The Diamond Necklace.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11960, 15 October 1924, Page 4

The Diamond Necklace.

j CHAPTER Xm—Continue*. The baron looked his sallow self — | big blue beard, squat figure, piggish, ■ pin-point eyes, immaculate grooming, and his eternal cigarette in the amber gold-tipped holder. i “How do you do, baron?” I said I briskly. | “My dear Mr Daunt ”he began almost with tears in his voice. ' I turned to make sure the cashier had shut the door behind him. We were .alone. “Just omit-all such talk, sir,” T. told him bluntly “But 1 am so grateful, Mr Daunt—“l don’t want your gratitude . In fact, I don’t want anything of you. iOxcuse- me if I seem curt about it. Good morning I” I swung on my heel to leave the room. He caught me softly by the. arm. “Ar you sur you don’t want anything from me?” he queried, smiling sardonically . “Hojv did you know I was here?” 1 “You forget my affairs keep me at the Bourse a great deal. I saw you get a cab a little while ago. I followed you here, and waited, because I fancied you would be occupied. But 1 was not surprised l to see you in Paris. Doctor Gourd told me this morning that he crossed with you.” “Well,” I said, after a pause, “I’m sorry I’m busy; but I’ll have to bid you good morning.” He stepped in my path apologetically, arnd winked up at me., “I ask a thousand pardons, Mr Daunt, but, as Mr Vail and hie daughter are incommunicable ' [• He paused. I remained silent. “I must come to you, their most intimate friend, almost a member of the family ” “Yes, yes; I understand,” was my abrupt interjection. “I'am convinced, sir, that I have the absolute clue to the recovery of the necklace which was stolen from the' Countess Dortechagin that night at Mr Vail’s' house.” “My, respected Baron Pavroff,” I told him, with a smile, “if you have that due I advise you to cling to it.” “Do you mean to inform me that

you are not interested?” “Why should I be? I never wanted it, nor did the Vails. Mr Vail nearly killed himself trying to secure it for you and the Countess Dortschagin. So I say, if you have such a clue—why, cling to itl” “But Mr Vail, his daughter, and his son are held responsible for the necklace. And it is a dangerous time to be in Europe and have such* responsibility. Do you read the papers? What was trouble.before, now will be disaster. Do you comprehend?” “I tell you, Baron Pavroff, I refuse absolutely to deal with you in this matter.” I brushed him nut of the way like a rubber . hall, and pulled the knob at Jthe door; ' .1 ; “Foojjf,’ angrily. “I was your fool once,” I retorted.' “Good mo'rning!” Before taking any luncheon, I visited various shops and bought myself all the clothes I thought necessary. Then, having had them packed in a brandnew kit-bag, I returned' to my hotel. I had a chop served in my room, and sat waiting expectantly for some message from Sir Arthur at three o’clock. None came. I remembered Doctor Gourd’s request that I should meet him in Notre Dame at five; hut had no slightest intention of going / there. My mind had room only for the interest and work of Sir Arthur. At four o’clock I received a cable message from Mr Stokes. It was in answer to mine of that morning. 1 Have not known for several days whereabouts of Vail and Jessica. Ascertain if possible. CHAPTER XIV. Nor did any word come from Sir Arthur Cooch at six o’clock and none ,at nine. I did not dare, to leave the, hotel, qxcept to take short walks, lest he send for me at an hour other than the ones he named. , Three .whole days I waited, thus, and £,ot no sign from him. The suspense would not have been so great a strain .n my nerves, had it. not, been, that l was gnawed with the desire to find out what had become of Jessica and lier father! On the fourth day I decided to act against Sir Arthur’s orders. He bade me sit tight and wait instructions. It was my understanding that J. was not even to try to communicate with toe hospital without first hearing from ham. I watched the papers carefully—indeed, I had time enough on my hands to read them all, including the advertisements. The veiled allusions to the impending downfall of a certain kingdom continued,,, and became less obscure. There were no further. reports of Sir Arthur. So on the fourth day of what was practically captivity in the hotel, I took matters in my own hands and telephoned the hospital for news of the wounded hanker. They told me he had progressed so rapidly toward recovery that he was' able the day previous to be taken to a private nursing heme. To have the name and location of the home it would be necessary for me to present myself in person to the chief physician of the house staff. This was, of course, an impossibility for me. Having been at the hotel all this time, I had by now arrived at the point of tension where I felt it was risky even to leave the building. No matter what migint happen, 1 would bo found at my post. At half-past seven that night a card was brought” to me, and I read the nemo of Baron Pavroff. I told the page to say I was not in. He left the card on the table and went away. I picked up the card and was about to tear it up and throw it into the grate when I saw written on the back: “See Baron Pavroff. Arthur Cooch.” I studied the handwriting carefully, and made Bure it was not forgery; then I dashed out of the room. 1 ran down the stairs, and had got to the second story', when I came face to

Powerful Novel of Love, Mystery and Sensation.

A •TORT OF INTERNATIONA!. INTRIGUE AND ADVENTURE,

1 . BY .

S RICHARD 1 DUFFY.

H«b«r of j “Ha la £sflC | it I

face with the .V- ki himself, puffing a little, but oH" .wise unruffled. ‘ ‘Escaping, ■ - coming to meet me ?’ ’ he demanded with a chuckle. “I did not see the handwriting oh the back of your card till the boy had gone.” “It did not seem like you to disobey your superior, Mr Daunt.” 1 “We’ll ring for the elevator here, X said impassively. “I'm on the top floor. Unless we oan talk down“ln the room I should prefer to see you,” he returned, “because I want you to get your ■ coat and come out with me.” As soon as we had closed the door, he drew a letter from his pocket, and, offering it to me, said : “Will you please consider my credentials?” It was a brief note, not written, though signed by Sir Arthur Ooocli, who desired me to understand that the baron was engaged for the mbment in the interest of Sir Arthur. I was to co-operate with him; use my own judgment: but show him the respect am} cordiality his position and information demanded. “I obey orders,” I observed, and put the letter in my wallet. j “We work together,” he returned; smiling with a gentle air of conquest. “Are you ready to do?” I jumped into my coat, got my hat and gloves, and we went down to thA first floor. ; “I have a car waiting,” said the baron, and five minutes later we were crossing the Place de la Concorde in a limousine. The baron smoked, and was silent. I looked out of the window, and saw we were .going up the Avenue des Champs Elysees. Many disturbing questions rose in my mind, hut I squelched them;. I haduny orders. The building before which- we stopped was an apartment house of the most expensive class. We were admitted into u drawing-room on the second floor that was dainty and luxurious as a jewel casket. The baron was correct in evening clothes. I felt my walking suit was hardly in order, but that was another question I did not allow to trouble me.. We had Hardly taken our .seats when in came the Countess Dortschagin, dressed just as I had seen her a few days ago. She was even more splendid in her beauty under the tempered glow of the lights, in the room. She greeted the baron' as though it Was an ordinary occurrence to see him. Me she- overwhelmed’ with welcome, and alluded, to the. long time since we had seen each other before. Magnificent, liar!” I said inwardly, but received her greeting with cordiality. “You did not come at five, baron,” she said, to him,-not reproachfully, but as a mere statement of fact. “It was impossible,” Pavroff replied. “That is why I have brought Mr Daunt to-night.” "Oh!” she murmured, and begged us to.be seated. _ It was my conjecture 'she had no notion she was going to see me. “Mr. Daunt is to accompany us on our journey?” she inquired. “That is the wish of Sir Arthur Cooch,” the baron said. “I am pleased,” the countess exclaimed softly, and smiled, showing her fine, sharp teeth. “I am ready.” “A few moments, I beg of yon, countess.” the baron interposed, ns she stood up. She reseated herself.

“It will be necessary for us all to get into touring clothes ” “To ride an hour at most? How fussy you are, baron.” “You are a poor judge of distances, countess,” said Pavroff, and laughed. They looked hard at each other for all this apparent badinage, and I divined that there was something m the air about which the countess had not been preinformed. I felt sure of it on hearing her return. “As poor as you are of time. It is a quarter to nine, and I was looking for you and your protege at five.” I wondered who the baron’s protege might he “Be is to , meet us here,” Pavroff explained. “If it 's a quarter to nine —and I have found' him always punctual ” The baron never finished the sentence, for at that instant a bet! rang somewhere in the distance. All three of us acted automatically in listening. A servant entered with a card. He offered it to the countess. She glanced at the card, and bade the servant show it to Pavroff. The baron picked it up, and scrutinised l it. “It’ is correct,” he said. The servant went out, and re appeared directly, announcing: “Monsieur Henry Vail.” Into the room, stepping lightly, and smiling, advanced my impostor, the man who had- fled through the window from Dir. Gourd’s house in Mayard street and taken with him my overcoat and hat. Ho was presented to the countess and then to ir,e. 1 saw his face go white as I saluted him with a constrained bow. “Mr Vail,” the baron said, “yon have 'probxhly [heard of—in fact, 1 thought you must know—Mr Daunt. However, he is to b;e of our party.” “We don’t want too y people",” Vail remarked quickly. “It is the express wish of the person for whom I act that Mir Daunt accompany us. ’' “How many are wo?” the newcomer asked. > • “We four. m “What, a woman! I’m sorry, madam®, but it’s impossible for you to come.” The young man was courteous in. his tone, but emphatic in wliat he meant us to understand. “My dear ;oung American,” the baroness remarked scorchmaly, “you have the delusion, I. see, that this is only your affair. I admit, it is unusual for a woman to travel in this way, and I assure you I am quite miserable away from my maid.” Yet I desire to impress your mind- with this fact: I have done more, and shall always do as much, in the service of my country.” “Sh! Sh! ’ ’ Pavroff whispered. “If you please, countess—” “Baron.” »ha snapped, “what kind

of boor is this you bring to my house? He never stops to take off his coat, stands like a watchdog in the middle of the floor, and presumes to give orders about our affairs!” ! Pavroff stood up, and cried plaintive- ; !y ■ “My dear countess, one moment, please.” ’ She was stalking out of the room, saying angrily: “I won’t stand itl I won’t stand it!” I The Baron kept saying louder and i louder: j “One moment, please.” Finally the man they called Henry i Vail, raising his voice above theirs, I fairly shouted: > “Stop your jabbering!” In tho midst of this uproar I thought I heard the distant bell ring again,; I but, as the servant did not appear, ( I. saidl to myself I must have imagined ! The countess was about to tear open the folding doors when Henry Vail stepped in her way and glared at her. “I don’t want to seem peevish,” lie said: “but madame, you must remember I hold the high card in this game.” “I am sure, my dear countess,” Pavroff pleaded, “that if we sit down and ddsc-uss the matter calmly, we shall reach a decision satisfactory to both , 6ides.” 'My position in the matter was of particular vantage. There was nothing for me to say. I could listen and watch with all the ■ attention of which my i high-keyed nerves were capable. I think there was not. a detail of the ! furnishing in the room that my eyes did not take in, any more than they missed a change of expression in the three contestants. Elver so often, for some mysterious reason, I found myself looking at the folding doors, which were of wood, and closed to tight as to form practically a wall. I could not forget the sound 1 of the bell I fancied I had heard; and as the talko f the three became quicker and more intense, I was sure I saw the line where the doors joined' grow broader, as if- they were being parted by a hair’s breadth. Then, again, as nothing came of it, I concluded that long staring at doors made me imagine the joining line was broader. All the while, I followed closely that strange talk, in which .1 qouldl take no P Evidently Pavroff and the so-called Henry Vail had been preparing for this meeting during' several days. I gathered, too, that Henry Vail was not putting himself at the disposal of the baron for nothing. He finally yielded the point that the countess should he of the party, hut balked the proceedings again by insisting that Pavroff make a settlement with him in advance. “What do you mean to say?” the liaron asked excitedly. “Just this,” Henry Vail answered coldly. ‘T know where the Princess Eleanora is. If any other person knew you would not have been at so much pains to get hold of me. I can take you to her, and you, Baron Pavroff, having the proper credentials, T ran assure you she will oome with us, making no trouble whatever, and go straight to her people. I have spent time, money, and taken chances of all kinds of sudden death to perfect my plan. “You know yourself that a man might just as well take a live' wire in his hand, as have anything to do with her or her family in the present state of things. But I have my nerve with me, and will have until the end. Only, first, I want my reward —the necklace I” “The necklace!” Countess Dorischagin echoed sharply. “You silly boy, why don’t you ask him to give you the moon?” I did not know whether Pavroff had tried to dicker with Henry Vail before speaking to mo that day in the bank about the necklace, but it did strike me as worth notice that the countess should speak thus. If.'Pavroff was dose enough to recovery of the necklace to he able to attempt negotiations for its return. I should have thought it only natural the countess would know as much as he did about it. Her remark infuriated Henrv Vail beyond bounds. He turned on Pavroff. “Do you hear what she says?” he cried. (To be continued.)