AT THE CALL OF HONOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14465, 3 September 1910, Page 3 (Supplement)

AT THE CALL OF HONOUR.

BY ARTHUR W. MARCHMONT, Author of "By Right of Sword," " A Dash for a Throne," ' When I "Was Tsar," "The Queen's Advocate." "An Imperial Marriage." " The Man Who Wai Dead," ■" Sarita. tho Carlist," Etc.. Etc.

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ABRANGEMENT

COPYRIGHT. CHAPTER XVIII. "IF ON'!A' I WIvRK I'KKK TO SPEAK.!' With a. strenuous effort- Ralph regained sufficient self-command U> reply with a steady voice. "I. have como to tell you, but I find it even more difficult, than I feared, he said. It was an awkward preface to his announcement, but he did not realise this until he noticed tho fresh alarm her eyes signalled. Then he made haste to add: "But what you see in my manner is* not caused by trouble. It is only—only perplexity. Ho stumbled over the choice of the word. Only perplexity? Oniy perplexity V" she repeated wonderinglv. She had kept her hand upon his arm, but withdrew it as she repeated the word for the second time. "I am glad it is no more than that." She shook her head slowly, her eyes, full of anxiety and questioning, fixed upon his. " It concern-' >i a great measure —Stephen Ross," he began, but was brought to a stop by her start of frowning surprise. There was a distinct ring of displeasure in her vi.ice as she answered : "1 am sorry to hear that. He has been here this afternoon. But he will not come again. I questioned him about everything, and—well, lie is not. likely to come again." She made the repetition with a somewhat contemptuous curl of the lip. Ralph winced. "That is very unfortunate," he murmured with a sigh. She started at the word. " Now you mystify me." "I am afraid I prejudiced you when I was hero this morning. I did not understand, or I should not have said what 1 did about him." " Do you mind if we leave him out of consideration?" "Wo cannot do that. Miss Bishop." *' Then I must tell you plainly that I do not wish to hear his name mentioned. I will never willingly see him again so long as I live. I have nothing but the deepest contempt. for liim. 1 think he must, have been drinking before he camo here to-day. He again asked me to marry him. and when I refused ho stooped so low as to try and force me to consent by threats, declaring that he knew those from whom I was in some danger, and that he could set them upon my track. This was said in his anger at learning that I knew of the deceit he had practised ; and of course lie accompanied it all with gross abuse of you." Ralph tossed up his hands in dismay. "Yet you must let me speak of him. Miss Bishop," ho said, after a pause. " 1 have no option. Let me tell you first what 1 have only to-day learnt about him. Stay, it will be best that I give you this letter to read. I received it. this morning from my father, and it will explain almost everything to you." Ho gave her the letter, and turned away as she opened it. She read it. to the end carefully, hut without, understanding that it concerned her. When she had finished she looked up. "Why did you give me this, Mr. Anstable? What is it to me'.' You cannot for an instant believo that any such knowledge of him would influence me?" she cried with no little indignation. "Or is it that you think I know my uncle's secretwho this Prince's grand-daughter is?" "Colonel Bishop told me that this afternoon." Something in his manner suggested the truth to her. She turned deathly pale. " Do you mean—?" she. faltered in a low, tense whisper, but could not finish the sentence. "1 thought you would have understood from that letter," he replied, his tune, as low as hers, and scarcely more steady. With a cry of distress and pain she hid her white face in her hands and fell back in her chair. Making a great effort for self-command. Ralph repeated what Colonel Bishop had said in regard to her marriage with Stephen. She gave no indication that she was even listening. She sat all the time with her face buried in her bands and for some* minutes after ho had ended. Tho long silence embarrassed him. At length she let her hands fall with a deep sigh, and looked at him intently. " And you, do you come to urge, mo to do this?" "It is not for me to say anything," he replied, disconcerted by tho unexpected question. "You mean it does not concern you in any way. But you told me. this morning I was to look upon you as a. friend. And, as my friend, do you think 1 should do it?" " I passed my word that I would not say anything to influence you in ally way." "Is that quite the act of a friend? You, perhaps better than anyone in tho world, know this man's character. Do you believo in your heart and on your honour that I ought to become his wife?" " I told Colonel Bishop you two had met under circumstances which were sure to impress you unfavourably, and that otherwise I should have felt it- only right to tell you something of the manner of man ho is." "That is belter!'' she exclaimed, with a sigh of relief. "But your advice?" "I can offer none. 'The decision is for you and you only to make. Nor should you decide without remembering that great issues depend upon your decision, far greater than those of any mere personal feelings and prejudices." " You are attempting to influence mo now," she cried m quick protest. " But I want your own judgment— your own belief, your own counsel.'' " You must not ask me, please. I— cannot answer." " Why not? My whole future is at slake, my happiness, everything. 1 despise this man ; ho is loathsome to me, his very presence offends me. Should 1 consent to do what I have already twice refused, merely because it suits the purpose of a bitter old man, who has never thrown mo even a thought until now he. finds I can be- of use for his political purposes? Shall I wreck every hope of peace and content, at his mere bidding?" Ho shook his head. "It is not for me to say." She thought for a moment or two, her look very serious. "If you had a sister, and she were, placed in such a position as mine, how would you have her decide?" His brows knitted in a frown of perplexity, his eyes clouded, and a sigh escaped him. "I am only too thankful to be spared such a responsibility," lie murmured. "Would you counsel your sister to marry such a man as this Stephen Ross?" He replied this time with a gesture. " I trouble you with these questions which you cannot answer. Well, I will ask no "more if you will simply say 'Yes' or 'No' to that last one. Would you have a sister marry Stephen Ross?" "I cannot answer; 1 cannot," he murmured again. She sat, chin on hand, looking intently at him until her face broke into a smile. "I think you have answered. Yes, I think I know." She got up and began to walk slowly up and down, speaking the while, with occasional pauses. "Let- us understand each other. You are my friend. I know that you saved 1.110 at the risk of your life, and I repaid you infamously with mistrust when this man came here with his lias. I will never mistrust you again in all my life. Weil, I. stand at the crisis of my life: and is it not natural that, when I know I have someone I can trust so completely, I should look to him for help and advice?" She paused and turned toward him. ' No, I don't want you to answer yet," she continued as ho was about to speak. " 1 want first to make you understand why I place so much reliance on your help. There is no one else in all the world to whom I can turn in such an hour as this. There is this old Prince. He drove my mother away from him by his harshness, and cut her out of his life, and then visited his anger 011 me, and would have left me to etarvc but for the kindness of others.

He finds he can use me, and accordingly orders mo to sacrifice myself in consideration of those family ties* which he himself has ignored for all my life. Can, I regard him as either a friend or impartial adviser?" Sho paused again, but did not look for any reply from Ralph. "There is my clear friend. Colonel Bishop, whom 1 have learnt to honour and love almost as a father. But can .1 say that his decision would be guided by thought for my personal happiness only? He tells you ho has lived to see me reinstated in what he deems my rights —the wealth and influence and dignity which this marriage would bring, that is. Things which are less than nothing to me. Would he set that purpose of his life aside —good, generous, loving friend as ho has been —merely because this Stephen Ross is a. 'mail of evil life and character? Would his advice he impartial?" Sho shook her head as the paused this time. "That is not how the world acts in such cases; besides, we know his an-swer-he would even bind you to his side. There is Madame Cleriot, too, of course; but sho has 110 opinions of her own apart from her brother. He dominates her, Besides, tho plea of ambition would appeal to both of them equally. No; you sec there is only you." She made another pause, and turned with a wistful smile to Ralph, who was infinitely moved by her appeal to his friendship, her earnest protestations of trust, and the picture she had drawn of her pathetic isolation. His heart was clamouring to read into her words far more than they expressed, and a desperate longing seized him to throw all else to the winds and give free rein to the love which fired his" blood and set his pulses beating madly. The battle between his passion and his judgment was fierce and searching. He sought with all the strength of his will to force himself to consider impartially how lie would have advised had she been what Colonel Bishop had at first said, a stranger to him. But. he was too ardent 111 his love for that to be possible. Urge her marriage with such a man as Stephen ho could not, nor, indeed, with any ol her. Trie silence continued a long while, and several times, as he sat wrapped in thought, she looked toward him as if wondering at his silence, and yet partly understanding the struggle in his mind. Presently, as if in obedience to an impulse, she crossed quickly and laid her hand on his shoulder. He looked up, and her gaze was so strained and appealing, and her manner so eloquent of implicit trust, that he thrilled at her touch and glance. " .May 1 tell you another reason why I appeal so confidently to you? You will not. take offence at my freedom?" sho asked . her voice gentle, pleading, and carnest. He could not trust himself to reassure her in words, but she read the answer in his eyes. "Of what avail is real friendship if it will not. stand the strain of perfect candour and frankness? 1 appeal to you, not only because you .are my one, disinterested friend, but also because there is that in your life which will make it. impossible for you to advise except from your heart. Forgive me if 1 say I know the necessity which is l>ehind your own marriage. You start, but do not think it is any mere idle purpose which makes me speak of it. There is the tie of sympathy between us born of this strange mutuality of experience- This Stephen Ross told me of your reasons to-day, and when I had stripped away the contemptible malevolence of his slanders, I could read the truth, because —I know you. I fear I have pained you. but I w.Tiit you to see what is in my heart. If you were free to choose you would not. thus wreck your happiness, and that, assures me you will hesitate to urge me, judging of my case by your own feelings. You see," she added with a wistful smile, "there is selfishness in my act as well as confidence. You are not angry that I use this freedom with you?" she asked, nervous at his silence. ' (loci forbid!" he exclaimed, his voice hoarse in its passionate earnestness. " 1 was sure of you," she answered simply, as she withdrew her hand and again turned away. "And now that we understand each other so fully, let us say no more." "Will you go to Darlingham and see my father--he is an old friend of the Prince?"' asked Ralph after another long pause. " I will go anywhere you wish," she agreed readily, " hut at present Madame Cleilot is too ill to leave here. She has quite broken down," and to the relief of them both they turned from the subject of the marriage to discuss the minor one of the change of address. In the, end it. was agreed that Rita should remain at. the flat tor the night, that Dr. Cotterell should bo called to Madame Cleriot at once, and that, if he vetoed the hitter's removal, Rita herself should see Colonel Bishop the. following day, and afterwards go down to Daviingham. Ralph drove at. once to Dr. Cotterell, and explained to him so much of the position as was necessary, and asked him to arrange that a couple of nurses should pass the night at the flat in order to prevent trouble should Stephen have been followed there and any attempt be made by Marini or any of his associates. Tho doctor readily greed, and then Ralph, reassured by this, returned to his chambers. Tho interview with Rita, had agitated him, and ho was anxious to be alone to think- Her implicit trust in him had swept every chivalrous chord in his nature, every instinct was in hot rebellion against the thought of her sacrifice to such a. ma i as Stephen, and the reference to his own miserable 'windage to Helen had moved him to the heart's core. His thoughts of Helen had never been so harsh and bitter as at that moment, and it was thus, with both dismay and ar.ger, that he found her waiting for him, out of temper and unusually agitated. "I have been waiting two or three hours for you, Ralph," she said angrily. "I have been very busy," lie replied, scarcely aide to keep his own temper under control. "If you had telephoned Denton would have told you I was out." "It is a pity there is no telephone at Drayton Gardens. I should disturb you, 1 am afraid, by ringing y < up if there had been." "Drayton Gardens?" he asked, suppressing his surprise. "Oh, don't pretend you have not, been closeted with that, woman again. I had a good mind to come and surprise you. 1 had the. right to." " Let us leave that subject alone," fie replied very sharply. " You think I do not know," she retorted with a significant laugh. He bit back the angry reply and changed the subject, to her evident disquiet. " 1 found the letter you left here this morning. I assume, of course, that you took it away inadvertently." "1 don't in the least- know what, you mean," she replied, with a show of anger to cover her confusion. " Very well. Then we'll leave, that subject alone also," ho said drily. " Why have you come now ?" " I want you to marry me. at once in order that 1 may be. sure you intend to give that woman up. I have a right to know that, at least." This was more than he could stand, and his answer was given with bitterness. " As you now know all the circumstances you will understand why I have to go there." " What circumstances? What is it you wish to insinuate ?" " Do you not know that my father has put this matter in my hands ?" he asked, with a searching look. She, paused, and then threw up her head. " Yes, I do." " How did you come to learn them ? No, don't answer the. question. I don't want to force any confession from you." " I want you to give me your word not to see her again. Ralph." " It is probable that after to-morrow I shall not. I am taking her to Darlingham to my father." "Why should you take her? Why you, of all men ? Stephen Ross could take her. Why do you want to interfere with him ?" " You are talking at random, Helen. I suppose he has been to you to pour out a story of his woes." "Is there any harm in that? If lie wishes to confide in me am I to send him away '! You don't discourage confidences. He did not take four or five hours over it."-

"I really don't tare if he took four or five years." " No, you never care where I am concerned. But you grudge mo as many minutes as you give this woman .hours. Will you do what I ask ?" " I am sorry we cannot agree better, Helen. It makes the future very dark and threatening. Let me suggest that we drop this subject now before either of us says anything we may both regret." ".Is that how you answer me ? I ask you to marry me at once, and—you tell me to go." " You can put it so if you please. It i is what I mean," he replied bluntly. I " So that you can be alone to think of her! You should know better than to j treat me in such a way. I may do things which will move even you." Denton entered with a couple of letters then, and when he had gone out Ralph said with more self-restraint: "Let us avoid an open quarrel, Helen. It can do no good, only harm. The date for our marriage is fixed, and try to believe that I intend to fulfil my promise to you both in the letter and the spirit." "Will you see me to-morrow?" " To-morrow ] cannot, but on the clay after I will." "Oh, of course, I forgot. To-morrow is devoted to that woman again. Well, I have warned you, Ralph, and if you drive mo further you must take the consequences." And with that she went out angrily. He stood a moment frowning and with pursed lips, and then, with an impatient shrug of the shoulders, ho threw himself into a chair and opened one of the letters Denton had brought him. It wan from Major Torosto, the Prince's emissary, and the purport was to ask Ralph to go to him at once. "So much the better, I suppose," he murmured. "If I were to see her again alone, and after what passed to-day, I might take the plunge and tell her everything. Oh, if only 1 wero free to speak!" CHAPTER XIX. A F.vrr.Kri, KKCOGXITION". The letter from tlio Prince's agent was somewhat apologetic in tone. He enclosed one from the Prince, and after referring to the importance of his mission and the need for haste, lie wrote : "I have had a very tiring journey and a very rough passage across lie Channel, and am rather seriously ' indisposed _in consequence. But His Highness has impressed upon me so strongly the urgency of the matter that I am most anxious not to lose any time. If I were able I should call upon you at once, but my doctor strongly protests against my venturing out to-night. May I ask you, therefore, to come and see me instead? If practicable, the young countess might accompany you ; but this as you find convenient. I am staying at the town house of my sister, the Hon. Mrs. Biekersteth, at the above address, 170, Curzon-street, Mayfair. If you are prevented from acceding to my request, will you be good enough to let me hear from you with another appointment? To-morrow 1 shall probably be well enough to call upon you. " With is in cere regret for having to trouble you thus, and a hope that- 1 am not seriously inconveniencing you, I am, etc." The enclosure from the Prince was very brief, just introducing Major Torosto, saying that he was fully authorised to act on His Highness's behalf, and thanking Ralph for what he had done. There was no reason why he should not keep the Appointment, and finding that the Hon. Mrs. Biekersteth was on the telephone at 170, Curzon-street, he rang up and said that he would be at the house in about an hour, thinking to use the interval to get a- hasty dinner. Then he opened the second letter. It was from Uascoyne, and contained a surprise. " I have "seen Miss Armstrong today. and after a long conversation she decided to see you at once and make a certain communication to you. She knows that I am writing to tell you this." A very unpleasant suspicion flashed across Ralph's mind as he read tho letter. Was the" knowledge that Uascoyne was to write to him the reason why Helen had waited so Ion;; in the chambers? Had she come, with the object of getting possession of his letter? A glance at the postmark showed him it had been posted at one o'clock, so that it should have been delivered much earlier than he had received it. ... Had Denton been tampering with it? He called him in and asked when the two letters had been delivered. " I hope I didn't do wrong, sir," was the man's reply, delivered with some hesitation. "One was delivered about five o'clock., the other just when I gave it to you. I — thought, after what you said about that registered letter yesterday, that I would prefer to put all letters straight into your own hands, sir." It was not surprising that Denton should suspect Helen after what had occurred, but the position was intolerable. "You meant well, no doubt, but don't do it again, Denton." said Ralph, sharply. The fact remained, however, that if the letter had not been kept back Helen would have had an opportunity to get it. It was a hateful thought, but her own act had prompted it. What could the communication be of which Gascoyne spoke? She had made none. She had given as the reason for her visit that she had come to ask him to marry her at. once in order to prove that he had ended all association with Rita. Was that true? How could it concern a man like Gascoyne to hasten on the marriI age with Helen? He was almost a stranger, and it would be a downright impertinence for him to interfere. In the midst of these disquieting thoughts Denton came in to say that Harefield wished to see Ralph. The detective had recovered much of his usual self-complacent assurance, and was able to laugh over his discomfiture at the hands of Marini. "I shall get my own back yet," he said confidently. * I came to see you this morning, Mr. Anstable, but missed you. • You said you wished to have a different part of the affair investigated, von remember, and as you were not here I went back to havo another peep at. our friends in Oer-vaiso-street. There's something doing there, sir, I'm sure of that. Three or four new callers there. I managed to snsp some of them, and here they are," lie said, taking out the photographs. "This one is one of the leaders in the thing, I'm sure," and he handed it to Ralph. "He had a motor-car waiting for him some distance away —in Solio Square, in fact—and I followed and got him just as lie was stepping in." "You only got the profile, I see." said Ralph, scrutinising the photograph, "but it is a good likeness, 1 should think. It's a masterful face, too, and not easily forgotten. But I have never seen him." "Oh, he's top dog in that bunch, right enough." replied Harefield positively. "I could tell that by the manner of the others. My belief is that he went to Gervaieestreet to see that everything was ready. When he came out he was talking earnestly to Marini—giving orders. I swear— Marini, who bluffs it over the rest, was kow-towing no end. That's why I say things are coming to a head there." " I'd give a. good deal to know what it is. But they'll have to be quick. Before this time to-morrow I shall be able to call checkmate, and I don't see that anything could possibly be dene to-night. Wait a moment. We'll make that certain. Set two men, the best you have, to watch this flat all night," and Ralph wrote down Rita's address. "On second thoughts, do it yourself, Mr. Harefield. It was this young lady. Miss Bishop, they tried to get hold of before. I'll give you a note to her, so thatyou may be aide to recognise her. If there's any trouble, get to the bottom of it, use the police if necessary, and let me know instantly. I havo an appointment about the matter to-night, and it may be a lengthy one. If you want me, come to 170, Curzonstreet, Mayfair. It is the Hon. Mrs. Bickersteth's house, and I am going there to see a Major Torosto, who has arrived today from Italy on this business solely." "I'll do it all right, Mr. Anstable." "There's another point." Ralph fetched the former photographs and picked out that of Stephen and Gascoyne. " Have you seen cither of those in Gervaise-etreet to-day?" "No." said Harefield, shaking his head emphatically. "Well, have a sharp look out kept for this one," indicating Stephen, "and if ho goes there- have him shadowed closely, and make sure whether he is followed." "I'll get off at once, Mr. Anstable. 170, Curzon-street, you said? I sha'n'fc forget. " (To be continued on Wednesday next.)