The GREAT MOGUL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 283, 28 November 1896, Page 1 (Supplement)

The GREAT MOGUL.

aT GEORGE BATH BORNE, jf SI-

t hnrof'Doe torJack'"CaP^! nTOm>> i 0 S.u-pore,'liaron Sam.' etc., etc.

BOOK. I. h CE IM GHOSTJHT THE PAST. CHAPTER Xl i. ! i|A n AKMAND JIONTCLAIK. ' late in l^° afternoon when the Hong Kong returned to his The streets were stiil crowded *?![ pleasure seekers, for in the few years 6 bad passed since tha eiege of Paris, the dreadful day of the Commune, |loCfl>flhad managed to regain ber proud the.°- aa the capital of amusement, for poeitioQ as u"° '^JiTaa feeling better. Whether it fha lone tramp that gave him hope, or *8 okeof fche tino Havnna bhab chased 'k ßßWue devils away from hie mind, one lr) hardly say, bub he had a rnorg comcou!"siva grasp upon the situation, and •S some foundation upon which to build '^considered thafc, aocordins to her own ,nt Florence could last; but) a short S when death would freo him more ""iv than American law. It might have I !;„ cold-blooded for him to consider this, •ft. had ever entertained a spark of afioc- -- n for this woman, but with the facts aa !°° - er e, who could blame him for en87vouring to lift the veil of the future, to I what it held for him? Itiras strange how his life was bound up in the names Florence and Fiorida. A letter was handed to him as coon as he mtered the hotel, a lo«er that had been ■ant to his Venice address, and was forwarded according to his orders. Itwaa from the United States. Mullane had been so long a eojourner •broad, that he had almost wholly lost the thrill that comes to the ordinary American rareller, when in a foreign city ho is re •rinded in some way of his native land, perhaps by a flag displayed over the door o [ a consulate. Nevertheless, he showed considerable eagerness in opening this missive. • From Alack, ble^a hia heart, now settled doirn a humdrum Wall street bsar. The nan who was three years at my side in China I'd know his fist among a thousand handwritings- Why, I doubt if Horace Gteely would be in ife with Aleck. No wonder he took so readily to Chinese. This letter's more like one of their puzzles th*n theevery-day effort of a cultivated American gentleman. ■Still, I've seen so rnucn of hi 9 writing;, I shall 'probably be able to decipher it. Now to learn what he saya concerning the favour I asked of him,' With which our soldier began to read the letter slowly and laboriously, aud half sload, as though he mighb thus ba better able to comprehend it. '"My Dear Andy.—Your3 reached me from Venice, together with the. request It chanced that I was just thinking of running off fora few days' rest, and concluded Imtehbas well carry out your idea—'Now, irlial) the deuce is that next word ?—well, 'personally' will fill tho blank nicely— personally. So 1 went down to North Carolina, taking my gran—' No, no !— 'taking my gun along, for you know how fond I am of a little sport— ' Well, I reckon we've had a deal of it in company—'and there's pood shooting in tha Tar Heal State—' That's to, and wo had different liodof ahooting thore over ton yeara ago, when Johnatono met U3 daily, and fought like a hero against overwhelming numbers. 'To reiume Aleck's letter. " I had some ironbleiu learning the facts you desired, bat by much inquiry gleaned a few, which I will give you for what they are worth. You may be aure I took—" tliore's a puzzler, but the next word gives me the cloa; yea, it's " considerable interest in the matter, knowing your strange romance —" Bosh ! ifa was an adventure, nothing more.

'"Planter Roslyn is dead —was elaiu in the same battle that you fell in. flia daughter—the ' young mi?ny ' they nail ber here—lost the estate after all, through some rascally cousin or other who unearthed a long-hidden will and secured possession. She disappeared from the place, aomo say went abroad, but at any rate haa never been eeon near her old home since.

'" One thing more, the diamonds —' No, that can'b be ; I Raid nothing about diamonds. Let me see.. What under the sun does that hieroglyphic stand for 1 Pharaoh and all hia Egyptians could not hold a candle to Aleck when ho races his pen over the paper, and yet) he'll calmly tell you the spider's nosb is n plain English word bbat any ona ought to know. The first letter i« d, beyond a doubt; the next sdbtted i—thon ib looks liko an n ; but that's jusb what ib may nob bo. How would t strike you ?—d-i-v, thi*n I'm sure cornea ad o. Why, hang it, the thing's as plain now as the no.°o on my face, and Aleck writes a beautiful hand after all. Of course, it's divorce—' One thing more, tha divorce. I've had a lawyer look up the records in every county of the State Binco the hst year of the war, and not a sign can be found. She never prepared—' No! —'procured a divorce here, though ib is possible shedid so abroad. I found ono man who knew you when Captain Wayne, and ho Bffore you had been killed in the battle. Perhapß she thoughb so, too, and nevr bothered, believing death hod sundered the fe-' That\« mighty fine fora Wall-atreob broker, Aiock—' thab bound her fortunes to yours on thab night in tho spring of '65.

'"So have a case—'No, it's c-a-r-e— 'have a care, Andy, my boy, for while you »re larking around a3 a musty old bach—' Nonsonae !he means—' a merry old bachelor, you may be suddenly brought up *ith a round turn by tho woman who ia your wife.

1" Yours, as of yore, ' "Aleck BunroM.' "

Mallane looked np, ebill smoking. 'That prophecy is a remarkable ono, *esing I've experienced thab samo pleasure, svan before I read whafc ho predicted. Yes, brought up with a ronnd turn by the woman fate made ray wife just when I was indulging in bho wildest dreams of a happy future in the company of Florida Chambers. Woll, kismet, as ihoy say who bow in the direction of Mecca. I have learned to be philosophical, and happy is the man who smiles when fortune frowns. These clouds fiiusb sooner or later roll away, and perhapn fate still destines some libtla sunshine for

He folded Aleck's letter and pufe it away, »be read again. Perhapa ib might be useful a8 evidence some day, though its contents muab be taken with a grain of allowance, since fche ordinary reader would leed an interpreter. He stood there, thinking over these Natures of bis life, and endeavouring to weave a brighb fabric oub of future pro-«mses-a rather rash thing to do at any time. b

While thus engaged, hio eyes fell upon a «»ce that had nome connection with hie jortune?. It was Francois standing Dear Mallane was aboub to beckon to the ?enb, believing Francois desired to ccc "» on seme matter of personal bu»ines?, o« changed jjfc minf] when the ofcher m&( \ e raot.on over his bhoulder, and thon *»lkod past, Looking in that direction, ha saw •Ayuod JJontckir. 19 orepf-uco of the secret agent was thus

explained. He still kept in touch with the young man's movements, in order to gain a better hold upoti him. But what brought Montclair here ? Even aa he looked, Mullane saw tho clerk point over in his direction, and at once nonchalantly changed his position. Presently, jurfc as ho expected, some ono < tapped him on the arm. Now, ivh=it under j the sun did AJonclair want with him? Ha turned. The young man looked exceedingly pleasant, und yet Muilano fancied be started glightiy when they were face to face. 'This is Colonel Muilano, I believe, air?' he eaid. ' Ab your service, sir. 1 ' Abovv me to hand you my card, colonel.' 'Ah ! :A;r Armand Montc'air. Ido not remember having the pleasure of your ( acquaintance.' ' And yet, unless I am mistaken, we have met b«tore.' 1 When, and under what circumstances? You have aroused my curiosity.' 'Ami right in stating that you were a Federal soldier, or captain, under Sherman during his march through Georgia and the Carolines ?' ' You ure quite right.' 'At Bentonvillo you fell, covered with glory, and it was reported that Captain Andy Wayne had died on the Held.' 'All of which is to tho point,' looking at the other more steadily than before, as though a suspicion had begun to form in his mind. ' I, too, was in that battle, colonel.' ' Not on my vide ?' 1 No ; I wore the grey, for my heart was wrapped up in the cause of the Confederacy. Thab was where wo met, colons!.' 'Ah! it has Hashed beforo me now. You were that stripling, airuosb a child, who stood waving the tattered Confederate flag in our faces as we swepb over the field ! A dozen men sprung eagerly forward, I among them, determined bo slay the daring soul who taunted us. I arrived tirst, ready to use my own sword. I cuught the flag and jerked it down ; then I saw it was a mere child who had stood in the storm of lead— who defied a regiment ! I could not strike, for my arm w«8 powerless.' 'But you did more, Colonel Mullane. Others there were ab your heels—men who hatfcd the Has; I waved, hated it so bitterly that they stood ready to tear even a babe to piecus, if perchance it was wrapped in its folds. 'I can see them now, leaping at me like hungry wolves ; leaping at me with bayonets extended. Nor have I forgotten how you Brood before me, sword in hand, and ehouted, ' The first man who dares to' lay a hand on this boy dies like a dot; ?' Tiioy did not dare after that), and I held my flae to the end. See ! I have carried a piece of it ever since, next to my heart.' With chat, ho exhibited, in an oilad envelop", a pieco of faded bunting, »uch as msny a follower of the Lose Cause reveres to-day— & relic of tho times when the great republic was ehakon in the thrpert of civil war, while the whole world looked on aghast, ilullane, as a soldier, could admire this trait of bravery in the othw, even though he might be otborwise repulsed. 'Strange things happen in this world, Mr Montclair. To think that we should run across each other in P<±rie, ten year? after that scene where we mob in battle !' While he was speaking, the colonel's thoughts ranged in another direction. He had suddenly remembered what Sir John had told him with reference to Monto Carlo. What was there between this young man and Florida, Chambers ? Would sho somo day have to explain to him, even as ho had in honour felt bound to toll her about; his past. Then, following this thought, came tho remembrance thab Montclair had been claiming to b"j tho son or the Lonaon banker. If co, it might explain, in r measure, tho situation so far as ehe was concerned. ' Yes ; and there is also a more able ma: feer connected with this business. It seems wo are related, Colonel I£ullane,J said the other, with a b and smile. ' Related—you aud I? Come! how is that?' 'By tho ties of marrinjro only, sir.' 'Marriage! 1 don't quite comprehend. Whose marriage made us kin V ' Your own, colonel.' Mullane bez^n to grope for facts UDon which to build. ' You know of thab circumstance in my life, it seems. Yon lived in the South. Toll mo, did you know Roslyn and hia daughter ?' • Rather! Florence Roslyn was my cousin. Her mother and mine were sisters.' *Ah! Ib grows more interesting. Did you know of her presence in Paris, Mr .Montclair—know that she was dying alowiy but fciiroly '!' ' I only learned the facb recently. Poor Florence! it is too sad to think she is dGomcd, when her life might be made so bright, now that you have come to help her. Unfortunately, ju3b at tha time, the source from which 1 got my spending money had temporarily driod up. I could not see hnr suffer. Notica that I wear no watch : it went in pawn to procure her food. What of that? She is my cousin, and I ewore to stand by her to tho end, though luck was against toe.' Vary modestly yeb heroically put; but this time Mullane had his wisa about him, liob being blinded by a pair of pathetic eyes ewimming in tears. CHAPTER XIII. Poor Colonel Andy ! It is often a triflo that makes baakrupb tho greatest schemes on earth — some email matter hardly worthy of observation, yot in tho end ib may be found that the whole weight of tho combination rests upon this link. Mullane received bis first flash of suspicion whilo fuco to face with Montclair. the young man who en frankly confoß3ed himself to bo the cousin of Florence Roplyn, while ab the samo time he had noma mysterious connection with Florida Chambers. Piainly, then, Armand overdid the matter in his desire to let the Chinese Monte Criato know how ho had strained evf;ry nerve to keep Florence from want. He certainly carried no chain So indicate the presenco of ft watch, bub Mullane remembered positively thab he had seen a very handaoraa one crossing the young man's vest, ab tho time he hold the interview with his mother, and there had boen no occasion since then for him to pacrifice it. The man from Hongkong might trust hin fallow-creatures to an extent which was opt) to bring him some trouble, bub when hia suspicions were aroused he could see the hole in tho millstone aa well aa tho next) ono. From that moment he had no faith in Armand Montclair ; it was true he could admire the stubborn bravery which had caused the latter, as a mare lad, todaro denbh on the loab field of battle, and flaunt hia flag in bho face of the advancing foe, but beyond thab he found nothing about the other's composition in sympathy with hie own ideas reapsctiog manly attributes. Ib put him on hia guard ; he began to wonder whether Francois might not be right in hinting about fche preaoaco of a combination against him. Mullane, aa an old traveller, know to what ends men will go in all lends when there is a rich stake in si^ht ; he had expected to be ft target for such schemer- when he made hie debut ■ onco more in the Western world, and hnd rProlverl to brii>g a little of the ?rience of diplomacy, learned in China, to boat uj">n I tlifwe who thought to find him an e:sa.V j mark.

It had never entered into his philosophy bo consider that his past would bo raked over in order to find weapons that might be employed with greater chances of success againso him.

In replying to Montclair he did nob in any way commit him-elf, and the latter failed to realise that he had made a fatal mistake when he attempted bo prove hia devotion to tho actress.

' That was very good of you, andTl shall certainly see that the watch is recovered at any cost. It is almost worth while lo endura trials when they prove the true value of friends.'

Ha then branched off and spoke of other su! jects, while Armand, who seemed only liusiruus oi making a good imprecision, was carufnl nob to overdo the matter.

Mullane had an intense curiosity to sound thia man concerning hia relations with Florida, and y«b he hardly knew how to go about it.

Had ib been any one bub Miss Chambers under consideration, the ta-k would not have been so extremely difficult; but ha could not make light or her name, and joke Armand on hia conquests, even though the object behind it all wa3 a worthy one.

Hence ha was obliged to let the matter remain, so to speak, 'in statu quo, and de-pe.-id upon the future to reveal bhia secret. Armand finally book his departure, under the impreaeion that ho had become very friendly with the Chinese Monto Cristo, and paved vhe way to future dealings of considerable magnitude.

Truth bo tell, Mullane read him like an opsn book, and secretly had a moat profound contempt for ail his species.

He knew Montclair hud long been living by his wits; that he was a blackmailer, and when tho chance presented itself, a heavy plunger at the roulette table at Monte Carlo ; a man who had no compunctions of conscience aa to the character or sex of hia victims so Ions: as they supplied him with tho means to continue his gay life of dissipation. His appearance on tho scene did more to warn the American than any other ovenb. When a man of Montclair's calibre goes around boasting of his noble deeds it is as well to keep an eyo to windward, for certainly a storm of some magnitude is brew-

It was novv evening. Colonel Andy had nob forgotten his appointment, with tho baronet, and as Sir John hove in sight about this time they wenb to dine tegether.

Few oien there are who have not tho de?ire to confide their joyu and sorrows to the care of a sympathising friend. Ib is a human trait, and has exioted aa long an the race. Nor must we judge a man to be weak who thus aeekH counsel and sympathy from a comrade. What doctor dares to depend on his own powers whon disease lays ita blighting hand upon him ?

A-1 Sir John already knew tho sfcory of the pa*t, and was deeply interested in all thas pertained to his fortunes, Mullaae was raady to relate whab had occurred to him hinne their last interview.

Francois had not shown up again, and iv all probability followed Armand, since his present duty was to keep that individual in eight, for the benefit of the banker. When Sir John had the lucts grouped in front of him he carefully studied the matter, and then gave it aa his opinion that there was ' something rotten in the State of Djnmark,1 to quote from the immortal bard.

' Upon my word, it's growing very intereating, Al ullane, my dear fellow. The entrance of this remarkable character upon tho scene adda a picturesque glow to the canvas. Depend upon it, you wrll find hid hand to be the one that moves the mechanism of bhs whole piece. Evidently i\lr Armand is playing the game of his life between you and Mr Chambers. • Owe must admire his genius whiles deploring she miserable uae to which ho puts ic. buch a man might, make a n;ime in the world, if ho applied his powers in eorno legitimato otionuol, instead of trying to snatch the living which he believes the rest of mankind owes him.1 Thus Sir John'a opinion proved to be a very shrewd one, RJullano had his first suspicions rather augmented, and he did not choose to play the Don Quixote longer, fighting fcho battles of those whose worth he was in no position to vouch for. He was more oagor than beforo with regard to Sir John's proposed visit to Florence Somehow, he wanted them to meet.; he could not, even to himself, oxplain what he oxpocsed to be the outcome oi each a moating, but at the same time contend to a do'ira that fch6y should come face to facePerhaps he relied on the atoning sense of she baronet to read the facts more plainly than ho !)nd done. His eyes werp, in a measure, blinded by the memories that crowded his brain. On tho other hand, Sir John, bothorod by no euch burden*, | could see with a clear vision, and the i colonel was ready to follow his advice. Thus they set out) togolher, these two man who had sworn eternal friendship, whose mutual regard was of such a romarkablo order thas even the fact of their both loving the same woman had only cemenbod tho bonds between them. It was a caBO in a thousand, that had its parallel only in hiatory. A fiacre was soon bowling along the streets of Paris, containing .Mullane and the Briton. They chatted on variouH subjects, but tho name of Mi»B Chambers coon came up. ' Have yon changod your notion or tolling her this estrange etory?'asked Sir John. •That i 3 hardly my way of doi.ig business, as you are already aware, Sir John. I had an interriow with the lady only a few hours a^o.' ' You told her all ?' ' Yes. That is, I sketched my position, and asked her to befriend tho poor girl, whose days on earth seem to be bo few.' • Rather a bold thing to do; but then, you know with whom you were dealing. I can hnzard a guesa as to how eho took it.' Mu«t a& both of us believed—like the true woman that she U. To-morrow she intends to call on Florence, ao my friend, and to suggesb anything you and I aa men have overlooked.' • Well, you know, I suggested that your lint might nob be complete,' said Sir John dubiously. ' Ah ! bub you finished ife, my dear fe low. I have wired to London for the warmingpana.' ' I hope they'll be appreciated, alter causing so much mental rack and worry,' laughed Sir John. 'No donbt afe all about it; bufc ib will be a good thing bo have a woman look into these affairs, and ace if wo neglocfcod my important points. Sir John agreed with him. • Was who rery much surprised or shocked at your news?1 be asked presently. 1 Well, i rnunfc confess 1 failed to see very much of ib,' answered Mullane, moodily. 'Don'b lay any sfcresa on that fact, colonel. Give the girl of to-day some credit for nervo and <?ood common sense. Ib isn't often the gamo comoa to the hunter in these days— he has to go out; for it, and very seldom secures a full bag withoub hustling, as you Americans say. Miss Chamber? ia nob going to reveal any secrets of her hearb bo the rude gaze of the world, you may dopond, no mabber how keenly she may suffer !' His word cave Andy Bohd comforb. Whab a glorious thing ib is to have such a friend in time of need I So they jogged along. The avenue opened before them, with its flashing lights, its music, acd the moving, pleacure-seek-' ing throng, One could never tire of such a ?cene, representing an ib does, the life, the pulse of tho great capital. A new idea had struck Mullane. ! • Won H you mind wait ing a lit tie bit in i tUe vehicle vat 1 I eend down for you ?' he j Bbkad.

Sir John did nob exactly understand the meaning of this sally, but he was game, and ready to do anything in reason. 'Just give me time to finish fchi? weed— you know I always like to complete anything I make a start on—an old trait of obstinacy that got me into a peck of trouble more than a tow tiruas at Oxford, I tell you.' 'Glad you don't! mind—tell you the reason later on.'

And with a few words to the driver, Muliune skipped up the broad stairs of the elegant flats.

His manner would indicate that his spirits bad begun to ascend in the mental thermometer. Strangely enough, the more he began to suspect treachery fche lighter grew his burden. On the second floor he found himeelf before a door. Everything in connection with the building wai first-class —a soft; carpeb covered fche floor, the walls were frescoed, the woodwork cioan English oak, and a gas jeb in a pale pink giobe shed a peculiar glow over all.

He knocked

Immediately there was heard within a scrambling sound, accompanied by the rattling of furniture. Alullane, remembering what Sir John had said when glancing over the list) of his purchases—that there would have to be brought) into play tha acrobatic qualities of gymnasts in order to enter and leave the apartments, after all that accumulation had been delivered —ielb ralher conscience-stricken and hardly knew whothor to laugh or be alarmed.

Finally the dooropenedj showing Dobson endeavouring to keep a pile of furniture from toppling over and burying him oub of sight. Tho old actor no longer wora his seedy long coat, buttoned tightly across the chest, with trousera that clung to his legs affectionately, and colters yearning for the kindiy attention of a French cobbler.

Ho was sumptuously decked cub, and, with his low-cut) silk vest revealing an oxpansive shirt front, a afciff collar, and a gaudy cravat, looked like a man of wealth. That lordly strut, acquired in years ot practice upon the stage, though a thing of reproach in bis seedy days, would well become him in hia present attire, and no doubt, aa ho walked down the Bois de Boulogne, people would turn and utaro after the very distingue Englifchrrian, who, they felt pure, muso be ao loast a noble duke.

' Enter, Colonel Mullane ; we have been looking for you, sir. Take caro as you pass lest) an accident bo precipitated. A* yot, tho time haa been too ahorb to get everything in shape. I'm afraid wo'li bo a little crowdod, for a lot of things are piled up in tho hall besides. This is v new experienca for us. We've gone to the other oxtrome, as ib were, bub it's nice to have plenty. There, that is firmly fixed now, sir, and thore'a no danger of its fulling. Kindly follow me, Colonel Mullano—your wife is in the sitting-room. A word to you beforehand, sir. Be prepared for a great change in her,' said honest Dobson mysteriously.

•Whab! is she than so much worse?' cried the colonel, with tho memory of those circle marked eyes before him.

' Better, sir—an astonishing change for the better. You'd hardly believe io to bo the eamo womm. Of course I wouldn't dare to hope it could bo permanent, but what s. blessed thing if this all turned oub right !'

Mullane stifled a groan. Blessed thine, indeed! What of his future, tiod by tho law to a woman for whom he had never had the faintest regard 1 Under such circumstances nothing would remain for him but a legal separation, and ho knew no opposition wouid bo made from tho other flido in case the alimony suited. Ail fchub worriod him waa with roganl to Florida— bow would she regard tho mutter ? Perhaps sho mighb beiievo it to bo his duty to Ptßiid by the wom'in tato had made hid wife. Sha could be as disinterested us Sir John, putting self entirely out of tho question.

These things Hashed before him like a procession of hideous specbrei. Ho even remembered that a.<? yp.t ho had secured from .Miss Chambers no expression of her opinion with regard to divorce ; perhaps sho wa^ opposed to marriage with ono who, in the oye of Ileavon, had a wife living.

Than he entered what Dobaon hod designated as tho sitting-room.

It was a cosy apartment, and there wero to bo seen evidences of good taste in the furnishing.

Florence sat in a luxurious chair which he had picked out with an eye to her comfort. She was rireesed in snowy white, and presented a picture that might have aroused enthusiasm in the heaib of nny man who waa not already head over oars in lore with another woman.

Mullane caught his breath ; ho could hardly believe this sparkling, lovely creature was tho a'most dying girl of the previous nighb. Tho metamorphose was complete—Dobgon had nob gone too far when he bade him prepare for a greah furprise—bub somehow ib soomed to have a tendency to make him thoughtful ; he realised that matters were nob aboub to come to auch aa immediate crisis &a he bad baen led to bolieve.

Under any and all circumstances ho waa a gentleman, and. recovering quickly, ho advanced to her aide,

She held out a white hand to him; really, it hardly seemed aa thin as when he last saw her, though that, of course, must bo an opbical delusion. He noticed that her neck was ab leasb fairly plump, while her cheeks glowed with a more healthy hue than had marked them before. Nor was tho hand he took in his cold and limp, but had warm life in it. He found himsolf charmed after a certain manner, in Bpite of himself. He tried again and again to keep before his mind the facb that sho had been an actress, fchab ib was her businesß to bewitch an audience, but somehow he only remembered that shs was a very charming woman, who had dropped into his life as unexpectedly as might an electric bolt fall from a clear aky. • You were long in coming, Colonel Mullane,and we have all been so anxious to thank you for ; your thoughtful attention. Heaven bless you. I hardly know how to express the feeling that fills my heart.1 She pressed his hand in both of hers, and looked up ab him wibh sparkling eyes. • When you saw mo laeb nighb I had only one desire—bo see my friends rewarded for their devotion. Somehow, a new ambition <?ooms to have swepb upon mo—l feel renewed strength with every breabh I draw, and sibring here Colonel Mullano, thinking of all you have done for me, I have determined to live, in order to repay, in a measure, your kindness toward one whom the fortune of war made your unloved wife.'

{To be continued.)