CHAPTER 11.

Otago Witness, Issue 2840, 19 August 1908, Page 74

CHAPTER 11.

ARCHER descended the soft steps of the Hotel Cecil in an unusually satisfactory frame of mind. With his hands in hk pockefe, and softly ■whistling a catohy Cuban ditty under his breath, he strolled into the breakfast

room. Giving a quick, observant glance found at the few tables already occupied at that somewhat early hour, foe seated himself at a tastefully decorated table laid for two. Then, with anod; to an expectant waiter, he began carefully to criticise the menu caTd. With the air of an approved connoisseur he quickly made his selection — curried prawne, to be followed by eggs in aspic, yea ! that would do ! — and gave his order, coupled with strict injunctions as to the manner of serving it. As he did so he suddenly caught sight of hi 6 daughter Muriel, as she came through the entrance, and he could not help being stTuck with the remarkably pretty effect she made — Mr Archer possessed the painter's eye.

Her tall, lithe figure was faultles^y gowned in a simple drees of pale blue cashmere — one of Liberty's latest triumphs in colour, the perfect cut of which proved that the last Paris fashions had been consulted".

Greeting her father affectionately, she took her seat opposite him, and having selected a strongly perfumed gardenia from a cut crystal vase which stood in th© centre of the table, she placed it artistically in the heavy silver brooch of antique design which fastened the lace folds of her dress.

" Well, father," she exclaimed gaily, " tMa x is a dandy time we'Te having. I'm as hungry as a hunter." " Glad to hear it," he responded with a nod, noticing with his keen detective eye how a ray of sunshine fell directly upon a great coil of her beautiful hair. Mr Archer was v something of an artist in life I " You're rapidly getting English habits, Muriel," he said. " Nothing like early risips; &> r young folk's complexions.

Reckon a painter fellow would give something for a look at you just now." v

" What, compliments at this early hour!" she laughingly rejoined, as she poured out her usual cup of steaming chocolate. " I guess it's you that has learnt English manners. However, let's hurry on and fix. to-day's programme."

" Ah, my child, there's disappointment in store for both of us, I'm sorry to say. Really, I am so much occupied with business affairs of one kind and another at this moment that I'm afraid it will be necessary to leave~you to amuse yourself to-day, the best way you can."

a real pity," she exclaimed, with a slight- tinge of disappointment in her tone. "I thought we could plan out a morning together; something that would " " No, no," her father hastily broke in. "It's impossible for j to-day. I reaFy haven't a moment to spare. So yon must try and amuse yourself, Muriel, for one© in a way. the best way possible. Ah, I have it ! You have often expressed a wish to visit some motor factory, co I suggest you go ,to my friend's works. Lord BalHna. would be charmed to show you over. Yes, go."

" The very thing," ehe exclaimed with animation. " "Why, it'll be just lovely, next to a spin in one." "That's settled, then,"- he answered, rising. "You'll be sure to find him, or someone to show you round. Try and get there between 10 and 11— that, I think, would be the test time. So good-bye for the present." Towards the hour of 10 Muriel, daintily equipped, gave orders to the hall attendant, and soon" found herself speeding on her way in a comfortable motor-hansom. The girl's thoughts were constantly occupied with her firet meating with Lord Ballina. Ah! what was the meaning of that eudden thrill which she felt surging through her heart when her hand rested for a moment in his as they had parted. Thoee two brief words, "Good-n%ht!" uttered in that quiet, steady voice — why should they have affected her so powerfully? * "What was -the meaning of it? ehe miased thoughtfully. Many men had she met, yet all had come and gone as a fleeting incident in her busy, varied life. However, this one had somehow stayed, and obstinately refuged to be forgotten. "Was it that he was- a, lord?" she half ejaculated aloud, " No ! a thousand times no!" came the quick rejoinder. How could euch a enoDbish thought ever have entered her brain? Yes, why, indeed, such a- thing, when never foT a moment in the past had her thoughts dwelt on such a contemptible topic. No, she was not one of -Chose who ever would, in any manner, pander to the shameless tiaffie of " netting titles." Then what was it that made her think so continuously of him? Perhaps the answer lay in the courteous deference with which he had treated her. Also a certain subtle refinement of character thax bespoke the unconscious birthright which oould only be found in England s definition of the Trord gentleman. "'This must be the solution of the riddle," the girl exclaimed aloud, with the blood mantling to her cheeks, that vied in hue with the gardenia which she wot« at the bosom of her dress. So engrossed were her thoughts on tMe —to her no displeasing— subject, that she failed to notice how quickly time had slipped by. And- it was only owing to the sudden slowing up of the hansom, obedient to an authoritative arm ot the law, that she observed that they had arrived at Vauxhall Bridge. _„,.«. While waiting for the congested trainc to move on, she took a hurried look at the imposin-g edifice where the destiny of, a mighty Empire is so firmly wielded. With an appreciative eye she could not help admiring its solid structure, and the single harmony of colour displayed in ts grey tones. Yet, hardly had her eyes become accustomed to the view, when the car passed quickly on its way. A few moments after, turning sharply to the left, it drew up at a strongly-closed entrance, above which in bold Telief stood out the names of "Dundas, Kenmare, and Co." Her father's name proved a talisman. For on presenting a card Muriel was immediately 6hown into a spacious room, on the door of which was marked in bold letters, "Private Office." In the centre of this room was a long shelving table, at . which two foTms in shirt-fileeves were eagerly perusing someunrolkd plans. Indeed, co occupied were they that for a moment she had leisure to glance round noting everything carefully. " When, however, the messenger deferentially muttered, "Lady to see you. sir," the "elder of the two looked up quickly ; then in a flash came a mutual recognition. "Why, Miss Archer, this is indeed a pleasure, above all others!" exclaimed Lord Bellina, advancing with outstretched hand and a brilliant smile. " Let me introduce my friend and partner, Mr Michael Dundae, to you. He's just back from a w<2ll-earned holiday, and you've caught us deep <n work. No idlers here, as you can. see. Has Mi Archer sent any message?" "No," replied the girl, shaking , hands, "he is like all Americans, you " know, working aigainst time. I'm. alone for today, that's why he cent me to get a reckoning of what a motor factory was like. So I fixed a car, and here I am."

"Nobody could be more delighted than I am to be of service," replied Lord Ballina, with a smile at her American frankness. "Look heTe, Mike, I'll leave you to finish the figuring out of that 30 a. p., whilst I chow our fair American friend what there is to see in this noisy hole."

Then putting on a coat .of Scotch greyspun material, which bore eiigns of severe manual labour, he- politely bowed his charming visitor out through \ further door into a spacious yard. The confused, busy scene that met her unaccustomed eyes made her instinctively lay a hand on the arm of the very person

who had so much occupied heT thoughts of late.

Weird, uncouth forms in all sorts of postures lay about promiscously ; some of which belched forth loud discordant sounds from their quivering, restrained forms. A strange music, as if mighty Titans were waging some unseen strife with Cyclouean hordes hidden in their panting, twisted structures, filled the air, while the forms of grimy beings in oily blue clothes toiling feverishly on made the scene more strange. Some -jars in. the glory of gaudy new paint and varnish stood like greyhounds straining at the leash, only waiting for a human touch to bound forth with irresistible force. Others in the shame of nakedness stood exposing their gaunt insid-es, waiting for the physician with the master mind to come and bsal their various maladies.

"Well, Miss Aroher," Lord Ballina exclaimed, as he narrowly scanned the gfirl's beautiful features. "This is a strange experience for you. I see you have the true American grit. Noise doesn't seem €o try your nerves. Why, I know of some English cousins of yours who scream and shut their pretty ears at the sound of a syren."

"My, isn't it all just interesting," she said breathlessly, as she brushed a- stray golden- wisp of hair back into its place. "Really, I had no idea that anything co interesting could be seen at a motor factory."

"Indeed," he returned, "that is the common idea amongst so many. But I'm glad to say the public is getting more enlightened now. You see we small fry do not deal "with the mighty unwieldly Behemoths. They are too high game to fly at ; we leave such matters in. the hands of, shall we say, magnate kings."

"Have you any machines here," Muriel asked, "that have ever won a race?"

"Yes, here is one that has proved its mettle over many a trying course on the Continent. It received severe damage in its last Italian circular trip home. Those Italian roads are dreadful for motors."

"Yours is a busy profession," she remarked, after a moment' 6 pause, as she watched a mechanic, blackened and oiled like a New Zealand Maori, doing something to the steeTJnß-wheel of the car. "I suppose- you know the name of every different machine?"

"Without conceit, I may say there are few which Dundas or myself could not give a name to," Ballina replied. "Guess thatV-so," she answered merrily. "There's little room for you or your partner to dearn in this line."

"TheTe is a great deal for us yet to learn," Ballina replied modestly. "By the way, I hope I haven't bewildered you toomuch with technical stuff. You See a fellow who is in love with his work is rather apt- to get ahead." "Go ahead," she laughingly returned. "I will," he answered, with a sudden look of resolve in his steady eyes. "My partner and I are having a proper fight to get to the front. Oh," he continued, enthusiastically, "there's nothing like- this battle — it's real stunning. Ah I excuse my Americanism." "Why should I?" she asked simply. "Are American words wrong? Are there no wrong English expressions?" "Rather<" came the emphatic reply. "Well, for my sake' let it stand at 'real.' I like real. And I feel that you and your friend are Teal."

"I hope so," he said quietly, with a sudden grave look, "yet what^ do you mean exactly by that, that real?" "Real grit," she answered softly. "Oh, do tell me, what is the name of that curious-looking monster?" she continued, catching aight of a specially noble-looking motor. "It looks \ike — like- one of Jove's thunderbolts." ' '

"Oh, that?" he answered, laughing. "Yes, it is a curious-looking object, but I faricy that if it came to a trial of speed Jove'e thunderbolt would • have a poor chance against it. It's a well-known firm that is responsible for the construction of that. Would you like a spin in one? Perhaps you know the dangers of racers. Danger breeds fear." "There's no danger — until it comes," Muriel remarked, "so why fear?" "What a plucky girl," Ballina thought, looking admiringly into her blue, fearless orbs, v which met his with unflinching steadiness. "Really, Miss Archer, I must say Ido admire your spirit. I wieh that all women had your strength of nerve. But, of course, it all depends on the man *t the wheel, you know." "Yee, he is tlie one to understand that word fear. For is not all the responsibility on his shoulders? Your profession must be a good school to train nerve and brain to dare and conceive anything. Ah! I think I should have loved to have done the Peking to' Paris trip. That was a race to test every nerve of the body." "Yes, that plucky trip has shown the world that the car can |go anywhere, I think. But I should not like you to be engaged on such perilous enterprises. There are limits for women, you know." "Well, I don't quite agree with you there," she returned. "I think a woman should dare the dangers equally with a man, in mutual self-aid." "Yes, I know that you Americans have different opinions to us," he answered, as ho drew her attention to a new kind of cylinder being fitted to a showy little Daimler. "Look," he added,, "asnt that like a new heart being fitted to a human frame to give it new impulse, new vigour, new action? Forjgive m© my strange thoughts. Perhaps you are laughing at my peculiar enthusiasm." "I understand," she rejoined quickly. "Yes, there is a great similarity. You should not say such a thing ; believe me, I'm far from laughing at .thoughts which coincide with my own." "Yes, it's just what I feel," he said earnestly. 'The most important thing in motoring," she continued with a serious air, as if she had not heard his last remark, "is that of the- risk of life. For the safety of human beings i 6 in his hands, and I

should think-^hat this responsibility outweighs all others."

"You are right," he replied, feeUng strangely drawn to his fair companion who stood so confidently by his side, and he recollected how strongly his emotion had been stirred when he had wished her farewell on the previous day. Now he felt that admiration was trembling on the brink of a- giddy precipice, and was in peril of tumbling into a fathomless abyis. An abyss "which the poets of old- have sung many a song to the same cadence — as that of love.

"Do you mean," he added after a moment's thought, as he felt his heartstrings styetching to breaking point, "that you would never have any fear if you trusted, your chauffeur implicitly. You would freely trust your life in his hands?" "Freely," she answered in a soft voice, as she, too, felt herself yielding to' the strange feeling that 6ne had so- vainly endeavoured to fathom.

"Seriously?" Ballina asked.

"Of course, seriously," the girl replied rapidly, as she began nervously to pull on a soft suede glove. "Then," he -^continued, gathering courage, "would you — would you trust me?" "That- is too eerious- a question to answer lightly," she said gently, with a slight tremor in "her voice. "One must be proven, before he or she can be trusted.".

And then she held, out her hand andturned to- leave: " • • •

But Lord Ballina remained; transfixed," with his heart throbbing violently, as he watched her dainty form disappear. For, the strings had been, torn to pieces, and he ha<3 fallen into the abyss. It was the gentle pressure of the hand, and a sudden, new light which shone with such a strangedazzling brilliancy in her beautiful eyes that told him of a newly-discovered secret^

As soon as Mr' Archer had left the' breakfast table, he sauntered off to the smoke room, and. throwing himself into a comfortable leather chair, lrfc a choice Havana, for he dearly loved his morning weed. After glancing over the morning papers and finding nothing of much interest in their columns, he got up and went to a writing table beneath a ' lan«e ■window, wheTe he busied himself in writing rapidly a series of long documentary despatches, of which, when- completed, he made a careful" memorandum in his pocketbook. TJo his "surprise, . on - looking; at hia jewelled watch, he discovered that .the time had passed remarkably quickly. So, hastily sealing his correspondence, ho called for a hansom and drove rapidly to War dour street. - Dismissing the cab, tie waited leisurely down the street until ho came to a small entrance which led into a long narrow restaurant, with two rows of clean", white' tables on. either side ; at the end of the place , was a green baize-covered door, with the- words, " Coffee and billiards.'written in illuminated letters. After a brief glance right and left, to see that he was not observed, be entered and made his way ta a certain *table, ;witibs a directness that showed he was no new-, comer to the place. Taking a seat he unfolded his napkin, and glanced round.' Th£re wss no mistaking the place to be anything else than Italian— it needed but one glance at the arrangements of the ' tables, on which stood- many imitation silver "portafiaschis" holding straw-bound, flasks of purple-lined Chianti, so dearly loved by the children of the olives. From uncomfortable Ted-covered aettees against the sides of the walls rose a babel oj sound, in which the confused ear could pick out at times the Tuscan tongue rolling smoothly with the Roman, yet jarring horribly with the Neapolitan and Genoese. . , However, the fare, though plain,! was good, and, to the satisfaction of Mr Archer, was uncommonly well served. The cunning eyes of the Neapolitan pro- . prietor had marked 'hie .victim as he entered, ana from long experience knew ■ where profit was to be made. So he had given quick, imperative orders that the "Illustriesimo Signor" was to be served witn the beet that his establishment could produce. "Per Bacco/' was not his reputation at stake?" . Nevertheless, much to the perturbation-* of the proprietor, who was narrowiywatohinß him, Mr Archer frequently laid down his knife and fork, and seemed expectant. * . , . The fault certainly lay not with the cooking—^ thai he was certain— for had not^ the- unknown gentleman praised his cucina ov« and over a S ain? What was thereason? Madonna mia! He had it. Why, of course, the stranger was waiting tor someone. , , Yes, it was true, Mr Archer was expectin" someone. Again and again he threw "sharp glances at the entrance only to turn away with a disappointed look. Yet, linger as he might over his repast, no one appeared. At last, with a. gesture of impatience, he ordered the waiter to bring coffee to the billiard room, and after a short pause he rose and passed through the green-baize door. Selecting a comfortable seat in a position where he could keep his eyes fixed on the two circular glass partitions, he composed himself for a further trial of patience. To his igreat satisfaction he noticed that he was absolutely alone He had just looked impatiently at his watch for the third time when the doors opened, and a short man of undoubted Italian origin stepped hastily in His manner was in direct contrast to that of Mr Archer, for his movements were quick and furtive. His small dark eves, which ill-topped his dark countenance, glanced quickly to the Tisht and left. A brilliant red tie encircled hi: throat, whilst a paste diamond endeavoured to flash from a not too clean shirt front. His features, despite a 6omewhat fieshv chin, showed- firmness of purpose. A sharply curved nostril bore testimony to a will passionate and difficult of control. His hands were delicately shaped, but somewhat flabby, whilst a pair of lightishcoloured troueers scarcely concealed ;pa*r

of elastic-side boots, much worn at the heels. "Ah, Signor Archer!" he exclaimed, ■with a somewhat brusque nod, as he rubbed his hands together. "All well, I trust." "Humph, Signor Paleotti," came the sharp rejoinder. "X«ate, as usual. Being an engineer, I suppose time is nothing to you. I wonder when you Italians will ever leain the value of time." "Per Crispi, signor, _do not get angry. Pff ! 'tis useless. I -could not "help it. Ah, you English .are so v«ry impatient of the time. Time is money^ you say. Eh! da! In Italy time is not for us. It has to wait our wish. Eh ben ! If you will permit, I will smoke a cigarette. For I am, in one ■what you «ay, perspire. Ah, <srazie ! signor, that Is a beaiftarul cigarette-case of youTs. Much^^Becrets liae it bid." "Only tobacco <nes, then," said the American, «miKng. "Well, let us lose jno more ±hne. ' As jou say, 'time is money/ 60 come to the point." "Ah, -the Ame/icani," ,he replied, flickin.g the ; ash off the end of his cigarette, "are business peoples. Avanti ! You did get my note all right, J -see." "Yes, it was put in my. band* last night.?' , ' . ... - j"BenJs,srmol- And. did you follow my in.6truction&?" '- "Guess so!" came ihe laconic reply. "Bravoi Burnt rfc Trhen read, eh? Ah ! zee dead men tell no tales to ah ! servants and— spies. I "pray yon, signor, before I begin, to tell me how ze grand matter -progresses. You have done much, I ex- • pect." "Listen, P.a-leotti/' the other replied, - leaning -forward and taking -the Italian by the arm. "Let vs moderate our voices. Walls have ears, you know." "Sapristi! that they have," the- other Tetorbsd, -wi&i a meaning glance. "Eh, ■walls ha-vxs many secrete, as you shall learn. But continue, my .friend." "Things hum. I've luckily hit on a firm that wills — " ' "Build ihe car ihat we -want, tne Italiaa bw>ke in with trembling eager"Hosn, you fool! Lower that falsetto voice of youis, I say. We -don't -want our oonvereation to he overheard. Another thin» jny iriend, lust a word of advice. It may be afl very well in jour country to show your sentiments in colour, tout Ihere Anarchist dyes are looked upon with uncommon disfavour. That tie and iandkercbief are like a red rag io a bull— John Bull especially. Besides, hang it, man, you offend the .eye of } an artist, iwver weax a .positiv* colour." " "I shall "wear what it- pleases me, the Italian returned, with a dangerous look in his dark eyes. "You say this is a free • countiv, aswl yet a man can't drees^s he likes,' without" having^-what you call it— suspicion thrown at him. 'Tis a flag.thau thousands serve under^-'tis one that flutters bravely over the whole world. ' "It has a mighty weak flutter here, I can tell you. You've got the colour in" your blocd, why -do you want to bleed openly? But alibis is fai from the point. Let's "stick "to our one pomt — the carJ' "Aial the beautiful — ahem! voiture. But the firm. Tirho and where are they?" "Never mind for the present. I've arranged matters satirfactarily with them ; you've got my word for it. I've lodged the plans with them/, and as a guarantee of good -faith, I've paid over a mighty store oi .dollaiß. Confound it !"

"Ai, nothing m this country, -even, without -money/, sighed ths Italian, instinctively throating a hand into an empty trouser pocket. "3fc faith^ without moneyv' *

"ifcs has bound them to the utmost secrecy," Archer continued, heedless of the interruption. -"They have passed thenword for the honour of the firm that nothins will ever be allowed to escape from their works. Pooh ! I gulled them properly. I gave them to understand that it, was a. peculiar invention of my own, extraordinary high speed with absolutely eilent running. They've cottoned to it as a fiy to Tanglefoot. 1 Guess you'll give me the credit now of not allowing the grass to sprout under the- leather. Talking's thirsty wort. Let's have something to drink before you bezin your yarn. What will you drink?"

"Val d'Elfool signor. I am not able to .appreciate the burning drinks of you Saxons. We Italians are abstemious, as you know." "$} ben '."'the Italian beijan, as soon as they Tiad been served and Vere once more alone, taking a cigarette from the American's open case on the round table, "I also, amico, have not been idle. Ah ! these nights of work. While you sleep I ■work. You the <lay, I the flight. You the Saxon, J>the Latin. Tie fitting so. Well, you shall hear irhat I have at last accomplished — nay, ccc ifc fox yourself. -Aitenti. listen irell." "All attention, fire away!" ' ; "It is finished at last," the Italian engineer eudd'cnly whisjiered, leaning for- j irard. "You've been quick." j "Reckon so, as you Americans say/ retorted the Italian, with a nervous, satisfied chuckle of pride. "These long hours of nigbb iave I toiled, and, jus you eay — j perspired. It has been difficult. Ah, &o difficult, for the hand cannot always re- • main steady when the heart is in the bocca^ But it is done at last." "Where have you placed it?" "Here !" "God, man! Here?" hissed the excited American, with, difficulty "" restraining a shout. "Are you mad, Paleotti?" "Zitto!" the/ other retorted, grasping him by the wrist. "Quiet! Yes, you shall see Ivor yourself. But, look you, amico, you must get the sangfroid again before I show you. Meanwhile, listen how_ it comee to be co close. No one looking through those windows there, friend. (Let's take a look round." "Now you can fire away again," Mr Archer answered, when they had coajluded their search and found everything to their satisfaction. fl Wc of thin colour^ wjiieb please^ not

"Here !"

yoijr artist eye," the Italian replied, touching his cravat with an impressive forefinger, "have strong brotherhood ties. My friend, the Padrone of this is a Pisan brother. We have worked together Jor many years in Italy. It was after the Monza business that we both had to, hum! leave our native land, somewhat precipitately. We were near Brescia when he fired at the king, waiting also for a chance. As you know, he was successful in tilling the representative of what the world calls Order. Well, as I said, we had to fly. My friend here had the money; I had not. He bought this place, and is prospering, and I —as you .know " "Had a pretty hard time of it until we collided, I reckon," Archer interrupted, with a eaeer. "You are right." he continued. "All is now changed. Thanks to the gold you gave, I havejbeen able to carry out everything to satisfaction. Come now and see, but be careful." As he concluded, he crossed over to tihe left angle of the room, where stood a large tawdry mirror, co well-known in Italian, restaurants. Touching a secret spring, his companion suddenly saw the mirror glide noiselessly "back, revealing a flight of steps. - , / ; . "Take my iiand. amico, though it is red," "'said the Italian, as ha helped the other to descend, after having carefully closed the false mirror. Quickly striking a match, he lit a lantern oii the wall, which showed that they were «tanding in an underground cellar fitted up as some kind of fortge, or engineer's workshop. In one corner stood am object as big as an ordinary portmanteau, covered with a cloth. ''Eccolo!" said the Italian, trembling with suppressed excitement, at the same time tearing: away the cloth. "There!" he-continued, pointing with dramatic force as he turned to his confederate, who with pale countenance and startled mien was gazing intently down. "Behold the efforts of my lafcouTs. There le the instrument of revenge! There has never been anything like it—no, not in the world before!" N be continued.)

— Teacher: " What are the three personal pronouns?" Pupil: "He, she, and it." Teacher: "Give an example ?of their use."' Pupil: "Husband, wife, and baby." — Th© Brute: " What are you thinking . of, Mary?" Mary- "I am dreaming of my youth." The Brute: " I thought you had '~a far-a-rfay look in your eyes-! "