The Castle Of The Shadows, Page 3

  CHAPTER III

  A MYSTERY AND A BARGAIN

  Lady Gardiner stood at Virginia's door, remained for a moment undecided,then tapped gently. The girl's voice answered "Come in!" and Kate obeyed.

  Virginia sat at a small writing-table in a window reading a book; but atsight of Lady Gardiner she snatched up a paper and hastily laid it overthe volume. "Oh, I thought it was George," she exclaimed, blushingbrilliantly. "He has asked me to take a walk."

  "Now," thought Kate, "what has that book she's hiding from me to do withthe mystery that's been going on for the past three days?" but aloud, shesaid, without appearing to notice the hurried movement or the tell-taleblush: "I came to ask if you would go down to town with me for a littleshopping."

  "I'm afraid I can't," Virginia answered. "You see--er--I promisedGeorge."

  "Perhaps he wouldn't mind if we arranged for him to meet us in about anhour; and we might all three have tea together at Rumpelmayer's."

  Virginia looked embarrassed, which was unusual for her. "We didn't thinkof going into Mentone," she said. "We shall just stroll about, for thefact is, we've business to talk over."

  "You seem to have had a great deal of business to talk over these lastfew days, you and Mr. Trent and Sir Roger. Would it be indiscreet to ask,dear child, if there has been any hitch about the purchase of your newtoy? Oh, don't look vexed--your chateau, then?"

  "No, there's been no hitch. What made you think that?"

  "Well, business talks are so new for you. A little while ago you fledfrom the first hint of business. But now--you are very much changed theselast few days, since we went to the chateau, Virginia. I've been wantingto speak to you about it. However, you are going out to walk, and I mustwait."

  Virginia met her eyes firmly; yet the violet gaze was not quite asfrankly open and childlike as it used to be. "You needn't wait, if yourshopping can," she said. "Do sit down. I dare say it may be twentyminutes before George comes for me. He's with Roger--somewhere."

  "Yes, I saw them. Virginia, do you know, I've been rather unhappy forseveral days?"

  "I didn't know. I'm very sorry. Is it anything I've done?"

  "Yes and no." Kate did not sit down, but perched on the arm of a bigcushioned chair between the writing-desk and the dressing-table. "Yousee, dear," she went on in her softest voice, to which she could give apretty, tearful _tremolo_ at will, "I'm in rather a peculiar position.You have been so sweet all this year and more that we've been together,that I suppose you've spoilt me. I've forgotten often that I'm only apaid chaperon, and have felt like a friend and confidante."

  "Why, so you are," returned Virginia.

  "Wait, dear; let me finish. I've told you my various troubles, and you'vetold me things, too. Now, suddenly, everything is changed. Why, you evensit in your bedroom, instead of in our sitting-room, or on the balconywith me, as you used. You don't seem to want my society; you make excusesif I suggest going anywhere. You and your brother and cousin arecontinually getting away by yourselves and talking in whispers. Oh, I'mnot hurt. It isn't that. I'm not so thin-skinned and stupid. But I'vebeen thinking that perhaps I'd offended you, or you were simply tired ofme, and, being kind-hearted, didn't like to send me about my business.You know, dear, if you would rather have any one else----"

  "Oh, Kate, you _are_ stupid!" cried Virginia. "Of course I'm not tired ofyou. We really have had business--not about the chateau. I--didn't meanto tell you until things were more settled, but since you've been talkinglike this, I will. I've discovered lately that I'm tired of the Riviera,heavenly as it is here. We've been a month now----"

  "I always told you that Monte Carlo was more amusing, while as forCannes----"

  "But I've seen enough of the Riviera for a while."

  "What about your chateau, then--your chateau in the olive woods that youso adore?"

  "That won't be ready until next winter. There's lots to be done.And--I've set my heart on a yachting trip."

  Kate Gardiner's face fell. She was a wretched sailor, and Virginia knewit. Even the crossing from Dover to Calais was torture to her on a calmday.

  "A _long_ yachting trip?" she asked, controlling her voice.

  "I don't quite know yet. Some weeks, perhaps. The only difficulty isabout you."

  Kate did not answer for a moment. _Was_ this an excuse to get rid of her,and if so, why? Could it be that Roger Broom had been warning Virginiathat her half-brother was in danger of making a fool of himself about awoman many years his senior? A short time ago she might have believedthat this was the explanation, for Roger Broom knew a good deal aboutLady Gardiner. He was aware that her dead husband was but a city man,knighted when he was sheriff; that she had been governess to the gruffold widower's one daughter; that she had married him for his money, andspent it freely until what remained was lost in a great financial panic;that since then she had lived as she could, trading upon her ownaristocratic connections to chaperon girls, chiefly Americans, who wishedto see "English society from the inside." Roger knew her real age, orsomething near it; he knew that she had been in debt when she had gotthis chance with Virginia, to whom she had been recommended by anAmerican duchess; and as there was nothing against her character, he hadbeen too good-natured--as she would have expressed it--to "put a spoke inher wheel." However, if he suspected designs upon George, he might nothave continued to be as discreet; but during these last three days ofmysterious confabs, George Trent had appeared as much changed toward heras his half-sister had, so that Roger need have had no new fears for him.George had never ceased to be courteous, but there was a subtledifference in his manner, in his way of looking at her. He appearedpreoccupied; he no longer sought her out. And this alteration had onlycome about since the day when they had visited the Chateau de la Roche.

  Perhaps, then, it was George who was tired of her. He had never been thesame since he had seen that girl in black, with the tragic eyes and thedead-white face, with no more life in it than a marble statue. Maybe hewas planning to attach that girl to the party in some way, and would findthe society of the woman with whom he had flirted a constraint.

  At this thought Kate Gardiner felt her blood grow hot. It was unbearablethat she should be sent out of George Trent's life to make room for ayounger woman. She would not have it--she would not! If it killed her togo on this hateful yachting trip she would go; she would not be whistleddown the wind.

  "Oh, if the difficulty is only about me," she said sweetly, "it needn'tbe a difficulty at all. I dare say I shall be ill for a few days, but itcan't last forever. I shall simply stop in my stateroom until I am fitto lie in a deck-chair and be a more or less interesting invalid."

  As she spoke she watched Virginia's face through half-lowered lashes, andwas certain that it changed. There could no longer be any doubt on thatsubject. For some reason Virginia did not want her on the yacht.

  "I should hate you to be a martyr," said the girl uncomfortably. "Rogerand I have been thinking it over, and I was wondering, in case we went(nothing is actually decided yet), whether you would like to wait here. Iwould keep on your room and the sitting-room, and the victoria, and youshould have my maid and your own horse. Your income would be the same asalways, of course; and you have a lot of friends here, so you wouldn't belonely."

  "How sweet and thoughtful you are, dearest child!" exclaimed Kategratefully; while within she was saying, "Oh, so this is the game, is it?Come now; at least you're showing your hand. Roger and you have been'talking things over?' You seem to have thought out the details prettywell; and I'm to be bribed. But it won't work, my love, it won't work."She rose, and going to Virginia, took her hand, looking affectionatelydown at the beautiful face. "You are always ready to sacrifice yourselffor me. But what would you do for a chaperon if I stopped behind?"

  "Oh, you see, George and Roger and I would be all the party on board.Surely George is chaperon enough?"

  "Poor Marchese!" murmured Kate. "I'm afraid he also is suffering from aneclipse."

  "I don't know what you mean," said
Virginia, her colour deepening. "Whyshould he expect an invitation to go with us?"

  "Ah! why? Unless, indeed, he had hopes that he was soon to be given somerights over you. Only the other day I used to fancy that you and he werehalf engaged."

  "We never were. I--I found him rather interesting. But I don't think Ihave behaved very badly. I really meant--oh, I don't know _what_ I meantthen; but I know I don't mean it now. The Marchese Loria is the _last_person I should wish to have go on this yachting trip, and as it's onlyus three, we'll chaperon each other."

  "Can it be that she means to marry Roger Broom after all?" Kate Gardinerasked herself. "To my certain knowledge, she's refused him. I heard himreminding her of it the other night. But one never knows how many times agirl may change her mind. The more I think of it the more determined I amto be of the party on that yacht."

  "Unless I should be one too many, I'd really love to go," said she aloud."I must get over my horror of the sea. Mayn't I be with you, dear, if youhave really made up your mind? I've grown so fond of you. I should feeldeserted here."

  "Even for a few weeks?"

  "Even for a few weeks. When you marry, or go home to the States, I mustlose you, but do let me be with you as long as I can."

  "You shall go if you really wish to so much," said Virginia, trying invain not to appear constrained. "Only I warn you, you may find thatyou've made a mistake."

  "Why, how seriously you speak. One would think you meditated a voyage tothe North Pole. Probably, though, you'll simply linger about in theMediterranean; go to Naples, Greece, perhaps, and Egypt?"

  "Something of the sort, I suppose," Virginia answered, dropping her eyesand playing with the paper she had used to conceal her book. "It's rathervague at present. Roger and George are looking for a yacht. We'll talk ofit again later. I only mentioned it now to show you that we've really hadbusiness. And by the way, Kate, I'd rather you didn't say anything aboutit yet to people outside. It seems like making it of so much importanceand I'd hate being asked three times a day: 'Well, when do you start onthat yachting trip?'"

  "I shall be discreet, never fear," replied Kate, more sure than ever thatsome mystery which she could not fathom hid itself under this new plan ofVirginia's. "And now for something else I wanted to ask you. Do, like adear, good girl, lend me ten pounds. You know how stupidly hard up Ialways am. I'll pay it back in a few days."

  Virginia was on her feet in an instant and at the dressing-table,rummaging among scented laces and pretty odds and ends for thegold-netted purse with "V. B." on it in brilliants. For a moment her backwas turned, and during that moment Kate Gardiner, standing close to thedesk which the girl had left noiselessly, raised a corner of the paperand peeped underneath. The book which Virginia had been reading lay open.It was French, and at the top of the page Kate saw the word "Noumea." Shedared look no longer, but let the paper drop, and had wheeled round withher back to the desk just as Virginia found the purse.

  "Thank you _so_ much," purred Lady Gardiner, who knew from experiencethat Virginia would beg her not to give back the money, and that, with agrateful kiss, and perhaps a tear or two, she would allow herself to bepersuaded.

  At this instant there came a knock at the door leading into thesitting-room, which Kate had left half-open on entering, and George Trentappeared, looking excited and eager. His eyes fell upon Virginia, and hebegan to speak before he had seen Lady Gardiner, standing at a littledistance and out of his view at the door.

  "I say, Virgie," he exclaimed, "the most ripping piece of luck. We canget hold of a steam yacht with four cannon--toys, but fit for work--onlyyou'll have to buy, not hire----"

  He stopped short, a look passing between him and Virginia, quick as aflash of light, yet not too quick to be seen by Kate.

  "Good!" said the girl. "Well, we'll talk about it as we walk. Kate'sgoing shopping." Evidently she intended to change the subject, but LadyGardiner was not ready for another.

  "Mercy! Are you fitting out as pirates?" she demanded, laughing.

  George Trent flushed with annoyance under her unsparing eyes, but hesmiled carelessly and shrugged his shoulders.

  "Oh, you mean the cannon? They happen to be there. It wouldn't be worthwhile to have the yacht dismantled. I think myself they'd givedistinction. It isn't everybody who goes yachting in such conditions."

  "Indeed, no. I only wish we may have a chance to use them. Perhaps wemay, if we can get far enough up the Nile. You see, Virginia has told meof the trip and promised that I may go. I hope you don't mind."

  Of course George said that it would be charming to have her on board, andhe opened the sitting-room door when she went out, making the necessaryagreeable remarks about her shopping expedition. But when the door hadclosed after Lady Gardiner, and Virginia had joined him in thesitting-room, he was no longer smiling.

  "So we're to have another passenger, are we?" he said in a low voice.

  "She _says_ she wants to go, but she may change her mind. You know what awretched sailor she is. Perhaps even after starting she'll think betterof it and beg to be put off at the nearest port. I had to tell her aboutthe yacht, for she was so inquisitive concerning the business that hasoccupied you and Roger and me for the past three days. But she haspromised not to say anything outside till she has permission."

  "How much does she know?"

  "Nothing at all, except that I'm tired of the Riviera and want to goyachting somewhere--almost anywhere."

  "Sure she doesn't suspect?"

  "How could she?"

  "Well, I suppose she couldn't. And as far as I'm concerned, I don't seewhy we shouldn't trust her as if she were one of ourselves; a nice, jollylittle woman, with no harm in her. What motive could she possibly havefor blocking our game?"

  "What, indeed? But you know I said so to Roger, and he vowed he'd havenothing to do with it if any one knew except you and Madeleine Dalahaideand me. He wouldn't hear of poor Kate's being told, though I assured himone might trust her. It was all I could do to get him to promise us,anyway."

  "How _did_ you get him to, by the by? He poured whole cataracts ofice-water on the scheme at first."

  "I--I--suppose I wheedled."

  "Virgie! I'll bet you said you'd marry him if he'd go in with us!"

  "I didn't--exactly say I _wouldn't_."

  "Poor old Roger! Shall you be cad enough to chuck him afterward?"

  "Oh, I couldn't do that. I shall be so grateful to him for this, that Ishall feel no reward could be too great for him--that is, if we_succeed_. He is a dear, kind fellow, and I have often made him unhappy.I've always thought, somehow, that I should end by marrying him."

  "Yet you've refused him three times."

  "That was to put off the evil day."

  "And you came jolly near accepting Loria."

  "Did I really, do you think? It seems so long ago, I can hardly remember.Anyway, everything is different now."

  "I'm with you there. By Jove, what a funny world it is! What will Rogersay when he hears that Kate Gardiner is bent on going? If he consents toher being on board, I don't see why he should go on refusing to take MissDalahaide."

  "That's not the same thing at all. One can never do things quitesecretly. They always leak out. Already it has got into the paperssomehow--I suppose through that stupid agent--that I have bought theChateau de la Roche, and interest has been revived in the Dalahaidestory. It's so unfortunate that people should begin to talk again justnow! And then if, on top of all this, should come the news that we'dtaken Madeleine Dalahaide off with us on a mysterious yachtingexpedition, what would be said? Roger is quite right."

  "It seems cruel that she should be left out of it."

  "It would be more cruel to have her in, and perhaps ruin everything. Shefeels that herself though, of course, it's hard. Still, think how awfulfor her if--we _failed_! But I will not think of that. There's no suchword as fail!"

  "According to Roger, there's no such word as success. He's absolutelyhopeless, and is only going into the adventure to please
you--to _win_you, perhaps. And, by Jove, it _will_ be an adventure!"

  "Tell me about the yacht you've heard of."

  They went out together, walking among the pine trees surrounding thehotel; and meanwhile Kate Gardiner had driven into the bright littletown of Mentone, with its background of mountains, its foreground ofblue-green sea. In the neighbourhood of the shops, she sent away hervictoria, which was to pick her up at Rumpelmayer's at five o'clock. Shewas charmingly dressed, and had secured ten pounds with which to buy anexquisite antique Italian watch which had taken her fancy a day or twobefore; never had there been so little need to worry about the futurefrom a pecuniary point of view; still, Kate was not happy. She had lostinterest in the watch, lost interest in her shopping expeditionaltogether, and was lingering outside the jeweler's wondering whether sheshould spend the ten pounds as she had planned or not, when a man's voiceat her shoulder made her turn. It was the Marchese Loria; and LadyGardiner noticed, as the sun streamed full into his face when he took hisoff hat, that he looked sallow and haggard.

  He was staying at the Cap Martin also, but they had not seen each otherthat day, and now it struck Kate that he was surprisingly changed sincethe afternoon when they had so gaily ridden off to find the Valley of theShadow. She was certain that, for some reason which puzzled her sorely,Loria had completely lost his chance with Virginia, and because hisinterests no longer threatened her own, she felt more friendly towardhim. They both seemed to be rather left out in the cold, and she foundherself suddenly sympathizing with the Italian.

  He was quick to note the unusual cordiality of her smile, and was curiousas to its motive, for Loria knew that Lady Gardiner was one of the fewwomen who never act without one; and he had been fully aware that she didnot favour his cause with Virginia Beverly.

  "Has something in this window caught your fancy?" he inquired, stoppingand joining her.

  Kate pointed to a serpent belt, crusted with diamond scales,emerald-eyed, and having its open mouth lined with rubies. "Isn't thatlovely?" she asked. "An antique, of course; everything is in this window.I daren't look at it. It's far beyond my means."

  "I'm thinking of buying it myself," said Loria calmly. "I mean to give itto a woman I know, as a little souvenir of my gratitude for very greatkindness."

  "Lucky woman!" exclaimed Kate enviously, for she really wanted thediamond snake. "She must have done you some tremendous favour to haveearned that."

  "She hasn't done anything yet. But I hope she will. I hope very much thatshe will tell me certain things I'm anxious to know, and afterward helpme, if necessary, to make use of the knowledge. I wonder if she will doit?"

  There was now a meaning in his voice which could not be mistaken. Katelooked up quickly and met his eyes. For, a long instant they gazed ateach other, then she said: "I think the woman would be foolish if shedidn't."

  "Will you come with me when I buy the thing?" asked Loria.

  Kate smiled and flushed faintly through the white rose balm which gave anillusion of youth. They went in, and Loria asked to be shown the serpentbelt from the window.

  A very old man, an Italian, brought the glittering thing and laid it on apiece of black velvet, which he spread as a background on the counter.

  "It is only two thousand francs," he announced, "and it has a history.Perhaps I am indiscreet to mention it, but it may add to the interest,and I see that the illustrious Signor is a countryman of my own. Thisjewel was an heirloom in a very ancient family; but great misfortunesovertook them some years ago. The heir was accused of crime, and banishedfor life to Noumea. They were forced to sell everything of value."

  Loria was ghastly. With an instinctive gesture of horror, he pushed thevelvet away, not touching the serpent and averting his eyes.

  "Let us choose something else," he said hoarsely to Lady Gardiner. Butshe was merciless. He had as much as offered her the belt, and she wouldnot give it up easily.

  "There is nothing else half as pretty or quaint," she said. "I think thisbit of history makes it all the more interesting."

  Loria did not look again at the serpent glittering on its black velvetcushion, but, having hesitated for a barely perceptible space, heabruptly ordered the jeweler to send the belt to his hotel, where itwould be paid for on delivery. Kate decided that, as she was in such avein of luck, she would have the watch she fancied, and keep the Marchesewhile she made the purchase. Half maliciously she said to the shopkeeper:"I suppose this pretty thing has no such story as the other?"

  "Rather strangely, madame has chosen another heirloom disposed of by thesame family," returned the man, as he placed the old blue-enameled watchin a box filled with pink cotton. It seemed as if Fate persisted inlinking them with these Dalahaides!

  Loria did not speak, but Kate's observant eyes saw that the gloved handnearest her closed tightly on the stick it held. A moment later she hadpaid for her purchase, and they were out in the street again.

  "You look very down," she remarked. "I believe you must have been losinga lot at Monte, and that a little sympathy and good advice would do yougood. I meant to go to Rumpelmayer's presently, but suppose we go now andhave tea together?"

  Neither he nor she had said in so many words that there was to be abargain between them; but Loria understood what the suggestion of atete-a-tete at Rumpelmayer's meant, and augured well of Kate's genuinegood-will, by her readiness to give the opportunity he wanted.

  She was curious, he labouring under suppressed excitement, and they didnot speak much as they walked. At the confectioner's Loria chose a tablein a corner, far from the few early customers who had already arrived. Itwas not yet four o'clock, and the rooms would not begin to be crowded forhalf an hour. In that time much could be said, much, perhaps, planned forthe future.