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diff --git a/5972-h/5972-h.htm b/5972-h/5972-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a8e7fb4 --- /dev/null +++ b/5972-h/5972-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,14504 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + A Fascinating Traitor, by Col. Richard Henry Savage + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent5 { margin-left: 5%;} + .indent10 { margin-left: 10%;} + .indent15 { margin-left: 15%;} + .indent20 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent30 { margin-left: 30%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; right: 1%; font-size: 0.6em; + font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; + text-align: right; background-color: #FFFACD; + border: 1px solid; padding: 0.3em;text-indent: 0em;} + .side { float: left; font-size: 75%; width: 25%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + p.pfirst, p.noindent {text-indent: 0} + span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 0.8 } + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Fascinating Traitor, by Richard Henry Savage + +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: A Fascinating Traitor + +Author: Richard Henry Savage + +Release Date: March 28, 2009 [EBook #5972] +Last Updated: November 19, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A FASCINATING TRAITOR *** + + + + +Produced by Carrie Fellman, and David Widger + + + +</pre> + + + + + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + A FASCINATING TRAITOR + </h1> + <h3> + AN ANGLO-INDIAN STORY + </h3> + <h2> + By Col. Richard Henry Savage + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + <b>CONTENTS</b> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>BOOK I. OUT OF THE DEAD PAST.</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. A CHANCE MEETING AT GENEVA. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. AN OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE ALLIANCE. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. AND AT DELHI WHAT AM I TO DO? </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. THE VEILED ROSEBUD OF DELHI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. A DIPLOMATIC TIFFIN. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> <b>BOOK II. “A DEVIL FOR LUCK."</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. THE MYSTERIOUS BUNGALOW. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. THE PRICE OF SAFETY. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. HARRY HARDWICKE TAKES THE GATE + NEATLY. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. ALAN HAWKE PLAYS HIS TRUMP CARD. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. A CAPTIVATED VICEROY. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> <b>BOOK III. PRINCE DJIDDIN’S VISIT TO ENGLAND.</b> + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. “DO YOU SEE THIS DAGGER?” </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. ON THE CLIFFS OF JERSEY. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. AN ASIATIC LION IN HIDING. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. THE COUNCIL AT GRANVILLE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. THE FRENCH FISHER BOAT, “HIRONDELLE.” + </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK I. OUT OF THE DEAD PAST. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. A CHANCE MEETING AT GENEVA. + </h2> + <p> + “By Jove! I may as well make an end of the thing right here to-night!” was + the dejected conclusion of a long council of war over which Major Alan + Hawke had presided, with the one straggling comfort of being its only + member. + </p> + <p> + All this long September afternoon he had dawdled away in feeding certain + rapacious swans navigating gracefully around Rousseau’s Island. He had + consumed several Trichinopoly cigars in the interval, and had moodily + gazed back upon the strange path which had led him to the placid shores of + Lake Leman! The gay promenaders envied the debonnair-looking young Briton, + whose outer man was essentially “good form.” Children left the side of + their ox-eyed bonnes to challenge the handsome young stranger with shy, + friendly approaches. + </p> + <p> + Bevies of flashing-eyed American girls “took him in” with parthian + glances, and even a widowed Russian princess, hobbling by, easing her + gouty steps with a jeweled cane, gazed back upon the moody Adonis and + sighed for the vanished days, when she possessed both the physical and + mental capacity to wander from the beaten paths of the proprieties. + </p> + <p> + But—the world forgetting—the young man lingered long, gazing + out upon the broad expanse of the waters, his eyes resting carelessly upon + the superb panorama of the southern shore. He had wandered far away from + the Grand Hotel National, in the aimlessness of sore mental unrest, and, + all unheeded, the hours passed on, as he threaded the streets of the proud + old Swiss burgher city. He had known its every turn in brighter days, and, + though the year of ninety-one was a brilliant Alpine season, and he was in + the very flower of youth and manly promise, gaunt care walked as a + viewless warder at Alan Hawke’s side. + </p> + <p> + He had crossed over the Pont de Montblanc to the British Consulate, only + to learn that the very man whom he had come from Monaco to seek, was now + already at Aix la Chapelle, on his way to America, on a long leave. He had + wearily made a tour of the principal hotels and scanned the registers with + no lucky find! Not a single gleam of hope shone out in all the polyglot + inscriptions passing under his eye! And so he had sadly betaken himself to + a safe, retired place, where he could hold the aforesaid council of war. + </p> + <p> + The practical part of the operations of this sole committee of ways and + means, was an exhaustive examination of his depleted pockets. A few + sovereigns and a single crisp twenty-pound Bank of England note + constituted the rear guard of Alan Hawke’s vanished “sinews of war.” The + young man briefly noted the slender store, with a sigh. + </p> + <p> + “Twenty-five pounds—and a little trumpery jewelry—I can’t ever + get back to India on that!” He seemed to hear again the rasping voice of + the vulpine caller at Monte Carlo: “Messieurs! Faites vos jeux! Rien ne va + plus! Le jeu est fait!” And, if a dismal failure in Lender had been his + Leipsic, the black week at Monaco had been his long drawn-out Waterloo! “I + was a rank fool to go there,” he growled, “and a greater fool to come over + here! I might have got on easily to Malta, and then chanced it from there + to Calcutta!” + </p> + <p> + The sun’s last lances glittered on the waters gleaming clear as crystal, + with their deep blue tint of reflected sky, and liquid sapphire! The + gardens were becoming deserted as the loungers dropped off homeward one by + one, and still the handsome young fellow sat moodily gazing down into the + rushing waters of the arrowy Rhone, as if he fain would cast the dark + burden of his dreary thoughts far away from him down into those darkling + waters. But thirty-two years of age, Alan Hawke had already outlived all + his wild boyish romances. The thrill with which he had first set foot upon + the land of Clive and Warren Hastings had faded away long years gone! And, + Fate had stranded him at Geneva! + </p> + <p> + As he sat, still irresolute as to his future movements, the dying sunlight + gilded the splendid panorama of the whole Mont Blanc group. Rose and + purple, with fading gold and amethystine gleams played softly upon the + far-away giant peak, with its noble bodyguard, the Aiguilles du Midi, + Grandes Jorasses, the Dent du Geant, the sturdy pyramid of the Mole, and + the long far sweep of the Voirons. But he noted not these splendors of the + dying sun god, as he stood there moodily defying adverse fate, a modern + Manfred. “I might with this get on to London—but what waits me + there? Only scorn, callous neglect!” His eye fell upon the statue of Jean + Jacques, lifted up there by the sturdy men who have for centuries clung to + the golden creeds of civil and religious liberty—the independence of + man—and the freedom of the unshackled human soul. “Poor Rousseau! + seer and parasite, fugitive adventurer, the sport of the great, the eater + of bitter bread—the black bread of dependence! I will not linger + here in a long-drawn agony! Here, I will end it forever, and to-night!” + </p> + <p> + There were certain visions of the past which returned to shake even the + iron nerves of Alan Hawke! Face to face now with his half formed + resolution of suicide, the wasted past slowly unrolled itself before him. + </p> + <p> + The brief days of his service in India, an abrupt exit from the service, + long years of wandering in Japan and China, as a gentleman adventurer, and + all the singular phases of a nomadic life in Burmah, Nepaul, Cashmere, + Bhootan, and the Pamirs. + </p> + <p> + He smiled in derision at the recollection of a briefly flattering fortune + which had rebaptized him with a shadowy title of uncertain origin. Thus + far, his visiting card, “Major Alan Hawke, Bombay Club” had been an easily + vised passport, but—alas—good only among his own kind! He was + but a free lance of the polished “Detrimentals,” and, under this last + adverse stroke of fortune, his poor cockboat was being swamped in the + black waters of adversity. He had staked much upon a little campaign at + the Foreign Office in London. The cold rebuff which he had received to + there had carried him in sheer desperation over to Monaro and incoming + onto Geneva, he had “burned his ships” behind him. Ignorant of the precise + manner in which his clouded reputation had stopped the way to his + advancement in the English Secret Service, he remembered, even at the + last, that a few letters were due to those who still watched his little + flickering light on its way over the trackless sea of life. For + hard-hearted as he was,—benumbed by the blows of fate, his heart + calloused with the snapping of cords and ties which once had closely bound + him—there were yet loosely knit bonds of the past which tinged with + the glow of his dying passions—the unforgotten idols of his + adventurous career! + </p> + <p> + He rose and walked mechanically along the Qua du Mont Blanc with the + alert, springy step of the soldier. “Once a Captain, always a Captain” was + in every line of his resolute, martial figure. His well-set-up, graceful + form, his nobly poised head and easy soldierly bearing contrasted sharply + with the lazy shuffle of the prosperous Swiss denizens and the listless + lolling of the sporadic foreign tourists. Crisp, curling, tawny hair, a + sweeping soldierly moustache, with a resolute chin and gleaming blue eyes + accentuated a handsome face burnt to a dark olive by the fiery Indian sun. + An easy insouciance tempered the habitual military smartness of the man + who had known several different services in the fifteen years of his + wasted young manhood. As he swung into the glare of the hospitable doorway + of the Grand Rational, the obsequious head porter doffed his gold banded + cap. + </p> + <p> + “Table d’hote serving now, Major!” With the mere social instinct of long + years, Alan Hawke recognized the man’s perfunctory politeness, tipped him + a couple of francs, and then, mechanically sauntered to a seat in the + superb salle a manger. “I’ll get out of here to-night,” he muttered, and + then he bent down his head over the carte du jour and peered at the wine + list, as the chatter of happy voices, the animated faces of lovely women + and the eager hum of social life around, recalled him to that world from + which he contemplated an unceremonious exit. It was in a deference to old + habit, and the “qu en dira’t on,” that he ordered a half bottle of + excellent Chambertin and then proceeded to dine with all the scrupulous + punctilio of the old happy mess days. + </p> + <p> + Something of defiance seemed to steal back into his veins with the + generous warmth of the wine—a touch of the old gallant spirit with + which he had faced a hard world, since the unfortunate incident which had + abruptly terminated his connection with “The Widow’s” Service. His eye + swept carelessly over the international detachment seated at the splendid + table. Lively and chattering as they were, it was a human Sahara to him. + He easily recognized the “Ten-Pounder” element of wandering Britons; poor, + anxious-eyed beings grudgingly furloughed from shop and desk, and now + sternly determined to descend at Charing Cross without breaking into the + few reserve sovereigns. Serious-looking women, clad in many colors, and + stolid cockneys, hostile to all foreign innovation, met his eye. He sighed + as he cast his social net and drew up nothing. + </p> + <p> + There was a vacant chair at his left. Very shortly, without turning his + eyes, he was made aware of the proximity of a woman, young, evidently a + continental, from her softly murmured French. + </p> + <p> + “Houbigant’s Forest Violets,” he murmured. “She is at least + semi-civilized!” He was dreaming of the far off lotos land which he had + left, as he felt the rebellious protest of his young blood and the defiant + spirit awaked by the mechanical luxury of the well-ordered dinner. “These + human pawns seem to be all prosperous, if not happy! I’ll have another shy + at it! By God! I must get back to India!” The whole checkered past rushed + back over his mind! The fifteen years of his “wanderjahre”! Scenes which + even he dared not recall! Incidents which he had never dared to own to any + European! He but too well knew the origin of his loosely applied title of + Major—a field officer’s rank more honored at the easygoing clubs of + Yokahama, Shanghai, and Hong Kong than on the Army List—a rank best + known at the ring-side of Indian sporting grounds, and only tacitly + accepted in the extra-official circles of Hindustan. For it figured not in + the official Army List, either as active or retired. The whole panorama of + the mystic land of the Hindus was unrolled once more by the memories of + fifteen clouded years, He saw again his far-away theater of varied action, + with its huge grim mountains towering far over the snow line, its arid + wastes, its fertile plains bathed in intense sunshine, its mystic rivers, + and its silent, solemn shrines of the vanished gods. + </p> + <p> + Major Alan Hawke silently ran over his slender professional + accomplishments. “I’m not too heavy to ride yet. I’ve a fair hand at cards—tough + nerves, and even a bit of staying power. Luck may turn my way yet and + there’s always the Pamirs! At the worst, the Russians—the Afghans,—or + those fellows up in Sikkim and Hill Tipperah! An artillerist is always + welcome there!” But even in his moral desperation, he hung his head, for a + flush of his boyhood’s bright ambitions returned to shame him. An old song + jingled in his memory, “When I first put this uniform on.” He lapsed into + a bitter reverie! + </p> + <p> + The soldier of fortune was finally aroused from a brown study by the + impassive steward presenting two great dishes. The clatter of some late + convive seating himself also caused him to turn his head. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Anstruther! You are a long way from staff headquarters here!” + quietly said Hawke, as the new arrival gazed at him in a mute surprise. + </p> + <p> + Captain the Honorable Anson Anstruther put up his monocle and duly + answered: “I thought that you were still in Calcutta, Hawke.” There was a + faint noli me tangere air in the young staff officer’s manner, and yet + mere propinquity drew them together in a few minutes. With the insouciance + of men bred in club and at mess, the two soldiers soon drifted into an + easy chat, meeting on safe grounds. They calmly ignored the surrounding + civilians, regardless of the attractions of two falcon-eyed Chicago + beauties, loud of voice and brilliantly overdressed, who were guiding + “Popper” and “Mommer” over the continent. These resplendent daughters of + Columbia already boasted a train consisting of a French count (of a very + old and shadowy regime), a singularly second-hand looking Italian marquis, + a wooden-soldier figured German baron, and a sad-eyed, distant-looking + Russian prince, whose bold Tartar glances rested hungrily upon both Miss + “Phenie” and Miss “Genie” Forbes. + </p> + <p> + The Anglo-Indians, however, calmly pursued their dinner and gossip + regardless of the fact that Miss “Phenie” had violently nudged Miss + “Genie,” and whispered in a stage aside: “Say, Genie, look at those two + English fellows! They are something like—I bet you that they are two + Lords!” The approval of the gilded Western maidens, whose father + systematically assassinated a thousand porkers per diem, was lost upon the + chance-met acquaintances. “I must get back to India, by hook or crook,” + mused Alan Hawke, and therefore, he very delicately played his wary fish, + the sybaritic young swell of the staff. Captain the Honorable Anson + Anstruther’s reserve soon melted under the skillful bonhomie of the astute + Alan Hawke. An easy-going patrician of the staff, he was in the magic + circle of the viceroy. The heir to an inevitable fortune, and already + vested with substantially stratified deposits at “Coutts” and Glyn, Carr + and Glyn’s, he would have been envied by most luckless mortals the heavy + balances which he always carried at “Grind-lay’s,” a fortune for any less + fortunate man. + </p> + <p> + He was already interested in the remarkably fetching looking young woman + at Alan Hawke’s left, being a squire of dames par excellence, while Major + Alan Hawke himself wondered how Anstruther had drifted so far away from + the direct line of travel to London. + </p> + <p> + Thawing visibly under the influence of Hawke’s gracefully modulated + camaraderie, the susceptible Anstruther was attentively examining his fair + neighbor in silence, while he tried vaguely to recall some story which he + had once heard, quite detrimental to the cosmopolitan Major. + </p> + <p> + He gave it up as a bad job! “Hang it!” he thought. “It may have been some + other chap. Very likely!” It was the strange story of a sharp encounter + with the hostile Kookies, in which a couple of English mountain guns, long + before abandoned by a British expeditionary force, had been served with + due professional skill and most desperate dash by a reckless man, easily + recognized as an English refugee artillerist. The wounded escaped British + soldier, who had died after denouncing the deserting adventurer, had left + his parting advice to the Royal Artillery to burn the fearless renegade, + should he ever be captured. It was the Story of a nameless traitor! + </p> + <p> + But, the vague distrust of the curled darling of Fortune soon faded away + under Hawke’s measured social leading. A silver wine cooler stood behind + their chairs, and the old yarn of a British officer playing Olivier Pain + became very misty under the subtle influence of the Pommery Sec. Alan + Hawke guarded the expected story of his own wanderings, waiting craftily + until Bacchus and Venus had sufficiently mollified Anstruther. + </p> + <p> + He duplicated the champagne, knowing well the warming influence of + “t’other bottle.” The Major of a shadowy rank had early learned the + graceful art of effacing himself, and on this occasion, it stood greatly + to his credit. Anstruther was now quite sure that the graceful head of the + beautiful neighbor swayed in an unconscious recognition of his witty + sallies. A true son of Mars—ardent, headlong, and gallant as + regarded le beau sexe—he talked brilliantly and well, aiming his + boomerang remarks at a woman whom he knew to be young and graceful, and + whose beauty he was gayly taking upon trust; an old, old interlude, played + many a time and oft. + </p> + <p> + “What is going on here in this beastly slow old town? Nothing much for + to-night, I fancy,” said the aid-de-camp, wondering if a promenade au + clair de la lune or a carriage ride to Ferney would be possible! He + already had noted the purity of the French accent of the fair unknown. No + guttural Swiss patois there, but that crisp elegance of tone which + promised him a flirtation en vraie Parisienne. + </p> + <p> + “Only Philemon and Baucis, an antique opera, at the Grand Opera House, and + sung by a band of relics of better days, wandering over here!” said Hawke. + </p> + <p> + And then it finally dawned upon the blase young staff officer that he had + met Alan Hawke in certain circles where plunging had chased away the + tedium of Indian club life with the delightful sensations of raking in + other people’s money. + </p> + <p> + “Better come up to my rooms then, and have a weed and a bit of ecarte!” + slowly said Anstruther. “We may manage a ride afterward!” Alan Hawke + nodded, and a thirsty gleam lit up his crafty eyes. He instinctively felt + for the little card case containing that solitary twenty-pound note; it + was a gentleman’s stake after all. And the would-be suicide silently + invoked the fickle goddess Fortuna! + </p> + <p> + Captain Anstruther, however, furtively murmured a few words to the solemn + head steward and then leaned back contentedly in his chair. His ostensible + orders for cafe noir and cards, as well as the least murderous of the + obtainable cigars, covered the plan of using a five-pound note in an + adroit personal inquiry. For, the Honorable Anson Anstruther proposed to + ride that very evening, and he did not wish to bore Major Hawke with his + company. He nursed a little scheme of his own. “Do you make a long stay?” + carelessly said the wary Major. + </p> + <p> + “I intend to leave to-morrow night,” gayly answered the other. “I came + over here on a very strange errand. I’ve got to see an eminent Gorgon of + respectability, who has a finishing school here for the young person bien + clevee,” said Anstruther, eyeing the unknown. + </p> + <p> + “Hardly in your line, Anstruther!” laughed Hawke, casting his eyes around + the depleted table, for Miss Phenie and Miss Genie Forbes had vanished at + last, leaving behind them expanding wave circles of sharply echoing + comment. The noisy Teutons had devoured their seven francs worth, and the + fair bird of passage on their left was left alone, woman-like, dallying + with the last sweets and finishing her demi bouteille with true French + deliberation. “It’s a case of the wolf and the sheep-fold!” + </p> + <p> + “Not that; not at all!” gayly answered Anstruther. “I have a long leave, + and I only ran over here to oblige His Excellency.” He spoke with all the + easy disdain of all underlings born of an Indian official life—the + habitual disregard of the Briton for his inferior surroundings. “By Jove! + you may help me out yourself! You’re an old Delhi man!” He gazed earnestly + at Hawke, who started nervously, and then said: + </p> + <p> + “You know I’ve been away for a good bit of the ten years in the far + Orient, but I used to know them all, before I went out of the line.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you surely know old Hugh Johnstone, the rich, old, retired deputy + commissioner of Oude?” Alan Hawke slowly sipped his champagne, for his + Delhi memories were both risky and uncertain ground. + </p> + <p> + “I fail to recall the name, Johnstone—Johnstone,” murmured Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “Why, everyone knows old Johnstone; he is an old mutiny man. You surely + do! He was Hugh Fraser until he took the name of Johnstone, ten years or + so ago, on a Scotch relative leaving him a handsome Highland estate!” + There was a warning rustle at Hawke’s left, as the fair stranger prepared + for her flitting. + </p> + <p> + “I was very intimate with Hugh Fraser in my griffin days. But I thought he + had retired and gone back home. He is enormously rich, and an old + bachelor! I know him very well; he was a good friend of mine in the old + days, too!” + </p> + <p> + Anstruther leaned toward Hawke, as he signed to the waiter to refill his + hearer’s glass. “Well, I can surprise even you! He has turned up with a + beautiful daughter—at Delhi—just about the prettiest girl I + ever—” + </p> + <p> + “Je demande mills pardons, Madame!” politely cried Major Hawke, as his + fair neighbor’s wineglass went shivering down in a crystalline wreck. + </p> + <p> + “Pas de quoi, Monsieur,” suavely replied the woman whom till now he had + hardly noticed. A moment later the slight damage was repaired, and then + Captain the Honorable Anson Anstruther had his little innings. + </p> + <p> + With courtly hospitality he offered the creamy champagne as a remplacement + for the lost vin du pays. + </p> + <p> + A charming smile rewarded the gallant youth, while Major Hawke turned with + interest to the renewal of the interrupted narrative. He had caught a + glance of burning intensity from the dark brown eyes of the lady a la + Houbigant, which set every nerve in his body tingling. It was a challenge + to a companionship, and, as he led on the triumphant Anstruther, he deeply + regretted the absence of that most necessary organ,—an eye in the + back of the head. He was dimly aware that his beautiful neighbor was very + leisurely drinking the peace offering of the susceptible son of Mars. “I + will bet hundreds to ha’pennies she speaks English!” quickly reflected the + now aroused Major. + </p> + <p> + “You astound me, Anstruther,” the Major said. “Not a lawful child! Some + Eurasian legacy—a relic of the old days of the Pagoda Tree! Why, the + old commissioner always was a woman hater, and absolutely hostile to all + social influences!” The Captain was now stealing longing glances at the + willowy figure of the beautiful woman whose glistening dark brown eyes + were turned to him with a languid glance, as Alan Hawke leaned forward. To + prolong the sight of that bewitching half profile, with the fair, low + brows, the velvet cheeks, a Provencale flush tinting them, the parted lips + a dainty challenge speaking, and the rich masses of dark brown hair nobly + crowning her regal outlines, Anstruther yielded to the spell and babbled + on. “The whole thing is a strange melange of official business and dying + gossip!” dreamily said Anstruther with his eyes straying over the ivory + throat, the superbly modeled bust and perfect figure of the young Venus + Victrix. + </p> + <p> + He was duly rewarded by a glance of secret intelligence when he leaned + back, dreamily closing his eyes. “You see, they were going to make old + Hugh Fraser or Hugh Johnstone, as he is now called, a baronet for some + secret services to the Crown of an important nature, rendered about the + time when mad Hodson piled up the whole princely succession to the House + of Oude in a trophy of naked corpsess pistoling them with his own hand.” + He ordered a third bottle of Pommery, with a wave of his hand, and + proceeded: “Of course, you know, Her Majesty’s Government always closely + investigate the social antecedents of the nominee in such cases. The + change of name is all right; it is regularly entered at Herald’s College + and all that sort of thing, but the Chief has heard of the sudden + appearance of this beautiful daughter. Now, old Johnstone surely never + looked the way of woman in India! It’s true that he went back about twenty + years ago to England on a two years’ leave. He has lived the life of a + splendid recluse in his magnificent old bungalow on the Chandnee Chouk.” + </p> + <p> + Anstruther paused, fishing for another fugitive smile. He caught it behind + the back of the wary adventurer. + </p> + <p> + “I know the old house well,” said Hawke with an affected unconcern. “Men + were always entertained royally there, but I never saw a woman of station + in its vast saloons.” + </p> + <p> + “Now there you are!” cried Anstruther, lightly resuming: “I was sent up to + Delhi to delicately find out about this alleged daughter, for the Chief + does not want to throw Johnstone’s baronetcy over. The fact is before they + packed the toothless old King of Oude away to Rangoon to die with his + favorite wife and their one wolf cub out there, Hugh Fraser skillfully + extorted a surrender of a huge private treasure of jewels from these + people while they were hidden away in Humayoon’s tomb. There’s one trust + deposit yet to be divided between the Government and this sly old + Indo-Scotch-man, and I fancy the empty honor of the baronetcy is a quid + pro quo.” Alan Hawke laughed heartily. “It is really diamond cut diamond, + then.” + </p> + <p> + “Precisely,” said Anstruther, as he most calmly waved his hand to the + steward, who silently refilled even the glass of the Venus Anonyma. A + slight inclination of the head and parthian glance number three, + encouraged Anstruther to hasten and conclude, for the moon was sailing + grandly over the lake now. + </p> + <p> + Love thrilled in the young man’s vacant heart, sounding the chords of the + Harp of Life. He had been in a glittering Indian exile long enough to be + very susceptible. “I spent two weeks up there with the expectant Sir Hugh + Johnstone,” lightly rattled on the aid. “I verified the fact that the + young woman is his acknowledged daughter. He has no other lineal heir to + the title, for an old, dry-as-dust, retired Edinburgh professor, a + brother, childless and eccentric, is living near St. Helier’s, in Jersey, + in a beautiful Norman chateau farm mansion, where old Hugh proposed once + to end his days. It seems to be all square enough. I was as delicate as I + could be about it, and the matter is apparently all right. The papers have + all gone on, and, in due time, Hugh Fraser will be Sir Hugh Johnstone!” + </p> + <p> + Anstruther quaffed a beaker with guileful ideas of detaining his fair + neighbor, now ruffling her plumage for departure, for only a sporadic knot + of diners here and there lingered at the long table. “The girl herself?” + asked Hawke, with a strange desire to know more. + </p> + <p> + “Report has duly magnified her hidden charms,” replied Anstruther. “She is + called “The Veiled Rose of Delhi,” and no manner of man may lift that + mystic veil. I was treated en prince, but held at arm’s length.” + </p> + <p> + Hawke smiled softly, and said in a low voice, “I hardly see how all this + brings you over here. The Rose blooms by the far-away Jumna.” + </p> + <p> + “Then know, my friend,” laughed Anstruther, “such a rose as the peerless + Nadine Johnstone must have a duenna.” He deftly caught an impassioned + glance from the softly shining brown eyes, and hastily went on. “She was + educated right here in this emporium of watches, musical boxes, correct + principles, and scientific research. Mesdames Justine and Euphrosyne + Delande, No. 122 Rue du Rhone, conduct an institute (justly renowned) + where calisthenics, a view of the lake, a little music, a great deal of + bad French, and the Conversations Lexicon, with some surface womanly + graces, may all be had for some two hundred pounds a year. Miss Justine + Delande, a sedately gray-tinted spinster, has been tempted to remain on + guard for a year out in India, having safely conducted this Pearl of + Jeunes Personnes Bien Elevees out to the old Qui Hai. I have been charged + with some few necessary explanations and negotiations, the delivery of + some presents, and, when I have visited this first-class institute, + enjoying all the attractions of the Jardin Anglais and the Promenade du + Lac, I shall flee these tranquil slopes of the Pennine Alps. Incidentally, + the records of Mademoiselle Euphrosyne will confirm the very natural story + of the would-be Sir Hugh, whose vanished wife no Anglo-Indian has ever + seen. She is supposably dead. A last official note after I have run on to + Paris will close up the whole awkward matter. I will call there tomorrow + and then take the early train, as I am on for a lot of family visits and + sporting events before I can settle down to have my bit of a fling.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a very strange story,” murmured Alan Hawke. “No man ever suspected + Hugh Fraser of family honors.” + </p> + <p> + “And ‘the Rose of Delhi!’ will probably marry some lucky fellow out there, + as old Johnstone has lacs and lacs of rupees,” said Anstruther, “for he + cannot keep her in his great gardens forever, guarded by the stony-eyed + Swiss spinster, or let her run around as the Turks do their priceless pet + sheep with a silver bell around her neck. There was some old marital + unhappiness, I suppose, for the girl is evidently born in wedlock, and the + story is straight enough.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you seen her?” eagerly inquired Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “Just a few stolen glimpses,” hastily replied Anstruther, politely rising + and bowing as the fair unknown suddenly left her seat, in evident + confusion. + </p> + <p> + The two men strolled out of the salle a manger together, Major Alan Hawke + critically observing the heightened color and evident elan of his + aristocratic friend. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I say, Hawke,” cried Anstruther, “they’ll show you up to my rooms in + a few moments. I’ll go and see the maitre d’hotel here! The service is + beastly—beastly!” and the youth fled quickly away. + </p> + <p> + Major Alan Hawke nodded affably, and slowly mounted the staircase to his + room, wondering if the aid-de-camp was destined by the gods to furnish + forth his purse for the return to India. “He’s pretty well set up now, and + he evidently has his eye upon this brown-eyed nixie. Dare I rush my luck? + The boy’s a bit stupid at cards.” With downcast eyes the anxious + adventurer wandered along the corridor in the dimly-lighted second story. + It was the turning point of his career. + </p> + <p> + There was the rapid rustle of silk, the patter of gliding feet, a warm, + trembling hand seized his own, and in the darkness of a window recess he + was aware that he was suddenly made the prize of the fair corsair ci la + Houbigant. “Quick, quick, tell me! Do you go with him?” the strange + enchantress said, in excited tones, using the English tongue as if to the + manner born. + </p> + <p> + “Madame! I hardly understand,” cautiously said the astounded Major. + </p> + <p> + “I want you to help me! You must help me! I must see him! I must find out + all.” The sound of a servant’s steps arrested her incoherent remarks. + “Wait here!” the excited woman whispered, as she walked back down the + hall. There was a whispered colloquy, and Alan Hawke caught the gleam of + the silver neck chain of the maitre d’hotel. The sound of an opening door + was heard, and, in a few moments the flying Camilla returned to her hidden + prey. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me truly,” she panted, “what will you do with him? He wishes me to + ride with him; my answer depends on you. You are in trouble; I can see it + in your haggard eyes. Help me now, and—and I will help you!” And + then Alan Hawke spoke truly to the waif of Destiny, whom chance had thrown + in his way. + </p> + <p> + “I only wish to play with him for a couple of hours; if luck turns my way, + that will be time enough!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! you would have money! Let him go away in peace! Help me to-morrow, + here, and I will give you money!” + </p> + <p> + “What is your own scheme?” the doubting vaurien demanded. + </p> + <p> + “I must know all of this Hugh Johnstone, all about this girl,” she + whispered, her lips almost touching his cheek. + </p> + <p> + “Let me play with him to-night; I am yours as soon as he departs!” + sullenly said Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “Then, finish in two hours,” the woman said, gathering her draperies to + flee away, “for I will ride with him to-night!” + </p> + <p> + “Just a bit unconventional,” murmured Alan Hawke. “Who the devil can this + French-English woman be anyway.” He realized that some subtle game + depended upon the memories of the past strangely evoked by the artless + Anstruther’s babble. As he strolled back to the smoking-room, he saw the + maitre d’hotel slyly deliver a twisted bit of paper to the all too + unconcerned looking young Adonis, and the gleam of a napoleon shone out in + the grave faced Figaro’s hand. “Now for our cafe noir, a good pousse cafe—and—a + dash at the painted beauties. I can’t play very long,” was Anstruther’s + salutation, as he complacently twisted his mustache en hussar. Major Hawke + bowed in a silent delight. + </p> + <p> + And so it fell out that both wolf and panther—hungry vulpine prowler + and sleek feminine soft-footed enemy—gathered closely, around the + young British Lion, whose easy self-complacency led him into the snare, + hoodwinked by the fair unknown Delilah. + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke strode to the windows of Anstruther’s rooms and standing there, + watched the drifting moonbeams mantling on the spectral blue lake, while + his chance-met friend rang for a waiter. There was the murmur of + confidential orders, and then Anson Anstruther with a bright smile dropped + easily into the role of host. The young staff officer was so elated by the + apparently flattering selection of the fair anonyma that he never + considered the idea of possible foul play. It was evident that Major Hawke + had not noticed the little by-play which was the delightful undercurrent + of the table d’hote dinner. There was no time lost in the preliminaries of + the card duel. + </p> + <p> + Through curling blue wreaths of aromatic incense, over the brandy-dashed + coffee, the two men sententiously struggled for the smiles of Fortune, + with impassive faces, in a rapid duel of wits as the fleeting moments sped + along. + </p> + <p> + The tide of luck was set dead against Anstruther, who strangely seemed to + be now possessed of a merry devil. He made perilous excursions into the + land of brandy and soda, gayly faced his bad fortune, and feverishly + chattered over the well-worn Anglo-Indian gossip adroitly introduced by + the now nerve-steadied Hawke. General Renwick’s loss of his faded and + feeble spouse, the far-famed “Poor Thing” of much polite apology for her + socially aristocratic ailments; Vane Tempest’s singular elopement with the + beautiful wife of a green subaltern; Harry Chillingly’s untoward end while + potting tigers; Count Platen’s enormous winnings at Baccarat; Fitzgerald + Law’s falling into a peerage; and Mrs. Claire Atterbury, the wealthy + widow’s purchase of a handsome boy-husband fresh from Sandhurst. All this + with Jack Blunt’s long expected ruin, and a spicy court-martial or two, + furnished a running accompaniment to Anstruther’s expensive “personally + conducted tour” into the intricacies of ecarte, led on by the coolest + safety player who ever fleeced a griffin. Truly these were golden moments. + The Major’s cool steady eyes were sternly fixed on his cards. + </p> + <p> + The self-imposed sentence of suicide of the afternoon was indefinitely + postponed when Alan Hawke amiably nodded as Anstruther at last apologized + for glancing at his watch. “I’ve a bit to do to get ready for to-morrow, + and we’ll try one more hand and then I’ll say good-night.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I’ll give you your revenge at any time, Anstruther! By the way, + what’s your London address?” Hawke was complacently good humored as he + glanced at a visiting card whereon sundry comfortable figures were roughly + totted up. + </p> + <p> + “Junior United Service, always,” carelessly said Anstruther. “They keep + run of me, for I’m off for the woods as soon as the shooting season opens. + Where will you be this winter?” + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke assumed a mysterious air, “That depends upon the Russian and + Chinese game—the Persian and Afghan intrigues! You see, I am + awaiting some ripening affairs in the F. O. I was called back on account + of my familiarity with the Pamirs, and there’s a good bit of Blue Book + work that my knowledge of Penj Deh, and the whole Himalayan line has + helped out.” The captain was a bit agnostic now. + </p> + <p> + “You were—-” began Anson Anstruther, timidly, the old vague gossip + returning to haunt him. His ardor was cooling in view of the very neat sum + of his losses in three figures. + </p> + <p> + “On Major Montgomerie’s escort as a raw boy when I came out,” promptly + interrupted Hawke. “I went all over Thibet in ‘75 with Nana Singh as a + youngster. He was a wonderful chap and besides executing the secret survey + of Thibet, he ran all over Cashmere, Nepaul, Sikkim, and Bhootan, secretly + charged with securing authentic details of the death of Nana Sahib.” The + cool assurance of the adventurer disarmed the now serious Anstruther, for + both the sagacious English officer and his disguised assistant, Nana + Singh, were both dead these many years. “Morley’s is my regular address; I + keep up no home club memberships now,” coolly said Hawke, as at last they + threw the cards down. + </p> + <p> + Anstruther picked up his marker card as he glanced at Hawke’s ready money + upon the table. There was a ten-pound note folded under the Major’s neat + pocket case and a plethoric fold of Bank of England notes bulged the neat + Russia leather. He never knew that only thirteen one-pound notes made up + this brave financial show of his adversary. Alan Hawke was a past master + of keeping up a brave exterior and he blessed the Cook’s Tourists who had + that day left these small bills with the hotel cashier. + </p> + <p> + “Now, here you are,” hastily said Anstruther. “Do you make the same total + as I do?” The spoiled patrician boy carelessly shoved out sixty pounds in + notes and rummaging over his portmanteau produced a check book. “There, I + think that’s right. Check on Grindlay, 11 and 12 Parliament Street, for + four hundred and twenty-eight.” Hawke bowed gravely with the air of a + satisfied duelist, and then carelessly swept the check and notes into his + breast pocket. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, what sort of a girl is this Nadine Johnstone,” the wanderer + said, by way of a diversion. + </p> + <p> + “I can’t tell you! Only old General Willoughby has pierced the veil. Of + course, Johnstone could not refuse a visit from the Commander of Her + Majesty’s forces. In fact, Harry Hardwicke, of the Engineers, accompanied + Willoughby. The old chief treats Hardwicke as a son since he bore the body + of the dear old fellow’s son out of fire in the Khyber Pass, and won a + promotion and the V. C. Harry says the girl is a modern Noor-Mahal! But, + she is as speechless and timid as a startled fawn! Now, Major, you will + excuse me. I have to leave you!” There was a fretful haste in the + passionate boy’s manner. The hour was already near midnight. + </p> + <p> + “Shall I not see you to-morrow?” politely resumed Hawke. “You will not + spend your whole morning with the stern damsel in spectacles and + steel-like armor of indurated poplin?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know I’m afraid I shall miss you,” earnestly said the aide. “Hugh + Johnstone wishes me to urge Mademoiselle Euphrosyne to allow her sister to + remain in India, in charge of the Rose of Delhi until the old eccentric + returns. Of course, the girl left alone would be an easy prey to every + fortune hunter in India, should anything happen!” There was a ferocious, + wild gleam in Alan Hawke’s eyes as the aide grasped his hat and stick. “I + wish to probe the family records and find out what I can of the ‘distaff + side of the line,’ as Mr. Guy Livingstone would say. I have some really + valuable presents, and I am on honor to the Viceroy in this, for, of + course, a baronetcy must not be given into sullied hands. Johnstone will + probably hermetically seal the girl up till the Kaisar-I-Hind has spoken + officially. Then, if this delicate matter of the hidden booty of the King + of Oude is settled, the old fellow intends to return to the home place he + has bought. I’m told it’s the finest old feudal remnant in the Channel + Islands, and magnificently modernized. The government does not want to + press him. You see they can’t! The things went out of the hands of the + hostile traitor princes, and Hugh Fraser, as he was, cajoled them from the + custody of the go-betweens. We have never gone back on the plighted word + of a previous Governor-General! The Queen’s word must not be broken. I + have a bit of persuading to do, and some other little matters to settle!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, Anstruther, we may meet again on the line of the Indus,” said + Hawke, with his lofty air. “I have always preferred the secret service to + mere routine campaigning, for, really, the waiting spoils the fighting! + Poor Louis Cavagnari! He confirmed my taste for silent and outside work! I + was sent out from Cabul by him as private messenger just before that cruel + massacre, a faux pas, which I vainly predicted. He taught me to play + ecarte, by the way!” + </p> + <p> + “Then he was a good teacher, and you—a devilish apt scholar!” + laughed Anstruther, as he politely held the door open for the man who had + coldly fleeced him. + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke’s pulses were now bounding with the thrill of his unlooked-for + harvest! He experienced a certain pride in his marvelous skill, and, + restraining himself, he soberly paced along the corridor. The excited + aid-de-camp stood for a moment with his foot on the stair, and then slowly + descended. “He suspects nothing!” the amatory youth murmured, as he passed + out upon the broad Quai du Leman. + </p> + <p> + He walked swiftly along, gayly whistling “Donna e Mobile,” with certain + private variations of his own, until he reached the splendid monument + erected to the miserly old Duke of Brunswick, who showered his scraped-up + millions upon an alien city, to spite his own fat-witted Brunswickers, and + so escaped the blood-fleshed talons of the hungry-Prussian eagle. + </p> + <p> + Duke Charles I hovered amiably in the air, over a comfortable carriage + wherein the “other little matters” were most temptingly materialized in + the person of a lovely woman waiting there with burning eyes, her splendid + face veiled in a black Spanish lace scarf. It was the old fate—“Unlucky + at cards, lucky in love!” The staff officer’s abrupt command to “drive + everywhere, anywhere,” until “further orders,” was implicitly obeyed by + the stolid cabby, who set off at once for a long round of the mild “lions” + of fair Geneva, nestling there by the shimmering lake. + </p> + <p> + The click of the horses’ feet upon the deserted roadway kept time to the + murmurs of a most coy Delilah, who molded as wax in her slender hands the + ardent military Samson, who was all unmindful of his flowing locks! And + the silent moon shimmered down upon the waste of waters! + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke was seated for an hour alone in his room, enjoying the cigars + offered up by the “Universal Provider,” who had yielded up so liberally. + The strong brandy and soda had at last restored his shaken nerves, for he + had played with his life staked upon the outcome! He then grimly counted + up his winnings. “Four-hundred and eighty-eight good pounds! That will + take me back to Delhi in very good shape,” he soliloquized. “I wonder if + there is anyway to get at that girl? If I mistake not, she will have a + half a million! The old Commissioner always liked me, too. By God! If I + could only get in between him and this baronetcy I might creep in on the + girl’s friendship! But the old curmudgeon keeps her locked up! Rather + risky in India!” He leaned back, enjoying memories of the women with + pulses of flame and hearts of glowing coal whom he had met in the days + when he was “dead square.” This strange woman! Who is she? What does she + know? + </p> + <p> + He dozed off until the clattering return of the Misses Phemie and Genie + Forbes, of Chicago, aroused him. His broad grin accentuated the easily + overheard strident remark: “Say, Genie, I wish we had had those two + English Lords at our opera supper. They are just jim-dandies, that’s + what!” + </p> + <p> + “As long as the world is full of such fools, I can afford to live,” he + pleasantly remarked, as he turned in. A new campaign was opening to him. + Far away, up the shores of the moon-transfigured lake, a hot-headed young + fool was showering kisses on the hand of a woman, who sweetly said: + “Remember my conditions! Prove yourself my friend, and I will meet you in + Paris! Now, take me home.” Samson was shorn of his locks, and the + delighted Alan Hawke found a little note slipped under his door in the + morning. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. AN OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE ALLIANCE. + </h2> + <p> + When the now buoyant Major Alan Hawke was awakened by the golden lances of + morning which shivered gayly upon the Pennine Alps he proceeded to a most + leisurely toilet, having first satisfied himself that his winnings of the + night before were not the baseless fabric of a dream. He smiled as he + fingered the crisp, clean notes, and gazed lovingly upon the dingy-looking + but potent check drawn on the old army bankers. + </p> + <p> + “No nonsense about that signature,” he cheerfully said. “Anstruther is no + welsher,” and, as he rang for his hot water and a morning refresher, he + picked up the little note with an eager curiosity. + </p> + <p> + “By Gad! she is a cool one! This is no vulgar darned occasion! I need all + my wits to-day!” He was studying over the brief words when the ready + waiter took his order for a cosy breakfast. He had deliberately moved out + all his lines to an easy comfort, throwing out a line of pickets against + any appearance of social shabbiness. “She said that she had money,” he + murmured, as he read the note again. “What the devil does she want, then, + if she has all the money she needs! Perhaps some discarded mistress! Bah! + The old man’s heart is as hollow as a sentrybox, and, besides, he has not + been in Europe for nearly twenty years. Ah, I see! Perhaps a bit of + blackmail—some early indiscretion! She did speak about the girl! + Then I must be the silent partner of her future harvest! She probably + needs a man’s arm to reach the wary old Baronet in future. My lady writes + in no uncertain tone.” + </p> + <p> + He carefully folded the note and bestowed it safely with the spoil of the + young patrician. “Of course I must show up,” he said as he betook himself + to his tub whence he emerged shapely as an Adonis with the corded torso of + an athlete. The appetizing breakfast put the Major in excellent humor, and + he drew forth his “sailing orders” as he lit his first cheroot. Seated in + a window recess, he watched the hotel frontage, while he read the + imperative lines again. They were explicit enough and had been dictated en + reine. “Meet me at the Musee Rath, in the vestibule at two o’clock. He + leaves here at one-thirty. Keep away from the hotel and avoid us both. Go + up to Ferney and come back on the one o’clock boat.” + </p> + <p> + There was a neat carte de visite in the inclosure. + </p> + <p> + “Now, I will wager that is not her name,” he smiled as he read the Italian + script. + </p> + <p> + “I can certainly now afford to throw a day or so away on her. At any rate, + I will let her make the game. I must wait a day or so to send on the + Grindlay check,” the wanderer mused, smiling genially upon the head + porter. Major Alan Hawke casually inquired, upon his leisurely descent, + “My friend?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, sir! Paid his bill and left. Luggage already sent to the station + labeled ‘Paris.’” Alan Hawke most liberally tipped the functionary. “I + think I will take a run of a few days up to Lausanne or Chillon myself; + the weather is delightful.” He strolled over to the local Cook’s Agency + and sent his treasure-trove check on to London for collection. + </p> + <p> + “I think that I will fight shy of this sleepy burgh,” he ruminated, as the + little paddle-wheel steamer sped along toward Ferney, leaving behind a + huge triangular wake carved in the pellucid waters. “It might be devilish + awkward if Anstruther should find me here, hovering around his fair + enslaver. I may need this golden youth again, in the days to come! He will + be out of India for a couple of years, but I will not trust Fate blindly. + What the old Harry can she be up to?” He suddenly burst into a merry peal + of laughter, to the astonishment of the crowd of passengers. + </p> + <p> + “Fool that I am! I see it all now! Anstruther cleared out early! The + proprieties of the home of Calvin must be respected! After he has adroitly + pumped the intellectual fountain of the past dry, then a quiet little + breakfast tete et tete will give Madame Louison the time to fool him to + the top of his bent! The sly minx! Evidently she is cast for the ‘ingenue’ + part in this little social drama! And her trump card is to hide from me + what she extracts from our Lovelace by the coy use of those deuced + fetching brown eyes and—other charms too numerous to mention! But + you shall tell me all yet, Miss Sly Boots!” And the Major dreamed pleasant + day dreams. + </p> + <p> + Life now seemed so different to the hopeful vaurien, with the physical and + moral backing of the four hundred and odd pounds! “I was a fool—a + damned fool, yesterday,” he cheerfully ruminated. “If I only handle this + woman rightly, then I may get the hold I want on this old recluse + Johnstone, congested with the fat pickings of forty-five years. A + close-mouthed old rat is he, and yet it seems that he is vulnerable after + all. If he is playing fast and loose with the government he will never get + his honors before he gives up the sleeping trust of the forgotten years.” + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke vainly tried to follow the exuberant Anstruther in his + incursion into the placid temple of Minerva, where that watchful spinster, + Miss Euphrosyne Delande, eyed somewhat icily the handsome. young “Greek + bearing gifts.” Professional prudence and the memory of certain + judiciously smothered escapades caused Miss Euphrosyne at first to retire + within her moral breast works and draw up the sally-port bridge. For even + in chilly Geneva, young hearts throb in nature’s flooding lava passions, + jealously bodiced in school-girl buckram and glacial swiss muslin. So it + was very cool for a time in the august cavern of conference where Anson + Anstruther, a bright Ithuriel, struggled with the cautious and covetous + Swiss preceptress, and the swift steamer Chilian was far up the lake + before Captain the victorious Honorable Anson Anstruther, sped away to the + morning meeting with the woman who had seemed to lean down from the + moon-lit skies upon her young Endymion in that starry night by the + throbbing lake. + </p> + <p> + Major Alan Hawke, proceeding on his voyage, found a certain bitterness in + the distant mental contemplation of Captain Anstruther’s employment of his + leisure till train time, not knowing that the young soldier’s sense of + duty led him first to dispatch several careful official dispatches, one to + London, and the two others to Calcutta and Delhi, respectively. When + Captain Anstruther finally deposited his mail with the head porter of the + Grand Hotel National he deftly questioned that functionary. “My friend—Major + Hawke?” + </p> + <p> + “Gone up the lake for two or three days, sir. Going to Lausanne and + Chillon. Keeps all his luggage here, though. Shall I give him any message + for you?” With a view to artfully veiling his coming meeting with the + beautiful Egeria a la Houbigant, the captain deposited a card marked “P. + P. C.” + </p> + <p> + “A devilish pleasant fellow and a right stunning hand at ecarte.” + Anstruther prudently walked for a couple of squares, and then hailed a + passing voiture, directing him to the very cosiest restaurant in the snug + city of Bonnivard. + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke, far away now, entertained a slight resentment toward the man + who had so coolly aspired to les bonnes fortunes, and ignored his own + possible interference with the Lady of the Lake. It was with a grim + satisfaction, however, that he saw on the boat the Misses Phenie and Genie + Forbes, of Chicago, the bright particular stars of the traveling upper + tendom. “Popper” and “Mommer” were deep in certain red-bound Baedeker’s + and busied in delving for “historic facts,” while the artful Alan Hawke + glided into a fast and familiar flirtation with the two bright-eyed, + sharp-voiced damsels. Both the heiresses were dressed as if for a + reception, with judiciously selected jewelry samples, evidencing the + wondrous success of machine conducted pig demolition. They glittered in + the sun as Fortune’s bediamonded favorites. + </p> + <p> + And, so, while Madame Berthe Louison and Captain Anstruther lingered au + cabinet particulier, over their Chablis and Ostend oysters, the recouped + gambler extended his store of mental acquirement, by tender converse with + the two sprightly belles of the Windy City. In fact, the whistle of the + steamer was heard long before Alan Hawke could extricate himself from the + clinging tentacles of the audacious beauties. He was somewhat repaid for + his social exertions, however, as he sped back to keep his tryst at + Geneva, by the acquisition of a large steel-engraved business card + inscribed, “Forbes, Haygood & Co., Chicago,” loftily tendered him by + “Popper.” He smiled at the whispered assurances of the Misses Phenie and + Genie that they “should soon meet again.” + </p> + <p> + “Bring your friend—that other Lord,” cried the departing Miss Genie, + waving a thousand-franc lace fan, as she sagely observed, “Two’s company—three’s + none. We’ll have a jolly lark—us four. Don’t forget, now!” The + polite Major laid his hand upon his heart and played the amiable tiger, + although burning inwardly now, in a fierce personal jealousy of Anstruther + as he wandered alone around the cold gray halls of the museum, and gazed + upon the pinched features of the permanently eclipsed shining lights of + the “Bulwark of Civil and Religious Liberty.” There was no charm for him + in the bigoted ferocity of Calvin’s lean, dark face, smacking his thin + lips over the roasted Servetus. He abhorred the departed heroes of the + golden evolution from Eidegenossen into Higuerios and later Huguenots. + They interested him not, neither did he love Professor Calame’s scratchy + pictures, nor the jumbled bric-a-brac of art and history. None of these + charmed him. He waited only for the gliding step, the clasp of a burning + hand, and the flash of the lustrous dark-brown eyes. It was his own + innings now. + </p> + <p> + He had referred to his watch for the fiftieth time, when, from a closed + carriage, the object of his mental vituperations gracefully alighted at + last. It was with the very coldest of bows that the irritated man received + the graceful, self-possessed woman, whose lovely face was but partially + hidden by her coquettishly dotted veil. + </p> + <p> + “She dresses like a Parisienne, walks like an Andalu-sian, and has all the + seductiveness of a Polish countess!” the quick-witted rascal thought, as + they strolled into the museum, which the departed General Rath knew not + would be the scene of many a hidden love intrigue, when he endowed it with + a benevolent vanity. The two wary strangers strolled along until they + found a retired corner. Madame Louison seated herself, waving her lace + parasol with the impatient gesture of one accustomed to command. + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke was in no gentle humor, and his cheeks reddened as he felt the + calm scrutiny of the woman’s searching glances. He was now determined to + take the whip hand, and to keep it. His accents were staccato as he said, + “Tell me now who you are, and what you wish of me!” A clock, hung high + over them on the dreary, drab walls, ticked away brusquely, as the angered + woman gazed steadily into his face. + </p> + <p> + “And so your little windfall of last night has already made you impudent? + If you cannot find another tone at once, I will find another agent! The + man whom you plucked has told me the story of your wonderful skill at + cards!” The sneer cut the renegade like a whip lash, and Alan Hawke sprang + up in anger. Madame Berthe Louison coolly settled herself down into the + red cushions. + </p> + <p> + “The way to India is before you, but five hundred pounds is not a fortune + for Major Alan Hawke! Listen! I watched you carefully yesterday, in your + vigil upon Rousseau’s Island. Your telltale face betrayed you. You were + left stranded here in Geneva. An accident has brought us together. You + cannot divine my motives. I can fathom yours easily. Tell me now, of + yourself, of your past in India—of your present standing there. If + you are frank, I may contribute to your fortune; if not—our ways + part here!” + </p> + <p> + “And, if I warn Anson Anstruther that you are a mere adventuress, if I + notify my old friend Hugh Fraser (soon to be Sir Hugh Johnstone), then + your little game will be spoiled, Madame Louison!” defiantly said Hawke. + The woman leaned back and laughed merrily in his face. + </p> + <p> + “You are like all professional lady killers, a mere fool in the hands of + the first woman of wit. I dare you to cross my path! I will then join + Captain the Honorable Anson Anstruther, in Paris, at the Hotel Binda! I + will also see that you are excluded from every club in India! Your + occupation will be gone, my Knight of Ecarte. Anstruther waits for me.” + She tossed him a card. “See for yourself. He was kind enough at breakfast, + and, he will help me, if I ask him.” + </p> + <p> + “And why do you not fly to his arms?” sneered Alan Hawke, who had quickly + resigned the bullying tone of his abordage. + </p> + <p> + “Because he is a nice boy and a gentleman,” the woman said, with a cutting + emphasis. “Now, let me read you, Monsieur le Major, a lesson in manners. + Never be rough with a woman! That is the road which always leads on to + failure. I wish you a good appetite for your breakfast, which I have + delayed, and for which I beg your pardon!” She rose and swept along with + her Juno strides, and had reached the second Hall of Antiquities before + Alan Hawke overtook her. It had flashed across his mind that he had for + once in his life met a woman who was not afraid of the future, whatever + had been her past. A single malicious letter from Anstruther would ruin + him in India, for there was an ominous cloud, no bigger than a man’s hand, + lingering in that hiatus between his old rank of Lieutenant of Bengal + Artillery, and the shadowy tenure of his self-dubbed Majority. This + Aspasia hid none of her methods. She had boldly captivated the passing + Pericles, and, evidently, she was the desired one. + </p> + <p> + “Let me explain,” he began, as the woman looked calmly into his face. + </p> + <p> + “We are only losing time, Major,” Madame Louison remarked, as she sought a + corner. “I see that you have already repented. Do you know any one in + Geneva?” + </p> + <p> + “Not one of the seventy-five thousand here,” frankly answered Hawke. “The + only man I came here to see, the English Consul, is away on leave.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I can use you safely,” answered the stranger. “Now, I owe you a + breakfast. Will you put me in my carriage? I know the town thoroughly. + Remember that it is only business that brings us together, and yet we may + become better friends.” In a half an hour they were seated in an arbor by + the lake, where a homely German restaurant offered good cheer. + </p> + <p> + The Lady of the Lake did the honors ceremoniously, and Major Alan Hawke + was permitted a cigar after the lake trout, filet, pears, cheese, + Chambertin, and black coffee had been discussed. He was both conquered and + repentant, and had adroitly atoned for his mauvais debut by a respectful + demeanor, which was not feigned. He answered the running fire of questions + which had led him from Cape Comorin to the Himalayas, and from Chittagong + to the Khyber Pass. + </p> + <p> + “You are sure that no one in Geneva knows your face?” Berthe Louison asked + at last. + </p> + <p> + “I have been here only two days, and it is twenty years since I first + roved over Switzerland on schoolboy leave,” was the truthful answer. + </p> + <p> + “Then I can use you if you will decide to aid me, after you have heard me. + I know, already, all that young Anstruther knows of the whole Johnstone + matter. I do not intend to meet him at Paris,” she demurely said. “I am + absolutely untrammeled in this world. I am free to act as a woman’s moods + sway her. I have plenty of money, a fact which lifts me above the + degradation of man’s chase, and I indulge in no illusions. I am a + soldier’s daughter, and my dead father was the son of one of Napoleon’s + heroes of La Grande Armee. My whole life has been most unconventional; and + I am free to dispose of myself, body and soul, and will, but for one + thing.” She was pleased with Alan Hawke’s mute glance of inquiry. “Only + the business which brought me to Geneva! We are all the slaves of + circumstance! The veriest fools of fortune! I do not blame you for your + surmises! I had vainly sought, for two years, the very information which I + gained last night by chance at a Geneva table d’hote. It was from + Anstruther that I discovered the changed name under which Hugh Fraser’s + daughter has been hidden from me for years. For I owe this all to chance, + to Anstruther’s susceptibility, and to my playing the risque part which + you saw fit me so well.” The woman’s eyes were now flashing ominously. + </p> + <p> + “But you led me on—you deceived me!” stammered Alan Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “I had nothing to risk!” the resolute beauty replied. “My name is not + Berthe Louison, as you may well imagine! As for the little amourette de + voyage, I will leave the laurels to your handsome young friend and + yourself. I do not play with boys, and, as for you, I should always guard + myself against you! + </p> + <p> + “Now, I will be practical! I know Europe; I do not know India! I need a + man brave, cool, and unscrupulous; I need a resolute man to aid me in the + one purpose of my life! I wish to go out to India to face this Hugh + Fraser, to lift up the curtain of the dead past, and I need a protector—a + paid champion—a man who values the only thing which is concrete + power in life; a man who knows the power of money! For, gold is + irresistible!” Her bright face hardened. + </p> + <p> + “My duties are, then, not to be of a tender nature,” lightly hazarded + Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “I can soon judge of your value by your adroitness, and you can make your + own record!” smiled the strange woman waif. “Let me see how you would do + this! I do not care to personally approach Mademoiselle Euphrosyne + Delande, I would have a picture of the woman whom I seek—the lonely + child whom I have hungered for long years to see! I do not care to expose + myself here—” + </p> + <p> + “The Preceptress might telegraph out to India and the girl be spirited + away!” broke in Alan Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “Very good! Precisely so!” said Berthe Louison, gravely. “I will tell you + now that I have played perfectly fair with Anstruther! I have enabled him + to assure himself of Nadine Johnstone’s regular standing as the legal and + only heiress of the would-be Baronet! I do not fear Anstruther! He is a + gallant boy, worthy to wear a sword, and, he does not work for hire! He + tells me that Euphrosyne Delande showed him the last pictures of the girl + which were sent on before Hugh Fraser suddenly telegraphed to have his + child ‘personally conducted’ on carte blanche terms out to join him.” + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke buried his head in his hands and slowly said: “I can do it + easily! We must not be seen together here! Go up to the Hotel Faucon, at + Lausanne, and wait for me there for three days. I have to remain here at + any rate to collect Anstruther’s check in London. I have in my favor all + the facts of Anstruther’s story. I happen also to have Anstruther’s P. P. + C. card. I will bring you the picture you want, or a half dozen copies. + Will you trust to me? I make no professions!” + </p> + <p> + “That is right!” sternly said Berthe Louison. “Let our casual association + be one of a mere money interest. We can find each other out easily. You + have no motive to injure me, your own interest now and always lies the + other way. I only wish to have some one at hand when I am ready to face + the embryo Sir Hugh Johnstone!” + </p> + <p> + “You are bold!” slowly said Alan Hawke. “If I should denounce you to + Johnstone, himself! If he should be warned—” + </p> + <p> + “I hold him and his long cherished dream, the Baronetcy, in my hand,” the + brown-eyed beauty frankly cried. “I should not burn my ships in Europe! + Even if I were to be betrayed, the purpose of my life will be carried out. + I should leave here behind me the safest of anchors in other well-paid + agents. Your rash meddling would only ruin your own money interests and + not hurt my plans.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we are to make an offensive and defensive alliance without trust or + faith in each other?” agnostically remarked Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “Just so!” answered Madame Louison. “I can make it to your interest to + serve me well, better than the man whom I wish to face. You know India—you + happen to know Delhi. Your possible adversary is an old civilian, rich, + retired, and unable to rake up trouble for you in military circles. I will + do my work alone, but I shall want your aid, and I will pay you liberally. + I will go up to Lausanne. You will find me at the Hotel Faucon. Bring up + some route maps of India. We will go out as soon as possible. Do you wish + any present money?” + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke reddened as he shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “Then, Major Hawke, if you will take the first passing carriage, we will + meet as soon as you have succeeded. Send me a telegram of your coming.” + The adventurer’s low bow of silent assent terminated the strange breakfast + scene, and at the gate of the vine-clad garden he turned and saw her + seated there alone, with her head bowed in a reverie. + </p> + <p> + “Damme if she is made of flesh and blood!” mused the Major, as he drove + back to the Hotel National. That very evening he revenged himself upon the + callous-hearted stranger, by a reckless flirtation with the Misses Phenie + and Genie Forbes, still of Chicago. It was not a matter of concern to any + one but Paterfamilias Forbes that the Major indulged in a stolen moonlight + excursion upon the lake in charge of two extremely prononcee Daisy + Millers. The Major’s slumbers, however, were of the lightest, for the face + of the chance-met directress of his immediate future haunted his uneasy + dreams. He was a model of respectable gravity, however, when he presented + himself before Mademoiselle Euphrosyne Delande, at her Institute, when the + bells clanged ten in the morning. Major Hawke at once impressed the sleek + door-opener, Francois, by the ultra refinement of his demeanor, and the + suave elegance of his French. “Evidently the one necessary Adam in this + Garden of undeveloped young Peris,” thought Hawke, as he gazed around the + cheerless room, with its globes, busts of departed sages, topographical + maps, and framed samples of the “Execution” of the jeunes personnes, with + brush and pencil. + </p> + <p> + “Looks breachy, that fellow—they all have to sneak out to drink, and + for les fetifs plaisirs! He may be made useful. I’ll have a shy at him,” + mused the Major, now on his mettle. Francois stood there expectant of a + tip, when he announced the regrets of Mademoiselle Delande, that class + duties would detain her for a few moments. + </p> + <p> + “Would Monsieur kindly pardon, etc.?” + </p> + <p> + “Am I right in inferring that the ladies, are the daughters of the famous + Professor Delande?” the Major hazarded, with a wild guess. Before the + votary of Minerva finally descended, Francois had artfully “yielded up” + much valuable information to the gravely interested visitor. The attendant + was the richer by a five-franc piece when he retired to vigorously fall + upon the Major’s hat and brush it in an anticipatory manner. + </p> + <p> + It was but a half an hour later when Alan Hawke had concluded his deftly + worded compliments upon the justly famed Institute, and had subjugated the + still susceptible spinster by his adroitly veiled flatteries. The easy + aplomb with which he introduced the forgotten commission of Captain + Anstruther was aided by the presentation of that gentleman’s visiting + card, and the charms of an interesting word sketch of Delhi and its + surroundings. + </p> + <p> + The sound of distant girlish voices punctuated the refined murmur of the + ensuing conference, which was an exposition of Mademoiselle Delande’s + grand manner! Hawke adroitly soothed the natural uneasiness of the cunning + Swiss spinster as to her sister’s comfort, safety, and the surety of Hugh + Johnstone’s fabulously liberal money inducement to retain Miss Justine in + his service for a year. The flattered woman fell easily into Alan Hawke’s + net, and she freely dilated upon the singular eccentricities of the Indian + magnate as to his daughter’s education. + </p> + <p> + There was a breaking light now illumining the strange childhood of a girl, + nurtured by proxy, and kept in ignorance of her brilliant future and vast + monetary inheritance. + </p> + <p> + “In fact, I have never seen the honored Mr. Hugh Fraser,” concluded Miss + Euphrosyne. “Nadine was brought to us a child of three by the wife of + Professor Fraser, since deceased! And, by special arrangement, she was + taken by us, and her whole girlhood has been passed in our charge. We have + never seen her uncle, Professor Fraser, whose duties at Edinburgh + University chained him down. It was her own father’s written and positive + direction that no one, whomsoever, should be admitted to converse with his + child. And so Justine and myself have formed her entirely!” + </p> + <p> + Hawke’s keen eyes glowed for a moment, in a secret satisfaction. “I have + you, my lady! They wished to keep you away from this young Peri, formed + upon such heroically antique models.” Major Hawke gazed upon the + leather-faced visage of the slaty-eyed woman, whose age none might venture + to guess. An artless admiration of the absent Miss Justine’s photographed + charms, caused a faint glow to flicker upon the ancient maiden’s cheek. + When Alan Hawke drew forth a hideous carbuncle and Indian filigree + bracelet (an old relic of bazaar haunting), the thin lips of the + preceptress parted in a wintry smile. + </p> + <p> + With modest urging, he soon overcame the Roman firmness of Mademoiselle + Euphrosyne, and, wonder of wonders, was honored by an invitation to dine + with the austere Genevan maiden. The happy Major was soon triumphant at + all points, and Francois was hastily dispatched to the Photographic + Atelier to order a half dozen copies of the card portrait which displayed + to Alan Hawke the rosebud face of the Veiled Beauty of Delhi. The + adventurer made haste to excuse himself for interrupting the flow of the + Parnassian stream, and walked backward from the presence of the poor old + woman whom he had duped, as if she were a queen. + </p> + <p> + It was an easy matter for the Englishman to waylay and intercept the + returning man-at-arms of this castle of cosmopolitan beauty. Francois had + duly availed himself of his lengthened absence, and his thick tongue and + swimming eye spoke of potations of the Kirsch-wasser dear to the Swiss + heart. Major Hawke impressed the servitor with the necessity of bringing + the pictures down to his rooms upon the morrow, and then the Major + judiciously duplicated his five-franc piece. The happy butler winked with + an acute divination of the Major’s purpose and went unsteadily back to the + whirlpool of learning. The Major cheerfully went on his own way to meet + Miss Genie Forbes, with whom he had established a private understanding as + to a runaway visit to the Cathedral, to be followed by an impromptu + breakfast. “I can stand the old Gorgon’s dinner,” mused the happy + adventurer, “after a tete-a-tete with Miss Genie, and as for Francois, I + will also waste a bottle of good Cognac on him. I think that I will start + into this strange partnership with a better stock of family history than + even this remarkably self-possessed young woman, who seems to be the + heiress of some old family vendetta.” + </p> + <p> + The Major laughed as he heard the mills of the gods grinding out a golden + grist of the future. But lifted up beyond the impulses of his itching palm + the sight of the delicate, girlish face of the Rosebud of Delhi had caused + him to dream the strangest dreams. “Why not?” he murmured as he wandered + back to the hotel and privately indulged in a petit verre before his + rendezvous with Miss Genie, the belle of the West Side. Major Alan Hawke + was in “great form” as he piloted the bright-eyed, willful Chicago girl + through the dim religious light of the Cathedral. His mocking history of + the gay life and racy adventures of Bonnivard, when posing as the + rollicking Prior of St. Victor in the wild days of his youth, greatly + amused the nervous American heiress. + </p> + <p> + “I should say that he was a holy terror,” laughed Miss Genie, “and I don’t + blame the Bishop of Geneva and the Duke of Savoy for making him do his six + years in that dark old hole at Chillon! He was a gay boy, you bet, and + with his three wives and his lively ways, I reckon the Genevans were + blamed sorry they ever let him out. He seems to have been a free thinker, + a free liver, and a free lover!” + </p> + <p> + “And yet,” mused Alan Hawke, “his writings to-day are the pride of Genevan + scholars; his library was the nucleus of the Geneva University; his + defiant spirit broke the chains of Calvin’s narrowness, and his resistant, + spiritual example caught up has made Geneva the home of the oppressed, the + central, radiant point of mental light and liberty for the world! Geneva + since 1536 has harbored the brightest wandering Spanish, French, English, + and Irish youth! Even grim Russia cannot reclaim from the free city its + wayward exiles. France, in her distress, has found an asylum here for its + helpless nobles and expelled philosophers. I willingly take my hat off to + brave little Switzerland, where Royal Duke, proscribed patriot, mad + enthusiast, bold agnostic, and tired worldling can all find an inviolate + asylum under the majestic shadows of its mountains—by the shores of + its dreaming lakes!” Alan Hawke dropped suddenly from the clouds as the + practical Miss Genie led the way to the breakfast rendezvous, cheerfully + demonstrating her own bold ideas of social freedom by remarking: + </p> + <p> + “Say! what’s the matter with a little day’s run up to Chillon? Phenie is + game for anything! You just get that other English Lord and we will dodge + Popper and Mommer.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry to say that my friend has left suddenly, bound for London,” + laughed the Major, gazing admiringly at this pretty feminine Bonnivard. + </p> + <p> + “That’s awful bad luck!” gloomily remarked Miss Genie. “He was a regular + dandy, and I liked him—but,” she said, with a thirsty peck at a + glass of champagne, as they waited for the breakfast, “Phenie will then + have to give that long-legged Italian fellow the tip. The Marquis of Santa + Marina! He’s not much, but better than nothing at all. We’ll have a jolly + day!” + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke was mystified at the daring personal independence of the + sprightly young heiress. She was a social revelation to him, and the sunny + afternoon was not altogether thrown away, for they carelessly rambled over + the proud old town together, doing all the sights. They visited the + stately National Monument, the Jardin Anglais, the Hotel de Ville, the + Arsenal, the Muse’e Foy, the Botanic Gardens, and the Athende. He gazed + upon the fresh face of the rebellious young American social mutineer with + an increasing wonder as they wandered alone on the Promenade des Bastions, + and was simply astounded when he vainly tried to take advantage of a shady + corner in the Musee Ariana to steal a kiss from the wayward girl’s rosy + lips. Miss Genie “formed herself into a hollow square” and calmly, but + energetically, repulsed him. + </p> + <p> + “See here! Major Hawke!” she coolly said, “get off the perch! I don’t care + for any soft sawder! I’m a pretty good fellow in my way, but I know how to + take care of myself!” + </p> + <p> + In fact, Major Alan Hawke at last recognized the existence of a species of + womanhood which he had never before met. Miss Genie was frankly + unconventional, and yet she was both hard-headed and hardhearted. When he + carefully dressed himself for the intellectual feast of Mademoiselle + Delande’s “refined collation,” he dimly became aware that the role of + unpaid bear leader to the Chicago girl simply amounted to being an + unsalaried valet de place! “As for compromising that devil of a girl,” he + growled, “she could have given the snake in the Garden of Eden long odds + and beaten him hollow, in subtlety.” This view of the impeccability of the + Chicago epidermis was confirmed later when Hawke returned from the + “Institute” at the decorous hour of ten that evening. He was thoroughly + happy, for the sly Francois was ready to meet him at the door, whispering: + </p> + <p> + “I will be at your rooms at ten, and bring you the photographs. I have a + couple of hours of freedom then.” + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle Euphrosyne’s pale, anemic nature had bloomed out under the + graceful attentions of the gallant officer, and gradually she expanded, + little by little unfolding the desiccated leaves of her tranquil past, + and, yielding, as of old, to the charm of youth and good looks, the faded + spinster told him all. + </p> + <p> + “I will sell my precious knowledge, bit by bit, to Madame Berthe,” he + ruminated. “Evidently the Louison dares not face this stony-faced Swiss + Medusa. The felices histoires of Francois will fill up my mental + notebook.” Major Hawke then sat down at ease in the cafe of the Hotel + National to indite a dispatch of spartan brevity to “Madame Louison” at + the Hotel Faucon, Lausanne. “The Cook’s Agency tell me that the London + draft will be paid to-morrow. Francois will deliver me the photographs, + and relate his selected historical excerpts, and then I will be ready to + have a duel of wits with Madame Berthe.” So he simply telegraphed to + Lausanne: + </p> + <p> + “Successful—arrive to-morrow night.” He then dispatched the head + porter with the telegram, and while enjoying his parting brandy and soda, + was suddenly made aware of the near proximity of Mr. Phineas Forbes of + Chicago, who was anxiously drinking cocktail after cocktail in a moody + unrest. The lank Chicago capitalist waved his tufted chin beard dejectedly + as he answered the Briton’s casual salutation. “I’m worried about the + girls,” he simply said. “They’re off on the lake, with the Marquis de + Santa Marina and that French chap, the Count de Roquefort. I don’t more + than half like it.” The hour was late, and the heavy father glued his eyes + upon the darkened window pane. “Is Madame Forbes with them?” murmured the + Englishman. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Lord, no!” simply said the Illinois capitalist. “The girls are used + to going out alone with their gentlemen friends, but I’m afraid that these + two damned useless foreigners will upset the boat and drown my two girls. + I wouldn’t care a rap if they were alone. But these Dago noblemen are no + good—at least that’s my experience. I indorsed a draft for one of + them that Mommer and the girls dragged up to the house last year. Came + back marked ‘N. G.’—I wish to God the girls wouldn’t pick up these + fellows.” + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke hazarded the inquiry “Why do you permit it?” + </p> + <p> + The Chicago pork jammer thrust his hand in his pockets and whistled + reflectively. “How the deuce can I help it?” he reflectively answered, + “Mother and the girls go in for high society. What’ll you have? You can + talk French to this fellow. Now, order up the best in the house,” Alan + Hawke laughed and charitably divided the hour of long waiting with the + simple-hearted old father. At half-past twelve, with a rush and a flutter, + the two young falcons sailed into the main hallway and effusively bade + adieu to their limp cavaliers, who slunk away, in different directions, + when they observed the disgruntled parent and the heartily amused Briton. + </p> + <p> + “So they brought you home safely?” calmly remarked Hawke, as he watched + the happy father gathering his chickens unto his wing. + </p> + <p> + “We brought them home safe,” cutely remarked Miss Phenie. “Those fellows + are heavenly dancers, but they are not worth shucks in a boat. I wish we + had had you out with us. I like Englishmen!” with which frank declaration + Miss Phenie and Miss Genie whisked themselves away to bed, Miss Genie + leaning over the banister to jovially cry out: + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you go away till we fix up that Chillon trip.” Major Hawke and + Phineas Forbes, Esq., drank a last libation to the friendly god Neptune, + the old man huskily remarking: + </p> + <p> + “Say, Major, those are two fine girls, and they will have a million + apiece. I want ‘em to be sensible and marry Chicago men, but, they both go + in for coronets and all that humbug.” The laughing Major extricated + himself from the social tentacles of the honest old boy, mentally deciding + to play off Miss Genie against Mad-ame Berthe Louison. + </p> + <p> + “I will give these strange girls ‘a day out.’ It may reduce the nez + retroussee my mysterious employer.” And so he dreamed that night that he + was an assistant presiding genius of the great pig Golgotha, where Phineas + Forbes was the monarch of the meat ax. “Right smart girls, and you bet + they can take care of themselves,” was the last encomium of their + self-denying parent which rang in Alan Hawke’s ears as he wandered away + into the Land of Nod. + </p> + <p> + “They are a queer lot,” laughed the happy schemer, as he woke next day to + his closing labors at Geneva. “Now, for my check cashing, then, Monsieur + Francois, a farewell visit to Miss Euphrosyne, and a secret council with + the fair Genie,” He merrily breakfasted, and was more than rewarded for + his Mephistophelian entertainment of Francois. The sly Figaro “parted + freely,” and when he slunk back to the “Institute” he was the richer by + fifty francs. Major Hawke was the happy possessor of the coveted + photographs, and a private address of Francois, artfully informing that + person that he was going to London, and on his return, in a few months, + desired a cicerone in the hypocritically placid town. Francois’s eyes + gleamed in a happy anticipation of more Cognac and many easily earned + francs. “Now, Madame Berthe, I think I have the key of the enigma! I see a + year’s assured comfort before me, for I can play the part of the Saxon + troops at Leipzig,” the schemer joyously ruminated. + </p> + <p> + His farewell to Miss Delande impressed that thrifty dame with the golden + fortunes which had descended upon her sister. “Should you return to India, + Major,” she sibillated, “I will give you a confidential letter to Justine, + for I know there is no one more fitted to remain in charge of sweet Nadine + than my dear sister!” The Major blushingly accepted the honor, and + directed the letter to be sent at once to Morley’s Hotel, for, as he + mysteriously whispered, + </p> + <p> + “The Foreign office may send me back to India—in fact, I may be + telegraphed for at any moment, and your sister will surely find a fast + friend in me.” + </p> + <p> + “Easily gulled!” laughed Alan Hawke. “I will sweeten’ upon Miss Justine; + those thin lips indicate the auri sacra fames. These miserly Swiss sisters + may aid me to approach the veiled Rose Bird.” His delight at fingering the + crisp proceeds of Anstruther’s check sent him to the Ouchy steamer in the + very happiest of moods, and, his cup was running over when the birdlike + Miss Genie Forbes descended upon him to announce a meeting on the morrow + at Montreux. + </p> + <p> + “We can do the castle, and essay the airy railroad at Territet Glion, have + a jolly dinner on the hill, and come home on the last boat! You be sure to + meet Phenie and me.” The astounded Major murmured his delight and + surprise. “Oh! Popper will let us go up there. He likes you—he says + that you are a thoroughbred. So, we’ll cut the other fellows and come + alone. Say, can’t you scare up another fellow like yourself for Phenie?” + Whereat Alan Hawke laughed, and promised to secure an eligible “fellow” + among the migratory Englishmen hovering around Lausanne-Ouchy, and he + pledged a future friendship with the patient Phineas Forbes, who lingered + in the cafe, engulfing cocktails, while “Mother and Phenie were out + shopping.” The vivacious Genie had confided to her callous swain that she + had watched him as he lingered on Rousseau’s Island. + </p> + <p> + “I rather thought that you were sick and distressed, you looked so peaked + like, and I was mighty near speaking to you. I was just bound to meet + you.” And upon this frank declaration, Alan Hawke kissed her firm white + hand, agreeing to her plans, and the glow of prosperity shone out upon his + impassive face, as he glided away to meet the strange woman whom he + distrusted. “I hold the trump cards now, my lady!” he cried, as he watched + Miss Genie’s handkerchief fluttering on the quay. Major Alan Hawke wasted + no time in his three hours’ voyage to Lausanne-Ouchy in carefully + preparing for his interview with Madame Berthe Louison. He abandoned the + idea of trying the “whip hand,” remembering how suddenly he had descended + from the “high horse.” “Bah! She is about as sentimental as a rat-tail + file. However, she is good for my passage to India, at any rate, and, the + nearer I am to old Johnstone and this pretty heiress to be, the better my + all-round chances are.” So, he contented himself with watching the + pictured shores of Lake Leman glide by, and wondering if he might not turn + aside safely to the chase of the bright-eyed, sharp-featured, Miss Genie + Forbes. He had profited by Phineas Forbes’s frank disclosures, and yet the + Madame Sans Gene manners of the heiresses rather frightened him. He was + aware from the amatory failure in the dim old cathedral that Miss Genie + was armed cap-a-pie. “Those American girls, apparently so approachable, + are all ready to stand to arms at a moment’s notice.” And so, he drifted + back in his day dreams toward the Land of the Pagoda Tree, with Ouchy and + Chillon. He studied the beautiful face of the lonely child from the + school-girl photograph, and decided, in spite of hideous frocks and a lack + of conventional war paint, that she was a rare beauty. + </p> + <p> + “Yes! She will do—with the money. All she needs is the art to show + off her points, and that is easily gained. The recruits in Vanity Fair + easily pick up the tricks of society, and old Hugh’s money and prospective + elevation will surely draw suitors around like flies swarming near the + honey.” The boat gracefully glided in to the port of Ouchy before Major + Hawke’s day dream faded away. + </p> + <p> + A flattering dream which led him on to a future gilded by Sir Hugh + Johnstone’s money. He longed to ruffle it bravely with the best. To hold + up his head once more in official circles, and to smother the ugly + floating memories ef a renegade who had served those English guns under + the fierce Sikkim hill tribes against his one-time fellow soldiers. “I + must have that money, with or without the girl! There must be a way to it! + I will cut through the barriers to get it!” There was a steely glitter in + his blue eyes as he murmured: “Now for the fox’s hide! She shall have her + way—for a time! My play comes on later, when the deal is with me!” + </p> + <p> + He sprang lightly ashore, and was chatting with the gold-banded porter of + the Hotel Faucon, when a lovely face, thrilling in its awakened emotion, + met his glance at the window of a carriage. He dispatched his luggage to + the Faucon, and sprang lightly in the carriage when the omnibuses had + departed for the Lausanne plateau. Alan Hawke was carefully deferential in + his greeting and he meekly answered all the rapid queries of his + mysterious employer. + </p> + <p> + “You have closed up your own private affairs?” she briskly queried. + </p> + <p> + “All is ready for the road in one day more. I have a private social + engagement for to-morrow,” he replied. “But I brought you all the sailing + dates and the detailed information you requested.” + </p> + <p> + “You obtained the pictures safely, then, and with a prudent caution,” + anxiously demanded Madame Louison. + </p> + <p> + “You shall know all soon. I hope that I have satisfied you!” he said, + handing her a packet, failing to tell her that he had kept two pictures of + the far-away girl for his own private use. They were now near the plateau + where the Hotel Faucon shows its semi-circular front to the splendid + panorama unrolled before its windows. + </p> + <p> + An afternoon concert was in progress at the Casino, near the local museum. + “We will stop here for a few moments,” said the excited woman. “You can go + on alone, and walk over to the hotel and secure your own rooms. Then send + your card up to me in the usual manner. To-night we will go out separately + and meet for a conference. We can arrange all our business.” The Major + bowed submissively, and assisted the lady to alight. + </p> + <p> + Madame Louison dismissed her carriage, and the confederates-to-be entered + the afternoon concert room. A superb orchestra was playing the finishing + bars of the last number on the program, and the audience had dwindled away + to a few knots of demure residents. Following his passive policy, the + adventurer sat silently, stealing oblique glances at his companion as she + nervously unfolded the wrappings of the coveted pictures. There was a + gasp, a low moan, as the woman’s head fell back. Alan Hawke’s strong arms + were clasped round her, as she leaned back helplessly in her fauteuil. But + a smile of secret triumph was on his face as he quickly bore the helpless + form to an anteroom at once opened by the frightened ushers. Berthe + Louison’s face was corpse-like in its pallor, as she lay there upon a + divan, her fingers still clutching the photograph. + </p> + <p> + “There is a physician near by,” hazarded a sympathetic woman who had + crowded into the room. The music had stopped with a crash. + </p> + <p> + “Summon him at once!” energetically ordered Hawke. “Some brandy—quick!” + he cried, listening to her agonized words, “Valerie! My God! It is Valerie + herself! My poor sister!” In a few moments an elderly man parted the + assembling loiterers. His bustling air of command soon dispelled the + loiterers. A woman attendant was bending over the still senseless woman as + the spectacled medico seized Alan Hawke’s arm. “Has your wife ever had a + previous heart attack?” he gravely asked, as he opened his lancet case. + Major Hawke shook his head, and gazed pityingly upon the beautiful pallid + face before him. + </p> + <p> + “Can I be of any use to Monsieur?” demanded the chef d’orchestre in + evening grand tenue, his baton still in his hand. + </p> + <p> + There was a glance of wondering astonishment as the Englishman faced the + speaker. “Wieniawski—Casimir, you here?” The other dropped his voice + as the physician ripped up the sleeve of the patient’s gown. + </p> + <p> + “Major Hawke, I thought you were still in Delhi? Your wife—” + faltered the artist, as he listened to a low moan when the lancet blade + entered the ivory arm of the sufferer. Then, with a backward step, he + pressed his hands to his brows. “My God! It is Alixe Delavigne!” he + brokenly said. But Hawke sprang to his side and quickly drew him from the + room. + </p> + <p> + “Not a word! Not a single word to any one! Where are you stopping? I will + come to you tonight!” the excited man sternly said, his firm hand still + clutching the musician’s arm. + </p> + <p> + “Here, at the Casino! Come in after ten! I will await you! But where did + you meet her?” the Polish violinist cried, speaking as if in a dream. + </p> + <p> + “You shall know all later! I must get her to the hotel!” He returned to + the physician’s side, who authoritatively cried, “Now an easy carriage and + to the Faucon, you said?” In half an hour, Berthe Louison was sleeping, a + nurse at her side, while Alan Hawke counted the moments crawling on till + ten o’clock. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. AND AT DELHI WHAT AM I TO DO? + </h2> + <p> + Major Alan Hawke was the “observed of all observers,” in the cosy salon of + the Grand Hotel Faucon, when the sympathetic hotel manager interrupted a + colloquy between the handsome Briton and the Doctor. “A mere syncope, my + dear sir. Perhaps—even only the result of tight lacing, or inaction. + Perhaps some sudden nerve crisis. These are the results of the easy luxury + of an enervating high-life. All these social habits are weakening + elements. Now, fortunately, your wife has a singularly strong vital + nature. You may safely dismiss all your fears. Madame will be entirely + herself in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + “Can I be of any service?” demanded the genial host, secretly urged on by + a coterie of curious, womanly sympathizers in silk and muslin. + </p> + <p> + “I am the trustee of Madame Louison, in some important business matters, + and not her husband,” gravely remarked the Major. “I only came up here to + confer with her upon some matters of moment.” Both the listeners bowed in + silence. + </p> + <p> + “Then, my dear sir, you can be perfectly reassured,” the physician briskly + concluded, tendering his card. “My professional conscience will not allow + me to make even a single future visit, as doctor, to the charming Madame + Louison. Should Madame awake in other than her normal health and spirits, + I should be professionally at fault.” + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke then led the doctor aside and pressed a five-pound note upon + him. “Madame is of a wonderfully strong constitution. An heiress of + nature’s choicest favors,” the happy Galen floridly said, as he took his + leave. + </p> + <p> + “So she is,” grimly assented Hawke. + </p> + <p> + The gossipy boniface was already spreading such meager details of the + sudden seizure as he had been able to pick up, and, the words “Polish + noblewoman,” “Italian marchesa,” “French countess,” were tossed about + freely in the light froth of the conversation in the ladies’ drawing-room. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Alan Hawke was smoking a meditative cigar alone, while pacing + the old Cantonal high road before the Faucon. “I think I will remain on + picket here,” he mused. “This fiddler fellow, Wieniawski, must not meet + her. She must be led on to leave here at once. Constitution, nerve, + aplomb; she has them all. She should have been born a man. What a soldier! + One of nature’s mistakes—man’s mental organization, woman’s soft, + flooding emotions, and beauty’s fiery passions.” + </p> + <p> + “I must pump Casimir. He will be safely nailed to the platform by his + duties, from eight to ten. I will not leave her a moment, however, till he + has the baton in his hand. I will then watch him until ten—meet him + down there, and, if he meets her after we separate for the night, he is a + smarter Pole than I take him for. And now I must go and frighten her away + from here.” + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke was quick to note all the outer indications of man’s varying + fortunes. He had so long buffeted the waves of adversity himself that he + was a past master of the art of measuring the depth of a hidden purse. He + recalled the brilliant Casimir Wieniawski of eight years past—the + curled darling of the hot-hearted ladies of Calcutta, Madras, Bombay and + Singapore. In a glance of cursory inspection Alan Hawke had noted the + doubtful gloss of the dress suit; it was the polish of long wear, not the + velvety glow of newness. There was a growing bald spot, scarcely hidden by + the Hyperion Polish curls; there were crows’-feet around the bold, + insolent eyes, and the man’s smile was lean and wolfish when the + glittering white teeth flashed through the professional smirk of the + traveling artist. The old, easy assurance was still there, but cognac had + dulled the fires of genius; the tones of the violin trembled, even under + the weakening but still magic fingers, and the splendid sapphire and + diamond cluster ring of old was replaced by a too evident Palais Royal + work of inferior art. + </p> + <p> + “Poor devil! It is the downward fluttering of the wearied eagle!” mused + Alan Hawke. “Women, roulette, champagne, and high life—all these + past riches fade away into the gloomy pleasures of restaurant cognac, + dead-shot absinthe, and the vicarious smiles of a broken soubrette or so! + And all the more you can be now dangerous to me, Monsieur Casimir + Wieniawski, for the old maneater forgets none of his tricks, even when + toothless.” + </p> + <p> + Casimir, the handsome Pole, glib of tongue, the heir to a thousand minor + graces, reckless in outpouring the wine of Life, had truly gone the + downward way with all the abandon of his showy, insincere race. Hawke well + knew the final level of misery awaiting the wandering, broken-down artist + here in a land where really fine music was a mere drug; where the + orchestra was only a cheap lure to enhance the cafe addition. The + “Professor” was but a minor staff officer of the grim Teutonic Oberkellner + of the Brasserie Concert. + </p> + <p> + “But how shall I muzzle this Robert Macaire of the bow?” cogitated Hawke, + as he anxiously eyed the two windows of Madame Louison’s rooms, and then + sternly gazed at the open front doors of the Hotel Faucon. + </p> + <p> + A light broke in upon his brain. “There is the golden lure of the Misses + Phenie and Genie Forbes, of Chicago, U. S. A. Those madcap girls will be + easily gulled. They arrive to-morrow at nine. A few stage asides, as to + the stock romance of every Polish upstart, will do the trick!” + </p> + <p> + “Russian brutality, fugitive Prince, Siberian wanderings, romantic escape, + killed the Russian general who burned his chateau; all that sort of thing + will enchant these. This may occupy Casimir and leave me free. When the + devil is idle he catches flies, and under the cover of this rosy glow of + romance I will get away to India, but only after Madame Alixe Delavigne + goes. I can afford to put in ten pounds on Casimir to loosen his lying + tongue. In vino veritas may apply even to a gallant and distinguished + Pole. If I can get the true story of Alixe Delavigne’s life, then I have + the key of the Johnstone mystery. Ah! There is now a duty signal for me!” + The Major smartly approached the main entrance of that cosiest of Swiss + family hotels, the Faucon, as the anxious face of a woman nurse appeared. + “Madame veut bien voir Monsieur!” simply announced the servant. Major + Hawke brushed by her with a nod and quickly mounted the stair. To his + utter surprise, on entering Madame Berthe Louison’s apartment, the signs + of an approaching departure were but too evident. A stout Swiss maiden was + busied stolidly packing several trunks in an indiscriminate haste, while + the fair invalid herself sat at the center table poring over an opened + Baedeker and the outspread maps brought on by her “business agent.” + Hawke’s murmured astonishment was at once cut short by the decisive notes + of Berthe Louison’s flutelike voice. + </p> + <p> + “We have no time to waste, Major!” she said, with an affected + cheerfulness. “I am all right now. There is an eleven-thirty train for + Constance. I will take that, reach Munich, and get right over to Venice by + the Brenner Pass, and thence go down to Aricona, and Brindisi. You can + return to Geneva, and, by Mont Cenis and Turin you will reach Brindisi + before me. So, I leave to-night; you can go up to Geneva to-morrow night. + No one will possibly suspect our business connection in this way. I will + have time to see you depart for Bombay, before I take the steamer for + Calcutta. I have marked off the sailings. This little occurrence here + to-night has brought us both too much under the eyes of other people.” + </p> + <p> + “Bah!” said the astounded Major. “No one knows anything of us here. We are + of no importance.” + </p> + <p> + “You think so?” mused the woman, as if careless of his presence. “And yet + I have seen a face here, rising out of a past that is long dead and + buried. Now, are you ready to meet me at Brindisi?” + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke blushed even through the sun-browned complexion of the Nepaul + days, as the clear-eyed woman, faintly smiling, discerned his “hedging” + policy. + </p> + <p> + “You will not be put to the slightest inconvenience.” She opened a + handsome traveling bag. The falcon-eyed Major Hawke observed the gleam of + a pearl handled and silver chased revolver of serviceable make, and there + was also a very wicked-looking Venetian dagger lying on the table, even + then within the lady’s reach! “Here is the sum of five hundred pounds in + English notes,” said Berthe. “That will neatly take you to Delhi, and + there is fifty more to liquidate my bill, and pay the medical expenses. I + am not desirous that the landlord should know of my departure. You may + bring all my trunks on. I will be waiting for you at the ‘Vittorio + Emmanuele’ at Brindisi. Please do telegraph to me from Turin of your + arrival.” + </p> + <p> + Cool globe-trotter as he was, Alan Hawke was speechless. “Shall I not see + you safely on board the Constance train?” he muttered. + </p> + <p> + “The nurse will attend to all that; money will do a great deal,” the lady + said. “I will send her back from Constance. Please do ring the bell.” The + Major was obedient, and he listened in dumb astonishment, as Madame + Louison ordered a very dainty supper for two, with a bottle of Burgundy + and a well-iced flask of Veuve Cliquot. When the door had closed upon the + gaping servant, the lady merrily laughed: + </p> + <p> + “Pray take up your sinews of war, Major. I shall consider you as retained + in my service, if I am obeyed.” + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke turned and faced the puzzling “employer” with a half defiant + question: “And when shall I know the real nature of my duties?” as he + carefully folded up the welcome bundle of notes, without even looking at + them. + </p> + <p> + “Major, you are not an homme d’affaires. Do me the favor to count your + money,” laughed the mocking convalescent. “Thank you,” continued the lady + as he obeyed her. “Now I will only detain you here till ten o’clock. Then + you must disappear and not know me again until we meet at the Hotel + Vittorio Emmanuele at Brindisi. Should any accident occur, you are to take + the Sepoy for Bombay direct and go on to Delhi. Leave me a letter at Suez + and also one at Aden, care P. and O. Company. I will ask at each of these + places. I will go direct to Calcutta, and will then meet you at Delhi. + Arriving at Delhi, you may telegraph to me care Grindlay & Co., + Calcutta.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if she bled Anstruther,” inwardly growled Hawke, as he + recognized the name of that social butterfly’s bankers. But the lady only + sweetly continued: “I have some business in Calcutta. You can write to me + at the general postoffice at Allahabad, and leave your Delhi address + there. I shall probably telegraph for you to come down and meet me there.” + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke, neatly entering the lady’s directions in a silver-clasped + betting book, murmured lazily without lifting his eyes: “You seem to know + a great deal about Hindostan.” + </p> + <p> + “I have made a careful study of it for years—long years,” said the + woman with a telltale flush of color, as the servants entered with the + impromptu feast. + </p> + <p> + They were left alone, at an imperious signal, and Madame Louison bade + Hawke regale himself en garcon. The Major paused with suspended pencil, as + he quietly approached the decisive question: “And at Delhi, what am I to + do?” + </p> + <p> + “You are to take up your old friendship with Hugh Fraser—this + budding baronet,” replied Berthe calmly. She was pouring out a glass of + the wine beloved of women, but her hand trembled as she hastily drank off + the inspiring fluid. “All this is bravo—mere bravo! She’s a very + smart woman, and a cool customer!” decided the schemer, who had filled + himself up a long drink. He took up at once the object-lesson. They were + simply to be comrades—and nothing more. + </p> + <p> + “I will obey you to the very letter,” he said simply, for he was well + aware the woman was keenly watching him. + </p> + <p> + “Then that is all. There is nothing more,” soberly concluded his + companion. “The letters at Suez and Aden are, of course, to be mere + billets de voyage. The correspondence at Allahabad may cover all of + moment. Can you not give me a safe letter and telegraph address at Delhi?” + </p> + <p> + “Give me your notebook,” said Alan Hawke, as he carefully wrote down the + needed information: “Ram Lal Singh, Jewel Merchant, 16 Chandnee Chouk, + Delhi.” + </p> + <p> + “There’s the address of my native banker; and as trusty a Hindu as ever + sold a two-shilling strass imitation for a hundred-pound star sapphire. + But, in his way he is honest—as we all are.” And then Alan Hawke + boldly said: “How shall I address you at Allahabad?” + </p> + <p> + The flashing brown eyes gleamed a moment with a brighter luster than + pleasure’s glow. “You have my visiting card, Major,” the woman coldly + said. “I travel with a French passport, always en regie.” + </p> + <p> + “By God! she has the nerve!” mused Alan Hawke, as he hastily said: “And + now, as we have settled all our little preliminaries, when am I to know + whether you trust me or not?” + </p> + <p> + He was pressing his advantage, for her precipitate departure would rob him + of the expected effect of Casimir Wieniawski’s disclosures. “If I find you + en ami de famille, at Delhi, so that you can confidentially approach Sir + Hugh Johnstone, the ci-devant Hugh Fraser, your task will be soon set for + you, and your reward easily earned; but under no circumstances are you to + make the slightest attempt to a confidential acquaintance with this + wonderful Nadine. That is my affair.” The tone was almost trifling in its + lightness, but Alan Hawke recognized the hand of iron in the velvet glove. + </p> + <p> + “And now, Sir,” coquettishly said Madame Berthe Louison, “you have been a + squire of dames in your day. Tell me of social India, for, while I shall + get a good maid out at Calcutta, I must depend upon Munich, Venice, and + Brindisi for my personal outfit. I know the whole United Kingdom + thoroughly. The Englishman and his cold-pulsed blonde mate at home are + well-learned lessons. The Continent, yes, even Russia, I know, too,” she + gayly chattered; “but the Orient is as yet a sealed book to me, and I + would be helpless in Father India, without the womanly gear appropriate to + the social habits of your countrywomen.” + </p> + <p> + “You have lived in England?” briefly demanded Alan Hawke, in some surprise + at her frank admissions. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, too long!” sternly answered Madame Louison, who was enjoying a + cigarette, as she signed to the maid to leave them alone. “I detest the + foggy climate,” she added, a little late to temper the bitterness of the + remark. + </p> + <p> + “I will lull this watchful feminine tiger,” the Major secretly decided, as + he began a brilliant sketch of the social life of the strange land of + Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva. “I presume, of course, that you do not care to + appear with a fifty-pound Marshall & Snell grove outfit, as if you + were the wife of an Ensign in a marching regiment. I will give you the + real life our women lead out there. You could have secured a splendid + London outfit by a little time spent in making the detour.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish to appear en Francaise, my true character,” smiled Berthe. “I + never could sacrifice my Gaelic taste to the hideous color mixtures and + utilitarian ugliness of the English machine-made toilette. An Englishwoman + can only be trusted with a blue serge, a plain gray traveling dress, or in + the easy safety of black or white. They are not the ‘glass of fashion and + the mold of form.’ Now, Sir, let me see how you have profited by your + wandering in Beauty’s gardens on the Indus and Ganges?” + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke knew very well at heart what the quickwitted woman would know. + He sketched with grace, the natural features, the climatic conditions, the + bizarre scenery of the million and a half square miles where the venerable + Kaisar-i-Hind rules nearly two hundred millions of subjugated people. He + portrayed all the light splendors of Mohammedan elegance, the wonders of + Delhi and Agra, he sketched the gloomy temple mysteries of Hinduism, and + holy Benares rose up before her eyes beneath the inspiration of his + brilliant fancy. + </p> + <p> + The ardent woman listened with glowing eyes, as Hawke proudly referred to + the wonderful sweep of the sword of Clive, which conquered an unrifled + treasure vault of ages, annexed a giant Empire, and set with Golconda’s + diamonds the scepter of distant England. The year 1756 was hailed by the + renegade as the epoch when England’s rule of the sea became her one + vitalizing policy—her first and last national necessity—for + the Empire of the waves followed the pitiful beginning in Madras. + </p> + <p> + Temples, groves, and mosques peopled with the alien and warring races were + conjured up, the splendid viceregal circle, the pompous headquarter + military, the fast set, staid luxury-loving civilians, and all the fierce + eddies and undercurrents of the graded social life, in which the cold + English heart learns to burn as madly under “dew of the lawn” muslin as + ever Lesbian coryphe’e or Tzigane pleasure lover. + </p> + <p> + The burning noons, the sweltering Zones of Death, the cool hills, the + Vanity Fair of Simla, the shaded luxury of bungalow life, and the mad + undercurrent of intrigue, the tragedy element of the Race for Wealth, the + Struggle for Place, and the Chase for Fame. Major Alan Hawke was + gracefully reminiscent, and in describing the social functions, the habits + of those in the swim, the inner core of Indian life under its canting + social and official husk, he brought an amused smile to the mobile face of + his beautiful listener. He did not note the passage of time. He could now + hear the music floating up from the Casino below. He had answered all her + many questions. He described pithily the voyage out, the social pitfalls, + the essence of “good Anglo-Indian form,” and he was astonished at the + keenness of the questions with which he was plied by his employer. + </p> + <p> + “You have surely traveled in India,” he murmured, when his relation + flagged. + </p> + <p> + “So I have, by proxy, and, in imagination,” laughed Madame Berthe Louison, + as she demurely held up her jeweled watch. “Ten minutes more, and then, + Sir, I shall give you your ordre de route. For, I must go quietly. I trust + to your experience and good judgment. There is nothing to say here. There + will be no letters. My bankers have their orders. You must simply pay our + bill, and depart quietly via Geneva. May I ask if you wish any more money? + Some personal needs?” + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke shook his head. “You may rely on me to meet you, and to + faithfully obey you,” he gravely said. There were unspoken words trembling + on his lips, which he fain would have uttered. “By Heavens! She is a + witch!” he murmured, in a repressed excitement, as he walked quietly down + the hallway to keep his tryst with Casimir Wieniawski. For Berthe Louison + had at once divined the cause of his unrest. + </p> + <p> + “You think that I should tell you more? Why should I tell you anything? We + are strangers yet, not even friends. You may divine that I trust no man. I + have had my own sad lessons of life-lessons learned in bitterness and + tears. I go out to your burning jungle land, with neither hope to allure, + nor fear to repel. The whole world is the same to me. That I have a + purpose, I admit; and even you may know me better by and bye! Till then, + no professions, no promises, no pledges. I use you for my own selfish + purposes, that is all; and you can frankly study your own self-interest. + We are two clay jars swept along down the Ganges of life. For a few + threads of the dark river’s current, we travel on, side by side! You have + frankly taken me at my word! I have taken you at yours! There is a written + order to settle my affairs and remove my luggage. Of course, should you + meet with any accident, telegraph to the Vittorio Emmanuele, at Brindisi. + Money,” she said, almost bitterly, “would be telegraphed; and so, I say”—he + listened breathlessly—“au revoir—at Brindisi!” she concluded, + giving him her hand, with a frank smile. + </p> + <p> + As Alan Hawke descended the stair, he growled. “A woman without a heart, + and—not without a head!” As he calmly answered the manager’s polite + inquiry for Madame’s health, the “heartless woman” whom he had left was + lying sobbing in the dark room above—crying, in her anguish, + “Valerie! My poor, dead Valerie! I go to your child!” + </p> + <p> + But, none suspected her departure, when the trimly-clad woman glided out + of the entrance of the Hotel Faucon, at eleven o’clock. The maid was in + waiting on the circular place in front with a carriage, and the key of the + apartment lay in a sealed envelope on Alan Hawke’s table, which proves + that a few francs are just as potent in Switzerland as the same number of + shillings in London, or dollars in New York. It was a clear case of “stole + away.” + </p> + <p> + When Major Alan Hawke leaned over the supper table at the Casino, pledging + Madame Frangipanni’s bright eyes in very fair cafe champagne, he nervously + started as he heard the wailing whistle and clanging bells of the through + train for Constance. He forgot the faded complexion, the worn face, the + chemically tinted hair and haggard eyes of the broken-down Austrian blonde + concert singer, in the exhilaration of Berthe Louison’s departure. + </p> + <p> + For he had not lost Professor Casimir Wieniawski from sight a moment since + the hour of ten, and that “distinguished noble refugee” was now in a + maudlin way, murmuring perfunctory endearments in the ear of the ex-prima + donna, who tenderly gazed upon him in a proprietary manner. Alan Hawke had + judged it well to ply the champagne, and, at the witching hour of + midnight, he critically inspected Casimir’s condition. “He is probably + about tipsy enough now to tell all he knows, and, with an acquired + truthfulness. I will, therefore, bring this festive occasion to a close.” + Whereat the watchful Lucullus of the feast artfully drew Madame + Frangipanni aside. + </p> + <p> + “I have to go on to London, Chere Comtesse,” he flatteringly said, “you + must give me Casimir for a couple of hours to-night, to talk over the old + times.” + </p> + <p> + He lingered a moment, hat in hand, as he chivalrously sent Madame + Frangipanni home in a carriage. The poor old singer’s bosom was thrilled + with a sunset glow of departing greatness, as she lingered tearfully that + night over the memories of the halcyon days when the officers of Francis + Joseph’s bodyguard had fought for the honors of the carriage courtesies of + the Diva. Eheu fugaces! + </p> + <p> + Closeted together, the minor guests having been artfully dispersed, Major + Alan Hawke and his friend recalled the olden glories of Wieniawski’s + Indian tour. It was with a jealous hand that Hawke doled out the cognac, + until Casimir abruptly said: “And now, mon ami, tell me what has linked + you to Alixe Delavigne?” Alan Hawke had keenly studied his man, and found + that the limit of the artist’s drinking capacity seemed to be infinity, + and so he leaned back and coldly scrutinized the musician’s shabby + exterior. “I think that I can risk it now,” he mused, and then, in a + crisp, hard voice, he suddenly said: “I don’t mind parting with a + twenty-pound note, Casimir, if you will tell me all you know about that + beauty. You need it now—more than I. I am to be the judge of the + value of your story, however. Mark me, I know the main features, but I + also know that you have met her in the old days.” The broken-down artist + flushed under the changed relation of guest and paid tool. + </p> + <p> + He uneasily stammered, as he filled a brandy glass, “As a loan—as a + loan!” But Hawke was sternly business-like in his reply. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t make any pretenses with me. You are hard down on your luck, and you + know it. This is a mere matter of business.” He unfolded a bundle of notes + and carelessly tossed two ten-pound notes over to Casimir, who seized them + with trembling fingers. The pitiful sum represented to the artist two + months of his meager salary. Here was absinthe unlimited, a little + roulette, a new frock for Madame Frangipanni, perhaps even a dress coat + for himself. + </p> + <p> + “How old do you think Alixe is?” unsteadily began the artist. + </p> + <p> + “I should say about twenty-five,” gallantly replied the Major. + </p> + <p> + “We will premise that she is thirty-three,” confidently began the + musician, “or even thirty-five. When I was a young fool at Warsaw, + eighteen years old,” he babbled. “I was the local prodigy. My first essays + in public were, of course, concerts, and I was soon the vogue. And, later, + asked as an artistic guest to the chateaux of the nobility in Poland, + Kowno, Vitebsk, Wilna, Minsk, Grodno and Volhynia. I was a poet in + thought, a lover of all womankind in my dreams, and a conspirator in the + inmost chambers of my defiant Polish nature.” + </p> + <p> + “They made me the cat’s-paw of adroit adventurers who were filling their + pockets from wealthy Polish sympathizers in France and America, and some + of them were Russian paid spies. I braved all the risks. I was the secret + means of communication of the highest circles of our cult of Rebellion. + Fool that I was, wandering from province to province, I lived the life of + a mad enthusiast. The proud memories of Poland were mine, the spirit of + her music, arts, and poetry had cast its witchery over me. Her history, + the tragedy of a crownless queen of sorrows, had transported me into a + dreamy idealism. I was soon the confidant of our seductive mobile Polish + beauties. Sinuous, insincere, changeful, passionate, and burning with the + flames of Love and Life, I was, at once, their idol and their plaything, + their hero, and their willing slave. + </p> + <p> + “For then, the spirit of old Poland rang out in my numbers, and I waked + the quivering echoes of woman’s heart at will. It was in seventy-three + that I was sent on a special mission to Prince Pierre Troubetskoi’s + splendid chateau at Jitomir in Volhynia. The crafty Russians were watching + us even there, and were busied in assembling troops secretly, at Kiev and + Wilna. To another was given the proud place of secret spy over the higher + circles of Wilna, while my duty was to watch Jitomir and Kiev. Troubetskoi + was a bold gallant fellow, an ardent Muscovite, and had secretly returned + from a long sojourn in Paris. He was in close touch with the Governors of + Volhynia, Kiev, and Podolia, and we feared his sword within, his Parisian + connections without. An evil star brought me into his household as his + guest. For nearly a year I was kept vibrating between the points of danger + to us, my personal headquarters being at the Chateau of Jitomir. And there + I lived out my brief heart-life, for there I met Valerie Troubetskoi. No + one seemed to know where Pierre had found her, but later I learned her + story from her own lips. + </p> + <p> + “That is, all of the story of a woman’s heart-life which is ever unveiled + to any man! She was beautiful beyond—compare, her wistful tenderness + shining out as the moon, softer than the fierce noonday glare of the + passion-transfigured faces of our Polish beauties. For they loved, for + Love’s own sake, and Valerie Troubetskoi offered up the chalice of her own + heart in silent sadness. I never saw so lovely a being.” + </p> + <p> + “Did she look like that?” suddenly demanded Hawke, thrusting a photograph + before the haggard eyes of the broken artist. He gasped, and tears + gathered in his lashes. “Valerie, herself, and, as I knew her only before + her fatal illness had marked her down. Did Alixe give you this?” He + clutched at it with his trembling hands. + </p> + <p> + “Go on,” harshly said Alan Hawke, “the hour is late!” + </p> + <p> + The Pole buried his face in his thinned hands, and then brokenly resumed: + “The old story—the only one you know. She was about my own age; + Troubetskoi was nearly always away; perhaps he thought to trap all my + traitorous circle through me, or else he was in the secret service of the + hungry Russian eagle. Valerie roamed silently through the great halls of + Jitomir, saddened and lonely, for their union was childless. My heart + spoke to her own in my music; she knew the prayer of my soul, though my + lips were silent. For I madly adored her. Then, then, I was a man! My life + belonged to Poland, my soul to art, but my heart was a sealed temple of + love, a temple where Valerie, the beloved, the secretly worshiped, sat + alone on her throne. + </p> + <p> + “One day a woman, radiant in youth, and reflecting Valerie’s own beauty, + was brought to the chateau by Troubetskoi, who had journeyed on to Vienna. + It was Alixe Delavigne, the woman whom I saw last with you. A month later + Valerie called me to her side: ‘My poor Casimir,’ she said, as I knelt at + her feet, ‘I am dying! The struggle will not be a long one. I know the + secret of your boyish heart. Your eyes have spoken and your music has + reached my heart. Your love is written in your songs without words. When + you have forgotten me, there is Alixe; she is alone upon earth. Let me + seal your heart to hers, and even in death I shall feel that I love you + both.’ Then,” the artist sobbed, “I lost my head. I told her all in mad, + burning words. She raised her eyes to mine, and softly said: ‘I shall see + you no more unless Alixe is with us, for I love Pierre and he loves me. + When I am gone, Alixe will be the only one who knows the secret of my + life.’ + </p> + <p> + “It was two months later—for I would not leave her side, even Pierre + Troubetskoi could not see her passing away, for it was a mysterious malady—when + a sudden alarm brought me to my senses. My secret society work was done, + and yet I lingered there, at the very steps of the scaffold. Alixe + Delavigne burst into my room at midnight. + </p> + <p> + “‘Hasten!’ she cried. ‘Even now the Cossacks are surrounding the house!’ + She let me out through the secret passage of the old Chateau. A cloak was + thrown over me by the Intendant. He was a Pole—and one true to the + old blood. Alixe pressed a purse upon me. An address in Paris was + whispered. ‘I will write! Go! For Valerie’s sake, go!’ + </p> + <p> + “Forty-eight hours later I crossed the Galician frontier at Lemberg + disguised as a Polish peasant. My guardian, the Intendant, turned me over + to our friends in the valley of the Styr. After six months of wandering, I + finally reached Paris in safety. There were sorrowful letters awaiting me. + Valerie was hidden forever in the yawning tombs of the gloomy old chapel + of Jitomir, and Alixe herself wrote of Pierre Troubetlskoi’s generous + blinding of the pursuit. I was, however, prosecuted and hunted. I fled to + America, for all our plans of revolt were miserably wrecked—and by + Polish traitors! + </p> + <p> + “Two years later, I learned from a fellow refugee that Pierre Troubetskoi + had been killed by accident in a great forest battle. And to Alixe + Delavigne, all the wealth which would have been Valerie’s was left by the + lion-hearted man who awoke too late to the early doom of his beloved. + </p> + <p> + “I knew naught of the family history save that the sisters were the + daughters of Colonel Delavigne, a gallant French officer, who was murdered + by the Communists in seventy-one.” Alan Hawke was now sternly eyeing the + musician, who abruptly concluded: “I have never met Alixe Delavigne since. + I dare not return to Poland. My own course has been steadily downward, + and, beyond knowing that she still possesses the splendid domains of + Jitomir, we are strangers to each other. Polish refugees have told me that + she has always administered the vast estate with liberal kindness to all. + And now you will tell me of her?” The tremulous hand of Wieniawski raised + a brimming glass of brandy to his lips. He stared about vacantly when + Hawke said: + </p> + <p> + “Madame Delavigne left Lausanne this evening on a special mission. Her + life is a sealed book to all, and a mere business interest has drawn us + together.” The Englishman went callously on: “There are a couple of + mountainously rich American girls coming down here to-morrow at nine + o’clock to spend the day at Chillon with me. I need a running mate. Will + you then meet me at the Montreux Landing? You can have a day off, and + these young fools are fat pigeons, ardent, and enthusiastic.” Hawke saw + the hesitation on the man’s face. + </p> + <p> + “You can say to Madame Frangipanni that you are with me and that I will + explain later at the dinner.” With a glance at his watch, Alan Hawke rang + for the Oberkellner. He was extending his hand in goodnight, when the + refugee cried imploringly, “I must see her once more! Tell me of her + journey!” and Major Hawke deliberately lied to the poor vaurien artist, + the wreck of his better self. “The through train to Paris is her only + address. I presume that Madame Delavigne will spend some time in a + sanitarium after this heart attack, and she has my banker’s address. It is + only through them that we meet to arrange some affairs of business. + Whether maid, wife, or widow, I know not, for you know what women are—sealed + books to their enemies, and to their husbands and lovers—only + enigmas! + </p> + <p> + “But fail not to meet me. I’ll give you a pleasant day. You will find the + two Americans both gushing and susceptible.” Then as Major Alan Hawke + stepped lightly away to the sedately closed Hotel Faucon, Casimir + Wieniawski staggered back into the cafe. + </p> + <p> + His fit of passionate sorrow was brief, for in a half hour he was the king + of a mad revel, where his meaner sycophants divided Alan Hawke’s bounty. + The cool Major strode along happy hearted to his rest, quietly revolving + the plan of campaign. + </p> + <p> + “There was then a sealed chapter in Valerie Troubetskoi’s life. And the + key of that is in Berthe Louison’s keeping. Now, my fair employer, it is + diamond cut diamond. I think that I have done a fair day’s work.” And he + thanked his lucky stars for the precipitate flight of his mysterious + employer. “She evidently feared the noble Casimir following upon the + trail. Strange—strange pathways! Strange footprints on the sands of + Time! It is a devilish funny world, but, after all, the best that we have + any authentic account of.” And so he slept the sleep of the just, for he + was making the woes of others the cornerstones of his newer fortunes. + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke arose with the lark, by a previous arrangement with the Hotel + Bureau. His face was eminently businesslike in its gravity, as he summoned + the porter and dispatched all his luggage to the care of the Chef du Gare, + Geneva. “Business of extreme importance awaiting upon Madame’s complete + recovery had caused her to depart to consult an eminent specialist. Thank + you, there will be no letters,” said the Major, as he pocketed both + receipted bills. He amused himself while watching for the morning boat, as + the mountain mists, lifting, revealed the glittering lake, in sending a + very carefully sketched letter to Mademoiselle Euphrosyne Delande, No. 123 + Rue du Rhone, Geneva. This letter was of such moment that it went on to + London, to be posted back duly stamped with good Queen Victoria’s + likeness. A very careful Major! + </p> + <p> + The lofty semi-official tone, in which the writer spoke of a possible + return to India “under the auspices of the Foreign Office,” was well + calculated to fill the spinster’s bosom with the flattering unction that a + mighty protector had been raised up for the adventurous Justine, now + supposed to be environed with all the glittering snares of society, as + well as enveloped in the mystic jungle. + </p> + <p> + A week later, when Euphrosyne Delande laid down the pen and abandoned her + unfinished “Lecture Upon the Influence of the Allobroges, Romans, + Provencal Franks, Burgundians, and Germans Upon the Intellectual + Development of Geneva,” she read Alan Hawke’s letter with a thrill of + secret pride. + </p> + <p> + The smooth adventurer had written: “If I have the future pleasure of + meeting Mademoiselle Justine Delande I only hope to find a resemblance to + her charming and distinguished sister. As my movements are necessarily + secret, pray write only in the utmost confidence to Mademoiselle Justine. + I hope to soon return and enjoy once more the hospitalities of your + intellectual circle.” The address given for India was “Bombay Club.” Miss + Euphrosyne gazed up at the stony lineaments of Professor Delande, her + marble-browed and flinty-hearted sire, locked in the cold chill of a steel + engraving. He was as neutral as the busts of Buffon, Cuvier, Laplace, + Humboldt, and Pestalozzi, which coldly furnished forth her sanctum. She + thought of the eloquent eyed young Major and sadly sighed. She proceeded + to enshrine him in her withered heart, and then wrote a crossed letter of + many tender underlinings to her distant sister. And thus the pathway was + made very smooth for the artful wanderer, who had already stepped upon the + decks of the Sepoy. + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke had dispatched an excellent breakfast before he stepped into + the carriage to be whirled away to Montreux. His bridges were burned + behind him. There was not a vestige of Madame Berthe Louison left to give + the needy Pole a clue. “They are separated, and Anstruther and the Swiss + schoolmistress are harmless. I have only my play to make upon the lovely + Justine, and to retake up my old friendship with Hugh Fraser. Then I am + ready to bit by bit unravel the story of Valerie Delavigne’s child—the + Veiled Rose of Delhi.” + </p> + <p> + “Between a father with a secret to keep, and this strange woman with a + purpose, there is a pretty girl and a vast fortune at issue, besides the + prospective pickings of Madame Berthe Louison.” These musings of the Major + led him up to the question of his employer’s false name, as he swept down + to the nearby Montreux station. “She evidently had traced the child to + Switzerland, and was upon a still hunt to find out the home of the growing + heiress, and,—for what purpose? Ah! One day after another,” he + pleasantly exclaimed, as he saw the artist awaiting him. “Peu apeu + I’oiseau fait son nid.” He had already evolved a scheme to permanently + separate Casimir Wieniawski from his own beautiful employer, who was now + dashing along well on her way toward Munich. Alan Hawke was startled at + the distinguished appearance of the musician. An aristocratic pallor + refined his face, he was neatly booted and gloved, the elegant lines of + the Pole’s supple figure were displayed in a morning frock coat, and his + chapeau de soie was virginal in its gloss. + </p> + <p> + “Some of my own twenty pounds,” mused Alan Hawke, as he gayly sprang out + and saluted his dupe. “Ah! There you are. You look to-day the old Casimir. + Let us have a few last words before the boat arrives.” + </p> + <p> + Hardened as he was, Alan Hawke was surprised at the childlike lightness of + the Pole’s manner when they encountered the fresh young beauties who were + already the cynosure of all eyes upon the morning boat. The storm of + emotion had spent itself, and while Alan Hawke squired, the aggressive + Miss Genie, Casimir Wieniawski was bending over the slightly dreamy and + more romantic Miss Phenie! They distributed themselves in open order, as + they strolled along toward the drawbridge of that most hospitable of old + horrors, Chillon Castle. + </p> + <p> + It was a day of days, and the artful Hawke laughed as he smoked his cigar + upon a rustic bench in the castle Garden. Miss Genie was at his side, + pouting, petulant, provokingly pretty and duly agnostic as to the Polish + prince. + </p> + <p> + A week later, Alan Hawke stood on the deck of the Sepoy, as that reliable + vessel steamed out of Brindisi harbor for Bombay. He was watching a lace + handkerchief, waved by a graceful woman, standing alone upon the pier. The + adventurer drew a silver rupee from his pocket, and then gayly tossed it + into the waves, crying, “Here’s for luck!” as he watched the slender, + distant, womanly figure move up the pier. There lay the Empress of India + with steam now curling from her stacks, ready to follow on to Calcutta. “I + have not broken her lines yet,” murmured Major Hawke as he paced the deck, + “but I have her pretty well surrounded, cunning as she is!” and so he + complacently ordered his first bottle of pale ale. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. THE VEILED ROSEBUD OF DELHI + </h2> + <p> + The October winds were whirling the pine needles down the mountain defiles + in the bracing Alpine autumn, as Alan Hawke sped on past Suez, gliding on + through the stifling furnace heat of the Red Sea, past Mocha, and dashing + along through the Bridge of Tears, to Aden. He left at Suez, and also at + the Eastern Gibraltar of haughty Albion, the brief letters for his + mysterious employer, and he mentally arranged the social gambit of his + reappearance at Delhi in the nine days before the Sepoy steamed into the + island-dotted bay of Bombay. + </p> + <p> + Sternly shunning, on his arrival, the local sirens, whose songs of old + fell so sweetly upon his ear, the determined Major sped away at once for + Allahabad. He was on shaking social quagmires at Bombay. There were sundry + little threads of the past still left hanging out in the shape of stray + urban indebtedness, and he now scorned to throw away a single one of the + crisp Bank of England notes showered upon him by Fortune. He was growing + sadly wise. He had lately mused over the old motto, “Lucky at cards—unlucky + in love!” The cool provision of the funds at Lausanne by Berthe Louison, + her separate route to Delhi, her business-like coldness in their strangely + frank relations, all these things proved to him that he was to be only an + intelligent tool; not a trusted friend in the little drama about to open + at the old capital of Oude. + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke had already abandoned the idea of any sentimental advances upon + Alixe Delavigne. “Strange, strange,” he murmured; “a woman can sometimes + easily be flattered into a second conjugation of the verb ‘To Love,’ but + an internal previous evidence of man’s unreliability can do that which no + personal sorrow can effect. The key to this woman’s behavior is in the + story of her sister’s shadowed life. + </p> + <p> + “The hiatus from Hugh Fraser to Pierre Troubetskoi covers the tragedy of + Valerie Delavigae’s life, the death blow was then struck, and the central + figure is the child. So, with the strangely acquired fortune at her beck + and call, Alixe Delavigne has consecrated herself to that most illogical + of human careers—a woman’s silent vengeance! That achieved, will the + furnace fires of her stormy heart be lit by the hand of passion?” + </p> + <p> + He ruminated sagely over these matters as he sped on over the Great Indian + Peninsula Railway. The western Ghauts were now far behind him and their + dark basalt crags. Bombay, Hyderabad, Berar, the Central Provinces, + Central India, and the southern prong of Oude was reached. He was, + however, no whit the wiser when he reached the Ganges and hastily sought + the telegraph station at Allahabad. But he felt like a prince in the + direct line of succession with his net eight hundred pounds still to the + good. His first care was to telegraph to Madame Berthe Louison, to the + care of Grindley, at Calcutta: “Waiting at Allahabad for your letters, and + news of your safe arrival.” While rushing past the Vindhia Mountains he + had encountered several of his old Indian acquaintances. The mere hint of + a secret governmental employ of gravity satisfied the languid curiosity of + the qui hais. For a week he lingered in the “City of God,” and daily + haunted the post and telegraph offices. + </p> + <p> + He had sent on to the Delhi Club a note for the maw of the local gossips, + and also had dispatched a skillfully constructed letter to the + unsuspecting Hugh Johnstone. With a veiled flattery of the old civilian’s + wisdom and experience, he referred to his desire to consult him as to a + secret journey in the direction of the Pamirs. The opportune windfall of + Anstruther’s ecarte and Berthe Louison’s liberal advance enabled Major + Alan Hawke to maintain a dignified and easy port as he wandered through + Allahabad. Strolling by the waters of the Ganges and Jumna, he invoked + anew the blessings of the goddess Fortuna, as he gazed out upon the + majestic heaven descended stream. The daily tide of travel toward Delhi + brought on each day some familiar faces, and yet Alan Hawke lingered + gently, declining their traveling company. “Waiting orders,” he said, with + the sad, sweet smile of one enjoying a sinecure. His swelling outward port + thoroughly proved that the days were gone when he was to be scanned before + the morning salutation. Les eaux sout basses, the impecunious Frenchman + mourns, but there was a swelling tide bearing Alan Hawke onward now. + </p> + <p> + A hearty welcoming letter from the ci-devant Hugh Fraser was a good omen, + for rumor of a thousand tongues had already invested the returning Major + with an important secret mission. His epistolary seed planted in Delhi had + brought forth fruit as rapidly as the magic of the Indian conjuror’s + mango-tree trick. It was already rumored even in Allahabad that “Hawke had + dropped upon a decidedly good thing.” The Major was busied, however, in + analyzing the motives of Alixe Delavigne, in her change of name, her + separate journey, her choice of the Calcutta route, and the inner nature + of her projected enterprise. + </p> + <p> + “A woman in her position, easy as to fortune, will stoop to none of the + arts of the blackmailer; she could choose a life of soft luxury, for she + is yet in the bloom of vigorous early womanhood. To her the personality of + Hugh Fraser is surely nothing. There are but two objects of attack—his + proposed social elevation, the nattering title, and the peace of mind and + future of the daughter, this lovely veiled Rose! Love, a natural love, + even for the stranger child, would ward away the blow; but only an + unslaked vengeance would point the shaft! The reproduction of her sister’s + face seemed to touch her to her very bosom’s core. There is some fixed + purpose in this cold-hearted woman’s coming! Not a lingering annoyance, + but some coup de main, a bolt to be launched at Hugh Johnstone alone!” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know how I can break her lines, unless she shows me some weak + point,” he mused. “But either her fortune or Johnstone’s shall yield me a + heavy passing toll. And, there is always the girl! There, I would have to + meet Berthe Louison as a determined enemy!” In recognizing the fact that + his employer must make the game at last, that she must lead out and so + uncover herself, he saw his own masterly position between the two + prospective foes. + </p> + <p> + “I can play them off the one against each other, at the right time, and, + if they fight each other, with the help of Justine Delande, I may even + make a strong running for the girl. I think I now see a way!” He felt that + his wandering days were over. The dark days of carking cares, of harassing + duns, of frequent changes of base, driven onward by the rolling ball of + gossip and innuendo. + </p> + <p> + He felt strangely lifted up in the familiar scenes of his years of + wanderings. For he was at home again. Alixe Delavigne, however carefully + watched for her eastern adventure, was socially helpless in a land of + strange alien races, of discordant Babel tongues, of shifting scenes, a + land as unreal as the visions of a summer night. + </p> + <p> + But to Alan Hawke all this Indian life was now a second nature. The scenes + of Bombay recalled his once ambitious youth, the days when he first + delightedly gazed upon the wonders of Elephanta, and the gloomy grottoes + of Salcette. From his very landing he had set himself one cardinal rule of + conduct, to absolutely ignore all the lighter attractions of native and + Eurasian beauty, and to let no single word fall from his lips respecting + the sudden occultation of Miss Nadine Johnstone—this new planet + softly swimming in the evening skies of Delhi. He felt that he was + beginning a new career, one in which neither greed nor passion must betray + him. It was the “third call” of Fortune, and he had wisely decided upon a + golden silence. “If I had only met the favored Justine, instead of that + withered Aspasia, Euphrosyne, then, the girl’s heart might have been + easily made mine,” was the unavailing regret of the handsome Major. “If I + could have come out with them,” he sighed. He well knew the softening + effect upon romantic womanhood of a long sea voyage where the willing + winds sway the softer emotions of the breast, and the trembling woman is + defenseless against the perfidious darts of Cupid. + </p> + <p> + “My time will come,” he murmured as the train rushed along through the + incense breathing plantations. A richer nature than foggy England was + spread out before him in treacherous Hindostan with its warring tribes, + its dying creeds, its dead languages, its history sweeping far back into + the mists of the unknown. For every problem of the human mind, every throe + of the restless heart of man is worn old and threadbare in Hindostan, with + its very dust compounded of the wind-blown ashes of dead millions upon + millions. Gross vulgar Gold reigns now as King on the broad savannas where + spice plantations and indigo farms vary the cotton, rice, and sugar + fields. Wasted treasures of dead dynasties gleam out in the ornamentation + of the temples abandoned to the prowling beast of prey. And riches and + ruin meet the eye in a strange medley. Dead greatness and the prosaic + present. + </p> + <p> + Modern bungalows, where the faltering conqueror watches the tax-ridden + ryots dot the landscape, and an overweighted official system brings its + haughty military, its self-sufficient civilians, its proud womanhood, to + drain the exhausted heart of India. And the ryot groans under many + taskmasters. + </p> + <p> + Lingering with a restless heart, in Allahabad, Alan Hawke roused himself + as at a bugle call, when he received a telegram announcing the safe + arrival of the Empress of India at Calcutta. + </p> + <p> + “La danse va commencer,” he muttered, as he read the brief words of his + employer: “Go on to Delhi, await me there. Telegrams to you there at + private address. Leave letters.” The signature “Lausanne” was a new spur + to his well-considered prudence. And, so, the next day, Major Hawke + sedately descended at Delhi. + </p> + <p> + There was nothing to distinguish Hawke from any other well-to-do European, + as he stood gazing around the station, in his cool linens, his pith helmet + and floating puggaree. The prudent air of judicious mystery lately adopted + sat easily upon him as his eye roved over the familiar scenes of old with + a silent gleam of recognition, he followed a confidential attendant who + salaamed, murmuring “My master awaits the sahib whom he delights to love + and honor.” + </p> + <p> + “There is one card I must play at once,” murmured Hawke, as the carriage + sped along. “Mademoiselle Justine Delande must be my secret friend! I + wonder if Euphrosyne really swallowed the bait! If she has fallen into the + trap and written to her sister, then—all is well!” + </p> + <p> + His eyes roved over the familiar scene of the broad Chandnee Chouk, + sweeping magnificently away from the Lahore gate to the superb palace. The + sun beat down with its old ferocious glare on shop and bazaar. Grave + merchants lolled over their priceless treasures of gold and silver work, + heaped up jewels and bullion-threaded shawls for princely wear. Under the + awnings lingered the familiar polyglot groups, while beggary and opulence + jostled each other on every hand. + </p> + <p> + “It’s the same old road in life!” murmured Alan Hawke, “whether called + Inderput, Shahjehanabad, or Delhi—the same old game goes on here + forever, here by the sacred Jumna!” + </p> + <p> + He was dreaming of the artful part which he had to play in the fierce + modern race for wealth. “They used to fight for it like men in the old + days,” he bitterly murmured. “Now, the only gold that I see before me is + to be had by gentlemanly blackmail! Right here—between old Hugh + Johnstone and this flinty-hearted woman avenger—lies my fortune. And + I swear that nothing shall stop me! I will be the prompter of the little + play now ready for a first rehearsal!” His eyes lighted up viciously as he + was swept along past the great marble house, gleaming out in the shady + compound, where the Rosebud of Delhi was hidden. + </p> + <p> + “Cursed old curmudgeon! To lock the girl up!” muttered the handsome young + rascal. “Old Ram Lal must do a bit of spying for me!” Hawke could see on + the raised plateau of marble steps all the evidences of the sumptuous + luxury of the haughty Briton, “who toils not, neither does he spin.” But, + the dozen pointed arches on each face of the vast palace house of the + budding baronet showed no sign of life. The clustered marble columns + stretched out in a splendid lonely perspective, and the square inner + castellated keep rose up in the glaring sun, but with closed and shaded + windows. Dusky shapes flitted about, busied in the infinitesimal + occupations of Indian servitors, but no graceful woman form could be seen + in the witching gardens where a Rajah might have fitly held a durbar. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll warrant the old hunks has Bramah locks and Chubb’s burglar proofs to + fence this beauty off!” growled the Major, as he sank back in the + carriage. “I fancy, though, that a liberal dose of Madame Louison’s gold, + judiciously administered by me, in her interest, to Justine Delande, may + open the way to the girl’s presence! The mother’s story may serve to win + the girl’s heart. If I can only busy old Hugh and the Madame in watching + each other, then I can handle Justine.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” the satisfied schemer concluded, “the old man’s game is the bauble + title. Berthe Louison’s must be some studied revenge. She is above all + blackmail. I know already half the story of this clouded past. Madame + Alixe Delavigne must yield up the other half, bit by bit. By the time she + arrives, my spies will have posted me. I will have opened my parallels on + the Swiss dragon who guards the lovely Nadine. Now to make my first play + upon the old nabob.” + </p> + <p> + Major Alan Hawke had studied skillfully out his gambit for an attack upon + Hugh Johnstone’s vanity. When he descended at the hospitable doors of his + secret ally, Ram Lal Singh, he plunged into the seclusion of a luxurious + easy toilet making. A dozen letters glanced over, a comforting hookah, and + Alan Hawke had easily “sized up” the situation. For Ram Lal’s first + skeleton report had clearly proved to him that the coast was clear. “Thank + Heavens there are as yet no rivals,” Hawke murmured. “Neither confidential + friend of the old boy, no dashing Ruy Gomez as yet in the way.” Hawke + viewed himself complacently in the mirror. He was severely just to + himself, and he well knew all his own good points. “Pshaw!” he murmured, + “any man not one-eyed can easily play the Prince Charming to a hooded lady + all forlorn, a mere child, a tyro in life’s soft battles of the heart. I + must impress this pompous old fool that I know all the intrigues of his + proposed elevation. He will unbosom, and both trust and fear me. These + pampered civilians are as haughty in their way as the military and be + damned to them,” mused Hawke, cheerfully humming his battle song, those + words of a vitriolic wit: + </p> + <p> + “General Sir Arthur Victorious Jones, Great is vermillion splashed with + gold.” + </p> + <p> + “This old crab has quietly stolen himself rich, and now forsooth would + tack on a Sir Hugh before his name. Ah! The jewels! I must delicately hint + to him that I am in the inner circle of the cognoscenti.” + </p> + <p> + And then Alan Hawke cheerfully joined his obese and crafty friend and + host, Ram Lal Singh. For an hour the soft, oily voice of the old jewel + merchant flowed on in a purring monologue. The ease and mastery of the + Conqueror’s language showed that the usurer had well studied the masters + of Delhi. Sixty years had given Ram Lal added cunning. A crafty + conspirator of the old days when the mystic “chupatties” were sent out on + their dark errand, the sly jewel merchant had survived the bloody wreck of + the throne of Oude, and from the place of attendant to one of the + slaughtered princes, dropped down softly into the trade of money lender, + secret agent, and broker of the unlawful in many varied ways. + </p> + <p> + It was Ram Lal’s easy task to purvey luxuries to the imperious Briton, to + hold the extravagant underlings in his usurious clutches, to be at peace + with Hindu, Moslem, Sikh, Pathan, Ghoorka, Persian, and Armenian, and to + blur his easy-going Mohammedanism in a generous participation in all sins + of omission and commission. A many-sided man! + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke heaved a sigh of easy contentment when he had brought the + chronique scandahuse of Delhi down to the day and hour. + </p> + <p> + “You say that she is beautiful, this girl?” + </p> + <p> + “As the stars on the sea!” nodded Ram Lal. + </p> + <p> + “And the Swiss woman?” + </p> + <p> + “Never leaves her for a minute. They see no one, for all men say the old + Commissioner will take her home, to Court when he is gazetted!” + </p> + <p> + “None of the great people go there?” keenly queried Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “Not even the fine ladies,” laughed Ram Lal. “The old fellow may have his + own memories of the past. He trusts no one. The girl is only a bulbul in a + golden cage and with no one to sing to.” Hawke cut short Ram Lal’s flowery + figures. + </p> + <p> + “Does the Swiss woman trade with you?” he demanded. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, she buys a few simple things—my peddlers take the Veiled Rose + many rich things. The old Sahib is very generous to the child. And the + dragon loves trinkets, too!” Then Alan Hawke’s eyes gleamed. + </p> + <p> + “She knows your shop here?” + </p> + <p> + “Perfectly,” replied Ram Lal, “and comes alone—on the master’s + business. You know I had many dealings with Sahib Hugh Fraser in the old + days,” mused the jeweler. “He always admits my men. I have valued gems for + him for twenty years.” + </p> + <p> + “Good!” cried the happy Major. “I want to send a man now to her with a + note. I am going to put up at the United Service Club, but I must see this + woman first. I don’t like to send a letter, though. If I had any one to + trust—” + </p> + <p> + The merchant promptly said: “I will go myself! They are always in the + garden in the afternoon. I can easily see her alone.” + </p> + <p> + “First rate! Then I will give you a message,” answered Hawke. “I must see + her to-morrow early, for old Hugh will surely ask me to tiffin. And, Ram, + you must at once set your best man on to watch all that goes on there. I + have a good fat plum for you now—to set up a neat little house here + for a friend of mine who is coming, and you shall do the whole thing!” The + merchant’s dark eyes glistened. “A new officer of rank?” he queried. + </p> + <p> + “It’s a lady—a friend of mine—rich, too, and she wants to live + on the quiet! She will stay here for some time!” The oily listener had + learned a vast prudence in the days when he trod the halls of the last + King of Delhi, so he held his peace and wondered at the suddenly enhanced + fortunes of that star of graceful wanderers, Allan Hawke! + </p> + <p> + “I’ll go over to the club now and get a room! Send all my things over!” + said the Major. “I wish to let Hugh know that I am here. I will give you + the directions about the house to-morrow. Make no mistake with this + message now!” Whereat Alan Hawke repeated a few words which would awake + the slumbering curiosity in the woman-heart of the lonely Justine Delande! + </p> + <p> + “Now, I will return and await your success,” concluded Hawke as he read + over a dozen times Madame Berthe Louison’s long dispatch, ordering him to + prepare her pied de terre in Delhi. “Gad! Milady means to do the thing in + style,” he murmured. “She is a deep one, and she must have a pot of + money!” He lit a cheroot and sauntered away to show up officially at the + club. Major Hawke soon became aware that nothing succeeds like success. + Not only did all the flaneurs of the Chandnee Chouk seize upon him, but, + from passing carriages, bright, roguish eyes merrily challenged him as the + hot-hearted English Mem-Sahibs whirled by. + </p> + <p> + Rumor had magnified the importance of Major Alan Hawke’s secret service + appointment, and the wanderer was astounded when the highest official of + the Delhi College gravely saluted him. + </p> + <p> + “By Gad! I believe that I am really becoming respectable!” laughed the + delighted major. His uncertain past seemed to be fast fading away in the + glow of the skillfully hinted official promotion. “I wonder now if old Ram + Lal has a hold on my canny friend, Hugh Fraser Johnstone—Sir Hugh to + be! Perhaps they are like all the rest of us—rascals of the same + grade, but only in different ways. The old jewel matters! I must look to + this and watch Ram Lal!” The returned Anglo-Indian carelessly nodded to + the group of men gathered in the club’s lounging-room as he entered. + Designedly, he loudly demanded to know if his traps had arrived. “Left all + my odds and ends in store,” he murmured to a friend, as he called for a + brandy pawnee. “Beastly bore! Must wait orders here for some time!” + </p> + <p> + Skilled at tossing the ball of conversation to and fro, Major Alan Hawke, + while at luncheon, artfully planted seeds here and there, to be neatly + dished up later for that incipient baronet, Hugh Johnstone. And yet a + graceful shade of dignified reserve lent color to his rumored advancement, + and the schemer leaned over the writing table with quite a foreign-office + air as he indited his diplomatic note of arrival to his destined prey. + </p> + <p> + With a grave air he selected his rooms and accommodations to suit his + swelling port, and even the club stewards nodded in recognition of the + tidal wave of Alan Hawke’s mended fortunes. + </p> + <p> + With due official gravity the man “who had dropped into a good thing,” + disappeared, to allow the gilded youth of Delhi to carry the gossip to + mess and bungalow. It was a welcome morsel to these merry crows! + </p> + <p> + It was late when the handsome Major returned to find a small pyramid of + notes on his table and many letters in his box. He was in the highest good + humor, for the wary Ram Lal had most diplomatically acquitted his task of + opening a secret communication. + </p> + <p> + “Just as I thought,” laughed the Major, as he sipped his pale ale in Ram + Lal’s spacious room of pleasaunce. “They all protest, woman-like, but they + all come!” + </p> + <p> + The watchful Swiss exile’s heart fluttered tenderly in the far-off Lotos + land at the arrival of a secret friend of her sage sister. She longed for + the morning to meet her new friend. Alan Hawke’s irresistible attractions + had pointed the praises which flowed smoothly over the double crossed + letter which had preceded him! The oily Ram Lal, a veteran observer of + many an intrigue, scented a budding rose of romance in the Major’s adroit + coup, and the arrival of the only lady whom Alan Hawke had ever socially + fathered in Delhi. + </p> + <p> + “In three days I will be all ready! So you can telegraph to-night,” + reported the merchant, when the Major carefully went over all the details + of the proposed temporary establishment of the disguised Alixe Delaviarne. + </p> + <p> + “Very good!” approvingly answered the dignified confidant and patron. “See + here, Ram Lal! You have only to serve me well in these little private + matters, and you shall handle all the coming Mem-Sahib’s money business + here! She wants to be quiet. I am to direct all her private matters! Not a + word, however, to old Hugh!” The two men separated, Hawke with the + knowledge that one of Ram’s men had already glided into the swarming + household entourage of Hugh Johnstone’s stately home, and the spy was on + every movement of the strange interior, which defied the Delhi beaux. + </p> + <p> + “Not a bad day’s work,” mused Hawke, as he dined in solitary state. The + hospitable bidding of the wealthiest civilian of Delhi to tiffin on the + morrow brought him in touch with Alixe Delavigne’s proposed victim once + more. The delighted rascal mused: “I will surely have letters from her + to-morrow, possibly even a telegram of her arrival. When the silly Swiss + woman is the partner of an innocent secret, she is mine to control! Then + the chase for a few lacs of rupees begins!” + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke was somewhat startled at the little avalanche of welcoming + cards and notes. “Bravo! this will throw old Hugh off the track a bit + also. The simple duty of piquing local curiosity shall open all hearts, + hearths, and homes to me!” And then, Alan Hawke joyously realized how + easily the light-headed world can be fooled to the top of its bent by the + hollow trick of a bit of mystery play. + </p> + <p> + “This falls out rightly,” he mused. “I will take up all the threads of my + old society life and Madame Berthe Louison may deign to confide a bit in + me the first half of the story forced from her, then I will guess out all + the missing links of the chain. Once domiciled here, she is helpless in my + hands, for I can either gain her inner secrets, or boldly checkmate her. + And the veiled Rose of Delhi?” + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke dreamed not of the sorrows of the restless heart beating in + that virginal bosom. He paced the veranda of the Club gravely preoccupied + till the midnight hour. Long before that, Justine Delande had sought her + rooms in a feeble flutter of excitement over the harmless assignation of + the morrow. There was a stern old man pacing his splendid hall alone, with + an unhappy heart, that night, for Hugh Johnstone saw again in the sweet + uplifted eyes of his beautiful child the old unanswered question! + </p> + <p> + He stood long gazing out upon the unpitying stars, while above him, lonely + and lovely, Nadine recked not the queenly splendor of her magnificent + apartment. Glittering wealth, splendid train of servants, the golden + future stretching out before her, all this she noted not, for, even in the + gray, colorless life of the pension school at Geneva, soft-eyed Hope + whispered to her of a gentle and gracious mother! Loved—gone before, + but not lost—and, here in the land of gaudy Asiatic splendors, a + strange land of wonderment and fairy riches, she sobbed alone in her heart + anguish: + </p> + <p> + “He will not speak! He tells me nothing! A marble palace this, but never a + home!” The timid girl had seen no beloved woman’s face upon the fretwork + of the walls of this Aladdin’s castle. And, in her own frightened heart, + she remembered the ashen pallor of her father’s face when she had faltered + out the burning question of her yearning heart—the question of long + years! The past was still a blank to her, while on this same night, crafty + Alan Hawke in Delhi, and, in far Calcutta, a woman, pacing her boudoir in + sad unrest, were both busied with the story of the vanished mother whom + the Rose of Delhi had never seen! + </p> + <p> + Alixe Delavigne, lonely and resolute, was thinking of her departure on the + morrow, to face the man who had locked his dead past in his own marble + heart, in his grand marble palace. Her busy days at Calcutta had astounded + the senior manager of Grindlay & Co. The old banker marveled at the + strange commissions and imperative orders of his beautiful business + client, but many years had taught him much of the incomprehensibility of + womanhood! Whereupon he marveled in silence, and bowing with his hand upon + his heart, assured the lady of his absolute discretion, and the unbroken + honor of the house. “Some very queer little life histories go on out here + in India!” mused the old banker, as he handed the lady her special letter + to the Delhi agents of the great house which house which he directed. “As + beautiful as a statue, as firm as a flint! Where have I seen a face like + hers?” mused the old man, as he sought his rest. + </p> + <p> + The “beautiful statue” was steadfastly gazing at the picture of the young + Rose of Delhi, in her lonely boudoir. “She shall learn to love her! To + love her—through me! And this man of iron shall yield! He shall hear + my prayer! For, if he does not, then, he shall be struck to the heart—blow + for blow! And Fate shall pass her over! I swear it by that lonely grave in + far away Jitomir!” There were kisses rained upon the pictured face smiling + up at her, the face which had called back to her the dead past, and then + the “beautiful statue” tore aside her gown. She gazed upon a folded paper + which had long lain upon her throbbing heart. “This shall speak for me—at + the last! His pride shall bend! He shall not break the child’s heart! For + the mother’s sake, I swear it! She shall love and be loved!” and as she + spoke, in far away Delhi sweet Nadine stirred in her sleep, and smiled, + with opening arms, for the phantom mother she fondly sought seemed to + clasp her now to a loving breast! + </p> + <p> + In the Delhi Club there was high wassail below him, while Major Alan Hawke + restlessly paced his spacious rooms above, watching the lonely white moon + sail through the clearest skies on earth. The quid mines had all observed + the patiently haughty air of the returned Major, and even the chattering + club stewards marveled at the sudden efflorescence of Hawke Sahib’s + fortunes. + </p> + <p> + “Devilish neat-handed fellow, Hawke,” growled old Major Bingo Morris, over + his whist cards. “Close-mouthed fellow! Always wonder why he left the + service! Neat rider! Good hand with gun and spear! He ought to be in our + Staff Corps! He knows every inch of the northern frontier!” The old Major + glared around, inviting further comment. + </p> + <p> + “Fellow in Bombay tells me he went a cropper about some woman or other, + ten years ago,” lisped a rosy young lieutenant who was spreading the + golden revenues of a home brewery over the pitfall-dotted path of a rich + Indian sub. + </p> + <p> + “Right you are!” sententiously remarked Verner of the Horse Artillery. “He + went a stunning pace for a while, and at last had to get out. Big + flirtation—wife of commanding officer! Hawke acted very nicely. Said + nothing—sacrificed himself. That’s why the women all like him. Very + safe man. But, he’s a shy bird now.” They dissected his past, guessed at + his present, but could not read his future! + </p> + <p> + And then and there, the man who knew it all, told of the mysterious + governmental quest confided to Major Alan Hawke. “You see, he has a sort + of roving commission in mufti, to counteract the ceaseless undermining of + the Russian agents in Persia, Afghanistan and in the Pamirs. We always + bear the service brand too openly. It gives away our own military agents. + Now, Hawke’s a fellow like Alikhanoff, that smart Russian duffer! He can + do the Persian, Afghan, or Thibetan to perfection! He has been on to + London. Some morning he will clear out. You’ll hear of him next at + Kashgar, or in Bhootan, or perhaps he will work down into China and report + to the Minister there. He is a Secret Intelligence Department of One, + that’s all!” + </p> + <p> + “That’s all very irregular for Her Majesty’s Service,” growled an envious + agnostic. + </p> + <p> + “Bah! Secret Service has no rules, you know,” said the man who knew it + all, thrusting his lips deeply into a brandy pawnee. + </p> + <p> + And so it was noted that Alan Hawke was a devilish pleasant fellow, a + rising man, and one who had certainly dropped into an extremely good + thing. The tide of Fortune was setting directly in favor of the man who, + pacing the floor upstairs, unavailingly tormented himself with the subject + of the missing jewels. + </p> + <p> + “If I could only get a hold on Hugh Johnstone!” mused the adventurer. + “Berthe Louison knows nothing of these old matters. She only seeks to + approach the child. And she will be here to watch me in a day or so. Ram + Lal, the old scoundrel! Does he know? If he did, he would bleed the + would-be Baronet on his own account. But he may not know of the golden + opportunity, and the old wretch always has many irons himself in the fire. + Hugh Fraser was a canny Scot in his youth. Sir Hugh Johnstone is a horse + of another color. If old Johnstone has the jewels, why does he not yield + them up? Perhaps he wants the Baronetcy first, and then his memory may be + strangely refreshed.” + </p> + <p> + As the wanderer strode up and down the room like a restless wolf, he + returned in his memories to the strange intimacy of Hugh Fraser and Ram + Lal. “I have it!” he cried. “I will kill two birds with one stone. My + pretty ‘employer’ shall furnish the golden means to loosen old Ram Lal’s + tongue. This Swiss woman is fond of gewgaws, he tells me. I will let Ram + Lal ‘squeeze’ the Madame’s household accounts to his heart’s content. If + the Swiss woman is susceptible, she can be delicately bribed with jewels + paid for by my haughty employer’s money, and my feeding this ‘bucksheesh’ + out to Ram Lal liberally may bring him to talk of the old days. I must + give Hugh Johnstone the idea that I am inside the official secrets as to + the affair of the Baronetcy. Fear will make him bend, if he is guilty, and + I will alarm Ram Lal at the right time. If they have any old bond of + union, the ex-Commissioner may turn to me for help, and all this will + bring me nearer to the still heart-whole woman who is hidden in that + marble prison. I will make my strongest running on the Swiss woman. Once + the bond of friendly secrecy established between us, she can be fed, bit + by bit, for then she dare not break away.” + </p> + <p> + Ram Lal Singh was the last watcher in Delhi who coveted a glimpse that + night into the dim future. The old schemer sat alone in his favorite den + in rear of the shop. His round, black eyes surveyed complacently his + faithful domestics, sleeping on the floor at the threshold of the doors of + the four rooms opening into the central hall of his shop. A single clap of + his hands, and these faithful retainers were ready to rise, tulwar in + hand, and cut down any intruder. + </p> + <p> + The old jewel merchant’s eye roved over the medley of priceless + bric-a-brac in the main hall. The spoils of temple and olden palace cast + grotesque, soft, dark shadows on the floor, under the glimmer of the + swinging cresset lamp filled with perfumed nut oil. Seated cross-legged, + and nursing the mouth-piece of his narghileh, Ram Lal pondered long over + the sudden appearance of the rehabilitated Major Hawke, and the coming of + the rich Mem-Sahib who was to be a hidden bird in the luxurious nest + already awaiting its inmate. + </p> + <p> + Ram Lal was vaguely uneasy, as he glanced at the pretty pavilion in his + own compound, where languid loveliness awaited his approach. He resigned + himself with a sigh to his lonely schemes. He rose and with his own hand, + poured out a draught of the forbidden strong waters of the Feringhee. + </p> + <p> + Dropping down upon the cushions, he reviewed the whole day’s doings. “It + is not for him, for Hawke Sahib, this bungalow of delight is made ready! + And the old Sahib is to know nothing. Can it be a trap for him? I am to + watch the old man for Hawke Sahib. This woman who comes. They say here he + will go soon away, over the sea to the court of the Kaisar-I-Hind. He is + rich, why does he linger? And perhaps not return. + </p> + <p> + “All these long years of my watch thrown away! For, never a single one of + the sacred jewels has he shown me! They have never seen the light since + the awful day in Humayoon’s Tomb. Has he the jewels? Does he hide them? + Has he buried them? Has he sent them away? If he has them, then he dies + the death of a dog. The jewels of a king to be the spoil of a low + tax-gatherer! The King of Kings. + </p> + <p> + “But why does he not go? I have watched him for years. + </p> + <p> + “There is some reason! Hawke Sahib shall tell me all! He must tell! He + needs my help!” The old man’s slumbers were haunted with the olden + memories of a day of doom, the day when the bodies of the sacred Princes + of Oude lay naked in the glaring sun as they were despoiled after Hodson’s + pistol had done its bloody work. “They may have taken them all from him, + these English are greedy spoilers,” muttered the crafty old man, as his + head fell upon the silken cushions with a curse. He was a rebel still, as + rank as Tantia Topee. + </p> + <p> + In the splendid marble palace of Hugh Johnstone, the startled Justine + Delande was awake long before the dawn, thinking only of the meeting of + the morning, her bosom heaving with its first questionable secret, but + Major Alan Hawke smiled as he leisurely breakfasted later, reading a + telegram just received. “On my way. Will come to private address. Send + servants to Allahabad to join me. Silence and discretion.—Lausanne.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. A DIPLOMATIC TIFFIN. + </h2> + <p> + Major Alan Hawke had designedly breakfasted in the stately seclusion of + his rooms, and as he came gravely sauntering into the Club ordinary, was + at once beset by a friendly chorus, as he carelessly glanced over the + morning letters which attested his progress toward the social zenith. He, + however, gazed impatiently at the club-house door, where a neat pair of + ponies awaited him, with servants deftly purveyed by the subtle Ram Lal. + His two body servants were also afrites of the same sly Aladdin. His + swelling port duly impressed his old friends. + </p> + <p> + The man “who had dropped into a good thing” gently put aside sundry + hospitable proffers, politely laughed away several tempting bargains as to + horses, carriages, furnished bungalows, and offers of racing engagements, + hunting bouts, and “private” dinners. “Waiting orders, d’ye see!” he + gently murmured. “Not worth while to set up anything!” And then, with the + air of a martyr, he disappeared, the ponies springing briskly away, + leaving all baffled conjecture behind. The curious men who were left + discussing a flying rumor that Major Hawke was authorized to raise a + Regiment of Irregular Horse for a special expeditionary secret purpose, + wrangled with those who maintained that a brilliant local civil-service + vacancy would be theatrically filled by the man who now bore a brow of + mystery. The advent of this prosperous Hawke had made the great social + deeps of Delhi to boil like a pot. His mission was one of those things no + fellow could find out. + </p> + <p> + Laughing in his sleeve, the object of all this sudden curiosity made a + number of detours, and adroitly followed a native servant down an obscure + rear street, after dismissing his pony carriage. The equipage was busied + during the earlier hours of the day in leaving the visiting cards of the + returned soldier of fortune in certain quarters well calculated to attract + social notice. + </p> + <p> + Threading the spacious gardens in rear of Ram Lal’s establishment, the + artful Major entered the jewel merchant’s abode without the notice of the + morning gossips of the Chandnee Chouk. “All right, now,” he laughed, as he + bade the sly merchant set a private guard to prevent all intrusion upon + their privacy. “I think that I have thrown these fellows off the track + very neatly!” he laughed. “No one knows of your rear entrances at the + club, I am sure!” It suited the luxurious old jewel merchant to hide the + opulence of his secret life, and to veil the graceful lapses of his + private code from the sober austerities of a dignified Mohammedanism. + </p> + <p> + “Look alive now, Ram Lal!” said Hawke, briskly, as he handed his + confederate the telegram from Berthe Louison. “You see that the lady will + arrive here tomorrow night! Some one must go down to Allahabad for her! + Are you all ready for her coming?” + </p> + <p> + “Perfectly!” smiled Ram Lal. “The Mem-Sahib could give a dinner of twenty + covers in an hour after her arrival! You know that the bungalow was fitted + up for—” he bent his head and whispered to Major Hawke, who laughed + intelligently and viciously. + </p> + <p> + “All right, then! Here is the address in Allahabad, where the lady is to + wait for her conductors. She seems not to wish me to come down. I will be + at the bungalow, then, on your arrival! I will give you a letter for her,” + said Hawke. Ram Lal’s eyes gleamed in anticipation of the fat pickings of + the Mem-Sahib. He pondered a moment over the case. + </p> + <p> + “Then, I will go down myself,” complacently said Ram Lal, with an eye to + future business. “You can tell her to trust to me in all things. She shall + travel like a queen!” + </p> + <p> + “That is better, and so I will telegraph to her, at Allahabad, this + afternoon, that I have sent you to meet her! Have a covered carriage + awaiting her here, and no one must be allowed to follow her to her hidden + nest. It is the making of your fortune with her!” cried Hawke, as he lit a + cheroot. + </p> + <p> + “Trust to me, Sahib!” answered the wily jewel merchant, relapsing into an + expectant silence. He already connected the arrival of the beautiful + foreigner with the destiny of the opulent man whom he had revengefully + watched for twenty years. Hugh Fraser Johnstone had heaped up a fortune, + but it was not yet successfully deported to England. + </p> + <p> + “And the Swiss woman, when may I see her; this morning?” demanded the + adventurer, as he dropped into a cool, Japanese chair. + </p> + <p> + “My man will bring you the news of her coming!” answered the oily old + miscreant. “I told him to watch her, and run on to warn me!” Ram Lal was a + wily old Figaro of much experience. + </p> + <p> + “Good! Then go outside and wait for her,” coolly commanded the young man. + “When she comes, you can come in and warn me, and I will be ready.” Ram + Lal obediently left Hawke without a questioning word, and the busy brain + of the adventurer was soon occupied with weaving the meshes for the bird + nearing the snare. “This woman’s help is absolutely necessary to me now!” + he thought, as he contemplated his own handsome person in a mirror. “If + she can only hold her tongue and keep a secret, she may be the foundation + of my fortunes. I think that I can make it worth her while, but she must + never fall under the influence of this she-devil in petticoats, who comes + to-morrow night! And yet, the Louison knows she is here! A friendship + between them must be prevented!” He closed his eyes dreamily, and studied + the problem of the future attentively, revolving every point of womanly + weakness which he had observed in his past experience. + </p> + <p> + He had finally hit upon the right thing. It came to him just as Ram Lal + entered, with his finger on his lip. “She is in there, waiting for you, + and she came alone!” said the crafty merchant. “I can perhaps frighten her + with the idea that Madame Louison wishes to supplant her as lady bear + leader. The future pickings of this young heiress would be then lost to + her! Yes! A woman’s natural jealousy will do the trick!” so sagely mused + the young man as he walked out into the hall, where Ram Lal’s treasures + were heaped up on every side. There was no one visible in the shop, but + Ram Lal silently pointed with a brown finger, gleaming with whitest gems, + to a closed door. It was the entrance to the room specially devoted to the + superb collection of arms, the regained loot of Delhi, slyly collected in + the days of the mad sacking by the revengeful English soldiery. A bottle + of rum then bought a princely token. + </p> + <p> + It had been with a guilty, beating heart that Justine Delande abandoned + her fair, young charge to the morning ministrations of a bevy of + dark-skinned servants. However, the sturdy Genevese waiting-maid who had + accompanied them to India was at hand, when the spinster incoherently + murmured her all too voluble excuses for an early morning visit to the + European shops on the Chandnee Chouk, and then fled away as if fearful of + her own shadow. She was duly thankful that no one had observed her + entrance to the jewel shop, and the refuge of the room, pointed out by the + amiable Ram Lal, at once reassured her. Justine was accorded a brief + breathing spell by the fates as the Major settled his plans. + </p> + <p> + It did not seem so very hard, this first fall from maidenly grace, when + Major Alan Hawke, entering the little armory chamber, politely led the + startled woman to a seat, with a graceful self-introduction. + </p> + <p> + “I should have recognized you any where, Mademoiselle Justine,” deftly + remarked the Major, “by your resemblance to your most charming sister. You + have, I hope, received some private letters from her, with regard to my + visit?” The Swiss gouverriante faltered forth her affirmative answer, + while secretly approving the enthusiastic judgment of her distant sister + upon this most admirable Crichton of English Majors. “Then,” said Hawke, + alluringly, “we must be very good friends, you and I, for we are alone + together, among strangers, in this far-away land!” Then he calmly dropped + into an easy discourse, in which Geneva and Sister Euphrosyne punctuated + the graceful flow of his friendly chat. There was nothing very sinful in + the debut of this little intrigue. + </p> + <p> + “Let us always speak French!” said Alan Hawke, with a quiet, warning + glance at the closed door. “These same soft-eyed Hindostanees are the very + subtlest serpents of the earth. The only way to do, is never to trust any + of them!” The Major was busied in carefully taking a mental measurement of + Mademoiselle Justine, who, still well on the sunny side of forty, was + really a very comely replica of her severer intellectual sister. Justine + Delande still lingered in that temperate zone of life where a fair + fighting chance of matrimony was still hers. “If a ray of sunshine ever + steals into the flinty bosom of a Swiss woman, there maybe a gleam or two + still left here,” mused the Major, most adroitly avoiding all reference to + Justine’s rosebud charge, and only essaying to place her entirely at her + ease. + </p> + <p> + But, in proportion as he gracefully labored, the frightened governess + began to realize the danger of her situation. + </p> + <p> + “I hope that no one will observe us,” she said, speaking rapidly and under + her breath. “Mr. Johnstone is so eccentric, so haughty, and so very + peculiar!” Her distress was evident, and the gallant Major at once + hastened to allay her fears. + </p> + <p> + “I have already thought of that. My old friend, Ram Lal, has a lovely + garden in rear of his house and there we will be entirely unobserved. For + I have so much that I would say to you.” It was with a sigh of relief that + the frightened woman hastily passed through Ram Lal’s spacious snuggery in + rear of his jewel mart and was soon ensconced in a little pagoda, where + Major Hawke seated himself at her side and skillfully took up his soft + refrains. + </p> + <p> + In half an hour they were thoroughly en bon rapport, for the graceful + Major Hawke adroitly conversed with his laughing eyes frankly beaming upon + the lonely woman. He had drawn a long breath of relief when he ran over + the letter which the delighted Justine frankly submitted to him for his + inspection. The fair Euphrosyne’s secret advices justified his warmest + anticipations. He had conquered her heart. + </p> + <p> + “I will not delay you longer this morning,” he said at last, with an + artful mock confidence. “I am infinitely grateful to you for so kindly + coming to meet me here. And it is only due to you to tell you why I begged + you to come here to-day. The nature of my important official duties is + such that I am not permitted to exhibit my real character to any one here + as yet. I am charged with some very delicate public duties which may force + me to linger here for some time, or perhaps disappear without notice, only + to return in the same mysterious manner. But in me you have a stanch + secret friend always. I have already written to your charming sister, and + I expect to receive from her letters which will be followed by letters to + you from her. And I shall write to-day and tell her of your goodness to + me.” Miss Justine Delande’s eyes were downcast. Her agitated bosom was + throbbing with an unaccustomed fire, and the desire to be safely sheltered + once more in Hugh Johnstone’s marble palace was now strong upon her. + </p> + <p> + Hawke paused, still keeping his pleading eyes fixed upon the + fluttering-hearted woman’s face. “Miss Nadine sees absolutely no one!” + murmured the governess, “and, of course, I never leave her. It is a very + exacting and laborious position, this charge which I now fill, and of + course the life is a very lonely one, though Nadine is an angel!” + enthusiastically cried Miss Justine. + </p> + <p> + “And so,” earnestly said Major Alan Hawke, “I am absolutely prevented from + seeing you, unless you will trust yourself to me, and come here again.” + The frightened woman cast a glance at the unfamiliar loveliness of the + secluded garden, with the hidden kiosques, sacred to Ram Lal’s furtive + amours. + </p> + <p> + “I dare not!” she said, with trembling lips. “I would like to come, but—” + </p> + <p> + “Listen!” said Alan Hawke, softly taking her unresisting hand, “I will + confide in you. I must, even to-day, go to Hugh Johnstone’s house. He has + bidden me to a private interview. And he gives a tiffin in my honor. I + have known him in past years. He does not as yet know of my official + position. My duties are secret. My very honor forbids me to divulge it. I + dare not openly acknowledge an acquaintance with you, with your sister. It + rests with you that we meet again, for my sake, for your own sake, for + your sister’s sake. I cannot lose you for a mere quibble.” + </p> + <p> + There was a genuine alarm in Justine Delande’s voice as she started up, + crying out, “You come to us to-day?” + </p> + <p> + “Precisely!” gravely said Major Hawke, as he tried a long shot. “Both + Captain Anstruther and myself have the gravest secret duties in connection + with Hugh Johnstone’s future. He soon may be Sir Hugh, you know. And I + dare not divulge to him my own delicate functions in this matter. Now you + understand me at last,” said Hawke, warmly pressing Justine Delande’s + hand. “I feel that I must not lose you, because I have my duty to perform, + and I trust my honor to you. All will be well if you will only favor me + with your womanly kindness, and trust to me as frankly as I to you. We + must meet to-day at Hugh Johnstone’s as absolute strangers. We must also + remain strangers to all appearances for a time,” he said at last. The + Swiss spinster gazed up at him piteously. + </p> + <p> + “May I not even tell Nadine?” she faltered. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” carelessly said Alan Hawke, “she is a mere child; I shall probably + never see her. It is you alone that I would trust. Will you not come here + again? I dare not, for your own sake, detain you longer now.” The timid + woman glanced hurriedly at her watch. + </p> + <p> + “I have been here already too long, and I must go! And there is so much I + would say to you!” She was almost handsome in her blushing confusion. + </p> + <p> + “Then you will come again, here? Ram Lal is my old factotum!” the young + Major pleaded. + </p> + <p> + “I will come!” the half-subjugated woman whispered under her breath. “But + when?” Her eyes were meekly downcast and her faltering voice trembled. + </p> + <p> + “The day after to-morrow, at the same time,” said Alan Hawke, his heart + leaping up in a secret victory, “but no living soul must ever know of it. + I will be here in the pagoda, waiting for you. Ram Lal will wait for you + himself and admit you. Do you promise?” he said, with a glance which set + her pallid cheeks aflame. + </p> + <p> + “I promise! I promise! Let me go, now!” gasped the excited woman. With + stately courtesy, the Major then led her back into the jewel merchant’s + luxurious lounging-room. + </p> + <p> + “Wait here for a single moment!” he whispered as he quickly poured out a + glass of cordial. And, then, returning in a few moments, he clasped upon + the woman’s wrist a bracelet of old Indian gold, whose flexible links + glittered with the fire of a row of old Indian mine stones. Justine + Delande sat mute, as if dreaming. + </p> + <p> + “Our little secret is now all our own!” he pleasantly murmured. “Remember! + Should we meet at the marble house, you do not know me! Can you trust + yourself? You must—for my sake! This will help you to remember our + first meeting.” + </p> + <p> + “You may depend upon me, whenever you may wish to call upon me,” she + whispered. “I will come!” and then she fled away, with soft, gliding + steps, to regain the safety of her own room before the trying hour of + tiffin. + </p> + <p> + Major Alan Hawke closed the door, and laughed softly as he threw himself + into a chair. “They are all the same!” he mused. “Not a bad morning’s + work! For she will never tell our little secret! And she will surely come + again! She may be my salvation here! Madame Louison, I now debit you just + thirty pounds!” laughed Major Alan Hawke, as he deftly blew a kiss in the + direction of Allahabad. “You shall pay for this bracelet, and much more! + You shall pay for all! And I’ll set this soft-hearted Swiss woman on to + watch you, and you shall pay her well, too! Now, for my old friend, Hugh + Johnstone!” He waited in a most happy frame of mind till his carriage bore + him to the club for an elaborate Anglo-Indian toilet. + </p> + <p> + There was a crowd of eager gossips secretly tracking him who watched him + roll away in state to the marble house. + </p> + <p> + “By Jove! I believe that he is the coming man!” said old Captain Verner. + “I wonder if this handsome young beggar is really going in for the Veiled + Rose of Delhi. Just his damned luck!” And then the loungers left the club + window and drank deeply confusion to the would-be wooer’s stratagems. + </p> + <p> + All unconscious of their busy curiosity, the gallant Major Alan Hawke + calmly descended at the marble house, with a secret oath now registered to + ignore the very existence of Nadine Johnstone, “The old man is always + harping on his daughter,” he mused. “I must throw this old beggar off his + guard thoroughly to-day, once and for all. He must never think that I, + too, am ‘harping on his daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + “But only let me get to the core of this old secret of the jewels, and I + will find a way to frighten the baronet-to-be until he opens his miserly + old heart.” And so the wary guest sought his old friend’s presence. When + Major Alan Hawke’s neat trap drew up before the marble house there was an + officious crowd of Hindu underlings in waiting to welcome the expected + guest. + </p> + <p> + Casting his eyes around the wide hall gleaming with its superb trophies of + priceless arms, with a quick glance at the crowd of sable retainers, Major + Hawke realized in all the barren splendors of the first story the absence + of any womanly hand. As he followed the obsequious house butler into a + vast reception room, he murmured: + </p> + <p> + “A diplomatic tiffin, I will warrant! The old fox is sly.” He wandered + idly about the Commissioner’s sanctum, admiring the precious loot of + years, displayed with an artfully artless confusion. On the walls, a + series of beautiful Highland scenes recalled the Land o’ Lakes. Pausing + before a sketch of a stern old Scottish keep of the moyen age, Major Alan + Hawke softly sneered: “Oatmeal Castle! The family stronghold of the old + line of the Sandy Johnstone’s, nee Fraser.” And, picking up the last + number of the Anglo-Indian Times, he then affected a composure which he + was far from feeling. + </p> + <p> + “Damn this sly Scotsman! Why does he not show up?” was the chafing + soliloquy of the Major, now anxious to seal his re-entree into Delhi + society with the open friendship of the most powerful European civilian + within the battered walls of the wicked city. He needed all his nerve now, + for Hugh Fraser Johnstone was a past master of the arts of dissimulation. + </p> + <p> + In fact, the mauvais quart d’heure was really due to the innate womanly + weakness of Mademoiselle Justine Delande. This guileless Swiss maiden had + been carried off her feet by the romantic episode of the morning. Her cool + palm still tingled with the meaning pressure of the handsome Major’s hand! + She had hastened away to her own apartment, as a wounded tigress seeks its + cave for a last stand! The concealment of the diamond bracelet was a + matter of necessity, and, with a beating heart, she buried it deep under + the poor harvest of paltry Delhi trinkets which she had already gathered, + with a mere magpie acquisitiveness. + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke had builded better than he knew, when he selected this same + bauble. He had been guided by a chance remark of Ram Lal’s. “Give her + that,” said the crafty old jeweler. “She has priced it a dozen times since + her first coming here.” It was the Ultima Thule of personal decoration to + her. The Swiss governess reserved the secret delight of donning the + glittering ornament until she was positive that no tell-tale spy had + observed her innocent assignation with her sister’s chivalric friend. “He + must be rich and powerful,” she murmured as she fled from her room to play + the safety game of being found with the heiress when her Prince Charming + should arrive. Miss Nadine Johnstone failed not to observe the unusual + color mantling her sedate friend’s cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “You look as if you had received some good news. Is the mail in?” queried + Miss Johnstone. + </p> + <p> + “Not yet. I hastened back, for I forgot to take my watch and was belated. + I fear I am late, even now, for tiffin,” demurely replied the Swiss + maiden, dropping for the first time in her life into the baleful arts of + the other daughters of Eve. She had broken the ice of propriety in which + her past life had been congealed and an insidious pleasure now thrilled + her quickened veins, as she felt herself possessed of a secret, one + linking her to an attractive member of the dangerous sex, and a hero of + romance, a very Don Juan in seductive softness. Her knees trembled at a + sudden summons to report to the Master of the marble house, forthwith. + </p> + <p> + Her bosom heaved with a vague alarm as she timidly descended the grand + stair, and was conducted to the private snuggery of the Commissioner + adjoining his own apartments. “Does he know aught of the meeting?” she + questioned herself, in the throes of a sudden fright. She was somewhat + reassured as she observed the carriage drawn up in the compound and, by + hazard, caught a glance of Alan Hawke’s graceful martial figure, as he + stood regarding her intently from the safe shelter of the darkened + reception-room. Her heart bounded with delight as her Prince Charming + smilingly placed his finger on his lip. + </p> + <p> + A sense of manly protection, never felt before, gave her the strength of + ten as she then glided along boldly to face her gray-headed master. For + now she knew that she had a champion at her side, a man professionally + brave, both resolute and charming. Her promise to meet Alan Hawke again at + the jeweler’s now took on a roseate hue. + </p> + <p> + “I must surely keep my plighted word at all risks,” she murmured to + herself. For the sage reflection that she owed a sacred duty to her + sister’s friend, now came to comfort her, in her heart of hearts. It was + almost a pious duty which lay before her now. And so she became brave in + the knowledge of the innocent secret shared between herself and the + handsome official visitor. + </p> + <p> + To her delight and relief she found it an easy task to face Hugh + Johnstone, after that one reassuring glance. Her stern employer failed to + pierce the muslin fortifications of her guilty bosom and discern the moral + turpitude lurking there. She stole a last anxious glance at her still + plump wrist where the diamond bracelet had softly clasped her flesh, and + then softly sighed in relief as the master calmly said: + </p> + <p> + “Miss Justine, I have a gentleman of some distinction to entertain to-day + at tiffin. An official visitor. I would be thankful if you would do the + honors. Will you kindly join us in the reception room in half an hour, and + I will present Major Hawke, my old friend. He has just returned from + England.” + </p> + <p> + “And Miss Nadine?” meekly demanded the happy woman. The old Commissioner’s + brow darkened, as he shortly said: “My daughter will be served in her + rooms, as usual on such formal occasions. These interlopers are no part of + her life. We may soon leave for Europe, and she is therefore better off to + remain a stranger to these merely local acquaintances. It is very unlikely + that we shall ever re-visit India! Will you see her and say that I purpose + driving out with her later?” + </p> + <p> + No woman in India was as happy, at that particular moment, as the + Genevese, who merely bowed in silence, and glided softly away, having + escaped the levin-bolt of Hugh Johnstone’s wrath, ever ready, lurking + under his bushy, white eyebrows. It was the work of a moment for her to + fulfill her simple task as messenger, and this done, she burned to hide + herself in her own coign of vantage, for certain new-born ideas of + personal decoration were crystallizing in her excited brain. For the first + time in her life, she would be fair to man’s views; so as to justify the + partner of her momentous secret in the complimentary remarks which, even + now, made her ears tingle in delight. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know aught of this Major Hawke who comes to-day?” wearily, said + the listless girl. “Some one of these red-faced old relics of my father’s + early life, I suppose!” The Rose of Delhi was gazing wistfully out upon + the wilderness of beauty in the tangled gardens, sweeping far out to where + the high stone wall shut off the glare and flying dust of the Chandnee + Chouk. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly not, Nadine!” softly said the governess. “This is only a + peopled wilderness to me!” Her heart smote her as the girl, with a sudden + lonely sinking of the heart, threw her arms around the neck of her + startled companion. + </p> + <p> + “I am so unhappy here—so wretched, this is but a gleaning white + stone prison, Justine! I stifle in this wretched land! Why did my father + bring me here to die by inches?” There was no pretense in her stormy sobs. + </p> + <p> + “We are soon going home, Darling!” cried the affrighted Swiss. “Just now + your father told me that we were all to leave India forever, and at once.” + And so, gently soothing the unhappy girl, orphaned in her heart, Justine + Delande escaped to the first essay of her life in high decorative art. + “There is some strange mystery of the past in all this! He has a heart of + flint, this old tyrant!” murmured Justine, as with fingers trembling in + haste she completed a toilet, which later caused even old Hugh Johnstone + to growl “By Gad! This Swiss woman’s not half bad looking!” A last pang, + caused by the keen secret sorrow of not daring to wear her diamond + bracelet, was effaced by the rising tide of indignation in Justine + Delande’s awakened heart. There were strange emotional currents fitfully + thrilling through her usually placid veins as she stole a last glance at + herself in the mirror. “A tyrant to the daughter. I warrant that in the + old days he broke the mother’s heart! He never mentions her! Not a picture + is here—nothing—not even a memento, not a reference to the + woman who gave him this lovely child! Her life, her death, even her + resting place, are all wrapped in the selfish and brutal silence of a + selfish tyrant! He should have been only a drill sergeant to knock about + the half-crazed brutes who stagger under a soldier’s pack over these + burning plains!” It suddenly occurred to her that in some mysterious way + Major Alan Hawke’s coming would contribute to the rescue of the captive + Princess. + </p> + <p> + Justine Delande really loved her beautiful charge with all the fond + attachment of a mature woman for the one rose blossoming in her lonely + heart. Their gray passionless lives had run on together since Nadine’s + childhood, as brooks quietly mingle, seeking the unknown sea! She now felt + the wine of life stirring within her, and, seizing upon another + justification for her dangerous secret association with Alan Hawke, she + murmured: “I will tell him of all this. He has high influence with the + Home Government. This Captain Anstruther on the Viceroy’s staff is + certainly his firm friend. We must leave here and return to dear old + Switzerland. Perhaps the Major himself knows the secret of the family + history!” + </p> + <p> + And there was a meaning light in her eyes as she stole back to Nadine’s + room when the silver gong sounded, and throwing her arms around the girl, + whispered: “We are going home soon, darling! Be brave and trust to me! I + will find out the story of the past and tell you all, my darling!” Justine + Delande unwound the girl’s arms from round her neck, while honest tears + trembled in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + The low cry: “My mother! My darling mother! He never even breathes the + name!” had loosened all the tide of repressed feeling long pent up in + Justine Delande’s heart. + </p> + <p> + “Trust to me! You shall know all, dearest! I am sure that Euphrosyne + knows, and we shall see her soon!” So with an added reason for their + second meeting, Miss Justine descended the grand marble stair, murmuring: + “He shall tell me all he knows; he can search the past here! He can help + me, and he must—for Nadine’s sake!” + </p> + <p> + And as he bowed low before her in courteous acknowledgment of the master’s + presentation, Alan Hawke caught the lambent gleam of the newly awakened + fires in Justine Delande’s eyes. “She is another woman,” he mused. With + one silent glance of veiled recognition, Alan Hawke returned to his + diplomatic fence with the wary old nabob who sat at the head of the + glittering table. He was in no doubt now as to the second meeting at Ram + Lal Singh’s shop, for Justine Delande’s eyes promised him more than even + his habitual hardihood would have dared to ask. “What the devil’s up now?” + he mused, “Something about the girl, I warrant. I suppose that the old + brute has exiled her here for safety.” And then and there, Alan Hawke + swore to reach the side of the Veiled Rose of Delhi, though the cold gray + eyes of the host never caught him off his guard a moment in the two hours + of the pompously drawn-out feast. Both the men were keenly watching each + other now. + </p> + <p> + It had been no mere accidental slip of the tongue which guided Alan Hawke + in his greeting of the old ex-Commissioner when Hugh Johnstone entered the + reception-room, a study in gray and white, with only the three priceless + pigeon-blood rubies lending a color to his snowy linen. “Upon my word, Sir + Hugh, you are looking younger than I ever saw you,” said the visitor + gracefully advancing. + </p> + <p> + “You’re a bit premature, are you not, Hawke?” dryly said the civilian, + opening a silver cheroot box, once the property of a Royal Prince of Oude. + Hugh Johnstone motioned his visitor to be seated, and keenly watched the + younger man. + </p> + <p> + “I am on the inside of the matter,” soberly said Alan Hawke. “It was an + open secret when I left London, and I’ve heard more since. A brief delay + only,—a matter of a few months—no more.” + </p> + <p> + “Take a weed! They serve in half an hour!” abruptly said Hugh Johnstone, + as if anxious to change the subject. The old man then strode forward and + closed the door. Then, turning sharply upon his visitor, frankly demanded, + “Now, tell me why you are here?” + </p> + <p> + “That depends partly upon your affairs,” said Hawke, meeting his + questioner’s gaze unflinchingly. “I may have something to say to you about + the Baronetcy, by and bye.” He paused to notice the keen old Scotchman + wince under the thrust, “but, in the mean time, I am merely waiting orders + here, and I want you to post me about the condition of affairs up there.” + He vaguely indicated with his thumb the far-distant battlement of the Roof + of the World. Hugh Johnstone rang a silver bell, and muttered a few words + in Hindostanee to an attendant. “I must know more from Calcutta before I + can explain just where I stand,” said the renegade soldier, with caution. + </p> + <p> + Before the silver tray loaded with ante-prandial beverages was produced, + Hugh Johnstone quietly turned to his guest. “Did you see Anstruther in + London?” he demanded, with a scarcely veiled eagerness. + </p> + <p> + “We were together some days,” very neatly rejoined the now confident + Major. “In fact, I’m to operate partly under his personal directions. We + are old friends.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder when he will return?” dreamily said Johnstone, as if the subject + was growing annoying in its bold directness. + </p> + <p> + “I believe that he has a long leave—a furlough of a year,” lightly + answered the Major. “In fact, I am to carry on some official matters for + him in his absence, but he is wary and non-committal.” + </p> + <p> + “What is his English address?” abruptly said Johnstone, as they bowed + formally over their glasses. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know,” frankly returned Hawke. “I am to send all reports to + headquarters in Calcutta.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you going down there soon?” asked the old nabob, with a growing + uneasiness. + </p> + <p> + “Not unless I am sent for by the Viceroy,” quietly said the Major, with a + listless air, gazing around admiringly on the magnificence of the + apartment. + </p> + <p> + “I will give you a letter to my nephew, Douglas Fraser, when you do go,” + said Johnstone. “He is a fine youngster, and he will have charge of all my + Indian affairs, if I go home. He is in the P. and O. office. I would like + you to know him.” + </p> + <p> + “I did not know that you had any family connection here,” replied the + Major with a start of innocent surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Only this boy,” hastily replied the incipient baronet, “and my daughter. + She is, however, a mere child—a mere child. I have seen the leaves + of the family tree wither and drop off one by one.” The host then stiffly + rose, and formally said, “Let us go in!” + </p> + <p> + “You are good for a score of years yet,” jovially remarked Major Hawke, as + he gazed at the well-preserved outer man of his uneasy entertainer. “The + harpoon is deeply fixed in the old whale,” mused Hawke, as he followed + Hugh Johnstone. “He begins to flounder now.” + </p> + <p> + Conscious of the mental alarm which Hugh Johnstone could not altogether + conceal, Major Hawke had simply bowed, in his grand manner, when the host + presented his guest to Mademoiselle Delande. “I will let the old beggar + lead out,” mused Hawke. “This royal spread is an excuse for any amount of + silence.” And the Anglo-Indian renegade gazed admiringly at the thousand + and one adjuncts of a blended English comfort and Indian luxury. + </p> + <p> + “Ever been in Geneva?” suddenly demanded Hugh Johnstone, with a glance at + his two companions. + </p> + <p> + “He’s an uneasy old devil. He is trying to trap me now,” thought Hawke, + who innocently replied: “Long years ago, when I was a mere lad. I’m told + the town has been vastly improved by the Duke of Brunswick’s legacy. I’ve + not seen it in later years.” + </p> + <p> + “Miss Delande is a Genevese,” remarked the host. + </p> + <p> + “I congratulate you, Mademoiselle,” politely said the Major. “It is a + famous city to date from.” + </p> + <p> + It was evident that the spinster was held in reverent awe of her employer, + for she guarded a judicious silence, as with a formal bow she at last left + the table at the graciously permitting nod of Hugh Johnstone. There was a + cold and brooding restraint, which had seemed to cast a chill even over + the sultry Indian midday, but Justine’s smile was bright and winning as + she faintly acknowledged with a blushing cheek Major Hawke’s gallantry as + he sprang up and opened the door for the retiring lady. “She will come, + she will come,” gayly throbbed the Major’s happy heart. + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke was now thoroughly on his guard. He had never lifted an eyebrow + at the mention of Miss Johnstone. He had dropped Justine Delande like a + plummet into the lake of forgetfulness, and watched Hugh Johnstone’s + listless trifling with the dainties of the superb collation. The raw-boned + old Scotsman leaned heavily back in his chair. + </p> + <p> + His bony hands were thin and claw-like, his bushy white beard and eyebrows + gave him a “service” aspect, while his cold blue eye gleamed out pale and + menacing as the Pole star on wintry arctic seas. His broad chest was + sunken, his tall form was bent, and a visible air of dejection and unrest + had replaced the sturdy vigor of his early manhood. He was sipping a glass + of pale ale in silence when Hawke neatly applied the lance once more. “It + must be a great change for you to leave India, Johnstone, but you need + rest, and a general shaking up. You have a good deal to leave here. I + suppose your nephew—” + </p> + <p> + “He’s a good lad, but a stranger to me, Hawke,” broke in the host. “The + fact is, I am as yet undecided. I go home for my daughter’s sake; it’s no + place for her out here,” he sternly said. “You know what Indian life is?” + </p> + <p> + Hawke bowed, and mutely cried, “Peccavi.” He had been a part of it. “I’m + waiting for the action of the Government. This Baronetcy. I must talk with + you about it. I might have had the Star of India. You see, it’s an empty + honor. And I hate to break away for good, after all. Do you know anything + from Anstruther? He was up here, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “I have him now!” secretly exulted Hawke, as he said gravely, “You know + what duty is, I cannot speak as yet, but you can depend on me as soon as + my honor will permit—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, I know,” said Hugh Johnstone, with a sigh, rising from the + table. “You must make yourself at home here. In fact, I am thinking of + sending my daughter back to Europe. Douglas Fraser can have them well + bestowed; that is, if I have to remain and fight out this Baronetcy + affair, then I could put you up here.” Alan Hawke bowed his thanks. + </p> + <p> + They had wandered back to the reception-room. With an affected surprise + the Major consulted his watch. “By Jove! I’ve got a heavy official mail to + prepare, and I’m to dine to-day with Harry Hardwicke, of the Engineers. + General Willoughby wants a private conference with me, and Hardwicke is + the only confidential man he has. He gets his Majority soon, and + Willoughby will lose him on promotion. A fine fellow and a rising man.” + </p> + <p> + “See here, Hawke! Come in to-morrow and dine with me at seven. I want to + have a long talk with you,” said the uneasy host. + </p> + <p> + “You may absolutely depend on me, Sir Hugh,” heartily answered the + visitor, with a fine forgetfulness as to the title. When he rode away, + Major Hawke caught sight of a womanly figure at a window above him, + watching his retreat in due state, and there was the flutter of a + handkerchief as his carriage drove around the oval. “I wonder if Ram Lal + knows about the jewels. I must buy him out and out, or make Berthe Louison + do it unconsciously for me,” so mused the victorious renegade. “He is + afraid of me! Now to dispatch Ram Lal to Allahabad. I must only see Berthe + Louison, at night, in her own bungalow, for my shy old bird would take the + alarm were we seen together. What the devil is her game? I know mine, and + I swear that I will soon know hers. I have him guessing now. I must hunt + up Hardwicke and call on old Willoughby to keep up the dumb show. + Johnstone may watch me—very likely he will. He is afraid of some + coup de theatre.” He drove in a leisurely way back to the Club and sported + the oak after giving Ram Lal his last orders. + </p> + <p> + “I think I hear the jingle of gold ‘in the near future,’ as the Yankees + say; and, Miss Justine, you shall open the way to the veiled Rose of Delhi + for me, while Berthe Louison tortures this old vetch. Place aux dames! + Place aux dames!” he laughed. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK II. “A DEVIL FOR LUCK.” + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. THE MYSTERIOUS BUNGALOW. + </h2> + <p> + If the fates favored Major Alan Hawke upon this eventful day, for as he + was contentedly awaiting the news of Ram Lal’s departure for Allahabad, + the card of Captain Harry Hardwicke, A. D. C., and of the Engineers, was + sent up to him. With a neat bit of Indian art, old Ram Lal had sent the + carriage around to report, as a mute signal of his own departure. It was a + flood tide of good fortune! + </p> + <p> + In ten minutes, the Major and his welcome guest were spinning along in the + cool of the evening, toward the deserted ruins of the old city of Delhi! + As they passed through the Lahore gate, Hardwicke’s pith helmet was doffed + with a jerk, as a superb carriage passed them, proceeding in a stately + swing. Major Alan Hawke bowed low as he caught the cold eye of the + would-be Sir Hugh Johnstone. + </p> + <p> + “Who are the ladies, Hardwicke?” laughed the Major, as he saw the young + officer’s face suddenly crimson. “For a man who won the V. C. in your + dashing style, you seem to be a bit beauty-shy!” They were hardly settled + yet for their cozy chat. Hardwicke lit a cheroot to cover his evident + confusion. + </p> + <p> + “I know” he slowly answered, “that one of them is Miss or Madame Delande, + old Fraser’s house duenna—I will still call him Fraser, you see—the + other is the mystery of Delhi. Popularly supposed to be the old boy’s + daughter, and his sole heiress, Miss Nadine,” concluded the young + aid-de-camp. “The old curmudgeon keeps her judiciously veiled from mortal + ken. No man but General Willoughby has ever exchanged a word with her. The + dear old boy—his memory does not go back beyond his last B. and S.—he + can’t even sketch her beauty in words. And she is as hazy, even to the + Madam-General—our secret commanding officer. There is a continuous + affront to society in this old monomaniac’s treatment of that girl.” + </p> + <p> + “You would like to storm the Castle Perilous, and awaken the Sleeping + Beauty?” archly said Hawke, as they rolled along under a huge alley of + banyan trees. + </p> + <p> + “Not at all,” gravely said Hardwicke. “She is only a girl, like other + girls, I presume; but, this old fool is only fit for the old days, when + the kings of Oude flew kites and hunted with the cheetah; or, half + drunken, dozed, lolling away their lives in these marble-screened zenanas, + with the automatic beauties of the seraglio. Our English cannon have + knocked all that nonsense silly. Here is a high-spirited, Christian + English girl, shut up like a slave. It’s only the unfairness of the thing + that strikes me.” Hawke eyed the blue-eyed, rosy young fellow of + twenty-six with an evident interest. Stalwart and symmetrical in figure, + Hardwicke’s frank, manly face glowed in indignation. + </p> + <p> + “You’ve won your spurs quickly out here,” said Hawke. “You have not been + long enough in India to case-harden into the cursed egotism of this + hard-hearted land, and remember, age, crawling on, has indurated old + ‘Fraser-Johnstone.’ He was never an amiable character. What do the ladies + of the city say of this strange social situation? I never knew that the + old beast had a daughter till to-day.” + </p> + <p> + Captain Hardwicke wearily replied: “They all hold aloof, of course, after + some very rough rebuffs, as I believe the old boy will clear out for good + when he gets his baronetcy. It’s possible that the girl is half a + foreigner after all,” mused Hardwicke. “The duenna is surely a + continental.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; but she seems to be a very nice person. I was there to-day at + tiffin,” finally said Major Hawke, + </p> + <p> + “She had very little to say, and cleared out at once. I did not see Miss + Johnstone.” They fell into an easy, rattling chronicle of things past and + present, and before the two hours’ ride was over, the astute Major felt + that he had divined General Willoughby’s object in sending his pet + aid-de-camp to reconnoitre Hawke’s lines and pierce the mystery of his + rumored employment. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose that you will come up and duly report to the Chief,” rather + uneasily said Captain Hardwicke, as they neared the Club on their return. + Hawke cast a glance at the superb domes of the Jumma Musjid towering in + the thin air above them, as he slowly answered: + </p> + <p> + “I am only here on a roving secret commission. I shall call, of course, + and pay my personal respects to His Excellency, the General Commanding. I + am an official will-o’-the-wisp, just now, but my blushing honors are + strictly civil, and, by the way, in expectancy. Where does your promotion + carry you?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, anywhere—everywhere,” laughed Hardwicke. “I may be sent home. + I’m entitled to a long leave—there’s my wound, you know. I’ve only + stayed on here to oblige Willoughby.” It was easy to see that the frank, + splendid young fellow was but awkwardly filling his role of polite + inquisitor, for they talked shop a couple of hours over a bottle at the + Club, and Hardwicke at last took his leave, no whit the wiser. + </p> + <p> + “If he did not post me as to the heiress, at least, old Willoughby gets no + valuable information,” laughed the Major, that night. “The boy seems to be + ambitious and heart-whole. Old Johnstone will soon clear out to the + Highlands, I suppose, with this hidden pearl.” But Major Hawke laughed + softly when the morning brought to him a personal invitation to dine + “informally” with General Willoughby. “Wants to know, you know,” laughed + the Major. “All I have to do is to keep cool and let him drink himself + jolly, and so, answer his own questions.” + </p> + <p> + “That Hardwicke is an uncommonly fine young fellow.” So decided the Major + as he splashed into his morning tub. There was one man, however, in Delhi + who now viewed Hawke’s presence with a secret alarm, amounting to dismay. + It was the stern old miserly Scotsman who had paced his floor half the + night in a vain effort to reassure himself. “What does he know? I must + have old Ram Lal watch him,” mused Hugh Johnstone. “I was a fool not to + have cleared out from here months ago, before these spies were set upon + me. First, Anstruther; now this fellow, Hawke, and, perhaps, even + Hardwicke. If it were not for the old matter I would go to-morrow, and let + the Baronetcy go hang—or find me in the Highlands. But, I must make + one last attempt to get them out. I must—” and the old man slept the + weary sleep of utter exhaustion. + </p> + <p> + Before the nabob awoke, Captain Henry Hardwicke, swinging away on his + morning gallop, had reviewed the strange attitude of Major Hawke. “He is + very intimate with Hugh Johnstone, and he is a man of the world, too. I + will yet see this charming child, when the ban of her prison seclusion is + lifted.” He vaguely remembered the one timid and girlish glance of the + beautiful dark eyes, when he had been presented, pro-forma, to the Veiled + Rose upon that one memorable state visit. He then rode out of his way to + gaze at the exterior of the great marble house, and was rewarded by the + sight of a graceful woman walking there under her governess’s escort in + the dewy freshness of the early morn. + </p> + <p> + He doffed his helmet as Miss Justine paused among the flowers, and then + Miss Nadine Johnstone looked up to see the graceful rider disappear behind + the fringing trees. + </p> + <p> + “That was Captain Hardwicke, was it not?” asked the lonely girl. Miss + Justine was busied in dreaming of her meeting of the morrow. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it was,” she absently replied. + </p> + <p> + “They tell me that he nobly risked his life to save his wounded friend,” + dreamily continued Nadine. “He gave back to a father the life of an only + son at the risk of his own. How brave—how noble.” And Justine gazed + at her charge in surprise, as the beautiful Nadine bent her head to greet + her sister flowers. + </p> + <p> + The resolute Major Hawke, at his cheerful breakfast, was busied with + thoughts of the coming arrival of Hugh Johnstone’s secret foe. “I must + have money from her at once to swing Ram Lal’s Private Inquiry Bureau and + to mystify these quid nuncs here. For I must entertain the clubmen a bit. + It’s as well to begin, also, to pot down a bit of her money for the + future. She shall pay her way, as she goes.” And, with a view to the + further cementing of his rising social pyramid, he planned a very neat + little dinner of half a dozen of the most available men whom he had + selected as being “in the swim.” “The next thing is to discover what the + devil she really wants of old Johnstone! She must show her hand now, and + then soon call on me for help.” + </p> + <p> + He gazed at his little memorandum of “pressing engagements.” “A pretty + fair book of events. First, old Johnstone’s dinner—more of the + boring process—then to welcome my strange employer, and, after that, + Mademoiselle Justine! Later, I’ll have my own little innings with General + Willoughby, and, finally play the gracious host while Ram Lal watches + Madame Louison’s cat-like play upon her victim. Money I must have, her + money first, to pay the piper,” he laughed, which proposed liberality was + destined to doubly bribe the wily old jewel merchant. At that very moment + Ram Lal, securely hidden away in the native compartment of the train, + rushing on from Allahabad toward Delhi, was dreaming of the long-deferred + triumph of a life! + </p> + <p> + “If he has them—if they can be traced—they shall be mine if + every diamond gleams red with his heart’s blood! Perhaps these two strange + people have brought them. Who knows? They are rich; it may be the jewels!” + And Ram Lal dreamed of a tripartite watch upon the three principal figures + of the opening drama. “The jewels were a king’s ransom. But I shall know + all,” he softly smiled, for every attendant of the beautiful recluse now + burning to meet her advance spy was a sworn confederate of Ram Lal in a + dark brotherhood whose very name no man even dared to lisp! And so the + long, blazing day wore away, bringing the hunter and the hunted nearer + together. The mysterious bungalow was now alive with the slaves of luxury, + while Alan Hawke secretly inspected the last finishing touches, for he, + alone, was master of the private entrance once used by a man whose + glittering rank had lifted him presumably above all human weaknesses! + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke departed for the Club in a very good humor, after his hour of + inspection of the jewel box bungalow now ready for his fair employer. It + was a perfect cachette d’ amour, and its superb gardens, so long deserted, + were now only a tangled jungle of luxuriant loveliness! The light foot of + the beauty for whom this Rosamond’s Bower had been prepared had wandered + far away, for a substantial block of marble now held down the great man, + who had in the old days found the welcome of his hidden Egeria so + delicious in this long-deserted bungalow. For the dead Numa Pompilius + slept now with his fathers, in far away Merrie England, and—as is + the wont—the mortuary inscriptions on his tomb recorded only his + virtues. But both his virtues and failings were of no greater weight now + to a forgetful generation, which knew not the departed Joseph, than the + drifted leaves in the garden alleys where the romance of the old still + lingered in ghostly guise! “There were no birds in last year’s nest,” but + the mysterious bungalow had been hastily arranged for the lovely successor + to the vanished queen of a cobweb Paradise. The bungalow, itself, was + adroitly constructed with a special reference to seclusion as well as + comfort. An Indian Love’s Labyrinth. + </p> + <p> + “Just the very place!” murmured Alan Hawke, as he hastened away to dress + for the diner de famille, with his timorous secret foe, Hugh Johnstone. “I + wonder if my canny friend, in his humble days as Hugh Fraser, ever + assisted at les petits diners de Trianon here? + </p> + <p> + “Probably not, for friend Hugh was ever apter in squeezing the nimble + rupee than in chanting sonnets to his mistress’s eyebrow. How the devil + did he ever catch a wife, such as Valerie Delavigne must have been? Either + a case of purchase or starvation, I’ll warrant!” + </p> + <p> + Ram Lal Singh was growing dubious as to the perfect sweep of his hungry + talons over Madame Louison’s future expenditures. He had noted, with some + secret alarm, a grave-faced, sturdy Frenchman, still in the forties, who + was cast in the role of either courier or butler for the beautiful + Mem-Sahib, whose loveliness in extenso he so far only divined by + guess-work. + </p> + <p> + In the stranger lady’s special car there was also, at her side, a + truculent Parisienne-looking woman of thirty, whose bustling air, + hawk-like visage, and perfect aplomb bespoke the confidential French maid. + “I must tell Hawke Sahib of this at once,” mused Ram Lal. “We must, in + some way, get rid of these foreign servants.” The man had a semi-military + air, heightened by the sweeping scar—a slash from a neatly swung + saber. This purple facial adornment was Jules Victor’s especial pride. In + these days of “ninety” he often recurred to the stroke which had made his + fortune in the dark reign of the Commune. + </p> + <p> + As a wild Communard soldier he had risked his life vainly to save the aged + Colonel Delavigne from a furious mob, for the red rosette in the old + officer’s buttonhole had cost him his life in an awkward promenade, and + this sent the orphans, Valerie and Alixe Delavigne, adrift upon the mad + maelstrom of Paris incendie. While Ram Lal glowered in his + dissatisfaction, Madame Berthe Louison complacently regarded her two + secret protectors on guard in the special car. For the strange turn of + Fortune’s wheel, which had left Alixe Delavigne alone in the world, and + rich enough to effect her special vengeance upon her one enemy, had given + to Jules Victor and his wife Marie a sinecure for life as the personal + attendants of the soi-disant Madame Berthe Louison. + </p> + <p> + Marie was but a wild-eyed child of ten when Jules had picked her up in the + flaming streets of Paris, and they had graduated together from the gutters + of Montmartre into the later control of Madame Louison’s pretty little + pied a terre in Paris, hard by Auteuil, in that dreamy little impasse, the + Rue de Berlioz. Neither of these attendants were faint-hearted, for their + young hearts had been attuned early to the wolfish precocity of the + Parisian waif. And they had followed their resolute mistress in her weary + quest of the past years. + </p> + <p> + Berthe Louison smiled in a comforting sense of security, as she gazed + listlessly out upon the landscape flying by. + </p> + <p> + The two servants, modestly voyaging out to Calcutta, on a telegraphic + summons, to embark at Marseilles, had preceded the Empress of India by ten + days. So, neither friendless, nor without untiring devotion, was the wary + woman who had thus secretly armed herself against any “little mistake” on + the part of Major Alan Hawke. Certain private instructions to the manager + of Grindlay & Co., at Calcutta, had caused that respectable party to + open his eyes in wonder. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, Madame, our local agent at Delhi will act in your behalf, with + both secrecy and discretion. I have already written him a private cipher + letter in regard to your every wish being fulfilled.” + </p> + <p> + Such is the potent influence of a letter of credit, practically + approaching the “unlimited.” + </p> + <p> + “If I could only use Jules in the double capacity of gentleman and + factotum, I would dress him up a la mode and let him approach Hugh + Johnstone,” mused the beautiful tourist, but I must be content to use this + cold-hearted adventurer Hawke, for he has at least a surface rank of + gentleman, and, moreover, he knows my enemy! I must keep Jules and Marie + every moment at my side, for some strange things happen in India by day as + well as by night. Sir Hugh may dream of some ‘unusually distressing + accident’ as a means of safely ridding himself of a long slumbering + specter.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, this sly jeweler is Alan Hawke’s spy! A few guineas extra, + however, may buy his ‘inner consciousness’ for me,” she mused. And so it + fell out that Ram Lal Singh was destined to drop into the secret service + of both Hawke and the fair invader! And, as yet, neither of his intending + employers could divine the dark purposes of the oily rascal who had + stealthily watched Hugh Fraser for long years to slake the hungry + vengeance of a despoiled traitor to the last King of Oude. + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke found the tete a tete dinner with Hugh Johnstone a mere dull + social parade. There was no demure face at the feast slyly regarding him, + for while the two watchful secret foes exchanged old reminiscence and + newer gossip, Justine Delande was cheering the lonely girl, whose silent + mutiny as to her shining prison life now reached almost an open revolt. It + was a grateful relief to the Swiss woman, whose agitated heart was softly + beating the refrain: “To-morrow! to-morrow! I shall see him again!” She + feared a self-betrayal! + </p> + <p> + While the governess mused upon the extent of her proposed revelations to + the handsome Major, that rising social star had adroitly exploited his + long tete a tete with Captain Hardwicke to his host, and gracefully + magnified the warmth of General Willoughby’s personal welcome. + </p> + <p> + “You see, Johnstone,” patiently admitted the man who had dropped into a + good thing, “They all want to delve into the secrets of my mission here. + You, of all men,” he meaningly said, “cannot blame me for throwing the + dust into their eyes. I detest this intrusion, and so in sheer + self-defense I am going to give a formal dinner to a lot of these bores, + and then cut the whole lot when I’ve once done the decent thing.” Circling + and circling, and yet never daring to approach the subject, old Hugh + Johnstone warily returned to the suspended baronetcy affair, at last + revealing his secret burning anxieties. But when Alan Hawke heard the + train whistles, announcing the arrival of his beautiful employer, he fled + away from the smoking-room in a mock official unrest. + </p> + <p> + “I am expecting dispatches from England, and also very important detailed + secret instructions. I’ve had a warning wire from Calcutta.” + </p> + <p> + He had broken off the seance brusquely with a design of his own, and he + rejoiced as Hugh Johnstone brokenly said: “Let me see you very soon again. + I must have a plain talk with you.” The old nabob was in a close corner + now. There had been a few bitter queries from the half-distracted girl + which showed, even to her stern old father, that his position was becoming + untenable. + </p> + <p> + “Damn it! I must either talk or send her away,” he growled when left + alone. “I’ve half a mind to telegraph Douglas Fraser to come here and + convoy this foolish young minx home to Europe. She may grow to be a silent + rebel like her mother.” His scowl darkened. “And yet, where to send her? I + ought to go with them. Can I trust the Delandes to find a safe place to + keep her till I come?” He was all unaware that his daughter Nadine was now + a woman like her bolder sisters of society, but it was true. The chrysalis + was nearing the butterfly stage of life and beating the bars with her + wings. + </p> + <p> + The secret exultation of Justine Delande in her shadowy hold on Major Alan + Hawke caused her to furtively lead Nadine Johnstone to the head of the + great stairway, when Hawke made his adieux. + </p> + <p> + “He is a handsome young officer,” timidly whispered the girl, shrinking + back out of sight. “What can he have in common with my father? I thought + he was some old veteran.” And the awakened heart of Justine Delande + bounded in delight. She would have joyed to tell Nadine of her own + romantic budding friendship, but a wholesome fear tied her tongue, and she + was only happy when caressing the diamond bracelet that night, which + encircled her arm, while with dry and aching eyes she waited for the dawn. + </p> + <p> + While Hugh Johnstone paced the veranda of his lonely marble palace that + night, a prey to vague fears, and unwilling to face the accusing eyes of + his daughter, Major Alan Hawke, with a sudden astonishment, stood mute + before the splendid woman who received him in the mysterious bungalow. + There was scant ceremony of greeting between them, for Berthe Louison + impatiently grasped his hands. + </p> + <p> + “He is here, and the girl, too,” she said, with blazing eyes. She stood + robed as a queen before her secret agent. “Where were you? You left me + here to wait in a torment of anxiety.” + </p> + <p> + “I have just come from his dinner table,” quietly said the startled Major. + “They are both here, and well. I am already intimate at the house, but I + have not seen the girl. I feared being followed or I would have met you at + the train.” He marveled at her royal beauty. She was conscious now of the + power of wealth, and some hidden fire glowed in her veins. “What can I do + for you? He watches me. I can only come at night.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” the lady sternly said, “we must then play at hide and seek!” + </p> + <p> + Ringing a silver bell twice, Madame Louison sank into a chair. Alan Hawke + started up, inquiringly, as Jules and Marie entered the room from an + ante-room, whose door was left ajar. + </p> + <p> + “Jules! Marie!” calmly said Madame Louison. “This gentleman is my secret + business agent. He will call here in the evenings very often. He has pass + keys of his own, and you need not announce him. He is the only person who + has the right to be in my house—at all times.” The husband and wife + bowed in silence and, at a gesture from their mistress, departed silently, + having mentally photographed the newcomer. + </p> + <p> + Gazing in open-eyed astonishment, the surprised Major faltered, “Who are + these people? Why did you do this strange thing?” + </p> + <p> + “To assure myself of safety,” quietly smiled Berthe Louison. “They are my + personal servants, whom I brought on from Calcutta, and I have reason to + believe that Jules is both alert and courageous. He is a veteran of the + Tonquin war, and that pretty scar was a present from the Black Flags. They + were selected by one who knows the wiles of my desperate enemy Johnstone.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, Major Hawke, let us to business” calmly continued Berthe, secretly + enjoying Alan Hawke’s dismay. “Tell me your whole story. Only the events + since your arrival here. The rest counts for nothing. We are all on the + ground here and I propose to act quickly. I learned some matters in + Calcutta which have greatly enlightened me.” The facile tongue of the + renegade was slow to do the bidding of his unready brain. “Damme! But + she’s a cool one!” the ex-officer concluded, as he caught his breath. But, + conscious of her watchful eye, he related all his adventures, with a + judicious reserve as to Justine Delande. The burning eyes of Berthe + Louison were steadily fixed upon the relator’s face, and she was coldly + noncommittal when Hawke paused for breath and a mental recapitulation. The + Major now gazed upon her immovable visage. There was neither joy nor + sorrow, neither the flush of anger nor the trembling of rage, awakened by + the businesslike presentment of the social facts. “She is a human icicle,” + he mused. “She has some deadly hold on him!” + </p> + <p> + “Can you trust this Ram Lal Singh?” the woman demanded in a business-like + tone. Alan Hawke nodded decisively. + </p> + <p> + “He knows Hugh Fraser Johnstone well?” queried Berthe. + </p> + <p> + “They have been companions in the mixed line or Delhi since the mutiny,” + earnestly replied Hawke, slowly concluding: “And Ram Lal has been + Johnstone’s broker in selecting his almost unequaled Indian collection. + Ram is a thief, like all Hindus, but he is square to me. I hold him in my + hand. You can trust to him, but only through me!” Berthe Louison raised + her eyes and then fixed a searching glance upon Alan Hawke, as if she + would read his very soul. + </p> + <p> + “And, can I trust you?” she said, almost solemnly. + </p> + <p> + “You remember our strange compact, Madame,” coldly said Alan Hawke. “Here, + face to face with the enemy, I expect to know what is required of me—and + also what my future recompense will be.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I forgot,” mused the strange lady of the bungalow. “You have the + right to teach me a lesson, in both manners and business. I forgot how + sharply I had drawn the line, myself. Well, Sir, I will trust to you + without any assurance on your part.” She rang the silver bell at her side, + once, and the silent Jules appeared, as attentive as Rastighello in the + boudoir of the Duchess of Ferrara. “My traveling bag, Jules,” said the + lady, in a careless tone. There was a silence punctuated only by Alan + Hawke’s heavy breathing, until the silent servitor returned, bowing and + departing without a word, as he placed the bag at Madame Louison’s side. + With a businesslike air, the lady handed Alan Hawke a sealed letter, + addressed simply: + </p> + <h3> + HUGH FRASER JOHNSTONE, ESQ., DELHI. + </h3> + <p> + Near at hand, in the opened bag, the watchful Major saw the revolver and + dagger once more which he had noted, at Lausanne. + </p> + <p> + “Let Ram Lal deliver that personally to the would-be Baronet, to-morrow + morning at eight o’clock. He is to say nothing. There will be no reply,” + measuredly remarked the strange woman whose life as Alixe Delavigne had + brought to her the legacy of an undying hatred for the man whom she was + about to face. “This will bring Hugh Johnstone to me at once!” + </p> + <p> + “That is all?” stammered Alan Hawke, as he received the document, + respectfully standing “at attention.” + </p> + <p> + “No, not quite all!” laughed Berthe Louison. “Pray continue a career of + judiciously liberal social splendor here, an external ‘swelling port’ just + suited to a man whose feet are planted upon a financial rock. But do not + overdo it! It might excite Hugh Johnstone’s alarm. Here is five hundred + pounds in notes. There will be no accounts between us.” + </p> + <p> + “And, I am to do nothing else?” cried Hawke, in surprise. “I fear to have + you meet this man alone! He is rich, powerful, and crafty. The nature of + your business, I fear, is that of deadly quarrel. Remember, this man is at + bay. He is unscrupulous. I fear for you!” + </p> + <p> + The renegade spoke only the truth. For dark memories of Hugh Fraser’s + bitter deeds in days past now thronged upon his brain. + </p> + <p> + “Fear not for me.” cried Berthe Louison, springing up like a tigress in + defense of her cubs. “Do you know that his life would be the forfeit of a + lifted finger? Do you take me for a blind fool?” she raged. “Do you know + the power of gold? Ah, my friend, there are unseen eyes watching my + pathway here, and may God have mercy upon any one who practices against + me, in secret! Any ‘strange happening’ to me would be fearfully avenged! + As for this flinty-hearted brute, he would never even reach that threshold + alive, if he dared to threaten! Go! Leave him to me. Come here to-morrow + night. I shall have need of your cool brain and your ready wit! My only + task was to find him and the girl together.” + </p> + <p> + “And if I am questioned about you? If anything occurs?” persisted Alan + Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “Simply ignore my existence; if we meet we are strangers!” gasped Berthe, + who had thrown herself on a divan. “Obey me without questioning my motive! + Each night you will receive orders for the next day, should I need your + secret hand! Go now! I am tired! I must be ready to meet this man!” + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke had reached the door, but he turned back. “And as to Ram Lal? + What shall I do?” The woman’s eyes flashed fire. + </p> + <p> + “Leave him also to me! I will handle him! A few rupees—will serve as + his bait. Stay! You say that this Swiss woman, Justine Delande, is + sympathetic, and seems to be a worthy person?” She was scanning his + impassive face with steely glances now. + </p> + <p> + “She is younger than her sister Euphrosyne,” gravely said Alan Hawke, “and + not without some personal attractions. Her older sister adores her. Even + this old brute, Johnstone, seems to treat her with great respect and + deference.” + </p> + <p> + “There is the only danger to us! Watch that woman! Mingle freely in the + Johnstone household,” said Berthe, wearily, “but never cast your eyes + toward Nadine. Never even hint to this Swiss governess that you have seen + her sister. After they return to Europe it is another thing. Silence and + discretion now. Good night. Come to-morrow night at ten o’clock; all will + be quiet, and you can steal away from the Club in safety.” + </p> + <p> + Major Alan Hawke stole away to the hidden entrance like a thief of the + night. He started as he saw the menacing figure of Jules Victor glide + swiftly after him to the secret opening in the wall. The servitor spoke + not a single word, but watched the business agent disappear. “I must watch + this damned Frenchman,” he mused, feeling for his packet of notes and + loosening his revolver. “He may be set on by this she devil to watch Ram + Lal.” And then Hawke gayly sought the jewel merchant, lingering an hour in + the very room where he was on the morrow to meet the heart-awakened + Justine. Old Ram Lal grinned as he accepted the letter. He was happy, for + he heard the jingling of golden guineas in the near future. “You have + nothing to do with me, Ram Lal,” laughed the Major. “The lady will give + you your orders, only you are to tell me all for both our sakes. I will + see you rewarded,” and again Ram Lal grinned in his quiet way. + </p> + <p> + When Alan Hawke’s head was resting on his pillow he suddenly became + possessed with a strange new fear. “By God! I believe that she has been + here before; she seems to be up to the whole game.” + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke’s steps hardly died away in the hallway before the beautiful + Nemesis made a careful inspection of her splendid reception-room. The + splendors of its curtained arches, its fretted ceiling, and its frescoed + walls were idly passed over, for the woman only made an exhaustive survey + of its geometrical arrangement. Marie Victor was in waiting at her side, + and the mistress and maid were soon joined by Jules. Throwing open the + door of a little adjoining cabinet, Madame Louison whispered a few private + directions to the ex-Communard. “Do this at once yourself; none of the + blacks are to know. I trust none of them!” imperatively commanded Berthe. + “Marie will receive him. You are to be here at nine o’clock, and be sure + to let no one of these yellow spies observe you. Now, both of you. Here is + the rearrangement of the furniture. This will be your first task in the + morning. You can both use the whole household for these changes. They are + to obey you in all. Let all be ready when I have breakfasted. Now, Marie, + I will try and rest. Jules, inspect and examine the house; then you can + take your post for the night at my door. Have you exhausted every + possibility of any trickery in the sleeping room?” + </p> + <p> + “There’s but the one door, Madame. Trust to me. I have sounded every inch + of the walls, and even examined the floor.” Jules Victor’s romantic nature + thrilled with the possibilities of the little life drama to come. + </p> + <p> + Berthe Louison departed to rest upon her arms the night before the battle. + Much marveled the swarming band of Ram Lal’s creatures that no human being + was suffered to approach the Lady of the Bungalow but her two white + attendants. Berthe Louison had not reached the idle luxury of employing a + dozen Hindus in infinitesimal labors near her person. For she fathomed + easily Ram Lal’s devotion to Major Alan Hawke. + </p> + <p> + The presence of keen-eyed Marie Victor’s brass camp-bed in My Lady’s + sleeping-room was a source of wonder to the velvet-eyed spy who was Ram + Lal’s especial “Bureau of Intelligence.” “Strange ways has this + Mem-Sahib,” murmured the Hindu when he craved to know if the Daughter of + the Sun and Light of the World desired aught. “I will then have two to + watch. The waiting woman has the eye of a tiger.” + </p> + <p> + A personal verification of the fact that Jules Victor was encamped for the + night, en zouave, on a divan drawn before the only door joining the + boudoir and sleeping-room, caused the sly spy to greatly marvel, for the + scarred face of the French social rebel was ominously truculent, and a + pair of Lefacheux revolvers and a heavy knife lay within the ready reach + of this strange “outside guard.” + </p> + <p> + In the dim watches of the first night in Delhi, the same barefooted Hindu + spy learned by a visit of furtive inspection, that a night light steadily + burned in the boudoir where Jules was toujours pret. The sneaking rascal + crept away, with a violently beating heart, fearing even the rustle of his + bare feet upon the mosaic floor. + </p> + <p> + And all this, and much more, did he deliver with abject humility to Ram + Lal Singh, when that worthy appeared the next day to crave his mysterious + patron’s orders. It seemed a tough nut to crack, this tripartite household + arrangement. + </p> + <p> + The dawn found Madame Berthe Louison as alertly awake as bird and beast + stirring in the ruined splendors of old Shahjehanabad. Long before the + anxious Justine Delande arose to deck herself furtively for her tryst with + Alan Hawke, Berthe Louison knew that all her orders of the night before + were executed. + </p> + <p> + “You are sure that you can see perfectly, Jules?” said the anxious woman. + </p> + <p> + “I command the whole side of the room where you will be seated,” replied + the Frenchman, “and the ornaments and carved tracery cover the aperture. + Marie has tested it and I have also done the same, reversing our + positions. Nothing can be seen.” + </p> + <p> + “Good! Remember! Nine o’clock sees you at your post! You are prepared?” + The woman’s voice trembled. + </p> + <p> + “Thoroughly!” cried the alert servitor, “Only give me your signal! I must + make no mistake! There’s no time to think in such cases!” He bent his + head, while his mistress, in a low voice gave her last orders. Jules + saluted, as if he were the leader of a forlorn hope. + </p> + <p> + “And now for the first skirmish!” mused Berthe Louison, as she personally + examined some matters, of more material interest to her, in the + reception-room. + </p> + <p> + The rearrangement of the furniture seemed to be satisfactory, and Madame + Berthe Louison composedly busied herself with the arrangement of a writing + case, and a few womanly articles upon the table which she had chosen as + her own peculiar fortification. A few moments were wasted upon trifling + with a well-worn envelope, now carefully hidden in her bosom. This + maneuver passed the time needed for a stately carriage to sweep up from + the opened grand gate of the bungalow to the raised veranda steps. “There + he is!” she grimly said. “Now, for the first blood!” + </p> + <p> + A man who was shaking with mingled rage and fear hastily strode across the + broad portico, as Berthe Louison glided away from the curtained window and + confidently resumed her own chosen chair. Her bosom was heaving, her eye + was fixed and stern, and she steadily awaited her foe, for one last + warning whisper had reached her hidden servitor. + </p> + <p> + When Marie Victor threw open the double doors of the reception room, on + its threshold stood the towering form of the man whom Alixe Delavigne had + known in other years as Hugh Fraser, the man whose pallid face told her + that he knew at last that he was under the sword of Damocles! Clad in + white linen, his sun helmet in his hand, steadying himself with a jeweled + bamboo crutch-handled stick, the old Anglo-Indian waited until Berthe + Louison’s voice rang out, as clear as a silver bell: “Marie! I am not to + be interrupted.” she calmly said. “You may wait beyond, in the ante-room!” + </p> + <p> + The woman who had emerged from the dark penumbra of a dead Past, to + torture the embryo Baronet, gazed silently at the stern old man glowering + there. + </p> + <p> + Striding up to her, the insolent habit of years was, strong upon him, as + he hoarsely said: “What juggling fiend of hell brings you here?” + </p> + <p> + Without a tremor in her voice, the lady of Jitomir replied: + </p> + <p> + “I came here to undo the work of years! To teach an orphaned girl to know + that a love which hallows and which blesses, can reach her from the grave + in which your cold brutality buried the only being I ever loved! She shall + know her mother, from my lips, and not wither in the gray hell of your + egoism. I have searched the world over, and found you, at last, together!” + </p> + <p> + “By God! You shall never even see her face, you she-devil!” cried the + infuriated old man, nearing the defiant woman. “You were the go-between + for your worthless sister and that Russian cur, Troubetskoi!” + </p> + <p> + “You lie! Hugh Fraser, you lie!” cried Berthe, in a ringing voice. “You + crushed the flower that Fate had drifted within your reach! You turned her + into the streets of London to starve! You robbed her of her child, all + this to feed your own flinty-hearted tyrant vanity! She was divorced from + you by a Royal Russian Decree, before she married the man whose heart + broke when she was laid in the tomb. She rests with the princes of his + line, and her tomb bears the name of wife!” + </p> + <p> + The old nabob crept nearer, growling: + </p> + <p> + “You shall never see the child’s face!” + </p> + <p> + Then, Alixe Delavigne sprang up and faced him: “There she is! on my heart! + Just what her mother was, before you sent her to an early grave. Valerie + died hungering for one sight of that child’s face!” Throwing the picture + of Nadine Johnstone on the table, the lady of Jitomir said: “Pierre + Troubetskoi left to me the wealth which makes me your equal. I fear you + not! I shall see Nadine to-morrow!” + </p> + <p> + “Never!” roared Hugh Johnstone, now beyond all control. “I defy you! + Beware how you approach my threshold!” His eyes were murderous in their + steely blue gleam, and, yet, he met a glance as steady as his own. + </p> + <p> + “Listen,” said Berthe Louison, sinking back into her chair, “I will tell + you a little story.” Hugh Johnstone was now gazing at the photograph, + which trembled in his hand. “Once upon a time a man secreted a vast + deposit of jewels, really the spoil of a deposed king, and, rightly, the + property of the victorious British Government!” The photograph fell to the + floor as the old man sprang up from the chair, into which he had dropped. + “This paper, the receipt for the deposit, once delivered to the Viceroy of + India—and the Baronetcy which is to be your life crown is lost for + ever.” The old man’s hands knotted themselves in anger. “The lying story + that the deposit was stolen by an underling will bring you, Hugh + Johnstone, to the felon’s cell! You shall live to wear the convict’s + chain! The Government is partly aware of the facts. It rests for me to + give the Viceroy the receipt for your private deposit. The private bank + vault in Calcutta has hidden your shame for twenty years. You know the + condition of your settlement with the Government. Now, shall I see my + sister’s child? I hold your very existence here—in the hollow of my + hand!” The dauntless woman drew forth a yellowed envelope from her breast. + There was a smothered shriek, a crash and a groan, as Jules Victor, + springing from his concealment, hurled the infuriated man to the floor! + </p> + <p> + With a knee on the panting nabob’s breast, he hissed: + </p> + <p> + “Move, and you are a dead man!” + </p> + <p> + “Take the paper, Madame,” calmly said the victorious Jules. Then Alixe + Delavigne laughed scornfully. + </p> + <p> + “Let the fool arise. The contents are only blank paper. The document is + where I can find it for use. Remain here, Jules,” concluded the triumphant + woman, as she replaced the photograph in her bosom. “Take the envelope—you + know it, Hugh Fraser. I stole it the night you drove the sister I loved + from our miserly lodgings in London.” The furious onslaught had failed, + and the old nabob was only a cowering, cringing prisoner at will. He dared + not even cry out. + </p> + <p> + Hugh Johnstone groaned as his eyes turned from the woman, now laughing him + to scorn, to the stern-faced Frenchman, who was covering the baffled + assailant with the grim Lefacheux revolver. + </p> + <p> + “Send this man away. Let us talk, Alixe,” muttered the astounded + Johnstone. Then a mocking laugh rang out in the room. + </p> + <p> + “I am in no hurry now. I can wait. I like Delhi, and I shall find my way + to Nadine’s side, and she shall know the story of a mother’s love. One + signal from me, by telegraph, and the document goes to the Viceroy. So, I + fear you not, my would-be strangler! It is for me to make conditions! + Listen! I will send my carriage and my man to your house to-morrow morning + at ten. You will have made up your mind then. I have friends all around + me, here, at Allahabad, and in Calcutta. If you practice any treachery on + me you die the death of a dog, even here, in your robber nest!” + </p> + <p> + “I will come! I will come!” faltered Johnstone. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” smiled the lady. “Jules, show Sir Hugh Johnstone to his carriage.” + And then turning her back in disdain, she vanished without a word. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. THE PRICE OF SAFETY. + </h2> + <p> + When nabob Hugh Johnstone’s carriage dashed swiftly down the crowded + Chandnee Chouk, on its return to the marble house, the driver and footman, + as well as the slim syce runners, were alarmed at the old man’s appearance + when he was half led, half carried out of his luxurious vehicle. The + staggering sufferer reached his rooms and was surrounded by a bevy of + frightened menials, while the equippage dashed away in search of old + Doctor McMorris, the surgeon par excellence of Delhi. A second butler had + hastily darted away to the Delhi Club with an imperative summons for Major + Alan Hawke, who had, unfortunately, left for the day. + </p> + <p> + With a shudder of affright Mademoiselle Justine Delande had slipped into a + booth on the great thoroughfare, only to feel safe when she glided into + Ram Lal Singh’s jewel shop, to be swiftly hurried into the rear reception + room by the argus-eyed merchant, who had noted the swiftly passing + carriage. Her womanly conscience was as tender as her heart. + </p> + <p> + “Lock the door, Ram Lal!” cried Alan Hawke, “We will be in the pagoda in + the garden. Let no one pass this door, on your life!” When they were + alone, Major Alan Hawke led the trembling woman away to to the hidden + bower, where Ram Lal had hospitably spread a feast of India’s choicest + cakes and dainties. + </p> + <p> + Only there, in that haven of safety, dared the excited Justine to falter. + “If you knew what I have suffered! He drove almost over me as I crossed + the Chandnee Chouk, and I had a struggle to leave Nadine. There is the + curse of an old family sorrow there. The father and daughter are arrayed + against each other.” + </p> + <p> + “Forget it all, my dear Justine,” murmured Alan Hawke. “Here you are + hidden now and perfectly safe with me. Never mind those people now. Let us + only think of each other. You were simply matchless in your behavior at + the house.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I fear him so! I fear that hard old man!” whispered the timid woman, + as she dropped her eyes before Alan Hawke’s ardent glances. He had noted + the growing touch of coquetry in her dress; he measured the tell-tale + quiver of her voice, and he smiled tenderly when she shyly showed him the + diamond bracelet, securely hidden upon her left arm. + </p> + <p> + “I put this on to show you that I do trust you,” she murmured. “And I wear + it every night. It seems to give me courage.” The happy Major pressed her + hand warmly. + </p> + <p> + “Let it be a secret sign between us, an omen of brighter days for all of + us. Stand by me and I will stand by you to the last. We will all meet + happily yet by the beautiful shores of Lake Leman!” + </p> + <p> + In half an hour, Justine Delande was completely at her ease, for well the + artful renegade knew how to circle around the dangerous subject nearest + his heart—the secret history of Nadine Johnstone’s mother. He had + dropped easily into the wooing and confidential intimacy which lulled + Justine Delande into a fool’s paradise of happy content. + </p> + <p> + She was sinking away and now losing her will and identity in his own, + without one warning qualm of conscience. For Alan Hawke’s dearly bought + knowledge of womankind now stood him in great stead. + </p> + <p> + “One single familiarity, one questionable liberty, and this cold-pulsed + Heloise would fly forever. She must be left to her day dreams and to the + work of a sweet self-deception,” he artfully mused. They were interrupted + but a moment, when Ram Lal Singh glided to the door of the pagoda. + </p> + <p> + “I must now go to the bungalow to see Madame Louison and have her approve + her horses and carriage. She has sent word that she will drive this + afternoon. And,” he whispered breathlessly, “Old Johnstone is very sick. + He has sent all over the city to find you, and now his own private man + bids me go there at once. He must have me, if he can’t find you.” + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke mused a moment. “Give me the keys! Put your best man on guard + to watch for any intruders! Go first to the Mem-Sahib! Keep your mouth + shut! Remember about me and—” He pointed to the governess, now + timidly cowering in a shadowy corner. “Let the old devil wait till you are + done with her! Pump the old wretch! Find out what he wants! Say that I + went off for a day’s jaunt!” Alan Hawke smiled grimly as he seated himself + tenderly at Justine Delande’s side. “Old Hugh did not last long! They must + have had their first skirmish. If he is a coward at heart, she will rule + him with a rod of iron. What is her hold over him? I warrant that the jade + will never tell me. She will fight him to the death in silence, and try to + hoodwink me. We will see, my lady! We will see!” + </p> + <p> + “Now, Justine,” softly said the renegade, “tell me all of the story of + this strange father and daughter! Ram Lal has reconnoitered! We are safe! + Both Hugh and his daughter are at home!” + </p> + <p> + The reassured governess frankly opened her heart to her wary listener. It + was an hour before the recital was finished, and Miss Justine was gayly + chatting over the impromptu breakfast, when the details of these last + stormy days at Delhi were described. “I cannot make it all out. She is + certainly his legitimate daughter. He is crafty, covetous, miserly, and + yet he lives in a scornful splendor here. Both my sister and myself look + forward to learning the whole story through my visit here. Of course, on + our arrival, Nadine and myself wondered not at the gloomy solitude of the + marble house. But the affronts to society, the practical imprisonment of + this girl, this chilling silence as to her mother, have roused her brave + young heart. Not a picture, not a single memento, not even a jewel, not a + tress of hair, not even a passing mention of where that shadowy mother + lies buried!” the Swiss woman sighed. “He is a brute and tyrant—a + man of a stony heart and an iron hand!” + </p> + <p> + “You have never been made his confidante?” earnestly asked the Major. + </p> + <p> + “Never!” promptly replied Justine. “Beyond a grave courtesy and the curt + answers to our reports, with liberal payment, we know no more now than + when the prattling child of four was brought to us. + </p> + <p> + “She has no childish memories of her own. I have overheard all the unhappy + scenes of the last month. There are the tearful prayers of Nadine, then + the old man’s harsh threats, and then only his cold avoidance follows. + Strange to say—gentle and warm-hearted, formed for love, and + yearning to know of the dear mother whom she has fondly pictured in her + dreams, Nadine Johnstone has all the courage of a soldier’s daughter, and + her fearless bravery of soul is as inflexible as steel. She returns + frankly to the contest, and his only refuge is the wall of cold silence + that he has built up between them!” + </p> + <p> + “Has he tried to punish her in any way—to intimidate her?” eagerly + cried the Major. + </p> + <p> + “Not yet,” answered Justine. “She tells me all, and he knows it. I can see + that his eyes are fixed on me now with a growing hatred. He fears that I + uphold her in this duel of words, of answerless questions. + </p> + <p> + “He has threatened her roughly with sending her away to some place, to + ‘come to her senses,’ alone, and—” the frightened woman said, “That + is what I fear—some sudden, rough brutality. He despairs of making + her love him. If she were suddenly removed—and I cast adrift on the + world, alone, here, he would, I suppose, send me back to Switzerland. He + can do no less, but I would lose her forever from my sight. I know that he + hates me, and we have always hoped that he would make us a handsome + present, on her marriage. Euphrosyne and I have been as mothers to her.” + There were tears in the woman’s anxious eyes now. She was startled as + Hawke bounded to his feet. + </p> + <p> + “By God!” he cried, forgetting himself. “That’s just his little game! It + must never be! See here, Justine! I have reason to think that you are + right. He may try to spirit her away and separate her forever from you and + Euphrosyne. He would cut off the only two friends who could connect her + with this strange past. Yes, that’s his little game! And—” he slowly + concluded, controlling himself, “I have reason to think he may go about it + at once. He is afraid of me, also, about some old official business. Now, + I will watch over your interests. The least this old miser can do is to + give you a neat little home in Geneva, as a final recompense.” + </p> + <p> + Justine Delande’s eyes sparkled in gratitude. The acute Major had easily + learned from the garrulous Francois that the “Institut Pour les Jeunes + Dames” was an intellectual property only; the fine old mansion belonging + to a rich Genevese banker. Major Alan Hawke was now busied in writing upon + a few leaves torn from his betting book. + </p> + <p> + “Listen to me!” he gravely said. “Promise me that you will never let these + papers leave you a moment.” + </p> + <p> + “I will carry them in my passport case, around my neck,” murmured Justine. + “My money in notes, and a few articles.” + </p> + <p> + “Good!” energetically cried Hawke. “I will write the same to Euphrosyne, + and send it by ‘registered post’ to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “Here!” he suddenly cried, “Just pencil a few words to her to say that you + are with me, and that we understand each other; that our interests are to + be one; and that she must keep the faith and help us both, for both our + sakes. I will mail it so that old Johnstone will be powerless to injure + any of us three.” He gave her another leaflet from his book, and detached + a golden pencil from his watch chain. + </p> + <p> + There was a crimson flush upon her cheek, as she vainly essayed to write. + Her hand trembled, and then with a sob, her head fell upon her breast; + with an infinite art, the triumphant renegade soothed the excited woman, + and, it was only through her happy tears that she saw him, before her + there, duplicating the secret addresses. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Justine; my Justine!” softly said Alan Hawke. “Here is a secret + address in Allahabad, and a secret address in London. If this man decides + to send Nadine away, he will do it secretly in some way. There are several + seaports open to leave India. You will be, of course, sent out of + Hindostan with her. It would be just his little game, however, to separate + you at the first foreign port, to pay you off royally, and then—neither + you nor Euphrosyne would ever see Nadine again. There is something hanging + over him that he would hide from her. He fears me, also, for my official + power. Remember, now! No matter whatever happens you can always find a way + to telegraph to me. If I am in India, here to Allahabad; if in Europe, to + London. Now, Euphrosyne will know always where I am. Telegraph me the + whereabouts of Nadine Johnstone, or, where you are forced to leave her, + telegraph the vessel you are on, and her destination, and, I swear to you, + by the God who made me, I will track her down, and we three shall find a + way to reach her later. He would like to lock her up in a living tomb, if + he found it to be to his interest. A cheap private asylum in Germany, or + some low haunt in France, perhaps hide her away in Italy as a pretended + invalid. The man is mad—simply mad—about this baronetcy, and + in some strange way the girl stands between him and it. Do you promise?” + </p> + <p> + “I promise you all!” faltered the excited woman. “Let me go now. Let me go + home, Alan,” she murmured, and there were no heart secrets between them + any more, as the blushing woman, still trembling with the audacity of her + own burning emotions, was led safely to the door of the jewel mart. + </p> + <p> + “Be brave, be brave, dear Justine,” he whispered. “Old Johnstone has sent + for me. You shall have your home yet; I guarantee it. I shall be + frequently at the house in the next few days. Remember to control + yourself, and to watch the sly game of this old brute. I will stay here + and send off at once our first letter to Euphrosyne. This girl will have a + million pounds. You and your sister must not be robbed of the recompense + of nearly twenty years of tenderness. Cleave to her, heart to heart, and + tell me all. I will make you both rich!” + </p> + <p> + “Trust me to the death! I understand all now,” whispered Justine, her + breast heaving in a new and strange emotion, flooding her chilly veins as + with a subtle fiery elixir. + </p> + <p> + “Then go, but, dear one, be here two days from now at the same time. + Should any accident happen, Ram Lal will then come and bear to you my + message. You can trust him. I will stay here and send this registered + letter from here at once. Then, Hugh Johnstone has three loving guardians + to outwit before he can hide away your beautiful nursling!” + </p> + <p> + “For you.” he softly whispered, as he slipped a little packet into her + hand, when she stole out of the shop, after Alan Hawke had judiciously + reconnoitered. + </p> + <p> + “Dear, simple soul!” contentedly reflected Major Hawke, as he busied + himself with the important letter to the staid Euphrosyne. “She has given + me her heart, in her loving eagerness to defend that child, and the key to + the whole situation. It would be just like this old brute to spirit the + girl away to baffle Madame Berthe Louison. That is, if he dare not kill or + intimidate her. And that I must look to. I think that I see my way to that + girl’s side now. God, what a pot of money she will have!” + </p> + <p> + When Alan Hawke had finished his boldly warm letter to Euphrosyne, he + sealed it and sent it to the post by Ram Lal’s footman. The world looked + very bright to him as, enjoying a capital cheroot, he studied for a half + hour a wall map of India. “There’s a half dozen ways to spirit her out of + the Land of the Pagoda Tree. I must watch and trust to Justine. To-night I + may or may not know what this devil of a Berthe Louison is up to. Will she + try to take the girl away? That would be fatal.” + </p> + <p> + “Hardly—hardly,” he decided, as he mixed a brandy pawnee. He gazed + around at Ram Lal’s sanctum, in which the old usurer received the + Europeans whom he fleeced in his nipoy-lending operations. “A pretty snug + joint. Many a hundred pounds have I dropped here.” It was neatly furnished + forth with service magazines, London papers, army lists, and all the + accessories of a London money-lender’s den. When the receipt for his + registered letter was laid away in his pocket-book, Alan Hawke calmly + ordered his carriage. “I’ll take a brush around town and show them that I + am out of all these intrigues,” he decided. It was six hours later when he + drew up at the Club, having passed Madame Berthe Louison’s splendid + turnout swinging down the Chandnee Chouk. On the box the alert Jules, in a + yager’s uniform, sat beside the dusky driver, and, even in the dusk, he + could see the neat French maid seated, facing her mistress. “By God! She + has the nerve of a Field Marshal! She will never hide her light under a + bushel!” he had gasped when Madame Louison, at ten feet distant, gazed at + him impassively through her longue vue, and then calmly cut him. He was + soon besieged by a crowd of gay gossips at the Club upon dismounting from + his trap. + </p> + <p> + “Tell us, Hawke, who is the wonderful beauty who has taken the Silver + Bungalow,” was the excited chorus. + </p> + <p> + “How the devil should I know, when you fellows do not,” good-humoredly + cried Alan Hawke, as the Club steward edged his way through the throng. + </p> + <p> + “There’s a message for you, Major,” said the functionary. “Mr. Hugh + Johnstone is quite ill at his house, and has been sending all over for + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! This is grave news” ostentatiously cried Hawke. “I’ll drive over at + once.” And then he fled away, leaving the gay loiterers still discussing + the lovely anonyma whose advent was now the one sensation of the hour. + “Who the devil can her friends be?” + </p> + <p> + “She plays a bold game,” mused the startled Major. + </p> + <p> + On her return to the marble house, Justine Delande had been welcomed by + the anxious-eyed apparition of Nadine Johnstone, who burst into her room + in a storm of tears. “I have been so frightened,” she cried as she clasped + her returning governess in her trembling grasp. + </p> + <p> + “My father has just had a terrible seizure—an attack while riding + out on business. He will see no one but Doctor McMorris, and besides, he + has the old jewel merchant searching all over Delhi for Major Hawke. You + must not leave me a moment, Justine.” + </p> + <p> + “Is he better?” demanded Justine, with guilty qualms. + </p> + <p> + “He is resting now, but he will not be quieted till he sees this strange + man,” answered the disconsolate girl. + </p> + <p> + “How beautiful she is,” mused the Swiss woman, as Nadine Johnstone sat + with parted lips relating the excitements of the morning. The wooing + Indian climate was fast ripening the exquisite loveliness of eighteen. Her + dark eyes gleamed with earnestness, and the rich brown locks crowned her + stately head as with a coronal of golden bronze. The roses on her cheeks + were not yet faded by the insidious climate of burning India, and a + thrilling earnestness accented the music of her voice. + </p> + <p> + “What can we do, Nadine?” murmured Justine Delande. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” sighed the motherless girl. “But when this Major Hawke comes, + you must, for my sake, find out all you can. Ah! To leave India forever!” + she sighed. Her marble prison was only a place of sorrow and lamentation. + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke’s flying steeds reached the marble house, after a circuit to + Ram Lal’s jewel mart. Without leaving his carriage, he called out the + obsequious old Hindu. The dusk of evening favored Ram Lal in his adroit + lying. + </p> + <p> + He gave a brief account of Hugh Johnstone’s strange morning seizure, + forgetting to divulge to Hawke that the old nabob had already bribed him + heavily to watch the inmate of the Silver Bungalow, and report to him her + every movement. Nor, did the Hindu divulge his secret report to Madame + Berthe Louison, after her ostentatious public carriage promenade. He + further hid the fact that Madame Louison had deftly pressed a hundred + pounds upon him, in return for a daily report of the secret life of the + marble house. But he smiled blandly, when Major Hawke hastily said “Will + he die?” + </p> + <p> + “No; he is all right! He was over there with the Mem-Sahib this morning, + and something must have happened.” + </p> + <p> + “What happened?” imperiously demanded Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know,” slowly answered Ram Lal. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t lie to me, Ram Lal,” fiercely said the Major. “I have a fifty-pound + note if you will find out.” + </p> + <p> + “He is going there to-morrow,” slowly said Ram. + </p> + <p> + “All right, watch them both. I’ll be back here. Wait for me.” And then at + a nod the horses sprang away. + </p> + <p> + “Fools! Fools all!” glowered Ram Lal, as he straightened up from his low + salaam. “I’ll have those stolen jewels yet. Now is the time to gain his + confidence. He is an old man, and weak, and, cowardly.” + </p> + <p> + When Major Hawke entered the great doors of the marble house, he was + gravely received by Mademoiselle Justine Delande. “He has been asking + every ten minutes for you,” she said. “I am to show you at once to his + rooms.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, what’s this? what’s all this?” cheerfully cried the Major as he + entered the vast sleeping-room of the Anglo-Indian. Old Johnstone feebly + pointed to the door, and motioned to his attendants to leave the room. He + was worn and gaunt, and his ashen cheeks and sunken eyes told of some + great inward convulsion. He had aged ten years since the pompous tiffin. + “I’m not well, Hawke! Come here! Near to me!” he huskily cried. And then, + the hunter and the hunted gazed mutely into each other’s eyes. + </p> + <p> + “What’s gone wrong?” frankly demanded the Major. The old man scowled in + silence for a moment. + </p> + <p> + “I have no one I dare trust but you,” he unwillingly said. “You know + something of my position, my future. I want to know if you have ever met + this woman who has taken the Silver Bungalow—a kind of a French + woman. There’s her card.” Old Johnstone’s haggard eyes followed Hawke, as + he silently studied the bit of pasteboard. + </p> + <p> + “Madame Berthe Louison,” he gravely read. And, then, with a magnificent + audacity, he lied successfully. “Never even heard the name,” he murmured. + </p> + <p> + “Fellows at the Club speaking of some such woman today. Pretty woman, I + supppose a declassee.” Hawke, lifted his eyebrows. + </p> + <p> + “No, a she-devil!” almost shouted old Hugh. “Now, I want you to watch her + and find out who her backers are. She is trying to annoy me. Be prudent, + and I’ll make it a year’s pay to you.” Hawke’s greedy eyes lightened as he + bowed. “But never mention my name. Come here as often as you will. Go now + and look up what you can. I’ll see you to-morrow, in the afternoon. Don’t + scrape acquaintance with her. Just watch her. I’m going there to-morrow + morning myself.” + </p> + <p> + “You?” said Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” half groaned the old man, turning his face to the wall. “Come + to-morrow afternoon. Spare no money. I’ll make it right. Don’t linger a + minute now.” + </p> + <p> + Major Alan Hawke was gayly buoyant as the horses trotted back to Ram Lal + Singh’s, where he proposed to await the hour of ten o’clock. “I fancy, my + lady, that you, too, will pay toll, as well as Hugh Johnstone,” he + murmured. “You shall pay for all you get, and pay as you go.” He + cheerfully dined alone in Ram Lal’s little business sanctum, and listened + to the measured disclosures of the Hindu in return for the fifty-pound + note. + </p> + <p> + “It’s to-morrow’s interview that I want to know about,” quietly directed + the major, whereat Ram Lal modestly said: + </p> + <p> + “I’ll find a way to let you know all.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s more than she will, the sly devil,” said Hawke, in his heart, as + he leaned back in the consciousness of “duty well done.” + </p> + <p> + In the Silver Bungalow, Alixe Delavigne sat in her splendid dining-room, + under the ministrations of her Gallic body-guard. Her eyes were very + dreamy as she recalled all the fearful incidents of the annee terrible. + The flight from Paris after their father’s death, the escape to England, + the refuge at a Brighton hotel—the sudden projecture of Hugh Fraser + athwart their humble lives. When the returned Indian functionary abandoned + all other pursuits and plainly showed his mad craving to follow Valerie + Delavigne everywhere, then the younger sister had learned of his rank, of + his long leave and wealth and future prospects. The man was most + personable then. He was of a solid rank and a brilliant civil position, + and the penniless daughters of the dead Colonel Delavigne were now reduced + to a few hundred francs. The hand of Misery was upon them, poor and + friendless. Alixe, with a shudder, recalled the two years of silence, + since the ardent Pierre Troubetskoi had whispered to beautiful Valerie + Delavigne in Paris: “I go to Russia, but I will soon return and you must + wait for me!” + </p> + <p> + Day by day, when the skies grew darker, Valerie Delavigne had gazed with a + haunting sorrow in her eyes, at her helpless sister. Some strange + possessing desire had urged Hugh Fraser on to woo and win the helpless + French beauty, whom an adverse fate had stranded in England. The mute + sacrifice of the wedding was followed by the two years of Valerie’s + loveless marriage. It was an existence for the two sisters, bought by the + sacrifice of one and Troubetskoi never had written! + </p> + <p> + Sitting alone, waiting for the morrow, to face Hugh Fraser once more, + Alixe Delavigne recalled, with a vow of vengeance, that sad past, the slow + breaking of the butterfly, the revelation of all Hugh Fraser’s + cold-hearted tyranny, the sway of his demoniac jealousy—jealous, + even, of a sister’s innocent love. And that last miserable scene, on the + eve of their projected voyage to India, when the maddened tyrant + discovered Pierre Troubetskoi’s long-belated letter, returned once more to + madden her. Fraser had simply raged in a demoniac passion. + </p> + <p> + For the mistake of a life was at last revealed when that one letter came! + The letter addressed to the wife as Valerie Delavigne, which had followed + them slowly upon their travels, and, by a devil’s decree, had fallen, by a + spy-servant’s trick, into Hugh Fraser’s hands. It mattered not that the + coming lover was even yet ignorant of the miserable marriage. The + envelope, with its address, was missing, when the long pages of burning + tenderness were read by the infuriated husband. “I have been buried a year + in the snows of Siberia,” wrote Pierre, “upon the secret service of the + Czar. I was ill of a fever for long months upon my return, and now I am + coming to take you to my heart, never to be parted any more.” The address + of his banker in Paris, all the plans for their voyage to Russia, even the + tender messages to the sister of his love—all these were the last + goad to a maddened man, whose raging invective and brutal violence drove a + weeping woman out into the cheerless night. He deemed her the Russian’s + cherished mistress. With a shudder Alixe Delavigne recalled the white face + of the discarded mother, whose babe slumbered in peace, while the + half-demented woman fled away to the shelter of the house of an old French + nurse. + </p> + <p> + The morrow, when Hugh Fraser bade her also leave his house forever, was + pictured again in her mind, and the insolent gift of the hundred-pound + note, with the words, “Go and find your sister! Never darken my door + again!” She had taken that money and used it to save her sister’s life. + </p> + <p> + The darkened sick-chamber, the flight across the channel, and the rugged + path which led Valerie, at last, to die in peace in Pierre Troubetskoi’s + arms—all this returned to the resolute avenger of a sister who had + died, dreaming of the little childish face hidden from her forever, “He + shall pay the price of his safety to the uttermost farthing, to the last + little humiliation,” she cried, starting up as Alan Hawke stood before + her, for the hour of ten had stolen upon her. “Nadine shall love her + mother, and that love shall bridge the silent gulf of Death!” + </p> + <p> + “You have been agitated?” he gently said, for there were tell-tale tears + upon her lashes. “Tell me, is it victory or defeat?” + </p> + <p> + “I shall see my sister’s child, to-morrow,” the Lady of Jitomir bravely + said. “And he—the man of the iron heart—shall conduct me to + his house in honor.” There was that shining on her transfigured face which + made Alan Hawke murmur: + </p> + <p> + “There is a great love here—greater than the hate which demands an + eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” + </p> + <p> + He waited, abashed and silent, for his strange employer’s orders of the + day. + </p> + <p> + “Is there anything I can do for you to-morrow?” said Alan Hawke. “Do you + find your arrangements convenient for you here in every way?” The + respectful tone of his manner touched Berthe Louison’s heart. He was + beginning to win his way to her regard by judiciously effacing himself. + </p> + <p> + “I am entirely at home, thanks to your thoughtful provision,” she smiled. + “There is nothing to-night. Have you seen Johnstone?” Her dark eyes were + steadfastly fixed upon him now. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; he sent for me. He is very much agitated and, I should say, he is + almost at your mercy. But beware of an apparent surrender on his part. He + is—capable of anything!” + </p> + <p> + “I know it. I am on my guard,” slowly replied Berthe Louison. She saw that + Alan Hawke had spoken the truth to her—even with some mental + reservations. “To-morrow morning will determine my public relations with + Hugh Johnstone. Come to me to-morrow night, and do not be surprised if we + meet as guests at Hugh Johnstone’s table. You must only meet me as a + stranger. I may leave here for a few days, and then I will place you in + charge of my interests in my absence.” + </p> + <p> + The Major gravely replied: + </p> + <p> + “You may depend upon me wherever you may wish to call upon me.” + </p> + <p> + “Strange mutability of womanhood,” he mused a half hour later as he left + the lady’s side. “There is a woman whom I should not care to face tomorrow + morning if I were in Hugh Johnstone’s shoes.” It was the renegade’s last + verdict as he slept the sleep of the prosperous. The Willoughby dinner and + his own feast now occupied his attention, for his mysterious employer had + bade him to eat, drink, and be merry. + </p> + <p> + At ten o’clock the next day the “gilded youth” of the Delhi Club all knew + that Hugh Johnstone had betaken himself to the Silver Bungalow, in the + carriage of the woman whose beauty was now an accepted fact. Hugely + delighted, these ungodly youth winked in merry surmises as to the + relationship between the budding Baronet and the hidden Venus. Even bets + as to discreetly “distant relationship,” or a forthcoming crop of late + orange blossoms were the order of the day. But silent among the merry + throng, the handsome Major, making his due call of ceremony upon General + Willoughby, denied all knowledge of the designs of either of the high + contracting parties. + </p> + <p> + In due state, escorted by the alert Jules Victor, Hugh Johnstone entered + the Silver Bungalow, to find his Cassandra silently awaiting him. There + was no memory of the happenings of the day before in her unconstrained + greeting. The door of the strategic cabinet was ajar, but the tottering + visitor had no fears of an ambush. For Madame Alixe Delavigne calmly said: + “Jules, you may remain within call, in the hall.” + </p> + <p> + The old nabob’s heart leaped up in a welcome relief at this command. His + wrinkled face was of the hue of yellowed ivory, and his cold blue eyes + were weak and watery, as he heavily lurched into a chair facing his + hostess. Courage and craft had not failed him, for already Douglas Fraser + was speeding on to Delhi from Calcutta, the sole occupant of a special + train. In the long vigil of the night, Hugh Johnstone had evolved a plan + to ward off the blow of the sword of Fate! But watchfully silent he + awaited his enemy’s conversational attack. + </p> + <p> + “Damn her! I will outwit her yet!” he silently swore. + </p> + <p> + “Before you give me your answer, Hugh Fraser,” said the calm-voiced woman, + “I wish to tell you again what, in your mad jealousy, you would not + believe. I swear to you that Pierre Troubetskoi’s letter, written to my + dead sister, was written in ignorance of her marriage with you. The + frightful scenes of the carnage of Paris had tossed us to and fro, and the + careless destruction of the envelope, addressed to my sister under her + maiden name, prevented me from proving her innocence as a wife. Pierre + Troubetskoi had long known my father, who had been an attache in Russia. + He was Valerie’s knightly suitor. And he fell into the estates which now + burden me with wealth, while absent upon the Czar’s secret affairs. My + gallant old father was sacrificed to the frenzy of the time; his soldier’s + face betrayed him, his rosette of the Legion doomed him, Troubetskoi’s + letter to our father demanding Valerie’s hand was returned to the writer, + through the Russian Legation, a year later, after the reorganization of + the Paris Post-office. I do not ask you to believe this, but by the God of + Heaven, it is my warrant for forcing myself to the side of my dead + sister’s child. She shall yet have every acre and every rouble that Pierre + Troubetskoi would have given to this child whom you hide. My sister died + with her empty arms stretched to Heaven, imploring God for her child. And + now, what terms will you make with me. In the one case, an armed peace; in + the other, ‘war to the knife!’” + </p> + <p> + “What would you have?” he stubbornly muttered. “You seek my ruin.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not!” solemnly answered Berthe Louison. “God has blasted your life + in denying you the love of your own child. You rule her by fear. You, in + your selfish passion, once reached out your strong hand and crushed this + girl’s mother, a poor, fragile flower, in her girlhood. Valerie believed + Pierre to be dead or false when she timidly crossed the threshold of the + wedded home which you made a prison for her! You only care for this bubble + Baronetcy and for your heaped-up hoards. The tribute of the shrieking + ryot! Now, here are my terms: I will go down with you to Calcutta, and + deliver over to you there the receipt for the deposit of jewels which + holds back your coveted honor. You may do with them as you will! A visit + to the Viceroy will at once clear the path. Tell any story you will of + their recovery. An underling’s unfaithfulness or the loss of the paper. + You may remove them and surrender them as you will. Perhaps a fanciful + discovery of their hiding-place here, their surrender by Hindu thieves, + frightened at last; any of these conventional lies will clear your + official record of the olden stain. Long years ago I would have treated + with you, but I wanted to find the child. You hid her away from me. I + found you out by chance in your changed name and new official residence.” + </p> + <p> + “And your terms?” demanded Johnstone. He saw, with lightning cunning, a + pathway leading him out of his troubles. The vigil of the night before had + borne its fruit already. + </p> + <p> + “That I have free access to your house and home. That I shall be the + honored guest at your table. That I shall be left in no dubious social + standing here. That I may see your daughter, learn to know her, and you + may prudently arrange the story I am to tell her later. As Madame Berthe + Louison, a tourist of wealth, an art dilettante, a French woman of rank + and position, your social guaranty will keep the pack of human wolves away + from my retreat here. I have my papers to prove all this.” + </p> + <p> + “When must this be? Before I receive the jewels? Before my title to the + baronetcy is perfected? What guaranty have I?” he replied. + </p> + <p> + “My honor alone! I pledge you now that I will not make myself known to + Nadine until you have received the jewels and the Crown has obtained its + long sequestered property. We are to come back here together. The future + relations can be decided upon when I have satisfied my natural affection; + when your innocently besmirched record has been righted.” Hugh Johnstone’s + silvered head was bowed for a long interval in his trembling hands. “You + will not betray me to the authorities, when all is done? Your lips shall + be sealed as to the past?” Alixe Delavigne bowed in silence. “Then I + accept your terms upon one condition only: That until we return from + Calcutta, you will only see Nadine in my presence or in that of + Mademoiselle Delande, her governess. It is only fair. When you have + restored to me the jewels, you can then concert with me upon a plan to + enlighten Nadine, with no scandal to me, no heart-break to her. The + slightest gossip as to a family skeleton reaching the Viceroy or the home + authorities would lead to my public disgrace.” + </p> + <p> + Alixe Delavigne paced the room in silence for a few moments, while Hugh + Johnstone’s eyes were fixed upon the opened cabinet whence Jules Victor + had so fiercely sprung forth as a champion. + </p> + <p> + “Be it so!” sternly replied Alixe Delavigne. “And may God confound and + punish the one who breaks the pact.” + </p> + <p> + “When do you wish to come? When can you go to Calcutta? I would like to + hasten matters,” demanded the old nabob, with his eyes averted. The + beautiful woman paused, and after a moment replied: + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow, come here and bring me to your house to dine. This afternoon + you may call here and drive me over Delhi in your carriage. This will set + a public seal upon our acquaintance. My maid can accompany us. This done, + I will go to Calcutta with my two European servants, as you wish. You can + take the train on either the preceding or the following day. It will avoid + both spies and gossip.” + </p> + <p> + “I will go before you and await you!” eagerly said Hugh Johnstone, rising. + “I will ask another person to dine with us to-morrow, and this evening I + will prepare my daughter for the dinner, so that your coming will be no + surprise to her. Shall I bring my carriage here at four to-day?” + </p> + <p> + “I will await you,” gravely said Alixe Delavigne, as she bowed in answer + to her guest’s formal signal of departure. + </p> + <p> + An hour later Jules Victor reported to his mistress: “We drove to the + telegraph office, where I awaited the gentleman for some time, and then we + repaired to his home.” + </p> + <p> + There was a disgruntled man whose curses upon his kinsman’s changing moods + were both loud and deep when Douglas Fraser received a telegram that night + at Allahabad. “Is the old man crazy?” he demanded, as he read the words: + “Wait at Allahabad for me. Keep shady. With you in three days. Telegraph + your address.” The canny young Scot thought of a coming legacy and obeyed + the head of his clan. + </p> + <p> + Madame Berthe Louison, as Delhi was destined to know her, lingered long + over her afternoon driving toilet. There was a recurring fear which made + her tremble. “Would Hugh Johnstone divulge the facts as to the jewels to + the Viceroy, and so gain his free rehabilitation-and then defy her? No-no! + He never would dare!” she answered. “My agents are even now watching that + bank. The bank would never give up the sealed packages contents unknown, + save on surrender of the carefully drawn receipts.” And then Berthe + remembered her own secret work at Calcutta. The Grindlays knew of the + surreptitious attempts made by the plausible Hugh Fraser to withdraw the + deposit long before the baronetcy episode. And Berthe laughed, in memory + of her capture of the receipts in the old days at Brighton, while looking + for the stolen letter. + </p> + <p> + Long before that rising star of fashion, Major Alan Hawke, returned from + General Willoughby’s delightful dinner upon the day of Hugh Johnstone’s + crafty surrender, he knew that Hugh Johnstone had astounded Delhi by a + personal exploitation of the Lady of the Silver Bungalow. + </p> + <p> + “By Gad! Hawke!” roared old Brigadier Willoughby, with his mouth full of + chutney, “Johnstone is going the pace! First he produces a daughter, a + hidden treasure, and now this wonderfully beautiful French countess.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose, General,” lightly said the Major, “the old nabob will marry + and retire to Europe on his coming baronetcy.” + </p> + <p> + “Likely enough!” sputtered Willoughby. “You lucky young dog. I suppose you + are in the secret?” + </p> + <p> + But neither that night, nor two days later, at Major Hawke’s superb dinner + at the Delhi Club, did the jeunesse doree of the old capital extract an + admission from that mysterious “secret service” man, Major Alan Hawke. + “You cannot deny, Hawke, that you dined at the marble house with the + beauty whom we are all toasting,” said a rallying roisterer. “And—with + the Veiled Rose of Delhi!” said another, still more eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “It is true, gentlemen” gravely said Major Hawke, “that I was invited to + dinner at the marble house, but Madame Louison is a stranger to me, and I + believe a tourist of some rank. It was merely a formal affair. I believe + that she brought letters from Paris to Hugh Johnstone.” Late that night + Alan Hawke laughed, as he pocketed his winnings at baccarat. “Three + hundred pounds to the good! I’m a devil for luck!” And he sat down in his + room to think over all the events of a day which had half turned his head. + Warned by Justine Delande that Madame Louison was bidden to dine with Hugh + Johnstone, Alan Hawke closely interrogated her. She evidently knew and + suspected nothing. “Ah! Berthe plays a lone hand against the world,” he + smiled. + </p> + <p> + His mysterious employer had merely bidden him be ready to meet her there, + without surprise. There was as yet no lightning move up on the chess + board, and in vain he studied her resolute, smiling face. “All I can tell + you,” murmured Justine to her handsome Mentor, in the seclusion of Ram + Lal’s back room, “is that this Madame Berthe Louison comes to spend the + day in looking over Hugh Johnstone’s art treasures. Nadine and I are to + meet her, with the master. Do you know aught of her?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, dear Justine,” unhesitatingly lied Alan Hawke. “Watch her and + tell me all.” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” smilingly replied the Swiss. “I have a strange fear that Hugh + Johnstone has known her before, that he intends to marry her, and then to + send us two, Nadine and I, away to a quiet life in Europe.” Whereupon Alan + Hawke laughed loud and long. + </p> + <p> + “She is only a bird of passage, some wealthy globe wanderer, perhaps even + a sly adventuress. No, old Johnstone will not tempt Fortune.” + </p> + <p> + “He has been so unusually amiable,” agnostically said Justine. “Of course + he could hide such a design easily from Nadine, who knows nothing of + love.” + </p> + <p> + “She will learn! She will learn—in due time,” laughed Hawke. “There + is but one thing possible. This whole pretended visit may be a sham—she + may even be the belle amie of this old curmudgeon.” + </p> + <p> + “I will watch all three of them! You shall know all!” murmured Justine, as + she stole away, not without the kisses of her secret knight burning upon + her lips. + </p> + <p> + “What a consummate actress!” mused Alan Hawke, when, for the first time, + since Nadine Johnstone’s arrival, a formal dinner party enlivened the dull + monotony of the marble house. The round table, set for five, gave Hugh + Johnstone the strategic advantage of separating his secret enemy from his + blushing daughter. Hawke demurely paid his devoirs to Madame Justine + Delande, with a finely studied inattention to either the guest of the + evening or the beautiful girl who only murmured a few words when presented + to her father’s only visitor. “I wonder if Justine, poor soul, will see + the resemblance?” It had been a triumph of art, Madame Berthe Louison’s + magnificent dinner toilette, those rich robes which effaced the + opening-rose beauty of the slim girl in the simplicity of her rare Indian + lawn frock. Rich color and flowers and diamonds heightened the splendid + loveliness of the woman who “looked like a queen in a play that night.” + </p> + <p> + Alas, for Justine Delande, she was so busied with her mute telegraphy to + Alan Hawke that she never saw the startling family likeness of the two + women so eagerly watched by Hugh Johnstone. But the keen-eyed Alan Hawke + saw the girl’s fascinated gaze. He noted her virginal bosom heaving in a + new and strange emotion. He marked the tender challenge of her dreamy eyes + as Berthe Louison’s loving soul spoke out to the radiant young beauty only + held away from her heart by the stern old skeleton at the feast. + </p> + <p> + The long-drawn-out splendors of the feast were over, and the ladies had, + at last, retired. Hawke observed the stony glare with which Johnstone + whispered a few words of command to Justine Delande, when the two men + sought the smoking-room. + </p> + <p> + The door was hardly closed upon them when the coffee and cigars were + served, when Johnstone, striding forward, locked the door. + </p> + <p> + “See here, Hawke!” abruptly said the host “I want you to serve me + to-night, and to stand by me while this she-devil is in Delhi. I’ve got to + run down to Calcutta on business for a few days. She will not be here. She + has some business of her own down there, also. First, find out for me, for + God’s sake, all about her. How she came here; where she hides in Europe; + who her friends are. When you are able to, you can follow her over the + world. I’ll foot the bill, as the Yankees say. + </p> + <p> + “Now, to-night, I wish you to take your leave conventionally. Get away at + once, and go immediately and telegraph to Anstruther in London. No, don’t + deny you are intimate with him. I know it. Telegraph him that I am in a + position, now, to trace out and restore those missing jewels. The secret + of their hiding is mine at last. Here’s a hundred pounds. Don’t spare your + words. Within a month they will be in the hands of the Viceroy. I have to + play a part to get them—a dangerous part. I pledge my whole estate + to back this. But I must have my Baronetcy so that I can leave India, for + I fear the vengeance of the devils who robbed the captured Princes of + Oude. + </p> + <p> + “Once in England, I am safe. I’ll not leave till I get the Baronetcy, and + the jewels will not be delivered up until I get it. I am closely watched + here.” + </p> + <p> + Hawke’s eyes burned fiercely. “And if I was to take the train and tell the + Viceroy this?” he boldly said. + </p> + <p> + “Then I would say that you had lied—that is all.” + </p> + <p> + “What do I get?” coolly demanded Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “Five thousand pounds the day that I get my Baronetcy,” quietly replied + Johnstone. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll not do it,” hotly cried Hawke. “You might say I lied,” he sneered. + “I want it now!” + </p> + <p> + The two men glared at each other in a mutual distrust. Hugh Johnstone + pondered a moment, and said deliberately: + </p> + <p> + “I’ll give you five accepted drafts for a thousand pounds each, when I + return from Calcutta, on Glyn, Carr & Glyn, my London bankers, dated + thirty days apart. That will make you sure of your money, and me, sure of + my Baronetcy. Will you act?” Hawke knocked the ash off his Havana lightly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, if you give me a thousand pounds cash bonus now! I am deliberately + misleading Anstruther to help you. And I risk my own place to do it.” + </p> + <p> + “All right,” said Johnstone as he left the room, and in a few moments + returned with a check-book. “There’s your thousand pounds. Now listen. Not + a word to old General Willoughby. He is a meddlesome old sot. I shall slip + away quietly. To deceive the Delhi scandal-mongers you must call here + every day in my absence. Mademoiselle Delande will receive you. My + daughter, of course, sees no one in my absence. And you can inform Delhi + secretly, guardedly, that Madame Berthe Louison is an art enthusiast, a + Frenchwoman of rank and fortune, and one who, in her short stay, only + studies the wonders of old Oude. I don’t want this damned pack of local + lady-killers—the lobster-backs—to get after her. Do you + understand? I’ll have further use for you. I may retire to Europe. You can + trust the Swiss woman. I will give her my orders.” + </p> + <p> + “All right! I will go and telegraph as soon as I can make my adieux. When + do you start for Calcutta?” Hawke asked warily. + </p> + <p> + “The moment you get Anstruther’s reply,” decisively replied Johnstone. + “I’ll be away for a couple of weeks in all!” Hawke turned paler than his + wont, but he mused in silence and cheerfully finished his coffee and + cognac. In half an hour, he left an aching void in Justine Delande’s + bosom, but some subtle magnetism had so drawn Berthe Louison and the + heart-stirred Justine together that Hugh Johnstone was happy, when, with + courtly gallantry, he escorted the beauty, who had set Delhi all agog, to + her garden-bowered nest. + </p> + <p> + “Have I kept my compact?” said Berthe, as they stood once more in her + “tiger’s den.” + </p> + <p> + “You have, madame!” said Hugh Johnstone. “I have been considering all. I + will leave secretly for Calcutta in two or three days. You had better + follow me in a week. I have some private business there. I will ask my + friend, Major Hawke, to show you the environs. You can trust him. + Telegraph me to Grindlay’s Bank, Calcutta, of your arrival. I will meet + you. Our business transacted, we can return together on the same train. + All will then be safe.” His own secret preparations were all made. + </p> + <p> + “I agree to all,” said Berthe. “And, as to Nadine?” + </p> + <p> + Johnstone turned with blazing eyes, “You are to see her each day, at her + own home, in the presence of Justine Delande. She will have my orders. + Remember our compact! All your future association with her depends on your + prudence. I will not be betrayed or openly disgraced!” His face was as + black as a murderer caught in the act. + </p> + <p> + “I remember!” said the beauty of the Bungalow. + </p> + <p> + “To mystify the fools here, if I will bring my daughter and take you for a + drive, each day at four, till I go,” said Johnstone. “And, then, I’ll have + Hawke show you the city.” He bowed, and at once disappeared, leaving his + enemy laughing. But he grinned. + </p> + <p> + “If she knew that I go to meet Douglas Fraser, my lady would pass an + uneasy night! I hold the trump cards now!” + </p> + <p> + Major Alan Hawke smiled grimly the next day, when he presented to Hugh + Johnstone a neatly got up cipher, answering dispatch in code words which + had cost Ram Lal just half of the bribe which Hawke gave him for the sly + Hindu telegraph clerk. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Anstruther was prompt!” said the neatly tricked nabob, when Hawke + translated: + </p> + <p> + “Intelligence gratifying. Name approved and on list. Appointment sure!” + Three days later, Delhi missed Hugh Johnstone from the afternoon drives, + which showed Madame Louison and Nadine to an eager bevy of Madame Grundys. + But the envied of all men was Major Alan Hawke, escorting Madame Louison + for a week over the storied plains of the Jumna. + </p> + <p> + When Madame Berthe Louison and her two body servants took the Calcutta + train, local society jumped to its sage conclusion. + </p> + <p> + “Old Hugh will lead the beautiful Countess to the altar, while Major Alan + Hawke will bear off the Rosebud of Delhi, and so become the richest + son-in-law in India.” But the handsome Alan Hawke, each morning lingering + with Justine Delande in the grounds of the marble house, never saw the + face of Nadine Johnstone. The beautiful girl breathlessly awaited her + new-made friend’s return. But stern old Hugh Johnstone, at Calcutta, + laughed as he thought of his own secret coup de main. + </p> + <p> + “Wait! Wait till I return!” he gloated. “She is powerless now!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. HARRY HARDWICKE TAKES THE GATE NEATLY. + </h2> + <p> + In the few days succeeding Hugh Johnstone’s still unsuspected departure, + the dull fires of a growing jealousy burned and smouldered in Captain + Harry Hardwicke’s agitated heart. The old nabob had neatly slipped away in + the night, on a special engine, and the Captain heard all the growing + tattle of Delhi, as to the social activity at the marble house. The open + hospitable board of General Willoughby rang with the very wildest rumors. + Alan Hawke seemed to be the “Prince Charming” of the hidden festivities. + </p> + <p> + Hardwicke, on the eve of his Majority, now darkly moped in his rooms, + undecided to apply for a long home leave, unwilling to leave Delhi, and + even afraid to ask his general for any positive favor as to a future + station. Club and mess bandied the freest tattle as to old Hugh + Johnstone’s lovely “importation.” Men eyed the prosperous Major Alan Hawke + on his rising pathway with a growing envy. There was a smart coterie who + now firmly believed that the Major’s only “secret business” was to marry + the Rose of Delhi, and then, departing on an extended honeymoon, leave the + “Diamond Nabob,” as the ci-devant Hugh Fraser was called, free to proclaim + Madame Berthe Louison, queen of the marble house, and sharer of his + expected dignity, the crown of his life, the long-coveted Baronetcy. When + old Major Verner growled: + </p> + <p> + “That’s the scheme, Hardwicke! My Lady of France makes the condition that + the young heiress shall be settled first. Gad! What a lucky dog Hawke is!” + Then, Harry Hardwicke suddenly discovered that he loved the moonlight + beauty of his dreams—the fair veiled Rose of Delhi. Hawke rose up as + a darkly menacing cloud on his future. + </p> + <p> + His morning rides were now but keen inspections of the Commissioner’s + garden, and, lingering on the Chandnee Chouk, he knew, by experiments, + conducted with a beating heart, just where Justine Delande was wont to + wander in the lonely labyrinth, with her lovely young charge. A low double + gate, a break in the high stone wall, often gave him glimpses of the two + women in their morning rambles and, with a softened feeling, born of her + own secret passion for Hawke, Justine Delande watched a fluttering + handkerchief often answer Captain Hardwicke’s morning salute. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, Justine,” said Nadine, the morning after Hugh Johnstone had + stolen away, “Why does my father not ask Major Hardwicke to visit us? He + is to be promoted for his superb gallantry, he is so brave—so noble! + He certainly has as many claims to honor as this—this Major Hawke—whom + my father has made his confidant. I don’t know why, but I don’t like that + man!” + </p> + <p> + “What do you know of Major Hardwicke, as you call him?” cried Justine in + wonder at Miss Nadine’s growing interest. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” the agitated girl cried with blushing cheeks, “Mrs. Willoughby told + me how he dragged his wounded friend out of a storm of Afghan balls, and + gave her back the child of her heart. It was General Willoughby who got + him his Victoria Cross. And, she says that he is a hero, he is so gentle + and manly—so gifted—a man destined to be a commanding general + yet.” The guilty Swiss woman dared not raise her eyes to watch the + fleeting blushes on Nadine’s cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “It is time, high time we leave India,” she mused, and then, the thought + of separation from Alan Hawke chilled her blood. “Let us go in,” she said. + “The grass is damp yet.” Captain Hardwicke’s argus eyes, love inspired, + were now daily fixed on the marble house. He scoured Delhi and amassed a + pyramid of detached fragmentary gossip in all his alarm, but one star of + hope cheered him. Though Major Hawke was known as the only cavalier of + Madame Louison, save the old nabob, now supposed to be ill at home; though + Hawke drove out for a week with the lovely countess—to the great + surprise of the local society, the handsome renegade had never once been + seen in public with Miss Nadine Johnstone. Stranger still, the star-eyed + Madame Berthe Louison had never accompanied the young heiress in the + regular afternoon parade en voiture. “There’s a mystery here,” mused the + lover. “Old Hugh and the Major appear daily with the Frenchwoman, but + Nadine Johnstone has never been seen alone with anyone save her father, or + this Swiss duenna. Hawke is making slow progress there, if any.” Meeting + old Simpson, the nabob’s butler, Captain Hardwicke tipped him with a + five-pound note. The old retired soldier grinned and opened his + confidence. + </p> + <p> + “The Major! Bless your stars!” gabbled Simpson, “She’s a straightaway + angel, and not for the likes of him! Major Hawke has a dark spot or two in + his record—away back!” grumbled Simpson, “No, Captain! Major Hawke + has never set eyes on her for a single moment, but the one night of that + dinner. By the way, it is the only one we ever gave!” The butler swelled + up proudly. + </p> + <p> + “That night she never lifted her eyes, nor spoke even a word to him. He + comes to see the Guv’nor on business, an’ mighty private business it is. + They’re locked up together often.” + </p> + <p> + “And, this marrying? The stories are now told everywhere?” queried + Hardwicke, blushing, but desperately remembering that “all is fair in love + and war.” He, an incipient Major, a V. C.—“pumping” an old private + soldier. + </p> + <p> + “Rank rot!” frankly said the butler, “They’re all strangers. The French + countess is only sight-seeing here and buying out old Ram Lal’s shop. The + old thief! She brought letters to the Guv’nor! That’s all! He’s no special + fancy to her, and he set Major Hawke on just to do the amiable. The + Guv’nor’s far too old to beau the lady around. Marry?—not him! And + Miss Nadine’s just as silent as a flower in one of them gold vases. All + she does is to look pretty and keep still, poor lamb. Her music, her + books, her flowers, her birds. And as to Major Hawke and this Madame + Louison—I’ve the Guv’nor’s own orders they are never to see Miss + Nadine. That is, Hawke not at all, and the lady only when Miss Delande is + present! Them’s my solid orders, and the old Guv’nor put my eye out with a + ten-pound note—the first I ever got from him. No, Captain! You’ve + done the handsome by me, and I give you the straight tip—wasn’t I in + the old Eighth Hussars with your father when we charged the rebel camp at + Lucknow? I’ve got a tulwar yet that I cut out of the hand of a ‘pandy’ who + was hacking away at Colonel Hardwicke.” + </p> + <p> + “How did you get it, Simpson?” cried the young Captain. + </p> + <p> + “I got arm and all! Took it off with a right cut! You may know, Cap’n, + that we ground our sabers in those old days! No, sir! Miss Nadine’s for + none of them people, and Hawke is only in the house for business. He’s a + deep one—is that same Hawke,” concluded Simpson, pocketing his note. + </p> + <p> + Captain Hardwicke began to see the light dawning. “Alan Hawke has then + some secret business scheme with the old money grubber that’s all,” mused + the young engineer officer, happy at heart. “I’ll fight a bit shy of him. + His scheme may take the girl in. So, old Johnstone’s away a few days. + Perhaps settling his affairs before his departure. I think,” the lover + mused, “I will follow them to Europe, if they go, and, if they stay, + Willoughby will ask for my retention, and, after all, ‘faint heart never + won fair lady.’ Hawke is not an open suitor. If the old man should ever + marry this French beauty, I may find the pathway open to Nadine + Johnstone’s side!” + </p> + <p> + So, with a “fighting chance,” Captain Hardwicke determined that Miss + Nadine should know his heart before long, and have also a chance to know + her own mind. “The fact is, the old boy has lived the life of a recluse, + that’s all, but I’ll find a way to pierce the shell of his moroseness. + There’s one comfort,” he smiled, “No other fellow is making any running.” + </p> + <p> + In these swiftly gliding days of absence, Ram Lal Singh and the watchful + Major Alan Hawke conferred at length over narghileh and glass. A sullen + discontent had settled down on Hawke’s brow when Berthe Louison publicly + departed upon her business trip with not even a fragmentary confidence. + </p> + <p> + “Wait for my return, and only watch the marble house,” said the Madame. + “Do not be foolish enough to attempt to call on Miss Nadine. I heard + Johnstone tell the Swiss woman not to allow you to follow up any social + acquaintance with his daughter. ‘I want Nadine to remain a girl as yet,’ + growled the old brute. Now, the Swiss woman may be able to give you some + information.” + </p> + <p> + “I’ll do what I can,” carelessly replied Alan Hawke, but his eyes gleamed + when she said: + </p> + <p> + “Do not sulk in your tent. On my return I shall have need of you. You can + prepare to go into action then.” + </p> + <p> + “Where shall I address you at Calcutta?” demanded Hawke. “Something might + happen.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” smiled Berthe Louison. “Nothing will happen. Not a line, not a + telegram; send nothing, come what will! I return here soon, and, besides, + Old Johnstone might watch and intercept it. Remember, we do not know each + other. It would be a fatal mistake to write.” And so she went quietly on + her way. The house was locked, the Indian servants having the Madame’s + orders to admit no one, on any pretense. “Damn her!” growled Alan Hawke, + when the door was shut in his face. “She feared I would give her away to + Johnstone. No address! Not a line or a telegram! Only wait—only + wait!” + </p> + <p> + Ram Lal infuriated him later with the news that nothing could be learned + from the baffled spies of the household in the Silver Bungalow as to the + first or second interwiew of Johnstone and the resolute Alixe Delavigne. + “Money will not do it! Not a lac of rupees. The Frenchman and woman never + leave her day or night. He is on guard with weapons and a night light at + her door, and the maid sleeps in the room. + </p> + <p> + “And she has other secret helpers!” groaned the baffled Ram Lal. “She is + writing and receiving letters all the time. And yet none of these come or + go by the post. She does not trust you, Major,” said the jewel merchant, + with a cruel gleam of his dark eyes. “I believe that she is some old love + of Sahib Johnstone. They have deep dealings. She has bought a great store + of jewels and trinkets from me.” + </p> + <p> + “Hell and fury! I’ve been duped!” cried Hawke. “I see it. That damned + Frenchman takes and brings the letters! But who is her local go-between? + Perhaps the French Consul at Calcutta, or some banker here! I can’t buy + them all. She only needs me in case of a violent rupture with Johnstone. + Damn her stony-hearted impertinence!” + </p> + <p> + And he mentally resolved to sell her out and out to the liberal old nabob. + “He might then give his daughter to me for peace and safety. But I’ve got + to do the trick before he finds out the falsity of Anstruther’s so-called + telegram. And, first, I must have something to sell. She is the devil’s + own for sly nerve, is my lady.” + </p> + <p> + “She is too smart for us, as yet,” soothingly said Ram Lal. “But wait; + wait till they return! Pay me well and I will find out all that goes on. I + can always get into the marble house at night. At any time, I may spy on + old Johnstone and get the secret there. I have a couple of men of my own + in his house. They know where to leave a door, a window, an opened sash + for me. And at the Silver Bungalow, I can go in and out secretly by day + and night. She would not know. You would not wish anything to happen to + her?” The old jewel merchant’s voice was darkly suggestive. + </p> + <p> + “No! Devil take her!” cried Hawke. “What I want to know is hidden in her + crafty head and stony heart. Death would bury it forever. Nothing must + happen either to her or to him. It would spoil the whole game. Don’t you + see, Ram Lal, there’s money in this for you and me just as long as we keep + them all here under our hands. If they separate—even if one goes to + Europe—you can watch one and I the other. You can always frighten + money out of old Johnstone if we tell each other all, and I can follow + that woman over Europe and dog her till she is driven crazy. She will fear + me just as long as old Hugh Johnstone is alive, for I could sell her out + to him. No one else cares. They must both live to be our bankers. Now tell + me, why did either or both of them go to Calcutta—what for?” Ram Lal + figuratively washed his hands in invisible water. + </p> + <p> + “Running water, passing silently, leaves no story behind, Sahib,” he said, + simply. “We have not caught our eels yet. But they are both coming back + into our eel pot.” And as the days dragged on Alan Hawke beguiled the time + with the most energetic inroads into Justine Delande’s heart. + </p> + <p> + “Some one must break the line of the enemy,” darkly mused Alan Hawke, as + in the unrestrained intimacy of their long, morning rides, he influenced + the Swiss woman’s heart, love-tortured, to a greater passionate surrender. + </p> + <p> + “It maybe all in all to me, in my secret career, your future fidelity,” he + pleaded. ‘“It will be all in all to you, and to your sister. There will be + your home, the friendship of an enormously rich woman! The girl will have + a million pounds! And you and I, Justine, shall not be cast off, as one + throws away an old sandal.” The cowering woman clung closer daily to the + man who now molded her will to his own. + </p> + <p> + The absence of Johnstone and Madame Louison seemed confirmation of the + rumors of coming bridals. + </p> + <p> + “They will come back, as man and wife!” growled old Verner, to Captain + Hardwicke, “and then, look out for a second bridal! Hawke and the + heiress!” But Harry Hardwicke only smiled and bided his time. His daily + morning ride led him to the double gateway, to at least nearby the + isolation of the lovely Rose who was filling his heart with all beauty and + brightness. + </p> + <p> + Major Alan Hawke had withdrawn himself into a stately solitude at the + Club. His evenings were spent with Ram Lal, and his mornings with the + deluded Justine, who dared not now write to the calm-faced preceptress in + Geneva how far the tide of love had swept her on. In the long afternoons, + Major Hawke was apparently busied with the “dispatches” which duly + mystified the Club quid mines, as they were ostentatiously displayed in + the letter-box. No one but Ram Lal knew of the abstraction from the mail, + and destruction of these carefully sealed envelopes of blank paper. But + the thieving mail clerk in their secret pay, laughed as he consigned them + later to the flames. + </p> + <p> + The astute Major was not aware that he was being daily watched by secret + agents representing both the absent ones whom he desired to dupe. But a + daily letter was dispatched by a local banker to a well-known Calcutta + firm, which reached Madame Louison, and old Hugh Johnstone, busied at his + lawyers, or sitting alone at night with Douglas Fraser in Calcutta, smiled + grimly, when he, too, received his data as to Hawke’s progress. A growing + coldness which had cut off Hardwicke’s friendship seemed to interest Hugh + Johnstone. “I suppose that old Willonghby thinks Hawke is spying upon him. + Just as well!” + </p> + <p> + There had been a lightning activity in the old man’s movements before + Madame Louison arrived in Calcutta. He was fighting for his future peace + and his coveted honors. The lawyer with whom he spent his first day was + astounded at the peculiar nature of the last will and testament which the + old nabob ordered him to draft at once. “The steamer, Lord Roberts, goes + to-morrow, and I wish a duplicate to be deposited here in the bank, under + your care, as I shall write to my senior executor regarding it.” + </p> + <p> + The nabob’s remark, “Make your fees what you will. I give you carte + blanche!” had silenced the remonstrances which rose to the lawyer’s lips. + “I know what I am doing, Hodgkinson,” said Hugh Johnstone. “Blood is + thicker than water! I can trust nothing else. These two men as executors + will exactly carry out my wishes. In naming a guardian by will, for my + daughter, I do not forget that she is yet a child at eighteen, and, at + twenty-one, she may be the destined prey of many a fortune hunter! As for + my directions and restrictions, I know my own mind!” + </p> + <p> + When Hugh Johnstone, Esq., of Delhi and Calcutta, had seen the fleet + steamer, Lord Roberts, sail away for London, bearing a carefully + registered document addressed to “Professor Andrew Fraser, St. Agnes Road, + St. Heliers, Jersey, Channel Islands, England,” he could not remember a + detail forgotten in the voluminous letters of positive orders now also on + their way to his distant brother. He smiled grimly as he entered the P. + and O. office, and, after a private interview with the manager, called his + nephew, Douglas Fraser, away to a private luncheon. They had first visited + the one bank, which Johnstone trusted, and there deposited a sealed + document to the order of “Douglas Fraser, executor.” The young man had + been alarmed at his stern old uncle’s curtness, on the return trip from + Allahabad, his strange manner and his grim silence. But he was simply + astounded when his nabob relative quietly said: + </p> + <p> + “I have obtained a six months’ leave of absence for you! Let no one know + of your movements. Leave your rooms and baggage just as they are. I will + now move in there, and put one of my servants in charge while you are + gone. I have made my will and named your father as my executor and the + guardian of my daughter, and you are to succeed, in case of his death! + There will be a small fortune for you both in the fees, and neither of you + are forgotten in the will! I have drawn two thousand pounds in notes for + you, and here is a bank draft on London for three thousand more!” The + young man was sitting in open-mouthed wonder, when the nabob sharply said: + “Now! Have your wits about you! I bear all the expenses here, and your + office pay goes on. You will be promoted on your return. The manager of + the P. and O. is my lifelong friend.” + </p> + <p> + “What am I to do?” gasped the young man, fearing his uncle was losing his + wits. + </p> + <p> + “You are to disappear from Calcutta to-night. Go without a word to a + living soul! You are neither to write to a soul in India, nor open your + mouth to a human being, in transit. You are to go by Madras, take the + first steamer to Brindisi, and then hurry by rail to Paris and Granville, + and to St. Heliers. You will find your detailed orders there with your + father. Then stay there, await my orders from here, not leaving your + father’s side, a moment. Now, I tell you again, your future fortunes + depend upon your exact obedience! I will give you my private wishes after + we have had luncheon. The only thing that you will have in writing is an + address to which I wish you to cable each day after you land at Brindisi, + until you turn over your business to your father. You may cable also from + Aden and Port Said.” + </p> + <p> + The luncheon was “a short horse and soon curried.” For a half an hour Hugh + Johnstone earnestly whispered to his nephew, whose face was grave and + ashen. At last the old man concluded, “Here is a letter to use at Delhi. + There will be a telegram already in the hands of the two parties intended. + </p> + <p> + “‘Remember! You are to go, but once, from here to your lodgings. Then + simply disappear! Take nothing but a mackintosh, an umbrella, and your + traveling bag. Buy at Madras what you want. Here’s a couple of hundred + pounds. You will find the engine at the station now in waiting for you. + The whole line is open for you. Do your Delhi work at night. The train + will be made up for you the very moment you arrive at Delhi. I give you + just one day to connect with the Rangoon at Madras. You are not for one + single moment to lose your charge from sight till on the steamer. From + Brindisi, the directions I have given cover all. Here is an envelope for + the Swiss woman which will make her your friend. Now go, Douglas! This is + the foundation of your fortune. If you succeed, you will have all I leave + behind in India. In case of any trouble in India, telegraph instantly to + this address, and I will join you at once. Memorize this address, and + destroy it then! Telegraph to me from Delhi, but only when you start. And, + when you sail from Madras, only the name of the steamer. The trainmen will + do the rest. They have their orders already. Is there anything else?” + </p> + <p> + The young man pulled himself together. “It’s like the Arabian Nights!” + </p> + <p> + “Go ahead, now, and show yourself a man!” cried Hugh Johnstone, almost in + anguish. “I do not wish to see you again until you have earned your + fortune! One last word: You are to make no explanations whatever!” + </p> + <p> + The young envoy grasped his kinsman’s hands, crying: “You may count on me + in life and death! I’ll do your bidding.” + </p> + <p> + Old Johnstone drank a bottle of pale ale and composedly smoked a cheroot, + after he had watched the stalwart, rosy young Briton stride away on his + strange journey. A robust, frank-faced, fine young fellow of twenty-six, + with the fair brow and clear blue eyes of the “north countree,” was manly + Douglas Fraser. + </p> + <p> + Toiling resolutely to rise, step by step, in the service of the Peninsular + and Oriental Steamship Company, he had never dreamed of the sudden favor + of his rich kinsman, and yet, loyal as the good Sir James Douglas, he + silently took up his quest. + </p> + <p> + “I can’t understand the old gentleman.” he mused as he hurried a half an + hour later into the station, through prudently selected by-streets. “There + may be some old official entanglement hanging over him yet. Some reason + why he would quit India quietly, or perhaps some one who owes him a + grudge. At any rate I’ll do my duty to him like a man—to him and to + the others—like a gentleman.” + </p> + <p> + Hugh Johnstone measuredly betook his way to Douglas Fraser’s lodgings. + </p> + <p> + Before the old man was settled on Douglas’s cozy wicker lounge, the pilot + engine was tearing away with the young voyager, who had simply stepped out + of his own life to make a sudden fortune. + </p> + <p> + “Now, damn you, Alixe Delavigne,” hoarsely muttered the old man, when + alone, “I will see you to-morrow! You shall rule me until I get these two + coffers out of the bank, and until our home-coming at Delhi. Then, you + jade,” he growled, “Ram Lal shall do the business for you, even if it + costs me ten thousand pounds!” which proves that an old tiger may be + toothless and yet have left to him strong claws to drag his prey down. + “Money will do anything in India or anywhere else!” the old nabob growled, + forgetting that even all the yellow gold of the Rand or the gleaming + diamonds of the Transvaal will not avail to fill the burned-out lamp of + life! + </p> + <p> + The prolonged absence of the embryo Sir Hugh Johnstone was a matter of + public comment in Delhi, while the knowing ones winked significantly at + the almost triumphal departure of Madame Berthe Louison, whose special car + and ample retinue made her a modern European Queen of Sheba. “Tell you + what, fellows,” said “Rattler” Murray, otherwise known as “Red Eric, of + the Eighth Lancers,” “the old Commissioner will return superbly ‘improved + and illustrated’ with her, a new edition of the standard old work. You + see, there’s a French Consul-General at Calcutta, and then and there the + matrimonial obsequies will be performed. But I’ll give him just a year’s + life,” and the gay lieutenant struck an attitude, quoting the menacing + jargon in “Hamlet”: + </p> + <p> + “In second husband, let me be accurst; None wed the second, but who killed + the first.” + </p> + <p> + “What infernal rot you do gabble, Murray!” suddenly cried Alan Hawke, + dropping a double barrier of the newest Times, as he prepared to leave the + clubroom in disgust. “Hugh Johnstone was only called down to Calcutta on + some important financial business some days ago, and he went there simply + to rearrange some of his large investments. Madame Louison is only a + stranger here, a tourist traveling incognito, and connected with some of + the best noble families of France.” With great dignity Major Hawke stalked + away to his rooms, leaving the club for a long drive in disgust. + </p> + <p> + By the next evening Madame Berthe Louison had been discovered to be a + noble relative of the Comte de Chambord, “traveling incognito,” and then + the clacking tongues of gossip rose up in a shrill chorus of greater + intensity. Immense investments of the Orleans fortunes in Indian + properties to be managed by Major Alan Hawke were discovered to be the + object of her Indian tour, with wise old Hugh Johnstone as an infallible + financial adviser. But Alan Hawke smiled his superior smile and said + nothing. + </p> + <p> + All this and more soon reached the ears of Capt. Harry Hardwicke, whose + fever of gnawing curiosity and romantically born love was now strong upon + him. A second conference with his old friend Simpson enlightened the + engineer officer upon many things, as yet “seen in a glass darkly.” He + began to fear that Alan Hawke was growing dangerous as the secret juggler + in the strange social situation at the marble house. With the vise-like + memory of an old soldier, Simpson had retained various anecdotes not + entirely to the credit of the self-promoted Major Alan Hawke, and had + partly supplied the hiatus between the sudden disappearance of the + desperate lieutenant, a rake gambler and profligate, and the return of the + prosperous and debonnaire Major en retraite. “Don’t let him work too long + around Miss Nadine, Major Hardwicke,” said the wary Simpson. “Sly and + quiet as he seems, he’s surely here for no good. I know him of old. He’s + forgotten me, though.” + </p> + <p> + That night, the night when Berthe Louison, in her special car was nearing + Calcutta, at last, Captain Hardwicke was haunted in his dreams by the + sweet apparition of Nadine Johnstone, and her lovely arms were stretched + appealingly to him. It was the early dawn when he awoke, and sprang + blithely from his couch. “If that graceful shade crosses my path to-day, + I’ll speak to it in the flesh—though a dozen Hawkes and a hundred + crusty fathers forbid,” he gayly cried, for his entrancing dream had given + him a strangely prophetic courage. + </p> + <p> + In the ambrosial freshness of the morning, a long gallop upon his pet + charger, “Garibaldi,” restored the equilibrium of the young officer’s + nerves. He had neatly taken the strong-limbed cross-country horse over a + dozen of the old walls out by the Kootab Minar, and with the reins lying + loosely on Garibaldi’s neck, he rode back to the live city by the side of + its two dead progenitors. + </p> + <p> + The bustle and hum of awaking Delhi interested him not, for a fond unrest + led him down to the great walled inclosure of the marble house. + </p> + <p> + “Shall I see her to-day? Will she be in the garden?” he murmured in his + loving day-dream. + </p> + <p> + The springy feet of the charger dropped noiselessly on the lonely avenue + and already the double carriage gate was in sight. An instinct of martial + coquetry caused Harry Hardwicke to gather up his reins and straighten + lightly into the military position of eyes right. He was watching the gate + of Paradise, a Paradise as yet forbidden to him. + </p> + <p> + Yes. There was the gleam of white robes shining out across the friendly + gate. + </p> + <p> + Standing under a huge spreading camphor tree, a graceful form was there, + clear cut against the dark foliage, and seeming to float upon the tender + green of the dewy grass. A nymph—a goddess, shyly standing there, + was shading her eyes with one slender hand and gazing down the path toward + the golden East which was bringing to the Lady of his dreams, a flood of + golden sunlight and her secret adorer, the man whose lonely young heart + had throned her as its queen. Hardwicke raised his head quickly as a wild + shriek sounded out upon the still morning air. + </p> + <p> + The lover with one agonized glance saw the outspread arms of Justine + Delande, and heard again a voice which had thrilled his soul in loving + memory. It appealed for aid. Nadine was shrieking for help. + </p> + <p> + With one glance, the young soldier gathered his noble steed. There was but + twenty yards for the rally and the raise, but the game old “Garibaldi” + dropped as lightly on the other side of the closed carriage gate as any + “blue ribbon” of the Galway “Blazers.” + </p> + <p> + There was a moment, but one fleeting moment, given to the lover to see the + danger menacing the woman whom he loved. His heart was icy, but his hand + was quick. There, a few feet only from the horribly fascinated girl, a + cobra di capdlo rising and swaying in angry undulations. The huge snake + was angrily hissing with a huge distended puffed hood swelling menacingly + over the dirty brown body. “Standfast!” yelled Hardwicke in agony. + </p> + <p> + There was a gleam of steel, the rush of a charger’s feet, and as man and + horse swept by the fainting girl—the swing of a saber, and the heavy + trampling of iron-clad hoofs! Only Justine Delande saw the flashing saber + cleaving the air again and again, as Hardwicke gracefully leaned to his + saddle bow, in the right and left cut on the ground. And Garibaldi’s + beating hoofs soon completed the work of the circling sword. + </p> + <p> + And then as the Swiss woman broke her trance and turned to run toward the + house, the young horseman leaped lightly to the ground. “Go on, go on!” he + cried. “The other snake is not far off!” When Simpson and the frightened + domestics rushed out to the veranda in a panic, they only saw before them + a graceful youth with his strong arms burdened with the senseless form of + the woman he loved—the woman whose life he had saved! + </p> + <p> + And, dangling from his right wrist, by the leather sword-knot, hung the + saber which Colonel Hardwicke had swung in the mad onslaught on the + mutineers’ camp at Lucknow. + </p> + <p> + “Here, Simpson! Send for Doctor McMorris!” cried Hardwicke, as a dozen + willing hands sprang to aid him. “Bring brandy, ammonia, and oil!” There + was a bamboo settee on the veranda. It received the precious burden which + the soldier had held against his heart. “Carry her to her rooms! Gently, + now!” commanded the captain. Seizing Justine by the arm, he said: “I think + that I arrived in time. Go! Go! You will find me waiting for you here! + Examine her at once! The hot iron and artery ligatures alone will save her + if she was bitten!” His brow was knotted in agony. + </p> + <p> + “You came between them!” gasped Justine. “The thing never reached her + side!” + </p> + <p> + “God be thanked! Go! Go!” cried Hardwicke. “I have my work to do here!” A + black servant had already led the dancing Garibaldi out to the open safety + of the graveled carriage drive. “Look to my horse!” cried Hardwicke. “See + that he is not bitten!” and then he slowly walked over to where a dozen + menials, with heavy clubs, had beaten the writhing cobra into a shapeless + mass. + </p> + <p> + “Come away, all of you!” cried the captain, in Hindustanee. “Run, some of + you, and get the snake catcher!” Doctor McMorris, arriving on the gallop, + had reported the absolute safety of the frightened girl, when Harry + Hardwicke, leaning on his sheathed sword, watched a slim, glittering-eyed + Hindu, followed by a boy bearing an earthen pot, who had noiselessly + reconnoitered the vicinity of the great tree. The boy most keenly watched + all the movements of his white-robed master, who, drawing a little fife + from his red cummerbund sash, began to play a shrill, weird tune. A + frightened household coterie watched from a safe distance the thirty-foot + circle of herbage around the shade of the giant tree trunk. A shudder + crept over the watchers as a huge brown head, with two white circles on + the back of the neck, rose slowly out of the grass, and two red-hot + gleaming eyes blazed out, as an immense cobra swelled out its fearfully + disgusting hood, and, rising halfway, bloated out its loathsome head, + swaying to and fro, to the strange music. “There’s the mate!” quietly + whispered Hardwicke to Simpson. The snake now showed its greasy belly, + like dirty stained marble, and the lithe boy, circling behind it, warily + essayed to drop the red earthen pot over its head. But one of the excited + servants, stealing up, had released a little mongoose, which now bravely + darted upon its deadly enemy. + </p> + <p> + Seven times did the active little animal dart upon the huge reptile, in a + confusedly vicious series of attacks and close in a deadly conflict, and, + when, at last, the snake charmer walked disgustedly away, the little + ferret’s sharp teeth were transfixed in the throat of its dead enemy. + </p> + <p> + A handful of silver to the snake catcher and his boy sent them away + delighted, while the wounded mongoose, having greedily sucked the blood of + the dead cobra, wandered away in triumph, creeping on its belly into the + rank grass in search of the life-saving herb which it alone can find, to + cure the venom-inflamed wounds of the deadly “naja.” The silent duel was + over, and the bodies of the dreadful vipers were hastily buried. + </p> + <p> + “I shall call this afternoon, at five, to ask Miss Johnstone if she has + entirely recovered,” gravely said Captain Hardwicke to Mademoiselle + Justine Delande, when the still excited Swiss woman poured forth her + congratulations to the young hero of this morning’s episode. Hardwicke was + standing with his gloved hand grasping the mettlesome “Garibaldi’s” + bridle. Justine Delande threw her arms around the neck of the noble horse + and kissed his sleek brown cheek. Then she whispered a few words to + Captain Hardwicke, which made that young warrior’s heart leap up in a wild + joy. + </p> + <p> + He laughed lightly as he said: “Keep this quiet. Pray do not allow Miss + Johnstone to walk any more in the dewy grass. These deadly reptiles affect + moisture, and, strange to say, they love the vicinity of human + habitations. As for ‘Garibaldi,’ good old fellow, I’ll bring him this + afternoon, but I’ll not take him again over the gate. It was a pretty + stiff jump for the old boy.” When Simpson escorted the happy Captain to + the opened carriage gate, he threw up his wrinkled hand in salute. + </p> + <p> + “You’re your father’s own son, Captain, and God bless you and good luck to + you and the young mistress.” + </p> + <p> + There was no answer as Harry spurred the charger down the road, but + Simpson pocketed a sovereign, with the sage prophecy that things were at + last, going the right way. + </p> + <p> + The watchful Hugh Johnstone was already in waiting, on this very morning, + at the East Indian station in Calcutta, with a sumptuous carriage; for a + telegram had warned him that the woman whom he dreaded, and had secretly + doomed, was fast approaching. His heart was resolutely set upon the master + stroke of his life, for a private audience with the Viceroy of India had + been graciously granted him at two o’clock. “I am saved—if nothing + goes wrong,” he murmured, as the Delhi train trundled into the station. + </p> + <p> + A steely glare lit up his eyes as he advanced with raised sun helmet to + meet the Lady of the Silver Bungalow. + </p> + <p> + In the train were one or two of the curious Delhi quid nuncs, who smiled + and exchanged glances as the embryo Sir Hugh led the lady to the carriage. + </p> + <p> + On the box Jules Victor sat bolt upright clasping a traveling bag, while + Marie gazed at the swarming streets of Calcutta from her mistress’s side. + “She is on the defensive. I’ll show her a trick,” old Hugh murmured, as he + noted the servants’ presence. + </p> + <p> + A few murmured words exchanged between the secret foes caused Hugh + Johnstone to sternly cry, “To Grindlay and Company’s Bank.” + </p> + <p> + The dark goddess Kali, patron demon of Kali Ghatta, was hovering above + them in the pestilential air as the carriage swiftly rolled along the + superb streets of the metropolis born of Governor Charnock’s settlement in + sixteen eighty-six. The gift of an Emperor of Delhi to the ambitious + English, Fort William had grown to be an octopus of modern splendor. Down + the circular road, past the splendid Government House, they silently sped + through the “City of Palaces.” Berthe Louison never noted the varied + delights of the Maiden Esplanade, nor, even with a glance honored + Wellesley and Ochterlony, raised up there in marble effigy. Her face was + as fixed as bronze, while Hugh Johnstone, right and left, saluted his + countless friends. + </p> + <p> + Men of the Bengal Asiatic, the Bethune, the Dai-housie, plumed generals, + native princelings, gay aides-de-camp, grave judges, and university Dons + eagerly bowed to the richest civilian in Bengal—the homage of + triumphant wealth. + </p> + <p> + Stared at from club windows, Johnstone, with proudly erect head, nodded to + fashion’s fools, crowding there all eager to catch a glimpse of the lovely + Lady Johnstone in posse. + </p> + <p> + For these last days of waiting had been only a mental torture to the nabob + assailed by rallying gossipers. He was now counting grimly the moments + till a telegram from Delhi should seal his safety for life. And then, his + dark and silent revenge! + </p> + <p> + At Grindlay’s Bank, Madame Louison quietly descended, leaning on the arm + of Hugh Johnstone. There was hurrying to and fro on their appearance, and + in ten minutes a second carriage received the disguised Alixe Delavigne, + while the Manager of Grindlay’s escorted her, under the eyes of her two + guardians. The Golden Calf was the reigning god, even in these later days. + </p> + <p> + With a dignified pace, the carriage of Hugh Johnstone led the way to the + Bank of Bengal, where a private room soon hid the three principal parties + from the gaze of the multi-colored throng of clerks and accountants. A + conference of the gravest nature ensued, as both the Bank Managers + jealously watched each other. + </p> + <p> + Hugh Johnstone was as pale as a man wrestling with the dark angel when + Madame Louison produced a faded document and a receipt of extended legal + verbiage. The Manager of Grindlay’s gazed, in mute surprise, when the + highest dignitary of the Bengal Bank at last entered the room, followed by + two porters bearing two brass-bound mahogany boxes of antique manufacture. + Hugh Fraser Johnstone’s stony face was carelessly impassive. + </p> + <p> + “Pray examine these seals!” the newcomer said, “and, remember, Mr. + Johnstone, that we exact your absolute release for the long-continued + responsibility. Here is a memorandum of the storage and charges. You must + sign, also, as Hugh Fraser—now Hugh Fraser Johnstone.” + </p> + <p> + Old Hugh Johnstone’s voice never trembled, as he said, after a minute + inspection: + </p> + <p> + “I will give you a cheque.” Then, dashing off his signature upon the + receipt tendered by Madame Louison, he calmly said: “These things are only + of a trifling value—some long-treasured trinkets of my dead wife’s. + May I be left alone for a moment?” + </p> + <p> + The three silent witnesses retired into an adjoining room. In five + minutes, Hugh Johnstone called the Bank Governor to his side. “There is + your receipt, duly signed, and your cheque to balance, Mr. Governor. We + are now both relieved of a tiresome controversy. Will you please bring in + the others?” + </p> + <p> + With a pleasant smile, the flush of a great happiness upon his face, Hugh + Fraser Johnstone remarked: “I desire to state publicly that Madame Louison + and my self have, in this little transaction, closed all our affairs. I + have given to her a quit-claim release of all and every demand + whatsoever.” With kindly eyes, Berthe Louison listened to a few murmured + words from Hugh Johnstone. Bowing her stately head, she swept from the + room upon the arm of the polite manager of Grindlay’s. + </p> + <p> + “Home,” said the genial banker, as he deferentially questioned the Lady of + the Silver Bungalow. “Do you honor us with a long visit?” he eagerly + asked. + </p> + <p> + “I return to-morrow evening, on the same train with the soon-to-be Sir + Hugh. I only came here to attend to some business at the French Consulate + and to adjust this trifling matter.” Hugh Johnstone writhed in rage, as he + saw the cool way in which Berthe Louison fortified her safety lines. + </p> + <p> + Before they were in the shelter of the banker’s superb mansion, Hugh + Johnstone was double locked within the walls of Douglas Fraser’s + apartment. + </p> + <p> + “I have two hours to work in” he gasped, after a nervous examination of + the contents of the cases which had been placed at his feet in his + carriage. “And, then, for the Viceroy! But first to the steamer and the + Insurance Office!’” + </p> + <p> + Not a human being in Calcutta ever knew the contents of the small steel + strongbox which occupied the place of honor in the treasure room of the + Empress of India on her speeding down the Hooghly. But a Director of the + Anglo-Indian Assurance Company opened his eyes widely when Hugh Johnstone, + his fellow director, cheerfully paid the marine insurance fees on a policy + of fifty thousand pounds sterling. “I am sending some of my securities + home, Mainwaring,” the great financier said. “I intend to remove my + property, bit by bit, to London. I do not dare to trust them on one ship.” + The director sighed in a hopeless envy of his millionaire friend. + </p> + <p> + Hugh Johnstone’s Calcutta agent was also solemnly stirred up when his + principal gave him some private directions as to the custody of his + private papers and a substantial Gladstone bag, consigned to the recesses + of the steel vaults. “I go back with these papers to Delhi to-morrow + night. Give me the keys of my private compartment till then. In a few + months I may be called to London. Douglas Fraser will have my power of + attorney.” + </p> + <p> + With a sunny gleam in his face, Hugh Johnstone then alertly sprang into + his carriage, when he had finished his careful toilet, to meet the Viceroy + of India. The two brass-bound mahogany cases were left standing carelessly + open upon his table in Douglas Fraser’s rooms, neatly packed with an + assortment of toilet articles and all the multitudinous personal medical + stores of a refined Anglo-Indian “in the sere and yellow.” + </p> + <p> + “Five pounds worth!” laughed Hugh Johnstone, as he closed the door. “Now, + in one hour, my Lady Disdain, I can say ‘Checkmate.’ Ram Lal shall attend + to you later—behind all your bolts and bars. He will find a way to + reach you.” + </p> + <p> + It was a matter of profound speculation to the gilded youth of the + Government House what strangely sudden friendship had blossomed to bring + the august representative of the great Victoria, Kaisar-I-Hind, and Queen + of England, as far as the middle of the audience room, in close colloquy + with, and manifesting an almost affectionate leave-taking of, the + silver-haired millionaire of Delhi. + </p> + <p> + But that night the most confidential General “at disposal” received from + the Viceroy some secret orders which caused the experienced soldier’s eyes + to open widely. + </p> + <p> + “Remember! The personal interests of the Crown are involved here!” said + the Viceroy. “Any mistake might cost me my Sovereign’s confidence and you + your commission, perhaps a Star of India!” he laughed, with an affected + lightness. + </p> + <p> + In far-away Delhi, as the sun faded away into the soft summer twilight, + Harry Hardwicke was sitting at the side of Nadine Johnstone, while her + stern father secretly exulted in distant Calcutta. He had already mailed + by registered post a set of duplicated receipts and insurance policies for + his last shipment addressed to “Professor Andrew Fraser” and his mind was + centered upon some peculiarly pleasurable coming events to take place in + the Marble House. But the dreamy-eyed girl watching the man who had so + gallantly saved her life, thought only of a love which had stolen into her + heart to wake all its slumbering chords to life, and to loosen the sweet + music of her singing soul! They were alone, save for the bent figure of + Justine Delande at a distant window, and the spirit of Love breathed upon + them silently drew them heart to heart. + </p> + <p> + Here now, before the divinity so fondly worshiped, Harry Hardwicke lost + his soldier’s ready voice. “Say no more! You need rest, Miss Nadine! I + shall only call to-morrow to assure myself of your perfect recovery. When + your father returns I shall do myself the honor to ask his formal + permission to visit you later.” There was a sigh and a sob as Nadine + Johnstone took her silent lover’s hands and pressed them in her own, + bursting into happy tears. + </p> + <p> + “I owe you my life—my father shall speak, but in my own heart I + shall treasure your splendid bravery forever!” Her tall young knight + stooped over the little hands, kissed them, and was turning to go, when + the maiden slipped off a sparkling ring. “Wear this always for my sake; I + can say no more till we meet again!” And, bending low, Captain Hardwicke + stepped backward, as from a queen’s presence, leaving her there, weak, + loving, and trembling in a strange delight. + </p> + <p> + As he rode slowly homeward in the evening’s glow, he passed Major Alan + Hawke dashing away to the railway station in a carriage. Traveling luggage + told the story of a sudden jaunt. A wave of the hand and the + secret-service man was gone. Hawke growled: “Damned young jackanapes, I’ll + fool you, too; but what does old Johnstone want?” He was reading a + telegram just received: “Come to meet me at Allahabad. Have brought the + drafts. Want you for a few days down here.” + </p> + <p> + At ten o’clock next morning, Simpson, his voice all broken, his old eyes + filled with tears, dashed into Captain Hardwicke’s office. “Dead?” cried + the young soldier, springing up in a sudden horror. “No. Gone over night—both + the women—God knows where, but they left secretly, by the Master’s + orders!” And then Hardwicke sank back into his chair with a groan. But, at + Allahabad, Major Alan Hawke was raving alone in a helpless rage. There was + no Johnstone there, and Ram Lal Singh had telegraphed him: “The daughter + and governess went away in the night by the railroad—special train. + A man from Calcutta took them away.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall pay for this, you old hound!” he yelled, “Yes, with your + heart’s blood.’” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. ALAN HAWKE PLAYS HIS TRUMP CARD. + </h2> + <p> + When the Calcutta train rolled into Allahabad, two days after Harry + Hardwicke’s crushing surprise, Major Alan Hawke, the very pink of + Anglo-Indian elegance, awaited the dismounting of the returning voyagers. + He had passed a whole sleepless night in revolving the various methods to + play oft each of his wary employers against each other, and had decided to + let Fate make the game. + </p> + <p> + “The devil of it is, I’m not supposed to know anything of the flitting!” + he mused, after digesting Ram Lal Singh’s carefully worded telegrams. All + the light in his shadowy mental eclipse was the positive information that + a special train had been made up for Bombay at the station, “on government + secret service.” + </p> + <p> + “The old man is preparing to fight, now,” he decided. “His ‘wooden horse’ + is within Berthe Loiuson’s camp. If she is not wary, she may never leave + India, Johnstone can be very ugly. But what must I do? Shall I warn + Berthe, now? If I do, she will both doubt me and make a scene. Old + Johnstone will then know at once that I have betrayed him.” An hour’s + cogitation led Alan Hawke to decide to let the “high contracting parties” + fight it out themselves at Delhi. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll secretly join the winner and then bleed them both. I must be + unconscious of all. Johnstone’s money I want first, then, Berthe must pay + me well for my aid.” With an exquisite nosegay of flowers, he awaited the + slow descent of the social magnates. A second telegram from Johnstone had + warned him that the wanderers were on the same train. “He is a cool + devil!” mused Hawke. + </p> + <p> + Radiant in beauty, pleasantly smiling, and watched by her French + bodyguard, Madame Louison swept into the grand cafe room upon the arm of + Hugh Johnstone, who deftly exchanged a silent glance of warning with the + artful Major. The first intimation of Johnstone’s craft was the fact that + Alan Hawke found he could not manage to see Madame Louison alone, even for + a single moment. There was a veiled surprise in her beautiful brown eyes, + when the nabob led Hawke a few tables away for a conference in full view + of the beauty, who was surrounded with a cloud of obsequious attendants. + “As we have but one hour, Madame, pray at once, order a repast for us all. + I must have a few words with Hawke.” Johnstone was as smiling as a summer + sea. + </p> + <p> + “We were delayed a day by my own private business,” genially cried the + nabob. “What’s new in Delhi?” + </p> + <p> + It was the crowning lie of Hawke’s splendidly mendacious career when he + carelessly said, “Nothing. I supposed, of course, that you had grave need + of me here.” + </p> + <p> + “So I have,” earnestly replied Johnstone, as the station master bustled + up, scraping and bowing, with a bundle of letters and several telegrams. + “Just look over these five drafts on Glyn, Carr & Glyn’s, while I look + at the letters,” whispered Johnstone, handing Hawke an official looking + envelope. Even while the adventurer carefully scanned the bills of + exchange, he saw a gleam of devilish triumph in the old man’s eyes as he + opened the telegrams, and with affected carelessness shoved his letters in + his pocket. “See here, Hawke! You can even earn a neat ‘further donation’ + if you will play your part rightly. General Abercromby, as personally + representing the Viceroy, arrives here to-morrow night to adjust my + accounts finally. He will be a week or so at Delhi. I want you to + represent me and receive him here. I’ve telegraphed back to Abercromby + that you will bring him up in a special car. He does not want old + Willoughby to think he is nosing around Delhi. Now, do the handsome thing. + Abercromby knows you. Here is a pocket-book. Lose a few fifty-pound notes + to the old boy on the train. Amuse him, mind you, and set him up well! The + car will be well stocked. I leave my two men here to wait on you and him. + That’s all. I want to go off ‘in a blaze of glory,’ as the Yankees would + say. I will meet you at Delhi. Abercromby comes to my house. Can I depend + on you? And, not a single word about the Baronetcy. The Viceroy has + graciously sent a special dispatch to England.” + </p> + <p> + “All right. Let us join the Madame,” said Hawke, with an uneasy feeling of + a coming tropical storm, “I’m glad to be out of it,” mused Hawke. “If + Abercromby stays a week, both parties will defer hostilities until he + goes. If that soft-hearted Swiss fool only telegraphs! By God, I would + have liked to have had one final tete-a-tete. She can make my fortune + yet.” + </p> + <p> + The flying minutes glided easily away, with Hugh Johnstone’s old-time + gallantry artfully separating the two secret conspirators against his + peace. Alan Hawke lunched gayly, with but one lurking regret—a + futile sorrow that he had not bent Justine Delande to his will. There was + no dark pledge between them, no secret bond of a man’s perfidious victory, + no soft surrender, the seal of a woman’s dishonor. + </p> + <p> + “Will she telegraph?” the adventurer asked himself with a beating heart + and a burning brain. “If so, then I hold them both in my hands, and the + game is mine.” When the train drew out, the Major watched the disappearing + forms of the mortal enemies in a secret wonder. “Have they made it up? + Will they marry after all?” he growled, and yet he laughed the idea to + scorn. “And yet fear, as well as love, has tied the nuptial knot before,” + he mused. + </p> + <p> + A new proof of Johnstone’s craft was afforded him after he had, in a + leisurely way, verified the regularity of his windfall in good London + exchange, signed by the millionaire upon his home bankers, and duly + stamped. A mental flash of lightning showed him how he was “sewed up,” for + Johnstone’s all too polite servants shadowed him, alternately, in his + every movement. He even dared not visit the secret telegraph address. “Old + scoundrel!” raged Alan Hawke. “I will only get the first news after the + fair and probably in a storm from Berthe. The denouement may occur with me + languishing here in Capua. Suppose that this she-devil would bolt? Where + would I land then?” He was most sadly rattled. + </p> + <p> + In the Delhi train, Hugh Johnstone busied with his late London papers, + slyly smiled as he studied a route map and railway time table. He had + received a single telegraphed word, dated Madras, and wisely left + unsigned, but that one word was the keynote of his coveted victory—“Arrived.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! my lady,” he mused, casting his eyes in the direction of Madame + Louison’s cozy private compartment. “To-morrow at Delhi, if Douglas Fraser + is true to his trust, there will be the message which tells of a ‘bark + upon the sea,’ which bears away forever all the brightness of your life—away + from you, yes, forever! And Hawke, this smart cad, is powerless now, and + both of them are outwitted. The Baronetcy is safe the very moment that + Abercromby’s work is done. I’ve paid Hawke now, and he has been very + naturally brought down here, out of the way. Madame! Madame! Now to settle + accounts with you the very moment that Abercromby has reported back from + Calcutta. I think I will just have a good old-fashioned talk with Ram Lal + Singh. I need his evidence to hoodwink this old cask of grog, Abercromby. + I must blow off’ his vanity in great style.” + </p> + <p> + While Berthe Louison slept, while old Hugh Johnstone plotted, while Ram + Lal Singh fumed at Delhi, and Harry Hardwicke “mourned the hopes that left + him,” Major Alan Hawke retired to the Nirvana of a long afternoon siesta. + There was a little departing detachment on this golden afternoon at Madras—two + frightened women, now gladly seeking the shelter of their cabins, as the + fleet steamer Coomassie Castle turned her prow toward Palk Strait. The + terrible ordeal of “passing the surf” had appalled them, and the exhausted + Nadine Johnstone at last fell asleep with her arms clasped around her + sad-hearted governess. A hundred times had they read over together the old + nabob’s telegram: “Going home from Calcutta to settle the Baronetcy + appointment. Will meet you in Europe.” Nadine’s letter from her stern + father bade her implicitly trust to her new-found kinsman, Douglas Fraser. + The old nabob’s judiciously private letter had filled Justine Delande’s + sad heart with one twilight glow of happiness. A comforting cheque for one + thousand pounds was contained therein. + </p> + <p> + The words: “Your salary and expenses will be paid by me in Europe. This is + only a little present. Another may await you and your sister, if you + fulfill your trust, that no man, not even Douglas Fraser, meets my + daughter alone until you give her back to me. He is but my traveling + agent. Nadine is in your hands alone. I have so written to her.” With a + breaking heart Justine Delande kissed her beloved gage d’amour, the + diamond bracelet, murmuring: “Alan! Alan! To part without even a word!” + She lay with tear-stained eyes, watching the low shores of Madras fade + away, and listened to the sleeping girl’s murmur: “Harry! Harry! I owe you + my life!” Even the maid mourned a dashing Sergeant-Major! With a desperate + courage, trying to fan the spark of love, which had slowly crept into her + lonely heart, Justine Delande had timidly bribed a stewardess, going on + shore for some last commissions, to telegraph to the secret address at + Allahabad the words: “Madras steamer Coomassie Castle, Brindisi.” + </p> + <p> + The signature, “Your Justine,” brought a grim smile to Alan Hawke’s face, + the next night, when on the arrival of General Abercromby, he stationed + Hugh Johnstone’s secret spies on duty with the redoubtable Calcutta + warrior. “By God! She is both game and true!” cried Hawke. “Here is my + fortune, and Justine shall share my spoils yet!” As the special train + rolled out into the starlit night the old nabob, in a paroxysm of delight, + read in the marble house words telegraphed by the happy-hearted Douglas + Fraser, now taking up his endless deck tramp on the Brindisi bound + steamer. The young Scotsman, ignorant of all intrigue, was relieved to + know that he had laid the firm foundation of his future fortunes. His last + shore duty was done when he had wired to his urgent relative in Delhi the + glad tidings: “All right. Coomassie Castle. Orders strictly obeyed.” + </p> + <p> + Even the astute Alan Hawke failed, after many days of futile private + research, to trace the route of the train which had pulled out of Delhi in + the dead of night, beat the record to Allahabad, and then, turning off + apparently for Bombay, had curved, on a loop, to the Madras line, and + surpassed all speed records on the Indian Peninsula. Even when he + telegraphed to Ram Lal’s friends at Madras, he could obtain no definite + trace, the railway officials were silent, and the travelers had sought no + hotel in Madras. Hugh Johnstone’s well applied money had smothered all + inquiry. Even the driver and stokers of the special train never knew who + so generously presented them with a ten pound note apiece. “Some secret + service racket,” they laughed over their ale. Not a tremor of a single + muscle betrayed Major Alan Hawke when he delivered over his official + charge, Major General Abercromby, to Hugh Johnstone in the golden glow of + Delhi’s morning. “I’ve kept your interests in view,” he whispered. “The + old boy’s just two hundred pounds richer. And, you may be sure, he wanted + for nothing. I know all his damned old tiger and mutiny stories by heart. + I’m going up to the Club for a good long sleep. My compliments to the + ladies,” lightly said Alan Hawke, as he gracefully declined Hugh + Johnstone’s invitation to breakfast. Then Johnstone bore off his purple + prize, set in red and gold. + </p> + <p> + The wide ripple of excitement caused by General Abercromby’s reported + arrival had crowded the railway station. Hugh Johnstone chuckled, + “Evidently Hawke knows nothing,” as the two old friends drove away in + splendid state. But Major Hawke, an hour later, at his Club, was suddenly + interrupted in a cozy breakfast by the most unceremonious entrance of + Major Harry Hardwicke, whose promotion was at last gazetted. “Hello! I see + you’re a Major now. Lucky devil! What can I do for you, Hardwicke?” cried + Alan Hawke, eyeing the haggard and worn-looking young officer with a + strange dawning suspicion of the truth. “Did he know, too, of the Hegira?” + </p> + <p> + Major Hardwicke threw himself down in a chair, curtly saying: “You can + tell me who effectuated this lightning disappearance act of Madame Delande + and young Miss Johnstone.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak in riddles to me, Hardwicke,” coolly said the wary Major. “I’ve + just come in from Allahabad with General Abercromby, who is here to settle + old Johnstone’s accounts. I know nothing of what you refer to. I expected + to meet both the ladies at dinner to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will not uselessly take up your time, Major Hawke,” gloomily + rejoined Hardwicke, as he picked up his sword, and, with a cold formal + bow, quitted the room. + </p> + <p> + “I must watch this young fool,” growled Alan Hawke. “Thank my lucky stars, + the woman is far away! But, he’s well connected, has a brilliant record, + and is a V. C. now for Berthe Louison and the fireworks! But, first, old + Ram Lal! They bowled the old boy out! I suppose that he has already told + Alixe Delavigne that she has been outwitted. I hold the trump cards now! + No single word without its golden price! I must not make one false step! + As to the club men, I only join in the general wonder.” He made a careful + and very studied toilet and sauntered out of the club en flaneur, and then + stealthily betook himself to the pagoda in Ram Lal’s garden, where his + innocent dupe had so often waited for him with a softly beating heart. + </p> + <p> + “I’m glad the girl is gone,” mused Alan Hawke. “If she were here, the + chorus hymning Hardwicke’s perfections might set her young heart on fire.” + He was, as yet, ignorant of the tender bond of gratitude fast ripening + into Love. For, Love, that strange plant, rooted in the human heart, + thrives in absence, and, watered by the tears of sorrow and adversity, + fills the longing and faithful heart, in days of absence, with its flowers + of rarest fragrance and blossoms of unfading beauty. Nadine Johnstone, + speeding on over sapphire seas, had already conquered the tender secret of + the simple Justine Delande’s heart; and in her own loving day-dreams: + </p> + <p> + “Aye she loot the tears down fa’ for Jock o’ Hazeldean!” + </p> + <p> + “I must see him again! I must see him!” she fondly pledged her waiting + heart. With the serpent cunning of a loving maiden, she brooded like a + dove with tender eyes, and so in her heart of hearts, determined to draw + forth from her stalwart cousin, Douglas Fraser, the secret of their future + destination. And the honest fellow became even as wax in her hands; while + the gloomy Hardwicke, in far-away Delhi, eyed the parchment-faced Hugh + Johnstone in mute wonder, at the long official reception in the Marble + House. “Will he not vouchsafe to me even one word of thanks?” thought the + young man, in an increasing wonder. + </p> + <p> + But, Ram Lal Singh, when Major Alan Hawke drew him into the sanctum behind + the shop, showed a dark face, seamed with lines of care. “There will be + some terrible happening!” muttered the smooth old Mohammedan. + </p> + <p> + He had good gift of the world’s gear, and now preferred the role of fox to + lion. “She knows nothing as yet. I waited till I could see you. I dared + not to tell her. She only fancies that this official visit of the + General-Sahib from Calcutta will, of course, take up all their time at the + marble house. But she begs me to watch them all, and she has given me some + little presents—money presents.” Hawke winced, but in silence. His + employer trusted him not. Here was proof positive. + </p> + <p> + “How in the devil’s name did they get away without you knowing of it?” + demanded Hawke. “If you are lying to me, Ram Lal, we may lose both our + pickings from this fat pagoda tree. You see old Johnstone may slip away + after the girl. He may leave here with Abercromby.” + </p> + <p> + The jewel merchant’s eyes gleamed with a smoldering fire. “Johnstone Sahib + will not leave Delhi. It is in the stars! He has too much here to leave. + There are many old ties which bind. No, he will not go like a thief in the + night.” Hawke was surprised at the old rascal’s evident emotion. + </p> + <p> + “Then tell me what you think about the disappearance of these women,” said + Hawke, watching him keenly. + </p> + <p> + “I have seen all my friends in the station, even the mail clerks, + telegraph men, and all,” began Ram Lal. “A train ‘on government service’—a + special—came in that night from Allahabad at ten o’clock. Then two + small trains were kept in waiting for some hours; one left for Simla + before daylight, and the other drew out for Allahabad. There was a crowd + of ladies, officers’ ladies, and some children and servants in the + waiting-room. They like to travel at night in the cool shade. No one knew + them. Now, at Allahabad, the east-bound train could branch off either for + Calcutta, Madras, or Bombay.” + </p> + <p> + “So you know not which way these women fled?” The old merchant seemed + absolutely at sea. As Hawke shook his head the story was soon finished. + </p> + <p> + “My men at the marble house tell me that a strange young man arrived at + ten o’clock. He was admitted by Simpson, the private man of Johnstone + Sahib. The Swiss woman talked with him alone a half hour in the library, + and then Johnstone’s daughter came down there, but only for a few moments. + My men watched him writing and reading papers in the library; then they + all went away.” + </p> + <p> + “That is all. I slipped into the house when Simpson went away next day. He + often goes out to drink secretly, and he has a pretty Eurasian friend or + two, besides, down in the quarter.” Ram Lal winked significantly. “I went + all over the upper part of the house myself. The women’s rooms were left + just as if they had gone out for a drive along the Jumna. If they took + anything it was only a few hand parcels. Now you know all that I know. No + one ever saw the strange man before. And these people are gone for good, + that is all. Go now to the Mem-Sahib at the Silver Bungalow. I fear her. + But tell me what I must say to her.” The old man was evidently in a mortal + fear. “There is that French devil—that old soldier. He is a fighting + devil, that one, and the woman a tiger. The lady herself is a tiger of + tigers!” + </p> + <p> + “Say nothing, Ram Lal,” soothingly said Hawke. “Leave it all to me. I see + it. Old Johnstone has sent the girl to the hills to keep her away from the + young fellows who will crowd the house, while this General Abercromby is + here. There’ll be drink and cards, and God knows what else.” + </p> + <p> + “I know,” grinned Ram Lal. “I knew old Johnstone in the old days, a + man-eater, a woman-killer, a cold-hearted devil, too! What does he do with + this General?” The jewel merchant’s eyes blazed. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! Buying his new title with some official humbug or another. I don’t + know. Perhaps he is really settling his accounts,” laughed Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “I have a little account of my own to settle with him! I will see him at + once! He, too, may slip away and follow his girl to the hills,” quietly + said Ram Lal. “I know his past. He is never to be trusted—not for a + moment—as long as he is alive!” Alan Hawke stared in wonder at Ram + Lal, who humbly salaamed, when he closed: + </p> + <p> + “See the woman over there—come back, and tell me what I must do or + say. You and I are comrades,” the jewel seller leeringly said, “and we + must lie together! All the world are liars-and half of the world lives by + lying.” with which sage remark the old curio seller betook himself to his + narghileh. + </p> + <p> + In a half an hour, Major Alan Hawke was wandering through the garden of + the Silver Bungalow with Alixe Delavigne at his side. Behind them, at a + discreet distance, sauntered Jules Victor, his dark eyes most intently + fixed upon the promenaders. Madame Delavigne was pleased to be cheerfully + buoyant. She had silently listened to Hawke’s recital of the probable + causes of General Abercromby’s visit. “I could see that Johnstone + evidently wished to occupy us both at Allahabad. Your conduct was + discretion itself! Have you seen him yet? Or the ladies?” She eyed her + listener keenly. + </p> + <p> + “No, Madame,” frankly said Hawke. “There is all manner of official + junketing on here now. I am not, of course, to be officially included, as + I am not on the staff of either the visiting or commanding general. I must + wait until I am invited—if I am!” he hesitatingly said. “You know + that my rank is—to say the least—shadowy!” The lady passed + over this semi-confession in silence. + </p> + <p> + “It is not like Johnstone to let Nadine meet all the gay coterie which + will fill the great halls,” mused Madame Delavigne. “I suppose that the + dear child will have a week of ‘marble prison’ in her rooms, with only the + governess. I think I shall let General Abercrornby leave before I call. + What do you advise? Johnstone has always ignored the ladies of Delhi!” + </p> + <p> + “I really am powerless to counsel you,” said Major Hawke gravely, “as I am + outside of the circle. I would watch this man keenly. He bears you no good + will. And now—what shall I do? Did your business at Calcutta bring + me the summons to action?” There was no undue eagerness in his voice. He + was gliding into a safe position for the future eclaircissement. + </p> + <p> + “Not yet. But it will come! It will come—as soon as this General + goes. For I now will demand the right to drop Berthe Louison, and to be my + own self. To be Alixe Delavigne to one bright, loving human soul only, in + this land of arid solitudes, of peopled wastes. The land of the worn, + scarred human nature, which, blind, creedless, and hopeless, staggers + along under the burden of misery under the menace of the British bayonet.” + </p> + <p> + “When do you leave it?” quietly asked the cautious Major. + </p> + <p> + “When my work is done!” the resolute woman replied. “I am here for peace + or war! We have only crossed swords! I do not trust this man a moment! He + is capable of any foul deed! Now, you must keenly watch the clubs, the + social life. Find out all you can! Come to me here every night at ten. If + I suddenly need you, then I will send Ram Lal!” + </p> + <p> + “By day or night I am ready!” gravely said Major Hawke. “I do not like to + intrude upon you,” he hesitatingly said. + </p> + <p> + “You will win your spurs yet in my service!” said Alixe. “The real + struggle is to come yet. I am only knocking at the door of Nadine’s heart. + And the old nabob is but half conquered.” + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke, with a bow, retired and wended his way to the Club, where he + spent an hour in preparing a careful letter to Euphrosyne Delande. It was + a careful document, intended to prudently open communication with Justine + through the Halls of Learning on the Rue du Rhone, Geneva, but a little + sealed inclosure to Justine was the grain of gold in all the complimentary + chaff. “Her own heart, poor girl, will tell her what to do,” said Hawke, + as he departed and registered the letter himself. + </p> + <p> + The passing cortege of General Abercromby, returning the visit of the + local chief, excited Hawke’s attention. He caught a glimpse of the + silver-haired millionaire whom two widely different natures had denounced + that day as “being capable of anything.” + </p> + <p> + “And so old Ram Lal has it ‘in for him,’ too! What can he mean?” + </p> + <p> + With a sudden impulse Major Hawke drove back and made a formal call upon + the ladies at the Marble House. He was astounded when old Simpson, with a + grudging welcome, openly announced that the ladies were permanently not at + home. “Gone to the hills for a month or two,” curtly replied the veteran + servant, and then, on a silver tray, the butler decorously handed to Major + Alan Hawke a sealed letter. “I was to seek you out at the Club, sir, as + this letter is important. I take the liberty to give it to you now. It was + the master’s orders: ‘That I give it into your own hands!’” + </p> + <p> + Major Alan Hawke’s face darkened as he read the curt lines penned by Hugh + Johnstone himself. With a smothered curse he thrust the letter in his + pocket. “Both of them are trying to keep me in the dark, I’ll let Madame + Berthe Louison run her own head into the trap. Then, when she pays, I will + talk, but not till then.” The careful lines stated that for a week the + writer would be greatly engrossed with private matters, and at home to no + one. “I will send for you as soon as I am able to see you, upon some new + business matters.” + </p> + <p> + The last clause was significant enough. “He prepared this to give me a + social knockout!” coolly said the renegade. “All right! But wait! By Gad! + I fancy I’ll take a cool revenge in joining Ram Lal and Berthe Louison. + Suppose that the old duffer were put out of the way? Could I then count on + Justine, and my wary employer? There is a storm brewing, and breakers + ahead. I must soon get my ‘retaining fee’ from the lady of the Silver + Bungalow or I may lose it forever! And I will let her uncover the empty + bird’s nest herself! She must not suspect me!” And yet the curt letter of + the old civilian wounded him to the quick. “What does this jugglery mean? + He ought to fear me, by this time, just a little! He intends to crush + Berthe Louison by some foul blow, and then will he dare to begin on me? I + will double forces with Ram Lal. That’s my only alliance!” The Major’s + soul was up in arms. + </p> + <p> + When the splendid reception at General Willoughby’s was over, Hugh + Johnstone cautiously approached Major Hardwicke. “I am just told that + General Abercromby will remain and dine ‘en famille’ with his old brother + in arms. Will you drive with me to my house? I have something of a private + nature to say to you. I can give you a seat in my carriage.” Major + Hardwicke bowed and, obtaining his conge, sat in expectant waiting until + the two men were comfortably seated in Johnstone’s snuggery in the + deserted mansion. They talked indifferently over Abercromby’s arrival till + Simpson announced dinner. + </p> + <p> + “I would like you to dine with me, Major Hardwicke,” said the old + Commissioner, “for I have something now to say to you.” He rang a silver + bell, and, whispering to Simpson, faced his young visitor, who had bowed + in acceptance. The butler returned in a few moments with a superb Indian + saber, sheathed in gold, and shimmering with splendid jewels. He stood, + mute, as Johnstone gravely said: “I learned from Simpson, on my return + from Calcutta, of your prompt gallantry in aiding my daughter in her hour + of peril.” He continued, “Simpson alone, was left to tell me, as I have + sent the child away to the hills for a couple of months. For reasons of my + own, I do not care to have a motherless girl exposed to the indiscriminate + hubbub of merely official society. The young lady will probably not remain + in India. I therefore sent them all away before this official visit, which + would have forced a child, almost yet a school girl, out into the glare of + this local junketing,” he said with feeling. + </p> + <p> + “Take this saber, Major. It was given up by Mir-zah Shah, a Warrior + Prince, in old days, so the legend goes. It is the sword of a king’s son. + It will recall your own saber play so neatly conceived, and, as a personal + reminder, wear this for me! It is a rare diamond, which I have treasured + for many years. And its old Hindustanee name was ‘Bringer of Prosperity.’” + Hardwicke bowed, and murmured his thanks. + </p> + <p> + The nabob slipped a superb ring from his finger, and then, as if he had + relieved his mind forever of a painful duty, dismissed the subject, almost + feverishly entertaining his solitary guest at the splendid feast which had + been prepared for General Abercromby. It was late when the strangely + assorted convives separated. “I will now send Simpson home with you, in my + carriage,” solicitously remarked Johnstone, as the hour grew late. “There + is a prince’s ransom on that sword—and, you did not bring your noble + charger! You must treat him well for my sake—for my daughter’s + sake!” + </p> + <p> + “Will Miss Johnstone return soon?” said the heart-hungry lover, catching + at this last straw. + </p> + <p> + “It is undetermined! I may send them home in a few months. But, if I have + any little influence left, ‘at Headquarters,’ that shall always be exerted + for you. I am always glad to meet you, your father’s son, for Colonel + Hardwicke was a true soldier of the olden days—brave, loyal, and + beyond reproach.” + </p> + <p> + The lover’s beating heart was smothered in this flowing honey. “Ah! I must + trust to Simpson!” he mused. “The old man is a sly one!” + </p> + <p> + Politely bowed out by the stern, lonely old man, Major Hardwicke departed, + his conversational guns spiked with the deft compliments, as the mighty + clatter of the returning General filled the courtyard of the Marble House. + </p> + <p> + In the soft, wooing stillness of the night, Simpson, at the young Major’s + side, found time to whisper: “Never let the Guv’nor see us together! He’s + a sly one! There’s a honey-baited trap in this! The girl’s been spirited + off to Europe! I only know that—but, as yet, no more.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean? Is he lying to me?” gasped Hardwicke, with a sinking + heart. + </p> + <p> + “Rightly said!” huskily whispered Simpson. “Seek for her—London ways—I’ll + find it out soon where she is, and I’m just scholar enough to write! Give + me your own safe London address! I heard ye would soon take yer long + leave. Bless her sweet soul! I’ll tell ye now! She whispered to me: ‘Tell + him—tell Major Hardwicke—he’ll hear from me himself, even if I + was at the very end of the earth! and give him this!’” The frightened + servant thrust a little packet into the officer’s hand. “It was the only + chance she had.” + </p> + <p> + “That Swiss woman watched her every moment, and the man—the one the + father sent from Calcutta. There was a telegram to her. I gave it to her + myself! Major, my oath—they’re on the blue water, now! I’ll watch + and come to you! Don’t leave Delhi till I post you!” + </p> + <p> + “You’re a brave fellow, Simpson. Keep this all quiet,” softly said Major + Hardwicke. “I’ll follow your advice, and I’ll not leave here till I know + more from you. I’ll follow her to Japan, but I’ll see her again.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s the talk, Major!” cried the happy old soldier, who felt something + crisp in his hand now. “Distrust old Hugh! He’ll lie to ye and trap ye! + Watch him! He’s capable of anything.” The carriage then stopped with a + crash and Hardwicke sprang out lightly. “Make no sign! Trust to me! I’ll + come to ye!” was Simpson’s last word. + </p> + <p> + Before Simpson had discovered in the marble house the pleasing figures on + a ten-pound note, Harry Hardwicke, striding up and down his room, in all + the ecstasy of a happy lover, had kissed a hundred times a little silver + card case—a mere school girl’s poor treasure, but priceless now—for + within it was a hastily severed tress of gold-brown hair, tied with a bit + of blue ribbon. A scrap of paper in penciled words brought to him + “Confirmation stronger than Holy Writ.” “I will write or telegraph when + not watched. Do not forget. —Nadine.” + </p> + <p> + The words of the old servitor returned to the soldier in a grim warning. + “He is capable of anything.” + </p> + <p> + “So am I,” cried Harry as his heart leaped up. “I will find her were she + at the North Pole. He cannot hide her from me. Love laughs at locksmiths!” + </p> + <p> + If the would-be Sir Hugh Johnstone had heard the three verdicts of the + hostile critics of his being “capable of anything,” he might have laughed + in defiance, but after several friendly “night caps” with the slightly + jovial General Abercromby, it might have seriously disturbed the host to + know what hidden suspicions the Viceroy’s envoy had brought back from a + very secret conference with that acute old local commander, Willoughby. + </p> + <p> + “It sounds all very well, Abercromby, my old friend,” said Willoughby, + “but Johnstone, or old Fraser, as we call him, is a hitman shark! Without + a list or some general details, he will surely rob the crown of one-half + the jewels, you may be sure. His cock and bull story of their recovery is + too pellucid. It’s Hobson’s choice, though. That or nothing. He, of + course, slyly claims to have only lately made this bungling accidental + recovery. If the return is a really valuable one, then all you can + officially do is to accept it. But be wary! I can give you some friendly + aid here, when you get all the returned treasure. I’ll give you a + captain’s guard here. Bring all here at once. We, you, and I, will seal it + up, and I’ll have old Ram Lal Singh secretly come here and value them. + He’s the best judge of gems in India, and he was once an official in the + Royal Treasure Chamber of the old King of Oude. Less than fifty thousand + pounds worth as a return would be a transparent humbug, and besides you + can delay your signature for a day or so, till you and I, after listing + the gems, see this old expert and have him examine them in our presence. + No one need know of it but you and I, and His excellency, the Viceroy. As + for Hugh Johnstone, he is simply capable of anything. I told the Viceroy’s + aid, Anstruther, so. And I’ll be damned glad to get Johnstone out of my + bailiwick, that I will.” + </p> + <p> + With which vigorous “flea in the ear,” General Willoughby dismissed his + startled comrade to the society of his crafty old host. And, that night, + strange dreams of unrest haunted the “modern Major General” in the marble + house, while singularly gloomy misgivings weighed down the brave-hearted + Berthe Louison, now heart-hungry for a sight of the doubly beloved child + of the dead lady of Jitomir. She woke in the hot and clammy night to cry + “No, no! He would never dare to! She is here! I shall go boldly and demand + to see her to-morrow!” Her womanly intuition told her the lines were + broken. + </p> + <p> + And so, robed in fashion’s shining armor, Alixe Delavigne counted the + moments, until at four o’clock of the next afternoon her carriage waited + in the bower-decked oval of the marble house. A gloomy frown settled upon + her face, as the impassive Hugh Johnstone approached her carriage, sun + helmet in hand. She scented treachery now! There were a dozen brilliant + young officers longingly gazing at this sweet apparition in the gloomy + gardens. Even General Abercromby strutted out and displayed himself in the + foreground, as Johnstone leaned over and gravely whispered to the + pale-faced beauty: + </p> + <p> + “My daughter has been sent away from the city for her health! Her absence + is indefinite. I will see you when General Abercromby leaves here in a + week, and explain all. No, not before. It is impossible.” + </p> + <p> + With a sudden motion of her hand to Jules, Alixe Delavigne leaned back, + half fainting, upon her cushions. Her agitated heart was now beating in a + wild tumult of rage and baffled hatred! “Home!” she cried, and then, as + the marble house was lost to view, she harshly cried: “To Ram Lal’s first! + To the jewel store!” + </p> + <p> + There was a brooding death in her eyes when she sternly said to the + merchant: “Send him to me at once! Send Hawke! Go! Waste not a moment!” + </p> + <p> + And then she swore an oath of vengeance, which would have made Hugh Fraser + Johnstone shudder, as he sat drinking champagne cup with his guest. “One + for you, my lady!” he had laughed, grimly, as the woman whom he had + tricked drove swiftly away. And the grim fates laughed too, spinning at a + shortening life web. + </p> + <p> + Major Alan Hawke was interrupted in his cosy nest at the Club by the hasty + advent of Ram Lal. The old jeweler had for once abandoned all his Oriental + calm, and he trembled as he muttered. “She demands you at once. I brought + my own carriage. Go to her quickly. There will be a great monsoon of + quarrel now. But her face looks as if she was stricken to the death, and + something will come of all this. You must watch like the crouching + cheetah!” + </p> + <p> + “What has happened?” anxiously cried Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “She has just found out the women are gone! She went up to the marble + house this afternoon, and saw the old Sahib Johnstone. He did not even bid + her to leave her carriage. One of my men ran over at once and told me. She + drove to the shop on her way homeward and sent me here.” The black Son of + Plutus scuttled away, as if in a mortal fear. “I do not dare to face her—in + her angry mood,” was Ram’s last word. He was only accustomed to baby-faced + Hindu women of the “langorous lily” type, who hung on his every word—the + mute slaves of his jaded passions. “This one is a tigress!” he sighed, as + he fled from the Club. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! My lady is a bit rattled,” mused Hawke as the carriage sped along. + “Now is the time to catch her off her guard.” And so he made himself sleek + and patient, with the surface varnish of his “society manner,” when Jules + Victor, with semi-hostile eyes, ushered him into the presence of Alixe + Delavigne, still in her robes of “visitation splendor.” + </p> + <p> + “What is this devil’s work done in my absence? This spiriting away of + Nadine!” cried Alixe, grasping Hawke’s wrist with a nervous clasp, which + made the strong man wince. “This juggling in my absence?” Her eyes were + sternly fixed on him in dawning suspicions. + </p> + <p> + “Madame,” calmly said Alan Hawke, “if you had trusted to me, this would + not have happened. But you have chosen to make an enigma of yourself, from + the first. I am not tired of your moods, but I am of your cold disdain, + your contemptuous slighting of my useful mental powers. You left me with + no orders. I warned you that he was capable of anything. See how he has + treated me,” he continued, with a well-dissembled indignation. “He called + me away to Allahabad to be bear-leader to Abercromby, and the brute has + just shown me the door, to-day, openly saying that his daughter has gone + to the Hills. I believe that he lies! I know that he does! If you had + deigned to trust me, I would have followed on her track to hell itself, + but you chose to play the woman—the catlike toying with men! Damn + him! I owe him one now! If he had openly entertained me in this brilliant + visit, I might have re-entered the staff service—in a week. And, you + threw all my experience away in not trusting to me.” + </p> + <p> + Alixe Delavigne looked up, with one piercing glance, as she sealed a note. + “Go openly to him—to Johnstone! Bring him back at once with you! He + dare not disobey this! I will denounce him, now, to-day! to both the + generals, and go to the Viceroy myself! I care not what excuse he makes! + BRING HIM!” + </p> + <p> + “And so I cut the last tie that binds me to a future reinstatement for + you, a callous employer, and am left adrift without an anchor out for the + future! You know that this man is a director of the Bank of Bengal! A + multi-millionaire! He will chase me from India! I might trace the girl to + her hiding-place for you! She has surely been sent home by sea!” Alixe + Delavigne was gliding up and down the room as noiselessly as a serpent. + She abruptly stopped her march. + </p> + <p> + “I will find her in Europe! What do you require to follow my orders for + three months? To wait here and then to take the road or to join me in + Europe! I pay all expenses and incidentals. What will make you reasonably + sure against fate—in advance?” + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke dropped his eyes. Gentleman once, he was ashamed of the sordid + implied threat of abandonment. + </p> + <p> + “Five thousand pounds!” he whispered. The stony-faced woman dashed off a + check. + </p> + <p> + “Bring that man to me at once!” she cried, “and then go down to Grindlay’s + agency here, and get your money! Go openly!” + </p> + <p> + “Shall I come back with him?” demanded Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “No, bring him here, and then excuse yourself.” + </p> + <p> + Alixe Delavigne watched the carriage dash away. Hawke was on his mettle at + last, and he brutally enjoyed the little tableau, when Hugh Fraser + Johnstone impatiently tore open “Madame Berthe Louison’s” note. Hawke + observed significantly that he had been shown into a small room, suited to + semi-menial interviews. The additional slight maddened him. The clash of + glasses and shouts of a gay crowd of military convives rose up in a merry + chorus within. Across that banquet hall’s draped doors the thin, invisible + barrier of “Coventry” shut out the bold social renegade. “She’ll have to + wait, Hawke!” roughly said Hugh Johnstone, moving toward the door. + </p> + <p> + “By God! she shall not wait a minute, you damned old moneybags!” cried the + ruined soldier, who had long forfeited his caste—his cherished rank. + “You treated her like a brute to-day! She is a lady, and you can’t play + fast and loose with her! You insulted me by closing your damned door and + sending me your offensive letter. Go to her now! If you do not, I’ll send + my seconds to you, and if you don’t fight, by Heaven, I’ll horsewhip you + like a drunken pandy!” and the fearless renegade barred the door. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t be a fool, Hawke,” faltered Johnstone. “She has taken the whole + thing the wrong way. I’ll join you in a moment. I’ve got these men on my + hands. What did she tell you?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing!” harshly cried Hawke, “and I wash my hands of you and her. + Settle your intrigues as you will!” + </p> + <p> + Not a word was spoken, as Alan Hawke gravely opened the door to Madame + Berthe Louison’s reception room. Hugh Johnstone’s yellow face paled as the + Major breaking the silence, coldly said: “Madame! I have broken a + friendship of fifteen years to-day! Please do consider me a stranger to + you both after today!” And then he walked firmly out of the house with a + warning glance to Jules Victor, lingering in the long hall. + </p> + <p> + The quick Frenchman saw in Hawke’s gesture the secret sign of a hidden + friend, and he threw up his hand in a Parisian gesture of gratitude and + comprehension, and failed not to report to his mistress, who saw Hawke’s + fine method with a secret delight. + </p> + <p> + Hawke drove to Grindlay’s agency, where, in a private room, he promptly + cashed his check. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll take it in Bank of England notes!” he quietly said as the clerk + lifted inquiring eyes. “I am going to transact some business for the + lady.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, I can defy Fate!” he exulted, when he was safe out of the bank. “She + will trust me now, and old Johnstone will fear me. A case of vice versa!” + And, as he drove to the Club, he murmured, “I will never leave this fight + now! Damme! I’ll just go in and get the girl! Just to spite the old + coward!” + </p> + <p> + Within the dreaming shades of the gardens hiding the Silver Bungalow, + there was no sign of clamor. The beautiful little jewel-box of a mansion + was apparently deserted, but a duel to the death was going on within the + great white parlor where Hugh Johnstone stood raging at bay. He leaped up + in a mad outburst of passion, when Alixe Delavigne cuttingly broke the + silence. The old nabob knew that the desperate woman in her reckless mood + feared nothing.— + </p> + <p> + “You have lied to me! You have tricked me! You have sent that girl away to + Europe to hide her forever from me! I kept my pact, and, you deliberately + lied!” She stood before him like an avenging fury, quivering in a passion + which appalled him. But secure in his skillfuly executed maneuver, he + reached for his hat and stick. + </p> + <p> + “I defy you! I have no answer to your abuse! Draw off your fighting cur, + Major Hawke, or I’ll grind you and him in the dust!” The old man was + frantic under the insult. He moved toward the door. + </p> + <p> + “Stop! You go to your ruin!” cried the irate woman. “Will you give me full + access to your daughter?” + </p> + <p> + “Never! My Lady! Go and lord it over your whipped hounds in Poland—hide + in your estates the price of the double shame of two most accommodating + Frenchwomen!” + </p> + <p> + “By the God who made me” she hissed, “I will bar your Baronetcy forever! I + will find out that girl, and she shall learn to love me and despise your + hated name and memory! It is open war now! and,—mark you—liar + and hound, these two generals, the Viceroy, and, all India shall soon know + what I know!” Then, with a clang of her silver bell, she called Jules + Victor to her side. “Jules,” she said, “If this person ever crosses the + threshold of my door again, shoot him like the dog he is!” + </p> + <p> + And then the black-browed Frenchman, holding open the door, hissed + “ALLEZ!” as Hugh Johnstone saw for the last time the marble face of the + woman who had doomed him to shame. + </p> + <p> + “Go and send Ram Lal to me at once!” sternly said Berthe Louison. “Then to + Major Hawke. Tell him that I want him to dine with me, and I shall need + him all the evening. Order my carriage for five o’clock!” + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke had played his best trump card, and played it well, for the + woman who had doubted him, gloried in his courage and hardihood. “I can + trust him now!” she murmured when she drove to the Delhi agency of + Grindlays and, two hours later, astounded the local manager by the + executive rapidity of her varied business actions. + </p> + <p> + “What’s in the wind?” murmured the bank manager. “A sudden flitting!” He + had been ordered to detail two of his best men to accompany Madame Louison + to Calcutta, in a special car leaving at midnight. “Telegraph to your head + office in Calcutta of my arrival. Major Alan Hawke will represent me here, + under written orders to be left with your Calcutta manager. Send this on + in cipher.” She handed him a long dispatch to his chief. + </p> + <p> + Madame Berthe Louison was seen in Delhi, in public, for the last time, as + she gazed steadily at the brilliant throng on the lawns of the marble + house. A fete Champetre had brought “all of Delhi” together, and the + conspicuous absence of “the French Countess” was the reigning sensation. + The tall, bent form of Hugh Fraser Johnstone was prominent reigning as + host, under a great marquee. Neither of the great generals were there, + however, for Simpson had drawn Major Hardwicke aside to whisper: “A + captain’s guard came here to-day and took an enormous treasure in precious + stones up to Willoughby’s Headquarters!” and the two commanders were even + then busied in listing the recovered loot, with a dozen yellow-faced + Hindus and several confidential staff officers. “It’s the last act, + Captain darlin’,” said Simpson. “Old Hugh has given me secret orders to + get ready to go on to London. He only takes his personal articles. Young + Douglas Fraser will come here and manage the Indian estates.” + </p> + <p> + “Who’s he?” eagerly cried Hardwicke. + </p> + <p> + “The fellow who carried the women away—the old man’s only nephew.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! now I see!” heavily breathed Hardwicke. “I will take the previous + boat, and wait for the old man at Brindisi! Post me! I’ll keep mum!” + </p> + <p> + “Depend on me for my life itself,” said Simpson; “but be prudent! I don’t + want to lose my life pension. He’s been a good master to me. We’ve grown + old together!” sighed the gray-headed soldier. + </p> + <p> + The frightened Ram Lal Singh was driven around Delhi this eventful day + like a hunted rat. Suddenly summoned to General Willoughby’s private + rooms, escorted by a sergeant, who never left him a moment, the old + Mohammedan was ushered into the presence of the two generals, who pounced + upon him and showed him a great, assorted treasure in diamonds, pearls, + pigeon rubies, sapphires, and emeralds of great size and richness. They + were all duly weighed and listed, and duplicate official invoices lay + signed upon the table. + </p> + <p> + “You were Mirzah Shah’s Royal Treasure Keeper? Tell me. Are all his jewels + here? The treasure that disappeared at Humayoon’s Tomb before Hodson slew + the princes in the melee?” + </p> + <p> + Ram Lal saw the frowns of men who had blown better men than himself from + the guns in the old days, and he had a vivid memory of those same hideous + scenes. + </p> + <p> + “They are about half here in weight and number; about a quarter of the + value. There is a hundred thousand pounds worth missing!” said the jewel + dealer, gazing on the totals of numbers and weights. “The historic + diamonds, the matchless pearls, the never-equaled rubies—all the + choicest have been abstracted, and by a skillful hand!” + </p> + <p> + “Go, then!” cried Willoughby. “Seal this in your breast! Speak to no one + or you’ll die in jail, wearing irons! Here!” A hundred-pound note was + thrust into his hand, and he was whirled away to his shop. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! The gray devil! he has stolen and hidden the best! I will watch him + like a ghoul of Bowanee, and they shall be mine! He would turn tail now + and steal away!” Ram Lal laughed an oily laugh, and going to an old + cabinet, took out a heavy kreese. “The poisoned dagger of Mirzah Shah!” he + smiled. “After many years!” It was Hugh Johnstone himself who sought Ram + Lal in his pagoda that afternoon, and, after making some heavy purchases, + finally drew out a list of jewels. + </p> + <p> + “I wish you to certify, Ram Lal,” he cautiously said, “that these are all + the jewels of Mirzah Shah, that you handled as ‘Keeper of the Prince’s + Treasure,’ before the Meerut mutineers rushed down upon us.” Slowly + peering over the paper, the crafty Ram Lal said: + </p> + <p> + “You forget, Sahib, that I was sent away to Lucknow and Cawnpore, by + Mirzah Shah, with letters to Nana Sahib and Tantia Topee. I was shut out + of Delhi till after the British were camped on the Windmill Ridge, and for + months I never saw the royal jewels! Every moon the list was made anew. + The mollahs and moonshees and treasurers took jewels for the Zenana every + moon, and for the gifts of the princes. I could not testify to this!” The + old man was on his guard. + </p> + <p> + “I will pay you well, Ram Lal. It is my last little matter to settle with + the authorities! Then my accounts are closed forever! As Treasurer you + could do this!” Old Hugh Fraser Johnstone was ignorant of the veiled + scrutiny of his stewardship. + </p> + <p> + Ram Lal raised his head, at last, with something like defiance. “The + better half is gone—the rarest—the richest! True, the princes + may have divided them, they may have bribed their mutineer officers with + some, but, a true list may be in the hands of these Crown officers here. + They captured all the Palace papers. Now, I did not open them at + Humayoon’s Tomb. You know,” he faltered, “how they passed through your + hands!” + </p> + <p> + Hugh Johnstone, for the last time tried to threaten and bully. “I will + have you punished. I paid you well—you must lie for me! We both lied + then.” + </p> + <p> + “Then the curse of Allah be upon the liar who lies now,” solemnly said Ram + Lal Singh. “I will not sign! I have the savings of years to guard. You + will go away and the Crown will come upon me for the missing gems. I was + absent five months from the Palace when you were in Brigadier Wilson’s + Camp! I will offer my head to these generals, but I will not sign! The + Kaisar-I-Hind is just, and I will tell all!” With an oath of smothered + rage, Hugh Johnstone strode away. + </p> + <p> + “I must try and make a royal present to Willoughby’s wife,—a timely + one—and lose a half a lac of rupees to Abercromby. They may find a + way to pass the matter over.” He dared not press Ram Lal to a public + exposition of all the wanderings of Mirzah Shah’s jewels. “If I had not + told them that fairy tale, I might hedge; but it’s too late now. I will go + down to Calcutta, see the Viceroy, and then clear out for good. And I must + placate Alan Hawke. I was a fool to ignore him. But, to make an enemy of + him, on account of that damned woman, would be ruin. He chums with Ram + Lal. He might cable to Anstruther.” + </p> + <p> + In fact Alan Hawke’s bold social revolt had imposed on Johnstone. “He + might help to cover all up if I induced Abercromby to get him back on the + staff once more. I was a fool to slight him.” Hugh Fraser Johnstone was + dimly conscious that his own line of battle was wavering, and that his + flanks were unguarded—his rear unprotected. “I will only trust my + homeward pathway to Simpson, and my health is a good excuse for clearing + out for good. I can easily locate on the Continent—in Belgium, or + Switzerland—and out of reach of any little trouble to come. They’ve + no proof. This fellow has no list, thank Heaven. I’ll slip down to Ceylon + and catch the first boat there to Suez. Then ho for Geneva!” + </p> + <p> + But Ram Lal Singh’s slight defenses fell instantly before the golden + battering-ram of Madame Berthe Louison’s direct onslaught. “I was busied + in the bazaars, buying jewels,” he expostulated, when Jules Victor led him + into Madame Louison’s boudoir. Even then Major Hawke was curiously noting + the dismantled condition of the reception-room, where Johnstone had at + last thrown off the mask. + </p> + <p> + “I leave Major Hawke here to close all my business, Ram Lal,” she said. “I + go to Calcutta. I may be gone for some months. But I have watched you and + him. You are close friends—very close friends. Now, remember that I + pay him and I pay you. I wish you to give me—to sell me—the + list of the jewels which Johnstone took away from you and hid, when he was + Hugh Fraser.” The old scoundrel began to protest. Berthe Louison rang her + silver bell. “Jules!” she said, “I wish you to go to General Willoughby + with this letter, and tell him to send a guard here to arrest a thief who + has government jewels.” + </p> + <p> + Ram Lal was on the floor at her feet, groveling, before she grimly smiled, + as he held out a paper, quickly extracted from his red sash. “That will + do, Jules.” The Frenchman stood without the door. “You will not run away. + You are far too rich, Ram Lal. And you will be watched every moment. Sign + and seal the list, and date it to-day.” The old craven begged hard for + mercy. “Here is a hundred pounds. Hawke will pay you four hundred more + when I am safely on the sea, but only then! He will close all my bills. + Remember, I shall come back again. And,” she whispered a word, “he will + watch you closely.” The jeweler sealed the document, and scribbled his + certificate. “Not one word of my business, not even to Hawke, on your + life,” she said. “I shall come again! And General Willoughby will throw + you in prison on a word from me.” + </p> + <p> + Major Alan Hawke was astounded, after an hour’s yielding to the social + charm of Madame Alixe Delavigne, when the happy woman led him away from + the dinner table. “Now for a half-hour’s business chat,” she gayly said. + “No, no notes. We shall next meet at No. 9 Rue Berlioz, Paris. You will + receive my sealed directions from Grindlay’s agent here, with funds to + settle my affairs. I go to-night to Calcutta, and thence to Europe. Obey + my orders. You will get them, sealed, from the agent here. You can come + on, by Bombay, when I cable to you. I will cable direct here to + Grindlay’s. They’ll not lose sight of you,” she smiled. + </p> + <p> + “And my relations with old Hugh?” he gasped in surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Just watch him and follow him on to Europe. Neither you nor he can do me + any harm, but your reward for your manly stand to-day will reach you in + Paris. I knew of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Shall I not see you to the train?” Hawke stammered. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” she smiled, extending her hand warmly, “I have a double guard and my + servants. I will be met at Calcutta, and I go on my way safely now to work + a slow vengeance!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. A CAPTIVATED VICEROY. + </h2> + <p> + There were several “late parties” in sumptuous Delhi, on the evening when + Madame Berthe Louison drove quietly to the railway station at two o’clock. + A little knot of tired officials were still on duty, and when some + forerunner had given a private signal, a single car, drawn by a powerful + locomotive, glided out of the darkness. + </p> + <p> + In a few moments a dozen trunks and a score of bags and bundles were + tossed aboard the baggage van. Five persons stepped nimbly aboard, and + then with no warning signal, the Lady of the Silver Bungalow was borne out + into the darkness, racing on toward Calcutta with the swiftness of the + wind. + </p> + <p> + Jules Victor, vigorous and alert, after several cups of cafe noir, well + dashed with cognac, disposed his two Lefacheux revolvers in readiness, and + then betook himself to a nap. His bright-eyed wife was in the compartment + with her beautiful mistress, and ready to sound a shrill Gallic alarm at + any moment. She gravely eyed the two escorting officials of the bank. + Marie said in her heart that “all men were liars,” and she believed most + of them to be voleurs, in addition. Jules, when the little train was + whirling along a-metals a score of miles away from Delhi, relaxed his + Zouave vigilance, and bade a long adieu to Delhi, in a vigorous grunt. “Va + bene! Sacree Canaille!” + </p> + <p> + There was silence at the railway station when the head agent wearily said, + “I suppose the Bank is moving a lot of notes back to Calcutta! They are a + rum slick lot, these money changers!” When all was left in darkness, save + where a blinking red and white line signal still showed, Ram Lal Singh + crept away from the line of the rails. The rich jewel vender clutched in + his bosom the handle of Mirzah Shah’s poisoned dagger, the deadly dagger + of a merciless prince. + </p> + <p> + He had long pondered over the sudden demand made upon him by the Lady of + the Silver Bungalow. And he greatly desired to re-adjust his relations + with Hugh Johnstone and Major Alan Hawke. The daily usefulness of “Lying + as a Fine Art” was never before so apparent to Ram Lal. He slunk away on + foot to his own bit of a zenana. + </p> + <p> + “I must try to deceive them both! Fool that I was not to see it before! + These two Generals are her friends, of old! The secret protector of the + wonderful moon-eyed beauty here is General Willoughby, and the other + General will secretly help her down at Calcutta. She came up here, + secretly, to see her old lover Willoughby, and that is why she would be + able to have a guard arrest me. For she said just what they said about the + prison. Willoughby goes down often to Calcutta! Ah! Yes! They are all the + same, these English! Fools! Not to lock their women up, when they have + once bought them, with a secret price! And now, Hawke must never know of + this paper I gave her. She would find out, and then have the General + punish me. Now I know why she went not to the great English Mem-Sahibs + here! And these two great General Sahibs have had her spy upon this old + man, Hugh Fraser—the man who would steal away with the Queen’s + jewels. They would have them. By Bowanee! I will have them first! For I + can hide them where they never will find them! I will trade them off to + the Princes, who know the old jewels of Oude. They will give me double + weight, treble value.” Ram Lal crept into his hidden love nest, his skinny + hand clutching the golden shaft of Mirzah Shah’s dagger. “I might + surrender them later and get an enormous reward from the Crown,” he mused. + </p> + <p> + At the Delhi Club, Major Alan Hawke, in a strange unrest, paced his floor + half the night. “I stand now nearly eleven thousand pounds to the good, + with outlying counties to hear from, as the Yankees say.” He smiled, “that + is, if the old fox does not stop these drafts. If he does, I’ll stop him!” + he swore. And yet, he was troubled at heart. “I know Alixe Delavigne will + call me back and pay me well. How did she find out about my bold bluff to + Johnstone? Some servant may have overheard, and she is a deep one. She may + even have her own spies there!” + </p> + <p> + “Justine, I can count on you to help me later. But, how to treat old + Hugh?” His dreams of an army reinstatement came back to worry him. “I + might go to Abercromby and warn him about Johnstone. Damn it! I’ve no + proof as yet! Berthe Louison will fire the great gun herself.” The + renegade fell asleep, torturing himself about the needless breach with + Johnstone. “All violence is a mistake!” he muttered, half asleep. “The + angry old man will keep me away from the girl forever, and the old brute + is going to Europe. I have spoiled one game in taking one trick too + roughly.” + </p> + <p> + Another “late party” was at Major Hardwicke’s quarters, where the loyal + Simpson related to the lover all the gossip of Johnstone and General + Abercromby, over their brandy pawnee and cheroots. Simpson was the eager + servitor of the young engineer, whom he loved. + </p> + <p> + General Willoughby had a little fit of “work” which seized upon him, and + so he toiled till late at night, sending some cipher dispatches to the + Viceroy. “I may make a point in this, perhaps a C. B.,” said the old + veteran, who was sharper when drunk than sober. “I’ll put a pin in + Johnstone’s game, and get ahead of Abercromby.” This last old warrior had + secretly vowed to force Hugh Fraser Johnstone to present him to the + “little party in the Silver Bungalow.” The Calcutta general was a Knight + of Venus, as well as a Son of Mars, and had guarded memories of some wild + episodes of his own there in the halcyon days of the great chieftain who + had builded it. A gay young staff officer whispered: + </p> + <p> + “Alan Hawke is the only one who really has the ‘open sesame.’ He knows + that ‘little party.’ Didn’t you see Johnstone hurry her away? The old + nabob, too, is sly.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” mused the General. “I’ll make Johnstone have Hawke here to + breakfast. Devilish clever fellow—and he’ll take me there!” Alas! + for these rosy anticipations. The “little party” was already at Allahabad + before the gouty general awoke from his love dream. + </p> + <p> + And, last of all the “late parties” on this eventful night was Hugh Fraser + Johnstone’s little solitary council of war. He had, with a prescience of + coming trouble, detailed two of his own keenest personal servants to watch + the Silver Bungalow, from daylight, relieving each other, and never losing + sight a moment of the hidden tiger’s den. “I’ll find out who goes and + comes there! By God! I will!” he raged. After a long cogitation, he + evolved a “way out” of his quarrel with Hawke. “Damn the fellow! I must + not drive him over into the enemy’s camp. I’ll have him here—to + breakfast, to-morrow. The jewels are safely out of the way now. For a few + pounds he will watch this she-devil, and that yellow thief, Ram Lal, for + me. My only danger is in their coming together. I’ll get a note to him + early.” Seizing his chit-book, he dashed off in a frankly apologetic way a + few lines. “There! That’ll do! Not too much!” He read his lines with a + final approval. + </p> + <p> + “Dear Hawke: I’ve been worried to death with a lot of people thrust on me. + Mere figure-heads. You must excuse an old friend—an old man—and + Madame Louison is like all women—only a bundle of nerves. Come over + to the house to-day at noon and breakfast with Abercromby and myself + alone. I’ll send you back to Calcutta with him on a little run. I + appreciate your manliness in keeping out of my little misunderstanding + with the Madame. By the way, a few words from Abercromby to the Viceroy + would put you back on the Army Staff, where you rightly belong. Let + bygones be bygones, and you can make your play on the General, It’s the + one chance of a life. Come and see me. J.” + </p> + <p> + “There! He will never show that!” mused Hugh Johnstone. “It touches his + one little raw spot!” And calling a boy the old Commissioner dispatched + the note, carefully sealed, to the Club. The last one to seek his rest in + the marble house, old Johnstone was strangely shaken by the events of the + day. + </p> + <p> + Berthe Louison’s threats, Ram Lal’s stubborn refusal, and the useless + quarrel with Hawke had unmanned him. He drank a strong glass of grog and + then sought his room. “All things settle themselves at last! This thing + will blow over! I wish to God that she was out of the way! I could then + handle the rest!” For in his heart he feared the defiant woman. + </p> + <p> + There were two men equally surprised when gunfire brought the “day’s + doings” on again in lazy, luxurious Delhi. Over his morning coffee, Major + Alan Hawke thankfully cried: “I am a very devil for luck! This old + skinflint is opening his bosom and handing me a knife. By God! I’ll have + my pound of flesh!” He leaped from his couch as blithe as a midshipman + receiving his first love letter from a fullgrown dame. There was great joy + in the house of Hawke. + </p> + <p> + But when Simpson entered his master’s room he was followed by a wild-eyed + returning emissary, who waited till the old soldier had left the room. + Hugh Johnstone suddenly lost all interest in the breakfast tray, the + letters and his morning toilet, when the Hindu fearfully said: “They are + all gone—the Mem-Sahib, the two foreign devils, and all their + belongings!” + </p> + <p> + Johnstone was on his feet with a single bound. “Gone! What do you tell me, + you fool?” He was shaking the slim-boned native as if he were a man of + straw. + </p> + <p> + “They went to the railroad at two o’clock at night, the coachman told me. + We only began our watch by your orders at daybreak. She had been then gone + four hours.” Johnstone foamed in an impotent rage. + </p> + <p> + “Who is left in the house?” he roared. + </p> + <p> + “Nobody, Sahib.” tersely said the Hindu. + </p> + <p> + “Get out and send me Simpson!” the old man sternly said. “Go back and + watch that house till I have you relieved. Tell me everyone who goes in or + out!” + </p> + <p> + And then the horrible fear that Willoughby or Abercromby had deceived him, + began to dawn upon his excited mind. “Simpson,” he cried, “there’s a good + fellow! Take the first trap and get over to Major Hawke. Tell him that I + must see him here, at once, on the most important business. He must come. + Then get to Ram Lal, and bring him yourself to your own room. Let me know, + privately, when he is there. Never mind my dressing. Send me a couple of + the others. Is the General awake?” + </p> + <p> + “Just coming down for his ride! Horses ordered in half an hour!” + </p> + <p> + Simpson fled away, muttering, “Hardwicke must know of this!” + </p> + <p> + Hugh Johnstone fancied that he was dreaming when he met his official + guest, refreshed and jovial, but still under the spell of Venus. + </p> + <p> + “See here, Hugh!” said the gallant Abercromby. “I want you to present me + to that stunning woman over there, at the Silver Bungalow, you know. They + tell me she’s the Queen of Delhi. You old rascal, I’m bound to know her! + Can’t we have a little breakfast there, under the rose?” A last desperate + expedient occurred to Johnstone. His baronetcy was in danger now. + </p> + <p> + “There’s but one man in Delhi can bring you within the fairy circle. + That’s Hawke—a devilish good officer too, by the way! Ought to be + back on the ‘Temporary Staff,’ at least! He comes here to breakfast! I’ll + turn you over to him. He manages all the lady’s private affairs. He is + your man.” + </p> + <p> + General Abercromby turned a stony eye upon his host. “Does Willoughby go + there?” he huskily whispered. + </p> + <p> + “Never crossed the line! Hawke is far too shy. You see, Willoughby has not + recognized Major Hawke’s rank and past services!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said the jealous warrior. “If Hawke is the man you say he is, I can + get the Viceroy to give him a local rank, in two weeks! Send him down with + me to Calcutta!” and the gay old would-be lover jingled away on his + morning ride. + </p> + <p> + “This may be my one anchor of safety!” gasped the wondering Johnstone, as + Alan Hawke came dashing into the grounds. In half an hour, the broken + entente cordiale was restored, and Johnstone had slipped away and + questioned the wary Ram Lal. + </p> + <p> + “All I know is that the lady hired the house temporarily from me, I am + agent for Runjeet Hoy, who owns it now. She went without a word, and gave + me three hundred pounds yesternight, for her rent and supplies. I asked + the Mem-Sahib no questions. She went away all by herself, in the middle of + the night.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! You know nothing more?” sharply queried Johnstone. + </p> + <p> + “Of course not! I thought you, or Hawke Sahib, or General Wilhoughby, was + a secret friend.” Slyly said Ram Lal. + </p> + <p> + “She owes you nothing? You do not expect her to return?” the nabob cried. + </p> + <p> + “I think she has gone to Calcutta! She came from there.” + </p> + <p> + “Come to-night, privately, Ram Lal. I’ll show you how to get in. Just tap + at my bedroom window three times. Come secretly, at eleven o’clock, and + find out all you can. Wait in the garden till the house is dark. I’ll pay + you well,” continued Johnstone, leading the old jeweler to his bedroom. “I + will leave this one window unfastened. So you can come in! The room will + be dark!” + </p> + <p> + “The Sahib shall be obeyed!” said Ram Lal, salaaming to the ground, and he + was happy at heart as he glided out of the garden. A ferocious smile of + coming triumph gleamed in his dark face. “I have him now! He will never + slip away in the night! But I must please him, and lie to him!” It was the + chance for which he had vainly waited there many years, and Ram Lal prayed + to great Bowaaee to aid him. + </p> + <p> + “Hawke!” said Johnstone, when his astounded listener heard all of + Johnstone’s proposed infamy. “I have telegraphed to Allahabad and + Calcutta. This strange woman has gone down there. Now, I want you to fall + in with Abercromby. He will go down in a few days. Bring them together in + any way you can. The General and the beauty. No fool like an old fool!” he + grinned. “Watch them and post me! Abercromby is already well disposed to + you. Make a play on him. He will get you a temporary rank from the + Viceroy. + </p> + <p> + “Your matchless knowledge of the Himalayas and the whole northern frontier + will earn you a regular rank. Coddle Anstruther, too, and cling to the + Vice-roy! I’ll back you with any money you need. It’s the one chance of a + life!” + </p> + <p> + “And what am I to do for you, Johnstone?” quietly said the delighted + Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “Just stand by me about this baronetcy, and bamboozle this damned foolish + woman, while I slip quietly away to Europe! She is mercurial and vain. + Abercromby will get her into the fast Calcutta set, after one necessary + appearance at the Viceroy’s! She is, after all, only a woman. You can + catch them with a feather, if you can catch them at all! Once properly + launched by Abercromby, you are a made man for life! He will not dare to + ‘go back on you!’ as our Yankee cousins have it. The Viceroy will do + anything for him!” + </p> + <p> + “By God! Johnstone! I’m your man! Count on me in life and death!” warmly + cried Hawke. The two men clasped hands. + </p> + <p> + There was a clatter and a jingle. The old warrior was on his return. “Here + he comes now! Fall in with his humor, and success to you at Calcutta,” + whispered Johnstone. There was the very jolliest breakfast imaginable at + the marble house that day, and that same afternoon Major. Alan Hawke rode + all over Delhi as volunteer aide to General Abercromby. + </p> + <p> + Two nights later General Abercromby whispered to Hugh Johnstone, at a + Grand Ball at Willoughby’s Headquarters: “I’ve just had a telegram from + the Viceroy to return at once. Your matter is now all right. I leave the + property with Willoughby here. I’ll go down in the morning, if you’ll fix + me up.” And then, Johnstone signing to Major Alan Hawke, who had been the + cynosure of all eyes, as he gracefully led Madame la Generale Willoughby + through a lanciers, took the favorite of fortune aside. + </p> + <p> + “Make your adieux! Get out of here! Settle all your little affairs! Send + all your traps over to my house! General Abercromby wants to slip away + quietly in the morning! No one is to know! And you go with him, at his + urgent request.” + </p> + <p> + And that very evening at Calcutta, Alixe Delavigne would have laughed in + triumph to know of Hugh Johnstone’s strange eagerness to dispatch his + amorous guest. For the lady—in the safe haven of the great banker’s + home—had just returned from a captivated Viceroy, who had instantly + recalled Abercromby by a dispatch to be “obeyed forthwith.” + </p> + <p> + “You, Madame, have laid me under an obligation which I can never forget,” + said the graceful statesman. The list of Ram Lal was in his hands now! And + so Hugh Johnstone was highly pleased, and Madame Berthe Louison, still in + her masquerade, was happy, and the watchful Commanding-General Willoughby + was more than pleased; and the now doubly hopeful Major Alan Hawke + rejoiced, while General Abercromby knew that the “little party” was + waiting him in Calcutta. But most of all pleased was Ram Lal Singh, + clutching in his dreams at the dagger of Mirzah Shah, lying there by his + bedside. “He will be left alone, and he knows my signal—his own + device—THREE TAPS AT HIS WINDOW! In Delhi there only lingered, sad + and lonely, Major Harry Hardwicke, whose sighs were echoed back from afar + by a starry-eyed girl watching the sandy shores of the Suez Canal. + </p> + <p> + “I dare not telegraph to him till we reach Brindisi,” mused the loving + girl. “After that our path will be plain, and Justine MUST help me! Then + he can follow me—if he loves me!” She faltered, hiding her blushing + face. The only comforter of the lonely Hardwicke was “Rattler Murray.” Red + Eric, of the Eighth Lancers, had just fallen into a pot of money. + </p> + <p> + “Take your long leave, my boy!” he cried. “I’ve been nine long years a + Lieutenant! I’ll have my troop before my leave is out! And there’s a + loving lass awaiting me! One I love—one who loves me—one you + must know, for you must be the ‘best man’!” + </p> + <p> + “Wait, only wait a couple of weeks, Eric!” said the Major, whose eyes were + now turned daily to Simpson. “Then I’ll put in my own application, and + we’ll go home together.” + </p> + <p> + This bright hope was duly pledged in many a loving cup. + </p> + <p> + General Abercromby was far away on the road to Calcutta when Major-General + Willoughby sent, posthaste, for Major Harry Hardwicke of the Corps of + Engineers. The puzzled Commanding General was racking his brains to find + out if his old friend Abercromby had committed any fatal error during his + somewhat bacchanalian visit on “special duty.” + </p> + <p> + “I’m glad he is gone” mused the stout-hearted, thick-headed old Commander, + as he read, over and over, the Viceroy’s cipher dispatch to the departed + General. + </p> + <p> + “Do nothing further! Turn over all property, on invoice, to General + Willoughby, and report here forthwith. Hold no communication with + Johnstone, and guard an absolute silence. Report in person, instantly on + your arrival.” + </p> + <p> + “Something has surely gone wrong!” at last decided Willoughby. “Old Hugh + Fraser Johnstone may have been too much for him. Strange, the Viceroy says + nothing of him!” And then he read a second dispatch, with the Viceroy’s + orders to himself. “Notify Major Harry Hardwicke, Royal Engineers, to + report in person, to the Viceroy for special duty, prepared to go in a + week to England on duty. Absolute secrecy required. His leave application + will be approved for any period, to take effect on his completion of + duties assigned, in London. Special cipher orders will be sent to him this + A.M. Deliver them and furnish him the code No. 2. No copies to be + retained. Furnish Major Hardwicke with a captain and ten picked men to + escort the property received by General Abercromby to Calcutta. Invoices + to you to be signed by him. Property to be sent down in sealed pay-chests, + with your seal and Major Hardwicke’s. Report compliance, and telegraph in + cipher No. 2 Hardwicke’s departure for Calcutta. Special transportation + has been ordered.” + </p> + <p> + “There, my boy, you have your orders!” an hour later said General + Willoughby when Major Hardwicke reported. “I am glad to have the whole + thing off my hands. Here is the double-ciphered code. You are to translate + for yourself, and, remember, then destroy your translation. Remember, + also, one single whisper of your destination, and you are a ruined man! + Evidently the Viceroy is bent on trapping old Hugh Johnstone. Damn him, + for a sneaking civilian! I never trusted him!” And the old General rolled + away for his family tiffin. “I’ll see you when you have translated the + private orders. Thank God, the Viceroy keeps me out of this dirty muddle! + You see, I have no power over Johnstone—he is a blasted civilian.” + Two hours later, the grateful old General found Hardwicke pacing up and + down impatiently. “I ought only to tell Murray,” he murmured, “if I could! + He is going home to be married, and I am to stand up with him.” + </p> + <p> + “Just the thing!” gayly cried Willoughby. “Murray’s captaincy is in the + Gazette of to-day’s mail. I will order him down with you, in command of + the guard, and, at Calcutta, the Viceroy will release you from your + promise, so as to let him know that you can meet him in London. His + Excellency evidently wants to hoodwink all the gossips here, and, above + all, to blind old Johnstone. Now, Harry, I feel like a brute to let you go + without a poor send-off, but, by Heaven, the whole Willoughby clan will + follow you in London, and pay off a part of our debt for that ‘run-under + fire’ with my wounded boy. Name anything you want. Do you want any help to + watch Johnstone?” The old General was eager. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! I fear that I must attend to him, alone!” sadly said Major Hardwicke, + whose heart was racked, for a fair, dear face now afar must soon be + clouded with sorrow and those dear eyes weep a father’s shame. + </p> + <p> + “Call, day and night, for anything you want!” heartily said the loyal old + father of the rescued officer. “The day before you go you must dine with + us, alone, and Harriet will give you her last greeting.” + </p> + <p> + As the day wore away, there was a jovial rapprochement in the special car + where General Abercromby and Major Hawke were gayly extolling Madame + Berthe Louison’s perfections. “Mind you, General, I am no squire of + dames,” said the Major. “You must make your own running.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! my boy, you have earned your temporary rank as a Major of Staff, when + you’ve introduced me. I flatter myself that I know women!” cried + Abercromby as they cracked t’other bottle of Johnstone’s champagne. + </p> + <p> + “Take me to her, and then, I’ll take you to the Viceroy. I guarantee your + rank!” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a bargain!” cried the delighted Hawke. While Abercromby dreamed of + the lovely lady of the Silver Bungalow, Major Alan Hawke leisurely + examined a sheaf of letters from Europe which had been thrust in his + pocket by Ram Lal at parting. + </p> + <p> + “Victory!” he cried, as he read a tender letter from Euphrosyne Delande, + in which she promised her absolute compliance with his every wish. + “Justine has written to me herself,” was the underscored hint that the + three might join fortunes. “It’s about time for that Madras boat to get to + Brindisi,” mused Hawke, as they ran into Allahabad, “There may be + telegrams here now.” And, while General Abercromby jovially feasted, Hawke + ran over to his secret haunt to which he had ordered Ram Lal to send any + telegrams, for one day only, and then, the rest would be safe with Ram’s + secret agent in Calcutta. “My God! This is my fortune! Bravo, Justine!” + cried Hawke, “True and quickwitted. I now hold Berthe Louison in my hand.” + </p> + <p> + He read the words—“Andrew Fraser, St. Agnes’ Road, St. Heliers, + Jersey.” The dispatch was headed Brindisi, and signed “Justine.” “A man + might do worse than marry a woman as true and keen as that,” smiled Hawke. + “I am a devil for luck!” And then he gayly drank Justine’s health, in + silence, when he joined the amorous Abercromby at the table. + </p> + <p> + But the “devil for luck” did not know of a little scene at Brindisi, where + the blushing Nadine Johnstone hid her face in her friend’s bosom. “It is + my life, my very existence, Justine!” she pleaded. “I will never forget + you; we are both women, and my heart will break if you refuse!” And thus + Justine Delande had learned at last of Nadine’s easy victory over the + frank-hearted cousin’s prudence. + </p> + <p> + “What’s the wrong—to tell her?” he had mused, under the spell of the + loving eyes. “We go straight through, and I am in charge till my father + takes her out of my hands! Poor girl, it will be a grim enough life with + him. Not a man will ever set eyes on her face without old Hugh’s written + order!” And it was thus that Justine was enabled to warn her own lover + when she had slipped away and cabled by her mistress’s orders to the young + Lochinvar at Delhi: + </p> + <p> + “Captain Harry Hardwicke, Royal Engineers, Delhi: Letters for you at + Andrew Fraser’s, St Agnes Road, St. Heliers, Jersey. Come.” + </p> + <p> + The Swiss woman shuddered as she boldly signed Nadine! And this same + dispatch when received by the young officer, now busied with the Viceroy’s + mandate, brought the sunlight of Love back into his darkened soul! The + minutes seemed to lengthen into hours until the special train was ready. + At the risk of his military future, the Major gave to the faithful Simpson + his London Club address. “If anything happens here, you must go to General + Willoughby. Tell him what you want me to know. He will send it on, and + give you a five-pound note. Remember! Simpson, you’ll die in my service if + you stand true!” + </p> + <p> + “That I will, for your brave father’s sake, and for the young lady’s + bright eyes! Bless her dear, sunny face! Tell her that I will work for her + in life and death!” And when, in a few days the lengthened absence of + Major Harry Hardwicke and Red Eric Murray was noted, the groups only + conjectured a little junket to some near-by station, or a long shikaree + trip. But Simpson and General Willoughby knew better. Simpson was a “lord” + in these days, in the quarter, for Hardwicke had not left Delhi with a + closed hand. + </p> + <p> + And old Hugh Johnstone, greatly relieved at heart, was now busied in + secretly arranging for his own flitting. “I’ll run down to Calcutta, see + the Viceroy, give Abercromby a splendid dinner, and then slip off home, on + the quiet, via Ceylon. I’ll send Douglas back when I get to Jersey, and + then I can put those jewels where no human being can ever trace them! Once + that brother Andrew has my full orders as to Nadine, I will bar this + she-devil forever from her side! On the excuse of a leisurely contemplated + tour, I can have the rich Jew brokers of Amsterdam and Frankfort, with + their agents in Cairo and Constantinople, divide up the jewels among the + foreign crown-heads. I am then safe! safe! No human hand can ever touch me + now,” he gloated. + </p> + <p> + There was a clattering of aides-de-camp and great official bustle at the + Government House in Calcutta when General Abercromby reported to the great + statesman Viceroy, dwelling in the vast palace, builded by the Marquis of + Wellesley. + </p> + <p> + General Abercromby, marveling at the abruptness of the Viceroy, was + relieved to know that his “secret service” had been transferred to Major + Hardwicke under the orders of Major-General Willoughby. His mind was + intently occupied with the promised introduction to Madame Berthe Louison—“that + little party”—and so he failed not to refer to the future value to + the crown of Alan Hawke’s services. + </p> + <p> + “He is here with me, Your Excellency!” respectfully said Abercromby, who + had already posted off his leporello to call in due form at the banker’s + mansion, where the disguised Alixe Delavigne had taken refuge. “Send him + to me at once, General. I need him! I will give him the local staff rank + of Major and immediate employment. Willoughby has also written to me + especially about his wonderful knowledge of our northern lines. Stay! + Bring him yourself, to-morrow, at ten o’clock.” + </p> + <p> + “Splendid! Splendid!” cried the love-lorn General, rubbing his hands, as + he hastened away in his carriage to meet Alan Hawke! “I am ready for him, + if he is ready for me! I wish she were at some one of the great hotels + instead of being buried in the silver-gray respectability of the Manager’s + family circle. But—but—I will take her to the Viceroy. The + bird shall then learn to test its wings. I will bring her out as a social + star!” + </p> + <p> + Major Alan Hawke, with a beating heart, recounted to Madame Berthe Louison + all the occurrences in Delhi, when they were left alone in the great + banker’s vast parlors. “She is a puzzle, this strange woman!” mused Hawke, + for a serene and stately triumph shone in her splendid eyes. + </p> + <p> + Berthe Louison listened to all! “You will get your staff appointment,” she + smiled, “and I will help you! Bring your friend General Abercromby to see + me here to-morrow evening! I will be amiable to him, for your sake, and + for the sake of my future interests!” + </p> + <p> + The grateful young man, now on the threshold of reinstatement, in a sudden + impulse cried, “I can, now, give you Nadine Johnstone’s hiding place! You + can trust to me and I will prove it, now! It is—” + </p> + <p> + “With Andrew Fraser, retired Professor of Edinburgh University, historian + and philologist, ethnologist, etc.; St. Agnes Road, St. Heliers, Jersey,” + laughingly rejoined Berthe Louison. + </p> + <p> + “You are a—witch, woman! A wonder!” cried the astounded adventurer. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! You see that I have trusted you!” she smiled. “Now, do as I bid you, + and you will rise in the service! Remember! You are to do just what I say! + The bank here, or in Delhi, will give you always my directions. Remember! + I shall not lose sight of you for a moment, though near or far! And money + and promotion will reward your good faith! Go now! my friend,” she kindly + said, extending her hand. “Bring the General, here, tomorrow evening, at + eight! I will be busied till then! There is nothing for you to do now!” + </p> + <p> + The astonished schemer was in a maze as he dashed away to the Calcutta + Club to meet General Abercromby. “She is a very devil and a mistress of + the Black Art!” he mused. “I will stand by her,” he admiringly cried, “as + long as it pays me.” It was the honest tribute of a grateful scoundrel’s + heart! + </p> + <p> + While the happy Abercromby dallied with Major Hawke over a claret cup, an + official messenger sought him out, at the Club. “There, my boy! You see + that I am a man of my word!” cried the would-be lover. Alan Hawke’s lip + trembled as he tore open an envelope directed to him and marked: “On Her + Majesty’s Service.” The first in many years. The walls spun around before + his eyes when he read his provisional appointment, with an order to report + forthwith, to the Chief of Staff, for private instructions. “Ah! I + congratulate you, my boy!” heartily cried the happy General. “You are a + very devil for luck! One toast to the Viceroy! I’ll meet you here + to-night!” + </p> + <p> + The happiest man in India sped away to his newly opened gate of Paradise + Regained, while afar in the sweltering September sun, the gleam of rifles + and red coats told of an armed escort on the train, bearing Major + Hardwicke and Captain Eric Murray, on to Calcutta, with the swiftness of + the wind. Neither of the officers for a moment quitted their compartment, + and two chosen sergeants, revolver in hand, watched certain sealed + packages lying beside them all there in plain view. Major Hardwicke’s soul + was now in his quest! + </p> + <p> + There was a gleam of romance in the great Viceroy’s morning duties, while + Major Hawke had hastened to the Chief of Staff’s office. + </p> + <p> + Madame Berthe Louison, escorted by her guardian, the bank manager, had + placed upon the Viceroy’s table a little document which he studied with + great care. “You are sure that there is no mistake?” the statesman said, + gravely interrogating the banker. “I will guarantee it, Your Excellency, + with its face value, fifty thousand pounds.” answered the financier. It + was the memorandum of a policy of assurance for a sealed package, on the + steamer Lord Roberts, sent by Hugh Fraser Johnstone to Prof. Andrew + Fraser, St. Agnes Road, St. Heliers, Jersey and now half way to England. + </p> + <p> + “I will act, Madame, at once!” said the holder of a scepter by proxy. “You + are to guard this secret, both, upon your honor. Send the dispatch, as you + have proposed. My official action is to follow this up. I will let the + game go on in silence just a little longer. And now—” the Viceroy + led the lady aside, whispering a few private words, which left her a proud + and happy woman. “My special aid will call at your residence as soon as it + is dark. The consular officials at Aden, Suez, Port Said, and Brindisi + will all have orders regarding you. I am ashamed that the prudence needed + in the official side of this affair prevents me socially honoring you as I + would. The French Consul-General has given to me his official guaranty for + you, which,” he smiled, “was not needed. We shall meet again, and your + conduct will not be forgotten.” + </p> + <p> + Alixe Delavigne bowed with the grace of a queen and never lifted her eyes + until her sober mentor had brought her to the shelter of his home. Before + they were seated at tiffin the wires bore away this dispatch, which + astounded its recipient: + </p> + <h3> + “CAP. ANSON ANSTRUTHER, JUNIOR UNITED SERVICE CLUB, + </h3> + <h3> + LONDON. + </h3> + <p> + Meet me at Morley’s Hotel, London. Will telegraph you from Brindisi. + Official dispatches to you explain. + </p> + <h3> + BERTHE LOUISON.” + </h3> + <p> + When the stars lit up the broad Hooghly that night, a swift Peninsular and + Oriental Liner drew away down the river, with a smart steam-launch towing + at her companionway. The woman who said adieu to the Viceroy’s aid and her + grave-faced banker in her splendid rooms had read the brief words of + Captain Anstruther, telling her that the electric Ariel was true to his + trust. “All right. Both dispatches received. Welcome. Anstruther.” The + official staterooms were a bower of floral beauty, and the gallant aid + murmured: “I hope that nothing has been forgotten. The whole ship is at + your disposal. The Commander has the Viceroy’s personal orders. And, I was + to give you the letter and this package!” When the banker had exchanged + the last words of counsel and advice, he said: “Trust me! I know Hawke of + old! We will let him go up the ladder of life a little, while the other + fellow comes down!” + </p> + <p> + When the little steam-launch was a black blur on the blue waters, then + Alixe Delavigne, standing alone at the rail, smiled as she saw the lean, + straggling shores sweep by. “I fear that General Abercromby will deem me + discourteous! But time, tide, and the P. and O. steamers wait for no + elderly beau, however fascinating!” + </p> + <p> + It is a matter of local history in Calcutta that General Abercromby’s + remark: “Hawke! we have been a pair of damned fools! We are outwitted!” + found its way at last into the clubs, and the attack of jaundice, followed + up by a severe gout, which “laid out” the sighing lover for long months, + proves, as of old, that stern Mars cannot cope with the bright and + all-compelling Venus! But Major Alan Hawke, of the Provisional Staff, + hearkened wisely to the banker’s words: “Don’t be fool enough to think + that you can trifle with Madame Louison’s interests. The noble Viceroy has + placed you on duty, at her own personal request, to give you a last chance + to regain all the promise of your youth. One word from her, and—and + you will be suspended or, dropped! You will get your military orders from + the Viceroy and her wishes from me.” + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke was paralyzed with astonishment the next day, when the Viceroy + ordered him to proceed at once to Delhi, to report to General Willoughby, + and to hasten to London, via Bombay, on completion of his secret service + at Delhi.” + </p> + <p> + “I am a devil for luck!” muttered Hawke. “But even the tide of Fortune can + drive along too fast!” He had lost his head, and forgotten all his pigmy + plans. A stronger hand than his own was secretly guiding his onward path, + upward to the old status of the “British officer!” “What the devil do they + want of me in London?” he mused. + </p> + <p> + And, chuckling over how easily he had made the lovesick Abercromby help + him into his “military seat” once more, Alan Hawke betook himself + forthwith to Delhi, to report to General Willoughby for instant service. + When he descended at Allahabad, his undress uniform of a major of the + Staff Corps brought down on him a storm of congratulations from old + friends gathered there. “Sly old boy you were!” the service men laughed, + over their glasses, while wetting his new uniform. “A man must not tell + all he knows!” patiently replied Major Hawke, with the sad, sweet smile of + a man who had dropped into a good thing. + </p> + <p> + As he rolled along toward Delhi, he seriously cogitated “playing fair” in + his new capacity. “Perhaps it will pay!” he mused. “But I will even up + with that old hog, Johnstone!” He dared not contemplate now any + substantial treason to Madame Alixe Delavigne. “She is a witch woman! She + seems to have an untold backing! The Bankers, even, the Viceroy, and the + French Consul-General, too. She could crush me! I must serve My Lady + Disdain, and I will fight and die in her army!” Arriving at Delhi, Major + Alan Hawke’s first visit was to Ram Lal Singh, as he prepared to “report + forthwith,” in “full rig,” to the local Commander. There was a strange + preoccupation in the old jeweler which baffled Hawke. Ram Lal only humbly + begged to have all his lengthened accounts with Madame Berthe Louison + arranged, and Alan Hawke, with a few words, calmed the Mussulman’s fears. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll have it all attended to, to-morrow, when I look it over,” said the + Major, hastening away to the Club. “Ram has been at the hashish, or bhang, + or the betel nut, or some of his recondite dissipations—perhaps he + has enjoyed an opium bout in the Zenana,” mused the new appointee, as he + gayly “begged off” from a cloud of eager congratulations by promising to + “blow off” the whole Delhi Club. “Business first, pleasure afterwards” + said the resplendent Major Hawke, as he clattered away, a handsome son of + Mars, to report to General Willoughby. + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke was secretly delighted with his cordial reception. “Come to me + to-morrow at ten, Major,” said the Commander, “I will have your first + instructions, but remember absolute secrecy. This is a very grave affair + to both of us—your coming employment.” + </p> + <p> + “The tide of life is bearing me on, with a devilish rapidity, with + favoring gales,” the Major reflected. But beyond the clouds veiling the + future he saw no farther shore. + </p> + <p> + In the dim watches of the night for a week past, Simpson, secretly busied + with preparing Hugh Johnstone’s flitting, was perplexed at the sound of + shuffling feet and whispered voices in the master’s rooms opening into the + splendid gardens. “Who the devil has he there? Some woman!” mused the old + veteran servant. Simpson had his own little “private life” to wind up, and + so he was charitably inclined. It was his custom when all was still to + slip away “to the quarter” where some lingering cords were now slowly + snapping one by one. The old servant noted with surprise a dark form + gliding on his trail in several of these goings and comings. Being of a + practical nature, the man who had faced the mad rebels at Lucknow only + belted on a heavy Adams revolver, and concluded at last that some others + of the household were busied in secret dissipation or nocturnal + lovemaking. “No one man has a controlling patent on being a fool,” mused + Simpson. “Black and white, we’re all of a muchness.” And as he knew they + might now leave at any moment he sped away to his last delightful nights + in Delhi. + </p> + <p> + On the night when Alan Hawke returned from Calcutta, the inky blackness of + an approaching storm wrapped dreaming Delhi in an impenetrable mantle. + Under the huge camphor tree where the cobra had risen in its horrid menace + before the frightened girl, a dark figure waited till a man glided to his + side. His head was bent as the spy reported “Simpson is gone to the + quarter. Two of our men have followed him, and, if he returns, he will be + stopped on the way.” The only answer was an outstretched arm, and the + whispered words, “Go, then, and watch.” + </p> + <p> + “It is the very night—the night of all nights!” muttered the watcher + under the tree, and then, stealing forward, he tapped three times at the + window where Hugh Johnstone stood with his heart beating high in all the + pride of a coming triumph ready to open to the man who was settling his + private affairs. + </p> + <p> + “No one shall know that I have stolen away,” he mused. “Forever and in the + night.” + </p> + <p> + A light foot pressed the floor as the expected one glided over the low + window sill. There was a night lamp burning dimly in a shaded corner. “Put + out the light. I must tell you something. We are both watched and spied + on!” whispered a well-known voice. + </p> + <p> + As Hugh Johnstone turned from the corner, in the darkness, there was a + gurgling cry—a half-smothered groan—as Mirzah Shah’s poisoned + dagger was driven to the hilt between his shoulders. His accounts were + settled, at last! + </p> + <p> + An hour later, a dark form crept through the gardens toward the gate where + Harry Hardwicke had rode in to the rescue. There was a silent struggle as + two men wrestled in the darkness, and one fled away into the shadows of + the night. It was the chance meeting of a spy and a murderer. + </p> + <p> + And then Major Alan Hawke stooped and picked up a heavy dagger lying at + his feet. “I have the beggar’s knife,” he growled. And, with a sudden + intention, he vanished toward the Club, for the knife of Mirzah Shah was + reeking, and Hugh Johnstone had gone out on his darkened path alone. He + had left Delhi—forever. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BOOK III. PRINCE DJIDDIN’S VISIT TO ENGLAND. + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. “DO YOU SEE THIS DAGGER?” + </h2> + <p> + Morning in Delhi! The fiery sun leaped up, gilding once more the far + Himalayas and lighting the bloodstained plains of Oude. The golden shafts + twinkled on the huge colonnade, the vast ruined arch, the crumbling walls, + and the huge castled oval of Humayoon’s tomb. In the dark night, the + monsoon winds wailed over the wreck of Hindu, Pathan, and Mogul + magnificence. The dark demons of Bowanee rejoiced at a new sacrifice to + the gloomy goddess; and the straggling jungle was alive again. + </p> + <p> + In the vacant caverns, whence the sons of Mohammed Bahadur were once + dragged forth to die by daring Hodson’s smoking pistols, their slaughtered + shades grinned over the ghastly vengeance of the barren years. + </p> + <p> + The huge dome of the mosque hung in air over the vacant palaces of the + great Moguls, and the far windmill ridge, and the bastioned walls of Delhi + were bathed in golden light, while Alan Hawke slept the sleep of + exhaustion. And while Ram Lal Singh, secure in his zenana, calmly greeted + the cool morning hour with a smiling face and a happy heart, in the lonely + marble house, stern old Hugh Fraser Johnstone slept the sleep that knows + no waking. + </p> + <p> + The Chandnee Chouk awoke to its busy daily chatter, and old Shahjehanabad + sought its pleasures languidly again, or bowed its shoulders once more + under the yoke of toil. + </p> + <p> + The faithful sought the Jumna Musjid for morning prayer, and the + nonchalant British officials began to straggle into the vacant Hall of the + Peacock Throne. + </p> + <p> + Far away, the Kootab Minar, rising three hundred feet in air, bore its + mute witness to the splendor of the vanished rulers of Delhi, the peerless + Ghori swordsmen of Khorassan. But, even as the soldiers of the old Pathan + fort had marched out into the shadowless night of death to join Ghori and + Baber and Nadir Shah, so the spirit of the lonely old miser nabob had + sought the echoless shore. + </p> + <p> + When Simpson had unavailingly endeavored to awaken his master, the locked + doors were burst in at last by the anxious servants, and they found only + the tenantless shell of the mighty millionaire, as cold and rigid as the + iron pillar which veils to-day its mystery of a forgotten past, when the + jackals howl in the ruins of old Delhi. + </p> + <p> + Then rose up a wild outcry, and the sound of hurrying feet. The alert old + veteran servitor, with instinctive military obedience, dispatched two + messengers, on the run, to notify General Willoughby and Major Alan Hawke. + And then, with quick wit, he forbade the gaping crowd to touch even a + single article. + </p> + <p> + Not even the stiffened body, as it lay prone upon its face, was disturbed. + Simpson stood there, pistol in hand, on guard until properly relieved, and + as silent as a crouching rifleman on picket. The whole room bore the + evidence of a thorough ransacking, and the disordered clothing of the + nabob proved, too, that the body had been rifled. The mysterious nocturnal + visits returned to Simpson’s mind. “Could it have been some once-wronged + woman?” he mused while waiting for his “military superiors.” For the + simple old soldier scorned all civilian control. His keen eye had caught + the strange facts of the fastened windows, the disappearance of the two + mahogany boxes, and the startling absence of the key of the chamber door. + </p> + <p> + “Whoever did this job knew what they came for and when to come!” mused + Simpson. He gazed at the window sill. There was the mark of damp earth + still upon it. “Just as I fancied!” growled Simp-son. “They came in at the + window, and when their work was done, left by the door. There was more + than one murderer in this job!” And, then, certain old stories of a + mysterious Eurasian beauty returned to cloud the old man’s judgment. “Was + it robbery, or vengeance?” he grumbled. “The black gang are in this, but + their secrets are safe forever! They are a close corporation—these + devils!” + </p> + <p> + With certain ideas of an endangered life pension, and a sudden yearning + for the absent Hardwicke’s counsel, stern old Simpson awaited the coming + of his betters. And, the ghastly news of Johnstone’s “taking-off” flew + over Delhi to furnish a nine days’ wonder. + </p> + <p> + There was a great crowd gathered around the garden walls of the Marble + House, as an officer of the guard galloped up with a platoon of cavalry. + “The General will be here himself, soon! What’s all this terrible + happening?” said the young officer, as he took post beside Simpson. “You + have done well!” the soldier said, on a brief report. “Let nothing be + touched. My guard will prevent any one leaving the grounds!” There was a + sullen apathy as regarded the unloved old egoist. + </p> + <p> + Major Alan Hawke sprang to his feet, hastily, as the excited Club Steward, + forgetting all his decorum, banged loudly upon the staff officer’s bedroom + door. The young man was still in the dress of night, as the Steward + excitedly exclaimed: “Here’s a fearful deed! Hugh Johnstone has been + murdered in his bed, and—they’ve sent for you!” + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke was staggered. “Get me a horse, at once! I must report to the + General! When, where, how? Tell me all! Send off a man for the horse!” + And, as Hawke hastily donned his uniform, he heard the Hindu servant’s + story. + </p> + <p> + “Be off! Tell Simpson I go first to the General, and, then, I will come + over to the house!” + </p> + <p> + As Major Hawke strode through the clubroom, a half-dozen half-dressed + clubmen seized upon him. He waved off their inquiries, as an orderly + dashed up to the door. + </p> + <p> + “General Willoughby’s compliments, Sir. You are to report to him instantly + at the Marble House! You can take my horse, Major! I’ll bring yours on.” + And so, lightly leaping into the saddle, the Major galloped away, with an + approving nod. “There’ll be a devil of a racket over this thing!” he + reflected, as he dashed along. And he chuckled with glee at his prudence + in hiding away the dagger which he had picked up in the garden. For, a + moonlight-eyed Eurasian girl, hidden in a little cottage, was the only + human being in Delhi who knew of the hasty visit her secret lover had made + in the night. The jeweled dagger of Mirzah Shah was now securely locked in + a little chest where Alan Hawke kept a few articles hidden away in the + humble home of the passive plaything of his idle hours. As he caught sight + of the Marble House, with its gathered crowds, he saw the gleam of musket + barrels, as a company of foot were picketing the vast garden inclosure, + and forcing back the excited crowd. + </p> + <p> + A non-commissioned officer swung open the heavy gates which would only + turn on their hinges once more for Hugh Johnstone going out on his last + journey. “The General awaits you, Major,” said the sergeant, touching his + cap. “He has already asked for you.” And as Hawke rode up to the front + door he was suddenly reminded of his imperiled interests. “The drafts! + They may be stopped now! By God! I must see Ram Lal! I need him now and he + needs me.” + </p> + <p> + With an unruffled professional calm, however, Major Hawke reported to the + visibly disturbed General commanding. + </p> + <p> + With a single warning gesture of silence, General Willoughby drew the + Major aside. “I shall put you in entire charge here. I have seen all the + civil authorities. This is your affair. It touches your mission. The + Viceroy has been telegraphed, and you are to guard the whole property here + till we have his pleasure. Now come with me and let us question Simpson. + The rest are merely a lot of apes.” + </p> + <p> + And so Major Alan Hawke had ample time to arrange his private plan of + campaign as he guarded a respectful silence during Simpson’s long + relation, for his thoughts were now far away with Berthe Louison, and the + lovely orphan, whose only confidante was his tender-hearted dupe Justine + Delande. But the acute adventurer’s mind returned to fix itself upon Ram + Lal Singh, now blandly smiling in his jewel shop, where the morning + gossips babbled over Johnstone Sahib’s tragic death. “I must telegraph to + Euphrosyne,” thought the Major, “and to 9 Rue Berlioz, Paris, for my + will-o-the-wisp employer. But, Mr. Ram Lal Singh, you shall pay me for + what ruin Mirzah Shah’s dagger has wrought!” + </p> + <p> + The mantle of silence had fallen forever over the last night’s rencontre + in the garden. With dreaming eyes Hawke mused: “It would never do to tell + any part of that story. What business had I there?” And, without a tremor, + he stood by the General’s side as they gazed on the dead millionaire’s + body still lying on the floor. + </p> + <p> + “I will now send for the civil authorities, and you, Major Hawke, will + represent me in the investigation. Your military future hangs on this. + Remember, now, that the Viceroy looks to you alone! I will return here + after tiffin. I will have some personal instructions for you.” And Alan + Hawke now saw the farther shore of his voyage of life gleaming out as + General Willoughby left him to confer with the arriving magistrates and + civil police. “I shall marry you, my veiled Rose of Delhi, and be master + here yet, in this Marble House, and, by God, I’ll die a general, too!” he + swore, with which pleasing prophecy Major Alan Hawke calmly took up the + varied secret duties which joined a Viceroy’s secret orders to the will of + the General commanding. + </p> + <p> + “I am a devil for luck!” he mused as he gazed down on the old man’s + shrunken and withered dead face. “I will do the honors alone for you, my + departed friend,” he sneered, “for I am the master here now.” The absence + of all articles of value, the disappearance of Johnstone’s three superb + ruby shirt-studs, and his magnificent single diamond cuff-buttons, told of + the greed of the robbers, presumably familiar with his personal ornaments, + while the terrific stab in the back showed that the heavy knife had been + driven through the back up to its very hilt. + </p> + <p> + “We must find the dagger!” pompously said the civil magistrate. “Major + Hawke, will you give orders to have the whole house and grounds searched?” + And with a faint smile the Major politely rose and set all his myrmidons + in motion. + </p> + <p> + Even then the telegraph was clicking away a message to Johnstone’s lawyer + and bankers in Calcutta, and to his young relative, Douglas Fraser, of the + great P. and O. steamship service. Before night the crafty Calcutta lawyer + had notified Professor Andrew Fraser, in the far-away island of Jersey, + and before Major Hawke himself received the Viceroy’s orders, through + General Willoughby, Mademoiselle Euphrosyne Delande, of Geneva, and the + household at No. 9 Rue Berlioz, Paris, both knew that the defiant old + nabob had sailed the dark sea without a shore. + </p> + <p> + Most of all surprised was Captain Anson Anstruther in London, who pondered + long at the United Service Club over an official message from the Viceroy, + telling him of the startling murder. The young gallant’s heart beat in a + strange agitation as he examined the previous dispatches of both Berthe + Louison and the Viceroy. + </p> + <p> + “She had no hand in it, thank God!” mused the young aide-de-camp. “Perhaps + he was paid off for some of his old Shylock transactions—some local + intrigue, or the jealous lover of some Eurasian beauty, dragged to his + lair, has finished all, and revenged the accumulated brutalities of thirty + years.” + </p> + <p> + There was a loud outcry of horror and surprise sweeping on now from the + social circles of Delhi to the clubs of Lucknow, Cawnpore, Allahabad, + Benares, and Patna to Calcutta. + </p> + <p> + In a day or two, men from Lahore to Hyderabad, from Bombay to Nagpore and + Madras, and in all the clubs from Calcutta to Simla, had paused over their + brandy pawnee to murmur, “Well! The poor old beggar is gone, and now he’ll + never get his Baronetcy! Some of the niggers did the trick neatly for him + at last. They must have got a jolly lot of loot!” + </p> + <p> + In which general verdict the glittering-eyed Ram Lal, hidden in his + zenana, did not share. For, when he had rifled and destroyed the two + mahogany boxes he summed all up his pickings with baffled rage. “A couple + of thousand pounds of notes, a few scattered jewels, the sly old dog has + spirited away his vast stealings! My work was all in vain, save the + vengeance!” And the oily Ram Lal, in the zenana, drew a willing beauty of + Cashmere to his bosom, and hid his face from the chatterers of street and + shop. He was safe from all prying eyes in the Harem. + </p> + <p> + But, while the triumphant English Mem-Sahibs, of Delhi, shuddered at the + bloody details of old Hugh Johnstone’s taking off, they found abundant + reason to point a moral and adorn a tale. + </p> + <p> + While the anxious Viceroy was busied at Calcutta, and General Willoughby + and Hawke were engrossed with the pompous funeral preparations at Delhi, + the ladies of the whole station unanimously condemned the departed. For a + cold and brutal foe of womanhood had died unhonored in their midst, and + none were left to mourn. + </p> + <p> + With much pretentious wagging of shapely heads, and much mysterious + innuendo, they spoke lightly of the departed one, and failed not to + mentally unroof the Silver Bungalow. The baffled ladies scented a social + mystery! + </p> + <p> + Wild rumors of splendid orgies, strange tales of a wronged woman’s + vengeance, lurid romances of the flight of the French Countess with a + younger lover, after despoiling her aged admirer; all these things were + “put in commission” and vigorously circulated. + </p> + <p> + The principal party interested in these slanders, was, however, now calmly + gliding on toward Aden, while the dead millionaire was alike oblivious to + the lovely daughter whom he had crushed as a bruised flower, the haughty + woman who had defied him in his wrath, and the administration of the + million sterling which was the golden monument over his yawning grave! The + silk-petticoat Council of Notables in Delhi decided by a tidal-wave of + womanly intuition, that the gallant and debonnair Major Alan Hawke would + marry “the lovely and accomplished heiress,” and so the white-bosomed + beauties of the capital of Oude turned again lazily to their respective + sins of omission and commission, and to the glitter of their respective + booths in Vanity Fair! + </p> + <p> + The club gossips waited in vain for the reappearance of Major Alan Hawke, + whose entire personal effects were bundled hastily away to the marble + house, where the adventurer now ruled pro tempore. It was late in the + night when Major Hawke had achieved all the preparations for the funeral + of the murdered man, upon the following day. Simpson and a squad of + non-commissioned officers watched where the flickering lights gleamed down + upon the dead nabob. + </p> + <p> + Making his last rounds for the night, Major Hawke, with a soldier’s + cynical calmness, enjoyed a cheroot upon the veranda, as he bade his + captain of the guard take charge until his return. The Major had most + carefully examined the five bills of exchange which now occupied his + attention, and his mind was now busied with the dead man’s golden store. + He now contemplated a visit to a man whose conscience bothered him not, + but whose bosom quaked in fear when Hawke’s letter, sent by a messenger, + bade Ram Lal await him at midnight. + </p> + <p> + “Does he know?” gasped Ram Lal, with chattering teeth, and yet he dared + not fly. + </p> + <p> + An early evening interview with General Willoughby had disclosed to the + Major the inconvenient fact that the dead nabob had left a carefully drawn + will, whereof Andrew Fraser, of St. Heliers, Jersey, and Douglas Fraser, + of Calcutta, were executors. “There is a duplicate will here in the Bengal + Bank,” so telegraphed the solicitor, “and I have now notified both the + executors. I presume that Mr. Douglas Fraser will return here at once, as + he is absent in Europe on leave. It may be a week or more until he + receives the sad intelligence.” + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke softly smiled at those touching words, “Sad intelligence.” It + was only the perfunctory regret of the shark-like lawyer, and the secretly + rejoicing heirs. “This is not a case where the one who goes is happier + than the one that’s left behind,” mused Hawke. “I must settle matters + rapidly with Ram Lal, for if the will leaves the property to Nadine, she + must be mine at all costs! + </p> + <p> + “Shall I not send a well-armed man with you, Major?” asked the Captain. + “It is very late!” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks, Jordan,” lightly said the Major. “I’ve a good revolver and my + service sword—a priceless old wootz steel tulwar. I’m good for a + dozen Pandies! I’m used to Thug—and Dacoit, to bandit and ruffian. I + have a little private business to attend to, and I’ll come home in a + trap!” + </p> + <p> + By a strange chance, Major Alan Hawke, the distinguished favorite of + fortune, slunk along in byway and shadow till he reached the cottage, + where a lovely woman, flower wreathed, with child-like face and timid, + mournful eyes, anxiously awaited him. “I’ll be back in two or three + hours,” he carelessly said, as he tossed her a roll of rupees. Then, with + a long, slender package hidden in his bosom, he stole out after a long + circuit and entered Ram Lal’s compound by the rear entrance, always at his + use. + </p> + <p> + “It is just as well not to make any little mistake just now,” mused Hawke, + as with cat-like tread he sped through the old jeweler’s garden. And the + “prevention of mistakes” consisted in the heavy Adams revolver which he + carried slung around his neck and shoulder by a heavy cord, in the handy + Russian fashion. + </p> + <p> + His left hand steadied the peculiar parcel which he had so carefully + hidden. An amused smile flitted over his face when old Ram Lal opened the + door of the snuggery, where Justine had first listened to a lover’s sighs. + “Poor girl! I wish she were here to-night!” tenderly mused the sentimental + rascal, as he waved away Ram Lal’s bidding to a splendid little supper. + </p> + <p> + “I came here to talk business, Ram, to-night” sternly said Hawke, who had + inwardly decided not to taste food or drink with the past master of + villainy. “He might give me a gentle push into the Styx,” acutely + reflected the Major. “Sit down right there where I can see you,” said + Hawke, his hand firmly grasping the revolver, as he indicated a corner of + the table, after satisfying himself that the shop door was locked. He then + quickly locked the garden door and pocketed both the keys. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want of me?” murmured Ram Lal, who had noted the semi-hostile + tone, and who clearly saw the butt of the revolver. + </p> + <p> + “I want to talk to you of this Johnstone matter,” said the soldier, + ignoring all other reference to the “dear departed.” This coolness + unsettled the wily jeweler, who trembled as Hawke laid a long red + pocketbook down on the table before him. + </p> + <p> + The wily scoundrel shivered when the Major, with his left hand, pushed + over to him five sets of Bills of Exchange for a thousand pounds each. Ram + Lal’s eyes dropped under the brave villain’s steady gaze, and he slowly + read the first paper. He well knew the drawer’s writing: + </p> + <p> + DELHI, August 15, 1890. + </p> + <h3> + L 1,000. + </h3> + <p> + Thirty days after sight of this first of exchange (second and third + unpaid), pay to the order of Alan Hawke one thousand pounds sterling, + value received. + </p> + <h3> + HUGH FRASER JOHNSTONE. + </h3> + <p> + To Messrs. Glyn, Carr and Glyn, London. + </p> + <p> + “What do you wish me to do, Sahib?” tremblingly faltered the old usurer, + as he carefully noted the fifteen papers. A sinking at the heart told him + that he was in the power of the one man in India whom he knew to be as + merciless as himself, for a kindred spirit had fled when the drawer of the + Bills of Exchange died alone in the dark, his bubbling shriek stopped by + his heart’s blood. The Major sternly said in an icy voice, as he fixed his + eyes full on his victim: + </p> + <p> + “I wish you to indorse, every one of those papers. I wish you to make each + one of them read five thousand pounds. You have done that trick very + neatly before, and to put the additional Crown duty stamps upon them.” Ram + Lal had started up, but he sank back appalled as he looked down the barrel + of Hawke’s revolver. + </p> + <p> + “Keep silence or I’ll put a ball through your shoulder, and then drag you + up to General Willoughby. He will hang you in chains if I say the word.” + Alan Hawke was tiger-like now in his rapacity. + </p> + <p> + “I will leave the first set with you, and you will now give me your check + on the Oriental Bank for five thousand pounds. The other drafts you will + have all ready for me to-morrow and bring them to me at the Marble House.” + </p> + <p> + The jeweler groaned and swayed to and fro upon his seat in a mute agony. + “I cannot do it. I have not the money,” he babbled. + </p> + <p> + “You old lying wretch. You have screwed a quarter of a million pounds out + of Christian, Hindu, and Mohammedan here,” mercilessly said the torturer. + </p> + <p> + “I will not! I cannot! I dare not!” cried Ram Lal, dropping on the floor + and trying to bow his head at Hawke’s feet. + </p> + <p> + “Get up! You old beast!” commanded Hawke. “By God! I’ll shoot and disable + you now and then arrest you! Tell me! Do you know that dagger?” With a + quick motion, still covering the cowering wretch with his pistol, Hawke + drew out the package from his bosom, clumsily tearing off a silk neck + scarf-wrapper with his left hand. He laid down on the table the + blood-incrusted dagger of Mirzah Shah. The golden haft, the jeweled + fretwork and the broad blade were all covered with the life tide of the + great man whom no one mourned in Delhi. + </p> + <p> + “Mercy! Mercy!” hoarsely whispered Ram Lal, with his hands clasped, as in + prayer. + </p> + <p> + “I know whose it is!” pitilessly continued the tormentor. “You dropped it, + you fool, when you ran against me in the garden in your mad haste to get + away! One single rebellious word and I will march you to the nearest guard + post! Now, will you do what I wish?” + </p> + <p> + “Anything, anything, Sahib!” begged the cowering wretch. “Put it away, put + it away!” + </p> + <p> + “Now, quick!” said the Major. “First, give me the check! Then indorse all + these drafts right here in my presence. I will negotiate the others + myself. You can send on the first one through your bankers. Your name on + all of them will make them go without question.” The alert adventurer + watched Ram’s trembling fingers achieve the work. “Do not dare to leave + your own inclosure till you come directly to me to-morrow, when you have + altered all those drafts to read five thousand pounds each. I have charge + of the estate of the man whom you butchered like a dog. I have a guard of + two companies of soldiers, and you will be arrested as a murderer if you + attempt to leave, save to come directly to me with these papers.” + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke lit a cigar and then took a refreshing draught from a pocket + flask. + </p> + <p> + “Now open your strong box and show me your jewels! I want some of them!” + The sobbing wretch at his feet demurred until the cold nozzle of the + pistol was pressed against his forehead. “I will make the English bankers + pay the other four bills; but, you brute, did you think that I would let + you off with a poor five thousand pounds? Harken! I go to England in a + week! Then you are safe forever! Bring out all your jewels! You got fifty + thousand pounds from the old man! I know it!” + </p> + <p> + Begging and beseeching in vain, Ram Lal crawled to his great iron strong + box studded over with huge knobs, and, after a half an hour’s critical + selection, Alan Hawke had concealed on his person four little bags, in + which he had made the shivering wretch place the choicest of his + treasures. + </p> + <p> + “Call up your man now. Do not stir for an instant from my side! If the + drafts are not with me before sundown to-morrow, you will be hung in + chains, and the ravens will finish what the hangman leaves! Remember—my + boy! The rail and telegraph will cut off any little tricks of yours! And,” + he laughed, “you will not run away; you have too much here to leave. It + would be a fat haul for the Crown authorities. I will keep my eye on you, + near or far. I will be with you always. We have our own little secret, + now!” + </p> + <p> + “I will obey—only save me! Save me, Hawke Sahib. I will do all upon + my head, I will!” pleaded Ram Lal, whose vast fortune was indeed at the + mercy of the law. + </p> + <p> + “Call up your servants. Get out the carriage. Go back to your women. Make + merry. You are perfectly safe, but only if you obey me!” was the last + mandate of the triumphant bravo. When he stepped out of the house, + attended by the frightened murderer, Alan Hawke whispered from the + carriage: “Your house is under a close watch—even now. Remember—I + give you till sundown, and if you fail, I will come with the guard! I + shall seal up the dagger and leave it here with a message to the General + Willoughby Sahib to be given to him, at once, by one who knows you! So, I + can trust you. Nothing must happen to your dear friend, you know!” he + smilingly said in adieu, as Ram Lal groaned in anguish. + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke had closely examined the vehicle, and he sat with his drawn + revolver ready as he drove down the still lit-up Chandnee Chouk. In a + storm of remorse and agony, the plundered jeweler was now doubly locked up + in his room. “I must do this devil’s bidding!” he murmured. “Bowanee! + Bowanee! You have betrayed your servant!” was his cry as he sought the + safety of the Zenana. + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke tasted all the sweets of a great secret triumph as he cast up + his accounts. “The five thousand pounds frightened from this old wretch, + Ram Lal, really squares me with the estate of the ‘dear departed.’ The + jewels are worth twice as much more, and, with Ram Lal’s indorsement all + the other drafts on Glyn’s bank are as good as gold. There is twenty + thousand clear profit. I will send them on now for acceptance, openly, + through the Credit Lyonnaise when I get to Paris. For Berthe Louison will + give me, also, a good character. Old Ram’s indorsements make them + perfectly good anywhere. I had better hide the details of this windfall, + out here. And, now, thank Heaven, I am ‘fixed for life,’ and I can go in + boldly and play the Prince Charming to Miss Moneybags, the fair Nadine.” + He tossed a double rupee to the driver, as the sentry swung the gate, but, + hastily called him back as Captain Jordan said, hastening from the house: + </p> + <p> + “Orders are waiting for you now, with the General. Let me give you a + trusty Sergeant. Drive right up there, Major. The General sent word that + he awaits you.” And so the Major sped away to his chief. + </p> + <p> + No human being in Delhi ever knew the purport of the orders which General + Willoughby handed to Major Hawke, on this eventful evening, but much + marveled all Delhi that the favorite of fortune was absent from the + funeral of the late Hugh Fraser Johnstone, Esq., of Delhi and Calcutta. He + had vanished, with no P.P.C. calls, and a hundred-pound note tossed to the + poor little Eurasian girl in the cottage was her whole fortune in life + now. + </p> + <p> + But a grave-faced civilian public official, with Major Williamson, of the + Viceroy’s general staff (a late arrival from Calcutta), ruled over the + marble house in place of Major Alan Hawke “absent upon special duty.” Only + Ram Lal knew of the real destination of the lucky man, who was only free + from care when he had sailed from Bombay direct for Brindisi, on the fleet + steamer Ramchunder. + </p> + <p> + “I am safe now,” laughed Alan Hawke, who rejoiced in the easy tour of duty + before him. “To repair to London and to report to Captain Anson + Anstruther, A.D.C., for special duty.” Such were the Viceroy’s secret + orders. It was General Willoughby who had absolutely invoked secrecy. + “Wear a plain military undress, and you must avoid most men, and all + women. Keep your mouth shut and you may find your provisional rank + confirmed.” + </p> + <p> + To Berthe Louison’s secret agents, the Grindlay Bank at Delhi, Major Hawke + had delivered a sealed envelope. “Use this only at your sorest need. I + will see Madame Louison probably before she has any orders for me, as to + her private affairs.” When the envelope was opened the words “Major Alan + Hawke, Hotel Faucon, Lausanne, Switzerland,” gave the only address which + the adventurer dared to leave. And it was that which the cowering Ram Lal + Singh copied when he brought to Alan Hawke the four sets of altered Bills + of Exchange, and the Bank of England notes for the check of five thousand + pounds. + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke surveyed the skillfully raised Bills of Exchange and carefully + examined them in a dark room with a light, and also before the glaring sun + rays. “A splendid job, Ram Lal,” he gayly said. “You must have given them + a coat of size and then moistened and ironed them.” The old rascal + gloomily accepted the professional compliment. “I observe that you have + labored to protect your own indorsement,” sportively remarked the Major. + </p> + <p> + “And now you will return to me my jewels?” timidly demanded Ram Lal. + </p> + <p> + “Do you wish me to send the dagger of Mirzah Shah to General Willoughby? + It is deposited here, with a sealed letter,” coldly sneered Hawke. “Should + anything happen to me or, to these drafts, it would be sent to the + General, and you would hang. No, I will keep the jewels.” + </p> + <p> + And then Major Hawke thrust the shivering wretch out, having liberally + paid to him, through Grindlay, the balance due by Berthe Louison. + </p> + <p> + “I swear that I did not get a single jewel from—from him. He has + hidden them,” pleaded Ram Lal. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! I must look to this” mused Hawke, when Ram Lal had been frightened + away with a last stern injunction: + </p> + <p> + “Obey my slightest wishes or you will hang! I will have you watched till I + return! There are eyes upon your path that never close in sleep!” Ram Lal + shuddered in silence. + </p> + <p> + Delhi soon forgot the man whom the great stone now covered in the English + cemetery, and only General Willoughby and the easy-going civil authorities + knew of the cablegram: “Coming on with full power from Senior Executor.—Douglas + Fraser, Junior Executor.” The cablegram was dated from Milan, for two keen + Scottish brains were now busied with plans to save and care for the + worldly gear so suddenly abandoned to their care by Hugh Johnstone. Though + Delhi was swept as with a besom, no trace of the cowardly assassins was + ever found, and only old Simpson, waiting, in final charge as household + major domo for Douglas Fraser’s arrival, could enlighten the perturbed + commanding General with certain vague suspicions. But Ram Lal slept now in + a growing security. + </p> + <p> + “It is clear that the master was watched in his secret preparations for + the voyage home,” said Simpson, “and some outsiders, with the help of some + traitor among the blacks, paid off an old score. I could tell of many an + old enemy which he gained in these twenty years.” sadly said Simpson. “I + feel they only mussed up the room to give an appearance of robbery. The + mahogany boxes were merely part of master’s old wedding outfit in London, + and I know that they were only filled with toilet articles and little + medical stores. They only lugged them off to make a show.” + </p> + <p> + And General Willoughby, following up Simpson’s clues, easily discovered a + shady side of Johnstone’s past life, not compatible with the pompous + panegyrics of the Indian press, the resolutions of a dozen clubs and + societies, the minutes of the Bank of Bengal, and other mortuary + literature of a complimentary nature. It was some old curse come down upon + the defenseless man in his old age! And so no one ever sought for the + solution of the mystery in the deep dejection of Ram Lal Singh, who vainly + mourned for his lost jewels and money. Fear tied his hands, and his tongue + was palsied by guilt. He vindictively, however, raised his customary “rate + of usance,” and swore in his own hardened heart that the needy borrowers + of Delhi should recoup him fully before a year. The one Star gleaming in + the dark night of financial blackness was the vengeance upon the man who + had tricked and despoiled a fellow-robber thirty years before. + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke on his homeward way counted up a goodly store of twelve + thousand pounds in money, jewels of nearly the same value, and the + skillfully raised and properly indorsed drafts on London for twenty + thousand more. “If I can only get these passed by the executors I am a + made man for life,” mused the Major as the Ramchunder sped over the blue + Arabian sea. “If I discover the secret of the stolen jewels, they must + yield, to save both family honor and money; if I don’t, then, Ram Lal must + save his life and protect the drafts. I will negotiate them with the + Credit Lyonnais, in Paris, and force Berthe to help me. No one shall rob + me now,” somewhat illogically mused the brilliant adventurer, proud of his + life-work. + </p> + <p> + At Calcutta, the noble Viceroy had already given to Major Harry Hardwicke + and Capt. Eric Murray his orders for their performance of a delicate duty. + </p> + <p> + “You will find Captain Anstruther to be my personal as well as official + representative in London, and Her Majesty’s service demands prudence in + this grave affair. So but one set of confidential cipher dispatches have + been sent on, and Captain Anstruther will have charge of the whole + delicate affair. Should either of you meet Major Alan Hawke in London, or + out of India, your commissions will depend on guarding an absolute silence + as to the whole Johnstone affair. You are trusted, and not watched, + gentlemen,” said the great noble, “and he is watched, and not trusted. + Now, I have done all I can for you, as this duty takes you home and brings + you back at the expense of her Majesty’s government. You will not fail to + communicate with me from Aden, Suez, and Port Said, as well as Brindisi, + and to report if Madame Louison has received at each place her telegrams + and proceeded on her journey in safety. Her Majesty’s consuls will, in + each place, aid you in every way. Should I decide to drop or quash the + whole affair, my young kinsman, Anstruther, represents me, personally as + well as officially.” + </p> + <p> + And so the gay young bridegroom-to-be sailed from Calcutta light-hearted, + while Harry Hardwicke counted each day’s reckoning as bringing him, by + leaps and bounds, nearer to the dark-eyed girl now left alone in the + world. “There shall nothing come between us now, my darling one!” was the + young Major’s fond vow confided to the evening star, glowing in its + trembling silver radiance over the spicy Indian Ocean. + </p> + <p> + Alixe Delavigne was still “Madame Berthe Louison” to the glittering circle + of passengers who envied her the state in which she traveled, the slavish + obeisance of the ship’s officers, and the deft ministrations of those + admirable servants, Jules Victor and Marie. “A great personage incognito,” + was the general verdict, and so the luckless swains hovering around fell + off one by one, as the beautiful woman seemed to be always wrapped in an + unbroken reverie. There was an anxious gleam in the lady’s eyes, for she + felt that she was going home to the sternest battle of her life, and she + brooded now only upon the trials of the future. She never knew how near + the dark angel’s wing had swooped over her own defenseless head. + </p> + <p> + For the gray head now lying low had been secretly busied with plans for a + huge bribe to Ram Lal which should buy him to the doing of a dark deed + without a name. Only Berthe’s determined attack on the granting of the + baronetcy in London, and her own “lightning disappearance” had saved her + from Ram Lal’s cupidity. Master of the secrets of a dozen Eastern poisons, + the artful confederate of her dark retinue in the silver bungalow, Ram Lal + would have gladly worked Hugh Johnstone’s will for his red gold. But the + fierce quarrel and the precipitate flight of Berthe Louison had balked + Johnstone, who fell by the very hand of the sly wretch whom he had + designed to buy, as the murderer of another. The engineer hoist by his own + petard. But, steadfastly looking to Valerie’s child alone, she knew not + the dangers which she had escaped. + </p> + <p> + “I was afraid they would kill you, Madame. Thank God, we are now safe at + sea!” said Jules Victor. + </p> + <p> + “Who?” cried the startled woman. + </p> + <p> + “Why, that old wretch; he had money, and his spies were all around you,” + said Jules. + </p> + <p> + “Yes! Thank God! We are safe now!” mused Berthe Louison, and she bade a + long adieu to the strange scenes of her pilgrimage. “I shall never see + India again!” she reflected, when she passed, in a mental review, + Calcutta, holy Benares, smoky Patna, brisk Allahabad, Cawnpore, where the + white-winged angel broods over the innocent dead, heroic Lucknow, and + crime-haunted Delhi—all these rose up in a weird panorama of the + mind. Strange tales of wild adventure told by Alan Hawke returned to her + now—the mysteries of Thibet, the weird ferocity of Bhotan, the + quaint tales of the polyandrous Todas, and the strange story of + Vijaynagar, the desecrated city whose streets are peopled but ten days in + the year! A lotos land where crime broods, where the cobra hides under the + painted blossoms of Death! + </p> + <p> + Glittering palaces of Agra, gloomy caves of Elephanta, the light and + lovely Mohammedan architecture, the dark haunts of Kali and Bowanee, the + thronged Ghats of the sacred rivers, the color medleys of the vast cities, + all these busied her as she passed her days alone in study over the + secretly gathered up collection of polychrome views which had taken her + from the Neilgherries to Cape Comorin. Her dreams of all her subtle plans + to counteract all of Johnstone’s schemes, her tender intrigues to silently + entrap Nadine Johnstone’s girlish heart, her carefully plotted line of + future action, all of these things vanished in a moment, at Aden, when a + government launch steamed out, and an officer of the vessel led up Her + Majesty’s Consul to address the mysterious lady passenger. + </p> + <p> + There was a rush of volunteers when the woman, always brave in sorrow and + ever fate defying, fainted away in a deathly trance as her eyes eagerly + scanned the brief dispatch of the Viceroy. They were underway again when + she realized the fearful decrees of a merciless fate! She read with a + shudder, the lines again and again, whispering: “Can it be?” + </p> + <p> + “Hugh Johnstone murdered by persons—unknown at Delhi? Hasten on to + London. Anstruther will have full details. Please acknowledge!” + </p> + <p> + And it was half an hour before the beautiful Nemesis who had clouded Hugh + Johnstone’s life had penned her simple answer. Only at night, on the + voyage afterward, did she ever leave her splendid staterooms, and when + Brindisi was reached she vanished with her loyal servants so quickly that + even the veriest fortune hunter could not follow on her trail. “Some + terrible row—some sad family happening,” was the general + smoking-room verdict! But, with a heart strangely yearning to the orphaned + child, Berthe Louison hastened, without stopping, by Venice to lovely + Munich and on to gay Paris. “She shall be mine now—mine to love, to + cherish, my poor darling!” vowed the woman whose eyes shown out in an + infinite pity! The cup of vengeance was dashed away from her lips for, + behind the arras, the waiting headsman of Fate had struck in the night and + laid low the man who would have compassed her death! + </p> + <p> + Madame Alixe Delavigne was only a gracious memory to the sympathetic men + passengers who hastened on to London via Mont Cenis, but the chattering + gossips of the Rue Berlioz noted, with an eager Gallic curiosity, the + return of the mysterious occupant of No. 9. Jules Victor and his wife were + seen, however, for only one day, busied about their usual household + avocations, and then the returning travelers vanished once more to baffle + the chatterers. “Diantre! Comme ils sont des voyageurs!” cried the + coachman who took the wanderers to the Gare St. Lazare. There was need of + haste now, for Madame Louison had received three foreign dispatches, + besides a letter from Captain Anstruther, now waiting impatiently at + London, and chafing over his unsuccessful queries at Morley’s Hotel. The + gallant Captain’s letter was pregnant with governmental mysteries, and yet + the beautiful woman sighed as she saw the vein of personal interest but + too clearly evident in the long communication. A single glance at her + tell-tale mirror reassured her, and she blushed, as she murmured: + </p> + <p> + “He believes me younger than I am!” But her brow was grave as she revolved + the situation. “There will be a long struggle, a fight of love against + craft and and greed! Who will win?” The fact that the Government Secret + Service had already traced the delivery of the heavily insured shipment, + “ex. Str. Lord Roberts,” to Professor Andrew Fraser, was a first victory + for the enemy! “If the old nabob wrote directly via Brindisi to his + brother, then the acute old Scotch Professor may be on his guard now! And—the + will?—the will? What does it provide for Nadine’s future? If he had + already taken the alarm-then I may have yet to fight my way to my + darling’s side! The black curtain of the past shall never be lifted by my + hand unless—unless Andrew Fraser forces me to strike hard at his + dead brother’s paper card house of honorable deeds!” + </p> + <p> + As Madame Louison watched the rich moonlight silvering the broken wake of + the channel steamer, she pondered over the telegrams. “Major Hardwicke and + Alan Hawke are both en route to London, charged with different missions. + And I am to beware of Hawke. They have only sent him away, perhaps, to + veil the official game of the Indian authorities. And Alan Hawke + truthfully warns me of his coming by private dispatch. Is he trying to + regain his lost status? Douglas Fraser, the second executor, on his way + back to India. He has passed Brindisi already. Ah! The sorrows for the + dead are quickly assuaged when the ‘property interests’ furnish a fat + picking to solicitors and the holders of dead men’s gear. + </p> + <p> + “Nadine is only eighteen—she has three years to remain under legal + tutelage. Perhaps Andrew Fraser may have been already coached upon his + course by his unrelenting kinsman. And there is a fortune waiting for + father and son in the perquisites.” Madame Louison fell asleep in a vain + quandary as to the precise age when men ceased to value wealth and to sell + their souls for gold. That question was still undecided when the steamer + Sparrow Hawk sped into Dover harbor. + </p> + <p> + The beautiful wanderer was now clearly resolved as to her future treatment + of Alan Hawke. “My foe dead, the theater of war is transferred to Great + Britain. He is not necessary to my own campaign, but, in watching him, I + may be able to shield Nadine from his crafty plots. If he should try to + secretly make friends with the Frasers, and to return to India, to aid the + nephew, he might assist in robbing Valerie’s child of this mountain of + miserably gotten wealth. + </p> + <p> + “Thank God, I can make her rich. But Captain Anstruther will know the + Viceroy’s whole mind, and I can trust to him.” But her cheeks were rosy + red and her dancing dark eyes dropped in a sudden confusion, as the + handsome aid-de-camp leaped aboard the steamer at Dover Pier. + </p> + <p> + “I did not expect you!” she murmured. + </p> + <p> + “I knew, of course, from your dispatch when you would arrive, and so I + came down to further the Viceroy’s business!” the soldier said in a sudden + confusion. In an hour, the two who had met in such strange manner at + Geneva were seated alone in a first-class compartment, and were merrily + whirling on to Lud’s town. Captain Anstruther’s ten shillings to the guard + secured them from annoying intrusion. In another compartment, Jules and + Marie Victor sagely exchanged their lightning glances of Parisian + acuteness. + </p> + <p> + “C’est un homme magnifique!” murmured Marie, and Jules gravely nodded, + “Peut-etre, notre maitresse l’a connu longtemps. II est tres tendre!” The + staff-officer “furthered the Viceroy’s business” by clasping both of Alixe + Delavigne’s prettily-gloved hands. Her bosom heaved in a soft alarm, but + she repulsed him not. + </p> + <p> + “Why did you deceive me at Geneva?” he eagerly demanded, with a trembling + voice. And Alixe Delavigne’s eyes were downcast and dreamy, as she + whispered: + </p> + <p> + “Because I was only a poor pilgrim of Love—a lonely woman, heart + hungry for the tidings of the girl whom you have brought back to me!” The + young officer gazed out of the window, and in his heart, he already + pardoned her. + </p> + <p> + “To those who love much, much shall be forgiven!” he reflected, with a + compassion growing momentarily, for he saw the shadow of tears in the + beautiful dark brown eyes. And he forbore to question her as he gazed at + her glowing face. + </p> + <p> + With a sudden lifting of her stately head, the woman sitting there, her + heart throbbing in a strange unrest, laid her hand lightly upon his arm. + </p> + <p> + “Listen to the strange story of a woman’s life!” she said slowly. “I + promised His Excellency, the Viceroy, that you should know why I left the + defensive lines of my sex at Geneva! For he has trusted to me, and I wish + you to know—to know that—” and the sentence was never + finished, for Captain Anstruther bent over her trembling hands. + </p> + <p> + “I know that you are what I would have you ever be!” he simply said. And, + with softly shining eyes, she told the soldier of her strange life path. + </p> + <p> + It was strange that they had neared London before the whole story was + concluded, and their voices had sunk into softened whispers. “You may rely + upon me to the death! You may depend upon me whenever you may wish to call + upon me!” he said, as the train rolled into Charing Cross station. “Major + Hardwicke, of the Engineers, will be my chosen ally, and I alone am to + trace out this mystery of the vanished jewels. You shall conquer! I will + aid you! Amor omnia vincit! You are the only heart in the world now + throbbing for that sweet girl.” + </p> + <p> + But when they drove to Morley’s Hotel, far away on the sea, Harry + Hardwicke’s heart was beating fondly in all a lover’s expectancy for the + same friendless Rose of Delhi, and the debonnair Alan Hawke, in sight of + Brindisi, mused in his deck-pacings: “I will placate Euphrosyne Delande. + Justine, too, shall do my bidding, and my employer shall give me the key + to this girl’s heart. For I will marry Nadme Johnstone! I am a devil for + luck.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. ON THE CLIFFS OF JERSEY. + </h2> + <p> + Captain Anson Anstruther, A. D. C., was the very happiest of men three + days later, when he watched Madame Alixe Delavigne gracefully presiding + over a pretty tea table, a la russe, in the quaint old mansion, bowered in + a garden sloping down to the Thames, where Miss Mildred Anstruther, a + venerable maiden aunt, had her “local habitation and, a name!” A lonely + woman of colossal wealth and blue blood, high in rank, and decidedly of + riper years. + </p> + <p> + “By Jove! Dear old Aunt Mildred is a tower of strength to me, just now,” + reflected the gallant Captain, when, as the soft shadows deepened on lawn + and river, he lingered tenderly there in explanation of his official + business. It was hardly “official” that Anson Anstruther had fallen into + the habit of furtively addressing the now unveiled Madame Berthe Louison, + as “Alixe”, but it was even so. Acquaintance can ripen as rapidly on the + Thames as by the Arno, given a certain impetus. And the Pilgrim of Love, + though still Madame Berthe Louison in France, was Alixe Delavigne in the + retreat chosen by the Viceroy. + </p> + <p> + “Pazienza! Pazienza!” smiled the young soldier, as the impassioned Alixe + eagerly demanded to be allowed to approach the orphaned Nadine, at St. + Heliers. “You have been so noble, so untiring, do not ruin all by + precipitancy now! You see I am already secretly watching over her. I now + represent the whole interests of Her Majesty’s Service! And you—only + your own loving heart! I must first meet Major Alan Hawke, and send him + away to be busied on some apparently important duty, which will keep him + away from old Andrew Fraser. We know the old professor’s cunning + character. Miser and pedant, he is but a shriveled parchment edition of + his heartless, dead brother. We must not alarm him. We have already traced + the insured packet to his hands. Now, he properly has the custody of the + dead nabob’s will. He may soon have to bring the girl on to London, for + the legal formalities of proving it. We do not wish him to send the stolen + jewels away in a sudden fright, and so hide them from us forever. If he + qualifies duly as executor, and then files the will, then the estate is + responsible, through him. + </p> + <p> + “We will soon know who controls your niece for the three years of her long + minority. Hawke must be got out of the way. I will hoodwink him, and every + British Consul in the continental towns which he visits will secretly + watch him for me. Besides, Major Hardwicke and Murray will be here very + soon, to aid me, and to watch Hawke. I wish Alan Hawke to blunder around, + hunting for Major Hardwicke, and so give me an opportunity to do my duty + secretly, and to aid you in your own labor of love. In the mean time—you + must be content to rest tranquilly here; cultivate my dear old aunt, and I + will come to you daily so that your quiet life in this ‘moated grange’ + will be brightened up a bit. You see,” thoughtfully said Anstruther, + “whoever sent old Johnstone to his grave, he had previously spirited the + heiress away—all his plans for the future were perfectly matured + with all the craft of a man well versed in intrigue for forty years. His + bitter hatred of you did not die with him. You may be assured that he has + laid out a plan, both in his private letters and in the will to fence you + forever out of this girl’s life. So your work must be done in secret. If I + can ever effectively help you, I must work on Andrew Fraser and not + needlessly alarm both his greed and fear. As soon as it is safe, you shall + take up your post near to her; but Hawke must come and go first. He must + find no sign of your presence here.” There was cogency in the sentimental + soldier’s reasoning. + </p> + <p> + “He will surely come to my Paris home at No. 9 Rue Berlioz. He knows that + address!” murmured Alixe Delavigne, her eyes dropping in a sudden + confusion, as a flame of jealousy lit up the young soldier’s fiery + glances. For Anson Anstruther had posted there on his first voyage from + Geneva to find the bird flown. + </p> + <p> + “Then you may keep Marie, your maid, here,” slowly replied Anstruther, + “and send Jules over to Paris. Alan Hawke will surely seek for you there. + Let Jules inform him that you have gone to Jitomir to attend to your + Russian interests.” + </p> + <p> + Alixe Delavigne bowed her head in a mute assent. Day by day the proud + self-reliant woman was yielding to the imperious will of the young + soldier. It was a soft, self-deception that reassured her on the very + evening when he left her. + </p> + <p> + But there was one now weaving his webs at Lausanne whose fertile brain was + busied with sly schemes of his own. Alan Hawke always first considered + “his duty to himself” and so the acute Major decided to spy out the land + before he precipitately appeared at London, or dared to risk himself at + St. Agnes Road, St. Heliers. + </p> + <p> + “It is just as well to know all that Justine can tell me before I see this + young dandy Anstruther, and to find out what Euphrosyne knows before I + interrogate her sister,” he murmured; “I must make no mistake with the + Viceroy’s kinsman!” + </p> + <p> + With much prevision he had telegraphed the date of his probable arrival in + London to Captain Anstruther from Munich, adding that convenient fairy + tale, “Delayed by illness” and he had also left this telegram behind, so + as to be sent on to allow him four days leeway near Geneva. + </p> + <p> + The signature bore also an injunction to answer to Hotel Binda, Paris. + “This is no little card game,” muttered Hawke. “It is for rank, wealth, + and the hand of Miss Million, the rose of Delhi.” + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke was practically received with open arms by the + fluttering-hearted Euphrosyne, who nobly resigned herself to Justine’s + victory over Alan Hawke’s heart. For the younger sister’s letters had + filled the elder’s mind with rosy dreams of enhanced family prosperity. + </p> + <p> + “Only this telegram. That is all!” murmured the preceptress, as she handed + the Major a dispatch dated at St. Heliers, stating, “Arrived, well, news + of Mr. Johnstone’s assassination just received. Will write!” + </p> + <p> + “This is all I know of this strange homecoming, as yet!” summed up the + child of Minerva. + </p> + <p> + Hawke softly delved into Mademoiselle Euphrosyne’s inner consciousness + until he knew all the corners of the simple woman’s heart. + </p> + <p> + “I am quite sure that she speaks the simple truth!” he decided, after he + had informed the Swiss woman of his address, “Hotel Binda, Paris.” “I must + go on there by the night train,” he at once resolved. “Here is a juncture + where all our various interests are deeply involved. You and Justine may + lose the well-earned reward of years. I must be near Justine, now, to + protect you both. I fear this old mummy Fraser! If he controls the + fortune, then he and his hopeful son will probably steal half of it. Thats + a fair allowance for an ordinary executor! It is all for one, and, one for + all, now! Write under seal to Justine that I am near—only do not + mention names!” With an affected tenderness, Hawke kissed the pallid lips + of the daughter of Minerva, and slipped away to Lausanne, whence he took + the midnight train for Paris. + </p> + <p> + “I might look around and dispose of my jewels in Paris,” he thought as he + neared that “gay and festive city.” But his serious business with the + Credit Lyonnais as to the negotiation of the four “raised” bills of + exchange, and his desire to at once come to terms with Madame Berthe + Louison, caused him to postpone the vending of the jewels so neatly + extorted from Ram Lal. + </p> + <p> + “I have lots of ready money now—too much, even, for safety in + travel, and the jewels will keep.” With a strange anxious craving to see + his fair employer he drove directly to No. 9 Rue Berlioz on his arrival in + Paris. The impassive face of Jules Victor met his gaze at the door. + </p> + <p> + “Madame, suddenly summoned to Poland, had begged Monsieur le Major to + address her by letter, as telegrams were most unreliable in Russian + Poland. Monsieur would, however, surely find letters at his London + address, and it was true that Madame had not expected Monsieur’s arrival + for a fortnight.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t believe a damned word of this fellow’s yarn. There is some sly + juggling here!” ejaculated the Major as he drove back to the Hotel Binda. + His brow was black as he descended, and it grew blacker still when he read + a telegram from Euphrosyne Delande. He studied over the unwelcome news + while he made a careful business toilet to visit the Credit Lyonnais. And + a white rage shone out upon his handsome face as he learned that Justine + was useless to him now. “Discharged without even a reward! Thrust out like + a beggar without a word of warning.” “Justine on her way home. Passed + through Paris last night. Can you not return?” The signature “Euphrosyne” + was a guaranty of the unwelcome truth. Major Hawke swore a deep and bitter + oath as he penned a telegram to the Swiss preceptress: “Coming to-night. + Arrive to-morrow at ten o’clock. Keep all secret.” And he boldly signed + the name “Alan Hawke” to that and to a message to Captain Anson + Anstruther: “Delayed four days here by private business.” + </p> + <p> + He raged as he hastily soliloquized: “I will at once present these drafts + regularly through the Credit Lyonnais. I will go and get the whole story + from Justine. I will pay off that tiger cat, Madame Louison, for her + sneaking away. She fancies she has done with me now! Ah! By God! She + thinks so? Wait! And this old Scotch saw-file! I’ll break him up! If I can + only trace those stolen jewels to him, I’ll have them or send the old + miser off in irons to a life transportation! I begin to see the whole game + at last! And I swear that I’ll get to the girl if I have to carry her + off!” + </p> + <p> + He went down to the Credit Lyonnais in an elegant “mufti” garb, and + depositing a thousand pounds sterling to his credit, left the four drafts + for five thousand pounds each for collection, carelessly referring to + Messrs. Grindlay & Co., of Delhi, London, and many other places, and + mentioning the name of that eminent private native banker, money-lender, + and jeweler, the well-known Ram Lal Singh. “He shall back his + indorsement!” laughed Alan Hawke. + </p> + <p> + With a lordly insouciance, Major Alan Hawke then strolled out of the great + bank and deliberately arranged his line of future action while he was + taking his ease at his inn. + </p> + <p> + “First, to pick up all the threads of this queer intrigue through Justine. + I must go back to her at Geneva. Then, to be sure that Berthe Louison is + not repeating her cunning Delhi tricks with the dead man’s brother. She + might frighten him. Then, armed at all points, I must hasten on to report + to Anstruther. I must have him give me a short leave as soon as I can get + it, but before I open my siege trenches I must develop all the enemy’s + strength. What the devil is Berthe Louison up to now?” + </p> + <p> + In the night train, speeding back to Geneva, Major Hawke remembered some + old desperate associates of an enforced “social eclipse” at + Granville-sur-Mer. “With a half a dozen resolute fellows I might hang + around Jersey and, perhaps, force my way into the stronghold. It depends + on where the mansion is located. If the jewels are there, I will either + have them or else bend the old man to my will by threatened disclosures. + But I must first fool Anstruther and my pretty employer. If Justine had + only remained at Jersey I might have easily won my way to the girl’s side. + And yet she will be under a long three years guardianship.” Some busy + devil at his side whispered: “She would be helpless if she were carried + off.” And as the enraged schemer finished the last of a dozen cigars and + took a pull at his pocket flask, he disposed himself to sleep, grumbling. + </p> + <p> + “They have upset all the chessmen. Old Fraser and the Louison, too, are + playing at cross purposes—evidently. They have, however, spoiled my + little game. I will spoil theirs!” He grinned as he decided “I will do a + bit of the Romeo act with Justine, and come back by Granville to Boulogne. + If the old gang is to be found there, I may get one of them to spy the + whole thing out. All these Jersey people are half French in their birth + and ways. I can sneak some fellow in from Granville. There might be a + chance. I’ll get to the old fellow, or the girl, or the jewels—by + God! I will! For I hold the trump cards.” + </p> + <p> + And yet his flattering hopes of gaining a permanent rank returned to + affright him in planning such a bold deed. “Ah! I must get some trusty + fellow—perhaps, in London,” he muttered as his head dropped, and the + train bore him on to the halls of learning, where poor Justine was now + weeping on her sister’s bosom, and unveiling all the secrets of a hungry + heart to the sympathetic Euphrosyne. + </p> + <p> + But, saddest of all the coterie who had trodden the tessellated floors of + the marble house at Delhi, was a lonely girl sobbing herself to sleep, + that very night, in a gray castellated mansion house perched upon a sunny + cliff of Jersey. + </p> + <p> + The fair gardens and splendid halls of the luxurious home seemed but the + limits of a cheerless prison to the broken-hearted girl who had been + astounded when her one friend, Douglas Fraser, the companion of a + thirty-five days’ journey, left her without a word. Nadine Johnstone had + opened her heart, shyly, to her manly young kinsman, Douglas Fraser. And + yet she guarded, as only a maiden’s heart can, the secret of the + blossoming love for Hardwicke—the man who had saved her life. She + asked her hungry heart if he would follow on her way, led by the appeal of + her shining eyes. + </p> + <p> + Worn, harassed, and wearied out by travel, she had sought a refuge in + Justine Delande’s clinging arms, on the night of their arrival from + Boulogne, for the path from India had been but a series of shadow-dance + glimpses of strange scenes. The ashen face of the tottering old pedant had + offered her no welcome to a happy home. + </p> + <p> + “How hideously like my father, this old bookworm,” murmured the frightened + girl in a strange repulsion, as she fled away to her room. It was a + grateful relief when the servant maid announced that the travelers would + be served in their rooms. + </p> + <p> + “The Master lives entirely alone,” the girl said shortly. Late that first + night the lonely girl sat gazing at the windows rattling under the flying + wrack, while Douglas Fraser and his father communed below her until the + midnight hour. Suddenly Justine Delande was summoned to join them “on + urgent business,” and the heiress of a million sat with clasped hands, + murmuring: + </p> + <p> + “Will he ever find me out here? This is only a cheerless prison. I am, + forever, lost to the world.” There was that in Justine Delande’s face on + her return which startled the heart-sick wanderer. + </p> + <p> + “Ask me nothing—nothing to-night. Only sleep, my darling,” murmured + the devoted Swiss. The shadows deepened over Nadine Johnstone as she fell + asleep dreaming of her mother, the gentle vision, and, the absent lover of + her girlish heart. + </p> + <p> + Sunny gleams came with the dawn, and Nadine was already wandering in the + beautiful gardens of “The Banker’s Folly,” as the home perched on the hill + was termed. It was there that Douglas Fraser suddenly came upon her, + walking with the white-faced Justine. Both women could see that he bore + tidings of grave import, and another shadow settled on Nadine’s heart, as + she clasped Justine’s hand. + </p> + <p> + Her cousin’s face was grave as he said, in a broken voice: “I must hasten + away instantly to catch the boat, and I have to return immediately to + India. There’s no time for a word. My father will tell you all! It is a + matter of life and death to our whole family interests. May God keep you, + Nadine!” the young man kindly said, as he bent and kissed her hand. “I + have tried to make your long journey bearable!” And then, a wrinkled face + at a window appeared to end the coming disclosure, for Douglas was + softening. A harsh voice rose up in a half shriek: + </p> + <p> + “Douglas! Douglas!” and the young man turned back, without another word, + springing away, over the graveled walks. Nadine’s face grew ashen white, + as the presage of coming disaster chilled her heart. + </p> + <p> + Without a word, Justine Delande led the startled girl into the house. “You + are to see your uncle at once! After our breakfast! And I will be with + you.” faltered Justine, with an averted face. + </p> + <p> + The orphaned girl was now dimly conscious of some impending blow. She had + been frightened at the solemnity of Douglas Fraser’s hasty farewell, and, + while Justine Delande affected to touch the breakfast spread in their + rooms by the Swiss lady’s maid, now gloomy in an attack of heimweh, Nadine + saw a four-wheeler rattle away over the lawn, while old Andrew Fraser + grimly watched it until the gates clanged behind the departing + Anglo-Indian. Over the low wall, on the road, Douglas Fraser caught a last + glimpse of the graceful girl standing there. He sadly waved an adieu, and + Nadine Johnstone was left with but one friend in the world, save the + silent Swiss governess. Though the two women were sumptuously lodged “in + fair upper chambers,” opening east and south, with their maid near at + hand, the gloomy chill of the silent household had already penetrated the + lonely girl’s heart. No single sign of the warmer amenities. Only books, + books, dusty books, by the thousand, piled helter-skelter in every + available nook and cranny. + </p> + <p> + The servants were slouching and sullen, and they moved about their duties + with gloomy brows. Even the gardener and his two stout boys struck sadly + away with mattock and spade as if digging graves. No chirp of bird, no + baying of a friendly dog, no burst of childish merriment broke the droning + silence. And this was the home to which a father had doomed his only + child. + </p> + <p> + When the frightened maid tapped at the door to summon her mistress, her + feeble rapping sounded like a hammer falling sadly on the hollow coffin + lid. The girl stammered, “The master would like to see you both in the + library.” And with a sinking heart Nadine Fraser Johnstone descended the + stair. + </p> + <p> + She had only cast a frightened glimpse at the yellowed, bony face, the + cavernous eye sockets, the bushy eyebrows, beneath which a cold + intellectual gleam still feebly flickered. Andrew Fraser had bent his tall + form over her, and peering down at her had whispered after their few words + of greeting: + </p> + <p> + “Did ye gain aught in knowledge of Thibet in your Indian life? My life + work lies there, and Hugh has sorely disappointed me. He was to send me + books and maps and papers for my ‘History of Thibet and the Wanderings of + the Ten Tribes.’” With a confused negation the girl had fled away to the + cheerless shelter of the great rooms whose drab and gray arrangements + bespoke the Reformatory or a Refuge for the Friendless. + </p> + <p> + And the stern old scholar waited for the fluttering bird whom adverse Fate + had driven into his dismal lair with all the pompous severity of a + guardian and trustee. + </p> + <p> + Seated at a long desk littered with a multitude of papers, Professor + Andrew Fraser coldly bowed the two women to convenient seats. The parvenu + banker who had fled away after a bankruptcy due to the erection and + embellishment of “The Folly,” had approved a semi-medieval plan of + construction which suggested a Norman stronghold or a Corsican mansion + arranged for a stubborn defense. Books, globes, maps, and papers littered + the floors, and were piled nearby in convenient heaps with tell-tale + flying signals of copious note taking. It was a bristling Redoubt of + Learning. + </p> + <p> + But on this sunny morning the retired Professor of Edinburg University + held sundry letters, dispatches, and legal papers clutched in his + claw-like hands. His eye rested upon Justine Delande, in a semi-hostile + glare, as he slowly said: + </p> + <p> + “I’ve sent for ye, as in the place of your father’s daughter, ye must know + of the changes that come to us, with the chances of Life and the sair ways + o’ the world.” He was nervously fumbling with a selection of the papers + and he paused and coughed ominously. “There has come to us news which has + posted my son Douglas hastily back to India, to do your father’s last + bidding.” + </p> + <p> + Nadine Johnstone’s trembling hand clutched Justine Delande’s still rounded + arm. + </p> + <p> + “Her father the double of this grim ogre?” There was horror in her + conjecture, but no pang of affection at the easily divined disclosure. + “The news came to us suddenly, yesterday, and Douglas and I are left now + to screen ye from the robbers and cormorants of the world! Ye’re one of + the richest women in Britain now—Hugh Fraser’s daughter—for + yere guid father is no more! A sudden death—a sudden death! and his + will leaves you to me as a legal charge, for yere body and yere estate, + till ye come o’ the legal age. T’hafs the next three years!” + </p> + <p> + With a single glance of stern deprecation, Andrew Fraser saw the girl + totter and her head fall upon the bosom of the woman who had “sorrowed of + her sorrows” in all the years of the lonely colorless infancy, childhood, + and budding womanhood! The old bookworm clung to the papers as if that + “documentary evidence” was an absolute guaranty, and he held it ready to + proffer in support of his theorem. His toughened heart-strings were silent + at natural affection’s touch, and only twanged to the never-dying greed + for gold—useless gold! + </p> + <p> + In an unmoved wonder, the senile scholar listened to the broken sobs of + the child of Valerie Delavigne. He was astounded at her financial carelessness, + when she moaned: + </p> + <p> + “Let me go away! Let me go!” and then she cried, “What care I for all this + money—this useless wealth. He is gone! I am now alone in the world! + And—and, now I never will know the story of the past!” There was a + stony gleam on the old Scotchman’s face as the girl sobbed, “Mother! + Mother! Lost to me forever, now.” The cunning old Scotchman’s face + darkened at the mention of that long-forbidden name. The woman who had + deserted the rich nabob. + </p> + <p> + With uneasy, tottering steps the old scholar paced the room, watching the + two women in a grim silence, until Justine Delande, with a woman’s + questioning eyes, pointed to the rooms above. + </p> + <p> + “Before ye go, and I’ll now give ye these whole papers and documents, I + would say that my dead brother Hugh has here in his will laid out yere + whole life for the three years of the minority. He has put on me the + thankless labor and care of watching over yere worldly gear, and of + keeping ye safely to the lines of prudence and of a just economy. And my + duty to my dead brother, I will do just as his own words and hand and seal + lay it down! To-morrow I will have much to say to you. If ye will come + back to me here, Madame Delande, when my ward goes to her own room, I’ll + see ye at once on a brief matter o’ business. And now I’ll wait till ye + take her away!” It was a half hour before Justine Delande descended to the + rooms where the old egoist chafed at the loss of time stolen from the + maundering researches on Thibet and the Ten Tribes. + </p> + <p> + “Woman! woman! I sent up for ye twice!” he barked, as the half-defiant + Swiss governess at length joined him. + </p> + <p> + “I know my duty to my dear child, Nadine!” said the stout-hearted + governess, with a crimsoning cheek. The old man opened a check-book, and + sternly said: + </p> + <p> + “Sit ye there! I’ll arrange yere business in a few minutes! And, then, ye + can find other duties, and know them as ye care to. I’ll have none of yere + hoity-toity airs here!” Regardless of the look of horror stealing over the + face of Justine, the old man coldly proceeded as if receding from the + pulpit. “My late brother, Hugh Fraser Johnstone, of Delhi and Calcutta, + has sent me his own last instructions and orders. I have here the last + receipt for the stipend which ye have been allowed—and, I’m duly + following his orders, when I give ye this check for the six months that + has yet too to run. + </p> + <p> + “And-look ye here! A twenty-pound note to take ye back to Geneva! When ye + sign this receipt for the stipend, ye are free to leave my house at once. + There’s some letters and a couple of telegrams for ye! Bring me the maid, + now, and I’ll pay her in the same way; and, moreover, I will give her ten + pounds to take her home. Then, ye’ll both remember ye are not to sleep + another night here! I’ll give ye the whole day to say good-bye and to make + up yere boxes. There will be two four-wheelers here after yere dinner, and + ye’ll find the Royal Victoria Hotel suited to ye both, at St. Heliers. If + ye choose to go, the morning boat takes ye to Granville. Bring the maid + here now! Do you linger, woman? I’ll be obeyed and forthwith!” + </p> + <p> + With flashing eyes, Justine Delande sprang up, facing the flinty-hearted + old Scotsman. “I will never abandon Nadine here! She will die in your + cheerless prison!” she cried. But the old pedant glowered pitilessly at + the startled woman, who cried: “To turn me away like a dog—after + these many years!” And her sobs woke the echoes of the vaulted room. + </p> + <p> + “Hearken, my leddy!” barked old Fraser, “One more word, and I’ll have the + gardener put ye off the premises! The girl ye speak of is young and + strong. She’ll have just what the Court gives her, and what her father + laid out for her, and I’ll work my will, and I’ll do his will. Ye’re + speaking to no fule, here now! Take yere money and yere letters, and bring + me the maid, or I’ll bundle ye both in a jiffey into the Queen’s highway. + I’ll have none but my own servants here—now!” + </p> + <p> + Then Justine Delande, without another word, stepped forward, and, seizing + the pen, signed her receipt for wages due, in silence. She defiantly + gathered up her withheld letters and papers. She returned in a few moments + with the maid, whose ox-like eyes glowed in the sudden joy of a return to + Switzerland. For the ranz des vaches was now ringing in the stout peasant + girl’s ears. “There, that’s all, now!” rasped the old man, when the maid + had gathered up her dole. “The butler will go down to town with ye and see + ye safe, and he will leave word at the bank to pay yere checks. I keep no + siller here. It’s a lonely house.” And the dead tyrant worked his will + through the living one, as his stony heart had laid out the future. + </p> + <p> + Justine Delande faced the old miser pedant as she indignantly cried: “God + protect and keep the poor orphan who has drifted out of one hell on earth + into another! Your dead brother robbed her of a mother’s love, and you—you + old vampire—you would bury her alive! She shall know yet her dead + mother’s love, and—her brutal father’s shame!” + </p> + <p> + Before the excited woman could select another period of flowing invective + from her thronging emotions, the gaunt old scholar had pushed her out into + the hall and slid a bolt upon his door, with a vicious click. There were + certain qualms of fear already unsettling his triumphant calmness. + </p> + <p> + While Justine Delande, with flaming cheeks, sprang up the stair, and + barricaded herself with the sobbing heiress, the old man, his eyes + gleaming with all the conscious pride of tyranny, seated himself and + indited a note directed to + </p> + <p> + PROFESSOR ALARIC HOBBS, (of Waukesha University, U. S. A.), ROYAL VICTORIA + HOTEL, ST. HELIERS, JERSEY. + </p> + <p> + He had already dismissed from his mind the sorrows of the orphaned niece—he + cared not for the spirited onslaught of the Swiss woman—and he + rejoiced in his heart at the fact of Douglas Fraser’s departure to gather + up the loose ends of his dead brother’s great fortune. “It’s a vixenish + baggage—this Swiss teacher! Hugh was right to bid me cut those cords + at once and forever between them! The girl shall have discipline, and, + that baggage, her mother, is well out of the world! I’ll work Hugh’s will! + She shall come under!” With a secret glee he ran over a schedule of + chapter headings upon Thibet, Tibet, Tubet—the land of Bod—Bodyul + or Alassa. He was drifting back into the dreamland of the pedant, but a + few hours deserted. + </p> + <p> + “This Yankee fellow has a keen wit! His ideas on the Ten Tribes are + wonderful! His life has been a study of the Mongolians, the Tartars, and + the history of the American Indians! I will be a bit decent to the fellow, + and I’ll get at the meat of his knowledge! He’s young and a great + chatterer, maybe, but a help to me. Body o’ me! But to get there myself—to + Thibet. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” sighed the old misanthrope, “I’m too old now! And Hugh has failed + me! Nothing from him. This sair blow cuts off the last hope! And no + educated men of Thibet ever travel! Blindness—blindness everywhere!” + he babbled on, while above him, two women, in an agonized leave-taking, + were silently sobbing in each other’s arms, while the happy Swiss servant + made her boxes. Nadine Johnstone’s utter wretchedness gave her no sense of + a loss by the hand of Death. For a father’s love she had never known, and + her mother—a mystery! + </p> + <p> + The two women cowering together above the old pedant’s den with sorrowing + hearts communed while Justine Delande directed the packing of her slender + belongings. There was a new spirit of revolt stirring in Nadine + Johnstone’s breast, and her face glowed with the resentment of an outraged + heart. When all was ready for Justine’s flitting, the heiress of a million + pounds finished a little memorandum, which she calmly explained to the + Swiss preceptress. The sense of her future rights stirred her like a bugle + blast, and with clear eyes, she looked beyond the three years toward + Freedom. + </p> + <p> + “It rests with you, Justine, as to whether I am left friendless for three + years of a gloomy captivity. First you are to telegraph to Major Harry + Hardwicke, Royal Engineers, Delhi, and if you receive no reply, then + telegraph to General Willoughby for the Major’s address. When at + Granville, and, not before, send this letter to Major Hardwicke at the + ‘Junior United Service Club, London’.” The beautiful girl was blushing + rosy red as the sympathetic Swiss folded her to her breast. “Then, when + you get to Paris, go to No. 9 Rue Berlioz, and leave this letter there for + Madame Berthe Louison. Go yourself. Trust no one. When you have conferred + with dear Euphrosyne, you can send all your letters to Madame Louison at + Paris under cover. She will find out a safe way to get them to me—even + if she has to send her man, Jules, over here. He is quick-witted, and he + will find a way to reach me.” + </p> + <p> + There was a dawning wonder in Justine’s eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Who is this strange Madame Louison? Can you trust her?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Justine!” murmured Nadine, “She is only one who loves me, for love’s + own sake, but I know I can trust her. She knows something of my mother’s + past life—something that I do not know. This old tyrant will now try + to cut me off from all the outside world. He has had some strange power + given to him by the father who was only my father in name. + </p> + <p> + “I will obey you. I swear it!” cried Justine. “And old Simpson will + probably be coming on soon. He loves you. He will serve you.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” joyously exclaimed Nadine, with a glowing face. “And he adores + Major Hardwicke, whose father saved his life at Lucknow. There is one + dawning hope. You are not to write one word till you hear from me. I know + that Madame Louison will manage to send Jules to me in some safe + disguise,” she proudly cried, “and remember—I shall not be always a + poor prisoner with her hands tied. The day of my deliverance comes. When I + am twenty-one, I can reward both you and Euphrosyne. She shall have a home + to live in ease. And you,—you shall go out into the world with me, + and aid me to find my mother. Even in the tomb I shall find her. I shall + know of her love. For I shall see her loving face, even only in a picture. + The face that has blessed me in my dreams.” + </p> + <p> + Justine Delande saw a future reward awaiting the two faithful guardians of + the childhood of Miss Million. With a sudden impulse, she cried: “There is + one to aid even nearer to us now than Major Hardwicke. For I have a + telegram from Euphrosyne, that Major Hawke is at Geneva.” + </p> + <p> + Nadine Johnstone rose and seized both of Justine’s hands: “Promise me now, + by my dead mother’s grave, that you will never tell that man anything of + our secret compact of to-day! I fear him! I disliked him from the first! + He had strange dealings with the dead.” The girl’s face was stern. “If I + am approached by him in any way, I will cease every communication with you + forever! I will have no aid of Alan Hawke.” + </p> + <p> + And when the parting hour came, Justine Delande was amazed at the cold + dignity with which Nadine Johnstone faced the grim old uncle. It was only + at the gate of the “Banker’s Folly,” that the heiress for the last time + kissed her friend in adieu. “Fear not for me. I have learned the lesson of + Life. Remember!” she whispered. “Keep the faith! Guard my trusts!” and + then, Justine sobbed: “Loyal a la mort!” + </p> + <p> + The evening shades were darkening the sculptured shores of Rozel Bay, + where clumsy luggers lay far below, high and dry on the beach, behind the + great masonry pier. Skiffs and fishing-boats lined the shores, and the + soft breeze moved the foliage of the luxuriant garden. The white stars + were peeping out and twinkling in the gray and lonely sea, as Nadine + shivered and walked firmly back to the portico, where the old recluse + awaited her. + </p> + <p> + With a stiff motion of perfunctory courtesy, he motioned the heiress into + the frosty-looking drawing-room, now lit up with spectral gleams of wax + candles. For he would treat his ward with a frozen dignity. + </p> + <p> + Andrew Fraser coughed in a hollow warning and wasted no words in his first + bulletin of “General Orders.” “I have here a certified copy of your late + father’s will,” he said, “for your perusal. You will see all the + conditions of life which he has wisely laid down for you. I have + telegraphed on to London for his solicitor to send a representative here, + and the original testament will be duly filed at Doctors’ Commons, at + once. I shall at once provide you with suitable women attendants. I have + already engaged a proper housekeeper, to whom you can state all your + wishes. With regard to money matters and your correspondence, you must + consult me! For the present, you will readily see that I deem it imprudent + for you to leave these spacious and splendid grounds! But, ye’ll find ways + to busy yourself. Women always do!” + </p> + <p> + The old pedant marveled at the young woman’s composure, for she simply + bowed and awaited a termination of the interview. Slightly disconcerted, + he abruptly demanded: “Have you anything to say?” + </p> + <p> + “Only this, Andrew Fraser,” coldly replied the heiress. “Your sending away + the only woman whom I know in the world has marked you as a tyrant and a + jailer.” Her spirit was as unyielding as his own, and he winced. + </p> + <p> + “Ye’ll find I had your father’s warrant. I’ll go on to the end and obey + him! There are to be no old associations kept up, and when ye come to your + own ye can do all ye will! I’ll go my way in my duty and do it as it seems + right!” When he finished he was alone, for the daughter of Valerie + Delavigne had passed him with a glance of unutterable contempt. + </p> + <p> + There was fire in the eye of the rebellious girl, and the elastic firmness + of youth in her tread, but above stairs, in her own lonely rooms, her + courage faded away quickly. But she wrapped her sorrows in her own proud + young heart and turned her eyes to the far East. “Will he come?” she + murmured. + </p> + <p> + When the clumsy island serving girl had trimmed the fire and drawn the + heavy curtains, Nadine Johnstone locked her doors. She sat spellbound, + with a wildly beating heart, until she had read the last of the sixteen + provisions of her father’s vindictive will. Though the whole fortune was + left absolutely to her, with the exception of twenty-five thousand pounds + each to Andrew Fraser and his son, she was tied up by restrictions so + infamously brutal, that her three years of minority stretched out before + her as a death in life. Five hundred pounds a year of pin money were + allowed to her until her majority, “to be expended with the approval of + her guardian.” + </p> + <p> + In an agony of lonely sorrow she threw herself, dressed, upon her bed and + sobbed herself into forgetfulness, her last cry for help mingling the + names of Berthe Louison and Harry Hardwicke. “Will Justine be true to her + oath?” she faltered, as she drifted into the blessed release of dreamland. + </p> + <p> + As the night wore on, Justine Delande, tossing on her bed in the Royal + Victoria Hotel, waited for the dawn, to sail for Granville. She had + telegraphed in curt words her dismissal, and she burned to reach Geneva, + for to her the sight of Alan Hawke’s face was the one oasis in her desert + of sorrow. + </p> + <p> + Long after Nadine Johnstone had closed her tired eyelids, stern old Andrew + Fraser cowered below, glowering over his library fire, clad in a huge + plaid dressing gown. His greedy eyes watched the dancing flames, and he + rubbed the thin palms in triumph, while he sipped his nightly glass of + Highland whisky grog. It had been a famous secret campaign for the + surviving brother. + </p> + <p> + “If all goes on well; all goes well!” he crooned. “There’s Douglas, gone + for good! The boy is young and soft-like. He might fall into this pert + minx’s hands as young Douglas with Queen Mary of old. And, thank God, he + knows nothing of the packet of jewels! Not a soul knows in the wide world! + Why should I not save them for myself and turn them into gold? Yes, save + them for myself. For the boy? But he never must know! Ah! I must hide them + well! This stubborn girl knows nothing! That is right! Janet Fairbarn will + be here in two days, and I’ll have another man to keep watch; yes, and a + good dog, too! For the gallants must never cross my wall!” + </p> + <p> + “He! He! She’ll no fule with Janet Fairbarn,” he gloated, “and the will + gives me every power. I must find a place of safety for the jewels,” he + mused. “I’m glad that I burned Hughie’s letter, as he told me. There’s + nothing now to show for them. The bank would not be safe. Never must they + go out of my hands. And, I can write a sealed letter for Douglas, to be + opened by him alone, if I should be called away. I can put it in the bank, + and take a receipt and send the boy the receipt. But, no human being must + know that I have them.” He tottered away to his sleep murmuring, “But + safer still, to turn them into yellow gold. There’s a deal of them. I must + find out in time how to dispose of them, but never till the lass above is + gone and my accounts all discharged.” And the old miser, who had already + robbed his dead brother, slept softly in love with his own exceeding + cunning. + </p> + <p> + Of all the loungers on the wind-swept wharf at Granville-sur-Mer next day, + decidedly the most natty was Jules Victor, who was now awaiting the return + of the little St. Helier’s packet, to engage a special cabin for himself, + with all a Gaul’s horror of the stormy passage. He sprang forward, in a + genuine surprise, as Mademoiselle Justine Delande, aided by the stout + Swiss maid, tottered over the gangplank. “Madame is ill, a la bonne heure! + Let me conduct you to the Hotel Croix d’Or, where Madame Louison is even + now awaiting the Paris train.” The ex-zouave was a miracle of politeness + and, he proudly conducted Justine to a waiting fiacre, having deftly + reserved himself the choice of staterooms. With the skill of his artful + kind, Jules hastened upstairs at the Hotel Croix d’Or, to announce to his + mistress the lucky find of a windy afternoon on Granville quay. + </p> + <p> + That night, when Justine Delande reached Paris, she was assured in her + heart that her own future fortunes were safe, and that her sister would + surely be the recipient of Nadine Johnstone’s future bounty. For Madame + Berthe Louison, ever armed against possible treachery, announced her own + instant departure for Poland. “But, I leave Jules in charge in Paris, and + he will find the way to deliver your letters to your young friend.” + </p> + <p> + When Justine Delande was safely escorted to the train by the smiling + Madame Berthe Louison, she proceeded to register a packet for London, + addressed to “Major Harry Hardwicke.” + </p> + <p> + That young officer’s heart was light, three days later, when he received + the letter of Nadine which Madame Louison had cajoled easily from the + Swiss woman. And the happy Major’s heart was no lighter than Nadine’s for + the watchful Janet Fairbarn, now on duty, with her selected subordinates, + wondered to see the pale-faced girl laugh merrily as she chatted over the + garden wall with a strolling French peddler. “I may trade at the gate, may + I not, Miss Janet,” said Nadine, “or is that one of the crimes?” But Jules + Victor had brought her a new life. She whispered, “He will come!” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. AN ASIATIC LION IN HIDING. + </h2> + <p> + Madame Alixe Delavigne sat alone in her snug apartment of the Hotel Croix + d’Or, at Granville-sur-Mer, four days after Justine Delande had been + driven forth from the Banker’s Folly! The perusal of a long letter from + Jules Victor was interrupted by the arrival of a telegram from that rising + young soldier, Captain Anson Anstruther. It needed but a single glance to + call the resolute woman to action. + </p> + <p> + Smartly ringing the bell, she ordered the maid, her bill, and a voiture to + convey her to the Boulogne station. “So, Hardwicke and Captain Murray are + safely in London! Major Hawke is at Geneva, and I am to hide at Rosebank + Villa until he has reported and been sent away on his continental tour of + the great jewel dealers!” + </p> + <p> + With flying fingers the lady soon penned a letter addressed to “Monsieur + Alois Vautier, Marchand-en-petit, Hotel Bellevue, St. Aubin, Jersey.” “He + can telegraph to me at Richmond, and one of us will soon be on the ground + to aid him! Now, ‘the longest way round is the nearest way home!’” laughed + the ci-devant Madame Louison, as she departed for Boulogne, an hour later, + having carefully mailed her letter personally, and sent a brief telegram + to the active Jules Victor. + </p> + <p> + The ex-Zouave had easily made the rounds of the pretty islet of Jersey, in + his capacity of merchant of small wares, long before Alixe Delavigne, + braving the stormy channel, had proceeded from Folkestone directly to + Richmond, and hidden herself in the leafy bowers of Rosebank Villa. + Smiling, gay and debonnair with all the women servants, he had a pinch of + snuff, a cigar of fair quality, or a pipe full of tabac for coachman and + groom, supplemented with many a petit verre from his capacious flask. His + Gallic gallantry, with the gift of a trinket or ribbon, made him welcome + with simple milk-maid or pert house “slavey,” and the dapper little + Frenchman was already an established favorite in the wine-room of the + Hotel Bellevue. + </p> + <p> + His greatest triumph, however, was the secret demonstration of the + cheapness of Jersey prices to the London sewing woman and smart lady’s + maid, now chafing under Janet Fairbarn’s iron rule at the “Banker’s + Folly.” “Nom de pipe! But I have to make shameful rabaissements de prix,” + muttered Jules, as he adroitly worked upon the susceptibilities of the two + new maid servants. While one or the other of these women always + accompanied Miss Nadine Johnstone in her daily wanderings through the + splendid gardens of the Folly, the merry voice of Jules Victor was often + heard by them singing on his way down the road. The gift of a famous brule + gueule had propitiated the simple Jersey gardener, whose stout boy + rejoiced in a new leather jacket, almost a gift, and the second man, + Andrew Fraser’s reinforcement, a famous drinker, was soon a nightly + companion of “Alois Vautier” at the one little “public,” down under the + scarped hill at Rizel Bay. + </p> + <p> + Andrew Fraser, closeted with the London lawyer, had almost forgotten the + existence of Nadine Johnstone. + </p> + <p> + A formal interview as to the filing of her father’s will, a mere mute + exhibition of perfunctory courtesy, released Nadine to her own devices, + while Professor Andrew Fraser returned to his afternoon studies with that + famous young Yankee savant, Professor Alaric Hobbs, of Waukesha + University. + </p> + <p> + The beautiful captive was now happy in dissembling her contentment, for, + though the sharp-featured Scotch housekeeper, Janet Fairbarn, keenly + watched all her outgoings, sending always one of the women as an “outside + guard,” the heiress had learned some of woman’s secret arts quickly. The + peddler, Alois Vautier, brought to her letters and messages which made her + lonely heart light, even in her stately semi-durance. And the epistles of + Major Harry Hardwicke left her with a heart trembling in delight after + their perusal. + </p> + <p> + And so it fell out that four days after Alixe Delavigne had returned to + Rosebank Villa, that a packet of important letters was smuggled past the + droning Professor’s picket line, one of which caused Nadine Johnstone to + hide her tell-tale blushes in her room. + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow I will come by, to deliver some little purchases of the maids! + Have your answers all ready. I will be here at ten, at the garden gate!” + Long after the Yankee Professor had left the “Folly” for St. Heliers that + night, the lonely girl bent her beautiful head over the pages, destined to + safely reach her lover’s eyes in fair London town. And to Berthe Louison, + she now poured out her loving heart, for she knew that her protecting + friends would soon be near her. + </p> + <p> + “We are waiting, watching, and planning,” wrote Alixe Delavigne. “Be + cheerful—silent—watchful! I must be near you, I must see you, + face to face, to tell you all the story of the past! I will then tell you, + my own darling child, of the mother whom you have never known. But, first, + Major Hardwicke must open a way to your side! Beware of the schemes of + Alan Hawke! He will be here to-morrow, and he may steal over to Jersey, + though his duty takes him for a month to the Continent! You will surely + see Major Hardwicke before you see me for Andrew Fraser might take alarm + at a sight of my face and so hide you away from us all!” + </p> + <p> + Miss Mildred Anstruther was a delicate symphony in gray, as she gracefully + presided the next evening over the dinner table at which Alixe Delavigne, + Captain Anstruther, Major Hardwicke, and Captain Murray merrily discussed + the sudden hastening of Captain Eric Murray’s nuptials. Hardwicke’s duty + as “best man” was now the only bar to the beginning of a campaign destined + to foil Andrew Fraser’s Loch Leven tactics of imprisoning his niece and + ward. + </p> + <p> + “You will have but a brief honeymoon, Eric!” laughed Hardwicke. + </p> + <p> + “You have promised to stand by me, Harry,” replied his friend. “See me + married to-morrow, then a week’s honeymoon at Jersey is all that I ask! I + can bestow my wife there with a dear friend, who has the prettiest old + Norman chateau-maison on the island, and after that be near you there at + Rozel Bay to work up the final discomfiture of this old vampire. I only + claim the attendance of the whole party at my wedding, then I will + disappear and spy out the ground for you long before you are ready to + astonish the dreamy old bookworm. I have made my own plans, and Flossie + has agreed to our runaway trip ‘in the interests of the service’! She is a + soldier’s daughter, remember!” Miss Mildred, wreathed in her soft laces, + shimmering in her gray poplin, and bending her stately head in salutation, + extended a delicate hand, loaded down with quaint old Indian rings, to + each, when the coffee was served. + </p> + <p> + “I will leave you now to the hatching of your famous conspiracy for the + invasion of the Island of Jersey.” The old gentlewoman passed smilingly + through the door where the three knightly soldiers stood bowing low, and + then the four conspirators sat down to arrange the dramatis persona of a + little society play in “High Life,” in which Professor Andrew Fraser was + destined to be the central figure, and act without “lines” or rehearsal. + </p> + <p> + The “leading lady” was at the present moment dreaming of a golden future + in her own rooms at the “Banker’s Folly.” Nadine Johnstone had been + allowed to make her apartments as bright and cheery as her buoyant nature + suggested. + </p> + <p> + For Andrew Fraser, after much discussion with Janet Fairbarn, had convoyed + the heiress to St. Heliers for a day. The resources of all the local + furnishers were taxed by the young prisoner’s taste, and, the old + executor, unbending a little, grimly vaunted his “dangerous liberality.” + “I’ll be bail for the expenditure of five hundred pounds, as an extra + allowance,” he said. “Now make yourself snug here, for ye’ll bide here the + whole three years! As to the bookmen, music, and libraries, I’ll give ye a + free hand. + </p> + <p> + “The yearly allowance of yere lamented father will cover all yere dealings + with mantua-makers and milliners. That is yere own affair—all that + sort of womanly gear. We will make one day of it, and if ye are lacking + aught, then Miss Janet can bring ye to town, or the dealers can come.” It + was, thus self-deluded, that Andrew Fraser noted the coming cheerfulness + of his defiant young charge. He fancied he had provided every wish of her + lonely heart. But the trailing lines of smoke of the daily Southampton + packets only spoke to Nadine of a growing correspondence with Major Harry + Hardwicke, Royal Engineers. She waited now for Simpson’s arrival for news + of the Delhi mystery—the death of the unloving parent, who had been + only her jailer. + </p> + <p> + At Rosebank Villa, Major Hardwicke was busied with Captain Murray, while + Anstruther drew Alixe Delavigne aside. “Listen to all Murray proposes, and + agree to it. You may be astonished at our plans, but between you and I, + alone, lies the deeper secret. My secret orders from the Viceroy are for + your ear alone. Your life-quest to reach Nadine’s side can only be taken + up after Murray and Hardwicke have finished their little masquerade at the + ‘Banker’s Folly.’ Let this secret be ours, alone! Do you promise me, + Alixe? I will aid you, heart, life, and soul!” And, with her eyes softly + shining in a growing tenderness, Alixe Delavigne murmured: “I trust you in + all things! It shall be as you wish.” + </p> + <p> + Captain Anstruther then led the way to the library, and closing the doors + with the minute attention of a true conspirator, cried: “Murray, we will + hear from you first!” Seated, with her lips parted in an expectant smile, + Alixe Delavigne listened in amazement as “Red Eric” proceeded. + </p> + <p> + “I got the little idea from Frank Halton, of the Globe. You may know that + he was out at the Khyber Pass seven years ago, as the war correspondent of + the Telegraph, and he ran over Cabul at the time of the Penj-Deh incident. + He has prepared a series of varied skits and personal items covering the + visit incognito of Prince Djiddin, a Thibetan noble of ancient and shadowy + lineage. This ‘Asiatic Lion’ will be duly kept in the shadows of a + mysterious seclusion in the Four Kingdoms until we introduce him to a + small section of the British public. + </p> + <p> + “The Globe, the Indian Mail, the Mirror, the Colonial Gazette, and other + periodicals will darkly hint at his itinerary, and he will be paraded + judiciously, and no vulgar eye must ever rest upon him. These items will + be widely copied. A graceful, social phantom, a Veiled, mysterious young + potentate is Prince Djiddin!” “The humbug will be easily discovered!” said + Anstruther, still at sea. + </p> + <p> + “Not if you flung your protecting mantle over him!” cried Murray. “We will + shield him by a protecting Moonshee, who alone speaks his august master’s + language, a tongue not to be easily translated; in fact, perfectly proof + against all prying outsiders. The one way to hoodwink old Fraser is to + humbug him about the great work on Thibet. That is the one soft spot in + the hide of this old alligator. We have gone carefully over the reports of + your secret agent at St. Heliers. Make us square with him, Captain, let + him have your orders to aid us, and he can get us first hooked on to this + Yankee Professor Alaric Hobbs! We will jolly him a bit, and so, get an + interview with old Fraser, and then fool the old chap to the top of his + bent. We will supply him with theories enough to set every bee in his + bonnet buzzing. Your man is already ‘solid’ with Professor Alaric Hobbs, + who is a quaint genius, and withal, a hard-headed Yankee, but full of + cranks and ‘isms.’” + </p> + <p> + Anson Anstruther exchanged doubtful glances with Alixe Delavigne, who was + still very agnostic. “The real object is to spy out the interior of + Fraser’s household without alarming him, and to locate his hidden + treasure, and, moreover, to open a safe, personal communication with + Nadine Johnstone. Letters and messages finally go astray. And, at the very + first sign of danger, old Andrew would clear out to the Continent, shut up + the girl, get rid of that insured package, and cut all future + communications! In the long three years, the girl might die, be estranged + from you, or perhaps fall into the hands of some foreign fortune hunter. + Human nature—woman nature—is a mutable quantity. But once we + are in communication we can provide for future correspondence in any + event. + </p> + <p> + “And you, Anstruther, would be defeated in recovering the hidden property + of the Crown. Moreover, these two Frasers are the only heirs-at-law. + </p> + <p> + “Who knows what might not be done for a million, when a beggarly fifty + pounds will buy a death certificate in many a little continental town?” + They were all gravely silent as Murray soberly clinched his argument. “It + is idle not to believe that old Hugh Fraser Johnstone laid out his + brother’s whole future course! He certainly has trusted him with his + stealings, the lost crown jewels! He trusts his child’s whole future to + the care of these two cold Scotsmen, and gives the heiress over to old + Andrew, to keep her safe from Madame,” Murray bowed, “his only living + enemy, and from all the other relatives of his long-hated dead wife. From + your own disclosures and Madame’s own words, we must all fear that her + first appearance would be the signal for the spiriting away of Nadine + until the minority is at an end. And it might invite some secret crime. + She bears the hated face of her dead mother, you say!” + </p> + <p> + “True,” murmured Anstruther. “My solicitor tells me, too, that a + guardianship by will is the very strongest tying-up of a rich young ward. + We can follow on later, perhaps, if this opening could be made, but where + have we a ‘Prince Djiddin,’ and where, the wonderful ‘Moonshee?’” + </p> + <p> + “There is Prince Djiddin,” laughed Captain Murray, pointing to Major Harry + Hardwicke, “and here is the Moonshee,” he tapped his own broad breast. + </p> + <p> + “I fail to understand you,” slowly replied Anstruther, now blankly gazing + at the two men in a growing wonderment. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing easier,” briskly answered Murray. “I go quietly over to Jersey + and spend a honeymoon week with Flossie. She is soldier enough to know + that my little masquerade means full ‘duty pay and traveling allowances.’ + I will hide her safely with my Jersey friends, and while Frank Halton + works his secret Literary Bureau, I will steal over to Southampton and + bring ‘Prince Djiddin’ over to St. Heliers. I will see that he naturally + falls in with Prof. Alaric Hobbs, and then, ‘fond of seclusion,’ I will + embower my ‘Asiatic Lion’ not a league from the ‘Banker’s Folly.’ I will + be near my Flossie, and I propose to bring ‘Prince Djiddin’ soon face to + face with the heiress. + </p> + <p> + “As the Prince speaks not a word of English, even old Fraser will be + disarmed. Neither Hobbs, Alaric of that ilk, nor Fraser have ever been in + India, and we can easily fool them. Neither of us have ever been in + Jersey, and fortunately our figures, age, and complexions aid the makeup. + I can do the Moonshee. It was my ‘star’ cast in many a garrison theatrical + show. Remember, none of them have ever seen Hardwicke or myself—only + Miss Nadine will know us.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” faltered Alixe Delavigne, “Captain Murray makes no provision for + me. Must I be hidden here always?” Her voice was trembling with the + surging love of her longing heart. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! dear Madame!” replied Murray. “Place aux dames. You can be later + quietly escorted to St. Heliers. Old bookworm Fraser does not leave the + ‘Folly’ once in six months. You shall, on to-morrow, arrange with Mrs. + Flossie Murray to share ‘those days of absence’ with her, while I am + playing the ‘Moonshee’ to ‘Prince Djiddin’s’ leading part. With your own + sly man-of-all-work, then how easy for the acute Jules Victor to lead you + into the extensive grounds, where you may often meet Nadine Johnstone when + all is safe. He has the friendly entree, and can hoodwink the attendants + of the garden, while your own ingenuity will enable you to have stolen + interviews in the splendid rambles of the ‘Banker’s Folly.’ Old Andrew + never quits his study, and all we have to do is to watch Miss Janet + Fairbarn. Jules Victor can guard against a surprise by her.” + </p> + <p> + “It is an ingenious plan, but, a dangerous one,” mused Anstruther. + </p> + <p> + “Not so,” boldly replied Murray. “Remember that old Fraser is crazy on his + bookwork. Hobbs is his only male visitor. He has not a relative, a friend—no + one to watch on the outside while we hold the old chap at bay. Miss Janet + watches in the house.” Anstruther had been carefully studying the two + men’s faces. “‘Prince Djiddin’ will be all right, with a little makeup, + using walnut juice and a proper costume. His Indian brown is quite the + thing. But you, my boy, must be an Eurasian, the son of a high English + official and a native woman of rank. You were carried away to Thibet by + your beautiful Cashmere mother when she was abandoned. The usual sad story + will go. She, driven out by her family, refuges finally in Hlassa, and + your English was, of course, learned before the death of your father, when + you were eighteen. Your usefulness as interpreter caused you to attach + yourself to ‘Prince Djiddin’s’ noble family. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Hardwicke. “A couple of days spent in the British Museum, and + with your fertile imagination, Eric, you will be enabled to describe the + mysterious, lonely city on the Dzangstu, and even the gilded temples of + Mount Botala. You can easily book up all about the Dalai Lama. Make a + voyage a la Tom Moore to Cashmere!” + </p> + <p> + “Right you are!” laughed Eric Murray. “Frank Halton stole into the town of + Hlassa and he now offers to me his sketchbooks and private notebooks. + Foreigners from the south have occasionally been allowed to go into Thibet + since the Nepauese were driven out, but only very rarely. I will have all + the rig and quaint outlandish gear that Halton brought away. So you see we + are the ‘Ever Victorious Army.’ Yes. Prince Djiddin will be a go.” And the + others were fain to agree in the plausibility of the scheme. + </p> + <p> + It was midnight when the quartette separated to meet at the quiet wedding + of the morrow. Alixe Delavigne had finally approved the plan, when Anson + Anstruther drew her away to confer upon the risk. “You see,” he pleaded, + “Murray will never even speak to Miss Johnstone. All that pleasing task is + left to Prince Djiddin, who can and will, of course, choose any unguarded + moment. Captain Murray will hold old Fraser personally in limbo, while you + and Prince Djiddin can meet the pretty captive in alternation. At any + danger signal, the Prince and Moonshee can quit Jersey at once.” Then the + lightning thought came to the lady: “She already loves him! It must be so! + He is the only young officer who was ever allowed to enter the Marble + House in that long year of golden bondage. It shall be so! I can trust to + him for her sake, if he loves her for Love’s own sake. I can remain near + Nadine then, even if they have to disappear, for Jules will keep the + pathway open.” And yet, shamefaced in her own growing tenderness for her + mentor, Anstruther, she took these wise counsels away to hide them in her + own happy heart. “It will make us then, Captain Murray,” she said, as she + extended her hand in good night, “a little circle of five, gathered around + this motherless and fatherless girl to save her from the secret schemes of + tyrant and fortune hunter.” + </p> + <p> + “Precisely so, Madame,” laughed Murray, “when I have sworn in my beautiful + recruit to-morrow. Then we will be five in very truth.” There was a flying + early morning visit to Hunt and Roskell’s on the morrow, which greatly + astonished Captain Anstruther, who had escorted Madame Alixe Delavigne + down on her way to the pretty chapel at Kew, where Captain Murray duly + “swore in his beautiful recruit,” with bell, book, and candle. The parure + of diamonds which the lady of Jitomir gave to Mrs. Flossie Murray caused + even the eyes of “The Moonshee” to open in wonder at the little campaign + breakfast of the leaders of this Crusade of Love. “Only suited to the wife + of Prince Djiddin’s High Chamberlain,” laughed Alixe Delavigne, as the + happy Captain departed on his honeymoon tour, escaping showers of rice, to + “move upon the enemy’s works in Jersey.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank God that I have got that sharp-eyed Hawke safely out of town,” + cried Captain Anstruther to his beautiful confidante, as they escorted + Miss Mildred back to beautiful Rosebank. The “lass o’ Richmond Hill” was + no fairer than the happy woman who had seen Major Hardwicke depart for a + long conference with that all powerful sprite of the magic pen, Frank + Halton, who was now busied in launching his creation, Prince Djiddin. “A + single word at the ‘F. O.’ will legalize our useful myth, ‘Prince + Djiddin,’ and I hope that Hardwicke and Murray will succeed. They can + surely lose nothing by the attempt. I am known to be the Viceroy’s + aide-de-camp ‘on leave,’ a near kinsman, and I am sure that old Fraser + would take alarm at the first visit or written communication from me. Once + startled, he would soon be off to hide the jewels on the Continent, and + then only laugh at our efforts. Of course he will swear that the insured + packet only contained family papers or some of the estate’s securities. + Yes! Alan Hawke is the only man whom I fear now as to the safety of either + the girl or the jewels. He seems to have had many old dealings with Hugh + Johnstone, too!” They were silent as they threaded the beautiful Surrey + garden lanes of the old burgh of Sheen. Loved by the bluff Harrys of the + English throne, its beauties sung by poet and deputed by artist, the + charming declivities of Richmond gained a new name from Henry VII, and its + bosky shades once saw a kingly Edward, a Henry, and a mighty Elizabeth + drop the scepter of Great Britain from the palsied hand of Death. Its + little parish church to-day hides the ashes of the pensive pastoral poet + Thomson, and the bones of the great actor Kean. But, Anstruther’s active + mind was only dwelling in the present, as Miss Mildred nodded in the + carriage. He saw again the simple wedding of the morning, and heard once + more those touching words “I, Eric, take thee, Florence.” Then his eyes + sought the face of Alixe Delavigne in a burning glance, which caused that + lady to seek her own bower in Rosebank villa, and hide her blushes from + “Him Who Would Not Be Denied.” Miss Mildred smiled and nodded behind her + fan, for she heard the Bells of the Future sounding afar off. + </p> + <p> + The graceful woman escorted Captain Anstruther to the river’s edge that + night, when he departed to a conference of moment with Hardwicke and + Halton. She fled back, like the swift Camilla, to her own nest, as the + Captain went forth upon the river. Only the listening flowers heard her + startled answer when Anstruther had found a voice to tell the Pilgrim of + Love his own story in a soldier’s frank way. “Wait, Anson! Wait, till you + know me better, till our quest is done; wait till the roses bloom here + once more,” she had whispered. + </p> + <p> + “And if I do wait, Alixe—if I ask you again?” Anstruther cried as he + kissed her slender hand. + </p> + <p> + “Then you shall have my answer,” she faltered, but her eyes shone like + stars as she lightly fled away. + </p> + <p> + Captain Anson Anstruther had reckoned without his host when he rejoiced + over Alan Hawke’s departure. As the aide-de-camp sped down the darkened + river, he still saw Alixe Delavigne’s eyes gleaming down on him in every + tender twinkling star, but the wily agent whom he had dispatched to the + Continent four days before, was near him yet, and comfortably dining in a + little snug public in the Tower Hamlets, on this very night. He was + looking for tools suited to a dark game which busied his reckless heart. + </p> + <p> + Major Alan Hawke (temporary rank) had passed two days at Geneva in a + serious conference with the sorrowing sisters Delande. His meeting with + the softhearted Justine had brought the color back to the poor woman’s + face, and she shyly held up the diamond bracelet to his view, murmuring, + “I have thought of you and kissed it every night and morning, for your + sake, Alan!” + </p> + <p> + With a glance of veiled tenderness, the acute schemer took his fair dupe + out upon the lake, while Euphrosyne directed the slow grinding of the + mills of the gods. “I must lose no time,” Hawke pleaded, “as I have to + report for duty in London.” And so, he gleaned the story of the hegira and + the situation at the Banker’s Folly. He heard all, and yet felt that there + was a gap in the story. Justine was true to her plighted word. + </p> + <p> + He instinctively felt that Justine was holding back something of moment, + and yet in his heart he felt that the price of that disclosure would be + his formal betrothal to the loving Justine. But he dared not vow to marry, + and the Swiss woman was loyally true to her oath. He remained “their + loving brother” as yet, and when two days later, Alan Hawke departed for + London direct, he mused vainly over the tangled problem until he reported + to Captain Anson Anstruther. “If this greenhorn girl has any designs of + her own she has not told them yet to Justine. I must get a man to help me + to work my scheme, or go over to Jersey myself,” he at last decided. He + was secretly happy at Captain Anstruther’s prompt injunctions to make + ready for a tour of two months upon the Continent. “I shall have all your + detailed instructions prepared tomorrow, Major Hawke,” said the young + aide-de-camp. “Meet me, therefore, at the Junior United Service at ten + o’clock; you can take a couple of days to look over London, and then + proceed at once to the delicate duty which I will give to you. And, + remember, the Viceroy’s orders are that you are to report to me alone, and + also to preserve an absolute secrecy. Your future rank will depend upon + your discretion.” Major Alan Hawke was not as cheerful, however, when he + opened his private mail at Morley’s Hotel, as when he had bade adieu to + Captain Anstruther. A formal communication from the Credit Lyonnais + informed him that Monsieur le Professeur Andrew Fraser had formally + forbidden Messrs. Glyn, Carr & Glyn to pay the four bills of exchange, + acting in his capacity of executor of a will duly filed at Doctor’s + Commons, and that the four drafts must be proved as debts against the + estate, and so paid later, in due process of law on proof of the claim. + The refusal was due to the death of the drawer before presentment. + </p> + <p> + “Damn it! I must play a fine game now!” he glowered. “Anstruther I must + obey in all! Once back in India with rank, however, I can force old Ram + Lal to pay these drafts. He dare not resist—there’s the rope for + him! + </p> + <p> + “And I must find a fellow to spy out the situation in Jersey. I certainly + dare not linger here!” He be-took himself to an old haunt in Tower + Hamlets, where the first stars of the “swell mob” were wont to linger, a + haunt where he had once taken refuge in his changeling days, years before. + </p> + <p> + A glance at a man seated enjoying a good cigar at a table caused his heart + to leap up in joy. “Jack Blunt—of all men! By God! this is luck!” he + cried. When the happy Alan Hawke tapped the smoker smartly on the shoulder + he first laid a finger on his own lip and then hastily said: “Get a + private room, Jack, I want you at once. I’ve a special bit of business in + your line.” Major Alan Hawke, Temporary Rank, unattached, hastily bade the + boni-face serve the best supper available for two. “Mind you, no poison in + the wine!” he sharply said. + </p> + <p> + “We’ve the best vintages of London Docks,” grinned the happy host, as he + sped away and left the two scoundrels alone. + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing now, Jack?” queried Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” sullenly replied the middle-aged star of the swell mob. “My + eyes! you are in great form,” he admiringly commented. + </p> + <p> + “Can you leave town for a week or so, on a little job for me?” briskly + continued the Major. + </p> + <p> + “Ready money?” said “Gentleman Jack” Blunt, stroking out a pair of glossy + side whiskers. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, cash in plenty on hand, and lots more in sight,” imperatively + replied the Major. + </p> + <p> + “Do I work with you, or alone?” asked Blunt. + </p> + <p> + “It’s a little private investigation,” replied Hawke, “and as I have to + leave town to-night, and spend a couple of months on the Continent, you + are the very man. I am afraid to appear in the thing myself, as I am well + known to the other parties, and so I fear being followed over the Channel. + I’m back again in the army.” Jack’s eyes grew larger in a trice. + </p> + <p> + “Here comes the grub,” gayly said Blunt. “You can trust the wine here. The + crib is square, too. Now, my boy, fire away. We are alone, and no + listeners here.” Before Jack Blunt had put away a pint of best “beeswing” + sherry, he was aware of all Alan Hawke’s intentions. His keen brain was + working all its “cylinders.” + </p> + <p> + “Give me just five minutes to think it over, Governor,” said the + sparkling-eyed, dark-faced, swell cracksman. “I know Jersey like a book. I + worked the ‘summer racket’ there once. The excursion boats, the farmers’ + races, the Casino balls, the Military games, and the whole lay. I think I + can cook up a plan. You don’t show up just yet. I am to do the ‘downy + cove.’” + </p> + <p> + “Not till I can double on my track, and you have piped the whole situation + off,” said Hawke. “The game is a queer one. I may want to come over later + and show up and make a little society play on the girl. I may, however, + join you and help you secretly, or I may have to stay away altogether. But + I must act at once. There’s money in it. If you have to make the running + yourself, you can get your own help.” + </p> + <p> + “And, you have the real stuff?” agnostically demanded Jack Blunt. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want for a starter as your pay for the report to be sent to + me at the Hotel Faucon, Lausanne, Switzerland?” Hawke was eager and + disposed to be liberal. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! A hundred sovs for the job, as you lay it out—and fifty for my + little incidentals,” laughed Jack Blunt. “Of course, if it goes on to + anything serious, you’ll have to put away the real ‘boodle,’ where I have + something to run with, if I have to cut it. I might run up a dangerous + plant!” + </p> + <p> + “Bah!” decisively said Hawke. “Only an old fool to dodge, who is over + seventy—a dotard—and a foolish girl of eighteen—a simple + boarding-school miss!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but she has a million, you say. There’s always some one to love a + girl with that money! Love comes in by the door, and the window, too, you + know!” + </p> + <p> + “She has never been five minutes alone with a man in her life!” cried + Hawke. “You are safe—dead sure safe!” Blunt’s roving black eyes + rested on Hawke’s eager face as he laughed. + </p> + <p> + “And you want to marry her, to keep others from her, or run her off at the + worst, you say? That’s your little game.” + </p> + <p> + “I will have either the girl, or those jewels! By God! I will! I’ve got + money to work with, plenty of it—not here,” cautiously said Hawke, + “but there’s your hundred and fifty. Do you stand in?” + </p> + <p> + “To the death—if you do the handsome thing, my boy!” said the + handsome ruffian, pocketing the notes. “When do I start?” + </p> + <p> + “Take the midnight train to Southampton, and go at work at once. I fear + they may send some damned spies over there! Now, what’s your plan?” Major + Hawke watched his old pal in a brown study. + </p> + <p> + Jack Blunt had smoked half his cigar, when he brought his white hand down + with a whack. “I have it! A combination of gentleman artist and literary + gent! ‘The Mansion Homes of Jersey,’ to illustrate a volume for the use of + tourists—London and Southwestern Railway’s enterprise. I’ll sneak in + and do the grand. You want a correct sketch and map of house and grounds, + and the whole lay out?” Artist Blunt was delightfully interested in his + Jersey tour now. + </p> + <p> + “Yes!” cried Alan Hawke, his eyes growing wolfish, and he leaned over to + his companion and whispered for a few moments. “That’s the trick, + Governor,” nodded Jack Blunt, “You work on the double event. And—I + get my money—play or pay?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Put up in good notes—only you are not to bungle!” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think I would fool around with a ‘previous conviction’ against me? + The next is a lifer, and I’ve got to use the knife or a barker, if I run + up against trouble, for I’ll never wear the Queen’s jewelry again! I’ve + sworn it!” The man’s eyes were gleaming now like burning coals, “I’ll do + the grand, and then, take off my beard and change my garb! I look twenty + years older in a stubble chin. I can watch them from the public at Rozel + Pier. I used to do a neat little bit of cognac, silk, and cigar smuggling. + I know every crag of Corbiere Rocks, every shady joint in St. Heliers, + every nook of St. Aubin’s Bay. Oh! I’m fly to the whole game!” + </p> + <p> + “Could you not get a good boat’s crew there?” anxiously demanded Major + Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! My boy! I am ‘king high’ with a set of daring fishermen, who can + smell out every rock from Dover to Land’s End; and, from Calais to Brest, + in the blackest night of the channel, if it pays.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, Jack, your fortune is made, if you stand in. We’ll pull it off, in + one way or the other. You’ve got an easy job for a man of your ability. + I’ll meet you at Granville! Now, get over to St. Heliers, and work the + whole trick in your own way! Send me your secret address in Jersey at once + to Hotel Faucon, Lausanne, and run over to the French coast at Granville + and find a safe nest there for us. There we are within seventeen miles of + each other, with two mails a day, and the telegraph. It’s a wonderful + plant, so it is.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Governor! And old Etienne Garcia, at the ‘Cor d’Abondance’ in + Granville, is the very slyest rogue in France. When you find a Crapaud who + is dead to rights, he is always an out and outer. I’ll square you with my + old pal, Etienne, who slyly makes ‘floaters’ and then gets the government + cash reward for towing them in. He has always a half dozen pretty girls + hanging around there, and many a good looking stranger has ended his + ‘tour’ by a sudden drop through the flow of the drinking room over the + wharf where Etienne keeps his ‘boats to let.’” + </p> + <p> + “How does he do it?” mused Alan Hawke. “It’s a risky game in France.” + </p> + <p> + Jack Blunt laughed. + </p> + <p> + “A few puffs of smoke in a cognac glass, and the subject is knocked out + for an hour after drinking from the nicotine-filmed crystal, bless you,” + laughed Blunt, “there’s never a mark on Etienne’s victims. He is too fine + for that, only cases of plain, simple, ‘accidental drowning.’ + </p> + <p> + “You may as well address me as ‘Joseph Smith, Jersey Arms, Rozel Pier, + Jersey.’ I am solid with Mrs. Floyd, the landlady there,” said the + scoundrel mobsman, anxious to spend some of his cash. + </p> + <p> + “All right, then, Jack! Go ahead!” cheerfully cried Major Hawke. “Don’t + overgo my instructions a single hair! I’ll either join you in the grand + stroke, or else meet you at Granville and there tell you what to do. + Remember that I’ll settle all your Jersey bills, and I will send a post + order for ten pounds extra to you at the ‘Jersey Arms,’ to give you a + local standing with the postman. + </p> + <p> + “That you can spend on the underlings around the Banker’s Folly, but + beware of an old body servant named Simpson—an old red-coat who may + turn up any day now from India! He was Johnstone’s own man, and he hates + me, at heart, I know! Now, if you can do the ‘artist act,’ you must find + out where the old man keeps his stuff! I don’t know yet whether we want + him first or the girl; or to crack the whole crib! If we ever do, then, + Simpson must get the—” Hawke grimly smiled, as he drew his hand + across his throat! “I must be off!” he hastily said as he noted the time. + </p> + <p> + On his way over to Folkestone, Major Alan Hawke mused over his great coup, + as he lay at ease, wrapped up in a traveling rug, and now resplendent in a + fur-trimmed top coat, befrogged and laced, which indicated the officer en + retraite. + </p> + <p> + “I will first do up Holland, Belgium, and Denmark, and take a little + preliminary look around Paris,” mused the Major, studying a list of the + missing jewels which Captain Anstruther had artfully arranged. Sundry + deductions and additions, with an admirable disorder in the items + (judiciously divided and reclassified) served to guard against any old + confidences exchanged between Ram Lal and his secret friend Hawke. The + real list in the original was now in the private pocket-book of the + Viceroy. + </p> + <p> + “Each of our Consuls at the cities you are to visit has this list,” said + Anstruther to the Major, “and you can vary your travel as you choose, but + visit all these jewel marts, and report to the local Consuls. If they have + further orders for you, you will get them there, at first hands. Should + you find that any of the jewels have been offered for sale, simply report + the facts to the local Consul, and write under seal to me at the Junior + United Service, then go on and examine further at once! You are to take no + steps whatever to recover them, or to alarm the thieves! All your expenses + and your pay will be advanced by me!” The acute schemer decided not to + risk any suspicions by marketing his own jewels. “They might bounce me for + the murder,” fearfully mused the Major. “I could show no honest title + through Ram Lal. They might arrest him, and I need him to pay the + protested drafts—later, when I go back on the Viceroy’s staff!” He + smiled and wove his webs like a spider in his den. + </p> + <p> + On his arrival in Paris, from a run to the Low Countries, a week later, + Major Alan Hawke betook himself at once to No. 9 Rue Berlioz. And there + Marie Victor greeted him, handing him a letter which was dated from + Jitomir, Volhynia. “How is your mistress?” he affably demanded. + </p> + <p> + “She is well, and will remain for several months longer in Russia!” + politely answered Marie, bowing him out. + </p> + <p> + “By God, then, she has given up the chase! I see it all!” mused Hawke, as + he pored over the letter on his way to the Hotel Binda. “The trump card + she wished to play was to blast the old fellow’s hopes of a baronetcy. + Death has struck down her prey, and, she will now wait till the girl is + free! She is too sly to face old Fraser; his brother has warned him. But + she says she will need me in the winter, on her return.” + </p> + <p> + The deceived scoundrel laughed. “The coast is left clear for me now! I’ll + telegraph to Joseph Smith, run on to Geneva, deposit my own jewels there, + in the agency of the Credit Lyonnais, and then return the notifications of + protest of the Bills of Exchange to Ram Lal. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if I can steal those jewels, get my Major’s rank as a reward + from the Viceroy, and marry the girl? It would be the luck of a life!” he + dreamed. + </p> + <p> + Two days later, on the terraces of Lausanne, he laughed over Jack Blunt’s + cheeky campaign. + </p> + <p> + “The ‘artist dodge’ worked to a charm,” wrote Jack. “I used the Kodak, and + I have a dozen good views of the house, and as many more of the grounds. + My chapter on the ‘Artistic Homes of Jersey,’ will be a full one! I soon + jollied a couple of the London maid servants into my confidence. By the + way, send me, at once, another ‘tenner’ for expense, and some money for my + own regular bills. I can make great play on the two frolicsome maids. They + are up for a lark. The shy bird keeps her rooms; and there really seems to + be no young man around. Devilish strange! A room is being got ready for + the old body servant who is now on his way from India. He might fall over + Rozel cliff some night, when half seas over! That’s a natural ending for + him! Maps, sketches, and all will be ready for you at the place we agreed. + It’s all lying ready to our hand, and ten minutes of a dark night is all I + want. The old chap is always mooning alone in his study, till the midnight + hours, over his books, and he has the whole ground floor to himself. The + men are in the gardener’s house, ten rods away, and all the women sleep + upstairs. He sees no one but a half crazy Yankee professor, who drops in + of a morning. But, the shy bird keeps in her cage, and lives in great + state, upstairs. More when you send the money.” + </p> + <p> + On his way to say adieu to Justine, before departing to Vienna, Alan Hawke + smiled grimly. “I can strike now, when I will, and as I will! But, first + to race around a little, and then, having fulfilled my mission, to get a + couple of weeks’ furlough, to go about my own affairs. The coast is clear. + Jack Blunt’s plan is right. Simpson must be first put out of the way. He + would fight like a rat on general principles.” + </p> + <p> + At Rosebank Villa, Madame Alixe Delavigne was nightly busied now in + official conferences with Major Harry Hardwicke, who had lingered in the + concealment of Anstruther’s home. The Captain found abundant time to + prosecute his “official business” with his lovely aid in the secret + service. And he had learned all of Alixe Delavigne’s lessons now, save to + acquire the patience to wait. But a growing album of newspaper clippings + was daily augmented by Frank Hatton’s artfully disseminated items + regarding “Prince Djiddin of Thibet,” the first visitor of rank from that + land of shadows. The warring journals who wrangled over the rich young + visitor’s “stern retirement” from all public intrusion referred to the + political coup de main to be looked for in “the near future.” From various + parts of the United Kingdom, the mysterious princely visitor’s trail was + daily telegraphed, and a hearty laugh from all three of the conspirators + of Rosebank Villa greeted the final article in the St. Heliers Messenger, + stating that a learned Moonshee or Pundit, “the only Asiatic attendant of + Prince Djiddin of Thibet” was arranging for a brief visit of a descendant + of the Dalai-Lamas. + </p> + <p> + Anstruther and Hardwicke laughed merrily at Frank Halton’s last graceful + touches. “A romantic gratitude to a retired British officer, who had once + befriended the Prince’s august father, was the one impelling cause of a + visit, in which the strictest retirement would be guarded by the dweller + on the Roof of the World,” etc., etc. So read out Madame Delavigne, + closing with the remark that the “Moonshee had already visited the Royal + Victoria Hotel at St. Heliers to arrange for the coming of his friend, and + to the regret of the authorities, the Prince would decline all the + hospitality due to his exalted rank.” + </p> + <p> + “Captain Murray must be even now at work,” anxiously said the fair reader. + </p> + <p> + “We will hear at once,” said Anstruther. “Prince Djiddin, you must now + materialize! For Murray’s letter tells me that he is already in full + communication with Jules Victor at the Hotel Bellevue. So the ‘Moonshee’ + has one faithful friend near at hand. If there is any shadowing of either + of you, Jules Victor is an invincible avant garde. He knows the faces of + all the dramatis personae. You see, Douglas Fraser is gone to India and + old Andrew has never seen any of our ‘star actors.’ We are absolutely + safe!” + </p> + <p> + “It seems that fortune favors us,” tremblingly said Alixe Delavigne. “This + prying and curious Yankee, Professor Hobbs, also seems to have fallen at + once into the trap! Captain Murray’s description of his ‘interview,’ at + the Royal Victoria, with Alaric Hobbs, is a crystallized work of humorous + art!” + </p> + <p> + “Of course the Yankee savant will write columns to the Waukesha Clarion, + describing this Asiatic lion, Prince Djiddin, and exploit him in the + States as an ‘original discovery’ of his own. His eagerness to arrange an + interview between the Prince and Professor Fraser is most ludicrously + fortunate for us,” said Captain Anstruther. + </p> + <p> + The entrance of the butler with a telegram disturbed “Prince Djiddin” and + his lovely confidential staff officer. “An answer, please, Captain,” + formally continued the household factotum. + </p> + <p> + “Hurrah!” cried Hardwicke, when the little conclave gathered around the + red light. “Simpson has arrived, and now Nadine and I have some one whom + we can both trust!” The further information that the “Moonshee” would + arrive forthwith to conduct “Prince Djiddin” to the safe haven where that + fascinating bride, Mrs. Flossie Murray, awaited her beloved truant, was a + call to prompt action. “I am ready! I shall drop the Royal Engineers and + live up to my ‘blue china’ as a Prince!” cried Hardwicke. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. THE COUNCIL AT GRANVILLE. + </h2> + <p> + When Major Alan Hawke returned, three weeks later, to the Hotel Grand + National, at Geneva, he was sorely wearied and dispirited. A round of + inspection of all the principal jewel marts of the continent had been only + a fruitless, solitary tourist promenade. And the ominous silence of + Captain Anson Anstruther, A. D. C., boded no good to the military future + of the adventurer. “Damn me, if I don’t think that I have been + hoodwinked!” growled Major Hawke, on his re-turn from Moscow and St. + Petersburg, whither he had been ordered, as a last resort, to see the + Court jewelers. + </p> + <p> + From Warsaw, he wrote to the Hotel Faucon, at Lausanne, to send all his + letters to meet him at Berlin, where Jack Blunt had given him the address + of the safest “fence” in all Kaiser Wilhelm’s broad domain. He had his own + jewels valued there in Russia, but dared not sell them. + </p> + <p> + With a sudden inspiration, born of a growing fear for the stability of his + house of cards, so flimsy in construction, he ran down to Jitomir, and the + half-crazed adventurer only lingered an hour with the Intendant of Madame + Alixe Delavigne’s grand old domain. He found the bird flown. Had he been + duped? A permission to view the old chateau was courteously accorded, and + then Alan Hawke soon realized that he was betrayed. For the fact that + Madame was still absent, “traveling around the world,” and had not visited + her Volhynian estate for a year, proved to him now that he had been doubly + tricked. “Ah! By God! I have it!” he cried, as he set his teeth in a white + rage. “That fool, Anstruther, is bewitched by her Polish wiles, the + mongrel inheritance of La Grande Armee’s visit to Russia!” Straight as the + crow flies, Alan Hawke then pressed on to Lemberg, and hastened to Berlin, + having sent on his last official report to Captain Anstruther, at London. + In Berlin, a letter from Jack Blunt decided his whole career. There was + news of moment, which set his hot blood boiling in his veins. + </p> + <p> + “Simpson, the old body servant, has arrived from India,” wrote the + disguised ex-convict. “And he’s mighty thick with your shy bird, too. + There is some strange game going on here, which I can’t make out. The cute + Yankee professor is furious, for old Fraser has temporarily given him the + ‘dead cut.’ The American is totally neglected, for the old idiot spends + half his time, now, shut up in his study with a visiting nigger prince + from India, and the yellow fellow’s half-breed interpreter. I send you a + dozen cuttings from the papers. The Prince, however, seems to be all O. K. + He never even notices the shy bird. He probably buys his women at home. + How could he, for he does not speak a single damned word of English. But + I’ve caught sight of this Moonshee fellow trying to do the polite to the + heiress. Old Simpson keenly watches the whole goings on, and I’ve tried to + pull him on! No go! But he sneaks off himself, gets roaring full, down at + Rozel Pier, with a little French peddler fellow, that he has picked up. + And, I don’t like this French chap’s looks. Too fly, and far too free with + his money. There’s no one else who has, as yet, showed up here. Not a + woman, no other human being but a London lawyer. And I’m told now the + guardian and niece are soon going over to London to deposit all the papers + that Simpson brought home and to do ‘a turn’ at Doctor’s Commons. Now’s + your very time—the dark of the moon. Better cut your job and come + over to me at Granville; and why can we not turn the place up-while they + are away? To do that, we must do Simpson ‘for fair,’ and I now know his + nightly trail. Send money, plenty of it, and come on. I am ‘on the + beachcomber’s lay,’ now, down at the Jersey Arms, Rozel Pier. Write or + telegraph me a line, and I’ll instantly meet you at Granville, at the Cor + d’Abondance.” + </p> + <p> + A loving letter from Justine Delande inclosed a notice of a registered + letter waiting at the Agence du Credit Lyonnais, Geneva. It is marked + “Tres Important,” she wrote, and then added: “I have received a letter + from Nadine, who says that her guardian is now half crazy with excitement + over the finishing of his ‘History of Thibet, and Memoir Upon the Lost Ten + Tribes,’ for he has an Indian visitor of princely rank, and he even + proposes to take this Prince Djiddin and his ‘Moonshee’ into the house, so + as to shut the world out from the wonderful disclosures of the only + visitor of rank who ever left Thibet.” + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke’s brow was gloomy when he read the last letter, which was a + brief note from Captain Anstruther, informing him that his final + instructions would be forwarded “in a week.” The ominous silence of + “Madame Berthe Louison,” the living lie of her pretended visit to Russia, + the trick of the letters sent on from Jitomir to his Parisian address, now + only confirmed his jealous rage. + </p> + <p> + “They are living in a fool’s paradise together, this dapper aide and the + wily woman, hiding in England! One has betrayed me, and the other will now + coldly abandon me! I’ll soon raise a hornets’ nest about their ears!” So, + with a simple telegraphed word “coming,” dispatched to “Joseph Smith,” he + sped on to Geneva from his “Leipsic defeat” at Berlin, but only to meet a + ghastly “Waterloo” at the Grand Hotel National. He had ordered the letters + from the Hotel Faucon to be sent on there to Miss Justine, and when he had + freed himself from her clasping arms he read a curt official note from the + Viceroy’s aid-de-camp which left him livid in a paroxysm of fury. On his + way from the station he had only stopped long enough at the Agence du + Credit Lyonnais to receive an official-looking document. “My accounts, I + presume,” he had muttered, thrusting them in his pocket. But, when he had + read Captain Anstruther’s formal note, he tore open the letter of the + great French Banking Company. The two letters curtly illustrated the old + saw, that “it never rains, but it pours!” With a fluttering heart poor + Justine Delande watched her undeclared lover’s blackening face. + </p> + <p> + “Hell and furies!” he cried, “the whole world is leagued against me. I’ve + got to go back to India now, Justine, and go alone. Luck is dead against + me now.” And the whitening face of the woman who hung on his every glance + made the infuriated man even more reckless. “Damn them, I’ll grind them + all to powder!” he growled. For the tide was on the turn, and it was dead + water again at Geneva, the tide fast receding, and the man who was “a + devil for luck” was soon left on the rocks of a silent despair. + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke’s eyes gleamed out with a murderous sheen as he scanned both + letters carefully. “It is his work—the low dog—and he shall + die. Wait till Jack Blunt and I get a hack at him,” he mused, with a + sudden conviction that he dared not now show himself at St. Heliers, nor + openly approach the Banker’s Folly. “I stand to lose all and win nothing. + I must work in the dark. I cannot dare to brave this Anstruther. They + would simply drive me from India. But, Simpson and Ram Lal shall pay! And, + Berthe Louison—Ah! By God! I will strike her to the heart now! I see + the way!” + </p> + <p> + The official words of Captain Anstruther were few but crushing in there + stern brevity. And Alan Hawke’s heart sank as he read them over again. “By + the orders of His Excellency, the Viceroy, I have the honor to inform you + that he has withdrawn your temporary rank, and all powers heretofore + delegated to you will cease on the receipt of this letter, which please + acknowledge. On reporting to me in London in person, you will receive the + payment of all your accounts with your back pay and transportation back to + Calcutta, the place of your temporary appointment. All the Consuls in + continental Europe have now been notified of the cessation of your powers, + and you will therefore, in no way act in the future in regard to the + confidential business once in your hands. The inquiry has been finally + abandoned by the order of the Indian Government. + </p> + <p> + “Please do report as soon as possible, and deliver over all papers and + vouchers now remaining in your hands. With assurance of my consideration, + Yours, + </p> + <p> + “ANSON ANSTRUTHER, Captain and A. D. C.” + </p> + <p> + “Official, + </p> + <p> + “Confidential.” + </p> + <p> + The letter of the Credit Lyonnais was even more menacing in its tone. The + Direction Centrale referred to a formal letter of the solicitors of the + estate of Hugh Fraser Johnstone, deceased, totally repudiating the four + unaccepted drafts of five thousand pounds sterling each, and legally + notifying the Direction of an intended suit to recover from the payee and + the in-dorser, the first draft for five thousand pounds paid before + Executor Andrew Fraser had filed his objections with Messrs. Glyn, Carr + & Glyn. “The arrival from India of the papers of the deceased, and the + testimony of his body servant Simpson, as well as the Calcutta Banker and + solicitors, proves that no such considerable withdrawals as twenty-five + thousand pounds were ever contemplated by the deceased, who had sent the + most minute business instructions to his agent and later executor.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall have to throw this all back on Ram Lal.” mused Alan Hawke, who + hastily bade Justine an adieu, until he could conjure up an explanation + for the Geneva agents of the Credit Lyonnais. The closing words of the + Paris Derection were semi-hostile. “Be pleased. Monsieur, to call at once + upon our Geneva branch and explain these imputations. We are forced to + withhold your present deposits to cover any reclamation and legal + expenses, and we therefore beg you to discontinue the drawing of any + drafts upon us until the solicitors of Messrs. Glyn, Carr & Glyn and + the Executor notify us of the settlement of this distressing imputation + upon the regularity of our actions as your business agents.” + </p> + <p> + “That leaves me only the jewels, and about a thousand pounds ready cash on + hand, and that is due from Anstruther,” gloomily decided Alan Hawke, when + he was safely locked in his rooms at the National. + </p> + <p> + “Tricked by this double-faced devil Louison-Delavigne, thrown out of my + future rank, held for the five thousand pounds already advanced, and, with + eleven thousand embargoed in that Paris pawnbroker shop of a Credit + Lyonnais, I’ve but one course left to me now.” + </p> + <p> + He took counsel of the brandy bottle, and then, ignoring all else, he sent + off a careful letter to Joseph Smith. “I’ll jolly poor Justine a bit, so + as to leave one faithful friend to watch and get all my letters here. Jack + can raise money on the jewels now for us both. I must tell these fellows + of the French Bank here that I go to London to see my own lawyers. I’ll go + over, settle with Anstruther, and then just quietly disappear. The next + blow shall come out of the blackness of night, and I’ll strike them all at + once!” + </p> + <p> + In the evening, Major Alan Hawke drove with Justine Delande to the + restaurant garden, where, long months before, he had first learned the + daring hardihood of his fair employer—the acute woman who had fooled + him at every turn. His heart was saddened with all the fresh hopes which + had failed him. He had frankly told Euphrosyne Delande that a return + journey to India, and a long and bitter struggle now lay between him and + the rank and competence which he would need to make her loving sister his + wife. + </p> + <p> + Three hours later Justine Delande’s arms clung desparingly around the + handsome outcast, as he was leaving her to be escorted home by the adroit + Francois, already in waiting without the restaurant with a closed + carriage. The presage of sorrow weighed upon her loving heart. + </p> + <p> + “Alan, My God, I can not let you go. You are the one brightness of my + life. My heart of hearts. My very soul,” sobbed the wretched woman. “I + have fears for you. They will kill you in that far land, these powerful + enemies. That mysterious devil woman who bends all to her will will ruin + you.” And then, really touched at heart, the desperate trickster drew off + his finger a superb diamond, the nonpareil, the choicest stone of Ram + Lal’s unwilling tribute. “Wear this always, and think of me, Justine,” he + said. “You are the only woman who ever loved me, and, if I succeed, I + swear you shall share my better fortunes—if not, then—” he + crushed her to his breast and ran out of the room, before she could drag + him back. “Go in, Francois, quickly to Miss Justine,” cried Hawke, + thrusting a hundred-franc note in the butler’s open hand. The rattle of + departing wheels was heard as Francois supported the half-fainting woman + to her carriage. + </p> + <p> + “Now for London,” growled Major Hawke as the train dashed down the Rhone + valley. “I’ve got a clear alibi here. All my letters sent to Justine will + be forwarded to the Delhi Club. One day in London, then to Granville, and + Jack Blunt. They will only get Justine’s story if they shadow me, and if I + can only hit it off right, at Calcutta. Yes! there is the king luck of + all. To give the whole thing away to the baffled Viceroy. Then denounce + Ram Lal to him as the early confederate and later assassin of Hugh Fraser + Johnstone! These jewels that I have ‘innocently received’ will connect old + Ram Lal with Hugh Fraser’s betrayed trust. I will hold the murder business + back at first. + </p> + <p> + “Ram Lal or his estate will be finally forced to cash my drafts. It is + clear that Johnstone and Ram Lal have either divided or hidden the jewels. + Yes! By God! I have it. If I can wring them out of the old professor, or + find them, I will then hide them away and secretly report the whole affair + to the Viceroy, in my chosen colors as a friend of the Crown, and they’ll + give me a huge reward; my permanent army rank will soon follow. So, if + Justine only holds to my alibi, by God! I will marry her, for she would be + a badge of respectability. I’ll take no more chances after this—not + another single chance! I’ve got money enough to satisfy Jack Blunt. He + shall secretly sell the jewels for me—a small lot, here and there, a + few at a time.” + </p> + <p> + “There is just one frightful risk to run,” he muttered, as he reached out + for his brandy flask. “Ram Lal might go in to save his twenty-five + thousand pounds, for the Johnstone estate will never pay these disputed + claims which I cannot prove in law. Good in honor, but bad in law! And if + he should denounce me privately to the Viceroy, as the real murderer of + Hugh Fraser? He is there on the ground. I did not denounce him. I did not + produce the dagger. I dare not to explain why I concealed the crime. An + accessory! He might seek to turn Queen’s evidence, and even try to hang + me. He is rich, sly, smart. By God! they may even now be shadowing me. + Once on English soil, I am at Anstruther’s mercy.” He was still + white-faced and unmanned as he took the Boulogne boat the next evening. “I + must face Anstruther, get my money, and then telegraph to Justine my + departure for India from London. I’ll wire the poor woman from here now. A + few loving words will cheer her. Her true heart is the only jewel I have + that I have not stolen. Poor girl! she will miss me sorely!” And the + handsome blackguard sighed over the ruin he had wrought—an honest + woman’s shattered peace of mind. It weighed heavily upon him now. + </p> + <p> + For there came back to him now strange shadowy glimpses of his own stormy + past! Dashing on, to face unknown dangers, the dauntless adventurer, with + a softened heart, recalled the days when he could gaze, without a secret + shudder, upon the battle-torn colors of the regiment from which he had + been chased by that suddenly discovered sin, once so sweet! + </p> + <p> + He “looked along life’s columned years, to see its riven fane—just + where it fell.” And, sadly alone in life now, his heart gnawed with a + growing remorse, he saw in the mirror of memory, once more, the bright + faced boy who had “filled the cup, to toast his flag and land.” Alan + Hawke, in all the bright promise of his youth, the darling of women, the + envy of men! + </p> + <p> + Under the swiftly gliding current of his tortuous past, he plainly saw now + the fanged reefs which had wrecked him! With a smothered groan, he + recalled all that he had lost, and this bitter introspection brought up to + him, among his deeds of passion, the one needless cruelty of his reckless + life! “Poor Justine! There is such a thing as woman’s love after all!” he + sighed, for he knew that the steadfast woman had poured out the wine of + her life all in vain. “She loves me!” he cried! + </p> + <p> + Woman, born to be man’s sport and plaything, is doomed to be the + unconscious avenger of her sex in every tragedy of the heart! The treason + of some callous lover is repaid with vengeance meted out to some + defenseless man who comes all unguarded “into the arid desert of Phryne’s + life, where all is parched and hot.” And, Alan Hawke, the innocent + Lancelot, had suffered for some recreant’s past crime! + </p> + <p> + Among the visions of the burning Lotos Land, the bright phantasmagoria of + his unstained youth, there came back now to Alan Hawke all the glories of + his first Durbar, the unforgotten day when he had fallen under the spell + of the woman whose fatal touch had withered the “very rose and expectancy” + of his brilliant promise. His mind strayed backward through all the misty + years to that gorgeous scene of Oriental pomp. He closed his eyes and + pictured again the brilliant pageant. + </p> + <p> + The huge masses of serried troops, the lines of stately elephants, the + castled background of the temples of Aurungzebe. The blare of trumpets + smote once more upon his ear, and hordes of jewel-decked Asiatics swept + along before the pompous military representatives of the Empress, who + wears the Crown of the Seas. + </p> + <p> + There was a quickening of “Love’s extinguished embers” as he lived over + again the moment, when “side by side, with England’s pride,” he rode with + his sword lowered in knightly salute before the clustered banners of the + Imperial military throne. And the hour of his fate sounded when the eyes + of a woman rested upon him in a mute appeal! Their glances told him all. + </p> + <p> + For, then and there, the young officer had seen the wonderful beauty of + the woman who had lured him on and then, in after days, sold his unstained + soul to shame! A fair-faced Lilith, her glowing beauty enshrined in all + the borrowed splendor of majesty, a woman of gleaming golden hair, a + later, all too willing, Guenevere! The soft subtle invitation of her eyes + of sapphire blue had called him to her side, in that unspoken pact which + needs no words! He was her slave from the first moment! With a last pang + of his quivering heart, Hawke recalled the sly skill of the faithless wife + who had drawn the young officer into her net, for the passing amusement of + her idle hours! Too late he knew all the artful craft of his being bidden + to the Grand Ball, of the “veiled interest” which had “detailed him, for + special duty,” of the self-protecting maneuvers which had placed him on + the staff of the faded valetudinarian general who had given his spotless + name to the woman whose lava heart glowed under a snowy bosom. It was the + wreck of a soul! + </p> + <p> + And then, with a gasp, he recalled his mad fever to win every honor under + her glowing eyes. The forgotten deeds of desperate valor—all useless + now, and stained forever with the bar sinister of his treason. He + shuddered at the unforgotten delights of the hour when they had met in her + seraglio bower of shaded luxury, and “the fairest of Laocoons” had + answered his passionate whisper, “Stoop down and seem to kiss me ere I + die,” with the faltered words: “Alan, you are all the world to me!” + </p> + <p> + Fondly blind, he had drifted along in a Fool’s Paradise, at her bidding, + until the crash came! He never knew the military Sir Modred, who had + betrayed the open secret, but his blood boiled when he recalled the cruel + abandonment to the rage of a jealous and awakened spouse! + </p> + <p> + All in vain had been his manly sacrifice to save the woman whom he had + loved more than life. He had cast away every protection for himself. Duped + and tricked, he had remained mute before the storm of abuse heaped on him + by the General, and his papers sent in, at a momentary summons, had + carried him in dishonor out of the band of laureled soldier knights, to + dream no more “the dream that martial music weaves!” And the smiling woman + Judas tricked him to the very last! + </p> + <p> + How hollow her faith, how lying the mute pleading of her eyes, he knew + now, for had he not paused at the door for one despairing glance of + farewell, to hear her murmur to her placated lord: “After all your + goodness to him, to dare to offer me insult! You have punished him + rightly, but, he is a fascinating traitor, after all!” Deprived of his + sword, shunned by his associates, and lingering near her in hopes of the + last interview pledged him by her lying eyes, he had only been undeceived + when he vainly tried to reach her carriage for a last farewell on a + star-lit lonely drive. + </p> + <p> + The cold cutting accent of her voice smote him as the edge of a sword. + “Drive on, Johnson!” she sharply cried. “These vagabond people must face + the General himself.” Then came the insane self-sacrifice of his reckless + downfall, but he had spared her to the very last. + </p> + <p> + He bowed his head in his hands, and a storm of agony swept over him as he + recalled the word “traitor,” branded upon his brow as a badge of shame, + and again he wandered along that devious path which had led him year by + year downward. Too bitterly self-accusing to palliate his past, he only + knew that in all the long years of social pariahhood he had learned to + despise all men and to trust no woman! For had not Friendship been a lie + to him, Love only a hollow cheat, and woman’s vows of deathless loyalty + but writ in sand to be washed out by the next wave of passion? + </p> + <p> + And yet, stained with crime, there was one breath of truth which swept + over his soul as fresh as the voice of the “pines of Ramoth Hill!” His + eyes were misty and his breath choked in a sorrowing gasp of manly + remorse, as the winsome face of the true-hearted Justine rose up before + him in this hour of lonely agony! Her devotion had touched the wayworn + wanderer, and, pure and unselfish, her love had been the one bright star + of all these darkened years! + </p> + <p> + “By Jove! She is a royal soul! If I could only save her the shock of the + awakening,” he murmured. His heart beat generously in a thrill of pride + recalling Justine’s steadfast devotion to the motherless girl whom he had + sought to entangle. “Far above rubies!” he cried, and the memory of the + fond woman who was watching for him at Lausanne, swept over his stormy + soul to bring unbidden tears to eyes which had never flinched before the + red flash of the grim cannon. + </p> + <p> + “There are still good women in the world!” he muttered, “and, God bless + you, you have taught me this, Justine!” Drawing her picture from his + bosom, he gazed fondly at the face of the gentle-hearted daughter of the + Alps. A vain and passionate regret racked his bosom—the last + struggle of his wavering soul! “Shall I turn back?” he doubtfully cried. + And then in the rush of his onward course, a dull hopeless feeling came + over him. “Kismet!” he cried. “It is too late now. If they had only + trusted me! If they had told me all and given my fighting soul a chance to + redeem the lost promise once written on my brow. I have played a man’s + part before! I might, perhaps, have won this girl’s gratitude and earned + Justine’s love to be a shield and a buckler to me. But—” his head, + overweaned with care, drooped down, and in the company of strange visions + and and dreams of ominous import, the hunted soldier of fortune forgot + alike the echoing voice of his better angel, and lost from view, the + shadowy faces of both the woman who had lured him to a living death, and + the tender-hearted one whose heart was glowing at Lausanne in all the + fervor of her unrequited devotion. Over Alan Hawke, sleeping there, as he + was swiftly borne away, hovered, in sad regret, his good angel, with + sorrowing eyes, for the stern, self-accusing man had not sought, in the + last hours of this sorrow, even the poor consolation that his life had + been wrecked to feed the fires of vanity burning in the jaded heart of the + beautiful Faustine, whose cold desertion had sold his youth to shame! + </p> + <p> + Twenty-four hours later Major Alan Hawke was again a stormy petrel on + Life’s trackless ocean. The cold politeness of Captain Anson Anstruther at + the brief interview at the Junior United Service Club in London at once + decided the wanderer to make for India as soon as his “pressing + engagements” would allow. There was no seeming menace, however, in + Anstruther’s wearied air of perfunctory courtesy. + </p> + <p> + “The whole affair being officially dropped, Major Hawke,” said Anstruther, + “I only ask for your personal receipt for my individual check. You will + observe that this eleven hundred pounds is not in any way government + funds. And, on behalf of the Viceroy himself, I thank you for your energy + shown in the inquiry, which is now permanently abandoned.” To Major + Hawke’s murmured request, Anstruther replied: + </p> + <p> + “Certainly! Drive around to Grindlay’s in Parliament Street with me and + they will at once give you notes or their own circular check for this + money.” In ten minutes, when Hawke had lightly announced his intention to + return to India, the Captain observed: “I may not meet you for some years. + If the Viceroy returns to England, my promotion will probably carry me + with his Embassy to Paris as Major and Military Attache.” And then they + parted as mere casual acquaintances. + </p> + <p> + “Damn his cool impertinence,” mused Alan Hawke, as he caught a passing + cab, after telegraphing his greetings and intended departure to Justine + Delande. + </p> + <p> + “Write one letter to Hotel Binda, Paris, then all to the P. & O. + Agency, Brindisi; after that, to Delhi,” were the lying words which + reached the Swiss woman, whose loving breast was now given over to a + tumult of sighs. + </p> + <p> + Major Hawke was not free from secret apprehensions until he landed at + Calais, upon the next morning. “Now for a last ‘throw off’ at Paris!” he + exclaimed. “Damn England! I hope I shall never see it again!” he growled, + unmindful of the pitiless Fates ever spinning the mysterious web of + Destiny. “I’ll first show up at Berthe Louison’s, at No. 9 Rue Berlioz. + They shall have my next address given to them as Delhi. The real Major + Hawke dives under the troubled sea of Life at Paris, only to emerge at + Calcutta! Ram Lal is like all his kind, a coward at heart! He has not + denounced me, for, if he had, Captain Anstruther would have nabbed me in + England. He acts by the Viceroy’s private cabled orders. No! The coast is + all clear for my dash at the enemy’s works!” + </p> + <p> + Before the morning dawned on the sea-girt coast of La Manche, Marie Victor + had duly telegraphed Major Hawke’s impending departure for India to the + beautiful recluse who now cheered the lonely bride of “the Moonshee,” at + the old Norman chateau, embowered in its splendid gardens, within a league + of the Banker’s Folly. + </p> + <p> + Alan Hawke, closely shaven, and masquerading in a French commis-voyageur’s + modest garb, was seated at ease in Etienne Garcin’s death-trap at the Cor + d’Abundance, in foggy Granville. His darkened locks and nondescript garb + thoroughly effaced the “officer and gentleman.” One of the old French + villain’s wickedest and prettiest woman decoys was coquettishly serving + Hawke’s breakfast as he read the burning words of Justine Delande’s + message from the heart. The last greeting, tear-blotted, and promptly sent + to the Hotel Binda. + </p> + <p> + “It’s a wild day, a wild-looking place, and a wild enough sea,” grumbled + Major Hawke, gazing out of the grimy window at the rolling green surges + breaking, white-capped, far out beyond the new pier, where the black + cannon were drenched and crusted with the salty flying scud. Far away, a + little side-wheel steamer was laboring along over the strait from the blue + island of Jersey, rising and dipping half out of sight, with a trail of + intermittent puffs of dense black smoke. + </p> + <p> + “There is the enemy’s stronghold, and now for Jack Blunt’s plan of + campaign! I wonder if he’ll come over to-day, or to-morrow? He must have + had my telegram last night!” Alan Hawke amused himself with the bold, + black-eyed French girl’s vicious stories of olden deeds done there in + Etienne Garcin’s gloomy spider’s den. He even laughed when the red-bodiced + she-devil laughingly pointed down at the loosened floor-planks in the back + room, underneath which mantrap the swish of the throbbing waves could be + heard. + </p> + <p> + Then the sheeted, cold driving rain hid the promontory, with its heavy, + lumpy-looking fort, the old gray granite parish church, and the clustered + ships of the harbor, now dashing about and tugging wildly at their doubled + moorings, soon to be left high and dry on the soft ooze when the + thirty-foot tide receded. “There’s where we find our best customers,” + laughed the French wanton, as Alan Hawke drew her to his knee, and they + laughed merrily over the golden harvest of the sea, the price of the + recovered dead. Through the narrow stone fanged streets lumbered along the + heavy French hooded carts, driven by squatty men in oil skins and + sou’westers, and laden down with the spoils of the whale, cod, and oyster + fisheries. Stout women in huge blue aprons, with baskets on their rounded + arms, gossiped at the protecting corners, while the shouts of Landlord + Etienne Garcin’s drunken band of sea wolves now began to ring out in the + smoky salle a boire. + </p> + <p> + It was two o’clock when the burly form of Etienne Garcin was propelled + unceremoniously into Alan Hawke’s room. A grin of satisfaction spread over + the bullet-headed old ruffian’s face, and his round gray pig eyes + twinkled, as he noted the already established entente cordiale between + Jack Blunt’s pal and the wanton spy who was the absent Jack’s own especial + pet. But, Alan Hawke was temporarily blind to the universally offered + charms of the soubrette as he read Joseph Smith’s careful report. + </p> + <p> + “That’s the talk!” joyously cried Hawke. His heart bounded in a fierce + thrill. “By God! Simpson shall be ‘done up’ in short order. The drunken + old dog. He cut off the payment of my drafts with his blabbing tongue! + </p> + <p> + “Yes, over the cliffs he goes, and we will make sure of him—forever—before + he takes his last tumble! Jack! Jack! You are a hero!” he mused, as the + triumphant words of Jack Blunt’s great discovery were read again and + again. And then, he carefully burned the letter, before the astonished + eyes of the tempting companion of his waiting hours. “These fools of + employers!” cheerfully muttered Alan Hawke. “They always think that + ‘Servant’s Hall’ has no eyes. That the maid in her cap and apron has not + the same burning passions as idle Madame in her silks and laces. That the + man has not his own easy-going vices just as alive and masterful as the + base appetites of the swell master.” + </p> + <p> + While Alan Hawke thus exulted at Granville, there was gloom and jealousy + in the heart of Prof. Alaric Hobbs, of Waukesha University, Wisconsin, U. + S. A. + </p> + <p> + A tall, lank, bespectacled “Westerner,” nearly thirty-five years of age, + the blue-eyed country boy had dragged himself up from the obscurity of a + frontier American farm into the higher life. Uncouth, awkward, and yet + resolute and untiring, he had justified his first instructor’s prediction: + </p> + <p> + “He has the head of a horse, and will make his mark!” Newspaper trainboy, + chainman, assistant on Government frontier surveys, and frontier scout, he + early saved his money so as to complete a sporadic university curriculum. + A trip to Liberia, a dash down into Mexico, and a desert jaunt in + Australia, had not satisfied his craving for adventure. With the results + of two years of professional lectures, he was now imbibing continental + experiences, and plotting a bicycle “scientific tour of the world.” + Hard-headed, fearless, devoted, and sincere, he was a mad theorist in all + his mental processes, and had tried, proved, and rejected free love, + anarchy, Christian science, and a dozen other feverish fads, which for a + time jangled his mental bells out of tune. A cranky tracing of the lost + Ten Tribes of Israel down to the genial scalpers of the American plains + had thrown him across the renowned Professor Andrew Fraser, who had, on + his part, located these same long mourned Hebrews in Thibet, ignoring the + fact that they are really dispersed in the United States of America as + “eaters of other men’s hard-made ‘honey’” in the “drygoods,” clothing, and + “shent per shent” line. For, a glance at the signs on Broadway will prove + to any one that the “lost” have been found in Gotham. + </p> + <p> + Smoking his corncob pipe the Professor paced his rooms at the Royal + Victoria, and mentally consigned Prince Djiddin and his indefatigable + Moonshee to Eblis, the Inferno, Sheol, or some other ardent corner of + Limbo. “How long will these two yellow fellows keep poor old Fraser + enchanted?” mused the disgruntled American, mindful of his hotel bill + running on. “The old man is crazy after the two Thibetans, and I can’t see + his game. He does not wish me to publish my own volume first. That is why + he has given me the ‘marble heart,’ and taken them into his house. Their + wing of the Banker’s Folly is now an Eastern idolaters’ temple. If I could + only hook on to the ‘Moonshee,’ I might make a ‘scoop’—a clean scoop—on + old Fraser. God! how my book would sell if I could only get it out first. + And yet I dare not offend this old scholar, Andrew Fraser. He must be true + to me. He has read to me all the original manuscript of his own + half-finished work. He must trust to me, and he has promised to give me a + resume of their disclosures also after they leave. The Thibetan Prince + will only be here two weeks longer.” + </p> + <p> + “Then old Fraser will take me to his heart again.” Alaric Hobbs reflected + on his vain attempt to try the Tunguse, Chinook, Zuni, Apache, Sioux, and + Esquimaux dialects on the handsome Prince Djiddin, whose Oriental + magnificence was even now the despairing admiration of the two pretty + housemaids. + </p> + <p> + “My august master cannot speak to any one but the great scholar whom he + came here to see. He soon returns to his retirement in his palace in the + Karakorum Mountains. And he never will emerge thence!” solemnly said the + Moonshee, adding in a whisper: “He may, by the grace of Buddha, be + re-incarnated as the Dalai-Lama. He springs from the loins of kings. I + dare not break in upon his awful silence.” The Moonshee’s significant + gesture of drawing a hand across his own brown throat had silenced the + pushing American professor. + </p> + <p> + “By hokey!” he groaned, “it is hard to have to play second fiddle to this + purblind old Scotchman.” Alaric Hobbs had been a reporter upon that dainty + sheet, The New York Whorl, in one of his “emergent” periods, and so he + writhed in agony at being left at the post. “I must be content to tap old + Fraser when he comes back from London with that embarrassing lump of + beauty, his millionaire niece. She would make a fitting spouse for this + Prince Djiddin, for she never speaks a word—at least to me. And this + swell Prince, who comes ‘only one in a box,’ gets the same ‘frozen hand.’ + Funny girl, that. But I must yield to old Fraser’s moods.” Alaric Hobbs + then descended to the tap-room and instructed the pretty barmaid in the + manufacture of his own favorite “cocktail,” an American drink of + surpassing fierceness and “innate power,” which had once caused + “Bald-headed Wolf,” a Kiowa chieftain, to slay his favorite squaw, scalp a + peace commissioner, and chase a fat army paymaster till he died of fright + in his ambulance, after Alaric Hobbes had incautiously left a bottle of + this “red-eye” mixture with his aboriginal host on one of the “exploring + tours.” A powerful disturbing agent, the American cocktail! + </p> + <p> + But for all Miss Nadine Johnstone’s seeming aversion to men, and in spite + of Prince Djiddin’s inability to utter a word of any jargon save + ninety-five degree Thibetan, “far above proof,” on this very morning while + the “Moonshee” was transcribing under the watchful eyes of the excited + Andrew Fraser the disclosures of the evening before, the young + millionairess was “getting on” very well in exhibiting the glories of the + tropical garden to the august tourist from the lacustrine Himalayas. + </p> + <p> + Jules Victor adroitly busied the maid whom Janet Fairbarn had dispatched + to “play propriety,” and the other London girl had quietly stolen away to + her own last rendezvous with her mysterious London lover, “Mr. Joseph + Smith,” otherwise “Jack Blunt, Esq., of the Swell Mob of the Thames.” + </p> + <p> + The whispers of the stately young Prince brought crimson blushes to the + face of the glowing girl, whose answering murmurs were as low as the siren + voice of Swinburne’s “small serpents, with soft, stretching throats.” They + had a double secret to keep now. A momentous, a dangerous one; for in the + depths of the Tropical Gardens of Rozel, the passionate hearted Alixe + Delavigne was hidden, waiting this very morning to clasp again the + beautiful orphan to a bosom throbbing in wildest love. Prince Djiddin, + always on his guard, artfully turned back and busied the maid, when she + was released from Jules Victor’s vociferous bar-gaining, with a + half-hour’s choosing her “fairing,” out of the lively peddler’s pretty + stock. The woman’s vanity made her an easy victim. The “descendant of + Thibetan Kings” could not, of course, speak intelligibly, but the yellow + sovereigns which he carried were the magic talisman which opened at once + the pretty maid servant’s softened heart. + </p> + <p> + It was a long half hour before the happy Nadine Johnstone returned to join + the kinsman of the Maharajah of Cashmere. Her eyes were gleaming in a + tender, dawning lovelight, her lips still thrilling with Alixe Delavigne’s + warm kisses. In her heart, there still rang out her mysterious visitor’s + last words: “Wait, darling! My own darling! Before another month the + secret Government agent will have officially visited Andrew Fraser. We are + all ready to act with crushing power when the happy moment safely arrives. + And you shall then hear all the story of the past on my breast. You shall + know how near you have been to my loving heart in all these weary years. + The story of your own dear mother’s life shall be my wedding present to + you. Yet, a few days more of watchful patience,” softly sighed Alixe. + </p> + <p> + “For we must not let Andrew Fraser wake for a moment from his frenzy of + Thibetan study until we can force from him the permission which we will + demand to visit you, and to free you from his control.” + </p> + <p> + Prince Djiddin paced solemnly back toward the Banker’s Folly, leaving the + overjoyed maid to bundle up all her many gifts. A grateful wink to Jules + Victor from the Prince rewarded the disguised valet, as he gayly sped away + to meet his mistress, and to obtain her orders for the next day. This + artful game of mingled Literature and Love had so far been safely played, + but Jules Victor had secretly warned Nadine Johnstone against any + confidences with her pretty London sewing woman. “She has found a + sweetheart here. He is a curious looking fellow, he has money and is + liberal, and, so, what you tell her she will surely tell her sweetheart. + Trust to no one but the other maid, who is devoted to me,” proudly said + the dapper little Frenchman. Nearing the mansion, on this eventful + morning, Prince Djiddin, at a hidden bend of a leafy path, whispered to + his fair conductress, “For God’s sake, darling Nadine, do not betray + yourself! Those sweetly shining eyes are tell-tale stars! Your heart + happiness will struggle for expression. Go to your rooms at once. Pour out + your happy heart in song, lift up your voice. But, watch over your very + heart-throbs! Only a single fortnight more, darling, and we will clip the + claws of this old Scottish lion who has you in his clutches! + </p> + <p> + “Anstruther will soon make his coup de main, for Hawke has at last gone + back to India, and we will have a deadly grasp soon on the frightened + Andrew Fraser. He must either give up his legal tyranny and yield you to + us, or else face a future which would appall even a braver man. I dare not + to tell you our secret yet. Only the Viceroy and Anstruther know it. And, + now, darling, above all, be sure not to betray yourself, in London. + Remember that Anstruther will have you secretly watched, from this gate to + the very moment when you return to it! Any false play of old Fraser would + lead to his detention by the authorities, and you would be freed at once + by the law!” + </p> + <p> + In the three weeks of their long masquerade, neither Prince Djiddin, his + scribe and interpreter, or else the two, as studious visitors, never left + Andrew Fraser alone a single moment! The old scholar was thrilled at heart + with Eric Murray’s solemn rehearsing of Frank Halton’s valuable notebooks + and ingenious theories. He eagerly enforced Prince Djiddin’s request that + no curious strangers should be allowed to force themselves on him, no + matter of what lofty rank. Prince Djiddin was wrapped in the veil of a + solemn personal seclusion. + </p> + <p> + And to this end Simpson, now the butler of the “Banker’s Folly,” was + especially assigned to wait upon the austere “Prince Djiddin” as his “body + servant.” Only one visit of state was exchanged between “Prince Djiddin” + and General Wragge, Her Majesty’s Commander of the Channel Islands. The + “Moonshee,” with a sober dignity, had interpreted for the British + Commander of the Manche, and in due state, a return visite de ceremonie to + General Wagge’s mansion and headquarters strangely found Captain Anson + Anstruther, A.D.C. of the Viceroy of India, a pilgrim to St. Heliers, to + arrange secretly for “Prince Djiddin’s” safe conduct and return to Thibet. + The curious society crowd and St. Heliers’s beautiful women envied Captain + Anstruther his three hours conference with the “Asiatic lion.” + </p> + <p> + By day, in the vaulted library, Andrew Fraser pored over the weird stories + of Runjeet Singh, of Aurung zebe, of King Dharma, and the Cashmerian + priest who came with Buddha’s first message to Thibet! The story of the + marvelous royal babe found floating in the Ganges, in a copper box, a + century before Christ, the tales of the “Konchogsum,” the “Buddha jewel,” + the “doctrine jewel,” and the “priesthood jewel” fed the burning fever of + old Fraser’s senile mind. He now felt that he lived but only in the past. + At night, he labored alone till the wee sma’ hours, depositing his + precious manuscript in a secret hiding-place, where he now scarcely + glanced at the “insured packet,” which had been such a dangerous legacy of + his dead brother. He had forgotten all his daily life and even his fears + for the future in the fierce exultation of concealing his strangely gotten + Thibetan lore from his rival, Alaric Hobbs. + </p> + <p> + “A remarkable mind,” growled old Fraser, “but a Yankee—and so + untrustworthy.” At last, unwillingly, with a quaking heart, lest Prince + Djiddin should decamp in his absence, he obeyed an imperative legal + summons and proceeded to London with Nadine Johnstone, leaving his house + under the charge of that sphinx-eyed Scottish spinster, Janet Fairbarn. + </p> + <p> + To the “Moonshee,” and to the rubicund veteran Simpson, the departing + Andrew Fraser said solemnly, “The Prince is to be the master here until my + return.” With a joyous heart the London sewing girl embarked as Miss + Johnstone’s one personal attendant, forgetful of her devoted lover, Joseph + Smith, who had temporarily disappeared, gone over to France “on business.” + For she was herself going back to the dear delights of her beloved London, + and her liberal lover had already given her his address at the Cor + d’Abondance. + </p> + <p> + “You must telegraph to me, Mattie, where you are staying, and when you + leave London to return. I may run over to Southampton and come back on the + same boat with you. Write to me, my own girl, every day, and here’s a + five-pound note to buy your stamps with.” On his sacred promise of honor + to write to her himself every day, and to let no black Gallic eyes eclipse + her “orbs of English blue,” Mattie Jones allowed her lover an extra + liberal allowance of good-bye kisses. + </p> + <p> + While Professor Andrew Fraser, Miss Nadine Johnstone, and the lovelorn + Mattie Jones, were escorted to London by a head clerk of the estate’s + solicitors, Prince Djiddin and the “Moonshee” unbent their brows and + rested from the nervous strain of the three weeks of continued deception. + </p> + <p> + While the happy “Moonshee” escaped to his own fair bride, Prince Djiddin, + under Simpson’s guidance, examined minutely the superb modern castle, and + even microscopically examined all the beautiful surroundings of Rozel + Head. “It may come in handy some day,” mused Major Hardwicke, “especially + if we have to aid Nadine Johnstone to escape.” The pseudo-Prince was glad + to often steal out alone to the headland overlooking Rozel Pier, and there + watch the French luggers beating to seaward sailing like fierce cormorants + along the wild coast of St. Malo. He was glad to fill his lungs with the + fresh, crisp, salt air, and to commune in safety at length with the + faithful Simpson. + </p> + <p> + Securely hid in an angle of the cliff, they talked over all the mystery of + Hugh Fraser’s bloody “taking off,” and of the dreary three years of Death + in Life left before Nadine. + </p> + <p> + “As for the old master, he was an out and out hard ‘un,” stolidly said + Simpson. “Who killed him, nobody knows and nobody cares. I’ve always + suspicioned that there Ram Lal and yer fancy friend, this Major Alan + Hawke.” + </p> + <p> + Hardwicke started in a sudden alarm. “Why so?” he demanded. + </p> + <p> + “I believe that they tried to blackmail him about some of his old Eurasian + love affairs, or else some official secret they had spied out. You see the + niggers in the marble house were all Ram Lal’s friends, and any one of + them could have left the murderers alone to do their work and then let ‘em + out of the house. I believe that Hawke did the job, and Ram Lal got away + with some of the missing crown jewels. I’ll tell you, Major Harry, General + Willoughby and the magistrates had me under fire there for many a day.” + </p> + <p> + “See here, Simpson,” said Major Hardwicke, “a man who would murder the + father, would rob the daughter! I’ll give you a thousand pounds if you + instantly notify me, if Hawke ever is found creeping around here. There + may be some ugly old family secrets, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “I’m your man! Pay or no pay!” cried Simpson. “Only they think of giving + me a three months’ leave on pay to visit my people.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t go! Don’t go! till I tell you!” cried the Major. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad this fellow Hawke, whom you say has been dropped, is now on his + way back to India,” said Simpson. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but he might show up here devilish strangely,” mused Hardwicke. “He + is just the fellow for a dirty fluke. Watch over Nadine, Simpson,” cried + Hardwicke, “for I’ve sworn to make her my wife, within three months, uncle + or no uncle!” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” growled Simpson. “I’ve an old grudge to settle with the Major, + and I’ll tell you some day,” said the veteran. “Let us go in. There are + some curious people here. I’ll tell you all when I’m your own man, and the + young mistress is Mrs. Major Hardwicke!” + </p> + <p> + On this very evening, as the gray mists hid the Jersey outline from the + windows of Etienne Garcin’s den, Jack Blunt and Major Alan Hawke were + seated in the Major’s bedroom in the cabaret. They were cheerfully + discussing two steaming “grogs,” but there was doubt and a shifty lack of + thorough confidence between the two scoundrels as yet. + </p> + <p> + “So you think the boat will do?” flatly demanded Jack Blunt, offering some + exceptional cigars. + </p> + <p> + “Just the thing,” carefully replied the Major. “And your terms for a two + weeks charter?” + </p> + <p> + “Twenty-five hundred francs for the boat and outfit—the same sum for + the gang, cash down. Two weeks, with the privilege of renewal for two + more-at the same rate,” doggedly said Blunt. “Now, you’ve got to make up + your mind soon, Hawke,” said Jack Blunt roughly. “I’ve told you the whole + lay, and so far, have given you the worth of your money. If you can’t + ‘come up,’ then I’m going to run a lugger load of brandy and ‘baccy over + to the Irish coast. She’s a sixty tonner and by God! fit to cross the + Atlantic! Old Garcin, too, is getting impatient. Our being here, stops his + ‘regular business,’” gloomily said Blunt. + </p> + <p> + Hawke’s impassive face angered Jack Blunt as he continued: “And you say + that I can trust Garcin’s brother Andre down at Isle Dial.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Even if we had to stow one or both of these fools away down there.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure that Angelique and I could hide them away for a year or else + safely forever there,” cried Jack Blunt, in a hoarse whisper. “It’s only a + matter of money and damme if I believe you’ve got any! If you fool us, + you’ll never get out of here alive!” Major Hawke only smiled, and dropped + his hands lightly on the butts of two heavy bull-dog revolvers ready there + in his velveteen trousers’ pockets. + </p> + <p> + “Jack! Don’t be an ass!” he said. “I play this game to win. Do you think + that I would bring my ready money into this murder pen? Now, tell me what + you will take in cash, to tell me where the old miser has hidden the stuff + I want? And how much will you take to do the job? I want to know when they + return, and I want your help and the aid of the gang. You are to crack the + crib—alone—while they are away, and then we, perhaps, may meet + them, on their way home. The lugger lying off in that cove to the north of + Rozel Head, below the old martello tower.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you been over there?” amazedly cried Blunt. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I know every inch of the place of old,” laughed Hawke, still with his + hands on his revolvers. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Major,” said Jack, pouring out a cognac, “I’ll take, first, five + hundred pounds cash for the information. Another five hundred for the job, + with a quarter of what we get. And this second sum you can put up with + Etienne Garcin. You can pay him now the two hundred for the men and the + boat, out of that, and give me the rest of the odd change later. We’ll + never lose sight of each other after we start. For the Hirondelle will not + leave me in the lurch. I’ve sworn never to wear the widow’s jewelry + again.” Jack Blunt’s eyes were devilish in their glare. + </p> + <p> + “So, it’s five hundred pounds down now, and I can order the expedition on, + after the payment. You’ll give me on the instant all the news from Mattie + Jones of the intended return, for I propose to have some fun with the + Professor.” + </p> + <p> + “Honor bright,” said Jack forcibly. “For we will all hang or ‘go to quod’ + together, if there’s a break once that we begin. We had better start when + I get her next letter, for Mattie is to write me to the Jersey Arms and + then telegraph there, too, from Southampton. I’ll have one of the crew + pipe them off from the pier home to the Tolly, and a half dozen of the + boys will be in hiding, ready for work. So you can work your scheme as you + will.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s a go, then. Come on, now, and get your money,” said Hawke, as he led + the way to the nearest fiacre. In ten minutes, Alan Hawke disappeared into + the railway waiting-room, and returned after a visit to the luggage + store-room. Jack Blunt was astonished at his pal’s evident distrust. “Here + you are, Jack,” the Major cordially cried, as they sought the rear room of + the neat cafe opposite the gare. “Now, count over your five hundred + pounds. I’ll give Garcin the other sum in your presence. Then, I suppose + that I am safe,” he coldly smiled. “Tell me now where has old Fraser + hidden the stuff.” + </p> + <p> + “In his study on the first floor, in a secret hiding place. The girl + Mattie has watched the old fellow through the keyhole. I know just where + to easily break in on the ground floor. These damned Hindus are far away + in the other wing, so there’s only Simpson to hinder. Now, I’ll have a + couple of the boys pipe him off at the Jersey Arms. Old Janet Fairbarn’s + strait-laced ways make him sneak out late at night for his toddy. When he + is ‘well loaded’ and tired with climbing up the cliff, they will follow + him and fix him, for good. One of the boys will come along with me, to my + hiding place, and be ‘outside fence’ while the two others will watch the + road and the gardener’s quarters. The three men are two hundred yards + away, in the porter’s lodge. The old Scotch woman sleeps like a post. Then + I make my way when I’ve done, at once to the Hirondelle, alone and hide my + plant. The men relieved can rally on your party at the old martello tower, + and so we will be ready to sail when your part of the job is done. Two on + board, three with me, nine with you, will be plenty! My work is a quiet + job! I can do the whole trick in five minutes! Yours, I leave for + yourself. I know just where to lay my hand.” + </p> + <p> + “But, should any trouble occur?” said Alan Ha wke, “any outcry, any + pursuit?” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will bury the stuff on the shore, saunter back openly to the + Jersey Arms, and just stay there as friend Joseph Smith, till I can get + over to Granville by the steamer. The Hirondelle will not be seen by any + one; there are fifty luggers always hovering around. She will first land + us all in Bouley Bay in the morning, or drop half the men off at St. + Catherine’s Bay in the early afternoon. They all know every inch of the + ground.” In half an hour the chums in villainy dined gayly with + “Angelique,” and a running mate, rejoicing in the cognomen of “Petite + Diable Jaune.” The next day, a secret meeting with a confidential Jewish + money-lender, enabled Major Alan Hawke to safely market the half of the + jewels which he had extorted from Ram Lal Singh. In a waist belt, he wore + a thousand pounds of Banque of France notes neatly concealed. Jack Blunt + and Garcia had earned an extra bonus of a hundred pounds each in the jewel + sale, and Alan Hawke laughed, as he laid away four thousand pounds in his + safely deposited luggage, in the railway office. “I can trust to the + French Republic—one and indivisible,” he said, as he sent a loving + letter to Justine Delande, and then mailed her the receipt for his + valuable package, with his last wishes, “in case of accident.” “These + fellows might kill me for this, if they knew of it!” he growled. + </p> + <p> + Three days later, the stanch Hirondelle was beating up and down Granville + Bay, while Alan Hawke awaited the letter of the faithful Mattie Jones. He + had furnished the twenty-pound note which made that natty damsel doubly + anxious to meet her faithful lover “Joseph Smith,” to whom she now + dispatched the news of the immediate return of the anxious Professor. + Fraser was burning to take up the gathering of Thibetan pearls of hidden + knowledge, while the artful and restless Professor Alaric Hobbs was + stealthily waiting Prince Djiddin’s departure, but kept busied with some + personal tidal and magnetic observations on Rozel Head. In the deserted + second floor of an old martello tower, he had made a lair for his evening + star and planetory researches, and the ingenious Yankee concealed a rope + ladder in the clinging ivy which enabled him to cut off all intrusion on + his eyrie. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. THE FRENCH FISHER BOAT, “HIRONDELLE.” + </h2> + <p> + It was four o’clock of a wild November afternoon when Major Alan Hawke, + cowering in a hooded Irish frieze ulster, crawled deeper into a cave-like + recess in the little path leading from the Jersey Arms up to Rozel Head. + The blinding rain was thrown in wild gusts by the howling winds, now + lashing the green channel to a roughened foam. A sudden and terrific storm + was coming on. + </p> + <p> + Half an hour before the disguised adventurer could see the ominous double + storm signals flying in warning on the scattered coast guard stations, a + signal of danger sent on from the Corbieres Lighthouse. But now not a + single sail was to be seen, and huge banks of heavy blackening mists were + rolling over the stormy channel. Not a stray sail was in sight! + </p> + <p> + “Where in hell is Jack?” raged the excited conspirator, swallowing half + the contents of his brandy flask. As he returned it, the butts of his two + revolvers and the handle of a huge couteau de chasse were plainly visible. + “The fiends seem to be let loose to-day,” he growled. “It would be the + night of all nights! Ha!” The discharged officer noted two men in + sou’westers and oilskins now toiling up the path. And his heart leaped up + in a wild joy. + </p> + <p> + In another moment, he half dragged his drenched companions into the + weather-worn cave. “What news?” he hoarsely demanded of Blunt, as he + extended his flask. + </p> + <p> + “The best of all news,” cheerily replied the mobs-man. “Here is Antoine. + He raced down from St. Heliers, in a covered fly, and has brought the very + latest news from Fort Regent. The Stella has lost the tide, cannot enter, + and has, therefore, turned south, running down the channel. She can not + dare to enter St. Heliers now till between ten and eleven to-night. Of + course, she will not put back to Southampton, in the teeth of this + southwest gale, the very heaviest known for twenty years. She has signaled + the ‘Corbieres,’ and they have telegraphed over to the office at the pier. + There’s Mattie Jones’s telegram. The three we want are on board, sure + enough. And, thank God! the Hirondelle is riding safe and easy around the + point. It’s the one night of a million for my job and for yours.” + </p> + <p> + “What’s your final plan? We must get out of here soon,” growled Hawke, + shaking off the pouring rain like a burly water dog. “I have my two men + already watching the little gardener’s hut in the Tropical Gardens, where + I hid my cracksman’s outfit. Old Simpson is boozing away down at the + Jersey Arms. I heard him tell pretty Ann, the barmaid, that he would have + to be home by midnight, for the ‘old man’ would surely arrive in the + morning. Now, will you stay here with this man, and ‘do up’ old Simpson? + Mind you, there must be no stab or bullet wound. The ‘life preserver,’ + and, then over with him! They will only think that rum and the fall did + the business. + </p> + <p> + “I will make straight for the Hirondelle when I am done, and send a man to + report to you at the old martello tower, where your gang are to meet you. + This man can get over to the boat now and warn them to show up, carefully, + one by one, and hide around there till dark. Not in the tower itself, for + some of the coast-guard roundsmen might take shelter there and pitch into + them for smugglers. I’ll stay here till he comes back. If old Simpson + should come along too early, why, you and I could hide him away here till + it is dark enough to throw him over. And you’ll surely catch old Fraser + and the two women on the road between eleven and two. It will take over an + hour to drive from the pier in this weather. + </p> + <p> + “All right!” sternly said Hawke. “Send your man right away. I will tell + them what to do later, when I meet them. Let him send the boatswain and + two men to meet us here, and wait and hide with the others around the + tower. I will hunt in the bushes till I run on them. Stay! He can come + back here to me with the three!” + </p> + <p> + It was already dark when the four men returned to where Alan Hawke lay + perdu with his murderous mate. Not a light was now to be seen but the one + glimmer below in the “Public,” on the Rozel pier. And the very last words + had been spoken between “Gentleman Jack Blunt” and his crafty employer. + “Now, remember,” said Jack, “Antoine here goes down with orders to come up + the cliff ahead of old Simpson. You’ll surely be warned of his approach. + You can give the boatswain his orders; there’ll be three to one. Your man + leads you to your men at the tower. And I am to crack that crib and make + for the Hirondelle! + </p> + <p> + “If chased, the boat runs out to sea, and you are both only honest, French + fishermen storm-driven ashore in search of supplies!” + </p> + <p> + “That’s it, Jack! You are to wait for me, if the house is not alarmed. + I’ll bring some ‘passengers,’ perhaps, on board. If I fail, you are just + to run for Granville. We will all meet at Etienne’s. I’ve got money to + take care of all my men. You are to make no miss. I can wait and try again + if I am disappointed. I’ll take no chances. With your success, I can hold + the old miser down, and your two thousand pounds is safe; besides, the + swag is your security. You see, he will never dare to make any public + outcry, for he secretly fears the Government! We take only the safest + chances. He may stay down there all night at St. Heliers, and your lucky + chance will never come again. Go ahead, and do not fail!” + </p> + <p> + The two men grasped hands in an excited clinch. “Do up Simpson for a dead + man, and no mistake!” hoarsely whispered Jack Blunt. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll fix the old blanc-bec,” growled the boatswain, as the spy slid down + the hill toward Rozel Pier. + </p> + <p> + “Take my flask, Jack!” said Alan Hawke. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t drink on duty!” simply replied Blunt. “I shall get at work by + eleven, and you’ll hear from me by midnight! Then, look out only for + yourself! The boat is mine, if there’s any alarm. I’ll send her back soon + to Rozel Pier, if I have to run out to sea, and you are to be only honest + fishermen. How long shall I wait in the cove for you?” + </p> + <p> + “Sail at three o’clock, if I’m not on board! Remember the hail, ‘Saint + Malo, Ahoy!’” + </p> + <p> + “This is dead square, for life and death!” cried Blunt. + </p> + <p> + “Dead square,” echoed the renegade officer. Darkness now doubled its black + folds, and the roar of the surf boomed sullenly upon the rocky Rozel + beach. Crouching in their cave, the two French thugs eagerly watched the + winding path below, and gathered a resentful vulpine ferocity in their + hearts. With knife in one hand, and the heavy lead-weighted blackjacks in + readiness, they cowered upon the path, waiting for the old soldier, whose + thickened eyes were still sullenly gazing at the dingy clock in the Jersey + Arms. He hated to leave the pretty, white-armed Ann. + </p> + <p> + Ten o’clock! The red-coated soldiery of Fort Regent and Elizabeth Castle, + the guardians of Mont Orgueil, were all wrapped in slumber, save the poor, + shivering sentinels. Ten o’clock! The drenched tide waiters at St. Heliers + pier anathematized the still distant Stella, whose lights now blinked + feebly, laboring far out at sea. “An hour yet to wait!” growled the + bedraggled customs officers. Ten o’clock! The good burghers of St. Heliers + had given up their whist, and taken their last drop of “hot and hot.” In + St. Aubin’s Bay, from Corbin’s Light, from mansion in town, and cot among + the Druidical rocks, anxious eyes now gazed out on the wild sea, where + Andrew Fraser tried to calm the terrified Nadine Johnstone. + </p> + <p> + Mattie Jones was lying senseless, a helpless mass of cowering humanity, + while the anxious captain and pilot vigorously swore, as became hardy + British seamen. The “Chief” had piped up “that the engines would be out of + her,” if they shipped another sea like the last. Prayer in the cabin, + curses on the deck, fear in the hold, and misery everywhere; the stout + Stella struggled shoreward, toward her dangerous landing at the pier, + whose sheer sixty feet of masonry wall was now lashed by the wild waves. + Black waters rose and fell in great surges. The shivering coastguards in + the line of garrisoned martello towers, vowed that no such night had ever + been seen since the “Great Storm.” + </p> + <p> + Prince Djiddin had also given up all hope of the return of the faithful + Moonshee whose plea of “business,” had led him away to the society of his + brave and beautiful bride. There was but one more day of “home life” + before resuming the hoodwinking of the mentally excited historian of + Thibet. “It’s a fearful night on the Channel,” thought Major Hardwicke as + he waited in vain for Simpson’s return to act as valet de chambre. + </p> + <p> + “God help all at sea! It’s a fearful night,” Prince Djiddin murmured as he + closed his eyes, little reckoning that the beautiful girl whom he loved + more than life was tempest-tossed off the Corbieres, while poor Mattie + Jones literally “sickened on the heaving wave.” + </p> + <p> + The great house was lone and still, and for the first time Prince Djiddin + reflected upon the exposed situation of the old miser’s home. “Poor old + chap,” he muttered, as he closed his eyes. “Somebody might come in and + throttle him some night! No one would be here to stop it. I must speak to + Simpson, yes, speak to Simpson—that is, if he is ever sober enough + to listen. Poor old soldier! He will have his drink!” + </p> + <p> + There was a singular improvised bivouac going on in the ruined martello + tower where Professor Alaric Hobbs had set up his instruments to take some + interesting observations upon an occultation of Venus. + </p> + <p> + A coast-guard station at Bouley Bay and St. Catherine’s Head rendered the + further occupancy of the old martello tower at Rozel Head unnecessary, and + only a few rats and bats now resented Alaric Hobbs’ sequestration of the + second story. He meditated a comparative memoir upon the “Tides of Fundy + Bay, and the Channel Islands,” with a treatise upon “Contracted Ocean + Surface Currents.” Astronomer, hydrographer, geologist, and all-round + savant, his lank form was already familiar to the Channel Islanders. And, + like the wind, he veered around “where he listed.” + </p> + <p> + “Great Jupiter aid us!” cried the son of Minerva, “Venus is unpropitious + to-night. All my trouble is vain.” For when the black storm broke upon the + little channel islet, Alaric Hobbs saw no way of a comfortable return to + the Royal Victoria at St. Heliers. “I might leave all here and claim old + Fraser’s hospitality for a night. No one can get up to the second story,” + mused Hobbes, who now regretted having ordered the fly to come for him + only at day-break. “Here is a wild night of inky darkness. The star + occults only at three A.M. This hurricane ruins all. And old man Fraser + may not have returned from London.” So with a basket of luncheon, a roll + of blankets, and a bottle of cocktails, the volunteer astronomer + reluctantly sought the dryest corner of the second floor of the old tower + for a night’s camp. A square trapdoor hole whence the moldering ladder had + fallen away, was in the middle of the old barrack room floor over the four + embrasured gun room below. “I’ll just draw up my ladder, have a pipe, and + take a nap. It may clear off. If so the observation goes, and then the + highest tide of the year, I can get the register in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + He had brought down his light instrument from the battlemented parapet for + safety, and now, pulling up his rope ladder, he coiled it on the floor. “I + can drop down below if I wish to if the rain should drive me out of here,” + he cried as he curled up like a sleeping coyote. + </p> + <p> + Below him the heavy door of the tower swung on its massive hinges, banging + and creaking mournfully when a swirling gust set it swinging. The man who + had slept out on the Lolo trail and bivouacked alone in the canyon of the + Colorado, laughed the howling storm to scorn. “Better than being out in a + blizzard in the Bad Lands!” he gayly cried, as he dozed away, having + finished a good meal and lowered the level of the “Lone Wolf” cocktails. + From sheer frontier habit, he laid his heavy revolver near at hand, and + his old-time hunting knife. “You see, you don’t know what emergencies may + arise,” often sagely observed Alaric Hobbes. “Thrice is he armed that hath + two six shooters and a knife!” + </p> + <p> + When half-past ten rang out from the old French hall clock at the Banker’s + Folly, Janet Fairbarn, a gray ghastly figure, made her last timid rounds + of the lower part of the mansion. Her maids were all snugly nested for the + night. Simpson, the erring one, she believed to be in close attendance + upon that foreign heathen, Prince Djiddin, in their second-story wing. + Miss Nadine and her maid had locked their apartments on departure, the + Professor’s study was the only room open and vacant, and so with a last + timid glance at the darkened halls and great salons of the main floor, the + Scotch spinster retired to her rooms adjoining the Master’s study and + bedrooms on the ground floor. + </p> + <p> + Minded to “read a chapter” and to “compose herself for the night,” the + housekeeper sat late rocking alone in her rooms, while the hollow tick of + the hall clock sounded doubly lonely in the cheerless night. The modern + castle’s walls were proof against the wildest rain and even the blows of a + catapult, and so the dashing storm never even stirred the heavy leaded + diamonded panes. “Thanks be to God, auld Andrew never ventured to cross on + this raging sea! He’ll no be here the morrow, neither. I must send down + for telegrams in the morning,” she mused when she had finally laid her + spectacles across her Bible. + </p> + <p> + It was nearing eleven o’clock when the two half-drowned thugs hiding on + Rozel Head were roused by their returning mate stumbling wildly into the + muddy cavern in the cliff. They sprang up as he muttered, “On vient, tout + pres d’ici! Soyous tous prets!” A bottle extended was half drained by the + two ruffians, who then eagerly loosened their black jaws with a mad desire + to revenge their cheerless vigil. + </p> + <p> + “Lei has,” whispered the spy, pointing to a black object creeping + unsteadily up the steep path—Simpson, dreaming still of pretty Ann’s + rounded white arms! It was indeed Simpson, with unsteady steps, breasting + the hill. A fear of Andrew Fraser’s arrival led the half-fuddled old + veteran to hasten homeward now. “I can say the telegram was late,” he + chuckled. “They never will know.” And then feeling for his pocket-flask, + filled by handsome Ann, “as a last night-cap,” he turned into the little + cavern, where the school-boys, on a Saturday outing, often played + “pirates,” for his breath was gone and his eyes were drenched with salt + scud. + </p> + <p> + Then, a half smothered cry arose, as the three waiting thugs leaped upon + their prey. Simpson was taken off his guard! His muscles were all relaxed + by drink. He fell prone as the heavy black jacks descended upon his head, + muffled in the hood of his “dreadnaught.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! V’la un affaire bien fini! Allons! Jettez-le!” growled the grim + boatswain, dropping his loaded club, as all three spurned the prostrate + body, and then, with a heavy lurch, it bounded off the sodden bank + plunging downward, over the cliff. + </p> + <p> + For a moment, there was no sound! Then skirting the furze bushes of the + headland, the three assassins dragged their stiffened limbs along in the + darkness, hastening to where the stout Hirondelle rocked easily in the + dead water of the one protected cove to the north of Rozel Point. + </p> + <p> + They were all safely stowed away in the forecastle before half an hour, + and, with grunts of satisfaction, examined the largess of their mysterious + employer, “C’est un gaillard—un vrai coq d’Anglais!” growled the + boatswain, as his chums produced another bottle, and the three doffed + their drenched clothing. Then cognac drowned their scruples against murder—for + the price was in their pockets. + </p> + <p> + It was half past eleven o’clock when gaunt old Andrew Fraser led his + half-fainting ward ashore from the Stella, at St. Heliers pier. But one + covered carriage had remained on the storm-beaten pier, braving the rigors + of this terrible night. “Never mind the luggage, man,” shouted the + Professor to the driver. “Here’s ten pounds to drive us over to Rozel, to + my home! And, I’ll bait yere horses, put ye up, and give ye a tip to open + yere eyes.” The hardy islander whipped up his horses, and soon cautiously + climbed the hill of St. Saviours, crawling along carefully over the + wind-swept mows toward St. Martin’s Church. The exhausted maid was fast + asleep. Nadine Johnstone herself lay in a semi-trance, while the fretful + old scholar consulted his watch by the blinking carriage lights, and then + wildly urged the driver on. It was long after midnight when they reached + St. Martin’s Church, with three miles yet to go. A dreary and a dismal + ride! + </p> + <p> + And all was silent, in the Banker’s Folly where the old hall clock loudly + rang out twelve, rousing Mistress Janet Fairbarn from her first beauty + sleep. She started in terror as an unfamiliar sound broke upon the + haunting stillness of the night. The hollow sound of a smothered cough in + the Master’s study, a man’s deep-toned cough, unmistakably masculine, + aroused the spinster whose whole life had been haunted by phantom + burglars. + </p> + <p> + For the first time since her coming to the Folly, her loneliness appalled + her. “My God! There is the plate! The master away, and no one near.” Her + nerves were thrilling with nature’s indefinable protest against the + dangers of the creeping enemy of the night. A sudden ray of hope lit up + her heart. “Had the Professor returned?” He had the keys. It would be his + way. Yes, there was the sign of his presence. And, so, timorously moving + on tip-toe, she crept down the hall in her white robes, and barefooted. + Yes, he had returned, for she had left the study door open. It was closed + now. There was a pencil of light shining through the keyhole, and, yet, + silently she stood at the door, and listened. There was the sound of + muffled blows within. A panic seized upon her. “Thieves, thieves—at + last!” + </p> + <p> + Scarcely daring to breathe, she fled, ghostlike, up the stair, and in a + wild paroxysm of fear dashed into the room at the angle of the hall, where + “Prince Djiddin” lay extended upon his couch of Oriental shawls and + cushions. He was restless, and still dreaming, open-eyed, of his absent + love. + </p> + <p> + The young man leaped to his feet as the frantic woman, with affrighted + gestures, besought his aid and protection, pointing down to the stairway. + Hardwicke’s ready nerve failed him not. + </p> + <p> + Grasping a heavy revolver from under the pillow, a mechanical arrangement, + a memory of his Indian life in the midst of untrusted subordinates, the + officer seized in his left hand the Sikh tulwar, which was his own + “property saber” of Thibetan royalty. Its naked, wedge-shaped blade was as + keen as that of a razor. + </p> + <p> + Pointing to the key, he mutely signed to the woman to lock herself in. + Then down the stair he crept, ready to face any unseen enemy. The light + streamed out from Janet Fairbarn’s open door. “Perhaps it was only old + Simpson, drunk, or trying to gain a surreptitious entrance,” he mused. But + the woman had pointed to the light and the keyhole of the door. “Some one + is in the old man’s study!” Yes! There was the little tell-tale pencil of + light flickering on the darkened wall opposite. And Hardwicke scented + danger. “Was it Alan Hawke?” + </p> + <p> + Light-footed as the panther, the young soldier crept to the heavy oaken + door. A moment in his crouching position showed to him a man, with his + back toward him, raising one of the great red tiles of the study floor. + Yes! There was only a moment of suspense, for the tile was slid aside, and + a package was then eagerly clutched. With one mighty leap, the Major + bounded to the man’s side as the door swung open. The cold steel muzzle + pressed the ruffian’s temple as Hardwicke’s hand closed upon the burglar’s + throat. There lay the sealed canvas package, covered with official Indian + seals. In an instant, the Major’s knee was on the scoundrel’s breast. + </p> + <p> + “One single sound, and I blow your brains out!” hissed the disguised + Englishman. And, astounded at the apparition of a stalwart Hindu warrior, + Jack Blunt’s teeth chattered with fear. Dragging the half-throttled wretch + to his feet, Hardwicke tore off the sash of his Indian sleeping robe and + bound the villain’s arms behind him. Picking up his saber, he then cut the + bell cord and lashed the fellow’s legs to a chair. Then, giving the canvas + package a closer glance of inspection, Hardwicke pressed the edge of his + tulwar to Jack Blunt’s throat, when he had closed the window, half raised, + and shut the shutter so neatly forced with a jimmy. “What’s in that + package?” he said, with a sudden divination of Alan Hawke’s overmastering + influence. + </p> + <p> + “A lot of valuable jewels,” the sneaking ruffian answered. “If you’ll turn + me loose, I’ll now save what’s dearer to you than all this diamond stuff + that I was sent for. I’ve watched you here for three weeks. You’re after + the girl. By God! Hawkes got her now!” + </p> + <p> + “Do you speak the truth?” said Hardwicke. “If you deceive me, I’ll butcher + you! Speak quickly! You’ve got just one chance to save transportation for + life now!” + </p> + <p> + The coward thief muttered: “The old man is on his way back from St. + Heliers, and Hawke’s got a dozen French fellows to run the girl off and + perhaps ‘do up’ the old man. But he wanted this same stuff. He’s a downy + cove!” + </p> + <p> + While Jack Blunt worked upon the lover’s fears, “Prince Djiddin’s” hands, + on an exploring tour, drew out a knife and two revolvers from the captured + burglar’s wideawake coat. He picked up the bulky bundle which the thief + had dropped, and saw the bank seals of Calcutta and the insurance labels + thereon. “I’ll give you a show. Keep silent!” cried Hardwicke as he cut + the cords on the fellow’s legs. Then grasping him by the neck, he dragged + him bodily to the door of the “Moonshee’s” room, where he thrust him in. + Then he locked the door, and knocking on his own, induced the frightened + Janet Fairbarn to open at last. The poor woman screamed as “Prince + Djiddin” calmly said: “Go and rouse up the girls. Send one of them to + bring the gardener and his two men over here. I’ve got the thief locked + up.” + </p> + <p> + “My God! who are you?” screamed the affrighted Scotswoman, as the Prince + dropped into English. + </p> + <p> + “I’m an English officer, madam. Don’t be a fool. Rouse these people. + There’s been one crime already committed, and there may be another. + There’s no one else in the house. Get the three men over here at once to + me. I’ll stand guard over this thief.” Then as Janet Fairbarn fled away + shrieking and yelling, Harry Hardwicke locked the recovered package in his + own trunk, which stood in his room. Bounding across the hall, he then + dragged his captive over the way and thrust him in a helpless heap into a + chair. Before Hardwicke was dressed, he had extorted the secret of the + rendezvous at the old Martello tower. + </p> + <p> + “Now, sir, no one has seen you yet,” said Hardwicke. “If you guide me + there and save her, you shall cut stick. If you betray me, then, by God, + you shall die on the spot.” A groan of acquiescence sealed the bargain, as + the three gardeners, armed with bili-hooks and pruning-knives, now burst + into the room. “One of you stay here with the women. Light up the whole + house now. Let no one leave it till I return. Now, you two, each take a + pistol. Get your lanterns, at once, and a good club each. Come back + instantly here.” + </p> + <p> + The procession was descending the stair, when there was heard a vigorous + knocking on the front door. As it opened, the excited “Moonshee” leaped + into the hallway. “What’s up?” he cried, forgetting his assumed character. + “I came over, for I had a telegram that the Stella was in with old Fraser + and Nadine. The General sent a special messenger to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Run up and get my saber and your own pistol and join me! There’s foul + play here! The house is all right! Come on, for God’s sake!” shouted Harry + Hardwicke. He led his captive by the trebled bell cord passed with double + hitches around the burglar’s pinioned arms, and the Moonshee now leaped + back—ready to take a man’s part—for he easily divined the + treachery. + </p> + <p> + Out into the wild night they hurried, leaving behind them the barricaded + “Banker’s Folly,” now gleaming with lights. “Where in hell is Simpson?” + demanded Eric Murray, as he struggled along clutching the gleaming tulwar + tightly in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Drunk at Rozel Pier, I suppose!” bitterly answered Hardwicke. “Come here + and just prick this fellow up into a trot!” + </p> + <p> + As they hastened on, Prince Djiddin succeeded at last in convincing the + two gardeners that he was not a ghost, but a reincarnated Englishman who + had been larking disguised as a Hindu Prince. “What’s the devilish game, + anyway?” puffed out Captain Murray, still in the dark, as they struggled + on in the darkness along the road. + </p> + <p> + “Hawke has tried to kidnap Nadine!” hastily cried Hardwicke. + </p> + <p> + “My God! what’s that?” They soon came up to an overturned carriage. The + traces had been cut, and the horses and driver were not visible. The + gardener’s lantern showed to them only the insensible form of the maid, + Mattie Jones, who lay moaning in a sheer exhaustion of terror. “How far is + it to the tower?” almost yelled Hardwicke, his heart frozen with a new + terror. “They have murdered her, my poor darling!” + </p> + <p> + “The tower is now about three hundred yards away!” said the gardener, as + Hardwicke sternly dragged his reluctant prisoner along. + </p> + <p> + “On, on!” he cried. “We may even now be too late!” They were only a + hundred yards from the tower, when the sound of rapid pistol shots was + heard, wafted down the wind, and a confused sound of cries on the cliff + was wafted to them, as a dozen twinkling lantern lights appeared on the + brow of the bluff. + </p> + <p> + “It’s a rescue party!” joyously cried Murray. “Hurry! hurry on to the + tower!” + </p> + <p> + With cheering cries, the pursuers neared the old Martello tower, and a + clump of dark forms vanished quickly into the shrubbery as the three + lanterns were flashed full upon the door. Eric Murray, sword in hand, was + the first man at the entrance, as a desperate assailant leaped from the + narrow door and sprang upon him, pistol in hand. There was the snap of a + clicking lock and then the sound of a hollow groan, for the robber’s + pistol had missed fire, and Captain Murray ran the wretch through the body + with the razor-bladed tulwar! + </p> + <p> + There was a silence broken only by the trampling of approaching feet, as + Red Eric flashed the light in the face of his fallen foe, for the storm + had spent its fury and the stars were gleaming out at last. + </p> + <p> + “By God! It’s Hawke, himself!” he shrieked. “Alan Hawke, a midnight + robber!” But, Harry Hardwicke, with the two men at his back, had dashed on + into the gun-room of the old tower, leaving Murray with his prostrate foe—empty, + not a sign of any human presence. + </p> + <p> + With one wild cry Hardwicke turned to the door, “Nadine! Nadine!” he + yelled, and his voice sounded unearthly in the night winds. + </p> + <p> + And then, from over their heads, a cheery hail replied, “All right, on + deck! The lady is safe up here with me. I am Professor Hobbs, the + American. Who are you?” + </p> + <p> + “Friends! friends!” cried Hardwicke. “The house was attacked! Where is the + Professor?” + </p> + <p> + “I reckon they have carried him off!” the nasal voice of the American + answered. “If they’ve killed him it’s a great loss to science, you bet! + I’m coming down.” And while the gun-room was soon filled with a motley + crowd from Rozel Pier, Professor Alaric Hobbs long legs dropped dangling + down his rope ladder. He gazed, open-mouthed, at the anglicized Prince + Djiddin. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you—friends, also?” now demanded the astonished “Prince + Djiddin” of the rescuers. + </p> + <p> + “We are friends of Simpson!” cried the nearest. “The smugglers bludgeoned + him and then threw him off the cliff, but the banks were soft and wet, and + his heavy coat saved him. He sent us up here to the rescue, for he crawled + half a mile on his hands and knees. We’ve found the old Professor tied to + a tree over there in the bushes. They are bringing him here. Simpson is at + the ‘Jersey Arms,’ all safe.” + </p> + <p> + “See here, stranger!” demanded the American, still standing amazed, pistol + in hand, “I winged a couple of these damned robbers; they tried their best + to get the girl away from me. I’m a pretty good shot. Now, are you a + prince or a fraud? I suspicioned you from the first! If you are a fraud, + then the History of Thibet is all damned rot! I suppose that you were just + ‘girl hunting.’ The girl’s yere sweetheart. I see it all now. Hoodwinked + the old man! Who’s this fellow that you’ve got tied up there, anyway? One + of the Johnny-Bull-Jesse-James gang?” + </p> + <p> + “Why! It’s Joe Smith, our friend!” chimed out a dozen friendly voices. + Then Harry Hardwicke stepped up to the shivering wretch who stood gazing + on Alan Hawke, now propped up on a doubled-up coat, and rapidly bleeding + to death. “I’ll keep your secret, and save you yet, if you will disclose + the whole, and keep mum!” Jack Blunt nodded, and hung his head in shame. + </p> + <p> + But, on his knees beside the dying man, Eric Murray bent down his head to + listen to the final adieu of the dying wanderer, whose luck had turned at + last. “Justine Delande is to have all! The drafts, and my money, at + Granville. Murray, I’ll tell you everything now. Ram Lal Singh murdered + old Hugh Johnstone to get the jewels that Johnstone stole. The same ones + that this old scoundrel, Fraser, here, is hiding.” The red foam gathered + thickly on Hawke’s trembling lips. “Tell Major Hardwicke all! He’s a good + fellow! The knife that Ram Lal killed old Fraser with is in my own trunk + at Granville, stored in Railroad Bureau. He got in through the window. I + was in the garden, and caught him coming out. I was watching old + Johnstone, for fear he would give me the slip. I didn’t tell—I + wanted to come over here and get the jewels myself. Hang old Ram Lal! He’s + a cowardly murderer! Telegraph to the Viceroy to arrest the jewel seller; + he will break down and confess at once. Make him pay poor Justine Delande + all my drafts—Johnstone gave him that money for me to keep me silent + about the stolen crown jewels. Now—now, all grows dark! Lift me up + high—higher!” he gasped. “I played a hard game, but the luck turned—turned + at last! That woman, Berthe Louison was too much—too much for me! + Poor Justine! Tell her—tell her—” His voice grew fainter and + fainter. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know this man, Hawke?” whispered Hardwicke, forcing Jack Blunt’s + face down to the dying renegade’s glance. + </p> + <p> + “Never—saw him—before!” gasped Alan Hawke. “Poor Justine, tell + her—” and with a sighing gasp, his jaw dropped, and at their feet, + the fool of fortune lay dead, with a last lie on his lips. + </p> + <p> + “By God! He was dead game!” muttered Jack Blunt, kneeling there, by the + stiffening form of the wreck of a once brilliant Queen’s officer. He dared + not lift his craven eyes! + </p> + <p> + “He had the making of a gallant soldier in him!” cried Hardwicke, as he + turned to the American, and motioned to the rope ladder. “We must not let + Miss Johnstone see the body. Some of you run and get a ladder or some + other means to aid her descent. And rouse up the nearest farm people. Get + a carriage and bring the old Professor and maid here!” + </p> + <p> + While a dozen volunteers darted away to bring a conveyance, the rest + hastily covered Hawke’s body with their coats. The gun-room was now lit + up, and in five minutes the waylaid carriage was drawn by hand to the door + of the lonely tower. Within it lay the bruised and exhausted old scholar, + bareheaded and ghastly, in the light of the flickering lanterns, while + pretty Mattie Jones, with a shriek of terror, ran to the side of her + sweetheart, his arms still bound with Prince Djiddin’s sash. Jack Blunt’s + “swell mob” assurance stood him in good stead. + </p> + <p> + “It’s all a mistake, my girl,” bluntly said the mobs-man, feeling safe now + that Alan Hawke’s lips were sealed in death. While the old Professor was + revived with copious draughts of “usquebaugh,” Jack Blunt saw the flash + below him, on the darkened seas, of a red light above a white one. And he + heaved a great sigh of relief, + </p> + <p> + “There goes the Hirondelle now, driving along out to sea with the whole + gang,” he murmured. “Now, by God, I am safe if this yellow masquerader + only plays the man!” There was a hubbub of cackling voices, as on the + night when the geese saved Rome! Above them, on the barrack room floor of + the Martello tower, Harry Hardwicke was already holding Nadine Johnstone’s + drooping head upon his breast, while the lanky American gazed at the + strange picture before him. The girl’s arms were clasped around her + lover’s neck. “Do not leave me—not a moment!” she moaned. Alaric + Hobbs, with quick forethought, tossed his blankets down below, with a + significant gesture. + </p> + <p> + “Darling! You will be mine for life, now!” cried the happy soldier, as he + covered her shivering form with his coat. Alaric Hobbs had promptly + descended and hastened the necessary preparations for departure. “Damn the + explanations. Let’s get the whole party out of this!” he said to Captain + Murray, and then rejoined Hardwicke. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me all, quickly!” said Hardwicke. “I am a Queen’s officer and shall + telegraph to the Home Guards and send for General Wragge. I must report + this by cable to the Indian Government. There is justice yet to be done!” + </p> + <p> + “I was taking some private star observations here,” whispered Hobbs, + bending down at Hardwicke’s warning signal. “Storm bound, I waited for the + return of my wagon at dawn. I was aroused from sleep by the sounds of a + struggle below. + </p> + <p> + “Some one had dragged this young woman screaming and wailing into the + tower below. She soon fainted. I heard the followers tell the leader of + the gang that the coachman had just cut the traces and decamped with the + horses. He then bade them gather all the gang waiting in hiding so as to + carry her down to some boat below, and then closing the door, he stood on + guard outside. They were, however, baffled. Some of the scoundrels had + taken the alarm and fled, seeing the lights of the other party moving up + from the pier. Then the desperate leader tried to lead a party to steal a + horse from the nearest farmhouse. They were busied in their quarreling. I + dropped my ladder down, and while they wrangled, cried softly to the + imprisoned woman to mount the ladder. She knew my voice at once, as I had + been a visitor at her uncle’s house. With my help, she got up into the + barrack room, and, you bet, I quickly pulled up my rope ladder. In ten + minutes more, the door was opened. The trick was discovered. They tried a + pyramid of men to reach the nine feet. But I waited till they were all + good and blown with their exertions and then, shot a couple of them! + You’ll find those fellows lingering somewhere in the bushes. I had stowed + the girl safely away in the middle of the pier, over the doorway, between + two pillars. She was game enough. I let them just shoot away a bit. I kept + my powder and lead to kill. I’ve even now four cartridges left. + </p> + <p> + “But when you came on the ground, the whole coward gang skedaddled at + once, and the brave chap you killed got his dose for good, for he stood + his ground like a man! The girl didn’t bother me. She fainted in good + shape when the close fighting began. I was a dead winner from position. I + could have stood them off for hours!” + </p> + <p> + “You are a hero!” warmly cried Harry Hardwicke. + </p> + <p> + “Let’s all get out of this!” replied Alaric, modestly. + </p> + <p> + The American offered Hardwicke his cocktail bottle. “Let’s get her down. I + hear carriage wheels now. Would you just tell me your real name, now, the + name you use when you are not doing your ‘character’ song and dance.” The + young officer smiled at the American’s rough address. + </p> + <p> + “Major Harry Hardwicke, Royal Engineers, and, this lady’s future husband,” + confidently remarked Prince Djiddin. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes,” grinned Alaric Hobbs, “the last part I’ll take for gospel + truth. Well, Major, I’m glad to know you.” And he then, very practically, + aided the descent of Miss Nadine Johnstone, for a dozen stout arms now + held up the ponderous old ladder which had been purposely dislodged by the + Coast Guardsmen. Alaric Hobbs surveyed his battle ground. + </p> + <p> + “If they had only dared to use lights, I might have had a harder fight,” + chuckled Alaric Hobbs, as he descended the very last one. “Major,” said he + huskily, “I’ve got my things corraled up there, and the instruments, and + so on. Leave me a couple of men, and get your own people back now to the + Folly. I’ll ‘hold the fort’ here, till you bring the proper authorities. + Our man won’t run away now. He is ‘permanently fixed’ for a long repose + from ‘further anxieties.’” + </p> + <p> + But fiercely bristling up, old Andrew Fraser now loudly demanded to be + allowed the ordering of all. “This is an outrage,” he babbled. “You are a + cheat, a fraud, an impostor, in league with the robbers.” So, fiercely + addressing Major Hardwicke, he tried to drag away Miss Nadine Johnstone, + at whose feet the stout Mattie Jones was blubbering and wailing. + </p> + <p> + “Captain Murray,” sternly cried Major Hardwicke, “take Miss Nadine and her + maid to the Folly. Leave the two gardeners on guard. Return here as soon + as you can, for the Professor and myself. I will come over with him. Have + a horse at once saddled and bring a man to take my dispatches to General + Wragge and for London. Bring me some writing materials. This must be + reported at once.” + </p> + <p> + “Go now, dearest Nadine,” her lover implored. “I will join you at once. + Trust to me, all in all. I will never leave you again,” and then and + there, before her astounded guardian, Nadine Johnstone threw her ams + around her lover in a fond embrace. “You will come?” + </p> + <p> + “At once,” cried the Major, as he cried out hastily, “Drive on!” + </p> + <p> + Old Andrew Fraser writhed in vain in Hardwicke’s grasp. “Be quiet, you + damned old fool!” pithily said Alaric Hobbs. “They saved your life for + you!” + </p> + <p> + “You shall never darken my doors,” raged Andrew Fraser. + </p> + <p> + “I will go there to-night, and at once remove my property,” coldly + answered Hardwicke. “After that I care not to visit you, save to lead your + niece to the altar. But I will have a reckoning with you! Don’t fear!” + </p> + <p> + “You shall never marry her,” the old pedant cried. “You shall answer to me + for this whole dastardly outrage.” + </p> + <p> + “All right,” coolly said Hardwicke. “It’s man to man, now. I will marry + your niece within a month, and, with your written permission!” And not + another single word would the disgusted Hardwicke utter—while old + Fraser clung to Alaric Hobbs, whining in his wrath. In an hour, a motley + cortege slowly left the door of the martello tower. Murray and Hardwicke + walking, armed, beside the carriage, where Mr. Jack Blunt, still bound, + was the sullen companion of the half-crazed Professor Fraser. + </p> + <p> + To the demands of “Joseph Smith’s” friends Hardwicke replied: “He will + undoubtedly be released tomorrow by the proper authorities if there is a + mistake.” + </p> + <p> + A smart groom was already half-way to St. Heliers, galloping on with a + sealed letter to General Wragge, the commander of the Channel Island + forces. “That will bring Anstruther over at once. He must act now!” said + Hardwicke. “In two days Ram Lal will be in irons at Delhi, and I think + that we will prepare a crushing little surprise for this defiant old fool + and miser, Professor Andrew Fraser.” And Red Eric Murray now inwardly + rejoiced to see the end of all his masquerading as the Moonshee. He + received a parting salute, also. “You are no gentleman, a vile swindler, + sir,” raved old Andrew, as Captain Murray allowed him to descend and enter + his own door. The “History of Thibet” fraud rankled in old Fraser’s mind. + </p> + <p> + But the “ex-Moonshee” only smiled and politely bowed, while “Prince + Djiddin” sternly marched with his prisoner, Jack Blunt, upstairs and then + locked the doors of his apartments. It was an “imperium in imperio.” + </p> + <p> + In the hall, he had turned and faced Andrew Fraser only to say: “I shall + await here, sir, the orders of the civil and military authorities; yes, + here, in my own room. The very moment that they take charge, I shall, + however, leave your roof. But not until then! And for your future safety, + I warn you to moderate your ignorant abuse.” + </p> + <p> + There was no sleep in the house until the gray dawn at last straggled + through the mists of night. And the sound of outcry and excited alarm long + continued, for Professor Andrew Fraser and Janet Fairbarn were excitedly + wailing over the easily detected work of the burglar, in the old pedant’s + study. The aged Scotsman ran up and down the hall, tearing his hair and + bemoaning his lost manuscripts and papers. For, he dared not announce the + loss of the stolen crown jewels! + </p> + <p> + The family coachman had already departed for Rozel Pier, to bring home the + wounded Simpson, while a doctor, summoned by the messenger from St. + Heliers, was led by Janet Fairbarn to the apartments of the heiress. + Murray and Hardwicke rejoiced in secret over the recovery of the key to + the whole deadlock—from Delhi to London! The game was now won! + </p> + <p> + At ten o’clock, a staff officer of General Wragge joined Major Hardwicke + and Captain Murray in their room, while one of the terrible army of twelve + policemen of an island populated with “three thousand cooks” watched over + the “Banker’s Folly,” and another garrisoned the old martello tower, where + Alan Hawke lay alone in the grim majesty of death. The fox-eyed American + professor “invited himself” to breakfast with Professor Andrew Fraser and + cheered the broken old man. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind, we will finish up the ‘History of Thibet’ together,” he + cried, “when these two swashbucklers are gone, and the house will be much + quieter when the girl is married off and out of the way.” But old Andrew + Fraser refused to be comforted. He sternly forbade all communication with + his ward and bitterly bewailed a further personal loss, which he dared not + explain! + </p> + <p> + “There was a suspicious French fishing-boat lately seen knocking around + Rozel,” acutely said Alaric Hobbs. “We also found the bloody trail where + they dragged their wounded away down to the beach. And so they are off on + the sea, with your valuable plunder. No one knows the dead scoundrel up + there.” + </p> + <p> + “But we will finish the Thibet history, if I have to go out there myself + and get the honest information.” Whereat old Fraser feebly smiled and + opened his heart to Alaric Hobbs at once. When a bustling country + magistrate arrived to potter around, Andrew Fraser was astounded to see + the General’s aid-de-camp lead out the man whom the two officers had + guarded, and send him off to St. Heliers under a military guard. + </p> + <p> + “Hold this man only as a suspicious person. There may be some mistake. + They say he is known at Rozel Pier as an honest man,” said the aide. “The + real robbers seem to have escaped in the boat. The dying robber did not + seem to know this person, who has undoubtedly borne a good character for a + month past at the Jersey Arms as a lodger.” It was true, and even the + befuddled Simpson, on his questioning, only could falter that he had been + attacked by three unknown footpads. He failed to make any charge against + the mute Jack Blunt. “This man is a proper, decent fellow enough,” kindly + testified the old soldier. + </p> + <p> + In vain Andrew Fraser raved to the Magistrate, demanding that Major + Hardwicke and Captain Murray should explain their past conduct. “I am + directed by General Wragge to say that he will visit you, himself, + officially, to-morrow, Professor Fraser, and he will have an important + governmental communication for you. Until then, I desire these two + gentlemen to be allowed to remain in your house. They will remove all + their luggage this evening.” And then, old Fraser, with a presage of + coming trouble, shivered in a sullen silence. Conscience smote him, + sorely. + </p> + <p> + “The lost jewels!” In fact, a handsomely appointed carriage and a van, in + the afternoon, removed all of the effects of the two pseudo “orientals,” + who, half an hour after the carriage had arrived, appeared in their + respective undress uniforms of the Royal Engineers and the Eighth Lancers, + to the dismay of old Fraser—now affrighted at his dangerous + position. There was gloom in the house now, for Miss Nadine Johnstone + flatly refused to even see her guardian a single moment! And Simpson, + alone, sat in conclave with Major Hardwicke, who had learned privately of + the secret removal of Alan Hawke’s body to St. Heliers. Messengers, in + uniform, coming and going rapidly, were hourly admitted to Major + Hardwicke’s presence, and already a pale-faced woman was on her way from + Geneva to rejoin Madame Alixe Delavigne, at the old chateau mansion where + Captain Murray only awaited the arrival of Anstruther now ready to open + his siege batteries on the man who had covered up his brother’s crime. + There was not a word to be gleaned from the authorities, and St. Heliers + was simply convulsed in a useless fever of curiosity. Even Frank Hatton, + representing the London press, was muzzled. Not a soul was, as yet, + permitted to approach the old martello tower, where Alan Hawke had faced + the Moonshee, “man to man.” A squad of coast guardsmen sternly picketed + the vicinity of Rozel Head. And a great smuggling raid was the only + accepted explanation to the public. + </p> + <p> + Captain Murray had duly reported the completion of all the Major’s + carefully matured preparations, and fled away to await the arrival of + Justine Delande and Captain Anson Anstruther. + </p> + <p> + It was a sunny morning, two days later, when Major Hardwicke descended at + Simpson’s summons, dressed in his full uniform, to the great library, + where several grave-faced visitors were now awaiting a formal interview + with the agitated Professor Andrew Fraser. The young Major’s face was + simply radiant, for Mattie Jones had just given him a letter and a + nosegay, sent by the young heiress, who had already read a dozen times her + lover’s smuggled love missive of this fateful morning. + </p> + <p> + “To-day will decide all. And you will be to-morrow as free as any bird of + the air. Then, darling, it will be only you and I, all in all to each + other forever more! I will send for you. Wait for me. Our hold on Andrew + Fraser is the deadly grip of the criminal law. He must yield.” + </p> + <p> + “The flowers are from Miss Nadine’s breast; she sent them to you, with her + dearest love,” cried Mattie, who rejoiced in the private assurance that + her own liberal-minded sweetheart was soon to be discharged ‘for lack of + evidence.’ Captain Eric Murray had obtained a complete deposition, which + the magistrate representing the Parliament of Jersey had accepted as + State’s evidence, under the special orders of the Home Office. + </p> + <p> + In Andrew Fraser’s study, the sallow face of Professor Alaric Hobbs was + seen bending over many documents and papers. He was not only busied as a + volunteer lawyer for Fraser, but was now the commentator and collaborator + of that famous interrupted work, “The History of Thibet.” “Say! Go light + now on the old man!” prayerfully whispered Alaric Hobbs, drawing Major + Hardwicke into the study. “Captain Murray is a devilish good fellow. He is + going to make this great traveler, Frank Hatton, my friend. And you’ll + both be benefactors to ‘Science,’ if you drop masquerading and post me + honestly on Thibet. You are a dead winner in the little social game here. + You get the girl—that’s all you want. She’s a nice girl, too! I’ll + make the old boy come down and be reasonable. I helped you out, you know. + You owe me a good turn, you do.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, Professor Hobbs. I believe I do owe you my wife to be. They + would have carried her off or injured her in some way,” said the now + anxious Hardwicke. + </p> + <p> + “You bet your sweet life they would!” said the strange Western savant, + more forcibly than elegantly. “They would have had the ransom of a prince, + or else they would have chucked her in the channel! That was their game!” + </p> + <p> + In the library, General Wragge, Captain Anstruther and Captain Murray + faced Professor Andrew Fraser, whose face was as set as a stone sphinx. + His feeble heart was thumping, for the stolen jewels were not his to + return now. He cursed the day he had lied about them. + </p> + <p> + The old General gravely said: “Professor Fraser, I desire to say that + Captain Anson Anstruther represents both her Majesty’s Government and His + Excellency, the Viceroy of India. There is a magistrate waiting in the + house even now, and I recommend you to seriously consider the words of the + Captain. If you are officially brought to face your past refusal to his + just demands, I fear that you will be left, Sir, in a very pitiable + position. I will now retire until you have conferred with the + representative of the Indian Government. Remember! Once in the hands of + the authorities, your person and estate will suffer grievously if you have + conspired against the Crown.” + </p> + <p> + Andrew Fraser’s eyes were downcast as Captain Anstruther, with a last + glance at his friend, then locked the door. “Now, Sir, I repeat to you for + the last time the official demand which I made in London upon you as + executor of the late Hugh Fraser Johnstone, to surrender certain jewels + wrongfully withheld, a list of which I have furnished you, as the property + of Her Majesty’s Indian Government, and which stolen property I now demand + on this list.” + </p> + <p> + There was a long pause. “I cannot! They are not in my possession! I know + nothing whatever of them,” faintly replied the startled old miser. + </p> + <p> + “I warn you that I have a search warrant, particularly describing the + articles stolen and the place of their concealment, and a magistrate now + awaits my slightest word,” said the aid-de-camp sternly. + </p> + <p> + “Do with me as you will. You will not find them! I know nothing about + them,” faltered the desperate old man. He was safe against arrest, he + hoped. + </p> + <p> + “Then, I will serve the warrant,” remarked the Captain, as Andrew Fraser’s + head fell upon his breast. A fortune lost, and now, shame and perhaps + prison awaited him. + </p> + <p> + “One moment,” politely said Major Hardwicke. “Do not serve the warrant. I + will surrender the Crown’s property, which I have discovered under the + floor of this man’s study, where he feloniously hid them after denying + their possession.” + </p> + <p> + “Thief and deceiver!” shrieked Andrew Fraser. “You lied your way into my + house! You have now conspired against my dead brother’s estate!” He was + shaking as with a palsy in his impotent rage. “And you would rob me!” + </p> + <p> + “You hardened old scoundrel! I will give you now just half an hour,” + sternly said Major Hardwicke, “to consider the propriety of resigning + instantly your executorship of your brother’s estate in favor of your son, + Douglas Fraser. He is honest! You are unfit to control your ward! You can + also first file your written consent to the immediate marriage of your + ward, Nadine Fraser Johnstone, to myself, and apply to have your accounts + passed and approved upon your discharge as guardian upon her marriage. + This alone will save you from a felon’s cell. She shall be free. Douglas + Fraser may be made the sole trustee of her estate until the age of + twenty-one. On these two conditions alone will I consent to veil the shame + of your brother and spare you, for we have traced the stolen jewels, step + by step, with the list, the insurance, and the delivery by Hugh Johnstone + to you. If you wish to stand your trial for complicity in the theft and + concealing stolen goods, you may. General Willoughby, General Abercromby, + and the Viceroy of India have watched these jewels on their way. And I + came here only to recover them, and to free that white slave, your poor + niece!” + </p> + <p> + There was the sound of broken wailing sobs, and the three officers left + their detected wrong-doer alone. Out on the lawn, the young soldiers + joined General Wragge, who now looked impatiently at his watch. It was but + a quarter of an hour when old Andrew Fraser tottered to the front door. + “What must I do? I care not for myself!” he cried plucking at Major + Hardwicke’s sleeve. “Only save Douglas, my boy, this public shame!” + </p> + <p> + “It rests all in your hands, Sir,” gravely answered the lover. “Shall I + call Miss Johnstone down now to have you express your consent and sign + these papers in the presence of the General?” Major Hardwicke saw his + enemy weakening, even as a child. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, anything, only get her away out of my sight—out of my + life!” groaned the broken old miser, whose sin had found him out. “But, + you’ll keep all this from Douglas—the story of a father’s disgrace? + I did it all for Hugh!” + </p> + <p> + “The family honor is mine, now, Sir! I will save your niece all + suffering!” stiffly replied the Major, as he boldly mounted the stair. + Captain Anstruther led Andrew Fraser aside. “I had the papers drawn up at + once so that you would not be humiliated in public by your obstinacy, and + General Wragge will now witness them. He has offered the hospitalities of + his family to your niece until she is made a wife.” + </p> + <p> + “I am ready,” tremblingly said Professor Fraser, and in haste a singular + group soon gathered in the library. A notary and the magistrate entered + with due professional decorum. + </p> + <p> + And then, Captain Anstruther, addressing the executor, in the presence of + the gray-bearded old General, repeated the words of voluntary resignation + and surrender of all rights as guardian over Nadine Johnstone, first + taking his written consent to the marriage. There was not a word spoken as + the trembling old scholar hastily signed the papers presented to him. Then + he turned to the sweet woman clinging to Major Hardwicke’s arm. “I’ll be + thankful to ye if ye leave my home to me in peace, as soon as ye can! + Janet Fairbarn will be my representative!” With a last glance of cold + aversion at Hardwicke, he bowed to the Commander of the forces, and then + tottered across the hall to his study, when the tall form of Alaric Hobbs + hovered at the door. + </p> + <p> + “My dear child,” kindly said the old veteran General, lifting her + trembling hand to his lips, and bowing reverently, “Let me be, this day, + your father, as you are soon to be born into the service. Here, Major + Hardwicke, I give her to you to keep against the whole world, if the lady + so consents.” Nadine’s answer was an April smile, when her lover clasped + her hand, and then she hid her blushes on Hardwicke’s breast. + </p> + <p> + “Take me away forever from this horrible prison-house,” she whispered. + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Wragge’s carriage will be here at four for you, and we will have a + little dinner en famille at seven, Miss Nadine, for you,” said the happy + General, as he jingled away, his dangling sword, jingling medals, and + waving white plume, making a gallant show. It was truly “an official + capture.” + </p> + <p> + “Now,” whispered Captain Murray to Hardwicke, “I will clear out with + Anstruther, and at once deliver over the unlucky jewels to him to be + sealed up and deposited with General Wragge until the Viceroy’s orders are + received. I’ve a cablegram that Ram Lal has been arrested. + </p> + <p> + “And I fancy Miss Nadine will be astonished at seeing two new faces at the + dinner table. Let Simpson and the maid at once pack all her belongings, + for we can not trust her with this old wreck of humanity. He is half + crazed already. I will cable and write to Douglas Fraser that ‘ill health’ + forces the old gentleman to at once give up his trust. Now, I belong, in + future, only to Mrs. Eric Murray, of the Eighth Hussars. I throw up my job + as an all-round Figaro!” + </p> + <p> + “Stay a moment,” said Major Hardwicke to Captain Anson Anstruther, when + Nadine had fled away to prepare for her flitting from the unloved granite + fortress. + </p> + <p> + “When do you go over to London, Anstruther?” said Major Hardwicke, for he + now nourished a scheme of “social employment” for the brilliant staff + officers. He was short only a groomsman. + </p> + <p> + “Not till after I am married,” remarked the relative of the great Viceroy. + “I have done my duty to Her Majesty,” he laughed, “and now, I am going to + do my duty to myself!” Whereat Harry Hardwicke was suddenly aware that + Cupid carries a double-barreled gun, sometimes. In her own apartment, + Nadine Johnstone listened to Janet Fairbarn’s sobbing plaint, as the + heart-happy Mattie Jones flew around the rooms making her young mistress’s + boxes. Nadine was still in an entrancing dream of freedom, life, and love, + and the cunning Scotswoman’s plaint was all unheeded. Major Hardwicke was + announced, “upon urgent business.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot tell you yet, darling, just how we vanquished the old ogre,” + said he. “Be brave, and remember that a feast of long-deferred + love-tidings awaits you to-night. I have already sent away all my own + luggage. A horse and a well-mounted orderly will be here at four, and so I + shall not lose you from sight even a moment until you are safe in General + Wragge’s home at Edgemere. Let the maid return alone here to-morrow and + remove all your effects we may overlook. I will dispatch the luggage and + ride after your carriage.” + </p> + <p> + “The proprieties, you know,” he laughed, as he vanished, after stealing a + kiss. + </p> + <p> + “The master’s in a woeful way,” mourned Janet. “To think of your father’s + only bairn leaving her ain house so! The master’s half daft with his + troubles, for they’ve scattered and lost the bit bookie—the work of + years! + </p> + <p> + “Though there’s the braw American scholar, tho’, to aid him now. He hates + you, my poor bairn, for your poor dead mother’s sake! It’s afearfu’ hard + heart these Frasers carried. I know them of old!” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to tell me that the ‘Banker’s Folly’ is really my own house?” + said Nadine, her cheek flushing crimson at the insult to the memory of her + beloved dream mother. + </p> + <p> + “In truth, it’s yer very ain, my leddy. Old Hugh bought it for his last + home,” whimpered the housekeeper. + </p> + <p> + “Then you may tell Andrew Fraser,” the spirited girl cried, “that I will + never cross the threshold again, where I have been kept under a jailer’s + lock under my own roof tree! Let him write his wishes to Douglas—Douglas + is a gentleman. I will keep silent for the sake of the man who was a + kindly brother to me on my voyage. But to Andrew Fraser, I am dead for + evermore! My life of the future has no place for a half-crazed tyrant—the + man who tried to bruise the broken heart of an orphan of his own blood. We + are strangers forevermore. And I will leave old Simpson here as my agent + to keep the possession of this place in my name. I will write Douglas, so + that his old father may live out his days here in peace!” + </p> + <p> + With a stately tread, the lonely girl descended the stair, when Major + Harry Hardwicke tapped at her door, gently saying: “The carriage waits + below. And—some one waits there to cheer you on your way onward to + Life and Love! Remember, I follow on at once.” Nadine Johnstone sprang + lightly into the carriage. With a gentle art, the soldier turned away his + head and quickly cried, “Drive on!” when the door closed. The orderly at a + sign followed the closed vehicle. It was a sweet surprise. Love’s coup de + main! + </p> + <p> + Nadine Johnstone never turned her head toward the dark martello tower, for + a woman’s arms were now clasped around her, and loving lips pressed her + own. “Free at last, my own darling! Free!” cried Alixe Delavigne, as she + strained her gentle captive to her bosom. “My own poor darling! Now, we + shall never be parted! My darling! My Valerie’s own image!” + </p> + <p> + “And, my mother?” faltered the lovely girl, the sunrise of hope flooding + her cheek with affection’s glow of dawn. “My sister—your mother—looks + down from Heaven upon us, joined after many years!” sobbed Alixe. A softer + pillow never had maiden’s head than Alixe Delavigne’s throbbing bosom. + </p> + <p> + “Did you not feel in your heart that love led me to your side, my darling? + That I crossed the wide world to find you, and to fight my way to your + heart?” murmured Alixe. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Justine always said there was a marvelous resemblance!” faltered + Nadine. “She must be sent for now! At once! Poor Justine!” + </p> + <p> + “She waits for you, even now, at Edgemere! I must save you, now, from + hearing the story of strangers!” said Alixe, taking the girl’s trembling + hands. “Major Hardwicke telegraphed to her at Geneva, in your name, to + come on here at once. For, while we have sunshine mantling around us, she, + alone, must follow Alan Hawke’s body to an unknown grave.” + </p> + <p> + “Is he—that terrible man—indeed dead?” gasped Nadine. + </p> + <p> + “You passed his body that night when they led you from the tower,” gravely + said Alixe. “He fell, fighting as a criminal, by the hand of Captain + Murray, who struck only to save your liberty, and his own life. The civil + authorities will not unveil the dark past of a man who once wore the + Queen’s uniform in honor. General Wragge and the authorities have softened + the blow to Justine Delande, whom he would have made his dupe. You must + only know this, darling, from me—from me, alone! And so, to shield + poor, faithful Justine, we will all leave Jersey at once. Strange irony of + fate. The Viceroy has cabled that Ram Lal Singh has paid over twenty + thousand pounds, to be held for Justine Delande, to whom Alan Hawke left + all his dearly bought bribes; and also the money he left hidden at + Granville—jewels and notes to the value of ten thousand pounds more. + The wages of sin, even death, was all he gained, and, strangely, through + him, Justine will be shielded from penury; for she bears a broken heart. + All that she knows is of his sudden death. + </p> + <p> + “And now, darling, for I must tell you, the assassin of your father has + saved his miserable life by a full confession made to General Willoughby. + None but myself must ever tell you that your father’s memory, your uncle’s + liberty were all involved in a tangled story of olden greed, intrigue, + shame, and crime. Let the dead past rest unchallenged. The seal of the + tomb will be unbroken. And it is your mother’s tender love that will gild + your bridal. Let me be your sister forever. None but you and I must know + the history until others have a right to it.” + </p> + <p> + “Has—has Harry told you of our coming marriage?” faltered Nadine, + hiding her head in her kinswoman’s breast. There were fleeting blushes as + rosy as the Alpenglow now tinging her pale cheek. Nadine Johnstone saw her + new-found sister now glowing in a woman’s gentle triumph. She had a secret + of her own! + </p> + <p> + It was Alixe’s turn to beg a fond heart’s throbbing sympathy when she + whispered, “General Wragge advises and the Viceroy insists that we leave + the island at once. Captain Anstruther must soon report to His Excellency + the Viceroy at Calcutta, for his promotion to a Majority takes him back to + his kinsman’s suite. The Earl has been honored with the control of Her + Majesty’s Embassy at Paris. And so,” the words came slowly in trembling + whispers, “both Anson and Harry have applied for ‘special licenses,’ and + there will be two marriages at Edgemere, instead of one. Anson gave you to + me, through a strange romance, and he demands to be my loving jailer! + </p> + <p> + “In three days we can all leave for London. Justine Delande has finished + her solemn duty even now, with General Wragge as sole escort. It was the + only way to hoodwink useless public gossip.” + </p> + <p> + “And will we be then so soon separated?” cried Nadine, clinging to her + kinswoman, in a tremble of yearning love. “For you must go out with your + husband to India. You must tell me of my mother, her life, her home, and I + must see where she lies.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, my darling,” said Alixe, “we will all go on to my home—your + home, at Jitomir, my castle in Volhynia. Your own yet to be. There, Anson + and I will leave you and Major Hardwicke for your honeymoon. There, my + dearest child, where your own mother’s sweet face still looks down from + the walls. Where the Russian violets and Volhynian forget-me-nots bloom + around her tomb, where you will see her name carved in the memorials of a + princely line as ‘Valerie, Princess Troubetskoi.’ There, I will tell you + the whole story.” + </p> + <p> + An April rain of loving tears silenced the girl’s voice, as she looked out + of the carriage window, and saw Major Hardwicke riding after them. “Tell + me no more, now, Darling Alixe,” murmured Nadine, “I must have peace—even + in this moment of happiness!” Her thoughts went back to the day when Harry + Hardwicke had ridden “Garibaldi” straight to the rescue, in her moment of + deadly peril, and his saber had fended off the huge cobra. And so, they + journeyed on silently-linked in love, dreaming tender dreams. + </p> + <p> + In the western skies, the sun was sinking over the purpled sea, as they + drove down to Edgemere, and the glow of the dying day lingered upon the + beautiful hills of Jersey. For the wild storm was quieted and the sea + shone as a sapphire zone. Golden gleams lit up stern old Mount Orgueil and + gray Fort Regent, and tenderly tinted the rugged outlines of the + moss-grown Elizabeth Castle. All nature dreamed in the peaceful, even + fall. On the sea, white sails were flitting afar, and the swift steamers + passed grandly on toward their distant havens. There was a group gathered + in the splendid gardens of Edgemere as General Wragge gallantly advanced. + </p> + <p> + The silver-haired veteran graciously surrendered his command, as he aided + his guests to alight. “This is to be ‘Bride’s Hall,’ and not a ‘place of + arms’! You are now joint commanders, and so make the best use of your + three days liberty! I give up my sword!” + </p> + <p> + That night, while Nadine Johnstone sat in a heart exchange of confidence + with Justine Delande and the fair woman—no longer Berthe Louison—while + Flossie Murray was playing hostess with Mrs. Wragge, General Wragge, Major + Hardwicke, Captain Anstruther, and the now full-fledged Benedict, Eric + Murray, gave some pithy parting counsels to Jack Blunt, “Gentleman Jack,” + of the London Swell Mob. “Only a mere fluke, and, our desire to save a + family needless pain, protects you,” said Hardwicke. “These five hundred + pounds will enable you to reach America. I venture to advise you to avoid + landing on English soil hereafter! You certainly owe something to your + plucky, dead comrade, who generously lied, even in death, to save you from + transportation!” With a sullen brow, Jack Blunt departed the next morning + on the Granville steamer, and, only when in the safe hiding of Etienne + Garcin’s Cor d’Abondance did he dare to breathe freely. There were two + sorely wounded lodgers already lying there, who cursed the unerring aim of + the vivacious and eccentric Alaric Hobbs of Waukesha. They had told the + landlord their tales over cognac and absinthe, and Jack Blunt vainly tried + to comfort the sloe-eyed Angelique, who mourned for the unreturning + visitor who had sprung over the easily-stormed battlements of her mobile + heart. “Il etait bien beau, cet homme la! Il m’aimait beaucoup! Je le + regretterai toujours! C’etait un vrai gaillard!” + </p> + <p> + Which heartfelt tribute from a nameless wanton served for epitaph to the + man lying in an unmarked grave in the soldiers plot at Fort Regent. With + gnashing of teeth did Garcin and Jack Blunt discover that H. R. M.‘s + Consul had officially aided Justine Delande to remove the valuable + deposits of the dead adventurer. + </p> + <p> + “The whole thing was a dead plant on us. Luck turned against him at last!” + growled Blunt, as they counted up the cost of the bootless cruise of the + Hirondelle. And only Justine Delande’s bitter tears flowed in silence to + lament the bold adventurer who had lost the game of life! + </p> + <p> + It was at Rosebank that the three brides were assembled for a sweet review + after the quiet double marriage at Edgemere, which caused General Wragge’s + rugged face to wreathe in honest smiles of delight. + </p> + <p> + And there was no rice left in the General’s military supplies, “when the + bridal parties drove away in great state to the Stella.” + </p> + <p> + A curious congratulatory visit from Professor Alaric Hobbs led to the + extending of an invitation by Captain Anstruther for the lanky American + scientist to visit him in India. + </p> + <p> + “We owe you a debt of gratitude,” laughed Anstruther, “for you helped + Hardwicke to his wife. She helped me to mine, and I will see that the + Indian Government gives you an official safe conduct to Thibet, where you + can see the real line of the Dalai-lamas, and I’ll furnish you a veritable + ‘Moonshee’ free of charge. You shall be the very ‘Moses’ of Yankee + investigators! You deserve it!” + </p> + <p> + “Now you talk horse sense,” said the alert Yankee. “I’m going out to + ‘square things’ with old Andrew Fraser’s son. Don’t ever kick a man when + he’s down! The old boy has had a very ‘rough deal.’ That ‘fake’ about + Thibet nearly broke him up. And I’ve a commission from the Buggin’s + Literary Syndicate, of Chicago, to ‘write up India.’ I shall take a hack + at Egypt on my way home, and perhaps ride over to Persia, then get into + Merv and Tashkend, and come back by Astrakhan into ‘darkest’ Russia, and + return home. I shall also write some spicy letters to the Chicago Howler + and the New York Whorl. I tell you, Cap,” said Alaric Hobbes, slapping + Anstruther familiarly on the back, “you three military men have certainly + fitted yourselves out with tiptop wives! I am going to make a pretty good + money haul myself on this trip. I’ll look you up later in Calcutta. Would + like to see the Viceroy. He was a ‘brick’ when he was Governor-General of + Canada. So I’ll get young Douglas Fraser fixed up all in good trim, and + when I get home and have published my books, settle down and marry a + little woman I’ve had my eye on for some time. I will go in for a family + life, you bet!” + </p> + <p> + “Look out that you don’t lose her,” laughed Hardwicke. + </p> + <p> + “I will not get left, you bet!” cried Hobbes. “Now, I’m going to vamoose + the ranch. I think that I may have killed one or two of that gang, and I + don’t fancy the ‘monotonous regularity’ and ‘salubrious hygiene’ of your + English prisons.” + </p> + <p> + And so, “his feet were beautiful on the mountains,” as he went out on his + queer life pathway. + </p> + <p> + After the week of quiet at Rosebank, Captain Eric Murray was hugely + delighted to receive his orders to take charge of all Anstruther’s + confidential work, in England, until the Viceroy should be pleased to + otherwise direct. “I think that a garrison life here, with Miss Mildred as + commander, will just suit you and Madame Flossie?” laughed the kindly + conspiring aide-de-camp, anxious to be away on his road to Jitomir, + “personally conducted” by the brilliant Alixe. + </p> + <p> + The Horse Guards were “pleased to intimate” that Major Harry Hardwicke, + Royal Engineers, should be allowed “such length of leave” as he chose to + apply for, and a secret compliment upon his “gift to the Crown” of the + recovered property was supplemented by a request to name any future + station “agreeable at present” to the young Benedict. And the solicitors + had now deftly arranged the complete machinery of the care of the great + estate, until the orphan claimed her own. + </p> + <p> + While Jules Victor and Marie prepared Madame Anstruther for her state + visit of triumph to Volhynia, Hardwicke and Anstruther soon closed up all + their reports to Calcutta. With due cordiality, the unsuspicious Douglas + Fraser had wired his congratulations to his gentle cousin; and General + Willoughby, and His Excellency, the Viceroy, were also heard from, in the + same way. It was the gallant General Abercromby who spread the news of + Anstruther’s marriage in the club. “Ah!” he enthusiastically cried, “A + monstrous fine woman—came near marrying her myself!” which was a + gigantic “whopper!” + </p> + <p> + Justine Delande accompanied the happy quartet to Paris, and there, being + joined by her sister, the faithful Swiss sisters remained as guests of + Madame Berthe Louison, awaiting the return of the wanderers from Jitomir. + The Murrays gayly escorted the quartet of lovers to Paris, and, the + laughing face of the gallant “Moonshee” was the very last the four lovers + saw, as the Berlin train left the “Gare St. Lazare.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Frank Halton, in his capacity of “journalist in general,” had neatly + stifled all comment upon the strange events in Jersey, with the aid of the + stern General Wragge and the startled civil authorities. “I think that I + had better present you with all the property costumes of Prince Djiddin + and the ‘Moonshee,’” laughed Halton. “We accept on the sole condition that + you will make us a visit at Jitomir, and experience a Russian welcome,” + cried the Anstruthers in chorus. “The Russian bear has a gentle hug, when + his fur is stroked the right way!” + </p> + <p> + Justine and Euphrosyne Delande drove back happy-hearted to No. 9 Rue + Berlioz, for the beautiful brides had claimed them both as future + colonists of Volhynia, when the mill of Minerva ceased to grind to their + turning. + </p> + <p> + “We have agreed to own Jitomir in common, as we have both ‘joined the + army,’” laughed the kinswomen. “There is a permanent home for you both, + already awaiting you, and a welcome which time will not wear out. For + Jitomir shall be, now and in the future, a temple of Life and Love, the + headquarters of a happy clan.” + </p> + <p> + And, so, linked in love, the kinswomen voyaged to the far domain where a + mother had sobbed away her life, hungering for a sight of her child’s + face. The men, grave with the secrets of the troubled past, wondered over + the strange meeting at Geneva which had undone all of Hugh Fraser’s + secretly plotted wiles. “We must never cast a shadow upon Douglas Fraser,” + they mused. “Let the dead past bury its dead, and all sin, shame, and + sorrow be forgotten. For this once, the innocent do not suffer for the + guilty.” + </p> + <p> + There was only left behind them a broken old man, wandering disconsolately + around the halls of the Banker’s Folly and vainly turning the leaves of + his unfinished “History of Thibet.” + </p> + <p> + Janet Fairbarn, tenderly nursing the now childish old pedant, vainly + soothed him, and fanned his flickering lamp of life in the silent wastes + of the Banker’s Folly. But the half-crazed scholar refused to be comforted + and called in his mental despair ever for “the Moonshee.” + </p> + <h3> + THE END + </h3> + + + + + + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + +<pre> + +End of Project Gutenberg’s A Fascinating Traitor, by Richard Henry Savage + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A FASCINATING TRAITOR *** + +***** This file should be named 5972-h.htm or 5972-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/9/7/5972/ + +Produced by Carrie Fellman, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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