality. I was averse to my nephew's marrying you +from the first; but I hardly expected to be justified on his wedding +day."</p> + +<p>"In that case," said Mrs. Scarsdale, "the sooner we leave your house the +better."</p> + +<p>"You will do nothing of the sort," replied her great-aunt. "Your coming +to me is the only wise thing you have done. Of course you will remain +here till your husband can be found. As for this person——" indicating +Allingford.</p> + +<p>"This <i>gentleman</i>," said his partner in misfortune, coming to his +rescue, "is Mr. Robert Allingford, United States Consul at Christchurch. +As my husband had gone off with his wife, I thought the least I could do +was to take him with me."</p> + +<p>"I can hardly see the necessity of that course," commented her hostess.</p> + +<p>"Now that I have seen Mrs. Scarsdale in safe hands, I could not think of +trespassing longer upon your hospitality," put in the Consul; but his +companion intervened.</p> + +<p>"I am not going to be deserted twice in a day!" she cried. "If you go, I +go with you!"</p> + +<p>"About that," said her ladyship frigidly, "there can be no question," +and she rang the bell.</p> + +<p>"You will conduct this lady and this gentleman," she continued to the +footman who answered her summons, "to the green room and the tower room +respectively." Then, turning to her unwilling guests, she added: "As my +dinner-table is fully arranged for this evening, and my guests are now +awaiting me, you will pardon it if I have your dinner served in my +private sitting-room. We will discuss your affairs at length to-morrow +morning; but now I must bid you good-night," and with an inclination of +her head she dismissed them from her presence.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>IN WHICH A TRUNK IS SENT TO MELTON COURT</h3> + +<p>Scarcely had the sun risen the next morning when the Consul, after a +sleepless night, stole downstairs and found his way out upon the +terrace, for a quiet stroll and a breath of fresh, cool air. Moreover, +he was in need of an uninterrupted hour in which to arrange his plans in +such a manner as would most surely tend to effect the double reunion he +so earnestly desired.</p> + +<p>It seemed well-nigh impossible, in the small space of country which had +probably been traversed by all parties, that they could lose each other +for more than a few hours. To make the situation more clear to those who +have never had the misfortune to suffer from the intricacies of English +railway travel, the following diagram is appended. The triangle is +isosceles, the sides being thirty-five miles long, the base twenty.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/ill_002.jpg" width="500" height="415" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>He reviewed his own adventures of yesterday afternoon. He had acted on +what seemed to be the only sensible and reasonable plan to pursue; +namely, to leave the train at its first stop, and return as soon as +possible to the point of divergence. It seemed fair to assume that Mr. +Scarsdale and Mrs. Allingford had done the same thing, and, such being +the case, it was easy to imagine what their course of action had been. A +glance at the time-table told him that the first point at which they +could leave their division of the train had been Southampton; from which +place they could, almost immediately, catch an express back to the +junction they had left, arriving there shortly after seven on the past +evening.</p> + +<p>His own course and that of Mrs. Scarsdale seemed clear; it was simply a +return to Basingstoke immediately after breakfast, and rejoin their +friends, who had been spending the night at that place.</p> + +<p>It was possible that they had lost the returning express and remained in +Southampton; but if they acted in a rational manner, they must +eventually return to the junction. But supposing Mrs. Allingford and Mr. +Scarsdale had not done the obvious thing; supposing that chance had +intervened and upset their plans, as in his own case? He suddenly found +himself face to face with the startling fact that not only were he and +Mrs. Scarsdale not at Salisbury or Basingstoke, but that they were at +present at the one place where his wife and Mrs. Scarsdale's husband +would never think of looking for them—Melton Court.</p> + +<p>Allingford jammed his hat hard on the back of his head, and set off at a +brisk pace to Salisbury and the nearest telegraph station; arriving at +his destination shortly before seven, to find that he had a good +half-hour to wait before the operators arrived. The office was opened at +last, however, and he lost no time in telegraphing to Basingstoke for +information, and in a little while received an answer from the +station-master at that point which cheered him up considerably, though +it was not quite as explicit as he could have wished. It read as +follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>"Scarsdale telegraphed last evening from Southampton, saying he +had left train there with Mrs. Allingford and was returning at once +to Basingstoke."</i></p></div> + +<p>The Consul was pleased to find that his conjectures had been correct. +He felt that a great weight had been lifted from his mind. Their missing +partners had undoubtedly spent the night at Basingstoke and would soon +consult the station-master at that point, who would doubtless show them +the messages he had received. Allingford looked out a good train, +telegraphed the hour of their arrival, and then, as his reception of the +night before had not inclined him to trespass on Lady Melton's grudging +hospitality more than was absolutely necessary, he had a leisurely +breakfast at the hotel, and, engaging a fly, drove back to the Court, +reaching there about half-past nine.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Scarsdale had also passed a disturbed night, but, unlike her +companion in misfortune, she did not venture out at unearthly hours in +the morning. She was up, however, and saw him depart, which was in some +ways a comfort, since it assured her that he was losing no time in +continuing their quest.</p> + +<p>At eight a maid arrived with warm water and a message from her ladyship +that she wished Mrs. Scarsdale to breakfast with her in private at nine +o'clock, and that she would be obliged if her great-niece would keep her +room till that time. The bride was considerably piqued by this message +and the distrust it implied, but felt it would be wise to accede to the +request, and sent word accordingly.</p> + +<p>As she entered Lady Melton's boudoir an hour later, her hostess rose to +receive her, kissing her coldly on the forehead, and saying:</p> + +<p>"You will pardon my requesting you to keep your room; but your presence +is not as yet known to my guests, and your appearance among them +immediately after your marriage, without your husband, might cause +unpleasant speculation and comment. Do you agree with me?"</p> + +<p>"Quite," replied Mrs. Scarsdale. She had misjudged Lady Melton, she +thought; but she disliked her nevertheless, and wished to be very +guarded.</p> + +<p>"Now," said that personage, "I want to hear the whole affair. No, I do +not want you to tell it," as her guest opened her mouth to speak; "not +in your own way, I mean. You would probably wander from the point, and +my time is of importance. I will ask you questions, and you will be kind +enough to answer them, as plainly and shortly as possible."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Scarsdale bowed; she was so angry at the cool insolence that this +statement implied that she did not feel she could trust herself to +speak.</p> + +<p>"Now we will begin," said her ladyship, as she proceeded to demolish a +boiled egg. "What is your Christian name?"</p> + +<p>"Mabel."</p> + +<p>"Very well. Then I shall call you Mabel in future; it is ridiculous to +address you as Mrs. Scarsdale."</p> + +<p>"I really don't see——" began that lady.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me," interrupted her questioner, "I will make the comments when +necessary. When were you married?"</p> + +<p>"Yesterday afternoon at two-thirty o'clock."</p> + +<p>"Where did you and your husband intend to pass last night?"</p> + +<p>"At Exeter."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure?"</p> + +<p>"I ought to be. I bought the tickets."</p> + +<p>"You bought the tickets! Is that customary in your country?"</p> + +<p>"I am not here to discuss the customs of my country, Lady Melton. I +bought the tickets because I chose to do so, and considered myself +better fitted to arrange the trip than my husband."</p> + +<p>"Really! I suppose that is the reason you selected the most roundabout +way to reach Exeter. Your husband could have told you that you should +have taken another railway, the Great Western."</p> + +<p>"My husband," said Mrs. Scarsdale stiffly, "did not know our +destination."</p> + +<p>"What!"</p> + +<p>"I say that my husband did not know our destination."</p> + +<p>Her ladyship surveyed her for a moment in shocked and silent +disapproval, and then remarked:</p> + +<p>"I think I understood you to say that you travelled together as far as +Basingstoke?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and there St. Hubart met a friend."</p> + +<p>"This consular person?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Allingford? Yes. He was also married yesterday, and came to our +carriage to congratulate me."</p> + +<p>"And my nephew went to speak to Mrs. Allingford."</p> + +<p>"Exactly. And the first thing we knew the train was moving."</p> + +<p>"Go on."</p> + +<p>"That is just what we did, though Mr. Allingford tried to leave the +carriage and return to his wife."</p> + +<p>"It would have been better had he never left her."</p> + +<p>"But I restrained him."</p> + +<p>"How did you restrain him?"</p> + +<p>"By his coat-tails."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me. Do I understand you to say that you forcibly detained him?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry if you are shocked; it was all I could catch hold of."</p> + +<p>"I shall reserve my criticism of these very astonishing performances, +Mabel; but permit me to say that you have much to learn concerning the +manners and customs of English society."</p> + +<p>"Then," said Mrs. Scarsdale, ignoring this last remark, "we came to +Salisbury."</p> + +<p>"And telegraphed to Basingstoke for information."</p> + +<p>"Exactly. But they could tell us nothing; so when I saw your +carriage——"</p> + +<p>"How did you know it was mine?"</p> + +<p>"I looked out your coat of arms in 'Burke.'"</p> + +<p>Her ladyship smiled grimly. Perhaps something might be made of this fair +barbarian—in time, a great deal of time; but still this knowledge of +the peerage sounded hopeful, and it was with a little less severity in +her voice that she demanded:</p> + +<p>"And what do you mean to do now?"</p> + +<p>"Go back to Basingstoke this morning."</p> + +<p>"Alone?"</p> + +<p>"No, with Mr. Allingford."</p> + +<p>"Do you expect to find your husband there?"</p> + +<p>"I should think he would naturally return as soon as possible to where +he lost me."</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said her ladyship. "Was Mrs. Allingford pretty?"</p> + +<p>"If you are going to adopt that tack, Lady Melton, the sooner we part +the better," said her visitor angrily.</p> + +<p>"We do not 'adopt tacks' in England," returned her ladyship calmly; "and +as I consider myself responsible for your actions while you are under my +roof, I shall not allow you to go to Basingstoke, or anywhere else, with +a person who, whatever his official position, is totally unknown to me."</p> + +<p>"You don't mean to keep me here against my will!"</p> + +<p>"I mean to send you to your relations, wherever they are, under the +charge of my butler—a most respectable married man—provided the +journey can be accomplished between now and nightfall."</p> + +<p>"Well, it can't," replied her grand-niece triumphantly. "Aunt Eliza +left for Paris this morning, and all my other relations are in Chicago."</p> + +<p>Lady Melton was, however, a woman of decision, and not to be easily +baffled.</p> + +<p>"Then I will send you to your mother-in-law, Lady Scarsdale; I suppose +she has returned to 'The Towers'?"</p> + +<p>"I believe so. But I do not intend to go there without my husband; it +would be ignominious."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you can suggest a better plan," said her ladyship coldly.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you refuse to let me go to Basingstoke——" began the bride.</p> + +<p>"I do. Proceed."</p> + +<p>"Then Mr. Allingford might go for me, and tell St. Hubart where I am. I +know he is waiting for me there, but he would never think of my being +here——Excuse me, I mean——" she stammered, blushing, for she saw she +had made a slip.</p> + +<p>"We will not discuss your meaning," said her hostess, "but your plan +seems feasible and proper. You may receive the consular person in my +private sitting-room and arrange matters at once."</p> + +<p>Her niece turned to go, but she stopped her, saying:</p> + +<p>"One word more. I do not think it necessary for your friend Mr. +Allingford to return with my nephew. Pray make this clear to him."</p> + +<p>After having been dismissed from her hostess' presence, Mrs. Scarsdale +lost no time in sending for the Consul, who had just returned, and +proceeded to work off on that unfortunate gentleman the rage engendered +by her recent interview.</p> + +<p>"I'm inclined to think," he said when she had finished, "that in this +instance the catawampus is right. There is no use of your gallivanting +over the country after your husband; he ought to come to you. I'll run +down to Basingstoke at once, send him back, and with Mrs. Allingford go +on my way rejoicing. There is no need of my returning, and I guess her +ladyship won't cry her eyes out if I don't."</p> + +<p>"You haven't yet told me the result of your excursion this morning," she +said, hoping to divert the conversation from so obvious a truth.</p> + +<p>"This," he replied, holding up the telegram he had just received from +the station-master at Basingstoke.</p> + +<p>After reading the message, Mrs. Scarsdale was most anxious that he +should lose no time in starting, and with mutual expressions of +friendship, and boundless thanks from the deserted bride, they parted: +he for the junction, she for a further interview with her great-aunt.</p> + +<p>When her ladyship learned that Scarsdale had left Southampton for +Basingstoke, and was doubtless now in that place, she advised his wife +to remain in seclusion till the members of the house-party, which +luckily was breaking up that day, had departed; and retired herself to +prepare a few remarks with which to welcome her errant great-nephew. +Later in the day, however, she so far relented towards his wife as to +suggest that she take a stroll on the terrace while the few remaining +guests were indulging in a post-prandial siesta.</p> + +<p>It was from this coign of vantage that she saw approaching the worn and +drooping figure of Mr. Allingford. She rushed to meet him, and demanded, +without even giving him time to get his breath:</p> + +<p>"Where is my husband?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," he gasped.</p> + +<p>"Or your wife?"</p> + +<p>"Or my wife."</p> + +<p>"Aren't they in Basingstoke?"</p> + +<p>"No, and haven't been there. I've turned that confounded town inside +out, and catechised every one about the station, from the divisional +superintendent to the charwoman. They did not come last night, nor +arrive this morning. Since leaving Southampton, if they did leave it, +they have entirely disappeared."</p> + +<p>"Why do you say, 'if they did leave' Southampton?"</p> + +<p>"Because no one saw them go. I have learned by endless telegraphing that +they alighted at that point, told a porter they had been carried past +their destination, and wished to return at once to Basingstoke. He +indicated their train, they disappeared in the crowd—and that's all."</p> + +<p>"Haven't they telegraphed again to Basingstoke?"</p> + +<p>"Not since last night."</p> + +<p>"Or to Salisbury?"</p> + +<p>"No. I inquired on the chance, but no message had come."</p> + +<p>"It is horrible!" she exclaimed. "I'm the most miserable woman on +earth!"</p> + +<p>"Don't cry," he begged despairingly.</p> + +<p>"No," she said, "I won't. Do you think it would be any good to telegraph +to Aunt Eliza and Lady Scarsdale?"</p> + +<p>"I have already done so. Your Aunt Eliza has left for Paris. She +wouldn't have done that if she had heard about this; and it gave Lady +Scarsdale a fit—the telegram I mean—but she didn't know anything."</p> + +<p>"Is that all?"</p> + +<p>"Not quite. I have telegraphed to my Vice-Consul at Christchurch, +asking for news of Scarsdale, and telling him to forward anything that +had come for me. They might have <i>written</i> there, you know, to save talk +in the office; but I haven't as yet had a reply."</p> + +<p>"I must consult Lady Melton; the situation is too dreadful for words. +Suppose they have had an accident; suppose——" she faltered.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" he rejoined, "bad news always travels quickly; don't make +yourself uneasy on that score. They've got side-tracked in some +out-of-the-way place, just as we have. I'll go to Southampton to-morrow +and work up the trail. Now you run off and consult the catawampus."</p> + +<p>When her ladyship had heard the whole story, she summed up as follows:</p> + +<p>"As your friend has seen fit to return, you may tell him his chamber +will be again made ready for to-night, and you will both dine in my +sitting-room as before. To-morrow I shall send you home to Lady +Scarsdale."</p> + +<p>"But——"</p> + +<p>"There is nothing more to be said on the subject. I have made up my +mind." And having pronounced sentence, she left her distracted +great-niece to her own reflections.</p> + +<p>It was a very doleful couple who sat down to dinner that evening in Lady +Melton's private room.</p> + +<p>"It is ridiculous!" said Mrs. Scarsdale. "We are being treated like +naughty children. I feel as if I were about to be whipped and put to +bed. Sent home with the butler, indeed! I'd just like to see her +ladyship try to do it!"</p> + +<p>"How are you going to prevent her?" asked the Consul.</p> + +<p>"I'm not a child, and I won't be treated as one! If I am to be sent home +in disgrace, you will have to come with me."</p> + +<p>"Well, I like that! You seem to forget I've lost my wife. My first duty +is to find her."</p> + +<p>"Your first duty is to me. If you go to Southampton, I go with you."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid there'll be an awful row with her ladyship."</p> + +<p>"Let there be, then; I don't care!"</p> + +<p>"I really think," he expostulated, "that you had better stay here one +day more. I'll get you a reprieve from the custody of the butler, and +have a try at Southampton myself. There is a cross-line from here, and +it won't take any time to run over. I've tracked horse-thieves in +Kentucky when I was sheriff, and I guess I can find a bridegroom where +it's all open country as it is round here."</p> + +<p>At this moment a servant knocked and entered, saying:</p> + +<p>"Please, madam, her ladyship's orders is that you are to be ready at +seven to-morrow morning, to start with Mr. Bright, the butler, for 'The +Towers.'"</p> + +<p>"I——!" began Mrs. Scarsdale, rising in wrath and indignation; but +before she could further complicate matters by a direct refusal, the +footman had turned to Allingford, and, handing him a telegram, had left +the room. Forgetful of all else, she rushed to the Consul's side as +with nervous fingers he tore it open. What joyful news might it not +contain! One look at his face, however, blasted all her hopes. Horror, +consternation, and surprise were depicted thereon as he read the +despatch. Something dreadful must have happened.</p> + +<p>"Tell me the worst!" she cried. "Is it Harold?"</p> + +<p>"It is the last straw," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Is he dead?"</p> + +<p>"I wish he was."</p> + +<p>"You wish my husband dead?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, confound your husband!"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Allingford——!"</p> + +<p>"No, no, I don't mean that. I'm not responsible for what I'm saying," he +replied, and groaned aloud. But his companion was not to be put off.</p> + +<p>"Is that telegram from my husband?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"From my mother-in-law?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"From Aunt Eliza?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"From the station-master at Basingstoke?"</p> + +<p>"Guess again."</p> + +<p>"From your Vice-Consul?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Has he heard anything of our lost ones?"</p> + +<p>"It has nothing to do with that."</p> + +<p>"Then what is the matter? What does it all mean?"</p> + +<p>"It means," replied the Consul, "that I've got to leave here by the +first train."</p> + +<p>"Explain yourself," she demanded.</p> + +<p>"I'll try," he replied, mopping his brow. "You see, an American applied +to me to lend him some money, a few days ago, and put up as collateral +an elephant."</p> + +<p>"Harold told me the story. I thought it very amusing."</p> + +<p>"You won't when I've finished. The elephant arrived day before yesterday +at Southampton, and, as I had informed the steamship company that I was +the temporary owner of the beast, they forwarded it to my consulate at +Christchurch."</p> + +<p>"How does that affect us?"</p> + +<p>"Affect us!" he cried. "Do you remember what I telegraphed my +Vice-Consul?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, almost word for word," she answered. "You asked for news of the +fugitives, and, on the chance of their writing to Christchurch, told him +to forward here anything that might have come for you."</p> + +<p>"Exactly," shrieked the Consul; "and the blamed fool has forwarded the +elephant!"</p> + +<p>"What! Here? To Melton Court?" she exclaimed, aghast.</p> + +<p>"That is what I said. The beast is on the way now, and ought to be here +bright and early to-morrow morning."</p> + +<p>"How awful! What will you do?"</p> + +<p>"Get out," he replied laconically.</p> + +<p>"And leave me?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know about you, but I mean to leave the elephant. I don't wish +to start a bigger circus than I have on hand already."</p> + +<p>"But would it be quite right to our hostess?" expostulated her niece.</p> + +<p>"If you've any conscientious scruples on the subject, you can stay and +tend the beast. I'm leaving by the first train."</p> + +<p>"But it's your elephant."</p> + +<p>"Of course it is, and I've a right to do what I choose with it. I mean +to leave it to Lady Melton, in payment for my board and lodging. After +the way she's treated me I don't want to owe her anything."</p> + +<p>"Really, Mr. Allingford——" began his companion.</p> + +<p>"Now look here," he retorted; "would you want an elephant tagging you +round on your honeymoon?"</p> + +<p>"Well, no, I don't think I should," she replied, laughing.</p> + +<p>"Besides," he continued, "how am I to prosecute a search for our missing +halves with a Noah's ark in tow?"</p> + +<p>"That does put the matter in a different light," she admitted.</p> + +<p>"You bet it does!" he replied. "As for her ladyship, she can do what she +pleases with my slight token of regard. Give it to the poor of the +parish, if she likes; I don't ask her to keep it."</p> + +<p>"But what is to become of me?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you are to be sent home with the butler early to-morrow morning."</p> + +<p>"I won't go!"</p> + +<p>"Then join me."</p> + +<p>"But supposing we don't find my husband to-morrow——"</p> + +<p>"Then I'll take you down to my consulate at Christchurch for the night. +I have plenty of friends there with whom you can stay."</p> + +<p>"That settles it," she replied.</p> + +<p>So it was that they stole away from the Court in the grey dawn of the +next morning, footed it to Salisbury, recovered their baggage, and +boarded the early train for Southampton. As it moved out of the station +they passed a long line of box cars on a siding, from one of which the +angry scream of an elephant resounded.</p> + +<p>"Just in time," said the Consul with a sigh of relief. "I wish her +ladyship joy of my little remembrance."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>IN WHICH MR. SCARSDALE CHANGES HIS NAME</h3> + +<p>Mr. Scarsdale entered Mrs. Allingford's compartment with so great an +impetus, when he swung himself into her carriage at Basingstoke, that he +completely lost his balance, and shot past her on all fours, to land in +a heap on the floor. A second later the guard banged the door, and the +train was off.</p> + +<p>"What does this mean?" exclaimed the Consul's wife, "and where is my +husband?"</p> + +<p>"Excuse me," gasped Scarsdale, picking himself up from the floor, "but I +couldn't leave you."</p> + +<p>"So it appears," she replied coldly. "But you have not answered my +question, and——" as the train began to move rapidly, "it is not +possible that we are getting under way!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said gloomily, "we are off to Southampton."</p> + +<p>"Answer me instantly: where is my husband?" she demanded.</p> + +<p>"Gone to Exeter, I suppose, with my wife."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"That he was carried off in the first division of the train, which left +five minutes ago."</p> + +<p>"But I thought we stopped ten minutes."</p> + +<p>"So <i>you</i> did; <i>we</i> stopped only five. When I left you just now, I saw +that the forward half of this train had disappeared, and the guard told +me it had gone to Exeter, and that this portion was just leaving for +Southampton. I thought it better to stay with you than to let you go by +yourself; so as the carriage was moving, and it was impossible to get +you out, I jumped in."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," she said simply; and for a moment there was silence between +them while the train rattled over the points, and, reaching the +outskirts of the town, began to increase its speed. The little +Englishwoman did not, however, emulate her fair American partner in +distress, who was at this moment indulging in hysterics in the other +train; she had been too well trained to betray her feelings before a man +whom she knew but slightly, even over the loss of a husband; so, after +remaining quiet for a little, she controlled herself sufficiently to +say, very calmly:</p> + +<p>"I do not see that we can either of us blame ourselves for what has +happened; we must try and make the best of it, and rejoin your wife and +my husband as soon as possible."</p> + +<p>Plucky little woman! thought Scarsdale to himself; to Mrs. Allingford he +said:</p> + +<p>"I am glad you see things in so sensible a light. You must let me help +you in every way that is in my power."</p> + +<p>"You say our first stop is Southampton?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we reach there in less than an hour. They slip some carriages at +Winchester, but the train doesn't stop," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Then I think we should alight at Southampton," she said, "and return +at once to Basingstoke."</p> + +<p>"That would certainly be our best course. When you lose a man in a +crowd, it is much better to wait at the point where you lost him till he +finds you than to hunt for him yourself, as you will both miss each +other."</p> + +<p>"Then you propose to let them find us."</p> + +<p>"That is my idea. Of course I'll telegraph to the station-master at +Basingstoke that we will return there, so that if they wire for +information concerning us he can give it them."</p> + +<p>"Where do you think they have gone?"</p> + +<p>"If we either of us knew our destination it would be far easier," he +said, laughing. "I hope this will be a lesson to my wife."</p> + +<p>"But surely the train must stop before it reaches Exeter."</p> + +<p>"Undoubtedly; but as I have no time-table, I can't say where. Perhaps +your husband has one in his overcoat. If you will permit me," and he +proceeded to examine the garment in question.</p> + +<p>No time-table was forthcoming, however, and they were forced to resign +themselves to waiting till they reached Southampton.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Allingford bore up bravely, and even tried to make conversation; +but it proved to be a dreary ride, and when they drew up at their +destination they were both exceedingly thankful.</p> + +<p>"Is there a train back to Basingstoke soon?" asked Scarsdale of the +first railway porter he saw.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, over there on the left. Express leaves in three or four +minutes," replied that individual, as he hurried away with somebody +else's baggage.</p> + +<p>"I'll take you over," said Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"No," replied his companion, "I can find it. You attend to the telegram +and my luggage."</p> + +<p>He dashed off accordingly, and when he returned they both entered the +train on the left.</p> + +<p>"I've sent the telegram," he said, "and I have also discovered your +destination."</p> + +<p>"How?" she inquired.</p> + +<p>"By the labels on the luggage. It was marked for Bournemouth, and a +jolly hard time I had to induce them to take it out of the van and send +it back with us."</p> + +<p>"It seems to me," she said after a little, "that we've been waiting here +more than four minutes. I trust we are not in the wrong train. One has +just gone out."</p> + +<p>"Hi! guard!" called Scarsdale from the window. "Is this the express for +Basingstoke?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir," replied the official. "It was the train beyond you, which has +just left. Sorry if you've made a mistake, sir."</p> + +<p>"Confound it, yes!" cried Scarsdale. "Where does this train go?"</p> + +<p>"Stopping train for Winchester."</p> + +<p>"Can we go on to Basingstoke?"</p> + +<p>"Not by this train, sir."</p> + +<p>"But from Winchester?"</p> + +<p>"There is sure to be a train this evening, sir."</p> + +<p>"It has been a chapter of accidents," he said, explaining it to Mrs. +Allingford, "but we had better go to Winchester, I think; it is on the +way anyhow."</p> + +<p>"Yes," she assented, "and then get on to Basingstoke as fast as we can, +and not be discouraged."</p> + +<p>"Quite right," he replied, and entered into a description of Southampton +docks and the varied cargoes that were received there, in the hope of +distracting her mind.</p> + +<p>"Oh, look!" she cried, as, once more started on their travels, they came +in sight of the shipping, "see what they are loading on that truck! I do +believe it is an elephant!"</p> + +<p>After what seemed an interminable journey, they at length arrived at +Winchester, and as soon as Scarsdale had seen Mrs. Allingford +established in the ladies' waiting-room, he hastened to ascertain their +chances of getting to Basingstoke that night. On his return he wore a +very long face, which his companion was not slow to interpret.</p> + +<p>"Are there no trains?" she exclaimed, in evident dismay.</p> + +<p>"There is one," he replied, "but we should not reach our destination +till very late, almost midnight in fact, and we cannot tell that we +should find your husband even then. I think our best course would be to +remain here."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but that is impossible."</p> + +<p>"No, there is a very fair hotel."</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean that. But can't you see the position in which I am +placed?"</p> + +<p>He did see, and he knew that what he proposed seemed to her almost an +impossibility; but as they were now situated he considered that +circumstances altered cases.</p> + +<p>"I am sure, Mrs. Allingford," he said, "that your good sense, which has +carried you through so much this afternoon, will show you the necessity +of acting as I have suggested. You must not forget that you are now a +married woman, and can do things which before were not permissible."</p> + +<p>"Still," she contended, "to go to a public hotel with a gentleman who is +a comparative stranger, and pass the night there, seems to me not the +thing at all; and if we were recognised by anybody——" She paused, +hardly knowing how to complete her sentence.</p> + +<p>"Then go alone. There are other hotels; I will put up somewhere else," +he replied.</p> + +<p>"No, no, I couldn't be left alone; I've never been alone before in my +life. That would be worse than all else. You see, if you were only +related to me it would be so different."</p> + +<p>"I am quite willing to pass myself off as any relation you please, for +the sake of appearances."</p> + +<p>"But that would be deceitful."</p> + +<p>"I think the exigencies of the case will excuse that; besides, it is my +own affair, not yours. Will you have me as a brother for one night +only?" he asked, laughing.</p> + +<p>"But I have no brother," she replied.</p> + +<p>"Then as your husband's brother," he suggested; "that would be better +still, as he is an American and not known here."</p> + +<p>"Do you really think it best?"</p> + +<p>"To save you annoyance, I think it is a pardonable deception. What is +his name?"</p> + +<p>"Richard. But I don't know much about him."</p> + +<p>"Then we will consider that that is settled," he said cheerfully, and, +without giving her time to argue the matter, summoned a fly, which +presently deposited them bag and baggage at the hotel door. To make +assurance doubly sure, he hastened to sign their names in the visitors' +book:</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Robert Allingford, Christchurch, England.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Richard Allingford, U.S.A."</p> + +<p>"Can you give my sister and me good rooms for to-night?" he asked the +landlady.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, two nice rooms just opposite each other."</p> + +<p>He said that that would do very well, and they were soon installed.</p> + +<p>Once in her apartment, Mrs. Allingford indulged in a good cry, while +Scarsdale strolled out before dinner to have a smoke and think it over. +He did not see much further use in telegraphing just at that moment. +Later it would, perhaps, be well to send a message to Basingstoke, +saying that they were detained at Winchester and would come on next +morning; for he had quickly learned that Mrs. Scarsdale and Mr. +Allingford would be able to leave the train at Salisbury, and justly +surmised that they had done so.</p> + +<p>Presently, having finished his cigar, he returned to the hotel to find +Mrs. Allingford ready for dinner, and much refreshed by her tears and +subsequent ablutions. They neither of them ate much, and after the fish +they gave up any attempt to make conversation as worse than useless, and +finished the repast in silence.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid," she said, as she folded her napkin, "that you've found me +very poor company."</p> + +<p>"I'm nothing to boast of myself," he replied.</p> + +<p>"I hope they are not as miserable as we are," she added, as they rose to +leave the table. "I haven't been able to eat a thing."</p> + +<p>Scarsdale did not reply; he had a gloomy suspicion that his wife was +making a very good meal somewhere. Not that he doubted her love; but he +did not believe her devotion included loss of appetite.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think they are miserable?" she queried, uneasy at his +silence.</p> + +<p>"Not so miserable as we are," he said. "They are both Americans, you +see, and Americans don't take things seriously as a rule."</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose they are doing?" was her next question.</p> + +<p>"Seated swinging their feet over the edge of Salisbury platform, +finishing my five-pound box of American candy," he said.</p> + +<p>She tried to be amused, and even forced a little laugh; but it was a +dismal failure, and, realising it, she at once excused herself and +retired to her room for the night, leaving Scarsdale to pass the evening +as best he could. He approved of her circumspection, but it was beastly +dull, and, as he sat smoking in the winter garden which the hotel +boasted, he felt that he should soon become insufferably bored.</p> + +<p>He presently, therefore, overcame his natural reserve sufficiently to +respond to the advances of the only person in the room who seemed +inclined to be sociable. The stranger was a florid, shaggy-bearded man +of a distinctively American type, a person Scarsdale would naturally +have avoided under ordinary circumstances; but to-night he felt the need +of human society, no matter whose, and in a few moments they had drifted +into conversation. At first the subjects under discussion were harmless +enough, relating mainly to Winchester and neighbouring points of +interest, concerning which Scarsdale was forced to confess himself +ignorant, as it was his first visit to the place. Before long, however, +they began to touch on more dangerous ground, and he saw that, even with +a casual acquaintance of this sort, he must be guarded if he was to +remain consistent in his role of brother to the deserted bride.</p> + +<p>"Were you ever in America?" was the first question which startled him.</p> + +<p>He replied in the affirmative, as he could honestly do, having been +taken by his father to Canada when but a lad. But the stranger was not +satisfied, and began, after the manner of his nation, a series of +leading questions, which kept Scarsdale busy in trying to assimilate +with some regard to truth the character he had chosen. It was at this +moment that a waiter came to him and asked in a perfectly audible voice +if he was Mr. Richard Allingford. Scarsdale was forced to admit the +fact, and to reply to a message sent, as the waiter took unnecessary +pains to explain, "By your sister, sir."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me," interjected his companion, "but may I ask if your sister's +name is Mrs. Robert Allingford?"</p> + +<p>The Englishman would have given worlds to deny the fact, but in the +presence of the waiter, who still lingered, and in the face of the +evidence in the visitors' book, only one course was open to him, and he +replied reluctantly in the affirmative.</p> + +<p>"Wife of the United States Consul at Christchurch?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>Now he could once more tell the truth, he felt happier; but he had a +premonition that all was not well, and heartily wished he had never +encouraged this American, who might know more than was convenient.</p> + +<p>"Why, Dick!" said that personage, leaning across the little table that +separated them, and grasping both his hands—"Why, Dick! Don't you know +me?"</p> + +<p>If a thunderbolt had shattered the floor at the Englishman's feet he +could not have been more dumfounded. The one seemingly impossible thing +had come to pass. In all this great world, with every chance against it, +fate had ordained that the little provincial city in which he had +planned to play, for one night only, another man's part, should also +contain one of that man's friends, and they two had met. He was so +staggered, as the possibilities contingent on this mischance crowded +through his brain, that he could only stammer out:</p> + +<p>"You have the advantage of me."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't much wonder," continued his new-found friend. "If I have +changed as much in fifteen years as you have, it isn't strange you +didn't recognise me. Lord! I'd never have known you if you hadn't told +me who you were."</p> + +<p>"You must do me as great a favour," said Scarsdale, regaining a little +of his self-composure. If so long a time had elapsed since their last +meeting, he felt that things were not so bad after all, and that he +could reasonably hope to bluff it out.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the other, "the boys used to call me Faro Charlie; now you +remember."</p> + +<p>The Englishman tried to look as if he did, and the American proceeded to +further elucidate matters by saying:</p> + +<p>"Why, surely you ain't forgotten me as was your pal out to Red Dog, the +time you was prospecting for copper and struck gold?"</p> + +<p>"No, no," said Scarsdale. "Of course I remember you now." He couldn't be +supposed to have forgotten such an event, he felt; but the whole affair +was most unfortunate.</p> + +<p>"I guess you've settled down and become pious, from the looks of you," +continued Faro Charlie; "but you'll have a drink for old times' sake +just the same."</p> + +<p>"No, thanks, you must excuse me," he replied, feeling that he must drop +this unwelcome friend as soon as possible. But the friend had no +intention of being dropped, and contented himself by saying:</p> + +<p>"Rats!" and ordering two whiskies.</p> + +<p>"Why, I've known the day," he continued, "when Slippery Dick—we used to +call you Slippery Dick, you remember, 'cause you could cheat worse at +poker than any man in the camp." Scarsdale writhed. "Well, as I was +saying, you'd have shot a man then who refused to drink with you."</p> + +<p>The Englishman sat aghast. Little had he thought he was impersonating a +card-sharper and a wholesale murderer. The whisky came and he drank it, +feeling that he needed a bracer.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Faro Charlie, "I want to hear all about what you've been +doing, first and last. Tending copper-mines, I heered, out to Michigan."</p> + +<p>This, the Englishman felt, was going too far. It was bad enough to have +to impersonate such a fellow as "Slippery Dick," but to endow him with a +fictitious history that was at all comparable with Faro Charlie's +account of his earlier years required too great an effort of +imagination. And the fact that a quiet little man, who was sitting near +by, edged up his chair and seemed deeply interested in the conversation, +did not tend to put him more at his ease. No wonder, he thought, the +Consul did not talk much about his brother. He therefore hastened to +change the subject.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen much of the Indians lately?" he ventured; it seemed such +a safe topic.</p> + +<p>"Thinking of that little squaw you was so chummy with down to Injun +Reservation?" queried his friend, punching him jovially in the ribs. +"You knew, didn't you, that they'd had her up for horse-stealing to +Fort Smith? Reckon as they'd a hung her if she hadn't been a woman. She +was a limb! Guess you had your hands full when you tackled her."</p> + +<p>Scarsdale decided his choice of a subject had not been fortunate, and +begged Faro Charlie to have some more whisky.</p> + +<p>"Sure," replied that individual. "Drink with you all night."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you can't do that," replied Scarsdale, hastening to rid +himself of his unwelcome friend. "I have some important business to +attend to this evening."</p> + +<p>"I wish you weren't in such a rush. Come back and we'll paint the town, +eh?"</p> + +<p>Scarsdale thought it extremely unlikely, and shaking hands fled to the +street with a sigh of relief; for he had had a very bad quarter of an +hour. What cursed luck that he should have run across this American +horror! He must avoid him at all costs to-morrow morning.</p> + +<p>In his hurry he had not noticed that the quiet little man had left the +winter garden with him. His one thought was to get away. He determined +to send that telegram to Basingstoke at once, and go to bed before any +one else recognised him: one of Slippery Dick's friends was enough.</p> + +<p>But unkind fate had not yet done with him, and a new and more terrible +surprise was in store for the unfortunate bridegroom. He had scarcely +gone a dozen yards from the hotel entrance, when a voice said just +beside him:</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, Mr. Richard Allingford, but may I have a few words with +you?"</p> + +<p>Scarsdale turned, and finding himself face to face with the quiet little +man, who had seemed so interested in his conversation of a few moments +ago, said:</p> + +<p>"I seem to be in great demand to-night. Why do you wish to see me? I +don't know you."</p> + +<p>"No," said the man who stood beside him. "No, you do not know me, Mr. +Richard Allingford; but you will."</p> + +<p>He was a quiet, unpretending little man; but there was something about +his dress and bearing, and the snap with which he shut his jaw at the +end of a sentence, an air of decision, in short, which caused the +Englishman to feel that he would do well to conciliate this stranger, +whoever he might be, so he said shortly:</p> + +<p>"What do you want with me? Speak quickly; I'm in a hurry."</p> + +<p>"I couldn't help overhearing some of your conversation just now at the +hotel, and so I took the liberty of following you to ask you a +question."</p> + +<p>"Yes?" said Scarsdale interrogatively.</p> + +<p>"If I mistake not you are the brother of the United States Consul at +Christchurch, and came over to his wedding."</p> + +<p>"Yes," he admitted; for he did not see how he could well deny to one man +what he had just confessed to another.</p> + +<p>"You have been in England about ten days, I think?"</p> + +<p>"As long as that, certainly."</p> + +<p>"May I ask what ship you came on?"</p> + +<p>"By what right do you ask me these questions?"</p> + +<p>"You will see presently."</p> + +<p>"But suppose I refuse to answer them?"</p> + +<p>The unknown shrugged his shoulders, and said quietly:</p> + +<p>"Now wasn't it the <i>Paris</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Scarsdale, who remembered with joy having seen that fact +chronicled in a London paper.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you have never been in Winchester before?"</p> + +<p>"Never in my life."</p> + +<p>"Not last week?"</p> + +<p>"Look here!" said Scarsdale angrily, "what the devil are you driving +at?"</p> + +<p>"It is a pity you should have such a good memory for past and not for +recent events," said the quiet little man, "a great pity."</p> + +<p>"I tell you I have never been here!"</p> + +<p>"Didn't dine at the Lion's Head last Wednesday, for instance?"</p> + +<p>"No, I did not, and I've had enough of this insolence!"</p> + +<p>"So have I," said the little man, blowing a little whistle. "So have I, +and therefore I arrest you, Richard Allingford, in the Queen's name."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>IN WHICH MR. SCARSDALE REAPS ANOTHER'S WHIRLWIND</h3> + +<p>Scarsdale was absolutely staggered by the word "arrest." Arrest! What +nonsense! Who was this man who talked of arresting <i>him</i>, Harold +Scarsdale, peaceably engaged in trying to find his wife and proceed on +his honeymoon? The first sensations of surprise and incredulity were +quickly followed, however, by a realisation of the horrible situation in +which his own stupidity had placed him. In the eyes of the law he was +not Harold Scarsdale, but Richard Allingford, and he shuddered to think +with what crime he might be charged; for, from what he had learned in +the last half-hour, he could not doubt that he was posing as one of the +most abandoned characters that had ever visited the town of Winchester.</p> + +<p>A person who consorted with horse-thieves, cheated at cards, and thought +nothing of shooting friends who were not thirsty, would surely be +satisfied with no ordinary crime. Of what was he accused? He hardly +dared to ask. And how was he to get out of this dreadful dilemma? His +reflections, however, were cut short by the arrival of a burly +policeman, in answer to his captor's whistle. The little man at once +addressed the newcomer, quite ignoring Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"Here's your man Allingford; not a doubt of it," he said.</p> + +<p>"Got your warrant?" inquired the policeman, laying a detaining hand on +the prisoner's shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Here it is," replied the first speaker, producing a paper, which the +officer glanced at and returned, saying at the same time to Scarsdale:</p> + +<p>"Now, then, come along o' me, and don't make no resistance if you knows +what's good for you."</p> + +<p>"I do not intend to offer any resistance," replied that gentleman, and +turning to the little man he asked: "By what right do you arrest me, and +on what charge?"</p> + +<p>"I'm Private Detective Smithers," replied his captor, "and this," again +producing the paper he had already shown to the policeman, "is my +warrant. You know the charge well enough."</p> + +<p>"I'm entirely ignorant of it!" cried Scarsdale hotly.</p> + +<p>"Of course," said the detective. "They always are," and he winked at the +officer.</p> + +<p>"I tell you I don't know anything about it!" reiterated the unfortunate +bridegroom.</p> + +<p>"I must caution you," remarked the policeman, "that anything you says +may be used against you as evidence."</p> + +<p>"I demand to know why I am arrested. I have a right to do so."</p> + +<p>"Tell him, Bill," said the detective, "and stop his row."</p> + +<p>The officer, thus admonished, nodded his head, and replied shortly:</p> + +<p>"Two charges: 'sault and battery on the landlord of the Lion's Head, and +disturbing the peace on last Wednesday night."</p> + +<p>"I deny the charge!" cried Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"Of course you do," replied the policeman; "I suppose you would. Now +you've had your say, are you coming along peaceable, or are you not?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly I am," replied the prisoner, and they started up the street, +followed by a small crowd, which had already collected.</p> + +<p>"I must warn you," continued Scarsdale, when they were fairly under way, +"that you are making a mistake. I am not the man you take me for."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you'll deny your name is Richard Allingford next," said the +detective, laughing.</p> + +<p>"I do deny it."</p> + +<p>"Well I'm blessed!" remarked his captor.</p> + +<p>The policeman simply said: "Come on, that's too thin!" and jerked him +roughly by the arm.</p> + +<p>Scarsdale quickened his pace, saying angrily:</p> + +<p>"If you'd only give a man a chance to explain!"</p> + +<p>"You'll have chance enough, when you come up to-morrow, to explain to +the court," replied the officer, "and a pretty bill of damages into the +bargain."</p> + +<p>"Oh, if it's only a fine," remarked the prisoner, feeling much relieved, +"I'll pay it and welcome, rather than have a row."</p> + +<p>"Maybe you won't have the option," replied one of his captors; while the +other added cheerfully: "What you needs is thirty days, and I 'opes +you'll get it."</p> + +<p>At the police court Scarsdale did not help his case by insisting on +giving his right name, and denying all knowledge of the charge. His +statements were entered against him, he was relieved of his watch, +purse, and jewellery, and introduced to the cold comforts of the +lock-up.</p> + +<p>On being asked if he wished to communicate with any one, he replied that +the next morning would be quite time enough; for he knew that Mrs. +Allingford could give him little help in his present predicament, and +he did not wish to disturb her night's rest to no purpose.</p> + +<p>It can be well imagined that the accommodations of an English provincial +prison are not luxurious; but the room was clean, and fortune favoured +him in that he had only two companions, both of whom were stupid drunk, +and went to sleep very peaceably on the floor.</p> + +<p>Scarsdale improvised a bed on a settee, and, using his coat as a pillow, +passed a fairly comfortable night. Luckily he was of a somewhat +phlegmatic temperament, and withal very tired after the day's exertions; +so, in spite of the misfortunes which were crowding about him, he was +able to resign himself to the inevitable, and eventually to drop off to +sleep.</p> + +<p>Early next morning, however, he arranged to have a note delivered to +Mrs. Allingford at the hotel, in which he informed that lady of his +unfortunate predicament, begging her not to distress herself on his +account; and assuring her that in all probability it was merely a +matter of a trifling fine, and that he should be at liberty to rejoin +her within a few hours.</p> + +<p>He felt very little of what he wrote; but as long as there was a chance +of things coming out right, he wished to spare her all possible worry.</p> + +<p>His ready money procured him a better breakfast than he could have hoped +for, and by nine o'clock, when the court opened, he was refreshed and +ready for whatever might befall. His two companions in misfortune +preceded him for trial, but their cases were soon disposed of, and +Harold Scarsdale, <i>alias</i> Richard Allingford, was put into the dock.</p> + +<p>The court-room consisted of a plainly furnished apartment, containing a +raised platform at one end, on which were placed the desk and armchair +of the police magistrate, while in front were several rows of benches +for the accommodation of the public: but as the cases were of no general +interest, Scarsdale was relieved to see that the attendance was meagre. +Mrs. Allingford was present, however, looking very white and distressed, +but managing to muster up a smile to greet him as he entered.</p> + +<p>The proceedings were short and to the point. The police constable, on +being called and given the oath, kissed the book and deposed that at +about a quarter to nine on the previous evening, while on his accustomed +beat, he had been summoned by Private Detective Smithers to aid in +arresting the prisoner, who had professed ignorance of the charge, the +truth of which he afterwards denied, and who persisted in asserting that +he was not Richard Allingford.</p> + +<p>Private Detective Smithers now took the stand and stated the case from +his point of view; which was, in short, that the conversation he had +overheard at the hotel between the prisoner and another person here +present, and the statement which the prisoner made to him personally, +proved that he was without doubt the Richard Allingford mentioned in the +indictment. In conclusion he begged that the person styling himself Faro +Charlie should be summoned to corroborate his testimony. Faro Charlie +was accordingly called and placed in the dock, and after the usual +preliminaries the magistrate examined him as follows:</p> + +<p>"What is your name?"</p> + +<p>"Faro Charlie."</p> + +<p>"Any other name?"</p> + +<p>"Smith."</p> + +<p>"Very well, Charles Smith; are you a citizen of the United States?"</p> + +<p>"I be."</p> + +<p>"Of what occupation?"</p> + +<p>"Miner."</p> + +<p>"Do you recognise the prisoner as the person whom you met at the George +last evening?"</p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>"Can you swear that he is Richard Allingford?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>Scarsdale's heart leaped at that "no"; salvation was at hand after all.</p> + +<p>The magistrate continued:</p> + +<p>"Do you believe this person to be Richard Allingford?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, on the whole I think I do." The prisoner's heart sank. "But," +continued the witness, "I can't be sure. Fifteen years is a long time. I +wouldn't have known him if he hadn't owned up to his name. He might be +playing me for a sucker."</p> + +<p>"In other words, you think the prisoner to be Richard Allingford, but +are unwilling to swear to his identity?"</p> + +<p>"That's the stuff," replied Faro Charlie. "I swored as a man was my +uncle, three years ago at 'Frisco, and he put a bullet into me next day, +'cause I lost him the case. After which I ain't swearing against a pal," +and he left the stand.</p> + +<p>The case now proceeded, and the detective related how on Wednesday, the +16th of October, the prisoner, Richard Allingford, in company with other +lawless characters, had dined at the Lion's Head, and, during a dispute +with the landlord concerning the quality of the wine, had thrown that +personage out of his own second-storey window; telling his wife, who +protested against such actions, to put her husband in the bill, which +they left without settling. Then they proceeded to paint the town of +Winchester a lurid crimson, breaking windows, beating a policeman who +interfered, and raiding a night coffee-stall in the process.</p> + +<p>This recital of wrong and outrage being finished, the magistrate +addressed the prisoner as follows:</p> + +<p>"What is your name?"</p> + +<p>"Harold Stanley Malcolm St. Hubart Scarsdale."</p> + +<p>Some one in the audience murmured, "O Lor'!"</p> + +<p>"You refuse to admit that your name is Richard Allingford?" continued +the justice.</p> + +<p>"I have just given you my name."</p> + +<p>"Are you an American?"</p> + +<p>"No, I am an Englishman."</p> + +<p>"Where do you live?"</p> + +<p>"'The Towers,' Sussex."</p> + +<p>The audience again voiced its sentiments; this time to the effect that +the prisoner was "a 'owling swell"; but order was restored and the case +once more proceeded.</p> + +<p>"What is your profession?"</p> + +<p>"I am a clerk in the War Office."</p> + +<p>"Does not that interfere with the management of your estate?" asked his +interlocutor, to whom the last two statements savoured of contradiction.</p> + +<p>"I have just succeeded to the estate, through the death of an elder +brother."</p> + +<p>"Ah, I see. Now in regard to last evening. Do you admit meeting at the +George the person who calls himself Charles Smith?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Did not you represent yourself to him as being Richard Allingford?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>This reply caused a sensation in the court.</p> + +<p>"I suppose," said the magistrate, "that you realise that this is a +serious admission."</p> + +<p>"It is the truth."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you can explain it to the satisfaction of the court."</p> + +<p>"I assumed the name," said Scarsdale with an effort, "to screen from +possible annoyance a lady who was under my protection. With the +permission of the court, however, I should prefer not to go into this +matter further, as it has no direct bearing on the charge. My action was +foolish, and I have been punished for it."</p> + +<p>"You certainly chose an unfortunate alias," commented the magistrate +drily, and, much to the prisoner's relief, turned to another phase of +the case.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing in Winchester?"</p> + +<p>"I am on my honeymoon. I was married yesterday."</p> + +<p>A titter of laughter ran round the court-room; but the magistrate +frowned, and continued:</p> + +<p>"I suppose that is the reason why you registered under an assumed name, +and are travelling with somebody else's wife?"</p> + +<p>There was more laughter, for the justice had a local reputation as a +wit. Scarsdale boiled inwardly, but held his peace; while his judge, who +seemed to feel that he had strayed a little from the subject in hand, +after a moment's silence asked shortly:</p> + +<p>"Do you plead guilty or not guilty to these charges?"</p> + +<p>"Not guilty!"</p> + +<p>"Do you wish this matter settled here or in a superior court?"</p> + +<p>"I desire that it be settled here, provided I am given an opportunity to +prove my identity."</p> + +<p>"You will be given every reasonable opportunity. What do you wish?"</p> + +<p>"I wish to ask first by whom these charges are preferred."</p> + +<p>"The charge of assault and battery has been brought by the landlord of +the Lion's Head."</p> + +<p>"I infer that the landlord served Richard Allingford in person on the +night in question, and would be likely to know him if he saw him."</p> + +<p>The magistrate conferred with the detective, and replied that such was +the case.</p> + +<p>"If the question is not out of order," resumed the prisoner, "may I ask +if the landlord of the Lion's Head is a reputable witness, and one whose +testimony might be relied on?"</p> + +<p>"I think you may trust yourself in his hands," replied the justice, who +had seen all along whither the case was tending.</p> + +<p>"Then," said Scarsdale, "I shall be satisfied to rest my case on his +identification."</p> + +<p>"That is quite a proper request," replied the magistrate. "Is the +landlord of the Lion's Head present?"</p> + +<p>At this a dapper little man jumped up in the audience, and explained +that he was the landlord's physician, and that his patient, though +convalescent, was still disabled by his injuries and unable to attend +court.</p> + +<p>On inquiry being made as to when he could put in an appearance, the +physician replied that he thought the landlord could come the next day.</p> + +<p>The magistrate therefore consulted for a moment with the detective, and +then said to the prisoner:</p> + +<p>"Your case is remanded for trial until to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Scarsdale held up his hand in token that he wished to speak.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the magistrate, "what else?"</p> + +<p>"If I can, by the time this court meets to-morrow, produce reputable +witnesses from London to prove my identity," asked the prisoner, "will +their evidence be admitted?"</p> + +<p>"If they can identify themselves as such to the satisfaction of the +court, yes."</p> + +<p>The magistrate thereupon dismissed the case, and Scarsdale was removed +from the court-room.</p> + +<p>He felt he had come off singularly well, and, except for the annoyance +and delay would have little further trouble. What he most desired was an +interview with Mrs. Allingford; but what with a change in his quarters, +owing to the deferment of the trial, and the difficulty of getting word +to her, it was the middle of the afternoon before this was accomplished.</p> + +<p>The unfortunate little woman seemed completely broken down by this fresh +disaster, and it was some time before she could control herself +sufficiently to talk calmly with him.</p> + +<p>"I shall never, never forgive myself," she sobbed. "It is all my fault +that you have incurred this disgrace. I can never look your wife in the +face again."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" he said, trying to cheer her up. "There is no disgrace in +being arrested for what somebody else has done; and as for its being +your fault, why, it was I who proposed to pass myself off as your +husband's brother."</p> + +<p>"But I allowed it, only I did not know anything about my brother-in-law, +except that he existed; his being in England is a complete surprise to +me." A remark which caused Scarsdale to be thankful that he had said +nothing to her about that scene at the club when the Consul heard of +Dick's arrival. "He must be very wicked. I'm so sorry. But we won't talk +about him now; we will talk about you. What can I do to retrieve +myself?" she continued.</p> + +<p>"Let us consider your own affairs first," he replied. "I wasn't able to +send a telegram to Basingstoke last night; I was arrested on my way to +the office."</p> + +<p>"I sent one, though, this morning, right after the trial."</p> + +<p>"I didn't know that you knew where to go," he said.</p> + +<p>"I didn't," she returned; "but that queer American person, who wouldn't +swear to your identity, sent it for me. He is very odd, but I'm sure he +has a good heart. He was so distressed over the whole affair, and +offered to be of any assistance he could."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Scarsdale. He was not pre-possessed in Faro Charlie's favour.</p> + +<p>"So I think," she went on, "that if they are at Basingstoke, they will +be here in a few hours. I told them all about your arrest and where I +was staying."</p> + +<p>"So far so good. Allingford can identify me even to the satisfaction of +this magistrate, I think. But it is just as well to have two strings to +one's bow, so I have another plan to suggest; but first let me hear if +you have done anything else."</p> + +<p>"No; but I think I shall telegraph to my mother. I can't spend another +night here alone."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you wait and see if your husband does not turn up? I hate to +give our affairs more publicity than is necessary," he suggested.</p> + +<p>"Would you prefer me to do so?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, very much; if you don't mind."</p> + +<p>"Then I will. I think, after my share in this unfortunate business, you +ought to have the first consideration. Now tell me your plan."</p> + +<p>"I propose that we telegraph to your husband's best man, Jack +Carrington, asking him to come to Winchester this evening. He can +identify me, and identify himself also, for he has a brother who is an +officer in one of the regiments stationed here."</p> + +<p>"Just the thing!" she cried. "I'll send it at once."</p> + +<p>"No," replied Scarsdale. "You write it and I'll send it." He did not +wish any more of his plans to be revealed to Faro Charlie.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>IN WHICH A SERIOUS CHARGE IS LAID AT THE CONSUL'S DOOR</h3> + +<p>Jack Carrington, Esquire, Gentleman, sat in his snug little +sitting-room, in one of the side streets of Mayfair, shortly before +seven in the evening, feeling uncommonly blue. He was, without doubt, in +a most unfortunate position. Born and bred a gentleman; educated to do +nothing, yet debarred by lack of family influence from the two +professions he might properly have entered, the army and the diplomatic +corps; with not quite enough money to support his position as a +bachelor, and no hopes of ever having any more, the outlook, +matrimonially at least, was anything but encouraging, and there was a +lady—with whose existence this narrative has no concern—who, had +fortune smiled, might now be Mrs. Carrington: a possibility which had +brought our quondam best man almost to the point of determining, +according to those false standards which are happily fast passing away +from English society, to be no longer a <i>gentleman</i>, but to go into +trade.</p> + +<p>Such, then, was his condition when the door-bell rang, and a moment +later a card was brought to him bearing the name of Lady Scarsdale. He +looked at it, scarcely believing his eyes. How came it that she should +call on him at an hour so strikingly unconventional? It was therefore +with no little bewilderment that he gave orders to have her shown in.</p> + +<p>When her ladyship, whom he had never seen before, entered his parlour, +he found himself face to face with a strikingly handsome woman of middle +age, dressed in semi-mourning. She accepted his outstretched hand, held +it a second, and, taking the seat he offered, said, with just a glance +in the direction of a demure little woman who followed her into the +room:</p> + +<p>"Miss Wilkins."</p> + +<p>Carrington bowed, and Miss Wilkins, maid or attendant, whichever she +might be, retired to the remote end of the room, and promptly immersed +herself in the only volume within reach, a French novel which Jack felt +sure she had never seen before, and would not be likely to peruse to any +great extent.</p> + +<p>"You will naturally be surprised at my presence here this evening," said +Lady Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>Her host bowed and smiled, to show that pleasure and gratification were +mingled; indeed, until she further declared her position he hardly knew +how he ought to feel.</p> + +<p>Her ladyship continued:</p> + +<p>"My object in coming is unusual; it is, in short, to request your aid +and assistance in a very extraordinary and delicate matter."</p> + +<p>Jack bowed again, and his visitor proceeded:</p> + +<p>"You will excuse me if I seem agitated"—she certainly did seem very +much so, if red eyes and a quivering lip meant anything—"but I have +scarcely recovered from the shock occasioned by the arrival of a +telegram received this morning from a Mr. Allingford, at whose marriage, +I think, you assisted."</p> + +<p>"I was his best man."</p> + +<p>"So I understand."</p> + +<p>"Nothing wrong, I hope?"</p> + +<p>"That you shall hear. Do you know my son, Mr. Scarsdale?"</p> + +<p>"Only slightly."</p> + +<p>"You may be aware that he was married yesterday." Jack nodded, and she +continued: "To a Miss Vernon, an American. You know her, I believe?"</p> + +<p>"Quite well," replied her host. "She is a most charming woman."</p> + +<p>"Now this Mr. Allingford telegraphs me," resumed his visitor, "from my +aunt Lady Melton's country seat, Melton Court, that he is staying there +with my son's wife, who was Miss Vernon."</p> + +<p>"Staying there with Allingford! At Melton Court!" gasped Jack, to whom +this seemed the most improbable combination of circumstances. "But +where is her husband?"</p> + +<p>"I regret to say," replied her ladyship, "that, as a result of the two +couples meeting each other at Basingstoke, they in some way became +separated and carried off in different trains; so that my +daughter-in-law and Mr. Allingford are now at my aunt's country place, +near Salisbury, while my son and Mrs. Allingford have gone off together +somewhere on the South Coast, and no trace can be found of them."</p> + +<p>"But how did it happen?"</p> + +<p>"The whole affair seems to have been the result of some deplorable +blunder or accident; but in any event it is most distressing, and I came +up at once to London, thinking you might be able to help me. But I see +from your surprise that you have heard nothing from either party."</p> + +<p>"Not a word. But I am quite at your service."</p> + +<p>"Thanks. You may not know that, actuated by a spirit which I cannot +admire, my son's wife and your friend each insisted on arranging the +details of their wedding trips, and keeping the matter a profound +secret, so that neither Mrs. Allingford nor my son knew their +destination."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have heard something of it; but I infer that you have not +honoured me by this visit without the hope that I may be able to aid +you. Pray tell me how I can be of service."</p> + +<p>My chief desire in calling on you, Mr. Carrington, was to learn if you +had had any news of my son or his wife; but, of course, on my journey to +town I have been thinking of various expedients, and though I hesitate +to ask so great a favour from one I hardly know, you could, I think, be +of great assistance to me.</p> + +<p>"With pleasure. Do you wish me to telegraph to Allingford, or go in +search of your son?"</p> + +<p>"Neither. But I should be very grateful to you if you would go for me to +Melton Court; I have not myself sufficient strength for the journey +to-night; it is already late and I have no one to send. But I feel that +my daughter-in-law is in an anomalous and probably unpleasant position; +so, as I knew you to be a friend of both parties, I thought that perhaps +you would be good enough to represent me, and see what could be done +towards the solution of this unfortunate problem. My son's best man left +for the Continent immediately after the ceremony, or I would have gone +to him instead."</p> + +<p>"There is nothing I should like better than to serve you," replied Jack, +"but, to speak frankly, I have not the honour of knowing Lady Melton."</p> + +<p>"If you will permit me to use your desk, I will give you a line of +introduction."</p> + +<p>Carrington bowed his consent.</p> + +<p>"Now," she said, giving him the note, "when can you leave?"</p> + +<p>"At once," he replied, "by the first train."</p> + +<p>"You will, of course, act as you think best," she continued. "I am +staying at the Berkeley for to-night, and if Mabel's husband has not +rejoined her before you arrive, you had better bring her to me there +to-morrow. As you are going on my behalf you must, of course, let me +bear all expenses of the trip."</p> + +<p>On this ground her ladyship was firm in spite of Carrington's +protestations, and they finally parted, with many expressions of +gratitude, on a mutual and highly satisfactory understanding.</p> + +<p>As Jack employed a valet only on state occasions, he was, after a +hurried dinner, deep in his preparations for immediate departure, when, +about half-past eight, Mrs. Allingford's telegram from Winchester +arrived, which it is hardly necessary to say startled him considerably. +The news that Scarsdale was under arrest for the crime of another +person, and the fact that it lay in his power to free him, seemed to +prove without doubt that his first duty was to go to Winchester; but he +had promised Lady Scarsdale to go to Melton Court, and it was impossible +to do both that night. He was uncertain how to act, and what his +ultimate decision would have been it is difficult to say, had not an +outside influence decided matters for him. Another caller was announced.</p> + +<p>"I'm not at home. Can't see anybody," said Carrington.</p> + +<p>"That's not true, young man, and you've got to see me," replied a voice, +and, as the door opened, to his astonishment Aunt Eliza advanced into +the middle of the room, which was littered with his toilet articles.</p> + +<p>"Why, Miss Cogbill!" he exclaimed, rising to greet her, "I thought you +were in Paris."</p> + +<p>"So I should be if I hadn't been stopped at Calais by a telegram from +that good-for-nothing Consul of yours."</p> + +<p>"Allingford. Then you know where they are?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and of all the fools——!"</p> + +<p>"I've also heard from Scarsdale and Mrs. Allingford."</p> + +<p>"You have! Where are they?"</p> + +<p>"Winchester."</p> + +<p>"Winchester! What are they doing there?"</p> + +<p>"He's been arrested."</p> + +<p>"Arrested!"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Sit down and I'll tell you about it." Which he proceeded to do, +and also about Lady Scarsdale's visit.</p> + +<p>"Just so," commented Aunt Eliza when he had finished. "Now what do you +propose doing next?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose the proper thing would be to put the two couples in +communication with each other," suggested Jack.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm not so sure," she said. "You and I are the only ones who know +all the facts, and we must not act in a hurry. Now there's Allingford +and Mabel down at Melton Court. They'll keep till to-morrow, I guess. It +would just spoil her night's rest to know that her husband was in jail +at Winchester, and send her over to him by the first train to-morrow +morning, like as not, to weep on his neck and complicate the course of +justice. Anyway, I don't think the two couples had better meet till we +are present to soothe their ruffled feelings; for, after the mess that +the Consul's brother has got them into, I dare say that, left to +themselves, the Scarsdales and Allingfords wouldn't be real cordial to +each other. But I see you are packing up. Now where are you going?"</p> + +<p>"I was going down to Salisbury, at Lady Scarsdale's request."</p> + +<p>"You're needed elsewhere. You go right down to Winchester this evening, +so as you can be there when the court opens first thing to-morrow +morning, to identify my good-for-nothing nephew, liberate him, and send +him and Mrs. Allingford over to Melton Court as soon as you can. I'll be +there before you to break the news to Mabel."</p> + +<p>"Well, you see," he said, "I've promised her ladyship."</p> + +<p>"Never mind that; your business is to fish these young people out of +their troubles. I'll drive at once to Lady Scarsdale's hotel, and tell +her of your change of plans, and go down myself by the first train +to-morrow morning to Salisbury."</p> + +<p>"Then," he said, closing his valise with a snap, "I shall leave at once +for Winchester."</p> + +<p>"Good boy!" said Aunt Eliza. "It's too bad they spoiled you by making +you a gentleman; you have a first-class head for business."</p> + +<p>"It is just what I've been thinking myself," he said ruefully.</p> + +<p>"Have you?" cried the old lady, her face lighting up with genuine +interest. "I'm glad to hear it. You just put this matter through +successfully, and maybe it will be worth more to you than your expenses. +Now I must be off, and so must you."</p> + +<p>"Very well. I'll put up at the George," he said, as he helped her into a +hansom.</p> + +<p>"Right you are!" she cried, and signalled her driver to go on.</p> + +<p>As Carrington found that he would not reach Winchester till late, he +telegraphed Mrs. Allingford that he would see her the next morning, and +that he had received news of the whereabouts of her husband and +Scarsdale's wife, who were all right and would join them on the morrow.</p> + +<p>On his arrival he went straight to the hotel that Mrs. Allingford had +designated in her telegram, to find that that lady had retired for the +night, leaving, however, a note for him which contained full +instructions, and stated in addition that she had received his telegram, +for which she was profoundly grateful, and that he must not hesitate to +wake her if, by so doing, he could cause her to rejoin her husband one +instant sooner.</p> + +<p>As it was by this time close upon midnight, Carrington decided to let +matters rest as they were till morning; especially as he had before he +slept to hunt up his brother at the barracks, and so insure his +attendance at court the next day. This was easily arranged; but the two +men had much to talk over, and it was nearly daybreak when Jack set out +to return to the hotel.</p> + +<p>The shortest way back was by a cross cut through the mysterious darkness +of the cathedral close, within which he heard the voices of two men in +heated dispute, the tone of the one shrill with rage, while those of the +other proclaimed that he had been drinking.</p> + +<p>Carrington would have passed without noticing, so intent was he on his +own affairs, had not a name which one of them pronounced arrested his +attention and caused him to stop.</p> + +<p>"You call Robert Allingford a thief!" came the thick tones of the +intoxicated man.</p> + +<p>"I say he stole it!" cried the shrill voice of the other.</p> + +<p>"Call my brother a thief!" reiterated the first speaker. "He's +Consul—gentleman. Gentlemen don't steal elephants."</p> + +<p>"I say he stole it! Right away that day! Didn't wait for me to redeem +it."</p> + +<p>"You dare to call my brother thief!" The voice grew menacing.</p> + +<p>"Twenty pounds he gave me—only one hundred dollars—for an elephant. I +say he's a thief——!"</p> + +<p>Here the shrill voice died away in a gulp, and there was a sound of +blows and scuffling.</p> + +<p>Carrington forced his way through the hedge, crying:</p> + +<p>"Hold on! What is this about?"</p> + +<p>At the sound of his voice the owner of elephants exclaimed: "The +bobbies!" and, disengaging himself from the other, fled down the road; +while his companion, who had started to follow him, was detained by +Jack, who recognised his captive as none other than Richard Allingford.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing here?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Allingford, "it's Mr. Carrington. Delighted to see you, I'm +sure. Correcting that fellow. Says brother Robert stole elephant." His +arrest had somewhat sobered him.</p> + +<p>"Of course," said Carrington, "he didn't steal the elephant."</p> + +<p>"Where is he?"</p> + +<p>"Your brother?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"At Melton Court, near Salisbury; but you must not go there."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I will," replied Slippery Dick, waxing pugnacious, "Take the +elephant fellow along, too—make him eat his words. Call my brother a +thief, will he?"</p> + +<p>"You'll do nothing of the kind," said his captor. "You're wanted here by +the police."</p> + +<p>"What!"</p> + +<p>"Yes. For assault and battery, and disturbing the peace. They have +arrested another man, a Mr. Scarsdale, by mistake in your place."</p> + +<p>"I don't know anything about it. Never been here before to-night," +protested the unregenerate one.</p> + +<p>"Well, you must come along with me and give yourself up, or——." But +Carrington never finished the sentence; for at that moment he struck the +ground very hard, and by the time he realised that Slippery Dick had +tripped him, that personage had disappeared into the darkness, thus +justifying his sobriquet.</p> + +<p>Jack picked himself up and struggled through the hedge; but no one was +in sight, and the dull, distant sound of flying feet seemed to indicate +that the Consul's brother was seeking fresh fields and pastures new with +uncommon celerity.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>IN WHICH THE CONSUL AND MRS. SCARSDALE EMULATE THE KING OF FRANCE AND +TWENTY THOUSAND OF HIS COMPATRIOTS</h3> + +<p>Another day was dawning, a day that was destined to be most arduous, +eventful, and important in the lives of all those with whom this +narrative has to deal. Yet, at this hour in the morning, Carrington, +sitting shivering on his bedside; Lady Melton, listening in her chamber +for the departing footsteps of the faithful Bright; Aunt Eliza, drinking +an early cup of coffee in preparation for a long day's work; the Consul +and Mrs. Scarsdale, journeying to Southampton; Slippery Dick, pouncing +on the sometime owner of elephants at a way-side alehouse; Scarsdale, +pacing his prison cell; Mrs. Allingford, waiting, 'twixt hope and fear, +for news of her husband; and the elephant, shrieking in his +box-stall—these, one and all, entered regretfully upon this day +fraught with so many complications.</p> + +<p>Carrington had decided, as he wended his way home to the hotel after his +somewhat startling encounter with the Consul's unregenerate brother, +that he was in no wise bound to report the matter to the authorities. +His mission was to extricate Mr. Scarsdale from unjust imprisonment, not +to incriminate any one else; and he foresaw that any attempt on his part +to interfere, as an avenger of justice, might entail subsequent +attendance at the local police court whenever the true culprit fell into +the hands of the law.</p> + +<p>When Jack had thus determined on his course of action, he resigned +himself peacefully to slumber, of which he stood much in need; but no +sooner, apparently, had his head touched the pillow than he was awakened +by a knocking at his chamber door. In reply to his sleepy inquiries, he +was informed that Mrs. Allingford was up and in the ladies' +drawing-room, and would much appreciate it if she could see him as soon +as possible.</p> + +<p>Carrington replied that he would be happy to wait on her in a few +minutes, as soon as he was dressed, in fact, and cursed himself heartily +for having been fool enough to be any one's best man. Half-past six! It +was inhuman to call him up at such a time. He had not had three hours' +sleep. He wished himself at Melton Court more than ever. There, at +least, they rose at decent hours.</p> + +<p>As he entered the hotel drawing-room, a few minutes later, in a somewhat +calmer frame of mind, due to a bath and a cup of coffee, Mrs. Allingford +rose to meet him, took both his hands in hers, and, holding them +tightly, stood for a moment with her upturned eyes looking fixedly into +his. He would never have known her for the happy bride of two short days +ago; she seemed more like a widow, years older, and with all the joy of +her youth crushed out by trouble.</p> + +<p>"Words cannot express what your coming means to me. It is the kindest +thing you've ever done," she said simply; but her tone and manner told +him of her gratitude and relief.</p> + +<p>"It is very little to do," he replied, feeling, all at once, that he had +been a brute not to have seen her the night before.</p> + +<p>"My husband! Oh, tell me about my husband!" she exclaimed, dropping all +restraint.</p> + +<p>"What a child she was, in spite of her wedding-ring!" he thought; but he +felt very sorry for her, and answered gently:</p> + +<p>"I blame myself for not telling you sooner. He is safe and well.'</p> + +<p>"Thank God!" she murmured.</p> + +<p>"And at present at Melton Court, the country place of Lady Melton, Mr. +Scarsdale's great-aunt." And then he told her such of her husband's +adventures as he knew.</p> + +<p>"When is the first train to Salisbury?" she cried, interrupting the +recital.</p> + +<p>"I dare say there is an early morning train," he returned; "but I should +suggest your waiting for the one at nine-thirty, as then Mr. Scarsdale +can accompany you."</p> + +<p>"But he is in prison."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know; but he won't be very long."</p> + +<p>"You are sure they will release him?"</p> + +<p>"There's not a doubt of it. I have arranged all that."</p> + +<p>"Now tell me more about my husband, everything you know. Poor Bob! if he +has suffered as I have, he must indeed be wretched."</p> + +<p>Jack was morally sure that the Consul had done nothing of the kind, but +he forbore to say so. Not that he doubted for a moment that Allingford +loved his wife ardently; but he knew him to be a somewhat easy-going +personage, who, when he could not have things as he wanted them, +resigned himself to making the best of things as they were. From what he +knew of Mrs. Scarsdale, moreover, he thought it safe to conclude that +she had resigned herself to the exigencies of the case, and that both of +them looked on the whole affair as a practical joke played upon them by +Fate, of which they could clearly perceive the humorous side. He +therefore turned the conversation by recounting all he knew, even to the +minutest circumstance, of her husband's adventures; and she, in her +turn, poured into his ear her tale of woe in Winchester.</p> + +<p>"I can't understand," he said, at the conclusion of her narrative, "why +Allingford did not receive the telegram you sent to Basingstoke +yesterday."</p> + +<p>"As I think I told you," she replied, "that strange person, Faro +Charlie, offered to send it for me, and as I had no change I gave him a +five-pound note."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Carrington, "perhaps that solves the mystery. Did your friend +bring you back the change?"</p> + +<p>"N—o," admitted Mrs. Allingford; "that is, not yet."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you will never hear from your five-pound note, and that +Allingford never received his telegram from Winchester," commented +Carrington; "but it has disposed of Faro Charlie as a witness, and +perhaps that was worth the money."</p> + +<p>"Do you really think he meant to take it?" she asked in a shocked tone.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure of it," he replied, "and time will prove the correctness of +my theory." And time did.</p> + +<p>They breakfasted together, and, at Carrington's suggestion, all the +baggage was sent to the station, in order that they might have every +chance of making the train. Jack's brother joined them about half-past +eight, and the three proceeded to the court, where a few words from that +officer to the magistrate, with whom he was personally acquainted, were +sufficient to bring Scarsdale's case first on the docket.</p> + +<p>The landlord of the Lion's Head appeared, a mass of bandages, and +groaning dolefully to excite the sympathy of the court; but he testified +without hesitation that the prisoner, though somewhat resembling Richard +Allingford, was not he; and it did not need Carrington's identification +to make Scarsdale a free man. Then there were mutual congratulations, +and a hurried drive to the station, where they just succeeded in +catching the train; and, almost before he knew it, Jack was standing +alone upon the platform, while his two friends were speeding towards +the goal of all their hopes, <i>viâ</i> Southampton and Salisbury.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>"I suppose," said Mrs. Scarsdale to the Consul, as their train drew out +of Salisbury in the first flush of the sunrise on the morning which saw +Mr. Scarsdale's liberation from durance vile—"I suppose you realise +that you have exiled me from the home of my ancestors."</p> + +<p>"How so?" asked the Consul.</p> + +<p>"Why, you don't imagine that I shall ever dare to show my face at Melton +Court again. Just picture to yourself her ladyship and your elephant! +She will never forgive us, and will cut poor Harold off with a +shilling."</p> + +<p>"That won't hurt him much, from all I've heard of her ladyship's +finances," he replied.</p> + +<p>"I think," she resumed, "that I ought to be very angry with you; but I +can't help laughing, it is so absurd. A bull in a china-shop would be +tame compared with an elephant at Melton Court. What do you think she +will do with the beast?"</p> + +<p>"Pasture it on the front lawn to keep away objectionable relatives," +retorted the Consul. "But, seriously speaking, have you any definite +plan of campaign?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not. What do you suppose I carry you round for, if it is not +to plan campaigns?"</p> + +<p>"Which you generally alter. You will please remember that the visit to +Melton Court was entirely owing to you."</p> + +<p>"Quite, and I shall probably upset this one; but proceed."</p> + +<p>"Well, in the first place, as soon as we reach Southampton I think we +had better have a good breakfast."</p> + +<p>"That is no news. You are a man; therefore you eat. Go on."</p> + +<p>"Do you object?"</p> + +<p>"Not at all. I expected it; I'll even eat with you."</p> + +<p>"Well said. After this necessary duty, I propose to go to the station +and thoroughly investigate the matter of the arrival and departure of +my wife and your husband."</p> + +<p>"If they were at Basingstoke we should have heard from them before +this," she said; "and even if they were not, they should have +telegraphed."</p> + +<p>"Very probably they did," he replied; "but, as you ought to know, there +is nothing more obliging and more generally dense than an English minor +official. I dare say that the key to the whole mystery is at this moment +reposing, neatly done up in red tape, at the office of that disgusting +little junction. But here we are at Southampton. Now for breakfast; and +then the American Sherlock Holmes will sift this matter to the bottom." +And the Consul, in excellent spirits, assisted her to alight.</p> + +<p>Indeed, now that the elephant had been left behind, he felt that, +actually as well as metaphorically, a great weight had been lifted from +his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Evidently," remarked Allingford, as they were finishing a breakfast in +one of the cosy principal hotels—"evidently the loss of your husband +has not included the loss of your appetite."</p> + +<p>"Of course it hasn't," replied Mrs. Scarsdale. "Why shouldn't I eat a +good breakfast? I have no use for conventions which make one do +disagreeable things just because one happens to feel miserable."</p> + +<p>"Do you feel very miserable? I thought you seemed rather cheerful on the +whole," he commented.</p> + +<p>"Well, you are not to think anything so unpleasant or personal. I'm +utterly wretched; and if you don't believe it I won't eat a mouthful."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure," he returned, "that your husband would be much put out if he +knew you contemplated doing anything so foolish."</p> + +<p>"Do you know," she said, "that I'm beginning to have serious doubts that +I ever had a husband? Do you think he's a myth, and that you and I will +have to go through life together in an endless pursuit of what doesn't +exist?"</p> + +<p>"Good Lord, I hope not!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"That is very uncomplimentary to me," she retorted.</p> + +<p>"In the face of that remark," he replied, pushing back his chair, "I am +silent."</p> + +<p>"Do you know," said his companion after a moment, as she folded her +napkin, "that the keen sense of humour with which we Americans are +endowed saves a large percentage of us from going mad or committing +suicide?"</p> + +<p>"Are you thinking of doing either?" he asked anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I am thinking," she replied, "that we have had two exceedingly amusing +days, and I am almost sorry they are over."</p> + +<p>"Don't you want to find your husband?" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Of course I do; but it has been a sort of breathing-space before +settling down to the seriousness of married life, and that elephant +episode was funny. I think it was worth two days of any husband; don't +you?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," returned the Consul, somewhat ruefully. "I'd just as +lief that Scarsdale had had the beast."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I wouldn't!" she cried. "He would have spoiled all the fun. He'd +have done some stupid, rational thing. Donated it to the 'Zoo' in +London, I should think; wasted the elephant, in fact. It took the spirit +of American humour to play your colossal, practical joke. I wonder if it +has arrived at the Court yet. I can fancy it sticking its head, trunk +and all, through the great window in Lady Melton's dining-room."</p> + +<p>"She called me a consular person," remarked that official stiffly.</p> + +<p>"Hence the elephant," laughed his fair companion. "Cause and effect. +But, joking apart, there is a pitiful side to our adventure. When I +think of those two matter-of-fact, serious British things, your better +half and my—my husband, and of what a miserable time they have been +having, unrelieved by any spark of humour, it almost makes me cry."</p> + +<p>"Hold on!" cried Allingford, "You are just as bad as your great-aunt. +She calls me a consular person, and you call my wife a British thing! I +wish I had another elephant."</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, I do really," she replied. "I classed my husband in +the same category. But don't you agree with me that it's sad? I'm sure +your poor wife has cried her eyes out; and as for my husband, I doubt if +he's eaten anything, and I'm certain he's worn his most unbecoming +clothes."</p> + +<p>"You are wrong there," interrupted Allingford; "he packed all the worst +specimens, and I rescued them at Salisbury. I tried them on yesterday, +and there wasn't a suit I'd have had the face to wear in public."</p> + +<p>"There, run along and turn the station upside down; you've talked +enough," she said, laughing, and drove him playfully out of the room.</p> + +<p>It was about half-past nine that the Consul meditatively mopped his +head, as he reached the top step of the hotel porch. He was heated by +his exertions, but exceedingly complacent. He had interviewed sixteen +porters, five guards, the station agent, three char-women, four +policemen, and the barmaid—the latter twice, once on business and once +on pleasure; and he had discovered from the thirtieth individual, and +after twenty-nine failures and a drink, the simple fact that those he +sought had gone to Winchester. He did not think he could have faced Mrs. +Scarsdale if he had failed. As it was, he returned triumphant, and, as +he approached their private parlour, he mentally pictured in advance the +scene which would await him: her radiant smile, her voluble expression +of thanks, their joyful journey to Winchester; in short, success. He +pushed open the door, and this is what really happened: an angry woman +with a flushed, tear-stained face rushed across the room, shoved a +newspaper at him, and cried:</p> + +<p>"You brute!"</p> + +<p>The Consul dropped into the nearest chair. He looked at the infuriated +Mrs. Scarsdale, he looked at the crumpled newspaper, he heard the last +echo of that opprobrious monosyllable, and he said:</p> + +<p>"Well I'm jiggered!"</p> + +<p>Then, recollecting his news, he continued:</p> + +<p>"Oh, I forgot. I've found out where they have gone; it's Winchester."</p> + +<p>"Is that all you've got to tell me?" she cried. "All, in the face of +this?" And she again shoved the newspaper towards him. He looked to +where her finger pointed. He was hopelessly bewildered, and wondered if +her native humour had inopportunely failed her and she had gone mad.</p> + +<p>"Read!" she commanded.</p> + +<p>His wandering eye followed the direction of her finger, and he read +slowly, with open mouth, a short account of the arrest and partial trial +at Winchester of one Richard Allingford, who claimed to be Harold +Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"Tell me," she thundered, "is that my husband?"</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, slowly, "I guess it is," and he re-read the last +sentence of the paragraph in the newspaper:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>"The prisoner insisted that he was Harold Scarsdale, and could +prove his identity. He was accompanied by a woman who claimed to be +Mrs. Robert Allingford, wife of the well-known United States Consul +at Christchurch. The prisoner was remanded till this morning."</i></p></div> + +<p>"Have you a brother?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Has he ever been arrested?"</p> + +<p>"Arrested! Why, I've spent most of my time for the past twenty years in +bailing him out."</p> + +<p>"But why has my husband taken his name?" she demanded.</p> + +<p>"That is a matter you'll have to settle with Scarsdale; and if you look +as you do now, I'm real sorry for him," he replied.</p> + +<p>"You don't care a bit!" she cried.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes I do; but I want you to see it from its humorous side," he +answered.</p> + +<p>At this remark Mrs. Scarsdale burst into a flood of tears, and +Allingford gave a sigh of relief, and, strolling to the window, was soon +lost in admiration of the view.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a voice said, in the sweetness of its accustomed tones:</p> + +<p>"Why were you so pleased when I began to cry?" And Mrs. Scarsdale, calm +and composed, stood beside him.</p> + +<p>"Hard storm is a good thing to clear the atmosphere after a +thunder-shower," replied the Consul laconically.</p> + +<p>"I was real mad with you," she admitted.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! don't you suppose I knew that?" he cried.</p> + +<p>They both laughed, and peace was restored.</p> + +<p>"Do you really think it is poor Harold?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose he doesn't get called St. Hubart when he's in 'quod'?"</p> + +<p>"Be sensible and answer my question. Is it my husband or your brother +who is on trial at Winchester?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," he replied.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do about it?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Go and see."</p> + +<p>"When is the next train?"</p> + +<p>The Consul pulled out his watch.</p> + +<p>"In twelve and a half minutes," he said. "I've paid the hotel bill. +Here, hold on! You turn to the left for the elevator!" But Mrs. +Scarsdale was half-way downstairs on her way to the station.</p> + +<p>An hour later, as the Consul and his fair companion emerged at the +station at Winchester, the first person they saw was Carrington.</p> + +<p>"We've been found at last!" cried the Consul, advancing towards Jack +with outstretched hand, exclaiming: "Well, Columbus Carrington, if ever +I get lost again, I'll telegraph you first thing."</p> + +<p>In a minute questions and answers were flying between them. Where had +they been? Where had they come from? Why was Carrington here? Why had +Scarsdale been arrested?</p> + +<p>Jack bore up manfully, answering as best he could.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you can tell me the whereabouts of my wife and this lady's +husband?" said the Consul.</p> + +<p>"They have been staying here," he replied, "but they have gone."</p> + +<p>"Gone!" cried Allingford in blank amazement. "Gone! Where? When?"</p> + +<p>"Why, to Salisbury," replied Jack. "I sent them over there early this +morning."</p> + +<p>"You did, did you?" spluttered the Consul. "What right had you to send +them anywhere?"</p> + +<p>"Why, to join you at Lady Diana's."</p> + +<p>"Join us!" screamed Allingford. "Why, we left Melton Court at half-past +four this morning, and have been on the road ever since trying to join +them."</p> + +<p>"It seems to be a typical example of cross-purposes," replied +Carrington.</p> + +<p>"It's pure cussedness!" said the Consul.</p> + +<p>"But I thought my husband was—in prison," chimed in Mrs. Scarsdale; +"the paper said so."</p> + +<p>"Merely a case of mistaken identity," Jack hastened to assure her. "I +had him set free in no time. And that reminds me: I ran across your +brother here last evening, Allingford. It is he who has caused all the +trouble. Frankly, I am almost sorry I did not give him over to the +police."</p> + +<p>"I wish you had," replied the Consul; "I wouldn't have bailed him out +till my honeymoon was over. Where is he now?"</p> + +<p>"I'm inclined to believe," replied Carrington, "that he has gone to +Melton Court in search of you, in company with a man who talked some +nonsense about your having stolen an elephant from him."</p> + +<p>Allingford and Mrs. Scarsdale both began to laugh.</p> + +<p>"I don't see anything funny about that," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't you?" returned the Consul. "Well, you would if you knew the +rest of the story." And in a few brief words he explained about the +elephant's arrival and their subsequent flight.</p> + +<p>"Heavens, man!" cried Carrington, "you don't seem to realise what you +have let Scarsdale and your wife in for!"</p> + +<p>"Great Scott!" exclaimed the Consul, "I never thought of that. Why, I +reckon it's rampaging all over the place by this time, and the old lady +must be in a perfect fury. When's the next train back? We can't get +there too quickly."</p> + +<p>"One goes in five minutes," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"If I'd ever suspected," gasped Mrs. Scarsdale to Allingford as they +rushed down the platform, "that you were laying such a trap for my poor +husband——"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I didn't do it on purpose," he replied; "but if they happen to +meet the catawampus after she's met the elephant, they'll be in for a +pretty hot time."</p> + +<p>"Your brother was bad enough," she groaned as the train pulled out; "but +as for your elephant——! It's worse than being arrested!"</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>IN WHICH LADY MELTON RECEIVES A STRANGE VISITOR</h3> + +<p>However harassing and disturbing the events of the past few days had +been to the people particularly interested in them, to the mind of one +the proceedings of all those with whom he had come in contact had been +characterised by an ignorance, not only of the necessities of life, but +even of the very etiquette that lends a becoming dignity to existence, +which seemed almost pitiful. Not since the elephant left his native +shore had he received what he considered to be proper, or even +intelligent, attention. On the voyage, indeed, though his quarters were +crowded, and denied by the proximity of low-caste beasts, his material +wants had been considered; but since yesterday, when he had landed in +the midst of a howling wilderness of iron monsters, who could neither +see nor hear and were no respecters of persons, there had been a +scarcity even of food and water. All night he had been dragged about the +country at a speed unbecoming the dignity of a ruler of the jungle +(without even the company of his mahout, who had lost the train at +Southampton); and, now that the earth had ceased to move past him and +was once more still, he expressed his opinion of the ignorant and +degraded people of this wretched country in no uncertain voice. Then, +finding that the pen in which he was confined was cramped and dirty, and +wholly unfitted for one of his exalted position, he exerted himself to +be free, and in a short time reduced his car to kindling-wood. Being now +at liberty, he naturally desired his breakfast; but what was one to do +when men disfigured the earth with bars of steel over which one tripped, +and stored the fruits of the land in squat yellow bungalows, with fluted +iron roofs which were difficult to tear off? Therefore the elephant +lifted up his voice in rage, whereat many things happened, and a +high-caste man, clad in the blue of the sky and the gold of the sun, ran +up and down upon the earth, and declared that he should forthwith be +taken to the "Court" and delivered to the "Damconsul."</p> + +<p>What a "Damconsul" was the elephant did not know; but concluded that it +was the title these barbarous people bestowed on the Maharajah of that +district. Since he lived at a Court, it seemed certain that he would +know how to appreciate and fittingly entertain him. The elephant +therefore consented to follow his attendant slaves, though they +understood not the noble art of riding him, but were fain to lead him +like a beast of burden. On the way he found a spring of sweet water, of +which he drank his fill, despite the protestations of his leaders and +the outcries of the inhabitants of the bungalow of the well, whose +lamentations showed them to be of low caste and little sensible of the +honour done them.</p> + +<p>The procession at length reached the gate of the Court; and while the +attendants were in the lodge explaining matters to the astonished +keeper, the elephant, realising that "drink was good but food better," +determined to do a little foraging on his own account, and so moved +softly off, taking along the stake to which his keepers fondly imagined +he was tethered.</p> + +<p>He judged that he was now in the park of the Court of the "Damconsul"; +and the fact that there were many clumps of familiar plants scattered +over the grass increased his belief that this was the case. He tried a +few coleus and ate a croton or two; but found them insipid and lacking +the freshness of those which bloomed in his native land. Then turning to +a grove of young palms, he tore a number up by the roots; which he found +required no expenditure of strength, and so gave him little +satisfaction. Moreover, they grew in green tubs, which rolled about +between his feet and were pitfalls for the unwary. He lay down on a few +of the beds; but the foliage was pitifully thin and afforded him no +comfortable resting-place; moreover, there were curious rows of +slanting things which glistened in the sunlight, and which he much +wished to investigate. On examination he found them quite brittle, and +easily smashed a number of them with his trunk. Nor was this all, for in +the wreckage he discovered a large quantity of most excellent +fruit—grapes and nectarines and some very passable plums. Evidently the +"Damconsul" was an enlightened person, who knew how to live; and, +indeed, it is not fitting for even an elephant to turn up his trunk at +espalier peaches at a guinea apiece.</p> + +<p>Certainly, thought the elephant, things might be worse. And after a bath +in a neighbouring fountain, which cost the lives of some two score of +goldfish, he really felt refreshed, and approached the palace, which he +considered rather dingy, in order to pay his respects to its owner. +Coming round to the front of the building he discovered a marble +terrace, gleaming white in the sunshine, and flanked by two groups of +statuary—Hercules with his club, and Diana with her bow: though, being +unacquainted with Greek mythology, he did not recognise them as such. +On the terrace itself was set a breakfast-table resplendent with silver +and chaste with fair linen; and by it sat a houri, holding a sunshade +over her golden head. The elephant, wishing to conciliate this vision of +beauty, advanced towards her, trumpeting gently; but his friendly +overtures were evidently misinterpreted, for the houri, giving a wild +scream, dropped her sunshade, and fled for safety to the shoulders of +Hercules, from which vantage-point she called loudly for help.</p> + +<p>Feeling that such conduct was indecorous in the extreme, he ignored her +with a lofty contempt; and, having tested the quality of the masonry, +ventured upon the terrace and inspected the feast. There were more +nectarines—but he had had enough of those—and something steaming in a +silver vessel, the like of which he remembered to have encountered once +before in the bungalow of a sahib. Moreover, he had not forgotten how it +spouted a boiling liquid when one took it up in one's trunk. At this +moment a shameless female slave appeared at a window, in response to +the cries of the houri, and abused him. He could not, it is true, +understand her barbarous language; but the tone implied abuse. Such an +insult from the scum of the earth could not be allowed to pass +unnoticed. He filled his trunk with water from a marble basin near at +hand, and squirted it at her with all his force, and the scum of the +earth departed quickly.</p> + +<p>"It would be well," thought the elephant, "to find the 'Damconsul' +before further untoward incidents could occur"; and with this end in +view, he turned himself about, preparatory to leaving the terrace. He +forgot, however, that marble may be slippery; his hind legs suddenly +slid from under him, and he sat hurriedly down on the breakfast-table. +It was at this singularly inopportune moment that Lady Diana appeared +upon the scene.</p> + +<p>Her ladyship awoke that morning to what was destined to be the most +eventful and disturbing day of her peaceful and well-ordered life, with +a feeling of irritation and regret that it had dawned, which, in the +light of subsequent events, would seem to have been almost a +premonition of coming evil. She was, though at this early hour she +little knew it, destined to receive a series of shocks of volcanic force +and suddenness, between sunrise and sunset, any one of which would have +served to overthrow her preconceived notions of what life, and +especially life at Melton Court, ought to be.</p> + +<p>As yet she knew nothing of all this; but she did know that, though it +was long after the hour appointed, she had heard no sound of her +great-niece's departing footsteps. She waited till she must have missed +the train, and then rang her bedroom bell sharply to learn why her +orders had been disobeyed.</p> + +<p>"If you please, my lady," replied her maid in answer to her mistress's +questions, "Bright did not go because we could not find Mrs. Scarsdale."</p> + +<p>"Could not find my niece! And why not, pray?" demanded her ladyship +angrily.</p> + +<p>"She was not in her room, my lady, or anywhere about the Court; only +this note, directed to your ladyship, on her dressing-table."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you say so to begin with, then?" cried her mistress testily. +"Open the window, that I may see what this means."</p> + +<p>The note was short and painstakingly polite; but its perusal did not +seem to please Lady Diana, for she frowned and set her thin lips as she +re-read it. The missive ran as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Lady Melton</span>,</p> + +<p>"I write to apologise for the somewhat unconventional manner in +which I am leaving your house; but as your plans for my disposal +to-day did not accord with my own ideas of what is fitting, I have +thought it best to leave thus early, and so avoid any awkwardness +which might arise from conflicting arrangements. I wish you to know +that I shall be with friends by this evening, so that you need feel +no anxiety about my position. Pray accept my thanks for your +hospitality, which I am sure my husband will much appreciate, and +believe me,</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 25em;">"Yours respectfully,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 27em;">"<span class="smcap">Mabel Scarsdale</span>."</span><br /> +</p></div> + +<p>This communication her ladyship tore up into small fragments, and then +snapped out:</p> + +<p>"Is there anything more?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you please, my lady," replied the maid; "a note for you from +Mr. Allingford, left in his room."</p> + +<p>Lady Melton took it as gingerly as if it were fresh from some infected +district, and, spreading it out on the bed before her, read it with a +contemptuous smile.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Your Ladyship</span>," wrote the Consul, "I have the honour to inform you +that I am leaving at the earliest possible moment, not wishing to +impose my company longer than is absolutely necessary where it is +so evidently undesired. That there may be no burden of obligation +between us, I beg you to accept a trunk belonging to me, which will +arrive this morning, as compensation for my board and lodging.</p> + +<p style="text-align: left"> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;">"I remain</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 18em;">"Your Ladyship's Obedient Servant,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 20em;">"<span class="smcap">Robert Allingford</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 22em;">"<i>U.S. Consul, Christchurch, England</i>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>"P.S.—I mail you to-day a deed of gift of the property in +question, legally attested, so that there may be no question of +ownership.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 25em;">"R. A."</span><br /> +</p></div> + +<p>"Insolence!" gasped Lady Melton, when she comprehended the contents of +this astonishing communication. Then turning to her maid, she commanded:</p> + +<p>"If this person's trunk arrives here, have it sent back to him +instantly." And she fumed with rage at the thought.</p> + +<p>"How dare he suppose that I would for a moment accept a gratuity!"</p> + +<p>Indeed, so wrought up was she that it was with difficulty that she +controlled herself sufficiently to breakfast on the terrace. Moreover, +her interview with Bright, the butler, whom she encountered on her way +downstairs and who announced the arrival of her great-nephew and a +strange lady, was hardly soothing; for it forced her to believe that +that faithful servant, after years of probity, had at last strayed from +the temperate paths of virtue. Seeing him dishevelled and bewildered, +she had sternly rebuked him for his appearance, and from his disjointed +replies had only gathered that his astounding state was in some way due +to the Consul.</p> + +<p>"Has that insolent person's trunk arrived?" she inquired; when, to her +astonishment, her old retainer, who had always observed in her presence +a respectful and highly deferential demeanour, actually tittered.</p> + +<p>"Bright!" she said sternly.</p> + +<p>"Beg pardon, my lady," giggled Bright, his face still wreathed in +smiles; "but the way you put it."</p> + +<p>"What have you done with this person's belongings? Have my orders been +carried out?"</p> + +<p>"You mean in regard to the—the——"</p> + +<p>"Trunk. Yes, let it be put off the place immediately."</p> + +<p>"Please, your ladyship," he replied, with difficulty restraining his +laughter, "it won't go."</p> + +<p>"Will not go?"</p> + +<p>"No, my lady; it's been rampaging through the greenhouses, and is now on +the terrace, where it douched Anne most awful."</p> + +<p>"Leave me at once, Bright, and do not let me see you again till you are +in a more decent state," she commanded, and swept by him, ignoring his +protestations of innocence and respect.</p> + +<p>She found Scarsdale awaiting her in the reception-room, and accorded him +a very frigid greeting, suggesting that they should have their interview +on the terrace, where he had left Mrs. Allingford safely ensconced in an +armchair, while he went to meet his great-aunt.</p> + +<p>Her ladyship had been considerably ruffled both by her interview with +Bright and by the arrival of Scarsdale, towards whom, in the light of +recent events, she felt a strong resentment; and a vision of the +Consul's wife perched most indecorously on the shoulders of Hercules, +which she beheld as she emerged on the terrace, did not tend to calm her +already excited nerves. But before she could speak her eyes followed the +direction of the unknown lady's gaze, and she saw, for the first time, +her unwelcome visitor.</p> + +<p>When you come suddenly face to face with an elephant seated amidst the +wreck of cherished Chippendale and ancestral Sèvres, it is not +calculated to increase your composure or equalise your temper; and Lady +Diana may be pardoned, as the vastness of the Consul's impudence dawned +upon her, for giving vent to expressions both of anger and amazement, +albeit her appearance produced no less of a disturbance in the breast of +him who sat amidst the ruins of the breakfast-table. The elephant felt +that in the presence of the Maharanee, for such he believed her to be, +his position was undignified. She was, without doubt, the wife of the +"Damconsul," and, as such, should be paid all proper respect and +deference. He, therefore, bowed his head in submission, completing in +the process his work of destruction. Whereat Mrs. Allingford shrieked +and clung more closely to the protecting shoulders of Hercules.</p> + +<p>Serious as the situation was, it was not without its humorous side, and +it took all Scarsdale's command of himself to control his face +sufficiently to address his relative with becoming respect.</p> + +<p>"Why, aunt," he said, "I didn't know that you had gone in for pets!"</p> + +<p>"Harold Stanley Malcolm St. Hubart Scarsdale," replied her ladyship—she +prided herself on never forgetting a name—"you are one of the most +impudent and worthless young men that I have the honour to count among +my relatives; but you have been in India, and you ought to know how to +manage this monster."</p> + +<p>"I've seen enough of them," he answered. "What do you want him to do?"</p> + +<p>"Do!" she cried wrathfully. "I should think anybody would know that I +wished it to get up and go away."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said he, and made a remark in Hindustani to the elephant, whereat +the beast gradually and deliberately proceeded to rise from the wreck of +the breakfast, till he seemed to the spectators to be forty feet high. +Then, in response to Scarsdale's cries of "Mail! mail!" (Go on) he +turned himself about, and, after sending the teapot through the nearest +window with a disdainful kick of one hind leg, he lurched down the steps +of the terrace and on to the lawn, where he remained contentedly +standing, gently rocking to and fro, while he meditatively removed from +his person, by means of his trunk, the fragments of the feast, with +which he was liberally bespattered.</p> + +<p>Scarsdale, seeing that his lordship was in an amicable frame of mind, +hastened to assist Mrs. Allingford to descend from her somewhat uneasy +perch.</p> + +<p>"St. Hubart," said Lady Melton, who, throughout this trying ordeal, had +lost none of her natural dignity, "you have done me a service. I shall +not forget it."</p> + +<p>Scarsdale thought it would be difficult to forget the elephant.</p> + +<p>"I will even forgive you," she continued, "for marrying that American."</p> + +<p>"It was so good of you to receive my wife," he said. "I trust you are +pleased with her."</p> + +<p>"I am not pleased at all," she said sharply. "I consider her forward and +disrespectful, and I am glad she is gone."</p> + +<p>"Gone!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"You may well be surprised," said his great-aunt, "but such is the +case."</p> + +<p>"But where has she gone?"</p> + +<p>"That I do not know; she left without consulting me, and against my +advice and wishes."</p> + +<p>"Did she go alone?"</p> + +<p>"She went," replied her ladyship, "with one of the most insolent persons +it has ever been my misfortune to meet. He is owner of that!" And she +pointed to the elephant.</p> + +<p>"But who is he?" demanded Scarsdale, not recognising, from her +description, his friend the Consul.</p> + +<p>"He disgraces," she continued, "a public office given him by a foreign +Government."</p> + +<p>"You are surely not talking about Allingford!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"That, I believe, is his name," replied Lady Melton.</p> + +<p>"What, my husband!" cried the Consul's wife, who up to this point had +kept silence. "You dare to call my husband a disgrace——!" Here Mrs. +Allingford became dumb with indignation.</p> + +<p>"If he is your husband," returned her ladyship, "I am exceedingly sorry +for you. As for 'daring' to apply to him any epithet I please, I +consider myself fully justified in so doing after the indignity to which +he has condemned me. I am glad, however, to have met you, as I am thus +enabled to return you your husband's property, with the request that you +take your elephant and leave my grounds as quickly as possible."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say that my husband owns that monster?" gasped Mrs. +Allingford.</p> + +<p>"Such is the case," replied Lady Melton, "and I leave it in your hands. +St. Hubart, I trust <i>you</i> will join me at breakfast as soon as another +can be prepared."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me," he said apologetically, "but really, you know, I can't +leave Mrs. Allingford in the lurch. Besides, I must follow my wife."</p> + +<p>His great-aunt faced round in a fury.</p> + +<p>"That is sufficient!" she cried. "Leave my presence at once! I never +desire to see either of you again."</p> + +<p>"Don't let us part as enemies, aunt," he said, offering her his hand; +but she swept past him into the house.</p> + +<p>Scarsdale gloomily watched her depart, and then became conscious of a +hand laid on his arm.</p> + +<p>"I am so sorry!" murmured Mrs. Allingford. "I only seem to bring you +trouble."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you mustn't feel badly about this," he said. "We have quarrelled +ever since I was born. I'm much more worried about you."</p> + +<p>"What am I going to do with it?" she exclaimed, looking hopelessly at +her husband's property as it stood rocking before her.</p> + +<p>"The first thing is to get it off the place," replied Scarsdale, +assuming a cheerfulness which he did not feel. "We may find its keepers +at the lodge, and we can make our plans as we walk along."</p> + +<p>"Come on, Jehoshaphat, or whatever you may happen to be called!" he +cried, addressing the elephant, and at the same time grasping the rope +bridle which still dangled from its neck; and the beast, recognising a +kindred spirit speaking to him in his native tongue, followed docilely +where he led.</p> + +<p>"I think," continued Scarsdale, as they trudged slowly across the park, +"that our best course will be to take the elephant to Christchurch. +Indeed, we ought to have gone there in the first instance."</p> + +<p>"What do you expect to gain by that?" she asked quickly, ready in this +strange dilemma to catch at any straw which gave opportunity of escape.</p> + +<p>"Why, your husband's consulate is situated there, and that is his local +habitation in this country, where he is certain to turn up sooner or +later, and where, if the laws of his consular service are anything like +ours, he would be obliged to report every few days."</p> + +<p>"You propose to go there and await his return?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said. "I don't see that we can do better. Ten to one your +husband and my wife will hear of our affair at Winchester, and may be on +their way there now to hunt us up; while if we attempted to follow them, +it is more than likely that they would return here. I, for one, am about +tired of chasing myself around the country; as a steady occupation it is +beginning to pall."</p> + +<p>"There is a group of men at the lodge," she said, as they drew near the +gates with the elephant in tow.</p> + +<p>"Then let us hope that there are some station people among them, and +that we can arrange for Jehoshaphat's transportation without loss of +time," replied Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>His hope was, in the first instance, justified; for the station-master +at Salisbury, learning of the Consul's early departure that morning, and +beginning to doubt the wisdom of inflicting the elephant on so important +a personage as Lady Melton, had come up to the Court himself to see how +things were going, and had been horrified beyond measure at the +exaggerated reports of the lodgekeeper as to the havoc the beast had +created. He was therefore unfeignedly relieved at Scarsdale's arrival; a +relief, however, which instantly gave way to stubborn opposition at the +first hint of putting the animal again in his charge.</p> + +<p>Elephants were not in his line, he pointed out, and he had no desire to +transport them about the country. Couldn't think of acting without +receiving advices from the main offices of the railway company in +London, an affair of several days; wouldn't assume charge of the +creature during the interval on any account; and shouldn't stir a step +in the matter till the wrecked van had been paid for.</p> + +<p>This ended the affair, as far as Scarsdale was concerned. He had no +intention of paying damages for the Consul's elephant, but he wished to +deliver it and the Consul's wife at Christchurch as soon as possible. If +this could not be accomplished one way, it must be another. There were +plenty of horses and carriages to be had; indeed, the landau and pair +which had brought them from Salisbury was still at the gates. The roads +were good, the distance to Christchurch was not excessive—say thirty +miles—and the elephant could walk. It merely remained to find a leader +or driver, and they could start at once on their journey across country.</p> + +<p>All this he explained to his fair companion, and she readily acquiesced.</p> + +<p>"The only problem to be solved, then, is where to find a mahout," he +said in conclusion.</p> + +<p>She threw him an inquiring glance; but he felt it was asking too much, +and said so.</p> + +<p>"If it were any other country, I'd ride the beast myself to oblige you; +but in England, and as a representative of one of the first families of +the county, I couldn't. The prejudices of the locality would never +recover from the shock, and I should not be able to show my face in the +streets of Salisbury. But perhaps we can find a substitute. Is there any +one here," he went on, addressing the little group of men, "who +understands an elephant?"</p> + +<p>"Tom, 'e knows the bloomin' beasts," said a member of the company; and +Tom, groom to her ladyship, and cockney every inch of him, was pushed +forward for inspection.</p> + +<p>One glance at the trim form, concealed though it was by stable costume, +was sufficient to assure Scarsdale that he had found his man.</p> + +<p>"You have been a soldier," he said, "and in India?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," replied the man, touching the peak of his cap in a military +salute.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you could manage him?" continued Scarsdale, indicating +the elephant, which, wearied with the morning's exertions, had knelt +down, and seemed on the point of taking a nap.</p> + +<p>"Do I think as 'ow I could manage 'im? I should 'ope so, if I ain't +fergot is 'eathen language, sir."</p> + +<p>"I'll give you eighteen pence a mile," said Scarsdale, quick to act on +the man's decision.</p> + +<p>"Make it two bob, sir, an' I'll ride 'im ter Inja."</p> + +<p>"That's too far," he replied, laughing; "my pocket wouldn't stand the +strain; but I'll give you the price to Christchurch."</p> + +<p>"Right you are," replied the hostler, closing the bargain at once. "Me +name's Tom Ropes. What d'yer call 'im, sir?" pointing to his recumbent +charge.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what he was christened. I call him Jehoshaphat."</p> + +<p>"A Christian name fer a 'eathen brute," commented Tom. "Give me a leg +up, one er yer."</p> + +<p>Once astride the beast's neck, with Scarsdale's cane as an improvised +ankus, he poured out a flood of cockney-Indian jargon which no Hindoo +could ever have recognised as his native tongue, but which evidently had +a familiar sound to the elephant, who proceeded to rise, first with his +fore feet and then with his hind feet; after which his novel mahout, who +throughout these manœuvres had retained a precarious hold by one ear, +hastened to seat himself more firmly upon him.</p> + +<p>"All right?" queried Scarsdale, looking up; and on receiving an answer +in the affirmative, added: "Keep your feet well under his ears, and hit +him on the head with your stick if he gets fractious. All you need do is +to follow our carriage. Trust to his judgment about bridges; he knows +what will hold him."</p> + +<p>Arrangements, on a liberal scale, having been made for the use of the +conveyance which had brought them from the station, they were ready to +start in a very short space of time; Scarsdale stipulating that they +head towards Southampton, taking the least travelled roads, and in any +event giving Salisbury a wide berth. This was agreed to; and thereupon +commenced one of the most extraordinary progresses that had ever stirred +up a staid and conventional countryside: Scarsdale and Mrs. Allingford +leading off in the landau, since it was necessary to keep the horse well +in front of the elephant, and Tom and his charge plodding on in their +wake.</p> + +<p>As they left the lodge behind them and came out into the open country, +the Consul's wife, turning to her companion in misfortune, said, between +tears and smiles:</p> + +<p>"What do you think is going to happen next?"</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>IN WHICH THERE ARE TWO CLAIMANTS FOR ONE DINNER</h3> + +<p>The village clock was on the stroke of one when the little procession +drew up before the door of the principal inn in the main square of a +small town on the road between Salisbury and Southampton.</p> + +<p>Scarsdale had been surprised to find how little excitement they had +created in their progress through the countryside; but then he had +chosen the most unfrequented roads, avoiding villages as he would a +pestilence. Man and beast must be fed somewhere, however, and, according +to Tom, the elephant was giving no uncertain signs that he wanted his +dinner. So, against his better judgment, Scarsdale had turned aside into +a neighbouring town, whence, after an hour's rest and refreshment, he +determined to push on that afternoon to a quiet inn he knew of, near +Fording Bridge, and thence to Christchurch the following morning.</p> + +<p>Both he and Mrs. Allingford had been as quiet as mice during the last +hour; indeed, the novel position in which they found themselves inclined +them rather to thought than conversation.</p> + +<p>Their entrance into the town was effected more easily than could have +been hoped for; though, in some unknown manner, a rumour of their coming +seemed to have preceded them: for a crowd had collected along the main +street, which cheered them vociferously, under the mistaken impression +that they were the proprietors of a circus. No travelling show that +wound its course through those country lanes had ever possessed such an +attraction, and the people moved away after they had passed, full of +wonder at the appearance of this strange monster among them, and regret +that with such a beginning there was nothing more to follow.</p> + +<p>Once they had come to a halt, they were surrounded by a curious crowd, +and Scarsdale lost no time in entering into explanations with the +landlord of the inn, who came hurrying out to receive his novel guests.</p> + +<p>It was at this point that their troubles first began; for mine host, +while he professed to furnish entertainment for man and beast, was +dubious concerning the monster which it was proposed to quarter on him +so unexpectedly. The lady and gentleman, their coachman, horses, and +even the cockney mahout were more than welcome; but elephants were not +in his line of business. He didn't know if he could give satisfaction; +feared his accommodations were not sufficiently ample; would like to +oblige, but had the reputation of his house to maintain, &c., &c.</p> + +<p>When Scarsdale happened, however, casually to mention that it was Lady +Melton's elephant a change came over the face of affairs, of which he +was not slow to take advantage.</p> + +<p>Her ladyship was well known throughout the county, while her reputation +for severity had a still wider circulation, and the landlord was in +abject fear of her, though, nevertheless, obstinately determined to have +none of the beast.</p> + +<p>The subject of all this altercation had meantime appropriated the public +horse-trough to his exclusive use for drinking and bathing purposes, and +was enjoying himself in consequence, which was more than could be said +of his rider, who shared unwillingly in his ablutions.</p> + +<p>"Give 'im the word to sit down, sir. S'welp me, I'll be drownded with +'is tricks!" cried Tom.</p> + +<p>"I don't speak his infernal language," returned Scarsdale testily; +"that's your business."</p> + +<p>"I've told 'im all I know, sir, an' it's no use."</p> + +<p>"Then I'm afraid you'll have to stay up and get wet."</p> + +<p>"Couldn't yer 'elp me down, sir? Quit that, yer 'eathen!" as he dodged a +shower of water.</p> + +<p>"Certainly not," replied Scarsdale. "You can't leave him riderless in a +public place."</p> + +<p>Then, turning to the landlord, who stood by in sore perplexity, +aimlessly rubbing his hands, he continued:</p> + +<p>"It's a beastly shame that a gentleman can't take a lady's elephant out +for—exercise without running up against all this nonsense in the first +little hamlet he comes across! One would almost think you had never seen +an elephant before."</p> + +<p>The landlord, whose eyes had up to this time been fairly bulging with +curiosity, now declared himself desolated at such an uncalled-for +suspicion.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it would be better if the gentleman were to send for a +constable."</p> + +<p>Mine host neglected to add that he had done so on his own responsibility +in his first burst of agitation.</p> + +<p>But Scarsdale, noting the excellent effect which his rating had produced +on the landlord, determined that he should have some more of it.</p> + +<p>"If you are afraid," he said, "of damaging your ramshackle old inn, +perhaps you'll consent to give my elephant his dinner in the square?"</p> + +<p>Mine host rolled up his eyes at this new phase of the question.</p> + +<p>"I suppose," continued Scarsdale, "that the dignity of this 'tuppenny +ha'penny' town won't be seriously impaired by his presence for an hour +in your elegant plaza!"</p> + +<p>The last portion of this speech was lost on the landlord, because he did +not know what a "plaza" was; but it sounded imposing, and he hastened to +assure his guest that the town would feel honoured by the elephant's +presence, though he would have to procure a permit from the mayor. +Should he show him the way to that functionary's house?</p> + +<p>This, however, proved to be unnecessary, as the mayor himself was +present in the crowd, a pompous, fussy little man, full of the +importance of his office. Lady Melton's name, which he had heard +mentioned in connection with the affair, acted as a charm, and brought +him bustling forward to shake Scarsdale's hand, assure him that no +permit was required, and snub the innkeeper.</p> + +<p>"Anything I can do for a relation of her ladyship's—I think you said a +relation?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>Scarsdale had not said anything of the kind, but unwillingly admitted +that he was her nephew. Upon receiving this intelligence the mayor +positively beamed, called Scarsdale "your lordship," and became most +solicitous after Lady Melton's health. Her nephew gravely assured him +that he might make his mind easy on that score, as his aunt was in the +best of health, and that as soon as he returned to Melton Court (a most +uncertain date, he thought grimly) he would be sure to convey to her his +kind inquiries.</p> + +<p>His worship on this was positively effusive, declared himself devoted to +Scarsdale's interests, and insisted that he and "her ladyship," +indicating Mrs. Allingford—another slip which his companion did not +trouble to correct—must do him the honour of dining with Mrs. Mayor +and himself.</p> + +<p>Scarsdale was now beginning to fear that he was doing it rather too +well, and hastened to excuse "her ladyship" and himself, declaring that +they could not think of trespassing on his worship's hospitality, and +that they would be quite comfortable at the inn, if only the elephant +might be permitted to have his dinner in the square.</p> + +<p>The mayor declared that it was just what he most desired; but would his +lordship kindly indicate of what that meal must consist?</p> + +<p>This was a poser; but Scarsdale plunged recklessly on, for, having once +entered the broad road of deception, there was no turning back, and he +was surprised himself at the facility with which he could romance.</p> + +<p>"That is just the trouble of taking charge of other people's pets," he +said, with shameless indifference to the demands of truth. "I'm sure I +don't know much more about the brute than you do; and as his mahout was +away when we started out, I had to take one of the grooms. What <i>does</i> +Jehoshaphat eat, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Hay, sir—me lud, I mean," answered Tom, falling in with the humour of +the situation.</p> + +<p>"Oh! hay, of course," said Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"How much, your lordship?" queried the mayor.</p> + +<p>"How much? Confound it! how should I know? Do you take me for an +elephant trainer?" A remark which nearly reduced his worship to chaos; +but Scarsdale, relenting, added:</p> + +<p>"Say five or six tons—I don't know."</p> + +<p>"But it is not easy, my lord, to procure such an amount at short +notice," expostulated the official.</p> + +<p>"Oh, then, get him a waggon-load or two as a first course, and we'll +find something else a little later."</p> + +<p>"It shall be procured at once. I—er—trust your lordship will not take +it amiss, since you will not dine with me, if I offer you a glass +of—shall we say champagne?"</p> + +<p>"With pleasure," said Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"And her ladyship?" looking towards the carriage.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Allingford bowed, and the mayor whispered a few words in mine +host's ear.</p> + +<p>Just at that moment, as Scarsdale was drawing his first easy breath, +feeling at last that things were going smoothly, the very worst +<i>contretemps</i> that could possibly happen occurred. Two dusty figures +shambled around the corner of a neighbouring street into the square, and +one of them in a high-pitched voice, that was distinctly heard by every +member of the crowd, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Hi, there! What are you doing with my elephant?"</p> + +<p>Scarsdale swung round to face the newcomers, a premonition of coming +evil strong upon him, though a careful inspection assured him that he +knew them not; yet conviction hang in every note of that challenge.</p> + +<p>They were, in a word, the owner of elephants and the unregenerate Dick.</p> + +<p>From early dawn they had made their way across country, in as straight +a line as possible from Winchester to Salisbury, sometimes on foot and +sometimes in such conveyances as they could hire from place to place; +but ever buoyed up by hope—hope of finding that which was lost; hope of +restoring elephants to their rightful owners; hope of clearing a +brother's name. And here, unexpectedly, they had come upon the object of +their search in the hands of total strangers.</p> + +<p>"Who the devil are you?" cried Scarsdale hotly, scenting danger, and +determined to face the worst at once. "I don't know you."</p> + +<p>"I'm Richard Allingford," said the larger of the two men, pushing +forward till he faced the bewildered Englishman.</p> + +<p>At this point Scarsdale, whose coolness alone could have saved the +situation, lost his head. His temper, which had been severely tried by +the vicissitudes of the day, gave way in the presence of the man whose +escapades had caused him such needless suffering and indignity, and, +regardless of results, he spoke his mind.</p> + +<p>"So you're Richard Allingford, are you? Then allow me to tell you that +you are the prettiest scoundrel that I've run across in a long time! +Curse you! Do you know I've spent two days, this week, in Winchester +jail on your account?"</p> + +<p>A broad grin broke over Richard's face.</p> + +<p>"I guess you must be Scarsdale," he said. "But what in thunder are you +doing with my brother's elephant?"</p> + +<p>"It's mine!" arose the shrill voice of his companion. "I tell you he +stole it from me!"</p> + +<p>This was too much for Mrs. Allingford, and, to make a bad matter worse, +she cried from the carriage:</p> + +<p>"The Consul did not steal the elephant! It is his property, and I'm his +wife!"</p> + +<p>A voice from the crowd chimed in:</p> + +<p>"But 'e said it was 'er ladyship's helephant!"</p> + +<p>The mayor's face was a study in its various shades of suspicion—anger +at being, as he very naturally supposed, duped; and certainty of the +duplicity of all concerned, as the contradictory conversation +continued. And there is no knowing how quickly he might have +precipitated the final catastrophe, if the elephant had not chosen this +opportunity for creating a diversion on his own account, which, for the +time being, distracted every one's thoughts. He had had, it will be +remembered, a very light breakfast, which only served to whet the edge +of his appetite. It therefore took him but a short time to locate the +whereabouts of a lad who, emerging from the inn with an appetising +dinner of bacon and greens arranged in a basket balanced on his head, +stood gaping on the outskirts of the crowd, unmindful of the cooling +viands. Some playful breeze must have wafted the savoury odour of +cabbage to the elephant's nostrils; for suddenly, and without previous +warning, flinging his trunk in the air with a joyous trumpet, he pounded +down the road, nearly unseating his rider, and scattering the crowd to +right and left.</p> + +<p>"Wait for me when you get to Christchurch!" Scarsdale called to Tom as +the latter shot past him, and then joined in the rush which followed +close on the elephant's heels, the mayor and the landlord well to the +fore; while Mrs. Allingford's driver, who was only human, increased the +confusion by whipping up his horses and joining in the chase.</p> + +<p>Ahead of the excited beast and the noisy throng which followed it, +holding on like grim death to his dinner-basket, fled the worse-scared +boy that had ever been seen in that town. Fortunately the chase was of +short duration, for the cubicle of the telegraph-clerk at the railway +station was just ahead, and offered a ready refuge. Into it flew the +lad, dinner and all, and slammed the door, just in time to escape from +the elephant's curling trunk.</p> + +<p>The beast, despoiled of his meal, circled the building trumpeting with +rage, and finally took up a position across the rails, where he stood +guard, prepared to fall upon any one who should venture out.</p> + +<p>All the station attendants and officials were now added to the crowd +which swarmed about the elephant, and the business of the town +practically came to a standstill.</p> + +<p>The station-master only added to the excitement by declaring that a +train for Salisbury was due, and that the line must be cleared; while +the telegraph-clerk announced from an upper storey that wild horses, let +alone elephants, would not drag him forth from the shelter of his +office, and the blubbering of the unfortunate boy made a monotonous +accompaniment to his speech. The mayor blustered, the navvies swore, Tom +addressed floods of unintelligible jargon to the obstinate beast, and, +as a last resort, Scarsdale coaxed and wheedled him in very defective +Hindustani. But it was all useless; not an inch would the elephant +budge, and no one in all that assemblage was clever enough to think of +giving him the telegraph-clerk's dinner.</p> + +<p>In the midst of this confusion, a shrill whistle was heard in the +distance, and some one with a clearer head than the rest cried out to +"set the signals against the train"—a suggestion which was at once +acted upon, and in a moment more the engine drew up, panting, within a +dozen feet of the elephant, who was so intent on the contents of the +cubicle that he never noticed its arrival.</p> + +<p>As a general thing, it is the American tourist who alights from a train +on no provocation, while his English cousin is content to sit quiet, and +leave the affairs of the line in the hands of the company. In this case, +however, some subtle sense of the unusual obstacle seemed to have +communicated itself to the passengers; for no sooner had the engine +halted than heads were thrust out of every window, and the greatest +excitement prevailed.</p> + +<p>"I don't know if Scarsdale and my wife are here," said Allingford, who, +in company with Carrington and Mrs. Scarsdale, occupied one of the +forward carriages, "but there is her ladyship's elephant!"</p> + +<p>"You're right," cried his fair companion, taking his place at the +window. Then, as she caught sight of Scarsdale, she exclaimed "St. +Hubart!" and pushing open the door, jumped out, and fled down the line.</p> + +<p>"By Jove! that's my wife!" exclaimed the Consul, fleeing after her, and +upsetting a porter in his haste.</p> + +<p>From a distance Carrington saw a confused mingling of four persons, and +sighed as he caught himself wondering if he would ever be fool enough to +do that sort of thing in public.</p> + +<p>As he slowly approached them he heard scraps of their conversation.</p> + +<p>"By the way, Allingford," Scarsdale was saying, "I brought you back your +elephant, which it seems you were careless enough, in the hurry of +departure, to leave behind you at Melton Court. I hope you are properly +grateful."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it isn't mine," replied the Consul; "it belongs to her Ladyship."</p> + +<p>"Well, she said it was yours," returned her nephew.</p> + +<p>"Ah, that was merely her excessive amiability," said Allingford.</p> + +<p>"It had not struck me in that light before," replied Scarsdale. "Anyway, +I've brought it back to you, and a nice time I've had of it."</p> + +<p>"Did you pilot it all the way from Melton Court?" queried the Consul.</p> + +<p>"I did," replied the Englishman, "through the main streets of this town; +that is where my Indian training stood me in good stead; but it has +ruined my character—most of the inhabitants look on me with suspicion."</p> + +<p>"Was your holding up of our train intentional?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Scarsdale regretfully, "it wasn't. There are lots of damages +to pay, I assure you."</p> + +<p>"You must settle them with Lady Melton."</p> + +<p>"But what am I to do with the beast?"</p> + +<p>"My dear fellow," returned the Consul, "I've been your wife's devoted +slave for the last two days, and I have restored her safe and sound to +your arms, but I really can't undertake to manage your aunt's elephants +into the bargain."</p> + +<p>"But at least you might advise me."</p> + +<p>"Turn him over to Cassim."</p> + +<p>"To whom?"</p> + +<p>"Why, to his own mahout, the little brown man who is dancing round him +now. I discovered him tearing his hair at Southampton station, where he +was left by mistake yesterday, and brought him along."</p> + +<p>"Then for heaven's sake make him get his beast off the line!" cried +Scarsdale, dragging Allingford up to the native keeper.</p> + +<p>"My lord desireth his mid-day meal, and the sahib of the watch-tower +hath it within," explained that functionary.</p> + +<p>"Tell his lordship that he'll have a great deal better dinner if he will +go back to the square," said Allingford.</p> + +<p>Just what the mahout said to the elephant will never be known, but it +proved convincing: for, with a grunt of dissatisfaction, the beast +consented to retrace his steps.</p> + +<p>"And now that we have settled this little matter," said the Consul, +"there is nothing left for us but to express our unbounded gratitude +to—well, to the elephant for reuniting us all, and start once more on +our honeymoons; for which this train is mighty convenient."</p> + +<p>"I have a word to say about that," cried the mayor. "I'm by no means +satisfied about the ownership of this elephant. I've been given to +understand that it belongs to Lady Melton. Is this so?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the Consul and Mr. and Mrs. Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"No," said Mrs. Allingford, Carrington, Tom, and the original owner, in +one and the same breath.</p> + +<p>"I say, Bob, did you steal it after all?" queried the graceless Richard.</p> + +<p>"I took it in payment of a debt," replied his brother hotly.</p> + +<p>"Only twenty pounds!" groaned the elephant man. "It's as good as a +steal!"</p> + +<p>"And I gave it to Lady Melton," continued the Consul, "in payment for my +board and lodging."</p> + +<p>"And she gave it to me," said Mrs. Allingford.</p> + +<p>"I lost my lord at the place of docks," wailed the mahout.</p> + +<p>"'E 'ired me to ride hit," cried Tom, indicating Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"And what right have you to it, sir?" blustered the mayor, turning to +that gentleman.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"I consider this most unsatisfactory," continued his worship. "I think I +may define the actions of those who have had a hand in this affair +as—ahem!—contradictory and open to question. I shall telegraph Lady +Melton, and pending her reply I must detain you all as suspicious +characters."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>So it came to pass that the nine, gathered together in the chief parlour +of the inn, with a constable on duty, awaited for some hours a response +to the mayor's telegram. It arrived finally, embodied in the person of +Aunt Eliza, who had gone to Melton Court that morning, and was now fresh +from an interview with the mayor, which had resulted in the freedom of +all concerned.</p> + +<p>The old lady looked the couples over through her eye-glasses, and gave +vent to an expressive "Humph!"</p> + +<p>To her niece alone did she deign to express herself more fully, nor did +she scruple to mince her words.</p> + +<p>"Well, Mabel," she remarked, "you ought to be ashamed of yourself. I +gave you a first-class recommendation only two days ago, as being well +fitted to plan and carry out a honeymoon, and look what a mess you've +made of it! Where did you come from last?"</p> + +<p>"From Winchester," replied her niece, "where I was looking for my +husband, who had been arrested for impersonating Mr. Allingford's +brother," and she pointed to Dick, who joined the group on hearing his +name mentioned.</p> + +<p>"What business have you to be holding a public office, with a brother +like that?" Miss Cogbill demanded sternly of the Consul; but noting his +evident discomfiture, she had the grace to add:</p> + +<p>"You're by no means a fool, however, barring your habit of losing +things. That deed of gift you presented to Lady Melton was a clever +stroke of business, and has helped you all out of a bad hole."</p> + +<p>"Have you seen her ladyship? What did she say?" cried the Consul.</p> + +<p>"She said a good deal," replied Aunt Eliza. "Naturally she was pretty +mad, for the beast had done a heap of damage, but she was bound to admit +you weren't to blame for its getting loose, and, as I pointed out to +her, you had a right to pay for your board and lodging if you chose, +though, from the looks of her ramshackle old place, I thought you'd +given more than the accommodation was worth. Besides which there were +grievances and plenty on your side of the question. By her own showing +she hadn't been decently civil to you, and had turned over that monster +to your deserted and defenceless wife, and cast my nephew adrift, and +tried to send my niece home with the butler. Her ladyship saw the +justice of my remarks. She means well, but her training's against her. +When I came to the elephant, though, I struck a snag, for she gave me +to understand that she'd turned it off the place and never wanted to +hear of it again. 'Now, your ladyship,' says I, 'turning an elephant +adrift in the world isn't like casting your bread upon the waters; +you're bound to find it before many days.' And I hadn't more than got +the words out of my mouth when in came that telegram from the mayor, +saying that traffic was blocked on the railway in both directions, and +nine people arrested, all along of that beast. Her ladyship's lawyer," +continued Aunt Eliza, indicating a gentleman of unmistakably legal +appearance who had followed her into the room, "backed me up by pointing +out that the deed of gift was good, and the elephant her property, and +that she'd be obliged to pay for any damage it might do; after which she +climbed down from her ancestral tree quick enough, and was willing to +listen to reason. So here I am, and here is the lawyer; and now, if you +please, we will attend to business."</p> + +<p>This she proceeded to do, and in an amazingly short space of time, with +the authority of the lawyer, had settled the scruples of the mayor; +received a release of indebtedness from the Consul, who willingly +surrendered his papers, declaring that he had had "more than twenty +pounds' worth of fun out of the elephant"; and transferred the documents +to the lawyer, with instructions to sell the beast to the original +consignees at Southampton, and to remit the purchase-money to the +elephant man, less the twenty pounds for damages, which, she added, +"Just cancels his debt to the Consul, making him square on the +transaction."</p> + +<p>The lawyer patted his hands, saying:</p> + +<p>"Very well argued, Miss Cogbill."</p> + +<p>"Lady Melton," said Aunt Eliza, turning to Mr. and Mrs. Scarsdale and +Mr. and Mrs. Allingford, "has authorised me to say, on her behalf, that +she overlooks and regrets the events of the last few days, and wishes +them to be forgotten. In token of which she requests you four to dine +with her, and spend the night at Melton Court; and I may add that +you'll be fools if you don't accept." After which dissent was +impossible.</p> + +<p>"And I want to tell you," said Miss Cogbill, turning to Carrington, +"that you've managed this affair very well; and as I'm in want of a +likely young man as my business agent, if you call on me to-morrow in +town, we'll see if we can't find something more profitable for you to do +than hunting up stray honeymooners."</p> + +<p>"Say!" interjected the graceless Richard, who was far from pleased at +the turn affairs had taken—"Say, where do I come in?"</p> + +<p>"Young man," said Aunt Eliza, turning on him like a flash, "did you buy +a return ticket to America?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but——"</p> + +<p>"Well, then," she interrupted, "you use it, the first chance you get. +And as for you," addressing the two married couples, "the sooner you +start for Melton Court the better; and don't let me hear of your being +lost again."</p> + +<p>"Aren't you coming with us, Miss Cogbill?" asked Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"The lawyer and I," replied that lady, "are the only two responsible +persons in this crowd, and we'll stay right here and look after—Her +Ladyship's Elephant."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>HEINEMANN'S</h2> + +<h2>CHEAPER NOVELS</h2> + +<h3>A LITTLE LIST OF DELIGHTFUL BOOKS TO READ BY</h3> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Sir G. Parker, M.P.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">H. G. Wells</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Jack London</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">E. F. Benson</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">John Galsworthy</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">H. de Vere Stacpoole</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Philip Gibbs</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Joseph Conrad</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Stephen Crane</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Duncan Schwann</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Robert Hichens</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Lloyd Osbourne</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">R. L. Stevenson</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Richard Harding Davis</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">D. D. Wells</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Baroness von Hutten</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Frank Danby</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Elizabeth Robins</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Florence C. Price</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Sybil Spottiswoode</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Mrs. Henry Dudeney</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Justin Huntly McCarthy</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Eleanor Abbott</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Charles Turley</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Flora Annie Steel</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Eleanor Mordaunt</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Mrs. Hodgson Burnett</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">E. L. Voynich</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;">Maxwell Gray</span><br /> +</p> + +<h4><i>On all Bookstalls and of all Booksellers</i></h4> + +<h3>LONDON</h3> + +<h3>WILLIAM HEINEMANN</h3> + +<h3>MCMXII</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><i>HEINEMANN'S 1s NET NOVELS</i></h2> + +<h3>MOLLY MAKE-BELIEVE</h3> + +<h3>By ELEANOR HALLOWEL ABBOTT</h3> + +<h3>A <span class="u">New</span> Novel</h3> + +<p>Was that boy a fool? Or did he behave a trifle imprudently in trying +circumstances? It is difficult to say till you know Molly, who is +described by the press as "one of the most lovable, fascinating and +wholly adorable little heroines whose acquaintance any man has made for +years." One thing is certain, no sooner do you make Molly's acquaintance +than you introduce her to all your friends.</p> + +<h3>THE WEAVERS</h3> + +<h3>By Sir GILBERT PARKER</h3> + +<h3>Author of "The Ladder of Swords," etc.</h3> + +<p>Sir Gilbert Parker is one of our finest romance writers of the present +day. This is a story of Egypt—full of rich colour, brilliant flowing +descriptions. It has the flavour of the Desert, the Nile and the +indefinable sense of immortality that belongs to the land of the +Pharaohs.</p> + +<h3>TOTO</h3> + +<h3>By H. DE VERE STACPOOLE</h3> + +<h3>Author of "The Blue Lagoon," etc.</h3> + +<p>Written with that <i>verve</i> and wonderfully infectious humour which is +characteristic of this author. <span class="smcap">The Outlook</span> says: "That rare and +delightful thing, a French novel written in English."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3>THREE BOOKS</h3> + +<h3>By BARONESS VON HUTTEN</h3> + +<h3>PAM</h3> + +<p>Pam is a "classic" before her time so to speak. People are compared to +"Pam"; so to their disadvantage are most girl heroines of the novels. +She is inimitable, by herself, and oh! so wholly charming!</p> + +<h3>WHAT BECAME OF PAM</h3> + +<p>"Whether we have or have not read 'Pam,' we shall certainly find 'What +became of Pam' interesting."—<span class="smcap">Daily Telegraph</span>.</p> + +<h3>OUR LADY OF THE BEECHES</h3> + +<p>Balzac says "The dramas of life do not lie in the circumstances +surrounding—they lie in the heart.' This is a drama of the heart.</p> + +<p>"This tender idyll ... we can only recommend our readers to buy and read +it for themselves."—<span class="smcap">Daily Mail</span>.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3>THE ADVENTURER</h3> + +<h3>By LLOYD OSBOURNE</h3> + +<p>"Crowded with thrilling incident the narrative races along. The book can +be recommended to all who enjoy a tale of pure adventure."—<span class="smcap">Times</span>.</p> + +<h3>BACCARAT</h3> + +<h3>By FRANK DANBY</h3> + +<h3>Author of "Pigs in Clover," etc.</h3> + +<p>This brilliant caustic writer here gives one of her vividest pictures of +a certain clique in society. She wields no timid pen and does not +hesitate to catch them <i>in flagrante delicto</i>. Yet the book is no +"preachment" from a self-assumed pulpit, it is a novel simply.</p> + +<h3>THE COUNTRY HOUSE</h3> + +<h3>By JOHN GALSWORTHY</h3> + +<h3>Author of "A Man of Property," etc.</h3> + +<p>This problem of the country family, the county family, is such that it +concerns every one of us vitally. What they had to solve we have to +solve. And it is Mr. Galsworthy's strong point that he never fails to +give us a new vision, nor to hold our interest intent throughout. It is +an inspiring work.</p> + +<h3>LORD KENTWELL'S LOVE AFFAIR</h3> + +<h3>By FLORENCE C. PRICE</h3> + +<p>A good story of London society and of political society. Lord Kentwell +and his sisters provide a most spirited picture, and there is besides a +background of big happenings very cleverly drawn.</p> + +<h3>THE SEA WOLF</h3> + +<h3>By JACK LONDON</h3> + +<h3>Author of "The Call of the Wild."</h3> + +<p>A gruesome, thrilling story of the sea. Mr. London brings always the +breath of big spaces, the tenseness of great actions and the flesh and +blood of real life, of adventures really lived, into his books. As a +story, apart from anything else, it is probably as good a book as Mr. +London has ever written.</p> + +<h3>THE NIGGER OF THE "NARCISSUS"</h3> + +<h3>By JOSEPH CONRAD</h3> + +<h3>Author of "Typhoon," etc.</h3> + +<p>Mr. Conrad is a writer to whom the public instinctively turn nowadays +for an exciting, closely analysed study of men. The <span class="smcap">Daily Chronicle</span> +says: "It is written by a man who knows every phase of the sea ... and +it is written by a man who can write."</p> + +<h3>THE MAGNETIC NORTH</h3> + +<h3>By ELIZABETH ROBINS</h3> + +<h3>Author of "Come and Find Me," etc.</h3> + +<h3>A story of the ever-calling North.</h3> + +<p>"It is all so excellently written, so vividly realised, so picturesquely +put before the reader that it would be impossible not to be attracted."—<span class="smcap">Westminster +Gazette</span>. +</p> + +<h3>TWO NOVELS by E. F. BENSON</h3> + +<h3>Author of "Sheaves," etc. etc.</h3> + +<h3>THE BLOTTING BOOK</h3> + +<p>A murder story, most ingeniously worked out. Mr. Benson carries the +reader along full speed to a truly dramatic ending.</p> + +<h3>THE BABE B.A.</h3> + +<p>A very differed story from the "Blotting Book." It is a light, highly +entertaining account of Cambridge undergraduate life which already ranks +with "Verdant Green" among University classics.</p> + +<h3>TWO NOVELS</h3> + +<h3>By Mrs. HENRY DUDENEY</h3> + +<h3>THE MATERNITY OF HARRIET WICKEN</h3> + +<p>A picture in low tones, but of whole-hearted conviction and quiet +sympathetic appeal. Mrs. Dudeney has realised to perfection the +work-a-day world and its stories.</p> + +<h3>THE ORCHARD THIEF</h3> + +<p>A charming country tale with, in particular, one great scene of striking +dramatic force. The contrast of this author's power to charm and to +impress as she wills, is markedly shown in this capital book.</p> + +<h3>THE TIME MACHINE</h3> + +<h3>By H. G. WELLS</h3> + +<h3>Author of "The War of the Worlds," "Kips," etc.</h3> + +<p>You pull certain levers, having seated yourself in the saddle, and you +are conveyed either backwards or forwards. When Mr. Wells is in the +saddle it is easy to see how highly pleasurable the adventures will be. +This clever idea has given Mr. Wells opportunity for full play of his +philosophic views.</p> + +<h3>IF I WERE KING</h3> + +<h3>By JUSTIN HUNTLY MCCARTHY</h3> + +<p>A mediaeval romance of love and chivalry in which the poet Francois +Villon plays the leading part. It has drama, this story, and it seizes +the imagination.</p> + +<h3>MARCIA IN GERMANY</h3> + +<h3>By SYBIL SPOTTISWOODE</h3> + +<h3>Author of "Hedwig in England," etc.</h3> + +<p>Marcia is a bright, pleasant English girl, who goes to stay with her +German relations. As others before she finds it difficult to grasp a +different point of view, a different civilisation. The result is +amusingly set forth by this author, whose dialogue is always good.</p> + +<h3>GODFREY MARTIN: School Boy</h3> + +<h3>By CHARLES TURLEY</h3> + +<p>One of the very best of boys' books. It is one of the rarest of all rare +things—a thoroughly sensible school story. The boys are human, neither +saints nor super-sinners, and the masters for once behave in a totally +reasonable way. And that doesn't prevent it being a rattling good story.</p> + +<h3>THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE</h3> + +<h3>By STEPHEN CRANE</h3> + +<h3>Author of "The Open Boat," etc.</h3> + +<p>The thunders of war, the life of regiments, the soul of humanity in +stress and dangers, its qualities and shortcomings are all written on +the pages of this thrilling and absorbing book. From the first paragraph +our enthusiasm is gained and is not let go till the last.</p> + +<p>"Simply unapproached in intimate knowledge and sustained imaginative +strength."—<span class="smcap">Sat. Review</span>.</p> + +<h3>The STREET of ADVENTURE</h3> + +<h3>By PHILIP GIBBS</h3> + +<p>The "Street" is Fleet Street of course, for in what other are so many +adventures to be found. The <span class="smcap">Evening Standard</span> says: "It has the quality +of big work.... The book positively pants with life."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><i>HEINEMANN'S 2s NET NOVELS</i></h2> + +<h3>THE SHUTTLE</h3> + +<h3>By MRS. HODGSON BURNETT</h3> + +<h3>Author of "Little Lord Fauntleroy," "The Secret Garden," etc.</h3> + +<p>"Takes its place at once and without dispute among the greater permanent +works of fiction. Breadth and sanity of outlook, absolute mastery of +human character and life, bigness of story interest, place Mrs. Hodgson +Burnett's new book alongside the best work of George Eliot.... The +dignity and strength of a great novel such as this put to the blush all +but a very few living English storytellers."—<span class="smcap">Pall Mall Gazette</span>.</p> + +<p>"A remarkable novel, for it is written with a sincerity and glow and +power which bear the reader restlessly along the strange current of +events that the writer sets herself to describe."—<span class="smcap">Standard</span>.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Burnett has the gift of a narrator to a high degree, and in spite +of its faults, her latest novel makes a highly readable story."—<span class="smcap">Daily +Mail</span>.</p> + +<p>"A novel of the highest rank."—<span class="smcap">Daily Graphic</span>.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Burnett is a past-master in drawing her own countrywomen, and Betty +is a dazzling vision of youthful charm combined with business-like +competence."—<span class="smcap">The Queen</span>.</p> + +<p>"The story is rich and spacious; it illustrates human nature, both +British and American, in a simple and massive way, and paints both in +the primary colours."—<span class="smcap">Westminster Gazette</span>.</p> + +<h3>BELLA DONNA</h3> + +<h3>By ROBERT HICHENS</h3> + +<h3>Author of "The Londoners," "Flames," "An Imaginative Man," etc.</h3> + +<p>This is the excellent novel on which the excellent play of the same +title is founded. It is a book full of weird, haunting scenes of passion +in the desert, full of the strange sinister fatalism of Eastern minds.</p> + +<p>"This is one of the best novels that we have ever read, and quite the +best that Mr. Robert Hichens has written. It combines the two elements +of which every good novel ought to be composed, subtle analysis of +character and an exciting plot.... We will not spoil the reading of this +book by sketching the thrilling plot, which is enacted on the Nile and +its banks. Needless to say, the Egyptian scenery and servants are +described by Mr. Hichens with affectionate familiarity."—<span class="smcap">Saturday +Review</span>.</p> + +<p>"It is admirable drama. It lives with a present life, and moves swiftly. +Some of the situations are intensely thrilling; the dialogue is firm and +easy; the whole treatment forcible without theatricalism.... Our +attention is fixed at the start, and kept to the end, on a duel between +Isaacson and Bella Donna. It is magnificent ... there can be no denying +it is a very fine novel."—<span class="smcap">The Evening Standard and St. James's Gazette</span>.</p> + +<p>"It is particularly interesting; its characters are drawn with +particular care and splendid skill.... 'Bella Donna' is a fine study of +a woman of passion; remorseless in its truth, fascinating in its +unmasking of the hidden springs of selfish desire."—<span class="smcap">The Globe</span>.</p> + +<h3>THE BOOK OF A BACHELOR</h3> + +<h3>By DUNCAN SCHWANN</h3> + +<h3>Author of "The Magic of the Hill"</h3> + +<p>Mr. Duncan Schwann has recently been acclaimed as one of the four great +humourists in England at the present time. This "Book of a Bachelor" is +delightful reading of a light kind, but it carries weight also, for Mr. +Schwann has picked out the little feeblenesses and frailty of this world +as a background to his airy frivolity.</p> + +<p>"A picturesque romance of modern life is this story by Duncan +Schwann.... There is, indeed, a good deal of cleverness in the +book."—<span class="smcap">Westminster Gazette</span>.</p> + +<p>"... Is decidedly entertaining. Mr. Schwann is an admirable journalist +who has already given proof of his power, but he has done nothing so +good as this ... which is intelligent, humorous, and on the side of the +angels."—<span class="smcap">British Weekly</span>.</p> + +<p>"There is knowledge of the world and some mild philosophy to be found in +this pleasant romance of modern life."—<span class="smcap">Globe</span>.</p> + +<h3>A SHIP OF SOLACE</h3> + +<h3>By ELEANOR MORDAUNT</h3> + +<h3>Author of "The Garden of Contentment"</h3> + +<p>"The Garden of Contentment," those charming letters to Mr. Nobody, has +never ceased to sell from the moment it was published. The same may be +said of "A Ship of Solace," which is filled with the breath of the sea, +and the pleasing state of mind of complete idleness. It is a book for +quiet hours, to which one can turn with pleasurable anticipation of +repose and refreshment.</p> + +<p>"Readers who like the scent of real sea air will revel in this truly +delightful book."—<span class="smcap">Daily Telegraph</span>.</p> + +<h3>THE GIFT OF THE GODS</h3> + +<h3>By FLORA ANNIE STEEL</h3> + +<p>Author of "On the Face of the Waters," "The Potter's Thumb," "From the +Five Rivers," etc. etc.</p> + +<p>"She has that gift, rare now among novelists, of being interested, first +of all, in the story she has to tell. She is herself so strongly +interested that her readers are carried along with her and share in her +vitality and freshness."—<span class="smcap">Standard</span>.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Steel gives us one admirably dramatic scene,—the death of an old +woman from shock at a sudden disillusion while on her way to the +Communion Table.... The squalid and starveling lot of crofters living on +barren soil in or towards the last decade of the 19th century is well +depicted."—<span class="smcap">Athenæum</span>.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE NOVELS OF</h2> + +<h2>E. F. BENSON</h2> + +<h4>Uniform Edition. Crown 8vo. With coloured</h4> + +<h4>Frontispiece and Wrapper. Each vol. 2s net</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3>DODO</h3> + +<p>"The readers of Mr. Benson's book will delight in this story. It is full +of interest and cleverness."—<i>Pall Mall Gazette.</i></p> + +<h3>THE VINTAGE</h3> + +<p>"We would recommend this to our readers. It has vivid characters staged +cleverly and a subtle charm which make the work thoroughly +enjoyable."—<i>British Weekly.</i></p> + +<h3>MAMMON & CO.</h3> + +<p>"Bright, witty dialogues and gay fascinating scenes. Full of humorous +sayings and witty things."—<i>Daily Telegraph.</i></p> + +<h3>THE LUCK OF THE VAILS</h3> + +<p>"This is a really thrilling and exciting tale of crime and mystery. It +is readable all through and full of entertainment."—<i>Times.</i></p> + +<h3>SCARLET AND HYSSOP</h3> + +<p>"Must be accounted a really brilliant piece of work, unsurpassed by +anything Mr Benson has given us."—<i>Pall Mall Gazette.</i></p> + +<h3>THE BOOK OF MONTHS & A REAPING</h3> + +<p>"The Bock of Months' is full of charm—real, persuasive, penetrating +charm—there rings the sincerity of real feeling and purpose."—<i>Daily +Chronicle.</i></p> + +<h3>THE CHALLONERS</h3> + +<p>"'The Challoners' must be pronounced not only the best book he has given +us but one of the best novels."—<i>Daily Mail.</i></p> + +<h3>THE ANGEL OF PAIN</h3> + +<p>"An admirably constructed story, brilliant character sketches, flashes +of good talk—a remarkably clever book."—<i>Guardian.</i></p> + +<h3>THE IMAGE OF THE SAND</h3> + +<p>"Even the sceptic must admit the grim power of the book."—<i>Bookman.</i></p> + +<h3>PAUL</h3> + +<p>"Mr. Benson at his gayest and best. Nothing could be more natural or +more amusing than most of the dialogue—full of admirable portraiture +and an abundance both of humour and humanity."—<i>Outlook.</i></p> + +<h3>SHEAVES</h3> + +<p>"Brilliant, clever, full of wise observations and sage +counsels."—<i>Standard.</i></p> + +<h3>THE CLIMBER</h3> + +<p>"His story is written with striking effect, and the author's wonderful +power of observation is to be found in almost every page."—<i>World.</i></p> + +<h3>JUGGERNAUT</h3> + +<p>"Delightful in its literary brightness and charm, it is also full of +exquisite and appealing humanity ... a fine achievement."—<i>Liverpool +Mercury.</i></p> + +<h3>ACCOUNT RENDERED</h3> + +<p>"This is an admirably written study of English modern life. Lovers of +Mr. Benson's work will be charmed with his latest novel."—<i>T.P.'s +Weekly.</i></p> + +<h3>THE OSBORNES</h3> + +<p>"As human and sincere as anything in 'Sheaves' or the 'Challoners.' A +charming story."—<i>Observer.</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><i>HEINEMANN'S 7d NET NOVELS</i></h2> + +<h3>THE BONDMAN</h3> + +<h3>By HALL CAINE</h3> + +<p>"Mr. Hall Caine has in this work placed himself beyond the front rank of +the novelists of the day. He has produced a story which is distinctly +ahead of all the fictional literature of our time, and fit to rank with +the most powerful fictional writing of the past century."—<span class="smcap">The Scotsman</span>.</p> + +<h3>THE SCAPEGOAT</h3> + +<h3>By HALL CAINE</h3> + +<p>"There are passages in 'The Scapegoat' which entitle Mr. Hall Caine to a +high place amongst contemporary writers of fiction."—<span class="smcap">Daily Chronicle</span>.</p> + +<h3>THE EBB-TIDE</h3> + +<h3>By R. L. STEVENSON (In conjunction with LLOYD-OSBOURNE)</h3> + +<p>"The master storyteller is apparent to the reader of this book. It is +full of freshness, incident and character. It is a splendid +tale."—<span class="smcap">Guardian</span>.</p> + +<h3>THE CALL OF THE WILD</h3> + +<h3>By JACK LONDON</h3> + +<p>"It is impossible not to recognise the skill with which Mr. London +follows out point by point the training of a sledge dog. 'The Call of +the Wild' is a very remarkable book."—<span class="smcap">Daily Telegraph</span>.</p> + +<h3>THE WAR OF THE WORLDS</h3> + +<h3>By H. G. WELLS</h3> + +<p>"Original and ingenious romance which attests strongly the variety and +fertility of Mr. Wells' imagination."—<span class="smcap">Daily Chronicle</span>.</p> + +<h3>FLAMES</h3> + +<h3>By ROBERT HICHENS</h3> + +<p>"The picturesque charm of Mr. Hichens' style and his indisputable +command of the weird and mysterious will hold attention fixed from the +first chapter of this powerful story to the last."—<span class="smcap">Graphic</span>.</p> + +<h3>THE GADFLY</h3> + +<h3>By E. L. VOYNICH</h3> + +<p>"It is more interesting and rich in promise than ninety-nine out of +every hundred novels that pass through the reviewer's hand."—<span class="smcap">Academy</span>.</p> + +<h3>SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE</h3> + +<h3>By RICHARD HARDING DAVIS</h3> + +<p>"Mr. Davis has the dramatic gift—he carries you along with him. One +need not wish for a better story of action than this."—<span class="smcap">Academy</span>.</p> + +<h3>THE LAST SENTENCE</h3> + +<h3>By MAXWELL GRAY</h3> + +<p>"Any reader who wants an absorbing story, full of cleverness and +excitement, should read this book."—<span class="smcap">Daily News</span>.</p> + +<h3>HER LADYSHIP'S ELEPHANT</h3> + +<h3>By D. D. WELLS</h3> + +<p>"It is an admirable piece of humour with not a dull page in it from +beginning to end."—<span class="smcap">Athenæum</span>.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h2>London: WILLIAM HEINEMANN, 21 Bedford St., W.C.</h2> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Her Ladyship's Elephant, by David Dwight Wells + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HER LADYSHIP'S ELEPHANT *** + +***** This file should be named 28149-h.htm or 28149-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/1/4/28149/ + +Produced by Annie McGuire, from scans obtained from Google +Print project. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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: Her Ladyship's Elephant + +Author: David Dwight Wells + +Release Date: February 21, 2009 [EBook #28149] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HER LADYSHIP'S ELEPHANT *** + + + + +Produced by Annie McGuire, from scans obtained from Google +Print project. + + + + + + + + + + + +Her Ladyship's + +Elephant + + +By + +D. D. Wells + + +London +William Heinemann +1912 + + +FIRST EDITION, 3s. 6d., _May +1898_. NEW IMPRESSIONS, _August +1898_; _November 1899_; _September +1905_. HEINEMANN'S SEVENPENNY +NOVELS, _July 1912_. + + +[Illustration: "He sat down hurriedly on the breakfast table"] + + + + +HEINEMANN'S + +Sevenpenny Novels + + +By Hall Caine + + The Bondman + The Scapegoat + +By R. L. Stevenson + + The Ebb-Tide + (With LLOYD OSBOURNE) + +By Jack London + + The Call of the Wild + +By H. G. Wells + + The War of the Worlds + +By Robert S. Hichens + + Flames + +By R. Harding Davis + + Soldiers of Fortune + +By E. L. Voynich + + The Gadfly + +By Maxwell Gray + + The Last Sentence + +By D. D. Wells + + Her Ladyship's Elephant + + + + +_A WORD TO THE WISE_ + + +_A well-known English novelist once told me that of all his published +works--and their name is legion--one only had been founded on fact, and +that one his critics united in condemning as impossible and unnatural. +In the case of my own little book, I venture to forestall such criticism +by stating that while the characters which appear in its pages are at +the most only composite photographs, the one "impossible" and +"unnatural" figure, the elephant, had his foundation in actual fact; and +the history of its acquirement by the Consul, as hereinafter set forth, +is the truthful narration of an actual experience, one of many episodes, +stranger than fiction, which went to form the warp and woof of my +diplomatic experience._ + + _DAVID DWIGHT WELLS._ + + + + +CHAPTER I + +IN WHICH THE SAME QUESTION IS ANSWERED IN TWO WAYS + + +Harold Stanley Malcolm St. Hubart Scarsdale, Esq., of "The Towers," +Sussex, sat uncomfortably on a very comfortable chair. His +patent-leather boots were manifestly new, his trousers fresh from the +presser, his waistcoat immaculate, while his frock coat with its white +gardenia, and his delicate grey suede gloves, completed an admirable +toilet. He was, in short, got up for the occasion, a thoroughly healthy, +muscular, well-groomed animal; good-natured too, fond in his big-hearted +boyish way of most other animals, and enough of a sportsman to find no +pleasure in winging tame or driven grouse and pheasants. He was +possessed, moreover, of sufficient brains to pass with credit an +examination which gave him a post in the War Office, and had recently +become, owing to the interposition of Providence and a restive mare, the +eldest son. + +In spite of all this, he was very much out of his depth as he sat there; +for he was face to face with a crisis in his life, and that crisis was +embodied in a woman. And such a woman!--quite unlike anything his +conservative British brain had ever seen or imagined before the present +London season: a mixture of Parisian daintiness and coquetry, nicely +tempered by Anglo-Saxon breeding and common sense--in a word, an +American. + +He had come to propose to her, or rather she had sent for him, to what +end he hardly knew. Of this only was he certain, that she had turned his +world topsy-turvy; cast down his conventional gods; admired him for what +he considered his fallings-off from the established order of things; +laughed at his great coups; cared not a whit for his most valued +possessions; and become, in short, the most incomprehensible, +bewitching, lovable woman on earth. + +He had talked to her about the weather, the opera, the Court Ball, and +now--now he must speak to her of his love, unless, blessed reprieve! she +spoke first--which she did. + +"Now, Mr. Scarsdale," she remarked, "I have not sent for you to talk +amiable society nonsense: I want an explanation." + +"Yes, Miss Vernon," he replied, nerving himself for the ordeal. + +"Why did you propose to Aunt Eliza at the Andersons' crush last night?" + +"Because----" he faltered. "Well, really, you see she is your only +relative in England--your chaperon--and it is customary here to address +offers of marriage to the head of the family." + +"I really don't see why you want to marry her," continued his tormentor. +"She is over sixty. Oh, you needn't be shocked; Aunt Eliza is not +sensitive about her age, and it is well to look these things fairly in +the face. You can't honestly call her handsome, though she is a dear +good old soul, but, I fear, too inured to Chicago to assimilate readily +with English society. Of course her private means are enormous----" + +"Good heavens! Miss Vernon," he exclaimed, "there has been some dreadful +mistake! I entertain the highest respect for your aunt, Miss Cogbill, +but I don't wish to marry her; I wish to marry--somebody else----" + +"Really! Why don't you propose to Miss Somebody Else in person, then?" + +"It is usual----" he began, but she cut him short, exclaiming: + +"Oh, bother! Excuse me, I didn't mean to be rude, but really, you know, +any girl who was old enough to marry would be quite capable of giving +you your--answer." The last word, after a pause for consideration, was +accompanied by a bewitching, if ambiguous, smile. + +"I--I hope you are not offended," he floundered on, in desperate straits +by this time. + +"Oh dear, no," she returned serenely, "I'm only grieved for Aunt Eliza. +You shouldn't have done it, really; it must have upset her dreadfully; +she's too old for that sort of thing. Do tell me what she said to you." + +"She said I must propose on my own account," he blurted out, "and that +she could not pretend to advise me." + +"Clever Aunt Eliza!" murmured Miss Vernon. + +"So you see," continued her lover, determined to have it over and know +the worst, "I came to you." + +"For more advice?" she queried, and, receiving no answer, continued +demurely: "Of course I haven't the remotest idea whom you mean to +honour, but it does seem to me that the wives of Englishmen allow +themselves to be treated shamefully, and I once made out a list of +objections which I always said I would present to any Englishman who +proposed to me. Of course," she hastened to add, "you will probably +marry an English girl, who won't mind." + +"I haven't said so!" he interjected. + +"No," she said meditatively, "you haven't. I'll tell you what they are +if you wish." + +"Do," he begged. + +"Well, in the first place," she continued, "I should refuse to be a +'chattel.'" + +"Oh I say----" he began. But she went on, unheeding his expostulation: + +"Then my husband couldn't beat me, not even once, though the law allows +it." + +"What do you take us for?" he exclaimed. + +"Then," she proceeded, "he would have to love me better than his horses +and his dogs." + +"Oh I say! Mabel," he burst out, teased beyond all limits of endurance, +"don't chaff me; I'm awfully in earnest, you know, and if you will +accept what little I have to offer--three thousand a year, and 'The +Towers,' now poor Bob's gone----" He paused, but she made no answer, +only he noticed that all of a sudden she had become very serious. + +"Lady Mary, my mother, you know, would of course leave the place to you +at once, but there's no title; my father was only a knight. I'm +sorry----" + +"Oh," she replied, "I wouldn't have married you if you had had one; +quite enough of my countrywomen have made fools of themselves on that +account." + +"Then you will marry me!" he cried, and sprang towards her. + +She saw her slip and tried to correct it. + +"I haven't said----" she began, but the sentence was never finished; for +Harold Stanley Malcolm St. Hubart Scarsdale, of "The Towers," Sussex, +closed the argument and the lips of Miss Mabel Vernon, of Chicago, +Illinois, U.S.A., at one and the same time. + + * * * * * + +Robert Allingford, United States Consul at Christchurch, England, and +Marion, youngest daughter of Sir Peter and Lady Steele, were seated on +the balcony of the Hyde Park Club one hot afternoon. Everybody had gone +down to the races at Goodwood, and the season was drawing its last gasp. +The "Row," which they overlooked, was almost deserted, save for an +occasional depressed brougham, while the stretches of the Park beyond +were given over to nursemaids and their attendant "Tommies" and +"Bobbies." + +Mamma was there, of course. One must be conventional in London, even in +July; but she was talking to the other man, Jack Carrington, who had +been invited especially for that purpose, and was doing his duty nobly. + +The afternoon tea had been cleared away, and the balcony was deserted. +In another week Marion would go into the country, and he would return to +his consulate. He might never have such another chance. Opportunities +for a proposal are so rare in London that it does not do to miss them. A +ball affords almost the only opening, and when one remembers the offers +to which one has been a third party, on the other side of a thin paper +screen--well, it makes a man cautious. + +Robert Allingford had planned and worked up this tea with patience and +success. Jack was to be best man, in consideration of his devotion to +mamma--provided, of course, that the services of a best man should be +required. On this point Allingford was doubtful. He was sure that Lady +Steele understood; he knew that Sir Peter had smiled on him indulgently +for the past fortnight; his friends chaffed him about it openly at +dinners and at the club; but Marion--he was very far from certain if she +comprehended the state of affairs in the slightest degree. + +He had given her river-parties, box-parties, dinners, flowers, candy--in +short, paid her every possible attention; but then she expected +Americans to do so; it was "just their way," and "didn't mean anything." + +He greatly feared that his proposal would be a shock to her, and English +girls, he had been told, did not like shocks. He wondered if it would +have been better to ask Lady Steele for her daughter's hand, but this he +felt was beyond him. Proposing was bad enough anyway, but to attempt a +declaration in cold blood--he simply couldn't. Moreover he felt that it +must be now or never. Jack had been giving him the field for five +minutes already, and he had not even made a beginning. He would go in +and get it over. + +"You are leaving town next week," he said. "I shall miss you." + +"You have been very good to me," she replied simply. + +"Good to myself, you mean. It is the greatest pleasure I have in life to +give you pleasure, Marion." + +"Mr. Allingford!" she said, half rising. He had used her Christian name +for the first time. + +"Forgive me if I call you Marion," he went on, noting with relief that +her ladyship was talking charity bazaar to Jack, and so assuring him +from interruption. + +"I mean, give me the right to do so. You see I'm awfully in love with +you; I can't help loving the sweetest girl I know. You must have seen +how I cared." + +"Lately, yes--I have suspected it," she answered in a low voice. + +"Do you mind? I can't help it if you do. I'll love you anyway, but I +want you to be my wife, to care for me just a little; I don't ask +more." + +"I think you must speak to mamma." + +"But I don't wish--I mean, can't you give me something to go on--some +assurance?" + +She blushed and looked down, repeating the phrase, "I think you must +speak to mamma." + +"Is that equivalent----" he began; then he saw that it was, and added, +"My darling!" + +Her head sank lower, he had her hand in a moment, and wondered if he +might venture to kiss her, screened as they both were by her sunshade, +but hesitated to do so because of the ominous silence at the other end +of the balcony. + +"If you have nothing better to do this evening," said Lady Steele's +voice to him, "come to us. Sir Peter and I are dining at home, and if +you will partake of a family dinner with us we shall be delighted." + +He bowed his acceptance. + +"Come, Marion," her ladyship continued. "We have spent a charming +afternoon, Mr. Allingford, thanks to your hospitality. We are at home on +Thursdays after September; Mr. Carrington, you must come and hear more +about my bazaar." And they were gone. + +Jack stepped to the bell. "Well, Bob," he said to Allingford, "is it +brandy and soda or champagne?" + +"Champagne," replied that gentleman. + +"Then," remarked Carrington, after ordering a bottle of '80 +"Perrier"--"then, Bob, my boy, let me congratulate you." + +"I think I deserve it," he replied, as he wrung his friend's hand; "for +I believe I have won for my wife the most charming girl in London." + +"I am awfully glad for you," said Carrington, "and I consider her a very +lucky young woman." + +"I don't know about that," returned Allingford, "and I'm sure I don't +see what she can find to care for in me. Why, we hardly know each other. +I've only met her in public, and not over a couple of dozen times at +that." + +"Oh, you will find it much more fun becoming acquainted after you are +engaged. Our English conventions are beautifully Chinese in some +respects." + +Allingford laughed, saying: "I don't know that I'm going to be engaged. +I can't imagine why her family should approve of the match; I haven't a +title and never can have, and I'm only in consular service. Now if I had +been a diplomat----" + +"My dear fellow," said Carrington, "you seem to forget that you have a +few dozen copper-mines at your disposal, and a larger income than you +can conveniently spend. Her people haven't forgotten it, however, as +I'll venture to prophesy that you'll find out before to-morrow morning. +As for your being an American and a Consul, that doesn't count. Just +make the settlements sufficiently large, and as long as you don't eat +with your knife or drink out of your finger-bowl they will pardon the +rest as amiable eccentricities." + +"You are a cynic, Carrington, and I don't believe it," said Allingford, +rising to go. "Anyway, what do you know about marriage?" + +"Nothing, and I am not likely to," rejoined his friend, "but I've lived +in London." + +The dinner that night at Belgrave Square did not serve to put the Consul +at his ease. True, he sat by Marion, but no word was spoken of what had +passed that afternoon, and he could not help feeling that he was in an +anomalous position. He had on his company manners, and was not at his +best in consequence. He felt he was being watched and would be +criticised in the drawing-room after dinner, which made him nervous. Sir +Peter had several married daughters, one of whom was present, and +Allingford wondered how their husbands had behaved under similar +circumstances. He gave Lady Steele, at whose right he sat, ample +opportunity to question him concerning his family history and future +plans and prospects--a chance of which she was not slow to avail +herself. + +When the ladies had departed and had left the two gentlemen to their +coffee and cigars, Sir Peter lost no time in opening the question, and +said, somewhat bluntly: + +"So I hear that you wish to marry my daughter." + +The Consul signified that such was the case. + +"I'm sure I don't know why," resumed her father, with true British +candour. "I become so used to my children that I sometimes wonder what +other people can see in them. Marion is a good little girl, however, +I'll say that for her--a good little girl and not extravagant." + +Sir Peter's manner was reassuring, and Allingford hastened to say that +he was sensible of the great honour Miss Steele had done him in +considering his suit, and that he should strive to prove himself worthy +of her. + +"I don't doubt it, my dear fellow, I don't doubt it." And the baronet +paused, smiling so amiably that the Consul was disconcerted, and began +to fear an unpleasant surprise. + +"I trust," he returned, "that you are not averse to me as a son-in-law?" + +"Personally much the reverse; but I always ask the man who comes to me +as you have done one question, and on his answer I base my approval or +disapproval of his suit." + +"And that question is?" + +"Can you support a wife, Mr. Allingford?" + +"As a gentleman I could not have asked her hand if such were not the +case." + +"Ah," replied Sir Peter, "that is quite right." + +"As for my position----" continued the young man. + +"You hold a public office in the service of your country. I consider +that sufficient guarantee of your position, both moral and social." + +Allingford, who knew something of American practical politics, thought +this by no means followed, but forbore to say so, and Sir Peter +continued: + +"Have you any family?" + +"No relations in the world except my younger brother, Dick, who manages +the property at home, while I play at politics abroad." + +"I see," said his host. "One question more and I have done. I dislike +talking business after dinner--it should be left to the lawyers; but, +seeing that you are an American and do not understand such things, I +thought----" + +The Consul stopped him by a gesture. "You are referring to the +settlements, Sir Peter," he said. "Set your mind at rest on that score. +I'll do the proper thing." + +"Of course, my dear fellow, of course; I don't doubt that for a moment. +But--er--you won't think me mercenary if I ask you to be--in short--more +definite. I speak most disinterestedly, purely out of consideration for +my daughter's future." + +Allingford frowned slightly as Carrington's prophecy came back to him. +His prospective father-in-law was quite within his rights in speaking as +he did, but why couldn't he have left it at least till to-morrow? + +"Would a copper-mine do?" he said, looking up. "I'd give her a +copper-mine." + +"Really, I don't know what to say," replied Sir Peter, in some +perplexity. "I'm quite ignorant of such matters. Are--er--copper-mines +valuable?" + +"The one I'm thinking of has been worth a quarter of a million since it +started, and we have only begun to work it," replied the Consul. + +"Bless my soul!" ejaculated his host. "You don't say so! Do you go in +much for that sort of thing?" + +"Yes, I've quite a number." + +"Dear me!" said Sir Peter dreamily, "a quarter of a million." Then +waking up he added: "But I'm forgetting the time. My dear +Allingford--er--your Christian name escapes me." + +"Robert, Sir Peter." + +"Thanks. I was going to say, my dear Robert, that you must go upstairs +and see mamma." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +IN WHICH THE CONSUL LOSES A RELATIVE AND GAINS A WIFE + + +When Robert Allingford entered the smoking-room of his club, one +afternoon early in October, he was genuinely glad to find that it had +but one occupant, and that he was Harold Scarsdale. The two men had met +each other for the first time at a house-party some eighteen months +before, and their acquaintance had ripened into true friendship. + +"Hello!" he cried, accosting that gentleman. "You're enjoying to the +full your last hours of bachelor bliss, I see." + +"Speak for yourself," replied Scarsdale, who looked extremely bored. +"You're also on the dizzy brink." + +"It's a fact," admitted the Consul; "we are both to be married +to-morrow. But that is all the more reason why we should make the most +of our remaining freedom. You look as glum as if you'd lost your last +friend. Come, cheer up, and have something to drink." + +"They say," remarked the Englishman as he acquiesced in the Consul's +suggestion, "that a man only needs to be married to find out of how +little importance he really is; but I've been anticipating my fate. Miss +Vernon's rooms are a wilderness of the vanities of life, and here I am, +banished to the club as a stern reality." + +"Quite so," replied the American. "I'm in the same box. The dressmakers +have driven me clean out of Belgrave Square. But you, you really have my +sympathy, for you are to marry one of my countrywomen, and they are apt +to prove rather exacting mistresses at times like these." + +"Oh, I'm fairly well treated," said Scarsdale; "much better than I +deserve, I dare say. How is it with you?" + +"Oh," laughed Allingford, "I feel as if I were playing a game of blind +man's buff with English conventionalities: at least I seem to run foul +of them most of the time. I used to imagine that getting married was a +comparatively simple matter; but what with a highly complicated ceremony +and an irresponsible best man, my cup of misery is well-nigh +overflowing." + +"I suppose you have been doing your required fifteen days of residence +in the parish? London is slow work, now every one is out of town," +remarked Scarsdale. + +"My second-best hand-bag has been residing for the past fortnight in an +adjacent attic, in fulfilment of the law," returned the American; "but +affairs at the consulate have kept me on post more than I could have +wished." + +"I should not think you would have much business at this season of the +year." + +"On the contrary, it is just the time when the migratory American, who +has spent the summer in doing Europe, returns to England dead broke, and +expects, nay, demands, to be helped home." + +"Do you have many cases of that sort?" + +"Lots. In fact, one especially importunate fellow nearly caused me to +lose my train for London yesterday. I gave him what he asked to get rid +of him." + +"I suppose that sort of thing is a good deal like throwing money into +the sea," said Scarsdale. "It never comes back." + +"Not often, I regret to say; but in this case my distressed countryman +put up collateral." + +"Indeed. I trust you can realise on it if need be." + +"I don't think I want to," said the Consul, "seeing it's an elephant." + +"What!" cried Scarsdale. + +"An elephant, or rather, to be exact, an order for one to be delivered +by the Nubian and Red Sea Line of freighters in two or three days at +Southampton Docks. My friend promises to redeem it before arrival, +expects advices from the States, &c., but meanwhile is terribly hard +up." + +"I hope he will be true to his promises, otherwise I wish you joy of +your elephant. You might give it to Lady Steele," suggested Scarsdale. + +"Yes. I think I can see it tethered to the railings in Belgrave Square," +remarked the Consul; "but I am not losing sleep on that account, for, +though I've informed the steamship people that I am, temporarily, the +owner of the beast, I more than suspect that the order and the elephant +are both myths. But I have been telling you of my affairs long enough; +how go yours?" + +"Swimmingly," replied the Englishman. "Miss Vernon has only one relative +in England, thank Heaven! but my family have settled down on me in +swarms." + +"Is Lady Diana Melton in town for the occasion?" asked Allingford. + +Scarsdale flushed, and for the moment did not reply. + +"I beg your pardon," said the American, "if I have asked an unfortunate +question." + +"Not at all," replied his friend. "My great-aunt, who, as you know, is a +somewhat determined old person, has the bad taste to dislike Americans. +So she has confined herself to a frigid refusal of our wedding +invitation, and sent an impossible spoon to the bride." + +"So you are not to have her country place for your honeymoon," said +Allingford. "From what I have heard of Melton Court, it would be quite +an ideal spot under the circumstances." + +"No, we are not going there. The fact is, I don't know where we are +going," added Scarsdale. + +"Really!" + +"Yes. As you were saying just now, your countrywomen are apt to prove +exacting, and the future Mrs. Scarsdale has taken it into her head that +I am much too prosaic to plan a wedding trip--that I would do the usual +round, in fact, and that she would be bored in consequence; so she has +taken the arrangements upon herself, and the whole thing is to be a +surprise for me. I don't even know the station from which we start." + +"I'm afraid I can't commiserate you," returned Allingford, laughing, +"for I'm guilty of doing the very same thing myself, and my bride elect +has no idea of our destination. She spends most of her spare time in +trying to guess it." + +At this moment a card was handed to Allingford, who said: "Why, here is +my best man, Jack Carrington. You know him, don't you? I wonder what can +have started him on my trail," and he requested the page to show him up. + +A moment later Carrington entered the room. He was one of the +best-dressed, most perfect-mannered young men in London, the friend of +every one who knew him, a thoroughly delightful and irresponsible +creature. To-day, however, there was a seriousness about his face that +proclaimed his mission to be of no very pleasant character. + +After greeting his friends, he asked for a few words in private with his +principal, and as a result of this colloquy Allingford excused himself +to Scardsdale, saying that he must return to his lodgings at once, as +Carrington had brought him news that his brother Dick had arrived +unexpectedly from America, and was awaiting him there. + +"What a delightful surprise for you!" exclaimed Scarsdale. + +"Yes, very--of course," returned Allingford drily; and after a mutual +interchange of congratulations on the events of the morrow, and regrets +that neither could be at the wedding of the other, the Consul and his +best man left the club. + +"He did not seem over-enthusiastic at Carrington's news," mused +Scarsdale, and then his mind turned to his own affairs. + +It was not astonishing that Robert Allingford received the news of his +brother's arrival without any show of rejoicing. A family skeleton is +never an enjoyable possession, but when it is not even decently +interred, but very much alive, and in the shape of a brother who has +attained notoriety as a black sheep of an unusually intense dye, it may +be looked upon as little less than a curse. + +Yet there were redeeming qualities about Dick Allingford. In spite of +his thoroughly bad name, he was one of the most kind-hearted and +engaging of men, while the way in which he had managed his own and his +brother's property left nothing to be desired. Moreover, he was quite in +his element among his miners. Indeed his qualities, good and bad, were +of a kind that endeared him to them. He loved the good things of this +life, however, in a wholly uncontrollable manner, and, as his income +afforded almost unlimited scope for these desires, his achievements +would have put most yellow-covered novels to the blush. Dick's redeeming +virtue was a blind devotion to his elder brother, from whom he demanded +unlimited advice and assistance in extricating him from a +thousand-and-one scrapes, and inexhaustible patience and forgiveness for +those peccadilloes. When Robert had taken a public office in England it +was on the distinct understanding that Richard should confine his +attentions to America, and so far he had not violated the contract. The +Consul had taken care that his brother should not be informed of the +day of his marriage until it was too late for him to attend in person, +for he shuddered to think of the rig that Richard would run in staid and +conventional English society. Accordingly he hastened to his lodgings, +full of anxious fore-bodings. On arrival his worst fears were fulfilled. +Dick received him with open arms, very affectionate, very penitent, and +very drunk. From that gentleman's somewhat disconnected description the +Consul obtained a lurid inkling of what seemed to have been a triumphal +progress of unrestrained dissipation from Southampton to London, of +which indignant barmaids and a wrecked four-in-hand formed the most +redeeming features. + +"Now explain yourself!" cried Robert in wrath, at the conclusion of his +brother's recital. "What do you mean by this disgraceful conduct, and +why are you in England at all?" + +"Saw 'proaching marriage--newspaper," hiccoughed Dick--"took first +steamer." + +"What did you come for?" demanded Allingford sternly. + +"Come? Congratulate you--see the bride." + +"Not on your life!" exclaimed the Consul. "You are beastly drunk and not +fit for decent society." + +"Fault--railroad company--bad whisky," explained the unregenerate one. + +"I'll take your word for it," replied his brother. "You ought to be a +judge of whisky. But you won't go to my wedding unless you are sober." +And he rang for his valet. + +"This is my brother, Parsons," he remarked to that individual when he +entered. "You may put him to bed at once. Use my room for the purpose, +and engage another for me for to-night." + +"Yes, sir," replied his valet, who was too well trained to betray any +emotion. + +"When you have got him settled," continued the Consul, "lock him in, and +let him stay till morning." With which he straightway departed, leaving +his stupefied brother to the tender mercies of the shocked and sedate +Parsons. + +Allingford stood a good deal in awe of his valet, and dreaded to see the +reproachful look of outraged dignity which he knew would greet him on +his return. So he again sought the club, intending to find Scarsdale and +continue their conversation; but that gentleman had departed, and the +Consul was forced to console himself with a brandy and soda, and settle +down to a quiet hour of reflection. + +He had been engaged upwards of three months, and, it is needless to say, +had learned much in that space of time. An engagement is a liberal +education to any man, for it presents a series of entirely new problems +to be solved. He ceases to think of and for himself alone, and the +accuracy with which he can adjust himself to these novel conditions +determines the success or failure of his married life. Robert +Allingford, however, was engaged to a woman of another nation; of his +own race, indeed, and speaking his own tongue, but educated under widely +differing standards and ideals, and on a plane of comparative simplicity +when viewed in the light of her complex American sister. The little +English girl was an endless mystery to him, and it was only in later +life that he discovered that he was constantly endowing her with a +complicated nature which she did not possess. He could not understand a +woman who generally--I do not say invariably, for Marion Steele was +human after all, but who generally meant what she said, whose pleasures +were healthy and direct, and who was really simple and genuinely +ignorant of most things pertaining to the world worldly. He knew that +world well enough--ten years of mining had taught him that--and he had +been left to its tender mercies when still a boy, with no relatives +except his younger brother, who, as may well be imagined, was rather a +burden than a help. + +But if Robert Allingford had seen the rough side of life, it had taught +him to understand human nature, and, as he had been blessed with a large +heart and a considerable measure of adaptability, he managed to get on +very well on both sides of the Atlantic. True, he seldom appreciated +what the British mind held to contain worth; but he was tolerant, and +his tolerance begat, unconsciously, sympathy. On the other hand, the +Consul was as much of a mystery to his fiancee as she had ever been to +him. In her eyes he was always doing the unexpected. For one thing, she +never knew when to take him seriously, and was afraid of what he might +do or say; but she soon learned to trust him implicitly, and to estimate +him at his true sterling worth. + +In short, both had partially adjusted themselves to each other, and were +likely to live very happily, with enough of the unknown in their +characters to keep them from becoming bored. Allingford had never spoken +definitely to his fiancee concerning his younger brother, and she knew +instinctively that it was a subject to be avoided. To her father she had +said something, but Sir Peter had little interest in his children's +affairs beyond seeing that they were suitably married; and since he was +satisfied with the settlements and the man, was content to leave well +enough alone. + +The Consul, therefore, thought himself justified in saying nothing +about the unexpected arrival of his brother, especially as the chances +of that gentleman's being in a fit state to appear at the wedding seemed +highly problematical. + +Next morning there were no signs of repentance or of Dick; for if a +deserted bed, an open window, and the smashed glass of a neighbouring +skylight signified anything, it was that Mr. Richard Allingford was +still unregenerate and at large. + +The bridal day dawned bright and clear, and Carrington lunched with the +Consul just before the ceremony, which, thanks to English law, took +place at that most impossible hour of the day, 2.30 P.M. + +The bridegroom floundered through the intricacies of the service, signed +his name in the vestry, and achieved his carriage in a kind of dream; +but woke up sufficiently to the realities of life at the reception, to +endure with fortitude the indiscriminate kissing of scores of new +relations. Then he drank his own health and the healths of other +people, and at last escaped upstairs to prepare for the journey and +have a quiet fifteen minutes with his best man. + +"Now remember," he said to that irresponsible individual, "you are the +only one who knows our destination this evening, and if you breathe it +to a soul I'll come back and murder you." + +"My dear fellow," replied Carrington, "you don't suppose, after I've +endured weeks of cross-questioning and inquisitorial advances from the +bride and her family, that I am going to strike my colours and give the +whole thing away at the eleventh hour." + +"You have been a trump, Jack," rejoined the Consul, "and I only wish you +may be as happy some time as I am to-day." + +"It is your day; don't worry about my affairs," returned Carrington, +with a forced laugh which gave colour to the popular report that the +only vulnerable point in his armour of good nature lay in his +impecunious condition and the consequent impossibility of his marrying +on his own account. + +It was only a passing cloud, however, and he hastened to change the +subject, saying: "Come, you are late already, and a bride must not be +kept waiting." + +Allingford was thereupon hustled downstairs, and wept upon from all +quarters, and his life was threatened with rice and old shoes; but he +reached the street somehow with Mrs. Robert in tow, and, barring the +circumstance that in his agitation he had embraced the butler instead of +Sir Peter, he acquitted himself very well under the trying ordeal. + +As they drove to the station his wife was strangely quiet, and he +rallied her on the fact. + +"Why," he said, "you haven't spoken since we started." + +Her face grew troubled. "I was wondering----" she began. + +"If you would be happy?" he asked. "I'll do my best." + +"No, no, I'm sure of that, only--do tell me where we are going." + +The Consul laughed. "You women are just the same all the world over," +he replied, but otherwise did not commit himself; but his wife noticed +that he looked worried and anxious, and that he breathed a sigh of +unmistakable relief as their train drew out of Waterloo Station. She did +not know that the one cloud which he had feared might darken his wedding +day had now been dispelled: he had seen nothing of his brother. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +IN WHICH THE LONDON AND SOUTH WESTERN RAIL-WAY ACCOMPLISHES WHAT THE +MARRIAGE SERVICE FORBIDS + + +It might be supposed that the heir to "The Towers" and Lady Scarsdale's +very considerable property would meet with some decided opposition from +his family to his proposed alliance with Mabel Vernon, an unknown +American, who, though fairly provided with this world's goods, could in +no sense be termed a great heiress. But the fact of the matter was that +the prejudices of his own people were as nothing when compared with +those of Aunt Eliza. In the first place she did not wish her niece to +marry at all, on the ground that no man was good enough for her; and in +the second place she had decided that if Mabel must have a partner in +life, he was to be born under the Stars and Stripes. Her wrath, +therefore, was great when she heard of the engagement, and she declared +that she had a good mind to cut the young couple off with a cent, a +threat that meant something from a woman who had bought corner lots in +Chicago immediately after the great fire, and still held them. Scarsdale +never forgot his first interview with her after she had learned the +news. + +"I mistrusted you were round for no good," she said, "though I wasn't +quite certain which one of us you wanted." + +He bit his lip. + +"There's nothing to laugh at, young man," she continued severely; +"marrying me would have been no joke." + +"I'm sure, Miss Cogbill----" began Scarsdale. + +"You call me Aunt Eliza in the future," she broke in; "that is who I am, +and if I choose to remember your wife when I'm gone she'll be as rich as +a duchess, as I dare say you know." + +"I had no thought of your leaving her anything, and I am quite able to +support her without your assistance," he replied, nettled by her +implication. + +"I am glad to hear it; it sounds encouraging," returned the aunt. "Tell +me, have you ever done anything to support yourself?" + +"Rather! As a younger son, I should have had a very poor chance if I'd +not." + +"How many towers have you got?" was her next question. + +"I don't know," said Scarsdale, laughing at her very literal +interpretation of the name of his estate. + +"Have they fire-escapes?" + +"I'm afraid not," he replied, "but you must come and see for yourself. +My mother will be happy to welcome you." + +"No, I guess not; I'm too old to start climbing." + +"Oh, you wouldn't have to live in them," he hastened to assure her; +"there are other parts to the house, and my mother----" + +"That's her ladyship?" + +"Yes." + +"You are sure you haven't any title?" asked Aunt Eliza suspiciously. + +"No, nor any chance of having one." + +"Well, I do feel relieved," she commented. "The Psalms say not to put +your trust in princes, but I guess if King David had ever been through a +London season he wouldn't have drawn the line there; and what's good +enough for him is good enough for me." + +"I think you can trust me, Aunt Eliza." + +"I hope so, though I never expected to see a niece of mine married to a +man of war." + +"Not a man of war," he corrected, "only a man in the War Office--a very +different thing, I assure you." + +"I am rejoiced to hear it," she replied. "Now run along to Mabel, and +I'll write your mother and tell her that I guess you'll do." Which she +straightway did, and that letter is still preserved as one of the +literary curiosities of "The Towers," Sussex. + +The first meeting of Aunt Eliza and Lady Scarsdale took place the day +before the wedding. It was pleasant, short, and to the point, and at +its conclusion each parted from the other with mingled feelings of +wonder and respect. Indeed, no one could fail to respect Miss Cogbill. +Alone and unaided she had amassed and managed a great fortune. She was +shrewd and keen beyond the nature of women, and seldom minced matters in +her speech; but nevertheless she was possessed of much native refinement +and prim, old-time courtesy that did not always seem in accordance with +the business side of her nature. + +As time went on she became reconciled to Scarsdale, but his lack of +appreciation of business was a thorn in her flesh, and, indeed, her +inclinations had led her in quite another direction. + +"Now look at that young Carrington who comes to see you once in a while; +if you had to marry an Englishman, why didn't you take him?" she said +once to her niece. + +"Why, Aunt Eliza," replied that young lady, "what are you thinking of? +According to your own standards, he is much less desirable than Harold, +for he has not a cent." + +"He'd make money fast enough if his training didn't get in his way," she +retorted, "which is more than can be said of your future husband." + +The wedding was very quiet, at Miss Vernon's suggestion and with her +aunt's approval, for neither of them cared for that lavish display with +which a certain class of Americans are, unfortunately, associated. There +was to be a reception at the hotel, to which a large number of people +had been asked; but at the ceremony scarcely a dozen were present. +Scarsdale's mother and immediate family, a brother official, who served +as best man, and Aunt Eliza made up the party. + +At the bride's request, the service had been as much abbreviated as the +Church would allow, and the whole matter was finished in a surprisingly +short space of time. The reception followed, and an hour later the happy +pair were ready to leave; but their destination was still a mystery to +the groom. + +"I think you might just give me a hint," he suggested to Aunt Eliza, +whom he shrewdly suspected knew all about it. + +"Do you?" she replied. "Well, I think that Mabel is quite capable of +taking care of herself and you too, and that the sooner you realise it +the better. As for your being consulted or informed about your wedding +trip, why, my niece has been four times round the world already, and is +better able to plan an ordinary honeymoon excursion than a man who +spends his time turning out bombs, and nitro-glycerine, and monitors, +and things." + +Aunt Eliza's notions of the duties of the War Office were still somewhat +vague. + +After the bridal couple had left, Miss Cogbill and Lady Scarsdale +received the remaining guests, and, when the function was over, her +ladyship gave her American relative a cordial invitation to stay at "The +Towers" till after the honeymoon; but Aunt Eliza refused. + +"I'll come some day and be glad to," she said; "but I'm off to-morrow +for two weeks in Paris. I always go there when I'm blue; it cheers one +up so, and you meet more Americans there nowadays than you do at home." + +"Perhaps you will see the happy pair before you return," suggested Lady +Scarsdale. + +"Now, your ladyship," said Aunt Eliza, "that isn't fair; but to tell you +the truth of the matter, I've no more idea where they are going, beyond +their first stop, than you have." + +"And that is----?" + +"They will write you from there to-morrow," replied Miss Cogbill, "and +then you will know as much as I do." + +Scarsdale was quite too happy to be seriously worried over his ignorance +of their destination; in fact, he was rather amused at his wife's little +mystery, and, beyond indulging in some banter on the subject, was well +content to let the matter drop. He entertained her, however, by making +wild guesses as to where they were to pass the night from what he had +learned of their point of departure, Waterloo Station; but soon turned +to more engrossing topics, and before he realised it an hour had passed +away, and the train began to slow up for their first stop out of London. + +"Is this the end of our journey?" he queried. + +"What, Basingstoke?" she cried. "How could you think I'd be so +unromantic? Why, it is only a miserable, dirty railway junction!" + +"Perhaps we change carriages here?" + +"Wrong again; but the train stops for a few minutes, and if you'll be +good you may run out and have a breath of fresh air and something to +drink." + +"How do you know," he asked, "that I sha'n't go forward and see how the +luggage is labelled?" + +"That would not be playing fair," she replied, pouting, "and I should be +dreadfully cross with you." + +"I'll promise to be good," he hastened to assure her, and, as the train +drew up, stepped out upon the platform. + +His first intention had been to make straight for the refreshment-room; +but he had only taken a few steps in that direction, when he saw +advancing from the opposite end of the train none other than Robert +Allingford, who, like himself, was a bridegroom of that day. + +"Why, Benedick!" he cried, "who would have thought of meeting you!" + +"Just what I was going to say," replied the Consul, heartily shaking his +outstretched hand. "I never imagined that we would select the same +train. Come, let's have a drink to celebrate our auspicious meeting. +There is time enough." + +"Are you sure?" asked the careful Englishman. + +"Quite," replied his American friend. "I asked a porter, and he said we +had ten minutes." + +They accordingly repaired to the luncheon-bar, and were soon discussing +whiskies and sodas. + +"Tell me," said the Consul, as he put down his glass, "have you +discovered your destination yet?" + +"Haven't the remotest idea," returned the other. "Mrs. Scarsdale +insisted on buying the tickets, and watches over them jealously. If it +had not been for the look of the thing, I would have bribed the guard to +tell me where I was going. By the way, won't you shake hands with my +wife? She is just forward." + +"With pleasure," replied Allingford, "if you will return the compliment; +my carriage is the first of its class at the rear of the train. We have +still six minutes." With which the two husbands separated, each to seek +the other's wife. + +Scarsdale met with a cordial welcome from Mrs. Allingford, and was soon +seated by her side chatting merrily. + +"We should sympathise with each other," she said, laughing, "for I +understand that we are both in ignorance of our destination." + +"Indeed we should," he replied. "I dare say that at this moment your +husband and my wife are gloating over their superior knowledge." + +"Oh, well," she continued, "our time will come; and now tell me how you +have endured the vicissitudes of the day." + +"I think you and I have no cause for complaint," rejoined Scarsdale. +"You see we understand our conventions; but I fear that our respective +partners have not had such an easy time." + +"I shouldn't think it would have worried Mrs. Scarsdale," returned the +Englishwoman. + +"Of course it didn't," said that lady's husband; "nothing ever worries +her. But I think signing the register puzzled her a bit; she said it +made her feel as if she was at an hotel." + +"Robert enjoyed it thoroughly," said Mrs. Allingford. + +"Had he no criticisms to offer?" + +"None, except that one seemed to get a good deal more for one's money +than in the States." + +"The almighty dollar!" said Scarsdale, laughing, and added, as he looked +at his watch: "I must be off, or your husband will be turning me out; +our ten minutes are almost up." + +Once on the platform, he paused aghast. The forward half of the train +had disappeared, and an engine was backing up in its place to couple on +to the second part. Allingford was nowhere in sight. + +"Where is the rest of the train?" cried Scarsdale, seizing an astonished +guard. + +"The forward division, sir?" + +"Yes! yes! For Heaven's sake speak, man! Where is it?" + +"That was the Exeter division. Went five minutes ago." + +"But I thought we had ten minutes!" + +"This division, yes, sir," replied the guard, indicating that portion of +the train still in the station, "the forward part only five." + +In this way, then, had Allingford unconsciously deceived him, and +without doubt the American Consul had been carried off with his, +Scarsdale's, wife. The awful discovery staggered him, but he controlled +himself sufficiently to ask the destination of the section still in the +station. + +"Bournemouth, sir, Southampton first stop. Are you going? we are just +off." + +"No," replied Scarsdale. The guard waved his flag, the shrill whistle +blew, and the train began to move. Then he thought of Mrs. Allingford; +he could scarcely leave her. Besides, what was the use of remaining at +Basingstoke, when he did not even know his own destination? He tore open +the door of the carriage he had just left, and swung himself in as it +swept past him. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +IN WHICH LADY MELTON FEELS THAT HER AVERSION IS JUSTIFIED + + +From what has been said it may be imagined that Mrs. Scarsdale, _nee_ +Vernon, was an excellent hand at light and amusing conversation; and so +pleasantly did she receive the Consul, and so amusingly rally him on the +events of the day, that he scarcely seemed to have been with her a +minute, when a slight jolt caused him to look up and out, only to +perceive the Basingstoke Station sliding rapidly past the windows. +Allingford's first impulse was to dash from the carriage, a dangerous +experiment when one remembers the rapidity with which a light English +train gets under way. In this, however, he was forestalled by Mrs. +Scarsdale, who clung to his coat-tails, declaring that he should not +desert her; so that by the time he was able to free himself the train +had attained such speed as to preclude any longer the question of +escape. The sensations which Mr. Allingford and Mrs. Scarsdale +experienced when they realised that they were being borne swiftly away, +the one from his wife and the other from her husband, may be better +imagined than described. The deserted bride threw herself into the +farthest corner of the carriage and began to laugh hysterically, while +the Consul plunged his hands into his pockets and gave vent to a +monosyllabic expletive, of which he meant every letter. + +After the first moments of astonishment and stupefaction both somewhat +recovered their senses, and mutual explanations and recriminations began +forthwith. + +"How has this dreadful thing happened?" demanded Mrs. Scarsdale, in a +voice quavering with suppressed emotion. + +"I'm afraid it's my fault," said Allingford ruefully. "The guard told me +we had ten minutes." + +"That was for your division of the train, stupid!" exclaimed the lady +wrathfully. + +"I didn't know that," explained the Consul, "and so I told your husband +we had ten minutes, which probably accounts for his being left." + +"Then I'll never, never forgive you," she cried, and burst into tears, +murmuring between her sobs: "Poor, dear Harold! what will he do?" + +"Do!" exclaimed the Consul, "I should think he had done enough, in all +conscience. Why, confound him, he's gone off with my wife!" + +"Don't you call my husband names!" sobbed Mrs. Scarsdale. + +"Well, he certainly has enough of his own, that's a fact." + +"If you were a man," retorted the disconsolate bride, "you would do +something, instead of making stupid jokes about my poor Stanley. I'm a +distressed American citizen----" + +"No, you're not; you became a British subject when you married +Scarsdale," corrected Allingford. + +"Well, I won't be, so there! I tell you I'm an American woman in +distress, and you are my Consul and you've got to help me." + +"I'll help you with the greatest pleasure in the world. I'm quite as +anxious to recover my wife as you can be to find your husband." + +"Then what do you advise?" she asked. + +"We are going somewhere at a rapid rate," he replied. "When we arrive, +we will leave the train and return to Basingstoke as soon as possible. +Now do you happen to know our next stop?" + +"Yes: Salisbury." + +"How long before we get there?" + +"About three quarters of an hour." + +"That will at least give us time," he said, "to consider what is best to +be done. Have you a railway guide?" + +"I think there is a South Western time-table in the pocket of dear +Malcolm's coat," she said, indicating a garment on the seat beside her. + +"Why don't you call him St. Hubart and be done with it?" queried +Allingford, as he searched for and found the desired paper. "You've +given him all his other names." + +"I reserve that for important occasions," she replied; "it sounds so +impressive." + +Mabel Scarsdale, it will be noticed, was fast regaining her composure, +now that a definite course of action had been determined upon. But she +could not help feeling depressed, for it must be admitted that it is +disheartening to lose your husband before you have been married a day. +What would he do, she wondered, when he found that the train had gone? +Had he discovered its departure soon enough to warn Mrs. Allingford to +leave her carriage? and if not, where had she gone, and had he +accompanied her? The event certainly afforded ample grounds for +speculation; but her reverie was interrupted by the Consul, who had been +deeply immersed in the time-table. + +"There is no train back to Basingstoke before ten to-night," he said, +"so we must spend the evening in Salisbury and telegraph them to await +our return." + +"Possibly my husband may have chased the train and caught the rear +carriage. I have seen people do that," she ventured. + +"The guard's van, you mean," he explained. "In that case he is +travelling down with us and will put in an appearance directly we reach +Salisbury, though I don't think it's likely. However, there's nothing to +worry about, and I must beg you not to do so, unless you wish to make me +more miserable than I already am for my share in this deplorable +blunder." + +"You don't think they would follow us to Salisbury?" + +"No; that is"--and he plunged into the intricacies of the time-table +once more--"they couldn't; besides, they would receive our telegram +before they could leave Basingstoke." + +"Could they have gone off on the other train?" + +"Impossible," he replied. "By Jove, they neither of them know where +they are bound for!" + +"Quite true," she said, "they do not. We had tickets for Exeter; but as +a joke I never let my husband see them." + +"We were going to Bournemouth, and here are my tickets," he returned, +holding them up, "but my wife doesn't know it." + +"You think there is no question that they are waiting for us at +Basingstoke?" she asked. + +"Not a doubt of it; and so we have nothing to do but kill time till we +can rejoin them, which won't be hard in your society," he replied. + +"I'm sorry I can't be so polite," she returned, "but I want my husband, +and if you talk to me much more I shall probably cry." + +The Consul at this made a dive for an adjacent newspaper, in which he +remained buried till the train slowed down for Salisbury. + +"I suppose," he said apologetically, as they drew up at their +destination, "that you won't object to my appropriating Scarsdale's +coat and hat? I dare say he is sporting mine." + +A tearful sniff was the only reply as he gathered up the various +impedimenta with which the carriage was littered, and assisted his fair +though doleful companion to alight. Returning a few moments later from +the arduous duty of rescuing her luggage, which was, of course, labelled +for Exeter, he found her still alone, there being no sign of Scarsdale +in or out of the train, and no telegram for them from Basingstoke--a +chance on which Allingford had counted considerably, though he had not +thought it wise to mention it. Indeed, the fact that no inquiry had been +made for them puzzled and worried him greatly, for it seemed almost +certain that were their deserted partners still at Basingstoke, their +first action would have been to telegraph to the fugitives. However, he +put the best face he could on the matter, assured Mrs. Scarsdale that +everything must be all right, and despatched his telegram back to their +point of separation. Under the most favourable circumstances they could +not receive an answer under half an hour, and with this information the +Consul was forced to return to the disconsolate bride. + +"There is no use in loafing around here," he said. "Suppose we go and +see the cathedral? It will be something to do, and may distract our +thoughts." + +"I don't think mine could well be more distracted than they are now," +replied she; "besides, we might miss the telegram." + +"Oh, I'll fix that," he returned; "I'll have it sent up after us. Come, +you had better go. You can't sit and look at that pea-green engine for +thirty minutes; it is enough to give you a fit of the blues." + +"Well, just as you please," she said, and they started up into the town, +and made their way to the cathedral. + +It is not to the point of this narrative to discourse on the beauties of +that structure; the finest shaft of Purbec marble it contains would +prove cold consolation to either a bride or a bridegroom deserted on the +wedding day. But the cool quiet of the great building seemed +unconsciously to soothe their troubled spirits, though when they each +revisited the spot in after years they discovered that it was entirely +new to them, and that they possessed not the faintest recollection of +its appearance, within or without. + +At last, after having consulted their watches for the hundredth time, +they began to stroll down the great central aisle, towards the main +entrance. Suddenly Mrs. Scarsdale clutched the Consul's arm, and pointed +before her to where a messenger-boy, with a look of expectancy on his +face and an envelope in his hand, stood framed in a Gothic doorway. Then +they made a wild, scrambling rush down the church, the bride reaching +the goal first, and snatching the telegram from its astonished bearer. + +"For Mr. Allingford," he began, but she had already torn open the +envelope and was devouring its contents. + +For a moment the words seemed to swim before her eyes, then, as their +meaning became clear to her, she gave a frightened gasp, dropped the +message on the floor, sat down hard on the tomb of a crusader, and burst +into tears. + +Allingford gazed at her silently for a moment, and meditatively +scratched his head; then he paid and dismissed the amazed boy, and +finally picked up the crumpled bit of paper. It was from the +station-master at Basingstoke, and read as follows: + + "_Parties mentioned left in second division for Southampton and + South Coast Resorts. Destination not known._" + +It was incomprehensible, but he had expected it. If Mr. Scarsdale had +remained at Basingstoke he would certainly have telegraphed them from +there at their first stop, Salisbury. Evidently he, too, had been +carried away on the train; but where? It was some relief to know that +his wife was not wholly alone, but he did not at all like the idea of +her going off into space with another man, and the fact that he had +done the same thing himself was no consolation. Then his mind reverted +to Mrs. Scarsdale, who still wept on the tomb of the crusader. What in +thunder was he going to do with her? To get her back to her aunt in +London at that time of night was out of the question; but where else +could he take her? + +This point, however, was settled at once, and in an unexpected manner, +by the lady herself. Drying her eyes, she remarked suddenly: "I'm a +little fool!" + +"Not at all," he replied; "your emotion is quite natural under the +circumstances." + +"But crying won't get us out of this awful predicament." + +"Unfortunately no, or we should have arrived at a solution long ago." + +"That," remarked the lady, "is merely another way of making a statement +which you just now disputed. I _am_ a little fool, and I mean to dry my +eyes and attend strictly to business. Tell me exactly what this message +implies." + +"It means," said the Consul, "that it is impossible for you to rejoin +your husband to-night." + +Her lip quivered dangerously; but she controlled herself sufficiently to +exclaim: "But what are we to do?" + +"Well," he replied, "I should advise remaining here. There is a good +hotel." + +"But we can't. Don't you see I must not remain--with you?" She spoke the +last words with an effort. + +"Yes," he rejoined. "It is awkward; but you can't spend the night in the +streets; you must have somewhere to sleep." + +"Let us go back to Basingstoke, then." + +"I can't see that that would help matters," he said gloomily; "we would +have to spend the night there just the same. Besides, I think it is +going to rain." They were standing outside the church by this time. +"No," he continued, "our best course, our only course, in fact, is to +stay here to-night, return to Basingstoke to-morrow morning, and wait +for them there. You may be sure they are having quite as bad a time as +we are. If I only knew some one here----" + +"Bravo!" she interrupted, clapping her hands, "I believe you have solved +the problem. Look: do you see that carriage over there? What coat of +arms has it? Quick! your eyes are better than mine." + +In the gathering twilight he saw driving leisurely by, with coachman and +footman on the box, a handsome barouche, on the panels of which a coat +of arms was emblazoned. + +"Well," he said, gazing hard at it, "there is a helmet with a plume, +balanced on a stick of peppermint candy----" + +"Yes, yes!" she cried, "the crest. Go on!" + +"Down on the ground-storey," he continued, "there is a pink shield +divided in quarters, with the same helmet in the north-east division, +and a lot of silver ticket-punchers in the one below it." + +"Spurs," she interjected. + +"Well, perhaps they are," he admitted. "Then there are a couple of +two-tailed blue lions swimming in a crimson lake----" + +"The Melton arms!" she cried. "I looked them up in 'Burke's Peerage' +when that old catawampus refused to come to our wedding. We will spend +to-night with Lady Diana!" + +"But I thought----" began the Consul, when his companion interrupted +him, exclaiming: + +"Chase that carriage as hard as you know how, and bring it here!" + +Allingford felt that this was a time for action and not for speech. The +days of his collegiate triumphs, when he had put his best foot foremost +on the cinder-track, rose to his mind, and he fled across the green and +into the gathering gloom, which had now swallowed up her ladyship's +chariot, with a swiftness that caused his companion to murmur: "Well, he +can sprint!" + +Presently the equipage was seen returning with the heated and triumphant +Consul inside. It drew up before her, and the footman alighted and +approached questioningly. + +"Is this Lady Melton's carriage?" she asked. + +"Yes, madam." + +"Then you may drive this gentleman and me to Melton Court." + +"But, madam----" + +"I am Mrs. Scarsdale, Lady Diana's great-niece," she said quietly. The +footman touched his hat. + +"Was her ladyship expecting you? We were sent to meet this next train, +but----" + +"No, we are here unexpectedly ourselves; but I dare say there will be +room for all, as the carriage holds four." + +"There will only be Lord Cowbray, madam, and his lordship may not arrive +till the nine-thirty. If you would not mind driving to the station?" + +"It is just what we wish," she replied, and calmly stepped into the +carriage and seated herself by the Consul's side, who was so amazed at +the turn affairs had taken that he remained speechless. + +"Shall I see to your luggage, madam?" inquired the footman as they drew +up opposite the waiting-room door. + +"No," she replied, stepping out on the platform. "We will attend to it +ourselves; it will only be necessary to take up our hand-bags for +to-night." + +Accompanied by the Consul she went in search of their belongings, and at +her suggestion he took a Gladstone belonging to the absent Scarsdale, +and a dressing-case which she designated as her own property. + +"I was anxious to have a word alone with you," she said as they emerged +once more on the platform, "and we can't talk on personal matters during +the drive to the Court. You see my position is a little peculiar." + +"Excuse me for asking the question," he replied, "but are your relations +with your husband's great-aunt quite cordial?" + +"On the contrary, they are quite the reverse. She detests all Americans, +and was very much put out at poor Harold for marrying me. Her refusal to +be present at our wedding was almost an insult," she returned. + +"That doesn't seem to promise a pleasant reception at Melton Court," he +said. + +"Far from it; but any port is acceptable in a storm, and she can hardly +refuse us shelter. After all I've done nothing to be ashamed of in +marrying my husband or being carried off with you." + +"Oh, I'll trust you to hold your own with any dowager in the United +Kingdom; but where do I come in?" + +"You are my Consul, and under the circumstances my national protector; I +can't do without you." + +"I am not at all sure that her ladyship will see it in that light; but, +as you say, it is better than nothing, and our position can't be worse +than it is at present." + +"Then it is agreed we stand by each other through thick and thin?" + +"Exactly," he replied, and shook her extended hand. At this moment the +train came in, and they returned to the carriage. + +Lord Cowbray did not put in an appearance, and they were soon under way +for Melton Court, which was some miles distant from the town. By the +time they entered the grounds it was quite dark, and they could only see +that the park was extensive, and that the Court seemed large and gloomy +and might have dated from the Elizabethan period. + +On entering the central hall they at once saw evidences of a large +house-party, whose presence did not tend to put them more at their ease, +and Mrs. Scarsdale lost no time in sending a message to Lady Melton, to +the effect that her great-niece had arrived unexpectedly and would much +appreciate a few words with her in private. + +They were shown into a little reception-room, and the footman returned +shortly to say that her ladyship would be with them soon. After what +seemed an endless time, but was in reality barely fifteen minutes, their +hostess entered. She was a fine-looking woman of sixty or over, with a +stern, hard face, and a set expression about her thin lips, that boded +little good to offenders, whatever their age or sex. She looked her +guests over through her gold eye-glasses, and, after waiting a moment +for them to speak, said coldly: + +"I think there is some mistake. I was told that my niece wished to see +me." + +"I said your great-niece," returned Mrs. Scarsdale. + +"Oh, my great-niece. Well? I do not recognise you." + +"It would be strange if you did, Lady Melton," returned the bride, "as +you've never seen me. I am the wife of your great-nephew, Harold Stanley +Malcolm St. Hubart Scarsdale." + +"I do not see your husband present," said her ladyship, directing an icy +glare at the unfortunate Consul. + +"No," replied her niece, "I've lost him." + +"Lost him!" + +"Yes, at Basingstoke. He went to speak to a lady in another part of the +train. I could make it clearer to you, I think, by saying that she was +Sir Peter Steele's youngest daughter." + +"I never thought of knowing the Steeles when I was in London," commented +her hostess, "but St. Hubart was always liberal in his tastes." A remark +which caused the Consul to flush with pent-up wrath. + +"Oh, he didn't know her," interjected Mabel, hastening to correct the +unfortunate turn which the conversation had taken. "She was this +gentleman's wife." + +Her ladyship bowed very, very slightly in the Consul's direction, to +indicate that his affairs, matrimonial or otherwise, could have for her +no possible interest. + +"And that is the last we have heard of them," continued the bride, +"except for a telegram from the station-master at Basingstoke, which +says they went to Southampton----" + +"Do I understand you to say," broke in their hostess, betraying the +first sign of interest she had so far evinced, "that my nephew has +eloped with----?" + +"No, no!" cried Mrs. Scarsdale, "you do not in the least comprehend the +true state of affairs," and she poured forth a voluble if disconnected +account of their adventures. + +"Pardon me," exclaimed the old lady when she had finished, "but what is +all this rigmarole? A most surprising affair, I must say, and quite +worthy of your nationality. I was averse to my nephew's marrying you +from the first; but I hardly expected to be justified on his wedding +day." + +"In that case," said Mrs. Scarsdale, "the sooner we leave your house the +better." + +"You will do nothing of the sort," replied her great-aunt. "Your coming +to me is the only wise thing you have done. Of course you will remain +here till your husband can be found. As for this person----" indicating +Allingford. + +"This _gentleman_," said his partner in misfortune, coming to his +rescue, "is Mr. Robert Allingford, United States Consul at Christchurch. +As my husband had gone off with his wife, I thought the least I could do +was to take him with me." + +"I can hardly see the necessity of that course," commented her hostess. + +"Now that I have seen Mrs. Scarsdale in safe hands, I could not think of +trespassing longer upon your hospitality," put in the Consul; but his +companion intervened. + +"I am not going to be deserted twice in a day!" she cried. "If you go, I +go with you!" + +"About that," said her ladyship frigidly, "there can be no question," +and she rang the bell. + +"You will conduct this lady and this gentleman," she continued to the +footman who answered her summons, "to the green room and the tower room +respectively." Then, turning to her unwilling guests, she added: "As my +dinner-table is fully arranged for this evening, and my guests are now +awaiting me, you will pardon it if I have your dinner served in my +private sitting-room. We will discuss your affairs at length to-morrow +morning; but now I must bid you good-night," and with an inclination of +her head she dismissed them from her presence. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +IN WHICH A TRUNK IS SENT TO MELTON COURT + +Scarcely had the sun risen the next morning when the Consul, after a +sleepless night, stole downstairs and found his way out upon the +terrace, for a quiet stroll and a breath of fresh, cool air. Moreover, +he was in need of an uninterrupted hour in which to arrange his plans in +such a manner as would most surely tend to effect the double reunion he +so earnestly desired. + +It seemed well-nigh impossible, in the small space of country which had +probably been traversed by all parties, that they could lose each other +for more than a few hours. To make the situation more clear to those who +have never had the misfortune to suffer from the intricacies of English +railway travel, the following diagram is appended. The triangle is +isosceles, the sides being thirty-five miles long, the base twenty. + +[Illustration] + +He reviewed his own adventures of yesterday afternoon. He had acted on +what seemed to be the only sensible and reasonable plan to pursue; +namely, to leave the train at its first stop, and return as soon as +possible to the point of divergence. It seemed fair to assume that Mr. +Scarsdale and Mrs. Allingford had done the same thing, and, such being +the case, it was easy to imagine what their course of action had been. A +glance at the time-table told him that the first point at which they +could leave their division of the train had been Southampton; from which +place they could, almost immediately, catch an express back to the +junction they had left, arriving there shortly after seven on the past +evening. + +His own course and that of Mrs. Scarsdale seemed clear; it was simply a +return to Basingstoke immediately after breakfast, and rejoin their +friends, who had been spending the night at that place. + +It was possible that they had lost the returning express and remained in +Southampton; but if they acted in a rational manner, they must +eventually return to the junction. But supposing Mrs. Allingford and Mr. +Scarsdale had not done the obvious thing; supposing that chance had +intervened and upset their plans, as in his own case? He suddenly found +himself face to face with the startling fact that not only were he and +Mrs. Scarsdale not at Salisbury or Basingstoke, but that they were at +present at the one place where his wife and Mrs. Scarsdale's husband +would never think of looking for them--Melton Court. + +Allingford jammed his hat hard on the back of his head, and set off at a +brisk pace to Salisbury and the nearest telegraph station; arriving at +his destination shortly before seven, to find that he had a good +half-hour to wait before the operators arrived. The office was opened at +last, however, and he lost no time in telegraphing to Basingstoke for +information, and in a little while received an answer from the +station-master at that point which cheered him up considerably, though +it was not quite as explicit as he could have wished. It read as +follows: + + "_Scarsdale telegraphed last evening from Southampton, saying he + had left train there with Mrs. Allingford and was returning at once + to Basingstoke._" + +The Consul was pleased to find that his conjectures had been correct. +He felt that a great weight had been lifted from his mind. Their missing +partners had undoubtedly spent the night at Basingstoke and would soon +consult the station-master at that point, who would doubtless show them +the messages he had received. Allingford looked out a good train, +telegraphed the hour of their arrival, and then, as his reception of the +night before had not inclined him to trespass on Lady Melton's grudging +hospitality more than was absolutely necessary, he had a leisurely +breakfast at the hotel, and, engaging a fly, drove back to the Court, +reaching there about half-past nine. + +Mrs. Scarsdale had also passed a disturbed night, but, unlike her +companion in misfortune, she did not venture out at unearthly hours in +the morning. She was up, however, and saw him depart, which was in some +ways a comfort, since it assured her that he was losing no time in +continuing their quest. + +At eight a maid arrived with warm water and a message from her ladyship +that she wished Mrs. Scarsdale to breakfast with her in private at nine +o'clock, and that she would be obliged if her great-niece would keep her +room till that time. The bride was considerably piqued by this message +and the distrust it implied, but felt it would be wise to accede to the +request, and sent word accordingly. + +As she entered Lady Melton's boudoir an hour later, her hostess rose to +receive her, kissing her coldly on the forehead, and saying: + +"You will pardon my requesting you to keep your room; but your presence +is not as yet known to my guests, and your appearance among them +immediately after your marriage, without your husband, might cause +unpleasant speculation and comment. Do you agree with me?" + +"Quite," replied Mrs. Scarsdale. She had misjudged Lady Melton, she +thought; but she disliked her nevertheless, and wished to be very +guarded. + +"Now," said that personage, "I want to hear the whole affair. No, I do +not want you to tell it," as her guest opened her mouth to speak; "not +in your own way, I mean. You would probably wander from the point, and +my time is of importance. I will ask you questions, and you will be kind +enough to answer them, as plainly and shortly as possible." + +Mrs. Scarsdale bowed; she was so angry at the cool insolence that this +statement implied that she did not feel she could trust herself to +speak. + +"Now we will begin," said her ladyship, as she proceeded to demolish a +boiled egg. "What is your Christian name?" + +"Mabel." + +"Very well. Then I shall call you Mabel in future; it is ridiculous to +address you as Mrs. Scarsdale." + +"I really don't see----" began that lady. + +"Excuse me," interrupted her questioner, "I will make the comments when +necessary. When were you married?" + +"Yesterday afternoon at two-thirty o'clock." + +"Where did you and your husband intend to pass last night?" + +"At Exeter." + +"Are you sure?" + +"I ought to be. I bought the tickets." + +"You bought the tickets! Is that customary in your country?" + +"I am not here to discuss the customs of my country, Lady Melton. I +bought the tickets because I chose to do so, and considered myself +better fitted to arrange the trip than my husband." + +"Really! I suppose that is the reason you selected the most roundabout +way to reach Exeter. Your husband could have told you that you should +have taken another railway, the Great Western." + +"My husband," said Mrs. Scarsdale stiffly, "did not know our +destination." + +"What!" + +"I say that my husband did not know our destination." + +Her ladyship surveyed her for a moment in shocked and silent +disapproval, and then remarked: + +"I think I understood you to say that you travelled together as far as +Basingstoke?" + +"Yes, and there St. Hubart met a friend." + +"This consular person?" + +"Mr. Allingford? Yes. He was also married yesterday, and came to our +carriage to congratulate me." + +"And my nephew went to speak to Mrs. Allingford." + +"Exactly. And the first thing we knew the train was moving." + +"Go on." + +"That is just what we did, though Mr. Allingford tried to leave the +carriage and return to his wife." + +"It would have been better had he never left her." + +"But I restrained him." + +"How did you restrain him?" + +"By his coat-tails." + +"Excuse me. Do I understand you to say that you forcibly detained him?" + +"I'm sorry if you are shocked; it was all I could catch hold of." + +"I shall reserve my criticism of these very astonishing performances, +Mabel; but permit me to say that you have much to learn concerning the +manners and customs of English society." + +"Then," said Mrs. Scarsdale, ignoring this last remark, "we came to +Salisbury." + +"And telegraphed to Basingstoke for information." + +"Exactly. But they could tell us nothing; so when I saw your +carriage----" + +"How did you know it was mine?" + +"I looked out your coat of arms in 'Burke.'" + +Her ladyship smiled grimly. Perhaps something might be made of this fair +barbarian--in time, a great deal of time; but still this knowledge of +the peerage sounded hopeful, and it was with a little less severity in +her voice that she demanded: + +"And what do you mean to do now?" + +"Go back to Basingstoke this morning." + +"Alone?" + +"No, with Mr. Allingford." + +"Do you expect to find your husband there?" + +"I should think he would naturally return as soon as possible to where +he lost me." + +"I don't know," said her ladyship. "Was Mrs. Allingford pretty?" + +"If you are going to adopt that tack, Lady Melton, the sooner we part +the better," said her visitor angrily. + +"We do not 'adopt tacks' in England," returned her ladyship calmly; "and +as I consider myself responsible for your actions while you are under my +roof, I shall not allow you to go to Basingstoke, or anywhere else, with +a person who, whatever his official position, is totally unknown to me." + +"You don't mean to keep me here against my will!" + +"I mean to send you to your relations, wherever they are, under the +charge of my butler--a most respectable married man--provided the +journey can be accomplished between now and nightfall." + +"Well, it can't," replied her grand-niece triumphantly. "Aunt Eliza +left for Paris this morning, and all my other relations are in Chicago." + +Lady Melton was, however, a woman of decision, and not to be easily +baffled. + +"Then I will send you to your mother-in-law, Lady Scarsdale; I suppose +she has returned to 'The Towers'?" + +"I believe so. But I do not intend to go there without my husband; it +would be ignominious." + +"Perhaps you can suggest a better plan," said her ladyship coldly. + +"Well, if you refuse to let me go to Basingstoke----" began the bride. + +"I do. Proceed." + +"Then Mr. Allingford might go for me, and tell St. Hubart where I am. I +know he is waiting for me there, but he would never think of my being +here----Excuse me, I mean----" she stammered, blushing, for she saw she +had made a slip. + +"We will not discuss your meaning," said her hostess, "but your plan +seems feasible and proper. You may receive the consular person in my +private sitting-room and arrange matters at once." + +Her niece turned to go, but she stopped her, saying: + +"One word more. I do not think it necessary for your friend Mr. +Allingford to return with my nephew. Pray make this clear to him." + +After having been dismissed from her hostess' presence, Mrs. Scarsdale +lost no time in sending for the Consul, who had just returned, and +proceeded to work off on that unfortunate gentleman the rage engendered +by her recent interview. + +"I'm inclined to think," he said when she had finished, "that in this +instance the catawampus is right. There is no use of your gallivanting +over the country after your husband; he ought to come to you. I'll run +down to Basingstoke at once, send him back, and with Mrs. Allingford go +on my way rejoicing. There is no need of my returning, and I guess her +ladyship won't cry her eyes out if I don't." + +"You haven't yet told me the result of your excursion this morning," she +said, hoping to divert the conversation from so obvious a truth. + +"This," he replied, holding up the telegram he had just received from +the station-master at Basingstoke. + +After reading the message, Mrs. Scarsdale was most anxious that he +should lose no time in starting, and with mutual expressions of +friendship, and boundless thanks from the deserted bride, they parted: +he for the junction, she for a further interview with her great-aunt. + +When her ladyship learned that Scarsdale had left Southampton for +Basingstoke, and was doubtless now in that place, she advised his wife +to remain in seclusion till the members of the house-party, which +luckily was breaking up that day, had departed; and retired herself to +prepare a few remarks with which to welcome her errant great-nephew. +Later in the day, however, she so far relented towards his wife as to +suggest that she take a stroll on the terrace while the few remaining +guests were indulging in a post-prandial siesta. + +It was from this coign of vantage that she saw approaching the worn and +drooping figure of Mr. Allingford. She rushed to meet him, and demanded, +without even giving him time to get his breath: + +"Where is my husband?" + +"I don't know," he gasped. + +"Or your wife?" + +"Or my wife." + +"Aren't they in Basingstoke?" + +"No, and haven't been there. I've turned that confounded town inside +out, and catechised every one about the station, from the divisional +superintendent to the charwoman. They did not come last night, nor +arrive this morning. Since leaving Southampton, if they did leave it, +they have entirely disappeared." + +"Why do you say, 'if they did leave' Southampton?" + +"Because no one saw them go. I have learned by endless telegraphing that +they alighted at that point, told a porter they had been carried past +their destination, and wished to return at once to Basingstoke. He +indicated their train, they disappeared in the crowd--and that's all." + +"Haven't they telegraphed again to Basingstoke?" + +"Not since last night." + +"Or to Salisbury?" + +"No. I inquired on the chance, but no message had come." + +"It is horrible!" she exclaimed. "I'm the most miserable woman on +earth!" + +"Don't cry," he begged despairingly. + +"No," she said, "I won't. Do you think it would be any good to telegraph +to Aunt Eliza and Lady Scarsdale?" + +"I have already done so. Your Aunt Eliza has left for Paris. She +wouldn't have done that if she had heard about this; and it gave Lady +Scarsdale a fit--the telegram I mean--but she didn't know anything." + +"Is that all?" + +"Not quite. I have telegraphed to my Vice-Consul at Christchurch, +asking for news of Scarsdale, and telling him to forward anything that +had come for me. They might have _written_ there, you know, to save talk +in the office; but I haven't as yet had a reply." + +"I must consult Lady Melton; the situation is too dreadful for words. +Suppose they have had an accident; suppose----" she faltered. + +"Nonsense!" he rejoined, "bad news always travels quickly; don't make +yourself uneasy on that score. They've got side-tracked in some +out-of-the-way place, just as we have. I'll go to Southampton to-morrow +and work up the trail. Now you run off and consult the catawampus." + +When her ladyship had heard the whole story, she summed up as follows: + +"As your friend has seen fit to return, you may tell him his chamber +will be again made ready for to-night, and you will both dine in my +sitting-room as before. To-morrow I shall send you home to Lady +Scarsdale." + +"But----" + +"There is nothing more to be said on the subject. I have made up my +mind." And having pronounced sentence, she left her distracted +great-niece to her own reflections. + +It was a very doleful couple who sat down to dinner that evening in Lady +Melton's private room. + +"It is ridiculous!" said Mrs. Scarsdale. "We are being treated like +naughty children. I feel as if I were about to be whipped and put to +bed. Sent home with the butler, indeed! I'd just like to see her +ladyship try to do it!" + +"How are you going to prevent her?" asked the Consul. + +"I'm not a child, and I won't be treated as one! If I am to be sent home +in disgrace, you will have to come with me." + +"Well, I like that! You seem to forget I've lost my wife. My first duty +is to find her." + +"Your first duty is to me. If you go to Southampton, I go with you." + +"I'm afraid there'll be an awful row with her ladyship." + +"Let there be, then; I don't care!" + +"I really think," he expostulated, "that you had better stay here one +day more. I'll get you a reprieve from the custody of the butler, and +have a try at Southampton myself. There is a cross-line from here, and +it won't take any time to run over. I've tracked horse-thieves in +Kentucky when I was sheriff, and I guess I can find a bridegroom where +it's all open country as it is round here." + +At this moment a servant knocked and entered, saying: + +"Please, madam, her ladyship's orders is that you are to be ready at +seven to-morrow morning, to start with Mr. Bright, the butler, for 'The +Towers.'" + +"I----!" began Mrs. Scarsdale, rising in wrath and indignation; but +before she could further complicate matters by a direct refusal, the +footman had turned to Allingford, and, handing him a telegram, had left +the room. Forgetful of all else, she rushed to the Consul's side as +with nervous fingers he tore it open. What joyful news might it not +contain! One look at his face, however, blasted all her hopes. Horror, +consternation, and surprise were depicted thereon as he read the +despatch. Something dreadful must have happened. + +"Tell me the worst!" she cried. "Is it Harold?" + +"It is the last straw," he replied. + +"Is he dead?" + +"I wish he was." + +"You wish my husband dead?" + +"Oh, confound your husband!" + +"Mr. Allingford----!" + +"No, no, I don't mean that. I'm not responsible for what I'm saying," he +replied, and groaned aloud. But his companion was not to be put off. + +"Is that telegram from my husband?" + +"No." + +"From my mother-in-law?" + +"No." + +"From Aunt Eliza?" + +"No." + +"From the station-master at Basingstoke?" + +"Guess again." + +"From your Vice-Consul?" + +"Yes." + +"Has he heard anything of our lost ones?" + +"It has nothing to do with that." + +"Then what is the matter? What does it all mean?" + +"It means," replied the Consul, "that I've got to leave here by the +first train." + +"Explain yourself," she demanded. + +"I'll try," he replied, mopping his brow. "You see, an American applied +to me to lend him some money, a few days ago, and put up as collateral +an elephant." + +"Harold told me the story. I thought it very amusing." + +"You won't when I've finished. The elephant arrived day before yesterday +at Southampton, and, as I had informed the steamship company that I was +the temporary owner of the beast, they forwarded it to my consulate at +Christchurch." + +"How does that affect us?" + +"Affect us!" he cried. "Do you remember what I telegraphed my +Vice-Consul?" + +"Yes, almost word for word," she answered. "You asked for news of the +fugitives, and, on the chance of their writing to Christchurch, told him +to forward here anything that might have come for you." + +"Exactly," shrieked the Consul; "and the blamed fool has forwarded the +elephant!" + +"What! Here? To Melton Court?" she exclaimed, aghast. + +"That is what I said. The beast is on the way now, and ought to be here +bright and early to-morrow morning." + +"How awful! What will you do?" + +"Get out," he replied laconically. + +"And leave me?" + +"I don't know about you, but I mean to leave the elephant. I don't wish +to start a bigger circus than I have on hand already." + +"But would it be quite right to our hostess?" expostulated her niece. + +"If you've any conscientious scruples on the subject, you can stay and +tend the beast. I'm leaving by the first train." + +"But it's your elephant." + +"Of course it is, and I've a right to do what I choose with it. I mean +to leave it to Lady Melton, in payment for my board and lodging. After +the way she's treated me I don't want to owe her anything." + +"Really, Mr. Allingford----" began his companion. + +"Now look here," he retorted; "would you want an elephant tagging you +round on your honeymoon?" + +"Well, no, I don't think I should," she replied, laughing. + +"Besides," he continued, "how am I to prosecute a search for our missing +halves with a Noah's ark in tow?" + +"That does put the matter in a different light," she admitted. + +"You bet it does!" he replied. "As for her ladyship, she can do what she +pleases with my slight token of regard. Give it to the poor of the +parish, if she likes; I don't ask her to keep it." + +"But what is to become of me?" + +"Oh, you are to be sent home with the butler early to-morrow morning." + +"I won't go!" + +"Then join me." + +"But supposing we don't find my husband to-morrow----" + +"Then I'll take you down to my consulate at Christchurch for the night. +I have plenty of friends there with whom you can stay." + +"That settles it," she replied. + +So it was that they stole away from the Court in the grey dawn of the +next morning, footed it to Salisbury, recovered their baggage, and +boarded the early train for Southampton. As it moved out of the station +they passed a long line of box cars on a siding, from one of which the +angry scream of an elephant resounded. + +"Just in time," said the Consul with a sigh of relief. "I wish her +ladyship joy of my little remembrance." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +IN WHICH MR. SCARSDALE CHANGES HIS NAME + +Mr. Scarsdale entered Mrs. Allingford's compartment with so great an +impetus, when he swung himself into her carriage at Basingstoke, that he +completely lost his balance, and shot past her on all fours, to land in +a heap on the floor. A second later the guard banged the door, and the +train was off. + +"What does this mean?" exclaimed the Consul's wife, "and where is my +husband?" + +"Excuse me," gasped Scarsdale, picking himself up from the floor, "but I +couldn't leave you." + +"So it appears," she replied coldly. "But you have not answered my +question, and----" as the train began to move rapidly, "it is not +possible that we are getting under way!" + +"Yes," he said gloomily, "we are off to Southampton." + +"Answer me instantly: where is my husband?" she demanded. + +"Gone to Exeter, I suppose, with my wife." + +"What do you mean?" + +"That he was carried off in the first division of the train, which left +five minutes ago." + +"But I thought we stopped ten minutes." + +"So _you_ did; _we_ stopped only five. When I left you just now, I saw +that the forward half of this train had disappeared, and the guard told +me it had gone to Exeter, and that this portion was just leaving for +Southampton. I thought it better to stay with you than to let you go by +yourself; so as the carriage was moving, and it was impossible to get +you out, I jumped in." + +"Thank you," she said simply; and for a moment there was silence between +them while the train rattled over the points, and, reaching the +outskirts of the town, began to increase its speed. The little +Englishwoman did not, however, emulate her fair American partner in +distress, who was at this moment indulging in hysterics in the other +train; she had been too well trained to betray her feelings before a man +whom she knew but slightly, even over the loss of a husband; so, after +remaining quiet for a little, she controlled herself sufficiently to +say, very calmly: + +"I do not see that we can either of us blame ourselves for what has +happened; we must try and make the best of it, and rejoin your wife and +my husband as soon as possible." + +Plucky little woman! thought Scarsdale to himself; to Mrs. Allingford he +said: + +"I am glad you see things in so sensible a light. You must let me help +you in every way that is in my power." + +"You say our first stop is Southampton?" she asked. + +"Yes, we reach there in less than an hour. They slip some carriages at +Winchester, but the train doesn't stop," he replied. + +"Then I think we should alight at Southampton," she said, "and return +at once to Basingstoke." + +"That would certainly be our best course. When you lose a man in a +crowd, it is much better to wait at the point where you lost him till he +finds you than to hunt for him yourself, as you will both miss each +other." + +"Then you propose to let them find us." + +"That is my idea. Of course I'll telegraph to the station-master at +Basingstoke that we will return there, so that if they wire for +information concerning us he can give it them." + +"Where do you think they have gone?" + +"If we either of us knew our destination it would be far easier," he +said, laughing. "I hope this will be a lesson to my wife." + +"But surely the train must stop before it reaches Exeter." + +"Undoubtedly; but as I have no time-table, I can't say where. Perhaps +your husband has one in his overcoat. If you will permit me," and he +proceeded to examine the garment in question. + +No time-table was forthcoming, however, and they were forced to resign +themselves to waiting till they reached Southampton. + +Mrs. Allingford bore up bravely, and even tried to make conversation; +but it proved to be a dreary ride, and when they drew up at their +destination they were both exceedingly thankful. + +"Is there a train back to Basingstoke soon?" asked Scarsdale of the +first railway porter he saw. + +"Yes, sir, over there on the left. Express leaves in three or four +minutes," replied that individual, as he hurried away with somebody +else's baggage. + +"I'll take you over," said Scarsdale. + +"No," replied his companion, "I can find it. You attend to the telegram +and my luggage." + +He dashed off accordingly, and when he returned they both entered the +train on the left. + +"I've sent the telegram," he said, "and I have also discovered your +destination." + +"How?" she inquired. + +"By the labels on the luggage. It was marked for Bournemouth, and a +jolly hard time I had to induce them to take it out of the van and send +it back with us." + +"It seems to me," she said after a little, "that we've been waiting here +more than four minutes. I trust we are not in the wrong train. One has +just gone out." + +"Hi! guard!" called Scarsdale from the window. "Is this the express for +Basingstoke?" + +"No, sir," replied the official. "It was the train beyond you, which has +just left. Sorry if you've made a mistake, sir." + +"Confound it, yes!" cried Scarsdale. "Where does this train go?" + +"Stopping train for Winchester." + +"Can we go on to Basingstoke?" + +"Not by this train, sir." + +"But from Winchester?" + +"There is sure to be a train this evening, sir." + +"It has been a chapter of accidents," he said, explaining it to Mrs. +Allingford, "but we had better go to Winchester, I think; it is on the +way anyhow." + +"Yes," she assented, "and then get on to Basingstoke as fast as we can, +and not be discouraged." + +"Quite right," he replied, and entered into a description of Southampton +docks and the varied cargoes that were received there, in the hope of +distracting her mind. + +"Oh, look!" she cried, as, once more started on their travels, they came +in sight of the shipping, "see what they are loading on that truck! I do +believe it is an elephant!" + +After what seemed an interminable journey, they at length arrived at +Winchester, and as soon as Scarsdale had seen Mrs. Allingford +established in the ladies' waiting-room, he hastened to ascertain their +chances of getting to Basingstoke that night. On his return he wore a +very long face, which his companion was not slow to interpret. + +"Are there no trains?" she exclaimed, in evident dismay. + +"There is one," he replied, "but we should not reach our destination +till very late, almost midnight in fact, and we cannot tell that we +should find your husband even then. I think our best course would be to +remain here." + +"Oh, but that is impossible." + +"No, there is a very fair hotel." + +"I didn't mean that. But can't you see the position in which I am +placed?" + +He did see, and he knew that what he proposed seemed to her almost an +impossibility; but as they were now situated he considered that +circumstances altered cases. + +"I am sure, Mrs. Allingford," he said, "that your good sense, which has +carried you through so much this afternoon, will show you the necessity +of acting as I have suggested. You must not forget that you are now a +married woman, and can do things which before were not permissible." + +"Still," she contended, "to go to a public hotel with a gentleman who is +a comparative stranger, and pass the night there, seems to me not the +thing at all; and if we were recognised by anybody----" She paused, +hardly knowing how to complete her sentence. + +"Then go alone. There are other hotels; I will put up somewhere else," +he replied. + +"No, no, I couldn't be left alone; I've never been alone before in my +life. That would be worse than all else. You see, if you were only +related to me it would be so different." + +"I am quite willing to pass myself off as any relation you please, for +the sake of appearances." + +"But that would be deceitful." + +"I think the exigencies of the case will excuse that; besides, it is my +own affair, not yours. Will you have me as a brother for one night +only?" he asked, laughing. + +"But I have no brother," she replied. + +"Then as your husband's brother," he suggested; "that would be better +still, as he is an American and not known here." + +"Do you really think it best?" + +"To save you annoyance, I think it is a pardonable deception. What is +his name?" + +"Richard. But I don't know much about him." + +"Then we will consider that that is settled," he said cheerfully, and, +without giving her time to argue the matter, summoned a fly, which +presently deposited them bag and baggage at the hotel door. To make +assurance doubly sure, he hastened to sign their names in the visitors' +book: + +"Mrs. Robert Allingford, Christchurch, England. + +"Mr. Richard Allingford, U.S.A." + +"Can you give my sister and me good rooms for to-night?" he asked the +landlady. + +"Yes, sir, two nice rooms just opposite each other." + +He said that that would do very well, and they were soon installed. + +Once in her apartment, Mrs. Allingford indulged in a good cry, while +Scarsdale strolled out before dinner to have a smoke and think it over. +He did not see much further use in telegraphing just at that moment. +Later it would, perhaps, be well to send a message to Basingstoke, +saying that they were detained at Winchester and would come on next +morning; for he had quickly learned that Mrs. Scarsdale and Mr. +Allingford would be able to leave the train at Salisbury, and justly +surmised that they had done so. + +Presently, having finished his cigar, he returned to the hotel to find +Mrs. Allingford ready for dinner, and much refreshed by her tears and +subsequent ablutions. They neither of them ate much, and after the fish +they gave up any attempt to make conversation as worse than useless, and +finished the repast in silence. + +"I'm afraid," she said, as she folded her napkin, "that you've found me +very poor company." + +"I'm nothing to boast of myself," he replied. + +"I hope they are not as miserable as we are," she added, as they rose to +leave the table. "I haven't been able to eat a thing." + +Scarsdale did not reply; he had a gloomy suspicion that his wife was +making a very good meal somewhere. Not that he doubted her love; but he +did not believe her devotion included loss of appetite. + +"Don't you think they are miserable?" she queried, uneasy at his +silence. + +"Not so miserable as we are," he said. "They are both Americans, you +see, and Americans don't take things seriously as a rule." + +"What do you suppose they are doing?" was her next question. + +"Seated swinging their feet over the edge of Salisbury platform, +finishing my five-pound box of American candy," he said. + +She tried to be amused, and even forced a little laugh; but it was a +dismal failure, and, realising it, she at once excused herself and +retired to her room for the night, leaving Scarsdale to pass the evening +as best he could. He approved of her circumspection, but it was beastly +dull, and, as he sat smoking in the winter garden which the hotel +boasted, he felt that he should soon become insufferably bored. + +He presently, therefore, overcame his natural reserve sufficiently to +respond to the advances of the only person in the room who seemed +inclined to be sociable. The stranger was a florid, shaggy-bearded man +of a distinctively American type, a person Scarsdale would naturally +have avoided under ordinary circumstances; but to-night he felt the need +of human society, no matter whose, and in a few moments they had drifted +into conversation. At first the subjects under discussion were harmless +enough, relating mainly to Winchester and neighbouring points of +interest, concerning which Scarsdale was forced to confess himself +ignorant, as it was his first visit to the place. Before long, however, +they began to touch on more dangerous ground, and he saw that, even with +a casual acquaintance of this sort, he must be guarded if he was to +remain consistent in his role of brother to the deserted bride. + +"Were you ever in America?" was the first question which startled him. + +He replied in the affirmative, as he could honestly do, having been +taken by his father to Canada when but a lad. But the stranger was not +satisfied, and began, after the manner of his nation, a series of +leading questions, which kept Scarsdale busy in trying to assimilate +with some regard to truth the character he had chosen. It was at this +moment that a waiter came to him and asked in a perfectly audible voice +if he was Mr. Richard Allingford. Scarsdale was forced to admit the +fact, and to reply to a message sent, as the waiter took unnecessary +pains to explain, "By your sister, sir." + +"Excuse me," interjected his companion, "but may I ask if your sister's +name is Mrs. Robert Allingford?" + +The Englishman would have given worlds to deny the fact, but in the +presence of the waiter, who still lingered, and in the face of the +evidence in the visitors' book, only one course was open to him, and he +replied reluctantly in the affirmative. + +"Wife of the United States Consul at Christchurch?" + +"Yes," said Scarsdale. + +Now he could once more tell the truth, he felt happier; but he had a +premonition that all was not well, and heartily wished he had never +encouraged this American, who might know more than was convenient. + +"Why, Dick!" said that personage, leaning across the little table that +separated them, and grasping both his hands--"Why, Dick! Don't you know +me?" + +If a thunderbolt had shattered the floor at the Englishman's feet he +could not have been more dumfounded. The one seemingly impossible thing +had come to pass. In all this great world, with every chance against it, +fate had ordained that the little provincial city in which he had +planned to play, for one night only, another man's part, should also +contain one of that man's friends, and they two had met. He was so +staggered, as the possibilities contingent on this mischance crowded +through his brain, that he could only stammer out: + +"You have the advantage of me." + +"Well, I don't much wonder," continued his new-found friend. "If I have +changed as much in fifteen years as you have, it isn't strange you +didn't recognise me. Lord! I'd never have known you if you hadn't told +me who you were." + +"You must do me as great a favour," said Scarsdale, regaining a little +of his self-composure. If so long a time had elapsed since their last +meeting, he felt that things were not so bad after all, and that he +could reasonably hope to bluff it out. + +"Well," said the other, "the boys used to call me Faro Charlie; now you +remember." + +The Englishman tried to look as if he did, and the American proceeded to +further elucidate matters by saying: + +"Why, surely you ain't forgotten me as was your pal out to Red Dog, the +time you was prospecting for copper and struck gold?" + +"No, no," said Scarsdale. "Of course I remember you now." He couldn't be +supposed to have forgotten such an event, he felt; but the whole affair +was most unfortunate. + +"I guess you've settled down and become pious, from the looks of you," +continued Faro Charlie; "but you'll have a drink for old times' sake +just the same." + +"No, thanks, you must excuse me," he replied, feeling that he must drop +this unwelcome friend as soon as possible. But the friend had no +intention of being dropped, and contented himself by saying: + +"Rats!" and ordering two whiskies. + +"Why, I've known the day," he continued, "when Slippery Dick--we used to +call you Slippery Dick, you remember, 'cause you could cheat worse at +poker than any man in the camp." Scarsdale writhed. "Well, as I was +saying, you'd have shot a man then who refused to drink with you." + +The Englishman sat aghast. Little had he thought he was impersonating a +card-sharper and a wholesale murderer. The whisky came and he drank it, +feeling that he needed a bracer. + +"Now," said Faro Charlie, "I want to hear all about what you've been +doing, first and last. Tending copper-mines, I heered, out to Michigan." + +This, the Englishman felt, was going too far. It was bad enough to have +to impersonate such a fellow as "Slippery Dick," but to endow him with a +fictitious history that was at all comparable with Faro Charlie's +account of his earlier years required too great an effort of +imagination. And the fact that a quiet little man, who was sitting near +by, edged up his chair and seemed deeply interested in the conversation, +did not tend to put him more at his ease. No wonder, he thought, the +Consul did not talk much about his brother. He therefore hastened to +change the subject. + +"Have you seen much of the Indians lately?" he ventured; it seemed such +a safe topic. + +"Thinking of that little squaw you was so chummy with down to Injun +Reservation?" queried his friend, punching him jovially in the ribs. +"You knew, didn't you, that they'd had her up for horse-stealing to +Fort Smith? Reckon as they'd a hung her if she hadn't been a woman. She +was a limb! Guess you had your hands full when you tackled her." + +Scarsdale decided his choice of a subject had not been fortunate, and +begged Faro Charlie to have some more whisky. + +"Sure," replied that individual. "Drink with you all night." + +"I'm afraid you can't do that," replied Scarsdale, hastening to rid +himself of his unwelcome friend. "I have some important business to +attend to this evening." + +"I wish you weren't in such a rush. Come back and we'll paint the town, +eh?" + +Scarsdale thought it extremely unlikely, and shaking hands fled to the +street with a sigh of relief; for he had had a very bad quarter of an +hour. What cursed luck that he should have run across this American +horror! He must avoid him at all costs to-morrow morning. + +In his hurry he had not noticed that the quiet little man had left the +winter garden with him. His one thought was to get away. He determined +to send that telegram to Basingstoke at once, and go to bed before any +one else recognised him: one of Slippery Dick's friends was enough. + +But unkind fate had not yet done with him, and a new and more terrible +surprise was in store for the unfortunate bridegroom. He had scarcely +gone a dozen yards from the hotel entrance, when a voice said just +beside him: + +"Excuse me, Mr. Richard Allingford, but may I have a few words with +you?" + +Scarsdale turned, and finding himself face to face with the quiet little +man, who had seemed so interested in his conversation of a few moments +ago, said: + +"I seem to be in great demand to-night. Why do you wish to see me? I +don't know you." + +"No," said the man who stood beside him. "No, you do not know me, Mr. +Richard Allingford; but you will." + +He was a quiet, unpretending little man; but there was something about +his dress and bearing, and the snap with which he shut his jaw at the +end of a sentence, an air of decision, in short, which caused the +Englishman to feel that he would do well to conciliate this stranger, +whoever he might be, so he said shortly: + +"What do you want with me? Speak quickly; I'm in a hurry." + +"I couldn't help overhearing some of your conversation just now at the +hotel, and so I took the liberty of following you to ask you a +question." + +"Yes?" said Scarsdale interrogatively. + +"If I mistake not you are the brother of the United States Consul at +Christchurch, and came over to his wedding." + +"Yes," he admitted; for he did not see how he could well deny to one man +what he had just confessed to another. + +"You have been in England about ten days, I think?" + +"As long as that, certainly." + +"May I ask what ship you came on?" + +"By what right do you ask me these questions?" + +"You will see presently." + +"But suppose I refuse to answer them?" + +The unknown shrugged his shoulders, and said quietly: + +"Now wasn't it the _Paris_?" + +"Yes," said Scarsdale, who remembered with joy having seen that fact +chronicled in a London paper. + +"I suppose you have never been in Winchester before?" + +"Never in my life." + +"Not last week?" + +"Look here!" said Scarsdale angrily, "what the devil are you driving +at?" + +"It is a pity you should have such a good memory for past and not for +recent events," said the quiet little man, "a great pity." + +"I tell you I have never been here!" + +"Didn't dine at the Lion's Head last Wednesday, for instance?" + +"No, I did not, and I've had enough of this insolence!" + +"So have I," said the little man, blowing a little whistle. "So have I, +and therefore I arrest you, Richard Allingford, in the Queen's name." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +IN WHICH MR. SCARSDALE REAPS ANOTHER'S WHIRLWIND + +Scarsdale was absolutely staggered by the word "arrest." Arrest! What +nonsense! Who was this man who talked of arresting _him_, Harold +Scarsdale, peaceably engaged in trying to find his wife and proceed on +his honeymoon? The first sensations of surprise and incredulity were +quickly followed, however, by a realisation of the horrible situation in +which his own stupidity had placed him. In the eyes of the law he was +not Harold Scarsdale, but Richard Allingford, and he shuddered to think +with what crime he might be charged; for, from what he had learned in +the last half-hour, he could not doubt that he was posing as one of the +most abandoned characters that had ever visited the town of Winchester. + +A person who consorted with horse-thieves, cheated at cards, and thought +nothing of shooting friends who were not thirsty, would surely be +satisfied with no ordinary crime. Of what was he accused? He hardly +dared to ask. And how was he to get out of this dreadful dilemma? His +reflections, however, were cut short by the arrival of a burly +policeman, in answer to his captor's whistle. The little man at once +addressed the newcomer, quite ignoring Scarsdale. + +"Here's your man Allingford; not a doubt of it," he said. + +"Got your warrant?" inquired the policeman, laying a detaining hand on +the prisoner's shoulder. + +"Here it is," replied the first speaker, producing a paper, which the +officer glanced at and returned, saying at the same time to Scarsdale: + +"Now, then, come along o' me, and don't make no resistance if you knows +what's good for you." + +"I do not intend to offer any resistance," replied that gentleman, and +turning to the little man he asked: "By what right do you arrest me, and +on what charge?" + +"I'm Private Detective Smithers," replied his captor, "and this," again +producing the paper he had already shown to the policeman, "is my +warrant. You know the charge well enough." + +"I'm entirely ignorant of it!" cried Scarsdale hotly. + +"Of course," said the detective. "They always are," and he winked at the +officer. + +"I tell you I don't know anything about it!" reiterated the unfortunate +bridegroom. + +"I must caution you," remarked the policeman, "that anything you says +may be used against you as evidence." + +"I demand to know why I am arrested. I have a right to do so." + +"Tell him, Bill," said the detective, "and stop his row." + +The officer, thus admonished, nodded his head, and replied shortly: + +"Two charges: 'sault and battery on the landlord of the Lion's Head, and +disturbing the peace on last Wednesday night." + +"I deny the charge!" cried Scarsdale. + +"Of course you do," replied the policeman; "I suppose you would. Now +you've had your say, are you coming along peaceable, or are you not?" + +"Certainly I am," replied the prisoner, and they started up the street, +followed by a small crowd, which had already collected. + +"I must warn you," continued Scarsdale, when they were fairly under way, +"that you are making a mistake. I am not the man you take me for." + +"I suppose you'll deny your name is Richard Allingford next," said the +detective, laughing. + +"I do deny it." + +"Well I'm blessed!" remarked his captor. + +The policeman simply said: "Come on, that's too thin!" and jerked him +roughly by the arm. + +Scarsdale quickened his pace, saying angrily: + +"If you'd only give a man a chance to explain!" + +"You'll have chance enough, when you come up to-morrow, to explain to +the court," replied the officer, "and a pretty bill of damages into the +bargain." + +"Oh, if it's only a fine," remarked the prisoner, feeling much relieved, +"I'll pay it and welcome, rather than have a row." + +"Maybe you won't have the option," replied one of his captors; while the +other added cheerfully: "What you needs is thirty days, and I 'opes +you'll get it." + +At the police court Scarsdale did not help his case by insisting on +giving his right name, and denying all knowledge of the charge. His +statements were entered against him, he was relieved of his watch, +purse, and jewellery, and introduced to the cold comforts of the +lock-up. + +On being asked if he wished to communicate with any one, he replied that +the next morning would be quite time enough; for he knew that Mrs. +Allingford could give him little help in his present predicament, and +he did not wish to disturb her night's rest to no purpose. + +It can be well imagined that the accommodations of an English provincial +prison are not luxurious; but the room was clean, and fortune favoured +him in that he had only two companions, both of whom were stupid drunk, +and went to sleep very peaceably on the floor. + +Scarsdale improvised a bed on a settee, and, using his coat as a pillow, +passed a fairly comfortable night. Luckily he was of a somewhat +phlegmatic temperament, and withal very tired after the day's exertions; +so, in spite of the misfortunes which were crowding about him, he was +able to resign himself to the inevitable, and eventually to drop off to +sleep. + +Early next morning, however, he arranged to have a note delivered to +Mrs. Allingford at the hotel, in which he informed that lady of his +unfortunate predicament, begging her not to distress herself on his +account; and assuring her that in all probability it was merely a +matter of a trifling fine, and that he should be at liberty to rejoin +her within a few hours. + +He felt very little of what he wrote; but as long as there was a chance +of things coming out right, he wished to spare her all possible worry. + +His ready money procured him a better breakfast than he could have hoped +for, and by nine o'clock, when the court opened, he was refreshed and +ready for whatever might befall. His two companions in misfortune +preceded him for trial, but their cases were soon disposed of, and +Harold Scarsdale, _alias_ Richard Allingford, was put into the dock. + +The court-room consisted of a plainly furnished apartment, containing a +raised platform at one end, on which were placed the desk and armchair +of the police magistrate, while in front were several rows of benches +for the accommodation of the public: but as the cases were of no general +interest, Scarsdale was relieved to see that the attendance was meagre. +Mrs. Allingford was present, however, looking very white and distressed, +but managing to muster up a smile to greet him as he entered. + +The proceedings were short and to the point. The police constable, on +being called and given the oath, kissed the book and deposed that at +about a quarter to nine on the previous evening, while on his accustomed +beat, he had been summoned by Private Detective Smithers to aid in +arresting the prisoner, who had professed ignorance of the charge, the +truth of which he afterwards denied, and who persisted in asserting that +he was not Richard Allingford. + +Private Detective Smithers now took the stand and stated the case from +his point of view; which was, in short, that the conversation he had +overheard at the hotel between the prisoner and another person here +present, and the statement which the prisoner made to him personally, +proved that he was without doubt the Richard Allingford mentioned in the +indictment. In conclusion he begged that the person styling himself Faro +Charlie should be summoned to corroborate his testimony. Faro Charlie +was accordingly called and placed in the dock, and after the usual +preliminaries the magistrate examined him as follows: + +"What is your name?" + +"Faro Charlie." + +"Any other name?" + +"Smith." + +"Very well, Charles Smith; are you a citizen of the United States?" + +"I be." + +"Of what occupation?" + +"Miner." + +"Do you recognise the prisoner as the person whom you met at the George +last evening?" + +"I do." + +"Can you swear that he is Richard Allingford?" + +"No." + +Scarsdale's heart leaped at that "no"; salvation was at hand after all. + +The magistrate continued: + +"Do you believe this person to be Richard Allingford?" + +"Yes, on the whole I think I do." The prisoner's heart sank. "But," +continued the witness, "I can't be sure. Fifteen years is a long time. I +wouldn't have known him if he hadn't owned up to his name. He might be +playing me for a sucker." + +"In other words, you think the prisoner to be Richard Allingford, but +are unwilling to swear to his identity?" + +"That's the stuff," replied Faro Charlie. "I swored as a man was my +uncle, three years ago at 'Frisco, and he put a bullet into me next day, +'cause I lost him the case. After which I ain't swearing against a pal," +and he left the stand. + +The case now proceeded, and the detective related how on Wednesday, the +16th of October, the prisoner, Richard Allingford, in company with other +lawless characters, had dined at the Lion's Head, and, during a dispute +with the landlord concerning the quality of the wine, had thrown that +personage out of his own second-storey window; telling his wife, who +protested against such actions, to put her husband in the bill, which +they left without settling. Then they proceeded to paint the town of +Winchester a lurid crimson, breaking windows, beating a policeman who +interfered, and raiding a night coffee-stall in the process. + +This recital of wrong and outrage being finished, the magistrate +addressed the prisoner as follows: + +"What is your name?" + +"Harold Stanley Malcolm St. Hubart Scarsdale." + +Some one in the audience murmured, "O Lor'!" + +"You refuse to admit that your name is Richard Allingford?" continued +the justice. + +"I have just given you my name." + +"Are you an American?" + +"No, I am an Englishman." + +"Where do you live?" + +"'The Towers,' Sussex." + +The audience again voiced its sentiments; this time to the effect that +the prisoner was "a 'owling swell"; but order was restored and the case +once more proceeded. + +"What is your profession?" + +"I am a clerk in the War Office." + +"Does not that interfere with the management of your estate?" asked his +interlocutor, to whom the last two statements savoured of contradiction. + +"I have just succeeded to the estate, through the death of an elder +brother." + +"Ah, I see. Now in regard to last evening. Do you admit meeting at the +George the person who calls himself Charles Smith?" + +"Yes." + +"Did not you represent yourself to him as being Richard Allingford?" + +"Yes." + +This reply caused a sensation in the court. + +"I suppose," said the magistrate, "that you realise that this is a +serious admission." + +"It is the truth." + +"Perhaps you can explain it to the satisfaction of the court." + +"I assumed the name," said Scarsdale with an effort, "to screen from +possible annoyance a lady who was under my protection. With the +permission of the court, however, I should prefer not to go into this +matter further, as it has no direct bearing on the charge. My action was +foolish, and I have been punished for it." + +"You certainly chose an unfortunate alias," commented the magistrate +drily, and, much to the prisoner's relief, turned to another phase of +the case. + +"What are you doing in Winchester?" + +"I am on my honeymoon. I was married yesterday." + +A titter of laughter ran round the court-room; but the magistrate +frowned, and continued: + +"I suppose that is the reason why you registered under an assumed name, +and are travelling with somebody else's wife?" + +There was more laughter, for the justice had a local reputation as a +wit. Scarsdale boiled inwardly, but held his peace; while his judge, who +seemed to feel that he had strayed a little from the subject in hand, +after a moment's silence asked shortly: + +"Do you plead guilty or not guilty to these charges?" + +"Not guilty!" + +"Do you wish this matter settled here or in a superior court?" + +"I desire that it be settled here, provided I am given an opportunity to +prove my identity." + +"You will be given every reasonable opportunity. What do you wish?" + +"I wish to ask first by whom these charges are preferred." + +"The charge of assault and battery has been brought by the landlord of +the Lion's Head." + +"I infer that the landlord served Richard Allingford in person on the +night in question, and would be likely to know him if he saw him." + +The magistrate conferred with the detective, and replied that such was +the case. + +"If the question is not out of order," resumed the prisoner, "may I ask +if the landlord of the Lion's Head is a reputable witness, and one whose +testimony might be relied on?" + +"I think you may trust yourself in his hands," replied the justice, who +had seen all along whither the case was tending. + +"Then," said Scarsdale, "I shall be satisfied to rest my case on his +identification." + +"That is quite a proper request," replied the magistrate. "Is the +landlord of the Lion's Head present?" + +At this a dapper little man jumped up in the audience, and explained +that he was the landlord's physician, and that his patient, though +convalescent, was still disabled by his injuries and unable to attend +court. + +On inquiry being made as to when he could put in an appearance, the +physician replied that he thought the landlord could come the next day. + +The magistrate therefore consulted for a moment with the detective, and +then said to the prisoner: + +"Your case is remanded for trial until to-morrow." + +Scarsdale held up his hand in token that he wished to speak. + +"Well," said the magistrate, "what else?" + +"If I can, by the time this court meets to-morrow, produce reputable +witnesses from London to prove my identity," asked the prisoner, "will +their evidence be admitted?" + +"If they can identify themselves as such to the satisfaction of the +court, yes." + +The magistrate thereupon dismissed the case, and Scarsdale was removed +from the court-room. + +He felt he had come off singularly well, and, except for the annoyance +and delay would have little further trouble. What he most desired was an +interview with Mrs. Allingford; but what with a change in his quarters, +owing to the deferment of the trial, and the difficulty of getting word +to her, it was the middle of the afternoon before this was accomplished. + +The unfortunate little woman seemed completely broken down by this fresh +disaster, and it was some time before she could control herself +sufficiently to talk calmly with him. + +"I shall never, never forgive myself," she sobbed. "It is all my fault +that you have incurred this disgrace. I can never look your wife in the +face again." + +"Nonsense!" he said, trying to cheer her up. "There is no disgrace in +being arrested for what somebody else has done; and as for its being +your fault, why, it was I who proposed to pass myself off as your +husband's brother." + +"But I allowed it, only I did not know anything about my brother-in-law, +except that he existed; his being in England is a complete surprise to +me." A remark which caused Scarsdale to be thankful that he had said +nothing to her about that scene at the club when the Consul heard of +Dick's arrival. "He must be very wicked. I'm so sorry. But we won't talk +about him now; we will talk about you. What can I do to retrieve +myself?" she continued. + +"Let us consider your own affairs first," he replied. "I wasn't able to +send a telegram to Basingstoke last night; I was arrested on my way to +the office." + +"I sent one, though, this morning, right after the trial." + +"I didn't know that you knew where to go," he said. + +"I didn't," she returned; "but that queer American person, who wouldn't +swear to your identity, sent it for me. He is very odd, but I'm sure he +has a good heart. He was so distressed over the whole affair, and +offered to be of any assistance he could." + +"Oh!" said Scarsdale. He was not pre-possessed in Faro Charlie's favour. + +"So I think," she went on, "that if they are at Basingstoke, they will +be here in a few hours. I told them all about your arrest and where I +was staying." + +"So far so good. Allingford can identify me even to the satisfaction of +this magistrate, I think. But it is just as well to have two strings to +one's bow, so I have another plan to suggest; but first let me hear if +you have done anything else." + +"No; but I think I shall telegraph to my mother. I can't spend another +night here alone." + +"Why don't you wait and see if your husband does not turn up? I hate to +give our affairs more publicity than is necessary," he suggested. + +"Would you prefer me to do so?" + +"Yes, very much; if you don't mind." + +"Then I will. I think, after my share in this unfortunate business, you +ought to have the first consideration. Now tell me your plan." + +"I propose that we telegraph to your husband's best man, Jack +Carrington, asking him to come to Winchester this evening. He can +identify me, and identify himself also, for he has a brother who is an +officer in one of the regiments stationed here." + +"Just the thing!" she cried. "I'll send it at once." + +"No," replied Scarsdale. "You write it and I'll send it." He did not +wish any more of his plans to be revealed to Faro Charlie. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +IN WHICH A SERIOUS CHARGE IS LAID AT THE CONSUL'S DOOR + +Jack Carrington, Esquire, Gentleman, sat in his snug little +sitting-room, in one of the side streets of Mayfair, shortly before +seven in the evening, feeling uncommonly blue. He was, without doubt, in +a most unfortunate position. Born and bred a gentleman; educated to do +nothing, yet debarred by lack of family influence from the two +professions he might properly have entered, the army and the diplomatic +corps; with not quite enough money to support his position as a +bachelor, and no hopes of ever having any more, the outlook, +matrimonially at least, was anything but encouraging, and there was a +lady--with whose existence this narrative has no concern--who, had +fortune smiled, might now be Mrs. Carrington: a possibility which had +brought our quondam best man almost to the point of determining, +according to those false standards which are happily fast passing away +from English society, to be no longer a _gentleman_, but to go into +trade. + +Such, then, was his condition when the door-bell rang, and a moment +later a card was brought to him bearing the name of Lady Scarsdale. He +looked at it, scarcely believing his eyes. How came it that she should +call on him at an hour so strikingly unconventional? It was therefore +with no little bewilderment that he gave orders to have her shown in. + +When her ladyship, whom he had never seen before, entered his parlour, +he found himself face to face with a strikingly handsome woman of middle +age, dressed in semi-mourning. She accepted his outstretched hand, held +it a second, and, taking the seat he offered, said, with just a glance +in the direction of a demure little woman who followed her into the +room: + +"Miss Wilkins." + +Carrington bowed, and Miss Wilkins, maid or attendant, whichever she +might be, retired to the remote end of the room, and promptly immersed +herself in the only volume within reach, a French novel which Jack felt +sure she had never seen before, and would not be likely to peruse to any +great extent. + +"You will naturally be surprised at my presence here this evening," said +Lady Scarsdale. + +Her host bowed and smiled, to show that pleasure and gratification were +mingled; indeed, until she further declared her position he hardly knew +how he ought to feel. + +Her ladyship continued: + +"My object in coming is unusual; it is, in short, to request your aid +and assistance in a very extraordinary and delicate matter." + +Jack bowed again, and his visitor proceeded: + +"You will excuse me if I seem agitated"--she certainly did seem very +much so, if red eyes and a quivering lip meant anything--"but I have +scarcely recovered from the shock occasioned by the arrival of a +telegram received this morning from a Mr. Allingford, at whose marriage, +I think, you assisted." + +"I was his best man." + +"So I understand." + +"Nothing wrong, I hope?" + +"That you shall hear. Do you know my son, Mr. Scarsdale?" + +"Only slightly." + +"You may be aware that he was married yesterday." Jack nodded, and she +continued: "To a Miss Vernon, an American. You know her, I believe?" + +"Quite well," replied her host. "She is a most charming woman." + +"Now this Mr. Allingford telegraphs me," resumed his visitor, "from my +aunt Lady Melton's country seat, Melton Court, that he is staying there +with my son's wife, who was Miss Vernon." + +"Staying there with Allingford! At Melton Court!" gasped Jack, to whom +this seemed the most improbable combination of circumstances. "But +where is her husband?" + +"I regret to say," replied her ladyship, "that, as a result of the two +couples meeting each other at Basingstoke, they in some way became +separated and carried off in different trains; so that my +daughter-in-law and Mr. Allingford are now at my aunt's country place, +near Salisbury, while my son and Mrs. Allingford have gone off together +somewhere on the South Coast, and no trace can be found of them." + +"But how did it happen?" + +"The whole affair seems to have been the result of some deplorable +blunder or accident; but in any event it is most distressing, and I came +up at once to London, thinking you might be able to help me. But I see +from your surprise that you have heard nothing from either party." + +"Not a word. But I am quite at your service." + +"Thanks. You may not know that, actuated by a spirit which I cannot +admire, my son's wife and your friend each insisted on arranging the +details of their wedding trips, and keeping the matter a profound +secret, so that neither Mrs. Allingford nor my son knew their +destination." + +"Yes, I have heard something of it; but I infer that you have not +honoured me by this visit without the hope that I may be able to aid +you. Pray tell me how I can be of service." + +My chief desire in calling on you, Mr. Carrington, was to learn if you +had had any news of my son or his wife; but, of course, on my journey to +town I have been thinking of various expedients, and though I hesitate +to ask so great a favour from one I hardly know, you could, I think, be +of great assistance to me. + +"With pleasure. Do you wish me to telegraph to Allingford, or go in +search of your son?" + +"Neither. But I should be very grateful to you if you would go for me to +Melton Court; I have not myself sufficient strength for the journey +to-night; it is already late and I have no one to send. But I feel that +my daughter-in-law is in an anomalous and probably unpleasant position; +so, as I knew you to be a friend of both parties, I thought that perhaps +you would be good enough to represent me, and see what could be done +towards the solution of this unfortunate problem. My son's best man left +for the Continent immediately after the ceremony, or I would have gone +to him instead." + +"There is nothing I should like better than to serve you," replied Jack, +"but, to speak frankly, I have not the honour of knowing Lady Melton." + +"If you will permit me to use your desk, I will give you a line of +introduction." + +Carrington bowed his consent. + +"Now," she said, giving him the note, "when can you leave?" + +"At once," he replied, "by the first train." + +"You will, of course, act as you think best," she continued. "I am +staying at the Berkeley for to-night, and if Mabel's husband has not +rejoined her before you arrive, you had better bring her to me there +to-morrow. As you are going on my behalf you must, of course, let me +bear all expenses of the trip." + +On this ground her ladyship was firm in spite of Carrington's +protestations, and they finally parted, with many expressions of +gratitude, on a mutual and highly satisfactory understanding. + +As Jack employed a valet only on state occasions, he was, after a +hurried dinner, deep in his preparations for immediate departure, when, +about half-past eight, Mrs. Allingford's telegram from Winchester +arrived, which it is hardly necessary to say startled him considerably. +The news that Scarsdale was under arrest for the crime of another +person, and the fact that it lay in his power to free him, seemed to +prove without doubt that his first duty was to go to Winchester; but he +had promised Lady Scarsdale to go to Melton Court, and it was impossible +to do both that night. He was uncertain how to act, and what his +ultimate decision would have been it is difficult to say, had not an +outside influence decided matters for him. Another caller was announced. + +"I'm not at home. Can't see anybody," said Carrington. + +"That's not true, young man, and you've got to see me," replied a voice, +and, as the door opened, to his astonishment Aunt Eliza advanced into +the middle of the room, which was littered with his toilet articles. + +"Why, Miss Cogbill!" he exclaimed, rising to greet her, "I thought you +were in Paris." + +"So I should be if I hadn't been stopped at Calais by a telegram from +that good-for-nothing Consul of yours." + +"Allingford. Then you know where they are?" + +"Yes, and of all the fools----!" + +"I've also heard from Scarsdale and Mrs. Allingford." + +"You have! Where are they?" + +"Winchester." + +"Winchester! What are they doing there?" + +"He's been arrested." + +"Arrested!" + +"Yes. Sit down and I'll tell you about it." Which he proceeded to do, +and also about Lady Scarsdale's visit. + +"Just so," commented Aunt Eliza when he had finished. "Now what do you +propose doing next?" + +"I suppose the proper thing would be to put the two couples in +communication with each other," suggested Jack. + +"Well, I'm not so sure," she said. "You and I are the only ones who know +all the facts, and we must not act in a hurry. Now there's Allingford +and Mabel down at Melton Court. They'll keep till to-morrow, I guess. It +would just spoil her night's rest to know that her husband was in jail +at Winchester, and send her over to him by the first train to-morrow +morning, like as not, to weep on his neck and complicate the course of +justice. Anyway, I don't think the two couples had better meet till we +are present to soothe their ruffled feelings; for, after the mess that +the Consul's brother has got them into, I dare say that, left to +themselves, the Scarsdales and Allingfords wouldn't be real cordial to +each other. But I see you are packing up. Now where are you going?" + +"I was going down to Salisbury, at Lady Scarsdale's request." + +"You're needed elsewhere. You go right down to Winchester this evening, +so as you can be there when the court opens first thing to-morrow +morning, to identify my good-for-nothing nephew, liberate him, and send +him and Mrs. Allingford over to Melton Court as soon as you can. I'll be +there before you to break the news to Mabel." + +"Well, you see," he said, "I've promised her ladyship." + +"Never mind that; your business is to fish these young people out of +their troubles. I'll drive at once to Lady Scarsdale's hotel, and tell +her of your change of plans, and go down myself by the first train +to-morrow morning to Salisbury." + +"Then," he said, closing his valise with a snap, "I shall leave at once +for Winchester." + +"Good boy!" said Aunt Eliza. "It's too bad they spoiled you by making +you a gentleman; you have a first-class head for business." + +"It is just what I've been thinking myself," he said ruefully. + +"Have you?" cried the old lady, her face lighting up with genuine +interest. "I'm glad to hear it. You just put this matter through +successfully, and maybe it will be worth more to you than your expenses. +Now I must be off, and so must you." + +"Very well. I'll put up at the George," he said, as he helped her into a +hansom. + +"Right you are!" she cried, and signalled her driver to go on. + +As Carrington found that he would not reach Winchester till late, he +telegraphed Mrs. Allingford that he would see her the next morning, and +that he had received news of the whereabouts of her husband and +Scarsdale's wife, who were all right and would join them on the morrow. + +On his arrival he went straight to the hotel that Mrs. Allingford had +designated in her telegram, to find that that lady had retired for the +night, leaving, however, a note for him which contained full +instructions, and stated in addition that she had received his telegram, +for which she was profoundly grateful, and that he must not hesitate to +wake her if, by so doing, he could cause her to rejoin her husband one +instant sooner. + +As it was by this time close upon midnight, Carrington decided to let +matters rest as they were till morning; especially as he had before he +slept to hunt up his brother at the barracks, and so insure his +attendance at court the next day. This was easily arranged; but the two +men had much to talk over, and it was nearly daybreak when Jack set out +to return to the hotel. + +The shortest way back was by a cross cut through the mysterious darkness +of the cathedral close, within which he heard the voices of two men in +heated dispute, the tone of the one shrill with rage, while those of the +other proclaimed that he had been drinking. + +Carrington would have passed without noticing, so intent was he on his +own affairs, had not a name which one of them pronounced arrested his +attention and caused him to stop. + +"You call Robert Allingford a thief!" came the thick tones of the +intoxicated man. + +"I say he stole it!" cried the shrill voice of the other. + +"Call my brother a thief!" reiterated the first speaker. "He's +Consul--gentleman. Gentlemen don't steal elephants." + +"I say he stole it! Right away that day! Didn't wait for me to redeem +it." + +"You dare to call my brother thief!" The voice grew menacing. + +"Twenty pounds he gave me--only one hundred dollars--for an elephant. I +say he's a thief----!" + +Here the shrill voice died away in a gulp, and there was a sound of +blows and scuffling. + +Carrington forced his way through the hedge, crying: + +"Hold on! What is this about?" + +At the sound of his voice the owner of elephants exclaimed: "The +bobbies!" and, disengaging himself from the other, fled down the road; +while his companion, who had started to follow him, was detained by +Jack, who recognised his captive as none other than Richard Allingford. + +"What are you doing here?" he demanded. + +"Oh," said Allingford, "it's Mr. Carrington. Delighted to see you, I'm +sure. Correcting that fellow. Says brother Robert stole elephant." His +arrest had somewhat sobered him. + +"Of course," said Carrington, "he didn't steal the elephant." + +"Where is he?" + +"Your brother?" + +"Yes." + +"At Melton Court, near Salisbury; but you must not go there." + +"Yes, I will," replied Slippery Dick, waxing pugnacious, "Take the +elephant fellow along, too--make him eat his words. Call my brother a +thief, will he?" + +"You'll do nothing of the kind," said his captor. "You're wanted here by +the police." + +"What!" + +"Yes. For assault and battery, and disturbing the peace. They have +arrested another man, a Mr. Scarsdale, by mistake in your place." + +"I don't know anything about it. Never been here before to-night," +protested the unregenerate one. + +"Well, you must come along with me and give yourself up, or----." But +Carrington never finished the sentence; for at that moment he struck the +ground very hard, and by the time he realised that Slippery Dick had +tripped him, that personage had disappeared into the darkness, thus +justifying his sobriquet. + +Jack picked himself up and struggled through the hedge; but no one was +in sight, and the dull, distant sound of flying feet seemed to indicate +that the Consul's brother was seeking fresh fields and pastures new with +uncommon celerity. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +IN WHICH THE CONSUL AND MRS. SCARSDALE EMULATE THE KING OF FRANCE AND +TWENTY THOUSAND OF HIS COMPATRIOTS + +Another day was dawning, a day that was destined to be most arduous, +eventful, and important in the lives of all those with whom this +narrative has to deal. Yet, at this hour in the morning, Carrington, +sitting shivering on his bedside; Lady Melton, listening in her chamber +for the departing footsteps of the faithful Bright; Aunt Eliza, drinking +an early cup of coffee in preparation for a long day's work; the Consul +and Mrs. Scarsdale, journeying to Southampton; Slippery Dick, pouncing +on the sometime owner of elephants at a way-side alehouse; Scarsdale, +pacing his prison cell; Mrs. Allingford, waiting, 'twixt hope and fear, +for news of her husband; and the elephant, shrieking in his +box-stall--these, one and all, entered regretfully upon this day +fraught with so many complications. + +Carrington had decided, as he wended his way home to the hotel after his +somewhat startling encounter with the Consul's unregenerate brother, +that he was in no wise bound to report the matter to the authorities. +His mission was to extricate Mr. Scarsdale from unjust imprisonment, not +to incriminate any one else; and he foresaw that any attempt on his part +to interfere, as an avenger of justice, might entail subsequent +attendance at the local police court whenever the true culprit fell into +the hands of the law. + +When Jack had thus determined on his course of action, he resigned +himself peacefully to slumber, of which he stood much in need; but no +sooner, apparently, had his head touched the pillow than he was awakened +by a knocking at his chamber door. In reply to his sleepy inquiries, he +was informed that Mrs. Allingford was up and in the ladies' +drawing-room, and would much appreciate it if she could see him as soon +as possible. + +Carrington replied that he would be happy to wait on her in a few +minutes, as soon as he was dressed, in fact, and cursed himself heartily +for having been fool enough to be any one's best man. Half-past six! It +was inhuman to call him up at such a time. He had not had three hours' +sleep. He wished himself at Melton Court more than ever. There, at +least, they rose at decent hours. + +As he entered the hotel drawing-room, a few minutes later, in a somewhat +calmer frame of mind, due to a bath and a cup of coffee, Mrs. Allingford +rose to meet him, took both his hands in hers, and, holding them +tightly, stood for a moment with her upturned eyes looking fixedly into +his. He would never have known her for the happy bride of two short days +ago; she seemed more like a widow, years older, and with all the joy of +her youth crushed out by trouble. + +"Words cannot express what your coming means to me. It is the kindest +thing you've ever done," she said simply; but her tone and manner told +him of her gratitude and relief. + +"It is very little to do," he replied, feeling, all at once, that he had +been a brute not to have seen her the night before. + +"My husband! Oh, tell me about my husband!" she exclaimed, dropping all +restraint. + +"What a child she was, in spite of her wedding-ring!" he thought; but he +felt very sorry for her, and answered gently: + +"I blame myself for not telling you sooner. He is safe and well.' + +"Thank God!" she murmured. + +"And at present at Melton Court, the country place of Lady Melton, Mr. +Scarsdale's great-aunt." And then he told her such of her husband's +adventures as he knew. + +"When is the first train to Salisbury?" she cried, interrupting the +recital. + +"I dare say there is an early morning train," he returned; "but I should +suggest your waiting for the one at nine-thirty, as then Mr. Scarsdale +can accompany you." + +"But he is in prison." + +"Yes, I know; but he won't be very long." + +"You are sure they will release him?" + +"There's not a doubt of it. I have arranged all that." + +"Now tell me more about my husband, everything you know. Poor Bob! if he +has suffered as I have, he must indeed be wretched." + +Jack was morally sure that the Consul had done nothing of the kind, but +he forbore to say so. Not that he doubted for a moment that Allingford +loved his wife ardently; but he knew him to be a somewhat easy-going +personage, who, when he could not have things as he wanted them, +resigned himself to making the best of things as they were. From what he +knew of Mrs. Scarsdale, moreover, he thought it safe to conclude that +she had resigned herself to the exigencies of the case, and that both of +them looked on the whole affair as a practical joke played upon them by +Fate, of which they could clearly perceive the humorous side. He +therefore turned the conversation by recounting all he knew, even to the +minutest circumstance, of her husband's adventures; and she, in her +turn, poured into his ear her tale of woe in Winchester. + +"I can't understand," he said, at the conclusion of her narrative, "why +Allingford did not receive the telegram you sent to Basingstoke +yesterday." + +"As I think I told you," she replied, "that strange person, Faro +Charlie, offered to send it for me, and as I had no change I gave him a +five-pound note." + +"Oh!" said Carrington, "perhaps that solves the mystery. Did your friend +bring you back the change?" + +"N--o," admitted Mrs. Allingford; "that is, not yet." + +"I'm afraid you will never hear from your five-pound note, and that +Allingford never received his telegram from Winchester," commented +Carrington; "but it has disposed of Faro Charlie as a witness, and +perhaps that was worth the money." + +"Do you really think he meant to take it?" she asked in a shocked tone. + +"I'm sure of it," he replied, "and time will prove the correctness of +my theory." And time did. + +They breakfasted together, and, at Carrington's suggestion, all the +baggage was sent to the station, in order that they might have every +chance of making the train. Jack's brother joined them about half-past +eight, and the three proceeded to the court, where a few words from that +officer to the magistrate, with whom he was personally acquainted, were +sufficient to bring Scarsdale's case first on the docket. + +The landlord of the Lion's Head appeared, a mass of bandages, and +groaning dolefully to excite the sympathy of the court; but he testified +without hesitation that the prisoner, though somewhat resembling Richard +Allingford, was not he; and it did not need Carrington's identification +to make Scarsdale a free man. Then there were mutual congratulations, +and a hurried drive to the station, where they just succeeded in +catching the train; and, almost before he knew it, Jack was standing +alone upon the platform, while his two friends were speeding towards +the goal of all their hopes, _via_ Southampton and Salisbury. + + * * * * * + +"I suppose," said Mrs. Scarsdale to the Consul, as their train drew out +of Salisbury in the first flush of the sunrise on the morning which saw +Mr. Scarsdale's liberation from durance vile--"I suppose you realise +that you have exiled me from the home of my ancestors." + +"How so?" asked the Consul. + +"Why, you don't imagine that I shall ever dare to show my face at Melton +Court again. Just picture to yourself her ladyship and your elephant! +She will never forgive us, and will cut poor Harold off with a +shilling." + +"That won't hurt him much, from all I've heard of her ladyship's +finances," he replied. + +"I think," she resumed, "that I ought to be very angry with you; but I +can't help laughing, it is so absurd. A bull in a china-shop would be +tame compared with an elephant at Melton Court. What do you think she +will do with the beast?" + +"Pasture it on the front lawn to keep away objectionable relatives," +retorted the Consul. "But, seriously speaking, have you any definite +plan of campaign?" + +"Certainly not. What do you suppose I carry you round for, if it is not +to plan campaigns?" + +"Which you generally alter. You will please remember that the visit to +Melton Court was entirely owing to you." + +"Quite, and I shall probably upset this one; but proceed." + +"Well, in the first place, as soon as we reach Southampton I think we +had better have a good breakfast." + +"That is no news. You are a man; therefore you eat. Go on." + +"Do you object?" + +"Not at all. I expected it; I'll even eat with you." + +"Well said. After this necessary duty, I propose to go to the station +and thoroughly investigate the matter of the arrival and departure of +my wife and your husband." + +"If they were at Basingstoke we should have heard from them before +this," she said; "and even if they were not, they should have +telegraphed." + +"Very probably they did," he replied; "but, as you ought to know, there +is nothing more obliging and more generally dense than an English minor +official. I dare say that the key to the whole mystery is at this moment +reposing, neatly done up in red tape, at the office of that disgusting +little junction. But here we are at Southampton. Now for breakfast; and +then the American Sherlock Holmes will sift this matter to the bottom." +And the Consul, in excellent spirits, assisted her to alight. + +Indeed, now that the elephant had been left behind, he felt that, +actually as well as metaphorically, a great weight had been lifted from +his shoulders. + +"Evidently," remarked Allingford, as they were finishing a breakfast in +one of the cosy principal hotels--"evidently the loss of your husband +has not included the loss of your appetite." + +"Of course it hasn't," replied Mrs. Scarsdale. "Why shouldn't I eat a +good breakfast? I have no use for conventions which make one do +disagreeable things just because one happens to feel miserable." + +"Do you feel very miserable? I thought you seemed rather cheerful on the +whole," he commented. + +"Well, you are not to think anything so unpleasant or personal. I'm +utterly wretched; and if you don't believe it I won't eat a mouthful." + +"I'm sure," he returned, "that your husband would be much put out if he +knew you contemplated doing anything so foolish." + +"Do you know," she said, "that I'm beginning to have serious doubts that +I ever had a husband? Do you think he's a myth, and that you and I will +have to go through life together in an endless pursuit of what doesn't +exist?" + +"Good Lord, I hope not!" he exclaimed. + +"That is very uncomplimentary to me," she retorted. + +"In the face of that remark," he replied, pushing back his chair, "I am +silent." + +"Do you know," said his companion after a moment, as she folded her +napkin, "that the keen sense of humour with which we Americans are +endowed saves a large percentage of us from going mad or committing +suicide?" + +"Are you thinking of doing either?" he asked anxiously. + +"I am thinking," she replied, "that we have had two exceedingly amusing +days, and I am almost sorry they are over." + +"Don't you want to find your husband?" he exclaimed. + +"Of course I do; but it has been a sort of breathing-space before +settling down to the seriousness of married life, and that elephant +episode was funny. I think it was worth two days of any husband; don't +you?" + +"I don't know," returned the Consul, somewhat ruefully. "I'd just as +lief that Scarsdale had had the beast." + +"Oh, I wouldn't!" she cried. "He would have spoiled all the fun. He'd +have done some stupid, rational thing. Donated it to the 'Zoo' in +London, I should think; wasted the elephant, in fact. It took the spirit +of American humour to play your colossal, practical joke. I wonder if it +has arrived at the Court yet. I can fancy it sticking its head, trunk +and all, through the great window in Lady Melton's dining-room." + +"She called me a consular person," remarked that official stiffly. + +"Hence the elephant," laughed his fair companion. "Cause and effect. +But, joking apart, there is a pitiful side to our adventure. When I +think of those two matter-of-fact, serious British things, your better +half and my--my husband, and of what a miserable time they have been +having, unrelieved by any spark of humour, it almost makes me cry." + +"Hold on!" cried Allingford, "You are just as bad as your great-aunt. +She calls me a consular person, and you call my wife a British thing! I +wish I had another elephant." + +"I beg your pardon, I do really," she replied. "I classed my husband in +the same category. But don't you agree with me that it's sad? I'm sure +your poor wife has cried her eyes out; and as for my husband, I doubt if +he's eaten anything, and I'm certain he's worn his most unbecoming +clothes." + +"You are wrong there," interrupted Allingford; "he packed all the worst +specimens, and I rescued them at Salisbury. I tried them on yesterday, +and there wasn't a suit I'd have had the face to wear in public." + +"There, run along and turn the station upside down; you've talked +enough," she said, laughing, and drove him playfully out of the room. + +It was about half-past nine that the Consul meditatively mopped his +head, as he reached the top step of the hotel porch. He was heated by +his exertions, but exceedingly complacent. He had interviewed sixteen +porters, five guards, the station agent, three char-women, four +policemen, and the barmaid--the latter twice, once on business and once +on pleasure; and he had discovered from the thirtieth individual, and +after twenty-nine failures and a drink, the simple fact that those he +sought had gone to Winchester. He did not think he could have faced Mrs. +Scarsdale if he had failed. As it was, he returned triumphant, and, as +he approached their private parlour, he mentally pictured in advance the +scene which would await him: her radiant smile, her voluble expression +of thanks, their joyful journey to Winchester; in short, success. He +pushed open the door, and this is what really happened: an angry woman +with a flushed, tear-stained face rushed across the room, shoved a +newspaper at him, and cried: + +"You brute!" + +The Consul dropped into the nearest chair. He looked at the infuriated +Mrs. Scarsdale, he looked at the crumpled newspaper, he heard the last +echo of that opprobrious monosyllable, and he said: + +"Well I'm jiggered!" + +Then, recollecting his news, he continued: + +"Oh, I forgot. I've found out where they have gone; it's Winchester." + +"Is that all you've got to tell me?" she cried. "All, in the face of +this?" And she again shoved the newspaper towards him. He looked to +where her finger pointed. He was hopelessly bewildered, and wondered if +her native humour had inopportunely failed her and she had gone mad. + +"Read!" she commanded. + +His wandering eye followed the direction of her finger, and he read +slowly, with open mouth, a short account of the arrest and partial trial +at Winchester of one Richard Allingford, who claimed to be Harold +Scarsdale. + +"Tell me," she thundered, "is that my husband?" + +"Well," he said, slowly, "I guess it is," and he re-read the last +sentence of the paragraph in the newspaper: + + "_The prisoner insisted that he was Harold Scarsdale, and could + prove his identity. He was accompanied by a woman who claimed to be + Mrs. Robert Allingford, wife of the well-known United States Consul + at Christchurch. The prisoner was remanded till this morning._" + +"Have you a brother?" + +"Yes." + +"Has he ever been arrested?" + +"Arrested! Why, I've spent most of my time for the past twenty years in +bailing him out." + +"But why has my husband taken his name?" she demanded. + +"That is a matter you'll have to settle with Scarsdale; and if you look +as you do now, I'm real sorry for him," he replied. + +"You don't care a bit!" she cried. + +"Oh, yes I do; but I want you to see it from its humorous side," he +answered. + +At this remark Mrs. Scarsdale burst into a flood of tears, and +Allingford gave a sigh of relief, and, strolling to the window, was soon +lost in admiration of the view. + +Suddenly a voice said, in the sweetness of its accustomed tones: + +"Why were you so pleased when I began to cry?" And Mrs. Scarsdale, calm +and composed, stood beside him. + +"Hard storm is a good thing to clear the atmosphere after a +thunder-shower," replied the Consul laconically. + +"I was real mad with you," she admitted. + +"Great Scott! don't you suppose I knew that?" he cried. + +They both laughed, and peace was restored. + +"Do you really think it is poor Harold?" + +"I suppose he doesn't get called St. Hubart when he's in 'quod'?" + +"Be sensible and answer my question. Is it my husband or your brother +who is on trial at Winchester?" + +"I don't know," he replied. + +"What are you going to do about it?" she asked. + +"Go and see." + +"When is the next train?" + +The Consul pulled out his watch. + +"In twelve and a half minutes," he said. "I've paid the hotel bill. +Here, hold on! You turn to the left for the elevator!" But Mrs. +Scarsdale was half-way downstairs on her way to the station. + +An hour later, as the Consul and his fair companion emerged at the +station at Winchester, the first person they saw was Carrington. + +"We've been found at last!" cried the Consul, advancing towards Jack +with outstretched hand, exclaiming: "Well, Columbus Carrington, if ever +I get lost again, I'll telegraph you first thing." + +In a minute questions and answers were flying between them. Where had +they been? Where had they come from? Why was Carrington here? Why had +Scarsdale been arrested? + +Jack bore up manfully, answering as best he could. + +"Perhaps you can tell me the whereabouts of my wife and this lady's +husband?" said the Consul. + +"They have been staying here," he replied, "but they have gone." + +"Gone!" cried Allingford in blank amazement. "Gone! Where? When?" + +"Why, to Salisbury," replied Jack. "I sent them over there early this +morning." + +"You did, did you?" spluttered the Consul. "What right had you to send +them anywhere?" + +"Why, to join you at Lady Diana's." + +"Join us!" screamed Allingford. "Why, we left Melton Court at half-past +four this morning, and have been on the road ever since trying to join +them." + +"It seems to be a typical example of cross-purposes," replied +Carrington. + +"It's pure cussedness!" said the Consul. + +"But I thought my husband was--in prison," chimed in Mrs. Scarsdale; +"the paper said so." + +"Merely a case of mistaken identity," Jack hastened to assure her. "I +had him set free in no time. And that reminds me: I ran across your +brother here last evening, Allingford. It is he who has caused all the +trouble. Frankly, I am almost sorry I did not give him over to the +police." + +"I wish you had," replied the Consul; "I wouldn't have bailed him out +till my honeymoon was over. Where is he now?" + +"I'm inclined to believe," replied Carrington, "that he has gone to +Melton Court in search of you, in company with a man who talked some +nonsense about your having stolen an elephant from him." + +Allingford and Mrs. Scarsdale both began to laugh. + +"I don't see anything funny about that," said Jack. + +"Oh, don't you?" returned the Consul. "Well, you would if you knew the +rest of the story." And in a few brief words he explained about the +elephant's arrival and their subsequent flight. + +"Heavens, man!" cried Carrington, "you don't seem to realise what you +have let Scarsdale and your wife in for!" + +"Great Scott!" exclaimed the Consul, "I never thought of that. Why, I +reckon it's rampaging all over the place by this time, and the old lady +must be in a perfect fury. When's the next train back? We can't get +there too quickly." + +"One goes in five minutes," said Jack. + +"If I'd ever suspected," gasped Mrs. Scarsdale to Allingford as they +rushed down the platform, "that you were laying such a trap for my poor +husband----" + +"I'm sure I didn't do it on purpose," he replied; "but if they happen to +meet the catawampus after she's met the elephant, they'll be in for a +pretty hot time." + +"Your brother was bad enough," she groaned as the train pulled out; "but +as for your elephant----! It's worse than being arrested!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + +IN WHICH LADY MELTON RECEIVES A STRANGE VISITOR + +However harassing and disturbing the events of the past few days had +been to the people particularly interested in them, to the mind of one +the proceedings of all those with whom he had come in contact had been +characterised by an ignorance, not only of the necessities of life, but +even of the very etiquette that lends a becoming dignity to existence, +which seemed almost pitiful. Not since the elephant left his native +shore had he received what he considered to be proper, or even +intelligent, attention. On the voyage, indeed, though his quarters were +crowded, and denied by the proximity of low-caste beasts, his material +wants had been considered; but since yesterday, when he had landed in +the midst of a howling wilderness of iron monsters, who could neither +see nor hear and were no respecters of persons, there had been a +scarcity even of food and water. All night he had been dragged about the +country at a speed unbecoming the dignity of a ruler of the jungle +(without even the company of his mahout, who had lost the train at +Southampton); and, now that the earth had ceased to move past him and +was once more still, he expressed his opinion of the ignorant and +degraded people of this wretched country in no uncertain voice. Then, +finding that the pen in which he was confined was cramped and dirty, and +wholly unfitted for one of his exalted position, he exerted himself to +be free, and in a short time reduced his car to kindling-wood. Being now +at liberty, he naturally desired his breakfast; but what was one to do +when men disfigured the earth with bars of steel over which one tripped, +and stored the fruits of the land in squat yellow bungalows, with fluted +iron roofs which were difficult to tear off? Therefore the elephant +lifted up his voice in rage, whereat many things happened, and a +high-caste man, clad in the blue of the sky and the gold of the sun, ran +up and down upon the earth, and declared that he should forthwith be +taken to the "Court" and delivered to the "Damconsul." + +What a "Damconsul" was the elephant did not know; but concluded that it +was the title these barbarous people bestowed on the Maharajah of that +district. Since he lived at a Court, it seemed certain that he would +know how to appreciate and fittingly entertain him. The elephant +therefore consented to follow his attendant slaves, though they +understood not the noble art of riding him, but were fain to lead him +like a beast of burden. On the way he found a spring of sweet water, of +which he drank his fill, despite the protestations of his leaders and +the outcries of the inhabitants of the bungalow of the well, whose +lamentations showed them to be of low caste and little sensible of the +honour done them. + +The procession at length reached the gate of the Court; and while the +attendants were in the lodge explaining matters to the astonished +keeper, the elephant, realising that "drink was good but food better," +determined to do a little foraging on his own account, and so moved +softly off, taking along the stake to which his keepers fondly imagined +he was tethered. + +He judged that he was now in the park of the Court of the "Damconsul"; +and the fact that there were many clumps of familiar plants scattered +over the grass increased his belief that this was the case. He tried a +few coleus and ate a croton or two; but found them insipid and lacking +the freshness of those which bloomed in his native land. Then turning to +a grove of young palms, he tore a number up by the roots; which he found +required no expenditure of strength, and so gave him little +satisfaction. Moreover, they grew in green tubs, which rolled about +between his feet and were pitfalls for the unwary. He lay down on a few +of the beds; but the foliage was pitifully thin and afforded him no +comfortable resting-place; moreover, there were curious rows of +slanting things which glistened in the sunlight, and which he much +wished to investigate. On examination he found them quite brittle, and +easily smashed a number of them with his trunk. Nor was this all, for in +the wreckage he discovered a large quantity of most excellent +fruit--grapes and nectarines and some very passable plums. Evidently the +"Damconsul" was an enlightened person, who knew how to live; and, +indeed, it is not fitting for even an elephant to turn up his trunk at +espalier peaches at a guinea apiece. + +Certainly, thought the elephant, things might be worse. And after a bath +in a neighbouring fountain, which cost the lives of some two score of +goldfish, he really felt refreshed, and approached the palace, which he +considered rather dingy, in order to pay his respects to its owner. +Coming round to the front of the building he discovered a marble +terrace, gleaming white in the sunshine, and flanked by two groups of +statuary--Hercules with his club, and Diana with her bow: though, being +unacquainted with Greek mythology, he did not recognise them as such. +On the terrace itself was set a breakfast-table resplendent with silver +and chaste with fair linen; and by it sat a houri, holding a sunshade +over her golden head. The elephant, wishing to conciliate this vision of +beauty, advanced towards her, trumpeting gently; but his friendly +overtures were evidently misinterpreted, for the houri, giving a wild +scream, dropped her sunshade, and fled for safety to the shoulders of +Hercules, from which vantage-point she called loudly for help. + +Feeling that such conduct was indecorous in the extreme, he ignored her +with a lofty contempt; and, having tested the quality of the masonry, +ventured upon the terrace and inspected the feast. There were more +nectarines--but he had had enough of those--and something steaming in a +silver vessel, the like of which he remembered to have encountered once +before in the bungalow of a sahib. Moreover, he had not forgotten how it +spouted a boiling liquid when one took it up in one's trunk. At this +moment a shameless female slave appeared at a window, in response to +the cries of the houri, and abused him. He could not, it is true, +understand her barbarous language; but the tone implied abuse. Such an +insult from the scum of the earth could not be allowed to pass +unnoticed. He filled his trunk with water from a marble basin near at +hand, and squirted it at her with all his force, and the scum of the +earth departed quickly. + +"It would be well," thought the elephant, "to find the 'Damconsul' +before further untoward incidents could occur"; and with this end in +view, he turned himself about, preparatory to leaving the terrace. He +forgot, however, that marble may be slippery; his hind legs suddenly +slid from under him, and he sat hurriedly down on the breakfast-table. +It was at this singularly inopportune moment that Lady Diana appeared +upon the scene. + +Her ladyship awoke that morning to what was destined to be the most +eventful and disturbing day of her peaceful and well-ordered life, with +a feeling of irritation and regret that it had dawned, which, in the +light of subsequent events, would seem to have been almost a +premonition of coming evil. She was, though at this early hour she +little knew it, destined to receive a series of shocks of volcanic force +and suddenness, between sunrise and sunset, any one of which would have +served to overthrow her preconceived notions of what life, and +especially life at Melton Court, ought to be. + +As yet she knew nothing of all this; but she did know that, though it +was long after the hour appointed, she had heard no sound of her +great-niece's departing footsteps. She waited till she must have missed +the train, and then rang her bedroom bell sharply to learn why her +orders had been disobeyed. + +"If you please, my lady," replied her maid in answer to her mistress's +questions, "Bright did not go because we could not find Mrs. Scarsdale." + +"Could not find my niece! And why not, pray?" demanded her ladyship +angrily. + +"She was not in her room, my lady, or anywhere about the Court; only +this note, directed to your ladyship, on her dressing-table." + +"Why didn't you say so to begin with, then?" cried her mistress testily. +"Open the window, that I may see what this means." + +The note was short and painstakingly polite; but its perusal did not +seem to please Lady Diana, for she frowned and set her thin lips as she +re-read it. The missive ran as follows: + + "DEAR LADY MELTON, + + "I write to apologise for the somewhat unconventional manner in + which I am leaving your house; but as your plans for my disposal + to-day did not accord with my own ideas of what is fitting, I have + thought it best to leave thus early, and so avoid any awkwardness + which might arise from conflicting arrangements. I wish you to know + that I shall be with friends by this evening, so that you need feel + no anxiety about my position. Pray accept my thanks for your + hospitality, which I am sure my husband will much appreciate, and + believe me, + + "Yours respectfully, + "MABEL SCARSDALE." + +This communication her ladyship tore up into small fragments, and then +snapped out: + +"Is there anything more?" + +"Yes, if you please, my lady," replied the maid; "a note for you from +Mr. Allingford, left in his room." + +Lady Melton took it as gingerly as if it were fresh from some infected +district, and, spreading it out on the bed before her, read it with a +contemptuous smile. + + "YOUR LADYSHIP," wrote the Consul, "I have the honour to inform you + that I am leaving at the earliest possible moment, not wishing to + impose my company longer than is absolutely necessary where it is + so evidently undesired. That there may be no burden of obligation + between us, I beg you to accept a trunk belonging to me, which will + arrive this morning, as compensation for my board and lodging. + + "I remain + "Your Ladyship's Obedient Servant, + "ROBERT ALLINGFORD, + "_U.S. Consul, Christchurch, England_. + + "P.S.--I mail you to-day a deed of gift of the property in + question, legally attested, so that there may be no question of + ownership. + + "R. A." + +"Insolence!" gasped Lady Melton, when she comprehended the contents of +this astonishing communication. Then turning to her maid, she commanded: + +"If this person's trunk arrives here, have it sent back to him +instantly." And she fumed with rage at the thought. + +"How dare he suppose that I would for a moment accept a gratuity!" + +Indeed, so wrought up was she that it was with difficulty that she +controlled herself sufficiently to breakfast on the terrace. Moreover, +her interview with Bright, the butler, whom she encountered on her way +downstairs and who announced the arrival of her great-nephew and a +strange lady, was hardly soothing; for it forced her to believe that +that faithful servant, after years of probity, had at last strayed from +the temperate paths of virtue. Seeing him dishevelled and bewildered, +she had sternly rebuked him for his appearance, and from his disjointed +replies had only gathered that his astounding state was in some way due +to the Consul. + +"Has that insolent person's trunk arrived?" she inquired; when, to her +astonishment, her old retainer, who had always observed in her presence +a respectful and highly deferential demeanour, actually tittered. + +"Bright!" she said sternly. + +"Beg pardon, my lady," giggled Bright, his face still wreathed in +smiles; "but the way you put it." + +"What have you done with this person's belongings? Have my orders been +carried out?" + +"You mean in regard to the--the----" + +"Trunk. Yes, let it be put off the place immediately." + +"Please, your ladyship," he replied, with difficulty restraining his +laughter, "it won't go." + +"Will not go?" + +"No, my lady; it's been rampaging through the greenhouses, and is now on +the terrace, where it douched Anne most awful." + +"Leave me at once, Bright, and do not let me see you again till you are +in a more decent state," she commanded, and swept by him, ignoring his +protestations of innocence and respect. + +She found Scarsdale awaiting her in the reception-room, and accorded him +a very frigid greeting, suggesting that they should have their interview +on the terrace, where he had left Mrs. Allingford safely ensconced in an +armchair, while he went to meet his great-aunt. + +Her ladyship had been considerably ruffled both by her interview with +Bright and by the arrival of Scarsdale, towards whom, in the light of +recent events, she felt a strong resentment; and a vision of the +Consul's wife perched most indecorously on the shoulders of Hercules, +which she beheld as she emerged on the terrace, did not tend to calm her +already excited nerves. But before she could speak her eyes followed the +direction of the unknown lady's gaze, and she saw, for the first time, +her unwelcome visitor. + +When you come suddenly face to face with an elephant seated amidst the +wreck of cherished Chippendale and ancestral Sevres, it is not +calculated to increase your composure or equalise your temper; and Lady +Diana may be pardoned, as the vastness of the Consul's impudence dawned +upon her, for giving vent to expressions both of anger and amazement, +albeit her appearance produced no less of a disturbance in the breast of +him who sat amidst the ruins of the breakfast-table. The elephant felt +that in the presence of the Maharanee, for such he believed her to be, +his position was undignified. She was, without doubt, the wife of the +"Damconsul," and, as such, should be paid all proper respect and +deference. He, therefore, bowed his head in submission, completing in +the process his work of destruction. Whereat Mrs. Allingford shrieked +and clung more closely to the protecting shoulders of Hercules. + +Serious as the situation was, it was not without its humorous side, and +it took all Scarsdale's command of himself to control his face +sufficiently to address his relative with becoming respect. + +"Why, aunt," he said, "I didn't know that you had gone in for pets!" + +"Harold Stanley Malcolm St. Hubart Scarsdale," replied her ladyship--she +prided herself on never forgetting a name--"you are one of the most +impudent and worthless young men that I have the honour to count among +my relatives; but you have been in India, and you ought to know how to +manage this monster." + +"I've seen enough of them," he answered. "What do you want him to do?" + +"Do!" she cried wrathfully. "I should think anybody would know that I +wished it to get up and go away." + +"Oh," said he, and made a remark in Hindustani to the elephant, whereat +the beast gradually and deliberately proceeded to rise from the wreck of +the breakfast, till he seemed to the spectators to be forty feet high. +Then, in response to Scarsdale's cries of "Mail! mail!" (Go on) he +turned himself about, and, after sending the teapot through the nearest +window with a disdainful kick of one hind leg, he lurched down the steps +of the terrace and on to the lawn, where he remained contentedly +standing, gently rocking to and fro, while he meditatively removed from +his person, by means of his trunk, the fragments of the feast, with +which he was liberally bespattered. + +Scarsdale, seeing that his lordship was in an amicable frame of mind, +hastened to assist Mrs. Allingford to descend from her somewhat uneasy +perch. + +"St. Hubart," said Lady Melton, who, throughout this trying ordeal, had +lost none of her natural dignity, "you have done me a service. I shall +not forget it." + +Scarsdale thought it would be difficult to forget the elephant. + +"I will even forgive you," she continued, "for marrying that American." + +"It was so good of you to receive my wife," he said. "I trust you are +pleased with her." + +"I am not pleased at all," she said sharply. "I consider her forward and +disrespectful, and I am glad she is gone." + +"Gone!" he exclaimed. + +"You may well be surprised," said his great-aunt, "but such is the +case." + +"But where has she gone?" + +"That I do not know; she left without consulting me, and against my +advice and wishes." + +"Did she go alone?" + +"She went," replied her ladyship, "with one of the most insolent persons +it has ever been my misfortune to meet. He is owner of that!" And she +pointed to the elephant. + +"But who is he?" demanded Scarsdale, not recognising, from her +description, his friend the Consul. + +"He disgraces," she continued, "a public office given him by a foreign +Government." + +"You are surely not talking about Allingford!" he exclaimed. + +"That, I believe, is his name," replied Lady Melton. + +"What, my husband!" cried the Consul's wife, who up to this point had +kept silence. "You dare to call my husband a disgrace----!" Here Mrs. +Allingford became dumb with indignation. + +"If he is your husband," returned her ladyship, "I am exceedingly sorry +for you. As for 'daring' to apply to him any epithet I please, I +consider myself fully justified in so doing after the indignity to which +he has condemned me. I am glad, however, to have met you, as I am thus +enabled to return you your husband's property, with the request that you +take your elephant and leave my grounds as quickly as possible." + +"Do you mean to say that my husband owns that monster?" gasped Mrs. +Allingford. + +"Such is the case," replied Lady Melton, "and I leave it in your hands. +St. Hubart, I trust _you_ will join me at breakfast as soon as another +can be prepared." + +"Excuse me," he said apologetically, "but really, you know, I can't +leave Mrs. Allingford in the lurch. Besides, I must follow my wife." + +His great-aunt faced round in a fury. + +"That is sufficient!" she cried. "Leave my presence at once! I never +desire to see either of you again." + +"Don't let us part as enemies, aunt," he said, offering her his hand; +but she swept past him into the house. + +Scarsdale gloomily watched her depart, and then became conscious of a +hand laid on his arm. + +"I am so sorry!" murmured Mrs. Allingford. "I only seem to bring you +trouble." + +"Oh, you mustn't feel badly about this," he said. "We have quarrelled +ever since I was born. I'm much more worried about you." + +"What am I going to do with it?" she exclaimed, looking hopelessly at +her husband's property as it stood rocking before her. + +"The first thing is to get it off the place," replied Scarsdale, +assuming a cheerfulness which he did not feel. "We may find its keepers +at the lodge, and we can make our plans as we walk along." + +"Come on, Jehoshaphat, or whatever you may happen to be called!" he +cried, addressing the elephant, and at the same time grasping the rope +bridle which still dangled from its neck; and the beast, recognising a +kindred spirit speaking to him in his native tongue, followed docilely +where he led. + +"I think," continued Scarsdale, as they trudged slowly across the park, +"that our best course will be to take the elephant to Christchurch. +Indeed, we ought to have gone there in the first instance." + +"What do you expect to gain by that?" she asked quickly, ready in this +strange dilemma to catch at any straw which gave opportunity of escape. + +"Why, your husband's consulate is situated there, and that is his local +habitation in this country, where he is certain to turn up sooner or +later, and where, if the laws of his consular service are anything like +ours, he would be obliged to report every few days." + +"You propose to go there and await his return?" + +"Yes," he said. "I don't see that we can do better. Ten to one your +husband and my wife will hear of our affair at Winchester, and may be on +their way there now to hunt us up; while if we attempted to follow them, +it is more than likely that they would return here. I, for one, am about +tired of chasing myself around the country; as a steady occupation it is +beginning to pall." + +"There is a group of men at the lodge," she said, as they drew near the +gates with the elephant in tow. + +"Then let us hope that there are some station people among them, and +that we can arrange for Jehoshaphat's transportation without loss of +time," replied Scarsdale. + +His hope was, in the first instance, justified; for the station-master +at Salisbury, learning of the Consul's early departure that morning, and +beginning to doubt the wisdom of inflicting the elephant on so important +a personage as Lady Melton, had come up to the Court himself to see how +things were going, and had been horrified beyond measure at the +exaggerated reports of the lodgekeeper as to the havoc the beast had +created. He was therefore unfeignedly relieved at Scarsdale's arrival; a +relief, however, which instantly gave way to stubborn opposition at the +first hint of putting the animal again in his charge. + +Elephants were not in his line, he pointed out, and he had no desire to +transport them about the country. Couldn't think of acting without +receiving advices from the main offices of the railway company in +London, an affair of several days; wouldn't assume charge of the +creature during the interval on any account; and shouldn't stir a step +in the matter till the wrecked van had been paid for. + +This ended the affair, as far as Scarsdale was concerned. He had no +intention of paying damages for the Consul's elephant, but he wished to +deliver it and the Consul's wife at Christchurch as soon as possible. If +this could not be accomplished one way, it must be another. There were +plenty of horses and carriages to be had; indeed, the landau and pair +which had brought them from Salisbury was still at the gates. The roads +were good, the distance to Christchurch was not excessive--say thirty +miles--and the elephant could walk. It merely remained to find a leader +or driver, and they could start at once on their journey across country. + +All this he explained to his fair companion, and she readily acquiesced. + +"The only problem to be solved, then, is where to find a mahout," he +said in conclusion. + +She threw him an inquiring glance; but he felt it was asking too much, +and said so. + +"If it were any other country, I'd ride the beast myself to oblige you; +but in England, and as a representative of one of the first families of +the county, I couldn't. The prejudices of the locality would never +recover from the shock, and I should not be able to show my face in the +streets of Salisbury. But perhaps we can find a substitute. Is there any +one here," he went on, addressing the little group of men, "who +understands an elephant?" + +"Tom, 'e knows the bloomin' beasts," said a member of the company; and +Tom, groom to her ladyship, and cockney every inch of him, was pushed +forward for inspection. + +One glance at the trim form, concealed though it was by stable costume, +was sufficient to assure Scarsdale that he had found his man. + +"You have been a soldier," he said, "and in India?" + +"Yes, sir," replied the man, touching the peak of his cap in a military +salute. + +"Do you think you could manage him?" continued Scarsdale, indicating +the elephant, which, wearied with the morning's exertions, had knelt +down, and seemed on the point of taking a nap. + +"Do I think as 'ow I could manage 'im? I should 'ope so, if I ain't +fergot is 'eathen language, sir." + +"I'll give you eighteen pence a mile," said Scarsdale, quick to act on +the man's decision. + +"Make it two bob, sir, an' I'll ride 'im ter Inja." + +"That's too far," he replied, laughing; "my pocket wouldn't stand the +strain; but I'll give you the price to Christchurch." + +"Right you are," replied the hostler, closing the bargain at once. "Me +name's Tom Ropes. What d'yer call 'im, sir?" pointing to his recumbent +charge. + +"I don't know what he was christened. I call him Jehoshaphat." + +"A Christian name fer a 'eathen brute," commented Tom. "Give me a leg +up, one er yer." + +Once astride the beast's neck, with Scarsdale's cane as an improvised +ankus, he poured out a flood of cockney-Indian jargon which no Hindoo +could ever have recognised as his native tongue, but which evidently had +a familiar sound to the elephant, who proceeded to rise, first with his +fore feet and then with his hind feet; after which his novel mahout, who +throughout these manoeuvres had retained a precarious hold by one ear, +hastened to seat himself more firmly upon him. + +"All right?" queried Scarsdale, looking up; and on receiving an answer +in the affirmative, added: "Keep your feet well under his ears, and hit +him on the head with your stick if he gets fractious. All you need do is +to follow our carriage. Trust to his judgment about bridges; he knows +what will hold him." + +Arrangements, on a liberal scale, having been made for the use of the +conveyance which had brought them from the station, they were ready to +start in a very short space of time; Scarsdale stipulating that they +head towards Southampton, taking the least travelled roads, and in any +event giving Salisbury a wide berth. This was agreed to; and thereupon +commenced one of the most extraordinary progresses that had ever stirred +up a staid and conventional countryside: Scarsdale and Mrs. Allingford +leading off in the landau, since it was necessary to keep the horse well +in front of the elephant, and Tom and his charge plodding on in their +wake. + +As they left the lodge behind them and came out into the open country, +the Consul's wife, turning to her companion in misfortune, said, between +tears and smiles: + +"What do you think is going to happen next?" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +IN WHICH THERE ARE TWO CLAIMANTS FOR ONE DINNER + +The village clock was on the stroke of one when the little procession +drew up before the door of the principal inn in the main square of a +small town on the road between Salisbury and Southampton. + +Scarsdale had been surprised to find how little excitement they had +created in their progress through the countryside; but then he had +chosen the most unfrequented roads, avoiding villages as he would a +pestilence. Man and beast must be fed somewhere, however, and, according +to Tom, the elephant was giving no uncertain signs that he wanted his +dinner. So, against his better judgment, Scarsdale had turned aside into +a neighbouring town, whence, after an hour's rest and refreshment, he +determined to push on that afternoon to a quiet inn he knew of, near +Fording Bridge, and thence to Christchurch the following morning. + +Both he and Mrs. Allingford had been as quiet as mice during the last +hour; indeed, the novel position in which they found themselves inclined +them rather to thought than conversation. + +Their entrance into the town was effected more easily than could have +been hoped for; though, in some unknown manner, a rumour of their coming +seemed to have preceded them: for a crowd had collected along the main +street, which cheered them vociferously, under the mistaken impression +that they were the proprietors of a circus. No travelling show that +wound its course through those country lanes had ever possessed such an +attraction, and the people moved away after they had passed, full of +wonder at the appearance of this strange monster among them, and regret +that with such a beginning there was nothing more to follow. + +Once they had come to a halt, they were surrounded by a curious crowd, +and Scarsdale lost no time in entering into explanations with the +landlord of the inn, who came hurrying out to receive his novel guests. + +It was at this point that their troubles first began; for mine host, +while he professed to furnish entertainment for man and beast, was +dubious concerning the monster which it was proposed to quarter on him +so unexpectedly. The lady and gentleman, their coachman, horses, and +even the cockney mahout were more than welcome; but elephants were not +in his line of business. He didn't know if he could give satisfaction; +feared his accommodations were not sufficiently ample; would like to +oblige, but had the reputation of his house to maintain, &c., &c. + +When Scarsdale happened, however, casually to mention that it was Lady +Melton's elephant a change came over the face of affairs, of which he +was not slow to take advantage. + +Her ladyship was well known throughout the county, while her reputation +for severity had a still wider circulation, and the landlord was in +abject fear of her, though, nevertheless, obstinately determined to have +none of the beast. + +The subject of all this altercation had meantime appropriated the public +horse-trough to his exclusive use for drinking and bathing purposes, and +was enjoying himself in consequence, which was more than could be said +of his rider, who shared unwillingly in his ablutions. + +"Give 'im the word to sit down, sir. S'welp me, I'll be drownded with +'is tricks!" cried Tom. + +"I don't speak his infernal language," returned Scarsdale testily; +"that's your business." + +"I've told 'im all I know, sir, an' it's no use." + +"Then I'm afraid you'll have to stay up and get wet." + +"Couldn't yer 'elp me down, sir? Quit that, yer 'eathen!" as he dodged a +shower of water. + +"Certainly not," replied Scarsdale. "You can't leave him riderless in a +public place." + +Then, turning to the landlord, who stood by in sore perplexity, +aimlessly rubbing his hands, he continued: + +"It's a beastly shame that a gentleman can't take a lady's elephant out +for--exercise without running up against all this nonsense in the first +little hamlet he comes across! One would almost think you had never seen +an elephant before." + +The landlord, whose eyes had up to this time been fairly bulging with +curiosity, now declared himself desolated at such an uncalled-for +suspicion. + +"Perhaps it would be better if the gentleman were to send for a +constable." + +Mine host neglected to add that he had done so on his own responsibility +in his first burst of agitation. + +But Scarsdale, noting the excellent effect which his rating had produced +on the landlord, determined that he should have some more of it. + +"If you are afraid," he said, "of damaging your ramshackle old inn, +perhaps you'll consent to give my elephant his dinner in the square?" + +Mine host rolled up his eyes at this new phase of the question. + +"I suppose," continued Scarsdale, "that the dignity of this 'tuppenny +ha'penny' town won't be seriously impaired by his presence for an hour +in your elegant plaza!" + +The last portion of this speech was lost on the landlord, because he did +not know what a "plaza" was; but it sounded imposing, and he hastened to +assure his guest that the town would feel honoured by the elephant's +presence, though he would have to procure a permit from the mayor. +Should he show him the way to that functionary's house? + +This, however, proved to be unnecessary, as the mayor himself was +present in the crowd, a pompous, fussy little man, full of the +importance of his office. Lady Melton's name, which he had heard +mentioned in connection with the affair, acted as a charm, and brought +him bustling forward to shake Scarsdale's hand, assure him that no +permit was required, and snub the innkeeper. + +"Anything I can do for a relation of her ladyship's--I think you said a +relation?" he inquired. + +Scarsdale had not said anything of the kind, but unwillingly admitted +that he was her nephew. Upon receiving this intelligence the mayor +positively beamed, called Scarsdale "your lordship," and became most +solicitous after Lady Melton's health. Her nephew gravely assured him +that he might make his mind easy on that score, as his aunt was in the +best of health, and that as soon as he returned to Melton Court (a most +uncertain date, he thought grimly) he would be sure to convey to her his +kind inquiries. + +His worship on this was positively effusive, declared himself devoted to +Scarsdale's interests, and insisted that he and "her ladyship," +indicating Mrs. Allingford--another slip which his companion did not +trouble to correct--must do him the honour of dining with Mrs. Mayor +and himself. + +Scarsdale was now beginning to fear that he was doing it rather too +well, and hastened to excuse "her ladyship" and himself, declaring that +they could not think of trespassing on his worship's hospitality, and +that they would be quite comfortable at the inn, if only the elephant +might be permitted to have his dinner in the square. + +The mayor declared that it was just what he most desired; but would his +lordship kindly indicate of what that meal must consist? + +This was a poser; but Scarsdale plunged recklessly on, for, having once +entered the broad road of deception, there was no turning back, and he +was surprised himself at the facility with which he could romance. + +"That is just the trouble of taking charge of other people's pets," he +said, with shameless indifference to the demands of truth. "I'm sure I +don't know much more about the brute than you do; and as his mahout was +away when we started out, I had to take one of the grooms. What _does_ +Jehoshaphat eat, Tom?" + +"Hay, sir--me lud, I mean," answered Tom, falling in with the humour of +the situation. + +"Oh! hay, of course," said Scarsdale. + +"How much, your lordship?" queried the mayor. + +"How much? Confound it! how should I know? Do you take me for an +elephant trainer?" A remark which nearly reduced his worship to chaos; +but Scarsdale, relenting, added: + +"Say five or six tons--I don't know." + +"But it is not easy, my lord, to procure such an amount at short +notice," expostulated the official. + +"Oh, then, get him a waggon-load or two as a first course, and we'll +find something else a little later." + +"It shall be procured at once. I--er--trust your lordship will not take +it amiss, since you will not dine with me, if I offer you a glass +of--shall we say champagne?" + +"With pleasure," said Scarsdale. + +"And her ladyship?" looking towards the carriage. + +Mrs. Allingford bowed, and the mayor whispered a few words in mine +host's ear. + +Just at that moment, as Scarsdale was drawing his first easy breath, +feeling at last that things were going smoothly, the very worst +_contretemps_ that could possibly happen occurred. Two dusty figures +shambled around the corner of a neighbouring street into the square, and +one of them in a high-pitched voice, that was distinctly heard by every +member of the crowd, exclaimed: + +"Hi, there! What are you doing with my elephant?" + +Scarsdale swung round to face the newcomers, a premonition of coming +evil strong upon him, though a careful inspection assured him that he +knew them not; yet conviction hang in every note of that challenge. + +They were, in a word, the owner of elephants and the unregenerate Dick. + +From early dawn they had made their way across country, in as straight +a line as possible from Winchester to Salisbury, sometimes on foot and +sometimes in such conveyances as they could hire from place to place; +but ever buoyed up by hope--hope of finding that which was lost; hope of +restoring elephants to their rightful owners; hope of clearing a +brother's name. And here, unexpectedly, they had come upon the object of +their search in the hands of total strangers. + +"Who the devil are you?" cried Scarsdale hotly, scenting danger, and +determined to face the worst at once. "I don't know you." + +"I'm Richard Allingford," said the larger of the two men, pushing +forward till he faced the bewildered Englishman. + +At this point Scarsdale, whose coolness alone could have saved the +situation, lost his head. His temper, which had been severely tried by +the vicissitudes of the day, gave way in the presence of the man whose +escapades had caused him such needless suffering and indignity, and, +regardless of results, he spoke his mind. + +"So you're Richard Allingford, are you? Then allow me to tell you that +you are the prettiest scoundrel that I've run across in a long time! +Curse you! Do you know I've spent two days, this week, in Winchester +jail on your account?" + +A broad grin broke over Richard's face. + +"I guess you must be Scarsdale," he said. "But what in thunder are you +doing with my brother's elephant?" + +"It's mine!" arose the shrill voice of his companion. "I tell you he +stole it from me!" + +This was too much for Mrs. Allingford, and, to make a bad matter worse, +she cried from the carriage: + +"The Consul did not steal the elephant! It is his property, and I'm his +wife!" + +A voice from the crowd chimed in: + +"But 'e said it was 'er ladyship's helephant!" + +The mayor's face was a study in its various shades of suspicion--anger +at being, as he very naturally supposed, duped; and certainty of the +duplicity of all concerned, as the contradictory conversation +continued. And there is no knowing how quickly he might have +precipitated the final catastrophe, if the elephant had not chosen this +opportunity for creating a diversion on his own account, which, for the +time being, distracted every one's thoughts. He had had, it will be +remembered, a very light breakfast, which only served to whet the edge +of his appetite. It therefore took him but a short time to locate the +whereabouts of a lad who, emerging from the inn with an appetising +dinner of bacon and greens arranged in a basket balanced on his head, +stood gaping on the outskirts of the crowd, unmindful of the cooling +viands. Some playful breeze must have wafted the savoury odour of +cabbage to the elephant's nostrils; for suddenly, and without previous +warning, flinging his trunk in the air with a joyous trumpet, he pounded +down the road, nearly unseating his rider, and scattering the crowd to +right and left. + +"Wait for me when you get to Christchurch!" Scarsdale called to Tom as +the latter shot past him, and then joined in the rush which followed +close on the elephant's heels, the mayor and the landlord well to the +fore; while Mrs. Allingford's driver, who was only human, increased the +confusion by whipping up his horses and joining in the chase. + +Ahead of the excited beast and the noisy throng which followed it, +holding on like grim death to his dinner-basket, fled the worse-scared +boy that had ever been seen in that town. Fortunately the chase was of +short duration, for the cubicle of the telegraph-clerk at the railway +station was just ahead, and offered a ready refuge. Into it flew the +lad, dinner and all, and slammed the door, just in time to escape from +the elephant's curling trunk. + +The beast, despoiled of his meal, circled the building trumpeting with +rage, and finally took up a position across the rails, where he stood +guard, prepared to fall upon any one who should venture out. + +All the station attendants and officials were now added to the crowd +which swarmed about the elephant, and the business of the town +practically came to a standstill. + +The station-master only added to the excitement by declaring that a +train for Salisbury was due, and that the line must be cleared; while +the telegraph-clerk announced from an upper storey that wild horses, let +alone elephants, would not drag him forth from the shelter of his +office, and the blubbering of the unfortunate boy made a monotonous +accompaniment to his speech. The mayor blustered, the navvies swore, Tom +addressed floods of unintelligible jargon to the obstinate beast, and, +as a last resort, Scarsdale coaxed and wheedled him in very defective +Hindustani. But it was all useless; not an inch would the elephant +budge, and no one in all that assemblage was clever enough to think of +giving him the telegraph-clerk's dinner. + +In the midst of this confusion, a shrill whistle was heard in the +distance, and some one with a clearer head than the rest cried out to +"set the signals against the train"--a suggestion which was at once +acted upon, and in a moment more the engine drew up, panting, within a +dozen feet of the elephant, who was so intent on the contents of the +cubicle that he never noticed its arrival. + +As a general thing, it is the American tourist who alights from a train +on no provocation, while his English cousin is content to sit quiet, and +leave the affairs of the line in the hands of the company. In this case, +however, some subtle sense of the unusual obstacle seemed to have +communicated itself to the passengers; for no sooner had the engine +halted than heads were thrust out of every window, and the greatest +excitement prevailed. + +"I don't know if Scarsdale and my wife are here," said Allingford, who, +in company with Carrington and Mrs. Scarsdale, occupied one of the +forward carriages, "but there is her ladyship's elephant!" + +"You're right," cried his fair companion, taking his place at the +window. Then, as she caught sight of Scarsdale, she exclaimed "St. +Hubart!" and pushing open the door, jumped out, and fled down the line. + +"By Jove! that's my wife!" exclaimed the Consul, fleeing after her, and +upsetting a porter in his haste. + +From a distance Carrington saw a confused mingling of four persons, and +sighed as he caught himself wondering if he would ever be fool enough to +do that sort of thing in public. + +As he slowly approached them he heard scraps of their conversation. + +"By the way, Allingford," Scarsdale was saying, "I brought you back your +elephant, which it seems you were careless enough, in the hurry of +departure, to leave behind you at Melton Court. I hope you are properly +grateful." + +"Oh, it isn't mine," replied the Consul; "it belongs to her Ladyship." + +"Well, she said it was yours," returned her nephew. + +"Ah, that was merely her excessive amiability," said Allingford. + +"It had not struck me in that light before," replied Scarsdale. "Anyway, +I've brought it back to you, and a nice time I've had of it." + +"Did you pilot it all the way from Melton Court?" queried the Consul. + +"I did," replied the Englishman, "through the main streets of this town; +that is where my Indian training stood me in good stead; but it has +ruined my character--most of the inhabitants look on me with suspicion." + +"Was your holding up of our train intentional?" + +"No," said Scarsdale regretfully, "it wasn't. There are lots of damages +to pay, I assure you." + +"You must settle them with Lady Melton." + +"But what am I to do with the beast?" + +"My dear fellow," returned the Consul, "I've been your wife's devoted +slave for the last two days, and I have restored her safe and sound to +your arms, but I really can't undertake to manage your aunt's elephants +into the bargain." + +"But at least you might advise me." + +"Turn him over to Cassim." + +"To whom?" + +"Why, to his own mahout, the little brown man who is dancing round him +now. I discovered him tearing his hair at Southampton station, where he +was left by mistake yesterday, and brought him along." + +"Then for heaven's sake make him get his beast off the line!" cried +Scarsdale, dragging Allingford up to the native keeper. + +"My lord desireth his mid-day meal, and the sahib of the watch-tower +hath it within," explained that functionary. + +"Tell his lordship that he'll have a great deal better dinner if he will +go back to the square," said Allingford. + +Just what the mahout said to the elephant will never be known, but it +proved convincing: for, with a grunt of dissatisfaction, the beast +consented to retrace his steps. + +"And now that we have settled this little matter," said the Consul, +"there is nothing left for us but to express our unbounded gratitude +to--well, to the elephant for reuniting us all, and start once more on +our honeymoons; for which this train is mighty convenient." + +"I have a word to say about that," cried the mayor. "I'm by no means +satisfied about the ownership of this elephant. I've been given to +understand that it belongs to Lady Melton. Is this so?" + +"Yes," said the Consul and Mr. and Mrs. Scarsdale. + +"No," said Mrs. Allingford, Carrington, Tom, and the original owner, in +one and the same breath. + +"I say, Bob, did you steal it after all?" queried the graceless Richard. + +"I took it in payment of a debt," replied his brother hotly. + +"Only twenty pounds!" groaned the elephant man. "It's as good as a +steal!" + +"And I gave it to Lady Melton," continued the Consul, "in payment for my +board and lodging." + +"And she gave it to me," said Mrs. Allingford. + +"I lost my lord at the place of docks," wailed the mahout. + +"'E 'ired me to ride hit," cried Tom, indicating Scarsdale. + +"And what right have you to it, sir?" blustered the mayor, turning to +that gentleman. + +"I don't know," replied Scarsdale. + +"I consider this most unsatisfactory," continued his worship. "I think I +may define the actions of those who have had a hand in this affair +as--ahem!--contradictory and open to question. I shall telegraph Lady +Melton, and pending her reply I must detain you all as suspicious +characters." + + * * * * * + +So it came to pass that the nine, gathered together in the chief parlour +of the inn, with a constable on duty, awaited for some hours a response +to the mayor's telegram. It arrived finally, embodied in the person of +Aunt Eliza, who had gone to Melton Court that morning, and was now fresh +from an interview with the mayor, which had resulted in the freedom of +all concerned. + +The old lady looked the couples over through her eye-glasses, and gave +vent to an expressive "Humph!" + +To her niece alone did she deign to express herself more fully, nor did +she scruple to mince her words. + +"Well, Mabel," she remarked, "you ought to be ashamed of yourself. I +gave you a first-class recommendation only two days ago, as being well +fitted to plan and carry out a honeymoon, and look what a mess you've +made of it! Where did you come from last?" + +"From Winchester," replied her niece, "where I was looking for my +husband, who had been arrested for impersonating Mr. Allingford's +brother," and she pointed to Dick, who joined the group on hearing his +name mentioned. + +"What business have you to be holding a public office, with a brother +like that?" Miss Cogbill demanded sternly of the Consul; but noting his +evident discomfiture, she had the grace to add: + +"You're by no means a fool, however, barring your habit of losing +things. That deed of gift you presented to Lady Melton was a clever +stroke of business, and has helped you all out of a bad hole." + +"Have you seen her ladyship? What did she say?" cried the Consul. + +"She said a good deal," replied Aunt Eliza. "Naturally she was pretty +mad, for the beast had done a heap of damage, but she was bound to admit +you weren't to blame for its getting loose, and, as I pointed out to +her, you had a right to pay for your board and lodging if you chose, +though, from the looks of her ramshackle old place, I thought you'd +given more than the accommodation was worth. Besides which there were +grievances and plenty on your side of the question. By her own showing +she hadn't been decently civil to you, and had turned over that monster +to your deserted and defenceless wife, and cast my nephew adrift, and +tried to send my niece home with the butler. Her ladyship saw the +justice of my remarks. She means well, but her training's against her. +When I came to the elephant, though, I struck a snag, for she gave me +to understand that she'd turned it off the place and never wanted to +hear of it again. 'Now, your ladyship,' says I, 'turning an elephant +adrift in the world isn't like casting your bread upon the waters; +you're bound to find it before many days.' And I hadn't more than got +the words out of my mouth when in came that telegram from the mayor, +saying that traffic was blocked on the railway in both directions, and +nine people arrested, all along of that beast. Her ladyship's lawyer," +continued Aunt Eliza, indicating a gentleman of unmistakably legal +appearance who had followed her into the room, "backed me up by pointing +out that the deed of gift was good, and the elephant her property, and +that she'd be obliged to pay for any damage it might do; after which she +climbed down from her ancestral tree quick enough, and was willing to +listen to reason. So here I am, and here is the lawyer; and now, if you +please, we will attend to business." + +This she proceeded to do, and in an amazingly short space of time, with +the authority of the lawyer, had settled the scruples of the mayor; +received a release of indebtedness from the Consul, who willingly +surrendered his papers, declaring that he had had "more than twenty +pounds' worth of fun out of the elephant"; and transferred the documents +to the lawyer, with instructions to sell the beast to the original +consignees at Southampton, and to remit the purchase-money to the +elephant man, less the twenty pounds for damages, which, she added, +"Just cancels his debt to the Consul, making him square on the +transaction." + +The lawyer patted his hands, saying: + +"Very well argued, Miss Cogbill." + +"Lady Melton," said Aunt Eliza, turning to Mr. and Mrs. Scarsdale and +Mr. and Mrs. Allingford, "has authorised me to say, on her behalf, that +she overlooks and regrets the events of the last few days, and wishes +them to be forgotten. In token of which she requests you four to dine +with her, and spend the night at Melton Court; and I may add that +you'll be fools if you don't accept." After which dissent was +impossible. + +"And I want to tell you," said Miss Cogbill, turning to Carrington, +"that you've managed this affair very well; and as I'm in want of a +likely young man as my business agent, if you call on me to-morrow in +town, we'll see if we can't find something more profitable for you to do +than hunting up stray honeymooners." + +"Say!" interjected the graceless Richard, who was far from pleased at +the turn affairs had taken--"Say, where do I come in?" + +"Young man," said Aunt Eliza, turning on him like a flash, "did you buy +a return ticket to America?" + +"Yes, but----" + +"Well, then," she interrupted, "you use it, the first chance you get. +And as for you," addressing the two married couples, "the sooner you +start for Melton Court the better; and don't let me hear of your being +lost again." + +"Aren't you coming with us, Miss Cogbill?" asked Scarsdale. + +"The lawyer and I," replied that lady, "are the only two responsible +persons in this crowd, and we'll stay right here and look after--Her +Ladyship's Elephant." + + + + +HEINEMANN'S + +CHEAPER NOVELS + + +A LITTLE LIST OF DELIGHTFUL BOOKS TO READ BY + + Sir G. Parker, M.P. + H. G. Wells + Jack London + E. F. Benson + John Galsworthy + H. de Vere Stacpoole + Philip Gibbs + Joseph Conrad + Stephen Crane + Duncan Schwann + Robert Hichens + Lloyd Osbourne + R. L. Stevenson + Richard Harding Davis + D. D. Wells + Baroness von Hutten + Frank Danby + Elizabeth Robins + Florence C. Price + Sybil Spottiswoode + Mrs. Henry Dudeney + Justin Huntly McCarthy + Eleanor Abbott + Charles Turley + Flora Annie Steel + Eleanor Mordaunt + Mrs. Hodgson Burnett + E. L. Voynich + Maxwell Gray + +_On all Bookstalls and of all Booksellers_ + +LONDON +WILLIAM HEINEMANN +MCMXII + + + + +_HEINEMANN'S 1s NET NOVELS_ + + +MOLLY MAKE-BELIEVE + +By ELEANOR HALLOWEL ABBOTT + +A New Novel + +Was that boy a fool? Or did he behave a trifle imprudently in trying +circumstances? It is difficult to say till you know Molly, who is +described by the press as "one of the most lovable, fascinating and +wholly adorable little heroines whose acquaintance any man has made for +years." One thing is certain, no sooner do you make Molly's acquaintance +than you introduce her to all your friends. + + +THE WEAVERS + +By Sir GILBERT PARKER + +Author of "The Ladder of Swords," etc. + +Sir Gilbert Parker is one of our finest romance writers of the present +day. This is a story of Egypt--full of rich colour, brilliant flowing +descriptions. It has the flavour of the Desert, the Nile and the +indefinable sense of immortality that belongs to the land of the +Pharaohs. + + +TOTO + +By H. DE VERE STACPOOLE + +Author of "The Blue Lagoon," etc. + +Written with that _verve_ and wonderfully infectious humour which is +characteristic of this author. THE OUTLOOK says: "That rare and +delightful thing, a French novel written in English." + + * * * * * + +THREE BOOKS + +By BARONESS VON HUTTEN + + +PAM + +Pam is a "classic" before her time so to speak. People are compared to +"Pam"; so to their disadvantage are most girl heroines of the novels. +She is inimitable, by herself, and oh! so wholly charming! + + +WHAT BECAME OF PAM + +"Whether we have or have not read 'Pam,' we shall certainly find 'What +became of Pam' interesting."--DAILY TELEGRAPH. + + +OUR LADY OF THE BEECHES + +Balzac says "The dramas of life do not lie in the circumstances +surrounding--they lie in the heart.' This is a drama of the heart. + +"This tender idyll ... we can only recommend our readers to buy and read +it for themselves."--DAILY MAIL. + + * * * * * + +THE ADVENTURER + +By LLOYD OSBOURNE + +"Crowded with thrilling incident the narrative races along. The book can +be recommended to all who enjoy a tale of pure adventure."--TIMES. + + +BACCARAT + +By FRANK DANBY + +Author of "Pigs in Clover," etc. + +This brilliant caustic writer here gives one of her vividest pictures of +a certain clique in society. She wields no timid pen and does not +hesitate to catch them _in flagrante delicto_. Yet the book is no +"preachment" from a self-assumed pulpit, it is a novel simply. + + +THE COUNTRY HOUSE + +By JOHN GALSWORTHY + +Author of "A Man of Property," etc. + +This problem of the country family, the county family, is such that it +concerns every one of us vitally. What they had to solve we have to +solve. And it is Mr. Galsworthy's strong point that he never fails to +give us a new vision, nor to hold our interest intent throughout. It is +an inspiring work. + + +LORD KENTWELL'S LOVE AFFAIR + +By FLORENCE C. PRICE + +A good story of London society and of political society. Lord Kentwell +and his sisters provide a most spirited picture, and there is besides a +background of big happenings very cleverly drawn. + + +THE SEA WOLF + +By JACK LONDON + +Author of "The Call of the Wild." + +A gruesome, thrilling story of the sea. Mr. London brings always the +breath of big spaces, the tenseness of great actions and the flesh and +blood of real life, of adventures really lived, into his books. As a +story, apart from anything else, it is probably as good a book as Mr. +London has ever written. + + +THE NIGGER OF THE "NARCISSUS" + +By JOSEPH CONRAD + +Author of "Typhoon," etc. + +Mr. Conrad is a writer to whom the public instinctively turn nowadays +for an exciting, closely analysed study of men. The DAILY CHRONICLE +says: "It is written by a man who knows every phase of the sea ... and +it is written by a man who can write." + + +THE MAGNETIC NORTH + +By ELIZABETH ROBINS + +Author of "Come and Find Me," etc. + +A story of the ever-calling North. + +"It is all so excellently written, so vividly realised, so picturesquely +put before the reader that it would be impossible not to be attracted." +--WESTMINSTER GAZETTE. + + +TWO NOVELS by E. F. BENSON + +Author of "Sheaves," etc. etc. + + +THE BLOTTING BOOK + +A murder story, most ingeniously worked out. Mr. Benson carries the +reader along full speed to a truly dramatic ending. + + +THE BABE B.A. + +A very differed story from the "Blotting Book." It is a light, highly +entertaining account of Cambridge undergraduate life which already ranks +with "Verdant Green" among University classics. + + +TWO NOVELS + +By Mrs. HENRY DUDENEY + + +THE MATERNITY OF HARRIET WICKEN + +A picture in low tones, but of whole-hearted conviction and quiet +sympathetic appeal. Mrs. Dudeney has realised to perfection the +work-a-day world and its stories. + + +THE ORCHARD THIEF + +A charming country tale with, in particular, one great scene of striking +dramatic force. The contrast of this author's power to charm and to +impress as she wills, is markedly shown in this capital book. + + +THE TIME MACHINE + +By H. G. WELLS + +Author of "The War of the Worlds," "Kips," etc. + +You pull certain levers, having seated yourself in the saddle, and you +are conveyed either backwards or forwards. When Mr. Wells is in the +saddle it is easy to see how highly pleasurable the adventures will be. +This clever idea has given Mr. Wells opportunity for full play of his +philosophic views. + + +IF I WERE KING + +By JUSTIN HUNTLY MCCARTHY + +A mediaeval romance of love and chivalry in which the poet Francois +Villon plays the leading part. It has drama, this story, and it seizes +the imagination. + + +MARCIA IN GERMANY + +By SYBIL SPOTTISWOODE + +Author of "Hedwig in England," etc. + +Marcia is a bright, pleasant English girl, who goes to stay with her +German relations. As others before she finds it difficult to grasp a +different point of view, a different civilisation. The result is +amusingly set forth by this author, whose dialogue is always good. + + +GODFREY MARTIN: School Boy + +By CHARLES TURLEY + +One of the very best of boys' books. It is one of the rarest of all rare +things--a thoroughly sensible school story. The boys are human, neither +saints nor super-sinners, and the masters for once behave in a totally +reasonable way. And that doesn't prevent it being a rattling good story. + + +THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE + +By STEPHEN CRANE + +Author of "The Open Boat," etc. + +The thunders of war, the life of regiments, the soul of humanity in +stress and dangers, its qualities and shortcomings are all written on +the pages of this thrilling and absorbing book. From the first paragraph +our enthusiasm is gained and is not let go till the last. + +"Simply unapproached in intimate knowledge and sustained imaginative +strength."--SAT. REVIEW. + + +The STREET of ADVENTURE + +By PHILIP GIBBS + +The "Street" is Fleet Street of course, for in what other are so many +adventures to be found. The EVENING STANDARD says: "It has the quality +of big work.... The book positively pants with life." + + + + +_HEINEMANN'S 2s NET NOVELS_ + + +THE SHUTTLE + +By MRS. HODGSON BURNETT + +Author of "Little Lord Fauntleroy," "The Secret Garden," etc. + +"Takes its place at once and without dispute among the greater permanent +works of fiction. Breadth and sanity of outlook, absolute mastery of +human character and life, bigness of story interest, place Mrs. Hodgson +Burnett's new book alongside the best work of George Eliot.... The +dignity and strength of a great novel such as this put to the blush all +but a very few living English storytellers."--PALL MALL GAZETTE. + +"A remarkable novel, for it is written with a sincerity and glow and +power which bear the reader restlessly along the strange current of +events that the writer sets herself to describe."--STANDARD. + +"Mrs. Burnett has the gift of a narrator to a high degree, and in spite +of its faults, her latest novel makes a highly readable story."--DAILY +MAIL. + +"A novel of the highest rank."--DAILY GRAPHIC. + +Mrs. Burnett is a past-master in drawing her own countrywomen, and Betty +is a dazzling vision of youthful charm combined with business-like +competence."--THE QUEEN. + +"The story is rich and spacious; it illustrates human nature, both +British and American, in a simple and massive way, and paints both in +the primary colours."--WESTMINSTER GAZETTE. + + +BELLA DONNA + +By ROBERT HICHENS + +Author of "The Londoners," "Flames," "An Imaginative Man," etc. + +This is the excellent novel on which the excellent play of the same +title is founded. It is a book full of weird, haunting scenes of passion +in the desert, full of the strange sinister fatalism of Eastern minds. + +"This is one of the best novels that we have ever read, and quite the +best that Mr. Robert Hichens has written. It combines the two elements +of which every good novel ought to be composed, subtle analysis of +character and an exciting plot.... We will not spoil the reading of this +book by sketching the thrilling plot, which is enacted on the Nile and +its banks. Needless to say, the Egyptian scenery and servants are +described by Mr. Hichens with affectionate familiarity."--SATURDAY +REVIEW. + +"It is admirable drama. It lives with a present life, and moves swiftly. +Some of the situations are intensely thrilling; the dialogue is firm and +easy; the whole treatment forcible without theatricalism.... Our +attention is fixed at the start, and kept to the end, on a duel between +Isaacson and Bella Donna. It is magnificent ... there can be no denying +it is a very fine novel."--THE EVENING STANDARD AND ST. JAMES'S GAZETTE. + +"It is particularly interesting; its characters are drawn with +particular care and splendid skill.... 'Bella Donna' is a fine study of +a woman of passion; remorseless in its truth, fascinating in its +unmasking of the hidden springs of selfish desire."--THE GLOBE. + + +THE BOOK OF A BACHELOR + +By DUNCAN SCHWANN + +Author of "The Magic of the Hill" + +Mr. Duncan Schwann has recently been acclaimed as one of the four great +humourists in England at the present time. This "Book of a Bachelor" is +delightful reading of a light kind, but it carries weight also, for Mr. +Schwann has picked out the little feeblenesses and frailty of this world +as a background to his airy frivolity. + +"A picturesque romance of modern life is this story by Duncan +Schwann.... There is, indeed, a good deal of cleverness in the +book."--WESTMINSTER GAZETTE. + +"... Is decidedly entertaining. Mr. Schwann is an admirable journalist +who has already given proof of his power, but he has done nothing so +good as this ... which is intelligent, humorous, and on the side of the +angels."--BRITISH WEEKLY. + +"There is knowledge of the world and some mild philosophy to be found in +this pleasant romance of modern life."--GLOBE. + + +A SHIP OF SOLACE + +By ELEANOR MORDAUNT + +Author of "The Garden of Contentment" + +"The Garden of Contentment," those charming letters to Mr. Nobody, has +never ceased to sell from the moment it was published. The same may be +said of "A Ship of Solace," which is filled with the breath of the sea, +and the pleasing state of mind of complete idleness. It is a book for +quiet hours, to which one can turn with pleasurable anticipation of +repose and refreshment. + +"Readers who like the scent of real sea air will revel in this truly +delightful book."--DAILY TELEGRAPH. + + +THE GIFT OF THE GODS + +By FLORA ANNIE STEEL + +Author of "On the Face of the Waters," "The Potter's Thumb," "From the +Five Rivers," etc. etc. + +"She has that gift, rare now among novelists, of being interested, first +of all, in the story she has to tell. She is herself so strongly +interested that her readers are carried along with her and share in her +vitality and freshness."--STANDARD. + +"Mrs. Steel gives us one admirably dramatic scene,--the death of an old +woman from shock at a sudden disillusion while on her way to the +Communion Table.... The squalid and starveling lot of crofters living on +barren soil in or towards the last decade of the 19th century is well +depicted."--ATHENAEUM. + + + + +THE NOVELS OF + +E. F. BENSON + +Uniform Edition. Crown 8vo. With coloured + +Frontispiece and Wrapper. Each vol. 2s net + + * * * * * + +DODO + +"The readers of Mr. Benson's book will delight in this story. It is full +of interest and cleverness."--_Pall Mall Gazette._ + + +THE VINTAGE + +"We would recommend this to our readers. It has vivid characters staged +cleverly and a subtle charm which make the work thoroughly +enjoyable."--_British Weekly._ + + +MAMMON & CO. + +"Bright, witty dialogues and gay fascinating scenes. Full of humorous +sayings and witty things."--_Daily Telegraph._ + + +THE LUCK OF THE VAILS + +"This is a really thrilling and exciting tale of crime and mystery. It +is readable all through and full of entertainment."--_Times._ + + +SCARLET AND HYSSOP + +"Must be accounted a really brilliant piece of work, unsurpassed by +anything Mr Benson has given us."--_Pall Mall Gazette._ + + +THE BOOK OF MONTHS & A REAPING + +"The Bock of Months' is full of charm--real, persuasive, penetrating +charm--there rings the sincerity of real feeling and purpose."--_Daily +Chronicle._ + + +THE CHALLONERS + +"'The Challoners' must be pronounced not only the best book he has given +us but one of the best novels."--_Daily Mail._ + + +THE ANGEL OF PAIN + +"An admirably constructed story, brilliant character sketches, flashes +of good talk--a remarkably clever book."--_Guardian._ + + +THE IMAGE OF THE SAND + +"Even the sceptic must admit the grim power of the book."--_Bookman._ + + +PAUL + +"Mr. Benson at his gayest and best. Nothing could be more natural or +more amusing than most of the dialogue--full of admirable portraiture +and an abundance both of humour and humanity."--_Outlook._ + + +SHEAVES + +"Brilliant, clever, full of wise observations and sage +counsels."--_Standard._ + + +THE CLIMBER + +"His story is written with striking effect, and the author's wonderful +power of observation is to be found in almost every page."--_World._ + + +JUGGERNAUT + +"Delightful in its literary brightness and charm, it is also full of +exquisite and appealing humanity ... a fine achievement."--_Liverpool +Mercury._ + + +ACCOUNT RENDERED + +"This is an admirably written study of English modern life. Lovers of +Mr. Benson's work will be charmed with his latest novel."--_T.P.'s +Weekly._ + + +THE OSBORNES + +"As human and sincere as anything in 'Sheaves' or the 'Challoners.' A +charming story."--_Observer._ + + + + +_HEINEMANN'S 7d NET NOVELS_ + + +THE BONDMAN + +By HALL CAINE + +"Mr. Hall Caine has in this work placed himself beyond the front rank of +the novelists of the day. He has produced a story which is distinctly +ahead of all the fictional literature of our time, and fit to rank with +the most powerful fictional writing of the past century."--THE SCOTSMAN. + + +THE SCAPEGOAT + +By HALL CAINE + +"There are passages in 'The Scapegoat' which entitle Mr. Hall Caine to a +high place amongst contemporary writers of fiction."--DAILY CHRONICLE. + + +THE EBB-TIDE + +By R. L. STEVENSON (In conjunction with LLOYD-OSBOURNE) + +"The master storyteller is apparent to the reader of this book. It is +full of freshness, incident and character. It is a splendid +tale."--GUARDIAN. + + +THE CALL OF THE WILD + +By JACK LONDON + +"It is impossible not to recognise the skill with which Mr. London +follows out point by point the training of a sledge dog. 'The Call of +the Wild' is a very remarkable book."--DAILY TELEGRAPH. + + +THE WAR OF THE WORLDS + +By H. G. WELLS + +"Original and ingenious romance which attests strongly the variety and +fertility of Mr. Wells' imagination."--DAILY CHRONICLE. + + +FLAMES + +By ROBERT HICHENS + +"The picturesque charm of Mr. Hichens' style and his indisputable +command of the weird and mysterious will hold attention fixed from the +first chapter of this powerful story to the last."--GRAPHIC. + + +THE GADFLY + +By E. L. VOYNICH + +"It is more interesting and rich in promise than ninety-nine out of +every hundred novels that pass through the reviewer's hand."--ACADEMY. + + +SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE + +By RICHARD HARDING DAVIS + +"Mr. Davis has the dramatic gift--he carries you along with him. One +need not wish for a better story of action than this."--ACADEMY. + + +THE LAST SENTENCE + +By MAXWELL GRAY + +"Any reader who wants an absorbing story, full of cleverness and +excitement, should read this book."--DAILY NEWS. + + +HER LADYSHIP'S ELEPHANT + +By D. D. WELLS + +"It is an admirable piece of humour with not a dull page in it from +beginning to end."--ATHENAEUM. + + * * * * * + +London: WILLIAM HEINEMANN, 21 Bedford St., W.C. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Her Ladyship's Elephant, by David Dwight Wells + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HER LADYSHIP'S ELEPHANT *** + +***** This file should be named 28149.txt or 28149.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/1/4/28149/ + +Produced by Annie McGuire, from scans obtained from Google +Print project. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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