CROSS PURPOSES.
An irate pair were seated at breakfast the morning after Celine's
flitting. And while they ate little, they talked much and earnestly,
sometimes angrily. They had arrived at the conclusion, which, although
erroneous, had been foreseen by the astute Celine, namely: That the
robbery had been committed at the instigation of Mr. Percy, and that
Celine had been brought over and used by him as a tool.
It was evident that something must be done, and that quickly.
While these papers were in the hands of Percy, as undoubtedly they
were at that moment, it were best to keep that gentleman as much as
possible under their own eye.
[Illustration: "With a smothered exclamation of triumph she draws away
a _silken belt_!"--page 315.]
Yesterday, it had seemed desirable that Miss Arthur and her _fiance_
should be kept out of the house of Oakley. To-day, they agreed that
the quicker the pair took up their abode beneath its hospitable roof,
the sooner they, Mr. Davlin and his accomplice, would breathe
freely. If they could get the two in the same house with themselves,
they might yet outwit Mr. Percy--with the aid of their friend and
ally, the sham doctor, if in no other way. Meantime, they would not
make the robbery known; or rather, they would inform the servants and
all others whom it seemed desirable to enlighten, that the girl,
Celine, had possessed herself of certain jewels and of Mrs. Arthur's
purse, and fled with her spoils.
Accordingly, Hagar was summoned and told of the base ingratitude of
the French maid. Whereupon she was much astonished, and ventilated her
opinions of French folk in general, and that one in particular.
Through Hagar, the other servants, now few in number, were informed of
the defalcation, and the extent of damage done by Miss Celine Leroque.
Then the kitchen cabinet held a session forthwith, and settled the
fate of their departed contemporary, being ably assisted by Hagar.
The Professor was made no wiser than were the rest of the tools who
served the plotters. But he was somewhat surprised upon being desired,
by Mr. Davlin, to equip himself for a walk, the object of which was to
allay the alarm of Miss Arthur and her friend, and invite them to the
manor forthwith. Said invitations were to be followed up with the
doctor's assurance that, having made a more minute examination, he was
fully satisfied that there was no fear of contagion from Mrs. Arthur,
and but little from her husband; none, in fact, unless they desired to
be much in his room.
The worthy pair set out for the village, and were so fortunate as to
meet Mr. Percy on the very threshold of the inn. Having exchanged
greetings and cigars, and having discussed the weather and various
other interesting topics, the gentlemen sent up their compliments to
Miss Arthur.
They were soon admitted into the presence of that lady, where more
skirmishing was done, during which Dr. Le Guise unburdened himself, as
per programme, and then Mr. Davlin fired his first shot.
"By-the-by, Miss Arthur, you may congratulate yourself that you did
not retain that impostor of a French maid longer in your service."
Lucian had purposely placed himself near the spinster, and where he
could observe the face of Percy without seeming to do so. But that
gentleman was glancing lazily out at the window, and his face was as
expressionless as putty. Lucian uttered a mental, "Confound his _sang
froid_," as he continued:
"She has robbed my sister of jewels and money to the tune of a couple
of thousand, and has cut and run."
"Goodness gracious, Mr. Davlin!" shrieked the spinster.
But Percy only turned his head lazily, and elevated his eyebrows in
mute comment.
"Yes," laughing lightly, "I suppose the hussy fancied that she had
made a heavier haul still. My sister had about her person some papers,
or rather _duplicates of papers that are deposited in a safer place_.
The jade took these also, thinking, no doubt, that they were of value
or, perhaps, without examining them to see that they were worse than
worthless to her."
"Oh, Mr. Davlin, what an artful creature! I was sure she was not quite
to be trusted. But who would have supposed that she would dare--"
gushed Miss Arthur.
"Oh, she is no doubt a professional; belongs to some city 'swell mob,'
begging your pardon. But I shall run up to the city to-night, I think,
and try and see if the detectives can't unearth her."
Still no sign from Percy; not so much as the quiver of an eyelid.
So Mr. Davlin came straight to the issue, thinking that surely Mr.
Percy would betray something here; perhaps would refuse to come to
Oakley. In such case, Lucian felt that he should be tempted to spring
upon and throttle him from sheer desperation.
But again he was mistaken, for no sooner was his invitation extended,
than Mr. Percy accepted it with evident gratification, saying, in his
easy drawl: "Shall be delighted to change my quarters. Anything must
be an improvement upon this. And as your--ah, Dr. Le Guise--says there
is positively no danger, Miss Arthur will of course be rejoiced to
return to her proper place."
And of course Miss Arthur assented.
Before leaving, Mr. Davlin arranged that the carriage should come for
Miss Arthur the next day, and that a porter should immediately
transfer their luggage to Oakley.
"My faith," mused he, as he strode back to tell Cora of his mission;
"but he carries it with a high hand. I didn't think there was so much
real devil in him. He is playing a fine game, but I don't think he can
dream that we suspect him. If we can deceive him in this, and get him
into the house, we will be able to accomplish his downfall, I think."
Meantime, Edward Percy was viewing the matter from his own
stand-point.
"Luck is running into my hand," he assured himself. "They are
evidently a little bit afraid of me; there's nothing more
awe-inspiring than a cool front, and I certainly carry that. Once at
Oakley, it will be strange if I don't fathom their little mystery. If
they are doing mischief there, I won't be behind in claiming the
lion's share of the spoils."
According to arrangement, Miss Arthur and her lover were transferred
to Oakley on the following day, and there the game of cross purposes
went on.
Cora received Miss Arthur with much cordiality, averring that she had
missed the society of "dear Ellen," more than she could tell, and
declaring that now she should begin to get well in earnest.
Messrs. Davlin and Percy affected much friendliness, and watched each
other furtively, day and night.
Dr. Le Guise reported an unfavorable change in his insane patient and
forbade them, one and all, to enter his room.
Cora and Davlin protested against the doctor's cruel order, but in
vain. Mr. Percy made no objections, but kept his eyes open. One
evening, the second of his stay at the manor, he saw, while coming up
the stairs with slippered feet, the form of Mr. Davlin as it
disappeared around the angle leading to the west wing. Then Mr. Percy
stole on until he stood at the door of the wing. Satisfying himself
that Davlin was actually within the forbidden room, he waited for
nothing further, but glided quietly back to his own door, looking as
imperturbable as ever and saying to himself:
"There is a mystery; and we, _rather I_, am not to see Mr. Arthur at
present. Well, I don't want to see him; but _I hold the clue_ to your
little game, my fair second wife."
Lucian Davlin went to the city, but he did not set a detective on the
track of Celine Leroque. He chose his man, one who had served him
before, and set him about something quite different. Then he returned,
feeling quite satisfied and confident of success.