By Decree of the Seven.

Southern Cross, Volume 8, Issue 31, 17 November 1900, Page 13

By Decree of the Seven.

[PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.]

BY EDMUND MITCHELL,

(COPYRIGHT.)

CHAPTER XII. (Continued). Spreading the Net. At Russell Square the cab that carried the detective and the doctor was dismissed, and the rest of the journey was performed on foot. Regaining the house by means of the right-of-way and the back gate, Hamilton found Mrs Brown still up and awaiting his leturn. ‘ Lawks, near one o’clock, Doctor, and me getting real anxious,’ exclaimed the worthy woman, with a sigh of evident relief at his safe arrival. ‘ Well, it’s all right now, Mrs Brown. Here is the key of the gate.’ 4 And you’ve brought yoiir friend back with you, sir ?* 4 Only for a minute or two. We have to get something from my room. But don’t trouble further ; I’ll let him out at the front door myself. No one has called for me, Mrs Brown ?’ 4 No, sir.’ 4 Then, good-night,’ said Hamilton, showing the way for his companion upstairs. The gas was burning in the room, just as he had left it four hours earlier. The detective, refusing all offers of hospitality, did not remain long. Hamilton accompanied him to the front door, and, leaving the latter opened, even stepped on to the pavement with his departing guest, as if engaged in a few words of final conversation. The roadway was silent, and to all appearance quite deserted. 4 Well, Mr Cevanci,’ said the doctor, talking pretty loudly, 4 goodbye for the present. I shall see you again on Monday Gening.’ The person addressed murmured some reply, shook hands, and proceeded on his way. He had advanced, however, only a dozen yards when Hamilton arrested his steps by shouting out: 4 Just another moment Mr Cevanci; there is one thing that I have forgotten.’ The departing visitor returned, exchanged a few more words, and finally left. Hamilton lingered for a moment while closing the door, and with one swift glance was enabled to catch sight of a man who had emerged from the shadows of the houses opposite, and was stealing after the disappearing figure of the supposed Cevanci. ‘ A red herring trail this time,’ laughed the doctor, as he regained his room. Somehow that night Hamilton slept more soundly than he had done for a week before. The secrets that had been oppressing him seemed less burdensome, now that . they were shared by others ; the sense of possible lurking danger less disquieting now that he knew watchful eyes were around him to guard as well as to spy on his movements; the whole mystery less appalling, now that its complete and final solution was so near at hand. His dreams were of Carlotta Garcia ; but she came to him in fancy now with joy in her eyes and a smile on her lips, and was no longer associated in his thoughts with sad tales of crime or dread schemes of vengeance. He awoke refreshed and happy, and mentally fit for the long and anxious day which he knew was before him. The events of the succeeding twelve hours always remained to him as a sort of confused phantasmagoria on the screen of memory. Tense excitement seemed in his case to result in an ebullition of boisterous spirits. He joked with his landlady after breakfast, and when leaving the house soon after he fairly took the

Author of “ The Temple of Death,” “ Towards the Eternal Snow,” “ The Legacy of Jean Baptiste,” &c., &o.

breath away from the'little iraid-of-all-work by jumping over the backet she had just deposited prior to cleaning the doorstep. He did not trouble to look whether the woman with the cameo brooch was in sight, but he knew quite well, as be sauntered along, that she was not far behind. So it was almost in a merry mood that he took her for a long walk on the sunny side of Oxford street, then under the Marble Arch and among the greenery of Hyde Park, feeling all the while a sort of unseen companionship in his rambles, and laughing more than once at the quaint conceit that this involuntary constitutional might bring faint roses to those pale cheeks, and a glimpse of Nature, even in its wintry aspect, softened thoughts to that stonyhearted bosom.

It was jusfc a few minutes after ten o’clock that he presented himself at Mrs Savendale’s door. A most unorthodox hour for anything but a professional call* he reflected. But his coming was expected, for he was promptly ushered into the lady’s boudoir, where a bright fire was burning.

‘ V7hat in all the world is the meaning of this mystery, Dr Hamilton ?’ she asked, immediately on her coming to him. ‘ And yet I have been warned that I am positively to put no questions, but jest to behave as I’m told to, like any little girl in the school-room. It’s too bad, I say. I’m all in a flutter with curiosity, and my husband has actually delayed his departure this morning for the Foreign Office that he may have the pleasure of seeing you.’ Hamilton was in the act of making some faltering excuses for all the trouble he was causing in the household, when Mr Ravendale himself entered the room. They had not met before, although the doctor knew that the husband of Mrs Havendale occupied an important secretarial post in one of the G-overnment departments. He was a tall refinedlooking man, some years the senior of his wife. ‘Ho excuses, Dr Hamilton, I beg of you,’ he said, cordially, extending his hand. ‘ And no introduction is necessary, my dear,’ he added, with a smile towards his wife; ‘ for you have been talking Dr Hamilton to me for a week past, and now that we meet at last he seems quite like an old friend.’

‘ I’m sure you are very good,’ stammered the young docter, almost blushing at a reception so kind and flattering. ‘ I’m afraid that Tam giving Mrs Ravendale no end of trouble and annoyance.’ ‘ Don’t say anything of the kind, my dear sir,’ replied Mr Ravendale. ‘Mr St. John, of Scotland Yard, has been with me for an hour this morning, and he assures me that your cleverness and pluck have resulted in a discovery of almost international importance, and may end in uprooting the moat dangerous and unscrupulous organisation of Anarchists that exists in Europe.’ ‘lt all sounds so very dreadful,’ murmured the lady of the house. ‘And for you, Doctor, whom I thought such a quiet and studious young man, to be associated with such desperate characters ! ’ ‘ Hardly associated with them, Mrs Ravendale,’ protested Hamilton with a smile. ‘ However, I’m very glad that Mr St. John has left instructions that no questions are to be asked. Frankly speaking, Mr Ravendale, my brain is too touch in a whirl for me to give any coherent narrative of events at the present time. More by good luck than by good management —I should rather say, in spite of very bad

management—l have stumbled on an extraordinary, and undoubtedly gravely serious discovery. And all I have to do now, I believe, for another few hours, is to appear at my ease and unconcerned; so as to allay suspicion, till the moment comes for effective action on the part of the police. ‘ That is so,’ replied Mr Ravendale. *Mr St. John has put everything very clearly to me. The Signorina—whom, by the way, I must thank you for finding for us, doctor—is to be present when this dealer in statuary arrives. But she is to receive no hint as to what things are happening or are likely to happen, lest her manner should betray the agitation she would undoubtedly feel. 1 myself am to go as usual to ray office — although I shall have a mark against me for being late this morning,’ he added, with a laugh, as he glanced at his watch. ‘lf your man is long in coming, doctor, you may be able to put in an hour or two with music or the newspapers; so I shall leave you to the tender mercies of ray wife.’ ‘ And of the Signorina,’ added Mrs Ravendale, with a significant little nod, as she left the room to find that young lady. { This business has its fascinations,” remarked Hamilton, when the two men were alone. ‘Do you see that; fashionably-dressed person coming this way along the street, Mr Ravendale ? Have a look at her from behind the curtains, but don’t let yourself be seen.’

‘ Yes. And what is specially fascinating* about the lady in question may I ask ?’ he replied with a smile. ‘ Well,’ answered the doctor, ‘from what I have come to know I am prepared to say that that woman is one of the most dangerous individuals Loudon holds at the present day.’ ‘ An Anarchist, do you mean to tell me ?’ asked the other, with eagerness and surprise. ‘ Yes—a leader of the Anarchists, and the depository of their most terrible secrets. But to show you how those people, despite their marvellous precautions to escape detection, make mistakes in little things, just observe the brooch she is wearing.’

‘At the moment the woman passed, without raising her eyes, within three feet of the window behind which the two men were standing. ‘An old cameo,’ said Mr Ravendale. ‘ Precisely, an old cameo,’ repeated the doctor. ‘ Her costume is entirely different from that which I Saw her in yesterday ; her whole appearance is changed ; but she seems to persist in wearing that brooch. By it I recognise her her to be what she really is—an Anarchist and a spy. ’ ‘ JSTow I understand what you mean when you say that this game is fascinating. Well, as you suggest forgetfulness of ore * little detail has led to some of the greatest catastrophes the world has seen. * ‘ And brought a good few criminals to their final reckoning, ’ added Hamilton.

• Hush ! Here are the ladies, ’ interrupted Mr Ravendale, changing the conversation, Carlotta, dressed in a simple morning frock, was looking more charming than ever. By her side was a dainty little girl some nine or ten years of age, and from the way in which they held each other’s hands it was clear that already affectionate relations had been established between governess and pupil. ‘ Now I’m off,’ said Mr Ravendale, hissing his wife and daughter. ‘ You are to dine with us one night next week, Doctor, so I shall say only ‘ au revoir ’ to you as well.’ The morning passed pleasantly. Mrs Ravendale played on the piano, and after some persuasion Carlotta sang several Italian songs. She showed herself to be possessed of a rich contralto voice, which it was evident had received careful training ; but the special charm, Hamilton thought, in her singing lay in the tender feeling which she imparted to every word and to every cadence. While he listened to the music he

had ears for other things as well. He heard a cab draw up outside, the faint tinkle of the door bell and the sound of its being answered, the footsteps of the maid crossing the hall; and he leaned forward in expectancy of the knock that followed. ‘Mr Kakeropolus, ma’am, with some packages,’ an non need the servant. And Hamilton found himself smiling at this mutilation of the Greek name, when, for the second time he stood face to face with the dealer in statuary.

CHAPTER XIII. Ik the Toils. The Greek was suave and smiling. He evinced no surprise at finding Hamilton in the house. He bowed politely, first to Mrs Ravendale, then to Miss Garcia. The latter by her manner showed that Macropolo was a perfect stranger to her. ‘ I took responsibility for the packing,’ the dealer began, addressing Hamilton, ‘so I have brought the goods myself—Mr Ravendale.’ He pronounced the name with just a little hesitancy. ‘ Ah, my name is Hamilton—Dr Hamilton. This is the Hon. Mrs Ravendale.’ Macropolo bowed again to the lady of the house, but continued to addiess bis words to the doctor. 4 A thousand pardons for my mistake; but Ravendale was the only name you gave me.’ ‘ That is so, Mr. Macropolo ; well, it is for Mrs Ravendale that this piece of statuary is intended. Let us unpack it now. I hope, Mrs Ravendale, that you will approve of my selection, and commend my taste and judgment.’ ‘lf Mr Macropolo will have the Cases brought into the hall, we shall unpack them there,’ said Mrs Ravendale. ‘Certainly; may I instruct the cabman to bring the boxes inside ?’ And all together they left the room for the entrance hall. The pedestal and the bust were quickly taken from their cases and their wrappings. Mrs Ravendale was quite enthusiastic in her admiration. 4 lt is perfectly charming,’ she exclaimed in delight. ‘ls it not a sweetly pretty face P’ she asked of the Signorina, forgetting for the moment that the latter did not understand English. The question caused Hamilton to glance from the bust to Carlotta, and he then became conscious of some resemblance between the living face and the marble features. He looked again in some surprise ; the resemblance was undoubted the same lips, the same nose, precisely the same arrangement of the hair. He now recalled the vague impression that had come to him in Macropolo’s gallery when first he looked upon the marble figure—the shadowy ilea that the face was one which he had seen before—when or where he could not tell. He was, however, dismissing the thought from his mind with the reflection that one pretty Italian child was after all much like another, when the little girl by Carlotta’s side cried out, clapping her hands with excitement — ‘Look, mother dear, it is Miss Garcia ; her own very self, is it not ?’ Mrs Ravendale, thus appealed to, glanced with laughing critical carefulness from the marble figure to the countenance of the young Italian. 4 Certainly,’ she said, 4 there is a likeness, a decided likeness.’ ‘ Does the young lady happen to know the artist ?’ asked Macropolo, who had been observing the scene with quiet watchfulness. Carlotta, although she did not comprehend the conversation, was quick to see, from the fact of all eyes being directed upon her, that she was tlie subject of remark. She glanced at Hamilton, bashfully and appealingly.

‘ We all think, Signorina,’ he said in Italian, ‘that this marble face bears quite a remarkable resemblance to jour own. Mr Macropolo suggests that you may happen to know the sculptor.’