by L. T. Meade and Robert Eustace

“ Should Granby Manners die before Midsummer day, Poltimore would be equally safe—indeed, more safe than if the arrears of interest were paid. Then, beyond doubt, the estate would be his. He would be a rich man. Should Granby die Poltimore would have attained the utmost height of his ambition. The position was too fearful to contemplate quietly. I, who had hoped to liberate the boy from all his troubles, had, by sending that telegram, in all possibility sealed his death warrant. A desperate and cruel man with no principle would do anything. ”

“ Druce, this lady is Madame Sara, of whom I have spoken to you, Mr. Dixon Druce—Madame Sara."
She bowed gracefully and then looked at me earnestly. I had seldom seen a more lovely woman. By her side both Mrs. Selby and her sister seemed to fade into insignificance. Her complexion was almost dazzlingly fair, her face refined in expression, her eyes penetrating, clever, and yet with the innocent, frank gaze of a child. Her dress was very simple; she looked altogether like a young, fresh, and natural girl. ”

“ I replied. "I am sorry, Count Kinsky, to have disturbed you, but I only did what you asked me to do."
He suddenly rose from the seat he had taken, knelt down beside me and held out his own hands.
"I cannot resist it," he said. "I must yield; it may be weak of me, but I cannot help it. Tell me what you see here."
I took his hands and looked at them.
"Speak as freely and openly as you have done before. Conceal nothing," he said.
"You, too, are in danger," I said as I bent over his open palms; "but there is no definite sign of any special catastrophe. You have enemies, but you will overcome them. ”

“ Four of us were now left in the hall—Rigby, Hiliers, Vandeleur, and myself.
"We shall be summoned in a minute," said Vandeleur. "This is a state of tension quite unpleasant in its strain."
He walked to the house door and threw it open. He had scarcely done so before the sharp crack of a shot sounded from the pine wood below the house. It was followed instantly by another. Fearing we knew not what, we all rushed from the hall and flew down the path through the pine wood. The bright electric light guided us; the howl of many wolves smote savagely on our ears. ”

“ Science—our friend in the construction of weapons, in tactics, in balloons, in wireless telegraphy—is equally our enemy when we approach the field of Secret Service. Our spies now have a competent knowledge of our preparations and movements, by methods altogether unknown in the days of the Peninsular and Crimean wars. A thousand eyes are watching us, and a thousand ears listen for our faintest footfalls. If these eyes and ears are invisible, that makes the danger all the greater. ”

“ We went through the open French windows and ensconced ourselves in wicker chairs.
"Does it ever occur to you," said Dufrayer, taking his cigar from his mouth as he spoke, "that you and I are in personal danger? It is absurd to lull ourselves into security by saying that such things do not happen in our day, but my only surprise is that Mme. Koluchy has not yet struck a blow at either of us. The thought of her haunts me; she fights with almost omnipotent powers, and we cannot foresee from what quarter the shaft may come." ”

“ From time to time my other partners spoke of the Marqueza, and each and all, when they alluded to her, mentioned her head-dress with a degree of envy.
"It is our great ambition," said one slender girl, looking into my face as she spoke, and flashing at me a pair of magnificent Spanish eyes, "it is our great ambition at our fancy balls to wear something outré strange and unconventional. You can judge for yourself, monsieur," she said, speaking in excellent French, "that such an ambition becomes more and more difficult to gratify as time goes on, all ideas being used up in advance. ”

“ No fresh passengers came on board at Brindisi, and, having coaled, we proceeded cheerily on our voyage.
At Gibraltar, however, we had quite an influx of fresh arrivals, and amongst them was a wiry looking, well set up young fellow of two or three and twenty. The moment Major Strangways saw him he uttered an exclamation of astonishment and pleasure, ran up to him, and wrung his hand.
"Why, Morrison," he said, "this is luck! Who would expect to see you here? I thought you were safe at Kandy." ”

“ At these words, to my amazement and distress, the girl fell on her knees.
"It is for your sake, believe me, it is for your sake," she pleaded. "I can understand your indignation, and forgive it. Please reconsider things. You will regret this—oh, terribly—if you do not. Please change your mind. Do you think I like forcing myself upon you? I beg of you to tell me your secret, because I have your true interest at heart."
"It is unpleasant to be rude to a lady," I replied, "but I must ask you, Miss Hamilton, to leave me. ”

“ We don't want an old family place to get into the hands of a scoundrel of Poltimore's sort. Now I propose to go to London to-morrow, for there is, as you are aware, not a moment to lose, and when there I shall consult Dickinson."
"What?" cried Granby. "Angela's father?"
"The same."
He looked uncomfortable, started up and began to pace the room. "You—would not surely tell him—about——?"
"You must leave that to me, my boy. Whatever happens, I must have an open hand. You cannot be worse off than you are now, and it would be impossible for Dickinson to despise you for loving his daughter." ”

“ You will see what will appear to you an ugly sight; but remember all the time that it is the reformation of the great Siberian wolf Taganrog, and that by-and-by all England, all Europe, will ring with his exploits and mine. It is a strange thing, Mr. Druce, but that great wolf seems part of me. Once, in some primeval age, we must have been akin. ”

“ I had found a friend of evident ability, a man in touch with all the European police, au courant with diplomatic affairs, and moving in the best Portuguese society. There had been no acting in his sudden outburst of passionate hatred against Mademoiselle Delacourt. I felt sure that if ever a time came when he was in a position to pay off his debt to her, she would receive little mercy. No race can be kinder, more sympathetic and gentle, than the Portuguese, but none can be more devilishly cruel and vindictive when they avenge a personal wrong. ”

“ Evelyn Noel had recovered her spirits. As I looked at her bright face and slim, upright figure, and listened once again to her merry laugh, I could scarcely believe she was the same girl who had stood in Sir James's study and told her terrible story. How very nearly her whole young life had been wrecked! but, also, how quickly she had recovered! I wondered if all girls were made alike; if a girl's nature was such that she could be reduced to the last gasp of despair one moment, and the next could sing about the house and be radiant and happy, its sunbeam and source of rejoicing once more. ”

“ How slowly we moved! My mouth was parched and dry, and I was in a fever of excitement. The smoke from the crater was close above me in great wreaths. At last we reached the top. I leapt out, and without waiting for a guide, made my way past, and rushed up the active cone, slipping in the shifting, loose, gritty soil. When I reached the top a gale was blowing, and the scenery below, with the Bay and Naples and Sorrento, lay before me, the most magnificent panorama in the world. ”

“ Doubtless, North had informed her that the Disney trial was to come on second in the list, and that I should not be required at the Old Bailey before half-past eleven. Well, I have escaped, and I owe it to you, Head, and to Miss Fancourt. I pity that poor girl; she is too good to be thrown away on a scoundrel like North."
"I wonder what her future history will be," I said. "There is no doubt that North is fast in Madame's toils. Miss Fancourt believes, however, that her mission in life is to reclaim him. The ways of some good women are inexplicable." ”

“ I have examined and cross-examined Kinsky to the most minute details, and I can only say, what any jury would say in such a case, that Kinsky put the poison into the milk before mixing the cup for Golonski. There is no escape; some heavy bribe, the deed done almost before he was aware, the fatal consequence. Anyhow Kinsky will have to return to Russia, and there, from his own account, he will meet with little mercy. He will never be seen again."
"Good God!" I cried. "It is impossible! You know his relation to Isabel Somerset. His innocence must be proved, and you, Celso, must do it." ”

“ Edith turned to me.
"Do you know where we are?" she asked.
"We are standing at present in a small room just behind Madame Sara's shop," I answered. "Why are you so excited, Miss Dallas? What is the matter with you?"
"We are on the threshold of a magician's cave," she replied. "We shall soon be face to face with the most marvellous woman in the whole of London. There is no one like her." ”

“ Vandeleur pacing the floor as though he himself were the very spirit of the storm; and, most astonishing sight of all, the nurse whom Madame Sara had brought to Rowland's Folly, and whose name I had never happened to hear, gagged and bound in a chair drawn into the centre of the room.
"So I think that is all, nurse," said Vandeleur, as I entered. "Pray take a chair, Druce. We quite understand each other, don't we, nurse, and the facts are wonderfully simple. Your name as entered in the archives of crime at Westminster is not as you have given out, Mary Jessop, but Rebecca Curt. ”

“ When friends fall out—ah! you know the old proverb—well, friends have fallen out, for Mrs. Bensasan and I have quarrelled; oh, my friend, such a quarrel! A point was to be solved. Julia Bensasan wished the solution to take one form, while I was just as resolved that it should take another. She is a powerful woman, both physically and mentally, but she is destitute of tact. She has no reserve of genius in her nature. Now, I——"—she drew herself up—"I am Madame Sara, known to the world for very remarkable abilities. ”

“ As soon as possible I got on board and stood by the gangway, watching each passenger with intense interest. I was informed by one of the stewards that no fresh passengers, with the exception of myself, had come on board at Colombo, and my fears were just being laid to rest when the steam launch at the last moment shot through the water. I almost gave up hope just then. You can imagine my relief when I discovered that the new passenger was a woman, and not only a woman, but a girl I happen to know all about, for Miss Keele is connected with some of my oldest friends at Kandy. ”

“ Mme. Koluchy's carriage rolled away, and I hailed a hansom. In supreme moments we think rapidly. I thought quickly then.
"Where to?" asked the driver.
"No. 140, Earl's Terrace, Kensington," I called out. I sat back as I spoke. The horror of past memories was almost paralyzing me, but I quickly pulled myself together. I knew that I must act, and act quickly. I had just seen the Head of the Brotherhood of the Seven Kings. Mme. Koluchy, changed in much since I last saw her, was the woman who had wrecked my heart and life ten years ago in Naples. ”

“ You must remember, Sir James, that three times before the affair with your late secretary, Mademoiselle attempted my life. What she has done three times she will do again. She is a terrible woman. Although I ought to be a happy man, with such genial employment, and so kind and considerate a friend as yourself, yet I live always on the brink of a precipice. At any moment, night or day, my life may be required of me, and my great foe spring to fresh existence. ”

“ Gales of wind will break off the branches of old trees to the end of time. Come, Manners, I am ashamed that you should pin your faith to such rubbish. But tell me, when are you going to Croftwood again?"
"To-morrow."
"What! To-morrow! May I come with you?"
"Would you come?"
His face lighted up with intense pleasure.
"That would be splendid, he said. "I can't tell you how I hate these visits. A great deal hangs on what takes place in the next few days. Poltimore will be there. He is the horrible man to whom the estate is mortgaged." ”

“ The next moment she had dropped on her knees by the dog, clasped her arms round his neck, and printed a kiss on his broad forehead. To these blandishments Zulu immediately succumbed, although, as a rule, he was extremely distant to strangers; he licked Miss Hamilton's hand, wagged his bushy tail, and when she slowly returned to the hotel, to my still greater amazement, he left us to follow her.
"Your friend, or your enemy, or whatever you like to call her, seems to have considerable power over the dog world," said Tracey. But what is up, Phenays? You look as if you had got a shock." ”

“ Dufrayer has twice disregarded my warning. I warned him at the risk of my liberty, if not my life, and when he failed to keep the appointment which I made for him this evening, I felt there was nothing whatever for it but to come to you and to cast myself on your mercy. Mr. Head, there is not a moment to lose. Our common enemy"—here she lowered her voice—"is Mme. Koluchy. She has done me a great and awful wrong. She has done that which no woman with a woman's wit and intuition can ever forgive. I will avenge myself on her or die." ”

“ I hate all mysteries—both in persons and things. Mysteries are my natural enemies; I felt now that this woman was a distinct mystery That she was interested in me I did not doubt, perhaps because she was afraid of me.
The rest of the voyage passed pleasantly enough. The more I saw of Mrs. Selby and her sister the more I liked them. They were quiet, simple, and straightforward. I felt sure that they were both as good as gold.
We parted at Waterloo, Jack and his wife and her sister going to Jack's house in Eaton Square, and I returning to my quarters in St John's Wood. ”

“ George Rowland belonged to the oldest and proudest family in the West Riding, and no man looked a better gentleman or more fit to uphold ancient dignities than he. He was proud to boast that from the earliest days no stain of dishonour had touched his house, that the women of the family were as good as the men, their blood pure, their morals irreproachable, their ideas lofty. ”

“ It is not serious, is it?"
"Time will prove," said Pinheiro. His face was deadly white. "You don't know what mischief you, in all innocence, have done, Marqueza. But now, don't keep us. If anything can save my friend, there is not an instant to lose."
As Pinheiro spoke he put his arm round my waist and raised me from the seat into which I had sunk.
"Come at once, and quietly," he said. "We will get back to Lisbon without a moment's delay. Without doubt you have been poisoned, but there may be hope if we take the matter in time." ”

“ I saw that she was sensitive and nervous beyond her wont; in fact, highly strung to the last degree.
"Love is a higher thing than friendship," she said, suddenly.
"Well, I disagree; but we won't discuss philosophy. Let us return to your affairs; you say Count Kinsky’s presence in London is a mystery, even to you?"
"Indeed it is," she answered, brightening up. "I don't dare to ask about it. He wants to consult you, too; I am very curious about that."
At that moment a deep voice sounded behind us, and, turning, we saw that Count Kinsky had come up. ”

“ If you don't, I shall go and ask father."
"Mademoiselle is in England," I said then in a gloomy voice. "Pinheiro thinks we are in danger—it behoves us to be careful."
"Mr. Phenays, does that danger extend to my father?"
"Alas!"
"Oh, you have answered me. You need not say anything further." Her face turned very white. "There is no one I love as I do my father," she said then. "Personally I have no fear. Do you think that I could be afraid of a mere woman?"
"No," I interrupted; "but this woman is scarcely human. She is a fiend, not a woman. She would stop short at nothing. ”

“ Oh! Mr. Head, would I risk my life as I am doing for a mere nothing? Can you not believe in the reality of the danger?"
"I can," I answered. "I am certain from your manner that you are speaking the truth, and I know enough of Mme. Koluchy to be sure of the gravity of the situation. Of course, I will tell Mr. Dufrayer what you say, and suggest that he get a substitute to carry on his work in the courts."
"Will you see him to-night?" she asked eagerly.
"Yes."
"Thank you."
"He is certain to refuse to go," I said. "It is right to give him your warning, but he will disregard it." ”

“ As the signora must wear a dress with a low neck to-morrow night, she can only hide the words by means of the red carbuncle. Madame will only give her the carbuncle if she, in exchange, gives Madame the pearls. You see?"
"I do," I answered, slowly.
He drew himself up to his slender height, and his eyes became full of suppressed laughter.
"The child's neck has been injured with nitrate of silver. Nevertheless, until it is exposed to the blue rays of light the ominous, fiendish words will not appear on her white throat. Once they do appear they will be indelible. Now, listen! ”