THE GILLINGHAM RUBIES

Otago Witness, Issue 3097, 23 July 1913, Page 62

THE GILLINGHAM RUBIES

-By EDGAR JEPSOX, Author of “The Girl’s Head,” “The Passion of Romance,” “The Lady X og^s —Peeress,” “The Admirable Tinker,” etc., etc.

THE HQVEILiIST.

( Published by Special Arrangement.]

[Copyright.] ) . CHAPTER X.—THK CHANGING OF THE KEYS.

HE situation was saved ; Barbara an 1 Jasper Forbes hreath'-d again. "Come on ; let’s get to auction,” said Lord Fleetham with a sudden, welcome note of cheerfulness. He went to the table and began to strip their coverings off the new pack of cards.

Uarbara yawned : ‘'l feel more like sleep than bridge,” she said ; and .she sat down in an easy chair. “'ll is a sleepv afternoon.” -aid Jasper Forbes, and lie vawned terrifically. Tile Man| ness yawned ; then Lady Sarratt yawned. “I think 1 shall go and take a siesta.” she said. “What do yon say. (.‘issie?’ Miss Cantelune vawned. ”'ies, I think 1 should like a little sleep.” she said. “We have been so awfully late the hyst three nights ; and I don’t know how it is, but one never can sleep on properly in the mornings in the Country.” “It’s those beastly bird*,” said the Earl of Tilcombe. “There; now you see.” said Absalom in a tone of triumph. “Von will drug yourselves with meat and alcohol; and yon can’t keep vonr eves open. Ww, I was never more wakeful in my life.’ “All. but we have rmr complexions, to think of. You lucky men have no romnlexions,” said Lady Sarratt.

“If you didn’t eat meat your complexions wouldn’t need so much sleep. I have a beautiful complexion,” said .Absalom, "Don’t throw it in our faces. I’ve always envied it,” said Lady Sarratt, laughing. “Pink—much to’o pink,” said the Earl of Tilcomha contemptuously. “Come along, Gissie,” said Lady Sarratt; and they went to the door. Lord Fleetham awoke to the meaning of their action. "Now, there’s a thing to go and d'o!” he cried in the wildest exasperation. “There’ll only he one table!” ‘‘Then there’ll only he one table for you to revoke at, Pinky,” said Lady Sarratt unkindly; and, smothering a yawn, she went out of the door, followed by Miss C'antelune. “I am sleepy,” said Jasper Forbes; and again he yawned terrifically. “By J’ove! So am I, now you come to speak of it,” said Lord Fleetham, yawning. “All your unfortunate brains are congested with meat and alcohol,” said Absalom with the contempt of the superior man, “Come on. you fellows! Come on! Hanged if 1 ever knew such a set of gassing dawdlers,” said Lord Fleetham. “Come along. Miss Lessing.” “Leave me out of this rubber,” said Barbara drowsily. “I’m too sleepy to play. I am, reallv.” Tlie door opened : and Jenkins entered with a somewhat stern air. He crossed the room to the Karl of Tilcombe, and said, “Two spoons and a fork, please, your lordship.”“Fh ? What? Go a wav! Don’t you see I’m going to play bridge? Don’t bother!” said the Earl of Tilcombe indignantly. "Hang xt all! Shell out! Don’t waste any more time!” cried Lord Fleetham in a tone of fury. “The two spoons are in the left-kind pocket of your lordship’s jacket, and the fork is in the right-’and pocket of your lordship’s trousers,” said Jenkins with cold firmness. Lord Tilcombe put his left hand into the pocket of his jacket and his right hand into the pocket of his trousers and drew out two spoony and a fork. He looked at them earnestly, with the air of a man who has never before in his life seen a spoon or a fork, much lesSs those particular spo’ons and forks. “Most extraordinary!” he said, shaking his head, and he handed them to Jenkins. Then he yawned Jenkins, still stern, went out of the room. The five men went to I the nearest bridge table and cut. The Marquess cut out. He yawned anil sat down rather heavily in an easy chair near the table, from which ho could watch the play of the hands. He yawned again, and then closed his eyas. The other four cut for partners, and Absalom said : “You and I together, my blithe and bonnv Pinky. Mind you don’t revoke. Your deal.” Lord Fleetham sat down with a prodigious yawn. The cards were shuffled and cut, and lie began to deal. The Ear! of Tilcombe put both elbows on the table and leant on them. The Marquess stretched out his legs. “Now, do try not to revoke so early in the afternoon, my blithe and bonny Pinky,” said Absalom in a fatherly tone. “Hang it all! I’ve misdealt!” cried the unfortunate nobleman. “I do wish you wouldn’t speak to me when Hm dentin’!” “Never mind ; try again,” said Absalom kindly. “I’m sorry I overrated your mental capacity. I’m always doing it.” There came a gentle snore fr'om the Marquess, and the Karl of Tilcombe’s head began to nod as if it were loose indeed on Ids shoulders. Lord Fleetham took up the cards and began to deal again, slowly and jerkily. In the middle of the d"al Absalom said, ‘‘My blithe and bonny Pinky, you’ve misdealt again.” “Have I?” said Lord Fleetham, and he gazed at the cards with much of the air of an idiot. j “Oh, get, on I Get on!” cried Jasper Forbes impatiently, with another giganticyawn. The Earl of Tilcombe nodded, suddenly ierked right forward, and nearly smote the table with his nose. Absalom rose and said. "Look here, this is no good. It’s no ns“ playing with peonle as sleepy as this. It wouldn’t be auction—it would be robbery.” “I believe they’re drunk,” said Forbes, rising. “You’re more than a hit sleepy yourself.” said Ah-aloin. “Yes, I am,” sa d Ja-pcr Forbes with another yawn. “The champagne hadn’t been Jong enough on the ice. Warm champagne always makes me sleepv. Let’s get out into the fresh air and give our-■selv'-s a c-hanc“.” “Hang it -h !” said Lord Flee’barn drowsily. "Von chans aren't goin’ to break np the rnl-h-n-.” “No we're rot,” said Ah-alum. ’‘There's no lubber to break up. my blithe and bonnv one.’ “Let 11mm have a little slcen. and thev’li he all right in half an hour " said Jasper Forties as he went through the long windows. “And thev*ll all lie in '.die tempers.’’ s-dil Ahsa'om. Mlowtng him. “Meat and ill-ink are (he i ur " of the counfrv.” “I’m gene >■ (--■ 1h» down on (hat sofa.” said the F.ai-1 of T'h-omba; and he rose, blinking 1 ••ml. and made for the sofa against tlr- h-ft-haml wall with the allot a desne-'-ife]<- d-t-i-mbied man. k “So’in I.” raid Lor' l Flee’ham with a vnwn which nearly split his narrow face; and ]-.e ro.-» and staggered after him. The Fail of Tilcombe reached the c ofa first, and dronned at full length on it. “Hang i* all ! You don’t want all the hallv sofa!” said Lord Fleetham. “Make room.” There came the beginning of a snore from the Earl of Tilcombe. Lord Fleet ham thumped his Invorn friend, but the blows

lacked* earnestness. His friend only snored. “All right; have your own way,’’ said Lord I Icetham, and he lay down heavily beside his sleeping guest.' The Marquess snored; the Earl of Tilcombe snored; Lord Fleetham snored. Barbara raised her head and looked round the room. “Pigs," she said with conviction. She rose and went quiculy to the window. S:x feet from it she stopped and looked out into the garden. On the further side of the terrace she saw Absalom and Jasper Forbes; they were talking to Wilson, the head gardener. She came quickly back to the Marquess, and drew from her pocket two keys. Then, bending over him, with very gentle, deft fingers she drew from the top left-hand pocket of his waistcoat the key of the safe, slipped her own two keys into the pocket, and came swiftly back to her chair. She dropped into it, and closed her eyes. CHAPTER XI.—THE AWAKENING. Ihe peace of the sunlit room was only troubled by the snoring of the three noblemen. Ihe snore of the Earl of Tilcombe was peculiarly acute. It matched his laugh. Jasper Forbes entered softly, and paused, looking round. Barbara’s quick ear caught his quiet step; and she too uttered a gentle little snore. An expression of dismay tilled the explorer’s face, as the thought struck him that the heat of the afternoon had betrayed her, and she had fallen asleep with the task undone. He crossed the room noiselessly, and grasping her shoulder, shook her gently. What is it t What’s the matter? ' nuittered Barbara sleepily. t “Ihe keys! Now’s your time! Quick!” hissed the explorer. What ke'ys?’ said Barbara sleepily. Oh Lord, tHe keys of the safe !” hissed Jasper Forbes, and he shook her again. “Oh, I ve got them,” said Barbara in a more wakeful tone *By jove! Fou didn’t lose any time. \on are a wonder; there’s no doubt about it !” said Jasper Forbes in a. tone of the warmest admiration. “W here s Mr Gomme?" said Barbara uneasily. “Giving the gardener a temperance lecture." “Yon oughtn't to have left him,” said Barbara with the same uneasiness. “Oh, he’s all right,’ said Jasjrer Forbes confidently. “I got him awav nicelv. didn’t I?” “Fon did!” said Barbara in a tone of approval. “And now, how are yon going to get away yourself? What excuse are you going to make? It will have to be a good one.” “That’s all right, too,” said the explorer in a tone of satisfaction. “My man sends me a wire from town every afternoon, saying, ‘Come back at once.” I'm expecting to-day’s wire every minute.” “Good!” said Barbara. “Then in case I get the rubies to-night you’ll be at a little gate of the park—the gate above the weir I showed you yesterday, at one o’clock, and wait till two. If 1 don't come to-night you’ll l>c there to-morrow night, and the night after at the same time.” “Right you are!” raid Jasper Forbes ‘And you won’t go bucketting about in your car like a madman, and have a smash, and leave --me stranded with the rubies?” raid Bat bara, with some anxiety. “Trust mesjjSßß the explorer. “I won’t fail yon.” “Right!” said Barbara, with a sigh of satisfaction. They were silent. The snoring of the sleeping noblemen alone was heard. “Look here ! Suppose you’re caught at the safe getting the rubies, what are yon going to do? Have yon worked tiiat out? It’s no good leaving those things to the luck of the moment. Yon must have your course planned out for every emergency,” said Jasper Forbes, gravely. “1 have; I am going to bolt for your car. Yon drive me round the park. I slip off my disguise in the car. come back from the opposite side of‘the park, and get into the house in the confusion. There’ll be plenty of confusion whether I get away with the rubies or whether I don’t. We can trust the Marquess to mala* all the confusion there is to be made." “You have worked it out,” said Jasper Forbes in a tone of warm approval. “Of course I have. I don’t mean to he taken alive; and I certainly don’t want to have to shoot myself,” said Barbara, sombrely. “Oh, that’.? all rot !” said Jasper Forbes sharply. ‘There’s no need in the world to do anything silly like that. They d make a fuss, of course; but they’d never prosecute. ” “They’d have —if 1 were alive—to prosecute. I shouldn t he the only ’-erson .shot. I’m not going to be taken without making a fight for it. I have a Sibyl to think of.” said Barbara in a tone of cold resolution. “But tliis is silly nonsense! Yon can’t shoot: you’re not in Africa !” cried Jasper Forbes, in livelv exasperation. “I shall if I have to,” said Barbara stubbornly. “But there, I slum t have to. I sluil! take every precaution. I shall make absolutely sure that the coaot is clear before 1 try for the rubies. Afttjr ill, it won’t take me five minutes to get them and clear. It i~n t as if I had to break the sn.fk open.” “I should jollv well think yon would make suTe,” said the explorer. “Hang it all. make it fifty. M hat s the use of twenty-five to anyone?” said the shrill voice of Lord Fhcthnm. “Goodness! Tie’s awake; he’s heard us!” said Barbara. Jasper Forbes glanced at the sleeping nobleman. “Not a bit o? it—only borrowing money in his sleep. ’’ he said contemptuously. Barbara looked at the sleeping friends. •‘Yon had better straighten those two out a bit. They don’t look to bo sleeping naturally enough,” /she said. “Von do think of tlmms.” said Jasper Forbes, crossing to the sofa.

Gently he pulled the Earl of iilcombe to one coiner of it, Lord Fleetham to the other. The Earl of Tilcombe muttered indignantly,' “I haven’t seen any gold chain purse.” And they snored again. “Sleeping beauties!” said Barbara scornfully. "I’m going to sleep again myself. Cio and find Mr Gomme and come and wake us up. It won't look right for us to sleep too long.” And she closed her eyes. Jasper Forbes came slowly back to the side of her chair, and stood looking down at her, thoughtfully. “Half a minute, before you go to sleep,” he said. “I’ve been thinking.” “I thought you looked pale,” said Barbara, opening her eyes. “If you’re so keen on having money for your sister, there’s a very simple way of getting it,” he said slowly. “There are no simple ways of getting money,” said Barbara firmly. “What is it?” “Marry me,” said Jasper Forbes. “You call that simple!” said Barbara, sitting upright in her chair. “Yes; I’ll settle twenty thousand pounds on you; and then you can do anything you want for your sister,” said Jasper Forbes. “That’s just the way I won’t make money. I won’t sell myself,” said Barbara sharply. “Well, ytuiT'e the queerest girl T ever came across,” said Jasper Forbes in unaffected surprise. “Many women of onr acquaintance have sold themselves for much worse reasons than you seem to have; or, if they haven't sold themselves yet, they're ready to.” “Ves, but I won’t. It’s very kind of you, but I don't love you. and I can t marry you. Thai's the worst dishonesty —for a woman—l know,’’ said Barbara earnestly. “Oh. you’d soon fall in love with me if you made up your mind to it,” said Jasper Forbes with sanguine assurance. “I’m afraid not,” said Barbara firmly. “I’m awfully keen on you. I am really. Think it over,” said the explorer. Barbara looked up at him curiously. “Surely you don't want to marry a- —-a —a —confederate of Kitty Meredith,” she said in some astonishment. “Why not?" said the explorer with equal surprise. “A man —a live man—doesn’t mind about that sort of thing in a woman lie’s fond of—not really, you know, though, of course, he may think that he has lo gas about it a bit. And I'm in dead earnest.” “You arc an odd creature,” said Barbara. “But I'm afraid it’s no use.” /-“Don’t say that. Don't he in such a hurry,” said Jasper Forbes, stooping down and taking her hand. “We're cut out for one another. We should get along like a house on fire. We \e the same way of looking at things.” “I d'on’t think we have; and I don't think we should.” said Barbara, laughing gently. “And if we had the same way of looking at things it would be an excellent reason why 1 shouldn’t marry you. 1 don’t want a husband exactly like myself. Variety is the spice of married life.” “This isn't a matter for rotting,” said Jasper Forbes earnestly. “I tell you I'm in dead earnest about it. I never- came Across a woman I wanted half so much Why, hang it! I never in my life asked a woman to marry me before.” “But I’m in dead earnest, too,” protested Barbara. “I don't love you; and so I can’t marry you.” / “But you haven’t given yourself any time to think it over,” the explorer protested. “It would lie nt> use. My mind is made up.” said Barbara in a tone of decision. “Sets mine,” said Jasper For'ocr. firmly. “I'm going to marry you ; and that’s all there is to it.” With that he bent down and tried to kiss her. Barbara ducked her li-nd. and sprang up and away from him. He sprang forward and caught her with a laugh of triumph. “Mow dare you?” cried Barbara, struggling with him. “Geniiv ! Geutlv ! You'll only hurt yourself!” cried Jasper Forbes, persisting. Absalom came through the long windows ; neither of them saw him. “Loose me! You hulking cad!” cried Barbara fiercely. “Drop it, Forbes!" cried Absalom, springing down the room. The explorer’s lips touched Barbara’s cheek as Absalom caught him by the collar and ierkecT him away from her. The exnlorer turned and closed with him ; and thev swayed. wrestling, across tlie room, while Barbara gazed at them with dilated eyes. “Stop! Sion! Don't hurt him. Mr Forbes ! * slm cried. Her petition sc<nn--d unneeded. f- r cv-m as she spoke Absalom, one v>f the most promising punils "■'■i had ever ms'-d through Piofe-'-sov Kalo’s school of Jiniitsu in the Red Lion square, got the erin ho was seeking : Jasper Forbes described a short, neat parabola in the drawingroom air. and descended heavily on the sofa which contained the slumbering friends. “Caught him that time- !" cried Absalom cheerfully. On his words there burst on the air an appalling bowl as T.-"d FG-tham. tlm Far! of Tilcombe. and Jasper Forbes came to the floor in a scrambling b S n, The howl came from the lungs of Lord Fleetham : and at the sound of it the Marouess sprang from his chair, ervimr. with eyery svmntoms of acnf-*. but star* led curiosity : “Wbat is it? What is the matter?” “T was just showing Forbes a little j'u-iitr.n trick,” said Absalom calmly. Lord Fleet-barn rose from the tangle of writhing limbs and bodies, and danced lightlv round the room, bowling: “You’ve broken my back! You’ve broken my back !” “You should not teach this—er—-er—-science in a drawing-room,’’ said the Marquess with some seventy. “If I had really broken his back. h a

wouldn't be able to shout like that,” said Absalom in a reassuring tone. “You have broken it!” Lord Lleetham cried; and dancing up to the dazed Earl of Tilcombe, he said, “Rub my back, Billy. Rub it hard! There’s a good chap.” The dazed Earl began to rub the back of his injured friend with such an air of bewilderment that the angry Barbara began fco laugh ; and Jasper Forbes, who had found his noble friends soft to fall upon, sat on the floor with his back against the sofa, and roared with childlike glee. “I hope I was in time,’ said Absalom in a low voice to Barbara. , “ “Not quite,” said Barbara; and she took out her handkerchief and rubbed her cheek carefully. “I’d have broken a bone or two if I'd known. I ought to have done it as it was. Next time I get my hands on him I’ll break something badly, ’ said Absalom through his set teeth; and ho glared savagely at the laughing explorer. “No, no, \on mustn’t touch him. He s a very dangerous man. You’re to leave him alone,” said Barbara with anxious vehemence. Jasper Forbes sprang to h:s feet, very lightly for a man of his bulk ; and. still laughing, said: —“Now, bow on earth did you do that, Gominc? I d have bet anything you couldn’t have stirred me on my feel, much less throw me.” “I can throw you every time; and next time 1 throw you I'll break something, said Absalom with unabated savageness. “You have broken something I You vc broken my backbone I” wailed Lord I‘leetham. “Nonsense. Pinky ! You haven t got any backbone!” said Absalom, indignantly. “Lord Fleetham has a backbone like everybody eke.” said the Marquess very stiffly. “Yes: I spoke hastily. I was mixing up the mental and the physical, said Absalom in somewhat lame apology. ' “It was your llabby look that deceived me. Gomme,” said Jasper Forbes. “I haven’t got a flabby look!” said Absalom indignant! v. “Oh, yes you* have,” said the imperturbable explorer. “And 1 was taken in once before in exactly the same way by an infernal dacoit in Burma. —a man we used to call the Spanish Lock because his hair was just like its feathers. lo look at him, there wasn’t an ounce of muscle on him. He looked as flabby as you do. “1 don’t look flabby!” cried Absalom with even greater indignation. “Mr Gomme didn’t look flabby when lie threw you across the room,” said Barbara. with flashing eyes. “And I wish you had hit the wall hard—with your head.” “Good heavens! If my head had kit die wall therc’d have been an inquest and all kinds of fuss. You wouldn’t have liked that,” said the explorer in a tone of grave remonstrance. “Shouldn't 1 ? ’ said Barbara, vindictively, and her eyes sparkled and flashed. “I'm hanged if there’s any pleasing von women 1” said Jasper Forbes, bitterly. The, door opened, anti Jenkins entered, bearing a telegram on a salver. He came to the explorer and saidG ‘A telegram for you, sir. ” Jasper korbes I took the telegram and opened it. _ _ Lard Flectliam tottered from his ineffectual friend to Jenkins, saying ungrateI f u !ly. “You're no good, Billy; you re not 1 strong enough. Rub my back, Jenkins; ids broken.” With his stately air Jenkins began to rub Lord Fieetham’s back. “1 had no idea you were so strong, said Barbara to Absalom; and she looked at him with a new respect m her eves. “But of course 1 keep my muscles hard. It would he unscientific to have soft muscles.” said Absalom. ~ . “1 do like men to ha strong, raid Barbara, and the respect in her eyes deepened. “! like von to like me for as many things as possible,” raid Absalom gently. Barbara turned a wav from him rather i nukklv and a faint flush wanned her pole i checks. "You always seem to Co me to my i helm’’ she said. . . “1 wish I’d come a bit quicker. said j .Absalom. , , . , , , , “1 lang it all! You re rubbing too bard. I More genllv. Jenkins! ’ vvied Lord r lee- : I Ha in. , . , • j j Jasper Forbes stepned forward and sau. j to the Marquess: “This is very unfortunate. Lord Gillingham. Bull .iml that i 1 shall have to hurry back to_ London ! in-st as I was beginning fo enjoy myself i thoroughlv. The Biteiab Syndicate has j suddenlv woke up, and wants me in town | at once: There's no hedp for d ; 1 ve t-'** j to no. Please excuse my rushing away m I such a hurry. ’ , i “We shall be sorry to lose you, .\u i Forbes.” said the Marquess m a gracious | tone. “But. the—ex—er -claims I "‘“AkkT Good-bye. And thank you for "a verv pleasant time.” said the cxj ph rer. shaking hands with him. I 1 ‘•(■iood-bye, Mr Forbes. 1 hope that ! your enterprise will be successful,” said i the Marouess. | “Thank von.” said Jasper Forbes, crossing the room Lo Barbara and holding out his hand “Good-bye, Miss Lessing.’ “Good-bye. Mr Forbes.” said Barbara very .coldly, ignoring his outstretched hand. . , “Ah. you bear malice for my little joke. Never bear malice,” said the unruffled explorer. “1 shall see you in town before I start. Good-bve, Pinky. Good-bye. Billv!” ‘ . ~ “Good-bye! Gently, Jenkins—gently g said Lord Fleetham . “Good-bye!” said the Earl of Tilcombe in a faint, dazed tone. “Good-bye. Gomme. You'll have to teach me*that jiu-jitsu trick—you will really.” said the explorer. “I’d better not: I should hurt yon, said Absalom grimly. “Oh. you can’t hurt me,” said Jasper Forbes cheerfully, and he went through 1 the door. Of a sudden L .rd Fleetham burst away

from the patient Jenkins, and rushed to the door. ‘Hang it all, Forbes, you mustn’t go!” he cried. “We’re only seven again. There's not enough for two tables! You mustn’t leave us in the lurch litre this.” Absalom was frowning thoughtfully at the door. "Don’t you worry. Pinky,” ho said. “Forbes will come back.” (To be continued.)