Cleave turned away from his companion and mingled with the other guests. He had crossed the Rubicon now; for better or worse the decision was made. And he was smarting, too, under the cold contempt of Lena’s manner. He would have liked to argue it out with himself that a little more kindness and feeling on her part would have produced a different result, but inwardly he knew that he was bound to act as he had done. As he passed in the direction of the refreshment room, he saw that Eleanor Marsh had contrived to get hold of Hardy, with whom she was in earnest conversation. No woman could be more attractive when she chose, and Hardy was evidently enjoying her society. Cleave did not disdain to stand behind a palm and listen.
But of course you will,” the woman was saying. Everybody does. I used to laugh at that kind of thing myself till I had my first interview with Fiona Dear. Really, she is most marvellous. I heard it on excellent authority the other day that the Pan-Anglican Alliance was the direct outcome of an interview between a prominent statesman and the wonderful woman who has this gift of looking into the future. Positively, Mr. Hardy, you ought not to miss a chance like this. I know that you would not dream of calling at her place in Regent Street. Seeing that she is down here, you might look in on her to-night without the slightest loss of dignity.”
“Upon my word, I think I will,” Hardy laughed. “Of course it is the most utter nonsense, and if I had my way I’d have all these people prosecuted. Still, it is good to be frivolous at times, so I will consult this Oracle of yours.”
Cleave stopped to hear no more, though he smiled to himself as he saw how completely this clever man was playing into the hands of the beautiful adventuress. He passed on to the refreshment room, telling himself that his nerves needed something in the way of a stimulant to fortify him for the difficult and dangerous task that lay before him. When he emerged a little later, it was to find that the house was literally crowded with guests, who had come from far and near to take part in the great function. Cleave pushed his way unconcernedly through the glittering throng, many of whom he had known intimately enough in the days of his prosperity. It mattered little or nothing to him whether he was recognised or not; his duty lay plainly before him, and he meant to carry it out to the last.
It was somewhat difficult to find Eleanor Marsh, but he came upon her presently in the grounds, where most of the guests had drifted. It was a perfect August night—soft and subdued and full of stars. Here and there picturesque groups were picked out by the points of electric flame, with which most of the forest trees were outlined. In the centre of a laughing throng stood Eleanor Marsh. She gave Cleave a quick signal as he passed, and he fell back in the shadow of a group of azaleas. A moment later the woman joined him; all her gaiety and abandon had disappeared; she was quick, sharp, and eager.
“Well?” she said breathlessly; “You have been successful? I saw you talking to Miss Grey just now. By the way in which she carried herself, I judged that the meeting did not rouse her enthusiasm.”
“Of course, she is very much altered,” Cleave said sourly. “Contact with the world has changed her from an innocent child to a self-possessed woman. By some fine instinct, she divined the fact that my feelings were not exactly friendly—indeed, I had to speak to the point.”
“Which means you alluded to the letters, I suppose?”
“Oh, yes—the letters were a great card. They brought her ladyship to her knees at once. You are a wonderful judge of your own sex. As far as I am concerned, I should have expected the girl to burst into tears and summon Hardy to her side and tell him everything, after which he would be expected to kick me promptly off the premises. Mind you, that was her impulse right enough. But in reality she did nothing of the kind. She hesitated, and was lost. The upshot of the whole thing was, that she agreed to my terms, and is going to meet me at the appointed time to receive those precious documents. I hope you are satisfied.”
“Splendid,” Eleanor cried. “Could not have been better. And as I told you, the girl has acted exactly as I said she would. You were very particular as to the time, I suppose?”
“Oh, very. And I don’t think you need worry about that. Women are not noted for punctuality as a rule, but this is a case where the lady will turn up to the moment.”
Eleanor nodded. Cleave could see that her eyes were shining like stars.
“You are positively excited,” he said. “I have never seen you so moved before. Anyone would suppose that the danger was near.”
“The danger is very close,” the woman whispered. “You have no notion how close it is. I have the whole world in my grasp. I may wake up to-morrow and find myself in the position to gratify my dearest ambitions. And, on the other hand, I may wake up to-morrow and find myself within prison walls. It is all on the knees of the gods. If you will come this way I will show you what I mean. Only walk softly and leave that cigarette behind you, for the point of flame may attract attention.”
With a thrill of curiosity Cleave followed on the long path which terminated presently in a public roadway across the park. There, in the middle of the road, stood two men, obviously of the lower class, who seemed to be waiting and watching for something. It was only for a moment that Eleanor stood there; then she drew her companion back into the seclusion of the grounds again.
“What does the mystery mean?” Cleave asked.
“Those men are after me,” the woman said, in the same passionate voice. “It is a debt I have incurred and cannot pay—a debt that has an element of fraud about it. I—I swear I had forgotten them. Altogether, it comes to nearly a thousand pounds, which practically equals every farthing I have in the world. Dangerous as the situation is, I dare not part with that money My one security is that I am dealing with business people, and if I can give them a positive assurance of payment by a certain date, they will take no steps in the matter. If I can assure them that I am going to marry one of the richest men in England, they will abandon their threatening attitude and grovel at my feet.”
“How can you give this assurance?” Cleave asked.
“That is easy enough,” Eleanor said coolly. “If I can keep out of the way of those men for four-and-twenty hours, I am safe. Critical as the danger appears to be now, by the end of that time Lena Grey’s engagement to Philip Hardy will be at an end, and a few hours later he will be pledged to me. There are diamonds in the Hardy family, family diamonds, almost beyond price. If necessary, I would not scruple to obtain possession of some of those, and thus free myself from some of the most pressing of my liabilities. Everything depends upon the next hour and the way in which you play your part in the conspiracy. Remember, if I fail, you fail also. If I lose, you are ruined as hopelessly as myself. You will have to pawn your fine wardrobe again and face the world once more with nothing in your pocket. And one thing more—”
The speaker broke off abruptly as the big clock over the stables gave the half-hour after ten.
“You must go at once,” she cried. “I had no idea it was so late. If you go down the shrubbery path that I showed you this morning, you will find yourself presently at the bottom of the cypress walk which leads directly to the way to the private station. In a few minutes from now Fiona Dear will be here, and you must meet her as arranged. I almost think I can hear the noise of the train approaching. Oh, don’t wait for any more, but get away at once,”
Without another word Cleave turned on his heel and took the path indicated by his companion. He had half decided it to be necessary to assume something in the way of an overcoat, but, after all, in the palpable guise of a guest, his accosting of the stranger would arouse less suspicion.
He had barely reached the foot of the cypress walk when he heard the train pull up at the station. The engine only stopped for a moment, and then a tall, slim figure
