Short Story

Lake County Press, Issue 2696, 23 August 1917, Page 7

Short Story

Star Profit.

By WILLIAM LE QDEUX

"The game's worth the candle, isn't it?"

"Worth tho candle, Jimmy! Why, it's worth a level five thousand in your experienced hands. It's sheer profit!" "From what I can see she's a silly

ittle woman, vain, ambitious, and fancies herself good-looking." Jimmy Jerningham, alias Davis and a dozen other names, smiled to himself, and contemplated the end of his excellent cigar.

He was sitting with Ins friend in the lounge of the Midland Grand Hotel in Manchester after a cosy little lunch. Charles Grayson, the other man, was a well-known "crook" like himself, and the pair had brought off many a neat and profitable coup, for both were good-looking, smart, refined men of exquisite manners and expensive tastes. therfore women fell an easy prey to them.

After a month at Dinard, where they had lost a fair sum at the tables, they had returned to England for the autumn. They were, however, never improvident, and both had several hundred pounds balance at their banker's. A "crook" is only in peril when he is penniless. With money, he can usually defy the police with all their red tape and slowness of action.

The pair, dark-haired, well-groomed, good-looking scoundrels, were about to embark upon a dastardly but highly ingenious enterprise, and in order to discuss and decide they were holding a private consultation in the corner of the lounge, apart from the many other people there.

"I haven't been idle," Jerningham exclaimed. "I've been making inquiries in town. She has an allowance from her husband of ten thousand a year, as well as five thousand a year of her own."

"How old is she?" "Twenty-four—with a husband fifty."

Grayson's face contracted on one side, the other remaining normal. "They have a house in Upper Grosvenor Street, a country place outside Perth, and spend every winter at Cairo. She's just now up at Stratheagles. I had a letter from her this morning." And diving into the inner pocket of his blue serge jacket, he produced it, for his companion to read"Seems pretty gone on you, eh?" was Grayson's remark, after he had scanned the note, and handed it back. "Thinks you such a charming man—eh?"

"Apparently. But one never knows. Women are such strange creatures." "Well, she's good up to five thousand, I should say. What's her husband?"

"Pattenden, head of the Eclipse Line of steamers to the West Indies. Bought a knighthood last year. Began life as a fruit salesman in Covent Garden—now a prominent supporter of the Government. Just got into 'Who's Who'—the event of his life." "On such an invitation as she's sent you I suppose you'll go up on a visit—eh?"

"Sure. I've wired her. I go north to-morrow, but I'll keep in touch with you." "Right. I'm there on receipt of. a ■'phone message, as usual." ' And the pair tossed off their Grand IMariners—cordon rouge, of course—-■-and rising, strolled out into the busy, everyday life of Manchester. Two days- later James Jerningham, in immaculate evening dress, sat at the smart dinner-table at Stratheagles, the Scottish seat of Sir Herbert and Lady Pattenden. There were a dozen other smart men and women of the houseparty, and the conversation was merry, for they were a vivacious,. go-ahead crowd.

Sir Herbert, who was contesting West Merioneth, was away on his political campaign, therefore pretty Lady Pattenden sat at the head of her table, a slim and charming fair-haired figure •in pale grey trimmed with rose. In her i hair she wore a long white aigrette, and -around her throat the splendid rope of ; pearls which her husband had puir- • chased from the sale of the effects of a \well-known but ruined peer.

The luxuriant room with its fine pictures, its great silver bowls of flowers. its shaded lights, and its up-to-date appointments Avas essentially that of the parvenu, while the servants in breeches and stockings would have been more in keeping in an Elizabethan ducal home.

Jimmy Jerningham, elegant and smiling, sat on her ladyship's right hand, and was chatting merrily with her. They had met one afternoon at the tables at Dinard, where Ethel Pattenden had been enjoying herself alone, ■she being at the Hotel Royal with some iriends of hers named Klein, the hushand being a well-known foreign broker ;in Throgmorton Avenue. A chance acquaintanceship had ripened into :a friendship, which on Jimmy's part ••was quickly cultivated, with the result jthat they had met several times in .London, and she had dined with him •once at the Berkeley, and now he had Ibeen invited as guest at Stratheagles. the fine sporting estate a few miles out of Perth, on the Dunkeld road. To-day the parvenu hostess exercises

but little discretion as to whom she

sends invitations, so long as her guests ✓■are good-looking, amusing, and up-to-date. There was never a time when outsiders could get into certain wealthy circles as to-day. Hence she had never troubled to inquire into Jimmy's antecedents, though ho had already done so .regarding hers, and knew much more-

concerning her than she ever dreamed. Dinner over, there was coffee in the ! big hall, and there again little Lady Pattenden reclined in a big easy chaii near the huge wood-fire, and at her side, seated upon the edge of the great club fender, Jimmy sipped at his cup, ftnd chatted to her about Egypt, a country he knew so well. It is the stock-in-trade of the clever "crook" to have travelled and stayed at the best hotels in the world, for the world judges a man by his coat and his conversation more nowadays than ever I

before. "We go to the Savoy in Cairo early in November," she was saying to Jimmy as, having taken her coffee-cup and set it down, ho handed her tho big silver box of cigarettes. Ho held the match for her, and then, stretching out her legs and displaying a neat silkstockinged ankle, she settled herself to talk. "I don't know if I can induce Herbert to go up to Luxor. He got so terribly bored and fed-up on the Nile last time. He wants to go to Jamaica this winter on business, but I detest tho place. I went once—but never again! Wo had a most horrible pas- I

sago home." "Thero's nothing like Egypt," Jimmy declared, looking straight into her deep blue eyes. "Like yourself, I prefer-the Savoy to Shepherd's. Too many Cookites at tho latter. But, of course, Cairo isn't Egypt. I love the Nile and Assouan most of all." "So do I," she declared. "I didn't know you'd been up there. We were at the Cataract in the year the great dam was opened." And so they gossiped on. An hour later, when the men had gone to the billiard-room, and the women had either accompanied them or gone to their rooms, Lady Pattenden found herself alone with Jimmy out on the terrace in the moonlight, which that night shone brightly over the lake and the great park beyond. It was a wonderful romantic night, and she sat in a corner with a white silk wrap over her head and shoulders, laughing at his amusing chatter. She listened for an hour, and then shook his hand and left him. After that, it became their habit to spend an hour together on "the terrace each evening. The dainty little mistress of Stratheagles had already become aware that Jimmy Jerningham was an unusually attractive man, that his politeness and consideration were exquisite, and that his conversation always charmed her. One night, when alone in her room, after Mariette, her French maid, had retired, she grew angry with herself, recollecting how deeply she had been attached to her husband, and what an oxcellent fellow he was, even though he nowadays seemed to think more of money-making and political distinction than of her. And yet was she not under the spell of Jimmy's good looks, his voice, his charm of manner? Was she not thinking more of him than of Herbert? One evening, after Jerningham had been there about ten days, the whole party had been invited to dine at a neighbouring house, and it was nearly midnight before they returned in cars, after a delightful evening. The men went promptly to the billiard-room, and the women to their rooms, while at Jimmy's invitation his hostess strolled out with him upon the terrace to have a final cigarette before retiring. The night was clear, but with little moon, and Jimmy suggested a stroll after the heat of their host's rooms and the cramped car in which they had journeyed home. To this Ethel Pattenden had no objection, fey- they had already begun to treat each other as old friends. Half way down the long beech avenue, towards the lodge gates, they sat upon one.of the seats while he produced his cigarette case. ' She took one and lit it. For some moments they smoked on in silence. Both were thinking. Then suddenly her companion seized her small ungloved hand, and looking into her eyes in "the dim light declared that ho loved her. "I am leaving to-morrow, Ethel," he said. "In these painful circumstances I cannot remain longer under your roof, for it is not fair to you—or to your husband. I know I've been a fool," he cried, "but forgive me. I cannot leave you without telling you the truth—the secret of my hearts—that I love you—only you!"

And before she was aware of it he had bent and kissed her upon the lips. At that moment they were both startled by hearing a movement in the undergrowth close by them. A man came up, faced them, and laughed heartily. Then he walked away.

Jerningham sprang to his feet in ar attitude of self-defence, and both gazei after him breathlessly. But nothing more was heard. "Who was he?" asked her ladyshi] in alarm.

"Nobody," he replied. "Some coun try lout. There is nothing to fear. Let us return to the house," and linking his arm in hers he led her back to the terrace and into the drawing-room, where for a few moments he lingered. They faced each other without speaking a word. She was white as death, and in her eyes was a hard, haggard look, which told him of her unspoken sorrow at his immediate departure, and of her fear lest their secret should be discovered.

"Good-night," ho whispered at last, as ho bowed low over her outstretched hand. "Let us part—and forget!" Then ho drew her again into his arms, and kissed her, while she, in the delirium of the moment, did not make an effort to extricate herself from his embrace.

They parted, and next morning at nine o'clock the express from Perth to King's Cross carried back to London

the man who had declared his love and yet had acted so honestly. A month went by. Lady Pattenden, on reflection, realised how foolish she had been, and put asido all recollection of the tall, good-looking man who had t'omo so suddenly into her life, and as suddenly gone out of it again. Her husband had concluded his political campaign, and won the election, and was now able to give Ethel more of his society. They were back at Upper Grosvenor Street, and had entered upon a new era of happiness. One day, while out shopping in her car, she alighted before a shop in Regent Stret, and was about to enter when a respectably-dressed man raised his hat and. claimed acquaintance. Then, in an undertone, be said:

"Lady Pattenden, I have something to tell you which is greatly in your interest—a secret matter. It is most imperative that I see you to-day. I shall be in the Mall, outsido Marlborough House, at three o'clock. If we walk across St. James's Park together, we shall not bo noticed." Her ladyship started at first, then recovering from her surprise, her curiosity was aroused, and she felt impelled to accede to his request. At three o'clock they . met. The stranger, who was exceedingly polite, walked at her side in the park, down to tho ornamental water, and at last said:

"I felt it my duty, Lady Pattenden, to tell you of a discovery I have made. I am a private inquiry agent, and my name is Mausell. In the course of my work I have found out that a scoundrel named Horton is coming up as witness against you in a little affair—a little indiscretion wo may term it—in Scotland with a gentleman friend of yours, a Mr. Jerningham." "What?" gasped her ladyship, turning pale, for she recollected the man who had discovered them. "It is, I fear, a rather disagreeable matter," Mausell said. "The fellow seemed to have watched you both when Mr. Jerningham was your guest in Scotland, and is now contempating going to your husband and obtaining payment for the information." Lady Pattended halted and stood motionless, while her companion watched the effect of the blow ho had dealt her. "But I—well, there was no harm in it, I assure you. I may have been in discreet."

"Indiscretions out-of-doors are always unwise," he said gravely. "I have only approached you with an idea of helpiug you out of a difficulty. A son of mine is an officer in tho servico of your husband's company, and therefore I felt it my duty to see you in secret, and warn you of what is intended." "But how can .you help me? I must see this man, Horton?" "By all means, Lady Pattenden. And, if I may presume to advise you, I should purchase his silence, for without doubt Sir Herbert would be quite ready to pay him for his dastardly espionage." "My husband is not that kind of man," she replied bravely. "Ah! you do not know men. They become peculiar creatures when they suspect a woman."

She was again silent. What he had said was; alas! the truth. She saw that, at all hazards, sho must bo prepared to buy the silence of the eavesdropper. Those nights at Stratheagles she had hoped were forgotten, as she had already forgotten, yet her foolish indiscretion had risen against her and might very easily wreck her happiness. With the man Mausell sho discussed a plan of action, admitting that she was ready to pay. Then ho at lastmade a suggestion. Ho would prepare a document, which Horton should sign on receiving money, declaring that there was no truth in the allegations he had made, and, further, that he had spoken untruths concerning Lady Pattenden and Mr. Jerningham. Horton and he were to call at Upper Grosvenor Street on the following day at noon, and she would see them, her husband being absent at his offices in Liverpool. Next day, punctually at twelve, two well-dressed men were shown into her ladyship's drawing-room by the smart man-servant, one of them being Mausell, and the other, younger and more smartly dressed, Richard Horton, alias Grayson. The latter was introduced when her ladyship, looking a pale, wan, little figure in black—for she had spent a sleepless night—entered the room. Without any preliminaries business was discussed. "Her ladyship is prepared to dea with you fairly," Mausell said in i cold, business-like tone. "I havi shown you the document. What do yoi want for your signature to it " "I'm prepared to remain silent, but I'll sign no document," replied the crook. "My intention has been to deal with Sir Herbert. I thought you said I was to see him ?" "No. I wish to come to terms with you," her ladyship said, looking him straight in the face. "There's surely no reason why my husband should be disturbed by this small affair." "Not if you like to pay me." "How much?" "Five thousand pounds. It's surely worth it—especially as that man Jerningham is a well-known thief." "A thief!" cried her ladyship, amazed. "Yes," Mausell exclaimed. "I have discovered that ho is unfortunately well-known to the police, and only carao out of prison last year." Ethel Pattenden saw the terirble scandal which might result if the truth leaked out. Both men observed how sho wavered, and how eager she was tc end the whole business. For a few moments the discussior. grew heated, and Horton made man threats, until at last, pressed hard b. Mausell—while the clever scoundrel

Horton stood aloof—Lady Pattenden went across to the little writing-table, and there scribbled a cheque for five thousand pounds, while Horton, on his part, appended his signature to the precious paper.

A few moments later tho pair in high •pints wero hurrying in the direction of Grosvenor Square where they wound a taxi, and drovo down to the Carlton, where Jimmy Jerningham was awaiting them in the smoking-room. Tho trio gleefully drank her ladyship's health, and then drove to Barclay's Bank in Vere Street, where- Horton presented tho cheque. As they did so, two men entered the Hank. One was Sir Herbert Pattende," —whom Horton, of course, did no I know. I

I Tho cashier handed over notes tc Horton in exchange for the cheque, when Sir Herbert's companion suddenly stopped up to Horton, and arrested him on a charge of blackmail, while outside throe other detectives arrested the pair seated unsuspectingly in the taxi. At the police station it was made plain that Sir Herbert, having his suspicions aroused that his wife's newlymado friend was not exactly what he had represented himself to be, had returned secretly to Stratheagles and kept watch. He had seen his wife with Jerningham, and also seen the man Horton, whom he had followed to London, and eventually discovered to be a well-known "crook."

Observation had been kept upon his movements,( and both Sir Herbert and the detective-inspector had been concealed behind a curtain in the drawingroom at Upper Grosvenor Street, and had listened to the scoundrel's threats of exposure, and had seen the poor, frantic woman draw her cheque to secure his silence.

An hour later, Sir Herbert, assuring Ethel of his complete confidence in her, revealed what he had done, whereupon she at once drove in her car to the police station, and, regardless of scandal, formally charged all three with conspiracy to blackmail, for which crime they were eventually sentenced at tho Central Criminal Court to five years' penal servitude, which welldeserved penalty they are still undergoing.