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Title: The Albert Gate Mystery

Being Further Adventures of Reginald Brett, Barrister Detective

Author: Louis Tracy

Release Date: October 22, 2007 [EBook #23150]

Language: English

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THE ALBERT GATE MYSTERY
Being Further Adventures of
REGINALD BRETT, Barrister Detective
 BY LOUIS TRACY
Author of "WINGS OF THE MORNING," "THE STOW-MARKET
MYSTERY,"
"THE FINAL WAR," ETC., ETC.
 R. F. FENNO & COMPANY
9 & 11 East 16th Street, New York :: 1904
 Copyright, 1904
BY R. F. FENNO & COMPANY

i_1
Hussein-ul-Mulk
—Frontispiece
 Contents
CHAPTER PAGE
I A MYSTERIOUS CRIME 7
II MEHEMET ALI'S NOTE 18
III WHAT THE POLICE SAW 29
IV THE MURDERS 42
V A STARTLING CLUE 51
VI A JOURNEY TO PARIS 69
VII THE HOUSE IN THE RUE BARBETTE 87
VIII WHAT HAPPENED IN THE RUE BARBETTE 100
IX A MONTMARTRE ROMANCE 115
X ON GUARD 125
XI A DISCONCERTED COMMISSARY 140
XII THE INNKEEPER 161
XIII THE RELEASE 176
XIV "TOUT VA BIEN" 198
XV "MARIE" 209
XVI THE HALL-PORTER'S DOUBTS 223
XVII THE YACHT "BLUE-BELL" 235
XVIII TALBOT'S ADVENTURES 247
XIX THE RACE 259
XX CLOSE QUARTERS 269
XXI THE FIGHT 281
XXII PIECING THE PUZZLE 292
THE ALBERT GATE MYSTERY
 CHAPTER I
A MYSTERIOUS CRIME

Reginald Brett, barrister-at-law and amateur detective, had seldom been more at
peace with the world and his own conscience than when he entered the dining-
room of his cosy flat this bright October morning.
Since the famous affair of Lady Delia Lyle's disappearance and death, he had not
been busy, and the joy of healthy idleness is only known to the hard worker.
Again, while dressing, he had received a letter inviting him to a quiet shoot at a
delightful place in the country.
All these things blended with happy inconsequence to render Brett contented in
mind and affable in manner.
"It's a fine morning, Smith," he said cheerily, as he settled himself at the table
where his "man" was already pouring out the coffee.
"Bee-utiful, sir," said Smith.
"Smith!"
"Yessir."
"Not even the best English autumn weather can stand being called 'bee-utiful.'
Don't do it. You will open the flood-gates of Heaven."
Smith laughed decorously. He had not the slightest idea what his master meant,
but if it pleased Mr. Brett to be jocose, it was the duty of a servant who knew his
place to be responsive.
The barrister fully understood Smith's delicate appreciation—and its limits. He
instantly noticed that the morning paper, instead of reposing next to his folded
napkin, was placed out of reach on a sideboard, and that the eggs and bacon
made their appearance half a minute too soon.
As an expert swordsman delights to execute a pass en tierce with an umbrella, so
did the cleverest analytical detective of the age resolve to amaze his servitor.
"Smith," he said suddenly, composing his features to their most severe cross-
examination aspect, "I think the arrangement is an excellent one."
"What arrangement, sir."
"That Mrs. Smith and yourself should have a few days' holiday, while Mrs.
Smith's brother takes your place during my forthcoming visit to Lord
Northallerton's—why, man, what is the matter? Is it too hot?"—for the cover
Smith had lifted off the bacon and eggs clattered violently on the table.
"'Ot, sir. 'Ot isn't the word. You're a fair licker, that's what you are."
Smith invariably dropped his h's when he became excited.
"Smith, I insist that you shall not call me names. Pass the paper."
"But, sir——"
"Pass the paper. Utter another word and I refuse to accept Mrs. Smith's brother
as your locum tenens."
Smith was silenced by the last terrible epithet. Yet he was so manifestly nervous
that Brett resolved to enlighten him before plunging into the day's news.
"For the last time, Smith," he said, "I will explain to you why it is hopeless for
you to think of concealing tradesmen's commissions from me."
The shot went home, but the enemy was acquainted with this method of attack,
and did not wince.
"You knew that Lord Northallerton had recently invited me to his October
pheasant-shooting. During the last few days a youth, who grotesquely
reproduces Mrs. Smith's most prominent features, has mysteriously tenanted the
kitchen, ill-cleaned my boots, and bungled over the studs in my shirts. This
morning a letter came with the crest and the Northallerton postmark. Really,
Smith, considering that you have now breathed the same air as myself for eight
long years, I did not expect to be called on for an explanation. Besides, you have
destroyed a masterpiece."
"Sir——" began Smith.
"Oh, I understand; there is nothing broken but your reputation. Don't you see that
the mere placing of the newspaper at a distance, so that you might have a chance
to speak before I opened it, was a subtle stroke, worthy of Lecocq. Yet you
demand feeble words. What a pity! Know, Smith, that true genius is dumb.
Speech may be silvern, but silence is surely golden."
The barrister solemnly unfolded the paper, and Smith faded from the room. On a
page usually devoted to important announcements, the following paragraphs
stood forth in the boldness of leaded type:—
"MYSTERIOUS OCCURRENCE IN THE WEST END.
"An affair of some magnitude—perhaps a remarkable crime—has taken place in
an Albert Gate mansion.
"Owing to the reticence of the authorities, it is at present impossible to arrive at a
definite conclusion as to the nature or extent of the incident, but it is quite certain
that public interest will be much excited when details are forthcoming. All sorts
of rumours attain credence in the locality, the murder of several prominent
persons being not the least persistent of these. Without, however, giving
currency to idle speculation, several authentic statements may be grouped into a
connected form.
"Four weeks ago a party of Turkish gentlemen of high rank in Constantinople,
arrived in London and took up their abode in the house in question, after some
structural alterations, pointing at great security within and without, had been
planned and executed.
"Attending these Turkish gentlemen, or officials, was a numerous suite of
Moslem guards and servants, whilst, immediately following their arrival, came
from Amsterdam some dozen noted experts in the diamond-cutting industry.
These were lodged in a neighbouring private hotel, where they were extremely
uncommunicative as to their business in London. They were employed during
the day at the Albert Gate house. The presence in the mansion, both day and
night, of a strong force of Metropolitan police, tended to excite local curiosity to
an intense degree, but no clear conception of the business of the occupants was
allowed to reach the public.
"Whatever it was that took place, the full particulars were not only well known
to the authorities—the presence of the police hints even at Governmental
sanction—but matters proceeded on normal lines until yesterday morning.
"Then it became clear that a remarkable development must have occurred during
the preceding night, as the whole of the Dutch workmen and the Turkish
attendants were taken off in cabs by the police, not to Morton Street Police
Station, but to Scotland Yard; this in itself being a most unusual course to adopt.
They are unquestionably detained in custody, but they have not yet been charged
before a magistrate.
"The police, later in the day, carried off some of these men's personal
belongings, from both hotel and mansion.
"A sinister aspect was given to the foregoing mysterious proceedings by the
presence at Albert Gate, early in the day, of two police surgeons, who were
followed, about twelve o'clock, by Dr. Tennyson Coke, the greatest living
authority on toxicology.
"Dr. Coke and the other medical gentlemen subsequently refused to impart the
slightest information as to the reasons that led the police to seek their services,
and the Scotland Yard authorities are adamant in the matter.
"The representative of a news agency was threatened with arrest for trespass
when he endeavoured to gain admission to the Albert Gate house, and it is quite
evident that the police are determined to prevent the facts from leaking out at
present—if they can by any means accomplish their wishes."
Brett read this interesting statement twice slowly. It fascinated him. Its very
vagueness, its admissions of inability to tell what had really happened, its adroit
use of such phrases as "Turkish gentlemen of high rank," "Noted experts in the
diamond-cutting industry," "The greatest living authority on toxicology,"
betrayed the hand of the disappointed journalistic artist.
"Excellent!" he murmured aloud. "It is the breath of battle to my nostrils. I ought
to tip Smith for my breakfast. Had I read this earlier, I would not have eaten a
morsel."
He carefully examined the page at the back. It contained matter of no
consequence—a London County Council debate—so he took a pair of scissors
from his pocket and cut out the complete item, placing the slip as a votive
offering in front of a finely-executed bust of Edgar Allen Poe, that stood on a
bookcase behind him.
Within three minutes the scissors were again employed. The new cutting ran—
"There is trouble at Yildiz Kiosk. A Reuter's telegram from Constantinople states
that a near relative of the Sultan has fled to France. The Porte have asked the
French Government to apprehend him, but the French Ambassador has informed
Riaz Pasha that this course is impracticable in the absence of any criminal
charge."
"These two are one," said the barrister, as he turned towards Poe's bust and laid
the slip by the side of its predecessor. This time he had mutilated a critique of an
Ibsensite drama.
The rest of the newspaper's contents had no special interest for him, and he soon
threw aside the journal in order to rise, light a cigarette, and muster sufficient
energy to write a telegram accepting Lord Northallerton's invitation for the
following day.
He was on the point of reaching for a telegraph form when Smith entered with a
card. It bore the name and address—
"The Earl of Fairholme, Stanhope Gate."
"Curious," thought Brett. "Where is his lordship?" he said aloud—"at the door,
or in the street?"
(His flat was on the second floor.)
"In a keb, sir."
"Bring his lordship up."
A rapid glance at "Debrett" revealed that the Earl of Fairholme was thirty,
unmarried, the fourteenth of his line, and the possessor of country seats at
Fairholme, Warwickshire, and Glen Spey, Inverness.
The earl entered, an athletic, well-groomed man, one whose lines were usually
cast in pleasant places, but who was now in an unwonted state of flurry and
annoyance.
Each man was favourably impressed by the other. His lordship produced an
introductory card, and Brett was astonished to find that it bore the name of the
Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
"I have come——" commenced his lordship hesitatingly.
But the barrister broke in. "You have had a bad night, Lord Fairholme. You wish
for a long and comfortable chat. Now, won't you start with a whiskey and soda,
light a cigar, and draw an easy chair near the fire?"
"'Pon my honour, Mr. Brett, you begin well. You give me confidence. Those are
the first cheerful words I have heard during twenty-four hours."
The earl was easily manœuvred into a strong light. Then he made a fresh start.
"You have doubtless heard of this Albert Gate affair, Mr. Brett?"
"You mean this?" said the other, rising and handing to his visitor the longer
paragraph of the two he had selected from the newspaper.
"That is very curious," said the earl, momentarily startled. But he was too
preoccupied by his thoughts to pay much heed to the incident. He merely
glanced at the cutting and went on:
"Yes, that is it. Well, Edith—Miss Talbot, I mean—vows that she won't marry
me until this beastly business is cleared up. Of course, we all know that Jack
didn't slope with the diamonds. He's tied up or dead, for sure. But—no matter
what may have become of him—why the dickens that should stop Edith from
marrying me is more than I can fathom. Just look at some of the women in
Society. They don't leave it to their relatives to be mixed up in a scandal, I can
tell you. Still, there you are. Edith is jolly clever and awfully determined, so
you've got to find him, Mr. Brett. Dead or alive, he must be found, and cleared."
"He shall," said Brett, gazing into the fire.
The quiet, self-reliant voice steadied the young peer. He checked an imminent
flow of words, picked up the newspaper slip again, and this time read it.
Then he blushed.
"You must think me very stupid, Mr. Brett, to burst out in such a manner when
you probably have never heard of the people I am talking about."
"You will tell me, Lord Fairholme, if you get quietly to work and try to speak, so
far as you find it possible, in chronological sequence."
His lordship knitted his brows and smoked in silence. At last he found utterance.
"That's a good idea of yours. It makes things easier. Well, first of all, Edith and I
became engaged. Edith is the daughter of the late Admiral Talbot. She and Jack,
her brother, live with their uncle, General Sir Hubert Fitzjames, at 118, Ulster
Gardens. Jack is in the Foreign Office; he is just like Edith, awfully clever and
that sort of thing, an assistant secretary I think they call him. Now we're getting
on, aren't we?"
"Splendidly."
"That's all right. About a month ago a chap turns up from Constantinople, a kind
of special Envoy from the Sultan, and he explains to the Foreign Office that he
has in his possession a lot of uncut diamonds of terrific value, including one as
big as a duck's egg, to which no figures would give a price. Do you follow me?"
"Each word."
"Good. Well—I can't tell you why, because I don't know, and I could not
understand it if I did—there was some political importance attached to these
gems, and the Sultan roped our Foreign Office into it. So the Foreign Office
placed Jack in charge of the business. He fixed up the Envoy in the house at
Albert Gate, got a lot of diamond cutters and machinery for him, gave him into
the charge of all the smart policemen in London; and what do you think is the
upshot?"
"What?"
"The Envoy, his two secretaries, and a confidential servant were murdered the
night before last, the diamonds were stolen, and Jack has vanished—absolutely
gone clean into space, not a sign of him to be found anywhere. Yesterday Edith
sends for me, cries for half an hour, tells me I'm the best fellow that ever lived,
and then I'm jiggered if she didn't wind up by saying that she couldn't marry
me."
The Earl of Fairholme was now worked up to fever heat. He would not calm
down for an appreciable period, so Brett resolved to try the effect of curiosity.
He wrote a telegram to Lord Northallerton:—
"Very sorry, but I cannot leave town at present. Please ask me later. Will explain
reason for postponement when we meet."
He had touched the dominant note in mankind.
"Surely!" cried the earl, "you have not already decided upon a course of action?"
"Not exactly. I am wiring to postpone a shooting fixture."
"What a beastly shame!" exclaimed the other, in whom the sporting instinct was
at once aroused. "I'm awfully sorry my affairs should interfere with your
arrangements in this way."
"Not a bit," cried Brett. "I make it a sacred rule of life to put pleasure before
business. I mean," he explained, as a look of bewilderment crossed his hearer's
face, "that this quest of ours promises to be the most remarkable affair I have
ever been engaged in. That pleases me. Pheasant-shooting is a serious business,
governed by the calendar and arranged by the head-keeper."
An electric bell summoned Smith. The barrister handed him the telegram and a
sovereign.
"Read that message," he said. "Ponder over it. Send it, and give the change of the
sovereign to Mrs. Smith's brother, with my compliments and regrets."
 CHAPTER II
MEHEMET ALI'S NOTE

Then he turned to Lord Fairholme.

"Just one question," he said, "before I send you off to bed. No, you must not
protest. I want you to meet me here this evening at seven, with your brain clear
and your nerves restored by a good, sound sleep. We will dine, here or
elsewhere, and act subsequently. But at this moment I want to know the name of
the person most readily accessible who can tell me all about Mr. Talbot's
connection with the Sultan's agent."
"His sister, undoubtedly."
"Where can I find her?"
"At Ulster Gardens. I will drive you there."
The barrister smiled. "You are going to bed, I tell you. Give me a few lines of
introduction to Miss Talbot."
The earl's face had brightened at the prospect of meeting his fiancée under the
favourable conditions of Brett's presence. But he yielded with good grace, and
promptly sat down to write a brief note explanatory of the barrister's identity and
position in the inquiry.
The two parted at the door, and a hansom rapidly brought Brett to the residence
of Sir Hubert Fitzjames.
A stately footman took Reggie's card and its accompanying letter, placed them
on a salver with a graceful turn of his wrist, which oddly suggested a similar turn
in his nose, and said:
"Miss Talbot is not at home, sir."
"Yes, she is," answered Brett, paying the driver of the hansom.
The footman deigned to exhibit astonishment. Here was a gentleman—one
obviously accustomed to the manners of Society—who declined to accept the
courteous disclaimer of an unexpected visit.
"Miss Talbot is not receiving visitors," he explained.
"Exactly. Take that card and the letter to Miss Talbot and bring me the answer."
Jeames was no match for his antagonist. He silently showed the way into a
reception room and disappeared. A minute later he announced, with much
deference, that Miss Talbot would see Mr. Brett in the library, and he conducted
this mysterious visitor upstairs.
On rejoining Buttons in the hall he solemnly observed:
"That's a swell cop who is with the missus—shining topper, button-hole,
buckskin gloves, patent leathers, all complete. Footmen ain't in it with the force,
nowadays."
Jeames expanded his magnificent waistcoat with a heavy sigh over this
philosophical dictum, the poignancy of which was enhanced by his knowledge
that the upper housemaid had taken to conversing with a mounted policeman in
the Park during her afternoons off.
The apartment in which Brett found himself gave ready indications of the
character of its tenants. Tod's "Rajasthan" jostled a volume of the Badminton
Library on the bookshelves, a copy of the Allahabad Pioneer lay beside the Field
and the Times on the table, and many varieties of horns made trophies with
quaint weapons on the walls.
A complete edition of Ruskin, and some exquisite prints of Rossetti's best known
works, supplied a different set of emblems, whilst the room generally showed
signs of daily occupation.
"Anglo-Indian uncle, artistic niece," was the barrister's rapid comment, but
further analysis was prevented by the entrance of Miss Edith Talbot.
The surprise of the pair was mutual.
Brett expected to see a young, pretty and clever girl, vain enough to believe she
had brains, and sufficiently well endowed with that rare commodity to be able to
twist the good-natured Earl of Fairholme round her little finger.
Young, not more than twenty—unquestionably beautiful, with the graceful
contour and delicately-balanced features of a portrait by Romney—Edith Talbot
bore few of the marks that pass current as the outward and visible signs of a
modern woman of Society. That she should be self-possessed and dressed in
perfect taste were as obvious adjuncts of her character as that each phase of her
clear thought should reflect itself in a singularly mobile face.
To such a woman pretence was impossible, the polite fictions of fashionable life
impossible. Brett readily understood why the Earl of Fairholme had fallen in
love with this fair creature. He had simply bent in worship before a goddess of
his own creed.
To the girl, Brett was equally a revelation.
Fairholme's introductory note described the barrister as "the smartest criminal
lawyer in London—one whose aid would be invaluable." She expected to meet a
sharp-featured, wizened, elderly man, with gold-rimmed eye-glasses, a queer
voice and a nasty habit of asking unexpected questions.
In place of this commonplace personality, she encountered a handsome, well-
groomed gentleman—one who won confidence by his intellectual face, and
retained it by invisibly establishing a social equality. Fortunately, there is yet in
Britain an aristocracy wherein good birth is synonymous with good breeding—a
freemasonry whose passwords cannot be simulated, nor its membership bought.
Brett read the wonder in the girl's eyes, and hastened to explain.
"The Earl of Fairholme," said Brett, "thought I might be of some service in the
matter of your brother's strange disappearance, Miss Talbot. I am not a
professional detective, but my friends are good enough to believe that I am very
successful in unravelling mysteries that are beyond the ken of Scotland Yard. I
have heard something of the facts in this present affair. Will you trust me so far
as to tell me all that is known to you personally?"
"My uncle, General Fitzjames, has just gone to Scotland Yard," she began,
timidly.
"Quite so. Perhaps you prefer to await his return?"
"Oh, no, I do not mean that. But it is so hard to know how best to act. Uncle
expects the police to accomplish impossibilities. He says that they should long
since have found out what has become of Jack. Perhaps they may resent my
interference."
"My interference, to be exact," said Reggie, with the pleasant smile that had
fascinated so many women. Even Edith Talbot was not wholly proof against its
magic.
"I, personally, have little faith in them," she confessed.
"I have none."
"Well, I will do as you advise."
"Then I recommend you to take me into your confidence. I know Scotland Yard
and its methods. We do not follow the same path."
"I believe in you and trust you," said the girl.
So ingenuous was the look from the large, deep eyes which accompanied this
declaration of confidence, that many men would have pronounced Miss Talbot to
be an experienced flirt. Brett knew better. He simply bowed his
acknowledgements.
"What is it that you want to know?" she continued. "We ourselves are no better
informed than the newspapers as to what has actually happened, save that four
men have been killed as the result of a carefully-planned robbery. As for my
brother——"
She paused and strove hard to force back her tears.
"Your brother has simply vanished, Miss Talbot. If the criminals did not scruple
to leave four dead men behind, they would not draw the line at a fifth. The clear
inference is that your brother is alive, but under restraint."
"I can see that it is possible he was alive until some time after the tragedy at
Albert Gate. But—but—what connection can Jack have with the theft of
diamonds worth millions? These people used him as their tool in some manner.
Why should they spare him when success had crowned their efforts?"
"We are conversing in riddles. Will you explain?"
"You know that my brother is an assistant Under-Secretary in the Foreign
Office?"
"Yes."
"Well, early in September, his chief placed him in charge of a special
undertaking. The Sultan had decided to have a large number of rough diamonds
cut and polished by the best European experts. They were all magnificent gems,
exceedingly valuable it seems, being rare both in size and purity; but one of
them was larger than any known diamond. Jack told me it was quite as big as a
good-sized hen's egg. Both it and the others, he said, had the appearance of
lumps of alum; but the experts said that the smaller stones were worth more than
a million sterling, whilst the price of the large one could not be fixed. No one but
an Emperor or Sultan would buy it. His Excellency Mehemet Ali Pasha was the
especial envoy charged with this mission, and he brought credentials to the
Foreign Office asking for facilities to be given for its execution. He and the two
secretaries who accompanied him have been killed."
"Yes?" said Brett, whose eyes were fixed intently on the hearthrug.
"Jack was given the special duty of looking after Mehemet Ali and his
companions during their residence in London. It was his business to afford them
every assistance in his power, to procure them police protection, obtain for them
the best advice attainable in the diamond trade, and generally place at their
disposal all the resources which the British Government itself could command if
it undertook such a curious task. He had been with them about a month—not
hourly engaged, you understand, as once the preliminary arrangements were
made, he had little further trouble—but he used to call there every morning and
afternoon to see if he could render any assistance. Matters had progressed so
favourably until the day before yesterday, that in another month he hoped to see
the last of them. He was always saying that he would be glad when the business
was ended, as he did not like to be officially connected with the fate of a few
little bits of stone that happened to be so immensely valuable."
"Did your brother call there as usual on Monday afternoon?" said Brett.
"Yes; he came straight here from Albert Gate, and had tea with uncle and myself.
He sat in the very chair and in the very position you now occupy. I can
remember him saying: 'By jove! the hen's egg'—that is what he used to call the
big diamond—'is turning out in fine style.' He even discussed the possibility of
bringing us to see the collection when it was finished and before it left this
country."
"Did your brother say why the diamonds were brought to this country in the first
instance?"
"Yes; the Sultan and his advisers seemed to think the work of cutting them could
be performed more safely and expeditiously here than anywhere else. Even the
Turk has a high regard for the manner in which law and order are maintained in
Britain. Yet the sequel has shown that the diamonds and their guardians were
perhaps in greater danger here than they would have been in Constantinople."
"Was that the only reason?" said Brett, who had apparently made up his mind
with reference to the pattern of the carpet, and was now gazing into the bright
fire which danced merrily in the grate, for the day though fine was chilly.
The girl wrinkled her brows in thought before she answered: "I think I do
remember Jack saying that he believed there was some State business mixed up
in the affair, but I am quite sure he did not know the exact facts himself."
"Can you recollect any of the special precautions taken to protect the gems?
Your brother may have mentioned some details in conversation, you know."
"Oh, I think I know all about them. In the first instance, the house at Albert Gate
had previously been tenanted by a rich banker, and it was well defended by all
ordinary means against the attacks of ordinary burglars. But, in addition to this,
before the diamonds left the safe at the Bank of England, the building was
practically torn to pieces inside by workmen acting under the direction of the
Commissioner of Police. It was absolutely impossible for anyone to enter except
through the front door, unless they flew out of the second storey window.
Servants and workmen, like everybody else, had to use this door alone, as the
windows and doors in the basement had all been bricked up. Inside the entrance-
hall there were always twelve policemen, and an inspector in charge.
"Every one who left the house was searched by the inspector on duty, and Jack
used to say that he was very glad he invariably insisted upon this examination,
although the police were at first disinclined to meet his wishes in the matter, he
being, so to speak, their direct superior for the time. Beneath the entrance-hall
were rooms occupied by several Turkish and other servants. Mehemet Ali
himself, in the presence of his secretaries, used to open the door leading to the
suite of apartments in which the diamond cutters worked, and two of the Turkish
gentlemen would remain there all day until the men left in the evening. The
Envoy and both secretaries used to meet Jack when he visited the place, and for
the last three weeks he had nothing to do but see the diamonds, count them,
drink an excellent cup of coffee, and smoke a wonderful cigarette, made of some
special Turkish tobacco, cultivated and prepared only for the Imperial
household."
"Ah!" sighed Brett, with a note of almost unconscious envy in his voice. He
knew exactly what that coffee and those cigarettes would be like. "I beg your
pardon," he went on, perceiving that Miss Talbot did not understand his
exclamation. "Will you tell me as nearly as you can the occurrences of Monday
evening?"
"They were simple enough," said the girl. "My brother dined at home. We had
one or two guests, and were all in the drawing room about 10 15, when a note
came for him from Mehemet Ali. I know exactly what was in it. I looked over
his shoulder whilst he read it. The words were: 'I wish to see you to-night on
important business. Come, if possible, at once.' I have to tell you that it was in
French, but this is an exact translation."
"Your brother was quite sure that it was from Mehemet Ali himself?" said Brett.
"Quite sure," was the reply. "He knew his handwriting well, having had several
communications from him during the progress of the business."
"Did your brother leave the house immediately?" asked Brett.
"That instant. He went downstairs, put on his overcoat and hat, and got into a
cab with the messenger who brought the note."
"Do you know who this messenger was?"
"One of the policemen on duty in the house itself."
A slight pause ensued, and Brett was about to take his departure, having no
further questions to ask at the moment, when some one was heard hastily
ascending the stairs, talking to a companion as he advanced.
"This is my uncle," exclaimed Miss Talbot, rising to go to the door. Before she
could reach it an elderly gentleman entered, bearing upon him all those
distinguishing tokens that stamp a man as a retired major-general.
He exclaimed impetuously—
"I have brought a gentleman from Scotland Yard, my dear." Then he caught sight
of Brett. "Who is this?"
Edith was about to explain, when another man entered—a strongly-built, bullet-
headed man, with keen eyes and firm mouth, and a curious suggestion in his
appearance of having combined pugilism with process-serving as a professional
means of existence. His face extended into a smile when his eyes fell upon the
barrister.
"Ah, Mr. Brett," he cried. "Now we have something to do that is up to your
mark. You are on the spot first, as usual, but this time I can honestly say that I
am glad to see you."
Sir Hubert Fitzjames glanced in astonishment from his niece to the barrister. He
could find nothing better to say than—
"This, my dear, is Mr. Winter, of Scotland Yard."
 CHAPTER III
WHAT THE POLICE SAW

Brett promptly cleared the situation by explaining to Sir Hubert, in a few words,
the reason for his unexpected presence, and when the Major-General learnt the
name of the distinguished personage who had sent Lord Fairholme to the
barrister he expressed a ready acquiescence in the desire to utilise his services.
Nor was the effect of such a notable introduction lost on Mr. Winter, whose
earlier knowledge of the barrister's remarkable achievements in unravelling the
tangled skein of criminal investigation was now supplemented by a certain
amount of awe for a man who commanded the confidence of His Majesty's
Government.
"Well," said Sir Hubert Fitzjames, with the brisk animation of one accustomed to
utter commands that must be instantly obeyed, "we will now proceed to
business."
For the moment no one spoke. The Scotland Yard detective evidently wished his
distinguished colleague to take the lead. No sooner did Brett perceive this than
he rose, bowed politely to Miss Talbot and her uncle, and said—
"The first thing to do is to trace the whereabouts of Mr. Talbot, and this should
be a comparatively easy task. The other features of this strange occurrence
impress me as highly complex, but it is far too early a stage in the investigation
to permit any definite opinion being expressed at this moment."
Every one seemed to be surprised by Brett's attitude.
"Where are you going to, sir?" asked Mr. Winter.
"That depends largely upon you," was the smiling reply. "If you come with me
we will go direct to Albert Gate, but if you decide to prosecute further inquiries
here, I will await your arrival at my flat."
"That is as much as saying that there are no facts worth inquiring into to be
learnt here?"
"Exactly so. Miss Talbot has told me all that is material to our purpose. Her
brother was unexpectedly sent for after dinner on Monday night, and left the
house hurriedly, without affording any clue to his subsequent proceedings
beyond that contained in a brief note sent to him by Mehemet Ali Pasha. Indeed,
it was impossible for him to afford any explanation, as he himself was quite
unprepared for the summons. Meanwhile, every moment lost in the endeavour to
follow up his movements is precious time wasted."
The barrister's manner, no less than his words, impressed Mr. Winter so greatly
that he too rose from the seat which he had occupied, with the intention of
conducting a long and careful examination of each member of the household.
"Then I will come with you at once," he said.
"Oh," cried the Major-General, "I understood you to say as we came here that
there were many questions which required immediate inquiry in this house, on
the principle that the movements of the missing man should be minutely traced
from the very commencement."
Mr. Winter looked somewhat confused, but Edith Talbot broke in—
"I think, uncle dear, it would be well to defer to Mr. Brett's judgment."
"Do you really believe," she said, turning to the barrister, "that you will soon be
able to find my brother?"
"I am quite sure of it," he replied, and the conviction in his tone astonished the
professional detective, whilst it carried a message of hope to the others. Even Sir
Hubert, for some reason which he could not explain, suddenly experienced a
strong sense of confidence in this reserved, distinguished-looking man. He
stepped forward eagerly and held out his hand, saying—
"Then we will not detain you, Mr. Brett. Act as you think fit in all things, but do
let us have all possible information at the earliest moment. The suspense and
uncertainty of the present position of affairs are terribly trying to my niece and
myself." The old soldier spoke with dignity and composure, but his lips
quivered, and the anguish in his eyes was pitiful.
Brett and Mr. Winter quitted the house; they hailed a hansom, and drove rapidly
towards Albert Gate.
"Do you know," said the man from Scotland Yard, breaking in on his
companion's reverie, "you surprised me by what you said just now, Mr. Brett?"
"I thought you were too old a hand to be surprised at anything," was the reply.
"Oh, come now, you know well enough what I mean. You said you thought it
would be a comparatively simple matter to find Mr. Talbot, whilst the other
features of the crime are very complex. Now the affair, thus far, impresses me as
being the exact opposite to that statement. The crime is simple enough. A clever
gang of thieves get into the place by working some particularly cool and daring
confidence game. They don't hesitate at murder to cover up their tracks, and they
make away with the plunder under the very noses of the police. All this may be
smart and up-to-date in its methods, but it is not unusual. The difficult question
to my mind is, what have they done with Mr. Talbot, and how did they succeed
in fooling him so completely as to make him what one might almost call a party
to the transaction?"
The barrister pulled out a cigar-case.
"Try one of these, Winter," he said. "You will find them soothing."
"I never smoke whilst on business," was the testy reply.
"I invariably do." He proceeded to light a cigar, which he smoked with zest.
"I do not know how it is," went on Mr. Winter, "but whenever I happen to meet
you, Mr. Brett, in the course of an inquiry, I always start by being very angry
with you."
"Why?" There was an amused twinkle in Brett's eyes, which might have warned
the other of a possible pitfall.
"Because you treat me as if I were a precocious youth. You listen to my theories
with a sort of pitying indulgence, yet I have the reputation of being one of the
best men in Scotland Yard, or I should not have been put on this job. And I am
older than you, too."
"I may surely pity you," said Brett, "even if I don't indulge you too much."
"There you go again," snapped the detective. "Now, what is there silly about my
theory of the crime, I should like to know."
"You shall know, and before you are much older. Bear with me for a little while,
I beg of you. You may be right, and I may be quite wrong, but I think there is
much beneath the surface in the investigations we are now pursuing. My advice
to you is to drop all preconceived theories, to note every circumstance, however
remote it may appear in its bearing upon events, and in any case not to act
precipitately. Whatever you do, don't arrest anybody."
"But," said the other, somewhat mollified by Brett's earnestness, "half a dozen
people may be arrested at any moment."
"Pray tell me how?"
"Descriptions of the stolen diamonds and of the suspected persons are in every
police office in Great Britain and in most Continental centres by this time.
Passengers by all steamers are most carefully scrutinised. Every pawnbroker and
diamond merchant in the country is on the look-out, and, generally speaking, it
will be odd if somebody does not drop into the net before many hours have
passed."
"It will, indeed," murmured Brett; "and no doubt the somebody in question will
experience a certain amount of inconvenience before he proves to you that he
had nothing whatever to do with the matter. Now, don't answer me, Winter, but
ponder seriously over this question: Do you really think that the intelligence
which planned and successfully carried through an operation of such magnitude
will be trapped by plain-clothes constables watching the gangways of
steamships, or by any pawnbroker who has ever lent half the value of a pledge?"
Almost impatiently the barrister waved the subject out of the hansom, and the
detective had sense enough to leave him alone during the few remaining minutes
before the vehicle pulled up near the Albert Gate mansion.
Brett stopped the driver some little distance short of the house itself, as he did
not wish to attract the attention of a knot of curious sightseers in the street. He
asked Winter to precede him and make known the fact that he was coming, so
that there would be no delay at the door. This the detective readily agreed to, and
Brett rapidly took in the main external features of the house which had become
the scene of such a remarkable tragedy.
It was a palatial structure, built on the sombre lines of the Early Victorian period.
Miss Talbot's brief description of the measures taken to protect its occupants
from interference was fully borne out by its aspect. There was no access to the
basement; the main entrance was situated at the side; all the ground-floor and
first-storey windows facing into the street were fitted with immovable wooden
venetians. Presumably those on the Park side were similarly secured, whilst the
back wall abutted on to that of another mansion, equally large and strongly built,
tenanted by a well-known peer.
Truly, it required a genius almost unrivalled in the annals of crime to murder
four people and steal diamonds worth millions in such a place whilst guarded by
twelve London policemen and under the special protection of the Home Office.
The appearance of Winter at the door caused the gaping idlers in the street to
endeavour to draw nearer to the mysterious portals. Thereupon three policemen
on duty outside hustled the mob back, and Brett took advantage of the confusion
thus created to slip to the doorway almost unperceived. One of the police
constables turned round to make a grab at him, but a signal from a confrère
inside prevented this, and Brett quickly found himself within a spacious entrance
hall with the door closed and bolted behind him.
Winter was talking to two uniformed inspectors, to whom he had explained the
barrister's mission and credentials.
"We have here, Mr. Brett," he said, "Inspector Walters, who was on duty until ten
o'clock on Monday night, and Inspector Sharpe, who relieved him. They will
both tell you exactly what took place."
"Thank you," said the barrister, "but it will expedite matters if you gentlemen
will first accompany me over the scene of the crime. I will then be able to
understand more accurately what happened. Suppose we start here. I presume
that this is where the police guard was stationed?"
Inspector Walters assumed the rôle of guide.
"I was in charge of the first guard established a month ago," he said, "and the
arrangements I then made have been adhered to without deviation night and day
ever since."
From the outer door a short passage of a few feet led up half a dozen steps into a
large reception room, the entrance to which was closed by a light double door,
half glass. On both sides of the first short passage were two small apartments,
such as are often used in London mansions for the purposes of cloak-rooms. The
doors from these rooms opened into the inner hall. A large dining-room was
situated on the left or Park side, and on the right was a breakfast or morning-
room. At the back of the reception hall a handsome staircase led from left to
right to the upper floors, whilst a doorway beneath the staircase gave access to
the kitchens and basement offices.
"Here," said the inspector, pointing to the foot of the staircase, "two police-
constables were constantly stationed. Another stood there," indicating the
passage to the kitchen, "and a fourth at the glass door. As the outer basement
entrance was not only securely fastened by bolts and bars, but actually bricked
up inside, it was absolutely impossible for any person to enter or leave the house
save by the front door, nor could any one go from the kitchen to the upper part of
the house without passing under the observation of all four constables. I
arranged my guards in military fashion, having three men for each post, with one
hour on duty and two hours off, but the same men were never on guard together
at definite hours, as they were relieved at varying times. You will understand that
I considered it a very responsible task to safeguard these premises, and thought it
best to render it impossible for any section of the force under my command to
take part in a conspiracy, although such a thing was in itself most improbable."
They then ascended the staircase and found themselves on the first floor.
There were six spacious apartments on this storey, and all of them had originally
opened on to the landing. The special precautions taken to guard the diamonds of
the Turkish mission had altered all that. Five doorways had been bricked up, the
result being that admission to the whole set of rooms could only be obtained
through the first door that faced the top of the staircase.
This apartment was luxuriously furnished, and Inspector Walters explained that
the Turkish Envoy and his suite passed the working hours of each day there after
they had personally thrown open the other apartments to the diamond polishers
and unlocked the safes in which the gems were stored, when work ceased on the
previous day.
"His Excellency," said the inspector, "kept the keys of this room and the others,
together with those of the safes, in his own possession night and day. He slept
upstairs, and so did the other two gentlemen. No one was allowed to come to this
floor except the confidential servant, named Hussein, who used to bring coffee,
cigars, and newspapers or other things the gentlemen might require, together
with their lunch in the middle of the day. The workmen brought their lunch with
them, so that they came in and out once a day only."
"Where did this confidential servant sleep?" said Brett.
"I believe he used to lie curled up on the rug outside his Excellency's door."
"And the other servants?"
"They all slept in the basement."
"What were they, Turks or Christians?"
"Well, sir," said the inspector with a smile, "two of them were Turks in costume,
whilst three were Christians in appearance. That is the best I can say for the
Christians, as they were Frenchmen, though certainly the cook was a first-rate
chef. Of course, we all got our meals here whilst on duty."
"Did his Excellency and the other members of the mission eat food prepared in
the ordinary way?"
"Oh, yes; they appreciated French dishes as keenly as anybody might do."
"It was in this room, then," continued Brett, "that the murders took place?"
"Yes; I suppose that must be so," said the inspector. "But my friend here,"
pointing to Inspector Sharpe, "can tell that part of the story better than I can."
They passed into the inner rooms, which were quite silent and deserted, and
presented a strange appearance considering the character of the house and its
locality. Although the ceilings were decorated with beautiful paintings and
fringed with superbly emblazoned mouldings, although the walls were papered
with material that cost as much per yard as good silk, each apartment was
occupied with workmen's benches, and curious devices for cutting and polishing
diamonds.
In the first room were two small safes, one of which was intended to receive the
gems under treatment at the close of each day's work; the other held certain
valuable materials required in the diamond cutter's operations. Three of the
rooms were on the Park side, and it was here that the small colony of skilled
artisans had been installed.
The other two rooms were not tenanted, nor had any communicating doors been
broken through the walls in order to gain access to them.
The windows of the three apartments occupied by the workmen were not only
guarded by strong iron bars, but possessed the additional security of external
wire blinds of exceedingly small mesh. Each window admitted plenty of light,
and could be raised to allow a free circulation of air, but it was seemingly quite
impossible for any active communication to take place with the outside. The
three rooms looked out over a small enclosed lawn, which was separated from
the park by a brick wall surmounted by iron railings. All the fireplaces had been
closed with bricks and mortar.
"You will see, sir," said the inspector, when he had called Brett's attention to
these details, "that mysterious though the murders were, they were as nothing
compared with the disappearance of the diamonds. Every person who came
downstairs was most carefully and methodically searched each time he passed
the constable on duty at the bottom. It may be admitted that a few small stones
could be so secreted as to escape observation, but some of these stones were so
large that such a notion is not to be thought of, whilst the size of the great
diamond which Mr. Talbot christened the 'Hen's Egg' rendered its transference
past the searchers beneath absolutely impossible. There was no humbug about
the search, you will understand, Mr. Brett. People had to take their boots off,
open their mouths, and hand over their hats, coats, sticks, or umbrellas for
inspection. Every part of their clothing was scrutinised, and the contents of their
pockets, money, watches, keys, and the rest, thoroughly examined. These were
our orders, and they were strictly obeyed, Mr. Talbot himself being the first to
insist that the regulation should be carried out rigidly, so far as he was
concerned. Why, one day a Cabinet Minister came here to see the diamonds. He
was elderly and stout, and did not at all like having to take off his boots, I can
assure you, as he nearly got apoplexy whilst lacing them up again."
During the inspector's running comments Brett had carefully scrutinised each of
the windows. He at once came to the conclusion, by a simple analysis of the
possibilities, that by no other means than through the barrier of iron wire had the
diamonds passed out of the house; but the most thorough examination failed to
reveal any loophole by which this achievement had been accomplished. He
opened each of the windows, tested every iron bar, and saw that the fastenings of
the external blind were undisturbed, whilst the fine wire mesh showed no
irregularities in its hexagonal pattern wherein any defect would at once be
visible.
"We have done all that long since, sir," said the second police officer, smiling at
the obviousness of an amateur's method of inspection, for it happened that he
had never met the barrister before, though he had often heard of him.
"You have?" said Brett, with the slightest tinge of sarcasm in his voice. "Did you
do this?" and he commenced to thump with a clenched fist upon every portion of
the external screen that he could reach.
"No, we did not," said the policeman, "and I don't see that it is going to
accomplish anything except hurt your hand."
"That may be so," murmured Brett; "but the diamonds went this way and none
other."
He tested every portion of one window screen in this manner without effect.
Then he approached the second window, and, beginning at the left-hand top
corner, did the same thing. Suddenly an exclamation came from the three
interested watchers. In the centre of the lower part of the screen Brett's hand
made a visible impression upon the iron wire. Using no more force than had
been applied to other portions, the blow served to tear a section of the blind
about eight inches across. Instantly the barrister ceased operations, and,
producing a pocket-microscope, minutely examined the rent.
"I expected as much," he said, taking hold of the torn part of the screen and
giving it a vigorous pull, with the result that a small piece, measuring about eight
inches by six, came bodily out. "This has been cut away, as you will see, by
some instrument which did not even bend the wire. It was subsequently replaced,
whilst the fractured parts were sufficiently cemented by some composition to
retain this section in its place, and practically defy observation. There was
nothing for it but force to reveal it thus early. No doubt in time the composition
would have dried, or been washed away, and then this bit of the screen would
have fallen out by the action of wind and weather. Here, at any rate, is a hole in
your defensive armour." He held out the pièce de conviction to the discomfited
Sharpe, who surveyed it in silence.
It was no part of Brett's business in life, however, to snatch plaudits from
astounded policemen.
"This is a mere nothing," he continued. "Of course, there must have been some
such means of getting the diamonds off the premises. Let us return to the ante-
room and there you can tell me the exact history of events on Monday evening."
 CHAPTER IV
THE MURDERS

In less confident tones Inspector Walters resumed his narrative—

"On Monday evening, sir," he said, "about eight o'clock, his Excellency and the
two secretaries were dining downstairs, and matters had, thus far, gone on with
the same routine as was observed every preceding day. The workmen quitted
work at six o'clock. The three gentlemen went out for a drive as soon as
everything was locked up, and came in again at a quarter to eight. They did not
change their clothes for dinner, so there was no occasion to search them, as no
one had gone upstairs since they had descended soon after six. They had barely
started dinner when some one called at the front door, and I was sent for. The
door bell, I may explain, was always answered by one of the house servants, and
he, if necessary, admitted any person who came, closing the door; but the visitor
had to be examined by the policeman stationed in the passage before he was
permitted to come any further. On this occasion I went out and found three
gentlemen standing there. They were Turks, as could be easily seen by their
attire, and appeared to be persons of some consequence."
"What do you mean by the words 'their attire'?" interrupted Brett. "Were they
dressed in European clothes or in regular Turkish garments?"
"Oh," said the inspector, "I only meant that they wore fezzes; otherwise they
were quite accurately dressed in frock coats and the rest, but they were
unmistakably Turks by their appearance. Two of them could speak no English,
and the third, who acted as the leader of the party, first of all addressed me in
French. Finding I did not understand him, he used very broken, but fairly
intelligible, English. What he wanted was to be taken at once to his Excellency,
Mehemet Ali Pasha. I said that his Excellency was dining and that perhaps he
had better call in the morning, but he replied that his business was very urgent,
and he could not wait. He made me understand that if I sent in the cards of
himself and his companions they would certainly be admitted at once. I did not
see any harm in this, so I took the three cards and gave them to Hussein, who
was crossing the hall at the moment."
"As the cards were printed in Turkish characters you could not, of course, tell
what the names were," said Brett.
A look of blank astonishment crossed the inspector's face as he replied: "That is
a good guess, but it is so. The hieroglyphics on the piece of pasteboard were
worse than Greek. However, Hussein glanced at them. He appeared to be
surprised; he went into the dining-room, returning with the message that the
gentlemen were to be admitted. Of course I had nothing else to do but to let them
in, which I did, accompanying them myself to the door of the dining-room, and
making sure, before the door was closed, that their presence was expected."
"How did you do that?" said Brett.
"Well, although they spoke in what I suppose was Turkish, it is not very difficult
to distinguish by a man's tones whether his reception of unexpected visitors is
cordial or not, and there could be no doubt that the visiting cards had conveyed
such names to his Excellency as warranted the introduction of the party into the
house. The six gentlemen remained in the dining-room until 9.17 (I have the
time noted here in my pocket-book). They then came out and went upstairs in a
body to the ante-room, where they all sat down, as I could tell by the movement
of chairs overhead, and in a few minutes Hussein was rung for to bring cigarettes
and coffee. This was at 9.21. Hussein was searched as he came downstairs after
receiving the order, and again at 9.30 when he returned after executing it. I was
relieved at ten o'clock, and beyond describing the three gentlemen, I know
nothing more about the business."
"They were well dressed?" inquired Brett; "they impressed you as Turkish
gentlemen by their features, and they wore fezzes?"
"Yes," said the policeman, with a smile; "but there was a little more than that."
"It is of no importance," said Brett.
"But really it must be," urged the inspector. "One of them, the man who spoke to
me, had a bad sword-cut across his right cheek, whilst another squinted horribly;
besides, they were all elderly men."
"Pardon me, inspector," said Brett, "but you admit, no doubt, that this is a very
remarkable crime I am investigating."
"I should just think it is, sir," was the answer.
"Well, now, does it not strike you that the perpetrators thereof, who were not
afraid to be scrutinized by yourself and by several other policemen, and to be
searched and further scrutinized by a different set of officers when they came out
again, would be very unlikely persons to bear about them such distinguishing
characteristics as would lead to their arrest by the first youthful police-constable
who encountered them? I do not want to be rude, or to indicate any lack of
discretion on your part, but, from my point of view, I would vastly prefer not to
be furnished with any description of these three persons, nor would I care to
have seen them as they entered or left the house."
"Well, that is very curious," said Inspector Walters, dropping his hands on his
knees in sheer amazement at such an extraordinary statement from a man whose
clearness and accuracy of perception had been so fully justified by the incident
of the window-blind.
"And now, Mr. Sharpe," said Brett, turning to the other officer, "what did you
observe?"
"I came on duty at ten o'clock, sir; posted my guards, and received from
Inspector Walters an exact account of what had taken place before my arrival.
Inspector Walters had hardly quitted the house, when one of the junior members
of the mission came downstairs with a note which he asked me to send at once
by a constable to Mr. Talbot."
"You are quite sure he was one of the members of the mission?" said Brett.
"Perfectly certain. I have seen him every previous night for nearly a month, as
the gentleman often went out late to the Turkish Embassy, and elsewhere. I sent
the note, as requested, and Mr. Talbot came back with the constable in about
twenty minutes. Mr. Talbot went upstairs accompanied by Hussein; Hussein
came down, was searched, went down to the kitchen, brought up more coffee,
and never appeared again. The next time I saw him was about noon yesterday,
when we broke open the door, and found his dead body. At 11.25, Mr. Talbot,
accompanied by the one whom Inspector Walters has described as the
spokesman of the strangers, came down the stairs. Mr. Talbot looked somewhat
puzzled, but not specially worried, and submitted himself to the searching
operation as usual. The other man seemed to be surprised by this proceeding, but
offered no objection when his turn came, and said something laughingly in
French to Mr. Talbot, when he had to take his boots off. The two gentlemen went
outside and called a cab. Mr. Talbot got in, and the constable at the door heard
the foreigner tell the driver to go to the Carlton Hotel. He repeated the address
twice, so as to make sure the man would make no mistake.
"Then they drove off, and there was no further incident to report until five
minutes past twelve, when the other two foreigners came downstairs. Then we
had a bit of a job. They knew no English, and one of our men, who could speak
French, found that they did not understand that language. However, at last in
dumb show we got them to perceive that everybody who came downstairs had to
be searched. They submitted at once, and I took special care that the
investigation was complete. There was nothing upon them to arouse the slightest
suspicion, no weapons of any sort beyond a small pocket-knife carried by one
man, and not much in the way of either papers or money. Before going out one
of them produced a small card on which was written, 'Carlton Hotel.'
"I took it that this was their residence, so I instructed a constable to see them into
a cab and tell the driver where to take them. I also showed them how much
money to give the cabman. None of the gentlemen upstairs put in an appearance,
nor did I hear them retire to rest. To make quite sure that all was right, I and a
sergeant who looked in a little later, went upstairs and tried the door of the ante-
room. This was locked and everything was quiet within, so we returned to the
hall, and the night was passed in the usual manner. Hussein always made his
appearance about eight o'clock in the morning, when he came down to procure
coffee for his Excellency and the others. As he did not show up I wondered what
had become of him. When nine o'clock came, I determined to investigate
matters. By that time the diamond cutters had put in an appearance, and were
gathered in the hall, undergoing a slight search preparatory to their day's work."
"How many of these men were there?" broke in Brett.
"Fourteen exactly. They were mostly Dutchmen, with, I think three Belgians.
Taking a constable with me, I went upstairs, and ascended to the second storey,
where I knew his Excellency's suite was situated, and where I expected to find
Hussein asleep on a mat in front of the bedroom door. The mat was there, but no
Hussein. Then I went higher up to the rooms occupied by the two assistants. I
knocked, but received no answer. One door was locked; the other was open, so I
went in, but the room was empty, and the bed had not been slept upon. This
seemed so strange that I knocked loudly at the other door, with no result. I
returned to his Excellency's floor and hammered at the door, which was locked,
sufficiently to wake the soundest sleeper that ever lived. This again was useless,
so I returned downstairs and sent off two messengers post haste—one to Mr.
Talbot, and the other to the Commissioner of Police at Scotland Yard. The man
who went to Mr. Talbot's house returned first, bringing the startling information
that Mr. Talbot had not been home all night, and that his uncle and sister were
anxious to know where he was, as they had received no message from him since
he quitted the house the previous night at 10.15. The Commissioner of Police
came himself a little later. By that time Inspector Walters had reached here for
his turn of day duty, and after a hasty consultation we decided to break in all the
doors that were locked, commencing with that of the second assistant. His room
was empty, and so was his Excellency's, neither apartment having been occupied
during the night. We then returned to the first floor and forced the door of the
ante-room, which, we discovered, was only secured by a spring latch, the lower
lock not having been used. As soon as we entered the room, we found the four
dead men. Hussein, the servant, was nearest the door and was lying in a
crumpled-up position. He had been stabbed twice through the back and once
through the spinal column at the base of the neck. His Excellency and the two
assistants were seated in chairs, but had been stabbed through the heart. The
instrument used must have been a long thin dagger or stiletto. There was no sign
of it anywhere in the room, and most certainly none of the men who came out
the previous night had such a weapon concealed upon him.
"Doctors were at once sent for, and the first medical gentlemen to arrive said that
each of the four had been dead for many hours, but they also imagined that the
coffee, the remains of which we found in some cups on the table, had been
drugged. So, before disturbing the room and its contents in any way, the
Commissioner sent for Dr. Tennyson Coke. After careful investigation Dr. Coke
came to the same conclusion as the other gentlemen. He believes that his
Excellency and his two assistants were first stupefied by the drug and then
murdered as they sat in their chairs, whilst the appearance of Hussein and the
nature of his wounds seemed to indicate that he had been unexpectedly attacked
and killed before he could struggle effectually or even call for assistance.
"Of course, the diamonds had vanished, whilst in the safes or on the tables we
found the keys which had evidently been taken from his Excellency's pockets.
We were all puzzled to account for the disappearance of the diamonds and the
dagger, but you have clearly shown the means whereby they were conveyed off
the premises. Dr. Coke took away the coffee for analysis. The four bodies were
carried to the mortuary in Chapel Place, and the fourteen workmen were
conveyed to Scotland Yard, not because we have any charge against them, but
the Commissioner thought it best to keep them under surveillance until the
Turkish Embassy had settled what was to be done with them, in the matter of
paying such wages as were due and sending them back to Amsterdam. The men
themselves, I may add, were quite satisfied with our action in the matter. That is
really all I have to tell you."
"It is quite clear, then," said Brett, "that two men succeeded in murdering four
and in getting away with their plunder and arms without creating the slightest
noise or exciting any suspicion in your mind."
"That is so," admitted Inspector Sharpe ruefully.
"Then," said Brett, "there is nothing else to be done here. Will you come with
me, Mr. Winter?"
"Where to, sir?" inquired the detective.
"To find Mr. Talbot, of course."
"Easier said than done," remarked Inspector Walters, as the door closed behind
the visitors.
Inspector Sharpe was less sceptical.
"He's a very smart chap is Brett," he said. "Neither you nor I thought of
punching that wire screen, did we?"
 CHAPTER V
A STARTLING CLUE

Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a
sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised
either his thoughts or his actions. He admitted as much to his companion, for
Brett was a man who would not consent to pose under any circumstances.
"It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot,
and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task;
but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
"And what are they, sir?" said the detective.
"I fail to see why Mr. Talbot was dragged into the matter at all. On the
straightforward assumption that Turks were engaged in the pleasant occupation
of taking other Turks' lives—an assumption to which, by the way, I attach no
great amount of credence—why did they not allow Mr. Talbot to go quietly to
his own home? It was not that they feared more speedy discovery of their crime.
The hour was then late; it was tolerably certain that he would make no move
which might prove injurious to them until next morning, and then the whole
affair was bound to be discovered by the police in the ordinary course of events."
"I don't quite follow you, sir," said Winter, with a puzzled tone in his voice. They
had, for the sake of quietude, turned into the Park, and were now walking
towards Hyde Park Corner. "What do you mean by saying that Mr. Talbot would
make no move in the matter until next morning?"
"Oh, I forgot," said Brett. "Of course, you don't know why the diamonds were
stolen?"
"For the same reason that all other diamonds are stolen, I suppose."
"Oh, dear no," laughed the barrister. "This is a political crime."
"Political!" said the amazed policeman.
"Well, we won't quarrel about words, and as there are perhaps no politics in
Turkey, we will call it dynastic or any other loud-voiced adjective which serves
to take it out of the category of simple felony. Why? I cannot at this moment tell
you, but you may be perfectly certain that the disappearance of those diamonds
from the custody of Mehemet Ali Pasha will not cause the Sultan to sleep any
more soundly."
"What beats me, Mr. Brett," said the detective, viciously prodding the gravel
path with his stick, "is how you ferret out these queer facts—fancies some
people would call them, as I used to do until I knew you better."
"In this case it is simple enough. By mere chance I happened to read this
morning that there had been some little domestic squabble in royal circles at
Constantinople. I don't know whether you are acquainted with Turkish history,
Mr. Winter, but it is a well-recognised principle that any Sultan is liable to die of
diseases which are weird and painfully sudden; for instance, the last one is
popularly supposed to have plunged a long sharp scissors into his jugular vein;
others drank coffee that disagreed with them, or smoked cigarettes too highly
perfumed. In any case, the invariable result of these eccentricities has been that a
fresh Sultan occupied the throne. Now, don't forget that I am simply theorising,
for I know no more of this business than you do at this moment, but I still think
that you will find some connection between my theory and that which has
actually occurred. At any rate, I have said sufficient to prove to you the
importance of not being too ready to make arrests."
"I quite see that," was the thoughtful rejoinder. "But you must not forget, sir, that
we in Scotland Yard are bound by rules of procedure. Perhaps you will not mind
my suggesting that a word from you to the Foreign Office might induce the
authorities to communicate officially with the Home Department, and then
instructions could be issued to the police which would leave the matter a little
more open than we are able to regard it under the existing conditions."
"I will see to that," said the barrister. "When does the inquest take place?"
"This evening at six."
"It will be adjourned, of course?"
"Oh, yes; no evidence will be given beyond that necessary for purposes of
identification, and this can be supplied by the police themselves and an official
from the Turkish Embassy."
"Very well. You will mention to no one the theory I have just explained to you?"
"Not if you wish it, sir."
"I do wish it at present. Which way are you going?"
"Straight to the Yard."
"In that case I will accompany you a portion of the distance."
They had now reached Hyde Park Corner, and, hailing a hansom, Brett told the
driver to stop outside the Carlton Hotel. The man whipped up his horse and
drove in the direction of Constitution Hill, evidently intending to avoid the
congested traffic of Piccadilly and take the longer, but more pleasant, route
through the Green Park and the Mall.
"By the way," said Brett, "did the driver of the hansom which conveyed Mr.
Talbot and his companion from Albert Gate on Monday night tell you which
road he followed?"
"Yes," said the detective, "he went this way."
Brett rubbed his hands, with a queer expression of thoughtful pleasure on his
keen face.
"Ah," he said, "I like that. It is well to be on the scent."
He did not explain to his professional confrère that it was a positive stimulant to
his abounding energy and highly-strung nerves to find that he was actually
following the path taken by the criminal whom he was pursuing. The mere fact
lent reality to the chase. For a mile, at any rate, there could be no mistake,
though he might expect a check at the Carlton. Arrived there, Brett alighted.
"Are you going to make any inquiries in the hotel, sir?" said Mr. Winter.
"Why should I?" said Brett. "You have already ascertained from the management
that no person even remotely resembling any of the parties concerned is staying
at the hotel."
"Yes, confound it, I know I did," cried the other, "but I never told you so."
"That is all right," laughed Brett. "Come and see me at my chambers this
evening when the inquest is finished. Perhaps by that time we may be able to
determine our plan of action."
Once left to himself, Brett did not enter the hotel. Indeed, he hardly glanced at
that palatial structure, having evidently dismissed it from his mind as being in no
way connected with the tragedy he was investigating. He made it an invariable
rule in conducting inquiries of this nature to adopt the French method of
"reconstituting" the incidents of a crime, so far as such a course was possible in
the absence of the persons concerned. He reasoned that a very plausible
explanation of the unexpected appearance of the three strangers in the Albert
Gate mansion on Monday night had been given to Jack Talbot. This young
gentleman, it might be taken for granted, had not been selected by the Foreign
Office to carry to a successful issue such an important and delicate matter as that
entrusted to him, without some good grounds for the faith in his qualities
exhibited by his superiors. Brett thought he could understand the brother's
character and attributes from his favourable analysis of the sister, and it was
quite reasonable, therefore, to believe that Talbot was a man not likely to be
easily duped. The principals in this crime were evidently well aware of the trust
reposed in the Assistant Under-Secretary, and they, again, would not underrate
his intelligence. Hence there was a good cause for Talbot to accept the
explanations, whatever they were, given him during the conclave in the dining-
room; the effect of which, in Inspector Sharpe's words, had been to "puzzle" the
young Englishman. Further, there must have been a very potent inducement held
out before Talbot would consent to drive off with a stranger at such a late hour,
and when the cab was dismissed at the Carlton, the excuse given would certainly
be quite feasible.
"It must surely be this," communed Brett. "The man explained that he was a
stranger in London, that he lived quite close to the Carlton Hotel, and that he
found it convenient not only for the purpose of giving directions that would be
understood, but also for paying fares, to direct the drivers of hired vehicles to go
there and not to his own exact address, which he had found by experience many
of them did not recognize, whilst his knowledge of the language was not ample
enough to enable him to describe the locality more precisely. It follows, then, in
unerring sequence that Talbot was conveyed to some place within a very short
distance of the spot where I now stand."
He looked along Pall Mall, up the Haymarket, and through Cockspur Street, and
he noted with some degree of curiosity that there were very few residential
buildings in the neighbourhood. Clubs, theatres, big commercial establishments
and insurance offices occupied the bulk of the available space. It was a part of
his theory that none of the other great hotels in this district could harbour the
criminals, otherwise there would have been no excuse to stop the hansom
outside the Carlton.
Brett did not take long to make up his mind once he had decided upon a definite
course. He stood at the corner barely three minutes, and then walked off through
Pall Mall and down the steps near the Duke of York's Column into the Horse
Guards' Parade, intending to walk quietly to his Victoria Street flat. A call at the
Foreign Office procured him an official authorization from the Under-Secretary
to inquire into the circumstances of Talbot's disappearance and a promise that the
Home Office should be communicated with.
He desired to review the whole of the circumstances attending this strange
mystery of modern life, and the result of his reflections quickly became apparent
when he reached his residence, for in the first instance he despatched a telegram,
and then made several notes in his private diary.
The telegram, in due course, produced an elderly pensioned police inspector, a
quiet reserved man, whom the barrister had often employed. He explained
briefly the circumstances attending Mr. Talbot's disappearance, and added—
"I want you to find out the names, and if possible the business—together with
any other information you may happen to come across—of every person who
lives within a distance, roughly speaking, of two hundred yards from the Carlton
Hotel. The Post Office Directory and your own observation will narrow down
the inquiry considerably. It is the unrecorded balance of inhabitants with whom I
am particularly anxious to become more definitely acquainted." The man saluted
and withdrew.
Brett imagined that he would now be left in undisputed enjoyment of a few
hours' rest before the Earl of Fairholme kept the appointment fixed for seven
o'clock. But in this he was mistaken.
Smith brought in some tea, which was refreshing after his walk, for the
engrossing nature of the morning's occupation caused him to forget his lunch. A
cigar and evening paper next claimed his attention, but he had barely settled
down to the perusal of a garbled account of events at Albert Gate when his man
again entered, announcing in mysterious tones the presence of Mr. Winter.
Smith's attitude towards the myrmidons of Scotland Yard who occasionally
visited the barrister on business, was peculiar. He regarded them with suspicion,
tempered by wholesome awe, and he now made known the arrival of the
detective in such a manner as caused his master to laugh at him.
"Show him in, Smith," he said cheerily; "he has not come to arrest me this time."
Winter entered, and a glance at his face brought Brett quickly to his feet.
"What is the matter?" he cried when the door had closed behind the servant.
"You have received important news?"
"I should think I have," replied the detective, dropping into a seat. "I was just
writing a report in the Yard when I was sent for by the Chief, and you could have
knocked me down with a feather when I heard the reason. I suppose I am acting
rightly in coming at once to tell you, although in my flurry at the time I quite
forgot to ask the Chief's permission, but as you are mixed up in the case at the
request of the Foreign Office, I thought you ought to learn what had happened."
"Well, what is it?" cried Brett, impatient of the other's careful provisos.
"Simply this," said the detective. "Mr. Jack Talbot bolted from London on
Tuesday in company with a lady. They crossed over from Dover to Calais by the
midday boat, and went direct to Paris. Mr. Talbot calmly booked rooms for
himself and the girl in the Grand Hotel, had the nerve to write 'Mr. and Mrs.
Talbot, 118, Ulster Gardens, London, W.,' in the register, and both of them
disappeared forthwith. But we will soon lay hands on the gentleman, no fear. I
have somehow suspected, Mr. Brett, that your notion of a political crime was all
poppy-cock. It is a good big brazen-faced steal."
"Is it?" said Brett, his face glistening with excitement at the intelligence so
suddenly conveyed to him. "Would you mind explaining to me how this precious
information reached you?"
"There is no use, sir, in fighting against facts," said the detective, with dogged
insistence. "This time you are dead wrong. Mr. Talbot was recognized at Calais
by a Foreign Office messenger returning from France. Seeing him with a lady,
and knowing that he was not married, the messenger—Captain Gaultier by name
—did not speak to him, especially as Mr. Talbot seemed rather to avoid
recognition. Captain Gaultier thought nothing of the matter until this morning,
when he visited the Foreign Office on duty and heard something of the affair. He
then saw the Under-Secretary, the same gentleman who sent the Earl of
Fairholme to you, and told him what had happened. The Under-Secretary could
hardly refuse to believe such a credible witness, so telegrams were despatched to
the Embassy in Paris and the police at Dover. From Dover came the information
that exactly such a couple as described by Captain Gaultier had crossed to
France on Tuesday morning; and a few hours later a wire from Paris announced
the discovery of the registered names at the Grand Hotel. The Paris telegram
went on to say that the gentleman had told the manager his luggage was
following from the Gare du Nord, and that his wife and himself were going out
for half an hour, but would return in time to dress for dinner. When his traps
arrived they were to be taken to his room. No luggage ever came, nor was either
of the pair seen again; but we will lay hands on them, never fear."
Brett took a hasty stride or two up and down the room.
"So you think," he burst forth at last, "that Mr. Talbot has not only taken part in
some vulgar intrigue with a woman, but that he has also bolted with the Sultan's
diamonds, sacrificing his whole career to a momentary impulse and imperilling
his neck for the sake of a few gems, which he cannot even convert into money?"
"Why not? It is not the first time in the history of the world that a man has made
a fool of himself over a woman, or even committed a murder in order to steal
diamonds."
"My dear Winter, do be reasonable. Where is the market for diamonds such as
these are supposed to be? You know, even better than I do, that the slightest
attempt to dispose of them at any figure remotely approaching their value will
lead to the immediate detection and arrest of the person rash enough to make the
experiment. Don't you see, man, that the Foreign Office and its messenger, its
Under-Secretary, your Commissioner, and the Embassy officials in Paris have
been completely and abjectly fooled—fooled, too, in a particularly silly fashion
by the needless registration of names at the hotel?"
"No, I do not see it. One cannot go against facts, but this time the evidence looks
so strong that I shall be mightily mistaken if Mr. Talbot does not swing for his
share in the matter. Anyhow, I have done my duty in letting you know what has
happened, so I must be off."
"To arrest somebody, of course?" cried Brett, with an irritating laugh; but Mr.
Winter was already hurrying down the stairs.
The momentary feeling of annoyance soon passed, to be succeeded by profound
pity for the household at 118, Ulster Gardens. He well knew that once the police
became convinced that a particular individual was responsible for the
commission of a crime it required the eloquence of several counsel and the
combined intelligence of a judge and jury at the Old Bailey to force them to
change their opinion. Brett had never, to his knowledge, seen Talbot, yet he felt
that this bright, alert and trustworthy young official was innocent of the slightest
voluntary complicity in a crime which must shock London when its extent
became known.
The testimony of the Foreign Office messenger was, of course, staggering at first
sight, especially when backed up by the hurried investigations made at Dover
and Paris. But there must be an explanation of Talbot's supposed journey, and,
even assuming the most unfavourable view of his actions, why on earth should
he so ostentatiously parade himself and his companion at the bureau of the
Grand Hotel? There could be but one answer to this question. He acted in this
manner in order to make certain that his presence in Paris should be known to
the police at the first instant they endeavoured to trace him. Then, who could the
woman be? The last thing that a clever criminal flying from outraged law would
dream of doing would be to encumber himself with a young and probably good-
looking companion of the opposite sex.
The more Brett thought out the complexities of the affair, the more excited he
became, and the longer and more rapid were his strides up and down the length
of his spacious sitting-room. This was his only outward sign of agitation. When
thinking deeply on any all-absorbing topic, he could not remain still. He felt
obliged to cast away physical as well as mental restriction on the play of his
imagination, and he would at times pace back and forth during unrecorded hours
in the solitude of his apartments, finally awakening to a sense of his
surroundings by reason of sheer exhaustion.
He was not destined to reach this ultimate stage on the present occasion. With a
preliminary cough—for the discreet Smith was well versed in his master's
peculiarities—his servant announced the appearance of the Earl of Fairholme.
Brett looked at his watch, and was caught in the act by his visitor. "Yes, I know
we fixed on seven o'clock," cried the impetuous young peer, "but I was simply
dying to hear the result of your inquiries thus far, and I ventured to call an hour
earlier."
The barrister explained that he sought to learn the time as a matter of mere
curiosity. "Indeed," he added, "your appearance at this juncture is particularly
welcome. I want to ask you many things concerning Mr. Talbot."
"Fire away," said Fairholme. "I'm no good at spinning a yarn, but I can answer
questions like a prize boy in a Sunday-school."
"Well, in the first instance, have you known him many years?"
"We were at school together at Harrow. Then I entered the Army whilst he had a
University career. My trustees made me give up the Service when I succeeded to
the estates, and about the same time Jack entered the Foreign Office. That is
three years ago. We have seen each other constantly since, and, of course, when I
became engaged to his sister our friendship became, if anything, stronger."
"Nothing could be more admirably expressed. Do you know anything about his
private affairs?"
"Financially, do you mean?"
"Well, yes, to begin with."
"He got a salary, I suppose, from Government, but he has a private income of
some thousands a year."
"Then he is not likely to be embarrassed for money?"
"Most unlikely. He is a particularly steady chap—full of eagerness to follow a
diplomatic career and that sort of thing. Why, he would sooner read a blue-book
than the Pink 'Un!"
"If you were told that he had bolted with a nondescript young woman, what
would you say?"
"Say!" vociferated Fairholme, springing up from the seat into which he had
subsided, "I would tell the man who said so that he was a d——d liar!"
"Exactly. Of course you would! Yet here are all kinds of people—Foreign Office
officials, policemen, and hangers-on of the British Embassy in Paris—ready to
swear, perhaps to prove, if necessary, that Talbot and some smartly-dressed
female went to Paris quite openly by the day service yesterday, and even took
care to announce ostentatiously their arrival in the French capital."
For a moment the two men faced each other silently, the one amused by the news
he was imparting, the other staggered by its seeming absurdity. Then Fairholme
flung himself back into his chair.
"Look here, Mr. Brett," he went on, "if Jack himself stood there and told me that
what you have said is true I would hardly believe it." A note of agony came into
his voice, as he added: "Do you know what this means to his sister? My God,
man, it will kill her!"
"It will do nothing of the sort," cried Brett. "Surely you understand Miss Talbot
better. She will be the first to proclaim to the world what you and I believe,
namely, that her brother is innocent, no matter how black appearances may be. I
have no knowledge of him save what I have learned within the last few hours,
yet I stake my reputation on the certainty that he is in no way connected with this
terrible occurrence save by compulsion."
"It gives one renewed courage to hear you speak so confidently," said the earl,
his face lighting with enthusiasm as he looked eagerly at the other, whose
earnestness had, for an instant, lifted the veil from features usually calm and
impassive, betraying the strength of character and masterful purpose that lay
beneath the outward mask.
"Is there anything else I can tell you?" asked Fairholme.
"You are quite sure that his was a nature that could not stoop to a vulgar
intrigue?" said Brett. "Remember that in this relation the finest natures are prone
to err. From long experience, I have learnt to place such slips in quite another
category than mere lapses of criminality."
"Of course any man who knows the world must appreciate your reasons fully,
but from what I know of Jack I am persuaded the thing is quite impossible. Even
if it were otherwise, he would never be so mad as to go off when he knew that
something very unusual and important was about to occur with reference to a
special mission for the successful conclusion of which he had been specially
selected by the Foreign Office."
"Ah, there you touch on the strange happenings of coincidence. Circumstantial
evidence convicts many offenders, but it has hanged many an innocent man
before to-day. I could tell you a very remarkable case in point. Once——"
But Smith appeared to announce dinner, and Brett not only insisted that his new
acquaintance should dine heartily, but also contrived to divert him from present
anxieties by drawing upon the rich storehouse of his varied experiences.
The meal, therefore, passed pleasantly enough. Both men arranged to visit Sir
Hubert Fitzjames during the evening and decide on a definite course of action
which would receive the approval of the authorities. Armed with a mandate from
the Foreign Office, Brett could enter upon his task without fear of interference
from officialdom. Nothing further could be done that night, as the private inquiry
agent could not possibly complete any portion of his house-to-house scrutiny in
the vicinity of the Carlton until the following morning at the earliest.
They smoked and chatted quietly until 7.30 p.m., when Inspector Winter again
put in an appearance, to announce that the coroner's jury had brought in a verdict
of "Wilful murder by some two or more persons unknown."
The detective was somewhat quieter in manner now that the sensational turn of
events in Paris had assimilated with the other remarkable features of the crime.
Moreover, the presence of a peer of the realm had a subduing influence upon
him, and he had the good taste not to insist too strenuously that Lord Fairholme's
prospective brother-in-law was not only an accessory to a foul murder, but also a
fugitive thief.
One new fact was established by the post-mortem examination of the victims.
Considerable violence had been used to overcome the struggles of the servant,
Hussein. His neck was almost dislocated, and there was a large bruise on his
back which might have been caused by the knee of an assailant endeavouring to
garrotte him.
They were discussing this discovery and its possible significance when Smith
entered, bearing a lady's visiting-card, which he silently handed to his master.
Brett read the name inscribed thereon. He merely said, "Show the lady in." Then
he turned to the Earl of Fairholme, electrifying the latter by the words: "Miss
Edith Talbot is here."
An instant later Miss Talbot came into the room. The three men knew that she
brought momentous, perchance direful, intelligence. She was deathly pale. Her
eyes were unnaturally brilliant, her mouth set in tense resolution.
"Mr. Brett," she said, after a single glance at her lover, "we have received a letter
from my brother."
"A letter from Jack!" cried Fairholme.
"Well, I never did!" ejaculated Mr. Winter.
But Brett only said—
"Have you brought it with you, Miss Talbot?"
"Yes; it is here. My uncle, who was too ill to accompany me, thought you ought
to see it at once," and she handed a torn envelope to him.
He glanced at the postmark.
"It was posted in Paris last evening," he said, his cool utterance sending a thrill
through the listeners. "Is the address written by him?" he added.
"Oh, yes. It is undoubtedly from Jack."
Here was a woman moulded on the same inscrutable lines as the man whom she
faced. Seldom, indeed, would either of these betray the feelings which agitated
them. Then he took out the folded letter. It contained but three lines, and was
undated.
"My dear Uncle and Sister," it ran. "I am in a position of some difficulty, but am
quite safe personally.—Ever yours, JACK."
Mr. Winter was the first to recover his equanimity. He could not control the note
of triumph in his voice.
"What do you think of it now, Mr. Brett?"
The barrister ignored him, save for a glance which seemed to express
philosophical doubt as to whether Mr. Winter's head contained brains or sawdust.
"You are quite positive that both letter and envelope are in your brother's
handwriting?" he said.
"Absolutely positive."
"There can be no doubt about it," chimed in Fairholme, to whom, in response to
a gesture, Brett had passed the damning document.
"Then this letter simplifies matters considerably," said Brett.
Miss Talbot looked at him unflinchingly as she uttered the next question:
"Do you mean that it serves to clear my brother from any suspicion?"
"Most certainly."
"I thank you for your words from the bottom of my heart. Somehow, I knew you
would say that. Will you please come and help to explain matters to my uncle?
Harry, you will come too, will you not?"
The sweet gentle voice, with its sad mingling of hope and despair, sounded so
pathetic that the impetuous peer had some difficulty in restraining a wild impulse
to clasp her to his heart then and there.
Even Mr. Winter was moved not to proclaim his disbelief.
"I will see you in the morning, sir," he muttered.
Brett nodded, and the detective went out, saying to himself as he reached the
street—
"Nerve! Of course he has nerve. It's in the family. Just look at that girl! Still, it
did require some grit to sign his name in the hotel register and then calmly sit
down to write a letter telling his people not to worry about him. I've known a
few rum cases in my time, but this one——"
The remainder of Mr. Winter's soliloquy was lost in the spasmodic excitement of
boarding a passing omnibus, for this latest item of news must be conveyed to the
Yard with all speed.
 CHAPTER VI
A JOURNEY TO PARIS

The sight of Talbot's letter seemed to fire Brett's imagination. He radiated

electric energy. Both Lord Fairholme and Miss Talbot felt that in his presence all
doubts vanished. They realized, without knowing why, that this man of power,
this human dynamo, would quickly dispel the clouds which now rendered the
outlook so forbidding. For the moment, heedless of their presence, he began to
pace the room in the strenuous concentration of his thoughts. Once he halted in
front of the small bust of Edgar Allan Poe, whose pedestal still imprisoned the
two cuttings of a newspaper which formed the barrister's first links with the
tragedy. His ideas suddenly reverted to the paragraph describing the efforts of
the Porte to obtain from the French Government the extradition of a fugitive
relative of the Sultan. At that instant, too, a tiny clock on the mantelpiece chimed
forth the hour of eight.
"That settles it," said Brett aloud. "Smith," he vociferated.
And Smith appeared.
"Pack up sufficient belongings for a short trip to the Continent. Don't forget a
rug and a greatcoat. Have the portmanteau on a cab at the door within three
minutes."
"I am sorry, Miss Talbot," he continued, with his charming smile and a manner
as free from perplexity as if he was announcing a formal visit to his
grandmother. "I have just decided to go to Paris at once. The train leaves Victoria
at 8.15. Lord Fairholme will take you home, and you will both, I am sure, be
able to convince Sir Hubert that to yield too greatly to anxiety just now is to
suffer needless pain."
"You are going to Paris, Mr. Brett!" cried Edith. "Why?"
"In obedience to an impulse. I always yield to impulses. They impress me as
constituting Nature's telegraphs. I have a favourite theory that we all contain a
neatly devised adaptation of Marconi's wireless system, and the time may come
when the secret will be scientifically laid bare. Then, don't you see, it will be
possible for a man in London to ring up a sympathetic soul in San Francisco. At
present the code is not understood. It is not even properly named, so people are
apt to distrust impulses."
He rattled on so pleasantly that Edith, absorbed by the agony of her brother's
disappearance and possible disgrace, could not conceal an expression of blank
amazement at his levity.
Brett instantly became apologetic.
"Pray forgive my apparent flippancy, Miss Talbot," he said. "I am really in
earnest. I believe that a flying visit to Paris just now must unquestionably
advance us an important stage in this inquiry. Let me explain exactly what I
mean. Here is a letter from your brother, in handwriting which you and others
best qualified to judge declare to be undeniably his. It also bears postmarks
which would demonstrate to a court of law that it was posted in Paris last night
and received here to-day. But it does not follow that it was written in Paris; it
might have been written anywhere. Now, according to the police, there is an
entry in the visitors' book at the Grand Hotel which appears to prove that your
brother wrote his name therein on Tuesday night. If the handwriting in the Grand
Hotel register corresponds beyond all doubt with that in this letter and envelope,
then your brother must be in Paris. If it does not, he is not there. I am convinced
that the latter hypothesis is correct, but to make doubly sure I will go and see
with my own eyes. There now—I owed you an explanation, and I have barely
time to catch my train. Good-bye. I will wire you in the morning."
He placed the mysterious letter in his note-book, gave them a parting smile, and
was gone.
He managed to catch the 8.15, which started punctually, the sole remnant of
railway virtue possessed by the Chatham and South Eastern line. A restful porter,
quickened into active life by a half-crown tip, found him a vacant seat in a first-
class smoking carriage, and Brett's hasty glance round the compartment revealed
that his travelling companions, as far as Dover, at any rate, were severely
respectable Britons bound for the Riviera.
The harbour station at Dover wore its usual aspect of dejected misery. The
hurrying passengers pushed and jostled each other in their frenzied efforts to
board the steamer, for the average British tourist has a rooted belief that such
pushing and jostling and banging of apoplectic portmanteaus against the legs of
others are absolutely necessary if he would not be left behind.
With an experience born of many voyages, Brett quickly noted the direction of
the wind and the vessel's bearings. A stiff breeze had brought up a moderate sea,
and the barrister dumped down his bag and flung himself into a chair on what a
novice would regard as the weather side of the charthouse. He bore the
discomfort for a few minutes, and was rewarded for his foresight by possessing
the most sequestered nook on deck when the vessel turned her head seawards
and began one of the shortest, but perhaps the most disagreeable, voyages in the
world.
Having retained his seat long enough to establish a proprietary right therein,
Brett rose and made a short tour of the ship. To distinguish any one on deck was
almost out of the question. The passengers were huddled up in indefinable
shapes, and there was hardly light sufficient to effect a stumbling progress over
the multitude of hand-baggage. So the barrister dived down the companion-way
and cannoned against a burly individual who had propped himself against a
bulkhead on the main deck saloon.
Something hard in the man's pockets gave Brett a sharp rap, and when they
separated with mutual apologies, he laughed silently.
"Handcuffs!" he murmured. "Scotland Yard is always prepared for emergencies.
I will wager a considerable sum that as soon as Winter reached headquarters his
story about the letter caused a telegram to be despatched to Dover. Here's a
detective bound for Paris and prepared to manacle Talbot the moment he sees
him. What a fearful and wonderful thing is the English police system. A crime,
obviously clever in its conception and treatment, can be handled by a sharp
policeman wearing regulation boots and armed with handcuffs. Really, I must
have a drink."
Clinging to the hand-rails and executing some crude but effective balancing
feats, he reached the dining saloon, which was woefully denuded of occupants,
for the English Channel that night had sternly set its face against the
indiscriminate use of cold ham and pickles.
Near the bar, however, solemnly digesting a liqueur, stood a man to whom the
choppy sea evidently gave no concern. He had the square shoulders, neat-fitting
clothes and closely clipped appearance at the back of the neck which mark the
British officer; but he also stood square on his feet and swayed with unconscious
ease whether the vessel pitched or rolled or executed the combined movement.
"Now, I wonder," said Brett, "if that is Captain Gaultier. He must be. Gaultier,
from his name, should be a Jersey man, hence his facility in foreign languages
and his employment as a Foreign Office messenger. It's worth trying. I will make
the experiment."
He reached the bar and ordered a whisky and soda. Turning affably to the
stranger, he remarked—
"Nasty night, isn't it? I hope we shan't be much behind time."
The stranger glanced at him with sharp and inquisitive eyes, but the glance
evidently reassured him, for he replied quite pleasantly—
"Oh, no. A matter of a few minutes, perhaps. They usually manage to make up
any delay after we leave Calais."
"That's good," said Brett, "because I want to be in Paris at the earliest possible
moment."
The other man smiled.
"We are due there at 5.38," he said. "Rather an early hour for business, isn't it?"
"Well, yes," assented the barrister, "under ordinary circumstances, but as my
only business in Paris is to examine an hotel register and then get something to
eat before I return, I do not wish to waste time unnecessarily on the road."
The other man nodded affably, but gave no sign of further interest.
"So," communed Brett, "if it be Gaultier, he has not heard the latest
developments. I must try a frontal attack."
"Does your name happen to be Gaultier?" he went on.
The stranger arrested his liqueur glass in the final tilt.
"It does," he said; "but I do not think I have the pleasure of knowing you."
"No," said Brett, "you haven't."
"Well?" said the other man.
"The fact is," said Brett, "I heard you had been in London. I guessed from your
appearance that you might be a King's messenger, and it was just possible that
the Captain Gaultier in whom I was interested might start back to the Continent
to-night, so I put two and two together, don't you see, with the result that they
made four, a thing which doesn't always happen in deduction if in mathematics."
Now, Foreign Office messengers are not chosen for their simplicity or general
want of intelligence. Captain Gaultier eyed his questioner with some degree of
stern suspicion as he said from behind his cigar—
"May I ask who you are?"
"Certainly," replied Brett, producing his card.
After a quick glance at the pasteboard, Gaultier continued—
"I suppose, Mr. Brett, you have some motive in addressing me? What is it?"
"I am interested in the fate of a man named Talbot," was the straightforward
reply, "and as you told the Under-Secretary that you had seen Talbot crossing to
Paris in company with a lady last Tuesday, I hoped that perhaps you would not
mind discussing the matter with me."
Captain Gaultier was evidently puzzled. Private conversations with Under-
Secretaries of State are not, as a rule, public property, and his momentary
intention to decline further conversation with this good-looking and fascinating
stranger was checked by remembrance of the fact.
"Really, Mr. Brett," he said, "although I do not question the accuracy of your
statement, you will readily understand that I can hardly discuss the matter with
you under the circumstances."
"Naturally. You would not be holding a responsible position in His Majesty's
service if you were at all likely to do any such thing. But I propose, in the first
instance, to reassure you as to my bona fides, and I may point out, in the second
place, that as I have met you by a fortunate chance, you can hardly deem it a
breach of confidence to discuss with me the mere accidental appearance on a
cross-Channel steamer of a man known not only to both of us, but to society at
large."
Gaultier clearly hesitated, but did not refuse to accept the Under-Secretary's
letter, which Brett handed to him, with the words—
"You know the handwriting, no doubt?"
"That speaks for itself." The King's messenger smiled when he returned the note.
"It is an odd coincidence," he added, "and still more curious that you should spot
me so readily. However, Mr. Brett, we have now cleared the air. What can I do
for you?"
"Simply this," said the barrister; "do you mind telling me how you came to
recognize Mr. Talbot?"
"Well, for one thing," was the thoughtful reply, "I knew his overcoat. I often met
Talbot in the Foreign Office, and one day he drove me to his club wearing a very
handsome coat lined with astrachan. It struck me as a peculiarly comfortable and
well-fitting one, and although there are plenty of men about town who may
possess astrachan coats, it is a reasonable assumption that this was the identical
garment when it happened to be worn by the man himself."
"Then you are quite certain it was Talbot?" went on the barrister.
"Quite certain."
"Would you swear it was he, though his life depended on your accuracy?"
"Well, no, perhaps not that; but I would certainly swear that I believed it was Mr.
Talbot."
"Ah, that is a material difference. The only way in which you could be positively
certain was to enter into conversation with him, was it not?"
"Yes, that is so."
"I do not want you to think, Captain Gaultier, that I am cross-examining you. Let
me tell you at once that I believe you saw someone masquerading in Talbot's
clothes, and made up to represent him. Was there anything about his appearance
that might lend credence to such a view?"
The other reflected a little while before answering.
"There was only one thing," he said—"he did not seem to notice me. Now, he is
a sharp sort of chap, and as it was broad daylight and a fine day, he must have
seen me, for he knows me well. Again, from all that I have heard of him, I do not
think that he would either pass an acquaintance without speaking to him, nor
take flying trips to the Continent with ladies of the music-hall persuasion."
"You have supplied two very powerful reasons why the individual you saw
should not be Jack Talbot. Yet, as you say, it was broad daylight, and you had a
good look at him."
"No, no," interrupted the other. "I had a good look at his coat—and the lady.
Whoever the man was, he appeared to be wrapped up in both of them, and he
certainly did not court observation. I naturally thought that the feminine
attachment accounted for this, and for the same reason, I did not even seek to
scrutinize him too closely. To put the thing in a nutshell, I saw a man whom I
believed to be Jack Talbot—and who certainly resembled him in face and figure
—attired in Talbot's clothes, and wearing a coat which I had noted so particularly
as to be able to describe it to my tailor when ordering a similar one. Add to that
the appearance of an attractive lady, young and unknown, and you have my soul
laid bare to you in the matter."
"Thank you," said Brett. "I am much obliged."
He would have quitted the saloon, but Captain Gaultier laughed—
"Hold on a bit: it is my turn now. Suppose I try to pump you."
A giant wave took hold of the vessel and shook her violently, and Brett, though
an average amateur sailor, felt that the saloon was no place for him.
"Between you and the ship, Captain Gaultier," he said, "the success of the
operation would be certain. I have secured a quiet corner of the deck. If you wish
for further talk we must adjourn there."
The transit was effected without incident, much to Brett's relief. After a minute
or two he felt that a cigar was possible. He turned to his companion with a quiet
observation—
"The vessel has failed. You can start now."
"Well," said Gaultier, "tell me what is the mystery attaching to Talbot's
movements. I only heard the vaguest of rumours in the Department, but
something very terrible appears to have happened, and, indeed, I heartily wished
I had kept my mouth shut concerning my supposed meeting with him last
Tuesday, as the affair was no business of mine. Moreover, you have now
somewhat shaken my belief in his identity, although I can hardly tell you why
that should be so."
Brett paused to make sure that no one would overhear him, but the fierce wind
whistling round the chart house and bridge, the seas that smote the ship's quarter
with a thunderous noise, the all-pervading sense of riotous fury in the elements,
rendered the precaution almost unnecessary. In any case, there was no one near
enough to act the part of eavesdropper, and Brett, exercising the rapid decision
which frequently impressed others as a gift of divination, determined that to let
such a man as the King's messenger into the secret could not possibly be harmful
to the interests of his client, whilst his help might be beneficial.
In the fewest possible words, therefore, he poured the tale into the other's
wondering ear. When he had finished, Gaultier remained silent a few minutes.
Already the clear radiance of the magnificent light at Calais was sending
intermittent flashes of brightness over the deck, and the long shoulder of Cape
Grisnez was thrusting the force of the gale back into mid-Channel.
"I think," said Gaultier, speaking slowly and thoughtfully, "that your view is the
right one, Mr. Brett. There is much more in this business than meets the eye, and
any man who believes that Jack Talbot would mix himself up in it must be a
most determined ass. Of course, such people do exist, but they shouldn't be in
the police force. You are going on to Paris, you said?"
"Yes."
"Then we can travel together. All that you have said is quite new to me.
Curiously enough, I have just returned from Constantinople, and I may be able
to assist you."
Brett silently thanked his stars for the gratuitous circumstance which threw him
into the company of Captain Gaultier. He recognized that the King's messenger,
with the precaution that might be expected from one whose daily life demanded
extreme prudence, desired to mentally review the strange facts made known to
him before he committed himself further. With ready tact the barrister changed
the conversation to matters of the moment until they reached the pier at Calais,
when both men, not encumbered with much luggage, were among the first flight
of passengers to reach the station buffet.
On their way they captured a railway official and told him to reserve a coupé lit
compartment. In the midst of their hasty meal the Frenchman arrived, voluble,
apologetic. The train was crowded. Never had there been such a rush to the
South. By the exercise of most profound care he had secured them two seats in a
compartment, but the third had already taken itself. He was sorry for it; he had
done his best.
When they entered their carriage the third occupant was in possession. He was
French, aggressively so. Phil May might have used him for a model. The poor
man had been wretchedly ill from the moment he left Dover until the vessel was
tied to her berth in the harbour at Calais. He paid not the least attention to the
newcomers, being apparently absorbed in contemplation of his own misery. The
two Englishmen, though experienced travellers, were sufficiently insular to
resent the presence of the stranger, whom Brett resolved to put to the language
test forthwith.
"It is very cold in here," he said. "Shall I turn on the hot air?"
The Frenchman seemed to understand that he was addressed. He looked up with
a shivering smile and explained that he had only booked one seat. The remainder
of the compartment was at their disposal. He was evidently guiltless of
acquaintance with the English tongue, but Brett did not like his appearance.
Though well-dressed and well-spoken he was a nondescript individual, and the
flash of his dark eyes was not reassuring. Yet the man was so ill that Brett
forthwith dismissed him from his thoughts, though he took care to occupy the
centre seat himself, thus placing Captain Gaultier on the other side of the
carriage. After a visit from the ticket examiner, the Frenchman disposed himself
for a nap and the train started.
Captain Gaultier by this time had made up his mind as to the information he felt
he could give his new acquaintance.
"It is very odd," he said, "that those diamonds should disappear just at the
moment when there is every sign of unrest in Turkey. You know, of course, the
manner of the last Sultan's death?"
Brett nodded.
"And you have heard, no doubt, something of the precautions taken by the
present Sultan to safeguard his life against the attacks of possible assassins?"
"Yes," said Brett.
"Well, these have been redoubled of late, and the man never goes out that he is
not in the most abject state of fear. He is a pitiful sight, I assure you. I saw him
less than a fortnight ago, driving to the Mosque on Friday, and his coachman
evidently had orders to go at a gallop through the streets, whilst not only was the
entire road protected by soldiers, but every house was examined previously by
police agents. There is something in the wind of more than usual importance in
the neighbourhood of Yildiz Kiosk just now, I am certain. I suppose you did not
chance to see any mention of the fact that Hussein-ul-Mulk, the Sultan's nephew,
has recently fled from Turkey, and is now under the protection of the French
Government?"
"Yes, I noticed that."
"You don't seem to miss much," was Gaultier's sharp remark, pausing in his
narrative to light a cigar.
"One of my few virtues is that I read the newspapers."
The train was slowing down as it neared the town station in Calais, and
Gaultier's voice could be momentarily heard above the diminishing rattle.
"Well," he said, "I happen to know Hussein-ul-Mulk, and if we find out where he
lives in Paris I will introduce you to him."
Brett looked at the slumbering Frenchman out of the corner of his eye. The man
appeared to be dozing peacefully enough, but the alert barrister had an
impression that his limbs were not sufficiently relaxed under the influence of
slumber. Indeed, he felt sure that the Frenchman was wide awake and
endeavouring to catch the drift of their conversation.
"I will be most pleased to meet your friend, Captain Gaultier," he said, "and lest
it should slip your memory I will give you a reminder."
He opened his card-case and wrote on the back of a card: "Grand Hotel.
Breakfast 11.30. No more at present."
The quick-witted King's messenger read and understood.
"It seems to me," he went on, "that he is the very man for your purpose. Though
he is not in favour at Court just now he has plenty of friends in the various
departments, and he could give you letters which would be certain to secure you
some excellent orders. I suppose you are going to the East as the result of the
rumoured intention of the Turkish Government to reconstitute the navy."
Brett made a haphazard guess at Gaultier's meaning.
"Yes," he said, "we ought to place a good many thousand tons with them."
Gaultier leant forward to strike a match and glanced at their companion. For
some indescribable reason he shared Brett's views concerning this gentleman,
and immediately started a conversation of general significance. They soon
discovered that they had several mutual acquaintances, and in this way they
passed the dreary journey to Paris pleasantly enough.
At the Gare du Nord, their knowledge of French methods enabled them to get
quickly clear of the octroi, as neither of them had any baggage which rendered
their presence necessary at the Custom-house. The Frenchman, who seemed to
be thoroughly revived by the air of his beloved Paris, hurried out simultaneously
with themselves. He had no difficulty in hearing Brett's directions to a cabman.
Gaultier entered another vehicle.
Brett was the first away from the station. He fancied he saw his French travelling
companion hastily whisper something to a lounger near the exit, so he suddenly
pulled up his voiture, gave the driver a two-franc piece and told him to go to the
Grand Hotel and there await his arrival. The cab had halted for the moment in
the Rue Lafayette, at the corner of the Place Valenciennes, and the cabman,
recognizing that his fare was an Englishman and consequently mad, drove off
immediately in obedience to orders.
Though nearly six o'clock in the morning, it was quite dark, but as Brett walked
rapidly back towards the station he had no difficulty in picking out Gaultier, who
occupied an open vehicle. Some little distance behind came another, and herein
the barrister thought he recognized the man to whom the Frenchman in the train
had spoken. By this time many other cabs were dashing out of the station-yard,
so Brett took the chance that he might be hopelessly wrong.
He hailed a third vehicle and told the driver to follow the other two, which were
now some distance down the Rue Lafayette. Not until the three cabs had crossed
the Place de l'Opera and passed the Madeleine could Brett be certain that the
occupant of the second was following his friend Gaultier. Then he chuckled to
himself, for this was surely a rare stroke of luck.
Quickly reviewing the possibilities of the affair, he came to the conclusion that
the travelling Frenchman really understood little, if any, English, but that he had
caught the name of the fugitive from the Sultan's wrath and had forthwith
betrayed an interest in their conversation which was, to say the least, remarkable.
At the exit from the Gare du Nord the stranger had readily enough ascertained
Brett's destination, but he clearly regarded it as important that Gaultier—the man
who claimed Hussein-ul-Mulk as a friend—should be tracked, and had given the
necessary instructions to the confederate who awaited his arrival.
Although Gaultier had not said as much, Brett guessed that his destination was
the British Embassy in the Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré. The route followed by
the cabman led straight to that well-known locality. The Frenchman in the
second cab evidently thought likewise, for, at the corner of the Rue Boissy he
pulled up, and Brett was just in time to give his driver instructions to go ahead
and thus avoid attracting undue notice to himself.
Gaultier turned into the Embassy, and Brett himself halted a little further on.
Dismissing his cocher with a liberal fare, he walked rapidly back, and saw the
spy enter into conversation with the night porter on duty. The latter personage,
however, was clearly a trustworthy official, for he loudly told the other to be off
and attend to his own affairs.
Then followed a most exciting and perplexing chase through many streets, and it
was only by the exercise of the utmost discretion that Brett finally located his
man at a definite number in the Rue Barbette, a tiny thoroughfare in the Temple
district.
By this time dawn was advancing over Paris, and the streets were beginning to
fill with early workers. He inquired from a passer-by the most likely locality in
which he could find a cab, and the man civilly conducted him to the Rue de
Rivoli. Thence he was not long in reaching the Grand Hotel, where he found the
astonished cocher of his first vehicle still safeguarding his bag and arguing
fiercely with a porter that he had unquestionably obeyed the Englishman's
instructions.
Tired though he was, Brett did not fail to scrutinize the list of arrivals at the hotel
on the preceding Tuesday. He instantly found the entry he sought. The arrival of
"Mr. and Mrs. John Talbot, London," was chronicled in the register with
uncompromising boldness. Hastily comparing the writing in Talbot's letter with
that of the visitors' book, Brett was at first staggered by their similarity, but he
quickly recognized the well-known signs which indicate that a man who himself
writes a bold and confident hand has been copying the signature of another with
the object of reproducing it freely and with reasonable accuracy. There are
always perceptible differences in the varying pressure of the pen and the
distribution of the ink.
Allowance had evidently not been made for the fact that Englishmen almost
invariably write their names very badly in Continental hotel registers, owing to
their inability to use foreign pens. The man who not only forged Mr. Talbot's
name, but also supplied him with a wife, laboured under no such disadvantage.
Indeed, Talbot himself would probably not have written his own name so legibly.
"That is all right," said Brett wearily, traversing a corridor to gain his room.
"Now, I wonder if there is any connexion between Hussein-ul-Mulk and the Rue
Barbette."
 CHAPTER VII
THE HOUSE IN THE RUE BARBETTE

Brett was called at ten o'clock. After reinvigorating himself with a bath and a
hearty breakfast, he was ready to meet Captain Gaultier, who arrived promptly at
11.30.
In the spacious foyer of the Grand Hotel it was impossible to say who might be
looking at them.
"Come to my room," said Brett. "There we will be able to talk without
interruption."
Once comfortably seated, Brett resumed the conversation where he had broken it
off in the train overnight.
"You say you know Hussein-ul-Mulk," he commenced.
"Yes," replied the King's messenger, "and what is more, I have discovered his
residence since we parted. It seems that one of the attachés at the Embassy met
him recently and thought it advisable to keep in touch with the Young Turkish
party, of which Hussein-ul-Mulk is a shining light. So he asked him where he
lived, and as the result I have jotted down the address in my note-book." Gaultier
searched through his memoranda, and speedily found what he wanted.
"Wait a minute," interrupted Brett. "Does it happen to be No. 11, Rue Barbette?"
The barrister had more than once surprised his companion during the previous
night, but this time Gaultier seemed to be more annoyed than startled.
"If you know all these things," he said stiffly, "I don't see why you should bother
me to get you the information. I certainly gathered from your remarks that the
only acquaintance you had with Hussein-ul-Mulk was obtained from the
newspapers, and that individual himself has the best of reasons for not
publishing his address broadcast."
Brett smiled.
"You mean," he said, "that Hussein-ul-Mulk does live at No. 11, Rue Barbette."
"Why, of course he does," was the irritable answer.
"That is very odd," said the barrister. "It was a mere guess on my part, I assure
you."
His assurance evidently did not weigh much with Captain Gaultier, who replaced
the note-book in his pocket, and obviously cast about in his mind for a
convenient excuse to take his departure.
Brett knew exactly what was troubling him.
"I am quite in earnest," he said, "in telling you that I simply hazarded a guess at
the address. To prove that this is so, I must place you in possession of certain
incidents which took place after we parted at the Gare du Nord."
Rapidly but succinctly he told the amazed King's messenger of the chase in the
cab across Paris, and how he (Brett) had followed the Frenchman who was
tracking Gaultier's movements so closely.
"You will understand," he concluded, "that, in view of my preconceived theory,
it was not a very far-fetched assumption to connect Hussein-ul-Mulk with the
house in the Rue Barbette into which your spy vanished."
"Well," gasped his astonished hearer, "I must say, Mr. Brett, that I owe you an
apology. I really thought at first you were fooling me, whereas now I learn that
you simply kept your eyes open much wider than other people, perhaps.
Nevertheless, you have given me a genuine explanation of circumstances that
were otherwise puzzling. For, do you know, I heard about that chap calling at the
Embassy last night. The incident was unusual, to say the least, but I paid little
attention to it, and certainly failed altogether to connect it with your visit to
Paris. Even yet I do not see what reason anyone can have for shadowing my
movements."
"I regard it as mere chance. I imagine that our fellow-passenger in the train
caught the name of Hussein-ul-Mulk in our conversation, and this decided him
to shadow your movements, by means of the confederate who awaited his arrival
at the station. As it happened, they simply hit upon the wrong person. It might
have paid them much better to follow me. The outcome of the blunder is that I
am in a fair way towards ascertaining all I want to know about them, whereas,
up to the present, they do not even suspect my existence as an active agent in the
affair."
"Well, now, in what way can I help you regarding Hussein-ul-Mulk?"
"Can you introduce me to him?"
"In what capacity?"
Brett reflected for a moment before replying.
"It would best suit my purpose if I met him as a political sympathiser."
Gaultier evidently did not like the idea. Foreign Office messengers do not care to
be associated with politics in any shape or form.
"Is there no other way?" he asked dubiously.
"Plenty," said Brett. "I might pose as a friend of yours interested in Turkish
carpets, or coffee, or cigarettes, but for the purpose of my inquiry it would be
well to jump preliminaries at once and make this chance acquaintance under the
guise of a wire-puller."
"All right," said Gaultier. "I don't see that it matters much to me, and the letter
you have in your possession from the Under-Secretary is sufficient warrant for
me to give you any assistance that lies in my power."
He glanced at his watch. "It is just about time for déjeûner," he continued. "What
do you say if we drive to the Rue Barbette at once?"
The barrister assented, and they were soon crossing Paris with the superb
disregard for other people's feelings that characterises the local cab-driver.
"By the way," inquired Gaultier, "have you learned anything else since your
arrival?"
"Only this—it was not our friend Talbot who came here on Tuesday with a lady."
"You are sure?"
"Positive. I have compared the handwriting in the hotel register with a letter
undoubtedly written by Mr. Talbot, and the two do not agree. The entry 'Mr. and
Mrs. Talbot, London,' in the visitors' book of the Grand Hotel, was a mere trick
intended to amuse the police for a few hours until the conspirators had perfected
their scheme for final and complete disappearance."
"It was a bold move."
"Very. Quite in keeping with the rest of the details of an uncommon crime."
At last the fiacre stopped in front of the house in the Rue Barbette which Brett
had already scrutinized during the early hours of the morning.
"Here we are," said Gaultier with a laugh. "If we find Hussein-ul-Mulk at home I
don't know what the deuce we are going to say to him. Remember that I depend
on you to carry out a difficult situation, because my Turkish friend will become
suspicious the minute he finds me dabbling in intrigue. He knows full well that
such matters are quite outside of my usual business."
"I think I will be able to interest him," said Brett calmly; and without further
preliminary Gaultier ascertained from the concierge that the Turkish gentleman
was within.
The two men ascended to the second storey.
Gaultier rapped loudly on the first door he encountered, and the summons
appeared to scatter some of the inhabitants, judging by the rapid opening and
closing of doors that preceded the appearance of an elderly and solemn-looking
Turk, who cautiously demanded their business.
Gaultier sent in his card, and the servitor locked the door in the faces of the two
men while he went to ascertain his master's orders.
"They evidently do not mean to take many risks," said the King's messenger in a
low voice.
"You are right," replied Brett, "though they appear to take the greatest one of all
without giving it a thought."
"And what is that?"
"This exhibition of nervousness and precaution before visitors are admitted. The
best way to excite suspicion is to behave exactly as they are doing."
But now the door was reopened, and the elderly Turk ushered them into a
spacious room on the right of the entrance hall, where they were received by a
young man—a tall, dignified Mohammedan, who rose hastily from a chair,
having apparently abandoned the perusal of a newspaper.
"Ah! mon brave Gaultier," he cried, "I am so pleased to see you. I did not know
you were in Paris. I have been spending an idle moment over smoke and
scandal." He spoke excellent French, and appeared to be quite at his ease, but
Brett noticed that Hussein-ul-Mulk held the discarded newspaper upside down.
He was smoking a cigarette, lighted the instant before their appearance, and
notwithstanding his Oriental phlegm he seemed to be labouring under intense
excitement.
Nevertheless, Hussein-ul-Mulk could control his nerves.
"Have you had déjeûner, or have you time to join me in a cigarette?" he went on.
"We will be delighted," said Gaultier, taking the proffered case. "The fact is, I
only heard of your presence in Paris by accident, and I mentioned the fact to my
friend here, who has interested himself in the Armenian cause in London. He at
once expressed a keen desire to make your acquaintance, so I ventured to bring
him here and introduce him to you. This is Mr. Reginald Brett, an English
barrister, and one who keenly sympathizes with the reform movement in
Turkey."
"I am delighted to know you, Mr. Brett," said the suave Oriental. "It is naturally
a great pleasure to me to make the acquaintance of any influential Englishman
who has given sufficient thought to Eastern affairs to understand the way in
which my country suffers under a barbarous and unenlightened rule."
He spoke with the glibness of a born agitator, yet all the while he was inwardly
wondering what could be the true motive of the visit paid him by this
distinguished-looking stranger, and Brett was silently resolving to startle
Hussein-ul-Mulk out of his complacency at the earliest possible moment.
"It is an even greater pleasure to me," he said, "to find myself talking to a
reformer so distinguished as you. Your name is well known in England. Indeed,
in some quarters, it has come to be feared, which in this world is one of the signs
of success."
Hussein-ul-Mulk was puzzled, but he remained outwardly unperturbed.
"I was not aware," he purred, "that my poor services to my country were so
appreciated by my English friends."
"Ah," said Brett, with a smile that conveyed much, "a man like you cannot long
remain hidden. I have good reason to know that at the present moment your
achievements are earnestly attracting the attention of the Foreign Office."
Hussein-ul-Mulk became even more puzzled. Indeed, he exhibited some slight
tokens of alarm lest Brett's vehement admiration should reach the ears of others
in the adjoining room.
"Really," he said, "you flatter me. Will you not try these cigarettes? They are the
best; they are made from tobacco grown especially for the Sultan's household,
and it is death to export them. I understand that the cigarette habit has grown
very much of recent years in England?"
"Yes," said Brett, "it certainly has developed with amazing rapidity. In trade, as
in politics, this is an astounding age."
Gaultier knew that there was more behind the apparent exchange of compliments
than appeared on the surface. Having fulfilled his pledge to Brett, he said
hurriedly, "Both of you gentlemen will understand that I cannot very well take
part in a political discussion. With your permission, Hussein, I will now leave
my friend with you for a half-hour's chat, as I have an appointment at the Café
Riche."
Although Hussein was profoundly disconcerted by Brett's manner no less than
his utterances, he could not well refuse to accord him a further audience, so
Gaultier quitted the apartment and the Englishman and the Mussulman were left
face to face.
Brett felt that the situation demanded a bold game. Under some circumstances he
knew that to throw away the scabbard and dash with naked sword into the fray
was the right policy.
"I came to see you, Hussein-ul-Mulk," he said, speaking deliberately, "not only
because I have an interest in the progressive policy voiced by the young Turkish
party, but on account of matters of personal interest to you, and to friends of
mine in England."
The Turk bowed silent recognition of the barrister's motives.
"You are aware," said Brett, "that a large number of valuable diamonds were
stolen from the special Envoy of his Majesty the Sultan, in London, last Tuesday
night, and that the theft was accompanied by the murder of four of the Sultan's
subjects and the abduction of a prominent official in the British Foreign Office?"
It is difficult for an olive-skinned man to turn pale, but Hussein-ul-Mulk did the
next most effective thing for one of his race. His face assumed a dirty green
shade, and his full red lips whitened.
For some few seconds he strove hard to regain his composure and frame a reply,
but Brett, nonchalantly puffing a cloud of smoke into the intervening space, and
thus helping his hearer to control his emotions, went on—
"Pray do not trouble to deny your knowledge of the fact. It is far better for men
of the world like you and me to discard subterfuge when engaged in grave and
difficult negotiations. I do not purpose wasting time by describing to you the
details of a crime with which you are thoroughly acquainted. Let me say, in a
sentence, that my chief, perhaps my only, motive in coming here to-day is to
secure the release of my friend Mr. Talbot from the place where he is at present
confined, and at the same time to obtain from you a statement which will
satisfactorily clear Mr. Talbot in the eyes of his superiors of all personal
complicity in the Albert Gate incident."
Again there was a breathless silence.
Hussein-ul-Mulk had regained his nerve. He was now considering how best he
could dispose of this Englishman who knew so much. To purchase his silence
was too hopeless. He must die as speedily and unostentatiously as possible. So
he answered not, but thought hard as to ways and means.
Brett, in imminent danger of his life, disregarded all semblance of danger. He
leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes in complete enjoyment of Hussein's
cigarettes, which were really excellent, and said, in the even, matter-of-fact tones
of one who discusses an abstract problem—
"Of course, my dear friend, you are thinking that the best answer you can give
me is to strangle me or to shoot me, or adopt some other drastic remedy which
finds favour in Constantinople. But let me point out to you that this will be a
serious error of judgment. I have not come here without safeguarding my
movements. You are aware that Captain Gaultier, a trusted Foreign Office
messenger, brought me here in person. Some members of the British
Government, and several important officials of Scotland Yard know that I am in
your house and discussing this matter with you. If any accident interferes with
my future movements, you will simply precipitate a crisis quite lamentable in its
results to yourself, to your association, and to your cause. You will see,
therefore, Hussein, that to kill me cannot really be thought of. A man of your
penetration and undoubted sagacity must surely admit this at once, and we can
then proceed to discuss matters in a friendly and pleasant manner."
At last Hussein found his tongue. "I have never met you before, Mr. Brett," he
said, "but you interest me."
Brett smiled and bowed in acknowledgment of the compliment.
"Of course, I admit nothing," went on the Mohammedan.
"Of course."
"Least of all do I admit that I contemplated any breach of hospitality towards
yourself."
Brett waved his hand in deprecation of such a pernicious thought.
"But you will understand," went on Hussein-ul-Mulk, "that it is quite impossible
for me to even attempt to discuss the very interesting facts you have brought to
my notice without some inquiry on my part, and on yours some proof that the
events concerning which you have informed me have really happened. You see,
one cannot trust newspapers. They get such garbled accounts of occurrences,
particularly of State affairs; they are misleading——"
"Excuse me, I am sure you will admit that although I dispensed with details in
my brief statement, the facts were undeniable. I can tell you exactly how and
why Mehemet Ali and his two secretaries, together with Hussein, his
confidential servant, were murdered. But the circumstances were revolting, and
need not be unduly discussed between gentlemen. I can tell you how the
diamonds were obtained from the Albert Gate mansion, and how they were
conveyed to Paris. But as they are probably in your possession, and the main
object of your enterprise has thus been accomplished, it seems to me that all
these otherwise dramatic effects are needless. I have told you exactly the object
of my visit, and I still await an answer."
Hussein-ul-Mulk laughed a trifle uneasily.
"On my part, monsieur, I might attempt to question the extent of your
knowledge, but as you are mistaken in one part of your summing-up of evidence,
you may be wrong in others."
"To what do you allude?"
The Mohammedan reflected for a moment, and then answered—
"I can see no harm in telling you that I am not aware of any diamonds in which I
am personally interested having arrived in Paris."
"Indeed!" said Brett, leaning forward in his chair, and instantly dropping the
listless air which had hitherto characterized his utterances. "That is a very
curious thing, because the diamonds have been in Paris at least two days, and if
they are withheld from the possession of those who employed certain agents to
secure them, there must be a powerful reason to account for the delay. Speaking
quite disinterestedly, monsieur, I would advise you to inquire into the matter at
once."
His words evidently perturbed the Turk.
"Will you object," he said, "if I leave you alone a few minutes? I wish to consult
with a friend of mine who happens to be staying here."
"Assuredly," said Brett; "but let me beg you to leave your cigarettes behind.
They are exquisite."
Hussein-ul-Mulk had never before encountered such a personality as Reginald
Brett. His eyebrows became perfectly oval with surprise and admiration for the
man who could thus juggle with a dangerous situation.
"Here is my case," he said, "and when we have concluded this most interesting
conversation I hope you will leave me your address, so that I may have the
extreme pleasure of sending you a few hundreds."
Then he quitted the room. He was absent fully five minutes.
On his return he said—
"In the opinion of my friend, Mr. Brett, it is impossible for us to do anything at
the present moment. We must inquire; we must verify; we must consult others.
You will see that the negotiations you have undertaken require on our part some
display of the extreme delicacy and tact in which you have given us so admirable
a lesson. Suppose, now, we agree to meet here again to-morrow at the same hour.
Am I to understand that what has transpired this morning remains, we will not
say a secret, but a myth, a mere idle phantasy as between you and me?"
"That is precisely my idea," said Brett. "One hates to mention such a brutal word
as 'police' in an affair demanding finesse. Personally I hate the blunderers. They
rob life of its charm. They have absolutely no conception of art. Romance with
them can end only in penal servitude or on the gallows. Believe me, Hussein, I
am very discreet." In another minute he was standing in the street, and inhaling
generous draughts of the keen air of Paris.
"I wonder how much my life was worth during the first five minutes?" said he to
himself; and then he made his way to a telegraph office, whence he despatched
the following message—
"TO THE EARL OF FAIRHOLME,
"STANHOPE GATE, LONDON.
"Have received definite intelligence which confirms my views. Expect our friend
will be discovered within forty-eight hours. If possible, join me at Grand Hotel,
Paris, to-night, eleven o'clock.
"BRETT."
 CHAPTER VIII
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE RUE BARBETTE

Pending Fairholme's arrival, Brett was not idle. He visited a prominent jeweller
in the Rue de la Paix, and, after making some trivial purchases, led the
conversation to the question of diamonds. By skilful inquiry he ascertained a
good deal about precious stones, both in their crude and their finished states. The
accommodating Frenchman showed him a good many samples of South African,
Brazilian, and Indian stones, and explained to him the various tests which were
used to determine their value.
Brett had no special object in seeking this information. When engaged in
elucidating any mystery he made it an invariable rule to post himself as
accurately as possible concerning all minor details which might, by any straining
of circumstances, become useful.
He returned to his hotel and jotted down some notes of this conversation. Whilst
engaged in the task a telegram arrived from the Earl of Fairholme announcing
that nobleman's departure from London by the afternoon train service via
Boulogne.
Punctually at the time appointed the earl reached the hotel. He was all eagerness
to learn what had happened since they parted in London, and why Brett had so
suddenly summoned him to Paris.
"I really have not much definite information," said the barrister. "Thus far I am
building chiefly on surmise, but I have undoubtedly come into contact with the
persons who organized and planned, if they did not actually carry out, the raid on
the Albert Gate mansion."
"Then you have news of Jack?" broke in Fairholme excitedly.
"Not exactly. All I can do at present is to assure you that the scent is hot, and we
may run our quarry to earth some few minutes after eleven o'clock to-morrow
morning."
"I am jolly glad that there is a chance of my being useful in this matter," said the
earl gleefully. "If only I am a little bit instrumental in recovering her brother,
Edith hasn't got a leg to stand on in the matter of getting married. That's
awkwardly put, isn't it? What I mean is that when Talbot is restored to his family
and everything is satisfactorily cleared up, Edith and I can get spliced
immediately, can't we?"
"I regard it as the most assured fact we have yet encountered," said Brett,
pleasantly.
"But you haven't told me yet the exact manner in which I can be useful."
"No," said the barrister. "I have been revolving in my mind the possibilities of
to-morrow morning, and you must play an important part in what, by chance,
may turn out to be a melodrama. Now, listen to me carefully. In the
neighbourhood of the Porte St. Martin there is a street known as the Rue
Barbette. At eleven o'clock to-morrow I go to the house No. 11 in that street, and
you will accompany me as far as the door. It will be your duty to stand outside
and take note of all persons who enter or leave the house once I have
disappeared from view in the interior. You must exercise your powers of
observation most minutely, paying heed to the height, build, complexion, and
clothing of any individual, male or female, who enters or leaves No. 11, Rue
Barbette, after you have taken your stand in the street. It is more than probable
that no person will demand scrutiny, unless it be some chance tradesman's
assistant visiting the building in pursuance of his ordinary work. However, do
you feel capable of attending to this part of the programme?"
"Perfectly."
"You will maintain watch until 11.30. If at that hour I have not rejoined you,
make your way to the nearest policeman, and tell him that you have good reason
to believe that a friend of yours has either been murdered or suffered serious
personal injury in a room on the second storey of the house in question. You will
then, in company with the policeman, come rapidly to the apartment I have
indicated and demand an immediate entrance—if necessary bursting the door
open."
"And what then?" gasped the amazed earl.
"I really don't know," said Brett imperturbably. "It is possible you may find my
gory corpse in one of the inner rooms. The best I can hope for is that I shall be
simply a prisoner, but I fully expect to be seriously injured at the very least."
"But look here, Brett: are you doing the right thing in this matter? Why on earth
should you run such an awful risk, and take it alone, too? Isn't it possible to
obtain some trustworthy detective to keep watch in the street, and let me go into
the place with you? Don't you see, old chap, that two of us might make a
reasonable show if violence is attempted? One man hasn't much chance."
The barrister cut short his friend's protestations.
"I sent for you, Lord Fairholme," he said, "because I felt that I could trust you to
obey my instructions implicitly. This is a matter in which I do not want the
police to interfere. My visit to the Rue Barbette to-morrow morning may end
quite satisfactorily. If it does, we shall be in possession of important information
leading to the prompt release of Mr. Talbot. If it fails, there will certainly be
some shooting or stabbing, or perhaps an attempt may be made to keep me a
prisoner. This latter eventuality renders the presence of the police essential. No
matter what has happened to me, they will, with your assistance, be able to take
up the inquiry exactly where I leave it off. In this note-book here, which I am
placing in a locked drawer"—and he suited his action to the words—"you will
find details of all that I have done up to the present moment, together with the
lines along which future inquiries should proceed. In particular, you will find an
elaboration of the theory which I expect to-morrow's visit to confirm. You fully
understand me? All this anticipates that after 11.30 to-morrow I shall be
personally unable to conduct the investigation further."
"Yes," agreed the earl, with rueful emphasis, "I fully understand the proposition,
and I tell you, Brett, I don't like it. There has been enough blood spilt in this
beastly business already, and I feel a sort of personal responsibility for you, you
know, because I brought you into it."
"Then," said the barrister, with a laugh, "I solemnly acquit you of any such
responsibility. I am going into the business with my eyes open. It interests me
strangely, and I would not abandon the quest now on any account."
"But can't you explain matters a little more clearly? Is it necessary that I should
be kept in the dark as to the circumstances which have led up to this critical
movement to-morrow?"
"Not in the least. It is, indeed, very important that you should comprehend all
that has gone before; I only started at the end, so to speak, so as to fix accurately
in your mind your part of the business, which now stands separate and distinctly
outlined in your memory. What I am going to tell you simply leads up to the
expected denouement."
He then recited to the wondering earl the whole of the curious events which had
happened during the preceding twenty-four hours.
It was late when they got to bed, but they rested well, and, after the manner of
their race, fortified themselves with a good breakfast against the trials of the day,
whatever these might prove to be. A few minutes before the appointed hour they
quitted a fiacre in the vicinity of the Rue Barbette, and at eleven o'clock Brett
passed the concierge, whilst Fairholme took up his stand outside.
The barrister was received with smiling complacence by Hussein-ul-Mulk. On
this occasion he was conducted to another room of the flat, and he promptly
noted that the windows looked out to the rear of the building, whereas during his
previous visit he could survey the street.
"This promises badly," said Brett to himself, but he betrayed not the slightest
unwillingness to fall in with the arrangements made for his reception, and
lounged back in a comfortable chair so easily that not even the quick-witted Turk
suspected that the barrister's hip pocket contained a very serviceable revolver.
Hussein-ul-Mulk commenced the conversation. "I have," he said, "a couple of
friends here who are interested in the matter you were good enough to mention
to me yesterday. With your permission I will introduce them," and he threw open
another door with a single Turkish word which Brett imagined was an invitation
to enter.
Two men came from an adjoining room. They were Turks—swarthy, evil-
looking customers, but well-dressed, and evidently persons of consequence in
their own country. The newcomers eyed the barrister curiously, and with no very
friendly intent.
A brief conversation in Turkish resulted in Hussein-ul-Mulk addressing Brett.
"I must apologize for the fact that my friends here only speak their native
tongue. Before we proceed to business I wish to ask you a few questions."
"Certainly," said Brett; "go ahead."
"You mentioned to me yesterday that you had no desire to invoke the aid of the
police in prosecuting the inquiry which interests you."
"Quite right," said Brett.
"May I ask if you have adhered to that intention?"
"Absolutely."
"Well, Mr.—Mr."—Hussein-ul-Mulk consulted a visiting card—"Mr. Reginald
Brett, I think, is your name? It would be idle on my part to compliment you on
your bravery, but it would be still more futile to attempt to conceal from you the
danger of the position in which you now stand."
"Sit," corrected Brett, still smiling.
"Well," said the Turk, "we will not quibble about words. The fact remains, Mr.
Brett, that you have needlessly thrust yourself into an enterprise of such a
desperate character that all interlopers can be dealt with only in one way."
"You kill them," said Brett, airily.
"Yes," said the Turk, "I deeply regret to inform you that you have guessed the
object of my remarks with the singular skill you have already betrayed in
reaching the existing position. I can only add that I am surprised the same skill
did not influence you to avoid forcing upon us the only alternative left."
"Am I to be killed at once?" said Brett, speaking with a slight affectation of
boredom.
Even the self-possessed Turk could not conceal his amazement at the manner in
which his strange visitor conducted himself.
"That is a point we have not yet decided," he said. "We are strangely unwilling to
take the life of such a brave man as yourself. If we were assured of your silence,
we would even be disposed to permit you to escape this time, with a solemn
warning not to cross our path again. But we feel that clemency is out of the
question. There is one hope—a slight one, it is true—which may permit us to
gag you and tie you securely in this room, where you will be left in peace for at
least forty-eight hours, after which time a telegram can be despatched to any
address you choose to supply us with. But really, owing to unforeseen
circumstances, this chance of a reprieve is remote. It wholly depends upon the
arrival, or otherwise, at this house, of a gentleman whom we expect at 11.15."
Brett leaned forward in his chair, and took out his watch. The other
misunderstood his movement, and each of the three men promptly produced a
revolver.
Brett laughed quite heartily. "Really, gentlemen," he cried, "your nervousness is
ludicrous."
He saw that he yet had five minutes' grace before his self-constituted judges
would proceed to execute their sentence. As for the Turks, they were manifestly
ashamed of having betrayed such trepidation, and they replaced the weapons so
readily staged.
"That is a point in my favour," thought Brett. "Next time, if I do wish to reach
my revolver, I may be able to get the draw on them first."
"During the interval," said Hussein-ul-Mulk suavely, "is there anything you wish
to do—any letters to write, or that sort of thing?"
"No," said Brett, "I do not think so; it seems to me that you have thoroughly
misunderstood the purpose of this meeting. I came here in order to obtain from
you particulars which will lead to the release of Mr. Talbot and redeem his
character in the eyes of his superiors. I did not come here to be killed, Hussein-
ul-Mulk. I am not going to be killed. If you touch a hair of my head you will
only leave this house for a prison, and subsequently for the gallows. And so, you
see, you are talking childishly when you dangle these threats and preliminaries
to immediate execution before my eyes. It is not you, but I, who will dictate the
terms on which we part. It may perhaps interest you to explain this new phase of
the situation to your fellow-countrymen, and the matter will also serve to
dissipate the few minutes which yet have to elapse before 11.15."
Hussein-ul-Mulk made no direct reply to this remarkable speech. That it
impressed him was quite evident from his manner. Forthwith an animated but
subdued conversation took place between the triumvirate.
While it was yet in progress a peculiar knock was heard on the outside door of
the apartment.
"Ah! he comes," said Hussein-ul-Mulk in French. He left the room in order to
meet the new arrival. He returned without delay, bringing with him a man very
different from those whom Brett had encountered thus far in connection with the
crime. This was a dapper little Frenchman, wizened, yellow-skinned, black-
haired, and dressed almost in the extreme of fashion. He at once addressed
himself to the barrister.
"They tell me, my friend," he said, "that you have thrust your finger into the pie
which the friends of his Majesty the Sultan are preparing for him. It is a bad
business. You are too soon for the banquet. The result is that your poor little
finger may get burnt, as the pie is still being cooked."
The man smiled maliciously at his feeble witticism, and Brett instantly took his
measure as a member of the gang of flash thieves which infest Paris. He knew
that such a ruffian was both pitiless and cowardly. Whatever the outcome of the
situation which faced him, he would not stoop to conciliatory methods with this
despicable rascal.
"I suppose," he said, "that the only part of the affair which concerns you is the
robbery."
"Well, and what if it is?"
"I can only say that your political friends will be well advised to keep a close eye
on you, for you would rob them just as soon as the persons against whom they
have employed you."
The little thief laughed cynically. "You are right, mon vieux. I would be delighted
to have the chance. But this time it is impossible. The stones are too big. They
are worth—pouf!—millions of francs, so I must be content to receive my pay,
which is good."
"Have you entrusted the Sultan's diamonds to the care of a scamp like this?" said
Brett, addressing himself to Hussein, and inwardly resolving that unless the
conversation by chance took a turn favourable to himself, he would forthwith
open fire on the gang and endeavour to escape.
"Yes," cried the conspirator with a savage laugh. "You have never seen them, Mr.
Brett? Here they are. To many men the sight would be a pleasant one. To you it
should be terrible, for the arrival of these diamonds at this moment means that
you must die."
So saying, he produced from an inner pocket of his frock-coat a large, plain
morocco case. The pressure of a spring caused the lid to fly back, revealing to
the eyes of those in the room a collection of diamonds marvellous by reason of
the size and magnificence of each stone.
In the centre reposed the Imperial diamond itself. For an instant Brett reflected
that whilst the other men were fascinated by the spectacle, he would have a good
opportunity to shoot some of them without mercy and make a dash for liberty.
But at the same moment there came to him an odd thought. His friend the
jeweller of the Rue de la Paix had not given him a lesson in vain during the
previous afternoon.
The barrister suspected—in fact, he was almost sure—that the gems now
flaunting their half-revealed glories in the light of the day—for not one of them
had undergone the final process peculiar to the diamond-cutter's trade—were not
the real stones stolen from Albert Gate, but well fabricated substitutes.
To his acute brain there came an immediate confirmation of his theory. Evidently
the diamonds had not been previously in the Turk's possession. The little
Frenchman had just delivered them, and this in itself was a strange circumstance
in view of the fact that the genuine stones must have been in Paris at least three
days.
Brett concentrated all his dramatic faculties in look, voice, and gesture.
"You fools!" he cried. "You have been swindled by a device which a child might
suspect. These are not the Sultan's diamonds. These are frauds—cleverly
concocted bits of crystal and alum—intended to keep you happy until you return
to Constantinople and discover how thoroughly you were deceived."
"You lie!" roared the little Frenchman. "They are genuine."
Brett wanted to punch the diminutive scoundrel heavily in the face, but he
restrained himself. Turning with a magnificent assumption of courteousness to
Hussein-ul-Mulk, he said—
"Come, I told you you were acting childishly; this proves it. A most outrageous
attempt has been made to swindle you, if I may use such a term to persons who
confessedly are plotting to rob another. Surely this will convince you that you
have nothing to fear from me. I am here as the agent neither of Sultan nor police.
It is a simple matter for you to verify my statement. All that is necessary is for
one of your party to take any of these alleged diamonds—I would suggest the
smallest one so as not to create suspicion—to any jeweller in the district, and he
will test it for you immediately, thus proving the truth of my statement. Look
here; I will convince you myself."
He took the monster diamond irreverently in his hand before Hussein-ul-Mulk
could prevent him and turned to the window. He pressed the stone against the
glass and tried to make it cut. It failed. He placed it against his cheek. It was
warm. A pure diamond would be icy cold. More than this, a small portion of the
composition of which the imitation had been hastily concocted, broke off in his
fingers.
"You see," he laughed. "Do you require further proof?"
Even while he spoke the diminutive little Frenchman turned and bolted. One of
the Turks drew a revolver and rushed after him, but Hussein-ul-Mulk uttered
some authoritative words which prevented the man from firing. The Frenchman
was evidently an adept in the art of dodging pursuit. In the passage he ducked
suddenly, and threw the Turk heavily to the ground. Then, without further
interference, he slipped the latch of the door and slammed it hastily behind him,
leaving Brett silently laughing at Hussein-ul-Mulk and his remaining
confederate, whilst the gentleman who had been upset was slowly regaining his
disturbed gravity.
"Can it be possible that what you say is true?" said Hussein-ul-Mulk, in such
piteous accents that Brett was moved to further mirth.
"Surely you do not doubt the evidence?" he said. "Take any of these stones; they
will crumble to pieces on the hearth if struck the slightest blow. See, I will
pulverise one with my heel."
And he did so, though the amazed and despairing men whom he addressed
would have restrained him, for they still could not bring themselves to believe.
"Come, now," he went on "arouse yourselves; and give me the information I
want. That is the only way in which you may attain your ends. Of course I
cannot help you. It may be that as you have bungled matters so badly, the
authorities will stop you and land you all in prison; but that is no concern of
mine. At this moment I simply wish to release my friend and proclaim his
innocence. For the rest, you must take care of yourselves. You know best who it
is that has so thoroughly outwitted you."
Hussein-ul-Mulk was the first to recover his scattered senses.
"We cannot choose but believe you, Mr. Brett," he said. "We are even indebted to
you for making this disastrous discovery at such an early date. We paid our
agents so highly that we thought their honesty was assured. We find we are
mistaken, and consequently we apologise to you for using threats which were
unnecessary. We rely on your honour not to incriminate us with the police. All
we can tell you is that your friend is not dead, but we do not know his
whereabouts."
"Nonsense," cried Brett angrily. "Why do you seek to mislead me in this
fashion?"
"Sir," said the Turk, "I am telling you the truth. We believe that Mr. Talbot is a
prisoner in London, but we do not know in what locality. My friends here and
myself, as you have already surmised, are merely members of a political
organisation. It was necessary for us to secure possession of the Imperial
diamond and its companions. We spared no expense, nor hesitated at any means
that would accomplish our purpose. We have been foiled for the moment. I can
tell you nothing else, and I advise you to leave us and forget that such persons
exist, for I swear to you by the beard of the Prophet that had events turned out
differently you would now be a lifeless corpse in this room, whilst your body
would not be discovered for many weeks, as we intended to leave Paris this
afternoon as soon as the diamonds came into our possession."
i_2
"The door was thrown bodily from its hinges."
—Page 113.
At this moment a thunderous knocking reverberated through the house.
The Turks gazed at each other in affright. None of them moved to open the door.
But the knock was not repeated, for the door itself was thrown bodily from its
hinges, and the stalwart form of Lord Fairholme, accompanied by two
policemen, appeared in the passage.
"Ah," cried Brett, intervening with ready tact, "I had forgotten you, Fairholme. I
see you kept your appointment. These are not required," he rattled on pleasantly,
turning towards the stern-looking sergents de ville; "I am quite alive and
uninjured. My friends here and myself had a few earnest words, but we have
settled matters satisfactorily."
The suspicious policemen glanced from the smiling Englishman to the perturbed
Turks. At the first sound of danger Hussein-ul-Mulk had closed the case in
which lay the spurious diamonds, so these pretentious-looking gems did not
excite the curiosity of the men of law.
The senior officer demanded from Lord Fairholme an explanation of the exciting
statements which induced them to accompany him, but Brett stepped into the
breach.
"It is quite true," he said, "that my friend was anxious on my account. It was
even possible these Turkish gentlemen here and myself might have proceeded to
extremities, but the affair has ended satisfactorily, and if you will allow me——"
He put his hand into his pocket and a slight monetary transaction terminated the
incident pleasantly for all parties.
Soon Brett and Fairholme found themselves in the street, and again did the
barrister draw in deep and invigorating draughts of Paris air.
"Where now?" said Fairholme.
"Tell me," cried Brett eagerly, "did you notice in which direction the little man
ran who left No. 11 about ten minutes ago?"
"Better than that, I heard where he was going to. He was in such a fiendish funk
that he paid heed to nobody, but flung himself into a passing cab and yelled,
'Take me to the Cabaret Noir, Boulevard Montmartre.'"
"Good. You are a splendid detective. You have saved me hours of search and
perhaps days of failure. Come; let us, too, go to the Cabaret Noir."
 CHAPTER IX
A MONTMARTRE ROMANCE

The exterior of the Cabaret Noir belied its name.

Originally, no doubt, it was one of the vilest dens in a vile locality, but the fairy
hand of the brewer had touched the familiar wineshop, and it glistened to-day in
much mahogany, more brass, and a dazzling collection of mirrors.
Brett was surprised when the driver of their cab pulled up in front of such an
ornate establishment. Somehow, he expected the Cabaret Noir to be a different
place. Not so Fairholme, accustomed only to the glaring exterior of London tied
houses.
"Here we are," said his lordship cheerfully. "Let's take them by surprise and run
over the whole show before any one can stop us."
"No," said Brett; "this is Paris, and the police here have ways even more
mysterious than those of Scotland Yard. We will gain nothing by drastic
measures. Indeed, had I known the sort of place we were coming to I would have
visited it to-night and in disguise. As it is, we have been seen already by any one
interested in our movements, and it would be useless to adopt any pretence, so
follow me."
He boldly entered through the main door, and found himself in a light, airy
room, filled, in three-fourths of its area, with little marble-topped tables
surrounded by diminutive chairs, whilst a bar counter was partitioned off in a
corner.
The attendant in charge was a dreary-eyed waiter, who seemed to think that the
presence of a couple of sight-seeing Englishmen at such an hour was another
testimony to the lunatic propensities of the Anglo-Saxon race. He welcomed
them volubly, assuring them that the establishment kept the best Scotch whisky
in stock, and guaranteed that roast beef would be ready in ten minutes.
"This is the Cabaret Noir?" questioned Brett.
"But yes, monsieur."
"There is no other of the same name in Montmartre?"
"But no, monsieur."
"A gentleman, a friend of mine, came here a few minutes ago in a fiacre. He was
small, slight, so high"—illustrating the stature by his hand. "He was dressed in
dark blue clothes with shiny boots. He was——"
Brett's eager description was cut short by the appearance of a new character.
Through a narrow door leading into the bar came a handsome dark-eyed woman,
aged perhaps twenty-five, well dressed, shapely, and carrying herself with the
easy grace of a born Parisienne.
Her hair was jet black. Her large dark eyes were recessed beneath arched and
strongly pencilled eyebrows. Her skin had that peculiar tint of porcelain-white so
often seen in women of southern blood.
Yet there was nothing delicate in this lady's appearance or manner. A rich colour
suffused her cheeks, and her language was remarkably free both in volume and
style. She addressed a few observations to the waiter in the common vernacular
of Montmartre, the only translatable portion being the question why he was
standing about the floor like the ears of a donkey when there was work to be
done.
Her manner changed somewhat as she addressed herself to Brett and his
companion. There was sufficient of the landlady in her demeanour when she
said, "And what would messieurs be pleased to command?"
Now, if there was one type of femininity more than another which Brett
thoroughly understood it was the saucy, quick-witted, handsome adventuress. He
knew that the woman scrutinizing him so coolly came well within this category.
He could not tell, of course, in what way she might be associated with the gang
whose proceedings contained the explanation of Talbot's fate, but he instantly
resolved to adopt a determined position with the lady who half-petulantly, half-
curiously, was awaiting his reply.
He came nearer to her.
"I am glad," he said, "that I have met you."
The woman looked him boldly in the eyes. "Was it for the happiness of seeing
me that monsieur has visited the house?"
"That might well serve as the reason, but the pleasure is all the greater since it
was unexpected."
"You are pleased to be facetious," she replied. "Will you not tell me your
business? I have affairs to occupy me."
"Assuredly. I have driven here as quickly as possible from No. 11, Rue
Barbette."
This attack, so direct and uncompromising, did not fail to have its effect. A ready
mask of suspicion fell across the woman's impudent pretty face.
There was just a tinge of stage laughter in her tone when she cried: "Really, how
interesting! And where is the Rue Barbette, monsieur? In what way am I
concerned with—No. 11, did you say?"
Brett well knew how to conduct the attack upon this lady. His voice fell to a
determined note, his eyes looked gravely into hers as he answered—"It is useless
to pretend that you do not understand me. You are losing moments worth gold,
perhaps diamonds! Within a few minutes the police will be here, and then it will
be too late. Help me first, and I will let the police take care of themselves.
Refuse me your assistance, and I will leave you and your friends to the mercy of
the district commissaire."
A dangerous light leaped into the woman's eyes at this direct challenge.
"Monsieur is pleased to speak in riddles," she said. "This is a restaurant. We can
execute your orders, but we are not skilled in acting charades. You will find
better performers in the booths out there"; and she swept her hands scornfully
towards the boulevard, with its medley of tents, stalls, and merry-go-rounds.
Brett smiled. "You are a stupid woman," he said. "You think you are serving
your friends by adopting this tone. In effect you are bringing them to the
guillotine. Now listen. If I leave you without further words you do not see me
again. You will know nothing of what is going on until the police have lodged
you in a cell. Neither you nor your associates can escape. I promise nothing, but
perhaps if you tell me what I want to know there may be a chance for you.
Otherwise there is none. Shall I go?"
And he turned as if to approach the door.
For an instant the woman hesitated, and Brett thought that he had scored.
"Wait," she said, lowering her voice, though there was still the menace of
subdued passion in her accents. "Who is your friend?"
"A gentleman whose identity in no way concerns you. You must deal with me,
and it will be better if you ask who I am."
"I know," she said, laconically. "Come this way, both of you."
She raised a flap-door located at one side of the counter. Brett followed her into
a passage behind the doorway that led into the bar. Fairholme succeeded him.
The trio passed rapidly through a door at the end of the passage, and quickly
found themselves in a long, low room, usually devoted to billiards. The place
was dark and smelled evilly of stale tobacco. Daylight penetrated but feebly
through the red blinds that blocked up three windows on one side. The woman
drew two of these blinds, and thus illuminated the interior. The windows opened
on to a yard, and the place was thoroughly shut off from all observation from the
street.
"Now," she said, "I will show you something."
She walked towards the fireplace at the end of the room. On the mantelpiece was
a square of iron sheeting, painted white and studded with curious-looking spikes
in circles, triangles, and straight lines. From a box close at hand she took half a
dozen small glass bulbs, red and blue. She placed them in a line on some of the
spikes at intervals of two inches. Then she retired to that side of the room where
they had entered. The distance was perhaps thirty feet.
Before Brett or Fairholme could vaguely guess her intention she whipped a
revolver out of her pocket. It would be idle to deny that they were startled, but
the woman paid not the least attention to them.
She steadily levelled the weapon and fired twice, smashing the two outer balls of
the six. Then she transferred the pistol to her left hand and smashed another pair.
Then she turned her back to the target, adjusted a small mirror attached to the
butt of the revolver, and smashed both of the remaining bulbs by firing over her
left shoulder. Sweeping round with a triumphant smile towards the barrister, she
said, "I can do that in fifty other ways, but six will suffice."
"It is very clever, madame," he said. "May I ask why I am indebted to you for
this display?"
She replaced the revolver in her pocket. "It is my answer to your question,
monsieur," she said. "That is the way I and my friends often talk to people who
annoy us; and now I shall wish you good-day. You will find other sights in
Montmartre to interest you."
Brett laughed easily, and bowed low.
"Believe me," he said, "I will find few performers so expert and, may I add, so
discreet. We will meet again, and perhaps test your skill."
Without another word the party returned to the front room of the restaurant, and
Brett and Fairholme passed into the street where their cab was waiting.
"I suppose she meant," said Fairholme "that if we were not jolly careful she
would put a bullet through our hearts as easily as through those glass bulbs."
"Such was her intention," said Brett, dryly. "But women never have true
dramatic genius. That was a piece of melodrama which might suffice with many
of her class. It amused me, but it was a waste of time on her part."
"Anyhow, we shall not get much out of her in the way of information."
"Oh, yes, we will. She will tell us everything. She has told me a great deal
already."
"What?" cried his lordship. "Did that shooting affair convey anything more to
you than what I have said?"
"Of course. What need was there for such a trick? In the first place it is very
simple. You or I could do it after ten minutes' practice with an expanding charge
and a show pistol. Secondly, she admitted that the Cabaret Noir is a centre of
operations for the gang in whom we are interested. By the way, I should like to
know her name."
He directed the driver to wait for them at a street corner some little distance
further on. Close to where they stood an itinerant vendor was selling some
mechanical toys.
Brett bought one. The price was twenty sous. He gave the man a two-franc piece
and refused the change.
"Do you know," he said, "who is the proprietor of the Cabaret Noir?"
"Certainly, monsieur," replied the gutter-merchant; "it is Gros Jean. His name is
Beaucaire."
"Ah! And the lady who lives there, a dark pretty woman with white skin, who is
she?"
"That is his daughter," said the man. "She is known as La Belle Chasseuse."
"Why such a name?"
"Because she is clever with firearms. She used to be in a circus, but she left the
profession a year ago."
"And does she live here constantly?"
"I cannot say. I think she goes away a great deal. She was travelling recently; she
came back—let me see—last Tuesday night."
"Thank you," said Brett. The two re-entered their cab, and Brett told the driver to
proceed as rapidly as possible to the Rue St. Honoré.
"I hope to goodness," he said to Fairholme, "that Captain Gaultier has not left
Paris already; these Foreign Office messengers are liable to be despatched to the
other end of the earth at a moment's notice."
"Why do you wish to see him?" said Fairholme.
"Simply to obtain definite confirmation of my theory. La Belle Chasseuse was
the woman who accompanied the man made up to look like Jack Talbot during
his journey from London. If Gaultier can see her and assure me that I am right I
will be convinced concerning that which I already know to be true."
"By Jove!" cried Fairholme, "that never occurred to me. I wonder if it is so?"
"Mademoiselle Beaucaire is quite an adept in two things: she can break tiny
glass bulbs and she can flirt. She chose to exhibit the first of these
accomplishments to us, and convey what was intended to be a warning; in
reality, she gave us some valuable information."
"I suppose," said Fairholme, "that this crowd will watch us pretty closely, won't
they?"
Brett leaned back in the cab and laughed heartily.
"We are the most interesting persons in Paris to them at this moment," he said.
"That poor fellow who sold us the toys will have to change his position, I am
afraid. One of them is following us now. Let's see who it is."
At the next street corner he stopped the cab suddenly, and jumped out, followed
by Fairholme. A minute later another vehicle dashed into the street. In it was
seated a lady, closely veiled; but a large feather hat and the grotesque pattern of a
black veil could not wholly conceal the pretty, determined face of La Belle
Chasseuse.
Evidently she had no one at hand to undertake the mission, so she followed Brett
in person. He signalled to her and to her driver. Astonished, the man pulled up.
Brett instantly advanced and took off his hat with that pleasant smile of his
which usually went straight to the female heart, but which now thoroughly lost
its effect on the furious young woman who looked at him from the interior of the
voiture.
"Allow me," he said, "to offer my friendly services. It is a close day and
mademoiselle has, I am sure, many other calls on her time. I will save you at
least an hour, and myself nearly the same period. I am going to secure the
presence of a witness to identify you as the lady who crossed the Channel last
Tuesday in company with a gentleman. You both drove to the Grand Hotel, and
your companion signed the register there in the names of Mr. and Mrs. Talbot; is
it not so?"
She bent forward and looked at him viciously. Her eyes sparkled with annoyance
at being caught so easily in her self-imposed piece of espionage.
"Monsieur is clever," she snapped.
"Thank you," he replied, still smiling. "I can occasionally hit the mark with a
guess as well as mademoiselle can with her pistol. But, believe me, I only intend
at this moment to be polite. Of course, the presence of a witness to identify you
is unnecessary. Mademoiselle can now return to the Cabaret Noir, whilst my
friend and I will proceed direct to the Grand Hotel. It saves so much trouble,
does it not?"
For a moment the woman looked as though she would have liked to produce that
infallible revolver and shot him on the spot. Then she angrily commanded her
driver to return.
Fairholme surveyed the scene with open-eyed amazement. "Well," he said, "that
beats everything. You really have a splendid nerve. The whole business reads
like a chapter out of one of Gaboriau's novels."
"That is the way people live in Paris, my dear fellow. Life is an artificial matter
here. But all this excitement has made me hungry. Let us have déjeûner."
 CHAPTER X.
ON GUARD

On their way to the hotel, Brett, yielding apparently to a momentary impulse,

stopped the cab at a house in the Rue du Chaussée d'Antin. Without any
explanation to Lord Fairholme he disappeared into the interior, and did not rejoin
his companion for nearly ten minutes.
"It is perhaps not of much use," he explained on his return, "but I do not like to
leave any stone unturned. The man I have just called on is a well-known private
detective, and I can trust him to look after my business without taking the police
into his confidence. Two of his smartest agents will maintain a close watch on
both the Cabaret Noir and No. 11, Rue Barbette, during the afternoon."
"You do not seem to expect much result?"
"No; we are tracking some of the most expert and daring criminals in France. It
is hopeless to expect them to provide us with clues; they simply won't do it. No
one but a genius in criminality would have risked such a dramatic move as the
personation of Jack Talbot, or dared to put in an open appearance at the Grand
Hotel. So my agents here can only hope, at the best, to get sight of any
messenger or assistant scoundrel who may turn up at either of the places
indicated."
"May we expect to be busy to-night?"
Brett did not answer at once. It was evident that whilst he rattled on in a careless
strain his active brain was busily employed in discounting the future.
"I hope so," he said at last. "Of course I cannot tell. Our only chance is that we
may be able to guess the course of the hidden trail. If to-night does not yield us
some information, our chances of solving the mystery will be remote, in which
case we may as well abandon the quest."
This faint-hearted reply naturally surprised Lord Fairholme considerably. To his
mind, a considerable measure of success had already been achieved, and he
utterly failed to understand why his friend should take such a pessimistic view of
affairs at the very moment when they appeared to be opening up somewhat.
Brett noted the Earl's perplexity, and smiled with genial deprecation.
"Do not be afraid, Fairholme; I will liberate Mr. Talbot and clear his name so
effectually that all difficulties will disappear from the path of your marriage."
"Then what is it that makes you so downcast?" cried Fairholme.
"I hate to be beaten at the final stage, and I have a premonition that were I in
England—had I but the power to proceed unchecked and unhindered by
officialdom—I would soon lay my hands on the man who originated the Albert
Gate mystery. But we are in France—in a country of queer legal forms and
unusual methods. At home I can always circumvent Scotland Yard; here I am in
the midst of strange surroundings, and know not what may happen. Therefore,
we must possess our souls in patience and wait developments. The agent I have
just employed has promised me to report every two hours at the hotel until eight
o'clock. Then I will take personal charge of the Cabaret Noir, and——"
"What about me?" cried Fairholme.
"You, my dear fellow, will remain at the hotel and await orders."
This arrangement did not seem to suit the active young Englishman who had
been so suddenly plunged into the excitement of a criminal chase in Paris.
"Really, Brett," he said, "I hate to grumble at anything you propose, because you
are always right; but you must pardon me for saying that I do not see what
particular value my presence here has been to you."
"What!" laughed Brett; "not after your dramatic appearance in the Rue Barbette
this morning?"
"Oh, any one could have done that. All I had to do was to break in a door at a
given hour."
"Exactly," said Brett gravely. "I wanted a friend whom I could trust to implicitly
obey my orders, and you did it. I am sure you will fall in with my wishes now."
So Fairholme was silenced on this point, but he ventured to put another question.
"How long am I to sit chewing cigars in our rooms, then?"
"All night, if necessary. If I do not appear by seven o'clock to-morrow morning
you had better go to the Embassy and tell one of the secretaries everything
connected with our visit to Paris. He will then take action through the police in
proper form, and after that you must simply await developments."
"Do you mean to say," said Fairholme, anxiously, "that you are contemplating
another risky bit of business to-night?"
"Once I take my stand outside the Cabaret Noir about 8.30 I cannot tell where
Fate may lead me. If I am lucky I will certainly return, whatever be the personal
outcome. If, on the other hand, I learn nothing, you may certainly expect to see
me about two in the morning."
At the hotel Brett found awaiting him a letter delivered by the midday post. It
was from his elderly assistant in London, whom he had told to make a close
scrutiny of all inhabited houses within a certain radius of the Carlton Hotel. The
man had done his work systematically, and in only three instances was he called
on to report doubtful cases.
Two foreign restaurants in side streets contained a number of residents
concerning whom it was difficult to obtain specific information.
One of these establishments he believed to be the resort of Continental gamblers
driven from Soho by the too marked attentions of the police. The other was a
place of even more questionable repute, and in both instances he had utterly
failed to obtain the slightest information from the servants, who apparently
"stood in" with the management.
The third dwelling which courted observation was a flat situated above some
business premises in another quiet street. So far as he could learn, it was
tenanted by an elderly lady who was a helpless invalid, waited on by a somewhat
curious couple.
"They are Italians, I think," wrote the ex-policeman, "and very uncommunicative
people. I have twice called, on one pretext or another, but when the door is
opened it is always kept on the chain, and I cannot see more than the face of a
man or woman and a few inches of wall beyond. Still, I have no reason to doubt
that the view taken by the milkman and baker is correct, namely, that the owner
of the flat is confined to her bed and is suffering from a nervous disease, which
renders it imperative she should be shut off from all noise. The landlord informs
me that these people have occupied the place for nearly two months. Their rent
is paid in advance, and they have not given the slightest cause for complaint.
There are, of course, in this district a large number of private hotels and lodging-
houses, but they seem to be run on regular lines, and, although some of their
patrons might well demand closer observation, I have come across nothing
suggestive of any suspicious circumstance whatever with reference to them. I
have detained my report until I was able to give details concerning the other
houses in the district, and I will now fall back on the second part of your
instructions, i.e., to maintain a close watch on the three establishments which I
have picked out as being more unusual in their habits than the others."
This was all.
Brett read the concluding portion of the report to Fairholme.
"He is a level-headed, shrewd observer," he said—"one of the few men whom I
can trust to do exactly what I want, neither more nor less. I think when we return
to London we must endeavour to get that chain taken off the invalid lady's door,
or, at any rate, obtain some specific facts concerning her disease from her
medical adviser."
Fairholme smiled. "I am glad to hear," he cried, "that you do anticipate our
return."
"Oh," said Brett airily, "I never count on failure."
Soon after three o'clock a report arrived from the agent in the Rue du Chaussée
d'Antin. It read—
"Nothing unusual has occurred in the vicinity of the Cabaret Noir. The customers
frequenting the place are all of the ordinary type and do not call for special
comment.
"A Turkish gentleman quitted the house No. 11, Rue Barbette, at 1.15 p.m., but
returned shortly before two o'clock. Half an hour later a man, whom my assistant
recognized as a member of a well-known gang of flash thieves, entered the
place. His name is Charles Petit, but he is generally known to his associates as
'Le Ver.' He is small, well dressed, and of youthful appearance, but really older
than he looks. He is still in the house inhabited by the Turks."
"What is the meaning of 'Le Ver'?" said Fairholme.
"It means 'The Worm,'" answered Brett.
"I must say these chaps do find suitable nicknames for one another. I wonder if
he is the fellow we followed to Montmartre this morning?"
"Possibly, though I am puzzled to understand why he should trust himself in that
hornets' nest again. Most certainly the description covers him, but we shall
probably hear more details later. I wonder where the Turkish gentleman went
whom 'Le Ver' seems to have followed. He could not have gone to the Cabaret
Noir in the time?"
Brett's curiosity was answered to some extent by the next report, delivered about
five o'clock. It read as follows—
"Le Ver is still in the house No. 11, Rue Barbette. My agent explains that he did
not follow the Turk, who left and returned to the place earlier, because his
definite instructions were not to leave the locality, but to report on all persons
who entered or left. Absolutely nothing has transpired in this neighbourhood
since my first report.
"Gros Jean, the father of La Belle Chasseuse, arrived at the Cabaret Noir soon
after four o'clock. My agent ascertained from the cabman who drove him that
Gros Jean had hired the vehicle outside the Gare de Lyon. Otherwise nothing
stirring."
At seven o'clock came developments.
"Three Turkish gentlemen have quitted No. 11, Rue Barbette, but the Frenchman
is still there. As it might be necessary to follow another person leaving this
house, I stationed another watcher with my assistant, and this second man
followed the Turks to a restaurant in the Grand Boulevard. So far as he could
judge, they seemed to be excited and apprehensive. They drank some wine and
conversed together in low tones. At 6.15 they quitted the café and rapidly
jumped into an empty fiacre, being driven off in the direction of the Opera. So
unexpectedly did they leave their seats that before my agent could hire another
cab they had disappeared in the traffic, and although he drove after them as
rapidly as possible, he failed to again catch sight of them. I have reprimanded
him for his negligence, although he did right in coming at once to me to report
his failure. In accordance with your instructions, I have ordered the watchers at
the Café Noir and in the Rue Barbette to be in this office at 8.15 p.m."
"Now I wonder," said Brett, "why the Turks left the Frenchman alone in No. 11.
It is odd, to say the least of it. Since the dramatic discovery of the spurious
diamonds this morning they must be even more in the dark than I am. It must be
looked into, but I cannot attend to it now. At this moment, if I am not mistaken,
the centre of interest is the Café Noir."
The two men occupied a sitting-room on the first floor of the hotel, and their
respective bedrooms flanked it on each side. Brett explained that he could not
tackle the table d'hote dinner, so he made a hasty meal in their sitting-room and
then excused himself whilst he retired to his bedroom to change his clothing.
He was absent some twenty minutes, and Fairholme amused himself by glancing
over the copies of the day's London newspapers which had recently arrived.
Suddenly the door of Brett's bedroom opened, and a decrepit elderly man
appeared, a shabby-genteel individual, disfigured by drink and crumpled up by
rheumatism.
"Who the devil——" began Fairholme.
But he was amazed to hear Brett's familiar voice asking—
"Do you think the disguise sufficiently complete?"
"Complete!" shouted Fairholme, "why, your own mother would not know you,
and your father would probably punch me for suggesting that it could be you."
"That is all right," said the barrister cheerfully. "I will now proceed to get quietly
drunk at the Café Noir. Good-bye until seven o'clock to-morrow morning—
perhaps earlier, and perhaps—well, no—until seven o'clock!"
They shook hands and parted, and not even Brett, the cleverest amateur detective
of his day, could have remotely guessed where and how they would meet next.
Montmartre by day and Montmartre by night are two very different places. This
Parisian playground, perched high on the eminence that overlooks the Ville
Lumière, does not wake to its real life until its repose is disturbed by the
lamplighter. Then the Moulin Rouge, festooned with lamps of gorgeous red,
flares forth upon an expectant world. The Café de l'Enfers opens its demoniac
mouth to swallow ten minutes' audiences and vomit them forth again, amused or
bored, as the case may be, by the delusions provided in the interior, whilst other
questionable resorts shout forth their attractions and seek to beguile a certain
number of sous from the pockets of sightseers.
The whole district is a place of light and shade. It is artificial in every brick and
stone, in the pose of every stall, the lettering of every advertisement. And it
flourishes by gaslight; by day it is garish and forlorn.
Prominent among the regular houses of entertainment was the Cabaret Noir,
which, between the hours of 9 p.m. and 1 a.m., usually drove a roaring trade.
Situated in the heart of a mountebank district, its patrons embraced all classes of
society, from the American tourist with his quick eyes noting the vagaries of
demi-mondaines, to the sharp-witted Parisian idler, on the alert for any easy and
dishonest method of obtaining money which might present itself.
Among such a crowd a wine-sodden and decrepit old man was not likely to
attract particular attention.
He sprawled over the table close to one of the windows which commanded a
view of the side passage leading to the rear of the building. Although none of the
noisy crowd in the café could suspect the fact, the half-closed eyes of this elderly
drunkard noted the form and features of every individual who entered or left by
the main door, whilst at the same time he paid the utmost possible attention to
the comings and goings of any person who used the passage by the window.
To facilitate his observations in this direction he querulously complained to the
waiter that the atmosphere was stuffy, and prevailed on the man to raise the
window a few inches, thus admitting a breath of clear cold air.
Brett had previously ascertained from his agent that Gros Jean and his daughter
were still in the private part of the building. No other visitor had put in an
appearance, and so the time passed, until the clock in the café marked eleven,
without any incident occurring which could be construed as having even a
remote bearing upon his quest.
Brett began to feel that his diligence that night would not be rewarded.
At five minutes past eleven, however, a pink-and-white Frenchman, neatly
attired, unobtrusive both in manner and deportment, entered the café and seated
himself quietly near the door. He ordered some coffee and cognac, and lighted a
cigarette.
The barrister, of course, took heed of him as of all others, and he would soon
have placed him in the general category that merited no special attention had he
not noticed that the newcomer more than once glanced at the clock and then
towards the corner bar, whence, it will be remembered, a small door led towards
the billiard saloon in which La Belle Chasseuse had displayed her prowess with
the pistol.
In such a community the stranger's self-possession and reticence were
distinguishable characteristics. So Brett watched him, largely for want of better
occupation.
"That is a man of unusual power," was his summing up. "He is elegant,
fascinating, unscrupulous. Although apparently out of his natural element in this
neighbourhood, he has some purpose in putting in an appearance in such a place
as this at a late hour. Perhaps he is one of mademoiselle's lovers, though he looks
the sort of person who would be singularly cool in conducting affairs of the
heart, and most unlikely to wait many minutes beyond the time fixed for an
appointment. His hands are large and sinewy, his wrists square, and, although
slight in physique, I should credit him with possessing considerable strength.
Being a Frenchman, he should be an expert with the foils. The effeminate aspect
given to his face by his remarkable complexion might easily deceive one as to
his real character. As a matter of fact, he is the only unusual man I have seen
during my two hours' lounge in this corner."
Brett had hardly concluded this casual analysis of the person who had enlisted
his close observation, when the private door into the bar opened and Mlle.
Beaucaire entered.
Without taking the least notice of any of the numerous occupants of the café she
turned her back on them, and apparently busied herself in checking the contents
of the cash register. Beyond this useful instrument was a mirror, and Brett at
once perceived that from the point where she stood she could command a
distinct reflection of the pink-and-white Frenchman.
The latter was gazing at the clock, and whilst doing so stroked his chin three
times with his right hand. Immediately afterwards La Belle Chasseuse three
times rang the bell of the register, and then, having apparently concluded her
inspection, quitted the bar as unceremoniously as she had entered. Half a minute
later the Frenchman finished the remains of his cognac, lit another cigarette, and
passed into the street.
It was with difficulty that Brett restrained himself from following him, but he
was certain that no one could leave the residential portion of the building
without using the passage—a view of which he commanded from his window—
and he resolutely resolved to devote himself for that night to shadowing the
movements of the ex-circus lady.
His patience and self-denial were soon rewarded. A light quick step sounded in
the passage, and a shrouded female form shot past the open window.
Then the inebriated individual, now hopelessly muddled by drink, staggered
towards the door and lurched wildly round the corner, just in time to see
mademoiselle cross the Boulevard and daintily make her way between the rows
of stalls.
The air seemed, however, to have a surprising effect on the old reprobate, for the
simple reason that to simulate drunkenness and at the same time keep pace with
the lady's rapid strides was out of the question.
La Belle Chasseuse was evidently in a hurry. She sped along at a surprising pace,
until she reached a crossing where the rows of stalls and booths were
temporarily suspended. At one corner stood a cab, and towards this vehicle she
directed her steps. Before Brett quite realized what was happening, the door of
the cab opened, mademoiselle jumped inside, and, as if he were waiting for her
appearance, the driver whipped up his horse and drove off at a furious pace.
At that instant a small victoria with a sturdy pony in the shafts, which had just
deposited a lively fare in the vicinity of the Moulin Rouge, drove along the
street.
Brett sprang into it and said eagerly to the driver—
"Keep that cab in sight! I will pay you double fare!"
The man tightened his reins and raised his whip in prompt obedience to the
order, when suddenly two men jumped into the vehicle from opposite sides,
seized Brett and forced him down on to the seat, whilst one of them said in stern
tones to the astonished cabby—
"Take us at once to the Central Prefecture of Police."
The man recognized that these newcomers were not to be trifled with. Without a
word or a question, he rattled his horse across the stone pavement, and Brett,
choking with rage at this interference at a supreme moment, realized that for
some extraordinary reason he was a prisoner, and in the hands of a couple of
detectives.
By this time the cab containing the lady had vanished, but the barrister made one
despairing effort.
"For heaven's sake," he said to his captors, "take me where you will, but first
follow that cab and ascertain its destination."
"What cab?" demanded one of his guards sarcastically.
"The cab which I wished our driver to overtake at the moment when you
pounced on me."
"This is a mere trick," broke in the other. "Don't bother about his cab. We have
got him safe enough, and let the commissaire deal with him now."
"Listen to me," cried Brett. "You are making a frightful mistake. Your action at
this moment may cause irretrievable delay and loss. If you will only do as I tell
you——"
"Shut up," growled the first man, "or it will be worse for you. Your best plan, my
good fellow, is to keep a quiet tongue in your head."
It was not often that Brett lost his temper, but most certainly he lost it on this
occasion. He was endowed with no small share of physical strength, and for an
instant the wild notion came into his head that he might perhaps succeed in
throwing the two detectives into the roadway and then overpower the driver,
taking charge of the vehicle himself and trusting to luck to again catch sight of
the vanished lady and her companion, who, he doubted not, had awaited her
arrival at the quiet corner where she joined him.
Unconsciously he must have given some premonition of this desperate scheme,
for the two policemen tightened their grasp, forced his hands higher up his back,
and bent his head forward until he was in danger of having either his neck or his
shoulder dislocated.
"Will you keep quiet?" murmured the chief detective. "You cannot escape, and
you are only making the affair more disastrous to yourself."
Then Brett realized that further resistance was hopeless. He managed to gurgle
out that if they would allow him to assume a more comfortable attitude he would
not trouble them any further.
Gingerly and cautiously the two men somewhat relaxed the strain, and he was
able to breathe freely once more.
Then he laughed, almost hysterically, but he could not help saying in English—
"The shadow of Scotland Yard falls on me even here. Poor old Winter, how I
will roast him over this adventure!"
"What are you talking about?" demanded one of the men.
"I was only thinking aloud," replied Brett.
"And what were your thoughts?"
"Simply this, that the sooner I meet your remarkably astute commissary the
better I shall be pleased."
 CHAPTER XI
A DISCONCERTED COMMISSARY

The journey across Paris proceeded without further incident, until they reached
the prefecture.
The two detectives hurried their prisoner into a large general office, where he
was surveyed with some curiosity by the subordinates lounging near a huge fire,
whilst one of their number reported his arrival. After a brief interval he was
taken into an inner office. Behind a green baize-covered table was seated a
sharp-looking man, whose face was chiefly composed of eyebrows, pince-nez, a
hooked nose, and a furious imperiale.
This individual turned the shade of the lamp so that the light fell in its full
radiance on the face and figure of the prisoner. He produced a huge volume, and
thumbed over its leaves until he reached the first vacant place, ruled and
numbered for the description of all persons brought before him.
"Your name?" he said sharply.
"Reginald Brett," was the reply.
The Frenchman required this to be spelt for him.
"Age?"
"Thirty-seven."
"Nationality?"
"English."
"Profession?"
"Barrister-at-law."
The official consulted a type-written document, which he selected from a mass
of papers fastened by an indiarubber band. Then he looked curiously at the
prisoner.
"Are you sure this is the man?" he said to the senior detective.
"Quite positive, monsieur."
"Then take off his wig and get a towel, so that he may remove some of his make-
up. The rascal should be an actor. I never saw a better disguise in my life."
Brett knew it was hopeless to attempt explanations at this stage. He readily fell
in with their directions, and in a few seconds he stood revealed in something
akin to his ordinary appearance.
Now, the French Commissary of Police was no fool. He was an adept at reading
character, but he was certainly puzzled after a sharp scrutiny of Brett's clear-cut,
intelligent features. Nevertheless, he knew that the criminal instinct is often
allied with the most deceptive external appearances. So he turned to the
detective, and said—
"Tell me, briefly, what happened?"
"In accordance with instructions, monsieur," the man replied, "Philippe and I
ascertained the movements of the prisoner at the Grand Hotel. During the
afternoon he received messages from London and from some persons in Paris,
which documents are now probably in his possession. He quitted the hotel at
eight o'clock, disguised as you have seen. He called for a moment at a house in
the Rue du Chaussée d'Antin, the number of which we noted, and then made his
way to the Café Noir in Montmartre. There we watched him from the door for
nearly three hours. He feigned drunkenness, but held communication with no
person."
"Ha!" cried the commissary. This struck him as an important point. He made a
memorandum of it.
"Soon after eleven o'clock he rose hastily and quitted the café, crossed the
Boulevard, and hailed a cab. We would have followed him, but there was no
other vehicle in sight. As our instructions were to arrest him at any moment he
seemed likely to elude us, we seized him. He struggled violently, and told us
some story about his desire to follow another cab, which he said had
disappeared. We saw no cab such as he described, and we treated his words as a
mere device to abstract attention. We were right. A moment later he made an
attempt to escape, and we were compelled to use considerable force to prevent
him from being successful."
The commissary turned his eyes to the prisoner and was seemingly about to
question him, when Brett said with a smile—
"Perhaps, monsieur, you will allow me to say a word or two."
"Certainly." The official knew that criminals generally implicated themselves
when they commenced explaining matters.
"You are acting, I presume," said the barrister, "in obedience to reports received
from the London police with reference to the murder of four Turkish subjects at
Albert Gate, and the theft of some valuable diamonds belonging to the Sultan?"
This calm summary of the facts seemed to disconcert the Frenchman. It
astonished him considerably to find his prisoner thus indicating so clearly the
nature of the charge to be brought against him.
"That may be so," he admitted.
"It is so," went on Brett; "and in this matter you are even more hopelessly idiotic
than I took you to be. I have told you my name and profession. I am a friend of
Mr. Talbot, the English gentleman who has been spirited away in connection
with this crime, and I have in my pocket at this moment a letter from the British
Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, authorising me to use my best
efforts towards elucidating the mystery and tracking the real criminals. Here is
the letter," he continued, producing a document and laying it before the amazed
official.
"I was on the point of making an important discovery with reference to this case
when these too zealous agents of yours seized me and absolutely refused, even
whilst I was a prisoner in their hands, to follow up the definite clue I had
obtained. It is an easy matter to verify my statements. The authenticity of this
letter will be proved at the British Embassy, whilst a telegram to Scotland Yard
will place beyond doubt not only my identity, but my bona fides in acting for Mr.
Talbot's relatives and the Foreign Office. Further, an inquiry made at the Grand
Hotel will produce unquestionable testimony from the manager, who knows me,
and from my friend, Lord Fairholme, who occupies rooms there at this moment."
"Lord Fairholme!" stuttered the official. "Why, that is the name given by the
other prisoner."
"Do you mean to say you have arrested the Earl of Fairholme?" gasped Brett,
struggling with an irresistible desire to laugh.
The Frenchman covered his confusion by growling an unintelligible order, and
bent over the letter which Brett had given to him. In half a minute one of the
detectives returned, and with him was Fairholme, on whose honest face
indignation and astonishment struggled for mastery.
"Oh, surely that cannot be you, Brett!" cried his lordship, the moment he entered
the room. "Well, of all the —— fools that ever lived, these French Johnnies take
the cake. I suppose that they have spoiled the whole business! If the brutes had
not taken me by surprise I would have knocked over a dozen of them before they
arrested me."
"Silence!" shrieked the commissary, into whose mind was intruding the
consciousness that he had committed an outrageous blunder.
"What did you say your name was?" he demanded fiercely.
"I told you my name an hour ago," said his lordship haughtily, "and if you had
not been so beastly clever you would have believed me. I am the Earl of
Fairholme, a fact that can be readily substantiated by dozens of people here in
Paris, and this is Mr. Reginald Brett, a friend of mine, who would have probably
discovered the mystery of my friend's disappearance and the whereabouts of
those diamonds by this time if you had not interfered."
His lordship was hardly coherent with annoyance, but the acute official had now
convinced himself that a stupid mistake had been committed by his department.
He became apologetic and suave. He explained that their mysterious proceedings
had to some extent committed them in the eyes of the police to secret knowledge
of the crime which had so thoroughly aroused the detective departments in both
London and Paris.
Evidently Scotland Yard had not advised the French police of Mr. Brett's official
connection with the hunt for the murderers. The agents of the Paris Bureau had
watched Brett's comings and goings during the day, and the detectives'
suspicions, once aroused, were intensified when his friend, Lord Fairholme,
sought the aid of two uniformed policemen to break in the door of the Turkish
residents in the Rue Barbette.
Even now, politely concluded the commissary, he would regretfully be
compelled to detain them for a little while, until he verified their statements.
Meanwhile, they would not be subject to any further indignities, and might
procure such refreshments as they desired. They would probably be set at liberty
within a couple of hours.
At 1.30 a.m. Brett and Fairholme were ushered forth from the doors of the
prefecture and stood in freedom in the street.
"Where now?" said Fairholme.
"To the hotel," replied Brett, wearily. "I must have sleep, so I consign the Turks,
and the Sultan's diamonds, and every one concerned with the Albert Gate
mystery, to perdition for the next eight hours."
Notwithstanding his weariness, Brett rose early next morning. His companion
slept like a top, and the barrister had to shake the earl soundly by the shoulder
before the latter woke into conscious existence and sat up in bed sleepily
demanding—
"What's up? Where's the fire?"
"I want you to dress at once," said Brett cheerily, "and join me at breakfast. You
must leave for London by the 11.50 train."
"Am I such a nuisance then that I have to be packed off at a moment's notice?"
said the earl.
"By no means. Decidedly the contrary, in fact. As matters in France evidently
require persistent attention on my part for many days, perhaps weeks, I think it is
hardly fair to leave Talbot in confinement any longer. Your mission is to restore
your prospective brother-in-law to the bosom of his family, and I regret that it is
impossible for me to accompany you."
"Are you serious, old chap?" was the startled answer. "What has happened since
one o'clock this morning to make you so confident?"
"Nothing that is not already known to you. Had I succeeded last night in
following Mlle. Beaucaire to her destination, I might have been able to
accompany you to London this morning. As it is, Heaven alone knows what sort
of dance she may lead me. However, you complete your toilette, my dear fellow.
I have ordered breakfast to be served in a quarter of an hour. Then you can eat
and listen."
During the first portion of the repast Brett seemed too busily engaged to
unburden his mind. It was not until he had lit a cigarette and pushed his chair
away from the table, so that he could assume a posture of complete ease, that he
commenced—
"You slept so soundly, Fairholme, that you have not had time to review all the
circumstances of yesterday's adventures. Otherwise I am sure you would have
reached the same conclusions as suggest themselves to me. Curiously enough,
although dog-tired when I went to bed, I woke about seven o'clock feeling
thoroughly rested both in mind and body. I procured some coffee, took a bath,
and went out for a stroll, with the result that I returned and aroused you after
reaching finality in some of my conclusions, and deciding on a definite plan of
action for both of us."
"It is really very decent of you, Brett, to constantly assume that I can see as far
through a brick wall as you can, especially as you know quite well that, although
I am fairly well acquainted with all that happened yesterday, the only tangible
opinion I can offer is that the Paris police interfered with you at a most
inopportune moment."
Brett smiled. "That is because you have not accustomed yourself to analysis," he
said. "However, I will summarise my views, and if you can find any flaws in my
reasoning I will be glad. The first thing to observe is that the diminutive
Frenchman drew on himself the special vengeance of the Turks when I exposed
the attempt to foist on them a collection of dummy diamonds. Yet he actually
had the nerve to return to the Rue Barbette later in the day. He has not been seen
since, so the little scoundrel is either dead or a prisoner in Hussein-ul-Mulk's
flat. As I cannot permit myself to participate in a murder or even in an illegal
imprisonment, I am regretfully compelled this morning to take the police into
my confidence and inform them of an obvious fact which escaped their
penetration yesterday."
Fairholme whistled.
"I must say," he cried, "I gave a passing thought to the incident myself last
evening when your spy reported that the Frenchman remained in No. 11 after the
Turks had quitted it."
"Yes," said Brett. "You see, all you need to cultivate is the habit of deduction,
and you will soon become a capital detective."
The earl laughed. "I hope you will tell that to Edith," he said, "and perhaps you
may change her opinion concerning my reasoning capacities. She thinks I am an
awfully stupid chap as a rule."
"That is because she is in love with you," said Brett.
"Well, now, that remark puzzles me more than anything else you have said." His
lordship darted a quick look at the barrister in the endeavour to learn whether or
not he was in a chaffing mood.
"Why should a woman seek to depreciate anything she values?"
"Simply because it denotes a secure sense of complete ownership. Miss Talbot
would never hold such a view of your intellectual powers if you were merely a
friend."
"Well," said the earl dubiously, "that is a new point of view for me at any rate."
"It is a fact nevertheless. But we have not much time, so we must reserve any
further consideration of feminine inconsistency. The fate of the Frenchman must
be determined to-day, and to decide the question I must act through the police, so
a conversation with our friend the commissary becomes inevitable. And now to
return to the hypothetical part of my conclusions. I began by assuming that the
individual who planned the Albert Gate outrage and subsequently sought to
bamboozle his employers by palming off on them a set of spurious diamonds, is
far too acute to attempt to dispose of the real gems for many months yet to come.
He obtained sufficient funds from the Turks, in pursuance of what may be
termed the legitimate part of his contract, to enable him to live for a considerable
period without further excitement. Closely associated with him in the present
adventure is La Belle Chasseuse. Neither would endeavour to procure safety by
flight to a foreign country. They will seek insignificance by living in a normal
and commonplace manner. What more easy, for instance, for Mademoiselle than
to return to the life of the circus, whilst her lover—granted that he wished to
remain in her company—will obtain some suitable employment in the same
circle. There is a suspicion of a joke in the statement, but I am quite serious. The
mere consciousness that they have in their possession a vast fortune, which time
alone will enable them to realize, will serve as an inducement to undergo the
period of hard work which means safety. You remember that the lady's father,
Gros Jean, visited the Gare de Lyon yesterday?"
Fairholme nodded.
"I think you will find that he was depositing there the necessary luggage for a
contemplated trip into the interior, so that Mademoiselle might slip out late at
night quietly and unnoticed and join her lover at some preconcerted rendezvous,
a thing which we now know she did. I cannot, of course, be certain whether the
Frenchman who signalled to her in the Café Noir was himself the favoured
individual. It is possible. By the way, what height is Talbot?"
"About five feet nine."
Brett pondered for a little while.
"Yes," he communed aloud, "I think I am right. That pink-and-white Frenchman
is the master mind in this conspiracy. And to think that the unintelligent muscles
of a couple of thick-headed French policemen should have crudely interfered
with me at such a moment!" He sighed deeply.
"Never mind," he went on, "it cannot be helped. I must keep to the thread of my
story. Mademoiselle Beaucaire left the Cabaret shortly after eleven o'clock. We
cannot be certain that she went to the Gare de Lyon, but the cab unquestionably
set off in that direction. It is a long drive from Montmartre to the Lyons station.
We will give her, say, until twelve o'clock to reach there. Now, unless she was
journeying to some suburban district—a contingency which upsets the whole of
my theory—there was no main line train leaving for the south until 1.5 a.m., and
that is a slow train, stopping at nearly every station south of Melun. Let us
suppose that they guard against every contingency. She and her companion wish
to escape the scrutiny of detectives. It will at once occur to you that they run far
more risk of observation if travelling by a fast express than if they elect to
journey by the commonplace trains which only serve the needs of country
districts."
"It did not occur to me," said Fairholme candidly. "Still, there is a lot in the idea
all the same."
"Very well. To sum up, I imagine that the pair, providing the two travelled
together, would break their journey south at some quiet town in the interior early
in the morning, and subsequently proceed to their destination by easy stages."
"I am still fogged as to what you mean by their destination?" said Fairholme.
"I mean the circus, the music-hall, the café chantant, or whatever place
mademoiselle and her astute adviser may select as a safe haven wherein to avoid
police espionage during the many months which must ensue before they dare to
make the slightest effort to dispose of the purloined diamonds."
"And how do you propose to follow them up?"
"I cannot tell at present. My movements depend upon the results of the inquiries
I shall make to-day in theatrical circles, and particularly at the Gare de Lyon,
where I shall not meet with success in any event until the night staff comes on
duty.
"The third item," continued Brett, "which demands attention in Paris is the
whereabouts of the Turks. They must be found and observed. My chief difficulty
will be to keep that delightful commissary from imprisoning them, if, as I
imagine, we find the little thief a captive in the Rue Barbette. So you see my
actions are speculative. Yours, on the other hand, will be definite."
"Ah!" said Fairholme, "I am glad to hear that. If you expect me to analyse and
deduce and find out the probable movements of intelligent rascals, I am sure I
shall make a mess of things."
"You will reach London," said Brett, "at 7.30 p.m. I suppose you have in your
service a reliable servant, endowed with a fair amount of physical strength?"
"Rather," cried the earl. "My butler is a splendid chap. He has been fined half a
dozen times for his exceeding willingness to settle disputes with his fists."
"Telegraph to him to meet you at Charing Cross Station. I can depend upon my
man Smith to use his nerve and discretion. Moreover, he knows Inspector
Winter, of Scotland Yard, and should trouble arise, which I do not anticipate, this
acquaintance may be useful to you. The third person who will meet you will be
the ex-sergeant of police, whose report to me you heard yesterday. He will point
out to you the flat tenanted by the invalid lady. You speak French well, and after
a few questions you should be able to satisfy yourself whether or not the person
who opens the door to you when you visit that flat is acting a genuine part. You
can pretend what you like, but if admission is denied to you I want you to force
your way inside and see that invalid lady at all costs. In the event of a gross
mistake having been committed you must apologize most abjectly and assuage
the wounded feelings of the servants with a liberal donation, whilst the ex-
sergeant of police will advise you as to any other place which may demand
personal inspection. I do not conceal from you the difficulties of your task, or the
chance that you may get into trouble with the police. But the fact remains that
Talbot, alive or dead, is concealed somewhere in the neighbourhood of the
Carlton Hotel, and it is high time that this portion of the mystery attending his
disappearance should be made clear. Do you follow me?"
"Precisely," said Fairholme. "My programme appears to be very simple. I am to
kick down any door that is pointed out by the ex-policeman, provided I am
refused admission by fair means."
Brett laughed. "I think," he cried, "you have put my instructions in very direct
and succinct form. All I hope is that the invalid lady may prove to be an elderly
fraud. It only remains for me to give you my blessing and say good-bye."
"But what about you?" said the earl anxiously. "Suppose we come across Talbot
to-night, as you anticipate, where shall I find you to-morrow?"
"You must telegraph to me here," was the answer, "and you must possess your
soul in patience until you hear from me.
"No, don't protest," he went on, as Fairholme gave indications of impatience.
"You need not fear that you will be left out of the denouement, whatever it be. I
am sure to need your help before long, and I will cable you at the first possible
moment. For that reason, should you leave your house for more than hour or so,
I hope you will make special arrangements for telegrams to reach you without
delay."
"You may rely on that," was the hearty answer. "But look here, Brett. It is 10.45
a.m. now. If I have to catch that 11.50 train from the Gare du Nord I have no
time to lose. By the way," he added, turning at the door, "is there any reason why
I should not wire to Edith to expect me to-night?"
"Not the slightest," said Brett, smiling, "except perhaps this, that instead of
calling on Miss Talbot this evening you may be locked up on the charge of
housebreaking."
"Um," said the earl, thoughtfully, "I had not thought of that. It will be more fun
to take her by surprise. So here goes to get my traps packed."
After Lord Fairholme's departure, Brett took matters easily. He did not put in an
appearance at the Prefecture until late in the afternoon, and, as he surmised, the
commissary whom he encountered the previous night had even then only just
arrived at his office. Without any difficulty, the barrister was introduced to the
official, who evidently awaited an explanation of the visit with great curiosity.
Brett's ill-humour at the uncalled-for interference of the police was now quite
dispelled, and he greeted the commissary with the genial affability which so
quickly won him the friendship of casual acquaintances.
"I think," he began, "that your agents, monsieur, were watching me throughout
the whole of yesterday."
"That is so," nodded the other, wondering what pitfall lay behind this leading
question.
"Do I take it that after my departure from No. 11, Rue Barbette about midday
they maintained no further guard over that house?"
"Assuredly. It was monsieur's personal movements which called for
observation."
"Then you do not know that an individual whose identity may be much more
important than mine is an inmate of the apartment at this moment—probably a
captive against his will, possibly a corpse?"
The Frenchman's huge moustache bristled with alarm and annoyance.
"It is a strange thing, monsieur," he cried, "that an English gentleman should
come to Paris and know more about the movements and haunts of criminals than
the French police."
It was no part of Brett's design to rub the official the wrong way, so he said
gently—
"Your remark is quite justifiable, and under ordinary circumstances any such
pretence on my part would be ridiculous. But you must remember, monsieur, that
I came here from London possessed of special information which was not known
even to the police authorities in that city. I am working solely in the private
interest of persons high in English Society, and it would not serve the purposes
of any of the Governments concerned were too much stress publicly laid on their
connexion with this mystery. If I can succeed in elucidating the problem it will
be a comparatively easy matter for the police to bring the real criminals to
justice. As a step towards that end I have come to you now to place you in
possession of a clue which may reveal itself in the Rue Barbette. All I ask is, in
the first instance, that the affair may be conducted with the utmost secrecy, and,
secondly, that you will permit me to be present when you examine the person
whom I expect to find there. I may be able to help you very materially in your
questions, provided the man is alive and well."
The commissary was soothed. The barrister's judicial reference to the importance
and confidential nature of the inquiry raised in his mind a dazzling vision of
personal distinction and preferment.
"The matter shall be conducted with the utmost discretion," he cried. "What
force does monsieur consider to be requisite in order to examine this house
thoroughly, and prevent the attempted escape of others whom we may find there
in addition to the man described?"
Brett with difficulty repressed a smile. "I do not think that a large force of police
will be necessary. If you yourself, monsieur, and another officer will accompany
me in a cab, I am sure we will be able to deal with all possible opposition. There
is no exit from the flat save through the main door, and the apartment is situated
on the second storey. Escape by way of the windows is practically impossible if
we act with promptitude."
The commissary could not reach the Rue Barbette too rapidly. He bundled a
subordinate into a fiacre, and the three were driven off at breakneck speed.
They stopped the vehicle at the corner of the street and walked quietly to the
house, attracting no attention, as neither of the Frenchmen were in uniform.
Inquiry from the concierge elicited the information that none of the occupants of
the flat tenanted by the Turkish gentlemen had put in an appearance since the
previous afternoon. So the trio mounted the staircase, and without any
preliminary summons the junior official applied his shoulder to the door.
The lock yielded quite readily. Indeed, the damage done by Lord Fairholme was
but temporarily repaired, and no special precaution had been taken to fasten the
place. All was quiet within. The first room they searched was empty. So was the
second; but in a bedroom, the door of which was locked and required forcible
treatment, an extraordinary sight met their eyes.
Stretched on the bed, gagged and securely tied, was the figure of the diminutive
Frenchman, who, little more than twenty-four hours earlier, had so coolly
suggested that Brett should be murdered.
Stout leather thongs were fastened to his wrists and ankles and then tied to the
four uprights of the bed. His arms and legs were consequently stretched widely
apart, and the only sign of vitality about the man was the terrible expression of
fear and hate in his eyes as he looked at them.
The gag stuffed in his mouth prevented him from uttering the slightest coherent
sound, whilst the agony of his frame owing to the position in which he lay,
joined to the exhaustion induced by terror and want of food, rendered him a
pitiable object.
They removed the gag and cut the bonds. The poor wretch remained on his back
unable to move, though he flinched somewhat when the police, as gently as
possible, loosened the leather straps from his wrists and ankles, for his useless
struggles had caused the thongs to cut deeply into his skin.
Brett was the first to realize the unfortunate wretch's chief requirement. He
procured some water, raised the man's head, and allowed him to take a deep and
invigorating draught.
"Why, it is 'The Worm!'" said the junior policeman. "I know him well. He is a
pick-pocket, an expert rascal in his line, but hardly up to the standard of great
events."
At the sound of his nickname a flicker of intelligence came into the little thief's
eyes, but he was still dazed, and did not recognize his rescuers.
"I don't care what you do with me," he murmured at last, in a weak and cracked
voice. "Kill me quietly if you want to, but don't tie me up again. I have done
nothing to deserve it. I really haven't. I have been acting quite square in this
business." And then he broke down and whimpered further protestations of
innocence.
"He is weak from want of food, and dazed with terror," said Brett quietly. "I
suggest that one of you should get him some meat and wine, whilst the others
remain here and endeavour to reassure him. In half an hour he will be greatly
recovered. Meanwhile we might examine the place."
The commissary thought Brett's suggestion a good one. His assistant summoned
the concierge and attended to the wants of "The Worm," whilst Brett and the
commissary conducted a careful scrutiny of the premises.
They found little, however, beyond a considerable accumulation of dirt; for the
ways of Turks are primitive and their habits unpleasant in European households.
If was evident that before taking their departure the occupants of the flat had
carefully removed or destroyed all documents or other articles which might
throw light on their proceedings.
The leather thongs which bound the prisoner evoked some comment from the
barrister.
"These are somewhat unusual articles," he said to the commissary. "You will
notice that they are cut from raw cowhide and well stretched. In other words,
they are the familiar 'bow-strings' of Constantinople, and warranted not to yield
if twisted round the neck. I think they will answer for other purposes than tying
people to beds."
"We must find these Turks," said the commissary. "They are desperate
characters."
"Find them by all means," said Brett earnestly, "but on no account arrest them."
"And why, monsieur?" cried the other, with elevated eyebrows.
"Because if you do you will paralyse our future actions. When all is said and
done, the only charge you can bring against them is a trivial one. It is evident
they merely tied up this man, either with the object of frightening him into a
confession, or to leave their hands free whilst they dealt with his employers.
Perhaps they had both objects in view. In either event the appearance of the
police on the scene would close their mouths more tightly than an oyster. As it
is, I expect they will return, and, if possible, you must compel the concierge to
conceal the fact that you have visited the house. Let him put all the blame on me.
They know that I am mixed up in the inquiry, and fear me far less than the
recognized authorities. Oblige me in this respect and you will not regret it."
The policeman was wise enough to fall in with the suggestion.
An hour later "The Worm" was taken in a cab to the Prefecture, as his condition
was yet so hopeless that little real benefit could ensue from a searching cross-
examination.
So Brett parted company with the officials, having made an appointment with
the commissary for the next day at noon, when they assumed that the prisoner
would be considerably recovered from his weakness and fright.
The barrister subsequently made a round of the minor cafés in the
neighbourhood of the Cirque d'Hiver. After much casual questioning, he elicited
the information that a well-known circus, of which Mlle. Beaucaire was at one
time a shining light, was performing at that moment at Marseilles. He
ascertained that during the winter season this class of entertainment
perambulated the South of France and Northern Italy.
The actor from whom he gleaned these important facts said that he had a
trustworthy friend in Marseilles who would easily be able to ascertain whether or
not La Belle Chasseuse intended to rejoin her former profession. Brett secured
his hearty co-operation by a liberal donation for expenses.
The barrister resolved to pay another visit to the Cabaret Noir late that evening,
but he waited in the hotel until nearly ten o'clock in anxious expectation of a
telegram from Fairholme.
At last the message arrived. Its contents were laconic.
"Right first time," it ran. "Invalid lady's name 'Jack.' Somewhat exhausted, after
long confinement. Edith delighted. Jack visits Under-Secretary to-night. We all
purpose joining you in Paris to-morrow. Do you approve?"
Brett promptly wired, "Yes," and then set out for Montmartre, dressing himself
in the height of fashion so far as his wardrobe would permit, and donning a
fierce moustache and wig, which completely altered his appearance. He looked
like a successful impressario or popular Italian tenor.
 CHAPTER XII
THE INNKEEPER

The fair-ground of Montmartre was in full swing when Brett arrived there. The
Cabaret Noir was in charge of his former acquaintance, the weary-eyed waiter,
and other assistants.
The barrister wondered whether Mlle. Beaucaire had taken her father completely
into her confidence. To make certain he questioned the waiter.
"Is Monsieur Beaucaire in?" he said.
"But yes, monsieur. You will find him in the billiard-room."
This time Brett was not conducted through the private passage that led through
the rear of the bar. The man politely indicated another entrance, and brought him
to the proprietor with the introductory remark—
"A gentleman who wishes to see you."
The room was tenanted by a nondescript crowd, whose attention was promptly
attracted by the appearance of a stranger, and a well-dressed one at that.
The games in progress at the two tables were momentarily suspended, whilst
Gros Jean, a corpulent man above the middle height, whose legs seemed to be
too frail to support his rotund body, advanced, peering curiously beneath his
bushy eyebrows to get a glimpse of the newcomer, for the shaded light did not
fall on Brett's features, and M. Beaucaire wondered who the stranger could be.
The barrister almost started when he recognized his fellow-passenger, the man
who travelled to Paris with Gaultier and himself. Gros Jean bowed politely
enough, and murmured something about being at Brett's service.
"Oh, it is nothing of great importance," said Brett airily, as he was not anxious to
attract too much observation from the unwashed humanity who took such
interest in him. "I merely wish to know when it will be convenient for me to
have some conversation with mademoiselle, your charming daughter?"
"May I inquire the reason, monsieur?" said the other.
"Certainly. I have heard of her skill as an artist, and it is possible I may be able to
arrange a London engagement for her."
"Ah," said the landlord deprecatingly, "what a pity! Had monsieur called here
yesterday he could have seen mademoiselle. She has now left Paris for some
weeks."
"Perhaps," said Brett, "I may have the pleasure of meeting her elsewhere. I
myself depart to-morrow on a tour in the South of France. It is possible that
mademoiselle may be employed in some of the southern cities. If so I will
certainly make it my business to call on her."
Beaucaire came a step nearer. Clearly he did not recall the barrister's face. He
knew well that his daughter's attainments were not such as to command the eager
search of London theatrical managers, yet he was assured that the individual
who now addressed him was not an ordinary music-hall agent, hunting up fees.
He lowered his voice, after an angry glance at the loungers in the room, which
caused them to turn to the tables with redoubled interest.
"I regret," he said, "that mademoiselle is not professionally engaged at this
moment. Indeed, she has not appeared in public for some months. May I ask
how monsieur came to hear of her name?"
"It is the easiest matter in the world," said Brett with his ready smile, producing
his note-book and rapidly turning over the leaves. "I have here the names and
addresses of a large number of artists whom I was recommended to visit.
Mademoiselle's name was given to me among others at the Cirque d'Hiver,
where I heard most encouraging accounts of her skill. You see, monsieur," he
went on, "that in England the public are not acquainted with any other language
than their own, and when Continental artists are engaged we prefer those whose
performance consists chiefly of acrobatic or other feats in which dialogue is
unnecessary."
The barrister's ready explanation was sufficient. Nevertheless Beaucaire was
puzzled. But even the most vulgar or brutal Frenchman is endowed with a
certain amount of politeness, and in this instance Gros Jean felt that his visitor
should be treated deferentially.
"I am most sorry," he cried, "to be unable to assist monsieur any further. If,
however, you leave me your address I will communicate with you after I have
heard from my daughter. I have no doubt that she will readily come to terms."
"I think you said that mademoiselle was in the South of France?" observed Brett
casually.
Instantly Beaucaire became suspicious again.
"No," he replied shortly; "I do not think I said so."
"Of course not," laughed Brett. "How foolish of me! It was I who mentioned the
South of France, was it not? You see that French is a foreign language to me, and
I do not express myself very easily."
Beaucaire grinned politely again: "Permit me to congratulate monsieur upon
both his pronunciation and facility. Not many Englishmen speak French as he
does."
The barrister was determined not to allow the conversation to end too rapidly. He
wished to note more carefully the details of this interesting household. Pulling
out his cigar-case, he offered it to Gros Jean with the remark: "Your small French
tables seem curious to my eyes after long acquaintance with English billiards.
Are any of these gentlemen here skilled players in your fashion?"
"Oh, yes," said the innkeeper. "André there, for instance, can make big breaks. I
have seen him make forty consecutive coups. Will you not take a seat for a little
while and observe the play?"
"With pleasure." And Brett confirmed the favourable opinion formed of him by
ordering refreshments for Beaucaire and himself and inviting the redoubtable
André to join them.
He apparently took a keen interest in the game, and applauded the manner in
which the Frenchman scored a series of difficult cannons.
Meanwhile he noted that between the private passage from the bar and the public
one that led from the café was a room into which the light of day could not
possibly penetrate. He was certain that no door communicated with it from the
public passage, and he could not remember having passed one that first
afternoon when La Belle Chasseuse brought him and Fairholme into the billiard-
room to display her prowess as a markswoman.
It was certainly a curious apartment, and for some undefinable reason he could
not prevent his mind from dwelling upon its possible uses.
Probably the Café Noir had no cellars. The place might serve as a store room.
This natural hypothesis was upset by the appearance of the waiter, who passed
through the billiard-room and opened another door at the further end, through
which he soon emerged, carrying a fresh supply of bottles.
"It is obvious," said Brett to himself, "that if there is no door communicating
with the private passage, then the only way in which that room can be reached is
by a ladder from the top. Now I wonder why that should be necessary?"
He remained in the billiard-room some twenty minutes. When Gros Jean was
called on some momentary errand to the front of the house he took his departure,
purposely making the mistake of quitting the room by the wrong exit. At the
same instant he struck a match to relight his cigar, and while the expert billiard
player, André, ran after him to direct him as to the right way he rapidly surveyed
the passage. The plaster walls were smooth and unbroken on their inner side,
affording no doorway exit.
Apologising to André with a laugh, he then sauntered towards the front café,
where he purchased another drink at the counter. He assured himself that he had
not been mistaken. The only private door out of the bar led into the passage, so
that the room beyond could only be reached by a staircase or through a trap-
door.
"I have learned something, at any rate," he murmured as he passed out into the
Boulevard, "and I imagine that my knowledge is not shared by the Paris police.
Mademoiselle would have acted more wisely had she not yielded to impulse, and
reserved her shooting display for a more dramatic occasion."
Brett kept his appointment with the commissary next morning. That worthy
official set himself to the congenial task of examining a prisoner with the air of
one who said: "Now you will see what manner of man I am. Here I am on my
native heath."
He consulted bulky volumes, made notes, fussily called up various subordinates,
both in person and by speaking-tube, and generally conducted himself with a
business-like air that much amused the barrister, who, however, for his own
purposes took care to appear greatly impressed.
At last all was ready, and the captive of the Rue Barbette was introduced.
This precocious personage had recovered his self-possession and natural
impudence during the night. By the commissary's instructions he had been well
supplied with eatables, and the restrictions as to persons under detention were
relaxed, to permit him to enjoy a supply of his much-loved cigarettes.
Consequently, the little thief was restored to his usual state of jaunty cheekiness.
The first part of the interrogation, which promptly ensued, was not strange to
him.
"Your name?" said the commissary.
"Charles Petit."
"Age?"
"Believed to be twenty-seven, but as no record was kept of my birth I cannot be
certain."
"Abode?"
"Changeable. Of late I have dwelt in the Cabaret Noir, Boulevard de
Montmartre."
"You are generally known as 'The Worm?'"
"That is so."
"You have served several periods of imprisonment, and have paid over 400
francs in fines?"
"I have not kept count, but I suppose it is all written down there." And he jerked
his thumb towards the conviction book on the commissary's desk.
"You are a noted thief, and you obtained your nickname by reason of your
dexterity in picking locks and climbing through scullery windows?"
"If you say so, monsieur, your words cannot be disputed."
"Very well." The commissary scratched a few lines on a memorandum tablet.
Then he suddenly raised his quick eyes and fastened them on the prisoner with
the direct question—
"How came you to be detained in such an extraordinary manner in the house,
No. 11, Rue Barbette, yesterday?"
A vacant and stolid expression intended to convey an idea of utter innocence
came over "The Worm's" face.
"Believe me, monsieur," he said, "I cannot give you the slightest explanation of
that extraordinary incident."
"Indeed! You surprise me. I suppose you wish me to understand that you
casually strolled in out of the street and were set upon by three Turks, who
gagged you and bound you with leather thongs, leaving you to starve quietly to
death if you had not been rescued by reason of a chance visit paid to the place by
myself and others?"
"I assure you, monsieur, that, strange as it may seem, you have almost related the
facts. I went to the place in question with a very ordinary message from a
Turkish gentleman with whom I have a slight acquaintance. The other Turks
listened to me with the gravity peculiar to their nation, and then, before I could
offer a word of remonstrance, treated me exactly as you saw."
"At what time did you go there?"
"It must have been nearly three o'clock, the day before yesterday," was the
answer.
"And what message did you bring?"
"I was told to ask the Turkish gentlemen to be good enough to cross the Pont
Neuf exactly at half-past six, when they would meet a friend who desired to give
some information to them."
"Oh! come now," said the commissary, with a knowing smile, "that will not do,
Petit. You are far too old a hand to convey such a childish message as that. What
reason can you have for seeking to shield these men who treated you in a
barbarous way and left you to die a cruel death?"
"On my honour——" began the thief melodramatically, but Brett here
interrupted the conversation.
"Will you allow me," he said to the commissary, "to put a few questions to this
man?"
"Certainly," was the answer.
"Now listen," said Brett, sternly gazing at the truculent little rascal with those
searching eyes of his, which seemed to reach to the very spine. "It is useless for
you to attempt any further prevarication. We know exactly who are your
confederates. We are acquainted with a large number of the gang that frequents
the Café Noir. Do not forget that I was present when you tried to palm off on
Hussein-ul-Mulk the false diamonds, which your confederates hoped he would
accept. For you to attempt now to escape from the law is hopeless. The sole
chance you have of remitting a punishment which may even lead you beneath
the guillotine is to confess fully and freely all that you know concerning the
outrage which has been committed.
"No, don't interrupt me," he continued with even greater emphasis, when "Le
Ver" tried to break in. "You will tell me that you merely acted as the agent of
others, and that you yourself are not conscious of the nature of any crime that
has been committed. I know that to be so. You have been made a mere tool. You
are the cat, simply employed by the monkey to pull the chestnuts out of the fire,
and you have only succeeded in getting your own paws burnt. Your sole chance
of safety now is to inform the commissary and me exactly how you came to be
mixed up with this affair."
The Frenchman's truculency seemed to vanish under Brett's cutting words. His
wizened face even manifested a faint flush of anger as the barrister pointed out
how he had been duped by his employers and made to run risks which they
avoided.
Yet the order of his craft was strong in its influence, and he commenced another
series of protestations.
"I assure you, gentlemen," he cried, "that with respect to the Turks I have no
knowledge whatever of their pursuits or motives. I was present when this
English gentleman here was debating with them, and I understood that they even
went so far as to use threats against him. My mission was to give to the leaders
of the Turks a package which I did not even know contained diamonds, either
genuine or false. No one could be more surprised than myself when the Turkish
gentleman produced them."
"Who sent you there with the diamonds?" said Brett.
"Even that I cannot tell you," said Petit. "It was a mere chance affair. I was
seated in a café sipping some absinthe when a man asked me if I would execute
a small commission for him. He explained that it was to deliver a parcel at a
house not five minutes distant, and——"
"I see," interrupted Brett, with the cynical smile which so often disconcerted glib
liars like Petit. "It is hopeless to expect you to tell the truth. However, I think I
know a way to clear your wits. You must be brought face to face with La Belle
Chasseuse. Perhaps when you are confronted with that lady in the room between
the café and the billiard saloon of the Cabaret Noir——"
"The Worm" gasped out brokenly—
"Pardon, monsieur! I will tell you everything!"
The man's face had absolutely become livid as he listened to the barrister's
words.
The commissary was vastly surprised at the turn taken by the conversation. He
could not guess what deep significance lay behind the Englishman's threat, and,
to tell the truth, Brett himself was considerably astonished at the effect of his
vague insinuations, but he lost not a moment in following up the advantage thus
gained.
"Well," he said, "tell us now who it was that sent you to the Turks with the
diamonds?"
"It was Le Jongleur, Henri Dubois."
"What?" cried the commissary, starting violently. "Henri Dubois! The most
expert thief in France! A scoundrel against whom the police have vainly tried for
years to secure evidence."
"I know nothing of that, monsieur," said the little man, who seemed to be
strangely crestfallen, "but I am telling you the truth this time. It was he who sent
me the day before yesterday to the Rue Barbette, and again yesterday, although I
was very unwilling to go the second time, because, as this gentleman will tell
you, they looked very like murdering me on the first occasion."
"What was the object of your visit yesterday?" said Brett.
"There, monsieur, I have told you the truth, although monsieur the commissary
here thinks it was childish. My instructions really were to ask them to meet him
on the Pont Neuf at 6.30 p.m., when he said he would explain everything to their
satisfaction. But, above all, I was to warn them to beware of the Englishman."
"Then, why should they seize and gag you for conveying such a simple
message?" demanded the commissary.
"I cannot tell. I have done them no harm. Believe me, gentlemen both, I have not
the slightest idea how these diamonds were obtained, or why there should be
such a fuss about them. All I know is that these Turks are desperate fellows, and
you won't catch me going near them again, I swear."
"How long have you known Dubois?" said Brett.
"Oh, two years more or less."
"Have you ever been associated with him before?"
"Never, monsieur. My record is there." And he again jerked his thumb towards
the volume on the table. "It will tell you that I deal in small affairs. Dubois is an
artist. If he found a woman's purse in the street he would return it to her with a
bow, if she were rich and handsome—and with some francs added, if she were
poor."
"I know little about him," he continued, "except that he is a great man. They say
that he once robbed the Bank of France of 200,000 francs!"
And the little wretch's voice became tremulous with admiration as he recounted
the legend.
"He is a favoured lover of La Belle Chasseuse?" demanded Brett sharply.
"The Worm" recovered his equanimity somewhat at this question. He softly drew
his hand over his chin as he replied with a smirk: "There are others!"
"I think not," came the quick retort. "No; there are none on whom mademoiselle
bestows such favours. She left Paris with him last night."
"The devil!" ejaculated the little man.
"Oh, yes; and she has just passed a fortnight with him in London."
"A thousand thunders!" screamed Petit. "Her father told me she was performing
in a music-hall at Marseilles."
The barrister had evidently touched a sore point, and "The Worm" was more
ready than ever to tell all that he knew about Le Jongleur. But his information
amounted to little more of importance. The chief fact had been ascertained, its
predominant interest was the identity of the man who had planned and carried
out the "Albert Gate outrage."
Brett quickly realized that to question him further was useless. Petit evidently
expected to be set at liberty at once. In this, however, he was disappointed, for
the commissary curtly remanded him to the cells.
Brett, on the other hand, made up his mind that "The Worm" at liberty might be
more valuable to him than "The Worm" in gaol. So he asked the commissary, as
a favour to himself, to set Petit free, first giving the thief to understand that he
owed his release to the barrister's intervention.
This was done, and "Le Ver" was voluble in his expressions of gratitude. Brett
soon cut him short.
"Here," he said, "are a couple of louis for your immediate necessities. I am living
at the Grand Hotel, and I want you to call there each morning at ten o'clock. You
will inquire at the office if Mr. Brett has left any message for you. Then, if I need
your services, I will be able to reach you early."
Petit protested that he would serve monsieur most willingly, and soon afterwards
the barrister took leave of the commissary, promising to keep him fully posted as
to further developments, and secure for him, and him only, the ultimate credit of
capturing such a noted thief as Dubois. Fate settled matters differently.
The French official was already much impressed by Brett's method of handling
this difficult inquiry, and he consented readily enough not only to assist him in
every possible way, but to restrain the police from further active interference in
the case until matters had developed from their present stage.
During the afternoon Brett received a visit from his actor acquaintance, who
brought him a telegram from Marseilles. It read—
"Mlle. Beauclaire has obtained an engagement here at the Palais de Glâce. She
makes her first appearance on Monday evening."
Brett smiled as he realized how accurately he had interpreted the actions of La
Belle Chasseuse and her companion.
"This is certain," he said to himself. "They left Paris on Thursday night and they
probably will not reach Marseilles until Monday. I have plenty of time to hear
Talbot's story from his own lips before I take my departure for the South."
An hour later he was seated in his room smoking and reading a magazine when
the waiter appeared.
"A lady and three gentlemen wish to see monsieur," he explained.
He rose promptly, and accompanied the man to the foot of the staircase. There,
near the elevator, he saw Edith Talbot, Lord Fairholme, and Sir Hubert
Fitzjames, whilst with them was a tall, handsome young man, in whom the fair
outlines of the girl's face were repeated in sterner and bolder characteristics.
Edith was the first to catch sight of him. She sprang forward and cried with an
impulsiveness that showed how deeply her quiet nature had been stirred.
"Oh, Mr. Brett, I cannot tell you how grateful I am to you! Here is my brother!"
The two men shook hands and looked at each other with a natural curiosity, for
seldom had an acquaintance been made after more exciting preliminaries.
"I am indeed glad to see you," said Brett, shaking Talbot's hand with more
demonstrativeness than was usual to one of his quiet temperament.
"Then how shall I find words to express myself?" was the reply, "for in my case
there is joined to the pleasure of making a much-desired acquaintance the
knowledge that to your efforts I am indebted for my liberty and possibly for my
reputation."
"We have much to say to each other," said the barrister. "I suppose you have
secured rooms in the hotel?" he continued, turning to Miss Talbot.
"Oh, yes, everything is settled," she cried. "The servants are looking after our
trunks. I simply would not wait a moment until I had seen you. Please take us all
somewhere at once where we can talk quietly."
Brett answered with a smile: "Lord Fairholme and I have a sitting-room which
we use in common, and which has already been the scene of many earnest
conferences. Let us go there."
 CHAPTER XIII
THE RELEASE

"Now, who talks first?" Brett cried, once the door was fairly closed behind them.
"I do," burst forth Fairholme. "My story will not take long to tell, and if I do not
get it off my chest, I shall simply explode."
"We must not have any more tragedies," said Brett, "so proceed."
"Well, thanks to your foresight, I found the two servants and your ex-policeman
waiting for me on the platform at Charing Cross. As I only carried a handbag, I
had no trouble with the Customs, and we walked straight out of the station. In
less than five minutes we were standing outside the building which contained the
invalid lady's flat. Your agent told me that, so far as he knew, there were no other
persons in the place except the tenant and her two servants, an elderly French or
Italian married couple. Our collective wits could not devise a plausible pretext
for gaining access to the lady, so I determined to settle the business in the brutal
British fashion. We marched quietly up the stairs to the second storey, and your
assistant pointed out the right door. There were only two flats on that landing,
and the other one was apparently empty. Your man had made a somewhat
important discovery since he wrote to you. This empty flat had been taken by the
agent who acted for the parties opposite, and although the place was not
tenanted, the landlord was, of course, satisfied, as the rent had been paid in
advance. This seemed to indicate that the place was left vacant simply to prevent
the others from being overlooked."
Brett marked his appreciation of Fairholme's sagacity by a nod, and the earl
continued—
"I rang the bell and promptly put my ear to the keyhole. It seemed to me that a
couple of doors were hastily closed, and then someone slowly approached. The
outer door was opened and a man's head appeared. I could only see his face and
a portion of his left shoulder, because the chain was on the door, and the opening
was not more than eight or ten inches. Speaking in broken English he said—'Vat
you vant?' His accent showed that he was a Frenchman.
"I answered in my best French, 'I wish to see madame, your mistress, at once.'
"'It is impossible,' he said in the same language, and simultaneously he tried to
shut the door in my face. I shoved my foot against the jamb and prevented him.
At the same instant my own servant and I—as, if there was to be trouble, I
thought it best to keep the others out of it—applied our utmost force to the door
and succeeded in snapping the chain. It might have been a tough job, as you
know that to force a way through anything that yields slightly and yet holds fast
is much more difficult than to smash a lock or a couple of bolts. Luckily the flats
were jerry built, so the chain broke, and so suddenly that the Frenchman was
pitched violently backwards. We nearly fell after him. The ex-policeman was a
splendid chap. His first idea was to jump towards the switch of the electric lights
and turn on every lamp in the place.
"I shouted, 'Talbot, are you there? It is I, Fairholme.'
"I got no answer, but a woman darted out of a room which proved to be the
kitchen, screamed something which I could not catch, and handed a revolver to
the Frenchman, who was just struggling to his feet. That was where my prize-
fighting butler came in useful. Before you could say 'Wink' he gave the man an
upper-cut that settled him effectually for the next minute. Almost with the same
movement he caught the woman a slap over the ear that upset her nerves
considerably. She had a revolver in her hand too. It fell to the floor, and Smith,
your servant, seized both weapons.
"The ex-policeman called out—'I do not think we are making any mistake, sir.
They would not act after this manner if they were on the square.'
"I must say it seemed to me that so far it was we who had been acting in an
extraordinary way, but there was no time to discuss the ethics of the case then.
Whilst my butler and Smith took care of the couple, your assistant and I hastily
examined three rooms. They were empty, save for a small quantity of furniture.
The fourth door resisted our efforts, so, of course, we burst it open. And the first
thing that met our eyes was poor old Jack lying on his back on the bed, and
glaring at us in a way that made me think at first he was mad."
"I should think so," interrupted Talbot. "I would like to see your face if you were
trussed up as I was—not able to speak a word—and a fiendish row going on in
the passage outside."
"You were gagged," questioned Brett, "and your wrists and ankles were secured
to the four corners of the bed, your limbs being distended in the form of an X?"
Fairholme glanced round admiringly. "Of course," he cried delightedly, "I knew
you would guess it. That is the pleasant way these Turks have of securing their
prisoners."
"It is an awfully uncomfortable one," said Talbot. "My joints are still stiff at the
mere recollection of it. I have lain in that way, Mr. Brett, for countless hours.
Occasionally the brutes would allow me to change my posture, but the moment
anyone came to the door I was strapped up in an instant and a gag slipped into
my mouth. What used to make me so furious was the knowledge that if only I
got the chance of a second I could have broken that Frenchman's neck and
escaped, but he and his wife always took such precautions that I never had the
liberty to do more than reach with some difficulty the food that they gave me.
However, I must not interrupt."
"I really have not much more to say," went on Fairholme. "You may be sure it
did not take me long to release Talbot, and what do you think his first words
were when he slowly sat up in bed and tried if his legs would bend?"
"I cannot guess," said Brett.
"He said: 'Have they got the diamonds?'
"I answered 'Yes.'
"'But it was impossible,' he said. 'They could not have mastered all those
policemen.'
"'But they did,' I replied, and then and there, before he would budge an inch, he
made me tell him the whole story. Just as I had ended we heard a scuffle in the
passage. We went out, though Jack was hardly able to walk at first. It was Smith
wrestling with the woman, who was a regular wild cat, and who would, even
then, have done us any mischief in her power. There was nothing for it but to tie
her hands behind her back, and then fasten her securely in a chair. After this was
done we took counsel as to our next movements."
"Wait a little," said Brett. "How many rooms were there in the flat? You have
accounted for four."
"I forgot," said Fairholme. "The place had six rooms. The small apartment in
which Jack was confined was a sort of dressing-room, and the bedroom beyond
looked out into the well of the block of flats. They had carefully nailed the blind
of this dressing-room, so that not even a chance puff of wind could blow it aside
and reveal its secret to anyone in the flats on the opposite storey or higher. The
remaining room was empty. Your friend the policeman subsequently searched
the place from top to toe, but he found nothing. The only document of any
importance was an address on a card which he discovered in the Frenchman's
pocket."
"Ah," said Brett, "what was that address?"
"Here it is."
The earl produced a small piece of pasteboard on which was scribbled,
"Monsieur Jean Beaujolais, chez Monsieur Henri de Lisle, 41, Rue Bonnerie,
Paris."
"That is important," said the barrister. "Why did you not wire it to me last
night?"
"I had a reason," said the earl eagerly, "but that comes in with Jack's part of the
story." And he turned towards Talbot, who, thus summoned to the stage, began
to explain matters.
"I understand, Mr. Brett," he said, "that you are accurately acquainted with all
that transpired until the moment when I entered the Albert Gate mansion on that
remarkable night?"
"That is so," said Brett.
"Well, when Inspector Sharpe met me at the door on my arrival he told me that
his Excellency Mehemet Ali, with three strange gentlemen and the junior
members of the commission, awaited me in the dining-room. I went in and was
surprised to find the three visitors, for during the preceding month not a single
stranger had entered the house save a member of the Government and one or two
important officials of the Foreign Office, who came with me out of sheer
curiosity to see a collection of remarkable diamonds.
"The strangers bowed politely when I was introduced. Two of them spoke
neither French nor English, but the third man spoke French fluently. He had, by
the way, a somewhat peculiar accent, different from that to which I was
accustomed in the Turks. It was softer, more sibilant, and impressed me as that
of a man who was accustomed to speak Italian. He was a good-looking chap,
about my height and build, and were it not for his brown skin, one would not
have regarded him as a Turk. One side of his face was deeply scarred with a
sword-cut, but, if anything, this did not detract from his appearance, and it gave
a manly aspect to an otherwise effeminate face."
Brett could not help smiling involuntarily.
"Are you sure it was a sword-cut?"
"It certainly looked like one."
"And his skin was very brown?"
"Oh, quite. Indeed it was a shade deeper than that of most Turks. I have seen
very many of them. Although dark-featured, they are often pallid enough in
reality, and their deep-hued complexion is due more to their black hair and
eyebrows than to the mere colour of the skin."
Brett smiled again.
"I think," he said, "I will show you the same gentleman in a somewhat different
aspect. But proceed."
"The explanation given to me by Mehemet Ali was both extraordinary and
disconcerting, especially at such a late hour. He told me that the three gentlemen
to whom I had been introduced—I am sorry, by the way, that I cannot remember
their names, as they were all Mohammeds, or Rasuls, or Ibrahims, and the
dramatic events of the night subsequently drove them from my mind—had been
sent post haste from Constantinople on a special mission. They had only reached
London that night, and they bore with them a special mandate, signed by the
Sultan himself, directing Mehemet Ali to hand over the diamonds to their
charge, and to at once return with his assistants to Yildiz Kiosk.
"There could be no questioning the authenticity of the Sultan's instructions. The
document was in his own handwriting, was endorsed with his private seal, and
conveyed other distinguishing marks which rendered his Excellency assured on
this important point. He told me that he was compelled to obey implicitly, and
were it possible he would have started from London that night. This, however,
was out of the question, but he had not lost a moment in sending for me and
acquainting me with his Majesty's wishes.
"You will readily perceive that the affair placed me in an awkward predicament.
I was, so to speak, representing the British Government in the matter, and the
Foreign Office had pledged itself, through our Ambassador at Constantinople, to
undertake all the precautions for safeguarding the diamonds with which you are
acquainted. It seemed to me that notwithstanding the urgency of the Sultan's
order, I should not be doing my duty to permit the transfer to be made in such an
irregular manner. So I said quite plainly that the matter could not be settled that
night. They must all wait until the morning, when I would consult my
Department, and Mehemet Ali, together with his aides, could leave for
Constantinople by the evening train, after my superiors had been acquainted with
the Sultan's wishes.
"Turks are difficult people to understand. It seemed to me that my decision gave
some satisfaction to Mehemet Ali, who was undoubtedly very much upset by the
queer manner in which he had been deposed from his important trust. At once an
animated discussion took place."
"In French?" interrupted Brett.
"No; in Turkish."
"Did the gentleman with the sabre-cut on his face take any part therein?"
"Not in the least. He sat and smoked cigarettes in the most unconscious manner
possible, leaving his two associates to carry on the conversation."
As the barrister appeared to have no further question to ask at the moment,
Talbot continued—
"Several times Mehemet Ali appealed to me to change my mind and formally
ratify the transfer at once. I was quite firm in my refusal, and did not hesitate to
describe the Sultan's demands as ridiculous. I was rendered more determined, if
anything, in this attitude by a growing certainty in my mind that his Excellency
himself approved of my attitude. Ultimately, it seems, they hit upon a
compromise. The whole party would remain together all night in a sort of dual
control, and then the change of guardianship would take place next day in
accordance with my views as to what was right and proper. I must admit I was
intensely relieved when this decision was arrived at. Looking back now over the
events of the night, I can perceive that from that moment the gang who effected
the murders and the robbery had me in their power, for they had completely
succeeded in allaying my suspicions, and I can only plead in extenuation of my
shortsightedness that Mehemet Ali himself, and the other gentlemen with whom
I had been acquainted during the past month, were willing accessories to the
arrangement."
"I do not see," said Brett, "that you have the slightest cause to reproach yourself.
You acted quite properly throughout, and I am sure that when all the facts are
known your status at the Foreign Office will be improved rather than diminished
by this incident."
The other man's face flushed with pleasure as he heard these words.
"Thank you," he replied simply. "I certainly took every precaution that suggested
itself to me. Subsequently I was the victim of circumstances. The French-
speaking Turk, as I have told you, took no part whatever in the negotiations, and
when he became aware of the modus operandi determined upon——"
"By the way," said Brett, "how did he become aware of it?"
"Oh, Mehemet Ali told him in French."
"Didn't that strike you as curious?"
"Most certainly it did. But the scoundrel explained it afterwards by telling me
that although a Turkish subject, he had lived in Algiers and France since he was
a child, and had quite forgotten his mother tongue. But he was employed in a
confidential position in the Turkish Embassy at Paris, owing not only to family
influence, but to his intimate acquaintance with the French language."
"Ah!" said Brett, "Monsieur Henri Dubois has a ready wit."
"What!" cried Edith, who naturally enough was following each word with the
utmost interest, "do you already know his name?"
"Not only his name," replied Brett, "but his identity, Miss Talbot. You shall see
him in another skin and without the sword-cut. It is possible, however, that
before we meet, this distinguishing mark may be replaced by a fractured skull or
a bullet wound."
Fairholme suddenly clenched his right fist and examined his knuckles, his
unconscious action causing the others to laugh.
"Is he a Frenchman, then?" said Talbot.
"Unquestionably—a most modern product."
"And his name is Dubois?"
"Yes."
"All right. In future I will allude to him by his proper title. Well, Monsieur
Dubois strolled towards me with the easy confidence of a man who was sure of
himself.
"'This affair bores me,' he said. 'I see no reason why I, who am in no way
concerned with the Sultan's collection of precious stones, should sit up all night
keeping guard over them with these very earnest gentlemen here. I am going to
my hotel. I have sent my portmanteau to the Carlton. Will you honour me by
driving there and telling me something about your wonderful London as we go?'
"The man looked at me with a meaning in his eyes that conveyed quite plainly
the intimation—
"'We can talk quietly in the cab, and I can explain much that is at present hidden.'
Unfortunately I fell in with his suggestions.
"We crossed the dining-room together. We were searched by the police in the
hall, much to his apparent surprise, and then we drove off through St. George's
Place.
"He at once aroused my curiosity by telling me sensational details of a
widespread plot to dethrone the Sultan. An essential part of the conspiracy was
to obtain possession of the diamonds before they had been cut, as they were an
heirloom from the Prophet, and it would be a terrible thing in the eyes of the
more fanatical section of the Mohammedans if they were tampered with in any
way.
"This sounded reasonable enough, as the same story had been dinned in my ears
for several weeks.
"He made out that for reasons of State the Sultan had decided to change the
Minister Plenipotentiary charged with secret mission to London.
"Altogether he talked so candidly, and with such an air of treating the whole
business as the bugbear of a timid monarch, that I really believed him.
"At last we reached the Carlton. We got out and he paid the cabman, who drove
off round the corner; then my new acquaintance explained to me that he placed
no greater trust in his fellow-countrymen than did their ruler. Therefore he had
led them to believe he was staying at that hotel, whereas he had in reality taken
up his abode in the flat of a French family with whom he was acquainted. If I
would come with him for a moment he promised to place me in possession of
certain documents which would render easy my explanations to the Foreign
Office next morning.
"I accompanied him without hesitation, secure in the knowledge that a strong
force of police guarded my charge at Albert Gate, both inside and outside the
house. We went to the mansions where he said he lived. The place had a
perfectly respectable exterior, and is situated, as you know, in a reputable
thoroughfare. We ascended to the second floor, entered the flat, and were
ushered by a middle-aged Frenchwoman into a sort of sitting-room.
"Dubois turned to a writing-desk and unlocked a drawer.
"'Here are the documents I promised you, Mr. Talbot,' he said; but, to my
amazement, he whipped out a revolver and held it within two feet of my breast.
"'If you move, or attempt to cry out, you are a dead man!' he cried.
"At the same instant a door behind me opened and some three or four persons
entered. I was so furious at the trick that had been played upon me that I
disregarded his threat and sprang at him, but he did not fire. Flinging the
revolver behind him on the writing-table he closed with me. Before I well knew
what had happened I was tied hand and foot, gagged, and placed helpless in a
chair. A few minutes later, after a muttered consultation between my captors, I
was taken to the room in which Fairholme found me, and I never left the place
until nearly nine o'clock last night.
"It was a most ghastly experience. I would sooner die than go through it again.
"If ever I get within measurable distance of Monsieur Henri Dubois I promise
you that I will repay him with interest some of the agony he inflicted on me. I
never thought I should hate a man as I hate that Frenchman. I do not want to kill
him. I want to torture him!"
This was the first sign that Talbot had given of the anger that filled his soul. For
a moment no one spoke. Edith stifled a sob, and Sir Hubert Fitzjames broke the
tension by swearing as vehemently as ever did the army in Flanders.
"You have suffered," said Brett quietly, "but not in vain. It is only by the manner
in which these blackguards treated you that we have obtained so much
knowledge. Your capture was a necessary part of their scheme. I wonder now
that after you had served their purpose they did not kill you. It was not out of
pity, believe me. The fact that you were spared confirms me in the opinion that
the Albert Gate murders were a gigantic blunder, never contemplated by the
expert criminal who planned the theft. But continue. What happened
afterwards?"
Talbot almost summoned up a smile as he said—"Really, the next thing was so
grotesque that were not the whole business so serious a one you would be
compelled to laugh at it.
"Looking back now to those first ghastly hours when I laid on the bed tied hand
and foot, I find it difficult to recall any definite impressions. It would be absurd
to say that I suffered, either mentally or physically. I was sunk in a sort of stupor
of rage, and my bonds did not hurt me so long as I kept quiet. Curiously enough,
my thoughts were somewhat altruistic. Instead of speculating as to my own fate I
rather wondered what would be the outcome of the whole mysterious business. I
could not bring myself to believe that, cleverly as the rogues had outwitted me,
they would be able to similarly dupe a strong body of Metropolitan police, not to
mention Mehemet Ali and his assistants.
"At last I fell asleep, dozing fitfully at first, but finally giving way to the deep
slumber of exhaustion.
"I was awakened by someone shaking me, though not roughly. It took me some
time to recover my scattered senses, and at first I was almost unable to move,
owing to the constrained position of my limbs. As well as I could judge it was
not yet daylight, for the electric lamps were turned on, and I subsequently found
that such rays of natural light as penetrated into my room during the day did not
arrive for a considerable time.
"Thenceforth, of course, my sole method of judging the progress of time was by
the alternation of meals and the difference of light between day and night.
"Someone assisted me to assume a sitting posture, the cords attached to my
wrists were relaxed, and I was firmly held by two men—one a Turk whom I had
not seen before, the other a Frenchman whom you found in the flat.
"At the foot of the bed were standing Dubois and a closely-veiled female—a
young woman, as well as I could judge, and a person of tall and elegant stature,
who, it would appear, spoke only French.
"Dubois addressed me calmly.
"'I hope,' he said, 'you are in a better temper, my dear Talbot?'
"'It does not appear to me that the state of my temper is of any material
significance,' I answered.
"'No,' he replied nonchalantly. 'The game is in my hands, and will probably
remain there for a considerable period. But I do not wish to be unkind. You have,
I am given to understand, a highly respectable uncle and a very charming sister,
who will no doubt suffer much perturbation owing to your mysterious
disappearance. Now, you may not think it, but I am a very humane sort of fellow.
Consequently, I am quite agreeable that you should write them a brief note,
omitting of course all superfluous information, such as dates, addresses, and
other embarrassing facts, but simply telling them that you are well. I will
guarantee its safe delivery.'
"Naturally, I jumped at the offer. The veiled lady supplied me with a sheet of
notepaper and an envelope, and I scribbled the unfortunate letter which was
subsequently posted in Paris and caused such a sensation. I had only one hand at
liberty, so Dubois politely offered to seal the envelope for me, first, however,
reading carefully what I had written.
"'That is quite correct,' he said; 'it will relieve their feelings and prove at the
same time highly serviceable to me, as the letter will be posted in Paris and not
in London. You see, my dear Talbot, how readily you fall in with my plans. You
are as putty in my hands. Now, I suppose, being a brave Englishman, you would
sooner have died than written this letter if you had guessed it would prove of
material assistance to me?'
"I fear I used some very bad language to Dubois, notwithstanding the presence
of the lady, but he paid little heed to me, and the pair at once undertook the most
curious proceedings I have ever witnessed.
"They had before them a table set out with all sorts of paint, paste, and powders,
such as one might expect to find in an actor's dressing-room.
"Sitting himself astride a chair so that the light fell on his face, Dubois submitted
himself to the skilful hands of the woman, who forthwith began to make him up
in an exact resemblance to me. The right side of his face was towards me, but
when, in obedience to her requirements, he turned somewhat, I noticed to my
astonishment that the scar which I have mentioned had completely disappeared,
and then I saw that his Turkish complexion had also vanished, leaving him a
particularly white-skinned Frenchman, with a high colour."
"Ah!" said Brett, leaning back in his chair and attentively surveying the ceiling.
"You must remember," went on Talbot, "that my wits were somewhat confused
by the extraordinary circumstances of the hour. Having been so suddenly
awakened from a sound sleep, and subsequently annoyed by the incident of the
letter, it took me some moments to recognize these discrepancies in his
appearance. At first, so to speak, I knew him immediately as Dubois, but the
more I looked at him the less confident I would have been were it not that his
voice and manner supplied unerring indications of his identity.
"The lady proceeded with her work in the most business-like fashion, and to my
intense amazement he quickly assumed a marked resemblance to myself. Not
such, perhaps, as would bear close scrutiny, but rather the effect attained by a
skilful artist in a rapid sketch, or caught by a fleeting glance whilst passing a
mirror.
"'What is the game now?' I cried, when the true nature of their purpose dawned
upon me.
"'Oh, just the same,' replied Dubois, grinning, 'I merely wish to puzzle the thick-
headed brains of you Englishmen a little more. That is all.'
"'Halloa!' I cried, 'you understand English?'
"'Yes,' he answered coolly. 'It is frequently necessary in my business.'
"'Well,' I said, 'there can be no doubt that you are an accomplished villain. What
you intend to achieve by masquerading in this fashion I utterly fail to
understand. You can never be such a fool as to think that you will be able to gain
admittance to Albert Gate by impersonating me. Were you even to succeed you
would still be as far off as ever from securing your booty, which, I suppose, is
the Imperial diamond and its companions.'
"'Really,' he said, with a sneer, 'I thought that you, Mr. Talbot, were endowed
with a little more intelligence than the average. Pardon, Mignon, pour un
moment.'
"He rose from his chair, unfastened a case which he took from the breast-pocket
of his overcoat, and showed me the diamonds which had been the object of so
much care and solicitude on my part during many weeks.
"'You see,' he continued, seating himself again, whilst the lady resumed her task
without a word, 'the business has been satisfactorily accomplished, Mr. Talbot.
The diamonds are here; so are you. Unfortunately his Excellency and the
secretaries are with the Prophet. You will, I am sure, express my regrets to the
police, to the Foreign Office, and to all concerned, that the Sultan's
commissionaries should have been so unceremoniously despatched to Paradise.
It was not my fault, believe me, nor was it altogether necessary. I am in no way
responsible for the bungling measures adopted by my Turkish assistants. You
see, in Constantinople they are accustomed to these drastic means of settling
disputes.'
"He rattled on so pleasantly that I hardly grasped the true significance of his
words, so I replied with almost equal flippancy—
"'I will be most pleased to convey your regrets to the proper authorities. May I
ask when I shall be at liberty to do so?'
"'Ah,' he said, 'there you puzzle even my intelligence. It will certainly be days, it
may be weeks, before you can communicate with your friends.'"
"A sudden frenzy seized me at those words, and I endeavoured to smash the
heads of my two gaolers together by throwing them off their balance outwards,
and then rapidly contracting my arms. Thereupon I made another discovery. A
cord lying loosely round my neck was suddenly tightened, and I was thrown
back choking. A fourth man, of whose presence I was unconscious, was
stationed behind me and held the noose in his hands.
"It was some time before I recovered my breath or my speech.
"At last I was allowed to rise again, and Dubois said with a quiet smile which
was intensely irritating—
"'By this time, Mr. Talbot, you should have realized that you have not fallen into
the hands of children. We do not wish to do you a mischief. Indeed, it would not
suit our purpose. It is far from our desire to quarrel with the British Government
or to take the life of one of its rising young diplomatists. The dispute in which
you are unfortunately involved is between a certain section of the Sultan's
subjects and that potentate himself. But really you must recognize the absolute
helplessness of your position. You have just received a stern reminder. Let it be
the last, for if you give us any more trouble we may end a difficult situation by
effectively cutting your throat. Such an operation would be distasteful to us and
most distressing to you. So please do not compel us to perform it.'
"I glared at him viciously. Speak I could not, but he paid no further attention to
me, and his make-up was now pronounced to be perfect by his critical
companion.
"'Vous etes un très bel Anglais, mon vieux,' she cried, coquettishly setting her
head on one side and glancing first at him and then at me."
"The cat!" cried Edith. "She evidently thought you good-looking, Jack."
Talbot blushed and laughed at the involuntary slip.
"I am not responsible for her opinions," he said. "I am simply telling you what
happened.
"Dubois left the room," he continued, "and returned in a few moments, dressed
in an English tweed suit, with my overcoat and a deerstalker cap. Upon my
honour, he was so like me that, notwithstanding my rage, I was compelled to
smile at him. He caught my transient mood for an instant.
"'Tiens!!' he cried, 'that is better. The surgical operation is beginning to take
effect. You see the joke?'
"'It is a somewhat bitter species of humour,' I replied. 'Perhaps in the future it
may have a sequel.'
"'Life is made up of sequels,' was the airy answer. 'Events generally turn out to
be so completely opposite to that which I anticipated that I no longer give them a
thought. I live only for the present, and at this moment I am victorious. But now,
Mr. Talbot, I purpose taking a little trip to the Continent on your account. I hope,
therefore, for your sake, that the Channel will be smooth.'
"With a mock bow of much politeness he took his leave, carrying with him the
case of diamonds. I have never seen him since. Last night in the Foreign Office I
met Captain Gaultier, who told me of the rencontre on the steamer. I readily
forgave him for the mistake he had made with reference to my appearance, but it
was too bad that he should imagine I would bolt to Paris with a lady of theatrical
appearance in broad daylight."
"Yes," cried Fairholme, "if it had been the night steamer——"
"Bobby!" exclaimed Edith.
"Oh, I meant, of course," stammered Fairholme, "that by night Gaultier might
have been more easily mistaken."
"Well, and what happened at the Foreign Office?"
Brett's question recalled the younger people to the gravity of the conclave.
"First of all," said Talbot, "Fairholme drove me straight home, where it was
necessary to give some slight preliminary explanation before I made a too
sudden appearance, so I remained in the cab outside whilst Fairholme went in
and found Edith."
"Ah!" said Brett, still surveying the ceiling; but there was so much meaning in
his voice that this time it was the turn of the young couple to blush.
"We did not take long to explain matters," continued Talbot. "I sent off
messengers post-haste to the Under-Secretary and others suggesting that if
possible we should meet at the Foreign Office. Within an hour my chiefs were
good enough to fall in with my views, and therefore I had an opportunity to tell
them my story exactly as I have repeated it to you. The result is that I carry with
me a letter from the Under-Secretary in which he explains his views. I am
already acquainted with his reasons, but I have no doubt that he puts them before
you quite clearly."
He handed a letter to Brett. Its contents were laconic, but unmistakable—
"The inquiry in which you are engaged," it read, "must be conducted with the
utmost secrecy and discretion. The gravest political importance is attached to its
outcome. No trouble or expense should be allowed to interfere with the
restoration of the diamonds to their rightful owner. The British Government will
regard this as a most valuable service to the State, and Mr. Talbot is
commissioned to place at your disposal the full resources of the Foreign Office.
You will also find that his Majesty's Ministers throughout Europe have been
advised to give you every assistance, whilst there is little reason to doubt that the
various European Governments will be ready to offer you all possible support.
The first consideration is the restoration of the gems intact to the Sultan; the
second, absolute secrecy as to the whole of the circumstances."
"Whew!" whistled Brett. "Read between the lines, this communication shows the
serious nature of our quest. If those diamonds are not recovered, a revolution in
Turkey is the almost certain outcome, and Heaven alone knows what that means
to the European Powers most concerned."
"If you succeed," said Sir Hubert Fitzjames, "the Government will make you a
baronet."
"If you succeed," growled Talbot, "I will get even with that Frenchman."
"And when you succeed," said Fairholme, in a matter-of-fact tone that indicated
the wild improbability of any other outcome, "Edith and I will get married!"
 CHAPTER XIV
"TOUT VA BIEN"

Brett now deemed it advisable to take the commissary of police fully into his
confidence. The official promptly suggested that every personage in Paris
connected even remotely with the mystery—Gros Jean, the Turks, the waiter at
the Café Noir, and even the little thief "Le Ver"—should be arrested and
subjected to a procès verbal.
But Brett would not hear of this proceeding.
He quite firmly reminded the commissary that the wishes of the British
Government must be respected in this matter, and the proposed wholesale arrests
of persons, some of whom were in no way cognisant of the crime, would
assuredly lead to publicity and the appearance of sensational statements in the
Press.
"But, monsieur," cried the Frenchman, "something must be done. Even you, I
presume, intend to lay hands on the principal men. While they are wandering
about the country each hour makes it easier for them to secrete the diamonds so
effectually that no matter what may be the result the Sultan will never recover
his property."
"Calm yourself, I beg," said the barrister, with difficulty compelling himself to
reason with this excitable policeman. "You speak as though we had in our hands
every jot of evidence to secure the conviction of Dubois and his associates
before a judge."
"But is it not so?" screamed the other.
"No; it is very far from being so. Let us look at the facts. In the first place the
Turks will not speak. They are political fanatics. The moment a policeman
arrests them they become dumb. Torture would bring nothing from them but lies.
Then we have the two people who acted as Mr. Talbot's gaolers. What charge
can we prefer against them? Merely one of illegal detention, whilst they would
probably defend themselves by saying that Talbot was represented to them as a
lunatic whose restraint was necessary for family reasons. Then we come to
Dubois himself and the fair Mlle. Beaucaire. In the first place, you may be
certain that they have provided a strong alibi to prove that they were in Paris on
the days when we are certain they were in London. Who can identify either of
them? The lady we rule out of court at once. The only persons who saw her were
Mr. Talbot and Captain Gaultier, the latter of whom has already placed on record
the statement that he would not recognize her again. Talbot's evidence is
stronger, but I would not like to hear him subjected to the merciless cross-
examination of an able counsel. As for Dubois, there are two inspectors of police
and a dozen intelligent Metropolitan constables who would be forced to swear
that he was not the man who entered Albert Gate on the night of the murder in
company with the other Turks. I tell you candidly, monsieur, that in my opinion
the case would not only break down very badly, but Mr. Talbot would leave the
court under grave suspicion, whilst I would be regarded by the public as a
meddlesome idiot."
"Then what are we to do?" said the commissary, piteously throwing out his
hands and shrugging his shoulders with the eloquent French gesture that
betokens utter bewilderment.
"Difficult though it may be, we must first accomplish the main part of our work.
In other words, we must secure the diamonds before we collar the murderers."
The Frenchman was silent for a moment. At last he said submissively—
"In what way can I help?"
"By procuring for me from the chief of your department an authorization to call
in the aid of the police when and where I may desire their assistance. This, of
course, will render necessary on his part some inquiry before I am entrusted with
such an important document. The British Embassy in Paris and your own
Foreign Office will quickly supply you with the reasons why this power should
be given to me."
"But what of the house of the Rue Bonbonnerie?"
"You anticipated my next request. Whilst you are looking to that letter you must
place at my disposal two of your most trusty agents. In their company Lord
Fairholme and I purpose visiting the house to-night."
They were conversing in the commissary's office at a late hour after Brett had
quitted his friend in the Grand Hotel.
 i_3
Reginald Brett.
—Page 200.
Within a few minutes the two Englishmen and their French companions were
standing outside No. 41, Rue Bonbonnerie, and they found that Monsieur de
Lisle kept a small shop, whose only significant feature was a placard announcing
that letters might be addressed there.
"Oh," said Brett, when he noticed this legend, "this is simple. We need not waste
much time here."
The four men walked inside, crowding the narrow space before a diminutive
counter. The proprietor was supping in style, as they could perceive through the
glass top of the door which communicated with the sitting-room at the back. His
feast consisted of a tankard of thin wine, half a loaf of black bread, and two
herrings.
The man was surprised by the sudden incursion of customers. He came out
looking puzzled and alarmed.
"Have you any letters here for Monsieur Jean Beaujolais?" said Brett.
"No, monsieur."
"Have you received any letters for a person of that name?"
"No, monsieur."
"I suppose you never heard the name of Jean Beaujolais before in your life?"
"I think not, monsieur."
"Then," exclaimed Brett, turning quietly away, "I fear you must be arrested.
These two gentlemen"—and he nodded towards the detectives—"will take you
to the Prefecture, where perhaps your memory may improve."
The man blanched visibly. His teeth chattered, and his hands shook as if with
ague, whilst he nervously arranged some small objects on the counter.
"I cry your pardon, monsieur," he stammered, "but you will understand that I
receive letters at my shop for a small fee, and I cannot remember the names of
all my customers. I will search with pleasure among those now in my possession
to see if there are any for M. Beaujolais."
"You are simply incriminating yourself," said Brett sternly. "If your excuse were
a genuine one you would first have looked among your letters before answering
so glibly that the name of Beaujolais was unfamiliar."
"I beg of you to listen," cried the dismayed shopkeeper. "I had no idea you were
from the Prefecture, otherwise I would have answered you in the first instance.
There have been letters here for Monsieur Beaujolais. They came from London.
He called for them three or four times. The last letter arrived yesterday morning.
It is here now. I have not seen Monsieur Beaujolais since the previous evening."
He took from a drawer a packet of letters tied together with string, and the
handwriting betrayed the contents of most of them. They evidently dealt with
that species of the tender passion which finds its outlet in the agony column or in
fictitious addresses.
One of the detectives did not trust to Monsieur de Lisle's examination. He seized
the bundle and went through its contents carefully, but this time Monsieur de
Lisle was speaking the truth.
There was only one letter addressed to Beaujolais, and it bore a foreign
postmark. Brett tore it open. It contained a single sheet of notepaper, without a
date or address, or any words save these, scrawled across the centre—
"Tout va bien."
He placed the document and its envelope in his pocket-book, and then fixed his
keen glance on the shopkeeper's pallid face.
"What sort of a person is Monsieur Beaujolais?"
The man was still so nervous that he could hardly speak.
"I am not good at descriptions," he began.
So Brett helped.
"Was he a Frenchman, about my height, elegant in appearance, well built, with
long thin hands and straight tapering fingers, with very fair skin and high colour,
dark hair and large eyes set deeply beneath well-marked eyebrows?"
"That is he to the life," cried the shopkeeper. "Monsieur must know him well. I
recall him now exactly, but I could not for a hundred francs have described him
so accurately."
"How long have you known him?" broke in Brett.
"Let me think," mused the man, who had now somewhat recovered from his
alarm. "He came here one day last week—I think it was Thursday, because that
day my daughter Marie—no matter what Marie did, I remember the date quite
well now. He came in and asked me if I did not receive letters for a fee. I said
'Yes,' and told him that I charged ten centimes per letter. He gave me his name,
and thereafter called regularly to obtain the enclosure from London. He always
handed me half a franc and would never take any change."
"Was he alone?"
"Invariably, monsieur."
"Thank you. You will not be arrested to-night. I think you have told the truth."
The shopkeeper's protestations that he had given every assistance in his power
followed them into the street.
Brett dismissed the two detectives and returned to the hotel, where he and
Fairholme found Edith and her brother sitting up for them. When Talbot heard
the contents of the letter he remarked: "I suppose that 'All goes well' means that I
am still a prisoner?"
"Undoubtedly," said the barrister. "The letter was posted in the Haymarket. It
came from your French host. I wonder what he will write now? By the way,
where is he? Did you lose sight of the couple after your escape?"
"I did," laughed Talbot. "But Inspector Winter did not. By some mysterious
means he learnt all about Fairholme's action in smashing in the door. Whilst I
was at the Foreign Office that night he arrested both the man and the woman."
"Winter is a perfect terror," said Brett. "He dreams of handcuffs and penal
servitude. I hope this couple will not be brought to trial, or at any rate that your
name will not be mixed up in it."
"Oh, no. As soon as I heard the Under-Secretary's wishes, I promptly
communicated with Scotland Yard. The Frenchman and his wife will be
remanded on a mysterious charge of abetting a felony and held in durance vile
until their testimony is wanted, should we ever capture Dubois."
At Brett's request, detectives were hunting through Paris all that night and the
next day for a sign of Hussein-ul-Mulk and his Turkish friends. But these
gentlemen had vanished as completely as if the earth had swallowed them up.
This was a strange thing. Although Paris is a cosmopolitan city, a party of Turks,
only one of whom could speak French, should be discovered with tolerable
rapidity in view of the fact that the French police maintain such a watch upon the
inhabitants.
It was not until Brett and his four companions quitted the train at Marseilles late
at night and the barrister received a telegram from the commissary announcing
that the search made by the police had yielded no results, that he suddenly
recalled the existence of a doorless and windowless room in the Café Noir.
Curiously enough, he had omitted to make any mention of this strange apartment
in his recital to the official. He would not trust to the discretion of the Telegraph
Department, so on reaching the Hotel du Louvre et de la Paix he succeeded, after
some difficulty, in ringing up the commissary on the long-distance telephone.
Having acquainted the police officer with the exact position of the hidden
apartment, he ended by saying—
"Continue inquiries throughout Paris during the whole of to-morrow. Do not visit
the Cabaret Noir for the purpose of police inspection until a late hour—long
after midnight—when the café is empty and the Boulevard comparatively
deserted. It is only a mere guess on my part. The Turks may not be there. If they
are, they should be set at liberty and not questioned. Tell them they owe their
escape to me. If you do not find them you may make other discoveries of general
interest to the police. But above all things, I do not wish you to interfere with
Gros Jean or his house until the next twenty-four hours have elapsed."
The commissary assured him that his desires would be respected, and soon
afterwards Brett went upstairs with the full determination to secure a long and
uninterrupted night's sleep, of which he stood much in need.
He had reached the sitting-room reserved for the use of the party when Talbot
and Lord Fairholme burst in excitedly.
"We have seen her!" gasped the earl.
"Seen whom?" demanded the barrister.
"Mademoiselle Beaucaire," cried Talbot; "the woman who accompanied Dubois
in his flight from London. I recognized her instantly. I could pick her out among
a million as the same person who so coolly made up Dubois to represent me,
whilst I was lying tied on the bed in that flat."
In their eagerness the two men had forgotten to close the door. Brett ran to it, and
looked out into the passage to learn if their words had perchance been overheard.
No one was in sight. He closed the door behind him when he re-entered the
room, and said quietly—
"How did you happen to meet her?"
"Whilst you were wrestling with the telephone," said Fairholme, "Edith and Jack
and I went to the door of the hotel to have a look at the people passing in the
Cannebiere. None of us have ever been in Marseilles before, you know. We were
gazing at the crowd, when suddenly Jack gripped my arm and said: 'There she is!
Look at that woman, quick!' He pointed to a tall, well-dressed female, wrapped
up in a fur cloak, and wearing a large feather hat. Luckily her veil was up, and
the electric light fell fully on her as she passed. She was undoubtedly La Belle
Chasseuse, and I bet you anything you like she had just come away from the
music-hall where she is performing."
"Did she see you?" demanded Brett excitedly.
"Not a bit; she was gazing at the passing tramcars, and evidently on the look-out
for some particular line."
"What happened next?" demanded the barrister. "Where is Miss Talbot?"
"Edith has gone after her," said Fairholme.
"What!" cried Brett, more startled than he cared to own.
"Yes," broke in Talbot eagerly. "She heard my words and instantly decided to
follow her. She said that the woman knew both of us, and might easily detect us,
but she, Edith, was unknown to her, and would never be suspected. She simply
forced us to come and tell you, and then darted off like a greyhound before we
could stop her."
Brett forced himself to say calmly—
"I always knew that Miss Talbot had brains, but still I wish she had not taken this
risk. Nevertheless, your chance discovery and her prompt action may be
invaluable to us."
"But what must we do?" exclaimed the impetuous Fairholme. "We cannot allow
Edith to go wandering around Marseilles by herself at this hour of the night. I
have always heard that this town is a perfectly damnable place. What a fool I
was not to follow her at once."
"Miss Talbot has acted quite rightly," said Brett decisively. "We must simply
remain here until she returns. There is not the slightest ground for alarm. A
woman who could act with such ready judgment is well able to take care of
herself. Unless I am much mistaken, we shall see her within the hour."
It was well for the peace of mind of the younger men that Sir Hubert Fitzjames
had gone to his room soon after the party reached the hotel. Had the irascible
baronet known of his niece's mission, no power on earth could have restrained
him from setting every policeman in Marseilles on her track forthwith.
And so they kept their vigil, striving to talk unconcernedly, but watching the
clock with feverish impatience until Edith should return.
 CHAPTER XV
"MARIE"

Marseilles is one of the most picturesque cities in the world.

Its streets cluster round an ancient harbour, famous before history was writ, or
climb the sides of steep hills enclosing a land-locked bay.
In the suburbs Marseilles is modern enough, but the chief thoroughfare, known
to all who read, the famous and ever busy Cannebiere, plunges rapidly downhill
until it empties itself on the crowded quays that surround the old port.
With the newer Marseilles of the Joliette—well found in wharfs and warehouses,
steam cranes and railway lines—the town beloved of the Phœnicians has no
concern. There is no touch of modern ugliness in the tiny maritime refuge which
is barely half the size of the Serpentine. Lofty, old-fashioned, half-ruined houses
throng close to its rugged quays.
At night this quarter of the turbulent city wears an air of intense mystery. The
side streets are narrow and tortuous. Dark courts and alleys twist in every
conceivable direction, while the brightness of the many wine shops facing each
other across the tideless harbour only serves to enhance the squalid gloom that
forms the most marked characteristic of the buildings clustered behind them.
Edith Talbot, intent on the pursuit of a woman so dramatically bound up with the
mystery affecting her brother, paid heed to no consideration save the paramount
one, that the hurrying figure in front must be kept in sight.
Contrary to the opinions expressed by the two men, Mlle. Beaucaire did not
board a passing tramcar. To Edith's eyes she seemed to be eagerly watching for
some person who might pass in one of the small open carriages which in
Marseilles take the place of the London hansom. Even as she rapidly walked
down the crowded street mademoiselle closely scrutinised each vehicle that
overtook her, and once, at a busy crossing, she deliberately stopped. Edith, of
course, slackened her pace, and simultaneously she became aware how
incongruous was her appearance at such an hour in such a thoroughfare.
Much taller than the average Frenchwoman, neatly dressed in an English tailor-
made costume, with her smart straw hat and well-gloved hands, Miss Talbot
naturally attracted the curious gaze of the passers by.
Instantly it occurred to her that some disguise was absolutely necessary if she
would not court an attention fatal to her enterprise. It chanced that where she
stood for a moment a fruit-seller occupied a tiny shop, squeezed tightly between
a church and a restaurant. The interior was dark enough, for a couple of flaring
naphtha lamps were so disposed as to cast their flickering brilliancy over the
baskets of fruits and vegetables displayed in the window or crowded together on
the pavement.
The woman inside had a kindly and contented face, cherry ripe in cheek and lips,
and from a pair of deep-set blue eyes she looked out quizzically at the hurrying
crowd.
Assuring herself with one fleeting glance that La Belle Chasseuse still remained
motionless and intent at the crossing, Edith darted into the shop. She produced a
sovereign.
"I have not much French money," she said hurriedly, "but this is worth twenty-
five francs. Can you let me have a large dark shawl? I do not care whether or not
it is old or worn. It is necessary that I should remain out for some few minutes
longer, and I do not wish to court observation."
Even as she spoke she removed her straw hat and eagerly tore off her gloves.
The Frenchwoman saw that one of her own sex, English, and consequently mad,
desired to screen her appearance from too inquisitive eyes.
It was sufficient for her that there should be a spice of romance in the request.
With one hand she pocketed the sovereign; with the other she dived into a recess
beneath the counter and produced the very article Edith wanted.
"But certainly, mademoiselle," she cried. "See. It will cover you to the waist."
Edith advanced another pace into the darkest corner of the shop, quickly
arranged the shawl over her head and shoulders, and, hastily murmuring her
thanks, rushed forth into the street again, leaving hat and gloves behind in her
haste.
The fruit-seller was far too wise a woman to call after the other and apprise her
of the loss.
"It must be serious, this adventure," she mused. "And yet the novelists say that
the English are cold! For me, now, I think that women are very much alike all
over the world."
And with this bit of Provençal philosophy she picked up the discarded articles
and discovered, to her joy, that they must be worth at least ten francs.
"Thirty-five francs for an old shawl is a good night's work," she murmured.
"Who could dream of such fortune at this hour? To-morrow I will buy a candle
and place it in the church of Notre Dame de la Garde."
Meanwhile Edith was just in time to see Mlle. Beaucaire either abandon her
search or resolve it in some manner, for the lady once more resumed her
progress towards the old harbour, in whose placid bosom could be seen the
reflections of numberless lights from the small promontory beyond, crowned
with the Fort St. Nicholas and the Chateau du Phare.
Looking neither right nor left, but hastening onwards with rapid strides,
mademoiselle crossed the rough pavement of the Quai de la Fraternité, bearing
away diagonally towards the left.
But if the Frenchwoman was a good walker, Edith Talbot was a better one, and
now that she no longer feared notice—for she draped the large shawl as
elegantly about her shoulders as any woman in Marseilles—she decided to adopt
a little strategy. Instead of keeping directly behind mademoiselle she broke into a
run under the shadow of the houses. By thus making up ground she approached
the narrow street towards which the Frenchwoman was heading almost
simultaneously with her quarry, but apparently from an opposite direction. The
aspect of the thoroughfare through which the two women sped was forbidding in
the extreme. The houses were many storeys in height, of disreputable
appearance, and so close together on both sides that, were other conditions
equal, an active man might easily spring from one room into another across the
street.
The walls appeared to be honeycombed with doors and windows, while an
indescribable number of shutters, balconies, projecting poles and clothes-lines
created such a medley in the darkness, which was only made visible by a solitary
bracket lamp, that Edith felt some anxiety as to whether or not she would be able
to recognize the house into which mademoiselle disappeared, should her
destination be close at hand.
There were, of course, many other people in the street besides themselves, else
Edith's self-imposed piece of espionage would have been rendered difficult, if
not impossible.
Men, women, and children lounged about the doorways and kept up a constant
cackle of conversation in a mysterious patois which Miss Talbot, though an
excellent French scholar, could make nothing of. The presence of these people
naturally shielded her from the direct observation of La Belle Chasseuse, but
nevertheless threatened a slight danger should it be necessary for her to stand
still, for she well understood that in such a locality each person was known to the
other, and the loitering of a stranger could not fail to arouse curiosity.
Soon after passing beneath the lamp mademoiselle vanished into a doorway.
Edith perceived to her joy that at this point there was no group of loungers.
Indeed, for a few yards the street was empty. Keeping her eyes sedulously fixed
upon the exact spot where the Frenchwoman disappeared, she reached the door,
and, after a moment's hesitation, stepped lightly into the interior darkness.
The narrow entrance was at once lessened to half its width by a staircase. She
listened intently, and could hear the other woman ascending the second flight of
stairs.
At the next landing mademoiselle paused and knocked three times. Presumably
in reply to a question within, she murmured something which Edith could not
catch, and was at once admitted. The shooting of a rusty bolt supplied further
evidence that the door was locked behind her.
Edith's next task was to identify the house. She stepped out into the street again
and crossed to the opposite pavement. She looked up to the second storey, but,
owing to the short distance—barely fourteen feet—that separated her from the
house—she could discern nothing, save that the windows on that floor were
closely shuttered.
She rapidly noted that the door was the third removed from the lamp.
Whilst wondering what to do next, a couple of girls approached her. They were
young and of course inquisitive. Without any dissimulation, they stood in front
of her and scrutinized her face, wondering, no doubt, who this tall and graceful
newcomer could be.
"What is your name?" said one. "Where do you live? Have you just come here?
Are you staying with old Mother Peter?"
With difficulty Edith caught the drift of their questions. But she answered
smilingly—
"No, I do not live here, and I do not know Mother Peter. But I want you to tell
me who lives in the house opposite?"
Her Parisian French greatly surprised the two girls, who giggled at each other,
and one of them cried—
"Oh, here's a lark!"
But they scented an intrigue, and were quite ready to give all the information in
their power.
"A lot of people live there," said the elder one, trying, with the ready tact of her
nation, to accommodate her words to the understanding of the stranger. "It all
depends who you want to know about. On the ground floor is Josef the barber
and his wife, with three little ones. It cannot be them, I am sure, and it cannot be
Monsieur Ducrot, who is their lodger, for he is seventy years old and a sacristan
in the Church of the Sacred Heart. Then on the first floor there are three men, not
a woman amongst them. One is a bill-sticker, another a fisherman, and the third
a waiter in the Café du Midi. I do not know their proper names. We call the bill-
sticker 'Paste-pot,' and the fisherman 'Crab.' The waiter is called 'Thomas' in the
café, but when a letter comes for him it is in another name. Then, on the second
floor—by the way, Marie, who is it that lives on the second floor?"
Edith with difficulty restrained her excitement. She felt that if only these
youngsters rattled on a little longer she might gain some valuable information.
Marie, thus appealed to, was evidently of a more cautious temperament than her
companion.
"If the young lady will tell us why she wants to know, we may be able to help
her?" she stipulated.
"Certainly," cried Edith, instantly resolving to pursue the tactics of the penny
novelette. "I have been deserted. My lover has been taken away from me by
another woman—at least, that is what I am informed. I do not wish to make any
trouble about it. There are plenty as good men as he left in the world; but, on the
other hand, I must not act unjustly. I have been told that he lives in this house—
that he is living with her here at this moment, in fact. If I can make sure of it, I
will go away and never set eyes on him again unless by chance, and then you
may be sure I will take no notice of him. I am not one of those silly girls who
break their hearts over a faithless sweetheart."
Marie was reassured.
"I should think not," she said, with a sympathetic and defiant sniff. "I had the
very same experience last Sunday, when Phillippe—the grocer's boy at the
corner, you know—walked along the Corniche Road with a chit of a girl out of a
shop. She thinks herself better than we are because she stands behind a counter,
and I am sure she made eyes at Phillippe one day when his master sent him there
on an errand."
"Phillippe must have bad taste," broke in Edith. "But I am sorry I must hasten
away. If you girls will tell me quickly all the other people that live in that house I
will give you two francs each. That is all the money I have got."
She produced the coins, which she easily distinguished from the gold in her
pocket by their size. She knew that to appear too well supplied with money in
that neighbourhood was to court danger, if not disaster, to her undertaking.
Both girls eagerly seized the forty-sous pieces.
"Oh, on the second floor," said Marie, "I am afraid you will find your young
man. They are a funny couple that live there. They only came here on Monday.
When did your young man leave you?"
"I saw him on Saturday."
"Where?"
This was a poser, but Miss Talbot answered desperately:
"At Lyon."
"What is he like?"
Another haphazard shot.
"He is tall and dark, and, oh! so good-looking, with a beautifully white skin and
a pink complexion."
"That is he!" cried both girls together.
"The scoundrel! But tell me," went on Edith, whose excitement was readily
construed as the pangs of jealousy, "who is the creature that lives with him?"
"We think she is a music-hall artiste," replied Marie. "At least, that is what the
people say. I have not heard yet what hall she appears in. They say she is very
pretty. Are you going to throw vitriol over her?"
"Not I," said Edith, with a fine scorn. "Do they live there alone?"
"Yes, quite alone. They rent the place from Père Didon. He owns most of the
houses in this street, you know, and is a regular skinflint. He won't let any one
get behind with their rent for an hour. He is old, so old that you would not think
that he could live another week, yet he is that keen after his francs you would
imagine he was a young man anxious to get money for a gay life. You ought to
have heard the row here last Saturday when he turned the people out from their
rooms where your lover now lives with his mistress. It was terrible. There was a
poor woman with two sick children."
How much further the revelations as to Père Didon's iniquity might have gone,
Miss Talbot could not say, but at that moment there came an interruption.
From the opposite doorway appeared the figure of Mlle. Beaucaire, carrying a
small bag. She was followed by a man, tall, slight, and closely muffled up, who
shouldered a larger portmanteau. Edith grabbed both the girls, and pulled them
close to her against the closed door behind them.
"It is he!" she whispered tragically. "Silence! Let us watch them!"
The man darted a suspicious glance up and down the street. There was no one
whom even the clever Henri Dubois could construe as an enemy—no one save
some chattering Marseillais loitering around their doorsteps, and three girls
huddled together in close conclave directly opposite.
Thus reassured, he strode after La Belle Chasseuse, who cried out impatiently:
"Come quick, Henri; what are you waiting for?"
"Is his name Henri?" whispered the awe-stricken Marie.
"Yes. Isn't he a villain? I wonder where they are going now!"
"Let us follow them and see," suggested Marie.
"Yes, let us follow them and see," chimed in the other one, who delighted in this
nocturnal romance. It was a veritable page out of one of Paul de Kock's novels.
The programme suited Miss Talbot exceedingly well.
They strolled off down the street, nestling together, Edith in the centre, and
keeping the shrouded couple in front well in sight. This time, when
Mademoiselle Beaucaire and her companion reached the point where the street
emerged on to the harbour, they did not cross over towards the broad and
brilliantly-lighted Cannebiere, but hurried on through the darkness in the
direction of a cluster of fishing smacks that lay alongside the Quai de Rive
Neuve.
"My faith, Eugenie!" cried Marie, "they must be going on board one of the
vessels."
"What a lark!" was the answer. "I suppose they fear you," she added, turning her
sharp eyes on Edith. "What is your name?"
"Lucille," came the answer on the spur of the moment.
"Lucille what?"
"Lucille Beauharnais."
"My gracious!" cried Eugenie, "what a swell name!"
"Oh, let us hurry," interrupted Miss Talbot desperately. "You girls know
everybody. You must know all the vessels. If they are going on a boat and you
find out the name and number for me I will give each of you a whole louis. I will
give them to you now—I mean, that is, if you will walk with me afterwards to
my lodgings."
Even amidst the exciting circumstances surrounding her, Edith recognized the
absolute necessity there was to maintain the credibility of her previous narrative.
Unquestionably Dubois and the lady intended to embark on one of the fishing
boats. They hastened to the further end of the harbour, through whose tiny
entrance Edith could now see the dark waters of the bay beyond, for the night
was beautifully clear and fine, and the bright stars of the south lent some
radiance to the scene, when the girls quitted the deep shadow of the houses.
A solitary boat, a decked fishing-smack of some forty tons, was lying by the side
of the quay, apart from the others. Edith, who knew something about yachting,
recognized that her gearing was not fastened in the trim manner suggestive of a
craft laid by for the night. At the same instant, too, she caught sight of a third
form—that of a man who had been seated on a fixed capstan, and who now
strode forward to peer at the newcomers.
Some few words passed between the three, but it was impossible for the girls to
hear a syllable. Instantly the sailor assisted Dubois and Mademoiselle Beaucaire
to step down from the quay on board the smack. He followed them, and three
other men, who appeared out of the chaos of sails and ropes, commenced to
labour with a large pole in order to shove the sturdy vessel out into the harbour.
"Quick!" murmured Edith, in an agony lest the opportunity should slip. "Tell me
what vessel it is."
"I think," said Marie, "it is the Belles Sœurs. Anyhow, we can easily make
certain. All we have to do is to go back around the top of the harbour, walk down
the Quai du Port, and watch her as she passes under the lighthouse of the Fort St.
Jean. They will hoist her sail then and we shall see her number."
"Oh, come," cried Edith, "let us run!"
"We can run if you like," replied Marie coolly, "but there is no need. They have
to get out by using the sweeps, and we will be underneath the lighthouse at least
a minute or two before they pass, even if we walk slowly."
Whilst they were talking the three girls put their words into practice, and Edith
found herself battling with a logical dilemma. Dubois was evidently escaping
from France—making out from Marseilles at this late hour on a vessel capable
of sailing to almost any point of the Mediterranean.
What could she do? Was it possible to invoke the aid of a policeman and get
some authority to hail the craft and order her to return, or was there time to take
a cab in the Cannebiere and drive furiously to the hotel, where Brett, Fairholme,
and her brother must be anxiously awaiting her return?
Rapidly as these alternatives suggested themselves, she dismissed them. It was
best to fall in with Marie's suggestion and ascertain beyond doubt the identity of
the fishing smack. Then, at any rate, Brett would have a tangible and definite
clue.
So she hastened with her companions along the three sides of the now almost
deserted quay, and, in accordance with the prediction of her youthful guides, she
reached the promenade beyond the small lighthouse of the inner port before the
vessel had quitted the harbour. To move a forty-ton boat with oars is a slow
matter at the best.
As the craft came creeping steadily through the narrow channel Edith saw, to her
great relief, that two of the men drew in their sweeps, and commenced to haul
upon ropes whilst the clanking and groaning of pulleys heralded the slow rising
of the mainsail.
She thought the sail would never climb up in time, but as it began to yield to the
steady pull of the men it mounted more and more rapidly, and at last, feeling the
influence of a gentle breeze blowing off the land, it shook out its cumbrous folds
and the number stood clearly revealed in huge white letters on the dark brown
canvas.
At first, in her eagerness, she could hardly discern it, save a big "M" and an "R."
"There!" cried Eugenie, bubbling over with excitement. "There it is! 'M.R. 107,'
Marseilles, No. 107, you know. Why, isn't that Jacques le Bon's boat?" she
demanded from her companion.
"Yes, it is," said Marie; "and there is Jacques himself standing by the tiller."
Edith's eyes were now becoming accustomed to the night and the dancing water.
"Where are the others?" she said. "I cannot see them. There is no one standing
on the deck but the sailors."
"Oh, they have gone below, I expect," said the practical Marie. "They will be in
the way of the sails, you know. There is not much room for people who don't
work on the deck of a small ship like that. Besides, they don't want to be seen. If
a customs officer or a harbour official were to notice the boat now he would
think that Le Bon was going out fishing for the night, but he would be sure to
wonder what was happening if he caught sight of a woman on board. Funny, isn't
it," she rattled on, "that Jacques should be called 'Le Bon,' for he is the worst
man in Marseilles? They say that his ugly grin when he draws a knife would
frighten anybody!"
 CHAPTER XVI
THE HALL-PORTER'S DOUBTS

When one o'clock came and Edith had not arrived, the three men waiting in the
hotel made no further effort to conceal their anxiety. The impetuous Fairholme
was eager to commence an immediate search of Marseilles, but Brett steadily
adhered to his resolution not to stir from their sitting-room until either Miss
Talbot came back in person or it became quite certain that she was detained by
some other influence than her own unfettered volition.
"It may be," he argued, "that she will require some action on our part the
moment we see her, and nothing could be more stupid than for the three of us to
be wandering about this great city hopelessly inquiring for a missing English
lady, whilst she was impatiently awaiting our return in the knowledge that
valuable time was being lost to no purpose. What is there to fear? Miss Talbot is
absolutely unknown to all the parties concerned in the affair. Even if she
attracted their attention, which is improbable, it is almost inconceivable that they
should connect her with the search being made for them. The only risk she runs
is that of insult by some semi-intoxicated reveller, and even in a rowdy city like
this, it must indeed be a strange locality in which she would be denied some
protection. Of course I will be much relieved when Miss Talbot returns, but up to
the present I see no reason for undue anxiety on our part. Indeed, we ought to
congratulate ourselves on the fact that she deems it necessary to leave us for
such a long period. The probability is that she is making highly important
discoveries which may tend materially to reduce the area of inquiry."
With this view Talbot could not help concurring, so Fairholme had to content
himself by smoking many cigarettes and walking uneasily about the room. Sit
down he could not, whilst any casual ring at the hotel door found him leaning
over the balustrade of the inner court and listening intently for the first words of
the new arrival.
But the Englishmen were not the only persons in the hotel that night whose
composure was disturbed. Their extraordinary behaviour caused uneasiness to
the manager and those members of his staff who remained on duty. The facts
disclosed by the hall-porter were certainly remarkable. Only one member of the
party had behaved in a normal manner. Sir Hubert Fitzjames, soon after his
arrival, went quietly to bed, but the hall-porter's report as to the conduct of the
others was passing strange.
One of them, to his surprise, had rung up the Prefecture of Police in Paris on the
telephone. The others were standing at the hotel door, gazing quietly enough at
the passers-by, when suddenly about midnight much excitement rose amongst
them. They conversed eagerly in their own tongue for a few moments, and the
lady had rushed off down the street by herself, whilst her two companions ran
with equal precipitancy to join the third in the sitting-room they had engaged,
and there they were still seated in moody expectancy, apparently watching for
some dramatic event to happen.
It was time that all good people were in bed. But it was hopeless to approach
such lunatics with questions, for they were English, and no decent Frenchman
could possibly hope to understand their actions or motives. It was satisfactory
that they could speak French well; therefore the manager counselled the hall-
porter to exhibit patience and prudence. Moreover, milords upstairs would be
sure to recompense him for an enforced vigil by a liberal pourboire.
At last, when even the Cannebiere was empty, and when the latest café had
closed its doors and the final tramcar had wearily jingled its way up the hill
towards a distant suburb, the electric bell jangled a noisy summons to the front
door. It produced the hall-porter and Fairholme with remarkable celerity.
The Frenchman cautiously opened the door and saw outside a muffled-up female
who eagerly demanded admittance. He knew by her accent that she was not a
Marseillaise, but the shawl that covered her head and shoulders showed that she
belonged to the working classes.
"Whom do you wish to see at this hour?" he gruffly demanded.
"I live here," said Edith. "I came here to-night with my brother from Paris.
Please let me in at once."
In her excitement and breathlessness, for she had hurried at top speed from the
harbour, Edith forgot that the homely garment she adopted as a disguise
effectually cloaked her from the recognition of the hall-porter as from all others.
Moreover, her French accent was too good. It deceived the man even more
thoroughly than did the shawl.
"Oh, really now," he said, "this is for laughter! A woman like you staying at the
hotel! Be off, or I will call a gendarme."
In his amazement at her demand he had not heard Fairholme's rapid approach
behind him. He was now swung unceremoniously out of the way and the earl
jumped forward to seize Edith in his arms.
"My darling girl," he cried, "where have you been? We almost gave you up for
lost. Where is your hat? Where did you get that shawl?" And all the time he was
hugging her so fiercely that it was absolutely impossible for her to say a single
word. At length she disengaged herself.
"Don't be so ridiculous," she said, "but let me come in and close the door. The
hall-porter will think we are cracked."
She summarised the hall-porter's sentiments most accurately. He explained the
transaction to the manager with most eloquent pantomime, and the two
marvelled greatly at the weird proceedings of their strange guests.
"Ah," said the manager at length, "now that mademoiselle has returned, perhaps
they will go to bed."
At that instant Brett's voice was heard upon the stairs. He wanted the telephone
again.
Edith had rapidly detailed her adventures to her astonished auditors, and Brett
seemed to resolve on some plan of action with the lightning rapidity peculiar to
him.
Owing to the late hour he got through to Paris without much difficulty, and then
he returned to the sitting-room, where Edith was rehearsing in greater detail all
that had happened since she left them at the hotel door. Brett explained to his
companions the motives of his second telephonic message.
"I am convinced," he said, "that Gros Jean is in communication with his
daughter. For this reason I did not wish the police to put in an appearance at the
Café Noir until to-morrow night, or rather to-night, for we have long entered
upon another day. I wished to have a reasonable time for quiet inquiry at
Marseilles before mademoiselle could be apprised of our presence here. Miss
Talbot's remarkable discovery has, however, wholly changed my plans. Mlle.
Beaucaire and her lover have set off for some unknown destination, and the best
chance we have of discovering it is to secure the immediate arrest of her father.
Possibly, being taken by surprise at this hour of the morning, some document
may be found on him which will reveal his daughter's destination. It occurs to
me that she half expected him to arrive by a late train. Again, when the fishing-
smack puts into port, the girl will probably adopt some method of
communicating with him, and that communication must come into our hands,
not into his. So I have telephoned the police officials in Paris to raid the Cabaret
Noir forthwith, and it is possible that they may report developments within the
next two or three hours."
"Is there no chance of your discovering the whereabouts of that fishing-smack?"
said Fairholme.
"In what way?" demanded Brett.
"Well, this is a big port, you know, and there are always tugs knocking about
with steam up, on the off-chance of their services being required. Isn't it possible
to charter a steamboat and set off after the smack?"
"I do not think so," said Brett. "I imagine it would be wasted effort. By this time
the Belles Sœurs is well out to sea. She can go in a dozen different directions.
She may beat along the coast towards Toulon and the Riviera. She can make
towards Corsica, Sardinia, the Balearic Islands, Spain, or the mouth of the
Rhone. She will certainly not show any lights, and I personally feel that although
there is, perhaps, a thousand to one chance we might fall in with her, it will be
far better for our purpose to remain quietly here and await developments in
Paris."
"Anyhow," remarked Fairholme, convinced that his proposal was impracticable,
"it will be an easy matter for the authorities to ascertain the port that she arrives
at."
Brett shook his head dubiously.
"I have my doubts on that point," he said. "The man who has thus far kept
himself so easily ahead of all pursuers, and exhibited such a wealth of resource
in his methods, may well be trusted to cover up his tracks effectually. There is
even a possibility that the Belles Sœurs will never be seen again, and that her
number will long remain vacant on the shipping register of Marseilles. However,
we shall see."
"Then, Mr. Brett," put in Edith quietly, with a tired smile, "I suppose we may go
to bed?"
"Most certainly, Miss Talbot. You have earned your rest more than any of us to-
night," he answered.
He held out his hand to wish her good-night, but she demanded with some
surprise, "What are you going to do? Surely you want some sleep?"
"I will remain here," he said. "I have bribed the hall-porter to keep awake, and I
may be wanted on the telephone at any moment."
"Then I will stop with you," cried Fairholme.
"And I too," chimed in Talbot.
"You will do nothing of the sort," he answered with pleasant insistence. "You
will just be off, both of you, and get some hours of sound sleep. You may need
all your energy to-morrow. Do not be afraid. I will arouse you if anything
dramatic should happen."
Left to himself, Brett again interviewed the hall-porter and returned to the
sitting-room, where he disposed himself for a nap on the sofa. Like all men who
possess the faculty of concentrated thought, he also cultivated the power of
dismissing a perplexing problem from his mind until it became necessary to
consider it afresh in the light of further knowledge.
Within five minutes he was sound asleep.
At length he woke with a start. He was stiff with cold, for the fire had gone out,
and the tiny gas jet he had left burning was not sufficient to warm the room. He
sprang to his feet and looked at his watch. It was half-past six.
"Surely," he cried, "there must have been a message from Paris long before this!"
He ran downstairs, encountering on his way some of the hotel servants, who
even thus early had commenced work, for your industrious Frenchman is no
laggard in the morning. Going to the hall-porter's office he found that
functionary snoring peacefully. The poor fellow was evidently tired out, and
twenty telephone bells might have jangled in his ears without waking him.
So, for the third time, Brett rang up the exchange to get in touch with Paris. As
he had anticipated, he quickly learnt that the Prefecture had endeavoured to get
through to him about 4.30 a.m., but the operators were unable to obtain any
answer.
"I can hardly blame the man," said he to himself, "for I was just as tired as he."
The intimation he received from the Prefecture was startling enough. In
accordance with his instructions a number of detectives had raided the Cabaret
Noir soon after three o'clock. They found the place in possession of a waiter and
a couple of female servants. Gros Jean had quitted the house the previous
evening, and, most astounding fact of all, with him were three Turks.
Neither the waiter nor the domestics could give any information whatever
concerning the hidden room. They knew of its existence, but none of them had
ever seen it, and the place was generally regarded as a sort of cellar for the
reception of lumber.
The police forced a padlock which guarded its trap-door, and found to their
surprise that the place was much more spacious than they anticipated. It really
contained two apartments, one of which was so firmly secured that it had
hitherto resisted all their efforts to open it. The other was a sort of bed-sitting-
room, and it had recently been occupied. From various indications they came to
the conclusion that its latest tenants were Hussein-ul-Mulk and his confederates.
Judging from the fact that these gentry had quietly left the café in Gros Jean's
company about half-past seven the previous evening, they were not in
confinement against their will. In fact, the police theory was that this secret
chamber provided a safe retreat for any person who desired complete seclusion
other than that provided by the authorities.
"It is assumed," said the officer who communicated this bewildering information
to Brett, "that the locked room contains a quantity of stolen goods. The police
remain in charge of the café, and when the necessary workmen have been
obtained this morning the door will be forced. We will at once let you know the
result of our further investigations."
"But what about Gros Jean and the Turks? Surely Paris cannot again have
swallowed them up?" inquired Brett.
"Every effort is being made to trace their whereabouts," was the reply, "but you
must remember, monsieur, that they had many hours' start of the police, and that
this period of the day is the most difficult of the twenty-four hours in which to
make successful inquiries. You must rest assured that the moment we receive
even the slightest clue we will ring you up, provided, that is, you arrange for
someone at your end to answer the telephone."
"Oh," said Brett with a laugh, "there is little fear of further delay in that respect.
It will be daylight in another hour, and the servants are already busy about the
place."
He rang off and then darted back to his sitting-room to consult a time-table, for
the thought came to him that Gros Jean and the Turks had quitted the café in
order to reach Marseilles.
He could not yet explain this strange alliance. It was impossible to believe that
the innkeeper would betray his daughter to serve the ends of a political party.
No; there must be some other explanation which the future alone could reveal.
He well knew that the last thought likely to occur to the Paris police would be to
suspect the missing men of any desire to reach the south coast. It was with an
almost feverish anxiety that he scrutinized the pages of the indicateur des
chemins de fer, and he heaved a sigh of profound relief when he discovered that
the first train Gros Jean and the Turks could travel by left Paris the previous
evening at 8.40 p.m., and was not due at Marseilles until 8.59 that morning.
It was now close on seven o'clock, so he went to his bedroom, effected some
much-needed changes in his personal appearance, and then consumed an early
breakfast of coffee and rolls. At half-past eight he called a carriage and was
driven to the railway station, where, punctually to the minute, the Paris train
arrived.
Brett managed to secure a favourable point whence he could observe the
passengers without being seen, for on the platform were stacked hundreds of
baskets of fruit and vegetables which had arrived by a local train.
There were not many passengers in the express, and among the first to alight
were Gros Jean and the three Turks—Hussein-ul-Mulk and the two others he had
seen in the Rue Barbette.
It would be idle to deny that the barrister experienced a thrill of satisfaction at
his own shrewdness, and he smiled as he realized the consternation of the Paris
commissary when informed that he had so easily allowed the rogues to slip out
of the net.
The travellers were evidently tired after a sleepless journey. Gros Jean, being a
fat man, had wobbled about a great deal during the night. He much needed the
restorative effect of a comfortable bed; whilst the Turks, though younger and
more active, also showed signs of fatigue, for this long journey, in their case,
was a sequel to many hours of detention in an ill-ventilated apartment.
So they paid not the slightest heed to their whereabouts, save in so far as to eye
with suspicion a harmless gendarme who happened to be on the platform.
The policeman, of course, took no notice of them whatever. Gros Jean was to
him merely a typical Frenchman, whilst persons of dark complexion and
Moorish appearance are everyday sights in the streets of Marseilles.
A diminutive railway porter loitered near Brett in the conceit that perhaps this
well-dressed stranger might have felonious designs on the oranges and cabbages.
His intense joy may therefore be pictured when the barrister beckoned to him,
placed a gold piece in his hand, and said—
"You see those Turks there. Go after them and find out where they are going to.
They are sure to take a carriage, as their luggage appears to be somewhat heavy."
The man darted off, secure in the belief that no one who could afford to give
away twenty francs for such trivial information would be likely to pocket a
cauliflower. In half a minute he returned.
"They have all driven off together, monsieur," he announced eagerly, "and the
French gentleman first of all inquired of the driver how much he would charge to
take them to the Jolies Femmes. Two francs was the fare, and this was agreeable,
so they have gone there."
"I hope, in this instance," said Brett gravely, "that the Jolies Femmes is the name
of a hotel."
"But certainly," replied the porter, elevating his eyebrows; "what else could it
be?"
He meditated on this question for five minutes after Brett's departure, and then
an idea struck him.
"Ah," he cried, slapping his thigh with a grin, "he is a droll dog, that
Englishman."
Brett, secure in the knowledge that his quarry had been located, drove back to
his hostelry. He found Edith, Fairholme, and Talbot just sitting down to
breakfast. He joined them, and had barely communicated his startling
intelligence when Sir Hubert Fitzjames put in an appearance.
"Dear me," said the genial old soldier, smiling pleasantly at the assembled party.
"I see you are all nearly as lazy as I have been myself. I hope you slept well, and
enjoyed a quiet night."
The burst of merriment which greeted this remark not only amazed the worthy
baronet, but startled the other guests in the dining-room.
"That is a strange thing," whispered a Frenchman to his wife. "I thought the
English never laughed!"
 CHAPTER XVII
THE YACHT "BLUE-BELL"

After breakfast the party adjourned to their sitting-room, and there Brett detailed
his immediate plan of action.
"The first point to determine is an important one," he said. "Which of you three
—Sir Hubert Fitzjames, Talbot, or Fairholme—looks most like a Frenchman?"
The trio at once began to scrutinize each other carefully, to Edith's intense
amusement.
"I am afraid, uncle," she laughed, "we must rule you out at once. You have
'British Major-General, late Indian Army' stamped so plainly on you that here in
Marseilles, a port accustomed to the weekly transit of P. and O. passengers, the
smallest child could not fail to identify you. And as for you, Bobby! Good
gracious! You are painfully Anglo-Saxon. I am afraid, Jack, that we must decide
against you. That is to say, I suppose it hurts your vanity to be taken for a
Frenchman; but you must not forget that Mademoiselle Beaucaire thought you
were good-looking, and I suppose she adopts Parisian standards."
Jack was amused by his sister's raillery.
"It is gratifying to find," he said, "that there are some handsome Frenchmen. But
may I ask, Brett, why you wish one of us to haul down the British flag?"
"Because it is necessary that someone should keep a close eye on Gros Jean and
the Turks. As a matter of fact, Miss Talbot is doubly right. Sir Hubert Fitzjames
might possibly be made up to represent un vieux moustache, but it is essential
that he should speak French well."
"Then," cried Sir Hubert decisively, "I am out of court, because my French is
weak, and I always want to go off into Hindustani whenever I open my mouth.
Why, even this morning, when I rang for my hot water, I said to the waiter,
'Gurrum pani lao.' I am sure he thought I was swearing at him."
"Very well," concurred the barrister, "it comes back to you, Talbot, and I regret
to inform you that for the next few hours you must be content with the inferior
cooking and accommodation of the Jolies Femmes Hotel. If you will come out
with me now I will get you rigged up in a cheap French suit. That, and a supply
of bad cigarettes, will provide a sufficient disguise for your purpose. You must
pack a few belongings in a green tin box and betake yourself to the Jolies
Femmes. Do not make any inquiries about Gros Jean. Simply watch him."
"But what about the Turks?" said Talbot. "Perhaps two of these scoundrels may
be the identical pair who accompanied Dubois to Albert Gate. It is possible that
they may recognize me at once."
"No," said Brett decisively. "This is a different gang. The two men who
committed the murders never came to Paris. Dubois would not hear of it, I am
certain. If you act with discretion, I am sure they will never suspect you."
"Can't you find me a job?" demanded Fairholme.
"Yes, a most pleasant one. It will be your duty to accompany Miss Talbot and Sir
Hubert, and show them the sights of Marseilles. I will meet you here at
luncheon, but we probably cannot see Mr. Talbot again until late to-night, when
he will have an opportunity to come here quietly and detail the results of his
observations. Of course," he added, addressing the young man directly, "if
anything important happens during the day you know where to find me, either
personally or by messenger."
It was natural that Edith's first steps with her lover and uncle would tend towards
the scene of her overnight adventure. But Miss Talbot was a clearheaded girl and
took no risks. She knew well that in a chance encounter the sharp eyes of Marie
and Eugenie might pick her out unless she was to some extent shrouded from
observation. So she donned a large Paris hat and a smart costume, which, with
the addition of a thick veil, rendered her very unlike the girl who twelve hours
earlier was pursuing a recalcitrant lover.
Secure in the changed appearance effected by these garments, and especially in
the escort of two such English-looking persons as Lord Fairholme and Sir
Hubert Fitzjames, she walked with them down the Cannebiere and on the quay.
She showed them the street up which she pursued Mlle. Beaucaire, and the point
on the wharf whence the fishing smack took her departure into the unknown.
Then they strolled back around the harbour, still pursuing the track of Edith's
midnight wanderings, when Fairholme suddenly whistled with amazement.
"By Jove, look there!" he cried. "That's a piece of luck."
He pointed to the upper part of the basin, in which a number of smart yachts
were anchored side by side. Marseilles is a natural point of departure for
Mediterranean tours, and many yacht-owners send their vessels there to be
coaled and stored for projected trips.
"What is it?" queried Edith, when she could see nothing in the locality indicated
save the vessels and the small expanse of water dancing in the rays of a bright
sun.
"The very best thing that could have happened. There is Daubeney's yacht, the
Blue-Bell."
"Yes. So I see. It would be charming if we had time to go for a run along the
Riviera, but I am afraid, whilst Mr. Brett controls our energies, amusement of
that sort will be out of our reach."
"Not a bit of it. You do not see my point, Edith. Daubeney is a first-rate chap,
and a thorough sportsman. Suppose it becomes necessary for us to follow up
Dubois and his fishing-smack, and we let Daubeney into the know. The Blue-
Bell would pursue the Belles Sœurs to China. He would ask no better fun. I tell
you that Brett will be delighted when he hears of it."
"Yes, dear, but we do not even know that Mr. Daubeney is in Marseilles."
"Let us go and see. It doesn't matter a pin anyhow, because a telegram from me
to him would place the yacht at our disposal, and he would join us by express at
the first possible stopping-place. You do not know what a good chap Daubeney
is."
"No," said Edith shortly. "He is evidently a most useful acquaintance."
It is a most curious fact that young ladies in the engaged stage regard their
fiancé's male friends with extreme suspicion; the more enthusiastic the man, the
more suspicious the woman.
Fairholme, sublimely unconscious of this feminine weakness, continued to dilate
upon the superlative excellences of Daubeney until they reached the yacht itself.
A smartly-attired sailor was pretending to find some work in carefully uncoiling
a rope which did not satisfy his critical eye. Before Fairholme could hail the
man, a rotund form, encased in many yards of blue serge, surmounted by a jolly-
looking face on top of which was perched an absurdly small yachting cap,
emerged from the companion.
"Why, there he is," shouted the earl. "Halloa, Daubeney! Yoicks! Tally-ho!"
The person addressed in this startling manner stopped as though he had been
shot. He gazed at the sky and then gravely surveyed the gilded statue that
surmounts the picturesque church of Notre Dame de la Garde.
"Here I am, you idiot," continued Fairholme. "I am not in a balloon. I am on the
quay. Come here quick. I want to introduce you to Edith and Sir Hubert."
Luckily Miss Talbot's dark doubts had vanished after one keen glance at
Daubeney. He was eminently a safe friend for her future husband. Such a fat and
hail-fellow-well-met individual could not possibly harbour guile. So she passed
over without reference the extent of Daubeney's acquaintance concerning
herself, implied by the use of her Christian name. Indeed, was there not a
compliment in Fairholme's unconscious outspokenness? If he only discussed her
charms with Daubeney then Daubeney was a man to be cultivated.
The meeting on the quay was hearty in the extreme, and the Honourable James
Daubeney further ingratiated himself by saying: "Even if Lord Fairholme had
not told me who you were, Miss Talbot, I should have known you at once."
"That would be very clever of you," purred Edith.
"Oh, no, there is nothing remarkable in the fact, I assure you. He always sat in
his chambers so that he could look at your photograph, and as, in addition to that
speaking likeness, I know the colour of your hair, your eyes, your teeth even, I
could not be mistaken."
Miss Talbot thought Mr. Daubeney rather curious. But still he was very nice, and
unquestionably the services of the Blue-Bell might be more than useful.
So she was graciousness personified in her manner, and promptly determined to
invite him to luncheon, thinking that the chance direction of their conversation
with Mr. Brett might lead towards the use of the yacht being hinted at.
She counted without Fairholme. The latter slapped his heavy friend on the back.
"Look here, old chap, are you fixed up for a cruise? Plenty of coal, champagne,
and all that sort of thing?"
"Loaded to the gunwales."
"That's all right, because we may want the Blue-Bell for a month or so."
"There she is," said Daubeney; "fit to go anywhere and do anything."
Miss Talbot had never heard such extraordinary conduct in her life. She
wondered how two women would have conducted the negotiations. The question
was too abstruse, so she gave it up and contented herself instead with accepting
Daubeney's hearty request that they should inspect the yacht.
The Blue-Bell was an extremely smart little ship of 250 tons register, and an
ordinary speed of twelve knots. Incidentally Miss Talbot discovered that the
owner made the vessel his home. He was never happy away from her, and the
Blue-Bell was known to every yachtsman from the Hebrides to the Golden Horn.
To eke out her coal supply she was fitted with sails, and Daubeney assured his
fair visitor that the Blue-Bell could ride out a gale as comfortably and safely as
any craft afloat. Altogether Miss Talbot congratulated herself on Fairholme's
discovery, and she could not help hoping that their strange errand to Marseilles
might eventuate in a Mediterranean chase.
When the tour of inspection had ended Daubeney suggested an excursion.
"I understand you have never been to Marseilles before, Miss Talbot. In that
case, what do you say if we run over and see the Chateau d'If—the place that
Dumas made famous, you know?"
"Is it far?" said Edith.
"Oh, not very; about a mile across the harbour. Monte Cristo swam the distance,
you know, after his escape."
"Shall we go in the yacht?"
Daubeney bubbled with laughter.
"Well, not exactly, Miss Talbot. You cannot swing a ship of this size about so
easily as all that, you know. I have another craft alongside that will suit our
purpose."
He whistled to a tiny steam launch which Edith had not noticed before, and
without further ado the party seated themselves. They sped rapidly down the
harbour and out through the narrow entrance between the lighthouses.
No sooner did Edith behold the splendid panorama of rocky coast that encloses
the great outer bay, with its blue waters studded with delightful little islands,
through which fishing boats and small steam tugs threaded their way towards
different points on the coast, than she clapped her hands with schoolgirl delight.
"I had no idea," she cried, "that Marseilles was half so beautiful. Why, it is a
wonderful place. I have always read about it being hot and dirty. It certainly is
untidy, but to wash its citizens would take away all the romance! As for the
climate being hot, just imagine a day like this in the middle of November. Can
you possibly think what the sensation would be if you were plunged into a
London fog at this moment, Mr. Daubeney?"
"I have hardly ever seen one," he replied. "I take mighty good care to be far
removed from my beloved country during the fog season."
She sighed. "What it is to be a man and to be able to roam about the world
unfettered."
"It all depends upon the meaning of the word 'unfettered,'" said Daubeney. "Have
you got any sisters, Miss Talbot?"
They all laughed at this inconsequent question. It was impossible to resist
Daubeney's buoyant good nature, and Edith felt certain that in half an hour she
would be calling him "Jimmy."
They sped across the waves towards the Chateau d'If, and drew up alongside its
small landing-stage.
The island supplies an all-the-year-round resort for the townspeople. Every fine
day a steamer runs at intervals to and fro between it and the inner harbour. The
good folk of the south of France, whether Marseillais or visitors to the city, find
a constant delight in taking the short marine excursion and wandering for half an
hour about the rocky pathways and steep turrets of the famous prison, whilst
they listen with silent awe to the words of the guide when he tells them how the
Abbé died, and shows them the hole between the two walls excavated by Monte
Cristo. So the English visitors found themselves in the midst of a number of
laughing, light-hearted French sightseers.
They wandered round with the crowd until Edith looked at her watch.
"It is past twelve o'clock," she said. "Should we not be going back to the hotel to
lunch? You will come with us, of course, Mr. Daubeney?"
"I am famished with expectation," answered the irrepressible Jimmy, "but before
we go away you certainly ought to climb to the leads and get the panoramic view
of the harbour which the tower affords on a clear day. It is a sight to be
remembered, I promise you."
So they made the ascent, Daubeney leading in his capacity of guide, though he
was quite breathless when they reached the top of the steps.
Edith followed him, and to her alarm perceived that he was purple in the face.
He tried to smile, and indicated by a gesture that he would recover in a minute.
Meanwhile he was speechless.
Fairholme was the next up. He had hardly set foot on the roof before he
exclaimed—
"Well, I'm d——d!"
Edith turned round quickly.
"What on earth is the matter?" she cried. "Why are you using such horrid
language? Mr. Daubeney only hurried a little too fast, that is all."
Fairholme dropped his voice to a whisper.
"Look," he said, indicating with his eyes a distant corner.
Edith followed his glance, and instantly comprehended the cause of his startled
exclamation. For in that quiet spot, far removed from watchful police or
inquisitive hotel servants, stood four men, whom she could not fail to recognize
as Gros Jean, Hussein-ul-Mulk, and the other two Turks, although, of course,
until this moment she had never previously set eyes on them.
She instantly understood that they must continue to talk and act in the guise of
ordinary tourists. In this respect the presence of Daubeney was invaluable, for he
naturally could not guess the community of interest between his aristocratic
friends and the motley group in the corner.
As soon as he regained his breath, Edith and he commenced a lively
conversation. Sir Hubert joined them, and in the course of their casual stroll
round the tower they passed close to the Frenchman and his companions,
attracting a casual glance from the former, who instantly set them down as
English people bound for the East, and whiling away a few hours in Marseilles
prior to the departure of their steamer.
But another surprise awaited them.
A small staircase led to the top of the turret, which, as already described, formed
part of the angle that sheltered the group of men.
When Edith and the others strolled past the door they glanced inside and caught
sight of a shabby-looking Frenchman, who had paused halfway up the stairs, and
was leaning eagerly forward through an embrazured loophole, obviously intent
on hearing every word uttered by the quartette beneath.
Fortunately Edith, who was nearest to the door, was completely shrouded from
Gros Jean's observation. Else that astute gentleman might have noticed her
involuntary start of surprise. For the shabby-looking Frenchman was her brother.
The instant Talbot heard footsteps he naturally turned to see who it was that
approached, and he also was amazed to find Edith's wondering eyes fixed upon
him at a distance of only a few feet.
She nodded her head and placed a warning finger upon her lips. As it happened,
Daubeney caught her in the act, and for the next few moments that gentleman's
emotions were intense, not to say painful.
"Who would have thought it?" he muttered to himself. "A girl like her making
secret signs to a dirty scoundrel of that sort. The beggar was good-looking, of
course; but what—well, I give it up. Poor old Fairholme! What funny creatures
women are, to be sure!"
How much further this soliloquy might have proceeded he knew not, for Edith
sharply interrupted his thoughts.
"You seem to be preoccupied, Mr. Daubeney. What has happened?" she inquired.
"I—I—really don't know."
His distress was so unmistakable that her quick woman's wit divined the true
cause. They had now sauntered some distance away from the part of the tower
that might be marked "dangerous," so she grasped Jimmy's ponderous arm, and
whispered with a delightful smile—
"You saw me make signs to that Frenchman, didn't you?"
"Well—er—I—er——"
"Oh, yes, I understand. Of course you were surprised. But don't jump now, or say
anything; he is my brother!"
She need not have warned Daubeney as to any remarks he might feel inclined to
make, for her announcement again rendered him speechless.
"It is a mystery," she whispered, "a deep secret. We will tell you all about it at
lunch."
 CHAPTER XVIII
TALBOT'S ADVENTURES

Although Miss Talbot spoke so confidently of revelations to accompany the

expected meal, it is idle to pretend that any of the three people who were
cognizant of Talbot's mysterious appearance on the island betrayed undue haste
to return to the waiting lunch.
Sublimely unconscious of the excitement raging in their breasts, Sir Hubert
Fitzjames could not understand why they each and all answered him in such a
flurried manner when he dilated upon the beauties of the bay. Finally he turned
to Edith with an air of apprehension.
"I fear," he said, "that your expedition of last night has upset you. Have you a
headache?"
Then she could contain her news no longer. Drawing him close to the rampart,
and bending down so as to apparently take a deep interest in the laughing
excursionists beneath, she murmured—
"Listen to me carefully, uncle. Don't look around. Have you noticed the party of
Turks and a Frenchman grouped together in the opposite corner?"
"Yes," he said. "You do not mean to tell me that they are the people whom Mr.
Brett met this morning at the station?"
"Yes, unquestionably they are. Had your attention not been otherwise taken up
you must have recognized them from their description. But the most marvellous
thing remains. You know the little turret close to which they are standing?"
"Yes."
"Well, in the staircase leading to the top, and leaning out through a window,
trying to hear what they are saying, is Jack!"
"What an extraordinary thing," said the major-general, who was really very
annoyed that such a meeting should have taken place under his very nose and its
significance remain hidden from him.
"Can we do anything?" he added.
"Nothing save to remain here a little longer and be most careful not to appear to
have the least knowledge of their identity. I have told you lest we might chance
to meet Jack face to face, and you should be taken by surprise if you recognized
him."
"Is he in disguise, then?" gasped her uncle.
"Yes, in a sense. Mr. Talbot has put him into a sort of French working-man's
holiday suit. He looks so odd, but it is evident that neither Gros Jean nor the
Turks have the least suspicion of his presence. It was very clever of Jack to get
into that turret without alarming them."
They were joined by Daubeney and Fairholme, and Edith knew by a single
glance at the expressive expanse of the former's face that should he be again
brought into close proximity to the Turks and her brother it was quite possible
the quick-witted Gros Jean might detect the look of interested amazement which
must inevitably appear upon his honest British countenance.
"Bobby," she said at once, "I want you and Mr. Daubeney to go down to the
launch and await us there. We will join you in a few minutes."
"Certainly," was the reply, for Fairholme knew that some motive lay behind the
request. "You cannot do much by remaining here, can you, so I suppose you will
not be long?"
"No; uncle and I will survey the view until it is firmly fixed in our minds. After
that it is full steam ahead for the Hotel du Louvre."
The two young men disappeared down the stairs leading to the courtyard. On
their way they encountered a number of holiday makers, climbing to the top of
the tower. In they came, twenty or more of them, and promptly spread
themselves around the walls, the Marseillais amongst them indicating to their
country cousins points of interest in the city and along the coast.
At this moment, too, the siren of the small pleasure steamer at the quay
announced she was about to make her hourly trip back to the town. Whereupon
Gros Jean and the Turks, having apparently ended their consultation, crossed the
roof and disappeared down the staircase.
Instantly Jack Talbot strolled after them, but no sooner had the bulky form of
Gros Jean—who was the last of his party—vanished than Talbot ran towards his
uncle and sister, and said rapidly—
"Dubois and the girl have gone to Palermo. Gros Jean and the Turks have been
in communication with the Sultan, and there is a movement on foot to buy back
the diamonds. That is all that I can tell you now, but let Mr. Brett know. When I
have seen these chaps safely home, I will at once come to the hotel."
Then he, too, vanished.
Edith felt a thrill of elation that her good judgment should have led her to remain
sufficiently long on the tower to glean such important information.
When Brett heard the news it seemed to annoy him.
"I feared as much," he said. "I had not much faith in the patriotism of the Young
Turks. I wonder how much the Sultan has offered. It must be a severe wrench for
him to dip his hands into his money-bags, and Dubois will certainly demand a
handsome figure before he disgorges his booty. However, we must possess our
souls in peace until Talbot comes here and tells us all what he has learnt. At this
moment I cannot help marvelling at the strange coincidence which should have
led the Turks and yourself to select the Chateau d'If for a morning stroll. I fully
expected that Gros Jean would be in bed. He must have received some startling
intelligence to keep him away from his rest after a long journey. Meanwhile, I
have not been idle."
Everyone awaited with interest his next words, for Brett seldom made such a
remark without having something out of the common to communicate.
"I telephoned to Paris," he explained, "to tell the Prefecture that Gros Jean and
the Turks had arrived at Marseilles. The police were surprised, and perhaps a
little sore, that they had not discovered the fact for themselves, but when I
soothed them down they informed me that 'Le Ver'—the diminutive scoundrel
whom we rescued from the Rue Barbette—had faithfully kept his appointment
with me at the Grand Hotel yesterday.
"It seems that he was much upset when he learnt that I had left. He went straight
to the commissary to inform him that, contrary to expectations, the Turks were
acting in complete accord with mademoiselle's father. This naturally puzzled the
commissary a good deal, and the affair became still stranger when an attaché
from the Turkish Embassy called a little later and urged the police to do all in
their power to discover the whereabouts of Hussein-ul-Mulk, as he was
particularly anxious to have a friendly talk with him.
"Close on the heels of the Turk came a confidential messenger from the British
Embassy, requesting the latest details, and, when questioned by the commissary,
this man admitted that he had in the first instance called to see me at the Grand
Hotel.
"In a word, Miss Talbot, I had suspected the existence of the negotiations, which
your brother's smart piece of work this morning has confirmed."
Whilst they were talking Fairholme took Daubeney on one side, and with Brett's
permission gave him a detailed account of the whole affair.
The Honourable James Daubeney was delighted to be mixed up in this
international imbroglio. He told the earl that the Blue-Bell was at his disposal at
any moment of the day or night she might be required. Indeed, he forthwith
excused himself on the ground that certain little formalities were requisite before
he could clear the harbour, and he must hurry off to attend to these immediately.
"I tell you what," he added, with his hand on the door, "I will come back and
dine with you, if I may, at half-past seven, because I shall not sleep to-night until
I hear how things are going on. But I promise you, if I meet a single Turk
between here and the harbour, I will cross over to the other side of the street."
No one quite knew what he meant by this portentous guarantee, but it was
evident that Daubeney, if nothing else, was a man of action, and his yacht might
become very useful.
He had hardly quitted the hotel when a waiter announced that a jeune Français
wished to see Mr. Brett.
"Show him up," said the barrister, and a moment later Talbot entered. He stood
near the door twiddling his hat in his hand until the waiter had gone. Then he
told them what had happened since he took up his quarters at the Hotel des Jolies
Femmes.
"When I reached there," he said, "I was under the impression that Gros Jean and
the Turks were in bed. I hired my room; sent my tin box there, and then settled
myself in the café to smoke cigarettes and read these vile Marseilles newspapers
until lunch time. You may judge my surprise when I saw the three Turks and
Gros Jean come out into the street and ask a waiter the way to the post-office.
"They set off, and, being sure of their destination, I did not quit the café myself
until they were well out of sight. Then I walked away in the same direction,
inquired of a policeman the quickest way to reach the post-office, and stepped
out rapidly.
"I had not gone far when I overtook them. They reached the building. The Turks
remained in the street and Gros Jean went inside, so I followed him, and found
him inquiring for letters at the Poste Restante department. Whereupon I sent a
telegram to London."
"Who on earth did you telegraph to, Jack?" broke in Edith.
"To my shirt-maker, telling him to put a couple of dozens in hand at once."
This unexpected answer evoked a general titter.
"The funny thing to me," said Talbot, "was the effect of the message on the
telegraph clerk. He could evidently read English, and he surveyed me curiously,
for in my present appearance I looked a most unlikely person to order shirts by
telegram from a well-known London house. However, I achieved my purpose,
which was to overhear Gros Jean's request. He asked if there were any letters for
M. Isidor de Rion."
"Good gracious," cried Edith, "what an aristocratic name for that fat man."
"Anyhow, it was effective. There was a letter for him, and he evidently only
expected one, for, before the clerk who handed it to him was able to examine the
remainder of the packet, he tore it open, glanced briefly at its contents, and then
hurried out to join his friends to the street. After a short conclave they entered a
café and procured a railway guide. I tried hard to find out what section of the
book Gros Jean was looking at, but failed, for the double reason that he did not
consult the Turks, nor did he seem to make up his mind, for he looked through
the book, sighed impatiently and suggested to the others that they should go out
again. I followed them into the Cannebiere, and thence down towards the
harbour. When we reached the quay a small pleasure steamer was whistling for
passengers, and a placard announced a fifty-centimes return trip to the Chateau
d'If.
"Seemingly on the spur of the moment, Gros Jean invited the others to
accompany him. It probably occurred to him that the island would supply a safe
nook in which they could talk without fear of observation, as their presence on
board the steamer would stamp them as excursionists. So, of course, I followed
them. When we reached the island, I quickly perceived that the castle filled the
whole of it. Therefore, in place of keeping behind them I went in front. We all
passed on with the stream of sightseers until we reached the courtyard. I had
never been in the place before, but Gros Jean seemed to know it well. Owing to
my policy of preceding them I found myself halted for a moment at the foot of
the stairs leading to the tower. It struck me that the Frenchman was making in
this direction, so I took the chance and ran up. I reached the top and looked over
before the party had entered the doorway at the bottom. They came in. Thus far I
was right. I looked around, and found, as you know, the square roof surrounded
by bare battlements with a turret in one corner. I decided instantly that it would
be hopeless to try to get close to them if they halted at any other point save in the
vicinity of the turret. Elsewhere I must remain too far away to catch any portion
of their conversation. So I darted across and entered the turret, noting on my way
up the stairs the existence of the loopholed window where you finally saw me. It
would never do to be caught there, so I went to the top and peeped over. You can
guess how delighted I was when they came straight across and settled
themselves in the angle beneath. Then I crept halfway down the stairs and leaned
as far as I dared through the loophole, being just in time to hear Gros Jean read a
letter from his daughter. Fortunately the innkeeper had to speak plainly, as his
companions were foreigners, and for the same reason I had no difficulty in
catching the drift of what the Turks said.
"The letter was quite short. It told him that H. had decided to leave France, and
had made arrangements to proceed at once to Palermo, whither the writer would
accompany him.
"One sentence I remember exactly: 'H.,' she wrote, 'has friends in Sicily, and he
feels assured of a kind reception at their hands.'"
"Friends!" interrupted Brett. "That means brigands!"
"The information seemed to annoy the Turks very much. They were very angry
at what they described as the enforced delay, and discussed with Gros Jean the
quickest means of reaching Palermo forthwith. Then he told them that he had
endeavoured to find out the trains running through Italy to Messina, but they
could not leave Marseilles until to-night, and he thought it best that they should
have a quiet talk on the situation before deciding too hurriedly upon any line of
action.
"The rest of their conversation was inconsequent and desultory, alluding
evidently to some project which they had fully discussed before. But it is quite
clear from the drift of their remarks that an emissary from the Sultan had
approached Hussein-ul-Mulk, and had offered such terms for the recovery of the
diamonds that not only were the Young Turkish party in Paris eager to
compromise with him, but they had succeeded in convincing Gros Jean that
Dubois also would be likely to accept the proposition."
Brett smiled grimly. "The commissary in Paris always follows up the wrong
person," he said. "Had he only used his wits yesterday morning he would have
discovered that the agent of the Embassy was in touch with Hussein-ul-Mulk.
Hence the presence of the quartette in Marseilles to-day."
Talbot was naturally mystified by this remark until Brett explained to him the
circumstances already known to the reader.
"Was there anything else?" inquired the barrister, reverting to the chief topic
before them.
"Only this. I gathered that Gros Jean did not know his daughter's whereabouts in
Marseilles, but she had arranged that if circumstances necessitated her departure
from the town she would leave a letter for him in the Poste Restante, giving him
full details. Nevertheless, this presupposes the knowledge on her part that he
would come to Marseilles, so I assume therefore that telegrams must have
passed between them yesterday afternoon."
"Obviously!" said Brett. "Anything else?"
"Yes," and now Talbot's voice took a note of passion that momentarily surprised
his hearers. "It seems to me that this underhanded arrangement, if it goes
through, condones the murder of poor Mehemet Ali and his assistants, and
places on me the everlasting disgrace of having permitted this thing to happen
whilst an important and special mission was entrusted to my sole charge by the
Foreign Office. Dubois has been able to commit his crime, get away with the
diamonds, hoodwink all of us most effectually, and, in the result, obtain a huge
reward from the Turkish Government for his services. I tell you, Mr. Brett, I
won't put up with it. I will follow him to the other end of the world, and, at any
rate, take personal vengeance on the man who has ruined my career. For, no
matter what you say, the only effective way in which I can rehabilitate myself
with my superiors is to hand back those diamonds to the custody of the Foreign
Office. No matter how the panic-stricken sovereign in Yildiz Kiosk may
sacrifice his servants to gain his own ends, I, at least, have a higher motive. It
rests with me to prove that the British Government is not to be humbugged by
Paris thieves or Turkish agitators. If I fail in that duty there remains to me the
personal motive of revenge!
"No, Edith; it is useless to argue with me," for his sister had risen and placed her
arms lovingly round his neck in the effort to calm him. "My mind is made up. I
suppose Mr. Brett feels that his inquiry is ended. For me it has just commenced."
The young man's justifiable rage created a sensation which was promptly allayed
by Brett's cool voice.
"May I ask," he said, "what reason you have to suppose that I should so readily
throw up the sponge and leave Monsieur Henri Dubois the victor in this
contest?"
"Do you mean," cried Talbot, starting to his feet, "that you will stand by me?"
"Stand by you!" echoed the barrister, himself yielding for an instant to the
electrical condition of things. "Of course I will. We will recover those diamonds
and bring them back with us to London if we have to take them out of the
Sultan's palace itself!"
"And now, Lord Fairholme," he added, before Talbot could do other than grasp
his hand and shake it impulsively, "we want your friend's yacht. We will set out
for Palermo at the first possible moment. We must reach there many hours,
perhaps a whole day, before Dubois, who is on a sailing vessel, and even with
the start he has obtained cannot hope to equal the performance of a fast steamer.
Let Gros Jean and his Turks travel overland. We will beat them, too. Come, now,
no more talk, but action. You, Fairholme, go ahead and prepare Daubeney. I will
see to your luggage being packed. Talbot and I will join you in half an hour."
"Eh! what is that?" broke in Sir Hubert. "Fairholme, Talbot, you—what are Edith
and I going to do?"
"Mr. Brett, of course," said Edith, in her steady, even tones, "did not trouble to
include us, uncle, because we shall be on the yacht first. A woman can always
pack up much better than a man, you know, and I will look after you, dear."
Brett gave one glance at her flushed and smiling face, and forthwith abandoned
argument as useless.
An hour later the Blue-Bell was skimming merrily past the outer lighthouse in
Marseilles bay.
 CHAPTER XIX
THE RACE

For a wonder, the Gulf of Lyons was not boisterous. They had a pleasant journey
through the night, and Daubeney assured them that his handsome yacht was
doing twelve knots an hour without being pressed.
Next morning they reached the Straits of Bonifacio, and here they had to slacken
speed somewhat, for the navigation of that rocky channel was difficult and
dangerous. Far behind them they could see a huge steamer approaching. As the
morning wore, this vessel came nearer, and Daubeney, important now in his
capacity of commander, announced that she was the P. and O. steamship Ganges,
bound for Brindisi and the East, via the Straits of Messina.
"She left Marseilles at a late hour last night," he said, "and will call at Brindisi
for the Indian mails."
An idea suddenly struck Brett. "Do you know how fast she is steaming?" he
inquired.
"Oh, about thirteen and a half knots an hour. That is her best rate. The P. and O.
boats are not flyers, you know."
"And does she stop at Messina?"
Daubeney now caught the drift of the barrister's questions.
"I don't think so, but Macpherson, my chief engineer, will probably tell us."
Macpherson was produced, a bearded and grizzled personage, hailing from
Dundee. Being a Scotchman he would not commit himself.
"I hav'na hear-rd o' the P. and O. ships stoppin' at Messina," he announced, "but
aiblins they wad if they got their price." And "Mac" would not commit himself
any further.
Another hour passed, and the Ganges was now almost alongside. Although both
ships were well through the Straits of Bonifacio, and the Ganges should have
followed a course a point or two north of that pursued by the Blue-Bell, she
appeared to be desirous to come close to them.
Suddenly the reason became apparent. A line of little flags fluttered up to her
masthead.
"She is signalling us," cried Daubeney excitedly. "Here you," he shouted to a
sailor, "bring Jones here at once."
Jones was the yacht's expert signaller. He approached with a telescope and a
code under his arm. After a prolonged gaze and a careful scrutiny of the code, he
announced—
"This is how the message reads: 'Turks on board.
Stopping Messina.—WINTER.'"
For once the barrister was startled out of his usual quiet self-possession.
"Winter!" he almost screamed. "Is he there?"
A hundred mad questions coursed through his brain, but he realized that to
attempt a long explanation by signals was not only out of the question, but could
not fail to attract the attention of passengers on board the Ganges. This he did
not desire to do. Quick as lightning, he decided that by some inexplicable means
the Scotland Yard detective had reached Marseilles full of the knowledge that
Dubois and the diamonds were en route to Sicily, and had also learnt that he,
Brett, and the others were on board the Blue-Bell.
He had evidently taken the speediest means of reaching the island, and found
himself on board the same ship as Gros Jean and the Turks. Hence he had
approached the captain with the request that the Blue-Bell should be signalled.
"What shall we answer?" said Daubeney, breaking in upon the barrister's train of
thought.
"Oh, say that the signal is fully understood."
Whilst the answering flags were being displayed Daubeney asked—
"What does it all mean?"
"It means," said Brett, "that if the Blue-Bell has another yard of speed in her
engines we shall need it all. It perhaps will make no material difference in the
long run, but as a mere matter of pride I should like to reach Palermo before
Gros Jean. If I remember rightly, Palermo is six hours from Messina by rail. Can
we do it?"
"Mac" was again consulted. Of course he would not commit himself.
"We will try damned ha-r-rd," he said.
And with this emphatic resolve the Blue-Bell sped onwards through the sunlit
sea until, late in the evening, the Ganges was hull down on her quarter.
Macpherson came on deck to take a last look at the P. and O.
"It will be a gr-reat race," he announced, "and I may have to kill a stoker. But
——"
Then he dived below again.
So rapidly did the Blue-Bell speed over the inland sea that as night fell over the
face of the waters on the second day out from Marseilles the look-out forrard
announced "a light on the starboard bow," and Daubeney, after scrutinizing it
through his binoculars and consulting a chart, announced it to be the occulting
light on Cape San Vito.
This discovery occasioned a slight alteration in the course. The Blue-Bell ran
merrily on until the small hours of the morning, when everybody on board was
suddenly awakened by the stoppage of the screw.
This is always a disturbing incident at sea when people are asleep. Travellers not
inured to the incidents of ocean voyaging cannot help conjuring up vivid pictures
of impending disaster.
It is useless to tell them that for the very reason the ship has slackened her speed
it is obvious she is being navigated with care and watchfulness. Reason at such a
time is dethroned by the natural timidity of the unseen, and it is not surprising
therefore that the passengers on board the Blue-Bell should one and all find some
pretext to gain the deck in their eagerness to find out why the vessel had slowed
down. The answer was a reassuring one. She had burnt a flare for a pilot, and
quickly an answering gleam came from afar out of the darkness ahead.
The pilot was soon on board. He was an Italian, but, like most members of his
profession doing business in those waters, he spoke French fluently.
Brett asked him how long, with the north-easterly breeze then blowing, a small
sailing vessel, such as a schooner-rigged fishing-smack, would take to reach
Palermo from Marseilles.
The pilot seemed to be surprised at the question.
"It is a trip not often made, monsieur," he said. "Fishing vessels from Marseilles
are frequently compelled to take shelter under the lea of Corsica or even
Sardinia, but here—in Sicily—why should they come here?"
"Oh, I don't mean a schooner engaged in the fishing trade, but rather a small
vessel chartered for pleasure, taking the place, as it were, of a private yacht."
"Ah," said the Italian, "that explains it. Well, monsieur, with this breeze I should
imagine they would set their course round by the north of Corsica in order to
avoid beating through the Straits of Bonifacio. That would make the run about
650 knots, and a smart little vessel, carrying all her sails and properly ballasted,
might reach Palermo in a few hours over three days."
"Thank you," said Brett. "Is Palermo a difficult port to make?"
"Oh no, monsieur. There is deep water all round here, no shoals, and but few
isolated rocks, which are all well known. The only thing to guard against is the
changeful current. According to the state of the tide and the direction of the
wind, sailing ships have to alter their course very considerably, for the currents
round here are very strong and consequently most dangerous in calm weather."
Brett smiled.
"It would be an ignoble conclusion to the chase if the Belles Sœurs were wrecked
with her valuable cargo. I most devoutly pray," he said to himself, "that the
breezes and currents may combine to bring Dubois safely on shore. Then I think
we can deal with him."
Soon after daybreak the Blue-Bell, after a momentary halt at the Customs
Station, crept past the Castello a Mare, and amidst much gesticulation,
accompanied by a torrent of volcanic Italian, she was tied up to a wharf in the
Cala—the small inner harbour of the port.
Edith, who could not sleep since the advent of the pilot, made an early toilet and
climbed to the bridge, whence she had a magnificent view of the sunrise over the
beautiful city that stands on the Conca d'Oro, or Golden Shell—the smiling and
luxuriant plain that seems to be provided by Nature for man's habitation. It lies
beyond a lovely bay, and is enclosed on three sides by lofty and precipitous
mountains.
Naturally Fairholme was drawn to her side as a chip of steel to a magnet.
"We are certain to have a furious row here," he remarked when they had
exhausted their superlative adjectives concerning the splendid prospect opening
up before their eyes.
"Why?" cried Edith wonderingly. "I understood that our present adventure may
at any moment have exciting developments, but I do not see the association
between the view and the possibility."
"It is this way," he answered. "I have not read a great deal, as you know, but I
have always noticed in my limited way that wherever Nature is most lavish in
her gifts, she seems to take a delight in setting people by the ears. Italy is a fine
country, you know, yet there are more murders to the square inch there than in
any other place on earth. Then again, it is likely that several armed policemen
are at this moment chasing bandits among those hills over there," and he nodded
towards the distant blue heights which looked so peaceful in the clear
atmosphere, now brilliant with the rays of the rising sun.
Edith laughed. "Really, Bobby," she pouted, "you are becoming sentimental. I
half expect to find you break out into verse."
"I can do that, too," he said, "though it is not my own. Hasn't Heber got a hymn
which tells us of a place where

Every prospect pleases,

And only man is vile.

I forget the rest of it."

Miss Talbot faced him rapidly.
"Good gracious, Bobby, what is the matter with you? I never knew you in such a
melting mood before?"
"How can I help it?" he half-whispered, laying his hand on her shoulder. "We
have never been together so much before in our lives. Don't you realize, Edith,
what it means to us if Mr. Brett discovers those diamonds within the next few
hours or days?"
He bent closer towards her and his hand passed from her shoulder round her
neck. "When we return to England, if you are willing, we can be married within
a week."
A bright flush suffused her beautiful face. She bent her head and was silent. It is
quite certain that Fairholme would have kissed her had not Daubeney shouted—
"Look here, you two, flirting on the bridge is strictly forbidden. You will
demoralize the whole crew. Even the pilot cannot keep his eyes off you."
They laughed and giggled like a couple of children caught stealing gooseberries.
Yet the incident and the words were fraught with a solemn significance which
often came back to their minds in other days.
The party breakfasted on board and then set out to survey the hotels. Brett's first
care was to ascertain the scheduled hours of the train service between Messina
and Palermo. To his joy he discovered that neither Winter nor the gang he was
shadowing could possibly reach the city until a quarter to four in the afternoon.
They decided in favour of the Hotel de France as being most modern in its
appearance and centrally situated.
The next thing to do was to provide an efficient watch on all sailing vessels
entering the harbour, and here the pilot proved to be a valuable ally. Brett
explained to him that he was most anxious to meet some people who were
coming from Marseilles on a fishing smack named the Belles Sœurs, No. 107. It
was possible, he explained, that both the number and the name might be
obliterated, so he wished the pilot, or any helpers he might employ for the duty,
to take particular note of all strange boats answering to this description, and at
once report their appearance. This the man guaranteed to do. He said that it was
quite impossible for a French-rigged smack to enter Palermo without attracting
his notice.
As the daily remuneration fixed for his services was far beyond any sum he
could earn as a pilot, he set about his task with enthusiasm. He engaged two
assistants to take turns in watching the harbour, and gave the barrister such
assurances of devotion to duty that Brett felt quite satisfied that Dubois could not
arrive in Palermo without his knowledge. Of course it was quite on the cards that
some secluded creek along the coast might be preferred by the astute schemer as
a point of debarkation, but this was a risk which must be taken.
By approaching the police authorities and requesting their co-operation, and also
using Gros Jean and the Turks as a stalking-horse, Brett felt tolerably certain that
the time would soon arrive when Dubois and he would stand face to face.
In making these manifold preparations the morning passed rapidly. The barrister
insisted that his companions should go for a drive whilst he busied himself with
the necessary details, and they should meet at the hotel for the midday meal. It
was then that he singled out Sir Hubert for his personal share in the pursuit.
"You know Mr. Winter?" he said to the baronet.
"Yes, I remember him perfectly."
"In that case I wish you to go to the station and meet the 3.45 p.m. train on
arrival. You will probably see the Turks and Gros Jean, but pay no attention to
them. Keep a bright look-out for Mr. Winter. Walk up quite openly and speak to
him, and the probability is that should Gros Jean have become suspicious of this
Englishman who follows in the same track as himself, your presence on the
platform will convince him that he was mistaken in imagining the slightest
connection between Winter's journey and his own."
"That is good," said the major-general. "It would never have occurred to me.
Any other commands?"
"None, save this," continued Brett, smiling at the old soldier's eagerness to obey
implicitly any instructions given to him. "When you meet Winter, tell him, if
possible, to so direct his movements as to find out Gros Jean's destination, if it
can be done without giving the Frenchman the slightest cause for uneasiness.
Otherwise the matter is of no consequence. I have already interviewed the chief
of police here, and it will only be a question of an hour's delay before the local
detectives effectually locate the quarters occupied by Gros Jean and the Turks."
 CHAPTER XX
CLOSE QUARTERS

Sir Hubert was all eagerness to undertake his mission. He reached the station at
least half an hour too soon. Anyone seeing him there would readily admit that
the barrister could not have chosen an agent less guileful in appearance. The
very cut of his clothes, the immaculate character of his white spats, bespoke the
elderly British gentleman.
At last the train arrived. The vast majority of its passengers were Sicilian
peasants or business men returning to Palermo from the interior of the island. To
Sir Hubert's delight, he at once caught sight of Gros Jean and the Turks, whom,
of course, he quickly identified as the loungers on the tower of the Chateau d'If.
It occurred to him that there was a remote chance of recognition by Gros Jean, so
he busied himself for an instant in a seeming scrutiny of the bookstall until they
had passed. A little further down the platform he caught sight of Inspector
Winter, that worthy individual being engaged in a fiercely unintelligible
controversy with an Italian porter as to the possession of his portmanteau.
Sir Hubert hurried forward, and seized the amazed policeman by his hand,
wringing it warmly. To tell the truth, Winter did not know for a moment who it
was that accorded him such a cordial greeting, for, as it subsequently transpired,
the policeman was not aware of Sir Hubert's journey to Marseilles, nor did he
guess that Edith was with him.
The stolid detective, however, quickly recovered himself, and his first words
were—
"Did Mr. Brett fully understand my signal?"
"I think so," said the other; "but he will tell you all about that afterwards. At
present he wishes you to ascertain Gros Jean's intended residence."
Mr. Winter smiled with the peculiar air of superiority affected by Scotland Yard.
"Oh, that is too easy," he condescended to explain. "I have been talking to him."
"You don't say so!"
"Yes, I have. My French is bad, and his English is worse, but he understands that
I am in the wholesale grocery trade. I have come to Palermo to buy currants!"
"Most extraordinary! How very clever of you!"
Mr. Winter drew himself up with an air of professional pride.
"That is nothing, sir," he said. "We often make queer acquaintanceships in the
way of business. But Gros Jean is a smart chap. He eyed me curiously when he
happened to hear that I was the fifth passenger who wished to leave the steamer
at Messina, so I took the bull by the horns and made myself useful to him in the
matter of getting his baggage out of the hold."
"Marvellous!" gasped Sir Hubert.
"The upshot of it was that he gave me some advice about currants. We stayed in
the same hotel at Messina, travelled together in the train, and I am going to put
up at the Campo Santo Hotel, where he will stay with the Turks."
Meanwhile the subject of their conversation had quitted the station, and Sir
Hubert's respect for Mr. Winter's powers as a sleuth-hound yielded to anxiety lest
the slippery Frenchman might vanish once and for all.
"Hadn't we better follow him?" he suggested.
Mr. Winter winked knowingly. "Don't be anxious, sir. He wants to be seen in my
company. He believes I am here for trading purposes, and the association will be
useful to him."
Nevertheless the baronet was glad to find that Mr. Winter's confidence was not
misplaced, when, ten minutes later, he again encountered the Frenchman and the
Turks at the door of the Campo Santo, a cheap and popular hotel near the square
that forms the centre of Palermo.
The detective was eminently suited for the rôle he now filled.
"Ah, monsoo," he cried with boisterous good humour, "permittez-moi introducer
un friend of mine, Monsoo Smeeth, de Londres, you know. Je ne savez pas les
noms de votre companiongs, but they are très bons camarades, je suis certain."
Gros Jean was most complaisant.
"It ees von grand plaisir, m'sieu," he said, whilst the Turks gravely bowed their
acknowledgments.
The upshot of this extraordinary meeting was that when Mr. Winter had secured
a room and the party had ordered dinner, the six men set out for a stroll through
the town.
Sir Hubert strove hard to so manœuvre their ramble that they should pass the
Hotel de France, and perchance come under the astonished eyes of Brett and the
others.
But this amiable design was frustrated by Gros Jean's eagerness to visit the post-
office, which lay in a different direction.
One of the Turks, none other than Hussein-ul-Mulk, spoke English fairly well,
and it puzzled the old baronet considerably to answer his questions.
Yet the situation passed off well. Gros Jean came out of the post-office,
apparently without having obtained any missives—a letter, of course, could not
possibly await him—and suggested that they should wander towards the harbour.
Sir Hubert strongly recommended the spectacular beauty of the street where the
Hotel de France lay, but Gros Jean politely insisted that he wished to make some
inquiries at the shipping office, and Mr. Winter backed him up, being ignorant of
the baronet's real motive.
There was nothing to do but yield gracefully.
They walked along the Corso Vittorio Emmanuele. Sir Hubert, fresh with
memories of his morning's drive with a guide, pointed out the chief buildings,
becoming sadly mixed up in the names of some of them.
Still, this was a safer topic than his previous conversation with Hussein-ul-Mulk,
so he persevered gamely.
They soon reached the quay. Sir Hubert became almost incoherent with agitation
when they passed the Blue-Bell and came into full view of Edith, Jack,
Fairholme and Daubeney, who happened to leave the hotel shortly before five
o'clock in order to visit the yacht and secure a good cup of tea.
Brett refused to accompany them, on the ground that his Italian scout, the pilot,
might bring news at any hour, and he must remain within immediate call.
It was a supreme moment when Gros Jean halted and called general attention to
the smart-looking vessel and the tea-drinkers.
Sir Hubert keenly examined the top of the funnel, and tried simultaneously to
yawn and light a cigar. In the result he nearly choked himself. Mr. Winter,
somewhat more prepared for emergencies, endeavoured to interest Gros Jean in
the wonderful clearness of the water.
But Hussein-ul-Mulk and his two sedate friends suddenly betrayed a keen
interest in Fairholme.
When they last met the earl on the tower of the Chateau d'If they were so
engrossed in the object of their visit to Marseilles that he had passed them
unnoticed.
But now, looking steadily at him—for Fairholme was seated facing them, and
was striving to maintain the semblance of an animated chat with Edith—there
came to the Turks a memory, each instant becoming more definite, of an exciting
scene in the Rue Barbette, and the opportune arrival of a stalwart young
Englishman, backed up by a couple of gendarmes.
Hussein-ul-Mulk's swarthy countenance reddened with suspicious anger. He
drew Gros Jean on one side and whispered something to him. The Frenchman
started violently.
"They have recognized you, Bobby!" murmured the quick-witted Edith. "Oh,
why didn't we remain with Mr. Brett!"
There is no knowing what might have happened had not Fate stepped in to
decide in dramatic fashion the important issues at stake.
Whilst Gros Jean and the Turk were still conferring in stealthy tones, and the
English people endeavoured to keep up an appearance of complete unconcern, a
tramp steamer swung round the corner of the mole that protects the harbour.
In tow, with sails trimly furled and six people standing on her small deck—a
lady and gentleman and four sailors—was the Belles Sœurs, fishing-smack No.
107, from Marseilles. Instantly a watcher, otherwise unperceived, ran off from
the quay at top speed towards the Hotel de France.
Gros Jean, the Turks, Edith, Fairholme—each and every member of the two
parties on the wharf and on the deck of the Blue-Bell—momentarily forgot the
minor excitement of the situation in view of this unexpected apparition.
"Voilà! Ils viennent! Venez vite!" cried Gros Jean.
He ran further along the quay, followed by the Turks.
"Quick, Bobby! Oh, Jack, do something! Mr. Brett could not foresee this, though
he seemed to have an inspiration that kept him in the hotel. What can we do?
Dubois and the girl will know you at once! Jack, shouldn't you keep out of sight?
—go below—go and fetch Mr. Brett. Oh, dear, this is dreadful!"
Thus did Edith, for once yielding to feminine irresolution, appeal to her lover
and brother, vainly seeking to discover the best line of action to follow in this
disastrous circumstance, for she knew that the diamonds must now be in the
personal possession of Dubois. It was a golden opportunity to recover the stolen
gems. If once he eluded the grasp of his pursuers after landing they might—
probably would—secure him, but not the diamonds.
Daubeney, now purple with perplexity, and Fairholme, swearing softly under his
breath, sprang from the deck to the low wall of the quay. Almost unconsciously
they joined Sir Hubert and Mr. Winter. Edith followed them. She glanced at her
brother. He was gazing curiously, vindictively, at the two figures on the deck of
the Belles Sœurs. There was a fierce gleam in his eyes, a set expression in his
closed lips, a nervous twitching at the corners of his mouth, that betokened the
overpowering emotions of the moment.
With a woman's intuition Edith realized that no power on earth, no consideration
of expediency, would restrain him from laying violent hands on Dubois at the
first possible opportunity. She knew there must be a struggle, in which Gros Jean
and the Turks, perhaps the four sailors, would participate. They might use knives
and firearms, whereas the Englishmen were unarmed.
So she ran back on board the yacht and cried to the Scotch engineer—
"Oh, Mr. Macpherson! Please come with some of your men! There may be a
fight on the wharf, and Mr. Daubeney and the others will be outnumbered!"
Macpherson for once forgot his cautiousness. There was none of the
characteristic slowness of the Scottish nation in his manner or language as he
yelled down the fore-hatch: "Tumble up, there! Some damned Eye-talians are
goin' to hammer the boss. Bring along a monkey-wrench or the first thing to
hand. Shar-r-p's the wo-r-rd!"
Forthwith there poured from the hatchway a miscellaneous mob of seamen,
firemen and stewards. Following Edith and Macpherson, they ran along the
quay. Already there was something unusual in progress. Loungers by the
harbour, perceiving a disturbance, were running towards the scene of action.
A solitary Italian policeman, swaggering jauntily over the paved roadway, was
suddenly startled out of his self-complacency.
"Caramba!" he shouted. Drawing his sabre, he broke into a run.
For matters had developed with melodramatic suddenness. Casting off the
steamer's tow-ropes, the Belles Sœurs swung alongside the wharf much more
easily and quickly than did the friendly vessel by whose aid she had so soon
reached Palermo.
Both steamer and smack had already been searched by the Customs' officers,
who boarded them in the quarantine station, and the reason that the schooner had
not been earlier sighted from the shore was supplied by the mere chance that she
was rendered invisible by close proximity to her bigger companion.
The instant that the fishing-boat was tied to the wharf, Mlle. Beaucaire sprang
ashore. Gros Jean, breathless and excited, was there to greet her. But the greeting
between father and daughter was not very cordial. The innkeeper seemed to be
dumbfounded with surprise at her early arrival.
Dubois followed more leisurely. He took no notice of Gros Jean, and appeared to
be looking around for a cab. Two of the sailors were handing up a couple of
portmanteaus from the deck. Hussein-ul-Mulk and the two other Turks, unable to
restrain their excitement, crowded round the pink-and-white Frenchman,
jabbering volubly, but Mademoiselle and her father moved some slight distance
away.
At this juncture Mr. Winter strode resolutely forward, seized Dubois firmly by
the shoulder, and said—
"Henri Dubois! In the name of the King of England I arrest you for the murder of
——"
The detective's words were stopped by a blow.
A wild struggle promptly ensued. The man turned on him like a tiger, and the
Turks joined in. Gros Jean, too, ran back to take a hand in the fray. Fairholme,
Sir Hubert, Daubeney and Talbot flung themselves on the would-be rescuers, and
the four French sailors of the Belles Sœurs leaped ashore to assist their passenger
in this unlooked-for attack.
Frantic yells and oaths came from the confused mob, and knives were drawn.
Talbot had but one desire in life—to get his fingers on Dubois' throat. He had
almost reached him, for Winter clung to his prey with bull-dog tenacity, when an
astounding thing happened. The Frenchman's handsome moustaches fell off, and
beneath the clever make-up on her face were visible the boldly handsome
features of La Belle Chasseuse, now distorted by rage and fear.
"You fool!" yelled Talbot to Winter. "You have let him escape!"
Tearing himself from the midst of the fight, he was just in time to see the female
figure, which he now knew must be Dubois masquerading in his mistress's
clothes, jumping into a cab and driving off towards the Corso Vittorio
Emmanuele.
"Come on, Fairholme!" he cried. "He cannot get away! Here comes an empty
carriage!"
But now Macpherson and his allies had reached the scene. Using a "monkey-
wrench or the first thing to hand," they placed the Turks, Gros Jean, and the crew
of the Belles Sœurs on the casualty list.
Mr. Winter's indignation on finding that he had arrested a woman was painful. In
his astonishment he released his grasp and turned to look at the disappearing
vehicle containing the criminal he so ardently longed to lay hands upon.
La Belle Chasseuse, with the vicious instinct of her class, felt that Talbot's
pursuit of her lover must be stopped at all costs.
She suddenly produced a revolver and levelled it at him. Fairholme and Edith
alone noted her action. At the same instant they rushed towards her, but the girl
reached her first.
With a frenzied prayer that she might be in time—for she had been told of this
woman's prowess with a pistol—Edith caught hold of her wrist and pulled it
violently. Her grip not only disconcerted Mademoiselle's deadly aim, but also
caused her to press the trigger. There was a loud report, a scream, and Edith
collapsed to the ground with a severe bullet wound in her left shoulder. Even her
cloth jacket was set on fire by the close proximity of the weapon.
It is to be feared that Fairholme flung La Belle Chasseuse from off the quay into
the harbour with unnecessary violence. Indeed, the Italian onlookers, not
accustomed to sanguinary broils, subsequently agreed that this was the pièce de
resistance of the spectacle, for the lady was pitched many feet through the air
before she struck the water, whence she was rescued with some difficulty.
i_4
"Fairholme flung La Belle Chasseuse with unnecessary violence."
— Page 278.
Careless how or where Mademoiselle ended her flight, the earl dropped on his
knees beside Edith and quickly pressed out the flames of the burning cloth with
his hands. He burnt himself badly in the act, but of this he was insensible. Then
he bent closer and looked desperately, almost hopelessly, into her face.
"Speak to me, darling!" he moaned in such a low, broken-hearted voice that even
Sir Hubert, himself almost mad with grief, realized how the other suffered.
Edith heard him. She opened her eyes, and smiled bravely.
"I don't think it is serious," she murmured. "I was hit high up—somewhere in the
shoulder. Don't fret, there's a dear."
Then she fainted.
Not knowing why Fairholme did not join him, Talbot raced towards the carriage
he had seen approaching. It was a smart vehicle, with a sleek, well-groomed
horse, and he guessed that it must be a private conveyance. Gazing anxiously
around, he could not see another carriage anywhere in the vicinity. There was
nothing for it but the method of the brutal Saxon. Explanations would need
precious time and might be wasted. So Talbot jumped into the victoria, hauled
the coachman off the box, threw him into the roadway, seized the reins, and
climbed into the vacant seat.
Brett, hurrying with the pilot from the Hotel de France, saw a veiled and curious-
looking female vehemently urging the driver of a carriage to proceed up the
main street of Palermo as fast as his horse could travel.
Even in the turmoil of thought caused by the pilot's intelligence he noted
something peculiar in the lady's manner. Half a minute later he encountered
Talbot, driving an empty vehicle and furiously compelling with reins and whip a
lazy animal to exert himself.
Brett shouted to him. He might as well have addressed a whirlwind.
"I saw them all together on the yacht when I came away, signor," exclaimed the
pilot. "That is, all except the old signor, who was walking with some Turks, a
Frenchman, and another who looked like an Englishman."
"The old signor was walking with the Turks?" cried Brett.
"Without doubt. He conversed with them. I thought it strange that he took no
notice of those on board the yacht, but just then the steamer——"
"Now," said Brett to himself, "Winter has arrested somebody. Talbot is on the
right track!"
Yielding to impulse he stopped suddenly and called a cab.
"Here!" he said to the pilot, "ask the driver if he saw two carriages pass up the
Corso just now at a very fast pace? Very well! Tell him to follow them if
possible. Jump in with me. I may need your services as interpreter. We must
overtake one or both of those carriages!"
 CHAPTER XXI
THE FIGHT

Not often have the good people of Palermo seen three cabs pass through the
Corso Vittorio Emmanuele in such fashion. The sight made loiterers curious,
drove policemen frantic, and caused the drivers of other vehicles to pull to one
side and piously bless themselves.
Dubois had evidently offered his cocchiere a lavish bribe for a quick transit
through the city, and the Italian was determined to earn it. Although he had a
good start, and his horse was accustomed to negotiating the main thoroughfare at
a rapid pace, nevertheless the half-starved animal was not able to maintain a high
rate of speed for more than a few minutes.
By the time they reached the Corso Catafini, which carries the chief artery of
Palermo out into the country—crossing the railway and passing the magnificent
convent of San Francisco de Sale—the horse was labouring heavily
notwithstanding the frantic efforts of the cabman.
It was at this point, when mounting the bridge, that Dubois knew for certain he
was followed. Three hundred yards behind, he saw Talbot whipping an equally
unwilling, but better-conditioned steed than that which carried his own fortunes.
At the distance he could not recognize the Englishman, but instinct told him that
this impassioned driver was an enemy.
Brett, of course, was not visible, being far in the rear.
"My friend," said Dubois, standing up in the small carriage and leaning against
the driver's seat, "I offered you twenty francs if you crossed the city quickly. I
will make it forty for another mile at the same pace. See, I place the money in
your pocket."
"It will kill my horse, signorina."
"Possibly. I will buy you another."
The cocchiere thought that this was a lady of strange manner. There was an odd
timbre in her voice, a note of domination not often associated with the fair sex.
But she had given earnest of her words by a couple of gold pieces, so he
murmured a prayer to his favourite saint that the horse might not die until the
right moment.
Thus they swirled on, pursued and pursuers, until the villa residences on the
outskirts of the town were less in evidence, and fields devoted to the pepper-
wort, alternated with groves of olives and limes, formed the prevalent features of
the landscape.
Now it became evident that the leading horse could barely stagger another fifty
yards, notwithstanding the inhuman efforts of the cocchiere to make the most of
the poor brute's failing energies. At last the animal stumbled and fell, nearly
pulling the driver off his perch. It was sad, but he had more than earned his price,
for Palermo lay far behind.
"My horse is done for, signorina," cried the cabman. "It is marvellous that he
—Corpo di Baccho! It is a man!"
Dubois felt that his feminine trappings were no longer a disguise, only a
hindrance. He had torn off jacket, skirt, hat and wig. The frightened cabman saw
his fare—changed now into an athletic young man, attired in shirt and trousers,
the latter rolled up to his knees—spring from the vehicle and vault over a ditch
by the roadside.
Some portion of the discarded clothing lay on the seat of the carriage, but
Dubois had thrown the skirt over his arm.
"Here! Come back!" yelled the Italian. "What about payment for my dead
horse?"
But Dubois paid little heed to him. He was fumbling with the pocket of the skirt
as he ran. Not until he had withdrawn a revolver from its folds—whereupon he
at once threw away the garment—did the maddening remembrance come to him
that he unloaded the weapon prior to the Customs examination, and had
forgotten to reinsert the cartridges.
They were in the pocket of his serge coat, the coat which Mademoiselle wore.
She, like a prudent young woman, had been careful to reload the revolver she
carried, and which she transferred to her new attire when, at the last moment,
Dubois suggested the exchange of clothing as a final safeguard in the most
unexpected event of police interference with their landing.
Henri Dubois could not afford to expend his breath in useless curses. But his
eyes scintillated with fiery gleams. He, the man who took no chances, who
foresaw every pitfall and smiled at the devices of outraged law, to compromise
his own safety so foolishly!
For an instant he was tempted to fling the weapon away, but he controlled the
impulse.
"As it is," he thought, "this fellow who is pursuing me may not be armed, and I
can terrorise him if he comes to close quarters."
Moreover, this superlative scoundrel could feel tightly fastened round his waist a
belt containing diamonds worth over a million sterling. Such a ceinture was
worth fighting for, whilst his pocket-book contained ample funds for all
immediate necessities.
If the worst came to the worst he carried a trustworthy clasp knife, and he was an
adept in the savate—the system of scientific defence by using hands and feet
which finds favour with Parisian "sports."
On the whole, Henri Dubois made for a neighbouring wood in a state of boiling
rage at his momentary lapse concerning the revolver, but conscious that he had
many a time extricated himself from a worse fix. A hundred yards in his rear ran
Jack Talbot. The Englishman, notwithstanding his recent imprisonment, was in
better condition than Dubois. He was a good golf player and cricketer, and
although in physique and weight he did not differ much from the Frenchman, his
muscles were more firmly knit, and his all-round training in athletic exercises
gave him considerable advantage.
Thus they neared the wood, neither man running at his top speed. Both wished to
conserve their energies for the approaching struggle. Talbot could have come up
with his quarry sooner, were it not for the paramount consideration that he
should not be spent with the race at the supreme moment, whilst Dubois only
intended to seek the shelter of the trees before he faced his opponent. The
Frenchman did not want witnesses.
Neither was aware that Brett and the Italian pilot had by this time reached the
place where the two leading carriages were halted in the roadway. Without
wasting a moment the barrister leapt the intervening ditch and followed the
runners across the field, whilst behind him, eagerly anxious to see the end of this
mysterious chase, came the sailor.
On the edge of the wood Dubois halted and turned to face his pursuer. Instantly
he recognized Talbot, and for the first time in his career a spasm of fear struck
cold upon the Frenchman's heart. In the young Englishman he recognized the
only man who had cause to hate him with an implacable animosity.
But the unscrupulous adventurer quickly recovered his nerve.
"So it is you who follow me so closely," he cried. "Go back, my friend. This time
I will not tie you on a bed. You are becoming dangerous. Go back, I tell you!"
And with these words he levelled the revolver at Talbot's breast, for the latter
was now within fifty yards of him. But Jack was animated with the mad elation
of a successful chase, and governed by the fierce resolve that his betrayer should
not escape him. For an instant he stopped. It was only to pick up a huge stone.
Then he ran on again, and, careless whether Dubois fired or not, he flung the
missile at him.
The Frenchman barely succeeded in dodging, as it passed unpleasantly close to
his head. He instantly understood that here was a man who could not be deterred
by idle threats. To attempt to keep him at arm's length by pointing an empty
pistol at him would merely court disaster.
So now, with an imprecation of genuine rage, he flung the weapon at Talbot,
who, in his turn, was so surprised by the action that he did not get out of the way
in time. It struck him fair in the chest and staggered him for a moment,
whereupon Dubois ran off again into the interior of the wood.
But Talbot's pause was only a matter of seconds. He did not trouble to pick up
another stone. He felt with a species of mad joy that his enemy was unarmed—
that he could throttle him with his hands, and wreak upon him that personal and
physical vengeance which is dearer to outraged humanity than any wounds
inflicted by other means.
Dubois reached a small glade among the trees before he comprehended that his
ruthless adversary was still close at his heels. He stopped for the last time,
resolved now to have done with this irritating business, once and for all. Talbot
too halted, about ten yards from him. He felt that he had the Frenchman at his
mercy, and there were a few things he wished to say to him before they closed in
mortal combat.
"This time, Henri Dubois," he panted, "I am not drugged and strapped helplessly
to a bed. You know why I am here. I have followed you to avenge the stigma
you inflicted on my reputation and at the same time to recover the diamonds
which you obtained by subterfuge and murder."
The Frenchman was quite collected in manner.
"I murdered no one," he answered. "I could not help the blundering of other
people. If I am regretfully compelled to kill you to-day, it is your own fault. I am
only acting in self-defence."
"Self-defence!" came the quick retort. "Such men as you are a pest. Like any
wild beast you will strive to save your miserable life! But, thank Heaven, you
must depend upon your claws. Lying and trickery will avail you no further!"
"How can we fight?" demanded the Frenchman calmly.
"Any way you like, you villain. As man to man if you are able. If not, as dog to
dog, for I am going to try and kill you!"
"But you are probably armed, whereas I am defenceless? My revolver, as you
saw, was not loaded."
"We are equal in that respect, if in no other," retorted Talbot.
An evil smile lit up the Frenchman's pallid face. He pulled out his knife with a
flourish and hissed—
"Then die yourself, you fool!"
He advanced upon Jack with a murderous look in his face. Talbot awaited him,
and he, too, smiled.
"You are a liar and a coward to the end!" he cried. "But if you had twenty knives,
Henri Dubois, I will kill you!"
At that instant a cold, clear voice rang out among the trees, close behind the two
men.
"Halt!" it cried.
Both men involuntarily paused and turned their eyes to learn whence came this
strange interruption. Brett quietly came a few paces nearer.
He held a revolver, pointed significantly at Dubois' breast.
"Drop that knife," he said, with an icy determination in tone and manner that
sent a cold shiver through his hearer's spine.
"Drop it, or, by God, I will shoot you this instant!"
Dubois felt that the game was up. He flung down the knife and tried even then to
laugh.
"Of course," he sneered, "as I am cornered on all sides I give in."
Brett still advanced until he reached the spot where the knife lay. He picked it
up, and at the same instant lowered the revolver. Then he observed, with the easy
indifference of one who remarks upon the weather—
"Now you can fight, monsieur. My young friend here is determined to thrash
you, and you richly deserve it. So I will not interfere. But just one word before
you begin. Two can play at the game of bluff. This is your own pistol. It is, as
you know, unloaded."
Dubois' cry of rage at the trick which had been played on him was smothered by
his effort to close with Talbot, who immediately flung himself upon him with an
impetuosity not to be denied.
Luckily for the Englishman he had clutched Dubois before the latter could
attempt any of the expedients of the savate. Nevertheless the Frenchman sought
to defend himself with the frenzy of desperation.
The fight, while it lasted, was fast and furious.
The two men rolled over and over each other on the ground—one striving to
choke the life out of his opponent, the other seeking to rend with teeth and nails.
This combat of catamounts could not last long.
From the writhing convulsive bodies, locked together in a deadly struggle,
suddenly there came a sharp snap. The Frenchman's right arm was broken near
the wrist.
Then Talbot proceeded to wreak his vengeance on him. Unquestionably he
would have strangled the man had not Brett interfered, for with his left hand he
clutched Dubois' throat, whilst with the right he endeavoured to demolish his
features. But the barrister, assisted by the Italian pilot—whose after-life was
cheered by his ability to relate the details of this Homeric fight—pulled the
young man from off his insensible foe.
Talbot regained his feet. Panting with exertion, he glared down at the prostrate
form, but Brett, being practical-minded, knelt by the Frenchman's side, tore open
his shirt, and unfastened the precious belt.
"At last!" he murmured.
Peering into one of the pockets, which by the way of its bulging he thought
would contain the "Imperial diamond," he looked up at Talbot with the words—
"Now, Jack, we are even with him."
It was the first time he had addressed Talbot by his familiar and Christian name.
The very sound brought back the other man to a conscious state of his
surroundings, and in the same instant a great weakness came over him, for the
terrible exertions of the past few minutes had utterly exhausted him.
"I cannot even thank you, for I am done up. But I owe it all to you, old man. If it
had not been for you we should never have found him."
Brett's grave face wrinkled in a kindly smile.
"I think," he said, "we are even on that score. If you had not followed this rascal
he might have escaped us at the finish, and my pride would never have
recovered from the shock. However, go and sit down for a minute or two and
you will soon pull yourself together again. I wish to goodness we had some
brandy. A drop would do you good, and our prostrate friend here would be none
the worse for a reviver."
The Italian pilot caught the word "brandy." Being a sailor he was equal to all
emergencies. He produced a small flask with a magnificent air.
"Behold!" he declared. "It is the best. It is contraband!"
Brett forced his companion to swallow some of the liquor; then he gently raised
Dubois' head and managed to pour a few drops into his mouth.
The Frenchman regained consciousness. Awakening with a start to the realities
of existence, he endeavoured to rise, but sank back with a groan, for he had
striven to support himself on his broken arm.
"Be good enough to remain quite still, M. Dubois," said Brett soothingly. "You
have reached the end of your rope, and we do not even need to tie you."
With the aid of some handkerchiefs and a couple of saplings cut by the Italian he
managed roughly to bind the fractured limb. Then he assisted Dubois to his feet.
"Come," he said, "we are regretfully compelled to bring you back to town, but
we will endeavour to make the journey as comfortable as possible for you. In
any event, the horses will certainly not travel so fast."
In the roadway they found the carriages where they had left them, whilst three
wondering cocchieri were exchanging opinions as to the mad behaviour of the
foreigners.
Brett and the Frenchman entered one vehicle, Talbot and the Italian pilot the
other.
"But, gentlemen," moaned the disconsolate cabman who had headed the
procession from Palermo, "who will pay me for my dead horse?"
"I know not," replied Brett. "In any event you had better occupy the vacant seat
and drive those two gentlemen to the city, where you can secure the means of
bringing back your carriage."
In this guise the party returned to Palermo, evoking much wonderment all the
way through the Corso Vittorio Emmanuele, whence no less than six outraged
policemen followed them to the Hotel de France to obtain their names and
addresses.
 CHAPTER XXII
PIECING THE PUZZLE

Palermo was in a perfect ferment. Not since the last revolution had people seen
such a pitched battle in the streets, for Macpherson and his myrmidons had used
no gentle means to pacify Gros Jean and the Turks, whilst the crew of the Belles
Sœurs would not be in a fit state to go to sea for many days.
An excited mob of people surrounded the hotel when Brett and Talbot arrived
with their wounded prisoner. Fortunately the Chief of Police came in person to
ascertain the cause of all this turmoil. The first alarmist report that reached his
ears made out that a species of international warfare had broken out in the
harbour.
He told his subordinates to clear away the crowd, and explanations by Brett and
Winter soon demonstrated the wisdom of an official communique to the Press
that the row on the pier was merely the outcome of a quarrel between some
intoxicated sailors.
The Chief of the Police politely offered to place detectives at the disposal of the
Englishmen for the proper custody of their captive. Brett thanked him, but
declined the proffered assistance, having decided to warn Winter not to interfere.
"The only prisoner of interest," he explained, "received such severe injuries
during a struggle which he brought on himself that he will be quite unable to be
moved for several days. His right arm is broken, and his face has been reduced
to a pulp. There is a stout Frenchman named Beaucaire and three Turks who
accompanied him, whom I recommend to your safe custody. We bring no charge
against them, but it would be as well to keep them under lock and key until we
have left Palermo."
"Do you mean the innkeeper Gros Jean and the Turks who accompanied him
from Messina by train to-day?"
"Yes."
"You need not trouble about them. They have all been carried to the hospital."
"What!" exclaimed Brett. "How did they come to be injured?"
"I cannot tell you exactly, but they, together with some sailors from the fishing-
smack, were knocked senseless by the crew of the steam yacht when the young
lady was shot."
"What young lady?" demanded Brett and Talbot together. This conversation had
taken place in the entrance of the hotel, whilst Dubois was being carried to a
bedroom by the servants.
"Did you not know?" inquired the official gravely. "The young lady was of your
company who stayed here with you—the niece of milord, the elderly
gentleman."
"Edith! Shot, did you say!" cried her brother, leaning against the barrister for
support.
"Yes, but not seriously, I hope. She has been brought here. The doctors are now
with her in her room."
"Who shot her?" demanded Brett savagely.
"The person who was flung into the harbour by the other milord. It is stated that
she is a woman, but really at this moment I have not heard all the facts. She was
carried to the hospital with the others."
The two waited to hear no more. They ran upstairs, and Talbot would have fallen
twice had not Brett supported him. Reaching the corridor which contained their
apartments they found Sir Hubert, Lord Fairholme, Daubeney, and Mr. Winter
standing silently, a sorrowful, motionless group, outside Edith's room.
"What terrible thing has happened?" Brett asked them. "Surely Miss Talbot
cannot be seriously hurt?"
The only one who could answer was Mr. Winter.
"We hope not, sir," he said, "but the doctors will be here in a moment. They are
extracting the bullet now."
Before the bewildered barrister could frame another question the door of Edith's
room opened noiselessly, and two Italian gentlemen emerged. One of them spoke
English well. He addressed himself to Sir Hubert Fitzjames.
"I am glad to tell you," he said cheerfully, "that the young lady's wound is not at
all dangerous. It looks worse than it is. Most fortunately, the bullet first struck a
large bone button on her coat. This, combined with the thick woollen material,
and some small amount of padding placed beneath the collar by the maker,
offered such resistance that the bullet lodged itself against the collar bone
without breaking it. Consequently, although the wound has a nasty appearance, it
is not at all serious. The young lady herself makes light of it. Indeed, she thought
that an anaesthetic was unnecessary, but of course we administered one prior to
extraction, and she is now resting quietly."
"You are not deceiving us, doctor? Tell us the truth, for Heaven's sake." It was
Fairholme's voice, broken and hollow, that so fiercely uttered these words.
The kindly doctor turned and placed his hand upon the earl's shoulder.
"I would not dream of such a thing," he answered. "It would be cruel to raise
false hopes if the young lady's condition were really dangerous. Believe me,
there is nothing to fear. With the careful attention she will receive, she will be
well able to travel within a week, though, of course, the wound will not be fully
healed until later."
Sir Hubert managed to stammer—
"When can we see her?"
"As soon as she wakes from sleep. We have given her a small draught, you
understand, to secure complete rest after the shock of the operation. My
colleague and I will return here at eight o'clock, and then there will probably be
no reason why you should not speak to her. Meanwhile be confident; there is
absolutely no cause for alarm."
With this reassuring statement they had perforce to rest content. The medical
men were about to take their departure when Brett intervened.
"There is yet another patient who requires your attention, gentlemen," he said.
"You will find him in room No. 41. He is suffering from a broken arm and other
injuries."
The doctors hurried off, and it was not long before they were able to make a
satisfactory report concerning Dubois.
"The fracture of the ulna is a simple one," said the spokesman, "and will become
all right in the ordinary course of nature. But what happened to the man's face?"
"He settled a slight dispute with my friend here," said Brett, indicating Talbot,
who was leaning with his head wearily resting on his hands. The accident to
Edith had utterly unnerved her brother.
"Then all I can say," remarked the doctor, when he took his leave, "is that the
settlement was complete. Whatever the debt may have been, it is paid in full!"
The Englishmen were now safe in the seclusion of a private room, so Brett
resolved to arouse Talbot from the stupor which had settled upon him.
"Listen to me, Jack," he said. "You must pull yourself together. Don't forget you
have an important trust to discharge. Our first duty is to ascertain whether or not
the diamonds are intact."
He laid on the table the belt taken from Dubois, and lifted out its precious
contents with careful exactness. The men crowded around. Even amidst the
exciting events of the hour, the sight of the fateful stones which had caused so
much turmoil and bloodshed could not fail to be deeply interesting.
Predominant among them was the Imperial diamond, luminous, gigantic,
awesome in its potentialities. Its size and known value rendered it one of the
most remarkable objects in the world, whilst even in its present unfinished state
the facets already cut by the workmen gave evidence to its brilliant purity.
Pulling himself together by an effort, Talbot advanced to the table and slowly
counted the stones. There were fifty-one all told, and even the smallest of the
collection was a diamond of great value.
"Yes," he said, "that is the correct number. I cannot be certain, but I believe they
are the originals. The big one certainly is. It will be one of the happiest days of
my life when I see the last of them."
"That day will arrive soon," remarked Brett quietly. "You and I, Mr. Winter, must
sail on the Blue-Bell to-night for Marseilles. That is, if Mr. Daubeney is
agreeable," he added, turning to that worthy gentleman, whose face was a trifle
paler than it had been for years.
"I am at your service, gentlemen," he announced promptly.
"But what about Fairholme and the young lady," he went on, turning to Sir
Hubert.
"I think I understand," replied the baronet. "Mr. Brett means that these wretched
diamonds should pass officially out of the control of the British Government as
early as possible."
The barrister nodded.
"That being so, no time should be lost. Edith, should all go well, will be
compelled in any event to remain here for several days before she can be
removed. You, Jack, and you, Mr. Brett, should you so desire, can easily return
here from London, after having fulfilled the trust reposed in you."
"Then I only make one stipulation," put in Daubeney quickly. "The Blue-Bell
will remain in Marseilles and bring you back."
His eagerness evoked a quiet smile all round, and it was generally agreed that
this programme should be followed. In the brief discussion which ensued, Mr.
Winter explained his earlier movements. The detectives attached to the British
Embassy in Paris told him of Dubois' journey to Marseilles.
Learning that Brett was staying at the Hotel du Louvre et de la Paix, he went
straight there on his arrival, only to learn that the barrister and some friends had
quitted Marseilles that day on a private yacht bound for Palermo. The local
police filled in some of the details, but chance did the rest.
Going to the P. and O. office to book his passage to Messina on the Ganges, he
heard of Gros Jean and the Turks, and then knew that he was on the right scent.
There was a touching meeting between Edith and the others that evening. She
was naturally pale and weak, but her buoyant spirit triumphed over physical
defects, and she made light of her injuries. Even Fairholme was restored to a
state of sanity by his brief visit, a fact that was evidenced by his quiet enjoyment
of a cigar when he walked down to the quay to witness the departure of the Blue-
Bell.
Before leaving Palermo Brett had another interview with the Chief of Police, the
result being that unobtrusive but effective means were taken to safeguard the
different members of the gang which had caused so much personal suffering and
diplomatic uneasiness.
The reception of the party in London may be detailed in a sentence. The Turkish
Ambassador was specially instructed from Constantinople to take charge of the
diamonds, and Talbot had the keen satisfaction of personally handing them over
to the Sultan's representative, in the presence of his chief at the Foreign Office.
The unlucky gems were forthwith taken back to their owner, and no doubt repose
at this moment in a special reliquary, together with other mementoes of the
Prophet, for the project which led to their first visit to London was definitely
abandoned.
Meanwhile daily telegrams from Palermo assured Talbot and Brett as to the
continued progress of the fair sufferer, who had so nearly sacrificed her life in
her devoted championship of her brother's cause.
At last a day came when the Blue-Bell again steamed into the harbour of
Palermo, and the manner in which Fairholme shouted when he caught sight of
Daubeney standing on the bridge was in itself sufficient indication that all had
gone well during their absence.
The travellers were surprised and delighted to find Edith herself seated in a
carriage with her uncle on the wharf. Were it not that she was pale, and her right
arm was tightly strapped across her breast to prevent any movement of the
injured shoulder, no one could have guessed that she had recently undergone
such a terrible experience.
But Brett, delighted as he was to meet his friends again under such pleasant
conditions, experienced the keenest sentiments of triumphant elation when he
entered the apartment where Dubois was still confined under the watchful guard
of two detectives.
Talbot accompanied him. The young Englishman had by this time quite forgiven
his enemy. He felt that he was more than quits with him. Indeed, he was the first
to speak when they came together.
"I am sorry to see it is your turn to be trussed up in bed, Dubois," he said. "How
are you feeling now? Getting along all right, I hope."
The Frenchman did not answer him directly. A faint smile illumined his pale
face. He turned to Brett with a nonchalant question—
"Mr. Brett, have you any influence with those two worthy Italian doctors?"
"Perhaps," said the barrister. "What is it you want?"
"I want a cigarette. They won't let me smoke. Surely to goodness, a cigarette
won't hurt my arm."
The barrister turned a questioning glance towards the male nurse in charge of the
patient, but the man did not understand what had been said. Brett, who spoke no
Italian, indicated by pantomime what it was the Frenchman required, and the
attendant signified his sentiments in silent eloquence—he turned and looked out
of the window. So Dubois enjoyed his cigarette in peace. He gave a sigh of great
contentment, and then said, lazily—
"Now, ask me anything you like. I am ready."
"There is only one point concerning which I am really at fault," began Brett.
"How did your Turkish associates manage to murder Mehemet Ali and his
secretaries so quietly?"
"Oh, that was easy enough," declared the Frenchman. "You understand I was in
no way responsible for the blood-letting, and indeed strongly disapproved of it."
"Yes," replied the barrister. "I believe that."
"Well, the rest of the business was simplicity itself. Hussein—the Envoy's
confidential servant—was in our pay. It was, of course, absolutely necessary to
have an accomplice in the house, and his price was a small one—five hundred
pounds, I think. The credentials we brought, which you, Mr. Talbot, examined,
were not forgeries."
"How can that be?" cried Jack. "The Sultan would never be a party to a plot for
his own undoing."
"Don't ask me for explanations I cannot give," responded Dubois coolly. "The
exact facts of this story can only be ascertained at Yildiz Kiosk, and I do not
suppose that anyone there will ever tell you. No doubt you saw for yourself that
Mehemet Ali was convinced. Were it not for you, he would have given up
control that night. But you and your policemen, and your confounded English
notions of right and wrong, rendered necessary the adoption of the second part of
the plan we had decided on, in case the first miscarried. After I left the house
with you, Hussein brought in more coffee. That which he and my Turkish friends
drank was all right. The beverage given to Mehemet Ali and his secretaries was
drugged."
"Ah!" interrupted Brett, "that explains everything. But why was Hussein killed?"
"That is another matter, which only a Turk can understand. These fellows believe
in the knife or a piece of whipcord as ending unpleasant difficulties most
effectually. You see they were not ordinary rogues. They pretended to be
conspirators actuated by pure political motives—motives which a common
servant like Hussein could not really be expected to appreciate. So to close his
mouth thoroughly they stabbed him whilst he was taking some loose cash from
his master's pockets. Then it occurred to them that when Mehemet Ali and the
others recovered from the effects of the drug, they also would be able to throw
an unpleasantly strong light on the complicity of certain high personages in
Constantinople. This was sufficient reason for the adoption of strong measures,
so they also were peacefully despatched."
"But where did the knife come from?" pursued Brett. "It was not in their
possession when they entered, nor when they left."
"No; of course not. Hussein brought it himself, to be used in case of necessity.
He also brought the pliers which cut the wire blinds, and the material used for
concealing the broken strands subsequently. Hussein was really an excellent
confederate, and I was furious when I heard that he was dead. You know how the
diamonds were abstracted from the house?"
"Yes," said Brett. "They were made up into a parcel and flung through the
window into the Park. The knife and the pliers accompanied them, I suppose?"
"The third Turk—the gentleman who pulled you down on to the bed so
unceremoniously, Mr. Talbot—was waiting there for the packet. But he had to
hide in the Park all the night, until the gates were opened in the morning. It was
a ticklish business right through. I did not know at what hour the police might
discover the extent of the crime. The diamonds did not reach me until seven
o'clock. And then I had some difficulty in persuading the Turks to give them up
to me. You see, I had my own little plan, too, which these excellent gentlemen
never suspected, as they already had paid me £5,000 for my help. But the real
heads of the party were in Paris—Hussein-ul-Mulk and that gang, you know—
and by representing the danger to their cause which would result from any
attempt on the part of the Turks in London to reach France, they were at last
persuaded. By nine o'clock that morning I got them safely off to the docks,
where they boarded a vessel bound for Smyrna. Their passages were already
booked in Armenian names. Gros Jean, who had no connexion with the affair
personally, stayed at a little hotel in Soho in order to report all clear during the
next few days. He happened by chance to travel with you and the other man. It
was a clever scheme, I assure you, from beginning to end. By the way, may I
trouble you for another cigarette?"
"These are not equal to Hussein-ul-Mulk's," said Brett, producing his case.
"No, he has an exquisite taste in tobacco. But I nearly fooled him with the
dummy diamonds. I would have done so if it had not been for you. Do you
know, Mr. Brett, I have always underrated Englishmen's brains. You are really
stupid as a nation"—here Talbot almost blushed—"but you are an exception.
You ought to be a Frenchman."
"I suppose I may regard that as a compliment?" remarked Brett casually.
"Take it as you like," said Dubois. "And now that I have told you all that you
want to know, I suppose, may I ask you a question of some interest to myself?
What is to become of me? Am I to be hanged, or imprisoned, or passed on to the
Sultan for treatment?"
Brett was silent for a few moments. He had fully discussed Dubois' connexion
with the British authorities.
"How much of the five thousand pounds given you by the Turks remains in your
possession?" he demanded.
The Frenchman hesitated before replying—
"There is no use lying to you. I have not yet expended the first thousand,
although I had to pay pretty dearly for a good many things."
Again there was silence.
"Why did you come here?" asked the barrister.
"Because I would be safe for some months with a few hospitable gentlemen
whom I know up in the hills there." He nodded towards the window, through
which they could see the blue crests of the distant mountains.
"And then?"
"Then Marguerite and I were going to the Argentine, to dwell in rural felicity,
and teach our children to bless the name of Mahomet and Abdul Hamid."
"Marguerite is Mademoiselle Beaucaire?"
"Yes, poor girl! I hear she is ill and in prison, together with her excellent father.
Really, Mr. Brett, I cannot help liking you, but I ought to feel anxious to cut your
throat."
"In that case you would certainly be hanged. Are you married to Mademoiselle
Beaucaire?"
The Frenchman darted a quick and angry look at his inquisitor.
"What has that to do with you?" he snarled.
Dubois' future had already been determined. The rascal was more fortunate than
he deserved to be. Owing to the lucky chance that his crime had a political
significance he would escape punishment. By no known form of European law
could he be brought to trial on any charge and at the same time gagged in his
defence. The slightest public reference to either the theft of the diamonds or the
Sultan's original intentions with regard to them would create such a storm in the
Mohammedan world that no man could prophesy the end.
When the Ottoman Empire is next torn asunder by civil war other thrones will
rock to their foundations. Half unconsciously, though he had a glimmering
perception of the truth, Henri Dubois was saved by the magnitude of the interests
involved.
Brett knew exactly how to deal with him. But a fantastic project had arisen in his
mind, and he determined to graft it upon the drastic expedient adopted by the
authorities. He abruptly broke off the conversation and told the Frenchman that
he would call again during the afternoon.
True to his promise, Talbot and he visited the injured man some hours later. This
time they were accompanied by a stout individual and a closely-veiled lady—
Gros Jean and his daughter.
The meeting between Henri and Marguerite was pathetic. It was at the same time
exceedingly French, and somewhat trying to the nerves of the Englishmen.
At last the couple calmed their transports, and Brett promptly recalled them to a
sense of their surroundings by reminding them that there was serious business to
be discussed.
"I am commissioned to inform you," he said, addressing Dubois, "that if you
proceed direct to the Argentine, never attempt to revisit France, and keep your
mouth closed as to your attempt to purloin the Sultan's jewels, you will be set at
liberty here, and no effort will be made by the French or English police to arrest
you. The infringement of any of these conditions will lead to your extradition
and a sentence of penal servitude for life."
"Ma foi!" cried the Frenchman, looking intently into the barrister's inscrutable
face. "Why such tenderness?"
Brett would not give him time for prolonged reflection.
"I have not yet finished," he said drily. "I imagine that Mlle. Beaucaire cannot
produce a marriage certificate. She will be supplied with one, to permit her to
travel with you as your lawful wife."
The pair were startled. They somewhat relaxed the close embrace in which they
sat. The man's handsome face flushed with anger. The woman became a shade
paler and looked from the barrister to her lover.
"Good," growled Gros Jean. "Quite right!"
"We can manage our own affairs," began Dubois savagely; but Brett again took
up the parable.
"You owe this lady a deep debt of gratitude for her unswerving devotion to you.
She has helped you to lead an evil life; let her now assist you in a better career.
You have your chance. Will you take it?"
La Belle Chasseuse sat mute and downcast. This personal development came as
a complete surprise to her. Pride would not permit her to plead her own cause.
Dubois glanced at her covertly. He was still annoyed and defiant; but even he,
hardened scoundrel and cynic though he was, could not find words to contest
Brett's decision.
The barrister deemed the moment ripe for his final smashing argument. He came
somewhat nearer to the bed, and said with exasperating coolness—
"There is a secret room in the Cabaret Noir, the contents of which have not yet
been too closely examined by the police. It is in their charge. At my request,
backed up by the British Foreign Office, they have thus far deferred a detailed
scrutiny. Perhaps if the external influence is removed they may press their
investigations to a point when it will be impossible to permit your contemplated
voyage to the Argentine. You know best. I have nothing further to say."
Dubois looked at him in moody silence. The Argentine—with £4,000? Yes. But
a wife!
Suddenly all eyes were attracted to Gros Jean, who emitted a gasping groan. His
fat cheeks were livid, and huge drops of perspiration stood on his brow. Feeling
that the others were regarding him intently, he made a desperate effort to recover
his composure.
"It is nothing!" he gurgled. "The English gentleman's proposal with regard to my
daughter interested me, that is all."
Dubois and the innkeeper gazed intently into each other's eyes for a few trying
seconds. Then the Frenchman drew Marguerite closer to him, with his uninjured
arm, and said—
"Let us get married, ma p'tite. It is essential."
And married they were forthwith, a priest and an official from the Mayor's office
being in waiting at the hotel. Whilst they were signing the register Gros Jean
motioned Brett to one side.
"Allow me to thank you, M'sieu', for the kindness you have shown," he
murmured. "Touching that hidden room in the Cabaret, now. Do the police really
know of it? You were not joking?"
"Not in the least."
"Then, M'sieu', I accompany them to the Argentine," and he jerked his thumb
towards Dubois and his wife. "Paris is no place for me."
Soon after the ceremony Mme. Dubois asked to be allowed to visit Edith. When
the two women met Marguerite flung herself impulsively on her knees and
sobbed out a request for forgiveness. Miss Talbot should have been very angry
with her erring sister. She was not. She took the keenest interest in the
Frenchwoman's romantic history. They talked until Fairholme became impatient.
He had not seen Edith for two whole hours.

Six months later, when the Earl and Countess of Fairholme returned from a
prolonged wedding tour on the Blue-Bell through the Norwegian fiords, Brett
was invited to dinner. Talbot was there, of course, and Daubeney, and Sir Hubert.
"Constantinople must be a queer place," observed Jack after the first rush of
animated converse had exhausted itself.
"Surely there are no more diamond mysteries on foot!" cried his charming sister,
who looked delightfully well, and brown as a berry with the keen sea breezes of
the hardy North.
"Not exactly; but I made some inquiries through a friend of mine in the
Legation. Hussein-ul-Mulk and his two Paris friends are quite important
functionaries in the palace. You remember that the other pair of scoundrels
escaped to Smyrna?"
"Yes," cried everybody.
"Well, Mehemet Ali's relatives heard the truth about them by some means.
Within a reasonable time they were chopped into small pieces, with other details
that need not be repeated."
"Dogs, or pigs?" inquired Brett.
"Dogs!"
"I wish you wouldn't say such horrid things," protested Edith. "Is there any news
of Monsieur and Madame Dubois, and the fat man Gros Jean?"
"You will receive some in the drawing-room, Lady Fairholme," said Brett; and
not another word of explanation would he give until dinner was ended.
In the drawing-room her ladyship was delighted to find a splendid cockatoo,
magnificent in size and white as snow, save for the brilliant red crest which he
elevated when they all crowded round his handsome cage.
"The happy couple in the Argentine sent him to me to be presented to you on
your return," explained the barrister. "He is named 'Le Prophète,' and he talks
beautifully—indeed, his language is most emphatic, but it is all French."
"What a darling!" cried Edith. "I do wish he would say something. Cher
Prophète, parlez avec moi!"
And immediately the cockatoo stretched his wings and screamed—
"Vive Mahomet! Vive le Sultan! À bas les Grecs! à bas! à bas!"
 FINIS

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