SHORT STORIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3399, 7 May 1919, Page 58

SHORT STORIES.

[Am. Rights Reserved.]

PUT TO THE TEST.

Bv Muriel Hine.

"How much longer is this state of things to endure, Selma?" The man spoko impatiently as ne turned his handsome, moody face to his companion, where they sat in a quiet corner of the palm room. The lady shrugged her shoulders -with a little air of indifference. "You know I am not a great believer in devotion — after matrimony!" She smiled a shade mischievously. " Why not enjoy it while Jt lasts?" She gazed'across the entrance, through the screen of plants. "We are either very early or Mrs Rudolfstein is late! I expect her toilette will be extra magnificent to-night," and she smiled again, showing her beautiful white teeth.

But the man beside her was in no laughing mood. He leaned forward with a determined gesture, as though he swept her frivolity aside. "I can't go on much.longer like this." His dark eyes compelled her answering glance, and he stretched out his hand, and laid it firmly on her arm, sheltered by the heavy palms. " It's not fair play, Selma. If you mean to have me, say so, and if not—for God's sake let me go." His voice shook. "-I can't stand this long indecision —it's killing me!" She leaned back against the green velvet chair, her eyes half-closed, her beautiful face slightly raised so that the strong light of the buff and gokl room fell on it, showing the smooth whiteness of her skin, and emphasising the copper of her glorious hair. "And why should I be—bullied like ihis?", Her voice grew suddenly hard. "Heaven knows! I've tried marriage once—and not found it a success. Why should I risk it again without being hjtely sure —of my second venture?" She sat upright with a quick, impulsive movement, and placed her ungloved hand lightly over his. "You know I care for you," she said more gently as" she felt him. quiver under her touch, "-but—it is foolish, perhaps —I should like to put you to the test." . His face lighted up. "What can I doV" he began eagerly. "Only try me, my darling -" But she drew her hand quickly away with a little warning gesture. "Hush —they are coming!" She raised her voice as a little knot of people entered the room, in their midst a large, voluble lady, -wonderfully dressed in a shade of apricot. " Look at Mrs Rudolfstein" —she checked him with a glance;—" and her marvellous pearls! They say they are worth over a " Bub he Tefused to be silenced. " Quick! Tell me what can I do?" • She rose to her feet with a little frown, vexed at her persistence ; she was not one of the modern Circes who like to advertise their admirers. "You really want to know?" she laughed, as she glanced back at him over her shoulder. " Why, steal Mrs Rudolfstein's pearls for me, of course!" His face went white with anger as he pulled himself together and walked _ forward .by her side to meet their joint hostess, who greeted them with a flow of excuses.

• "That dreadful motor—it broke down Bgain, and I thought we should never get home! Do forgive me, dear Mrs Kelverley—and Sir Eric, too —you must be famished." And in the general chatter they passed up the wide staircase, each inwardly smarting under .the other's "lack nf understanding."

"And you find the Marsden a really jomf ortable hotel V' He glanced round at Ihe elaborately upholstered private sitting room.

Mrs Rudolfstein smilingly acquiesced. "Very comfortable, on the whole," she admitted. "Of course, there are ' all sorts and conditions ' here! A certain thickness in her voice confirmed the impression given by her slightly Hebraic profile. "And the service upstairs is not always prompt—one has to wait for the bells; but, then, with one's own maid, it doesn't so much' matter, and my good Therese is so attentive."

Sir Eric raised his sleepy brown eyes. "A Frenchwoman?" he inquired carelessly, as he put down his empty teacnp. " Yes, a thorough treasure," said Mrs Rudolfsfcein. "Although I have not had her for very long, she is really quite attached to me."

She smiled complacently? twisting the heavy diamond rings on her plump white fingers as a sudden hideous memory of the impecunious past flashed into her busy brain, -when Mondays brought the household washing as her share of the day's ■work!

" It is very polite of a busy young man like you to come and look me up, ' she continued.

"After your delightful dinner on Thursday," he explained ; " such a cheery little party 1"

The stout ladv beamed.

" And how handsome Mrs Kelverley looked!" she suggested: "I always 1 think she is one of the best-dressed women in town, and in that black frock, with her gorgeous hair, she eclipsed everyone in the room—a real treat for tired eyes!" Her own prominent ones raked the young man's impassive face, but discovered nothing to warrant her burst of enthusiasm.

" Surely you are one of her many ad mirers, Sir Eric!" she proceeded gaily.

"I think her exceedingly good-looking," he admitted in his cool, slightly drawling voice. " Did you know her late husband?" said the Jewess curiously. " I understand he was rather—a thorn in the flesh."

Dunstable took up his hat and stick to depart. " Happily the rose has survived the thorn," he said, and his glance wandered carelessly round the room. ' You have really most charming quarters," he added. "It must be so comfortable, having the entire suite." His eyes Avere fixed on the further door.

The lady rose heavily out of her chair. "Come and look round," she suggested, "if it won't bore you." " Delighted, I'm sure." His voice was a trifle weary, but she led the way fussily. " This is' my bedroom." She flung open the door, and he walked boldly in, his quick eyes taking stock of the crowded dressing-table, with its rows of goldtopped bottles and brushes; the heavilycurtained bod, whereon reposed her fine garments for the evening's gaieties, and, last, but not least, the silent, dapper figure of the maid, Therese. As they entered the room she was in the act of opening a leather dLpatch-box that stood on a big trunk near the window, and she hed in her hand a couple of jewel-cases. Closing it quickly, and slipping the key into her pocket, she noiselessly withdrew. Dunstable walked up to the window and drew back the silk blind. "Ah! you look out on the front," he observed, "and yet there is no noise! I suppose you are too high up?" . "I always get the fourth floor for that very reason, said Mrs Rudolfstein. "With a lift it is just as handy." He paused for a moment by the closed dispatch-box. "How very ingenious!" he exclaimed. For a pair of £teel chains connected it with the heavy trunk beneath and were fastened with a strong padlock. "That's my jeweller's invention," said the owner proudly. "No one can slip in and carry it away; and, although I send most of my valuables to the bank, in the season it is such. a bother getting them in and out that I am glad of a temporary home'for them." She lifted the corner of a heavy fur rug that was tossed aside upon the lower trunk. "This goes over the lot, and the disguise is then complete!" she laughed. "I shall know exactly how to 'burgle' when I feel inclined!" he told her merrily as they shook hands in the corridor outside. "Good-bye, and thank you so much for showing me round."

It was the morning after the Grand Cosmopolitan Ball. Every official in the Marsden Hotel during the night before had been worked up to the vanishing point of habitual endurance, and it was a very sleepy and indifferent lift-boy who swung the dapperlooking, energetic young doctor up to the fourth floor. ~-«,'', Mrs Rudolfstein, as usual, had entertained a large party for the function, resplendent in her magnificent rows of pearls, and, greatly satisfied by her success as hostess, the tips had flown right royally, and the lift-boy had dreamed rosy dreams of wealth. •• ; _ He hardly glanced at the early visitor as he rattled back the gate, or- he would have seen a tall, fair young man with a carefully-trimmed, pointed beard, and dark eyes slightly obscured by the gold pince-nez he wore. He carried a small black bag in his left hand, and as if to emphasise his thoroughly, professional appearance, some tiny bottles obtruded themselves from the outer pocket of the same. In front of G Suite he paused, dismissing the boy with a word of thanks, and tapped gently at the outer bedroom door. There came no. response.

He tapped once more, and .then, turning the handle softly, stepped in and closed the door behind him. In the dim light of the drawn blinds the astounded apparition of Mrs Rudolfstein rose from a heap of cushions. But before she had time to speak the doctor had laid his hat and bag" on the table, and was beside the bed. . "Don't move, dear madame," he commanded, in a firm but persuasive voice. "I am Dr Selby-Vane." He bent over the bed, and taking her wrist between his finger and thumb, he drew out his watch and began to time her pulse. She was so overwhelmed with the drowsiness of her heavy slumbers and the extraordinary turn of' events that she made not the slightest protest. "And now," he said authoritatively, as he repaced the heavy gold repeater, "will you tell me exactly where you feel the pain?" said Mrs Rudolfstein blankly. She made an effort to r-cover her scattered wits. "Who are you?" she demanded, "and why are you here? I never sent for a doctor. There's been some idiotic mistake!"

But the stranger was busy with a bottle in his hands.

Mrs Rudolfstein looked round wildly for the bell. As she did so a strong, pungent odour filled the air, she felt something suffocating pressed down over her mouth, struggled for a moment, then eank back into unconsciousness. Now, with a quick step, the pseudophysician crossed the room and threw open the low windows. Drawing some tools from his, pocket, in a. few seconds he had snapned the steel chains which guarded the leather despatchbox. Next he reached for his black bag, pressing a spring in its side. The mock medicine-chest telescoped outwards, doubling its original girth, and by some inward mechanism the base was forced up inside. He slipped it carefully down over the despatch-box. there was a faint click as the hidden springs closed on the precious contents, and the deed was done.

The despatch-box had vanished into thin air, and only a bulky black bag remained. He carried it across the room, shaking it slightly to test it; then placing a cardboard hat box he found into the vacant position, he arranged the fur rug carefully over the whole, reducing it to its original appearance. And not a minute too soon ! For as he reached out for his hat there came a tapping on the further door communicating with the sitting room. "C'est moi, madame—Therese," said the shrill voice of the French maid.

He paused for a moment undecidedly; then, crossing the room, he threw open the door, his finger to his lips. "Hush!—make no noise!" he told her quickly in French. "Madame is very ill; I am her physician." His sharp, authoritative voice checked her first impulse to scream. "Mais —Monsieur " Her beady, inquisitive eyes wandered to the motionless figure on the bed. "There's no time to lose," he continued hurriedly. "Madame, as you know, is subject to these attacks. I have tried to quiet her with ether." He uttered the statement calmly,- as he noticed she was sniffing the strong odour of the anaesthetic. "I must now fetch the stimulant to administer immediately she wakes. I did not like to leave her alone, and have twice rung the bell, but could get no answer, and am therefore thankful for your appearance." He picked up his hat and stick. " I see you are capable, and that I can trust you." Therese tossed her dark head under the flattery of his glance. "And you have only to sit beside the bedside until madame wakes. She must not be agitated or allowed to talk —but I hope to be back before this takes place." He lifted the bag boldly, forcing back one of the little bottles into the pocket, and paused for a moment in the doorway. "Above all," he added sternly, "do not allow her to talk."

He walked quickly to the staircase, passed down it without meeting a single person, and out through the dimly-lighted hall.

"Hansom!" he said-in answer to the sleepy porter's inquiry, and the next moment he was bowling merrily down Pall Mall.

At the Burlinhgton Arcade he got out and paid the cabby, and strolling through its empty length with his usual nonchalant step, he passed out into _ Bond street, where he picked up a taxi, and soon vanished out of sight.

Mrs Kelverley broke open the envelope with a little sigh of relief. She had not seen Sir Eric Dunstable for over a week, and, womanlike, began to regret her attitude towards him at Mrs Rudolfstein's dinner.

He had evidently taken her at her word —had she but known literally than she would have deemed possible! Therefore, as she read his note begging her to see him that very evening, she yielded to the impulse of the moment and sent off two telegrams—one cancelling a previous engagement, and the other bidding the baronet to dine with her at eight o'clock. When she went up to dress her maid had laid out a grey teagown on the bed, but with a sudden caprice she altered it to a dress of soft white satin veiled in -creamy lace, and with the one delicate note of colour, a pale pink camelia in the glistening copper hair. It was a very beautiful lady indeed who greeted Sir Eric with outstretched hand as he entered the little French drawing room.

Dinner was announced, and they passed downstajas discussing the usual banalities during the daintily-served repast.

But after dessert, when the coffee had been served in the fc high Sevres cups, and the door had closed upon the old butler, Mrs Kelverley gave an audible sigh of relief.

Sir Eric smiled responsively, and a little silence fell between them, charged with the electric atmosphere of the guarded tete-a-tete. Through the half-open window they could hear the faint iingle of hansom bells, and a- sudden of paper-boys swept past, crying the latest news. " Extra spechul!" came the hoarse voices in echo on echo. - " What are they saying?" said Mrs Kelverley at last, breaking with difficulty the ,spell that seemed to have fallen. Dunstable bent his head, and a sudden smile flashed into his face. "Great —Jewel—robbery!" they caught distinctly, and then another voice, shriller and more insistent. "Mrs Rudolphstein's pearls !" Dunstable threw back his head and laughed.

"How very appropriate!" he observed. Mrs Kelverley looked at him in amazement. # \ " Why?" she demanded, curiously. " Why appropriate? Then, with sympathy" in her low voice, '"Poor lady—she was so proud of them! Do you remember, Eric, she had them on that night we were at the Marsden together?" and added, "The last time I saw you—over a week ago!" A note of reproach had stolen into her tone. But he still continued to smile, and a queer little feeling of unrest stole over foe-r —there was a change somewhere, subtle, undefinable, and she could not fathom his attitude toward her. ' Do you remember what you eaid—the test" you set me?" he asked her in return.

She frowned a little, searching her brain. Then as a light broke in upon her, " Why, of course —I told you to steal them for me!—and now somebody really has!" And she laughed back at him, a shade relieved.

" Yes," said Dunstable, with his little drawl," somebody has," and he produced a long, flat jewel case. " Here they are," he said simply, and handed the parcel across.

Mechanically she took the case, pressed the spring, and looked inqide. Eow after row of gleaming pearls lay stretched on the pale blue velvet, and in the centre the great pear-shaped drop. "Mrs Rudolf stein's pearls!" Mrs Kelverley gasped. " Whatever does it all mean'? You, Eric—you " Words failed her.

He rose io his feet, and, taking the case from her, he slipped it back into his pocket. " Yes," he said calmly. " I stole them for you—l am the thief." She pushed her chair back from the table and stood facing him, her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright. "Why?" she said breathlessly. "Why?" But all the smile had died out of his face, and he stood looking down on her, his whole heart in his eyes. "Because you asked me," he said slowly at last. "I knew, of course, you were jesting, but I wanted to show you there was nothing so high I could not reach it, so low I would not stoop to it—for you I" She gazed back into his ardent eyes with the long, searching glance of love; and suddenly a disturbing thought flashed through the workings of her mind. "You miglit be put in prison," she said agha-st. "It's quite on the cards." His tone was drily amused. She laughed a little ringing laugh, charged with the strong vote of excitement.

"Then I shall come too," she cried. " You forget that I am an accomplice now !" •

The next moment she was in his arms. ' "Is it true, Selma? he asked hoarsely. "Will you marry—your thief?" But as their lips met he knew there was no need for reply.

Late that evening a hansom pulled up at the quiet District Messenger office at the corner of Sackville street, and _ a gentleman in evening dress, descending leisurely, gave in a large parcel to be delivered at the Marsden Hotel.

The boy studied the name carefully. "Mrs B-udolfstein !" And his face lighted up. p "Same as lorst the pearls?" he inquired shrewdly. "It's the pearls themselves," said the gentleman with a laugh. "I'm sending them back 1"

His head was turned away from the light;- but the boy's face was one delighted grin from ear to ear.. "Orl rite, guvnor, I'll be hextra careful!" he retorted as he started.

The gentleman got into the hansom again. "The Marsden," he ordered the man. "Main entrance."

"Eric!" said the lady beside him, "isn't it rather mad?"

Her voice expressed wonder and a faintly excited admiration. Dunstable's hand clasped tightly over hers as he turned to glance at the beautiful woman beside him.

Then he gave a low, contented laugh. "I think we both of us deserve supper," he said simply.