The Stolen Submarine

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XXI, 21 May 1904, Page 6

The Stolen Submarine

By

GEORGE GRIFFITH,

Author of " The Angel of the Revolution." " Brothers of the Chain.” "The White Witch of Mayfair." “The World Masters." &c.

BOOK I-BEEOPE THE STOQM.

FUR RUSSIA OR JAPAN? Victor Erskine, Englishman. and Orsino Lugand. Corsican, were foster brothers. Erskine, after live years of slavery, had become a wealthy mau, but Orsino, although he had invented a wonderful submarine. l.Anonyme. and had risen to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander in the French Marine, was desperately poor. Moreover. he was desperately discontented with the meagre reward in rank and pay conferred on him in recognition of his invention. The two foster brothers met by chance at Marseilles, and after confiding in each other thought of a plan which would mean a fortune for both. At the end of the interview Orsino signed an agreement to sell himself and the submarine to Erskine for 25.UW francus. A month later the papers were full of an account of the loss of the submarine, which had had orders to reach as great a depth as possible, and had never returned to the surface. The submarine possessed what was known as a "water ray" apparatus. by means of which any object could be seen while the boat was under water and quite invisible. * * ♦ • Some time had passed when the story continues: and Sir Victor was a man of fortune. He had a young half-brother, a struggling barrister, who was deeply in love with a beautiful girl, Leone Lonsdale. Alleging that she was in the direst straits for money—that her love and her future were at stake—she induced the young barrister to promise to forge a cheque for £IOUU in the name of his brother. Sir Vi<tor.

As soon as he had written the fatal cheque and put it away in his pocket-book he was visited by Mr Rufus Pulker. of a famous firm of solicitors, who asked him if he would take up the Yondall case. The Hon. Forester Yondall was. curiously enough, charged with forgery; Erskine brilliantly defended him. and he was discharged. Elated with triumph, and with the knowledge that his honour need not be sacrificed by the negotiation of the forged cheque, he left the court, but when he joined his friends he was horrified to find that his pocket containing the forged cheque had been completely cut away. The cheque was gone . The cheque had been stolen by the Princess Zaida Dorosma's spy. Estcourt. with the aid of I.awley. Arthur Erskine's clerk. The Princess, having possession of it. hoped to use it to strengthen her power over Sir Victor. The news that Zebrowski. the famous Anarchist, had escaped from prison filled the Princess with alarm, for he was her most pitiles enemy, and her life was no longer safe. Count Boris Volstoi. Secretary to the Russian Embassy, and virtually the head •if the Russian Secret Service in England, confided to Princess Zaida that as war was imminent Zebrowski could not be allowed to b<* free, and that she had been given the task of tracking him down and betraying him \lthough horrified nt the suggestion, she vns bound to agree, for refusal would mean at least imprisonment for life. Then she rememl»ered Falcone Lugand. the famous Corsican outlaw, who was her slave, and determined to seek his help. That evening Falcone unexpectedly called to see her. Falcone was the brother of Orsino. the lieutenant who had sold himself and his

submarine to Sir Victor. Hearing that Sir Victor had practically sold the submarine to the Japanese, the Corsicans had decided to steal it again and use it for Russia. The Princess was let in to the plot. Then, when she had told Falcone about Zebrowski. he promised to go himself to the meeting, to which the Secret Society of the Seven had summoned her. and if necessary get rid of Zebrowski. When Falcone left it was with the promise that the Princess would shortly become his wife. The Princess decided to call on Sir Victor that night and take with her the forged cheque.

CHAPTER IX. PRINCESS AND BRIGAND. It would only unduly delay the progress of the narrative to repeat in detail the conversation which took place between her highness and the man to whom, not as diplomatist or political intriguer, but just as natural woman, she had so strangely come to love. The reason is that this conversation consisted mainly in the telling by Signor Falcone to his delightedly-wondering companion of the stealing of the submarine. With most of the details of that singular transaction the reader is already familiar.

In addition to this he told her, in picturesque language, and with speaking gesture, the story of the two years’ career of smuggling and treasure-hunting at the bottom of the sea. which was the true origin of Victor Erskine’s quicklywon wealth. She listened in rapt silence t< the telling of the wonderful tale. When he at last made an end of it. he took a long pull at the champagne which she had given him in a goblet of Venetian glass, rose to his feet, and asked her : " And now. Highness, tell me what do you think of the story your slave has told you about the Monte Cristo of the new century ?”

She replied, lying back on her cushions and rewarding him with a bewildering smile ami a flash of undisguised admiration in her eyes : How can I tell you. Falcone —since it is too marvellous for description ♦ But. much as I have wondered at it. there is something else that I wonder at still more, and that is why you should have come all this way to tell the story to me, ami to reveal -»ecrets which must be worth rhe price of a man’s life.” "Ah. yes!” he replied. beginning to walk up and down the room with long, quick strides. "That, of course. I knew you would ask. but you would not have had me spoil a good story by telling the most interesting part of it first. Xow I will tell you. and it is in this way. Or--ino. my brother, and Adrien Gevaux. his second in command, as well as three others of the French crew, who sold their honour and loyalty, as some would sav, for Victor Erskine’s gold, have repented them sorely, the more so because this

Erskine becomes more grasping and tyrannical every day. Only a month ago he shot with his own hand one of the sailors who sought to escape from his tyranny. That man was a Corsican, Highness, and Corsicans do not forgive or forget that sort of thing.

" Then there is another matter,” he continued, stopping in his walk and facing her. ” You know that before many weeks that black eloud in the East must break in the thunders and lightnings of war. and we have learnt—for we are not without our intelligence department, we free-lances of the mountains — that our master, thinking of nothing but the increase of his miserable money, is about to hire this sea-snake of ours, which is the most terrible weapon of destruction that tile hand of man ever guided through the seas, to those yellow barbarians who are about to fight the ally of France, and it may be France herself. Rather than aid in such treachery to our blood and country as that we will revolt against our tyrant, and the stolen submarine shall be restolen.”

"Most excellent, my brave and faithful Falconei” interrupted the Princess, also rising from her couch and clasping her hands behind her.

While he had been speaking she had been thinking with rapid intensity. The kindly Fates had called to her side a a protector who would be faithful to the death. With his aid she could defy alike the vengeance of Zebrowski and the anger of her Russian masters. A dazzling prospect suddenly opened out before her. Every other plan and project in her life, even her recent determination to marry Victor Erskine and his millions, sank down into insignificance as she saw herself, by a brilliant Hash of inspiration. Queen of the Underseas and ruler of a realm wider than all the lands of earth. Her resolution was taken instantly. She went to him. and to his delighted amazement, laid her hands on his shoulders. and. looking up into his face with rosy cheeks and melting eves said softlv:

"Falcone, do you remember what you said that day when I paid my ransom?” "Tiighness.” he replied, drawing back ever so little, partly in astonishment and partly because her touch bad thrilled through his nerves and veins as an electric shock might have done, “do you think it would be possible for a man to whom the golden gates were opened for a moment to forget the sight of heaven?” “And what you said came from your heart, and not only from your brain? Your humour was not only a jest of gallantry. was it?”

“I have condemned men to death. Highness. I have spoken words that

have made widows and orphans, and once I asked for death mvself, but the most solemn words that ever passed my lips were those which you have been gracious enough to recall.” Then you still love your sometime captive as you said you did then?” "It is not love. How could I dare to use sueh a word without the permission 1 dare not hope for, yet worship, is not forbidden me?”

He spoke almost in whispers and with halting words. His mignty muscles were relaxed, she could feel his frame trembling under the light touch she had laid upon him. His lips were dry and his eyes were burning as though he had been suddenly smitten by a fever. The man’s whole being told her of blind love and utter devotion, and in her own bemg the response was not wanting. Her womanhood seemed to thrill in uni»on with his manhood, and under the swift wave of emotion, which suddenlv flooded her senses the whole social fabric, the edifice which she had entered as a paradise to find a prison, sank down and vanished like a house under which a quicksand had opened. The shams and conventions of an insincere and artificial existence vanished leaving her face to face with the most elemental facts of Nature—that Faleone was a man and that she was a woman —and that they loved each other. ••There are few things forbidden to those who have the strength and daring to take them, my Falcone!”

He felt the pressure of the soft hands upon his shoulder increased by ever so little as she drew herself a shade nearer to him. The scent of her hair rose to hi- nostrils; he felt her breath in the silky hairs of his coal-black beard, the gleam of her eyes dazzling him for a moment, and the next everything earthly had been forgotten, and they two stood alone in the world, lips pressed on bps. and heart beating against heart. No longer princess and brigand, but just a man and woman who loved each other.

“And now. my Falcone.” she began again, as they were seated side by side on the eouch, “as I am going to be an outlaw’s wife, it is only fair that I should help you to steal’ the stolen and rob the robber. Then vou and 1 will be Lord and Lady of the' Underseas together, and we w'ill fight for Holv Russia, and. if need be. France; but also for our own hand. But mv share you must leave to me. and that reminds me you have not told me yet why you are in London.” "It is simply explained, dearest and loveliest.” he replied: “I came in obedience to the summons of our master that was, Orsino is here also, and so is a cunning little piece of machinerv

without which the bea-Snake is like one of her namesakes with a broken back. You see, it would not do to risk anyone running away with her, so we have left her lying helpless at the

bottom of our little harbour. "Now, what we have come for is to describe her working and her powers to two of these little yellow men in London, and sign bonds to take them out to the East secretly, so that no one, save the heads of their own Government, shall know even of the existence of this monster —for she is a monster nearly two hundred feet long and thirty feet broad in the middle—which shall

moxe about the depths of the walers, swift, silent, and unseen, striking its deadly blows at its helpless and unsuspecting enemies.’

"But they must never see it, niv Falcone,’’ sue said softly, but witn a glint in her eyes which was anything out a love-light. "What we have to do must be done quickly, almost instantly. 1 know this Victor Erskine you speak of, a man without patriotism, honour, or human kindness, and 1 have the means to bring him and lus to disgrace, to dishonour so black that he could never hold his head up again in the world, without whose favours his millions would be worthless to him. Leave me to deal with him: Tell me the names of these two yellow men who want to buy you and your SeaSnake for the service of barbarism, and do you and Orsino get back to Corsica as quickly as you can, take your vessel away to some safe place on the western coast of Italy, and then tell me by telegraph how I can join you. See these yellow men and sign your bonds first, so that Victor Erskine may sus peet nothing, then vanish, and let your Sea-Snake do the same.”

As she ceased speaking there came a knock at the door. Falcone rose and went to one of the windows, and as the Princess said “Entrez” Jacqueline came in and handed her a square, white envelope, saying that a gentleman had left it with’ the hall porter, and said that there was no answer.

When Zaida looked at the envelope she saw that it was sealed with red wax, and that the device was composed of seven tiny daggers. Her cheeks paled and her lips hardened, for she knew already, without looking, what the envelope contained. Then, as she tore it open with trembling fingers, she said in a voice so strangely altered that the Corsican looked round with a start:

"Falcone, we have been confessed lovers for nearly half an hour. Do you love me well enough to kill a man. perhaps two men, for my sake?” "Do you doubt me already to ask such a question,” he exclaimed coming towards her with outstretched hands.

"Tell me who would injure you, my most beautiful, and think of them as alreadv dead.”

-Then let us read this together,” she replied, going to him and allowing his arms to enfold her. She took a sheet of notepaper out of the envelope and opened it. At the top there was a reproduction of the seal, also inured. "Ah!” exclaimed Falcone, “the Seal of Seven! What have you to fear from them?” Then he took the paper from her hand and read: , -Zaida Dorosma is hereby summoned under the Seal of Seven to meet the Seven in Council, assembled to answer certain matters with which she is vitally concerned. A brougham will await her at half-past ten to-night. She will neglect the summons at her peril. “Sealed for the Seven.”

There was another red seal, instead of signature, showing a hand armed with a

dagger. -And now what does this mean?” he asked tenderly, after they had read the ominous communication twice over. “ What have vou done to receive such a summons as this? Political, of course.” ■■" Yes.” she replied. “It is one of the results, one of the perils of my slavery to Russian officialism. lam a true Russian and a faithful daughter of the Little Father, but I will be a slave to the bureaucracy no longer if you will give me release. As for this—l will tell VOU-”

Then she told him the story of Zebro wski. and of the part she had been forced to play in securing his arrest and conviction, and when she had finished the story she said, turning in his arms

and looking up at him with laughing eyes: “But now there is another danger to tell you of, my Falcone. It is not so much this man's hate that I fear. It is his love, for he does love me—as the tiger loves his mate. It is not death that. I fear at his hands. It is a slavery worse than Russia’s harshest la>nd ” "What! That fiend Zebrowski!” exclaimed Lugand. growing suddenly white under the stress of his suddenlyaroused fury. “You asked me just now if I would kill a man for love of you. Well, you shall see. I know something of this man, and it is not the first time that I have seen the Seal of Seven. Remain at home to-night. I will keep your appointment for you, or, if you have any other engagement, keep it without fear, for no harm shall come to you, dearest and loveliest, while the Falcon of the cliffs and mountains lives to protect you. Can you trust me?” "Have I not to-day trusted everything to you?" she replied, putting her arm round his neck and drawing his head down till their lips met. “If I cannot trust you now. my beloved, then truly it were better that I were dead.”

CHAPTER X. A MOMENTOCS BARGAIN. While this conversation was taking place in Palace-mansions another of a very different, but possibly of not less far-reaching, nature was being held in one of the private arbitration rooms in Middle Temple-buildings. There were three people seated at a green leather-covered table. The straight, blaek hair, sallow complexions, high cheekbones, and slanting eyes of two of them left no doubt as to their nationality. The elder of the two had the heavy moustache and fairly full chin beard which are the signs of noble descent in the Land of the Rising Sun. He was Count Kashama. a high official of the Japanese Legation in London. The clean shaven, heavy-jawed man at the other end of the table was RearAdmiral Naramo. commander-in-chief of

the Japanese torpedo flotillas. The Englishman sitting between them was Victor Erskine.

"Well, gentlemen.” Erskine was saying—it happened at the very moment when Zaida Dorosma felt the arms of her outlaw lover closing round her—"l think we may now consider the preliminaries arranged between us. and I do not see that there are any difficulties left in the way of our coming to an arrangement. It is agreed.” he went on, taking up a page of memoranda from the blot-ting-pad in front of him. "first, that you shall have the immediate opportunity of inspecting the submarine and of making a trial trip in her. Second, that my present commander and his two lieutenants shall sign bonds to navigate the vessel to any port or place of call that you may select. Third, that Admiral Naramo, with such crew as he may select, shall replace the present crew on completion of purchase; and .lastly, that the sum of one million sterling in cash, cheques and bonds, together with formal ratifications of the concessions I have asked for. shall be given to me personally by Count Kashama when the vessel is handed over- I.'pon these points I think we are finally agreed?”

“I think so.” said the Count. “You have made a hard bargain with us, sir. but when a people has to fight for its very existence, as we shall have to do before long, we must not think of money. Our necessity has been your opportunity, and I have pleasure in congratulating you on the ability with which you have taken advantage of it. And now. if Admiral Naramo has nothing more to say. I think we may exchange notes.” "There is just one little point that has occurred to me.” said the Admiral, turning towards Erskine. "As regards these men of yours. No doubt they are very worthy fellows in their way. but in such a very serious matter as this, a transaction in which, if known, would involve us in the gravest consequences, we cannot proceed with too great caution.” “Surely. Admiral, it is scarcely as terrible a transaction as all that,” said

Erskine, with a somewhat uneasy smile, for the quiek-witted Oriental had raised the very point which he had been at the utmost pains to conceal. "Personally. I eannot see that it is anything more than a bargain made between three private gentlemen. I have an article for sale, you are willing to buy it. What you propose to do with it, when you have bought it, does not concern me in the least.”

"But pardon.” repli.l the Admiral, putting his folded arms on the table, and looking Erskine keenly in the eyes. "If you will recall the facts for a moment, I think you will admit that I do not exaggerate. What do you think. Count.” he went on. looking along the table, "of the effect of such a transaction becoming known?” "But how could it become known, mv dear sir?” interrupted Erskine, somewhat impatiently.

"I think I see what the Admiral means.” replied the Count. “There will be three men on board who will know all the circumstances, and who may be hostile to our cause.”

Erskine leant back in his chair and said, after a moment's silence: "These men have taken certain risks and done certain work, for which they have been most liberally paid. So far we are quits. They have consented to exchange my service for vours.” "Very good, then.” said the Count. “I think we understand each other on that point: and now. having disposed of it. we will conclude the negotiations as far as concerns this meeting.” It was a very businesslike way of casting adrift three, if not four, of his most faithful servants, but Victor Erskine signed his note of acceptance with as little emotion as he would have signed a cheque for a hundred pounds in the ordinary course of his affairs. CHAPTER XL PREPARING FOR ACTION. After the events of the day it was perhaps natural that Princess Zaida found herself in what may fairly be described as a somewhat unsettled state

of mind. She had all the confidence of her newly-pledged faith with Falcone. and she felt assured that she had now at her disposal a means of escape on perfectly honourable terms from the official tyranny which only that morning had condemned her by the lips of Boris Volstoi to a mission from which all that was best in her womanhood utterly revolted. Then, again, a new future had su.l denly opened before her. a future whose wild romance stood out in fascinating contrast with the monotonous round >f social slavery from which there had appeared no escape. Better certainly a year or two fusch thrilling experiences as she was now looking forward to than an indefinite extension of the unsatisfying life that she had been leading. Still, she felt that in her present state of mind a solitary dinner was an impossibility. To have dined with Falcone at Prince's or \ errey's or the Carlton would have been delightful, but hopelessly dangerous, and. moreover, she realised with a shudder, which was half a thrill of pride, that before morning he might possibly have fought for her life, and either have lost or won. That. too. was another source of not a little disquietude. Action of some sort was imperative, and suddenly she bethought herself of an invitation she had received the day before to join a select little skating party at the Prince's Rink- She looked at the little Louis Qtrinze clock on the mantelshelf. It was nearly six. and the appointment •vas for nine. She rang the Irell . r Jacqueline. and ordered tea. at the same time telling mademoiselle to put out her skating costume, and see that her -kates were in ■ rder. l‘.v seven o'clock she had taken tea and" dressed herself in the costume of a Russian peasant girl, the same in which she had more than once taken part incognito in skating carnivals in St. Petersburg and Moscow, and by this time she had exercised the privilege of her Sex and changed her mind. After all. she had many tilings to think about, and it wa- desirable that she should take quiet counsel with herse.r. It was quite pos-ibie that spies would lie watching the entrance to the nsi ns,and that anything that might be construed into an attempt at e-cape would be-immediately notified to those who would be waiting to sit in judgment upon her. and that if she went to any public place, even a restaurant, in her own character, she would be followed: but no one in England had ever seen the ruddy-faced, brown-browed, square shouldered peasant girl, dressed in the grey fur-trimmed jacket, short skirts, grey stockings, and high boots, who looked at her from out her mil rors. With her fur cap. her hair hanging in a long plait down her back and fur cloak over her shoulder.-, it would be easy for her to get from the entrance hail into a hansom without exciting any more attention than might be given to anyone going to the fancv dress ball at Covent Garden, which happened to be on that night. Unce at the rink she would be safe, for it would be impossible for any harm to come to her while there or while driving back home in an inconspicuous hansom, and, by morning, no doubt. Falcone would have kept nis promise. So she rang for Jacqueline aga.n, and told her to send up a little uinner for her from the restaurant at eight o'clock. But by half-past seven another diversion arrived in the shape of an envelope containing Mr. Law ley's card, with a pencilled request tor the honour of an immediate interview. “Send the man up at once, she said to Jacqueline, and within three minutes Air Law ley was standing inside the door ot her drawing room gazing witn crin-’ing wonder on the transformation which Hie change of dress and complexion had effected. "You needn't be frightened," she said with a little laugh. "I'm only going to a fatny dress ball. What's me matter? 1 suppose you would hardly have come without orders uniess it was something important.” “1 should not have ventured to de such a thing, your Highness." replied the spy. "but 1 can assure your Highness that the matter to which 1 have ventured to call your Highness' attention- " "1 have no time for that sort of thing just now. Mr Law ley.” she interrupted him. impatiently. "Be good enough to tell me at once what it is.” •‘Certainly, your Highness, immediate-

ly. In obedience to your Highness’s command I have kept strict watch on the movements of Sir Victor Erskine, Mr Arthur Erskine, and Miss Leone Lonsdale, and I have come to report that this afternoon Sir Victor was closeted, if 1 may use the expression, for some hours in one of the arbitration rooms in Middle Temple Chambers with two foreign gentlemen who were recognised by Air Estcourt. who was assisting me, as Count Have ayti. of the Japanese Legation, and a Japanese naval officer named Naraino who has for some time past been making visits, almost every day, to the Legation. Consequently, in view of the possible hostilities between Russia and Japan. 1 ventured to think it possible that your Highness would like to know of this meeting.” "It hardly concerns me personally." replied the Princess, carelessly, “but, at the same time, you were perfectly right to bring me the news, and I shall remember it as a proof of your zeal and intelligence. And now have you anything to tell me about the others?” "Nothing, your Highness. I regret to say. except that Mr Arthur Erskine and a friend of his. Mr Mark Hillyer. lateiy returned from America, and reputed to be enormously rich, are escorting Miss Leone Lonsdale and her sister. Miss Marian, to a skating party at Prince's Rink this evening, the young ladies being under the chaperonage of their aunt, Mrs Maddison." "Well, that is not very interesting. I am afraid." said Princess Zaida, smiling at the exaggerated formality of his words and manner; "but it happens that I am going to that skating party to-night for an hour or so until I go on to Covent Garden, but I should like to know if you can find out exactly what sir Victor is doing to-night. I know, of course, that he has been at his chambers in North Audley-street for some time, and I want you to go at once and rind out from his man what time this evening iie will be at home, and if he will lie alone. I shall not leave until nine, so when you have found out eome back here and tell me. Here is some money for you. Take cabs if necessary." She took a couple of sovereigns out of her purse, which was lying on the mantelshelf. and gave them to him. He took them a- a mortal might have taken a gift from a goddess, and when the door had closed behind him Princess Zaida lit a cigarette and began walking up and down the room thinking hard about many things, and. just before Jacqueline brought her soup up. she went into her dressing-room, unlocked a drawer in a little cabinet, which stood beside the fireplace. took out a dainty five-chambered revolver, loaded it, and put it into the side pocket of her skirt. Then she went to the glass and looked at herself critically for a minute or two, turning this way and that, and posing in different attitudes very unlike her own. "No." she said, when she had completed her survey. "I don’t think any of them will recognise me. and. least of all, my good friend. Sir Victor. I don’t know what some of my respected friends would say about an escapade like this, but there is no time to be lost. and. as for the conventionalities. they won't matter very much to me now. If I only catch my friend alone 1 think I can make the visit very well worth any risk there may be.” The prospect of the adventure raised lier spirits, and she ate her dinner and drank her half bottle of Paul Roget ’B9 with excellent appetite. She was halfway through her after-dinner cigarette when Mr. Lawley returned with the announcement that Sir Victor Erskine would cert; inly be home by eleven, and. for all his man knew to the contrary, a lone. "Very well.” -aid Princess Zaida now go back to your friend and tell him that a lady with whom Sir Victor has an appointment for to-morrow morning finds it alisolutely necessary to see him to-night, . s she is obliged to leave for l.iverpiol by the midnight express from Euston. You may also mention incidentally that he will lose nothing t>y admitting the lady who. of course, will be myself. without question. You may give him this to begin with, and tell him there is more to come. This one vou mav keep to yourself.” She took a couple of five-pound notes out of her purse, and gave them to him. saying: "No, no. Mr. Lawley. you need not take the trouble to thank me; this is only payment for work done. Now go, please, and

have everything arranged. At half-past ten exactly I shall leave the rink, and you will lie there. When you sa». me come out call me a cab. and. as I am getting into it. tell me whether 1 am to drive back nere or to North Audley street.” When Mr. Ltwley had once more taken his leave Princess Zaida went to her drt— trunk, and took out the travelling cloak, into the pocket of which she had put the forged cheque for a thousand pounds. She transferred it to the inner pocket of her jacket, saying to herself with a little laugh which was not as musical as usual: "I wonder how much that will be worth to-morrow morning if everything goes: well." CHAPTER NEL A BLOODLESS DUEL. Among ail the gay and fantastic figures which made up the brilliant spectacle of the skating carnival that night, the handsome Russian peasant girl was among the most notable. She skated as though she had been accustomed to wear skates from the time that she had worn boots, and she played the character to such perfection that, with the exception of the very small and select party that she had been asked to join, the only people who discovered her identity were Count Boris Volstoi and his wife. It was a little after ten. and before halt the company had arrived, that she had finished a waltz with the Count, and as they slid away to the refreshmentroom she whispered to him: “I must go almost immediately. I have heard from Zebrowski already. There is a meeting of the Seven to-night and I am summoned, , cannot tell you where it is to be. but if you will have some one to follow a brougham which will call for me at Palace Mansions at 11 o'clock, you will perhaps be able to rind out. If not, and I am alive tomorrow morning. I will find means of letting you know.” He pressed the hand which lay on his arm to his side and wmsperea: ”1 half doubted you this morning; now I believe. The carriage shall be followed and every means taken to protect you. You are risking much, but if we succeed this time Russia will not forget your devotion, and you may take it from me that the capture of Zebrowski shall mean your freedom and everything that the grace of the Little Father can grant you.” "I ask nothing better." she replied. "Now get me a eup of eoffee and 1 will have my skates taken off and disappear. You must make my excuses for me. Anything will do. Say that I have sprained my ankle or something. I must get back and change.” She had her skates taken off and drank a cup of coffee with him. Then she went back and made her adieux to the party she had joined, then she said good-bye to the Lonsdales, congratulated Arthur Erskipe on his brilliant victorv in the

Yondail case, and disappeared amidst the now increasing crowd. she put on her long cloak, set her fur cap straight, tucked away her long plait, and slipped unnoticed out into the street. A shabbily dressed cab tout came towards her. touched his broken bowler, and said in Mr Lawley's voice: ‘•Can I get you a cab. lady? There's a nice 'ansom just here.” She nodded and followed, and as he lifted her cloak over the wheel he whispered: "It will be North Audley-street. Highness.” “Tell the man to drive to North Audleystreet.” she said aloud, adding the number. and the next moment she was rolling smoothly eastward, leaning, back in the cab. and swiftly reviewing the field in which she was about to fight a duel with one of the keenest intellects in Europe. Mr Dawkins, the Cerberus of Sir Victor's bachelor chambers, had been easily persuaded that his master told him that he should return alone because he was expecting a visit from a lady. Such mysterious visits had occurred before, and it was none of his business to inquire into their object. Moreover, he belonged ”o that class of domestic for whom the pleasant words printed on the face of a £5 note possess strong uersuasive powers, especially when a second promise to pay is directly in view, and thus it c-ame about that Princess Zaida found herself seated at a quarter to eleven in a eosy armchair in Victor Erskine's small bur exquisitely furnished drawing-room, cv.itinuing her review of the situation. She frankly confessed to herself that one of the principal objects of this very unconventional visit was money. In taking the course she had resolved to take, she would at once deprive herself of the very liberal income which was the price of her services to the Russian Government. Her private fortune was insignificant. and so she had decided that, she no longer desired to marry Victor Erskine’s millions, he should provide her with an adequate dowry to take to her outlaw husband. She had also drawn her own ocnclusions from the news of the interview with the Japanese officials, and. as has been shown, they were entirely aecurateIt was easy for her to see at a glance that Victor Erskine had deliberately sold Falcone and his comrades, and for such a crime as this no punishment, in her eyes, could be too severe. ■lust as the clock ceased chiming 11. she heard the front door open. For a moment as she heara the steps on the steps on the stairs she felt that she was growing pale under her artificial tan. As Erskine entered the room she rose from the chair, and said, with a little smile at the look of amazement which crossed his face: "Good evening. Sir Victor. I hope you will forgive this rather untimely and certainly unconventional visit.”

For once in Lis life Victor Erskine was taken completely off his guard. He stopped and stared almost blankly nt her; then, recovering his self-possession, he said rather stiffly: “•What. Princess Dorosma, and in what 1 may presume to be fancy dress! Well, I must confess that you do somewhat take me by surprise. However, as it is rather late for a bachelor to receive a visit from a lady of your rank and social position, you will permit me to ask you at once to what I am indebted for the honour of your presence.” He nticcd that she was holding her hands behind her, so he allowed himself so far to forget his manners as to put his into his pockets. “That,” she replied. “Is both a natural and a very proper question. As you have possibly divined already, my business with you is somewhat urgent, and. I regret to say, not of the most pleasant nature.” ‘•Exactly what I should surmise,” he said, with a distinct feeling of uneasiness. He was pretty well aware of the political side of Ids visitor's life, and his thoughts instinctively went back to the interview of the afternoon- ‘‘Then, if that is so,” he continued, “it would be well for both of us if we get it disposed of as quickly as possible,” “Exactly.” she replied, “and, therefore, I will come to the point at once, and if I do so with a somewhat brutal frankness you will understand that my only object is to make our interview as short as mar be.”

“Quite so,” he said. “I’m a business man, and I am aware of your Highness’ great ability in what I may call diplomacy. Pray proceed. WiH you not take a seat?”

“No, thanks,” she replied, “I’d rather stand. Well, to begin with, the reason for this costume of mine is that I have just come from the skating carnival at Prince’s Rink. I met your brother there, and Miss Leone Lonsdale and her sister. What very beautiful girls they are, and what a charming contrast to each other. I quite expected to see you there. I should have thought Miss Leone’s presence would have been a sufficient temptation.”

“Excuse me,” he said coldly, “this may be relevant, but really I cannot imagine what connection Miss Lonsdale can possibly have with any business between your Highness and myself.” “She happens to have a very elose connection, as I will show you in a few moments,” was the smiling reply. “In the first place. Sir Victor, it it no secret that you take a very much warmer interest in her than ”

“That, madam.” interrupted Erskine almost roughly, “is a matter which cannot concern you, and which I cannot per-* mit to be discussed.” ‘‘My dear Sir Victor,” she said, with aggravating gentleness, “the less you interrupt me the sooner I shall be able to say ‘good evening.’ To put it quite plainly, you are in love with Leone Lonsdale, and. as far as you know, there is no objection on her part to share your name and brilliant fortune.”

“Madam, once for all. if you persist in what I should call, if you were a man, this insolent intrusion upon my private affairs. I shall have to call my servant and Lave vou shown to the door.

“You wiil do no such thing. Sir Victor,” she said with a snap of her eyes, and a little smile which showed a gleam of white teeth, “for if you did, I should ask you in his presence, whether you are aware that your brother, one of the few human beings, I believe, for whom you have a deep and true affection, is a forger, and that the woman you wish to make your wife is his accomplice?” She spoke very distinctly, and yet so rapidly that the terrible words had struck him like so many blows before he could interrupt her.

“If you have only eome hero to talk impossible nonsense like that,” he exclaimed. taking a step towards her, “I will put you out of the room with my own hands.” 4

His face was livid with sudden fury, and his hands went out as though he were about to put his threat into instant execution. Zaida made a swift motion with her right hand, and the next montent he was looking into the muzzle of her revolver. “That will do, Sir Victor,” she said in a low. tense voice. “Another step, and I shall fire. This is a matter of life and death, and if I have to shoot you it will be easy to make people believe that you lured me here, as I believe you have lured

others, and that I killed or disabled you for the very best of reasons.” It only needed a look at her steadily slutting eyes, at her half-smiling, halfscornful lips to convince him that he had to do with a woman who herself had looked ceath in the free without flinching. and who would most assuredly back the word with the deed. He had too much to lose by the pressure of her finger on the trigger to wantonly provoke it. He had himself fought too many battles with fate to make the mistake of trifling with an enemy, especially when that enemy took the form of a resolute woman. He shrugged his shoulders, and, as he moved away towards an armchair, he said, in a voice from which every trace of politeness had vanished : “Well, whether you are lying to me or not you certainly command the situation, and so I suppose, I have got to listen to you. Make it as short as you can. please. I suppose it isn’t much use asking you for proofs, and as your object, under the circumstances, can only be blackmail, you would shorten the proceedings considerably by stating the amount at once.”

As he spoke he threw himself back in the chair, crossed his legs, and took out his cigarette ease. "I am glad to see you take matters so sensibly. Sir Victor,” she laughed. “Now tell me. have you within the last week signed a cheque for a thousand pounds, payable to bearer?” “Certainly not.” “And yet* such a cheque with your signature as drawer is in existence.” “Frankly, I don’t believe you.” Her left hand went into the breastpocket of her jacket and she took out an envelope. She went towards him holding it out, still covering him with the revolver.

“I’m not going io ask you for your word of honour to give it back to me. but if vou attempt to destroy it I shall shoot Veil. You will find it in that envelope,” she said, handing it to him. It cost a supreme effort of will to keep his fingers steady as he opened the envelope and took out the cheque. As ho looked at it she saw his eyes widen and his brows contract. There was no doubt about it. If he had not known that he never drew the cheque he would himself have sworn to the signature, and he knew that there was only one man alive who could have dene so. the brother whom he had loved and trusted from boyhood, whose writing was so strangely like his own that such a perject counterfeit would be quite easy to him. He put the cheque back into the envelope and handed it to her. saying, with a steadiness which commanded even her admiration:

“Whoever did it. it is an excellent imitation. Who did or did not draw the cheque is not the point. The question is, how much do you want for that piece of paper?’’ There was no doubt in his mind now as to his brother’s guilt. He remembered the cuts in the breast of Arthur’s eoat when he left the Old Bailey after the trial, the strange depression of his manner when he ought to have been jubilant with triumph, the immediate offer of £’oo regard for tLi recovery of a pocket-book with all its contents —the inference seemed irresistible. Arthur had had the forged cheque iii his pocket at the very time that he had used a trick of the law to save another forger from the penalty of hi? crime.

For the moment the Si.ame and anger were lost in admiration f_r the magnificent nerve which had enabled him to do what he had done without betraying a sign of the torture which he must have been suffering. Brotherly love and trust were now, of course, impossible, but with such a man at command, great thing- might be done, and therefore that damning slip of paper was worth money, ‘•Well,” he repeated, “how much do you want for it? There’s no cause for hesitation. I’ve been blackmailed before.”

“Thank you. Sir Victor,” she said, with another snap of her eyes, “you seem to have forgotten your manners. I was going to xsk you twenty thousand for it, the priee is now fifty.” “Too much,” he said, a» quietly as though he were driving a bargain in mining shares or buying an option. “Call it thirty, and we can deal.” “Nonsense. Sir Victor,” she laughed in reply. “I am not bargaining with yon. I have named the price of this cheque. Really, I am surprised that you should condescend to trouble about a paltry fifty thousand pounds. Yon. who havo made Xillions in a couple of years, pick-

ed them up from the bottom of the sea, as one might say, and who are now in a position to make bargains with empires.”

He half rose from his chair, but the muzzle of the revolver rose as he did, and he sal down again. He was beaten, ana he knew it. By whatever magic this beautiful, laughing sorceress who was standing before him, pistol in hand and finger on trigger, had got her know, ledge, there was a fatal correctness which warnet him that she was mistress of the situation in more ways than one. For a moment the intention was in his mind to risk everything tn what would have been literally a leap for liberty, almost involuntarily his muscles tightened aud his teeth clenched, but she was too quick for him. She took a eouple of quick paces backward, took deliberate aim at his heart, and said, with an exasperating laugh:

“Oh. no. Sir Victor, yon had much better sit still. Don’t yon see that if I had to shoot you this cheque, which I should tear up and fling on your body, would be the strongest possible proof of the story that I should have to tell. Now, don’t you think you had better write me that cheque, and let me have it in exchange for this. To save accidents I shall also want you to give me a note stating exactly what it is in payment for. I don’t suppose you would be so eytegiously foolish as to stop your cheque, but still, if only to save you from the temptation I must insist upon that condition. The moment that your cheque is cleared I will return your note.” “Or ask anotl ?r fifty thousand for it,” he interrupted, with an undisguised sneer “Really. Sir Victor,” she said, “I think your nerves must be a little upset. Don’t you see that for a woman of my position in society such a thing would be quite impossible. Think for a moment. I present a cheque from you for fifty thousand pounds. That cheque is stopped. I sue you for it, and out the whole thing comes. It is only that unpleasantness which I wish to guard against, and I certainly do not want people asking why I should have a cheque for fifty thousand pounds from you, and besides there are other things. You would not care for Miss Lonsdale’s name to be drawn into the transaction, to say nothing of your brother’s. As for asking another fifty thousand for the letter, well, that would, of course, be the frankest of blackmail. You must see that I want the note, as the editors say, “not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.” There was no mistaking the emphasis on the “necessarily,” and Victor Erskiffe saw that there was nothing for it but surrender at discretion, and, after all, what was fifty thousand pounds to hint in comparison with the ruin with which this beautiful enemy of his was manifestly able to threaten him? It was only the turn of a point or two on the markets, and that could easily be managed. The investing and the speculating publie woudl pay. not he. and so what did it matter, even if it had been a hundred thousand? ‘•Very well,” he said, with a wellsimulated air of boredom. “I think we have spent time enough over this rather sordid business. You shall have your cheque and your note, if you will come with me into the library. I will go first, so that vou can shoot me in the back

if I play the fool, which I don’t propose to do. I suppose I may get up now.” “Certainly.” she replied, stepping aside, but still keeping the revolver in position. “I am glad that you have taken such a sensible view of the matter.” He got up and led the way to the library, she following him with ready hand and alert eyes. He sat down to the writing-table, took a cheque book out of his poeket and drew the cheque, then he wrote the note, describing the consideration for which he had given it, then blotted them, put them into an envelope, and handed it to her Without a word. She took it with her left hand, put it into the pocket of her packet, and gave him the other envelope, but all the time her right hand never moved. “Thank you,” she said, “and now I will trouble you to show me to the street door.” He got up and led the way to the drawing room again, and. as he was going to open the door of the landing, she said, stopping in the middle of the room: “Oh, there’s something else, Sir Vic-

tor, that I was almost forgetting. Il does not matter new how I got ixtsatessv.. vt that cheque, but I wul tell you w.,y. It was not with any intention of making it the basis of a business transaction. You have ealled me a liar and a blackmailer, and I have very good reason for believing that you are a secret, but determined enemy, of the country whose safety and prosperity are a religion to me. “Now, for your punishment, I will’tell you that if 1 chose I could have produced evidence to prove that Miss Leona Lonsdale visited your brother at his chambers in the afternoon of the day on which that cheque was signed, and forced, him to forge it so that she might pay her milliner’s bills and gambling debts under a threat to take the money from Ackermann, the financier, who was quite willing to give her ten times the amount.

“No, no. don't interrupt me, please, I’ve been here too long already. You may not know that this well-beloved brother of yours is desperately in love with the lady you may still hope to make your wife. At that time I did not intend that she should marry you, for the simple reason that I proposed to do so myself, and this would have been the means of convincing you that you could not marry the accomplice of a forger, even though that forger was your own brother. As for the genuineness of the cheque, you can easily verify that by, reference to the counterfoils of your brother's cheque book, which, possibly, he may allow you to make. Within the last few hours, however, I have found reason to alter my plans so completely that I have no hesitation in wishing Miss Lonsdale and yourself the greatest possible happiness that the circumstances will permit. And now, if you please, the door.” Again the elemental instinct of the human animal, the tigerish longing to spring at this beautiful, smiling enemy; of peace and fling her strangled to the floor came over him, but the alert eyes were watching him, and he recognised that nothing but disaster and possibly, death could be the result of such madness. ‘•You have conquered this time,” he said, with a forced calmness which for the moment masked the hell of hate and pasion that was raging within him. “and, woman-like, you have pushed your victory to the last extreme. If you ever pray, go home now and pray as von have never prayed before than the position between us may never be reversed.” •'Thanks,” she said. “There was not much need for the warning, but I daresay you meant it well. Good-night.” He opened the door and went befora her out on to the landing. He descended the stairs in front of her. Mr. Dawkins got up from his armchair. “Would the lady like a cab, sir?” “No, thank you,” said Princess Zaida, "I have only a little way to go, and I would rathdr walk.” Then the door opened- She had slipped the revolver into her pocket and fastened her cloak as she was coming downstairs. She held out her hand and said very sweetly: “Good-night and thank you. Sir Victor. I owe you a thousand apologies for such an extraordinary visit, but I hope the urgency will excuse it. Good night again!” Then she went out into the dark, quiet street and walked slowly in the direction of Hyde Park corner, her whole being glowing with triumph qualified only by her anxiety as to how Falcone was keeping that other appointment. (To be Continued.)