The Mystery Road

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 251, 23 October 1928, Page 20

The Mystery Road

l — J E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM A?

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.

The young Englishmen, CHRISTOPHER BENT and GERALD DOMBEY (or Lord Downe, eldest son of the Earl of Hlnterleys), motoring to Monte Carlo, were delayed by a burst tyre, and while tbe chauffeur repaired the damage, strolled along the road to look at' the countryside. There they encountered Myrtlle, a lovely little peasant girl, in evident distress. Pressed to confide in the two young men she explained that her mother had been the village schoolmistress. She married for the second time a bad man, and died, and Myrtile bad been forced to live with the stepfather and care for the three small half-brothers and sisters. That evening her stepfather had announced his approaching marriage to the Widow Dumay, and told Myrtile that she was to be betrothed to Leschamps, the innkeeper. "He is fat and old and he drinks," cried Myrtile, "and I would ratlier die than have him come near me. Take me with you as far as you are going—somewhere where I can hide." "Agreed!" said Gerald impulsively. "We will start you off on tlie great adventure. It seems to me there can be nothing worse for you than what you leave behind." So Myrtile, who had never j been beyond her village, was carried off to Monte Carlo by the two young men, who constituted themselves her joint guardians for the time being, and promised to find her work. Through the kind oliicea of tlie housekeeper at their hotel they found rooms for her nearby, and there began for the girl a wonderful time. Christopher Bent was by far the most steady and responsible guardian of the two. but it was Gerald with his careless charm of manner, who won her heart, and in ber eyes he could do no wrong. LAD 7 MART DOMBEY, Gerald's sister, when consulted about Mjrrtile, was disapproving, but eventually promised to help them find work for her in England. Meanwhile Gerald, in a burst of enthusiasm at the girl's beauty, took her to a famous dressmaker, and bought her an outfit that showed her natural grace and charm to prefectlon. Gerald's thoughts, however, were soon elsewhere, rn the Casino he caught sight or a beautiful girl, who. in company with a very haughty grent Imly. was arousing general curiosity and admiration. They called themselves Mauume and Mademoiselle de Poniere, and lived in a villa next to that occupied by Lord Hlnterleys, where they received -no guests. After a great deal of difficulty Gerald managed to gain the acquaintance of the girl, but Pauline still treated him with royal hauteur, and forbade him to call upon her aunt. The mystery surrounding the two ladies was heightened one evening in the Casino when a Kussian named Zubin created a sensation by winning two million francs. Gerald, however, standing near this stranger when he was dispatching a letter, noticed tbe address, it was to Madame de Poniere. Liter Myrtlle's step-father turned up at the Casino demanding her return and her marriage to Leschamps. ("Jerald. however, bought tlieiu off with payments of IiOOO francs, and she remained at Monte Carlo.

CHAPTER XVII. A Servant of her House. Gerald left the rooms a few minutes later and strolled out into the square. Ho was in some doubt as to what lie ought to do. Pauline had abs<%rtely forbidden him to communicate with Iter in any shape or form, yet he had a conviction that Zubin's exploits iu th'j Casino should be made known to her. He strolled across to the establishment of Madame Lenore. Madame greeted him with a peculiarly knowing smile. He drew her on one side.

"Madame," he said, "you make gowns for Mademoiselle de Poniere." The 6mile disappeared from Madame's lips. Her face Uicame impassive.

"It is true, milord," she admitted, "What of it?"

"Just this. You are doubtless in frc quent communication with lier?"

"Without a doubt," Madame assented. "I shall telephone her within a quarter of an hour. Some lace she desired has just arrived."

"Then you can do her and mc a great service." Gerald continued. "I have sonic slight acquaintance with Mademoibelle, but I am not permitted to communicate with her. It is important thai she should know that the Russian, Zubin, is gambling in the Casino, not in the Cercle Prive, and losing heavily." "A big man V' Madame asked, quickly, "Almost a giant?" "That is he," Gerald assented.

Madame turned towards the telephone,

"Demand the Villa Violette," she told the operator. "Say that I wish to speak to Mademoiselle de Poniere without delav." .

Gerald turned away. Madame laid her fingers upon his arm. "My congratulations, milord!" "I don't know what 011," Gerald replied, a little ruefully. "I am rather out of luck.

"The little peasant girl," she whispered. "She is adorable. Such a figure I have never seen, such an air, such simplicity, and yet such grace! With her hair done a la Madone, and those eyes, under milord's tutelage she would turn the heads of half the men of Europe." Gerald sighed. The memory of the little scene earlier in the day was once more before him.

"You must remember that I have a co-guardian of the strictest principles, Madame," he said; "and besides, that isn't exactly what we are planning for her."

Jiadame, steeped in the philosophy of her environment, shrugged her shoulders in genuine mystification. Gerald took his leave a little hurriedly, to avoid the comment which he felt was imminent.

Madame de Poniere dismissed the servants with a little wave of the hand, and looked thoughtfully for a few moments into the fire of pine logs which had been kindled in the grate. The din-ner-table at which she and Pauline were seated was piled with dishes of expensive fruits, and there was wine still in their glasses. Nevertheless, Madame de Poniere had not the air of one who has enjoyed her meal.

"Pauline," she said, "Zubin is already four days late."

Pauline made no immediate reply. Her aunt pointed to an escritoire which stood iii a corner of the room.

"These people," she continued, "become abusive. Even Lenore has sent an account. You dispatched the telegram?" "I dispatched the telegram," Pauline assented, "but it was needless. Zubin is here." "Here in Monte Carlo?" Madame de Poniere demanded, quickly. "I have heard so," Pauline replied. "My information is very scanty, but I understand that he had sent you a letter last night." The pallor of the older woman's face seemed suddenly deepened. Her eyes glittered ominously. "Jean spoke of a note that had been brought and taken away," she muttered. "Tell me at once what you know, Pauline?"

'*1 have no definite information," Pauline reiterated, "but I understand that he has been seen at the Casino." Madame de Poniere sat like a woman who has received a shock. The shadow of fear was upon her .face. "You do not know Zubin," she groaned. "If he once smells the atmosphere of that place it is like a deadly drug to him. And he loses! He always loses!" She leaned over and struck a bell which stood upon a table. "The car in a quarter of an hour," she ordered. get ready. We must seek Zubin. If he has begun to gamble, he will go to the end." They drove first to the Casino, where they explored only the Cercle Prive. From there they went to the Sporting Club, where there was still no sign of hira. Madame de Poniere became more hopeful. "He is perhaps resting in his hotel," she said, "preparing to visit us." "He would never come without sending word beforehand," Pauline reminded her. "Besides, there are the ordinary tables at the Casino. We ought to have looked there."

Madame de Poniere gave a little shudder. ,

"One sees too much of them as one passes throupfli," she declared. "The people and the atmosphere are intolerable."

They sat side by side on one of the settees, two rather lonely and disheartened women, face to face with tragedy. Pauline saw Gerald in the distance and determined upon a bold step. "Aunt," slio said, "there is a young man standing by the easy-chair whose father lives at the adjoining villa to ours. He has once or twice offered me some small courtesies. He is alone, and I am sure he would be glad to l>e useful. Let me send him to the Casino,"] "Show him to me," Madame de Poniere demanded. Pauline pointed him out. Her aunt siphed. "One brcoks a cherished tradition," sho said, "but it must be done. I leave the matter in her hands." Gerald and Christopher, strolling round the room, came presently to within a few feet of them. Gerald, bitterly though lie resented it, was passing on after one swift glance at Pauline. She leaned over, however, and touched him on the arm. "Lord Downe," she said, "my aunt permits me to present you. Lord Downe— Ma (hi me de Poniere." Gerald, taken by surprise, bore the shock well. He bowed low and murmured a few polite words. "I am afraid you will think that we are very mercenary," Pauline continued, "but. we arc going to ask a favour." "It is granted," Gerald assured her, swiftly. "There is a Russian gentleman in Monte Carlo named Zubin." "I know him by sight," Gerald declared. "Besides —" "Then the rest is easy," Pauline interrupted, with a warning look. "Our request is that you search the Casino for him, and, if he is there, that you bring him to us." Gerald bowed.

"Mademoiselle," he promised, "if he is there I will bring him to you within a quarter of an hour." Gerald, on entering the Casino, made his way at once to the table at the farther end. The seat which had been occupied by Zubin. however, was vacant, though the table itself was crowded. He was on the point of continuing his search in one of the other rooms when he suddenly saw the man for whom he was looking seated on one of the sofas against the wall, lie made his way thither at once.

"Sir," he said, "I have brought you a message from Madame de Poniere." The Russian lifted his head, and for a moment Gerald was afraid that he had had a stroke. His eyes were horribly red, the flesh about his cheekbones seemed to have become drawn tight and his cheeks to display new hollows. His hands were trembling. All his truculence of manner had departed.

"From Madame de Poniere?" lie repeated. "-Where is she?" "She is waiting now in the Sporting Club," Gerald replied. "I will take you to her if you will accompany me." The Russian rose to his feet and the two men left the place. Many of the bystanders gazed after them, and Gerald heard something of tlieir whispers. "I'm afraid you've been having rather a bad time," he remarked. His companion took no notice. He walked, indeed, like a man in a nightmare. Not oniv was lie unshaven, but his clothes were creased and tumbled. He was altogether a dishevelled-looking object. "Might I suggest," Gerald said, as they descended the steps of the Casino, "that you visit your hotel and freshen up a little before you come to the club?" Zubin seemed suddenly to step down from another world. He looked vacantly at Gerald for a moment, at his smoothlybrushed hair, his well-cut dinner-coat, his faultless linen. Then, with a little start, lie glanced at himself and shrugged his shoulders ponderously. "You are right, monsieur. Come this way."

He crossed the street with great strides and entered the Hotel de Paris. He turned once more to Gerald as he entered the lift, "A quarter of an hour, monsieur," he said. "I give you my word that I will not keep you longer than twenty minutes."

"I will be waiting here," Gerald promised.

After the departure of the lift Gerald made his way by means of the private passage to the Sporting Club. Madame de Poniere and her niece were seated where lie had left them, the elder lady sipping some coffee, Pauline looking round her with a languid air of halfumused interest. Save for the fact that Madame de Poniere's lips tightened a little as she saw Gerald alone, there was not the slightest indication in their manner or expression that they were confronted in any way with an* exceptional situation.

"I have found our friend," he announced. "He is making some alterations to his toilet. I am meeting him in a few minutes and shall bring him here." "Was he playiug?" Pauline inquired. "Not when I arrived," was the cautious

reply. Madame de Poniere stirred her coffee negligently.

(To be continued daily.)