TALES AND SKETCHES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9430, 2 January 1909, Page 1

TALES AND SKETCHES.

servatory was stained a pale pink, so that the light from the room itself was dim and almost sombre. The apartment was magnificently furnished in Oriental style, and reminded Dugdale of a place in Smyrna where he had once passed a few weeks. A man seated at a writing-table rose and bowed slightly, and Dugdale half extended his hand. . Then he drew back with a puzzled expression. ■ •?* I beg your pardon," he murmured. " For the moment I thought '■■ I was speaking to Mr Quentin himself." The man smiled; His features cer^ i tamiy Dore a remarkable likeness to those of Quentin. There was the same refinement, the same clearness of outline, the 6ame suggestion of intellec- '■. fual strength. ' There was the strong . jaw and straight red moubh, but the hair was a curly black and the eyes were, dark brown, with specks of y_eli low in the ivls. No doubt a relation of Qiientin's, Dugdale thought ; then i realised that it was no business of his In any case; " We are rather alike," the stranger smiled. "But my name is Grenadus. I am Mr Quentin'6 private secretary, and you may say anything to'me'ybu would say. to him But why take the trouble to come 'here, Mr' Dugdale? I assure you there was no hurry. Mr Quentin is only too pleased to be in a position \to accommodate you. No thanks, please:" ' ... "This is extraordinary,, Dugdale. murmured. "I see you know everything, and. I will be, quite free with youF It was exceedingly considerate of Mr Quentin to help me; indeed, I am at a laea to know why he should assist- me at all." „ ,■> » . , "Quentin, ■«* a law unto himself, the private .secretary said. "He never I does anything like other people. Of course, t can't say, but I fancy he is interested iiv you. I understand you •. have a jgood record, and that you are looking out for eomethina; to do. "Now I wonder if you would like to underv take a commission for my employer? I. must tell you thati there is an element' of : danger about it. You will have to be r discreet and silent and do I exactly as you are told. In this mat- ) ter you may see Mr Quentin or you > ' may not. At the present stage every- . thing is left to ms<" ' £ Anything that is honest, ' ' Dugdale: ► began, "Lain-^'' ; \* '< .' ■ > "Oh. quite so," Grenadus interrupt-. ► Ed with - /queer smile. "That goes without saying. If you are willing. to 'undertake this commission I shall be glad to engage you at once. Letne „ assume that you have had a retaining . fee of ' fifteen pounds/ and that you are ■ to be paid at the rate of two bun- | dred: pounds a year for expenses. Does . that sat .7 you,, Mr Dugdale P" " It is more than satisfactory,'* Dug- , dale replied. , "You. have a deal to learn," Grena- , dus continued with the same dry smile. j "You might have asked double the money and got it. But that does not , concern me. We must have a gentleman, which you are, a, man of courage, where fain you fulfil the require- ' mente. , That, you can be discreet, and ; silent, your record in South Africa shows. f I believe you are well acquainted with Mr Theo Isidore." • "Oh, assuredly," Dugdale said with" a red face. "My experiences with him seem to be unfortunate. I don't 'know '/^wb^tbw •ho^Tv^y^n*,; f v^. „-n?- last ui^ht 01: Mls^fcaetoi-- was' tStaylciiM of: a? ; cr^hdax; -^Bpt it eerv<« meriglit. r£ , ought ttever to hat"© written to -that ' 'man.'" '. ■- . ' ; ■ '•/-■• ""You appear to dislike hins, then?" ."Very much indeed;. He is a ' ' thoroughly bad lot despite his* money. ' When I first knew him he was in a very different position from what he now fills. I should never have approached him at- all except that I was penniless and reckless, and now, thanks to Mr ' Quentin— — " "Quite 60, quite so," the secretary ' broke in. . "We won't go into that again; PerEaps you wonder why I mentioned Mr Isidore's name, but I am coming to that. I suppose, like everybody else in London, you know all about -i the 'Marlborough Magazine.' 1 Whatever you may think of Mr Isidore, you" are bound to admit . : that it is a wonderful publication. Those coloured 1 illustrations are perfeot works of art. One wonders how much- Isidore will drop over the venture. But, still, that is no business of ours." "I have Seen the first number, of course," Dugdale -said. "I see there r is a flaming account in to-day's papers of the Yellow dinner at the Blenheim last night. Isn't that a copy of the second number on your tablef" Grenadus smiled as he stretched out a long thin hand and took up the , magazine, the yellow cover of whioh ; was now familiar enough to the public 1 He turned over the highly-calendered pages till he oame v at length' to the • oracle of whioh he was fjk search. He , beckoned Dugdale to'his^ide. ' * "I want you tip^atfe at this," he said, "Perhaps y^itTßave already read • the number?" - -vV i " Not yet," Dugdale admitted. " You see I couldn't afford to. buy it, and T haven't been in one of the libraries." "Well, \take this away with you. I want you to read the story entitled 'The Purple Curtain.' Like the rest of the contributors, the writer prefers to remain anonymous ; indeed, that is , the stipulation which Isidore makes. , The story is a good enough one of the dramatic kind, though I am afraid there is nothing in it which is likely to help you in the search which you are about to undertake on our behalf. Still, one never can tell, and you bad better read the story carefully. But what I wish to call your particular- attention to ie this illustration. As you see, it represents a pretty girl Tookin«? out of the window of an old-fashioned house. In one corner is an old piece of French furniture on which stands , a vase. Now : tell . me. have you ever seen a vase like that before?"' Dugdale turned with the greatest interest ifco the picture. On the face of, . it there was nothing out of the common, but the deep impressive note which had now come into Grenadus's voice was not without its effect. The ' /picture in the " Marlborough Mapra,xine" was a striking one. The girl's :%gure stood' out lithe and dimly grey 1 against the background ; but wliat did Jappeal to Dugdale was the vase in one corner, which was drawn with an elaboration of: detail that left nothing- to he desired. The yase appeared to be . some two: feet in height, and was supported by three ormolu dragons "quaint--1' :fy intertwisted. The colours stood out : with, a fidelity and realism which pointed to the original t being an actual work of art. The pedestal was slightly : chipped, and a smaH fragment or the <]. cover was missing. • " Evidently of great value," Dugdale murmured. "Yeai I saw something like- it years ago, when I managed to gain admission to the Summer Palace at Pekin." . v. " Absolutely correct ," Grenadus said £ fin the same curiously dry voice. " There . (were only two- of those vases ever, made i-lthe one you . saw at Pebin ; the other 1 fornis the subject of this* illustration.

That was drawn from the Teal thing itself. The vae© mysteriously disappeared some years ago from a private collection, and has never been heard of since. That it is still in existence this drawing in the "Marlborough Magazine" clearly pr<yves. Now, I want you to take this away with you and study that priceless piece of china till you are familiar with it in every detail. When you feel competent to deal with the matter I will give you your instructions." "But I am equal to that now," Dugdale urged. "Did I not indicate the origin of the vase at a glance? And if I saw the real thing I should not be at all likely to be deceived, seeing that I recognised it from a water-colour drawing." " True," Grenadus said thoughtfully. "Arid now, before you begin,, there is one thing I must warn you against. On no account are you to make any inquiries through the mtbliaher© or printers of the " Marlborpiigh Magazine.' That is a sine qua non. . Now. u you will excuse me for a moment, I will go into Mr Quentin's room and speak to him . I should like to consult him .before going farther. Of course, it is a mere matter of form" . ~ Grenadus disappeared, leaving imgidale hopeful but anxious. The seer eI tary came back a moment later with a smiling air. He took a cheque book from a drawer and filled in a draft for fifty pounds. This he handed to Dugdale with an intimation that it was for ! current expenses. ; ■ .": But. what am I to do?" the latter asked. ... , '• ' „ _ .. "Do! 5 ? Grenadus echoed. " Don't you understand? It will be your task , to find the Dragon Vase." CHAPTER lII.' A DAUGHTER OF THE SOCTH. , On the face of it, . the . commission looked simple, but from the Very first Dugdale could not rid himself of the feeling that there was something sinister and underhand in it. Probably Quentin was a crank and a faddist,. a china: maniac who did not _care about showing his hand. And so far as Dugdale could see, when he had traced the Dragon Vase, hi6 mission was at an end. At the same time, it was like searching for a needle in a, haystack and for the moment he was utterly unable to tell how to begin proceedings. He spent the best part of the day in thinking the matter out, deciding at length that Macpherson was the person most likely to help him. He found the genial, Scotsman taking his ease at one of the minor literary clubs, and under the seal of secrecy disclosed the matter to him. : "It is very strange," Macpheraon said. " Still .nothing, ought to surprise an old hand like; myself, and Til not say a word about it to anybody, my boy. What you want to get hold of is an in Oriental china. I don't mean a man who writes • bookß which, he gets up in the museums. You want an authority who is accustomed to handle these things. If you' have got nothing' particular to do this evening, I can put, my hand on the very person you want." ,' " Is he a dealer?" Dugdale, as&ed: " It, isn^t- <a he ■fe fJi, .spnij^; "f ib is avlady.. Slip/ is- a.bii M a rnjislety, top. rlPrankly, I don't A like' this "cobimission of yours much, and I only hope it won't get you into trouble' Paul Quentin is a queer sort,. and there is something behind him that I.ean't make out. You know I inter* viewed him ; for paper. I was with the man fpgfffne best part of an hour. It seem^Bpossible that I could have 'made a mistake in the description of him. Murray, of the "Telephone, 5 ' tells me that the Paul Quentin he saw was entirely different from my man. Mv man had a pallid face and grey hair, wonderful silver-grey hair^it was, too, Murray swears that i his Quentin had fair hair and grey i eyes. But you have seen Quentin?" " Only . just for a moment," Dugdale said, "It was at the Blenheim Restaurant, as I told you. Most assuredly he had silver-grey hair and blue eyes, as you say. When I called upon him in Glover Street he was not to be seen, and I got my commission from his secretary Grenadus." " Well, I don't like it,'* Macphersori repeated. "If you ask me, you are in with a funny lot and you had best be careful. Still, needs must when a certain gentleman drives, and I. dare say you will come out of it al) right. What you should do first is to see this china expert, who will tell you more in an hour . than' you can teach your- i self in a month. If you have nothing on hand to-nighi I can introduce you to the lady." "She is a friend of yours?" Dugdale asked. i . u Well, no, she isn't. She is a mystery But no one worries about that j when London is full of them. She calls herself Rachel Varna. She is a rare .beauty of the Southern type, marvellously intellectual and vivacious. There isn't a better dressed girl in London, but no one knows who she is or where she comes from. It is my belief she is a kind ' of Cinderella. She is to be | met with at nearly all the smart subscription dances. She always leaves ' early and nobody, has the least idea where she Hves. I know she is a great '\ authority on^ china, becanse when I was writing a series of articles about certain eminent collections Rachel was of the greatest possible assistance to j me. I don't believe there is a single branch of the subject of which v she \is ignorant. You had better treat her quite in the spirit of bon camaraderie, 1 but don't be inquisitive and don't follow her. Meet me here to-night at ten o'clock, and we shall go to the Magpie Dance at the. Whitehall Rooms; where Rachel is sure to be in evidence. The Magpies are a colony of artists who have more money than genius, but their little dances are wonderfully well done, and you are certain to enjoy yourself." "I shall be glad of the chance," Dugdale said grimly, , " especially when I think of the time I have had lately. I'll be here at ten." , Punctuality was not one of Macphereon's virtues, and it was nearly eleven o'clock before the Whitehall Rooms were reached. Some two hundred .people were gathered on enjoyment bent, and for the most part they appeared to be carrying out the programme successfully. Quite a sprinkling of wellknown society people were present. There were plenty of smart toilettes,, on© of which stood .out conspicuous from the rest and arrested Dugdale's eye immediately. It was a dress of coral pink, wonderfully light and artistic, and worn/by a <Ja,rk girl with raven hair, and the most magnificent pair of eyes Dugdale had ever seen. The girl was seated by herself and ■vyatcbing those around, her with infi-: riite amueement. There was a faint smile on her lips and a'6tiegestion Tf.f lazy scorn in her . Dugdale jerked; his head in her direction. . ' ' "I suppose that ;;is. not Miss Varna by any chance ?"Jhe whispered. f '■■/: "On. yes, it is," Maopherson ror .sponded. " Gome along and I'll intro* 'duc« you at onbe. Ybu'are in luck." Thfc girl looked up with a dazzling smile; that fairly; ' tbrilled Dugdale. There v- ho jsceht about her, but seemed to diffuse an atmosphere which was^peculiarly her .own. ])ugdale could

compare it with nothing he had ever noticed before. "Why are you not dancing?"'Maepherson asked. "For the simple reason that there is no one "in the room I happen to know/ the girl said, in a low, sweet voice. " And you don't dance yourself, do you?" Macpherson shook hie head resolutely. "No," he eaid; "but perhaps my friend here does. I wonder if you would help him. To be candid, I brought him here to-night on purpose to see you. This is Mr John Dugdale, and for the moment he is interested in Oriental china. He is looking 'out for a certain type of vase, and I told him he could not do better than a6k your advice. He" is a novice at the game." The dark eyes flashed with kindly interest. , -"T'll do what I can," Rachel "said. Besides, I don't feel a bit like dancing this evening. Now you run away and leave iur Dugdale to me." # Dugdale sat down by Miss Varna's side feeling that the gods were kind to him. He was by no means ineeh<sible v to the beauty of the girl. Tt flattered him to £nd that she was taking an interest m his adventure. ; "It is rather a strange story," he said, " and I am afraid I must not tell yon how it came about. But Tarn looking for a peculiar form of Dragon Vase, of which only two are known to exist. One is in this country, the other I know is in the Summer Palace at Pekin. because I saw it with my own eyes. Perhaps you can guess what I meanP" As Dugdale turned eagerly to his fair companion he saw to his surprise that the beautiful carmine flush bad faded from her face and that' her cheeks paled to the liiie of old ivory. "The Dragon Vase 3 " Rachel Varna said in a whisper. "Do you really mean what you say, Mr Duedale? ...But, rio, it is impossible, incredible. We must be thinking of different things. Would you mind describing £he object of your search?" •"I can do better than that," Dugdale replied. "I can show you exactly what it is like. I can send you a drawing of it if you are interested. you have seen a copy of this month's 'Marlborough Magazine?' " Once more ,the white and the roses were at war in Rachel Varna's cheeks, and she was breathing rapidly through parted lips. Dujgdale noticed the uneasy fluttering of her hand. "There is no need to ask further questions," she said. "I see we are both thinking of the same thing. I have seen the * Marlborough Magazine' for this month, and an illustration of the story called ' The Purple Curtain* contains a drawing of the JDragon Vase, in every respect " "That's it/ 1 Dugdale said, eagerly. "The very thing. It is rather strange' that I should have seen one of the pair in the Summer Palace ,at Pekin and that I should be in search of its fellow. ' But I suppose you know* the history of these wonderful specimens of Chinese ceramic art?" "I may say without boating that there is practically nothing aboutit&ina tb# I don't know ..." the girl re^ pta/ -'^I am -te-m po&it^n -where I am boiind to learn, all about tit. Wrom mv childhood I have been brought up in, the midst :of artistic things. ■ . Is it a secret who your principal is in this matter?" , a - ' .*u -^a The Question was asked with a vivid eagerness that puzzled Dugdale. Rachel Varna seemed to be hanging on hi "fSm afraid I cannot f you that/ he said regretfully. I am very sorry to appear discourteous, but that must be my secret. I suppose there is no doubt that tho vase drawn in the 'Marlborough Magazine , is actually the fellow to the one in the Summer Palace at Pekin. It seems fascinating, but isn't it possible that the 'Marlborough Magazine artist copied it during a flying visit to Pekin ?" "No I don't think so," said the girl promptly. " I don't see how any artist could paint a vase like that rrom a casual glance. It would have to be done elaborately and carefully. And, besides the colouring is absolutely correct. A photograph would.be altogether useless. You may be quite sure. Mr Dugdale, that the artist used for his model the missing Dragon Vase." "Oh, it is missing, then?" .Dugdale asked. ;, • , Rachel Varna laughed a little awkwardly. „ . "I didn't mean to say that," 3he eaid. " The vase in question was stolen some years ago from the collection of a wealthy man who is now dead. The robbery caused a great sensation at the time, because the piece of china is unique. There is nothing like it in Europe for size, for colouring or beauty of outline. If the Dragon Vase came into the market now I should not be in the least surprised to find that it fetched six figures. You are incredulous." "Well, I Am," Dugdale admitted. "Six figures!'* *' Well, why not? More than one piece of china has changed hands lately for sixteen . or Beventeeh thousand, pounds. You would have collectors from all over the world after it. .And think what a 'splendid opportunity it would be for the millionaire to advertise his wealth!" "I hadn't thought of that/ Dugdale confessed. "At any rate, you know now what I am looking for, though I cannot tell you the name of the person on whose behalf I am engaged. Perhaps you can tell me where the missing vase is?" Dugdale' put the question half in jest. He was surprised to see how seriously it was taken. There was something almost of terror on .the. girl's face as she turned her splendid eyes on him. ; -" You muss not ask that," she whispered. "It is not fair. I have told y^bu all I can for the present. . I have let you know that the thing you are looking for is more valuable than half a dozen historic diamonds. It is a thousand pities that there is a flaw in the cover of the vase, but in the course of a few days I hope to see that matter " : The, girl paused and bit her lip, conscious perhaps that she was saying too much; Then she turned the conversation gaily but resolutely and began to talk of other things with wit and brilliancy. Dugdale was too fascinated by the grace and beauty of hia companion t<> keep a cool, level head. He had n^ver eeen any on© like. Rachel

Varna before. He had never seen a girl at once so beautiful and so alluring. He had a fair knowledge of society and its ways. He knew that the girl was perfectly dressed and that there was no flaw in her manners. He laid himself oat for enjoyment. Put, with all his questions, ■ he left off at the end of an hour as wise as he had begun. Who Rachel Varna was he had not the least idea. He went off presently at" a hint from the girl that she would like an ice, and when he came back she had vanished. Maopherson.^ with an amused look in his eyes, indicated the vacant seat. . "Gone 'like the baseless fabric of a vision leaving not a wraok behind,' " he quoted;- "My dear fellow, for the ©ake of your peace of mind > do not allow your thoughts to dwell upon Rachel Varna. She* is like some \ beautiful dragon-fly; she emerges from the pool of obscurity to dazzle and coruscate, and when you think you have , her in your hand she becomes elusive as a beam of' sunshine." ' Without knowing why, Dugdale felt irritated. It seemed to him that he had been fooled. He managed to avoid Macpherson, and presently took his overcoat and left the rooms. He was restless and uncomfortable. He' could not get Rachel Varna out of his mind. He would not have hesitated to follow her, if he had had the chance. Hardly knowing in which direction he was walking, he strode along till the streets began to get meaner -^and narrower, the roads more dirty, and the locality less desirable. In front of him a woman in a black cloak trudged along. Dugdale vaguely noticed "her stout, serviceable boots and heavy oloak. Out of the darkness there came one of those prowling, night hawks who render, the .dark hours of London hideous and repulsive. The first whine for assistance turned to a threat as the villain realised that he had . the lonely passenger entirely at his mercy. Tjtere was a little cry for assistance,; and Dugdale crept silently forward. Th© next moment the man was lying on his back in the gutter, and the .woman, /with a broken murmur of l thanks, hurried along. y ■ Only for a moment had .Dugdale caught sight of her face, but it sufficed. Despite the middle^class garb and the thick respectable boots, he recognised the delicate features of Rachel Varna. He dropped back feeling satisfied that the girl was secure in her disguise. It was not for him to show that he had penetrated that disguise, for he had, made up his mind to follow her home. He dropped behind until the figure of Rachel Varna was nearly out of sight and then saw her disappear into an overhanging doorway at the side of a low-browed shop which bore over the casement window the name of Varna, and the information that he was a dealer in gold ahd silver and. precious stones. For the present Dugdale had learnt enough. He would look, round casually in , the morning and drop into the shop on some pretence or another on the off-chance of seeing Rachel again.. • • ' It was nearly eleven o'clock next day before he was able, to put his project into execution. When Tie reached the shop he was surprised to see behind the small leaded panes a dazzling array of antique gold and silver ornaments and precious stones. As he establishment Rachel herself -came .from behind the desk and looked questioningly at the intruder. She was plainly enpagh dressed, but nothing could deprive her of- her beauty or her air of distinction. The exquisite features coloured slightly, and there was anger as well as reproach in the dark eyes. "Why do you come here?" the girl whispered. i ' "How did you know I did' come?" Dugdale 6aid somewhat lamely, "I mean, you have no right to imply that I followed, you here;" " But, all the same, you didt,. I suppose you recognised me last night; -It was not a pretty thing to do, Mr Dugdale, and I am not at all pleased, with you/ ■'■".■ "I am sure I beg your pardon," Dugdale said contritely. "In any case, let me assure you that your -secret is safe in my hands. And. besides, it is ■> natural that a girl should like a little change sometimes. I dare say it is a monotonous kind of life you lead here—". Dugdale paused, and the words died away upon his lips, for he was absolutely fascinated by a small object which lay on the. counter, a round, flat, lid evidently belonging to some pieces ot china, a lid of the , most extraordinary Mazarin blue, decorated with figures and butterflies of various" shades. The thing was beautiful in itself, but what astounded Dugdale was that a filial; triangular piece of the cover was miss^ ing, exactly as in the, case, of^e Dragon Vase depicted. by the v «»mst of the "Marlboroueh Magazine. '; Dugdale had haTdly to to avert his eyes from thjs object before the figure of a; bent old man with shining bald tiead and long, straggling grey beard tottered into the shop from behind the desk. In a way he bore^ a ridiculous resemblance to Rachel \ Varna, much as the caricatures^ of some prominent Statesman bear to the real personality. - ■ "He is back again, my dear/^the i old man said in querulous accents which shook with fear. "The devil has come back' again. He is in my private office and I don't know what to say to him. Oh dear, oh dear, what, have I done that T should be persecuted in this way? Why does this devil of a man worry me?" "Soothe yourself, father/ Rachel said imperturbably. "I will go and speak to him. And you, sir? It will be as well if ■ you keep in the background." The girl slipped calmly away, leaving Dugdale staggered and surprised, Why had Rachel Varna conveyed this warning to him ? For it was a warning, ■. as her speaking: eyes told \, him. ; A&ost instinctively he stepped back ' in the gloom- at the end of the counter whilst. the old man stood wringing his hands arid wiping the moisture from his yellow forehead. The sUence of the ' shop was broken by angry voices in the inner office, and one of the voices struck on Dugdale' s ears with a) sound both familiar arid sinister. Where had lie heard it before? Surely he con- ' nected it with bis call upon Paul Quentin. Yes. undoubtedly, it was the voice ( of the secretary Grenadus. But it was not Grenadus who v emerged from the ■•• office and strode angrily along the „ shop— it was the pale, languid, bent ■-, form of Paul Quentiri himself; The ■ sombre light fell upon his face aud-the' ;', silver-grey -hair and the figure shone . out like one of Rembrandt's portraits! Without saying, a word; to anybody, or looking from ' side to, qlde, and. ; as'; his ! shadow cleared the window the old man ceased to wring his hands and a , wonderfully alert look came into his >, rheumy eyes. ■ \ i '"You are a wonder, jmy dear, apqsf- j tive wonder. But perhaps you will ; j attend to this ge#slen]an whilst. I pack < up the parcel. to-go Silverdale 1 ." '.--.' -i As the old man' spoke he la;d, his 1 hand on the china lid tenderly arid lov.- < ingly. Dugdale waited for Rachel to * speak. Her 'eyes flashed as she pointed < to'the door. ' " You , had better go," she said in * a sibilant whisper. "Yon have done ] mischief enough for one day.'* ] Feeling small and mean, Dugdale \ crept from +he shop. • { -\ ,■'. CEo be pontinued.) i