THE MAN OF A HUNDRED MASKS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14002, 7 September 1907, Page 2

THE MAN OF A HUNDRED MASKS.

[Published by Spscial AirangcmotiU

By W. A. MACKENZIE, Author of "The Bite of tie* Leech," "llij ' Mnjesty's Peicoolt," " Tho Droxol Dr«Mn," "In the House of the Eye," "Ths Gliltcrinj_ Bond," Ac., &o, ' / [Coptmqht.] . CHAPTER XVIII (Continued).—Mß SACHEVGREL'S visitors. Ho left the room, and returned, presently followed by the • unshaven organgrinder we havo already seen in Cavug'nari's hovel in Saffron Hill. " Tho first of your guests, Mr Armour," said Zucchi. "Not pleasant to look upon, and, not pleasant to deal with, The., others aro now coming upstairs." As he spoko Bassendyne entered, immediately followed by tbo fat little restaur-ant-kecpoc (who trotted in as if ho were carrying an omelette soufllce, and feared it would "fall" before he could servo it), and tho grey-wlnskercd music teacher.

Armour sat shivering in his chair. He heard the clock of tho Law Courts strike 7,: and tho clock of the Middle Templo Hall give tardy respomj. Theto was 'dead eiljnce, in tho room. "There is some admirable whisky in that t quphoard," iiid Zucohi; " got it out."'

/ The:' organ-grinder obeyed; the nod, and net out glasses. " pentlcmen," went on Zucclii, when he had-lit another cigarette, "let mo present to you Mr John Joseph Armour,.Mo (stockbroker, and our future comrade. Mere yon seo him in his character of a respectable solicitor; his name is on tho door. You behold him here in his famous impersonation of Mr Arthur Saehevercl, who is quito another pair of boots from John.Joseph—or, for the matter of that-, from- Jacob Cirpmael, mortgage-broker, House Chambers; or Lancelot Armour, retired millionaire farmer, of Queensland, all of whom this gentleman who, at the moment, closely resembles ati unhealthy fruit-jelly, represents in his own tin-soaked person. Lei us Geo your real features, Armour." Willi brutal contempt Zucchi leaned forward imd twitched off, with no gentle hand, the chief it-cms of tho disguise. " A gentleman who_can assume so many characters, and keep them up more or less thoroughly, ought to bo an acquisition to our companionship. My idi'n is'that under •proper surveillance ho ought to be invaluablo to us. It is for that rcoeon that I havo called you together hero in such hitste.

"Let me toll you moro fully why you havo been summoned together so hastily. "In that room 011 our right—Mr Armour's studio I call it—there is a. long knifo of tho finest; manufacture and tlio be6t-tenipored steel. That knifo our friend Armour intended for mo; is that not.so, Armour? " For the first tirno the miserable man spoke. "It was and it is, you infernal devil!" came from a throat hoarse with passion. "That sounds sincere," laughed Zucclii. "Thero is also in that room a Saratoga trunk. That was intended for my mortal remains. A Carter-Paterson's man canio to take my pallid corpse to Victoria, thonco to bo shipped to Brighton. Fortunately for 11s all " ''All" did not seem to think it so fortunate; without exception all would havo been glad to know that Zucchi was making tho lugubrious journey to Brighton, ; " Providianco watched over mo. If you 1 like, aay that the devil looked after his own. But to business. " John Jtsepli Armour's hands must bp tied. Wo could kill comfortably, but 110 is too useful; ho can bo mado useful to us. Therefore, I mean to mako him one of us. Ho will not lift a hand against his brethren; wo know too much about him. It should not bo disagreeable to liim to join us, seeing that on at least one occasional Defer to the murder of Mite Stella Gordon—this is tho ardoit stranglcr, gentlemen—ho thought so well of us that ■ho adopted our sign-manual to decorate his work. Ho had no right to uso tho Black .Hand j from this ovening, gentlemen, ho shall liavo tho right. "Wo .wo agreed?." If they did not agTee, they, did not disagree: Zucchi's -word was law, and no 0110 wns fool enough to question tho least of his decisions. " Yes," went on Zucchi, " I think we are all agreed. It would bo strange if >re wero not: wo nro a liap'py family. I don't think our friend has any objections to make?" Wlmt could Armouveay? Was overman in oiloh strange situation? Tho sccrots of his existence had been ferreted, out by malofactoia cloverer tlian he; they held him in their grip; they could "give him away" at any moment; to keep their silcnce he must submit. Ho bowod his head in assent, while he mado the mental reeervation that he would shake himself free of them as quickly as possible. Criminal he was, and doubtless criminal he would continue to tie. but he prefcVrid to be a " lone baud " rather than one of a company of cut-throats and bandits, 011 the principle that it is better to be master than num.

" Our friend agrees," said Zucchi. " Otir friend is a wise man, You will now consider yourself, Mr Armour, as n. member of our organisation. You expect, doubtless, that you have to go through somo terrifying form of initiation, that you havo to take despsrate oaths, and so on. Wc use 110 limelight. We have 110 need of swearing-in or blood-letting. We leave all that- Gort of gimcrnckerv io boys who have been fod on penny blood 6 and to secondrate novelists who cultivate a fictitious ■reputation of biing 'ochind the scencs.' Our power is greater than any conferred by 'fudge.' iictray u» and you die: rather, think of betraying us, and you die—for tho blow will fall before yc'.i havo time, to' open your lips. On tWt head I need say 110 more. You havo had some knowledge of our power to-night. Think of your knife, of your Saratoga trunk, of your Cartor-l'ateraon's man—and ask how good must be the system of espionage that reckoned with all the little -bits of your plot.

" From jiewly-elcctcd members our organisation always demands some proof of dovotion, of what our friends across the Channel call 'solidarity.' Chance lias it t'hht your opportunity comes early. In this envelope is the name of a young lady. She lias offended the friend of one of us. Who olTomlfi our friends offends us: sho is to die. You have had Bonie little experience 'with the fair sex. Armour: let it serve you in good stead now. If you take more than four-and-twenty hours to cxeculo the orders of the J!lnck Haiul wo shall think little of yoirr real.

"I think/' said Zucchi, turning to the Honourable George, "that youi* friend van Alstcr will be pleased when sho hears who is to do the deed." John' Joseph Armour took tlie_ envelope mechanically. It was of the ordinary six-a-penny kind, but the flap was sealed down'with whito wax, on which was impressed the Black Hand of the league of bandits, . " The knife you meant to use to-Bay you can uso to-morrow," laughed Zucchi, significantly, and waited for an answer, . "I will," said Armour, meaning something quite different. "You can open tho envelope when we are gone." » » * » 4 » "-Where'nro you going?" said' Zucchi to Basscndyno as they'turned into Fleet street. "To tho Thespis," was the answer. "Ah, to tell van Alstcr! She must havo a tight' hold on you, that- little madwoman! What is it?" "I prefer to keep that to myself, thank you." . • "If I 6aid 'emeralds' would I be near it?" "You 'devill" " You flatter me, Good-night-. I'm going east.'" John Joseph Armour opened tho envelopo and rend. There were bub four word?: " Margaret Armour; Thespis Theatre." He twiddled t-lle slip of paper between his fingers for full (ivo minutes mechanically, and as if lie sought to wrest Eome meaning out of the mere paper. Then ho 'began to weep. CHAPTER XIX.—MIMI'S CUP 01? i HAPPINESS OVERFLOWS. There," art at least two commenduble ways" of getting out'of a hole. You bora your <vay through, or you back out. Ordinarily it is the latter method that is adopted by the majority of sensible foil:. Hacking out has its disadvantages, it is true, in that during the process of retrogression you, aro liable to a-,rear attack; (nit if the action is executed sifiiciently swiftly you generally get off with slight hurt. Mr James Magruder tried to think out a means of boring his way through—that is, a means of keeping the cash he had received from Mr Lancelot "Armour, and at tho same time snapping his fingers at tho law. Hut tho t-imo at. his. disposal was cant.. Most- reluctantly, and greatly to his disgust, ho was forced to "retrogress " instead of " progress." By di'nt of sundry visits , to various uncles he raised' the sum demanded by half-past 5, and at fivo-minutes to 6 o'clbck ho was-at t-hq Hotel Russell. Simpkins, who had been dcepatohed thither by Mr Armour, was waiting wearily in tho office. ! "You young swine!" was Mr Magruder's friendly greeting. ~ "Stop it!" said Simpkins. "You call ino any more names and I'll 'avc the law of'you. 'And over tils'tin and git! " "If I had you back in Essex street " " Don't you wish you 'ad?" "I'd break every measly bono in your carcase." "Try it oil 'ere." "As it is " "It's striking 6 o'clock, so you'd better fork otit before it's too late. Come oil — the blunt!" " I must have a receipt." Simpkins produced a grimy slip of paper ifom' his pocket. Ho regarded it as if it were-a masterpiece of art, as indeed it was—of tho impressionist order, for what with blots and smudges and heavilyoutlincd ornamental capital letters it inigHt 'haf« passed at some little distance 'for a black-and-white reproduction of a Pissarro or a Sisley. "Got one ready for you," lie said. "Give it to me." ' "Terms, cash in advance," said Simpkins.

"Ton rip, yon—" "I'll call a witness if you don't stop slinging abuse, and I'll 'ave you up for definition of character."

Mr James Magmdi?r passed,an envelope. Simpkin opened it, took out the notes it contained, rustled them between his lingers aG if he were a paying cashier, eyed tliem suspiciously, sniffed at them, smolled at tlwm. and finally bestowed them in an inner ppckct. Then, and only ■ then, did ho present his receipt, duly stamped. • It was a curiosity: — Ileceivcd from Jimmy Magrooder, Privat Cap, the sum of Twenty Powr.ds (£2O) bilked from Lanslut H.irmer. (Signed) 'Mr Hknery Simhuns. And. with'that- friend Magrnow had to bo satisfied,' or as nearly satisfied as 110 could be under the insolent circumstances. "Very well, Henery Simpkins," lie grunted, as ho buttoned his frock coat over tho;picturesque document; "you wait and sen! how you'll be paid out; you and your precious master. Tell-him I'.snid so; tell him I said so. I'm. not done with him yet, iibr with you, neither,' my young cock sparrow," "Nono 0' your threats, Jimmy," retorted Simpltins, "or I shall summon the lawr.. There's a pal 0' mine on point dooty 011 the Square. Yoii git on 'ome and bully your own kids, for you can't bully my dad's son." ' Mr James Magruder backed out for the sccond time that day. Ho walked along Soutjiampton row. Ho entered a bar at the corner "of Theobald's road, and called for six of Irish cold. While consuming it slowly,-'"with the air of a man who was making the most of his last, drink, boforo taking, the pledge, he ruminated deeply. An idea had struck him. He never let go an idea until he had titriiedi it this way and that, until ho had examined it' from every pcf-sible point- of view, until he had squeezed it to sco if by any chance it. held at its coro even the meanest coin of the realm. Suddenly, after about half an hour's cogitation, ho seized his glass, drained it at otio gulp, and dashfd it. down 011 tho counter with tho muttered exclamation, " I guessed I knew him." The noise of the clattering glass brought the barman with "Yes, sir," and Mr Magruder,' after moment's, hesitation, ordered another, six of Irish ' cold. This unwonted liberality argued rosy visions; Mr Magruder was surely looking down a pleasant vista. Ho wins. He saw how he was going to get back on Mr Lancelot Armour and, indirectly, on Henry Simpkins. Not much to bo pieascd about, you. may-say. Wait and see; hnrrv no man's cattle. Looking, at his watch, which was, chainless—the gold curb Was with an nnclc— he noted that the hour was 7. Leaving the bar, ho made bis way swiftly by Hart, street ami Shaftesbury avenue to the Thespis Theatre. Ho hung about the stage door, eagerly scanning tho faces of the stresses who wero hurrying in to dress. Margaret Armour came up the narrow cemented alley. Mr Magruder swept off his hat and saluted llcr profoundly.

" Miss Armour, a matter of t-lio most urgent importance." .

She stopped aud look at him half-(rightt-nedly. Sho had not quite recovered her nerve after tho painful scenes of the afternoon, and sho feared that this cada-verous-looking man was tho bearer of ill tidings. "Who aro you?" 6he stammered. "My name is Magrnder. I am a private detective.". , Margaret shivered. "Detective" was a word that- in her ears could not at the moment sound pleasantly. "I wish to havo a few moments' confidential conversation with you. It is most important." "Tome?" , "To both of us, if I may mako go bold." "I will give you four minutes." Sho entered Pratt's box. "Is the guv'nor in' his room?" sho asked, i " '• " No, Miss Armour. 'E ain't oome yet." " I can use it then. I want- to talk to this gentleman." l'ratt could deny her nothing. In a couplo of minutes sho was alone with Magruder, ~~ "Pleaso bo quick," she said'; "I have barely time' to dress." "I am a man of few words," boasted Magruder. "Three or four days ago I received, a visit from 'a 'gentleman, who had just- arrived from the colonies. Ho commissioned me to hunt out- for him-Mim Margaret Armour, dnughter of the late— in a word, your father's daughter. As a matter of fact"—Magriiders m&tters of fact were invariably-'matters of fiction— "I could havo told him t-hero and then where 'to find you, but something about my man told me to go slow. His face soamcd familiar to me, and' as' most of the faces familiar to mo are -those of confirmed criminals I wished to' spa.ro you any annoyance, if-my surmises were right, I promised to find you for him, and I set my .wits to work. I-tried to remember who my man was. Only this evening havo I succeeded in recalling him, and I hasten to warn you that' lie has discoveredl you himself,' and l - that very likely you will hear from him perhaps this evening. Ho calls himself Lancelot' Armour,' and says he is your uncle:" . " I havo already seen him," murmured Margaret, wondering painfully what was to come next. ' r " You have seen him? Ah, he's a sharp one! He doesn't let the grass grow under his feet. And lie calls himself your uncle?" ' ■ ' "Yes." "Did he give you any proof of his identity? " "A friend of mine accompanied-Jiim to the office of the Agent-general for Queensland to have his identity established." "You havo hoard nothing since?" "No." ■ " And you are not likely to." "But it was he himself who offered to go there." ' Ah, ho is sharp! He's better furnished than I expected Well, miss, if I were to tell you that your Mr. Lancelot Armour is a- notorious -criminal who has been wanted by the police for tho last 15 years what would you say?"

Margaret could say nothing, for her, head was whirling. The clectric candelabra, depending from the ceiling, seemed to take on the proportions of an August-noonday sun, and to be burning into her head. She hoard the roar of waters, in her oars, and her heart leaped wildly'in lier breast and then stood still. She fainted.

To do Magruder justice, he was no sluggard. ■ Half the theatre was in the room in a minute. The great Kobartes arrived at tho moment, and the incoming 'audience was searched for a doctor. ' One .was found, and he gave instructions that Miss Armour should at orico' be taken to -lier home. She was lifted unconscious into a cab andwhirled, away to Maple Mansions in charge of her dresser. We mar leave her there for a little, tended by tfe" faithful Brinch, while we return to the Thespis Theatre to take note of 'what- was riassing there.

Miss' van Alster was busy dressing when a tap sounded on her door, and her attendant, answering, brought in a note bronchi by a special messenger boy.': . "The affair is arranged.—Gkorce." That was all.

It. was enough, however, to muso Miss van Alster's pulses- to be.it madly and to make her jump up from Iho mirror before which she was.seated' "making up," and execute a, fantastic fandango. " Hooray! Hooray! " she cried in her shrill eaglet voice, '. "Good news, miss?" said her dresser, placidly, as one used to the vagaries of the "young ladies." "The best hews—the finest news—the loveliest nirais"—only sho called it- " noos" that I've ever gotten." And' sho fell a-kissing the scrap.of paper. Toddy burst into the roonv breathless.

"Armour's ill!" lie icriod. "Change [or tho Dear Girl," ' r

Mimi 'caught her breath. George was keeping his promise, with a vengeance. "The affair is arranged,"-i'slic muttered to herself, "and p.d.q., too." It would be impossible to describo the maelstrom of conflicting euiolionri- in which Mimi van Alster found herself circling. Thoro was joy at lier own triumph, there was rejoicing over the .downfall of, Margaret, there was curiosity to know what, had happened, there was hope that she would bo a wild success, i there was hate of Margaret, thoro was even spnio affection for the Honourable George—there was a little of everything,' a,ml all by)such lightning- alterations that the. spitfire in petticoats did not- know if shc;was stand--ing on her head or her heels, ' After a copious piquro of morphine she went on as the Dear Girl after. Mr Robartes had apologised) for the absetic'e, through indisposition, of Miss Armour. "Miss Armour's place will be taken by Miss Mimi van Alstor, for whom I crave your indulgence." "Van Alster "—that name sank like a pollet of hot- lead into the brain of one man in the audience—a.man.sitting.at the j.back of the dress circle, a'mail' who had with but raro exceptions seen every pci;formaitce of the "Dear Girl" since the first night, now historical. One night lie would ho in the'stalls, another in. the gallery. The miin was John Joseph Armour. Van Alster! He remembered that name. SiUcclii had spoken it. John Joseph Armour sat out- the performance until half an hour from the end. Then ho got up, and, leaving the theatre, entered the Cafe de l'Europe. There he called for pens, ink, and paper, and-wrote a care-fully-considered letter. Miss Mimi van Abler was - receiving moro or less genuino compliments on her rendering when the letter was hamfed lo her. It.was headed "Private and Confidential." and these words were heavily underlined fivo times, like a Government urgency whip:— '

Dear Madam (it ran),—A -well-known. London manager who has witnessed your pcrformnnco to-night wishes to open negotiations with you with a view to your appearance at his theatre as leading lady. As he wishes to remain unknown, should tho offer ho is prepared to make rest unaccepted, ho has empowered mo to treat with vou. I

regret having to ask you to call ono me, but I am unaware of. your private address. Will yon. therefore, mako it convenient to be at my office, ?fo. •—, Mansion House Chambers, to-morrow morning at noon? I may say that the offer to be madi?. you is in every way worthy of so brilliant an actress. Madam, I have. the honour to be, your obedient servant,

Jacoh Caupjiakl: r.S.-Abovo all, not a word of this to anybody. My client is a rival of Mr George Robartcs.—J. C. The cup of Minii van Aljster's happiness was overflowing. * Would she go? Would she not?

CHAPTER XX.—A TALK IX THE QUIET TEMPLE. Lucian Falconer left the office of the Agent-general for Queensland fully persuaded that his companion was Lancelot Armour, brother of Jolin Joseph, and uncle of Margaret. The Agent-general, Sir Howard Tavernar, a man about whose word, about whose integrity, there could be no "shadow of doubt whatever," declared that Lancelot- Armour was Laneolot

Armour; that ho had known him for moro than 12 years; and that he was a man of consideration in liio colony. What could be moro convincing? Tlio two men (lined together at the Cavour. Over tlio bisque d'ecrovisses talk had begun, and by the time coffeo and liqueurs .wero reached Lancelot Armour was au courant with all the strange story as far as Falconer knew it.

"My boy."' said Armour, expansively, "I like you. Yon'ro.an honest young chap. I can see that much with one eye shut. There's nothing I like like honesty, I will say more, even after so short an acquaintances as ours has been there's no man I know I would more willingly seo my niece's husband. I size up character quickly, and I am hardly ever mistaken. . . . I liked you the first I saw of' you." . ' ' • :

The young Briton is rarely expansive, ahd Luciau Falconer was no exception to tlio general rule. But he felt that ho had to say something here. "If I say. .'ditto with' dots,' sir, you will understand what I mean," was his reply to this flattery. Mr Lancelot Armour bowed graciously, and ordered cigars. " Now," ho saici when they had lit- up, "the next thing to consider is what is to bo dono about my unfortunate brother. According to my idea lie's mad—mad as a March hare. lie should be shut up, If wo say, anything to the police they will be all for arresting him, trying him, and sending him to Broadmoor. That would bo very repugnant to mc—to Margaret- as well. ' Indeed, it is she who must bo thouglit of first. "Now, my idea is that I ought to get into communication with him, satisfy, myself that, lie. i 6 really mad, and then have liim shut up in.a private lunatic asylum where ho would' bo well taken care of. I

should also inquire into his affairs. If ho still retains any of his ill-gotten gains— and I luivo 110 doubt that he does—l should see; indeed, it would be my principal business to see that it w.is handed over, integrally, to tho men he has des•poiled. I am not a fabulously rich man, but if I look into the edd corners of my bank book I may find ono or two thousands that I oould add to the general fund for paying my brother's victims. That would be only fair, I think." " Moro than fair," agreed Lucian; "it would be an act of generosity. After all there is no claim on you." "The name of iirmour ihas claims. Noblc-sse oblige. What do. you think of my idea?" "I • think it excellent," said Falconer heartily. "I am glad you agreo with me," 6aid •Armour. "Wc must get Margaret to coincide with us. But she'll follow your lead, you lucky young dog." "I'm not so sure about that," said Lucian. "She has a mind of her own. and- she is accustomed to think for herself." "Well, well, if you're ready—more coffee? no?—we'll go and wait- for her at the stage door." So said, so done. Pratt knew Lucian well. He camo out from his box and called him asidia. "No need 'to wait to-night, Mr Falconer." "No? Why not?" - "Because IMits Armour's gono 'ome." " Gono • home! But -the show's not over." "No, sir. Sho was took ill beforo the show started, and the doctor sent 'er 'omo in a 'ansom. Nothing serious, 'o said, only sho wasn't to be disturbed by anybody."

"Do you hear that, Mr Armour? ■Margaret's been taken ill, and had to go iiomo early in the ovening. It's not serious, but she must see nobody. Shall we go on and inquire for hor?" "I certainly shall go at once. My hotel is quite near her flat. No, no, you shall not come. Now that I'm hero I act in loco parentis, and—tho convenances must bo rnspe'eted. You may call tomorrow at 11 if you like. I shall be there. And if sho is better we can talk."

After soma protest from Lut-ian it was so arranged, and Mr Lancelot Armour departed in a cab for Russell square. Lucian felt at a, loose end. Ordinarily, ho would have gone straight to Mxipio Mansions, but in tho face of Mrj Armour's express injunction ho did not care to do so; ho was Bohemian by nature, but he had been brought up in tho conventions, and there is nothing so difficult in life_ to get free from. He sauntered aimlessly round into Leicester square. At tho door of the Cafe do l'Europe ho stumbled into an old gentleman^who was coming out. He muttered an apology, and was passing 011, when he was surprised to hear his namo pronounosd. " It's Mr (Falconer, is it not?" Ho stopped l and turned. "Yes, that's my namo," he said, looking at tho old man and 'awaiting the next words. " You don't remember me?" - "I'm afraid I don't."- " Carpmael—Jacob Carpmacl. Wo weft*; neighbours' iii the pit at the first "night"' of the 'Dear Girl."' ' "Ail, yes, so we were!" said Lucian. "I remember now." • 110 spoko coldly. : He had no desire to renew tho chanco acquaintance. He wanted to walk and think, to think and arrange his ideas, which were in rather a tangled condition. "You were walking—?" ventured Carpmael, "'Yes." "If you would not mind turning eastwards I should liko to havo .1 little conversation with you. You are tho one person in the world I should have liked to meet-, and good luck has put you in my way." (To be concluded.)