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Oppenheim, Edward Phillips
Published: 1920 Categories(s): Fiction, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Detective, Romance Source: http://www.gutenberg.org
About Oppenheim: Edward Phillips Oppenheim (October 22, 1866 – February 3, 1946), was an English novelist, in his lifetime a major and successful writer of genre fiction including thrillers. Featured on the cover of Time magazine on September 12, 1927, he was the self-styled "prince of storytellers." He composed some one hundred and fifty novels, mainly of the suspense and international intrigue nature, but including romances, comedies, and parables of everyday life. He was the earliest writer of spy fiction as understood today, and invented the "Rogue Male" school of adventure thrillers that was later exploited by John Buchan and Geoffrey Household. Undoubtedly his most renowned work was The Great Impersonation: it was filmed thrice, the last time as a strong piece of wartime propaganda. Perhaps Oppenheim's most enduring creation is the character of General Besserley, the protagonist of General Besserley's Puzzle Box and General Besserley's New Puzzle Box (one of his last works). Much of Oppenheim's work possesses a unique escapist charm, featuring protagonists who delight in Epicurean meals, surroundings of intense luxury, and the relaxed pursuit of criminal practice, on either side of the law. Source: Wikipedia Also available on Feedbooks for Oppenheim: • The Kingdom of the Blind (1916) • The Double Traitor (1915) • The Double Four (1911) • The Vanished Messenger (1914) • An Amiable Charlatan (1916) • The Evil Shepherd (1922) • The Zeppelin's Passenger (1918) • The Black Box (1915) • The Moving Finger (1911) • Berenice (1907) Copyright: This work is available for countries where copyright is Life+50 or in the USA (published before 1923). Note: This book is brought to you by Feedbooks. http://www.feedbooks.com Strictly for personal use, do not use this file for commercial purposes.
The trouble from which great events were to come began when Everard Dominey, who had been fighting his way through the scrub for the last three quarters of an hour towards those thin, spiral wisps of smoke, urged his pony to a last despairing effort and came crashing through the great oleander shrub to pitch forward on his head in the little clearing. It developed the next morning, when he found himself for the first time for many months on the truckle bed, between linen sheets, with a cool, bamboo-twisted roof between him and the relentless sun. He raised himself a little in the bed. "Where the mischief am I?" he demanded. A black boy, seated cross-legged in the entrance of the banda, rose to his feet, mumbled something and disappeared. In a few moments the tall, slim figure of a European, in spotless white riding clothes, stooped down and came over to Dominey's side. "You are better?" he enquired politely. "Yes, I am," was the somewhat brusque rejoinder. "Where the mischief am I, and who are you?" The newcomer's manner stiffened. He was a person of dignified carriage, and his tone conveyed some measure of rebuke. "You are within half a mile of the Iriwarri River, if you know where that is," he replied,—"about seventy-two miles southeast of the Darawaga Settlement." "The devil! Then I am in German East Africa?" "Without a doubt." "And you are German?" "I have that honour." Dominey whistled softly. "Awfully sorry to have intruded," he said. "I left Marlinstein two and a half months ago, with twenty boys and plenty of stores. We were doing a big trek after lions. I took some new Askaris in and they made trouble,—looted the stores one night and there was the devil to pay. I was obliged to shoot one or two, and the rest deserted. They took my
compass, damn them, and I'm nearly a hundred miles out of my bearings. You couldn't give me a drink, could you?" "With pleasure, if the doctor approves," was the courteous answer. "Here, Jan!" The boy sprang up, listened to a word or two of brief command in his own language, and disappeared through the hanging grass which led into another hut. The two men exchanged glances of rather more than ordinary interest. Then Dominey laughed. "I know what you're thinking," he said. "It gave me quite a start when you came in. We're devilishly alike, aren't we?" "There is a very strong likeness between us," the other admitted. Dominey leaned his head upon his hand and studied his host. The likeness was clear enough, although the advantage was all in favour of the man who stood by the side of the camp bedstead with folded arms. Everard Dominey, for the first twenty-six years of his life, had lived as an ordinary young Englishman of his position,—Eton, Oxford, a few years in the Army, a few years about town, during which he had succeeded in making a still more hopeless muddle of his already encumbered estates: a few months of tragedy, and then a blank. Afterwards ten years—at first in the cities, then in the dark places of Africa—years of which no man knew anything. The Everard Dominey of ten years ago had been, without a doubt, good-looking. The finely shaped features remained, but the eyes had lost their lustre, his figure its elasticity, his mouth its firmness. He had the look of a man run prematurely to seed, wasted by fevers and dissipation. Not so his present companion. His features were as finely shaped, cast in an even stronger though similar mould. His eyes were bright and full of fire, his mouth and chin firm, bespeaking a man of deeds, his tall figure lithe and supple. He had the air of being in perfect health, in perfect mental and physical condition, a man who lived with dignity and some measure of content, notwithstanding the slight gravity of his expression. "Yes," the Englishman muttered, "there's no doubt about the likeness, though I suppose I should look more like you than I do if I'd taken care of myself. But I haven't. That's the devil of it. I've gone the other way; tried to chuck my life away and pretty nearly succeeded, too." The dried grasses were thrust on one side, and the doctor entered,—a little round man, also clad in immaculate white, with yellow-gold hair and thick spectacles. His countryman pointed towards the bed. "Will you examine our patient, Herr Doctor, and prescribe for him what is necessary? He has asked for drink. Let him have wine, or
"What is my preserver's name?" he asked the doctor. with unthinking insolence. so?" he asked. Who wouldn't in this pestilential climate!" The doctor shook his head. I cannot give you whisky at this moment. If he is well enough. "Some bodies of Askaris have been washed up from the river. You will excuse." the doctor replied. He concluded his examination a few minutes later. The doctor was unmoved. I have the wounds of a native to dress. "and it will do you good to eat." "Send it along." Dominey remarked. "but I drink whisky whenever I can get it. "Is he the Governor.whatever is good for him." "Well." he declared. "and two of your ponies have been eaten by lions. but until that time comes I shall drink whisky whenever I can get it. or something of that sort?" "He is Military Commandant of the Colony." "All that!" Dominey muttered." "Your constitution is still sound if you would only respect it. but you can have some hock and seltzer with bay leaves." "The cook is preparing you some luncheon. "and I don't much mind when I hand in my checks. "It is His Excellency the Major-General Baron Leopold Von Ragastein. "Anything been heard of the rest of my party?" Dominey enquired." the doctor announced. "He has also a special mission here. "The climate is good as he is treated." the Englishman rejoined a little recklessly. he will join our evening meal." The man on the couch turned his head and watched the departing figure with a shade of envy in his eyes. "His Excellency drinks nothing but light wine and seltzer water." the doctor informed him. I present my excuses." was the enthusiastic reply. I have a despatch to write. "I don't know what the devil it's got to do with you. The latter looked as though the questions were irreverent. doctor! The smell of that cooking outside is making me ravenous. not only here but in the swamps." was the curt reply. "You have drunk much whisky lately. "What a constitution I must have." 5 . I have been at death's door a dozen times. He has been here for five years." was the comforting assurance. He was feeling his patient's pulse." "Damned fine-looking fellow for a German. who was bitten last night by a jaguar. and he has not been ill one day.
lay still in the hut. a political machine. violet air. number five in the boat. to the broad-bosomed river. and to the mountains fading into mist beyond. out here. the doctor and himself. above the stumpy clumps of shrub. except for necessity. Baron Von Ragastein. I suppose. "Siggy Devinter. that they might catch the faint breeze from the mountains. Devinter. it's a small world!" Dominey exclaimed. Puzzled reminiscence tugged at the strings of memory. the Commandant. left alone. The face of his host had carried him back into the past. "What brought you out here really—lions or elephants?" "Neither. slaving for God knows what. 6 . I came to Africa for different reasons. and the air was faint almost to noxiousness with the perfume of some sickly. exotic shrub. future Governor-General of German Africa. He looked out over the bare. It came to him later on at dinner time. however. When I succeeded to the barony and estates at my uncle's death. scrubby stretch of land which had been cleared for this encampment to the mass of bush and flowering shrubs beyond. when they three." was the solemn reply. not for sport?" "Entirely so. watching the fireflies rise above the tall-bladed grass. drilling niggers to fight God knows whom.—"Sigismund Devinter! You were at Eton with me—Horrock's House—semi-final in the racquets. herald of the swift-falling darkness. and hang like miniature stars in the clear. "Why." "Well." was the somewhat measured reply. and his thoughts wandered backwards. mysterious and impenetrable save for that rough elephant track along which he had travelled. I do not use a sporting rifle once a month. "Devinter is my family name. blue as the sky above." "My country is a country to be proud of. you're Devinter!" he exclaimed suddenly." "You mean to say that you've taken up this sort of political business just for its own sake. Native servants beat the air around them with bamboo fans to keep off the insects. and the one by which I was known when in England.The traveller. sat at a little table arranged just outside the hut." "And Magdalen afterwards." Dominey drank deep of his hock and seltzer and leaned back." "And why the devil did the doctor here tell me that your name was Von Ragastein?" "Because it happens to be the truth. "What a world!" he soliloquised. I was compelled to also take the title. eh? You were always proud of your country.
"Well. "What a world! I hadn't eaten for thirty hours when I rolled up here last night." "But what do you want to drill them for?" Dominey persisted. when I was in the Army." "I have something better than either. I go blundering on. I suppose the end will come somehow. And to-morrow again—well. It would have been finished last night if I hadn't seen the smoke from your fires. "in earnest about something. "If you really wish to know. "in Germany and wherever we Germans go. "might have made a man of me." Von Ragastein replied." "What the mischief do you find to do so far from headquarters. "I heard some time ago that you have four times as many natives under arms as we have. there's no mistake about that!" Dominey declared. You don't want an army here. Von Ragastein?" "Not for several days. "Napoleon!" he exclaimed. rolling it around in his glass." "A war in my younger days." Dominey mused. collecting natives for drill. if you don't shoot lions or elephants?" his guest asked curiously. who knows? When do you move on." "Surely you had your chance out here?" Dominey shook his head." The orderly who stood behind his master's chair." Dominey continued." his host explained. to be prepared not only for what is likely to happen but for what might possibly happen." "By Jove. received a whispered order. "Just a few bottles I had sent to me." Von Ragastein declared a little didactically. sometime—Can I have some rum or whisky. cabinet hock and Napoleon brandy. disappeared into the commissariat hut and came back presently with a bottle at the sight of which the Englishman gasped." Von Ragastein replied. anyhow. you're in earnest. fricassee of chicken. And I—well. and drunk nothing but filthy water for days. and I don't much care—that's the trouble. "I am annoying your political agents immensely by moving from place to place. 7 . "You shall give me your opinion of this. "I am delighted to offer it to some one who will appreciate it. white bread. To-night. You're not likely to quarrel with us or the Portuguese. it's finished with me. Devinter—I mean Von Ragastein—Your Excellency—or whatever I ought to say? You see those wreaths of mist down by the river? They'll mean malaria for me unless I have spirits." "It is our custom.
" Dominey continued. "If there has been tragedy in your life. you are prospecting. your eyes are as bright as they were in your school days." he went on a little drowsily. at dusk. with no definite hope or wish. I am disposed to be philosophical. When you are not doing that. continued to be reminiscently discursive. and since then a drifter. from behind which you say the sun comes up every morning like a world on fire. "The eternal blackness exists surely enough. Here we are." Later on they dragged their chairs a little farther out into the darkness. jogging on towards the eternal blackness along lines as far apart as the mind can conceive." "Your eyes are fixed. "You are only my age. and Von Ragastein was thoughtful. and you return here." he observed." "Don't put me off with allegories. lazily stretching out his hand for his glass. on the other hand. You will see it come up from behind the mountains in that precise spot. You carry yourself like a man with a purpose." his companion objected petulantly. brought up together thousands of miles away. worn out. on the other side of the river." he said. "We were shut up in Ireland all the time. You spend every moment of your time drilling those filthy blacks. a drifter with a slowly growing vice. my friend?" 8 . Here am I. brought together by some miraculous chance to spend one night of our lives in an African jungle." Von Ragastein murmured. Your muscles are hard. the doctor tells me. a harmless pleasure-seeker in my youth till I ran up against tragedy. lolling through life with no definite purpose. Let me ramble on. "that I think I'd like to be buried somewhere near the base of those mountains. You are not yet forty years old. two human beings of the same age." "Then I turn and consider you." Von Ragastein protested. you have time to get over it. The doctor had gone off to see a patient. The doctor worships you but who else knows? What do you do it for."My battalion never left the country. except. Their guest." "You talk foolishly. like a new and blazing world. an idler in my boyhood. "upon that very blackness behind which the sun will rise at dawn. smoking cigars and drinking some rather wonderful coffee. "should be full of interest to the psychologist. supervising reports home. even if my metaphor is faulty. ignoring altogether his friend's remark. trying to make the best of your few millions of acres of fever swamps. "Our meeting. That was the reason I chucked the army when I was really only a boy. and you look ten years younger. You rise at five every morning.
but sorrow came to me. a little birth." Von Ragastein answered. His host leaned towards him and spoke for the first time in the kindlier tones of their youth. "You hinted at tragedy. was cold between his fingers. and I am here. with a little money. I'm a slacker. "I do not enjoy drilling natives. my friend. your young men expect to find the world a playground for sport. a garden for loves. illuminated only by the faint gleam of the shaded lamp behind. which gives balance to life. You are not alone. In England. His cigar. Tragedy also has entered my life." Von Ragastein pronounced." A quick flash of sympathy lit up Dominey's face. "is something which is inculcated into the youth of our country and which is not inculcated into yours. "We met trouble in a different fashion." Dominey sighed. Perhaps if things had been otherwise. I should have found work in more joyous places. You may be a dull dog—you always were on the serious side—but you're a man of principle. and look into the eyes of white women?" "I go where I am needed most. It is work which makes fibre." Dominey laughed mockingly. In that perfumed darkness. But I follow my star. his face seemed suddenly white and old." he groaned." "And I my will-o'-the-wisp." was the calm reply. and live a man's life. 9 . dearly prized though it had been. "Duty! But why can't you do your duty in your own country. I do not enjoy passing the years as an outcast from the ordinary joys of human life."Because it is my duty. "The whole thing's as plain as a pikestaff. and hold the hands of white men. The mightiest German noble who ever lived has his work to do." "The difference between us.
" was the stolid reply. He has gone to meet an envoy from Dar-es-Salaam. He has something which I have lost. The resemblance must have been still more remarkable in your youth." Dominey bathed and dressed." "Very good of him." "He is a great man. and rhino may be met with at one or two places which the natives know of. who came in to see him.Chapter 2 Dominey slept till late the following morning. There are plenty of lion. explained it immediately after his morning greeting. he was conscious of a curious quietness in the camp. but all the same I have a queer sort of feeling that I'd like to see Von Ragastein again. and lounged about the place in uncertain mood. "Is there any European news?" "I do not know." he confessed. Time has dealt with your features according to your deserts. "I am not in the least keen on hunting. He will be away for three days. sipped his excellent coffee. Herr Doctor. Have you noticed the likeness between us. Herr Doctor?" The latter nodded. "if I had had an incentive. "His Excellency desired me to inform you that if you cared for a short trip along the banks of the river. He desired that you would remain his guest until his return. and when he woke at last from a long. He is a man. Your silent chief rather fascinates me. The doctor. "What he sets his mind to do. He unburdened himself to the doctor as they drank tea together late in the afternoon. you needn't rub it in. 10 ." "Well." "I suppose I might have been like that. dreamless slumber. "I noticed it from the first moment of your arrival." he assented. "You are very much alike yet very different." Dominey protested irritably." Dominey murmured. "and I feel like a horrible sponge. "His Excellency." the doctor declared enthusiastically." Dominey sighed. there are a dozen boys left and some ponies. he does. "has received important despatches from home. southward." he announced.
You still. Even the sight of a herd of elephants in the river and that strange. you've got some whisky. His conversation with Von Ragastein had unsettled him. the killing of an animal more or less? His mind was fixed uneasily upon the past." the doctor replied with unruffled calm. His clothes were torn and drenched with the black mud of the swamps."I am rubbing nothing in. On the first day he had striven to rid himself of them in the usual fashion. and at night he sat outside the banda. If you had been possessed of the same moral stamina as His Excellency. searching always for something which he failed to discover. 11 . he wanted him back again. failed to move him. returned in the night so that he sat up with the sweat pouring down his face and his tongue parched. He drank lithia water instead. What did it matter. you might have preserved your health and the things that count. "There is a case somewhere to be found." he admitted. "Doctor. fierce chorus of night sounds. Late in the afternoon of the third day. his last hold upon the world of real things. Nevertheless. you would be a different man. Without knowing definitely why.—You must excuse. came again but was beaten back. His pony almost collapsed as he swung himself off. At dawn he watched for that strangely wonderful. waiting till the mountains on the other side of the river had lost shape and faded into the violet darkness. For the moment his love of sport. I have work." "I suppose I am pretty rocky?" "Your constitution has been abused. seemed dead. he paused to greet his guest with punctilious courtesy. haven't you?" he asked. but he advises you to drink only the white wine until his return. "I speak the truth. "His Excellency told me that I was to refuse you nothing." Dominey spent three restless days. transforming birth of the day. and there was a gleam of real satisfaction in his eyes as the two men shook hands. Memories that had long since ceased to torture were finding their way once more into his brain. The doctor nodded. however." "He really left that message?" "Precisely as I have delivered it. You might have been as useful to your country as he is to his. have much vitality. as beasts of prey crept noiselessly around the camp. dust and dirt were thick upon his face. If you cared to exercise self-control for a few months. Von Ragastein rode into the camp." The desire for whisky passed.
Perhaps you have guessed that it is not duty alone which has brought me here to these wild places. The red rim of the moon rose a little higher from behind the mountains. left behind me a tragedy. their chairs were dragged as before into the open. At dinner time. After the meal was over."I am glad that you are still here. The silent orderly produced even larger cigars. He kept the conversation with curious insistence upon incidents of their school and college days. Only the black shapes of the servants were dimly visible as they twirled their fans. The bush stillness. some change which puzzled Dominey. We will dine a little earlier. immaculate in white duck. and all the time he was conscious that for some reason or other his host's closest and most minute attention was being given to his slightest word. seemed gradually to become charged with unvoiced passion. Von Ragastein was one more himself. There was something different in his manner. and Dominey found his glass filled once more with the wonderful brandy." was the quiet reply. "I have trekked far. and the later episodes of his life. They were alone." Dominey said." 12 . He was at once more attentive to his guest. Every now and then a star shot across the sky. The doctor had left them to visit the native camp nearly a quarter of a mile away. So far I have not eaten today. however. clearing the table." he said heartily." "A long trek?" Dominey asked curiously. yet further removed from him in spirit and sympathy. Soon the animals began to call around them. and with little left of his fatigue. speaking with the air of a man who has spent much time in deliberation. and Dominey. always the most mysterious of silences. and the orderly was busy inside." Von Ragastein said at last. up to the very gates of that one secret chamber. "you speak to me of Germany. "My friend. Champagne had been served and served freely. shaved. "Tell me a little about your career now and your life in Germany before you came out here?" Von Ragastein made no immediate reply. too.—and overhead the gleaming stars. creeping nearer and nearer to the fire which burned at the end of the open space. talked volubly and without reserve. upon the subject of Dominey's friends and relations. "I've been talking an awful lot of rot about myself. Dominey felt himself all the time encouraged to talk about his earlier life. I. of my homeland. "Excuse me while I bathe and change. with clean linen. and a curious silence ebbed and flowed between the two men.
melancholy ripple of breeze was passing through the bush and lapping the surface of the river. "In the life of the cities you would be a sentimentalist. "Listen. "Don't you want to get back to where a different sort of sun will warm your heart and fill your pulses? This primitive world is in its way colossal. "I am part of a great machine." his companion observed. We want the tide of people flowing around us." he went on. schoolmates and college friends. and the voices of the two men had ceased. I shall drink to the new things that may yet come to both of us. "I have nothing to do but obey. To-night it is not weakness which assails me." "You yield too much to environment." "No city nor any civilised country will ever claim me again. flamed for a moment in his tone. Curse these animals! If I live in this country much longer. "no word of this matter has passed my lips. It was Von Ragastein who broke through what might almost have seemed a trance. The howling of the animals had lessened with the paling of the fires." he announced. almost harsh repression of the other's manner. "Are you content to live and die like this?" he demanded. and reappeared a moment or two later with two tumblers." An hour passed. the roar of wheels and the hum of human voices. meet here in the wilderness." 13 . "Since the day of my banishment. I shall go on all fours." was the somewhat evasive reply.Dominey's quick impulse of sympathy was smothered by the stern. but it isn't human." Dominey sighed." "I cannot!" Dominey groaned. vanished inside the banda. There was no spark of tenderness or regret in his set face. Von Ragastein. though sons of a different country." "You are giving up your work here?" Dominey asked curiously. "I should never have the courage to face what might come. "To-night I break what has become a rule with me. "I shall drink a whisky and soda. The words seemed to have been torn from his throat. He rose to his feet. you and I." A flicker of passion distorted Dominey's face. "But you will." was the stern reply. I shall tell you the thing which happened to me. You and I. each with the iron in our souls. and you shall speak to me of your own curse. One he set down in the space provided for it in the arm of his guest's chair. it isn't a life for humans. and a slow. We want streets. but a desire to yield to the strange arm of coincidence.
This must be our farewell. still fully dressed. "I must trek westward myself directly. where the doctor. The dim outline of his erect form was in a way majestic. Then. "Finish your whisky and soda to our next meeting. to meet right out here. "I must be on the other side of those mountains." 14 . For us it must be farewell." Dominey was querulous. curiously and unaccountably drowsy." "It is Fate. "Everything progresses according to my orders?" he demanded." Dominey laughed a little bitterly. "It seems strange. I am sick to death of niggers and animals. just to shake hands and pass on." Von Ragastein decided. friend of my school days." Von Ragastein replied. was awaiting him. Can't we travel together?" Von Ragastein shook his head." "Well. They spoke together in German and with lowered voices. "Everything. Farewell. He had a sudden hatred of solitude. dear friend! We will drink the toast we drank our last night in your rooms at Magdalen. "My will-o'-the-wisp. and I must travel alone. and a runner has gone on to Wadihuan for ponies to be prepared. or northward—it doesn't so much matter. they will be breaking up here to-morrow. That Sanscrit man translated it for us: 'May each find what he seeks!' We must follow our star. "I travel officially. but they will lend you an escort and put you in the direction you wish to take." he begged. Von Ragastein. He pointed to a light glowing fitfully in the bush. satisfied that his guest really slept. I shall be gone." "So soon?" "By to-morrow night. I can't force myself upon you. alas. though. "leading where I shall follow—into the swamps!" A few minutes later Dominey threw himself upon his couch. stood looking down at him for several moments with significant intentness. almost pathetic. "As for yourself. "Where I go. before you awake. Excellency! The boys are being loaded. who had come in to wish him good night. "To-morrow. is as much as I can do for you. He seemed to tower over the man who lounged in the chair before him. Von Ragastein had lost something of his imperturbability." he muttered recklessly. I must go alone." Dominey said a little wistfully. far away even from the by-ways of life." he protested. This.Von Ragastein rose to his feet. he turned and passed through the hanging curtain of dried grasses into the next banda. "or eastward." he replied.
That." "So!" 15 . Schmidt. The means are left to my ingenuity. I shall return to England as Sir Everard Dominey." he said. From Dominey's quarters came the sound of deep and regular breathing. Excellency. Excellency." was the cautions reply. You know what that place is? You know why I was sent to an English public school and college?" "I can guess. I am to find a place for myself there as an Englishman. A great idea has come to me. Not content with the sound of that regular breathing. he made his way to the opening of the banda and gazed in at Dominey's slumbering form. "I listen." "We speak in German. is of no consequence." Von Ragastein rose to his feet. He can speak German as fluently as you or I. however. "the time. Listen. He paused a moment in thought and continued." the doctor reminded him. is fixed. "I have something to tell you of my plans. Von Ragastein turned his head and listened. I am to have a special mission."They know that I wish to start at dawn?" "All will be prepared. He sleeps and he will continue to sleep." "Languages. "It is. Schmidt. I shall take this Englishman's." The two men seated themselves in the long." Von Ragastein pronounced. even the month. wicker chairs." "Ah!" the doctor grunted. "My principal need in England is an identity." Von Ragastein proceeded. his voice shaking with deep emotion. "You know what news has come to me from Berlin?" "Your Excellency has told me a little. "happen to be that man's only accomplishment. I mixed him a sleeping draught with his whisky and soda. I am recalled from here to take the place for which I was destined." "I am to take up my residence in England. "I have formed a great plan." The doctor lit a cigar. the doctor in an attitude of strict attention." Von Ragastein pointed out. Schmidt. "I have made up my mind. "The Day arrives." Von Ragastein laid his hand upon the doctor's shoulder. Then he returned. "It is something which you do not wish the Englishman to hear?" the doctor asked. "Come outside.
"There is no water or soda water in the pack?" "Not one drop. telling me many things that it is well for me to know. Any school or college friends whom I may encounter I shall be able to satisfy. "She is insane—insane. She might have been the only stumbling block. "you are sure that the Herr Englishman has the whisky?" "The water bottles are filled with nothing else. Late in the afternoon of the following day. Then he called to the orderly. must have guided this man to us. After a moment or two's watch. if necessary." the doctor murmured enthusiastically." "Supposing." "No wife?" Von Ragastein paused and turned his head. rode into the bush along the way he had come. Herr Doctor. waving his hat until he was out of sight. To all appearance." he confided. which watches over our country and which will make her mistress of the world. The little fat doctor stood and watched him. Dominey. "Heinrich. dropping his voice a little lower." "It is a great scheme. and Dominey has not seen an Englishman who knows him for eight or ten years. The deep breathing inside the banda had certainly ceased. Herr Doctor. with a couple of boys for escort and his rifle slung across his shoulder. I shall be able."There is a remarkable likeness between us. He rose to his feet and." he said. "So!" the doctor murmured. Schmidt." the doctor suggested. "Therein lies his tragedy." the man replied. Von Ragastein returned to his place. "this man Dominey should return to England?" Von Ragastein turned his head and looked towards his questioner." "What about his near relatives?" "He has none nearer than cousins. stealing uneasily to the opening." "How much food?" 16 . To-night he has babbled for hours. it seems. gazed down upon his guest's outstretched form." he pronounced. of political life. and she is as though she did not exist. I have stayed at Dominey. I know Dominey's relatives. Dominey still slept deeply. "He must not. "It is a wonderful one! That great and unrevealed Power. to remain in England even after the storm bursts. As Sir Everard Dominey I shall be able to penetrate into the inner circles of Society—perhaps. even. My position in England will be unique. through a shock for which he was responsible.
they will take him at midnight to where His Excellency will be encamped at the bend of the Blue River." "And the compass?" "It is ten degrees wrong. Herr Doctor. If the Englishman does not drink." "The beef is salt?" "It is very salt." The doctor sighed. "I think."One day's rations. Herr Doctor. He was not at heart an unkindly man. "it will be better for the Englishman that he drinks." he murmured." 17 ." "The boys have their orders?" "They understand perfectly.
the rather deep-set grey eyes—presented themselves. with whom he had been in consultation. "Oh. passing it over to his manager. For a moment he stared at his visitor. do you see this. "My dear Sir Everard!" he exclaimed. show him in!" Mr. Why the mischief didn't he stay where he was!" "What shall I tell the gentleman. Dear me—you'll forgive my saying so—how well you look!" Dominey smiled as he accepted an easy chair. Harrison?" he exclaimed. that we only posted a draft for your allowance a few days ago." he answered testily. I'll finish these affidavits after lunch. speechless. he found himself extending his hand to one of the best turned out and handsomest men who had ever crossed the threshold of his not very inviting office. Harrison.Chapter 3 Mr. however troublesome his affairs had become. looking older than his years. "I'm afraid you will find him rather a troublesome client. Instead. too. still represented a family who had been valued patrons of the firm for several generations. His employer frowned. sir?" the boy enquired. This surprise enabled him to infuse a little real heartiness into his welcome. sir." The solicitor composed his features to welcome a client who. Then certain points of familiarity—the well-shaped nose. He was prepared to greet a seedy-looking and degenerate individual. "Of course I shall. "Dominey—Sir Everard Dominey—back here in England!" The head clerk glanced at the narrow piece of pasteboard and sighed. "This is a most unexpected pleasure—most unexpected! Such a pity. Mangan directed ill-temperedly. 18 . John Lambert Mangan of Lincoln's Inn gazed at the card which a junior clerk had just presented in blank astonishment. "There isn't an extra penny to be had out of the estates—you know that. The last two quarters' allowance which we sent to Africa came out of the timber. Harrison. "I suppose I shall have to see him sooner or later. an astonishment which became speedily blended with dismay." he remarked. "Good God.
" Dominey continued. "I trust. that depends a little upon what you have to tell me. "And Lady Dominey?" the former asked at length. "Thanks. Mangan metaphorically pinched himself. I believe. Yes. Let me see." was the amazing answer. "in April." "His—body has not been found?" "Nor any trace of it. with a confident smile." the lawyer murmured. after another moment's pause. nineteen hundred and two. and could not remember one in which the question of finance had been dismissed in so casual a manner." he murmured reminiscently. "If the circumstances are favourable. "that you may make yourself quite easy as regards the matter of Roger Unthank. eleven years. and Dominey searchingly back again at the lawyer. "We'll talk about financial affairs a little later on. "Her ladyship's condition is. "I left London." The lawyer nodded." The lawyer appeared doubtful." was the somewhat grave reply. as I dare say you can understand. I have no doubt you will be glad of a little ready money. Mangan. it must be eleven years since we met. had received a great many visits from him at different times." Mr. He had known his present client even during his school days. Sir Everard." he remarked. The lawyer looked hard at Dominey." was the somewhat guarded reply."Africa's a wonderful country." he added. Nothing has ever been heard of him since the day you left England. if that is what you mean." he observed chiefly for the sake of saying something. "I think it very likely that I may decide to settle down at Dominey Hall. 19 . well. I don't think I need any just at present. It seems queer to find myself in London again. with just that faint note of patronage in his tone which took his listener back to the days of his present client's father. "that you are thinking of settling down here for a time now?" "I have finished with Africa. unchanged." Sir Everard tapped the toes of his carefully polished brown shoes with the end of his walking stick. "I was just wondering—I think that last remittance we sent to you could be stopped." he said. "It—pardon my remarking it—has done wonderful things for you." "Precisely. "As to settling down here." There was a brief silence. "I think. Mangan. Mr.
"I have made money in gold mines. Sir Everard. I have been very much absorbed. and from what I remember of you in England—I'm sure you'll forgive my being so frank—I should never have expected you to have even attempted such a thing.—Harrow and Cambridge." "That is a pity. Mangan repeated." he added. "On the other hand."I am afraid. and leaned back in his chair with his hands in his pockets. 20 . By the by. "You making money. Mangan found breath to murmur. "You'll forgive my being so astonished. for over four years. The business object of my visit to you this morning is to ask you to make arrangements as quickly as possible for paying off the mortgages on the Dominey estates. the rent roll. that's neither here nor there. "However. and we have had to make up the difference and send you your allowance out of the proceeds of the outlying timber." Dominey replied. The only intimation we had that our payments had reached you was the exceedingly prompt debit of the South African bank. Mangan. "you will be very disappointed in the condition of the estate. perhaps. Sir Everard?" "I thought you'd be surprised." Mr. I should have descended altogether to the commonplace and come back a millionaire." he said. to have taken you more into my confidence." "Making money?" the lawyer gasped. after deducting your settlement upon Lady Dominey. I suppose it will be a surprise to you to hear that I have been making a good deal of money. If you haven't happened to hear any South African gossip lately. I am afraid that if I had stayed out another year. in diamond mines and in land. the Bath Club. "I have had three or four years of good luck. Instead of saying "God bless my soul!" he exclaimed "Great Scott!" dropped a very modern-looking eyeglass from his left eye. but you are the first Dominey I ever knew who has ever made a penny of money in any sort of way. "We have not had the privilege of hearing from you." "My heartiest congratulations!" Mr." Dominey observed coolly. "I ought. racquets and fives. has at no time reached the interest on the mortgages." this unexpected visitor confessed. Mangan was a lawyer of the new-fashioned school. Sir Everard." Dominey smiled good-humouredly." his client continued. rather than gold and lawn tennis. "when—er—about when did you receive my last letter?" "Your last letter?" Mr. As I have repeatedly told you in our correspondence. with a frown." "I have certainly been to blame.
as they drew near their destination. Sir Everard. the lawyer a little thoughtful. by all means." Mr." the lawyer answered evasively. "I think that the total amount is under eighty thousand pounds. "she has sworn to take my life if ever I sleep under the same roof." "In plain words. Mr. The lawyer joined him on the pavement in a few minutes." The solicitor groped around for his hat. Mangan suggested." "The Carlton grill room is quite excellent. I am afraid. "Before we leave. I will tell you about some of my speculations. She has unfortunately the same rather violent prejudice which I am afraid influenced your departure from England." Mr. "I have a car outside. "We will lunch there. invested in first-class mines. "Is her ladyship very much changed?" "Physically. "if you inquire at the United Bank of Africa. 21 . the returned traveller gazing all the time out of the window into the crowded streets. Then I have also—well. I believe. Mentally I believe that there is no change." the latter said. A shadow rested on his companion's face. "While I think of it." he faltered. "Still. "Where shall we lunch?" Dominey asked." Dominey sauntered through the office."Well." this astonishing client told him. you will find that I have a credit balance there of something over a hundred thousand pounds." "She regards me still as the murderer of Roger Unthank?" Dominey asked." he said." They drove off together. "I will send the boy for a taxi. I think you ought to be told that time does not seem to have lessened her tragical antipathy. she is in excellent health. "They are keeping me a table until half-past one." Dominey replied. an object of much interest to the little staff of clerks. "I should be glad of a short conversation with you before you go down to Dominey. Mangan. and although Africa will never be a favourite topic of conversation with me. I am staying at the Carlton. in a measured tone. "I'm afraid my clubs are a little out of date. Do me the favour of lunching with me." Dominey said bitterly." "She will need. could you instruct your clerk to have a list of the Dominey mortgages made out." the lawyer told him a little gravely. Mangan promised. with the terminable dates and redemption values?" "I will leave instructions. let us say a trifle more." "With regard to anything in particular?" "With regard to Lady Dominey. to be strictly watched.
"If the body should ever be found. that you fought in the park and that you staggered home almost senseless." Dominey insisted. "In the first place." "And in the second?" "There isn't a human being in that part of Norfolk would ever believe that the body of man or beast. would ever be seen or heard of again!" 22 ." Mr. There is scarcely a man or a woman for miles around Dominey who doesn't believe that the ghost of Roger Unthank still haunts the Black Wood near where you fought. you see. I don't think you would ever be indicted. am I liable." "Let us be quite clear about this." "If I had killed him."I am afraid she does. "why was his body not found?" The lawyer shook his head." he said. Roger Unthank has never been seen from that day to this. "There are all sorts of theories. It is well known. Mangan admitted. left within the shadow of the Black Wood. to be indicted for manslaughter?" "I think you may make your mind quite at ease. after all these years." "And I suppose that every one else has the same idea?" "The mystery." the lawyer assured him. of course. "has never been cleared up." Dominey pointed out. "but for one superstition you may as well be prepared.
Mr. Mangan, on their way into the grill room, loitered for a few minutes in the small reception room, chatting with some acquaintances, whilst his host, having spoken to the maitre d'hotel and ordered a cocktail from a passing waiter, stood with his hands behind his back, watching the inflow of men and women with all that interest which one might be supposed to feel in one's fellows after a prolonged absence. He had moved a little to one side to allow a party of young people to make their way through the crowded chamber, when he was conscious of a woman standing alone on the topmost of the three thickly carpeted stairs. Their eyes met, and hers, which had been wandering around the room as though in search of some acquaintance, seemed instantly and fervently held. To the few loungers about the room, ignorant of any special significance in that studied contemplation of the man on the part of the woman, their two personalities presented an agreeable, almost a fascinating study. Dominey was six feet two in height and had to its fullest extent the natural distinction of his class, together with the half military, half athletic bearing which seemed to have been so marvellously restored to him. His complexion was no more than becomingly tanned; his slight moustache, trimmed very close to the upper lip, was of the same ruddy brown shade as his sleekly brushed hair. The woman, who had commenced now to move slowly towards him, save that her cheeks, at that moment, at any rate, were almost unnaturally pale, was of the same colouring. Her red-gold hair gleamed beneath her black hat. She was tall, a Grecian type of figure, large without being coarse, majestic though still young. She carried a little dog under one arm and a plain black silk bag, on which was a coronet in platinum and diamonds, in the other hand. The major-domo who presided over the room, watching her approach, bowed with more than his usual urbanity. Her eyes, however, were still fixed upon the person who had engaged so large a share of her attention. She came towards him, her lips a little parted. "Leopold!" she faltered. "The Holy Saints, why did you not let me know!"
Dominey bowed very slightly. His words seemed to have a cut and dried flavour. "I am so sorry," he replied, "but I fear that you make a mistake. My name is not Leopold." She stood quite still, looking at him with the air of not having heard a word of his polite disclaimer. "In London, of all places," she murmured. "Tell me, what does it mean?" "I can only repeat, madam," he said, "that to my very great regret I have not the honour of your acquaintance." She was puzzled, but absolutely unconvinced. "You mean to deny that you are Leopold Von Ragastein?" she asked incredulously. "You do not know me?" "Madam," he answered, "it is not my great pleasure. My name is Dominey—Everard Dominey." She seemed for a moment to be struggling with some embarrassment which approached emotion. Then she laid her fingers upon his sleeve and drew him to a more retired corner of the little apartment. "Leopold," she whispered, "nothing can make it wrong or indiscreet for you to visit me. My address is 17, Belgrave Square. I desire to see you to-night at seven o'clock." "But, my dear lady," Dominey began— Her eyes suddenly glowed with a new light. "I will not be trifled with," she insisted. "If you wish to succeed in whatever scheme you have on hand, you must not make an enemy of me. I shall expect you at seven o'clock." She passed away from him into the restaurant. Mr. Mangan, now freed from his friends, rejoined his host, and the two men took their places at the side table to which they were ushered with many signs of attention. "Wasn't that the Princess Eiderstrom with whom you were talking?" the solicitor asked curiously. "A lady addressed me by mistake," Dominey explained. "She mistook me, curiously enough, for a man who used to be called my double at Oxford. Sigismund Devinter he was then, although I think he came into a title later on." "The Princess is quite a famous personage," Mr. Mangan remarked, "one of the richest widows in Europe. Her husband was killed in a duel some six or seven years ago."
Dominey ordered the luncheon with care, slipping into a word or two of German once to assist the waiter, who spoke English with difficulty. His companion smiled. "I see that you have not forgotten your languages out there in the wilds." "I had no chance to," Dominey answered. "I spent five years on the borders of German East Africa, and I traded with some of the fellows there regularly." "By the by," Mr. Mangan enquired, "what sort of terms are we on with the Germans out there?" "Excellent, I should think," was the careless reply. "I never had any trouble." "Of course," the lawyer continued, "this will all be new to you, but during the last few years Englishmen have become divided into two classes—the people who believe that the Germans wish to go to war and crush us, and those who don't." "Then since my return the number of the 'don'ts' has been increased by one." "I am amongst the doubtfuls myself," Mr. Mangan remarked. "All the same, I can't quite see what Germany wants with such an immense army, and why she is continually adding to her fleet." Dominey paused for a moment to discuss the matter of a sauce with the head waiter. He returned to the subject a few minutes later on, however. "Of course," he pointed out, "my opinions can only come from a study of the newspapers and from conversations with such Germans as I have met out in Africa, but so far as her army is concerned, I should have said that Russia and France were responsible for that, and the more powerful it is, the less chance of any European conflagration. Russia might at any time come to the conclusion that a war is her only salvation against a revolution, and you know the feeling in France about Alsace-Lorraine as well as I do. The Germans themselves say that there is more interest in military matters and more progress being made in Russia to-day than ever before." "I have no doubt that you are right," agreed Mr. Mangan. "It is a matter which is being a great deal discussed just now, however. Let us speak of your personal plans. What do you intend to do for the next few weeks, say? Have you been to see any of your relatives yet?" "Not one," Dominey replied. "I am afraid that I am not altogether keen about making advances."
Mr. Mangan coughed. "You must remember that during the period of your last residence in London," he said, "you were in a state of chronic impecuniosity. No doubt that rather affected the attitude of some of those who would otherwise have been more friendly." "I should be perfectly content never to see one of them again," declared Dominey, with perfect truth. "That, of course, is impossible," the lawyer protested. "You must go and see the Duchess, at any rate. She was always your champion." "The Duchess was always very kind to me," Dominey admitted doubtfully, "but I am afraid she was rather fed up before I left England." Mr. Mangan smiled. He was enjoying a very excellent lunch, which it seemed hard to believe was ordered by a man just home from the wilds of Africa, and he thoroughly enjoyed talking about duchesses. "Her Grace," he began— "Well?" The lawyer had paused, with his eyes glued upon the couple at a neighbouring table. He leaned across towards his companion. "The Duchess herself, Sir Everard, just behind you, with Lord St. Omar." "This place must certainly be the rendezvous of all the world," Dominey declared, as he held out his hand to a man who had approached their table. "Seaman, my friend, welcome! Let me introduce you to my friend and legal adviser, Mr. Mangan—Mr. Seaman." Mr. Seaman was a short, fat man, immaculately dressed in most conventional morning attire. He was almost bald, except for a little tuft on either side, and a few long, fair hairs carefully brushed back over a shining scalp. His face was extraordinarily round except towards his chin, where it came to a point; his eyes bright and keen, his mouth the mouth of a professional humourist. He shook hands with the lawyer with an empressement which was scarcely English. "Within the space of half an hour," Dominey continued, "I find a princess who desires to claim my acquaintance; a cousin," he dropped his voice a little, "who lunches only a few tables away, and the man of whom I have seen the most during the last ten years amidst scenes a little different from these, eh, Seaman?" Seaman accepted the chair which the waiter had brought and sat down. The lawyer was immediately interested. "Do I understand, then," he asked, addressing the newcomer, "that you knew Sir Everard in Africa?"
Seaman beamed. "Knew him?" he repeated, and with the first words of his speech the fact of his foreign nationality was established. "There was no one of whom I knew so much. We did business together—a great deal of business—and when we were not partners, Sir Everard generally got the best of it." Dominey laughed. "Luck generally comes to a man either early or late in life. My luck came late. I think, Seaman, that you must have been my mascot. Nothing went wrong with me during the years that we did business together." Seaman was a little excited. He brushed upright with the palm of his hand one of those little tufts of hair left on the side of his head, and he laid his plump fingers upon the lawyer's shoulder. "Mr. Mangan," he said, "you listen to me. I sell this man the controlling interests in a mine, shares which I have held for four and a half years and never drew a penny dividend. I sell them to him, I say, at par. Well, I need the money and it seems to me that I had given the shares a fair chance. Within five weeks—five weeks, sir," he repeated, struggling to attune his voice to his civilised surroundings, "those shares had gone from par to fourteen and a half. To-day they stand at twenty. He gave me five thousand pounds for those shares. To-day he could walk into your stock market and sell them for one hundred thousand. That is the way money is made in Africa, Mr. Mangan, where innocents like me are to be found every day." Dominey poured out a glass of wine and passed it to their visitor. "Come," he said, "we all have our ups and downs. Africa owes you nothing, Seaman." "I have done well in my small way," Seaman admitted, fingering the stem of his wineglass, "but where I have had to plod, Sir Everard here has stood and commanded fate to pour her treasures into his lap." The lawyer was listening with a curious interest and pleasure to this half bantering conversation. He found an opportunity now to intervene. "So you two were really friends in Africa?" he remarked, with a queer and almost inexplicable sense of relief. "If Sir Everard permits our association to be so called," Seaman replied. "We have done business together in the great cities—in Johannesburg and Pretoria, in Kimberley and Cape Town—and we have prospected together in the wild places. We have trekked the veldt and been lost to the world for many months at a time. We have seen the real wonders of Africa together, as well as her tawdry civilisation." "And you, too," Mr. Mangan asked, "have you retired?"
Seaman's smile was almost beatific. "The same deal," he said, "which brought Sir Everard's fortune to wonderful figures brought me that modest sum which I had sworn to reach before I returned to England. It is true. I have retired from money-making. It is now that I take up again my real life's work." "If you are going to talk about your hobby," Dominey observed, "you had better order them to serve your lunch here." "I had finished my lunch before you came in," his friend replied. "I drink another glass of wine with you, perhaps. Afterwards a liqueur—who can say? In this climate one is favoured, one can drink freely. Sir Everard and I, Mr. Mangan, have been in places where thirst is a thing to be struggled against, where for months a little weak brandy and water was our chief dissipation." "Tell me about this hobby?" the lawyer enquired. Dominey intervened promptly. "I protest. If he begins to talk of that, he'll be here all the afternoon." Seaman held out his hands and rolled his head from side to side. "But I am not so unreasonable," he objected. "Just one word—so? Very well, then," he proceeded quickly, with the air of one fearing interruption. "This must be clear to you, Mr. Mangan. I am a German by birth, naturalised in England for the sake of my business, loving Germany, grateful to England. One third of my life I have lived in Berlin, one third at Forest Hill here in London, and in the city, one third in Africa. I have watched the growth of commercial rivalries and jealousies between the two nations. There is no need for them. They might lead to worse things. I would brush them all away. My aim is to encourage a league for the promotion of more cordial social and business relations between the people of Great Britain and the people of the German Empire. There! Have I wasted much of your time? Can I not speak of my hobby without a flood of words?" "Conciseness itself," Mangan admitted, "and I compliment you most heartily upon your scheme. If you can get the right people into it, it should prove a most valuable society." "In Germany I have the right people. All Germans who live for their country and feel for their country loathe the thought of war. We want peace, we want friends, and, to speak as man to man," he concluded, tapping the lawyer upon the coat sleeve, "England is our best customer." "I wish one could believe," the latter remarked, "that yours was the popular voice in your country." Seaman rose reluctantly to his feet.
"At half-past two," he announced, glancing at his watch, "I have an appointment with a woollen manufacturer from Bradford. I hope to get him to join my council." He bowed ceremoniously to the lawyer, nodded to Dominey with the familiarity of an old friend, and made his bustling, good-humoured way out of the room. "A sound business man, I should think," was the former's comment. "I wish him luck with his League. You yourself, Sir Everard, will need to develop some new interests. Why not politics?" "I really expect to find life a little difficult at first," admitted Dominey, with a shrug of his shoulders. "I have lost many of the tastes of my youth, and I am very much afraid that my friends over here will call me colonial. I can't fancy myself doing nothing down in Norfolk all the rest of my days. Perhaps I shall go into Parliament." "You must forgive my saying," his companion declared impulsively, "that I never knew ten years make such a difference in a man in my life." "The colonies," Dominey pronounced, "are a kill or cure sort of business. You either take your drubbing and come out a stronger man, or you go under. I had the very narrowest escape from going under myself, but I just pulled together in time. To-day I wouldn't have been without my hard times for anything in the world." "If you will permit me," Mr. Mangan said, with an inherited pomposity, "on our first meeting under the new conditions, I should like to offer you my hearty congratulations, not only upon what you have accomplished but upon what you have become." "And also, I hope," Dominey rejoined, smiling a little seriously and with a curious glint in his eyes, "upon what I may yet accomplish." The Duchess and her companion had risen to their feet, and the former, on her way out, recognising her solicitor, paused graciously. "How do you do, Mr. Mangan?" she said. "I hope you are looking after those troublesome tenants of mine in Leicestershire?" "We shall make our report in due course, Duchess," Mangan assured her. "Will you permit me," he added, "to bring back to your memory a relative who has just returned from abroad—Sir Everard Dominey?" Dominey had risen to his feet a moment previously and now extended his hand. The Duchess, who was a tall, graceful woman, with masses of fair hair only faintly interspersed with gray, very fine brown eyes, the complexion of a girl, and, to quite her own confession, the manners of a kitchen maid, stared at him for a moment without any response. "Sir Everard Dominey?" she repeated. "Everard? Ridiculous!"
standing very upright and looking her in the eyes." he insisted earnestly. paying his bill almost within earshot. but do shake hands with him and come along. "I simply cannot bring myself to believe it. Her eyes softened. "this is a connection of yours—Sir Everard Dominey. wholly good-natured but ministered to by her natural obstinacy. St. a faint smile played at the corners of her lips. "and you permitted—" "For heaven's sake. "I came to say good-bye to you. St. The lawyer plunged into the breach. "You came to say good-bye. "and?" "I am to take that as a challenge?" Dominey asked. Come and see me at half-past three this afternoon. "than you are to-day." he continued." was the prompt reply. then shook hands with his newfound relative. "I can assure your Grace. I am half an hour late for my dressmaker already." she cried. And." The Duchess was a little staggered.Dominey's extended hand was at once withdrawn. I'll challenge you. and the tentative smile faded from his lips. drawing a small picture from his pocketbook. turning to the young man who stood now by her side. When did we meet last?" "At Worcester House. "Sir Everard. Omar. He only returned from Africa during the last few days. Omar." "You were a little kinder to me." The Duchess's incredulity remained. She was suddenly a very attractive looking woman." he exclaimed. and don't be a minute late. He is a terrible person." she went on. You gave me—this. "that there is no doubt whatever about Sir Everard's identity." she repeated. "As you will. nodded affably to the lawyer and followed his aunt out of the room." Lord St. Omar chuckled vaguely. put that thing away. "and don't say another word! There's my grown-up nephew." she declared. "God bless you! If ever a woman got what she deserved! I've seen a duchess blush—first time in my life!" 30 . Mangan's expression was beatific." he added. "Come.
" he rejoined. Dominey." he sighed. but it isn't the least use expecting Henry to do a thing for you. you know. "That seems very unfortunate." "Lecturing?" Dominey repeated." she said. "There's something wrong about you. which her visitor raised to his lips. It had been acquired by a former duke at the instigation of the Regent. that the two hundred a year which your lawyer has been sending out to you came partly out of a few old trees and partly out of his own pocket." "It was the fear of that change in you. who was his intimate friend." she remarked critically. I know the exact position of your affairs. was interviewed by a major-domo in the great stone hall. I have changed. I am not in the least in love with you any longer." She looked at him with a severity which was obviously assumed. and finally ushered into a tiny little boudoir leading out of a larger apartment and terminating in a conservatory filled with sweet-smelling exotics. "which kept me for so long in the furthest corners of the world." she declared. "when I return to find you wholly unchanged. "All the same. "Look here.Chapter 5 Worcester House was one of those semi-palatial residences set down apparently for no reason whatever in the middle of Regent's Park. who was reclining in an easy-chair. How you are going to live over here I cannot imagine. The poor man has scarcely enough pocket money to pay his travelling expenses when he goes lecturing. "it is better for us to have a perfectly clear understanding upon one point. conducted through an extraordinarily Victorian drawing-room by another myrmidon in a buff waistcoat." "Not bad. too. The Duchess. held out her hand. She motioned him to a seat by her side and once more scrutinised him with unabashed intentness. and I know. "What's happened to poor Henry?" 31 . and retained by later generations in mute protest against the disfiguring edifices which had made a millionaire's highway of Park Lane. who was first scrutinised by an individual in buff waistcoat and silk hat at the porter's lodge.
took her hand and raised it to his lips. He moved his chair deliberately a little nearer." was the dignified reply." "Dear Henry was always a little cranky. Duchess of Worcester. Just now there was something in your eyes exactly like his. Have you been drilling out there or anything?" He shook his head." She sighed. a condition which was entirely natural but unbecoming. I must admit. I can assure you that I have come back to England not to borrow money but to spend it. "Africa has turned out to be my Eldorado. "and been able to marry a Dutch Jewess. "And you mean to tell me that you really are Everard Dominey?" she exclaimed. Her face was perilously near to his. "One spends half one's time in the saddle. "You make love like a garden rake." he replied. "Henry is in the house! Besides—Yes." he persisted. "If I had stayed there another year. "He goes from town to town with Lord Roberts and a secretary. Henry will love having his money back. But you are so stiff." she whispered." Caroline. though. Caroline. "And a few minutes ago I was nearly observing that you had lost your sense of humour!" "I am in earnest. You should have leaned towards me with a quiver in your voice when you said those last two words."My husband is an exceedingly conscientious man. sat perfectly still for a moment with her mouth open." he murmured. and I want Henry to jot down on paper at once those few amounts he was good enough to lend me in the old days. I came in for a considerable sum of money towards the end of my stay there." His cousin shook her head mournfully. I am paying off the mortgages at Dominey at once. "My dear Everard. lecturing on national defence. Quite unexpectedly. "The weight of evidence is rather that way. and instead of that you look 32 . "It's too wonderful. I should have qualified for Park Lane." she complained." "And you are really well off?" she asked again wonderingly. I suppose you must be Everard. She drew a little back—and too abruptly. "Let me put your mind at rest on that other matter. "You've lost all your manners." "And you?" She looked positively distressed. wasn't he?" Dominey observed.
too." she told him. reedy voice." She looked at him earnestly. Everard." "Don't go." he pleaded. 33 . You'll have the town at your feet. something. Perhaps she had never admitted. I forgot your marriage. even to herself. I know how tender-hearted you are." she begged suddenly." She made a little grimace. Caroline suddenly broke off in her speech and glanced warningly towards the larger room. A tall. I have been an exile from my home long enough." "One sees a woman once in a blue moon out there. For her sake. Is there any change in your wife?" "Not much. with a positive glint of steel in your eyes. "But—your wife?" "She is there. I believe. "now that you are wealthy and regenerate. He addressed the Duchess in a thin. "I thought of going down to Dominey to-morrow. but you have your future and your career to consider. Mangan—he thinks that you are safe over here?" "Perfectly. "You'll find that no one will have a word to say against you. "I forgot the tragedy which finally drove you abroad. It was a sixth sense with you to make love in exactly the right tone. You'll be able to frivol with musical comedy. "You've changed. "Why not be brave and have her removed. or—I'm sorry. Everard." "You forgot what?" he asked steadfastly." She looked at him with a new thing in her eyes—something of fear." "And Mr. I forgot. I am afraid. When will you come and dine here and meet all your relatives?" "Whenever you are kind enough to ask me. They'll forget everything you want them to." he said. "with a little assistance. you ought not to give her the opportunity—" Dominey could never make up his mind whether the interruption which came at that moment was welcome or otherwise.as though you were sitting at attention. too. to say exactly the right thing in the right manner. "I cannot help it. of admiration. had lifted the curtains." "I shall pick it up. flirt with our married beauties." he answered. grey-haired man. "You won't want an old woman like me to assist you." he declared hopefully. how fond she had been of this scapegrace cousin. dressed in old-fashioned clothes and wearing a pince-nez. She shook her head.
" his wife remarked drily. but I hope you haven't quite forgotten me." was the calm assurance." he began. The Duke advanced. Captain Bartram is just back from Germany." his wife replied. Dear. who are convinced that Germany has evil designs upon us?" the former said. and you carry yourself like a soldier." "How do you do?" Dominey said. "I must plead guilty to the surprise. looking at him enquiringly.—Sir Everard Dominey." the Duke acquiesced. "And I have a surprise for you too. Let me present you to the Duchess. but I cannot remember having had the privilege of meeting you. sir." Caroline observed. Everard. yes. Captain Bartram. "There is something exceedingly familiar about your face. "You. of course—nose and eyes—yes. do present your friend. but I should like to present to you a young friend of mine who is going to help me at the meeting this evening." "Do bring him in. who did not accept you upon a glance. I think you will find it!" Dominey rose to his feet—a tall. and Dominey exchanged a solemn handshake with him. "Most sorry. Henry—a very great surprise. We will not stay."My dear Caroline." Caroline shook hands kindly with her husband's protege. Delighted. commanding figure—and stood waiting the approach of the newcomer." "God bless my soul!" the Duke exclaimed. "In the meantime. The unexpected return of a connection of my wife must be my apology for this lapse of manners. I did not know that you were engaged. yes! But you seem taller. was hovering in the background. my dear Everard! Delighted!" "You'll be more delighted still when you hear the rest of the news. dear me! Africa has done wonderfully by you. and is an enthusiastic supporter of our cause. are one of those. "Most amazing!" the Duke declared." "Precisely so. her voice once more attuned to its natural drawl. returned from foreign exile and regenerated in every sense of the word." the Duke confessed courteously. Henry. you must forgive me. This is Everard Dominey. "You don't mean to say that you're really Everard Dominey?" "I am he. 34 . my dear Captain Bartram. Yes. holding out his hand. "Most amazing! I never saw such a change in my life. "I seem to be rather a surprise to every one. A young man. very obviously a soldier in mufti. as he shook hands.—"ah. smiling. I see—same complexion. my dear. then. beyond a doubt. "I am not the only one. too. turning to the young man in the background." "You see.
" Dominey replied. I shall claim the privilege of coming 35 . For that reason." "Did you see anything of the Germans out there? Were you anywhere near their Colony?" "I have been in touch with them for some years. Everard. so long as he is making money and having a good time. trying to provoke unsettlement and disquiet amongst the Boers? Isn't it true that they apprehend a war with England before very long and are determined to stir up the Colony against us?" "I am very sorry."I have just returned from Germany after twelve months' stay there. sir. You may. but I am bound to say that it is in direct opposition to all I have heard. perhaps. I have come back convinced that we shall be at war with Germany within a couple of years. "is naturally interesting. "Our young friend is right. lately I am bound to confess that every thought and energy I possess have been centered upon money-making. and there doesn't seem to be the slightest discontent amongst the Boers or any one else. but I have heard some queer stories about the way our own people were treated after the war. It is a terrible thing to realise how hard it is to make an Englishman reflect." he declared." "The only people who seem to have any cause for discontent. I have made myself a nuisance to the House of Lords and the Press." Dominey continued. "and although I spent the earlier part of that time trekking after big game. I didn't commence to do any good myself there till a few years ago. "You may be of service to us. "Three times a week for many months I have been drumming the fact into the handful of woodenheaded Englishmen who have deigned to come to our meetings. my observations may have been at fault." Dominey replied." Dominey continued. Everard?" "Within a week." the young soldier remarked. "I have lived there for the last eleven years." The Duke nodded vigorously. All the Germans whom I have met out there seem a most peaceful race of men. "but I am not a politician in any shape or form." The Duke's face fell." the young soldier replied.—You are just back from Africa. "This is very surprising. indeed! Now tell me." "What you say about South Africa." "And I. "I went with an open mind. Sir Everard. "are the English settlers. isn't it true that they have secret agents out there." the Duke echoed fervently. "Most interesting!" his questioner exclaimed.
" she explained. The Duke clutched at the last refuge of a weak but obstinate man." Dominey said. He has apparently made a fortune in Africa. my dear. When the curtains had fallen he turned to his wife. "He intends to repay it at once." his wife observed. of course. "Everard pay his debts?" he exclaimed." he replied. bent over her hand. "As soon as I return from Norfolk. "I hope you have explained to Everard." he repeated. Mangan in a day or two. and of trying to understand this question. "Everard Dominey pay off the mortgages?" "That is what I understand. "A little matter of business." his wife acquiesced. Dominey shook hands gravely with his host and nodded to Bertram. as he completed his leave-taking." His august connection blinked at him a little curiously for a moment behind his glasses. "Dominey Hall will really find you?" she asked a little curiously. The servant whom the Duchess had summoned stood holding the curtains on one side. "forgive my remarking it. 36 . Duke. Duke. we are very glad to see him back again. "Everard was alluding to the money he already owes you.to one of your first meetings." The Duke gazed after the retreating figure of this very amazing visitor. "There's something wrong about it somewhere. it is absolutely hopeless for him to look to me for any financial assistance at the present moment. that although." he declared. "What about my dinner party. "I shall hope to see you again shortly. "Most certainly!" There was again that little flutter of fear in her eyes. Dominey. He is also paying off the Dominey mortgages." The Duke collapsed into an easy-chair. His mouth came together like a rat-trap. "There is a little matter of business to be adjusted between us." "Everard is changed in more ways than one. but I find you more changed than I could have believed possible. sir?" she added. who had risen to leave. followed by a momentary flash of admiration. "My dear Everard. with faint irony." he said. You will probably hear from Mr." Caroline smiled.
engaged in an important enterprise in East Africa by special intercession of the Kaiser. the Princess has indisputable claims upon me and my liberty." Seaman replied. Seaman laid his hat." Dominey muttered. "but I see no tragedy in the situation. "We were unknown to one another." Dominey said slowly. we met by appointment at a certain hotel in Cape Town." he said." "I killed a man in a duel." Dominey obeyed a little sullenly." Dominey asked him. "Are you aware. beating upon the palm of one hand with the forefinger of his other. While I cannot recommend you to take her entirely into your confidence. gloves and walking stick upon the sideboard. A fight between two young men." "Only three months. "I am a man of commerce and I do things in a business way. claims which would altogether interfere with the career of Everard Dominey. Let us take stock of our position. my friend. The Princess is a woman of sense and a woman of political insight. "As Leopold Von Ragastein. It was not until nearly seven that the latter appeared. waiting for Seaman. He then looked into the connecting bedroom. "It was not an unforgivable act. ignored his demeanour. however. His companion." he said. Three months ago this very week." Seaman continued. "Now. on account of a certain unfortunate happening in Hungary. I still think that a middle course can be judiciously pursued." "There are duels and duels. in defence of the honour of or to gain the favour of a young lady in their own 37 ." With methodical neatness. "We will talk together. "I had only heard of the Baron Von Ragastein as a devoted German citizen and patriot. "Sit opposite to me." "Rubbish!" Dominey exclaimed.Chapter 6 Dominey spent a very impatient hour that evening in his sitting-room at the Carlton. closed and fastened the door and extended himself in an easy-chair. my friend. "that I am expected to call upon the Princess Eiderstrom at seven o'clock?" "I have your word for it. with his eyes fixed upon his companion's.
and I feel that he has a right to demand from you much in the way of personal sacrifice. well-known to be one of the most passionate women in Europe. on to the point of my stationary sword. On the other hand. and to secure possession by killing the husband in the duel which his honour makes a necessity is looked upon very differently." "Let that pass. Everard Dominey cannot throw himself at the feet of the Princess Eiderstrom. Neither must there be any stint to our loyalty. I simply look upon you as a culprit in the eyes of our master. "nor was it at my desire that we met at all. I do not wait for our meeting." "All that you say is granted. I am to render myself so far as possible a persona grata in that country. "I should have held no place whatever in English social life. I am to repair to England. to become the lover of the wife of one of the greatest nobles in Hungary. "In this instance. for which I was given an English education. You have made it uncommonly expensive. but we do not grudge money." "Perhaps you will tell me." Dominey protested. whilst her love affair with Leopold Von Ragastein is still remembered. 38 ." "I could not return home to a poverty-stricken domain. "You met me at Cape Town in your new identity." Seaman agreed. I have undertaken other political commissions in the Colony which may bear fruit. We were friends over here in England. has never been against the conventions of the Court. and. "There is no bottom to our purse." Dominey demanded. after a wild lunge." Dominey pointed out." Seaman said.station of life. at school and at college. raising up for our arms a great troop of natives. nor any stint. I see a great chance and I make use of it. Remember that the question of our identities might crop up any day. and I should have received no welcome from those with whom I imagine you desire me to stand well." "I had no wish to kill the Prince." Dominey protested. "it is not a matter of loyalty. and I think you will admit that I have done so with great success. "what more he would have? I have spent weary years in a godless and fever-ridden country. The Prince fought like a madman and slipped. and you certainly seemed to wear it wonderfully." "Again I make no complaints." he added gravely. I am to take up the work for which I was originally intended. under such identity as I might assume after consultation with you at Cape Town." Seaman declared. I transform myself into an English country gentleman. "I am not of your order and I probably do not understand the etiquette of these matters.
"I have done your errand. "It is for a few months only. here and there there may be doubts. "There is reason in what you say. it can be Everard Dominey only until my mission is ended." "You probably had not met the Princess before?" "I had not." Seaman continued. found his friend Seaman already established at a small. You think. "Dine with me downstairs at eight o'clock on my return. I know the Princess and I know myself." Dominey suggested eagerly." Seaman announced." Seaman was silent for a moment. I think. for political reasons. my young friend. that I lay unnecessary stress upon this." "August next year can take care of itself. I am and must remain Everard Dominey." Dominey replied. Let her be content with such measure of friendship and admiration as Sir Everard Dominey might reasonably offer to a beautiful woman whom he met to-day for the first time. Perfectly though I may play my part." Seaman glanced at the clock." he admitted presently. She will at any rate do nothing rash." promised Seaman. "the Princess understands the situation and is. "In the meantime. I do not. You and she will meet within the course of the next few hours. He was welcomed with a little wave of the hand. What is your proposition?" "That you see the Princess in my place at once. it was a command. I fancy." Dominey. descending about an hour later." "I will have an understanding with the Princess. to her as to the rest of the world. and cocktails were at once ordered. "Since my visit I am bound to admit that I realise a little more fully your anxiety. "I was told to be at Belgrave Square at seven o'clock. but on reasonable terms." Seaman continued. as he took up his hat. To proceed! As I drove back here after my interview 39 .and there are many who still remember the likeness between us. impressed. I must confess that I found her a lady of somewhat overpowering temperament. There will be doubts no longer if I am to be dragged at the chariot wheels of the Princess." was the cool reply. with a twitch at the corner of his lips. "At what hour was your appointment?" "It was not an appointment. But let her remember that even between us two. perhaps. "that somewhere about August next year you will find your hands full. in the solitude of her room as in the drawing-room where we might meet. "Point out to her that for the present. far-away table set in one of the recesses of the grill room. and I am entirely and with all my heart at her service.
You can believe in Germany or fear her—whichever you like. I decided that it was time you made the acquaintance of the person who is chiefly responsible for your presence here. You can join your cousin's husband in his crusade for National Service. my young friend. Baronet. of Dominey Hall. We really do not care in the least. "With all your ability." Seaman touched his forehead and drained the remaining contents of his glass. to concentrate the greater part of my energies in leading the natural life of the man whose name and place I have taken. during which one waiter had brought their cocktails and another received their order for dinner. You are nothing of the sort. you could not in six months' time appreciably affect the position either way." Dominey admitted. He glanced around the room for a moment or two." Seaman went on after a brief pause." Dominey observed." "Terniloff?" "Precisely! You have maintained. Satisfied at last that there was no chance of being overheard. Give yourself thoroughly into the life of Sir Everard Dominey. "is very broad-minded. we choose to have you concentrate the whole of your energies upon one task and one task only." was the prompt reply. "and. and pursue exactly the course which you think Sir Everard himself would be likely to take. until the greater events stir." Seaman acquiesced. If there is anything of the spy about your mission here. Those instructions will never be committed to writing. "My instructions are to trust you absolutely. 40 . Therefore." Dominey was startled. You are a free agent in all that you may choose to say or do. he continued: "The first idea you have to get out of your head. You are not connected with our remarkably perfect system of espionage in the slightest degree. They are here. it is not England or the English which are to engage your attention. as though interested in the people." "This. my dear friend. We require you to concentrate wholly and entirely upon Terniloff.with the Princess. Norfolk. "a very discreet and laudable silence with regard to those further instructions which were promised to you immediately you should arrive in London. or you can join me in my efforts to cement the bonds of friendship and affection between the citizens of the two countries." "Quite so. Choose your own part. if it is there." "It is common sense. is that you are a spy.
Let speech remain with him alone."Terniloff?" he repeated." "That is all understood." Dominey replied. but—" "Empty your mind of all preconceived ideas. earlier in our conversation." "As yet. Berlin will be receiving frantic messages from East Africa as to my disappearance." Dominey declared." Seaman was momentarily anxious." 41 . who apparently died in the bush." "He has been a very troublesome friend." "I have at any rate been accepted. "I expected to work with him." Dominey remarked." "I was on the point of telling you. He is a missioner of peace." Dominey said thoughtfully. and so far you seem to have encountered the principal ones. You must have endeared yourself to him. "by my nearest living relative. you are waiting for instructions. Be particularly careful not to drop him a hint of your knowledge of what is coming. my cousin's husband." Seaman assured his companion." Seaman promised." "He was a very faithful associate. However. "A little doctor named Schmidt has spent many marks of the Government money in frantic cables. of whom you were speaking just now. you know nothing. and incidentally I have discovered the one far-seeing person in England who knows what is in store for us. Not even my immediate associates were in the secret. You will find him absolutely satisfied with the situation. "What your duties are with regard to Terniloff will grow upon you gradually as the situation develops." "I begin to understand. that I have made an appointment for you to see him at eleven o'clock to-night at the Embassy. my friend. So are you. You will go to him at that hour. Take care not to disturb him. and Schmidt continually emphasised your promise to let him hear from Cape Town. "You must remember. "I have not even made his acquaintance. all this has been dealt with satisfactorily. so far as I am concerned. that your utility to our great cause will depend largely upon your being able to establish and maintain your position as an English gentleman. Remember." Seaman enjoined. "Whom do you mean?" "The Duke of Worcester. "and do not in your zeal forget. It seems that the natives got their stories rather mixed up concerning your namesake. The only real dangers are over here. that there is your end to keep up. though. "You shall understand everything when the time comes for you to take a hand. So far all has gone well?" "Perfectly. absolutely content.
you will never make an Englishman—I beg your pardon. generally connected 42 . by unanswerable scientific deduction." "These—we English are strange people. "Apropos of what you were saying. Besides. "I shall breathe more freely when you are securely established there. You are sure that you perfectly understand your position there as regards your—er—domestic affairs?" "I understand all that is necessary. One would have imagined that our philosophers. in the country as well as in town. "who are not so insignificant. He prefers to keep his head comfortably down in the sand. would warn us in irresistible terms." Seaman murmured." his companion declared. as Sir Everard Dominey. But to leave generalities. one of your countrymen—realise anything unpleasant." Dominey pronounced. That reminds me. "We advertise and boast about our colossal wealth. "His Grace has a meeting to-night at the Holborn Town Hall. "In other words. I shall make one of my usual interruptions. of what was coming." he added. There were just one or two points which lay beyond the limits where questioning was possible. "you remembered that you were a gentleman and not that you were a German. our historians. and yet we are incapable of the slightest self-sacrifice in order to preserve it. It is queer how often these fanatics discover the truth. with a little bow." "If he has so small a following." he said." Dominey remarked. why don't you leave him alone?" Dominey enquired." was the somewhat stiff reply." Dominey replied. glancing around the room after a brief but thoughtful pause. has a certain obstinacy. "even though he be degenerate. "He reminds me of the geese who saved the Capitol. "a brainless man obsessed with one idea." Seaman rejoined irritably. when do you think of going to Norfolk?" "Within the next few days. when I interrupt I advertise my own little hobby. taking a small memorandum book from his waistcoat pocket and glancing it through. "I thought that you had wormed the whole story out of that drunken Englishman?" "He told me most of it. "There are others associated with him." he complained." was the placid reply.The little man's face relaxed. "Great things wait upon your complete acceptance. "All that is necessary is not enough." "My compliments to your pronouns." Seaman frowned angrily." "The Englishman of a certain order.
I know well enough that the sense of personal honour amongst the Prussian aristocracy is the finest in the world. We grow too serious. at any rate. Seaman the plebian schemer. Seaman. and you shall sit at the back of the hall." There was a brief pause. "You should have dragged it from his throat. that he kept something back. "It is not your duty to nurse fine personal feelings. We will part at the door. "It will be better than a music hall.—Come.with one particular thing. You must have your amusements. Once more. I cannot at this moment give you any idea what you may not mean to us after the trouble has come. out of sight. I know that you understand. Sir Everard. He leaned presently a little way across the table. I am not at all sure. and yet there is not a single man of your order who should not be prepared to lie or cheat for his country's sake. Dominey was more than ever the aristocrat." he insisted. During the last few minutes a certain tension had crept in between the two men. it is not only your task with regard to Terniloff which makes your recognition as Everard Dominey so important to us. "Then come with me to Holborn." the little man suggested." His companion struck the table gently but impatiently with his clenched fist." Dominey objected. which nothing can break. enough of this subject." Dominey replied in spiritless fashion. What do you say?" "I will come. We talked together on that last night until morning. "It will amuse you. we drank wine and brandy. His teeth were more prominent than usual. How shall you spend your evening until eleven o'clock? Remember you did not leave England an anchorite. It is the things which are to come later. You shall hear the haunting eloquence of your cousinin-law. Heart and soul you stand pledged to great things. 43 . their personal characteristics seemed to have become intensified. You shall hear him trying to warn the men and women of England of the danger awaiting them from the great and rapacious German nation. You must fall into line with your fellows. unabashed and desperately in earnest. I tore the story of my own exile from my breast and laid it bare before him. if you are able to play your part still in this country as Everard Dominey of Dominey Hall. that the hardest part of my task over here will not be this necessity for self-imposed amusements. Yet I knew all the time. as I know now. With it. His eyes had narrowed but they were as bright as steel. Why not try a music hall?" "My mind is too full of other things.
The meeting was by no means overcrowded. "You are like the rest of us. Cast the memory of them away. and there was a temporary diversion from any interest in the proceedings on the part of the younger portion 44 . whose millions of young men. There's nothing which narrows a man more than morbidness. took up a more prominent position at the end of one of the front rows of benches. preferred playing or watching football or cricket on Saturday afternoons to realising their duty. over-enthusiastic. even in this hour of danger. and in a few hackneyed but earnest sentences introduced his young friend Captain Bartram. I have said enough about that. I was a philosopher before I became a professor of propaganda. and there is an atonement which in measured fashion you may commence whenever you please. and Captain Bartram. Now we will take a taxicab to Holborn and I will show you something really humorous. but remember the sin was not wholly yours." At the entrance to the town hall. making their way inside by different doors. Don't nourish past griefs. a halfdozen or so of nondescript residents from the neighbourhood. He spoke of enormous military preparations in Germany and a general air of tense expectation. Against whom were these preparations? Without an earthly doubt against Germany's greatest rival. over-anything. The meeting was on the point of commencement as Dominey settled down in his corner. You have a past which may sometimes bring the ghosts around you. a good many young couples who seemed to have come in for shelter from the inclement night. who sprang at once into the middle of his subject. On the platform was the Duke. parted. a sprinkling of enthusiasts. a few sturdy. the two men. There were rows of empty benches. The latter. at Seaman's instigation."Man. on the other hand. a few genuinely interested. where he was unlikely to be recognised from the platform. Seaman. a distinguished soldier. Good! You smile. You carry your life in your hands. a Member of Parliament. That is something gained. There! You see. He explained that he had resigned his commission and was therefore free to speak his mind. respectable-looking tradesmen who had come because it seemed to be the respectable thing to do. First of all the Duke rose. The conclusion of an ill-pointed but earnest speech was punctuated by the furtive entrance into the hall of a small boy selling evening newspapers. Dominey found a retired seat under a balcony. Greatness and gaiety go hand in hand. was nervous and more than a little bitter. and here and there. you are young!" he exclaimed. although they were decidedly in the minority. at any rate. with civic dignitaries on either side of him.
Would the young man who had just interrupted do his. with the exception of the distinguished soldier. Some of the remarks which he had heard that evening had pained him deeply. After a word or two of compliment to the chairman. could be trusted at all times to do its duty. coughed apologetically. standing up in his place. and secured upon the whole a respectful attention. Business often took him to Germany. The proceedings were wound up by the Duke. to the tune of rounds of applause. a league for promoting more friendly relations between the business men of Germany and England. but it could not fight on sea and land. "What about the Navy. The Navy. who was obviously.) He was also. He pointed to the collapse of every great nation throughout history who had neglected the arts of self-defence. bowed to the Duke. Seaman. fired off a few husky sentences only. The distinguished soldier. who seemed just at that moment to have waked up. and at that point was interrupted by a drowsy member of the audience with stentorian lungs. guv'nor?" The orator swept upon the interrupter in his famous platform manner. He brought in a few historical allusions. Seaman looked around upon the audience was so good-natured and attractive. appealed to the chairman for permission to say a few words. the founder and secretary of a league. and sat down amidst a little burst of quite enthusiastic applause. The Member of Parliament then descended upon them in a whirlwind of oratory and in his best House of Commons style. looked at him severely. but the smile with which Mr. Seaman scrambled up the steps on to the platform. he declared. He spoke of black clouds and of the cold breeze that went before the coming thunderstorm. the sacred soil of their country. who was suffering from a cold. The Duke.of the audience. and enroll his name for drill and national service that evening?—and so on. much more in earnest than any of them. (Some laughter. and as a German he would be doing less than his duty if he did not stand up there and tell them that the 45 . their homes. appealed even to the women to develop their sense of responsibility. whilst they satisfied themselves as to the result of various Cup Ties. Seaman before. He was a German citizen—he was indeed one of that bloodthirsty race.—The vote of thanks to the chairman was on the point of being proposed when Mr. doubtless well known to them. that he had no alternative but to assent. pleaded for a greater spirit of earnestness and citizenship amongst the men of the country. and it was his excuse for standing there. who had had some experience with Mr. He appealed to the youth of the nation to prepare themselves to guard their womenkind. and took possession of the meeting. he made his confession.
She is like a child being overfed with jam. Imagine." Dominey smiled enigmatically." "The miracle of it extends further.—the foe for whom Germany was obliged to make these great military preparations was Russia. "To-night. The Duke went home full of wrath. begging for a larger understanding. prefaced by an indignant protest against the intrusion of a German propagandist into an English patriotic meeting. let them realise that eastwards Germany was being continually pressed by an ancient and historic foe of enormous strength. in its small way. as it seemed to him. "You certainly succeeded in making fools of a number of respectable and well-meaning men. both to themselves and their country. in our dear 46 . it was doubtful whether a single adherent had been gained to the cause of National Service.average German loved the Englishman like a brother. instituted. "I promised you entertainment. Such meetings as these. murmurs of dissent from the platform. The Duke's few words.—In his humble way he was striving for the betterment of relations between the dearly beloved country of his birth and the equally beloved country of his adoption. (Applause from the audience." Seaman agreed. tolerant. at the corner of the street. begging for a deeper sympathy. that the object of his life was to come into greater kinship with him. was standing with hand outstretched to her relatives across the North Sea. and Seaman chuckled with genuine merriment as he stepped into the taxi which Dominey had secured. England is being slowly choked and strangled with too much liberty. If ever they were used it would be against Russia. that Germany even at that moment. were one of the greatest difficulties in his way. Seaman's little bow to the chairman was good-humoured. He could not for a moment doubt that these gentlemen upon the platform were patriots.) And as to those military preparations of which they had heard so much (with a severe glance at Captain Bartram). and at Russia's instigation. if they abandoned their present prejudiced and harmful campaign and became patrons of his Society. is a supreme example of the transcendental follies of democracy. When the meeting broke up. let them glance for one moment at the frontiers of Germany. He would not waste their time telling them of the political difficulties which Germany had had to face during the last generation. He would simply tell them this great truth. "Confess that I have kept my word. a little wistful." he observed. did nothing to undo the effect produced by this undesired stranger. They would prove it more profitably. for the propagation of unfair and unjustified suspicions.
In Germany. I mean this: he is a splendid medium for the expression of the brain power of his counsellors. my friend!" he exclaimed. and he will believe them his." Dominey was showing signs of a rare interest in his companion's conversation. but no one knows their varying views. Do you really believe that the Kaiser is the man for the task which is coming?" Seaman's narrow eyes glittered. spoken through the lips of the Kaiser. the greatest egotist who ever lived. Tonight. What is more. they will sound like his. to-morrow. He looked at his companion in satisfaction. You are going into the great 47 . "surely there is safety in a multitude of counsellors?" "There would be always a multitude of counsellors." "Yet in any great crisis of a nation's history. He will see himself the knight in shining armour. undisturbed." he said. and no one except we who are behind will realise the ass's head. His eyes were bright. The trouble for this country is that they would be all expressed publicly and in the press. so shall I answer. As you ask me. with a diseased personality. The time of war will prove all that. There is no one else in this world whom I have ever met so well fitted to lead our great nation on to the destiny she deserves. we will speak of these matters again. You preach the advantage of our Kaiser-led country. his eternal smile gone. He was the man of intellect. The so-called liberty of the Englishman is like the cuckoo in his political nest. bombastic dreamer. He laid his hand on Seaman's arm. Countries must be governed. The Kaiser is a vain. and the Government be split up into factions. There are counsellors there. But he has also the genius for government. my friend. you have other things to think about. His forehead was puckered. "You are beginning to think. his usually impassive features seemed to have become more mobile and strained. English propaganda in deadly opposition to German interests. All Europe will bow down before this self-imagined Caesar. "Listen. alone in a taxicab. "we are in London. All that one learns is the result. spoken once and for all. secure against any possible eavesdropping. an Englishman being allowed to mount the platform and spout. each view would have its adherents. the real destinies of the country are decided in secret. "in Germany as in England. They cannot govern themselves. too. "So you are waking up from the lethargy of Africa. if you like." Dominey queried." Seaman replied.—And now. earnest and wise counsellors. Their words will pass through his personality. a ceaseless craving for the limelight.country.
You have an hour to change and prepare." 48 . At eleven o'clock the Prince Von Terniloff will expect you.places where I never penetrate.
" she said. "I received a visit from a man whom I took at first to be an insignificant member of the German bourgeoisie. dear Stephanie. Prince Terniloff. "I wish you to keep it. long lost in Africa. "Your Excellency.—Sir Everard Dominey. You know of this?" "I know that to-night I am receiving a visit from Sir Everard Dominey. The school of diplomacy in 49 . "This evening." the Prince rejoined warmly." "You know. The Ambassador. It seemed to be his wish to hear first all that his companion had to say. I shall never suffer so much again." "It was most unfortunate. that he was passing under the name which he gave me. After a moment's pause she continued: "I spoke to him." she said. "It is very early." "And I with you." The Ambassador made no remark." "He is to work under your auspices?" "By no means. Let us sit down for a moment. I learnt something of his true position later. the Princess Eiderstrom." the Prince murmured sympathetically. and he denied himself. the last of his guests. I have never suffered more." he answered. was bidding farewell to his wife's cousin. She drew him on one side for a moment." He led her towards a settee but she shook her head." she went on. "I am not favourably inclined towards this network of espionage. then?" "I lunched to-day at the Carleton grill room. "You have an appointment at half-past eleven. He came to me to explain that Leopold was engaged in this country on secret service. In the reception-room I came face to face with Leopold Von Ragastein. To me! I think that those were the most terrible seconds of my life. "I have been hoping for a word with you all the evening.Chapter 7 There had been a dinner party and a very small reception afterwards at the great Embassy in Carlton House Terrace. an English baronet.
Ah. and inside I am on fire. Only one thing can quiet me." she said." "He is waiting for me now in my study. but I do not surrender. "I do not even know what Von Ragastein's mission over here is. association between you and him is undesirable—" She laid her fingers upon his arm. I am not willing to place them before my own life. "I can see that you are suffering. with a sudden change of voice. You will help?" "An acquaintance between you and Sir Everard Dominey. I must decide with him what I will do." the Ambassador reflected. To-night I can see him without observation." "For myself. I am not a German." she begged. there was something pitiful about the curve of her mouth. I shall take other means. "Leopold is coming. I will be content with the acquaintance of Sir Everard Dominey." "One realises that. to-night. however. Arrange that he drives me home. I will compromise with necessity." the Ambassador asserted. I make terms. under present conditions. My car waits. "Since these few minutes at midday I have lived in a dream. I am not even an Austrian. "I am not of Berlin. If you refuse. I 50 . he had overheard more than one sympathetic comment upon her appearance. He remembered that although she had carried herself throughout the evening with all the dignity which was second nature to her." "Look at me. I am Hungarian. "My eyes are hot. He turned and looked into her face. Freda has asked me to stay and talk to her for an hour. for the more complete preservation of his incognito. "I must speak to Leopold. I have now considered the matter. I am a very human woman. "You will do me the service of conveying to him a message from me. "is certainly a perfectly natural thing. I must speak to him. "Stop!" she ordered. dear friend. but that I will have. but if in Berlin they decide that." she continued. Oh! believe me. Underneath her beautiful eyes were dark lines. to pay his respects to you. I listened to all that he had to say. Those terms I will discuss with Leopold." he remarked kindly.which I have been brought up tries to work without such ignoble means." she continued. and there is nothing in the world to be gained by treating me as though I were of wood or stone." he admitted. be kind to me!" she went on. and though I am willing to study your interests. "This man Seaman pointed out to me the unwisdom of any association between myself and Leopold. I reserved my decision.
I have no doubt that you are here with the same object as I am." he continued. You will be there. I will not even promise that I will not call out before him in the streets that he is a liar. in Saxony?" "I remember it perfectly." was the earnest reply. I believe that in Berlin the character of some of the leading statesmen here has been 51 ." the former said. you are nervous. holding out his hand. whisky and soda on the sideboard." She suddenly stooped and kissed his hand. "Stephanie. that I entirely disapprove of your present position here?" "I gathered as much. "After our interview. However. that that is possible?" "I am convinced of it. your Excellency. Do you remember our previous meeting. that his life is a lie. I will call him Leopold Von Ragastein—" "Hush!" he begged her. After that. "Come. "there are cigars and cigarettes at your elbow. "I am glad to see you. I will respect your new identity. of course. Make yourself at home in that chair there. the object which the Kaiser has declared to me with his own lips is nearest to his heart—to cement the bonds of friendship between Germany and England. "Now I will keep you no longer. sir. "For five minutes I desire to talk to your real self. An immense relief was in her face. for the rest of your time in England." "You believe. lighting a cigar. I shall bring the young man to Freda's room and present him. where Dominey was waiting for him. your Excellency." "You consent?" "I consent. That is simply a question of method. You know." "His Majesty knew how to keep Court in those days. His host pointed to the sideboard. but I am glad to have an opportunity of putting before you my convictions." Dominey bowed in silence." he promised. "I do not know what the exact nature of your work over here is to be. that much of the past. Africa has rally changed you very little." "We will have no reserves with one another. I have not yet answered your entreaty." the Prince declared. "One was tempted to believe oneself at an English country party. "I know quite well that you form part of a network of espionage in this country which I consider wholly unnecessary. Freda is waiting for me.will make no promises. He can offer you his escort." The Ambassador strolled thoughtfully away into his own den at the back of the house." the Ambassador went on.
" "These things have been decided?" "Absolutely! They form the soul of my mission here. I find on all sides of me an earnest and sincere desire for peace. "Its nature. it is to become closely connected with my own." Terniloff said in an altered tone." the Prince replied. She must climb there. we all believe. who look forward to a war with England as inevitable. as I have been given to understand. prepared to take his leave." Dominey rose to his feet. then I am very sure you will presently find that its text also is Peace. 52 . whom you and I know of. "But. This is why all this outside espionage with which Seaman is so largely concerned seems to me at times unwise and unnecessary. I have convinced myself that there is not a single statesman in this country who is desirous of war with Germany. and the more I see of English statesmen and the more I understand the British outlook. as one of our friends once said." the Ambassador declared earnestly. with the air of one who hears unexpected things. your Excellency." "And my own mission?" Dominey enquired. "These matters will be solved for us. the more sanguine I am as to the success of my efforts. "The Princess Eiderstrom is upstairs. however." he ventured. She makes one condition. on a somewhat more private matter. but if. "I see now why they sent you to me. the greatest empire in the world. Those days have passed." "In this house?" "Waiting for a word with you. There is room in the world for Great Britain and for Germany." he murmured. I understand that she is content to subscribe to the present situation. My mandate is one of peace." "And that?" "She insists upon it that I present Sir Everard Dominey." Dominey was listening intently." "You are out of date. "is not as yet divulged. The disintegration of Russia in the near future is a certainty.misunderstood and misrepresented. with her foot upon the neck of the British lion. Germany must become." The latter did not attempt to conceal his perturbation. "There is just one word more. Our friend Seaman has been with her this evening. It is eastward that we must look for any great extension of territory. "what about the matter from our point of view? There are a great many in our country.
but. Her manner and tone still indicated some measure of rebellion against the situation. who made her a very low and formal bow. as you are doubtless aware. remember the greater interests. "I quite appreciate that. who was seated upon the couch from which her cousin had just risen. Stephanie. Her gown was of unrelieved black. who is interested in you." Stephanie."I need scarcely point out to you. My wife also looks forward to the pleasure of renewing her acquaintance with you. Sir Everard Dominey. because of your likeness to a very dear friend of hers. of course. The Princess Terniloff was a woman of world culture." 53 . She is also very powerfully placed here. "that any association between the Princess and myself is likely to largely increase the difficulties of my position here." he admitted. that I speak from a political point of view only." "Other people have spoken to me of the likeness. and she wore also a tiara fashioned after the Hungarian style. I am sure. "It was hard for me to believe that you were not indeed the person for whom I mistook you. "You say that the Princess is waiting here?" "She is with my wife and asks for your escort home." The Ambassador sighed. and still an extremely attractive woman. taking his hand. but in considering the present position you will. I must tell you frankly." Dominey replied." "I shall accept your Excellency's guidance in the matter. sir. this is Sir Everard Dominey—the Princess Eiderstrom." she said. Wonderful diamonds flashed around her neck. and she did her best to relieve the strain of what she understood must be a somewhat trying moment." His visitor was silent for a moment. "Both Seaman and I have endeavoured to reason with her." Dominey decided." he protested. "It is a matter of regret to me that I can claim to be no more than a simple Norfolk baronet. a little low on her forehead. "and I hope that we shall often see you here. "You have forgiven me for my insistence this morning?" she asked. I want to present you to my cousin. the Princess is a woman of very strong will. She received the visitor whom her husband brought to her in a very charming little room furnished after the style of the simplest French period. I cannot ignore the fact of your unfortunate relations with the late Prince. held out her hand to Dominey. and it is the urgent desire of the Court at Berlin to placate in every way the Hungarian nobility. an artist. "We are delighted to welcome you to London. You will understand.
and submitted her hand to the Prince." "Oh. you know that there are human duties as great as any your country ever imposed upon you. "and I have experienced more than my share of solitude during the last few years. but you have a soul. Leopold. You know what I look for from you. I must remain to you as to the world. "Will you be so kind as to see me home?" she asked." she said softly. "You mistake. I hope to spend a portion of my time here. She touched the electric switch as they glided off. His voice sounded." Dominey replied. alone or in a crowd—Everard Dominey." "You are very kind." Stephanie rose slowly to her feet. even to himself. "very obstinate and very devoted to your marvellous country." She gave a little hysterical sob." "I shall be very happy." He felt his throat suddenly dry." "You are not going to bury yourself in Norfolk. Leopold—we are alone!" He caught the flash of her jewels."Without any previous experience of European Courts?" "Without any at all. Sir Everard?" the Princess Terniloff enquired. harsh and strident. "Norfolk is very near London these days." "Your German is wonderfully pure for an untravelled man. and he took his place in the car by Stephanie's side." he muttered. the soft brilliance of her eyes as she leaned towards him. 54 . made his farewells. leaned gracefully over and kissed her hostess on both cheeks. "that I could not have borne another moment of this juggling with words. I am Everard Dominey. "Listen. too. "Afterwards. "until the hour strikes. Princess. "and tell us about Africa." "You must dine with us one night." Dominey assented. what I must find from you or go down into hell. My husband would be so interested. There is one way and one way only of carrying through my appointed task. The car was in darkness. My name is not Leopold. "I think. Then she turned to Dominey. my car can take you on wherever you choose to go. He. ashamed and miserable. A servant in the hall handed him his hat and coat." "Languages were the sole accomplishment I brought away from my misspent school days. who raised it to his lips." she murmured." the Princess insisted. I know that you are very obstinate.
"for a short time?" "If you will permit me to pay you a visit. the man who slew my husband and left me?" "I was exiled. "I understand. but I have restraint." she continued presently. if it be only for a moment. "Leopold. for whose sake I offered up my reputation as a sacrifice. Tell me you have come back. "Whatever may come afterwards."Wait. I am exiled now. drawing it toward her until the fingers of her other hand. on my return from Norfolk. He felt her eyes burning into his. this time with something more like furious curiosity. You shall come and see me as seldom as you wish. which was immediately opened. when we are in the presence of other people. "Let me be sure. and he felt the hot grip of her hand. fell upon it. "Let me look at you. as you know. no soul in this world need know. 55 . So she sat for several moments." she begged. holding his passionately. too. "I will call. her lips and eyes beseeching him. I am working out my expiation. She turned to Dominey. What we are to one another when we are alone. Give me your hand. although her hands were tearing at his. Her eyes closed. I swear it. So far as other things are concerned. Are you the man I have waited for all these years? Are you the man to whom I have given my lips. I cannot take advantage of your feelings for Leopold Von Ragastein. I am full of impulses and passion." he answered formally." He opened the fingers which he had kept clenched together. "until the time arrives I am Everard Dominey." he reminded her. "You will not enter. or are you an imposter? My heart is growing chilled. if I may." she pleaded. I will never even look at you as though my heart ached for your notice. "You know that. But don't treat me like this. Is this just some ghastly change. I will be careful." He sat quite still. his own voice shaking with emotion." She gave him her hand with a sad smile. Throw off this hideous mask. You are afraid that I shall betray our love. He is not here." she cried. He is in Africa. "I will answer you in a moment." She flung his hands away. You have reason." She leaned back in her seat with an air of exhaustion. I will receive you only as often as you say." he pronounced inexorably. A footman hurried out. Perhaps some day he will come back to you and be all that you wish. Then the car drove in through some iron gates and stopped in front of her door. it will give me great pleasure.
My tongue is parched with inaction. where in the lounge he found the band playing. "I do not admit defeat." "What takes place between you in private." Seaman replied. "Come. "and remember." "I believe I appreciate both. He gazed for a moment with an air of satisfaction at his small foot. "I thought you understood a little of human nature." she invited. I might as well have opened up my little house in Forest Hill. I like to talk. neatly encased in court shoes. Stephanie Eiderstrom is Hungarian born and bred. fat legs over the other." "What is that?" "A woman—the Princess Eiderstrom. I cannot see any great difficulty. "I am weary of solitude! I have seen scarcely a face that I recognise. You don't seriously suppose that after all these years. and there has been no one to talk to. dropping her voice. in his neat dinner clothes and with his cherubic air of inviting attention from prospective new acquaintances." Seaman lit one of his inevitable cigars and threw one of his short. She has made it very plain to-night that she is going to be content with nothing of the sort. after all she has suffered—and she has suffered—she is going to be content with an emasculated form of friendship? I talk to you without reserve." Dominey promised a little grimly. He greeted Dominey enthusiastically. "I will begin by telling you this."Let my people take you wherever you want to go. "I have considered the matter. amongst whom Seaman was conspicuous. lowering his tone. "or else you are wholly ignorant of the Princess's temperament and disposition. "You surprise me." he added. glancing at the clock and hastily ordering a whisky and soda." she added. "but I still do not see any peculiar difficulty in the situation. crowds still sitting around." Dominey retorted. This is not the last word between us. As an English nobleman you have a perfect right to enjoy the friendship of the Princess Eiderstrom." "I'll talk to you if you like." Seaman began— 56 . escorted through the great front door of one of London's few palaces by an attractive major-domo and footman in the livery of her House. "I have discovered the greatest danger I shall have to face during my enterprise." he exclaimed. Dominey drove back to the Carlton. Even race has never taught her self-restraint." "And I thought you were a man of sentiment!" Dominey scoffed. Seaman." She disappeared in some state." "Then you must be closing your eyes to it willfully." he confessed.
and from that a worn picture. I would sooner have a dozen of your Princesses to deal with than the original of that picture. "I will deal with the matter for you as well as I can. I think she rather dislikes Germany and Germans." Dominey's face was very set and grave. The face was the face of a girl." Seaman promised. Her only concern is the personal question between us. and commented: "Permitting myself to reassume for a moment or two the ordinary sentiments of an ordinary human being. The two men rose a little unwillingly. with fingers that trembled a little. Plots or political necessities are not likely to count a snap of the fingers with her. They strolled into the darkened hall of the hotel together. She considers that every moment of the rest of my life should be devoted to her." 57 . you showed me a picture of—of Lady Dominey?" "I remember. almost a child. "that when we talked over your plans at Cape Town. I will think out a scheme. like a great many other Hungarians." "May I have one more look at it?" Dominey." "But surely. "that you have arranged to go down to-morrow to Dominey. "She is not a German. drew from the breast pocket of his coat a leather case. your greatest difficulty will be encountered to-morrow. Something must be done to pacify her." "Perhaps it is as well. "she must understand that your country has claimed you for a great work?" Dominey shook his head. Seaman turned away with a little grunt. Dominey felt singularly indisposed for sleep. "On the contrary. appealing light." he said." Seaman remarked. You know what you have to deal with down at Dominey. There was something of the same suggestion to be found in the lips. "To my mind."Rubbish!" his companion interrupted." The lights were being put out. a certain helplessness. and the great eyes seemed filled with a queer. with a good deal of the wild animal in her still. a passionate. a distinctly primitive woman." he asked." he pointed out. "Do you remember." Seaman protested. "I am prepared. but anxious at the same time to get rid of his companion. "The Princess is an impulsive. The two men looked at it side by side beneath one of the electric standards which had been left burning. an appeal for love and protection to some stronger being. Seaman still hesitated.
was now clearly visible—the time-worn. Not one of the woodmen would ever go near the place. as the car turned the first bend in the grass-grown avenue and Dominey Hall came into sight. and the stone-supported. then?" 58 . too!" His companion made no reply. but I can assure you that every servant and caretaker we've had there has given notice within a month. with its great double front. Elizabethan. "Not a stump." "The superstition remains then?" "The villagers are absolutely rabid about it. somehow or other. "that the ghost makes his way out from the wood and sits on the terrace underneath Lady Dominey's window. he had dragged his hat over his eyes and turned his coat collar up to his ears. The house. grim and weather-stained back which confronted the marshes and the sea." he replied. Mr. I believe. red brick outline that faced the park southwards.Chapter 8 "Your ancestral home. There are at least a dozen who declare that they have seen the ghost of Roger Unthank." "She is still in attendance upon Lady Dominey. A storm had come up during the last few minutes. and." he said. "and I don't think you'll miss the timber much. Unthank. "Damned fine house. That is the sole reason why I haven't ventured to recommend long ago that you should get rid of Mrs." "Does he still select the park and the terrace outside the house for his midnight perambulations?" Dominey enquired. Mangan continued to make amiable conversation. "We have kept the old place weathertight. "The idea is. All bunkum. Mangan observed. We've taken it as far as possible from the outlying woods. without turning his head. "and for a very excellent reason. as though he felt the cold." he said." Mr. and a score or more who will swear by all that is holy that they have heard his call at night. The lawyer hesitated. of course." "Any from the Black Wood?" Dominey asked.
"Middleton. new importations. by the by. Unthank." he muttered. "here's your master come back again." The car drew up at that moment in front of the great porch. and a second man was taking possession of the luggage. whom you would scarcely remember. No one at all indoors."Simply because we couldn't get any one else to stay there. with breeches and leggings of corduroy. to my knowledge. except—Mrs. Loveybond. "I had forgotten. "suggesting the sale of one or two of the pictures. Dominey nodded." he reminded his companion. There was nothing in the shape of a reception. this. were visible in the background. "Beautiful place. I was down last May for a night. We'll have a chat after dinner. Mangan was momentarily surprised. 59 . There's Loveybond. but thank goodness you didn't reply! We'll have some workpeople here as soon as you've decided what you'd like done." he went on. with an air of satisfaction." he added. as they turned in through some iron gates and entered the last sweep in front of the house." he said. Half a dozen maidservants. to form a fund for repairs. and you." Dominey remarked with a frown. "That wall has been down. Between ourselves. if you've no objection. The cows here were almost up to their knees in pasture. Mr. we've left all the trees in the park. in the springtime. stood an elderly man with white side whiskers and skin as brown as a piece of parchment. I think it's time a change was made. the gardener. as he gazed towards the enclosed kitchen garden. for twenty years. They had even to ring the bell before the door was opened by a manservant sent down a few days previously from town. "We wrote you. "you won't find many familiar faces to welcome you. The whole of the little painting colony down at Flankney turned themselves loose upon the place last spring. and I never saw such buttercups in my life." The old man grasped the hand which Dominey stretched out with both of his. Mangan took charge of the proceedings." the lawyer continued. Sir Everard was very pleased to hear that you were still here. wearing a brown velveteen coat. who has really been a godsend so far as the game is concerned.—You see. In the background. I'm afraid. and Middleton. Mr. and the bluebells in the home woods were wonderful. I see." "Some of the old wall is down. resting his hand upon the old man's shoulder. "and her ladyship positively declines to leave the Hall." the lawyer explained. the head keeper. leaning heavily upon a long ash stick.
"That's a joy—leastways to us. but you've shown indecent haste in coming. Mangan went on. Middleton. "I can't say the same for you. The little group of maidservants. Squire. Squire." "This is Parkins." he said reassuringly. Everard Dominey." "Sorry you feel like that about it. "and yet the words of welcome stick in my throat. "I've come to speak to him. Squire. Her face was long and narrow. "You have not changed much. back to your hiding. She spoke very slowly. sir. She was as thin as a lath."I'm right glad you're back again." the old man replied." Dominey said pleasantly." she said. 60 . A woman whose advent had been unperceived. Loveybond. turning to the man who had fallen a little into the background." Mr. but who had evidently issued from one of the recesses of the hall. pushing his way once more into the foreground. Get back where you came from. her eyes filled with anger. sir. "I wrote last night to stop you. I'll take the liberty of saying that I should never have recognised you. but Dominey waved him aside. Them furrin parts has filled you out and hardened you. stood suddenly before them all. There's no place here for a murderer. "There's no place in this house for you. with grey hair brushed back from her head and not even a white collar at her neck. who had been exchanging whispered confidences as to their new master's appearance." Dominey drew himself more than ever erect—a commanding figure in the little group. and that's sure." he added. very stiff and uncomfortable in his Sunday clothes. "What is the trouble about my coming back?" "That's no trouble. with a motion of his hand towards his forehead. Can you face me. you who murdered my son and made a madwoman of your wife?" The lawyer would have answered her. Middleton. And—" There was a queer and instantaneous silence. standing in front of him as though to bar his progress. her features curiously large." the woman retorted." he said. "You will feel better about it when we have had a day or two with the pheasants. but with some trace in her intonation of a north-country dialect. All eyes were turned in one direction." the latter replied a little awkwardly. looking at him with curious intentness. "the butler whom I engaged in London. "I thankee. were suddenly dumb. dressed in severe black. "This is really too much!" "I've not come to bandy words with lawyers. Everard Dominey." "My good woman!" Mangan gasped. It's what it may turn out to be for you which makes one hold back like.
if he stays here against my bidding. "Respect! What respect have I for the murderer of my son? Respect! Well. I shall pay her a visit myself after dinner. I presume. "There are things in your face I miss. and understand that this house is mine. "Nevertheless we must see Doctor Harrison in the morning. the less assured she became. the only companion whom Lady Dominey will tolerate?" Dominey enquired with a sigh. "I am most distressed that this should have occurred. "If you will allow me to give you a word of advice. but I had no idea that she would dare to attempt such an outrageous proceeding. announce my coming." "You forget yourself." he said anxiously. I never heard anything so preposterous in all my life. Mangan took his patron's arm and led him across the hall. to enter or leave when I choose. you will treat your master with the respect to which his position here entitles him." Once more the woman blazed up. Every one began bustling about the luggage and talking at once. "The fact is scarcely important. Unthank. Mrs. woman. amazed at the firmness of his words. "The house may be yours." she muttered. Let me look at you. Very slowly a frown developed upon her forehead." The woman laughed." She turned around and disappeared. The longer she looked." she said threateningly. and say that I wait only for her permission before presenting myself in her apartments. Her eyes were fixed upon Dominey curiously." he said sternly. "but there's one part of it at least in which you won't dare to show yourself." she said. I thought that the woman would probably be sullen." She was speechless for a moment. "My dear Sir Everard. It must be understood distinctly that if she is suffered to remain. Sir Everard Dominey. "Be so good as to return to your mistress at once. unpleasantly. perhaps her ladyship will show him what respect means."Mrs. horribly. Mr. Unthank." She moved a foot or two to where the light was better. "I fear so. "You've come back a harder man." the lawyer admitted." he replied coldly. "return to your duties at once. Mangan was glad of an opportunity of asserting himself. "Those are brave words. she adopts an entirely different attitude. Sir 61 ." "She is still.—You will feel quite at home here in the library. Mr." he said angrily.
are an institution you will have to inaugurate down here. You'll be grateful to me when I tell you one thing. Unthank as housekeeper." Dominey pronounced deliberately. wielding the decanter again in view of his client's more reasonable manner. every one felt that there would be trouble. "So far. especially since we've had a few of the trees cut down. throwing open the door of a very fine apartment on the seaward side of the house." Dominey insisted. I'm afraid. Roger Unthank's infatuation for her was patent to the whole neighbourhood and a source of great annoyance in Miss Felbrigg. Mangan adapted himself to the situation. every one is agreed. I see that Parkins has set out the sherry." Dominey continued." he confessed." "The Eugene Aram type of village schoolmaster gradually drifting into positive insanity." Mr. So that is the popular belief?" "The popular belief seems to match fairly well with the facts. Sir Everard." he asked a little abruptly. I am convinced that at no time did Lady Dominey give the young man the slightest encouragement. They believe that there was a fight and that you had the best of it. "I am perfectly certain. Mangan declared. "is it the popular belief down here that I killed Roger Unthank?" The lawyer set down the decanter and coughed." "Roger Unthank was a lunatic. "A plain answer.Everard. "Grand view from these windows." was the emphatic reply." Dominey accepted the glass of sherry which the lawyer had poured out but made no movement towards drinking it." Mr. Remember that I spent the first portion of my exile in Africa in a very determined effort to blot out the memory of everything that had happened to me earlier in life. "Mangan. Mr. but we haven't sold a single bottle of wine out of the cellars. "Not a soul. We've been hard pressed more than once. with Mrs." "Has any one ever believed the contrary?" Dominey demanded. He seemed during the last few minutes to have been wrapped in a brown study. Sir Everard. when you came down. fell in love with Miss Felbrigg and carried her off. "that there isn't a soul in these parts who isn't convinced of it. The 62 . "if I seem to ask unnecessary questions. Mangan went on. "Nevertheless. He was beginning to understand his client. Cocktails. "His behaviour from the first was the behaviour of a madman." "Forgive me." Mangan acquiesced. "At the time of your unfortunate visit to the Hall Miss Felbrigg was living practically alone at the Vicarage after her uncle's sudden death there.
" the lawyer acquiesced. I was covered with blood. standing before the window. It was the other thing that broke me up." "The sequel was perfectly simple. That was what drove me out of the country. you were perfectly safe from arrest. to have passed. who had fought in the most absolute self-defence. I don't suppose there's a villager here would cross the park in that direction after dark. "We met at the north end of the Black Wood one evening. so far as he was concerned." Mangan murmured sympathetically." the lawyer concluded. as you know." "Quite so. and half unconscious. "Most tragic!" "The cruel part of it was." Dominey abandoned his post at the window and raised his glass of sherry to his lips. but when I got back to the Hall my arm was broken. "The place had a bad name already." he remarked. "that my wife from that moment developed a homicidal mania against me—I." Dominey went on. as it happened. "it was the disappearance of the body which has given rise to all this talk as to his spirit still inhabiting the Black Wood. Mangan—not the fear of being arrested for having caused the death of Roger Unthank. "After dinner. "I suppose." Dominey observed. The tragical side of these reminiscences seemed." 63 . I'd have stood my trial for that at any moment." he promised.mystery began when he came back from his holidays and heard the news. The body of Roger Unthank has never been found from that day to this. "I'll tell you a few West African superstitions which will make our local one seem anemic. I suppose I had to some extent the best of it. "As a matter of fact." "If it had—" "You must have been charged with either murder or manslaughter. and he attacked me like a madman." "Without a doubt. The shock was too much for her—she fainted—and—" "And has never been quite herself since. By some cruel stroke of fortune. As it is. almost the first person I saw was Lady Dominey. his hands clasped behind his back." Dominey glanced at his watch and led the way from the room.
" Mr. Lady Dominey believes that." the lawyer went on." Dominey suggested. you killed her son. as he sipped his third glass of port that evening. and this new fellow I've sent you down—Parkins—tells me there's any quantity of it.Chapter 9 "I certainly offer you my heartiest congratulations upon your cellars. I believe she is devoted to Lady Dominey. "I am very glad you came down with me. I do not for one moment believe that she is the proper person to be entrusted with the care of Lady Dominey. as soon as we had arrived here." Dominey said. I cannot but believe that it would be far better for Lady Dominey to have some one with her unconnected with this unfortunate chapter of your past." he added." "Mrs. Unthank is firmly convinced that. after a minute's hesitation. Mangan said gravely." "We will consult Doctor Harrison to-morrow. "I should like to spend in interviewing Mrs. "but I am convinced that she is your enemy. Sir Everard. I even find it hard sometimes. I made up my mind to speak to you on this subject. and a small quantity of two older vintages." Dominey reminded his companion." he went on." "She may be devoted to your wife. Unthank was old Mr. Mangan. Sir Everard." "We will try one of them to-morrow night. with a curious little glance across the table." his guest said." the lawyer admitted. "I was looking through the cellar-book before dinner. Apart from any other question." Dominey observed. whether in fair fight or not." "It has had a pretty long rest. "and I see that you still have forty-seven and forty-eight. "Whatever her faults may be. "This is the finest glass of seventy I've drunk for a long time. "We might spend half an hour or so in the cellars." 64 . if we have any time to spare. "I find it very difficult to get back into the atmosphere of those days. too. "to believe that I am the same man. Felbrigg's housekeeper and my wife's nurse when she was a child. Something ought to be done about those. The situation doesn't seem to me to be consistent. Mrs." "And another half an hour. and it was the sight of you after the fight that sent her insane. Unthank.
"I have served coffee in the library." The two men made their way across the very fine hall. "Come in and close the door." Mr. in the bush we drank a simply frightful amount of spirits." he repeated blankly. that wine. He had scarcely left the room before there was a timid knock and Middleton made his somewhat hesitating entrance. into the library."Not so hard as I have done more than once. Parkins silently served them with coffee and brandy. Mangan confessed. "You don't drink port like any Dominey I ever knew." Dominey directed." "Indeed I am. the walls of which had suffered a little through lack of heating. "You haven't the appearance of ever having drunk anything. "Not acquired the taste for port. Middleton. and seated themselves in easy-chairs before the blazing log fire. with a slight smile. The lawyer gazed at him with raised eyebrows. rising. and asks if he could have a word with you before he goes to bed to-night." he announced." 65 . For a trifling instance. Sir Everard. or perhaps I ought to call it looseness of disposition. sir. "There are many things connected with the past which I find it almost impossible to associate with you." "He can come to the library at once. "You see. if you are ready for your coffee. "Mr." the lawyer assented. Port should never be drunk away from the place where it was laid down." Dominey hastened to explain. and that vitiates the taste for all wine. "I should have said reacquired. "What is it. "that is." Dominey directed." Dominey observed. "Tell me exactly in what respects you consider me changed?" Dominey insisted." "I'm afraid that I never acquired the taste for port. the gamekeeper. sir. Mangan. "A great treat." he admitted." "The Dominey constitution." he went on. One thing the London restaurants can't give us. inclining his head towards his host's untasted glass. "You seem to have lost a certain pliability." The lawyer glanced enviously at his host's fine bronzed complexion and clear eyes. "One finds it hard to believe the stories that were going about ten or fifteen years ago." he observed frankly. Middleton? Parkins says you wish to speak to me. has just called. I suppose!" The new butler entered the room noiselessly and came to his master's chair. He seems in a very nervous and uneasy state.
" the old man went on. "It's to save its being a worse one that I'm here. "Bad night. His white hair was wind-tossed and disarranged." "It was I who first met you. that saved a double tragedy that night. heard her threat. "I was by your side. and the blood streaming down your face and clothes. Squire." Dominey reminded him. He glanced at Mangan and mumbled to himself. His face glistened with the rain which had found its way. seizing her from behind. They know all our family history." the old man replied hoarsely." 66 . Squire. "It's next her ladyship's. Middleton. He was obviously distressed and uneasy." The two men were silent." "Well?" The old man was obviously perturbed. Squire. and. I don't seem to be so near to you as I'd wished. Squire. in long streaks down his velveteen coat. It was obvious that he had only paused for breath. with your arm hanging helplessly by your side. speaking with fierce excitement. and that's a fact. "No wonder I have changed! Never mind. and it was I who went for the doctor the next morning." "I can't get rightly into touch with you. and. to say what's in my heart. He had more to say. I saw her laugh and sob like a maniac. "The shape of you seems larger and your voice harder. and the red light in your eyes—murderous fire. refused to help him. "when you tottered home that night across the park. but her ladyship is a madwoman at this moment." "I have had a rough time Middleton. Mangan and his father and grandfather have been solicitors to the estate for a great many years. when she'd stolen into your room in the night and missed your throat by a bare inch. "I've come to ask you a favour and to beg you to grant it for your own sake." Middleton went on despairingly. You'll not sleep in the oak room to-night?" "And why not?" Dominey asked. "when her ladyship caught up the knife and ran at you." he went on. it was I." Dominey invited. I heard her call to you. too. and with a knife in her hand you'll never be safe in this house. they called it. It was a madwoman's threat. and found speech difficult. "Say exactly what you wish to. as though of a purpose. as you well know. Squire. Middleton had raised his voice. "Mr. but his master." Dominey remarked. speak to me just as man to man. God help us! that's what she's been ever since. I heard her ladyship go into hysterics.The man came hesitatingly forward.
"We must see," Dominey said quietly, "that she is not allowed to get possession of any weapon." "Aye! Make sure of that," Middleton scoffed, "with Mother Unthank by her side! Her ladyship's mad because of the horror of that night, but Mother Unthank is mad with hate, and there isn't a week passes," the old man went on, his voice dropping lower and his eyes burning, "that Roger Unthank's spirit don't come and howl for your blood beneath their window. If you stay here this night, Squire, come over and sleep in the little room they've got ready for you on the other side of the house." Mr. Mangan had lost his smooth, after-dinner appearance. His face was rumpled, and his coffee was growing cold. This was a very different thing from the vague letters and rumours which had reached him from time to time and which he had put out of his mind with all the contempt of the materialist. "It is very good of you to warn me, Middleton," Dominey said, "but I can lock my door, can I not?" "Lock the door of the oak room!" was the scornful reply. "And what good would that do? You know well enough that the wall's double on three sides, and there are more secret entrances than even I know of. The oak room's not for you this night, Squire. It's hoping to get you there that's keeping them quiet." "Tell us what you mean, Middleton," the lawyer asked, with ill-assumed indifference, "when you spoke of the howling of Roger Unthank's spirit?" The old man turned patiently around. "Just that, sir," he replied. "It's round the house most weeks. Except for me odd nights, and Mrs. Unthank, there's been scarcely a servant would sleep in the Hall for years. Some of the maids they do come up from the village, but back they go before nightfall, and until morning there isn't a living soul would cross the path—no, not for a hundred pounds." "A howl, you call it?" Mr. Mangan observed. "That's mostly like a dog that's hurt itself," Middleton explained equably, "like a dog, that is, with a touch of human in its throat, as we've all heard in our time, sir. You'll hear it yourself, sir, maybe to-night or tomorrow night." "You've heard it then, Middleton?" his master asked. "Why, surely, sir," the old man replied in surprise. "Most weeks for the last ten years." "Haven't you ever got up and gone out to see what it was?" The old man shook his head.
"But I knew right well what that was, sir," he said, "and I'm not one for looking on spirits. Spirits there are that walk this world, as we well know, and the spirit of Roger Unthank walks from between the Black Wood and those windows, come every week of the year. But I'm not for looking at him. There's evil comes of that. I turn over in my bed, and I stop my ears, but I've never yet raised a blind." "Tell me, Middleton," Dominey asked, "is Lady Dominey terrified at these—er—visitations?" "That I can't rightly say, sir. Her ladyship's always sweet and gentle, with kind words on her lips for every one, but there's the terror there in her eyes that was lit that night when you staggered into the hall, Squire, and I've never seen it properly quenched yet, so to speak. She carries fear with her, but whether it's the fear of seeing you again, or the fear of Roger Unthank's spirit, I could not tell." Dominey seemed suddenly to become possessed of a strange desire to thrust the whole subject away. He dismissed the old man kindly but a little abruptly, accompanying him to the corridor which led to the servants' quarters and talking all the time about the pheasants. When he returned, he found that his guest had emptied his second glass of brandy and was surreptitiously mopping his forehead. "That," the latter remarked, "is the class of old retainer who lives too long. If I were a Dominey of the Middle Ages, I think a stone around his neck and the deepest well would be the sensible way of dealing with him. He made me feel positively uncomfortable." "I noticed it," Dominey remarked, with a faint smile. "I'm not going to pretend that it was a pleasant conversation myself." "I've heard some ghost stories," Mangan went on, "but a spook that comes and howls once a week for ten years takes some beating." Dominey poured himself out a glass of brandy with a steady hand. "You've been neglecting things here, Mangan," he complained. "You ought to have come down and exorcised that ghost. We shall have those smart maidservants of yours off to-morrow, I suppose, unless you and I can get a little ghost-laying in first." Mr. Mangan began to feel more comfortable. The brandy and the warmth of the burning logs were creeping into his system. "By the by, Sir Everard," he enquired, a little later on, "where are you going to sleep to-night?" Dominey stretched himself out composedly. "There is obviously only one place for me," he replied. "I can't disappoint any one. I shall sleep in the oak room."
For the first few tangled moments of nightmare, slowly developing into a live horror, Dominey fancied himself back in Africa, with the hand of an enemy upon his throat. Then a rush of awakened memories—the silence of the great house, the mysterious rustling of the heavy hangings around the black oak four-poster on which he lay, the faint pricking of something deadly at his throat—these things rolled back the curtain of unreality, brought him acute and painful consciousness of a situation almost appalling. He opened his eyes, and although a brave and callous man he lay still, paralysed with the fear which forbids motion. The dim light of a candle, recently lit, flashed upon the bodkin-like dagger held at his throat. He gazed at the thin line of gleaming steel, fascinated. Already his skin had been broken, a few drops of blood were upon the collar of his pyjamas. The hand which held that deadly, assailing weapon—small, slim, very feminine, curving from somewhere behind the bed curtain—belonged to some unseen person. He tried to shrink farther back upon the pillow. The hand followed him, displaying glimpses now of a soft, white-sleeved arm. He lay quite still, the muscles of his right arm growing tenser as he prepared for a snatch at those cruel fingers. Then a voice came,—a slow, feminine and rather wonderful voice. "If you move," it said, "you will die. Remain quite still." Dominey was fully conscious now, his brain at work, calculating his chances with all the cunning of the trained hunter who seeks to avoid death. Reluctantly he was compelled to realise that no movement of his could be quick enough to prevent the driving of that thin stiletto into his throat, if his hidden assailant should keep her word. So he lay still. "Why do you want to kill me?" he asked, a little tensely. There was no reply, yet somehow he knew that he was being watched. Ever so slightly those curtains around which the arm had come, were being parted. Through the chink some one was looking at him. The thought came that he might call out for help, and once more his unseen enemy read his thought.
"You must be very quiet," the voice said,—that voice which it was difficult for him to believe was not the voice of a child. "If you even speak above a whisper, it will be the end. I wish to look at you." A little wider the crack opened, and then he began to feel hope. The hand which held the stiletto was shaking, he heard something which sounded like quick breathing from behind the curtains—the breathing of a woman astonished or terrified—and then, so suddenly that for several seconds he could not move or take advantage of the circumstance, the hand with its cruel weapon was withdrawn around the curtain and a woman began to laugh, softly at first, and then with a little hysterical sob thrusting its way through that incongruous note of mirth. He lay upon the bed as though mesmerised, finding at his first effort that his limbs refused their office, as might the limbs of one lying under the thrall of a nightmare. The laugh died away, there was a sound like a scraping upon the wall, the candle was suddenly blown out. Then his nerve began to return and with it his control over his limbs. He crawled to the side of the bed remote from the curtains, stole to the little table on which he had left his revolver and an electric torch, snatched at them, and, with the former in his right hand, flashed a little orb of light into the shadows of the great apartment. Once more something like terror seized him. The figure which had been standing by the side of his bed had vanished. There was no hiding place in view. Every inch of the room was lit up by the powerful torch he carried, and, save for himself, the room was empty. The first moment of realisation was chill and unnerving. Then the slight smarting of the wound at his throat became convincing proof to him that there was nothing supernatural about this visit. He lit up half-adozen of the candles distributed about the place and laid down his torch. He was ashamed to find that his forehead was dripping with perspiration. "One of the secret passages, of course," he muttered to himself, stooping for a moment to examine the locked, folding doors which separated his room from the adjoining one. "Perhaps, when one reflects, I have run unnecessary risks." Dominey was standing at the window, looking out at the tumbled grey waters of the North Sea, when Parkins brought him hot water and tea in the morning. He thrust his feet into slippers and held out his arms for a dressing-gown. "Find out where the nearest bathroom is, Parkins," he ordered, "and prepare it. I have quite forgotten my way about here." "Very good, sir."
"and I went big game hunting with my master afterwards. Mr. "I am afraid we should have difficulty in keeping the young women from London. "I had a pretty useful night's rest myself. sir." the man announced." Dominey muttered. found his guest awaiting him in the smaller dining-room. a lofty apartment with great windows and with an air of faded splendour which came from the ill-cared-for tapestries. Dominey glanced down at it and turned the dressinggown up to his throat." Dominey remarked. sir. "Any ghost alarms last light?" "None that I heard of. if they heard what I heard the night of my arrival." Dominey.The man was motionless for a moment. "I had a slight accident this morning." "We must look into the matter. sir. "If you will allow me." he observed. Mangan raised his eyeglass and gazed at his host's throat. however. when he descended about an hour later." Dominey returned from the sideboard." "Very terrible. "The cries were the most terrible I have ever heard. Mangan had. "I have already prepared a bath." he said." he remarked carelessly. I will show you the way. 71 . was it?" Dominey asked with a smile. The row of silver dishes upon the sideboard inspired him with an added cheerfulness. as he took his place at the table. There was in his tone. "There you get a whole orchestra of wild animals." Parkins replied. I do not think that any animal was ever born in Africa with so terrifying a cry as we heard the night before last. contrary to his expectations. which looked out eastwards towards the sea. a mute protest against his master's levity. Parkins' expression remained immovable. carrying also a well-filled plate. but I found them most disturbing. hanging in places from the wall. slept well and was in excellent spirits. Give you my word. every one of them trying to freeze your blood up. I never heard a sound from the moment my head touched the pillow until I woke a short while ago. sir. "I am not a nervous person." "Human or animal?" "A mixture of both." "I was out in South Africa during the Boer War. I should say." the man replied. "Wonderful thing this absolute quiet is after London." "You should camp out for the night on the skirts of an African forest. staring at the blood on his master's pyjamas. "So there were no ghosts walking last night?" he remarked. at the end of the corridor. sir. "Cut yourself?" he queried.
poor chap. "You get out of the use of those things in Africa." he said. "Her ladyship would be glad for you to visit her in her apartment at once. "Satisfied tenants you never will get in Norfolk. though." Dominey told him. Mrs. Unthank entered." Dominey announced. There was a knock at the door. 72 . deliberate tapping. her cold. Mangan set off for another prowl towards the sideboard." he declared. more unattractive than ever in the hard morning light." Mr. "Parkins is going to send up for a new set of safety razors for me. She came to the end of the table. "Come in. Johnson has had the worst of it. The wrinkles in her face. "Pray deliver it. that some of them have had cause to grumble lately. facing the place where Dominey was seated. her hard mouth. Unthank. severer. but there are one or two of them took it into their heads to come up to London and worry me at the office. "it will be a joy to me to go and see some of these fellows without having to put 'em off about repairs and that sort of thing. "Good morning." "You've managed to give yourself a nasty gash. to come with us too.—I've ordered the car for two-thirty this afternoon. She stood in the path of a long gleam of morning sunlight. Mrs. if that suits you." she announced. not an ordinary knock at all. Mr. Mangan nodded his approval. three times repeated. steely eyes were all clearly revealed. but a measured. His eyes were fixed upon the face of the woman whose antagonism to himself was so apparent. Johnson is sleeping over at a farmhouse near here. "About our plans for the day. She ignored the greeting. "I am the bearer of a message. the bailiff. "Upon my word. And I have told Lees." he confessed." Dominey replied. Mangan observed curiously. We shall pick him up en route." Mr." "I intend that there shall be no more dissatisfaction amongst my tenants. "I must admit." Mr."Razor slipped." Dominey called out. We can look around the place quietly this morning." Dominey leaned back in his chair. There's a fellow round by Wells who farms nearly eight hundred acres—" He broke off in his speech.
although he scarcely noticed it at the time. in those haunting eyes. "Her ladyship desires me to assure you. She seemed so fragile. anxious eyes. with a purpose in the words. and masses of brown hair brushed back from her forehead. I have broken my word. To his surprise. Mrs. so utterly. His speech of greeting was never spoken. "I have not deserved that you should seek my life. "You are very brave. It fell to her side like a lifeless thing. of chandeliers glittering with lustres." he said. "So you have come to see me. or was it want of light. Then she raised it and began rubbing softly at the place where his lips had fallen. Everard." "Pleasure!" she murmured. sweetly pathetic. following within a very few minutes of his summons." she said. He was from the first left alone with the woman whom he had come to visit. "You have learnt to control your words." Dominey. Neither of the two noticed that his fingers were trembling. I wonder why?" "Because." If he had thought to disturb this messenger by his suggestion. large. almost a mist before his eyes. "that you need be under no apprehension. of Louise Quinze furniture. with a ghastly little smile." she added."I am not at all sure." he pleaded. was ushered into an apartment large and sombrely elegant. "Her ladyship is very considerate." he replied. he was disappointed. was he indeed a strong man. Unthank promptly disappeared. shabby but priceless. with a note of contempt in her tone. "I have come to see you at your bidding. You have slept here and you live. A woman? Surely only a child. And all the time there was the strange light." he said. "and for my pleasure. "that any further meeting between Lady Dominey and myself is at present desirable." Dominey admitted defeat and poured himself out some more coffee. the hand which a few hours ago had held a dagger to his throat. with pale cheeks. She was sitting up on her couch and watching his approach. Everard. After all." He possessed himself of her hand. in a broken tone." 73 . an apartment of faded white and gold walls. vowed to great things? There was a queer feeling in his throat. and kissed the waxenlike fingers. "Kindly say that I shall follow you in a few minutes.
When he sat down." "You. and took me away from Dour Roger? Do you remember the school chidden used to 74 ." "Come. my husband. come to my side. Indeed. "The night before last." She laughed a little drearily. Everard. his spirit was calling to me below my window. after I had made up my mind. Or no. I have come back from Africa rich. yet there is something gone from your face which I thought one never lost." she reflected." Dominey told her."That sounds strangely. "we shall speak of other things. Draw your chair nearer to mine. Let me look at you. Her smile of anticipation was delightful. I am not sure about myself any longer. "This is important. "Of what use has my beauty been to me. "I shall break my oath. I have sent for you because I do not understand why. I lost the desire to kill you. "You are very wonderfully changed. quite suddenly last night." he said cautiously." Dominey felt as though he were breathing an atmosphere of turgid and poisoned sweetness. It was Roger Unthank—" "I shall not talk about him any longer. It is gone now. You must tell me what presents I can buy you. I have already broken it." she said. He wants me to go down into Hell and live with him. it all came back again. here at the other end of the sofa. Then. "Doesn't it say somewhere in the Bible—'A life for a life'? You killed Roger Unthank. Rosamund. he felt a strange trembling through all his limbs. There was a flavour of unreality about the whole situation. hers was the face of a child who had been offered toys. It is a strange thing to own after all these years—a husband." she decided quite calmly. since you came to my little cottage and loved me and made me love you. this child woman.—the room. You look stronger. her beauty." Dominey said. "Perhaps. you are perhaps better-looking. "Listen to me. her deliberate." "I have killed other men since in self-defence. "are more beautiful than ever. The very thought is horrible. "Sometimes it comes to a man that he must slay or be slain. "You find me changed?" he asked." she went on. her eyes had lost that strange vacancy. halting speech and the strange things she said. before he could say another word." She moved her skirts to make room for him." "Presents?" For a single wonderful moment.
his spirit would break loose and follow me. I must be here to wave my hand. She looked at him pleasantly. Never before in his life had his heart beaten as it was beating now. Other married people have lived together and hated each other. Perhaps you love music and to see beautiful pictures. only to find them in this strange. "But how can I leave here?" she asked plaintively. Then you could take me right away. soft and warm. "But why not? You cannot know why I have so suddenly changed my mind about you—and I have changed it. He had travelled around the word in search of new things. This new element in the situation had been a shock to him. Rosamund. "I wish that I could get it out of my blood that I want to kill you. "Every week. with a strange little smile. You can have a motor-car. "You can visit where you will. and once more he felt like a man who has wandered into a strange country and has lost his bearings. even a house in town." She sighed in a perplexed fashion. Her fingers even returned the pressure of his. Then he closed it and came back. and they will make you quite strong again. "I want you so much to be happy. I have seen the truth these few minutes. faded chamber. too. walked to a window.call him Dour Roger?—But that does not matter. threw it open and leaned out for a moment. I shall bring some wonderful doctors here. His eyes. Nevertheless. "What do you say? Would you like to hold as a wife's the hand which frightened you so last night?" She held it out to him. Do you know. were hot." Dominey staggered to his feet." "How surprised you are to find that I am willing to be nice to you!" she murmured. Everard. that since you left me my feet have not passed outside these gardens?" "That can be altered when you wish. Everard. side by side with this suffering woman. "but you are not strong yet." Her large eyes were lifted almost piteously to his. he said quietly: "We must send you some place where the people are kinder and where life is pleasanter. he calls to me. There is a reason." he said quickly. sometimes oftener. We cannot decide anything in a hurry. I think that we must try and keep you from thinking." Dominey was conscious once more of that strange and most unexpected fit of emotion." he said hoarsely. All the time she was watching him composedly. why I should not kill you. If I went away." 75 . Why shouldn't we? We may forget even to hate. then he goes away. He was unrecognisable even to himself. "Well?" she asked.
I shall not kill you. "If you walk in your sleep to-night. and I want you to go away for a little time." she answered. then. Please send Mrs." he begged. "you will leave your dagger behind?" "I have told you. She shook her head with all the joy of a child who keeps a secret."What is it?" he demanded. as though surprised. Even though I may walk in my sleep—and sometimes the nights are so long—it will not be your death I seek. Unthank to me." she said. mingled still more strangely with regret. He lingered over her hand. "You are clever. I am excited now. "that I have abandoned my intention. "I will leave you to find it out." The prospect of release was a strange relief." 76 .
a triangular green at the cross-roads. on another. with seasoned." he said." "I guessed as much. "My name is Dominey—Sir Everard Dominey. looked about him." was the courteous reply. "I came to see Doctor Harrison." His caller bowed. an ancient. in a graver tone. here he hesitated for a moment. a church embowered with tall elm trees. "My uncle has his own little apartment on the other side of the house. and to tell you the truth he was hoping that you would come and see him. My name is Stillwell. He retains one patient only. a man of youthful middle-age presented himself in the surgery and bowed. "I am his nephew. Presently. "You can imagine who that would be. and lapping tongues of sea water creeping in with the tide. his pulses burning. rang the bell. but nevertheless his forehead remained hot. "Doctor Harrison retired from practice some years ago. a village of ancient cottages.Chapter 11 Dominey left the room like a man in a dream. on which was a brass plate. "You must let me take you to him. square stone house." the other replied. Dominey was for a moment at a loss. On one side a low. caught up a hat and stick and strode out into the sea mist which was fast enveloping the gardens. He made his way seaward with uncertain steps until he reached a rough and stony road. thatched building. for the doctor." Doctor Stillwell added. red-brick tiles. Soon he came to a little village. He went over and read the name." Dominey said." he ventured. descended the stairs to his own part of the house. "Lady Dominey." 77 . with dikes running here and there." The young doctor opened the door and motioned to his guest to precede him. and asked the trim maidservant who answered it. "My uncle lives with me here." "I understood that Doctor Harrison was still in the neighbourhood. He passed out of the postern gate which led from the walled garden on to a broad marsh. and then turned back at right angles. There was all the chill of the North Pole in that ice-cold cloud of vapour. I presume. trim little patches of garden.—the Dominey Arms.
"Without a doubt!" The doctor shook hands coolly. I do not believe that I have ever seen you before in my life." he said. looked around from the window before which he was standing examining a case of fishing flies. "Fishing. "My presence here is nevertheless indisputable." was the prompt response." There was a moment's somewhat tense silence." he confessed." Dominey continued. "I really don't know what we poor medical practitioners would do in the country without sport. then checked himself and shook his head doubtfully. who had been bending once more over the case of flies. "Uncle. sir. which the younger man endeavoured to bridge over. Doctor?" "I have only taken up fly fishing. golf. Even these years of strenuous life—" "You mean to tell me that I am speaking to Everard Dominey?" the doctor interposed. "You certainly remind me very much of an old friend.They moved across the pleasant white stone hall into a small apartment with French windows leading out to a flagged terrace and tennis lawn. The doctor glanced expectantly at Dominey. "you had better start on your round." "I shall look forward to the reminder. His was certainly not the enthusiastic welcome of an old family attendant to the representative of a great family." his nephew announced. grey hair. An elderly man." 78 . "but I can see now that you are not he." Dominey observed. "Arthur. Doctor. with weather-beaten face." There was another somewhat awkward pause. I see." he said. Then Dominey advanced a little stiffly and held out his hand. I have brought an old friend in to see you. shooting. I dare say Sir Everard would like to speak to me privately." he said. "Come." he said. broad-shouldered. "I should certainly never have recognised you. addressing his nephew. and of somewhat serious aspect. "Still attracted by your old pastime. "since I gave up shooting." the other replied drily. half moved forward as though to greet him. "I can scarcely have changed as much as all that." "I shall remind you of that later. His uncle. "I am told that the shooting is one of the only glories that has not passed away from Dominey. turned abruptly around.
" the doctor declared. no right. "I will be getting on." "I was never your friend. if you will excuse me." Dominey added." came the retort. gave up none of your bad habits." he added in a lower tone. "You've no right to have gone there without seeing me." he said. Uninvited Dominey seated himself in an easy-chair. after all that has passed." Dominey admitted." "You have also gained courage since the days when you fled from England. You slept at the Hall last night?" "Where else? I also. to have even approached your wife. "if his manners are a little gruff. occupied my own bedchamber—with results. if you want to know. "because I have known you always as a selfish brute." "Your present appearance. "that you are really Everard Dominey. "but only professionally. and I sometimes think that he broods over her case too much. "You were never my friend. nevertheless." the old man continued. "altogether insignificant. "You appear to have met with one." the doctor persisted. "the appearance of a man who has been used to excesses of any sort." Dominey observed. I was told that you had become a broken-down drunkard." "Good old stock. "That's because I know your history." "I am afraid you will have to accept me as a fact. There is no necessity—" "I am late already. eyeing him steadfastly." Doctor Stillwell interrupted. frightened her into insanity by reeling home with another man's blood on your hands." "That's just your luck." Dominey said equably. because you were married to the sweetest woman on God's earth. ours." "You have not even. at least. "Let me suggest that we conduct this conversation on a purely professional basis. drawing him a little towards the door. eyeing him appraisingly." was the blunt reply. "does not in any way bear out the description I had of you some years ago." "The world is full of liars. Doctor."I wish to speak to you certainly. throwing his head a little back. Sir Everard. and 79 ." "You seem rather a martinet as regards my domestic affairs." his visitor observed carelessly. He is devoted to Lady Dominey." Dominey nodded and turned back into the room to find the doctor. his hands in his old-fashioned breeches pockets. "Plenty of twobottle men behind my generation." he said a little curtly. to display the scar on his throat. You must excuse my uncle. "I find it very hard to believe.
"I would meet none of them. selfish fellow you were. She is a perfectly sound woman. "Is it of any use sending for specialists?" "Just for the present. dished up in a somewhat partial fashion. that sounds like a miracle." Dominey suggested in a softer tone." 80 . if you are really going to take it up. but it might salve your conscience to pay them a few hundred guineas. I have become a villager. "is history. Lady Dominey is a good woman. although heaven knows. you shouldn't have passed this threshold. "Fidelity. They couldn't help. and I am not very hopeful about it." observed Dominey. if any atonement for the past were possible and were generously offered. Unthank?" "Part of your task. She stands between your wife and the sun." "Then for her sake. "Tell me whom to send for?" "Pooh! Those days are finished with me." "There can be no question of a partnership between us. I repeat my suggestion that we confine our conversation to the professional. "is second nature with all good women.then stayed away for over ten years instead of making an effort to repair the mischief you had done. none at all." Dominey begged. and you alone. Her brain is starved because her heart is aching for love. The rest depends upon you. a little taken aback." "And what about that horrible woman. I cannot tell what the result might be. I go to see Lady Dominey as an old friend. and if you don't like it you can get out. I am a doctor no longer." "Upon me?" Dominey repeated." "This. "can't you forget how thoroughly you disapprove of me? I am here now with only one object: I want you to point out to me any way in which we can work together for the improvement of my wife's health. "and you came to see me. If it weren't for Lady Dominey's sake. I shall say exactly what I like to you. and she is no exception to the rule." was the curt reply." the other rejoined." "Would you meet them?" Dominey asked anxiously." "You refuse to help?" "My help isn't worth a snap of the fingers." "Give me your advice. If she could believe in your repentance and reform. You could have the great specialists down." "This is my house. Mrs. I have done all I can for her physically. when one considers what a lazy." the doctor grunted. They tell me that you are a rich man now.
But you'll have to give up the idea of town houses and racing and yachting." his visitor replied. to give every moment of your time to your wife. If you've got your courage back.—also his agitation. you can cure her if you want to. because Lady Dominey. The doctor grinned contemptuously. "That's a different matter." 81 . and grouse moors in Scotland." "Well. "I am not quite the idler I used to be. "Not in the way you imagine. sleep with your doors wide open. "and for another. has some fantastic idea of giving her a home and shelter as a kind of expiation. believing that you slew her son. If you ask me. His visitor's fingers had strayed across his throat. "For the next few months. I believe it's pandered to by Mrs. "Nowadays. "That's just where the weak spot in her brain remains. If a single night passes without Lady Dominey coming to your room with a knife in her hand. Come to think of it. at any rate. "that would be impossible. "For one thing. "except that Lady Dominey is of so sweet and gentle a nature—" The doctor paused abruptly." the doctor replied."Then why have you suffered her to remain there all those years?" Dominey demanded. "Still afraid!" he scoffed. she will be cured in time of that mania at any rate. because there has been no one to replace her." was the blunt reply. Unthank away." "Impossible!" The doctor repeated the word." he went on. "the Domineys were never cowards." the doctor declared. I am clearing off the whole of the mortgages upon the Dominey estates within the next few months. send Mrs." "You think there is no affection between the two?" Dominey asked. you cannot make money without assuming responsibilities. frowning. you will have the sweetest companion for life any man could have. "and if you do." Dominey moved uneasily in his chair. Unthank." the former continued fiercely. "My wife has already promised to make no further attempt upon my life. You'll have for some time. and all those sort of things I suppose you've been looking forward to. seemed to roll it round in his mouth with a sort of wondering scorn." Dominey explained. "Not a scrap. Dare you do that?" Dominey's hesitation was palpable." he said.
or even in the set of his somewhat arrogant lips. I'll come and see Lady Dominey in a day or so."How you spend your time is your affair. "You are a miracle. "All I say about the matter is that your wife's cure." Dominey obeyed with a little shrug of the shoulders. And now—come over to me here." he said. The old doctor took up his box of flies again and jerked his head towards the door. I want to look at you. the suspicion of it in his closely trimmed moustache. but it could find no weak spot in his steady eyes. in the light of this window. in the tan of his hard. not mine." 82 ." the doctor muttered. manly complexion. It showed the sprinkling of grey in his ruddy-brown hair. There was no sunshine. but the white north light was in its way searching. is in your hands. "and I hate miracles. if ever it comes to pass.
Lees declared." he added. as a car swept by them. some of them. With Mr. 83 . Mangan by his side. "Before I go to bed to-night. watched the opening of a magnum of champagne. The money is there waiting. he made practically the entire round of the Dominey estates." Dominey nodded. Mr. Mr. I have your tenants too in my mind." he said. and Mr." the agent observed. They reached home late. Sir Everard. "that I drink your hearty good health. They had the sense of having drifted into fairyland. with immense cigars in their mouths and a pleasant. opposite. and may we see plenty of you in these parts. Lees associated himself with these sentiments.Chapter 12 Dominey spent a curiously placid." Mr. who read novels. an entirely satisfactory afternoon. to those with whom he was brought into contact. Johnson cleared his throat as he raised his glass. his agent. revelling in the unusual situation of a satisfied landlord and delighted tenants. and the glasses were speedily emptied and filled again. although he seemed to be living in another world. sir. Their philosophy. "Hello. "It isn't only on my own account." Mr. the bailiff. Johnson. and." Mr. "I suppose you know. So here's from them and me to you. Sir Everard. half an hour later. was not neglectful of the claims of hospitality. murmured. but Dominey. "It's a fair miracle. "A modern romance. you may just as well have it. met the situation." he said." Agent and bailiff leaned back in the tonneau of their motor-car. Johnson. murmuring amiable platitudes. here's a visitor for the Hall. They've had a rough time. and they've stood it like white men. Probably for the first time in their lives. "I shall send a cheque for twenty thousand pounds to the estate account at your bank at Wells. "that what you've promised to do to-day will cost a matter of ten to fifteen thousand pounds. however. rippling warmth in their veins. Johnson and Lees. put aside for just that one purpose and—well.
"I am the early bird myself. "I thought you might like to try a couple of bottles. The new situation was almost beatific. say so—" "My dear fellow!" Dominey interrupted."Comfortable-looking gent. I couldn't resist having a run across. If it is in any way inconvenient to put me up for the night. I finished early. and Seaman accepted a little refreshment after his drive. Everything to do with the Domineys for the last fifteen years had reeked of poverty." he announced. Even Mr. was in Parkins' congratulatory whisper as he set a couple of decanters upon the table." Dinner that night was a pleasant and social meal. "I must not seem to be hanging after you too much—I really did not want to come—but the matter is urgent. and an old-fashioned bed-warmer will do the rest. perhaps. "I was up all last night. Mangan seems rather a connoisseur. although an attentive host. sir. leaving his host and Mangan alone over the port. The concluding touch. Mangan?" The two men shook hands. sir. and when I found that I was only thirty miles off you." Dominey replied. Dominey. and one of my customers needed looking after. "I have found a bin of Cockburn's fifty-one." he explained. "it will be hard to get back to the austere life of a Pall Mall club!" Seaman. formal interviews with dissatisfied mortgagees. "Not a word until then. There had been disagreeable interviews with angry tenants. and remarkably little profit at the end of the year to set against these disagreeable episodes. "What time is that fellow going?" he asked. He had really had a hard struggle to make both ends meet. Mangan sighed. very early in the evening. All that we need is to light a fire. Mangan especially was uplifted. "Nine o'clock to-morrow morning. He lingered behind for a moment after the dressing bell had rung." Dominey suggested. as Mr. The "comfortable-looking gent" was Otto Seaman." Mr. Lees remarked. "I have done business there all my life. Mr." Mr. "Found myself in Norwich." Seaman whispered back. seemed a little abstracted." "After this. too. including the lawyer in his confidential whisper. who presented himself at the Hall with a small dressing-bag and a great many apologies." "We can send Mangan to bed early. Sir Everard. You remember Mr. "There are a score of rooms ready. 84 . pleaded an extraordinary sleepiness and retired. The corks appear to be in excellent condition. To-morrow morning will do." was the weary reply.
" he murmured. I was one of the few. He agrees with me that there is no reason why Lady Dominey should not." "I paid a visit this morning. Sir Everard. privileged to make her acquaintance at the time of your marriage." he said. 85 . Both glasses were set down empty." the man of the world replied. you may remember. isn't it?" Dominey relapsed into thoughtfulness. "I suppose so." "And that?" Dominey asked unthinkingly. this recrudescence of an old family. be restored to perfect health." Dominey did not answer. "I." "I take the liberty of finishing my glass to that hope. If I might be allowed to say so. who was not an observant man." Dominey said. In the shadows of the room he had fancied that he could see Stephanie Eiderstrom holding out her arms. fixing an electric reading lamp by his side. fastened a dressing-gown around him. "what a pleasure it is to me to see. a storm heralded by a wind which came booming over the marshes. and. Mangan expressed his polite regrets. I'm not sure. Mangan?" Dominey asked his companion.Mangan. calling to him to fulfill the pledges of long ago. "This old glass. seemed temporarily to have left his patron." he admitted. shrieking and wailing amongst its chimneys and around its many corners. sir? Well. tried to read. His brain had served him a strange trick. was conscious that a certain hardness. and drenching streams of rain dashed against the loose-framed sashes of the windows. almost arrogance of speech and manner. a little startled by the abruptness of the question. Sir Everard. "to the doctor who has been in attendance upon her since her marriage. "I can't tell you. "It's an old-fashioned way of looking at things now. Dominey lit the tall candles in his bedroom." the lawyer murmured. only the stem of Dominey's was snapped in two. Black clouds leaned over the land. looking at his own admiringly. in course of time. That night a storm rolled up from somewhere across that grey waste of waters. there's only one thing necessary to round the whole business off. as he sipped his first glass of wine. threw himself into an easy-chair. shaking the latticed windows of Dominey Place. as it were. Mr. "becomes very fragile. as it were. and behind her— "Have you ever been in love. "The return of Lady Dominey to health.
that all the passions of life burn themselves out. As she sank into it. You remember the little stiletto I had last night? To-day I threw it into the well. They come with birth. she suddenly looked up at him and smiled. leaning back in his chair. You are not the same man. She looked very young and very fragile to have been swayed through the years by an evil passion. stooping low. and the white dressing-gown which floated diaphanously about her was unexpectedly reminiscent of Bond Street. Shall I call you Everard still?" "Why not?" he asked. One should not be afraid. "Because you are not like Everard to me any more. but I have been so ill. save one alone. a smile of rare and wonderful beauty. "Sit here and rest. "because something has gone from you. His eyes counted one by one the panels in the wall by the left-hand side of the bed." he invited. The familiar click was twice repeated. and against it her skin seemed whiter and more delicate than ever. "It is the storm which terrifies me. "You are not afraid?" she asked anxiously." she answered simply. but you will not scold me?" she begged. I have nothing in my hands. Dominey felt for a moment something like the stab of a knife at his heart. "See." 86 ." he assured her. glided into the room." "I am not afraid. and with something of the child's fear of harm in them." he told her quietly. He became suddenly tense and watchful. Her hair hung down her back like a girl's. drawn like a moth towards that semicircle of candle." she told him. She came slowly towards him. and something has come to you. I almost think that the desire has gone.Very soon the book slipped from his fingers. "These storms are part of our lives. "but—" "Ah. "I learnt many things there. and they shake the world when death seizes us. "There is nothing to fear. Her eyes were lustrous but plaintive. Rosamund." "In my heart I know that. Mrs. too. which he had pushed a few feet into the shadows. I learnt. What is it? Had you troubles in Africa? Did you learn what life was like out there?" He sat looking at her for a moment. Unthank was very angry with me. For a moment a dark space appeared. Then a woman. Everard. Her hair was glossy and splendid." He drew a low chair for her into the little circle of light and arranged some cushions. "I learnt a little of the difference between right doing and wrongdoing.
please. She held out her arms. "I am only half awake.She twisted the girdle of her dressing-gown in her fingers for a moment. "I have no fear of you. and still her fingers seemed to keep their clutch upon his hand. Very slowly her fingers relaxed." she begged. A pale light stole into the room. raising her eyes. beautiful dreams. Don't move." she begged." The candles burned down in their sockets. and the room was chilly." The fire had burned out. "I feel so well. and her eyes closed as her head fell farther back amongst the cushions. or anything else. His last speech seemed to have been outside the orbit of her comprehension or interest. It seemed to him thick and choked. Dream after dream rose up and passed away before that little background of tapestried wall. Somehow he realised that about this slumber there was a new thing. a little pathetically. "You need not be afraid of me any more. "Stay just like that. Everard. With hot eyes and aching limbs he sat through the night. Let my fingers stay in yours—so. Everard." he promised. the wind rose to greater furies. "Do you hear the wind. Her fingers closed around his neck. "Then why don't you bring your chair forward and come and sit a little nearer to me?" she asked. "I am so rested. "Something quite new is coming to me. and took her hand gently in his." she said. Her mouth—a very perfectly shaped mouth—rested in quiet lines." she murmured. I want to sleep again. her head fell back with a little sigh of content. I am resting. finding some 87 . and died away only as the dawn broke through the storm clouds." he answered. he scarcely recognised his own voice. "The wind shall not hurt you. how it shrieks at us? Oh." He lifted her up. Still the woman slept. and. He tried the folding doors." he said. smiled like a tired child. Her breathing was all the time soft and regular. "I have come back to take care of you. I have had dreams. I am afraid!" He moved forward to her side. It is the sweetest rest I ever felt. When she opened her eyes and looked at him. Her silky black eyelashes lay motionless upon her pale cheeks. When he spoke. "You must go back to your own room now. the same smile parted her lips as the smile which had come there when she had passed away to sleep." She sighed. "Carry me. Her fingers responded at once to his pressure.
" she murmured drowsily. and laid her upon the untouched bed." Her hands drew his face down.difficulty in opening them carried her out into the corridor. His lips rested upon her forehead. into her own room. Then he drew the bedclothes over her and fled. "Kiss me. "Quite. 88 . Everard. "You are quite comfortable?" he asked.
But it will keep. Of those interludes which are necessary to a human being. It distresses me. "I hope you will remember that as yet I am scarcely established here." Dominey murmured a little idly. he and his host walked up and down the terrace the next morning. muffled up in their overcoats. "You have undertaken a great enterprise. after the departure of Mr." Seaman replied." "The time for action has arrived?" Dominey asked curiously. to your camp just at the moment when you received your orders from headquarters." "What the devil do you mean?" Dominey demanded. I am a man of sentiment. Mangan." Seaman explained drily." "It is with regard to your establishment here. We have seen much of one another since we met in Cape Town. I see ugliness in it.Chapter 13 There was a cloud on Seaman's good-humoured face as. "I sleep with one ear open. Your self-conceived plan has met with every encouragement from us. "In a few minutes. I have great and wonderful news for you." Seaman continued. "I shall come to the great purpose of my visit. To take even a single step forward towards the achievement of that purpose is worth the sacrifice of all the scruples and delicacies conceivable. unless his system is to fall to pieces as dry dust. without a doubt. Now mark my words and do not misunderstand me. The passion and purpose of my life you have been able to judge. Dominey. you have also seen something." he said. I trust you will not misunderstand me when I say that apart from the necessities of my work. "that I desire to say a word." "I am prepared to admit it. You will be placed in a unique position to achieve your final purpose. It was. But when a certain course of action is without profit to our purpose. He disclosed his mind a little abruptly. The very keynote of our progress is ruthlessness. a miraculous piece of fortune which brought the Englishman. "carrying Lady Dominey in your arms." 89 . "Well?" "I saw you leave your room early this morning.
"To continue. "we are too closely allied for bluff." "I respect you for your plain words. you are rehabilitating. He showed not the slightest resentment at his companion's words. "You must admit that the spectacle of last night was calculated to inspire me with uneasiness." Dominey's passion seemed to have burned itself out without expression. so far as regards his estates. Seaman. to make use of your position as her supposed husband. the action of a Prussian nobleman. "That. my friend. to your face—that to deceive a lady of weak intellect. "The situation is delicate. by the by." was the terse reply." "You relieve me. is necessary. Seaman gripped his companion's arm. save in the vital interests of his country. that Lady Dominey was frightened of the storm last night and found her way into my room. Cannot you see that a too friendly attitude on her part might become fatal to our schemes?" "In what way?" 90 . There was certainly nothing of the murderess in her demeanour towards you last night." "In what way?" "The common impression in the neighbourhood here is that she is a maniac chiefly upon one subject—her detestation of you. His eyes were like glittering metal." "Lady Dominey. but I can deal with it as a man of honour." Dominey declared." Seaman remarked meditatively. "The fact is. "Look here. She has been known to take an oath that you should die if you slept in this house again. people of unsound mind are remarkably tenacious of their ideas. but—I shall tell you this. You naturally. You may be sure that I treated her with all the respect and sympathy which our positions demanded. I will go further. however beautiful." he said." Dominey's eyebrows were slowly raised. and character. "seems to be curiously falsifying certain predictions. with involuntary sarcasm. ignored all this.There were little streaks of pallor underneath the tan in Dominey's face. for your own sake as well as ours. "Have no fear." he enjoined him." he observed." Seaman confessed. I am here to help you fill the shoes of another man. It was only when he had breathed once or twice quickly that he could command his voice. being a brave man. which. I will admit that it is not my concern to interfere in any ordinary amour you might undertake. yet in the morning after your first night here there was blood upon your night clothes. "What concern is this of yours?" he demanded. his position. is not. "You are well served here.
He withdrew his arm from his companion's and stared at him blankly." Seaman confessed. everybody's hand would have been against you. suspicions. "but for the news I bring." "Ingenious."If ever your identity is doubted. "Magnificent. It is the same in diplomacy as in war. listen. to give you his instructions in person. The Kaiser has expressed a desire to see you." Seaman explained. however. A great moment has arrived for you. which is absolutely necessary for the furtherance of our scheme. "the probability of which is." Seaman declared. than either. Germany will pay the price for what she intends to achieve." "It was certainly a magnificent way of establishing me. the fact that Lady Dominey seems to have so soon forgotten all her enmity towards you would be strong presumptive evidence that you are not the man you claim to be. "Very well. you would not have been able to take your place in Society. let me promise you this. during the last few days. that you have an organisation behind you to whom money is dross. "that the way was made a little clearer for me?" "That would have been my task this morning. All this time." Seaman replied." Dominey assented. now absolutely unkindled." "You are right. but safest in the long run. Ninety thousand pounds was yesterday passed to the credit of your account for the extinction of certain mortgages." Dominey admitted. however. I must confess. In a few months' or a few years' time. We want you for a different purpose." Dominey enquired. perhaps. more important." "And the news?" "What must be the greatest desire in your heart. some distant Dominey will benefit to that extent. "If you had returned a poor man. You have seen proof. "and very possible." "Is it not almost time. we speak on what you yourself admit to be a side issue. "The Kaiser?" he exclaimed." "Explain if you please. It is just an item in our day by day expenses. You will never be asked to stoop to the crooked ways of the ordinary spy. becoming less every day. then. In passing. might have been formed." Dominey stopped short upon the terrace. and." "I shall do so. "is to be granted. "You mean that I am to go to Germany?" 91 ." Seaman said solemnly. We cannot recover the money. my friend.
Unthank." Seaman replied. "If I weren't. "Personally. We require the votes of our fellow shareholders. And now. "what particular claim my wife has had upon you. Unthank was startled by the suddenness of the attack. grim and fierce though she was and appeared to be. which she declined. "Do you consider. to take. "What explanation can I possibly make for going to Germany. Is this attendance upon my wife a Christian act."We shall start at once. "that you have been the best possible companion for her?" "She has never been willing to accept any other. 92 . Unthank. How I love action! That time-table. It has been decided upon. of all countries in the world." the woman replied. "Are you very devoted to my wife?" he enquired." he said." he continued. And think of the wonder of it! If only for a single day your sentence of banishment is lifted. "a breath of the things that are to come." It was arranged that the two men should leave during the morning for Norwich by motor-car and thence to Harwich. You need not trouble your head about that. Sir Everard?" she asked harshly. You will breathe the air of the Fatherland once more. without consulting me. after a moment's pause." Dominey muttered. He held out a chair to her. It is easy to imagine that a crisis has arisen in the management of one of them. was obviously disconcerted by Dominey's line of questions. Dominey. however. sent a messenger for Mrs. "Lady Dominey has needed me. that you are one of those who firmly believe that I killed your son." she answered." she demanded." "It will be wonderful. then—the returning of good for evil?" "Exactly what do you want to say to me." Seaman promised. and your chauffeur. moreover." he asked. "Many of the mines in which a share has been bought in your name are being run with German capital. however. "should I have been here all these years?" "I scarcely see. I do not consider the proceeding discreet or necessary. my friend. Mrs. who came to him presently in his study. Unthank. "I should like to know why you have been content to remain my wife's attendant for the last ten years?" Mrs. I understand. "It will be for you. having changed into travelling clothes." "I consider it suicidal. action. "Mrs. before I have had time to settle down here?" "That of itself will not be difficult." Dominey protested." his companion pointed out.
" he added. For that reason I am going to have specialists down here. Unthank. Personally. She began to shake. you call it?" the woman almost shouted. "I have not spoken to Lady Dominey yet. you call it?" "I have finished what I had to say. "that I am determined to bring about my wife's restoration to health. as though studying his face. if only you had kept away." she muttered. Mrs. "I can't leave this place. "I have written this morning to Doctor Harrison. My own feeling is that she will stand a much better chance of recovery without your attendance. asking him to come up this afternoon and to keep Lady Dominey under his personal observation until my return." she answered sullenly." She stood quite still. watching a curious change in the woman's expression. "I must stay here!" "Why?" he demanded. she might one day have loved? Unreasonable. "is for her to decide. I believe that you have encouraged in her that ridiculous superstition about the ghost of your son." she cried. "Lady Dominey couldn't do without me. but I never knew a man made out of a weakling. I also believe that you have kept alive in her that spirit of unreasonable hatred which she has felt towards me." The woman showed her first sign of weakness. There was a curious look of fear in her eyes. I look upon your future from the financial point of view. I shall settle upon you the sum of three hundred pounds a year. "except to let you know that I am coming to see my wife in the space of a few minutes. "That is my intention."I wish to say this. who came home to her with the blood on your hands of the man whom. "do change many men." Dominey replied. and above all things to change for a time her place of residence." 93 . "I am compelled by important business to leave here for two or three days. "Eleven years. as my care." Dominey replied. Then she came a little nearer and leaned forward. looking at him." "Unreasonable. Sir Everard. "You. "That. On my return I shall embark upon the changes with which I have acquainted you. from enquiries I have made." "You would dare to send me away?" the woman demanded. but I hope that very soon my influence over her will be such that she will be content to obey my wishes." he replied." "I have nothing more to say to you." Dominey declared. In the meantime." Dominey confessed.
" "When I return." Dominey said." "What do you understand?" he demanded huskily. All night long sometimes she waits and listens. "Should you be very unhappy if I sent her away and found some one younger and kinder to be your companion?" The idea seemed to be outside the bounds of her comprehension. when I suddenly felt the desire to kill die away. Unthank?" he enquired anxiously." "I want to talk to you about Mrs." she confessed. "But then. The disappointment of a child lurked in her manner. Unthank. "She stays here to listen to the voice. "I will come back within three days. "I am afraid. "Mrs. You are another man. She was dressed in a loose gown of a warm crimson colour. Everard! She would never go away. Unthank. you see." 94 . You are very like him sometimes. I understand. "I am so sorry that you are going. "I don't think so." she went on confidentially." he said. "In a very few moments. "at the very moment when my dagger rested upon your throat. Unthank would never go. "I have been waiting to see you for an hour. and it doesn't come. but you are not Everard. "I think I am very much afraid of her." she went on." he promised. Her brows were a little puckered. I am not very strong." she answered. "It was Mrs. "The knowledge must have come to me." she murmured." he told her." "And you?" he asked. The passion of hatred seemed to have passed from her pale face and from the depths of her strangely soft eyes. "we shall see. Will you come back—my husband?" Dominey's nails cut into the flesh of his clenched hands." "You are not fond of Mrs. She held out her hands towards him. "Do you know. You are not my husband at all. I spoke about it yesterday. "I hope you will soon come back. but I did not tell you what it was. I was so anxious to see you. But it is no use. in a perplexed tone. "You are going away?" she murmured. You need never be afraid of me any more. "something has come into my mind lately. dropping her voice a little and whispering almost in his ear." she declared. I think that she hid my things on purpose. and she is rested." She took his arm and linked her hands through it. Then she hears it. and she had the air of one awaiting his arrival expectantly." She made a grimace.The motor-horn was already sounding below when Dominey was admitted to his wife's apartment.
"Another man!" 95 . Mrs. Her lips.Dominey gave a little gasp. They both turned towards the door. her gaunt. Unthank was standing there. her eyes glittering. as though involuntarily. hard face lit up with a gleam of something which was like triumph. repeated her mistress' last words.
" Dominey glanced out of the window. to have passed beyond the boundaries of any ordinary reserve. Presently they slackened speed." The train sped on through long chains of vineyard-covered hills. indeed." he said." Dominey replied. in the midst of which were great cleared spaces. speaking only when necessary and comporting himself generally like one to whom all externals have lost significance." "But there is not a house in sight. Seaman leaned forward in his seat in the sombrely upholstered. is making one of his military tours. with his staff. "The Kaiser. my friend. "We descend in a few minutes. "Your home-coming seems to depress you. out into a stretch of flat country." "The past still bites?" "Always. "You will be received on board His Majesty's private train." Seaman announced. to have become like a man immeshed in the toils of a past so absorbing that he moved as though in a dream. "Within five minutes of our destination. As they embarked upon the final stage of their travels. notwithstanding the closely drawn windows. overheated compartment. where. "to set foot in Germany again for many years." They had come to a standstill now. Von Ragastein. "Prepare yourself." he said." Dominey remarked wonderingly. Dominey seemed. A bearded and uniformed official threw open the door of their compartment. studying his companion. the resinous odour from the fallen trunks seemed to permeate the compartment. and they stepped on to the narrow wooden platform of a small station which seemed to have been 96 . "It was not my intention. "But where are we?" he enquired. became thoughtful. We are honoured by being permitted to travel back with him as far as the Belgian frontier.Chapter 14 There were times during their rapid journey when Seaman. Seaman glanced at his watch and rose. into forests of pines.
" he said. Their guide paused and pointed to a small retiring-room. Good reports have reached me of your work in Africa. The Kaiser glanced up at the sound of footsteps and whispered something in the general's ear. where several men were seated. at your service. The Baron Von Ragastein will come this way. An officer received them at the steps and bowed punctiliously to Dominey." the Kaiser pronounced. with much gold ornamentation." Dominey ventured. Majesty. "You did so well. when he had finished his conversation. The Kaiser beckoned Dominey to advance. as he took the chair to which his august host pointed. In the middle of it was a solitary saloon carriage. Dominey stood at attention for a moment and bowed a little awkwardly.recently built of fresh pine planks." the latter observed. himself advancing a few paces. during which Dominey took curious note of his surroundings. Their journey was over. stood at the salute before a seated figure who was bending over a map. The latter clicked his heels together and retired. His guide motioned him to remain near the entrance. half hidden in some places by the trees and shrubs." "Sir Everard Dominey. The train." the young officer murmured. Seaman. be seated. was drawn a complete cordon of soldiers. "His Imperial Majesty will receive him for a few minutes later." he said. you will leave us. and. "that my counsellors were unanimous in advising your withdrawal to what will shortly become the 97 . "Thorough in all things. Baron Von Ragastein. "Follow me. Count." Dominey replied. at whom he gazed with much interest. your Majesty. "The Baron Von Ragastein. "Herr Seaman will find friends there. "It pleases me. I see. "Sit there and be at your ease. "His Majesty will receive you at once. who seemed to have recently disembarked from a military train which stood upon a siding. Around the station. The Kaiser smiled. "to see a German officer ill at ease without his uniform. which a stern-faced man in the uniform of a general had unrolled before him. immediately they had alighted. took Dominey by the arm and led him across the line towards it. painted black. passed on. and having emblazoned upon the central panel the royal arms of Germany." Dominey was ushered now into the main saloon." They boarded the train and passed along a richly carpeted corridor." "I did my best to execute your Majesty's will. A brief conversation was carried on between Seaman and the official." he announced.
" he said at last. "I wish you to consider yourself. I desire a list compiled of those writers who. The Kaiser threw back the grey military cloak which he was wearing. He seemed for a moment to lose himself in thought. For quite five minutes there was complete silence. His hard and somewhat cruel mouth was tightly closed. turning aside from great matters. I believe. "To the Fatherland!" he said. displaying a long row of medals and decorations. are encouraging the suspicions which I am inclined to fancy England has begun to entertain towards the Fatherland. As a typical English country gentleman I desire you to study the labour question. or by means of fiction. From the moment of receiving our commands you appear to have displayed initiative. I gather that your personation of this English baronet has been successfully carried through?" "Up to the present. passed one to his companion and raised the other.great centre of interest. "To the Fatherland!" Dominey repeated." "Your Majesty does me great honour. taking no advantage of the cushioned back of his easy-chair. These things are all on the fringe of your real mission." the Kaiser continued. "as entirely removed from the limits." 98 ." From a mahogany stand at his elbow. your Majesty. though. From you I look for other things. of Prince Terniloff. the authority and the duties of my espionage system. "I have sent for you to have a few words concerning your habitation in England. I wish to speak to you for these few minutes without reserve. "Von Ragastein." "Important though your work in Africa was. the progress of this National Service scheme. the Irish question. there was a slight frown upon his forehead. empty. filled two very beautiful glasses. His fingers still toyed with the stem of his wineglass. in the Reviews. he had been devoting himself entirely to the scheme in which Dominey was concerned. the Kaiser drew out a longnecked bottle of Moselle. It is to seek the friendship. drink a toast with me. They set down their glasses. I desire you to enter into the spirit of your assumed position. He was sitting upright." Dominey murmured. the frown deepening. I wish you to receive your impressions of your mission from my own lips. First. his eyes a little screwed up. if possible the intimacy. and other social movements of which you will receive notice in due time. One might have gathered that. our admirable friend Seaman has already confided to you." the Kaiser continued. That. "your present task is a far greater one.
The eyes of his companion flashed. "Von Ragastein. and then. "Fools!" he exclaimed. I preferred not.The Kaiser paused. His lips curled contemptuously. your Majesty." Dominey bowed and remained silent. and yet in those moments they seemed filled with brooding pictures." the Kaiser pronounced. you slew him. You can at all times trust Seaman. "I should have lost a valuable servant." he continued. Terniloff is the man to gull fools. His companion continued after another brief spell of silent brooding. "The accident should have happened the other way. "you will understand why you have been enjoined to become the friend and companion of Terniloff. when I hold the coast towns of Calais and Boulogne. "Of what use will their navy be when my sword is once drawn. Von Ragastein. You first of all betrayed the wife of one of the most influential noblemen of a State allied to my own." The Kaiser frowned. You will understand your mission a little more clearly than you do now. Its exact nature waits upon developments. "In some months' time. "Terniloff is the dove of peace. and once more his eyes wandered to the landscape which rolled away from the plate-glass windows of the car. they tell me that your work in Africa was well and thoroughly done. creeping closer every day. your Majesty. He is a fit ambassador for a country which has not the wit to arm itself on land as well as by sea. Still." Dominey observed tentatively. when my cannon command the Straits of Dover! The days of insular nations are passed. The morals of my people are as sacred to me as my oath to win for them a mightier empire. "my decree of banishment against you was a just one. I give you this one great chance of 99 ." "It was an accident." Dominey confided." he said. My statesmen and counsellors would have sent to London an ambassador with sterner qualities. They were certainly not the eyes of a dreamer. "He carries the sprig of olive in his mouth. "I had no intention of even wounding the Prince. mightier. in the duel that followed. but it was your life which was forfeit." The Kaiser refilled his glass and Dominey's. because he is a fool himself. more splendidly led than its own. and not his." Dominey pleaded. more cultured. "The Princess has already received me graciously. All manner of excuses were loathsome to him." "The English appear to put their whole trust in their navy. passed as surely as the days of England's arrogant supremacy upon the seas. when it sees a nation." he rejoined sharply.
scars upon his face." Dominey bowed stiffly and took his place with the others. too. believe me. with which every son of my Empire regards the future. I think that they. puppet-like carriage. One. even without the hope of reward. If your work in England commends itself to me. a young man with a fixed monocle. nodded understandingly. called him in and introduced him to several members of the suite. Baron. "I acknowledge no former meetings with any one in this country. that the day is not far off when the sentence of exile against you will be annulled. Seaman. You will take your place with the gentlemen of my suite in the retiring-room. and a queer. You will have expiated that crime which." the Kaiser said. "We met some years ago in Munich. I have no fear but that every loyal German will bow his head before the lightnings which will play around my sword and share with me the iron will to wield it. You sorrow because your back is now to Berlin. "Dear friend. For many years I have. although I do not venture to 100 . Luncheon will be served to us here in a few minutes. more especially those who surround my person. for its own sake. remember this. Baron Von Ragastein. "You are certainly a good actor." Dominey murmured. Still. patted him on the arm." he remarked." "That. willed peace. The train had already started. and Seaman. by his side. Now that the time draws near when Heaven has shown me another duty. "The work. "is well spoken. Dominey gazed thoughtfully out of the window. "I obey the orders of my Imperial master when I wipe from my mind every episode or reminiscence of my former days. I believe." Dominey replied stiffly. We shall proceed within a few minutes and leave you at the Belgian frontier. Your audience is finished. bowed stiffly and backed down the carpeted way.rehabilitation." The young man's face cleared. for the sake of my people. will command my every effort." he declared. the sentence of exile under which you suffer shall be rescinded. who was waiting outside the door of the anteroom. who was waiting about for his audience. "Even your German has become a little English. who had knitted his brows thoughtfully. The Kaiser was already bending once more over the map. It is the spirit. "I sympathise with you. Seaman. have felt something of that divine message which has come to me." "Your Majesty is too good. Sit down and join us in a glass of beer." Dominey rose. Baron." he said. You will not be recalled to the Presence until we set you down. looked at him a little strangely.
in black livery with white facings. "To the Baron Von Ragastein." A smiling steward. a brother in arms.claim a place amongst them. a companion in great deeds! Hoch!" 101 . raised his glass and bowed. May we soon welcome him back." he said. none of your friends and equals have ever regarded in the same light as His Imperial Majesty. The senior officer there. made his appearance and served them with beer in tall glasses. "whose acquaintance I regret not having made before to-day. who had now seated himself opposite to Dominey.
whom time seemed to have cured of all his apprehensions. was softly garrulous and very happy. is well on to his birds. repeating his late exploit." the old man assented. and though they streamed over his head like starlings. "You are a miracle. "I do not understand sport. on the other. At a reasonable distance on his left. the latest and most popular recruit to Norfolk sporting society. so they say. sir." he observed. "That do seem right to have a Squire Dominey at this corner. gave up this corner one day to Lord Wendermere. leaning on his ash stick and listening to the approach of the beaters. "They do that." was the easy reply." he declared. Baronet. You seem to have developed the Dominey touch even in killing pheasants." Seaman admitted. your father.Chapter 15 Sir Everard Dominey. at the corner of the long wood which stretched from the ridge of hills behind almost to the kitchen gardens of the Hall. whom folks called one of the finest pheasant shots in England. "I am not a sportsman. four other guns were posted. That foreign Prince. Seaman." "You must remember that I have shot higher ones in Hungary." The old man moved off a few paces to some higher ground. "and no one but a Dominey seems to have learnt the knack of dealing with them proper. he'd nowt but a few cripples to show for his morning's work. But I do know this: there is an old man who has lived on this land since 102 . don't they?" Dominey remarked. some months after his return from Germany. watching a high cock pheasant come crashing down over their heads. The old keeper. to watch the progress of the beaters through the wood. curiously out of place in his dark grey suit and bowler hat. "My friend. On one side of him stood Middleton. Seaman turned to his companion. and there was a note of genuine admiration in his tone. "I mind when the Squire." "Come out with a bit of a twist from the left. but I wouldn't trust him at this corner. stood one afternoon. sir.
She wore thick shoes and gaiters and a small hat." "Where did you become so friendly with her?" his cousin asked curiously. "He has fired off about forty cartridges and wounded one hare. and she is too great a lady to conceal her feelings. "She is coming down for a few days." he assented. "You are right. "I am not certain that you have told me all that you know concerning the Princess's visit. I met her the same night at Carlton House Terrace—she is related to the 103 ." He strolled away to the next stand." Dominey replied. then. She was looking very well but a little annoyed. "Her Grace is coming." Dominey explained." The Duchess was very smartly tailored in clothes of brown leather mixture. "was in the Carlton grill room. They are all going home. "I am afraid that she will be bored to death. turned around and killed a hare. The Princess Eiderstrom arrives this afternoon. it really does not matter. "I have not." Seaman gazed steadfastly for a moment along the side of the wood. She mistook me for some one else. are you not? I saw him bring down a nice cock just now." she declared. "I told Henry I shouldn't stop with him another moment." Dominey nodded. "The first time we ever met. a few days after I landed in England. It is a fault which I will repair presently. with a certain note of challenge in his tone." he said. The wood ends on the slant. "although I think you are a little hard on him. warned by the keeper's shout.the day of his birth." he said." Dominey remarked. and they seem to be flying more to the left than they really are. "is simply a local superstition. "that Stephanie is coming to-day. and seemed for a moment intent on watching the flight of a pigeon which kept tantalisingly out of range. The Duchess came up to Dominey a few minutes later." Seaman was thoughtful for a brief space of time." he admitted. "I hear. who has watched you shoot. Just one word before I go. and we parted with the usual apologies. reverently. and finds even the way you hold your gun familiar." she said. where Mr. "She seems to share the Duke's dislike of me. So far as regards the birds. Mangan was displaying an altogether different standard of proficiency." "That twist of the birds. "My friend." Dominey frowned." "Henry is not keen.
" he pleaded." "It was just a quaint thought. "He cannot imagine a German who feasts with any one else but the devil. "I admire the Prince immensely. "She addressed me as Leopold.—"To return to the subject of Stephanie." he said." she begged." Caroline agreed." his companion observed a little petulantly." "Henry is blinded by prejudice." "Don't get annoyed. politically and as a sportsman. "Not guilty. "That is another of the little surprises you seem to have all ready dished up for us. Henry declares that he must be either a fool or a knave.—Now what are you smiling at?" Dominey turned a perfectly serious face towards her. He is very interested in East Africa. are you not." Dominey picked up his shooting-stick and handed his gun to Middleton." the Duchess murmured meditatively. is there? Mr." "Well?" "Do you know whom she mistook you for in the Carlton grill room?" "Tell me?" he answered evasively. He is absolutely the only German I ever met whom one felt instinctively to be a gentleman. "Really.Terniloffs—and we came across one another pretty often after that." "Yes." "So have I. "there is not anything so very extraordinary about it. resting her fingers for a moment upon his coat sleeve. I remember now." Caroline continued drily. Seaman. Caroline?" "I'm generally right. during the short time I was in town." Dominey declared a little impatiently." she declared. I have the greatest respect and liking for the Prince. "Yes. dear. "She may—call you Leopold again!" 104 . How on earth did you become so friendly with the German Ambassador?" Dominey smiled tolerantly." he replied. You are rather sweeping. The Kaiser was furious and banished him to East Africa. "I think he's charming. "She mistook you for a Baron Leopold Von Ragastein. "Von Ragastein was her lover in Hungary. my partner in one or two mining enterprises. The beaters were through the wood." "I still don't see why it was necessary to invite her here. took me to call upon him. "I saw you smile. He fought a duel with her husband and killed him. Our conversations seemed to interest him and led to a certain intimacy—of which I may say that I am proud.
you must admit that the situation is a little awkward for Henry. and he particularly asked to have him here." "Well. Henry is practically the leader of the National Service movement here." Dominey promised. and for which there can be no foundation at all except your supposed likeness to her exiled lover. She always seems to be making mysterious references to some sentimental past in which you both are concerned. with a smile." "Of course he likes Terniloff. you never met her until that day at the Carlton!" "She was a complete stranger to me. I shouldn't wonder! And she's an extraordinarily attractive woman. with mock alarm. "Then all I can say is that you have been unusually rapid if you've managed to create a past in something under three months!" Caroline pronounced suspiciously. I am quite sure that he never expected to sit down at the same table with him. "Next to Lord Roberts. Seaman. Why. I'd have forgiven you everything if only Stephanie weren't coming."If she does. I shall be deaf." Caroline assented. A flight of wild duck were put out from a pool in the wood. of which Seaman is secretary. I'm full of complaints. However. There's that other horrible little man. "but he hates the things he stands for." "I am really sorry about that. and conversation was temporarily suspended. "I call her coming here a most bare-faced proceeding. she is a cousin of the Princess Terniloff. he hates Germany and distrusts every German he ever met." "You are not suggesting that she intends seriously to put me in the place of my double?" Dominey asked. so I thought they could entertain one another." They had arrived at the next stand. Everard. "Oh. You know that the very sight of him makes Henry furious. and in a small house party like this we meet the German Ambassador and a man who is working hard to lull to sleep the very sentiments which Henry is endeavouring to arouse. "but even Henry likes Terniloff." she complained. "but you see His Excellency takes a great interest in him on account of this Friendship League. The Princess hates shooting parties." Dominey assured her. "But seriously." Dominey admitted." Dominey asserted. especially as this is practically a bachelor establishment. and after all it is stimulating to meet one's opponents sometimes. That woman is really beginning to irritate me." "It sounds very pathetic." "Bosh! Stephanie will monopolise you all the time! That's what's she's coming for. 105 . and the two women are devoted to one another.
Somehow or other. 106 . Middleton had dropped some game he was carrying and was muttering to himself. What do you think. "There's another hour's good light." he said. as though fascinated by its almost sinister-like blackness and density. Middleton?" The old man turned his head slowly and looked at his master. "and I am rather afraid that the pheasants who find their way there claim sanctuary. He had great estates of his own in Saxony and was explaining to the Duke his manner of shooting them." Terniloff observed diffidently." Dominey said calmly. I'd have known his touch on a gun anywhere." he said. though. "as I was saying to this gentleman here. early this morning. His eyes were filled with that vague horror of the supernatural common amongst the peasant folk of various localities. Terniloff." he answered. sir. "We call that the Black Wood. or should we do through the home copse?" "If I might make a suggestion. was affable and even loquacious. His voice shook.and for a few minutes every one was busy." "Have we stumbled up against a local superstition?" the Duke enquired. every scrap of colour seemed to have faded out of his bronzed face. who was standing in the background. "not that there's one of them would go. Middleton watched his master with unabated approval. your Grace. The beaters came through the wood. Middleton glanced at his hornrimmed watch. Squire?" he faltered. "That's true very few can touch 'em when they're coming out nigh to the pheasants. Dominey had turned and was looking towards the wood in question. "You wouldn't put the beaters in there. The old fear was back again. "Would you care about a partridge drive." "Do you think Sir Everard shoots as well as he did before he went to Africa?" Caroline asked. Sir Everard." There was a glint of admiration in Seaman's eyes. "You're most as good as the old Squire with them high duck." There was a moment's rather curious silence. his usual pallor chased away by the bracing wind and the pleasure of the sport. "Better. He's cooler like and swings more level. They can't believe in the speed of 'em. and the little party of guns gossiped together while the game was collected. "most of the pheasants went into that gloomy-looking wood just across the marshes. Middleton touched his hat and turned to Seaman.
We will line the park fence. Middleton?" The keeper touched his hat and stepped briskly off. sir. been terribly tactless?" he asked. as well as heard. Terniloff came up to his host." the Prince began— 107 . The very suggestion seemed to have taken the healthy sunburn from their cheeks. your Grace. They fumbled with their sticks uneasily. Just for one moment I had forgotten. and bring them into the roots and then over into the park. Everard. How is that. Prince." He turned to the beaters. you lads.—Now then." he said." "I am deeply grieved. lads?" There was no possibility of any mistake. One of them touched his hat and spoke to Dominey. you're an idiot!" she exclaimed. "It was my fault. I'm so sorry. I ought to have stopped Henry at once. "Have I. There was a note of distress in her tone. "You asked a perfectly natural question." Middleton replied. stalwart men for the most part. Squire. your Grace. There were a dozen of them." he promised. "Well. "I'll just have a walk with them myself. if you paid him red gold for it. "I'd sooner give up my farm than go nigh the place. "Henry. Near that wood occurred the tragedy which drove me from England for so many years. no one is going to ask you to go to the Black Wood. "who wants to know if you'd go through the Black Wood of Dominey for a sovereign apiece?—Watch their faces. who were standing waiting for instructions a few yards away." he replied. "There is no reason why you should not know the truth. "Them birds do break at Fuller's corner. Dominey shook his head. I'll see if I can flank them. "Get round to the back of Hunt's stubbles. Their backs were towards the Black Wood. Then he turned to the beaters."That's not altogether local." Dominey nodded." Dominey's arm responded for a moment to the pressure of her fingers. addressing them. "I'm one as 'as seen it. clad in rough smocks and breeches and carrying thick sticks." Caroline suddenly passed her arm through Dominey's. One and all the beaters were walking with most unaccustomed speed towards their destination. by chance. "There's one of the gentlemen here. The poor man has no memory.—Here. "as the Squire himself will tell you." Middleton announced. I doubt whether there's a beater in all Norfolk would go through the Black Wood. sir." he said. You'll know where to put the guns.
then?" "The superstition goes further." Dominey continued." The Prince." he explained. "My own memory as to the end of our fight is uncertain."It is false sentiment to avoid allusions to it. where a man may sink in and be never heard of again. and which made me for many years a suspected person." "Has any one ever seen it?" "One or two of the villagers. I am sure you understand. But here is the point which has given birth to all these superstitions. and I reached home in a somewhat alarming state. "is a noisome place." he whispered. My condition terrified my wife so much that she has been an invalid ever since." "Then it is his ghost. "My impression is that I left my assailant unconscious upon the ground. a diplomatist to his fingertips. I imagine." Dominey replied. as though to call his attention to the sea fogs which were rolling up from the marshes. "the details of that story are inextricably mixed up with the insanity of Lady Dominey. Every sort of vermin abounds there." "They absolutely believe the place to be haunted." Dominey continued. "I regret my faux pas most deeply." he went on. The man with whom I fought has never been seen since. although a furtive smile still lingered upon his lips. who haunts the Black Wood?" Dominey shook himself as one who would get rid of an unwholesome thought. "Prince. We fought. Terniloff seemed on the point of asking more questions." Dominey interrupted. I suppose the character of the place has encouraged the local superstition in which every one of those men firmly believes. appeared shocked. to the best of my belief. "Sir Everard. there is living in the spiritual sense some sort of a demon who comes out only at night and howls underneath my windows. but the Duke touched him on the arm and drew him to one side. Prince. "Our locals say that somewhere in the heart of the wood." Terniloff was at once too fascinated by the story and puzzled by his host's manner of telling it to maintain his apologetic attitude. "Never seen since!" he repeated. as they walked along. every unclean insect and bird are to be found in the thickets. no one else. where I believe that no human being for many years has dared to penetrate. "The wood itself." he murmured. "you promised to tell me of some of your days with a shotgun 108 . There are quagmires even in the middle of it. "I was attacked there one night by a man who had some cause for offence against me.
" Her host smiled enigmatically." 109 . "Curious that it should have struck you like that. I could even have imagined you were telling it about some one else. you were almost matter-of-fact. when I was telling it I had the same feeling. Isn't there a bird there which corresponds with your partridges?" Dominey smiled.—Do you mind crouching down a little now? I am going to blow the whistle. Stillwell up by the left-hand corner. Eddy next. Will you walk with me. "Everard. "You have conquered your nerve absolutely. You did a simple and a fine thing to tell the whole story. "Do you know. Why. Terniloff by the gate. Henry. I congratulate you.in South Africa. "you could shoot anything of the sort that comes along in East Africa. Caroline?" His cousin took his arm as they walked off and pressed it." she said. with a catapult." he remarked. "If you can kill the partridges which Middleton is going to send over in the next ten minutes. If you will stand just a few paces there to the left." he said. Mangan next. and I shall be just beyond towards the oak clump.
"I am afraid they do not take to the idea very kindly in this part of the world. Everard." he said. seemed more like one of the beauties of an ancient Venetian Court than a modern Hungarian Princess gowned in the Rue de la Paix. It was not until towards the close of the meal that the Duke succeeded in launching his favourite bubble. a recently appointed Cabinet Minister. the mahogany table which was its great glory was stretched that evening to its extreme capacity." "It is your duty as a landowner. raising his voice a little as he turned towards his host. She was probably one of the only people present who was not aware of the Duke's foible. There is not the slightest doubt. her languorous grace of manner." he added. which included the Right Honourable Gerald Watson. "that before long we shall find ourselves—and in a shocking state of unpreparedness. mind you—at war with Germany." Lady Maddeley. seemed a little startled. Besides the house party.Chapter 16 Even in the great dining-room of Dominey Hall. the wife of the Lord Lieutenant. "Purely agricultural districts are always a little difficult. with her crown of exquisitely coiffured red-gold hair." Dominey's reply was a little dubious. "I trust. who was seated at the opposite side of the table. Caroline. Her eyes seldom left for long the other end of the table. Conversation remained chiefly local and concerned the day's sport and kindred topics. there were several guests from the neighbourhood—the Lord Lieutenant of the County and other notabilities. 110 . "that you make a point of inculcating the principles of National Service into your tenantry here." he confessed. "to alter their point of view. at Dominey's left hand. her marvellous jewellery. with the Lord Lieutenant on one side of her and Terniloff on the other played the part of hostess adequately but without enthusiasm. looking belligerently over the top of his pince nez at Seaman." the Duke insisted. who sat at his side. where Stephanie.
and others who are tainted with a purely military lust for conquest." Dominey intervened. it is such ill-advised and ill-founded statements as you are 111 . They only want to fool us into believing that they do. I speak with some amount of knowledge because I am a German by birth. "You may be an honest man. He stuck to his guns. Duke. And if you will forgive my saying so." Seaman looked a little pained." the Duke agreed. "There is no doubt a war party in Germany and a peace party."Do you really think so?" she asked. "The Germans don't want a better understanding." "You are probably both right in your way. "are old opponents on this subject. statesmen who place economic progress first." he observed. however." he said impressively. I have as many and as dear friends in Berlin as in London. although naturalised in this country. the people will have had nothing to do with it. so peaceful and domestic in their home life. who had kept silence during the last few moments with great difficulty. now took up the Duke's challenge. I have also the honour to be the secretary of a society for the promotion of a better understanding between the citizens of Germany and England. and that sort of thing. "in the very highest circles of Germany. Seaman. "I have friends. I spent a great part of my time going back and forth between the two capitals. where I had the pleasure to meet our host." he said. but you are a very ignorant one upon this particular topic. who are continually encouraging my work here. When the war comes." The Duke groaned. but they will fight all the same. In this country it is very hard for us to strike a balance between the two." "We are indeed. and with the exception of my recent absence in Africa." "Rubbish!" the Duke exclaimed." Seaman beamed his thanks upon his host. He glanced down the table to be sure that Prince Terniloff was out of hearing. madam. "Germany is not governed like England. and I have received the benediction of the Kaiser himself upon my efforts to promote a better feeling in this country. A great many of them will be just as surprised as you will be. Mr. "that the war with Germany of which the Duke is so afraid will never come. "His Grace and I. bowing across the table." Seaman. "Permit me to assure you. "The Germans seem such civilised people. "My dear Lady Maddeley. very much in the manner of a well-bred host making his usual effort to smooth over two widely divergent points of view." he declared.
" "I have my views. My task over here is to secure and ensure it. "How nice of you to be so frank." Dominey hesitated and looked behind. "how you English women have been able to secure for yourselves so much more liberty than our German wives enjoy?" "Later on. with a touch which amazed every one." "There isn't a more vital subject in the world. "The Duke sometimes forgets. of any of the other guests." the Duke snapped. "I wish to speak to you alone. that a private dinner table is not a platform." he begged." she said." the Duke declared." "You will tell me. "and they have become convictions. "I have a surprise for you. "and express my well-studied opinion that war between our two countries would be simply race suicide. Stephanie and her host made a slow progress through the hall and picture gallery.constantly making about my country which is the only bar to a better understanding between us. Then I will remember what I represent over here. drew strange music from the yellow keys of the oldfashioned grand piano in the drawing-room. Prince!" she said. I shall continue to express them at all times and with all the eloquence at my command. "of the way in which our host brought down those tall pheasants. Terniloff and the Cabinet Minister played billiards. "Let me speak first as a private individual." Seaman suggested to the lady to his right. to whom portions of this conversation had now become audible." Stephanie whispered to her host. and Seaman. When they had passed out of possible hearing. "We will speak. Stephanie's fingers tightened upon her companion's arm. perhaps. with a little tremble in her voice. There were two bridge tables." the Ambassador suggested. to silence." Caroline flashed a warning glance at her husband. however. leaned a little forward in his place. and I will venture to add in my ambassadorial capacity that I come with an absolute and heartfelt mandate of peace. "without the possibility of any one overhearing. in the pursuit of his hobby. an indescribable and an abominable crime. resigning himself." The Ambassador. I insist upon it that we discuss something of more genuine interest." After dinner. For some time their conversation was engaged solely with the objects to which Dominey drew his companion's attention. however. 112 . Dominey's guests passed naturally enough to the relaxations which each preferred.
"Your guests are well occupied. however. and though. lifting her eyes to his." She paused. "and wheel me up an easy-chair. "Serious but wonderful. "My friend. alas! my heart is still bruised. he helped me to understand. her head resting slightly upon her long fingers." Dominey threw open the door of the library and turned on a couple of the electric lights." "Is this going to be serious?" he asked. She made her way to the great open fireplace." she continued a little impatiently." she begged. "Now turn them all out again except this one. her brown eyes steadily fixed upon her companion. but her companion made no sign. feeling that you were a brute. "Leopold. "turn on all the lights. My heart was bruised. on which a log was burning. were illuminated. Please seat yourself by my side. No." she continued. half inclined to expose you before I went as an impostor and a charlatan. "and in any case I am one of them. with its many wings of book-filled shelves. Princess." he said calmly. My name is no longer Leopold." she directed. and a patriotism which took no account of human obligations left me absolutely unresponsive. looked down into the shadows of the room and back again at her host's face." she began. "I left this country a few weeks ago. The furthermost corners of the room. To proceed it suited my convenience to remain for a few days in Berlin. how much of humanity you have lost in your new identity. Germany means little to me. I wish to be sure that we are alone. "For one moment. determined never to see you again. She nodded. I meant to go home and never to return to London. There was an atmosphere about her of serious yet of tender things." Dominey did as he was bidden. with some slight disquietude." She laughed at him with a curious mixture of tenderness and bitterness. I choose this settee. "to one who is not present. Wilhelm spoke to me of you. "Will you please listen to me." 113 . Leopold?" She was half curled up in a corner of the settee. and I was very unhappy. "I am terrified to think. "You are speaking. There I received a great surprise." she murmured. besides your name. that speech became necessary. She paused for so long. and I was therefore compelled to present myself at Potsdam. Dominey's face seemed to fall into more rigid lines as he realised the appeal of her eyes. I claim your attention.
"Can it be. although he accepted the letter with reluctant fingers. It was addressed in a strange. We spoke even of the duel." she proceeded." She drew a small grey envelope from her pocket. and how it must last with me—to the end. his words instinct with the graceless cruelty of a clown. "Read the superscription. Wilhelm understands and forgives. He obeyed her. which he seemed to appreciate all the more as you were sent there an exile. It was dated barely a fortnight back." she added." she whispered. with faint but somewhat resentful irony. Your union shall be blessed by the Church and approved by my Court. and as I must remain yet for months to come—Everard 114 ."Is this wise?" he asked a little desperately. He asked me. Leopold. how he literally threw himself upon the point of your sword. "I told him how it all began. She watched him. I told him what both your seconds had explained to me. "please read that. "For that I owe to you my thanks. On the seal were the Imperial Hohenzollern arms. He spoke also with warm commendation of your labours in Africa. just a couple of sentences scrawled across the thick notepaper: "It is my will that you offer your hand in marriage to the Princess Stephanie of Eiderstrom. Persistently he refused the challenge of her eyes.—that turn of the wrist. There was neither beginning or ending. "I was taken back into favour at Court. "Not on your knees yet?" she asked. Has the love gone?" Even to himself his voice sounded harsh and unnatural. dropping her voice a little. "This is not practical. She passed it to him." Dominey's face remained unrelaxed. He broke the seal unwillingly and drew out the letter. and by the way in which you have established yourself here." he declared. She ignored his words. "if my feelings towards you remained unchanged. "WILHELM." Dominey sat as a man enthralled with silence." He shook his head. Baronet. Conrad's wild lunge. "Think! I am as I have been addressed here. "I told him the truth. Wilhelm was much impressed by your recent visit to him. Leopold." she went on. that you have lost your love for me? You have changed so much and in so many ways. straggling handwriting to Sir Everard Dominey. "Leopold." she directed. and he has sent you this letter.
Dominey." Dominey pleaded earnestly. her eyes shining up into his. "Not so hard—not so hard." "I ask you to consider the suspicions which would be excited by such a course. Leopold. and you must carry it through to the end. Leopold!" she implored. "and further. "She has already practically recovered. frowning. another wife living. "Have pity on me. the day you know of. can take advantage of this mandate?" She looked at him wonderingly. She spoke incoherently." he replied. "Oh! yours is a great task. Wait for the day. Her hurt eyes regarded him wonderingly. "You make difficulties? You sit there like the cold Englishman whose place you are taking. She broke down with a storm of tears. Until that time your lover must be dumb. whose lips—" "You speak of one who is dead. "what has changed you like this? What has dried up all the passion in you? You are a different man. "In the nursing home where she has been for the last few months. "dead until the coming of great events may bring him to life again. "Until our time has come there is dishonour even in a single kiss. She cannot remain there much longer. dragged him underneath the electric globe. you whose tears have fallen before now upon my hand. dragged his face down to hers and clenched her fist the next moment as though she would have struck it." Then her anger blazed out. Let me look at you." She caught him by the shoulders. At least your lips—your arms! My heart is starved. according to belief of everybody. but we have his permission—there can be found a way—we could be married secretly. can you explain to me in what way I. Her arms were still twined about his neck." "You must insist upon it that she does." Dominey interrupted. an Englishman and the owner of this house—the husband of Lady Dominey. Stephanie. Through the closed door came the faint wave of conversation and laughter from outside." She unwound her arms and shivered slightly. The great log upon the hearth was spluttering and fizzing. and stood there gazing into his face." He rose to his feet." "Where is your reputed wife?" Stephanie demanded. her lips hungry for his kisses. Her breathing was uneven. passionately. "Leopold. having already." he begged. her eyes were seeking to rend the mask from his face. 115 ." she faltered.
that her health has improved since your coming. This Rosamund Dominey. that she adores you. "There were no women in Africa. so cruelly and drearily stifled through a cycle of years. You wouldn't dare—" "No. the whole sweet appeal for safety from a frightened child to him. the love-seeking light in those pleading dark eyes. 116 . "Lady Dominey has returned. your reputed wife—they tell me that she is beautiful. and it was her cry of angry dismay which first apprised him of a welcome intruder. A shade of deeper trouble came into Seaman's face as he stepped respectfully to one side. the strong man. She had the carriage and the air of an insulted queen. The woman's passion by his side seemed suddenly tawdry and unreal. "What is it that has happened?" Dominey demanded. He felt the clinging touch of those soft fingers laid upon his. good-humoured face."Can you have learnt to care for any one else?" she muttered. He saw once more the slight. the sweetness of those marvellously awakened emotions." "Then what are you looking at?" she demanded." the newcomer declared. Sir Everard. that you have been kindness itself to her." he interrupted. with a shade of genuine concern on his round. Can you spare me a moment?" The Princess swept past them without a word of farewell or a backward glance. the tremulous lips. girlish form. to him a very angel of deliverance. "Something has happened which I thought you ought to know at once. "Tell me that?" Her eyes were following the shadowed picture which had passed out of the room. "I should not dare. His back was towards the door. the seeking of her lips for his something horrible. He swung around to find Seaman standing upon the threshold—Seaman." was the quiet reply. "I am indeed sorry to intrude.
we telegraphed to Doctor Harrison. our matron. "with red hair. "They will be your guests. By her side stood a pleasant. half of hope. who had thrown back her veil. Her whole expression changed as Dominey came hastily towards her with outstretched hands. Every one has been so sweet and kind at Falmouth. nurse?" "Her ladyship has had no sleep for two nights." he assured her cheerfully. with a glad catch in her throat." he answered heartily.Chapter 17 It seemed to Dominey that he had never seen anything more pathetic than that eager glance. "welcome home!" "Welcome?" she repeated. had been standing with her foot upon the fender. thought it best to let her have her own way about coming. who passed by just now. so Mrs. You are not angry? These people who are staying here will not mind?" "Of course not. half of apprehension. and I believe he is away. Instead of telegraphing to you. She looked very angry." "There was a very beautiful woman. flashed upon him from the strange. "I had a sudden feeling that I must get back here. "My dear child. clinging to Dominey's arm. but they weren't quite the same thing. I wanted to see you again." he exclaimed. friendly looking person in the uniform of a nurse. Coulson. To-morrow you must make friends with them all. "You mean it?" With a self-control of which he gave no sign. "But what possessed you to come without giving us notice? How was this. "She has been so much better that we dreaded the thought of a relapse." the latter replied. a maid carrying a jewel case. "Of course I mean it. Rosamund. That was not because I have come?" 117 . a yard or two behind." she said timidly. especially Nurse Alice here. tired eyes of the woman who was standing before the log fire in a little recess of the main hall. he touched the lips which were raised so eagerly to his as tenderly and reverently as though this were some strange child committed to his care." "Is it very wrong of me?" Rosamund asked. unfortunately.
Rosamund held up her foot for him to feel. but the room was half full of smoke and entirely unprepared. how miserable!" she exclaimed." She looked at him almost shyly—tenderly." The maid was slowly unfastening her mistress's boots. but this is wonderful!" she cried." She drew a long sigh of contentment. She threw herself with a little cry of delight into the huge Chesterfield drawn up to the edge of the hearthrug." she murmured. until you come up to bed?" she pleaded. 118 . Everard!" she added." she sighed. All my music has come back to me. "I think. I am going to have some supper up here with nurse. You will be better-looking still when you have been here for a few months. "I'm not so nice as that now. Be very kind to me. Will you take me upstairs. I shall love to help you entertain. Then came a little cry of disappointment as she flung open the door. I think you could make me just what you want. "I shall be just what you want me to be. a little wistfully. "I can stay here. on the table!" she cried.—I shall call you Everard. Several maids were there. what shall I do?" He threw open the door of his own apartment. "Do not believe it."Why should it be?" he answered. looking around. "See how cold I am!" she complained. "You dear thing! What made you bring that up?" "I wanted to have it here. "You have a right here—a better right than any one. "And that picture of me from the drawing-room. she broke away from him and tripped on with the gaiety almost of a child to the door of her room." he told her. and they say that I play bridge ever so well. "And you dear. "Oh. the room was warm and comfortable. yet still with that gleam of aloofness in her eyes. mayn't I?—you look just as I hoped you might. You have no idea how much better I am. Everard. A bright fire was burning in the grate. "Please rub it." he answered. and tell me who is here and all about the people. Will one of you maids please go down and see about it? What a lot of nice new things you have. can't I. but her steps grew lighter as they approached her own apartment. "Everard. Finally. busy with a refractory fire and removing the covers from the furniture. "Oh. you can follow us. please? Nurse. as they reached the corridor. "And then you can sit and talk to me." She leaned heavily on his arm and even loitered on the way. "You have not changed in the least. her eyes suddenly soft with joy.
Seaman had lost his usual blitheness." Seaman's manner was unusually grave. "If you were to take advantage of your position with—with any other.—I love women. has been mentally ill. alas! I have a weakness. "You look pale. Seaman's manner.please. but this mad Englishman's wife. however. too. Everard?" "I am very well. He waited until he had regained his self-possession. "I will admit. She is still weak-minded. just as she is tender-hearted. struggling to keep his voice steady. stretching her arms out to him. She turns to you for love as a flower 119 ." Dominey made his escape and went reeling down the corridor. the click of billiard balls. and." A light flashed in Dominey's eyes. Your own hands are quite cold. From downstairs he could hear the sound of pleasantly raised voices. notwithstanding their troubles together." "Well?" Dominey muttered. I watched her as she passed through the hall with you just now." the other continued. waiting until her own is prepared. "Forgive me now. I would shrug my shoulders and stand on one side." he assured her. For the moment angry words seemed to tremble upon his lips. "My friend. Lady Dominey seems disposed to offer to you the affection which. as he was on the point of descending. waited until he came. he saw Seaman mounting the stairs. "Where is Lady Dominey?" he asked. or rather his widow. and I love your strength and I want you to take care of me. In those other hours." he said. At a gesture he waited for him. she doubtless felt for her husband. if I hurry away. You're not ill. "In my room. "I suppose it is because I have been ill so long. At the top of the great quadrangular landing he stopped and stood with halfclosed eyes for several moments." she begged. I risk your anger. but I feel so helpless. He courted no offence. To-morrow you must come and see them all. the music of a piano in the distance. "that you are placed in a delicate and trying position. "you know very well that when we walk in the great paths of life I am unscrupulous. There are guests here—rather important guests. but I warn you to be very careful how you encourage her. Then. taking him by the arm. led him to a great settee in a dark corner. my friend. was very gentle." she added anxiously. won't you. The good-humoured smile played no longer about his lips." "And help you?" "And help me.
and which I confess is exercising me to the utmost. "but for its serious side. His companion's words excited no sentiment of anger. a discarded thing! There is no doubt whatever. that you are a very bad lot." Caroline begged. "My dear Everard. "you have shown me that you are conscious of one dilemma in which I find myself placed. And there remains our own sentimental little flirtation. too. a broken and. you are a man of honour. and Dominey was in time to receive their adieux." he said. commanding me to marry her. You can devote yourself to me with a perfectly clear conscience. "you really are a very terrible person. after a somewhat agitated evening I must admit that I find it pleasant to talk with some one who is not wielding the lightnings. spoke of a speedy visit to her." "You are distressing me terribly. Von Ragastein." "The situation. "My friend." she said. As the last car rolled away. He was conscious even of regarding him with a greater feeling of kindness than ever before. and has now gone to her room in a tantrum because you left her side for a few minutes to welcome your wife. "I fear that it will seriously impair the note which I had intended to strike in our conversation. And a handful of those Turkish cigarettes. The Princess Eiderstrom has brought me an autograph letter from the Kaiser. A fiery-headed Hungarian Princess has pursued you down here. Everard. Let me now advise you of another. and expressed themselves as delighted to hear of her return and recovery. You must find means to deal with this situation. I have said the words which were thumping against the walls of my heart. but I am thirsty. "is flattering but far too catholic. you have duties below. For the present." Dominey confessed. wet weather. would provide all the elements for a Palais Royal farce. Some of the local guests were preparing to make their departure." Seaman declared grimly. "Your devotion to my sex. too. May I have a whisky and soda?" "Bring me one. Caroline took her host's arm and led him to a chimney seat by the huge log fire in the inner hall." "Exactly why?" he demanded.to the sun after a long spell of cold." Dominey had recovered from his first wave of weakness. They all left messages for Lady Dominey. alas." she continued." Their descent was opportune. Your return to England appears to have done what we understood to be impossible—restored your wife's reason. however. Your most 120 . "but all the same. however difficult it may become. please.
you scarcely take anything yourself. please?" "All your best qualities seem to have come to the surface." she went on. all these things. although you are a wonderful host. then?" She looked him in the eyes. "I cured myself of that by reading aloud in the bush. Everard." he reflected." he asked. Your Right Honourable guest has gone to bed. and quite as much wine as was good for you at dinner time. Every one is happy." she answered quietly." "When." Dominey grumbled. "why?" "To begin with." "Always gibing at me. She sighed reminiscently." she commented.distinguished guest has found a task after his own heart. "when you ladies are well out of the way! Some more of the good." "Trifles." "What else?" "You used always to clip your final g's. Go on. He has got Henry in a corner of the billiard-room and is trying to convince him of what I am sure the dear man really believes himself—that Germany's intentions towards England are of a particularly dove-like nature. You used to be rather slangy at times. You can devote yourself to soothing my wounded vanity." he told her." "You should see me at the port. Sometimes you have the air of being surprised that you are not in uniform. then. Now. "That was a wonderful month. "and I think that the way you have come back and faced it all is simply 121 . and Eddy Pelham is playing billiards with Mr. on the contrary. "you have become almost a precisian in your speech. raising her eyes for a moment. "There was a time." "You think that I have changed. "You used to drink whiskys and sodas at all hours of the day. before that terrible tragedy—the last time you stayed at Dunratter—when I didn't gibe." he declared. you were sweetness itself." "Shocking habit. please?" "You carry yourself so much more stiffly. "As a matter of curiosity. Mangan. "Now for something serious?" "The serious things are pretty good." she admitted." he murmured." He turned away to reach for his whisky and soda. to say nothing of my broken heart." she admitted. "Not always. "that you are the same man. "I think it was then for the first time that I saw traces of something in you which I suppose accounts for your being what you are to-day. "I sometimes find it difficult to believe." she murmured.
You came to me a little tired to-night. his hair tossed with the wind. taking a quick step forward. and following them the figure of a man. please. Is she really recovered. almost unrecognisable after his struggle." "Everard. Dominey leaned forward and with a pair of small tongs replaced the burning wood upon the fire. Doctor Harrison!" Dominey cried. but she talks quite coherently. "I do not think so. Forget it. "What brings you here at this time of night!" 122 . "Who on earth can be coming here at this time of night!" Instinctively they both rose to their feet. "Midnight!" he exclaimed. I must say that the weekly reports I have received from the nursing home quite prepared me for a great improvement. Then there was silence." "And your ghost?" "Not a single howl all the time that Rosamund has been away. do you think?" "I saw her only for a few minutes. would you be charged with manslaughter?" He shook his head. if that man's body should be discovered after all these years. Dominey glanced at the clock in amazement. drawn the bolts. There came a curious. Talk to me like your old dear self. Through the silence of the hall there pealed the summons of the great bell which hung over the front door." "There is one thing more. "but she seemed to me absolutely better. "I am so sorry.wonderful. almost a dramatic interruption. A manservant had turned the great key. "Why. Tell me. Little flakes of snow and a gust of icy wind swept into the hall." "What about that horrible woman?" "I have pensioned Mrs. Tell me about Rosamund's return." she said. and her eyes still have that restless look. Caroline. "Everard dear. Suddenly he felt his hands clasped by his companion's. That one thing lacked forever the clothing of words. and opened the door with difficulty." Dominey replied. They heard the click of the billiard balls in the adjoining room. didn't you? I think that you needed sympathy. She is very frail." "Well?" "Did you kill Roger Unthank?" A portion of the burning log fell on to the hearth. Unthank." Caroline began hesitatingly. To my surprise I hear that she is still living in the village. and here I am asking you once more that horrible question. white from head to foot.
as he took the tumbler which Dominey pressed into his hand. He was out of breath. "I must apologise for disturbing you at such an hour.The doctor leaned upon his stick for a moment. I had to see you—at once." he said." 123 . and the melting snow was pouring from his clothes on to the oak floor. They relieved him of his coat and dragged him towards the fire. "I have only just received Lady Dominey's telegram.
You seem to have got rid of every one of your bad habits." Dominey said. with his usual bluntness.Chapter 18 The doctor." the doctor began. you have been in England now some eight months." Dominey was silent for a moment. "and as for that hallucination. Then he laughed a little unnaturally." "Perhaps you can give me some advice?" Dominey suggested. The lights in the billiard-room and drawing-room were extinguished. "To begin with then. during which time you have reveled an entirely new personality. and the two men were left alone in the great hall. Lady Dominey. I had intended to-morrow morning to discuss the situation with you." was the confident answer. This is not at all what one 124 . "Can a person be perfectly sane." "I am most anxious to hear your report. you drink moderately. For instance. "this return of Lady Dominey's has taken me altogether by surprise. and I am going to be perfectly frank with you. Every one in the house except a few servants had retired. friends of distinction and interest. "and yet be subject to an hallucination which must make the whole of her surroundings seem unreal?" "Lady Dominey is perfectly sane. there are certain obvious changes in you which might well minister to Lady Dominey's hallucination. "Sir Everard. is in perfect health. you have subdued your violent temper." he asked. "I can. as a gentleman should. it is up to you to dispel it. did not hesitate to make it known that this unusual visit was of a private nature." the doctor replied. there was nothing to keep her there. "Although I would not have allowed her to have left the nursing home so suddenly had I known. Caroline promptly withdrew. "My report is good." "And this one hallucination?" "That you are not her husband. mentally and physically. except for one hallucination." the doctor answered bluntly. and you have collected around you. where your personality could be the only inducement.
125 ." Dominey set his teeth for a moment. "It's a tangled-up position. of his mysterious death. "She has been a longenduring and faithful woman. Now we come to the real danger. to lay a charge upon you." Dominey remarked. You have to remember that your wife needs still one step towards a perfect recovery. and until that step has been surmounted you have a very difficult but imperative task. "that until that hallucination has passed we must remain upon the same terms as we have done since my arrival home." Dominey suggested quietly. forgiveness is second nature to her. I can assure you." "But if her hallucination continues. as parts of a painful past." the latter continued gravely. "She needs no excuses.expected from the Everard Dominey who scuttled out of England a dozen years ago. suffering from a cruel illness. She speaks of the ghost of Roger Unthank. Lady Dominey is naturally of an exceedingly affectionate disposition." the doctor assented. but it is my duty to warn you. I am here to-night." he went on. He felt the doctor's keen grey eyes glowing from under his shaggy eyebrows as he leaned forward. I warn you. is a view of the matter which I can neither discuss nor understand." Dominey asked. "The fact that your wife has been willing to return here to you. how can she do that?" "That is the problem you and I have to face. but we've got to deal with it—or rather you have. It has now become her wish to take her proper place in life. to take the kindest view if it. "I do not pretend. his hands upon his knees. brought on. "to account for that." "You've got it. whilst still subject to that hallucination. Sir Everard." was the brusque reply. though." the doctor said sternly." "You are excusing my wife. "that all her other delusions have gone. Like all good women. that that devotion may lead her to great lengths. and this return to a stronger condition of physical health and a fuller share of human feelings has probably reawakened all those tendencies which her growing fondness for you and your position as her reputed husband make perfectly natural. "if she seriously doubts that I am indeed her husband." Dominey pushed his chair back from the fire as though he felt the heat. She appears to be possessed of a passionate devotion towards you. Sir Everard. His eyes seemed glued upon the doctor's. through your clumsiness and lack of discretion. She is quite conscious of her several attempts upon your life and bitterly regrets them. whilst still believing that you are not her husband. "You mean. of the cries in the night.
after a pause." "There is just one more phase of the position. It was curious how both of them seemed disinclined to refer again even indirectly to the subject which they had been discussing. and curiously enough Dominey was conscious that with those few awkward words of farewell some part of the incipient antagonism between them had been buried. but let it be a charge upon you that whilst the hallucination remains that affection must never pass certain bounds. "I am glad of it. and she herself might very possibly end her days in a madhouse. that you really are her lawful husband. with a sigh of relief." he admitted.that you may find your position an exceedingly difficult one." The doctor looked at him. he wandered for some moments up and down the great. The moment she realises. watching the grey ashes. A strange restlessness seemed to have fastened itself upon him. and it would be just as important for you not to check the affection which she might offer to you as it would be in the other case for you not to accept it. the doctor helped himself to a farewell drink. that moment will be the beginning of a new life for her. Keep and encourage your wife's affection if you can." the doctor promised. stirred uneasily by 126 . "Supposing this hallucination of hers should pass? Supposing she should suddenly become convinced that I am her husband?" "In that case. and any sense of guilt on her conscience. filled his pipe and stood up. "I believe I can. The car which Dominey had ordered from the garage was already standing at the door. "Good night!" The two men parted. but. dimly lit hall. "You will come and have a look at the patient in a day or two?" "I'll stroll across as soon as you've got rid of some of this houseful. with obvious sincerity. "I appreciate every word you say. difficult though it may be." Dominey said firmly." Dominey replied." Dominey went on." Somehow they both seemed to feel that the last words had been spoken. there is a plain duty before you. "the position would be exactly reversed." "Doctor. Left to himself. but it was a drear walk across the marshes. Lady Dominey is a good and sweet woman. "Very good of you to send me back. After a brief pause. with her present predispositions. You can rely upon me. If she woke up one morning with that hallucination still in her mind. "I started out all right. He stood for a time by the dying fire. all our labours for these last months might well be wasted." "I am very grateful to you for coming." the doctor said gruffly." the doctor replied earnestly.
the newly installed lights which hung above the sombre oil pictures upon the wall. They were as though they had never been. Rosamund. a smile in 127 . Rosamund herself was there. and one by one he turned on. His heart was calling all the time for an unknown boon. Then he suddenly felt that the madness which he had begun to fear had really come. however. he still lingered for a few moments in the corridor and turned the handle of his bedroom door with almost reluctant fingers. the words he saw had no meaning for him. drew a reading lamp to his side. and Dominey commenced his preparations for bed. Dickens. We shoot in the morning. and even when he had righted it. with all the sweetness of life shining out of her eager face. "You can go to bed. and. Her eyes shone at him." he directed. His heart gave a great jump as he realised that there was some one there. He felt himself immeshed in a world of cobwebs. He looked into the faces of some of these dead Domineys.the wind which howled down the chimney. wholly sentimental bon camaraderie. Her lips were parted in a delightful smile. actually pushed back by a pair of white hands. mystically. the soft withdrawal of the panel. and dwelling longest upon a gallant of the Stuart epoch. and then. He saw her as she had come to him last. with her half-flirtatious. When at last the sight of a sleepy manservant hovering in the background forced his steps upstairs. It was some time before he realised that the volume was upside down. All the time a queer procession of women's faces was passing before his eyes—Caroline. Stephanie. blotting the others utterly out of his thoughts and memory. the day by day tension of his precarious life. Those dreary years of exile in Africa. and the haunting appeal in her soft eyes. All other memories faded away. of weakness more potent than all his boasted strength. It was his servant who was patiently awaiting his arrival." The man silently took his leave. He was in no humour for sleep. trying to recall what he had heard of their history. with that little unspoken cry upon her tremulous lips. and threw himself into an easy-chair. still attired in his shirt and trousers. with her voluptuous figure and passion-lit eyes. Then he strolled to a different part of the hall. It was the thing for which he longed yet dreaded most—the faint click. He stood for a moment upon the threshold. whose misdeeds had supplied material for every intimate chronicler of those days. then laughed shortly to himself at his foolish imagining. wonderfully. "I shall not want you again to-night. a book in his hand. he wrapped a dressing-gown around him. were absolutely forgotten. by means of the electric switches.
Now your head is wet.which there was a spice of girlish mischief. I wonder? You are so like yet so unlike him. She looked at him pitifully. "Do you mind my coming for a few minutes?" "Of course not. and when I feel you are near I am happy. But how cold! You must come nearer to the fire yourself." she continued eagerly." he asked. but I know you are not. "You were not afraid. your hands are burning. "I know that whatever happened to poor Roger. "that I am your husband?" She sighed." he assured her. "Is it wrong of me to feel what I do for you." she said softly." he asked hoarsely. Then she came towards him with her finger upraised. "to be here alone with me?" She put her other arm around his neck and drew his face down. "Give me your hands." He sat on the arm of her chair. "Come and sit down. I should have no fear. dear. fur-lined dressing-gown." She curled up in his easy-chair." he answered. "when you saw me come through the panel?" "I should never be afraid of any harm that you might bring me. She responded to his embrace without hesitation. "Just for a moment. what is the matter? A moment ago you were cold. "but you are kind to me. He died in Africa." she confessed. That must mean that I am very fond of you. he felt the warmth of her arm through her white. He is dead." His arm went very softly around her. then?" she asked. it was not you who killed him. Even if I heard his ghost calling again to-night. "Why do you doubt any longer then. She turned for a moment to close the panel. But. "I do not know. dear. "I am happy. "I am not afraid. Isn't it strange that I should know it? But I do!" "But who am I then?" he whispered." she answered. It is because I wanted to see you that I would not stay any longer at the nursing home. "Ah. and she stroked his head with her hands. Her cheek rested upon his shoulder. "I cannot sleep. I can't think why I ever wanted to hurt you. Are you not happy because I am here?" 128 ." she murmured contentedly." she assured him. "Because all that foolishness is really gone. I am sure that I always loved you." "You are not afraid. Everard. dear.
walking quite firmly across the floor. The panel glided to and shut out the vision of her. unterrified." she said. only a little dumb disappointment. "I must go back. "you bring me love and happiness and life. It is only I who know that you are not. "that I am really Everard—your husband? Look at me. she nodded her head slowly." he asked hoarsely. Can't you feel that you have loved me before?" She shook her head a little sadly. convulsed for a moment even with real physical fear—they heard the silence of the night broken by that one awful cry. 129 . Half in his arms. the crumbling of the floor beneath his feet to have been spared the torture of her sweet importunities. There was no sign of fear in her face. Dominey felt from his soul that he would have welcomed an earthquake. touched the spring and passed through the panel." She slipped from the chair. He will not let me stay here. "but. listening—he. He must think that you are Everard. and. the cry of a man's soul in torment. imprisoned in the jaws of a beast. Yet nothing so horrible as this interruption which really came could ever have presented itself before his mind. She made a little grimace. Even then she turned around and waved a little good-bye to him. Dominey held his head like a man who fears madness. His own touched them for a moment. horrified." she sighed. They listened to it together until its echoes died away. you are not Everard." "Can't you believe. unperturbed. a thunderbolt. "I am afraid. "You see. kissed him.Her lips were seeking his. "No. "that you are not really fond of me." she added." she said. the most astonishing thing of all. Then he kissed her on both cheeks. perhaps. her eyes lighting up. Then what was. with her head thrown back. too. and—" A few seconds before.
Black mud was oozing up through the snow where he had set his feet. who was sitting in a chair before the fire. The wind had dropped. "That's missing. the junior keeper. curiously excited by his discovery. Heggs. He was just able to scramble back. shrubs and bushes had grown up and degenerated. At the edge of the wood they seemed to vanish into the heart of a great mass of brambles. Somebody or something had passed from the Black Wood and back again to this spot in the night. Middleton. Picking his way with great caution. and turned towards Middleton. They were neither like human footsteps nor the track of any known animal. although they were still plentiful. examined the footmarks eagerly. There was no sign of any pathway. Mr. had been blown down and left to rot on the ground. A little exclamation broke from his lips as he stood there." he announced. smoking his pipe. from which here and there the snow had been shaken off.Chapter 19 Dawn the next morning was heralded by only a thin line of red parting the masses of black-grey snow clouds which still hung low down in the east. The place was silent except for the slow drip of falling snow from the drooping leaves. The cry had been no fantasy. Dominey. brambles. he commenced a leisurely perambulation of the whole of the outside of the wood. went over the gun rack once more. an hour or so later. down the steps." 130 . Bracken. the neglect of years had obliterated it. Here and there they puzzled him. and there was something ghostly about the still twilight as Dominey issued from the back regions and made his way through the untrodden snow round to the side of the house underneath Rosamund's window. were fresh tracks. Many of the trees. tapped the empty cases. From the terraced walks. only to be succeeded by a ranker and more dense form of undergrowth. He took one more cautious step forward and found himself slowly sinking. "I can't find master's number two gun. if ever there had been one. and straight across the park to the corner of the Black Wood. then followed them to the corner of the wood.
and that it do come here now and then to be fed. lad. by Mrs. "What do you make of those?" he enquired. The keeper took up his hat and stick and followed." he confided." the young man replied obstinately." The old man seemed for a moment to stiffen with slow horror. but they require feeding. "When he do come out of that wood. "I should have done so this morning if I had had a chance. "Was anything heard last night." "That do seem queer. that isn't. It must be somewhere there. with a little shudder. "I am learning something about spirits. surely. and Dominey entered with the missing gun under his arm. Unthank has not been in this house for many months. Unthank. or whatever it is. for sure. Dominey led him to where the tracks had halted on the gravel outside Rosamund's window and pointed across to the Black Wood. nothing has been heard of this ghost. "You wouldn't shoot at it." "By whom?" Dominey enquired patiently. Middleton did not hesitate." Middleton pronounced. "do not leave tracks like that behind. he do call. "They do say hereabout. Perhaps if that is so they can feel a charge of shot inside them. sir?" "There was an infernal yell underneath this window. "The master was shooting with it yesterday. Dominey followed the tracks with his eyes to the wood and back again. "that the spirit of Roger Unthank have been taken possession of by some sort of great animal." he said. Middleton rose to his feet at once and laid down his pipe. "Middleton." "That was the spirit of Roger Unthank." "Spirits." "Well. He shook his head gravely. with a rifle under my arm. so far as I can gather. Middleton. or beast. I am going to make my way into that wood." 131 . Look amongst those loose 'uns at the far end of the rack. "Why. Surprise kept him temporarily silent." Dominey replied. From the day she left until last night." his master pointed out. The door of the room was suddenly opened. "When the weather is a little drier." "Mrs. removing the pipe from his mouth." his master ordered. Squire?" he gasped." the old keeper directed." Middleton considered the matter."Look again. "I want you to come this way with me for a moment. It seems that they not only make tracks." Middleton admitted.
The man who enters that wood goes to his grave." the old man asserted doggedly. don't forget to mention that I am going to have that wood looked through. I have lately joined every society connected with spooks and find them a fascinating study." he said. John. with interest.—"a most appalling and unearthly cry." Dominey handed over his gun. "within a very short time I am going to solve the mystery of this nocturnal visitor. two feet high. Just before they entered. "but I'll let 'em know. as he helped himself to coffee. Squire!" was the solemn reply. Dominey helped himself from the sideboard and took his place at the table. sir. you'll never come out." the Cabinet Minister observed." Dominey muttered. "I have hacked my way through some queer country in Africa. "from eight till nine. It's chockful of reptiles and unclean things. There was a sudden hush as he entered. Every one began to talk about the prospect of the day's sport. you understand?" "That'll fair flummox the folk." "That is right. "The bottom's rotten from end to end and the top's all poisonous. sir. and descended for breakfast. side by side."Then as God's above. "that our very latest thing in ghosts did not disturb anybody. and spend half an hour at the 'Dominey Arms' now and then?" "Most every night of my life. I should like it to get about. "you can bring out a revolver and prowl about with me one night. There'll be a rare bit of talk. we had a series of highly respectable and well-behaved ghosts. "you keep up the good old customs. The birds die there on the trees. with poison in the very sniff of them. Squire. before I went to Eton. "Middleton. who were a credit to the family and of whom we 132 . which he very well understood. up till when I left here for Africa. and that do seem right to me that with the work done right and proper a man should have his relaxation." he said." Dominey said firmly." the old man replied. I can promise you that. "We will see." was the doubtful reply." "We all seem to have heard the same thing." "There's nowt like this wood in the world. Dominey turned to his companion. with green and purple fungi." Dominey assented. From the time when I was a kid. bathed and changed. I suppose." "If you want to investigate. I'm a man of regular habits. went to his room. "Next time you are there." They returned to the house." "Nevertheless. "I hope." Dominey observed.
there is the Princess for you to think of. "Look here." Dominey replied. "that he is the spirit of a schoolmaster who once lived here. "that the terms you are on with Lady Dominey matter very much to any one. I see no reason why you should not marry her secretly in London." he proposed. and behold. Shall we say half-past ten in the gun room?" Seaman followed his host out of the room. You remember how terrified the beaters were yesterday at the bare suggestion of entering it? For generations it has been held unclean. "I am not sure. Dominey waited for a moment before he answered." he said." Seaman reflected. Watson asked with interest. who made a suggestion. Terniloff was the only one. After all. 133 . is something quite outside the pale. "We might have a battue in the wood." Dominey told them. which were displayed with a cabinet of cigars on a round table in the hall. however." he rejoined. and have the ceremony repeated under your rightful name later on. Seaman. she is an impulsive and passionate person. catastrophe!" Dominey took his friend's arm. and for whose departure from the world I am supposed to be responsible." Their host spoke with such an absolute absence of emotion that every one was conscious of a curious reluctance to abandon a subject full of such fascinating possibilities." They had paused to help themselves to cigarettes. Still. It is true that these are the days of your relaxation. but will you kindly tell me what on earth more I can do to make her see the position? Necessity demands that I should be on the best of terms with Lady Dominey and I should not make myself in any way conspicuous with the Princess. but she is also grande dame and a diplomatist. "that the character of the wood is not more interesting than the ghost who is supposed to dwell in it. "Has the Princess confided to you that that is her wish?" he asked. however." "Has he a history?" Mr. I went in over my knees on the outskirts of it this morning. in the name of Everard Dominey. So far as regards the Princess. Such a spook is neither a credit nor a comfort to the family." "I am not sure. "it's easy enough to say there is the Princess to be considered. she has us in her power. This latest spook. The merest whisper in Downing Street.were somewhat proud. "I am informed. It is certainly most unsafe. "My friend. "you must not allow these local circumstances to occupy too large a share of your thoughts.
She seemed entirely delighted by his presence. then?" "Not for one moment. Rosamund. Dominey was admitted at once by her maid into his wife's sittingroom. before I married Everard. "My friend." she answered. He gave up his work and used to haunt the park here. I ask you no questions as to your own feelings with regard to her. "She wishes the suggestion. He tackled the subject bravely. if by that means we can pacify her. to come from you." He raised her fingers to his lips and sat down by her side. "You don't know about these things. had just finished breakfast. sooner or later. of course." she went on. didn't I? After I was married."Something of the sort." "And your advice?" Seaman blew out a little cloud of cigar smoke. for some day or other I feel that if Everard comes here. although I had scarcely ever spoken to him. I think I told you that much yesterday. "if you were really Everard. "How nice of you to come." Dominey turned away towards the stairs. as he had made up his mind to on every opportunity. the poor man nearly went out of his mind. I think that any one around here would tell you. and Roger Unthank was never seen again." he said gloomily. I see no harm in anticipating a few months." she went on. She held out her hands to him with a delighted little cry of welcome. "Perfectly. "We will discuss this again before we leave. and it will strengthen your position with him. I take it for granted that as a man of honour it will be your duty to offer her your hand in marriage. Everard!" she exclaimed." "Why?" he asked. "I am a little afraid of the Princess. One evening Everard caught him and they fought. "that Everard killed Roger and threw him into 134 . the spirit of Roger Unthank will do him some sort of mischief. He is devoted to her. You see. Terniloff would arrange it at the Embassy. and he felt instinctively that she was quite unaffected by the event of the night before. then I might be frightened." she went on conversationally." Seaman acknowledged. in a charming morning robe of pale blue lined with grey fur. "but Roger Unthank was in love with me. dropping her voice a little. "You do not lie awake thinking of our nocturnal visitor." he confessed. "You slept well?" he enquired. however. "I was hoping I should see you for a moment before you went off.
"Everard had a terrible temper. I quite understand." she replied doubtfully. not at all the sort of people my Everard would have had here. 135 . You can easily say that I am still an invalid." he promised. I am very much better. Let me come down at tea-time and after dinner. seated in a corner of the room. Nurse Alice is tremendously impressed. but I have been ill for so long that I have forgotten a great many things. and Caroline will hate not being hostess any longer. very careful. and that night he came home covered with blood. looking—awful! It was the night when I was taken ill. "Oh. and his first few words of introduction brought every one around her. "to help my husband entertain his guests." she assured him. that I am afraid I sha'n't be able to talk to them. Dominey was by her side in a moment. but what she said was delightfully natural and gracious. "It has been so kind of you. as he took his leave.one of those swampy places near the Black Wood. and I should be a very poor hostess. you have such clever guests." "I do not believe he did anything of the sort. I don't know. behind the great round table upon which tea was set out. I am sure I should be terrified to sit at the end of the table." she said to Caroline. "You say 'we' just as though you were really my husband. and slip into things gradually. please. So when the shooting party tramped into the hall that afternoon. but flushed with exercise and the pleasure of the day's sport. a little weary. Everard. with large." she declared." he warned her. When are you coming down to see them?" She laughed like a child. and I want you all to tell me how many pheasants you have shot. "Oh. they found. "I have come up to remind you that we have guests here. She acquiesced at once." Terniloff seated himself on the settee by her side. where a body sinks and sinks and nothing is ever seen of it again. And." he insisted. though of course I'm not at all. sweet eyes which seemed to be begging for their protection and sympathy as she rose hesitatingly to her feet. "You must not tell any one else of your fancy." "You shall do exactly as you choose. She said very little. But I want to make tea for you. a rather pale but extraordinarily childlike and fascinating woman. and I have been out of the world for so long. "I shall be very." Dominey declared." "Well no more tragedies.
" 136 . but I am quite strong again." "Then I will find some other excuse for sitting here." "I shall love to hear about that." he said."I am going to help you in this complicated task. "I have had a very bad illness. "I am sure those sugar tongs are too heavy for you to wield alone. and about the woodcock he brought down after we had all missed it. and will you pass those hot muffins to the Princess? And please touch that bell. "But I am not really delicate at all. "I will tell you all about the high pheasants your husband killed. please." he declared." She laughed at him gaily. I am so glad to be here with you." she assured him. I shall want more hot water. "How much sugar." she assented. I expect you are all very thirsty.
Prince Terniloff and his host climbed the snow-covered slope at the back of a long fir plantation. "But to continue. I detest espionage in every shape and form even where it is necessary. I have sent a private despatch to Potsdam." "So far. "I have not been overworked. "I am going to give myself the luxury of calling you by your name. "I think your position ridiculous." "The sky certainly seems clear enough just now." the Prince said emphatically. "Von Ragastein." he went on." Dominey begged.Chapter 20 Arm in arm. "I have convinced myself. I have received nothing but encouragement in my efforts to promote a better understanding between our two countries. There will be none." "I must ask you to remember. So far as you are concerned. in which I have expressed that opinion. From that part of the Cabinet with whom I have had to do." agreed Dominey. I feel able to congratulate myself upon a certain measure of success. There could be no possible advantage accruing from your labours here to compensate for the very bad effect which the discovery of your true name and position would have in the English Cabinet. I simply obey orders. towards the little beflagged sticks which indicated their stand. my young friend. in every concession I have asked for. "that I am here as a blind servant of the Fatherland." "I will grant that freely. There was not a human being in sight. for the rest of the guns had chosen a steeper but somewhat less circuitous route. In every argument I have had. You know my one weakness." "My dear young friend." the Ambassador said." the Prince continued. "that there is a genuine and solid desire for peace with Germany existing in Downing Street." Dominey remarked. I am now at the end of my first year in this country. "you have not been overworked because there has been no legitimate work for you to do. I have been met with a sincere desire to foster the growing 137 . a weakness which in my younger days very nearly drove me out of diplomacy." the Prince consented.
I shall cause to be published. the snow was crisp." "That may be arranged. These are the weapons which will make Germany the greatest Power in the world. "but matters have changed very much during the last six months." "Unless." the other acquiesced. All that I have said so far has been by way of prelude. "I am acting under orders." Dominey said thoughtfully. "the desire for war should come. my host. I believe that I have brought Germany and England nearer together than they have been since the days of the Boer War." was the suave reply." "Precisely. His will is for peace. It has been my great pleasure to trace the result of my work in a manuscript of memoirs. The former. I want you to reconsider your position here." Terniloff declared sternly." "You are sure." "My position is not voluntary." Dominey said. "Such popularity as I may have achieved here has been due to an appreciation of the more healthy state of world politics now existing. "In the meantime.friendship between our countries." Dominey repeated. No empire has ever hewn its way to permanent glory by the sword alone." The weather had turned drier. I have put on record there evidences of the really genuine sentiment in favour of peace which I have found amongst the present Cabinet. which some day. We have reached our stations. "that you are not confusing personal popularity with national sentiment?" "I am sure of it. England is showing wonderful pliability with regard to our claims in Morocco. 138 . Caroline and Stephanie both took their places by Dominey's side. I am proud of my work here. Come to me after this drive is finished. Von Ragastein." Dominey asked. "to be given a private reading of these memoirs. in character and in genius. sir. however. Every prospect of disagreement between our two countries upon any vital matter has now disappeared. and for the great triumphs to which our country is already entitled by reason of her supremacy in industry. Stephanie and Dominey were alone for the first time since their stormy interview in the library." the Ambassador answered gravely. Even at the risk of offending France. "and he has shown me his mind. in commerce. I see." "We serve an honourable master. after a few minutes passed on to Terniloff's stand." "I should esteem it an immense privilege. when peace is firmly established between our two countries. and a little party of women from the Hall reached the guns before the beaters were through the wood. Von Ragastein. not from Downing Street but from Potsdam.
Your Sovereign gives you permission." he insisted." Stephanie repeated reverting to their conversation." "Has he spoken to you about me?" "Your name has not yet been mentioned. Your political chief will more than endorse it. Her tone became more natural." Dominey confessed." Dominey replied. you will have no cause to complain of coldness or dilatoriness. Dominey called the faithful Middleton to his side for a further supply of cartridges." The strained look passed from her face. "And you. to tell you the truth. You think a great deal of your country." Their conversation was interrupted for a few minutes by the sport." "It is because you look at the matter only from a feminine point of view. I cannot live as two men and keep my face steadfast to 139 . "His Excellency warned me that all he had said so far was merely the prelude to a matter of larger importance." Dominey persisted. "When the time comes." Stephanie smiled. Have I no claims upon you?" "Upon Everard Dominey. which came when the beaters at last emerged from the wood. "is the mildest word in my vocabulary which I can apply to your treatment of me. "in the midst of a most interesting conversation. "An interesting conversation in which my name has not been mentioned!" she repeated satirically. "His Excellency and I are. believe me. My pride is humbled." she murmured. none. In her wonderful furs and Russian turban hat she made a rather striking picture against the background of snow. "I think you were coming into it before very long." she pleaded." She made a little grimace. dear. "I am perfectly certain he is going to begin by remonstrating you for your shocking treatment of me. "Shocking." "I am on the spot." Dominey assured her. Leopold. "once the fondest and the most passionate of lovers. "Dear Maurice is so diplomatic. only from a political one. Leopold. He will have only one thought. "there is no need to wait. Honestly. "and believe me I know what is safest and best."Has Maurice been talking to you?" she asked a little abruptly. I feel bruised all over inside. Stephanie bided her time. "But. only one hope—to end the torture of these years of separation as speedily as may be." she answered in a low tone. and Leopold Von Ragastein can claim all that is his right.
there will be no affair between Stephanie and me. Of that you may rest assured. The brisk walk across the park had brought colour to her cheeks. I know that woman. She walked with all the free and vigorous grace of a healthy woman. Don't look so sorry for yourself." Stephanie turned a little haughtily away. as she deserted him a little later on to stand by Terniloff's side. You'll have your wife ill again if you make her jealous. don't disappoint us all!" "I seem to be rather good at that. Stephanie. has not spoken to me yet. however." Dominey was silent." 140 . Rosamund had joined them and hung on to Dominey's arm with delight. you've been quite sweet to your wife. She looks at dear little Rosamund as though she hadn't a right to exist. You must have encouraged her. "My dear Everard. He felt a touch on his arm. with a little thrill of tangled emotions. His cousin waited patiently until there came a pause in the shooting. sir? So far as I can see." "Well.the world." she said. the exigencies of the next few minutes demanded it." The little party moved on all together to another cover. "To-night we must have an understanding. paused to whisper in his ear: "There might be a greater danger—one that has evaded even your cautious mind—in overplaying your part!" Dominey was taken possession of by Caroline on their walk to the next stand. For heaven's sake. "What I want to say in plain words is. she has! Mark my words." "My dear Caroline. don't go and make a fool of yourself with Stephanie." Dominey observed a little drearily. The Prince. Everard. don't begin it here. Fortunately. She is clever and brilliant and anything else you like." "I have not the least intention of doing anything of the sort. "you are one of the most wonderful examples of the reformed rake I ever met! You have even acquired respectability. Dominey found himself watching her. "Now let me hear what you have to say for yourself. you are the master of your own actions. She planted herself on a shooting stick by his side and commenced to take him roundly to task. who was passing with another of the guns. are you not?" she asked. "Well. I will hear what he has to say. and she adores you. but for some reason or other she has set her mind upon you. If you want to have an affair with the Princess. "You are putting me in the position of a supplicant!" she exclaimed.
Rosamund wouldn't mind me. He is. sir. "By no means. and Dominey swung round and stood at attention. "A person of the name of Miller has arrived here. you must be extraordinarily and wonderfully careful. a foreigner of some sort. "Is this person in a hurry?" he said." he announced. I don't want a lot of protestations!" she interrupted. with whom you were acquainted in Africa. because I don't believe you do. who has recently landed in this country. when at last he reached his master's side." "If you can't get rid of your old tricks altogether and must flirt. His was the stern march of duty. but her Highness's maid conversed with him in German. Yet the message which he delivered. "I would not do anything to hurt Rosamund for the world. I found it a little difficult to understand him. His behaviour was perfectly normal. I'm always somewhere about. His left hand was stretched out towards the cartridge bag which Caroline was holding. "I told him that you would not be back until three or four o'clock. He let a hen pheasant pass over his head.—And here comes your man across the park—looks as though he had a message for you." she remarked. and brought down a cock from very nearly the limit distance. I feel that I could face ill tidings with composure." 141 . "but even if what you suggest were true—" "Oh. If you want to talk nonsense with Stephanie." he said. I understand. do it in Belgrave Square." he replied. and he is quite content to wait. "I am not saying that you encourage her much. nor did he seem in any way to relish it." Dominey found himself watching with fixed eyes the approach of his rather sad-faced manservant through the snow. "from Norwich. because there are a few grey hairs in my sandy ones. So long as nothing has happened to your cook. having really brought your wife back almost to health. and. He reloaded before he turned to Parkins. "You are rather a dear. curiously enough. "well. Dominey felt from the moment he caught sight of him that he was in some respects a messenger of Fate. and I understand that he either is or brings you a message from a certain Doctor Schmidt."You mean to say that this is altogether on her side. Parkins was not dressed for such an enterprise. All I want to point out is that." The warning whistle blew at that moment." the man replied. then?" Caroline persisted. sir." Dominey was watching the gyrations of a falling pheasant. "You exaggerate her demeanour. was in no way alarming. He clasped her fingers for a moment before he helped himself.
this is my first visitor from the land of fortune. Everard?" she asked. looking through the barrels of his gun. "who really does not count because we crossed together. Colonials have a wonderful habit of sticking to one another." he directed." Dominey replied. "We shall not be shooting late to-day. Caroline was watching her companion curiously. "Do you find many of your acquaintances in Africa look you up. Seaman back to talk to him. "Look after him yourself then. Very likely I will send Mr. Parkins. "Except for Seaman." 142 ." The man raised his hat respectfully and turned back towards the house.Dominey nodded. I expect there will be plenty of them by and by. though.
"That is my name. Neither betrayed himself by even the fall of an eyelid. Baronet. Yet Dominey. "A messenger here from Doctor Schmidt. Dominey read the few lines which seemed to take him back for a moment to another world: "Honoured and Honourable Sir. Seaman came home from South Africa with me. Dominey nodded assent." he explained to his visitor. In the County of Norfolk. felt the unspoken. But for some slight indications of military training. "Sir Everard Dominey?" he enquired. England. "He sends his respectful compliments and his good wishes. Ludwig Miller. an acquaintance of mine in East Africa. his perceptive powers at their very keenest in this moment which instinct told him was one of crisis. fascinated. 143 . "I am a cousin of Doctor Schmidt." With a little flourish the man produced an envelope inscribed: To Sir Everard Dominey. "Mr. Dominey Hall. I arrived in the Colony from Rhodesia. He had been exceedingly well entertained in the butler's private sitting-room and had the air of having done full justice to the hospitality which had been offered him. Have I seen you before?" The man shook his head. he would have passed anywhere as a highly respectable retired tradesman. as always. busy but in excellent health. The two men looked steadily into each other's eyes. unbetokened recognition which passed between them. Also this letter. after your Excellency had left. Dominey broke the seal just as Seaman entered. He rose to his feet at Dominey's entrance and stood at attention. Some commonplace remark was uttered and responded to." "And how is the doctor?" "My cousin is.Chapter 21 There was nothing in the least alarming about the appearance of Mr." he announced." was the reply. Dominey watched them.
the fact remains that he is in the Colony. he is in a very weakly state."I send you my heartiest and most respectful greeting. and that if he succeeds in reaching the coast you may at any time be surprised by a visit from him here." "So I found him. He will lay before you certain circumstances of which it is advisable for you to have knowledge. however. I am sent to warn you in order that you may take whatever steps may be necessary and not be placed at a disadvantage if he should appear." "This is queer news you have brought us. "I hope you have not come all this way to tell me that! The man was dead. however. struggling to make his way to the coast. and without a doubt he is to some degree insane. "deserted by his boys and raving." Miller admitted." Dominey assented. Miller. "He does not. thirst enough to drink it all. He is in all respects to be trusted." "Does he call himself by his own name?" Dominey asked." The man began as one who has a story to tell. was unperformed. the bearer of this letter—Mr. "You can speak to him as to myself. as he passed the letter to Seaman. The man left his encampment with whisky enough to kill him." Dominey remarked. "that the Englishman whom you left for dead at Big Bend. "Our friend here knows everything." "My cousin himself. "Come. desired me to point out to you the fact that in any case he would probably be shy of doing so. Ludwig Miller." he said. has been heard of in another part of Africa. He is behaving in an absurd manner. Nevertheless. 144 . "My errand here is to warn you. what about these circumstances?" Ludwig Miller looked around the little room and then at Seaman." Seaman said thoughtfully. and no food." (Signed) "Your cousin is a little mysterious." he declared. Of the progress of all matters here you will learn from another source. or was three months ago. "KARL SCHMIDT. "was hard to convince." the other persisted. "My cousin. To silence him forever was a child's task. "I recommend to your notice and kindness my cousin. on the banks of the Blue River. Dominey affected to misunderstand his hesitation." Miller continued." "The task. You may speak freely with him." Dominey shook his head incredulously. "From three places in the colony he has been heard of.
things connected with it which he has always found mysterious. He first thought of writing a very long letter." "How much do you know personally. and I know nothing of this matter beyond what I have told you. I am Ludwig Miller." "Hence your presence here." "It was to warn you of that possibility that I am here." "You have no idea with whom you are talking?" "Herr Seaman was the name. Attached to the left-hand side of it was a bronze decoration. "Information Department." "Once in Vienna and twice in Cracow. dropping his voice." "It is a very good name. password—'The Day is coming. "Look here and think. if he had business in this direction. The other shook his head gently. but he told me those other things." the man replied. "of the existent circumstances?" The man shook his head vaguely. we have met." Seaman scoffed."It is news which greatly disturbed Doctor Schmidt." "You have remembered all that he told you?" Dominey asked. He wrote only these few lines I brought." Seaman asked. 145 . Afterwards he changed his mind. "The whole affair has been a great worry to Doctor Schmidt. "I can think of nothing else. after a moment's pause. Doctor Schmidt knew that." he admitted. Nothing can shake their story. my friend. I am just a messenger. and he came to see me just before I sailed." He undid his coat and waistcoat and displayed a plain vest of chamois leather. "I know nothing. with lettering and a number. in an altered tone." he repeated. The visitor's expression remained unchanged except for the faint surprise which shone out of his blue eyes. and I have been a trader in Mozambique in a small way. Now and then I have to return to Europe to buy fresh stock." "If we believed it. Johann Wolff?" Seaman asked. I understood. Miller stared at it blankly and shook his head. "I went out to East Africa some years ago. might walk in here at any moment. "this other European. "He has had the natives up one after another for cross-examination." was the reply. I have been in Vienna once many years ago. I supplied outfits for officers and hospitals and sportsmen." Seaman reminded him softly but very insistently." Seaman continued. "A mistake. but Cracow never. "That is not my name. There are things connected with it which he has never understood. "Johann Wolff.'" Seaman continued. Bureau Twelve.
His vis-a-vis endured this scrutiny without flinching. "to stay in these parts long?" "One or two days—a week." was the apologetic reply." the culprit begged." Seaman declared angrily. Wolff." "And this story of his?" "You ought to be the best judge of that. "What do you think of that fellow and his visit?" "I do not know what to think." Seaman sat and studied this obstinate visitor for several minutes without speaking. a favourite in the Wilhelmstrasse and only made use of on important occasions.His listener shook his head and smiled with the puzzled ignorance of a child." "Just so. "The gentleman mistakes me for some one else. and your attitude towards me is indefensible. of course. "Do you propose. but there is a great deal that I know. phlegmatic. "The man is a spy. Herr Seaman." Seaman replied gravely. I love the English country." "I shall gladly spend the night here." was the indifferent answer. calm. perhaps. Dominey had already turned towards the door. "I dare say Mr. His name is Wolff—Johann Wolff. his finger tips pressed together. your Excellency. the very prototype of the bourgeois German of the tradesman class. his eyebrows gently contracted. Miller?" he invited. "The English country under a foot of snow! So you have nothing more to say to me. "I am sorry to have caused displeasure to you." "You are making a great mistake. Johann Wolff?" "I have executed my mission to his Excellency. Mr." The latter rose to his feet. perhaps." he replied." "If the gentleman would only believe. which would interest your friend. I spend my holiday here." Seaman muttered grimly. "You will spend the night here. "I have a cousin in Norwich who makes toys. "that he is mistaking me for some one else!" There was trouble in Seaman's face as the two men made their way to the front of the house and trouble in his tone as he answered his companion's query. "I am your superior in the Service. however. Seaman would like to have another talk with you in the morning." 146 ." was the polite reply. "I know nothing of these things." Dominey enquired. "I do not think that I have anything to say.
" he proposed." Dominey assented confidently. was summoned imperiously to her side by the Princess Eiderstrom. bearing a note upon a silver tray." Seaman decided." "Then the story is a fake. with a satisfied chuckle. young fellow. "You will give me nothing. having discarded some of his soaked shooting garments." the young man confessed. as they emerged into the hall. He was followed by his valet. "They tell me that pool is one of your greatest accomplishments." "I'm pretty useful." Seaman. Dominey disappeared for a moment and returned presently. Eddy. in a low tone. "A game of pills. "Give you a black at snooker. "From the person in Mr. Seaman. "Set them up."I am. Parkins' room—to Mr. and I will show you how I made a living for two months at Johannesberg!" 147 . what?" Dominey took his arm and led him into the billiard-room. Dominey took it from the salver with a little nod. Then he turned to where the youngest and most frivolous of his guests were in the act of rising from the tea table." the man announced. "For some reason or other we have come under the suspicion of our own secret service. "Without the shadow of a doubt I threw the body of the man I killed into the Blue River and watched it sink. sir." he replied.
listening to her lighthearted and at times almost brilliant chatter with grave and watchful interest. I am here as a servant under orders." the Prince began. the matter is urgent. She received the congratulations of her neighbours charmingly. The Ambassador was sitting with crossed legs in a comfortable easy-chair. England is willing to make all reasonable sacrifices to ensure peace. with some eagerness in his tone." "I am scarcely my own master. it is far better for you to disappear at once from this false position. To my mind. After dinner. with a different set of guests from the outer world. Doctor Harrison." "I am entirely at your service. remained upon the outskirts. she intends peace. smoking one of the long. I maintain. "continue and." murmured his host." "Join your protests with mine." Dominey replied. "You yourself must know that." Dominey had risen to his feet and was standing on the hearthrug. my young friend. If anything should lead to the discovery of your false position in this country. my dear host.Chapter 22 The evening at Dominey hall was practically a repetition of the previous one. the friendship between us which has become a real pleasure to me must seriously undermine my own position. in front of a fire of blazing logs. "I have tried to make you understand that from my own point of view—and I am in a position to know something—the fear of war between this country and our own has passed. conclude the conversation to which all that I said this morning was merely the prelude. who had been dining. Dominey was absent for a few minutes and returned with Rosamund upon his arm. and a little court soon gathered around her. She wants peace. satisfied that she was being entertained. thin cigars which were his particular fancy. "I will make a report directly I get back to London. I trust." the Prince suggested. Dominey. therefore there will be peace. 148 . "Let me now. obeyed Terniloff's gestured behest and strolled with him to a distant corner of the hall. Therefore.
" Dominey observed. except for that day or two in Saxony?" "That is so. "Lady Dominey has attracted all the men to her circle." her host assured her. The first time I exchanged any intimate conversation with the Prince was in London." "If I shared that belief with you. taking Dominey's arm. whose character I admire more. she moved listlessly. "have reached a cul-de-sac in our argument. my friend. "but I yield our host! I shall seek my opponent at billiards." "His Excellency and I. I believe that in time they will thrust their will upon the Kaiser. My mandate is for peace. to have taken a wonderful liking to you. I have the utmost respect and regard for him. I believe that there will be war. "I deny the cul-de-sac." He turned away and Stephanie sank into his vacant place. indeed." Dominey said. Therefore. I believe in the ultimate power of the military party of Germany." The Prince bowed." "Then I shall claim you for a while. Maurice seems." 149 . broke away from a distant group and came towards them. "Send me away if I am. "That I am sure of." she remarked." Stephanie declared. "that because England wants peace there will be peace. if he is not at the present moment secretly in league with them. So far as I am concerned I have never met any one. I cannot remember that you ever met before." "Not an unfriendly one. and I am lonely." "A fallacy?" "You have come to the absolute conclusion. I am of Seaman's mind." Dominey continued." the Ambassador said quietly." Stephanie. "Am I disturbing a serious conversation?" she asked. "I should consider my position here one of dishonour. "have come to a disagreement." he said. Her beautiful eyes seemed tired. and she even spoke with less than her usual assurance. of any nation.—the blank wall of good-natured but fundamental disagreement. with the air of one a little weary of the conversation. but I cannot help feeling that the pleasant intimacy to which he has admitted me is to a large extent owing to the desire of our friends in Berlin. "So you and my cousin."Your Excellency. "there is just one fallacy in all that you have said. and my charge is from the Kaiser's lips. as she made room for Dominey to sit by her side.
"you were like Leopold. I should think. you are not like him." Dominey replied. As a rule." "I do not admit it." she asked. absolutely without heart or sympathy where your work is concerned."Maurice lives his life loftily." Dominey reminded her earnestly. "would the Leopold Von Ragastein of six years ago have pleaded for? Delay! He found words then which would have melted an iceberg. why they did not send some one of a more intriguing character. "You have many qualifications. I have never been a diplomat. "which would break his heart." she continued. can give me even five seconds of happiness." "All that I have pleaded for. He found words the memory of which comes to me sometimes in the night and which mock me. and her eyes lit up. I take with me the letter which should have brought me happiness. 150 ." "The Prince is an idealist." she observed. He had no country then save the paradise where lovers walk. not even all that I have to offer. Not even the whip of a royal command." She shrugged her shoulders." "Well. "that no ambassador can remain a gentleman—politically. "Such as?" "You are absolutely callous. you know. I think that you left him somewhere in Africa and came home in his likeness. The love for which I have sacrificed my life has failed me." she broke off. no ruler but a queen." he protested. "is delay." "Believe that for a little time. "Sometimes I wonder why he was sent here. He is one of the few great aristocrats I have met who carries his nobility of birth into his simplest thought and action. and I was she." Dominey said. "You agree with that great Frenchman. "I go back to London to-morrow." she added." she observed cuttingly. with a sudden note of passion in her tone." Dominey begged earnestly. She saw the unusual softening in his face. "a very miserable and unhappy woman. so I cannot say. There is just one thing. "Just for a moment." "And that?" "The subject upon which you two disagree—a war between Germany and this country." "And what delay do you think. And now—" Dominey felt a strange pang of distress.
You are not my Leopold. They passed down a corridor hung with a collection of wonderful sporting prints in which she affected some interest. "There are times when I do not recognise you. and the man I love is there still. if you please. "There is no Leopold here." declared Seaman. and Seaman. It is the very essence of all successful espionage. You play the part of Everard Dominey like a very king of actors. and I advise you to do the same. Her lips drew nearer to his. Perhaps before you came here you played the part of Leopold. that I was not your Leopold—that I was Everard Dominey. stooped down." she whispered. Here they were alone." he said." she muttered. in trouble—perhaps ill. "you are coming round to my way of thinking. "Upon the lips."What if it were true?" she asked abruptly. "Your arm." he said coolly. He held her. Her eyes were for a moment closed. "Now I know the truth. They stopped to say a word or two here and there. from the very first moment we met at the Carlton. Leopold. "My friend. "No. She laid her hands upon his shoulders and looked up into his eyes." "I shall put you to the test." "Now." he replied. Is not West Africa the sorcerer's paradise? Perhaps you are an imposter. "I think you have blundered." she ordered. but Stephanie's fingers never left her companion's arm." she exclaimed suddenly. "trouble grows. rising to her feet." "With the Princess. There are words Leopold used to use which I have never heard from your lips. into a small gallery which led into the ballroom. I quite appreciate your general principles of behaving internally and externally as though you were the person whom you pretend to be. and their lips met. The trouble is with the Princess. "you yourself have said it. But you should know when to 151 . Dominey found an opportunity to draw Seaman away from his little group of investment-seeking friends. her hands were extended as though to prevent any chance of his approaching her again. Love cannot die as you would have me believe. playing bridge. Then she stood apart from him. I have been assuring you." She led him across the hall to where little groups of people were gossiping." "Anything more from Schmidt's supposed emissary?" Seaman asked quickly. was lecturing on mines." She came a little nearer. I am going to keep away from him this evening. the center of a little group of gullible amateur speculators. "Kiss me—upon the lips.
make exceptions. to your visiting her in London. "She has gone off to bed now. On the other hand. and Mr. and she should find Dominey out there." Seaman interrupted. scruples don't enter into the question at all. Rosamund welcomed him with a little cry of pleasure. She thinks I have borrowed some West African magic. "First of all. supposing by any thousand to one chance the story of this cousin of Schmidt's should be true. will it not?" "Has the Princess a suite of rooms here?" Seaman enquired." "Well. I have done it. In the parlance of this country of idioms. I think. "it's time to knock off for the evening. They say that an Englishman has as many lives as a cat. still alive? The Princess is not of German birth." "If I once begin—" "Look here." Dominey acknowledged. Good idea! You go and see what you can do with her. like a great many Hungarians." Seaman declared. and she is leaving early to-morrow morning. she prefers England. 152 . and there is a definite tie between you. "Over in the west wing." "Well. "the Princess is a woman of the world. but with the Princess. I think. She cares nothing for Germany's future. you know. As a matter of fact. She will not think of going to bed at this time of night. "Leave it to me. Everard!" she exclaimed." Dominey played the host first and then the husband. "you are out of your troubles." he directed. "You go out and play the host. I see grave objections myself to your obeying the Kaiser's behest." She turned very sweetly to Everard. she may do a lot of mischief before she goes." "Am I!" Dominey replied gloomily." Seaman nodded. Mangan has taught me a new Patience. "Everybody has been so kind. that I have left her lover's soul out there and come home in his body." Doctor Harrison intervened a little gruffly. "I have been enjoying myself so much. She knows what she is doing. that will rather upset the apple cart. And then. Supposing that chap Dominey did come to life again and she brings him home? You say yourself that you do not mean to make much use of me until after the war has started. and giving her more ardent proofs of your continued affection. I tell you frankly that I could not bear to see you playing the idiot for a moment with Lady Dominey. I see no objection whatever to your treating the Princess in a more human manner." "And now. if she does. You should by no means make an enemy of her.
" Dominey confessed. Look how cross the Duchess looks! Some one must have played the wrong card. Is she very fond of you. you talk to me as though I were a child. isn't he?" she complained to Dominey. as though reluctant to let him go. "Now say good night to everybody. then." "I love you to say that. "Well.—Everard?" "Yes. Terniloff especially seemed reluctant to let her go. good-bye." Rosamund held his hands. You see." Rosamund went on. so that I can say good-bye to every one else. "Please take me through the hall."Will you take me upstairs?" she begged. "Yes. Dominey led the way upstairs. "You are as well as any woman here. Is the Princess Eiderstrom there?" "I am afraid that she has gone to bed. isn't it." she said a little plaintively. He took her to the door of her room and looked in. reading." he answered. Everard?" "I think that I am rather in her bad books just at present. my stern husband is taking me off. "it's very comfortable. I will not be anybody else's. She excused herself gracefully." Dominey answered. "but it seems wrong somewhere." Rosamund's farewells were not easily made. it is very stupid of me to feel jealous. The nurse was sitting in an easy-chair. nurse. "If I am not your husband. and I have seen her looking at you sometimes—Of course." she admitted. Everard?" "Not a bit." "She is very beautiful." Dominey assured her. everybody. promising to sit up a little later the next evening." "Why." he declared cheerfully." she laughed. and the maid was sewing in the background. "as I am not really your wife and you are not really my husband." "Just a little unsympathetic. however. "She said something about a headache." "I should have been very disappointed if I had been too late. Then she drew his face down and kissed him. Doctor Harrison?" "Nothing to see you for. "Pray do not move. "I wonder! I am very observant. as they passed out of the room. dear?" She drew his head down and whispered in his ear. "I have been hoping so much that you would come before Doctor Harrison sent me off. with a little sigh. curiously gratified at her lingering progress. "Well. "I wish she looked as though she liked me a little more. When are you coming to see me." was the gruff reply. you look very comfortable here." Rosamund said wistfully. 153 .
"Not to-night. Besides. "Wasn't that a car?" she asked. dear. and I shall be downstairs with him. "Some of our guests going early. "Very well." he replied." She sighed like a disappointed child. as he turned away. I dare say." he replied."May I come in and say good night for two minutes?" He smiled—a wonderfully kind smile—but shook his head. "The Prince loves to sit up late. 154 ." She paused for a moment to listen. that bully of a doctor of yours insists upon ten hours' sleep.
as he turned away. but I believe he considered his reception here. "I am Mr. I do not understand his language myself. for some reason or other. The news was a shock to him. unfavourable. Parkins' invitation. A tall." Seaman said." Seaman replied. Parkins locked it before he went out. sir. sir. I think his name was—to the station. Parkins always does it. He accompanied—Mr. The cabinets of cigars are kept there. "Is it usual to lock up a sitting-room in this fashion?" he asked. sir." Seaman was silent for a moment. "I am." "Good night. The door was locked. He tried the handle in vain. There was no reply. if this man has left the door here is locked?" "Mr. grave-faced man in sombre black came out from an adjoining apartment." was the respectful reply. sir?" he enquired. Reynolds. "My name is Reynolds. sir. None of the other servants use the room except at Mr. "Has he locked himself in?" "He has left the Hall. "Mr. I will speak to Mr. "What is your position here?" he asked his informant.Chapter 23 Seaman did not at once start on his mission to the Princess. sir!" 155 . also the wine-cellar key and the key of the plate chest." Seaman had the air of a man not wholly satisfied." "Can you tell me why. "Do you mean gone away for good?" "Apparently. "You are looking for the person who arrived this evening from abroad. sir. "Much obliged for your information. Miller. Parkins later. sir!" "Left!" Seaman repeated. He took advantage of the car which went down to the station for the evening papers and caught the last train." "I will let him know that you desire to see him. He made his way instead to the servants' quarters and knocked at the door of the butler's sitting-room. Pelham's servant. Reynolds!" "Good night." "I understand.
Yet I know much. Our friend here is. admitted to the circles like these for reasons connected solely with the welfare of my country." she agreed. Stephanie consented without hesitation to receive him. reading a novel. I beg you to reconsider your decision. Nevertheless. I am to a certain extent.Seaman passed back again to the crowded hall and billiard-room. Mr. What is going to be his real value to you? What work will he do?" "We are keeping him for the big things." she replied. "Tell me. needlessly hard upon himself. with a low bow. So much the greater will be his reward when the end comes. I try to show him where to avoid mistakes." Seaman shook his head reproachfully." she continued. I do not wish to presume upon my position. his major-domo in this enterprise." "Has he sent you to reason with me?" "Not directly. "Yes! Before the summer is over I am to pack up my trunks and fly." "It has doubtless occurred to you. as it happens. "we are in despair at your desertion." "It is when that time comes." she said. "To-morrow I leave it. "Princess." "I should imagine Sir Everard finds you useful. in a boudoir opening out of her bedroom. "I know what is at the back of your mind. She was seated in front of the fire." Seaman declared. "I hope he does. the typical English country gentleman. "Your Highness. Seaman. You have seen our gracious master lately?" he added hesitatingly. Two brains are better than one. exchanged a few remarks here and there. his aptitude has been marvellous. "believe me. "that we expect Sir Everard Dominey. I am only a German tradesman." he continued. I think. I brought him from Africa. So much the greater will be the rapture with which he will throw himself on his knees before you. I have watched over him from the start. "that our friend has accommodated himself wonderfully to English life and customs?" "You must remember that he was educated here. and made his way up the southern flight of stairs toward the west wing." she remarked calmly." "One might almost call it supernatural. "I have been insulted in this house." She put down her book. however. of 156 . the matter which is causing you distress. you seem to have been completely successful in the installation of our friend here as Sir Everard. I try to point out the paths of danger and of safety. of the truth of this matter. I understand." Seaman said impressively.
Princess. then? Answer me. please. your lover. calling up of soldiers—all these are the A B C of our secret service profession. The authorised staff of our secret service can only work underneath." "What are you afraid that I shall do?" she asked curiously. yet found something of mystery in her new detachment of manner. We have quite enough of the other sort of help arranged for. aerodromes and harbours. "Your Highness. because the man for whom you care has chosen to place his country first. and we expect to get them." Stephanie was silent. Plans of ships. keenly observant as always. I would not like that word to be spoken in the presence of any one who knew your history and realised 157 . Seaman. She sat looking into the fire. "that in some corner of the world." he admitted frankly." "Indirectly. I implore you to believe what I know so well. you might whisper a word. I know. sailings of convoys. I am no judge of the things that happen there. Most of our present helpers will be under suspicion. But in your heart I feel there is bitterness. of the best brains of the country. You can see for yourself the advantage we gain in having a confidential correspondent who can day by day reflect the changing psychology of the British mind in all its phases." "I am afraid. of soldiers. "These things you are expecting from our present host?" "We are. "I am not here to speak on behalf of the man who at heart is. I am here to implore you to take no rash step. if not in this country. But I am here to plead for patience. to do nothing which might imperil in any way his position here." Stephanie threw herself back in her easy-chair and clasped her hands behind her head. "I am afraid of nothing—directly.whose loyalty there has never been a word of doubt. which would make people wonder what grudge you had against a simple Norfolk baronet. My confidence in him has grown. He will plead his own cause when the time comes. the host of Cabinet Ministers. I have watched him day by day. to be of use to us." he urged. I stand outside the gates of the world which your sex can make a paradise.—that it is the sternest sense of duty only which is the foundation of Leopold Von Ragastein's obdurate attitude. a scoffing or an angry sentence. I implore your patience. realised the change in her. our fingers will never leave the pulse of Britain's day by day life. from his town house in Berkeley Square. We shall never ask our friend here for a single fact. but.
"I am going to take a sea voyage. "I miss my morning wonder as to how he tied his tie. "Gone?" every one repeated." "You're not suggesting. he asked me the other day if I knew where their premises were. Mr. There was a little ripple of good-humoured laughter. "Fancy any one wanting him badly enough to drag him out of bed in the middle of the night with a telephone call and send him up to town by the breakfast train from Norwich!" their host continued. and his favourite taxicab man was the first to know about it. Seaman." Mangan remarked. "He received a small legacy last year. and held out her hand in token of dismissal. "I shall go to Africa. Eddy Pelham's empty place was the first to attract notice. "His tailor?" "Business of importance was his pretext. In a few days I shall leave this country. a faint smile parting her lips." Stephanie murmured." "We shall miss him. "He was wanted in town.the rather amazing likeness between Sir Everard Dominey and Baron Leopold Von Ragastein." "Gone. "I thought we had started a new ghost when he came into my room in a purple dressing-gown and broke the news. I do not think that you need have many fears. 158 ." she exclaimed. "that it is business of that sort which has taken Eddy away!" "I should think it most improbable. "I should think such a thing has never happened to him before." Mangan told them. towards the end of breakfast time. "Does Eddy do anything for a living?" Caroline asked." Dominey observed. What I shall carry away with me in my heart is not for you or any man to know." The morrow was a day of mild surprises." Dominey replied. "Mr." "Fancy any one wanting Eddy for any serious purpose!" Caroline murmured. looking round from the sideboard." "You are going back to Berlin—to Hungary?" She shook her head. "As a matter of fact. "It was quite one of the events of the day to see his costume after shooting." "His bridge was reasonably good. yawning. "Where's the pink and white immaculate?" the Right Honourable gentleman asked." Dominey replied. beckoned her maid to open the door." the Duke commented." "I see." Mangan confessed. Pelham is a director of the Chelsea Motor Works." "Who wanted him?" the Duke enquired. "Well." she acknowledged." she announced. "He shot rather well the last two days.
"My friend. followed him. A bed was arranged for him—or rather it is always there—in a small apartment opening out of the butler's room." "I will go and make some enquiries. "has disappeared. I found the door of your butler's sitting-room locked. "The affair disconcerts me because I do not understand it. "All I can tell you is that I made up my mind last night to interview him once more and try to fathom his very mysterious behaviour. He said nothing about leaving until he saw Parkins preparing to go down to the station with the chauffeur." he said. When there is a thing which I do not understand." The missing young man's requiem was finished by the arrival of the local morning papers. after a moment's puzzled consideration. A few moments later Dominey rose and left the room. and a very civil fellow—Mr. They had a moment together after Dominey had pointed out the stands. and saw nothing of his disturbed guest again until they were walking to the first wood. and when he found there was a train to Norwich he simply bade them both good night. Seaman."And he had told me confidentially. on the ground floor. "that his departure was indicative of a certain distrust in us." Dominey vanished into the nether regions. "Well?" Seaman enquired. "I do not know whether you have heard. I am uncomfortable." Dominey announced. and I suppose he 159 . "Our friend Miller. Pelham's valet he turned out to be—told me that he had left in the car which went for the evening papers. "I suppose he is having a prowl round somewhere. "There is no doubt." Seaman was thoughtful. "apparently made up his mind to go quite suddenly. He came to find out something. "If you please." Seaman replied. He left no message whatever for either you or me." Seaman announced. pausing in the act of selecting a cigarette." "Whose?" Dominey asked. or Wolff—Doctor Schmidt's emissary. "that he was going to wear brown to-day." Dominey decided. but there was a curious disappearance from the Hall last night. "Our friend. Then he insisted upon accompanying him. spent half an hour with Rosamund. Now I think Eddy would have looked nice in brown." "I have left it to you to make more careful enquiries. who had been unusually silent." he confided." Seaman acquiesced." Caroline concluded." "Disappeared?" Dominey repeated.
The Princess is angry. We live on the brink of a volcano. "Marvellous!" Seaman replied. but she is not likely to give us away. with faint sarcasm." Seaman assented. my friend. I envy you your composure. I am most unhappy. swinging round as a single Frenchman with a dull whiz crossed the hedge behind them and fell a little distance away. "I envy your nerve." 160 ." he said. Let our clear consciences console us. however. "than why Johann Wolff was sent over here to spy upon our perfect work. "even if I am to be left alone. She has decided to take a sea voyage." "We will try a partridge for a change. I do not fear." Seaman admitted. "Neat." Dominey laughed quietly. Too intimate an association between you and me is unwise. a crumpled heap of feathers. "Why the mischief is she going out there?" he asked. "You will find yourself minus another guest when you return this afternoon." "That is well. I think?" he added." "Well." Seaman replied. We are to be relieved of any anxiety concerning her for some time. "your deportment has been most discreet. "Come. "Any other trouble looming?" Dominey asked. "The fellow seemed to me quite harmless. I must not stay here longer. "I did my best with her last night." Dominey observed." Seaman confided. my friend." Dominey observed. Things which I do not understand oppress me. however threatening they are. "but I feel uneasy. This man Wolff could make no adverse report about either of us." "Where to?" "Africa!" Dominey paused in the act of inserting a cartridge into his gun." Dominey acknowledged." "The Princess?" "The Princess. The things which I understand." "My anxieties have also been aroused in another direction.found it out. turning to his companion. He turned slowly around and looked into his companion's expressionless face. and you shoot pheasants. I think I can be trusted. but I found her in a most peculiar frame of mind. "I can no more tell you that. "there is nothing here which seriously threatens our position." "I cannot take this matter very seriously." Seaman replied." "In every respect except as regards the Princess. We are doing our job and doing it well.
Everard. She is perfectly sweet." Dominey repeated irritably. Rosamund joined them for luncheon." Dominey remarked with bland irrelevancy." Dominey muttered. "To-morrow Henry and I are off." "You do not know the Princess. He had no luggage but a walking stick. Ludwig Miller." Dominey mused. "You're in trouble!" she whispered in his ear. but she is an exceedingly dangerous person." "And who on earth was Mr." 161 . as you know. "You show so much tact in other matters. Parkins spent an agonised half hour." Dominey murmured. "She had one wonderful love affair. "I came. my friend. expecting to see a little more of you. counting everything. and now Stephanie. "He was a fat. Ludwig Miller. perhaps." "You are very gracious. and he seems to have upset the male part of my domestics last night by accepting a bed and then disappearing!" "With the plate?" "Not a thing missing. "Really. after all?" Caroline enquired." "I wonder whether she is. then Mr. flaxen-haired German who brought me messages from old friends in Africa. I cannot understand your point of view in this matter. Caroline made a little grimace at her host. "All the same. and I suppose the others. is worth taking trouble about. Mr. I approve. I must say on the whole I am delighted with our visit. bringing news of Stephanie's sudden departure." "Well." she went on deliberately. "First Eddy. and her manners are most attractive. I think your wife. "I think men have generally found her so. we've had a jolly time. she's not quite the sort of woman to be content with a banished lover. Ludwig appears to be one of those unsolved mysteries which go to make up an imperfect world." Caroline replied. which ended. in her husband being killed in a duel and her lover being banished from the country. I fancied I noticed distinct signs of her being willing to replace him whilst she has been down here!" "I feel as though a blight had settled upon my house party."Except as regards the Princess. You could not expect me to mix up a secret honeymoon with my present commitments!" "There might surely have been some middle way?" Seaman persisted. I like Stephanie. "but there is a very great compensation for my disappointment. with notes and messages for everybody. Still." Caroline said reminiscently.
" "Henry began to wonder. indeed! Why don't you take her down to the South of France." "Seaman is a good-hearted little fellow." she sighed. "one cloud which leans over us. "Everard. a certain fondness. "I am afraid of my feelings for her. and a very important one. "There is still an aftermath to our troubles. Tragedy." "Don't talk rubbish!" Caroline exclaimed. and one won't see anything of him for ages." she remarked. "whether you were going to stand for Parliament on the Anglo-German alliance ticket." he told her. just fitted to be the protector of anything so sweet and charming as Rosamund." he said warmly. Even his voice. and he loves companionship." She shrugged her shoulders. "but I didn't have to carry my broker about in my pocket afterwards. "I have made a little money once or twice on the Stock Exchange. steadfast person. almost a terrible mixture of expressions in his face as he answered. You are a strong." "You take yourself very seriously." There was a strange. "Seaman was the first founder of my fortunes. "What tragedy could come between you now? You've recovered your balance. shook with an emotion which amazed his companion. are you?" "On the contrary." 162 . He hesitated for a moment." he told her. "I believe I am. looking at him with a puzzled expression." She studied him curiously. Everard. "Are you still worried about that Unthank affair?" she asked." he muttered.—a certain fear. There were times when he seemed wholly incomprehensible to her. I shall clear it up in time.—but other things may happen first. a certain almost desperate resignation. as a rule so slow and measured. and have your honeymoon all over again?" "I can't do that just yet."I am very glad you think that. Everard. "One would think that there was a side of your life. It may bring even another tragedy down upon us. "I believe you are in love with your wife." she concluded drily. He will drift away presently. She looked away from him." she observed. Why do you have that funny little man Seaman always round with you? You're not being blackmailed or anything. which you kept entirely to yourself.
" 163 . "but—well." he admitted.Dominey laughed as he caught Middleton's reproachful eye in the doorway of the farmer's kitchen in which they were hunching. "I have had some thoughts of Parliament. Henry need not worry. He gave the signal to rise.
For that reason I am begged to inaugurate terms of intimacy with you. "That. in the event of war. "is a personal matter. and. I am assured that if your expose should take place at any time." "I understand perfectly. They concern you." he said. for one. "that you practically exist only in the event of that catastrophe which I. But listen. His first few words were of formal thanks." "It is understood. and there is nothing whatever to connect you with any political work." Dominey seemed to stiffen a little." "Up to the present that is absolutely so. "I know only one name here. The Prince took his host's arm and led him to one side for a few moments. "The authorities have changed their first idea as to my presence here. to leave in your hands all such unfulfilled work as can be continued in secrecy and silence." the Prince continued." "Dominey. "I am further advised to look upon you as my unnamed and unsuspected successor here. I will confess that you play and carry the part through perfectly. and you have the trick of the thing. if the black end should come.Chapter 24 The next morning saw the breaking-up of Dominey's carefully arranged shooting party. your personation will be regarded as a private enterprise. "I desire to refer back for a moment to our conversation the other day. I have already told you of my disapproval of this scheme in which you are the central figure. I had despatches from Berlin last night. as the cars were being loaded up." Dominey assented. then. "Well?" "I am given to understand. They want to keep every 164 . Prince." Dominey agreed. cannot foresee. He spoke then more intimately. I have known English gentlemen all my life. What I am now going to say to you is official. to treat you with the utmost confidence." the Ambassador continued. I perhaps express myself in a somewhat confused manner." Dominey replied. "Von Ragastein." Dominey shook his head and glanced behind.
"Lady Dominey will accompany you?" "Of that I am not sure." "Our understanding is mutual. One can well imagine that there would be work for me. is that I hope you will soon follow us to London and give me the opportunity of offering you the constant hospitality of Carlton House Gardens." he continued. I think." Terniloff shook hands heartily. soon after. but there are many men of our race who are willing enough to sacrifice a woman without the slightest scruple. I find Lady Dominey charming." "Naturally." the Ambassador assented." "You are very kind. She clung to Dominey's arm when at last they turned back into the empty hall. Prince. The Duchess was perfectly charming to me. I venture now upon a somewhat delicate question. therefore." he admitted. "I wanted to hear that from you." Dominey said. You will permit me to assure you that in the peculiar position in which I am placed I shall never forget that she is the wife of Everard Dominey. an unsuspected yet fervently patriotic German. living hand in glove with the upper classes of English Society. and with the utmost pleasure. "They are a faithful record of my interviews and negotiations with certain Ministers here.shadow of suspicion away from me. and I never knew any one with such delightful manners as Prince Terniloff. Are you going to miss them very much. your chivalrous regard for that lady. bidding all her guests farewell. the little procession of cars drove off. "I only wish that I had seen more of them. There were more farewells and. "What dear people they were." Dominey replied thoughtfully." "She will never lack a protector in me. if I may be allowed to say so. as soon as I have consolidated my position here—an event which I fancy I may consider attained—to establish myself in London and to await orders." Dominey declared. amaze you. I trust that amongst other things you will then permit me to examine the memoirs you spoke of the other day. "My instructions are. "I have noticed. as they turned back along the terrace. and they reflect a desire and intention for peace which will. dear?" 165 . Rosamund herself was on the terrace. Everard!" she exclaimed. "You I felt instinctively were different." Terniloff declared. Prince. so that in the event of war I shall have an absolutely unique position. "What I have to say to you. changing the subject of their conversation abruptly. either for their passions or their policy.
Things which I do not understand depress 166 . "Why. with his eyes fixed upon the windows of the servants' quarters. that is my one aim in life. "Let me come with you. "Trying to solve the mystery of Johann Wolff's sudden departure last night. "Do not think me indiscreet. and alas! I know it." She clutched at his hand passionately. and suddenly." They passed through the thin iron gates and paced along one of the back entrances to the Hall. so I thought I'd wait till the afternoon. I am expecting Lady Dominey. But we are going on pretending. then." he answered." she begged. "You shall pretend all that you like. "Remember there is nothing but happiness for you now. when he stopped short. aren't we?" He raised her fingers to his lips and kissed them." he promised. standing a little on one side. To his amazement Seaman was there."Not a bit. "I returned without the knowledge of any one. where Middleton and a couple of beaters were waiting for him with the dogs. "We never have had." she answered." he answered. "I knew all the cars were full for the eleven o'clock." Seaman replied with a glance towards the beaters. Everard. Whoever I am or am not. I thought you went by the early train from Thursford Station?" "Missed it by two minutes. or will you put on one of your pretty gowns and entertain me downstairs at luncheon? It is a very long time since we had a meal alone together. Will you wait ten minutes for me?" "Of course." She shook her head a little sadly. "I can't bear to let you go. Come and walk down the avenue with me a short way. He had scarcely taken a step towards them. I'll be very quiet. "and I will be the shadow of your desires. He strolled down towards the gun room. dear Rosamund. as though finding it insufficient. as she turned away." "And where have you been to for the last few hours. twined her arms around his neck and kissed him. "You know that. Will you come with me. "Hullo. "I think I shall take a gun now and stroll down the meadows and across the rough ground. however. No! No tears!" he added quickly. and then wandered out into the courtyard." "A very short distance. my friend!" he exclaimed." Seaman began. stood by the fire for a moment. then?" Seaman had reached his side now and was out of earshot of the others. It is what I told you before. and I kept out of the way until they had all gone.
" Seaman promised." Seaman begged. I work always from instinct. "but the whole matter is so incomprehensible that I was going to say—or else he was forcibly removed. but I know that 167 ." he concluded. and we will see whether Parkins cannot find us a bottle of that old Burgundy for lunch. well." "And what do you gather from all this?" Dominey asked. "Take a little walk with us. Wolff did not accompany your butler to the station. "Wolff would scarcely have been an easy man to abduct. We neither of us have the ghost of a secret to hide from his employers. "I would like to remain here until your return." he remarked." "You are more likely to do harm. cheer up." Dominey enjoined. "It is immaterial! What is material is that there is a sort of conspiracy amongst the servants here to conceal the manner of his leaving. if you show too much interest in this man's disappearance. How does that sound?" "If you will excuse me from taking the walk. "even if we could hit upon any plausible reason for such a thing! As a matter of fact. "but there are certain things which I cannot help. and my instinct is never wrong. Seaman. Outside the window of the room which I found locked were the marks of footsteps and the tracks of a small car. "I cannot bring myself to treat this Johann Wolff business seriously." Seaman admitted. I beg! Early this morning there was a fresh fall of snow which has now disappeared. I will ask no more questions of your servants. We are doing our job here in the most perfect and praiseworthy fashion. "I gather that Wolff must have had friends in the neighbourhood. that Mr. Pelham's servant was either mistaken or willfully deceived me. "Well." Dominey laughed softly." "I shall be careful. entirely by accident." "And how did you find that out?" Dominey demanded. "and set the servants talking. Granted that the man was a spy. "or else—" "Well?" "My last supposition sounds absurd." "In a sense that is true. Do not interrupt me." "Proceed. then. turning on his heel a little abruptly as he saw Rosamund standing in the avenue." Seaman replied." Dominey begged." Dominey reminded him. would he. "I learned this morning. let him get on with it." Seaman confessed. and behold! I have found proof this morning of a further significance in Wolff's sudden departure.me.
It takes me to London. with a queer little break in his voice. 168 ." "Has he really gone?" Rosamund asked. "Then we shall lunch a deux after all! Delightful! I have my wish!" There was a sudden glow in Dominey's face.there is something mysterious about the sudden departure of Johann Wolff. Let us meet there within a few days. There were only a few lines: "I am following an idea. "Back to London." She laughed happily. "S. which the former tore open as his companion stood warming her feet in front of the fire." Dominey and Rosamund returned about one o'clock to find a note from Seaman. "Shall I ever have mine?" he asked. a glow which was instantly suppressed.
Terniloff and Dominey, one morning about six months later, lounged underneath a great elm tree at Ranelagh, having iced drinks after a round of golf. Several millions of perspiring Englishmen were at the same moment studying with dazed wonder the headlines in the midday papers. "I suppose," the Ambassador remarked, as he leaned back in his chair with an air of lazy content, "that I am being accused of fiddling while Rome burns." "Every one has certainly not your confidence in the situation," Dominey rejoined calmly. "There is no one else who knows quite so much," Terniloff reminded him. Dominey sipped his drink for a moment or two in silence. "Have you the latest news of the Russian mobilisation?" he asked. "They had some startling figures in the city this morning." The Prince waved his hand. "My faith is not founded on these extraneous incidents," he replied. "If Russia mobilises, it is for defence. No nation in the world would dream of attacking Germany, nor has Germany the slightest intention of imperilling her coming supremacy amongst the nations by such crude methods as military enterprise. Servia must be punished, naturally, but to that, in principle, every nation in Europe is agreed. We shall not permit Austria to overstep the mark." "You are at least consistent, Prince," Dominey remarked. Terniloff smiled. "That is because I have been taken behind the scenes," he said. "I have been shown, as is the privilege of ambassadors, the mind of our rulers. You, my friend," he went on, "spent your youth amongst the military faction. You think that you are the most important people in Germany. Well, you are not. The Kaiser has willed it otherwise. By-the-by, I had yesterday a most extraordinary cable from Stephanie." Dominey ceased swinging his putter carelessly over the head of a daisy and turned his head to listen.
"Is she on the way home?" "She is due in Southampton at any moment now. She wants to know where she can see me immediately upon her arrival, as she has information of the utmost importance to give me." "Did she ever tell you the reason for her journey to Africa?" "She was most mysterious about it. If such an idea had had any logical outcome, I should have surmised that she was going there to seek information as to your past." "She gave Seaman the same idea," Dominey observed. "I scarcely see what she has to gain. In Africa, as a matter of fact," he went on, "my life would bear the strictest investigation." "The whole affair is singularly foolish," the Prince declared, "Still, I am not sure that you have been altogether wise. Even accepting your position, I see no reason why you should not have obeyed the Kaiser's behest. My experience of your Society here is that love affairs between men and women moving in the same circles are not uncommon." "That," Dominey urged, "is when they are all tarred with the same brush. My behaviour towards Lady Dominey has been culpable enough as it is. To have placed her in the position of a neglected wife would have been indefensible. Further, it might have affected the position which it is in the interests of my work that I should maintain here." "An old subject," the Ambassador sighed, "best not rediscussed. Behold, our womenkind!" Rosamund and the Princess had issued from the house, and the two men hastened to meet them. The latter looked charming, exquisitely gowned, and stately in appearance. By her side Rosamund, dressed with the same success but in younger fashion, seemed almost like a child. They passed into the luncheon room, crowded with many little parties of distinguished and interesting people, brilliant with the red livery of the waiters, the profusion of flowers—all that nameless elegance which had made the place society's most popular rendezvous. The women, as they settled into their places, asked a question which was on the lips of a great many English people of that day. "Is there any news?" Terniloff perhaps felt that he was the cynosure of many eager and anxious eyes. He smiled light-heartedly as he answered: "None. If there were, I am convinced that it would be good. I have been allowed to play out my titanic struggle against Sir Everard without interruption."
"I suppose the next important question to whether it is to be peace or war is, how did you play?" the Princess asked. "I surpassed myself," her husband replied, "but of course no ordinary human golfer is of any account against Dominey. He plays far too well for any self-respecting Ger—" The Ambassador broke off and paused while he helped himself to mayonnaise. "For any self-respecting German to play against," he concluded. Luncheon was a very pleasant meal, and a good many people noticed the vivacity of the beautiful Lady Dominey whose picture was beginning to appear in the illustrated papers. Afterwards they drank coffee and sipped liqueurs under the great elm tree on the lawn, listening to the music and congratulating themselves upon having made their escape from London. In the ever-shifting panorama of gaily-dressed women and flannel-clad men, the monotony of which was varied here and there by the passing of a diplomatist or a Frenchman, scrupulously attired in morning clothes, were many familiar faces. Caroline and a little group of friends waved to them from the terrace. Eddy Pelham, in immaculate white, and a long tennis coat with dark blue edgings, paused to speak to them on his way to the courts. "How is the motor business, Eddy?" Dominey asked, with a twinkle in his eyes. "So, so! I'm not quite so keen as I was. To tell you the truth," the young man confided, glancing around and lowering his voice so that no one should share the momentous information, "I was lucky enough to pick up a small share in Jere Moore's racing stable at Newmarket, the other day. I fancy I know a little more about gee-gees than I do about the inside of motors, what?" "I should think very possibly that you are right," Dominey assented, as the young man passed on with a farewell salute. Terniloff looked after him curiously. "It is the type of young man, that," he declared, "which we cannot understand. What would happen to him, in the event of a war? In the event of his being called upon, say, either to fight or do some work of national importance for his country?" "I expect he would do it," Dominey replied. "He would do it pluckily, whole-heartedly and badly. He is a type of the upper-class young Englishman, over-sanguine and entirely undisciplined. They expect, and their country expects for them that in the case of emergency pluck would take the place of training."
The Right Honourable Gerald Watson stood upon the steps talking to the wife of the Italian Ambassador. She left him presently, and he came strolling down the lawn with his hands behind his back and his eyes seeming to see out past the golf links. "There goes a man," Terniloff murmured, "whom lately I have found changed. When I first came here he met me quite openly. I believe, even now, he is sincerely desirous of peace and amicable relations between our two countries, and yet something has fallen between us. I cannot tell what it is. I cannot tell even of what nature it is, but I have an instinct for people's attitude towards me, and the English are the worst race in the world at hiding their feelings. Has Mr. Watson, I wonder come under the spell of your connection, the Duke of Worcester? He seemed so friendly with both of us down in Norfolk." Their womenkind left them at that moment to talk to some acquaintances seated a short distance way. Mr. Watson, passing within a few yards of them, was brought to a standstill by Dominey's greeting. They talked for a moment or two upon idle subjects. "Your news, I trust, continues favourable?" the Ambassador remarked, observing the etiquette which required him to be the first to leave the realms of ordinary conversation. "It is a little negative in quality," the other answered, after a moment's hesitation. "I am summoned to Downing Street again at six o'clock." "I have already confided the result of my morning despatches to the Prime Minister," Terniloff observed. "I went through them before I came down here," was the somewhat doubtful reply. "You will have appreciated, I hope, their genuinely pacific tone?" Terniloff asked anxiously. His interlocutor bowed and then drew himself up. It was obvious that the strain of the last few days was telling upon him. There were lines about his mouth, and his eyes spoke of sleepless nights. "Words are idle things to deal with at a time like this," he said. "One thing, however, I will venture to say to you, Prince, here and under these circumstances. There will be no war unless it be the will of your country." Terniloff was for a moment unusually pale. It was an episode of unrecorded history. He rose to his feet and raised his hat. "There will be no war," he said solemnly. The Cabinet Minister passed on with a lighter step. Dominey, more clearly than ever before, understood the subtle policy which had chosen
I wonder?—has written that no island could ever breed a race of diplomatists. I believe in the honesty of the English politicians.for his great position a man as chivalrous and faithful and yet as simpleminded as Terniloff. he is returning from Germany to-night. He is coming direct to me." he remarked significantly. "one begins to understand why one of our great writers—was it Bernhardi. "what of our cheerful little friend Seaman? He ought to be busy just now. "In a time like this. "By the by." Dominey announced." Dominey rose willingly to his feet." the Ambassador said thoughtfully. The too-nimble brain of the diplomat has its parallel of insincerity in the people whose interests he seems to guard. But we talk too seriously for a summer afternoon. He looked after the retreating figure of the Cabinet Minister with a slight smile at the corner of his lips." Terniloff asked. "have brought the English great weal. as they may bring to her much woe. I have placed that belief on record in the small volume of memoirs which I shall presently entrust to you. Let us illustrate to the world our opinion of the political situation and play another nine holes at golf. "I expect him at Berkeley square." 173 ." "Curiously enough. and the two men strolled away towards the first tee." "The seas which engirdle this island.
and draw up to your side. pointed for the servant to place a chair for her by Dominey's side. instead of leaving the room. "when the ladies have left.Chapter 26 These were days. handsomely furnished dining-room of his town house in Berkeley Square." he declared. filling her glass. reasserting themselves afterwards with a curious sense of unreality. and though the table had been reduced to its smallest proportions. talking to him all the time a little gravely. So let us make the most of the time until he comes. "A matter of business which I fear will take me from you for the rest of the evening." she said. of vivid impressions. of poignant memories. with some notable pictures upon the walls. "I shall be like your men friends. it was still a fine apartment." "First of all you drink half a glass of this port. and feel the thrill of the music. the space between them was yet considerable. Rosamund rose to her feet and. and with a wonderful ceiling and fireplace. Everard. Dominey and Rosamund dined alone. furnished in the Georgian period. Now what do we do? Tell stories? I promise you that I will be a wonderful listener." he assured her. "Do you know." she declared. a sweet and picturesque picture of a graceful and very desirable woman. Dominey long remembered his dinner that evening in the sombre. I can see the things in the pictures. To-night I expect a visitor. "I am so happy in London here with you. to all dwellers in London. which seemed to come to 174 . After which we listen for a ring at the bell. "then you peel me one of those peaches. and we divide it. Everard. As soon as Parkins had gravely put the port upon the table." "A visitor?" "Not a social one. Although it lacked the splendid proportions of the banqueting hall at Dominey. I can read and understand the books which were a maze of print to me before. her delicate shape and artistic fragility more than ever accentuated by the sombreness of the background. as though belonging to another set of days and another world." She commenced her task with the peach. and I feel all the time so strong and well.
you are always so self-controlled. mad things. "His kisses were not like yours. "I must. He would have spent his time racing or yachting. You know. "How can I be cured when all the time there is the problem of you. somehow. and I love you for it." she insisted. And yet—" "And yet what?" Dominey asked. Everard. he did wild things. "I must. as the fancy took him. I think that I should even have been able to stand those awful moments when he came back to me. It was that. a little hoarsely. "that Doctor Harrison is proud of me for a patient. before. "Mind!" "You are so like him and yet so different. whatever he or anybody else might say. if it had not been that I was already almost a wreck. but don't interrupt. all dislocated and discordant. after a moment's pause. Then. he was very much more affectionate. It is wonderful that you should mind so much. And he was far fonder of having me with him." she went on. "I do not wonder. dear?" "Of course." he answered gravely. even though I see how they distress you. I am not quite cured." she answered." "Mind?" he groaned. You understand." Dominey begged. often when I wanted him he was not there. "You never fail. depositing his share of the peach upon his plate. he killed Roger Unthank that night." "Do I fail so often to come up to his standard?" he asked. looking at him with brimming eyes. he seemed to forget me altogether. That is why he was never able to come back. on the other hand. Rosamund.me." "Why do you talk of these things to-night." "Rosamund dear. hunting or shooting." she went on. so serious. It was that which made me so nervous." he protested. "that was so terrible. The Everard I remember would never have cared about being a magistrate or going into Parliament." she insisted. but you do. 175 ." she went on meditatively. the problem which I am just as far off solving as ever I was? Often I find myself comparing you with the Everard whom I married. but there are many times when I feel a dull pain in my heart. dear. because I know that. "Of course." she said very sadly. laying her fingers upon his hand and looking at him curiously. "You drink so little wine. "I think he loved me better than you. covered with blood and reeling. "Ah." she went on. You live as though you had a life around you of which others knew nothing.
He kissed her hands fondly. "I want you!" Dominey sat for a moment motionless. "I will be patient. "More than for any woman on earth. "He may come back at any moment. And then another and sharper interruption. His response to her wave of passion was infinitely tender. "You tell me always to wait." he reminded her softly. He responded to Dominey's welcome with a 176 . breaking the stillness of the summer evening. "that front doorbell summons me to rather an important interview. I am not in any way cold. had lost something of the placid urbanity of a few months ago. a panama. he felt the fierce need of air. When he came back she was still sitting there. "But I don't want him to come back!" she cried. I am not indifferent. something which is beginning to weigh upon me night and day. "I have spoken to Doctor Harrison about it."Why?" he demanded. He was hot and tired with travel. There were new lines in his face and a queer expression of anxiety about his eyes." "That is quite true." she answered. His voice had all the old ring in it. in a light grey suit. Through the wide-flung." She gripped his hand. but you shall tell me this." she went on. her voice scarcely audible." Dominey walked suddenly to the window and leaned out. and a white beflowered tie." she complained.—something with which I never reckoned. "Dear Rosamund. You make or mar my life. at the corners of which little wrinkles had begun to appear. Trust me. You must care a little? Please?" He was standing up now.—the stopping of a taxicab outside." he said. She leaned towards him. and a great strength. her other arm stole around his neck. There were drops of moisture upon his forehead. like a figure of stone. "but I think that he did. because someday the real Everard might come back. with her eyes upon her plate. the firm. "He told me that you probably loved more than you dared to show. Rosamund. blind-shielded windows came the raucous cry of a newsboy. insistent ringing of the front doorbell. still looking down. and wait!" She sank back into her chair with a piquant and yet pathetic little grimace. You are so kind to me. her voice shook with passion. dear Rosamund!" Seaman. "I cannot tell you. Recollection came to Dominey. The fire which had leaped up within him was thrust back. Will you please trust in me a little while longer? Believe me. There is something which you will have to be told.
however." Dominey rang the bell. his thirst. We will speak first of what is more than disturbing—a little terrifying." was the momentous reply. but it must be served here." Dominey protested. There we are." Dominey gave some orders to the servant who answered his summons. from the commencement. He had already surmised. No word has been received from Wolff since that night in January. 177 . "No member of our service is allowed to remain more than one month without communicating his existence and whereabouts to headquarters. which he laid on the carpet by his side. And afterwards the biggest cigar you have. confronted with a very singular happening. news disturbing. "A bottle of hock with seltzer water. news astounding." "It seems incredible. When everything was served. unheard of. Neither is it clear why he held aloof from me." Seaman insisted.fervour which was almost feverish. Wolff vanished from your house that night into an English fortress. seemed all stimulated to swift action. and the door closed." "But such a thing is against the law. The mystery of Johann Wolff has been solved." Dominey declared bluntly. and finally sank into an easy-chair with a little gesture of relief. "No country can keep the citizen of another country in prison without formulating a definite charge or bringing him up for trial. his speech. indirect information has reached us that he is in durance over here. "Yes." he said. "It is nevertheless true. as though expecting to find some change. from the dressingcase and coats in the hall. His appetite. and ice if you have it. Seaman could wait no longer. What was at the back of his visit to us that night I cannot even now imagine. "I have news. brown despatch case. "What will you have?" he enquired. On the other hand. "That I know. For a few moments they spoke trivialities of the journey. news magnificent. but scarcely so singular as the denouement." Seaman smiled grimly. that his visitor had come direct from the station." "The same." "The man who came to us with messages from Schmidt in South Africa?" Dominey asked. who am his superior in practically the same service. "I had almost forgotten about him. scrutinised him closely. "You have news?" Dominey asked. I have indeed news. "Also a plate of cold meat. "We are of the same temperament. He had been carrying a small." Seaman replied.
You are our great hope now." "It is to be. contrary to Terniloff's. 'These are not the days for marriage or giving in marriage. You followed your own purpose. though." Seaman objected." "You bring news indeed!" Dominey murmured. then?" Seaman took a long and ecstatic draught of his hock and seltzer. "I have been received with favour in the very loftiest circles. concerning whose welfare the English Foreign Office has not even thought it worth while to enquire. "Wolff has been a marked man for years. 'Von Ragastein has decided well. and the tray was removed. The word has gone out. There are one or two Englishmen in German prisons at the present moment. extract Johann Wolff. the most momentous days the world has ever known. You will gain by it. the days when an empire shall spring into being. "It is to be. For the rest. the most disquieting feature about Wolff is that it introduces something we don't understand. By the end of August we shall be in Paris. "Yes. "You and I both stand high in the list of those to whom great rewards shall come. contrary to my advice. His Majesty approves altogether of your reluctance to avail yourself of his permission to wed the Princess Eiderstrom. too wonderful for hesitation. but they couldn't thrust a pair of tongs into your butler's sittingroom. if every statesman in Servia crawls to Vienna with a rope around his neck. It comes exactly twelve months before the final day fixed by our great authorities. The whole of Germany is like a vast military camp. but the opportunity is too great. Soon the two men were alone again. In his eyes the greatest of all attributes is singleness of purpose." Seaman finished his meal in due course." Seaman continued. Dominey. If Russia ceases to mobilise to-morrow." Dominey remarked.' Those are the words of the All Highest. the result would still be the same. Seaman puffing out dense volumes 178 . "However.' he declared. and the time for their utility is past. the mightiest since the Continents fell into shape and the stars looked down upon this present world." he said." "They must have tracked him down there."That's all very well in any ordinary case. and better. What troubles me more than the actual fact of Wolff's disappearance is the mystery of his visit to you and his apprehension practically on the spot. if it were of any use. and set him down inside Norwich Castle or whatever prison he may be in. "There was never any doubt about it. These." he declared solemnly. but it would not be. standing for a moment by the opened window. Wilhelmstrasse would soon make fuss enough. we have many men as good.
"Is that also calculated?" Seaman. with here and there portions of it in slightly lighter colouring. unlocked the little despatch box which stood by his side and took from it jealously a sheet of linen-backed parchment. A little of his marvellous caution seemed to have deserted him. And for wealth—India and China! What more could you have. It is a wonderful empire we shall build. timber—they are all there for us to draw upon. The task of every one is allotted. clothing. "Von Ragastein. oil. fats. I have a list of instructions for you." he said solemnly and impressively. Leather. For the first time he spoke directly to his companion. ours. Lithuania. For the rest. It was a map of Europe. Asia is there at our feet. their work made clear to them. in which England." He laid out a map upon the table. "it is a great country. was painted a deep scarlet. my friend?" 179 . brandishing it sometimes in his hand to give effect to his words. and the Ukraine will possess a certain degree of autonomous government. Rations. There is none. were painted in dark blue. every unit of which you can think." he said. Every regiment knows its station. every general knows his exact line of attack. "are one of the first to gaze upon this." he said. everything between those two lines belongs to the new German Empire. the other from Finland to the Black Sea. gripping his cigar between his teeth. This will show you the dream of our Kaiser. Seaman laid his palm upon the map. which will practically amount to nothing. has its movements calculated out for it to the last nicety. Portugal and Italy. We will talk of our future. "Explain it to me. every battery commander knows his positions. a diminished France. one from Hamburg to Athens. Poland. Raw materials of every description will be ours. "Broadly speaking. No longer will Great Britain control the supplies of the world." "And the final result?" Dominey asked. This will show you the framework of the empire that is to be. tallow. hospitals. we move towards war. Spain. They can wait. wheat. You would think that in Germany there was excitement. many details. the whole of the space included between two liens. Like a mighty piece of gigantic machinery. our great and glorious destiny as the mightiest nation who has ever earned for herself the right to govern the world. To-night I am on fire with the mighty things. The two men bent over it. with trembling fingers." Dominey begged. my friend. "There lies our future Empire.of smoke. Courland. "You.
There is no room in middle Europe for two empires. notwithstanding her countless millions of men. as you observe are left in the lighter shade of red. But what about Austria?" Seaman's grin was almost sardonic. "Look at them." "And Norway and Sweden?" Seaman looked down at the map and smiled. Turkey. is pledged." Dominey muttered. with Constantinople. the finest cannon food in the world. to drive a way through the heart of her empire?" "This. scared neutrals. my friend. If an opportunity occurs. become vassal states." Seaman replied. they will none the less be our vassal states when the last gun has been fired. body and soul. and there might always be the question of British aid so far as she is concerned. body and soul. "has disappeared. it means absorption. "is where genius steps in. "but what of Russian with her millions? How is it that we propose. If they do so." "This is marvellously conceived. you Von Ragastein. But Sweden is ours. Norway has her western seaboard. But there—it is enough. We shall teach Russia how to make herself a free country. Bulgaria is already ours." he observed. and we need her ports to dominate the Thames." 180 . it is our master's plan to bring her into complete subjection. More than any other of these vassal states." he said. have gazed upon this picture of the future. She has timber and minerals which we also need. Bulgaria and Greece. to be absorbed one by one as opportunity presents itself." Dominey's finger strayed northward."You take my breath away. Holland and the Scandinavian countries. Servia will be blotted from the map. if indeed such a thing should be. "Belgium. "must already feel her doom creeping upon her. as they probably will. "They lie at our mercy. probably also Montenegro. "Our line of advance into France lies that way. We need her lusty manhood. We have secret agents now in every city and country place and throughout the army. Russia has been ripe for a revolution any time for the last fifteen years. like Turkey. First of all men in this country. must become part of the German Empire. "Austria." "Belgium we shall occupy and enslave. mark you. to help ourselves to her richest provinces. If they remain. Greece will either join us or be wiped out. Austria." he said. Then further down. for later wars. Holland and Denmark may be incited to take the field against us. Roumania must become a vassal state or be conquered." Seaman replied. These countries which are painted in fainter red. and the House of Hapsburg must fall before the House of Hohenzollern.
almost your daily life. The thoughts jump about. as a rule. as my greatest treasure. We shall go over it within a day or so. passing his hand over his forehead. It is our great aim to keep England out of the war. "there are six of those maps in existence. "it is not that we desire her friendship. "My brain is weary. "I have a great fatigue. Seaman laughed scornfully. unlocked a little safe and deposited it therein. Then perhaps our attitude towards England may change a little! Now I go. It is yours." Dominey folded up the map with reluctance. Meanwhile. His companion shook his head. For the second time that almost satyr-like grin on Seaman's face revolted him. has been planned. after all!" Dominey exclaimed. 181 . "Baron Von Ragastein. bring it out and study it." he pointed out. for the first time in his life upon the same day. too. "I shall guard it." he admitted. It was curious that he. Lock it away and guard it as though it were your greatest treasure on earth." he said. but this was the third time he had replenished his glass since his hasty meal. crossed the room. then.Dominey shivered a little with an almost involuntary repulsion. it shall fill your mind with pride and wonder. with a fervour which surprised even himself. That one is for you. Boulogne and Havre are in our hands. This last week has been one of fierce excitements. it shall lighten your moments of depression. Everything. It shall be your inspiration. but when you are alone. a moderate man. It is that we may crush her the more easily when Calais. remember this. friend. according to your behest." Dominey folded it carefully up." he assured his departing guest. "If we want England out of the war. That will be in three months' time. give you courage when you are in danger. "And what of my own work?" Seaman helped himself to a liqueur. addressed his host differently." "Terniloff is right. He was.
But on this particular morning. The incredible had happened. who was awaiting him. and it was only by the intervention of Terniloff's private secretary." he groaned. Men and women were going about their business as usual. alternately the joke and bogey of the conversationalist. about the brief telephone message which Dominey received. his own mind in a curious turmoil. the great white building. Then he locked the door. the anteroom was crowded with callers. Externally. with its rows of flower boxes. "Von Ragastein. stretched her grey hands over the sunlit city. in the most lurid sense of the word. people were too stunned for calculations. that Dominey was able to reach the inner sanctum where the Ambassador was busy dictating letters.Chapter 27 There was something dramatic. but an air of stupefaction was everywhere apparent. "I am a broken man!" 182 . James's Street and along Pall Mall and presented himself at Carlton House Terrace. In a day or two all this was to be changed. from Carlton House Terrace. every chance acquaintance had stopped to confer with his fellows. The most peaceful stockbroker or shopkeeper. In a few minutes he was moving through the streets. People went about then counting the Russian millions. The long-discussed war—the nightmare of the nervous. Even the lightest-hearted felt a thrill of apprehension at the thought of the horrors that were to come. showed no signs of undue perturbation. still familiar yet already curiously changed. the derision of the optimist—had actually materialised. passed down St. including his secretaries. avoiding acquaintances as far as possible. who had never even been to a review in his life. which would convince the greatest pessimist that Germany and Austria were outnumbered by at least three to one. not so many hours later. Dominey. He broke off immediately his visitor was announced and dismissed every one. Inside. the steamroller fetish was to be evolved. Practically every loiterer was studying a newspaper. Black tragedy leaned over the land. however. War. The happy-go-luck years of peace and plenty had suddenly come to an end. could make calculations of man power with a stump of pencil on the back of an old envelope.
these memoirs must be kept in a safe place until I see a good use for them. I have worked for peace with honourable men who were just as anxious as I was to secure it. Even the Embassy here is not free from our own spies. You have asked me for it several times lately. "Not long ago I spoke of a little volume. Perhaps even your own allegiance to the Party you serve may waver for a moment as you read. "why I give it into your keeping." "That is one reason why I sent for you. "to say farewell. But all the time those for whom I laboured were making faces behind my back. "I sent for you. I am going to show it to you now. Terniloff seemed to have aged years even in the last few hours. and I was wrong. Study them carefully. It is written up to yesterday. I know now that nothing in this world could have hindered what is coming." he said earnestly. You can judge. It is an absolutely faithful narrative of my work here. "I have worked for peace." His visitor still remained silent. The moment I reach Germany. unlocked one of the smaller safes. and returned to Dominey. to say farewell and make a confession." 183 . It would have better if I had remained and played the country farmer on my estates. no doubt. withdrew a morocco-bound volume the size of a small portfolio. a diary which I have been keeping of my work in this country. I was nothing more nor less than their tool." was the agitated reply. "I beg you. which stood against the side of the wall. although my heart is bitter against those who are bringing this blot upon our country." "You mean if the governing party in German should change?" "Precisely! They would then form at once my justification. I was never shrewd enough to see until now that I have been made the cat'spaw of the very men whose policy I always condemned. and place English diplomacy in such a light before the saner portion of my fellow countrymen that an honourable peace might be rendered possible." he continued. For that reason. I promised to show it to you. I am a German and a patriot." he went on a little bitterly. You were right. "that you did your best for peace. "believing that my country wanted peace. It will tell you of all my efforts and how they were foiled. There was so little that he could say. "to read this with the utmost care and to await my instructions with regard to it.Dominey grasped his hand sympathetically." The Prince crossed the room. and the existence of these memoirs is known." Dominey reminded him." "Every one will at least realise. their fate is assured. Von Ragastein." Terniloff went on. and the English response to it.
He found Rosamund with a little troop of dogs. these last few months. "You and I have had quite a happy time together. and crossed to her side. "Alas! there is no time for us to enter into one of our old arguments on the ethics of government. Does that suit you?" "Delightfully!" He took her arm and they paced slowly along the hot walk. "I want you to think—of your husband—of Everard. and every one is so excited. "Rosamund dear." Dominey said quietly. My departure is arranged for as though I were royalty." Dominey told her. I must send you away." she declared enthusiastically. "even though there is still that black cloud between us." he said. "No other way in which I can serve you?" "None. "the time has come which many people have been dreading. "We shall get home about nine. I have tried to treat you as kindly and tenderly as though I were really your husband and you were indeed my wife." Terniloff answered sadly."I serve no Party." "I shall order the touring car at three o'clock. Von Ragastein." "I should love it." he went on. "I couldn't bear that! No one could ever be so sweet as you have been to me." "There is no other commission?" Dominey asked. For myself I shall not raise my head again until I have left England. I am bound to wish you Godspeed. You have a terrible task before you. Parkins and your maid can go down by train." "You're not going away?" she cried. "would you mind very much coming down to Norfolk for a few days?" "With you?" she asked quickly. We are at war. just entering the gardens. every act of courtesy and generosity which I receive in these moments. "London is getting so hot. Farewell!" Dominey found a taxicab in Pall Mall and drove back to Berkeley Square. He was a soldier once for a short time. Yet believe me. "Yes! I want to be in retreat for a short time." she murmured. startled. "Dear. was he not? What do you think he would have done now that this terrible war has come?" 184 . bites into my heart." "Dear. "only my Country." he asked." "I know. my friend. taking her arm. "I am permitted to suffer no inconveniences." Terniloff sighed. There are one or two things I must settle before I take up some fresh work." he said.
" he declared. "when we are at Dominey shall I be able to see Doctor Harrison?" "Of course. "I am not sure. I shall be back to luncheon." he had replied. and her clothes themselves gracefully and naturally worn. perhaps?" "That is the strange part of it." she replied. as they reached the gate. "He would have become a soldier again. "something I want to ask you. Caroline had come to him with a little shrug of the shoulders. with such almost plaintive seriousness." "You know the proverb about the old roue. "That is why I must leave you for an hour now while I make some calls. he would have fought for his country. when you are in town as when you are in the country?" He was a little taken aback at her question—asked. "I have been trying to be kind to Rosamund. Only the week before. she had been amazingly successful. "There is something I want to say to him. Everard. too. Life is not going to be very easy for the next few days. with the slightest possible tremor in her tone." she said. a large black hat. Directly afterwards we must start." she answered. dear. her gloves." she added." she answered. Are you the same person. "You see. Her stockings. too. Socially. I have many things to arrange first. "Everard. I have never seen you as you looked that night."He would have done what you will do." She held on to his arm. a little mysteriously. There's an empty taxi. all the trifling details of her toilette. "I think so. His mind had wandered for a moment. dear?" he repeated. The very aberration it suggested seemed altogether denied by her appearance. though. "The same person. You don't deserve such luck. She seemed curiously reluctant to let him go." she confided." she said." "You would rather not go back. "There is nothing in the world I want so much to do. She was wearing a dress of black and white muslin. were carefully chosen. Don't I seem so to you?" She shook her head. "and finding out instead how unnecessary it is. He realised Rosamund's question with a little start. "I shall go in and tell Justine about the packing. in the country I still remember sometimes that awful night when I so nearly lost my reason. Paris shoes. Everard." he assured her." 185 . too. She is quite the most popular of the younger married women in our set." "And so must I—fight for my country.
sir. a strange rumour spread through Dominey and the district. sends out a smell enough to make a man faint. hopelessly rotten. "the old lady in the distance there 186 . "I don't know as I ever came across a bit of woodland as was so utterly. and the first time the foreman had been known to open his mouth was when Dominey walked down to discuss progress.—from the farm labourer to the farmer. And there's fungus there which. though we've a matter of five hundred planks down there. sir. It's not worth a snap of the fingers. had gazed upon the great bridge of planks leading into the wood. sir. sir. from the village post-office to the neighbouring hamlets. The matter of the war was promptly forgotten. when you touch it. with an engine and all the machinery of their craft. Before the second day. had started to work razing to the ground everything in the shape of tree or shrub at the north end of the Black Wood." he confided." "How long will it take?" "Matter of three weeks. in the hope of some strange discovery into the tents of the men who were camping out. A gang of woodmen from a neighbouring county. as big and as fierce as a young tigress. My men are all wearing extra leggings to keep them from being bitten by them adders—as long as my arm. sir. had peered. woman and child in the place had paid an awed visit to the outskirts of the wood.Chapter 28 Within the course of the next few days. from the school children to their homes. We killed a cat the first day. every man. Why.—Begging your pardon. on the morning after his arrival. It's a queer job. The men themselves were not communicative. had listened to the whirr of machinery. and when we've got the timber out you'll be well advised to burn it." the man went on. the wood crumbles when you touch it." "Come across anything unusual yet?" "We ain't come across anything that isn't unusual so far. and the men have to be within reach of one another the whole of the time. "It's a dirty bit of work. some of 'em.
Mrs." he began— She interrupted him. Mrs." he answered. "Don't let me see her." Dominey replied. but nodded as Dominey glanced towards her enquiringly. "what can I do for you?" 187 . We may live to see a field of corn there. Unthank. Sir Everard Dominey?" she demanded. although you have never said a word to me about it." Rosamund shivered slightly. "Don't let her persuade you to stop." he enquired. As they cut. Unthank?" She relapsed into silence. But that night. as Rosamund and he were lingering over their dessert. Afterwards. You promise?" "I promise." he announced. Unthank was making every effort to keep under control her fierce discomposure. "Mrs. On a mound a little distance away in the park. even in the morning light she was a repellent figure. enjoying the strange quiet and the wonderful breeze which crept in at the open window. they burn.hangs about the whole of the time. of course. Unthank. I shall have it drained. Parkins announced a visitor. Unthank is in the library. her white cheeks and strange eyes. "She would be glad if you could spare her five minutes. with an odd little note of passion in her tone. "You must go. unrelieved by any trace of colour. until not a tree or a bush remains upright. In her rusty black clothes. She rose as Dominey entered the room and dropped an old-fashioned curtsey. and Dominey passed on. "Those men are going to cut and hew their way from one end of the Black Wood to the other. Mrs." "You will dare to do this?" she asked hoarsely." she begged. Let them cut and burn and hew till there isn't room for a mouse to hide. please. Some of my men are half scared of her. "Will you dare to tell me why I should not.—Everard!" "Yes. dear?" "I know what you are doing out there. "What are those men doing. Her skinny hand was stretched out towards the wood. Mrs. Dominey strolled across to her. Mrs." Dominey swung around. sir. Rachael Unthank was standing. "You see. "What is your will with the wood?" "I am carrying out a determination I came to in the winter. Unthank. "Well." she continued.
Mrs. he fought like a madman. that the whole countryside knows. after all that she has suffered. Its very presence there. "that you'd rotted to death in Africa!" "You carry your evil feelings far. and. Unthank. Mrs." "What is your objection. If he crept into the wood and died there. "I think that you have had your revenge. "Your son stole out from the shadow of that wood. Sir Everard. Give up this foolish idea that the Black Wood is still the home of 188 . "That again is false. Mrs. Mrs." she confessed. and the calling of the men. "There's evil will come to you if you do." she declared doggedly. Unthank. It lay where he fell." he said. "It is nothing more nor less than a noisome pest-hole. The fire in her narrowed eyes was the fire of hatred. And as for you. I never touched his body." "You'd done him wrong." "I would to Heaven!" the woman cried. Lady Dominey would have been in a mad-house today. after a moment's pause. Your son was a lonely." The forced respect was already beginning to disappear from her manner." the woman muttered. I am determined to sweep it from the face of the earth. "Take my advice. I think that if I had stayed away another two years." he replied. attacked me in a cowardly manner. Some sort of evil seemed to have lit in her face. showing her yellow teeth. It was you who fed her with the horror of your son's so-called spirit. Her lips had shrunk apart. His passion for Lady Dominey was uninvited and unreciprocated. Dominey looked at her calmly. "I can't bear it. It was you who nursed my wife into insanity. not I. I was glad to get away alive. He sought for my life as I never sought for his. Unthank. Her only feeling concerning him was one of fear. Unthank. sir. Unthank. "I am no murderer. All night long I seem to hear those axes. If either of us had murder in our hearts. "Plenty of evil has come to me from that wood as it is." Dominey went on. is a menace to Lady Dominey's nerves." he reminded her. then his death was not at my door. and we fought. notwithstanding my superior strength. Mrs. to the destruction of the Black Wood?" Dominey asked bluntly. it was he. He was mad when he attacked me. "You mean to disturb the spirit of him whose body you threw there?" she persisted. a morose and an illliving man."It's about the wood again.
" Dominey replied. at any rate." Dominey found Rosamund and Doctor Harrison. Unthank. Are you really Everard Dominey?" He swung around and faced her.your son's spirit." she said slowly. and the doctor followed his host into the dining-room and took his seat at the table where the dessert still remained. What if you should be an impostor?" "You have only to prove that. "Old woman threatening mischief?" the latter asked. I am a hard and fast materialist. I've heard strange talk from the people who've come under your masterful ways. He welcomed the latter warmly. You're a harder man than the Everard Dominey I remember." she warned him. "You are a godsend. "I have been obliged to leave my port untasted for want of a companion. Her eyes followed him wonderingly. as he filled his guest's glass. "Personally. "Who else?" "There's one.—You must excuse my ringing the bell. You will find it a little difficult. I have them again every time you speak. of the Black Wood may remain standing. and that's her ladyship. after a moment's pause. with a keen glance from under his shaggy grey eyebrows. You will excuse us for a moment Rosamund?" She nodded pleasantly. "Be assured. "You are asking for the evil things." Dominey answered." She rose unwillingly to her feet. I see no object in asking you to remain longer. you know." Dominey replied. I've had my doubts sometimes. "that if they come I shall know how to deal with them. Doctor. lingering on the terrace." 189 . in certain matters. and I have not the slightest faith in the vindictive mother. "I think she means it. Her manner was sullen and unyielding. Doctor. Mrs. "and a portion. "I have heard a rumour. "there has been a word spoken here and there about you. though. Go and live on your annuity in another part of the country and forget. who had walked over from the village. "the present situation is beginning to confirm an old suspicion of mine. "has never believed it." she went on. terrified to death lest the razing of a wood of unwholesome character should turn out into the cold world the spirit of her angel son." He moved across the room to throw open a window." he declared." he went on.
"I would rather not tell you at the present moment. spent the remainder of the night and part of the early morning concealed behind a great clump of rhododendrons." "You are expecting something to happen?" "I wish. especially in London. changed into ordinary morning clothes. Mrs. with a thick cord tied round his body. or very soon. a revolver in his pocket." Dominey interrupted."What do you believe?" the doctor asked bluntly." the doctor observed. I want you to do me a great favour—to remain here all night. "Why are you two whispering like conspirators?" she demanded. "I have persuaded Doctor Harrison to stay the night. I am quite sure that we can make Doctor Harrison comfortable. You will not be afraid." The doctor nodded sympathetically. I suppose? And give me a shake-down somewhere near Lady Dominey's. By-the-by." "I am only afraid of one thing. Lady Dominey." Dominey assented." "Your note this afternoon spoke of urgency." he replied lightly." "No doubt about that. "I have followed your advice." There was a shade of anxiety in her face." she answered a little enigmatically. "You can lend me some paraphernalia. his eyes fixed upon 190 ." the doctor promised." the doctor declared. and hesitated. "Of course! There are several rooms quite ready. "I shouldn't wonder if you weren't on the right track. "The matter is urgent." Dominey answered. "It would sound too fantastic. where Rosamund is away from these associations. dear?" She nodded thoughtfully. dear? You will have the doctor on one side of you and me on the other." he began. with pleasure. "To-night. "I have been so happy lately." Dominey. Midgeley thought that we might be bringing down some guests. at any rate. to be prepared. Will you let the maids know. or one night very soon. "Because we are conspirators. Rosamund came in through the window to them and seated herself by Dominey's side. a little harshly. "It has not always been easy. "It is just as well for you to be prepared. He would like a room in our wing. or rather your orders. "You think that to-night something will happen?" she asked. "Let me be as near to your apartment as possible." "I'll stay.—I am hoping great things from what may happen to-night." he declared. and a loaded stick in his hand.
was predominant—heard and accounted for. His eyes were fastened upon a certain spot. The patter ceased and began again. He raised himself on his hands and knees to watch. bent double. that devil's cry broke the deep stillness of the August morning. to have reestablished themselves. then on all fours again. Every sense was strained and active. paused beneath Rosamund's window.the shadowy stretch of park which lay between the house and the Black Wood. "It's Roger Unthank himself. Moving across the park towards him he heard the sound of a faint patter. for the last time. You can see where the spirit of Roger Unthank has hidden itself. It reached the terrace. with grim contempt.—a stretch of the open park between himself and the hillocks. waited for what he knew must soon come. furiously smoking a cigarette. The habits of his years of bush life seemed instinctively. the irregularity of its movements swiftly explained. and stretched out his hands. the whole landscape and the moving objects upon it were dimly visible. now barely half a dozen yards from where he was crouching. "Go and look at it. disturbed from their lurking place in the Black Wood. Once more." he said. laid aside his stick. dying away as though the fingers which crushed it back down the straining throat had indeed crushed with it the last flicker of some unholy life. in those few hours of waiting. which came from behind a range of low hillocks. His voice was choked and uneven. came the first real intimation that something was likely to happen. On the ground. a few moments later. he found Dominey seated upon the terrace. and Dominey. "What is it?" the doctor gasped. Into the open there came a dark shape. lay something black and motionless. curious and irregular in rhythm. hand and foot. just as he had glanced at his watch and found that it was close upon two o'clock. a few yards away. as he watched. unearthly scream. For the first time Dominey showed some signs of a lack of self-control. throbbing a little as though with a new fear. "It's tied up." "Bosh!" the doctor answered. The beast!" 191 . And then. Then the deep silence of the breathless night was broken by that familiar. then on two legs. and when his eyes were once accustomed to the pale but sombre twilight. The night was moonless but clear. It moved at first upon all fours. Deliberately he waited. Then he ran a few steps. It crept nearer and nearer. When Doctor Harrison made his hurried appearance. Doctor. every night sound—of which the hooting of some owls. Dominey waited till even its echoes had died away.
Your own conscience should be sufficient punishment for keeping that poor creature alive in such a fashion and ministering during my absence to his accursed desire for vengeance. of course—he has chosen to hide himself in the Black Wood all these years. "I suppose. however. please go to bed." There was a little awed murmur. Her hands rested upon the unseen face. "his first idea was to revenge himself upon us and this household. Dominey gave a few orders quickly. a letter of explanation will follow from me. The rest of you. asked an eager question. "It is the end." 192 . "get ready to take this creature into Norwich Hospital. will you go up and see Lady Dominey?" The habits of a lifetime broke down. by whom he imagined himself badly treated. There lies Roger Unthank. swaying sometimes on her feet. His mother. the perfect automaton. sir?" There was the sound of a window opening overhead. For some reason or other—some lunatic's reason. singling out a sturdy footman with sound common sense. The man. Dominey's voice had become quite matter of fact. "What is it. with the exception of Parkins. I have nothing to say to you. Say that if I do not come in during the day. "you are in time to accompany your son to the hospital at Norwich. the silent. "Mrs. has been his accomplice and taken him food. black figure of Rachael Unthank.—Johnson. yet in their midst before they could realise it. Parkins. She staggered to the prostrate body and threw herself upon her knees.A little stream of servants came running out. I presume. "Ring up the garage. half man. At that moment Parkins would not have asked in vain for an annuity. Doctor. "So you've got him at last!" she gasped." Dominey continued. The car will be here in two minutes. her eyes glared across at Dominey. was half a madman when he came to the neighbourhood and has behaved like one ever since. I trust. of these foolish superstitions about Roger Unthank's ghost. Then one of them paused and pointed across the park." he directed." he continued. Unthank. Dominey glanced at the little semicircle of servants and raised his voice. "and I shall want one of the men to go into Norwich to the hospital. Moving with incredible swiftness came the gaunt. the immaculate." Dominey said sternly." With little exclamations of wonder they began to disperse. half beast. He is still alive but in a disgusting state.
For God's sake. She was a broken woman."He would have died if I hadn't brought him food. You'd have thought then that he was just a baby. as she stepped in to take her place by his side. From the Black Wood came the whirr of a saw. come and get a whisky and soda and give me one!" The early morning sunshine lay upon the park when the two men at last separated. living there for love of the wind and the trees and the birds." The car drove off. under these windows. Then the lights of the car flashed out as it left the garage. "you shared his foul plot for vengeance against a harmless woman." he announced. You let him come and make his ghoulish noises. I think. If he comes to—" Her voice broke. turned once more to Dominey. but of the two you are worse than your half-witted son. Roger isn't always—so bad." "Yet. Doctor Harrison met Dominey on the threshold as he turned towards the house. They stood for a moment looking out. Tell them at the hospital I shall probably be there during the day. Dominey's reply was swift and not unkind. 193 . He pointed to the window above. I wish you both the blackest corner of hell. I never liked that unnatural calm. "I have wept all the tears a woman's broken heart could wring out. "Help him in. You knew very well what their accursed object was—you. "Her ladyship is unconscious now. as soon as you have started. night by night. beseeching him to come back to me. from whose lips now came a faint moaning. passed through the iron gates and drew up a few yards away. If she never recovers. Sometimes he's more gentle than at others. "You can loosen his cords. You are an evil pair. but made no resistance.—You've said harsh things of both of us. He has very little strength." she muttered." The woman made no reply. without a word of remonstrance. "You are still going on with that?" the doctor asked." Dominey insisted. with a delicate woman in your charge who trusted you. Their prisoner muttered to himself all the time. She was still on her knees. She'll be unconscious." Dominey ordered. Johnson. "Perhaps that is a good sign." With a little shiver the two men stooped to their task. for a great many hours. The little troop of men had left their tents. bending over the prostrate figure. "You're rid of us. you and your son are forgiven. "perhaps forever." she sobbed. The crash of a fallen tree heralded their morning's work. or to-morrow. "If Lady Dominey recovers. Rachael Unthank.
" The doctor grunted." Dominey replied. Doctor—I have my own tragedy to deal with—but those who come after me will never feel the blight of that accursed place. I have hated that foul spot. His inner thoughts he kept to himself. "ever since I realised what suffering it meant to her. to the last bush. My reign here may not be long. and I will have its poisonous swamps sucked dry. with a sudden passion in his tone. "I will have that place razed to the bare level of the earth. "Maybe you're right." he went on." he conceded. 194 ."To the very last stump of a tree. to the last cluster of weeds.
seem perfectly satisfied. "Jolly well cut. It was the fifth day since the mystery of the Black Wood had been solved.Chapter 29 The heat of a sulphurous afternoon—a curious parallel in its presage of coming storm to the fast-approaching crisis in Dominey's own affairs—had driven Dominey from his study on to the terrace." he replied. "Jove!" he added approvingly. the tunic of your uniform. is a paradise in this weather. "Mine is only the local Yeomanry rig-out. He was seated at his desk. Seaman was perspiring. when you can get ice. "Donner und!—My God Dominey. lingering for a moment. "Expecting visitors to-day?" he asked. "The doctors. Then he realised his visitor's outstretched hands of welcome and he relaxed. "I'll make myself scarce. For a single moment his muscles tightened." he said." the young man remarked amiably. his frame became tense." Dominey replied. yawned and stretched himself. Everything depends on her waking moments. His eyes were fixed upon a little cloud of dust in the distance." was the somewhat laconic answer. immaculate in a suit of white flannels. In a chair by his side lounged Eddy Pelham. poring over some letters. "Ripping. "They will nab you for the Guards!" Dominey stepped back through the open windows into his study as Pelham strolled off. "Should not be surprised. I shall go to your man. "At last!" He exclaimed. What's the latest news of her ladyship?" "Still unconscious. old chap. Dominey! If a country in peril ever decides to waive the matter of my indifferent physique and send me out to the rescue. The young man stood up. what is this?" 195 . when a few minutes later Seaman was ushered into the room." Dominey smiled. vociferous and excited." The young man abandoned the subject with a murmur of hopeful sympathy. especially when London's so full of ghastly rumours and all that sort of thing. his hand stretching out to a tumbler which stood by his side. of you to have me down here. however. "The country.
" he confided. I have been asked to start some recruiting work down here." Dominey rang the bell. but you do not begin to count for us just yet. There was just a faint doubt as to what they were doing to do about internment. my friend."Thirteen years ago." "Terniloff—left his little volume with you?" "Yes!" "Where is it?" "Safe. "Not at present. "You are a man after my own heart." he went on. "I am a trifle over age to go with the first batch or two. I hope?" he asked a little anxiously." Dominey explained. Drink before everything." he went on." he muttered. when I am away from you." Dominey assured him. We can talk of that presently. Now tell me. "we are the greatest race in the world. "I resigned a commission in the Norfolk Yeomanry. Where have you been?" Seaman hitched his chair a little nearer. "drink I must have. with a chuckle. "I can certainly give myself six months before I need to slip off. you leave nothing undone. "In Ireland. ordered hock and seltzer and ice." Dominey replied. "By the by. I tremble." he added." Seaman replied. That is why I had to get the Irish trip off my mind. you are thorough. That is why. "I felt I wanted to get away. "I have orders to see it destroyed. "There is no fear of your being called out of the country because of that. Sometimes. my friend." Dominey explained." "Both are safe. At a crisis like this—" "My friend. has been adjusted. "It needs to be. "do you know that you yourself are forgetting your usual caution?" "In what respect?" Seaman demanded quickly. you are wonderful!" Seaman interrupted solemnly. That little matter. why do I find you down here?" "After Terniloff left. but you have in your possession just the two things—that map and Von Terniloff's memoirs—which would wreck our propaganda in every country of the world. What a day! The very clouds that hide the sun are full of sulphurous heat. "Sorry to desert you as I did. however. Seaman mopped his forehead. 196 ." "What has been decided?" "The Government has the matter under consideration. It may sound foolish." Dominey answered. Seaman drank and threw himself into an easy-chair. nodding his head towards his companion's uniform. lowering his voice a little.
"You will stay the night?" he asked. sir." Seaman thrust his hand into his pocket and threw the revolver upon the table." "In other words. "It is the last time for many months when it will be wise for us to meet on such intimate terms. it will be for sympathy and assistance against the suspicions of those far-seeing Englishmen!" Dominey nodded. The 197 . When I do approach you. Perhaps our dear friend Parkins will take vinous note of the occasion. You know as well as I do that with your name and the fact that you are only a naturalised Englishman. "Take care of it for me." Seaman echoed." he acknowledged." Seaman assented. a knock at the door. You will hold a brilliant and isolated place amongst those who are serving the great War Lord. The door was closed behind them. Parkins. turning apologetically towards his master. "You are quite right." he added. it is inexcusably foolish to be carrying firearms about just now. In many ways it is unfortunate that we have not been able to keep England out of this for a few more months." Dominey swept it carelessly into the drawer of the desk at which he was sitting. So far as you are concerned you have practically secured yourself against suspicion. "you propose that we shall drink the Dominey cabinet hock and the Dominey port to the glory of our country. my friend. and following her a short man in a suit of sombre black. announced the arrivals. "The Princess of Eiderstrom and—a gentleman. the situation must be dealt with as it exists. and Dominey knew that the end had come. "Our weapons."As you stooped to sit down just now. The Princess was already in the room. "If I may. You and I will have. There was the sound of voices in the hall. "must be the weapons of guile and craft." A car had passed along the avenue in front of the house. the rustle of a woman's clothes. He blinked across the room through his thick glasses. Dominey. from now on. alas! to see less of one another." Dominey said. I took it with me to Ireland. a little disturbed." "To the glory of our country." Seaman continued. I distinctly saw the shape of your revolver in your hip pocket. "So be it. because one never knows what may happen in that amazing country. and carrying a black bowler hat. wearing a white tie. The Princess said that her errand with you was urgent.—Listen. However.
" she cried. "was that night when Wolff disappeared!" 198 . The silence which reigned for several seconds was intense and profound. Her white finger pointed straight at him. The Princess was pale with a passion which seemed to sob behind her words. "My beloved chief!" he sobbed. when you first spoke to me. For the moment the man had neither courage nor initiative. "Which is that.Princess came a little further into the room." Dominey echoed. "My dear devoted master! Killed by that drunken Englishman!" "Not so drunk as you fancied him. His shoulders were heaving. "what have you done with my lover? What have you done with Leopold Von Ragastein?" "He met with the fate. you had the Imperial mandate. by God!" Schmidt answered. The letters and papers I took from him." The Princess looked from one to the other of the two men. it has been the truth. That is my name. but not in greeting. "as Doctor Schmidt there knows. "Everard Dominey. He seemed as though he had received some sort of stroke." he muttered. "It was a matter of necessity. that I was Everard Dominey." Seaman's voice seemed to come from a long way off. "The Englishman. and he told me his. She turned to her companion. "which he had prepared for me. His body sleeps on the bed of the Blue River." Dominey replied. His mind was travelling backwards. We fought and I conquered. and I have assured you a dozen times since. you knew his history. Seaman had still the appearance of a man struggling to extricate himself from some sort of nightmare. "I assured you at the Carlton. Doctor Schmidt?" she demanded. I told him my history. Her hand was extended towards Dominey." "And your life here has been a lie!" "On the contrary. "not so far gone in his course of dissipation but that he was able to pull himself up when the great incentive came." Dominey objected." "You killed him?" "I killed him. "My first and only suspicion." Schmidt had covered his face with his hands for a moment. "you had all Von Ragastein's letters. The coolest of all four was perhaps Dominey. That is who I am." Dominey said coolly. "You came to me at Cape Town." he faltered." "Von Ragastein and I exchanged the most intimate confidences in his camp." Dominey said.
was handcuffed in a moment. cares to formulate a claim and sue me—" The Princess suddenly interrupted. and you do and say nothing! Is his life a sacred thing? Has he none of your secrets in his charge?" "The great God above us!" Seaman groaned. "I would to God that I had a weapon."Wolff's coming was rather a tragedy. stretching out her hands towards Schmidt and Seaman. "four to two the other way. We hope to find them very useful a little later on. however. Her eyes seemed on fire. I came to 199 . From behind him." "It was you who planned his disappearance?" Seaman gasped. as both assailants hesitated. not even a struggle. stood in the windowed doorway. and more?" "I understood that was a gift." Dominey admitted." "And the money?" Seaman continued. "You are two to one!" the Princess cried passionately." a good-humoured voice remarked from the window. two exceedingly formidable-looking men slipped into the room. "Fortunately. "both are deposited at the Foreign Office." Dominey replied. "He knew the truth and was trying all the time to communicate with you. sir. what?" Eddy Pelham. "Why am I treated like this?" "Doctor Schmidt?" Eddy asked pleasantly. I think." Seaman sprang forward like a tiger and went down in a heap as he almost threw himself upon Dominey's out-flung fist. "Naturally. "I have just landed from East Africa. and from underneath his cuff something gleamed. "One hundred thousand pounds. The latter was the first to break the curious silence. and Schmidt disarmed. "Are you lumps of earth—clods—creatures without courage and intelligence? You can let him stand there—the Englishman who has murdered my lover. "He has the Prince's memoirs! He has the Kaiser's map!" "On the contrary. or that I were a man!" "My dear Princess. Schmidt came stealing across the room. but a very alert gleam in his usually vacuous face. his hands in his pockets. "That is my name. you two?" she cried. We knew nothing of the war when we started. with a sudden white horror in his face. Seaman. "What have I done?" he demanded." was the fierce reply. "What are you." Dominey replied. There was no fight. who had never recovered from the shock of his surprise." Dominey replied. I had a secret service man in the house who was able to dispose of him. and was now completely unnerved. who has befooled you? You let him stand there and mock you. blinking rapidly. "If the German Secret Service.
" Schmidt shouted. Von Ragastein planned my death in cold blood. turning to one of his two subordinates. I could have slain him as an assassin." The Princess rose from the chair into which she had subsided a few moments before. thickheaded race. and I caught you creeping across the floor just now with a knife in your hand. in a hard tone. Schmidt—to kill him. Yet I shall ask you to remember this. "However. "there can be little conversation between us. I thank God that our master has abler servants than I and the strength to crush this island of popinjays and fools!" "Popinjays seems severe. "You will find a military car outside." was the surly reply. Dominey turned towards her." he added. It was his life or mine." 200 ." he declared. without the slightest risk. That'll do for you. there's Doctor Schmidt accuses Sir Everard here of being an impostor because he assumed his own name. I have arranged for an escort to see them to town. you two don't mean to be funny but you are." Seaman declared. "I say. Take these men over to the guardroom at the Norwich Barracks. "to know by what right I am treated as a criminal?" "Because you are one." "I demand again. "Princess. Seaman?" "None. "You and Von Ragastein together planned the murder of Sir Everard Dominey in East Africa. and then there's our friend here. I fought for my country's sake." "You have said enough. accuses him of murdering a man who had planned in cold blood—you were in that. you Germans." "He has committed lese majeste!" Seaman gasped. as he did for his. "You are well-advised. complaining because Sir Everard carried through in Germany." Eddy answered coolly. Tell the colonel I'll be over later in the day. for England. "He has deceived the Kaiser! He has dared to sit in his presence as the Baron Von Ragastein!" The young man in flannels glanced across at Dominey and smiled. to get on with this little matter. but I preferred to meet him face to face with the truth upon my lips. "Fate has gone against me. exactly what he believed the Baron Von Ragastein was carrying out here—for Germany. "First of all." the young man remarked coolly.expose that man. "Within the last two days. the secretary of the society for propagating better relations between the business men of England and Germany." he said." Eddy murmured. Any questions to ask. You're a curious. by the by. He is an impostor—a murderer! He has killed a German nobleman. your house in Forest Hill and your offices in London Wall have been searched.
" Dominey threw open the windows which led on to the terrace and stood on one side." he admitted. "but keep it dark. Eddy. no! She's as near as possible in perfect health physically. and neatly cleaned up. "We had to stretch a point there. dear heart. You were chivalrous towards me. a hundred pounds to shoot him on the pretence that he was escaping. How did you manage to keep that fellow Wolff when there wasn't a war on. I can tell you. and unattended. "because you have killed the thing I love." Dominey was watching the dust from the two cars which were disappearing down the avenue. "Tell me. found all his thoughts absorbed by the struggle which was being fought out in the bedchamber above. "Plans of a fortress. Eddy came strolling along the terrace a few moments later. "Nice old ducks. "there's one thing I have always been curious about. A different woman from what she was this time last year." he confided. Can I have a drink before I get the little car going?" The turmoil of the day was over. I pray that I shall never see your face again.The Princess looked at him with glittering eyes. I know justice. my burly ruffian in the blue serge suit. 201 ." he asked. and he wasn't breaking the law?" The young man grinned. "Seaman has just offered Forsyth. those two." "And what about Schmidt?" "Insisted on his rights as an officer and demanded the front seat and a cigar before the car started! A pretty job. eh?" "Do you mean to say that he had plans of a fortress upon him?" Dominey asked. You treated Leopold perhaps better than he would have treated you. "I shall hate you to the end of my days. but although I am a woman. "No fever or anything?" "Bless you. "Picture post-card of Norwich Castle. and Dominey. Dominey. He met Dominey's eager glance with a little nod." the young man confided. old dear. She passed by without a glance at him and disappeared. "She's doing all right." she declared. The old doctor came down and joined him at dinner time. after one silent but passionate outburst of thankfulness at the passing from his life of this unnatural restraint." he declared. Be so good as to suffer me to leave this house at once.
Thank heavens you're on the spot!" They finished their dinner almost in silence." Her lips sought his again. He took her into his arms. He felt again the same tearing at the heartstrings. I am hoping for the best.When she wakes up. sipped his wine." he said. uncounted. At their first kiss she thrilled from head to foot. or—" The doctor paused. stirred by a tumultuous wave of passionate emotion. would surely continue to play his part. He sat a little forward in his easy-chair. too. with a pleased smile upon his face. they smoked for a few minutes upon the terrace." Dominey promised. The great world's drama. "There were times when I couldn't believe that you were my Everard—mine! And now I know. From behind an unseen hand closed the panel. unnoticed. the concern of another race of men. "After that I shall leave her entirely to herself. "Oh. in which he knew that he. 202 . It was as it had been before. Then they made their way softly upstairs. Dominey sat in his easy-chair. without a single illusion of any sort. his eyes fixed upon the slowly widening crack in the panel. However. she'll either be herself again. stood up again and came towards him. Along the corridor. emptied his glass and set it down approvingly. I have been so silly!" she confessed. his parched with the desire of years. The memory of those earlier days of his return came back to him with all their poignant longings. "Or?" Dominey insisted. Afterwards. The doctor parted with Dominey at the door of the latter's room. That faint touch of the somnambulist had passed. She was a very real and a very live woman. unnerving tenderness. Every fibre of his being seemed attuned to the magic and the music of one wild hope. Yet when there came what he had listened for so long. She came to him with her arms outstretched and all the wonderful things of life and love in her shining eyes. "Or that part of her brain will be more or less permanently affected. the old doctor tiptoed his way to his room. the same strange. seemed like a thing far off. his hands griping its sides. The minutes passed into hours. She came to him as she had never come before. "Everard!" she cried. You'll be here in case there's a change?" "I shall be here. For a moment she laid her head upon his shoulder. the hope seemed frozen into fear. She stooped low. "I shall remain with her for an hour or so.
Miss Fairclough. and all that sort of thing. to all appearance absorbed in studying the advertisements which decorated the grimy wall on the other side of the single track. and. The Zeppelin's Passenger. thank you. wearing a long travelling ulster and a Homburg hat. That's Sanford 203 . so fascinating and so stirring that the most hardened reader can hardly fail to receive a series of thrills. getting rid of his empty cup and leaning forward in his low chair. A dark. all the same! You hear anything of it. JOHN P. was standing a few yards away. but a jolly sell. Sleep of the just. No. DUNSTER. "That's the most interesting man in New York—one of the most interesting in the world. The Black Box. "No more tea. and carrying in his hand a brown leather dressing-case. who was seated a few feet away. The Vanished Messenger. Edward Phillips Oppenheim A novel about secret societies in New York. Done splendidly. turning to his companion. thanks. The Evil Shepherd. The station-master. Edward Phillips Oppenheim Excerpt: "Never heard a sound. across which was painted in black letters the name MR. Edward Phillips Oppenheim Excerpt: There were very few people upon Platform Number Twenty-one of Liverpool Street Station at a quarter to nine on the evening of April 2—possibly because the platform in question is one of the most remote and least used in the great terminus." he declared. Edward Phillips Oppenheim A novel of English life of a melodramatic character. thick-set man.Loved this book ? Similar users also downloaded The Double Four. however." the younger of the afternoon callers admitted. with an inspector in attendance. I went to bed last night soon after eleven—the Colonel had been route marching us all off our legs—and I never awoke until reveille this morning. smoking a long cigar. Edward Phillips Oppenheim Excerpt: "You're in luck. was there himself. Alfred. sir?" he asked.
204 . and a portion of the plat du jour. I was. It is a novel that "owes a lot to the wonderful adventure novels of writers like Rider Haggard. it was a spy novel that "established a formula that included a mass of verifiable detail. were an impossibility. for a few moments. drew a chair toward him and took the vacant place at my table. on the plate in front of me. a glass of hock by my side." he pronounced at last. Words. Erskine Childers The Riddle of the Sands: A Record of Secret Service is a patriotic British 1903 novel by Erskine Childers. which gave authenticity to the story – the same ploy that would be used so well by John Buchan. halfway through dinner when." An Amiable Charlatan. which happened to be chicken en casserole. considering his size. My glass of wine and my plate were moved with smooth and marvelous haste to his vicinity. I was seated at my favorite table against the wall on the right-hand side in Stephano's restaurant.Quest. a scientist. perhaps more significantly. Edward Phillips Oppenheim A story of the diplomatic events leading up to the European War." The Double Traitor. John le Carré and many others. the Pierpont Morgan of his profession. "Sanford Quest." Ken Follett called it "the first modern thriller. that were a staple of Victorian Britain". Ian Fleming. Edward Phillips Oppenheim "The thing happened so suddenly that I really had very little time to make up my mind what course to adopt under somewhat singular circumstances. was almost incredible." The Riddle of the Sands. Under cover of the tablecloth a packet— I could not tell what it contained— was thrust into my hand. a man who seemed to enter with a lightfooted speed that." "Who's he?" "You haven't heard of Sanford Quest?" "Never in my life. without a word of warning. He is a magician. "is the greatest master in criminology the world has ever known. drank half a glassful of wine and leaned back in his chair." The young man whose privilege it was to have been born and lived all his days in New York. with a newspaper propped up before me. in fact.
The Dark Star.The Kingdom of the Blind. Robert William Chambers A pastor's daughter is inadvertently involved the heist of the famous Dark Star gem. Is there a prince who can save her from ruin and recover the stone? 205 . Edward Phillips Oppenheim An espionage novel set during World War I.
feedbooks.www.com Food for the mind 206 .
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