Stranleigh

“ Lord Stranleigh laughed, and raised his champagne glass.
"Well, here's to our better acquaintance," he said. "What you say shows how little a man really knows himself. I had never imagined I was a human Port Arthur, to be approached by such military-like strategy, and finally captured by courage and tact. I had supposed myself one of the most accessible men in London."
"My lord, you are surrounded by people whose business it seems to be to frustrate the ambition of the public to make your acquaintance." ”

“ The elder Mackeller looked sternly at this dapper young man of the bandbox, so beautiful, so neat, so debonair, so well-groomed, and the young man became so uncomfortable under the fierce scrutiny of those hawklike eyes, that his own drooped modestly like those of a girl, and with the thin, elegant glove which he held loosely in his right hand Stranleigh flicked an invisible particle of dust from his trouser leg.
One need not be deeply versed in human nature to understand the temptation which now assailed the gray-haired stockbroker. ”

“ Ponderby's stout figure seemed to have shrunk. His erstwhile rubicund countenance was actually pale, and his face wore a crestfallen expression almost akin to terror that was not without its touch of comicality. Indeed, Stranleigh almost smiled, and, in fact, would have smiled, had the victim been a man of less consequence than his indispensable valet. But instead of smiling, he spoke very calmly.
"Well, Ponderby, what's the trouble?"
"It's the Suffragettes, my lord. They demand to see your lordship, and won't believe you're not at home. There's about twenty of them, my lord." ”

“ Ponderby departed instantly, with a deep sigh of relief.
Stranleigh’s life had been made more of a burden to him than was necessary through the indefatigable exertions of a fellow countryman, whose name was Wentworth Parkes. This individual brought with him a letter of introduction from the Duke of Rattleborough. Rattleborough was an acquaintance, but not a particular friend of Stranleigh’s; nevertheless, a Duke overtops a mere Earl in social eminence, much as the Singer building overtops the structure next to it. ”

“ The Lieutenant, with a scowl, said—
"I name the Princess Azelie of Austria."
Stranleigh laughed.
"You see, gentlemen, how clever he is? He has beaten me in this contest of wits. The lady in question," Stranleigh bowed deeply, "from the proudest Court in Europe, will reject my suit with scorn, and serve me right. I name, as Lieutenant Grunwald's wife, Fraulein Seidel, of Vienna, with whom the Lieutenant is already acquainted." ”

“ The Russian's arms were gesticulating like those of a Sicilian actor, as he continued:
"My great symphony of humanity, could I but be allowed to render it here in London, will concentrate upon me the attention of the universe. The echoes of its harmonies and its discords will ring down the ages, and yet am I nullified for the lack of a hundred roubles."
"No; you are not," said Stranleigh. "You wish to collect a critical audience here in London, and perform before it?" ”

“ As Stranleigh gazed up the street with stern disapproval on his face, he murmured to himself—
"I am either confoundedly stupid, or Fate has turned against me. I spend five thousand pounds to help on the culture of the neighbourhood, and merely succeed in spoiling the prettiest village in England. That blatant building must be replaced." ”

“ Lord Stranleigh was an Earl in every portion of the King's dominions except one, and that was the beautiful little coast town of Pebblesdale, the home of stalwart sea fishermen, said, when caught young, to be the very best recruits for His Majesty's navy. In this idyllic spot Lord Stranleigh was known as Tom Pitts, and was probably the most popular young fellow in the neighbourhood.
Hardly a fisher lass in the place but would have married him if he had asked her, yet Tom caused no heartburnings, for it became universally known that he was not a lady's man ”

“ The elasticity of the law is wonderful when you get more than two hundred miles west of London. Very soon after their arrival in Kingsbridge, Stranleigh and Blake sat down to an excellent dinner at the "King's Arms," an ancient hostelry that had begun existence as a Church House, entered an era of prosperity as a coaching inn, and now was modernised to meet the motor traffic. Stranleigh had been silent since leaving the lonely coastguard station. ”

“ Stranleigh occasionally lost money, but an immense amount had been bequeathed him, and he made many millions more than he had parted with, although he claimed this was merely because of a series of flukes, maintaining that, whenever he set to work that part of him known as his brains, he invariably came a cropper.
“You are Mr. Trevelyan, are you not?” said a very musical feminine voice at his elbow. Stranleigh turned in surprise, and seeing there a most charming young woman, he flung his partially consumed cigar into the sea. ”

“ ARRIVING at Redruth, Stranleigh sent off three telegrams, one instructing his chief solicitors in London to request the leading marine lawyer of Plymouth to call upon him at once at the Grand Hotel in that town. The second telegram bade Captain Wilkie cheer up, as ample bail was approaching him by the next train from the west, requesting him, if at liberty, to call at the Grand Hotel about six o'clock. The third telegram secured a suite of rooms at the Grand Hotel, and this task finished, Stranleigh had just time to catch the 2.49 train for Plymouth. ”

“ The moment the footman opened the door, they rushed him; nearly knocked Spilkins over, my lord, and now they're all in the hall, except one, who stands outside the door, waving a banner inscribed 'Votes for Women.'"
This time Stranleigh did smile, in spite of himself, as he pictured the six-foot Spilkins, so cold and formal in manner, unexpectedly submerged at the door by an impetuous onrush.
"Ponderby, when you are captured, the only thing to do is to capitulate as gracefully as possible. ”

“ Just be your own cold, calm, contemptuous self, and, above all things, don't give the snap away. You must never forget, night or day, that you are Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood. Mackeller and I will not be stopping at your hotel, but at some more modest hostelry."
"Yes."
"Very good. You will set out at once to engage such servants as Lord Stranleigh would wish to accompany him. Secure a discreet valet who is acquainted with neither you nor me, and you must take none of our own servants with us, or any of their acquaintances. I am trusting everything to your discretion." ”

“ As he rose from his chair, the door opened, and there entered a most comely young woman in automobile garb, noticeably younger than Trenton, but bearing an unmistakable likeness to him.
“Hello, Ned!” she cried. “I thought I’d find you here,” then seeing his visitor, who had risen, she paused.
“Lord Stranleigh,” said Trenton. “My sister, Mrs. Vanderveldt.”
“I am very glad to meet you, Lord Stranleigh,” she said, advancing from the door and shaking hands with him.
“Why didn’t you telephone?” asked her brother. ”

“ After dinner on the day the liner left Queenstown, Lord Stranleigh sat in a comfortable chair in the daintily furnished drawing-room of his suite. A shaded electric light stood on the table at his [Pg 31] elbow, and he was absorbed in a book he had bought before leaving London. Stranleigh was at peace with all the world, and his reading soothed a mind which he never allowed to become perturbed if he could help it. ”

“ The young man came to a standstill, slightly raising his admirably glossy silk hat, but no light of recognition came into his eyes.
"I see you don't remember me, and no wonder," continued the woman breathlessly. "I called out before I thought, but I knew you very well as a lad, if I may be forgiven for calling your lordship a lad. I was Sally Hopkins, daughter of Job Hopkins, who kept the lodge at the west gate of Stranleigh Park, my lord."
A gentle smile came to the lips of Lord Stranleigh; a smile so winning that it would have disarmed the rancour of a socialist. ”

“ She was in a room where every prospect pleases, and only man is vile. She knew their sneaking ways. However, she made no audible protest, and her companions were all very quiet, as though rather awed by their surroundings, and the celerity with which their desire had been accomplished. The door opened, and the Earl of Stranleigh entered. ”

“ I should feel rather nervous if taking part in a similar display through the streets of Petersburg."
"Oh, you are quite safe here!" replied his lordship. "Rightly or wrongly, we are so tender with the denizens of the under-world, that they will not risk their own safety——"
Stranleigh sprang suddenly to his feet, and stood covering the Prince with his body.
"Seize that man!" he shouted, in a voice that rang out above the cheers, so startling was its note.
To Stranleigh the whole mob had but one face; the pallid, ecstatic countenance of the mad musician. ”

“ It seemed as if the motorists had come to the end of all things, and indeed, they were at the end of England, approaching its most southerly point excepting only the Lizard and Land's End.
At last the valley widened, and there broke gloriously upon the tourists a view of the blue sea, with a wild, rocky headland jutting into it to the east. Here Blake sprang out to open an obstructing gate, and the chauffeur drove his machine through, the wheels sinking deep into the sand. Stranleigh stepped out of the car to stretch his limbs. ”

“ Stranleigh did so.
“Slide off them packs,” roared the guide to his followers, whereupon ropes were untied on the instant, and the packs slid to the ground, while the mules shook themselves, overjoyed at this sudden freedom.
“Turn back!” cried the guide. “Keep your [Pg 175] hand up, and they won’t shoot. They want the goods.”
“Then you mean to desert me?” asked Stranleigh.
“Desert nothing!” rejoined the guide, gruffly.
“We can’t stand up against these fellows, whoever they are. We’re no posse. To fight them is the sheriff’s business. I engaged to bring you and your dunnage to Armstrong’s ranch. ”

“ When Stranleigh returned to his town house in London, he found a plethora of communications awaiting his attention, or rather, the attention of Blake, his secretary. Blake reported to him that, as the philosopher said, most of these letters and telegrams had answered themselves, being hopelessly out of date, but among the few that were submitted to his lordship was one which he answered immediately. It was a request, now a week old, from Alexander Corbitt, asking for an interview as soon as possible after Stranleigh reached London. ”

“ A TOWN IN PAWN Just as Lord Stranleigh was putting up his cue after a most satisfactory game—he was very fond of billiards—an attendant of the Corinthian Club brought him a card on a silver salver. Lord Stranleigh took it rather languidly, but when he saw the name "Peter Mackeller," he brightened, and went down the stairs rather more eagerly than was his wont, to greet the mining engineer in the lobby of the club. He had not seen Peter since July, and it was now November. Even in July Peter had come to him because sent for, and not of his own accord. ”

“ He always regretted his own lack of cleverness, and admitted shamefacedly that many features of the London season he thoroughly enjoyed, such as polo at Ranelagh, cricket at Lord's, and most of the races. Besides, he knew that London expects every man to do his duty in a country where the women out-number the men, so Stranleigh, in addition to being an occasional host, was an indefatigable guest. ”

“ As long as I am manager of Selwyn's Bank, I'm against any tinkering with the Constitution. All such meddling is bad for business. I'm a banker first, and a politician a long way to the rear."
I quite agree with you, Alexander," remarked Sir George, solemnly.
Stranleigh looked from one to the other in perplexity.
"The trouble with this club," he protested, "is that its members are all of one opinion, therefore an ignorant man like myself cannot learn the other side to any question."
"My dear Stranleigh," said Corbitt, "you've been having both sides of radium, I understand." ”

“ Peter Barnacle has promised to build a library in Stranleigh village, if the inhabitants will provide a site for the building. As all property in the vicinity belongs to Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood, there is little doubt that a beautiful plot of land will be offered by his lordship, so that advantage may be taken of this munificence. ”

“ Blessed is he who has nothing, for he need fear no trap. Will you come with me to my house, since all the restaurants of London are closed?"
They walked together to Westminster Bridge, where a friendly policeman whistled for a wandering cab, and then looked with some astonishment at the strangely-assorted pair. A hansom came flying across the bridge in response to the call. The richest man and the poorest in Europe got in together, and drove to Stranleigh House, where his lordship found an excellent supper laid awaiting his return.
"Champagne?" asked Stranleigh.
The Russian hesitated. ”

“ Perfectly natural!" cried Stranleigh, looking at her with undisguised admiration.
"My father being a most indifferent business man, it was likely that I should be a very inferior business woman. Nevertheless, with great patience, I have perused a mass of documents pertaining to my estates." Here, at a signal, the silent attendant opened a small handbag she carried, and drew from it a number of legal documents, which she placed on the table before the Baroness. The lady glanced up at Stranleigh with a smile. ”