The Chase of the Ruby
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Mr Holland regarded his cousin in silence. The encounter did not appear to astonish him, nor to add to his pleasure either. Mr Burton continued.
'Well-have you got it?'
'Have I got what?'
'Ah-you've answered. You haven't. I see. Thanks. It was rather sharp work to raid the girl at this hour of the night, don't you think? But you always were so keen. Was she nice to you? She used to be, didn't she? You've been a lucky chap. I never could make out what women saw in you to like. A lot of them have seen something. There's Miss Broad, for instance-'
'Don't mention that lady's name.'
'Not mention her name? My dear chap!' Mr Burton placed the finger-tips of his right hand against Mr Holland's chest, to have them brushed aside as if they were some noxious insect. He went on unmoved. 'She's to be my cousin; so I'm told. Unless you've jerked her up. I hear her father kicked you out of the house; perhaps you anticipate more kicking; in a case like that you can't kick back again. So perhaps you're wise to chuck the girl. I tell you what, dear boy.' The finger-tips returned, again to be displaced. 'Marry the Bewicke girl. Get a special license to marry the girl out of hand. Then you'll get the ruby and the money too. It's the only way you will. Hearken to the words of a wise man.'
'Mr Burton, although I am so unfortunate as to be a relative of yours, I have on a previous occasion been compelled to inform you that I decline to hold communication with, or afford you recognition of any sort or kind. I repeat that intimation now. With my reasons you are well acquainted; their name is Legion. Have the goodness, therefore, to let me pass.'
'But, my dear Guy, how about our uncle's money?'
'What about my uncle's money?'
'Our uncle's; forgive the plural, Guy. Hadn't we better come to some friendly arrangement while there still is time. You'll never get the ruby out of the Bewicke woman; I know her; she's a daughter of the horse-leech; she'll see you damned first. Relinquish the chase at once-you'll have to in a few hours, anyhow-and throw yourself on my magnanimity. There's a suggestion, Guy! Give it up; withdraw at once from what you know is a lost game, and I'll present you with a thousand pounds. Push the thing through to the bitter end, and you'll get nothing.'
'A thousand? – out of a quarter of a million?'
'It would be a gift, Guy-a free gift. It isn't every man who'd present a cousin who'd used him as you've used me with a free gift of a thousand pounds.'
'Mr Burton, if the money is to be yours, I'll have none of it. I'm not disposed to be beholden to your charity, nor to you in any way, as you are aware. If it is to be mine, you'll have none of it; I know your tastes, and will not pander to their gratification. Let me pass.'
'See how different we are. If the money is to be mine-and it will be; it's as good as mine already-I'll give you a few coppers every time we meet; I'll even send you some occasionally through the post. Good-night! My love to both the ladies!'
Mr Burton hailed a passing hansom and was driven off. Mr Holland continued his promenade, but had not gone far before he was accosted from behind.
'Mr Holland! Mr Holland!' exclaimed a female voice, as if the speaker were in distress for want of breath.
'Who's that?' He turned to see. A feminine figure was hastening towards him. 'This promises to be a night of adventure. Has that little hussy become humanised and changed her mind?'
The caller approached, holding her hand to her side.
'I wish to speak to you. You know me?'
They stood close to a lamp. Mr Holland looked her up and down.
'I seem to have seen you before. You are the person who rushed into the house as I came out.'
'That is it; I rushed-from him!'
She threw out her hand with a dramatic gesture, pointing down the street.
'From whom?'
'From your cousin-from Mr Horace Burton. Oh, he is a nice fellow! If I had stayed with him much longer I should have killed him; so to save myself from killing him I rushed away.'
'My cousin's concerns are not mine. I cannot assume responsibility for anything he may do or have done. You are mistaken if you suppose I can.'
'I am not mistaken; I know all that. You men are all the same; you hang together. If your own brother drives a woman into the gutter, you say it is no affair of yours; you pass on, you leave her there. Before you open your mouth I know you cannot be responsible for what he has done. But you can make me to be revenged on him.'
'Even that I cannot do.'
'You can! I say you can!'
The woman spoke, not loudly, but with such passion and intensity of meaning that Mr Holland was conscious of a curious sensation as he heard her. She was tall and thin, about thirty, not bad looking, but precisely the type of woman the ordinary rake, seeking for a victim, would, if he had his senses about him, have left severely alone. She was distinctly not a person to be trifled with. Apparently a foreigner, because, although she spoke fluent English, there was now and then a slight accent and a curious idiom which betrayed her. Written large all over her was what, to a practised eye, was unmistakable evidence that she was of the number of those who take all things seriously, even rakes. One could easily believe that to her a promise was a promise, though it came from the mouth of a man; and since there are men who regard promises made to women as a sort of persiflage, one would have thought that gentlemen who take that standpoint would carefully avoid an individual who eyed matters of the kind from such an inconveniently different point of view. Mr Horace Burton, however, was in some respects an unusual specimen even of his class. Possibly the consciousness that he ran the risk of burning his own fingers by playing tricks with this particular fire was the lure which drew him on.
Anyhow, Mr Holland told himself that this time his cousin had caught a Tartar, and became more and more convinced of it as the woman went on.
'My name is Louise Casata; I am Corsican, as he will find, your cousin. I am the companion of Miss May Bewicke.' Mr Holland pricked up his ears at this, which the woman, with her keen instinct, perceived. 'Now do you not remember me? I was with her when you used to make love to her. I used to think you did it very well. But in those days you were fond of her. Now it is of another woman you are fond. Although you may have forgotten, do not believe she has.'
This time Mr Holland winced.
'I think that now I do remember you. You used to write letters for her and that kind of thing.'
'All sorts of kinds of things. I do everything she tells me to; I am a Jack-of-all-trades. I would act for her one day; I can act, but I am too large a size. But that does not matter; nor does it matter what your cousin has done to me, though you can guess. But you cannot guess how he has lied and juggled.'
'I think I can.'
'Then you must know him very well. In which case you have my sympathy. What does matter is what you are going to do to him.'
'I am going to do nothing to him.'
'We will see; you will see; they all will see. Be still! Let me speak. He has told me about your uncle's will-about the ruby which Miss Bewicke has. How, if you get it from her, you are to have all the money; how, if you don't, he is to have it all. I know! Very well; you will get the ruby. That's what you will do to him. He will be ruined, body and soul; though, for his soul, that was lost long ago. If he wishes to keep his body out of prison he will have to be quick out of England. He will not find it easy. There are those who are watching for him too well.'
'Are you sure of what you say?'
'Am I sure! Do I not know? It is only because they think he will get his uncle's money that he has not been in prison before. I tell you there is a convict's uniform waiting for him in more than one place. You will fit it on his back. I shall be revenged. I will go and see him when he is in gaol. Every three months he will be allowed to receive a visit. I will be his visitor. To see me will give him pleasure. I shall have such nice things to say. Oh, yes!'
Mr Holland shivered. There was that about this woman which filled him with a sense of vague discomfort.
'I don't like your way of putting things at all!'
'What does it matter what you like? To get the ruby-that is your affair.'
'How do you suggest that I am, as you phrase it, "to get the ruby"?'
'You will have to take it.'
'Take it?'
'She will never give it to you-never. She hates you. She also has been looking for revenge. Now she has her chance. You behaved badly to her. Now she will behave badly to you.'
'I deny that I behaved badly to her. If you were acquainted with all the facts you would not judge me with such hard judgment.'
'She thinks that you behaved badly to her, and, for a woman, that is enough.'
'Then am I to take it that you only think that Horace Burton has behaved badly to you?'
The woman favoured him with a look which made him realise more clearly than anything which had gone before what a Tartar his cousin had encountered. She was silent for a moment or two. When she did speak, she spoke quietly; but it was a quietude in which there was a quality which was not peace.
'You think to get me in a rage. I am not such a fool. When I am in earnest I am not so easily angered. It is no affair of yours if it is only that I think he has treated me badly. It is your affair to get the ruby; and I tell you that to get it you must take it.'
'I am so dull as not to understand what you mean when you say that I must take it.'
'I will make it clear. You have four days-four only. Good! At one o'clock to-morrow night you will come to Miss Bewicke's rooms. She will be out. It is Saturday. She goes by the midnight train to Brighton until Monday. All will be dark. The front door you will find open. You will have but to push it to enter. You will go to her bedroom; it is in front of you, the second door on the right as you go in. That door, also, will be open. The dressing-table is before the window on the left. It has many little drawers. In them are a great number of her jewels. In the bottom little drawer on the right-hand side facing the glass there is one thing only; it is your uncle's ruby signet ring. I know. I have seen it very often. She is not proud of the way in which she got it; she calls it "old Burton's scalp." It is to her a trophy which she won in battle, so she keeps it all by itself in that little bottom drawer. You have but to put your hand in; it is yours. You go away; you close the doors behind you; for you the game is won.'
Mr Holland stared. The matter-of-fact air with which the proposal was made almost took his breath away.
'You are suggesting that I should commit burglary.'
She made a contemptuous movement with her head and hands.
'It is but a word; what does it matter-a word? It is a burglary of which you will hear nothing more. I promise you that Miss Bewicke will do nothing.'
'And the morality of the proceeding, what of that?'
'Morality!' She laughed. 'The morality! Do not talk to me such nonsense! Bah! As if anyone cared for morality except for the sake of a-. But I shall not contend with you; you but amuse yourself. You understand what I have said?'
'Perfectly. Too well.'
'Very good. Then I shall see you to-morrow night at one o'clock.'
'You will do nothing of the kind.'
'No, I shall not see you, because it will be dark; but you will be there. You will find the doors open, and everything as I have said. It is already late; I must go. Good-bye.'
She went, fluttering from him up the street at a gait which was half walk, half run. He stood looking after her, a little taken aback by the abruptness of her departure.
'That woman appears to have formed a high opinion of my character. She flatters me.'
CHAPTER VI
MISS BROAD COMMANDS A SECOND TIME
The next morning, although he was early at the rendezvous, Miss Broad was there before him. He saw her before she saw him-or thought he did-and, unperceived, as he fancied, stood and watched her. She was reading a book, sitting a little sideways, so that he saw her profile clearly. It was a brilliant morning, and she was attired for the sun. She had on a light grey silky dress, which was covered with flowers, and a huge hat, about a yard round, which matched the dress. He thought how nice she looked. Of a charm so delicate. Instinct with the essence of all things spiritual. He had been depressed as he had come through the park. The mere sight of her dispelled the clouds. The blood moved brisker through his veins. Seeing how engrossed she was by what she read, thinking to take her by surprise, he began to steal towards her across the grass-which he ought not to have done. Hardly had he stepped over the little iron fence than a stentorian voice bawled, -
'Come out of that!'
The invitation was addressed to him, as others, including Miss Broad, perceived as well as he did. It was a keeper's civil method of suggesting that he should keep off the grass, which, just there, was fenced about. He bowed to Miss Broad with a feeble smile, she merely nodding in return, without rising from her seat. As he advanced towards her along the proper gravel path, he was a little conscious that his approach had been robbed of dignity. She received him with an air which was a little frigid-still without rising-and beginning at once on a subject which he would have liked postponed.
'Well? Have you got it?'
'Have I got what?'
'You know very well what I mean. Have you got the ruby? – as you promised.'
'As I promised? My dear Letty, I think that statement is-is a little unauthorised.'
'Does that mean that you haven't got it?'
'I'm afraid it does-as yet.'
'Did you try to get it?'
'I did.'
'Did you go and see that woman?'
'I called upon Miss Bewicke.'
'And do you mean to say that she refused to let you have it?'
'If you'll allow me, I'll tell you what took place.'
He told her-a trifle lamely, but still he presented her with a sufficiently clear picture of what actually occurred-sufficiently clear, that is, to inflame her with indignation. She listened with eyes which grew brighter and brighter, and lips which closed tighter and tighter. The spiritual side of her became less obvious.
'And do you mean to say that you allowed the creature to trample on you without a word of protest?'
'I am not aware that she did trample on me.'
'Not when, according to your own account, she treated you as if you were a dog? I wonder you didn't take her into your hands and strangle her.'
'My dear Letty!'
'Of course I don't mean that; but you know what I do mean. As for that man-that Mr What's-his-name-why didn't you knock him down?'
'In a lady's room? I did suggest that if he liked to step outside I should be happy to do him any little service which was in my power.'
'And what did he do?'
'Rang the bell and requested the servant to show me out.'
'And you went? You actually allowed this man to kick you out-for that was what it came to-without a word.'
'Well, my dear, Miss Bewicke called out to me as I was going down the stairs to say that she sent her love to you.'
'Guy! you dare to tell me such a thing? You allow that creature to insult me by sending such a message, or pretending to; and then you repeat her insolence to me. The little wretch! So you are ruined.'
'Not yet. There are still about four days between me and the worst.'
'Then do you propose to allow her to have you kicked out of her apartments on each of those four days? Besides insulting me? I had hardly imagined that you were that kind of person. But one learns. Well, I suppose if you don't mind, I needn't. Though I really think you might be better off if you returned to Africa before instead of afterwards.'
'That is something like the advice which Horace offered.'
She sat up straighter.
'Did you also see Mr Burton last night?'
'He was waiting in the street when I came out of Miss Bewicke's. He congratulated me on the result of my visit.'
'Really, you appear to have had a thoroughly enjoyable time. Everybody seems to have had a kick at you. For my part, Guy, rather than allow people to ride over me rough-shod, as you appear disposed to do, I'd-I'd-steal the ruby.'
'You are in accordance with still another piece of advice which I received.'
'Guy! what do you mean?' He told her of his interview with Miss Casata. When he had finished she drew a long breath.
'Guy, I should do as she says.'
'Letty!'
'I should, I really should. So long as you get the ruby, no matter what happens, you can't be worse off than you will be if you don't get it. If you don't get it, you are ruined. You will have to go back to Africa and stay there for the rest of your life, or, at anyrate, till both of us are old; because you know you've no more chance of getting money there than you have here, and that's none at all. And you know you promised papa, and I promised papa, that you wouldn't marry till you had money of your own. And that doesn't mean a pound or two; it means a lot. He doesn't like to think you're marrying me for his money.'
'Letty!'
'Well, he doesn't; you know he doesn't. Of course I know you're not, or should I be sitting here talking to you now? But papa's different. And, anyhow, we promised. If there was nothing else to be gained, I'd like you to take it if only for the sake of spiting that actress creature. I'll teach her to send me messages.'
'But, my dear Letty, I fancy you don't quite realise that you are suggesting that I should commit a felony.'
'Felony! Don't talk such stuff and nonsense.' Her words reminded him of some of Miss Casata's of the night before. For some cause he shivered. 'Doesn't your uncle as good as say she stole it from him? And didn't that woman tell you that she's ashamed of it herself, and that therefore she hides it away all alone in a drawer? That shows that she's perfectly conscious that it's as much your property as hers. Indeed, it's much more your property. Your uncle left it to you, and she's no right to keep you out of it a single moment. And she wouldn't, you know very well that she wouldn't, if it wasn't for me. You threw her over-'
'Pardon me, I did not.'
'Then did she throw you over?'
'That's nearer the mark.'
'Really, Guy, you have an agreeable way of commending yourself to me. Then am I to understand that she regards you as her cast-off rubbish?'
'We agreed that we had made a mistake. That is the truth of the matter. There was no throwing over on either side.'
'Now, Guy, I know more than you suppose. Do you mean to deny that she resents the idea of your being about to marry me?'
'She congratulated me on the fact last night.'
'Did she, indeed? How very good of her. And pray how did she congratulate you? As if she meant it?'
'I suppose she meant it.'
'You suppose! Do you dare to tell me that you don't know quite well that her congratulations were ironical?'
'Well, I confess I had my "doots."'
'There! Didn't I say so all along? Oh, Guy, how difficult it is to get things out of you. Now, try to be equally truthful again, and tell me, on your word of honour, if you don't know that she would give you the ruby without a moment's hesitation if it wasn't for me; that is, if the fact of our being engaged to each other didn't prevent you paying attention to her?'
'I shouldn't like to put it in that way; but I think it possible that Miss Bewicke might prove more malleable if the circumstances were other than they are.'
'Precisely. That is what I mean. So promise me that to-night you will take your own.'
'My own! Letty!'
'Promise me!'
'But, my dear Letty-'
'Of course there is an alternative. You can throw me over. We, in our turn, can agree that we have made a mistake. Then you will be able to make yourself agreeable to her; and you will be able to get the ruby that way.'
'But, my dear Letty, if you will only be reasonable-'
'It is you who are unreasonable. You allow an idea to mar our lifelong happiness. Before you realise how hollow it is it will be too late. There will be nothing in front of us but dreary years of waiting. You let the cup of happiness be dashed from your hand even when it is already at your lips. I release you, Guy. I will not be a clog on you, perhaps through all eternity.'
Her tone was sombre, funereal. Mr Holland groaned.
'Oh, Lord! Your logic is as beautiful as you are. It really was worth while seeing ghosts in Africa for this!'
She stood up.
'Then go back to Africa and see some more. You shall not stay here to laugh at me. Goodbye.'
He caught her by the hand.
'Letty! How can you be so cruel.'
'Then you should do as I ask you. As you would do, without hesitation, if you really had a spark of the love you pretend to have for me.'
'I will; I'll do whatever you ask, though I'm ashamed of myself when I say so.'
'Promise that to-night you'll take your own?'
'I promise.'
She sat down again, and was as nice as she could be; he only knew how nice that was. He would have been as happy as is possible if it had not been for the thoughts which were at the back of his head, and the prospect which lay in front of him.
Unfortunately, nearly all the time Miss Broad was causing him to realise his good fortune in winning the love of such a girl as she was he was picturing himself stealing up a flight of darkened stairs, like a thief.
CHAPTER VII
THE BOTTOM DRAWER
That night he realised his own picture.
One o'clock was the hour suggested by Miss Casata. Twenty times before that hour arrived he told himself that he had better return to Africa-ghosts or no ghosts-than do this thing. It seemed to him that dishonour hedged him round about; that whichever way he went he would find himself among the thorns. If he did this thing he would break his plighted word; quite possibly lose his love and his fortune too. If he did the other he might quite possibly find himself up to the neck in a slough of misunderstandings-to speak of nothing worse-from which he could never emerge as clean as he went in. The choice was a pleasant one. Yet he never hesitated as to which horn of the dilemma he would thrust himself on. Although very much against his will, he was set on burglary. And, being once resolved, set about the business, to all outward appearances, as calmly as if such incidents were the mere trivialities of his nightly life.
At a quarter after midnight he started to stroll from Charing Cross. At the half hour he was sauntering in the Westminster Abbey Gardens. He glanced along Victoria Street as far as he could see. An occasional omnibus came rumbling along. Cabs flitted to and fro; sometimes carriages. But foot passengers were few and far between. And, so far as could be seen from the street, the buildings on either side of the way were in darkness.
He strolled gently on, swinging his stick, smoking a cigar, as any other gentleman might have done who enjoyed the cool night air. Under a lamp-post stood a policeman. Mr Holland smiled.
'Good-night, officer!'
He bestowed on him a genial salutation, which the other returned in kind.
'Good-night, sir.'
He seemed rather a youngish man, well set up, with broad shoulders and a shrewd face. Mr Holland wondered if he should have any professional intercourse with him before the night was over. He laughed to himself as he thought of it. When he had gone some distance further he stopped and turned. The constable had vanished. Presumably his duty had led him down one of the side streets. An omnibus was coming in one direction, a couple of cabs in the other. Miss Bewicke's rooms were close at hand. Should he let the vehicles pass before he came to business? It was not yet one. He hesitated, then walked slowly past the house, noticing as he went that the front door was closed. What did it mean? Was he supposed to knock, calling upon the porter to let him in? The notion was absurd. Perhaps Miss Casata had only been playing with him after all.
At the idea he laughed again. What would Miss Broad say-and think-if the woman had promised more than she could perform? He went nearly as far as Victoria, then retraced his steps. As he approached the house again Big Ben struck one. He stopped, threw away the butt of his cigar, moved to the door. There was a handle. He turned it, it yielded, the door was open.