Anthony Hope

“ The disguise assumed by the young man might have for its object the deception of a trustful girl, and not an abduction of the Queen Bess flagon.
"Well, why don't you obey?" asked the young man sharply; and, stepping up to the Duke, he thrust a ten-pound note into his hand, whispering, "Play your part, and earn your money, you fool."
The Duke lingered no longer. Leaving the room, he walked straight, rapidly, and with a firm tread, up-stairs. When he reached the top he paused to listen. All was still! Stay! ”

“ Do you take me for a fool?" cried the old gentleman.
"A man who leaves his door open on purpose may or may not be a fool," said the Duke. "But there is no doubt about a man who leaves it open without a purpose," and, so saying, the Duke turned, walked down-stairs, and, going out, slammed the door behind him. He was deeply disgusted.
When, however, he had recovered a little from his chagrin, he began to pace up and down the lane. It was now past midnight, and all was very quiet. The Duke began to fear that Fortune, never weary of tormenting him, meant to deny all its interest to his experiment. ”

“ The mad fever of the collector had left him long ago; but amidst the death of other emotions and more recondite prejudices there survives in the heart of man the primitive dislike of being "done." It survived in the mind of the Duke of Belleville, and sprang to strong and sudden activity when he observed his Queen Bess flagon in the hands of the pretty unknown lady. ”

“ The brougham stood in front of the door. The Duke dodged behind it, and the driver, who was leaning forward on his seat, did not see him. The next moment he was crouching down by the side of his friend the policeman, waiting for the next development in the plot of this comedy, or crime, or whatever it might turn out to be. He put out his hand and touched his ally. To his amusement the man, sitting there on the ground, had fallen fast asleep.
"Another proof," mused the Duke in whimsical despair, "that it is impossible to make any mode of life permanently interesting. ”

“ A moment later a neat brougham rolled up to the door. The young man darted to the window, tore open the shutters, and looked out. The Duke, suspecting the arrival of confederates, turned toward the cabinet and took his stand in front of it.
"Go and open the door," ordered the young man, turning round. "Don't keep the lady waiting outside at this time of night."
Curiosity conquered prudence; the Duke set more value on a night's amusement than on the Queen Bess flagon. He went obediently and opened the door of the villa. On the step stood a young and very handsome girl. ”

“ The Duke sat down on the landing and took off his boots. Then with silent feet he crept cautiously down-stairs again. He paused to listen for an instant outside the sitting-room door. Voices were audible, but he could not hear the words. The occupants of the room were moving about. He heard a low amused laugh. Then he pursued his way to the hall door. ”

“ The three were thirty yards away before the Duke of Belleville could realize what had happened. Then he perceived that he stood in the passage of the Inspector's house, alone save for the presence of the young lady, who faced him with an astonished expression on her pretty countenance.
"It is altogether a very remarkable night," observed the Duke.
"It is impossible that you should be more puzzled than I am," said the young lady. ”

“ It was a whim of the Duke's to keep it empty; when the world bored him, he fled there for solitude; not even the presence of a servant was allowed, lest his meditations should be disturbed. It was long since he had come ”

“ Not to weary you with details——"
"Principles weary me, but not details," interposed the Duke.
"In fact," continued the young lady, "he professed to be in love with me. Now my aunt, although not insensible to the great position which he offered me (for of course he represented himself as the Duke of Belleville) entertains the opinion that no girl should marry till she is twenty-one. ”

“ Before six o'clock I will be back."
"If the Inspector comes round, your Grace?"
"You must take a little risk for twenty pounds," the Duke reminded him.
The struggle could end but one way. A quarter of an hour later the policeman, attired in the Duke's overcoat, sat by the kitchen hearth, while the Duke, equipped in the policeman's garments, prepared to leave the house and take his place on the beat.
"I shall put out all lights and shut the door," said he. "The window of this kitchen looks out to the back, and you will not be seen. ”

“ The Duke, now perfectly convinced of the character of his visitor, waited only to see him lay his hands on the cabinet. Such an action would be the signal for his instant arrest. But before the young man had time either to speak again or to put out his hand toward the cabinet, there came the sound of wheels quickly approaching the villa. ”

“ As I tell you, I expect a friend; and it looks very absurd to have no servant. You're sure to find a suit of dress clothes in my bedroom. Pray put them on and represent my valet. You can resume your uniform afterwards. ”