A DESPERATE VENTURE
"The likeness is wonderful," Jessie cried. "How did you find out? Did
anybody tell you? But you have not mentioned your own name yet, though
you know who I am."
The other girl smiled. Jessie liked the look of her face. It was a
little haughty like her own, but the smile was very sweet, the features
resolute and strong just now. Both the girls seemed to feel the
strangeness of the situation. It was as if each was actually seeing
herself for the first time. Then Jessie's new friend began to speak.
"It is like this," she explained. "I am Vera Galloway, and Lady
Merehaven is my aunt. As my aunt and my uncle, Lord Merehaven, have no
children, they have more or less adopted me. I have been very happy here
till quite lately, until the danger came not only to my adopted parents,
but to one whom I love better than all the world. I cannot tell you what
it is now, I have no time. But the danger to this house and Charles--I
mean my lover--is terrible. Fate has made it necessary that I should be
quite free for the next few hours, free to escape the eyes of suspicious
people, and yet at the same time it is necessary that I should be here.
My dear Miss Harcourt, you are going to take my place."
"My dear Miss Galloway, the thing is impossible," Jessie cried. "Believe
me, I would help you if I could--anything that requires courage or
determination. I am so desperately placed that I would do anything for
money. But to take your place----"
"Why not? You are a lady, you are accustomed to society. Lord Merehaven
you will probably not see all the evening, Lady Merehaven is quite
short-sighted. And she never expects me to help to entertain her guests.
There will be a mob of people here presently, and there is safety in
numbers. A little tact, a little watchful discretion, and the thing is
done."
Vera Galloway spoke rapidly and with a passionate entreaty in her voice.
Her beautiful face was very earnest. Jessie felt that she was giving way
already.
"I might manage it," she admitted dubiously. "But how did you come to
hear of me?"
"My cousin, Ronald Hope, told me. Ronald knew your people in the old
days. Do you recollect him?"
Jessie blushed slightly. She recollected Captain Hope perfectly well.
And deep down in her heart she had a feeling that, if things had turned
out differently, she and Ronald Hope had been a little more than mere
acquaintances by this time. But when the crash came, Jessie had put the
Captain resolutely aside with her other friends.
"Well, Ronald told me," Vera Galloway went on. "I fancy Ronald admired
you. He often mentioned your name to me, and spoke of the strange
likeness between us. He would have found you if he could. Then out of
curiosity I asked a man called Beryll, who is a noted gossip, what had
become of Colonel Hacker Harcourt's daughters, and he said one of them
was in a milliner's shop in Bond Street, he believed Madame
Malmaison's. Mind you, I was only mildly curious to see you. But to-day
the brooding trouble came, and I was at my wits ends for a way out. Then
the scheme suddenly came to me, and I called at Malmaison's this morning
with a message for a friend. You did not see me, but I saw you. My mind
was made up at once, hence my note to you.... And now I am sure that you
are going to help me."
"I am going to help you to do anything you require," Jessie said,
"because I feel sure that I am on the side of a good cause."
"I swear it," Vera said with a passionate emphasis. "For the honour of a
noble house, for the reputation of the man I love. And you shall never
regret it, never. You shall leave that hateful business for ever.... But
come this way--there are many things that I have to show you."
Jessie followed obediently into the corridor a little behind Vera, and
in the attitude of one who feels and admits her great social
inferiority. They came at length to a large double window opening on to
some leads, and then descending by a flight of steps to the garden. The
thing was safer than at first appeared, for there were roll shutters to
the windows.
It was very quiet and still in the garden, with its close-shaven lawns
and the clinging scent of the roses. The silent parterre would be gay
with a giddy, chattering mob of Society people before long, Vera
hurriedly explained. Lady Merehaven was giving a great reception,
following a diplomatic dinner to the foreign Legation by Lord Merehaven.
Jessie had forgotten for the moment that Lord Merehaven was Secretary
for Foreign Affairs.
The big windows at the back of the dining-room were open to the garden;
the room was one blaze of light, that flickered over old silver and
priceless glass on banks of flowers and red wines in Bohemian decanters.
A score or more men were there, all of them distinguished with stars and
ribbons and collars. Very rapidly Vera picked them out one by one.
Jessie felt just a little bewildered as great, familiar names tripped
off the tongue of her companion. A strange position for one who only a
few hours before had been a shop-girl.
"We will walk back through the house," Vera Galloway said. "I must show
you my aunt. Some of the guests are beginning to arrive, I see. Come
this way."
Already a knot of well-dressed women filled the hall. Coming down the
stairs was the magnificent woman with the diamond tiara, the woman who
had helped along the corridor the man with the helpless limbs. Jessie
elevated her eyebrows as the great lady passed.
"The Queen of Asturia," Vera whispered. "You have forgotten to lower
your veil. Yes, the Queen of Asturia. She has been dining here alone
with my aunt in her private room. You have seen her before?"
"Yes," Jessie replied. "It was just now. Somebody whispered to me to put
out the lights. As I sat in the dark I saw----but I don't want to appear
inquisitive."
"Oh, I know. It was I who called to you from my bedroom to put the
lights out. I had no wish for that strange scene on the stairs to be ...
you understand?"
"And the sick man? He is one whose name I ought to know, perhaps."
"Well, yes. Whisper--come close, so that nobody can hear. That was the
King of Asturia. You think he was ill. Nothing of the kind. Mark you,
the Queen of Asturia is the best of women. She is good and kind--she is
a patriot to her finger tips. And he--the king--is one of the greatest
scoundrels in Europe. In a way, it is because of him that you are here
to-night. The whole dreadful complication is rooted in a throne. And
that scoundrel has brought it all about. Don't ask me more, for the
secret is not wholly mine."
All this Vera Galloway vouchsafed in a thrilling whisper. Jessie was
feeling more and more bewildered. But she was not going back on her
promise now. The strange scene she had witnessed in the corridor came
again to her with fresh force now. The ruler of Asturia might be a
scoundrel, but he certainly was a scoundrel who was sick unto death.
"We will go back to my room now," Vera said. "First let me dismiss my
maid, saying that I have decided not to change my dress. Go up the
stairs as if I had sent you for something. You will see how necessary it
is to get my maid out of the way."
The bedroom door was locked again, and Vera proceeded to strip off her
dress, asking Jessie to do the same. In a little time the girls were
transformed. The matter of the hair was a difficulty, but it was
accomplished presently. A little while later and Jessie stood before the
glass wondering if some other soul had taken possession of her body. On
the other hand, Vera Galloway was transformed into a demure-looking shop
assistant waiting a customers' orders.
"I declare that nobody will know the difference," she said. "Unless you
are in a very strong light, it will be impossible to detect the
imposture. You will stay here and play my part, and I shall slip away
disguised in my clothes. Is that ten o'clock striking? I must fly. I
have one or two little things to get from my bedroom. Meanwhile, you can
study those few points for instruction that I have written on this sheet
of paper. Study them carefully, because one or two of them really are of
importance."
Vera was back again in a moment, and ready to depart. The drama was
about to begin in earnest now, and Jessie felt her heart beating a
little faster. As the two passed down the stairs together, they could
see that the handsome suite of rooms on the first floor were rapidly
filling. One or two guests nodded to Jessie, and she forced a smile in
reply. It was confusing to be recognized like this without knowing who
the other people were. Jessie began to realize the full magnitude of the
task before her.
"I am not in the least satisfied with your explanation," she said, in a
very fair imitation of Vera Galloway's voice. After all there is a great
sameness in the society tones of a woman. "I am very sorry to trouble
you as the hour is late, but I must have it back to-night. Bannister,
whatever time this young person comes back, see that she is not sent
away, and ask her in to the little morning room. And send for me."
The big footman bowed, and Vera Galloway slipped into the street. Not
only had she got away safely, but she had also achieved a way for a safe
return. Jessie wondered what was the meaning of all this secrecy and
clever by-play. Surely there must be more than one keen eye watching the
movements of Vera Galloway. The knowledge thrilled Jessie, for if those
keen eyes were about they would be turned just as intently upon her. A
strange man came up to her and held out his hand. He wanted to know if
Miss Galloway enjoyed the Sheringham's dance last night. Jessie shrugged
her shoulders, and replied that the dance was about as enjoyable as most
of that class of thing. She was on her guard now, and resolved to be
careful. One step might spoil everything and lead to an exposure, the
consequences of which were altogether too terrible to contemplate.
The strange man was followed by others; then a pretty fair girl
fluttered up to Jessie and kissed her, with the whispered question as to
whether there was going to be any bridge or not. Would Vera go and find
Amy Macklin and Connie, and bring them over to the other side of the
room? With a nod and a smile Jessie slipped away, resolving that she
would give the fair girl a wide berth for the remainder of the evening.
In an amused kind of way she wondered what Amy and Connie were like. It
looked as if the evening were going to be a long series of evasions.
There was a flutter in the great saloon presently as the hostess came
into the room, presently followed by the stately lady with the diamond
tiara in her hair.
The guests were bowing right and left. Presently the Queen of Asturia
was escorted to a seat, and the little thrill of excitement passed off.
Jessie hoped to find that it would be all right, but a new terror was
added to the situation. She, the shop-girl, was actually in the presence
of a real queen, perhaps the most romantic figure in Europe at the
present moment. Jessie recalled all the strange stories she had heard of
the ruling house of Asturia, of its intrigues and fiery conspiracies.
She was thinking of it still, despite the fact that a great diva was
singing, and accompanied on the piano by a pianist whose reputation was
as great as her own. A slim-waisted attache crossed the room and bowed
before Jessie, bringing his heels together with a click after the most
approved court military fashion.
"Pardon me the rudeness, Mademoiselle Vera, but her Highness would speak
to you. When you meet the princess, the lady on the left of the queen
will vacate her chair. It is to look as natural as possible."
Jessie expressed her delight at the honour. But her heart was beating
more painfully just now than it had done any time during the evening.
The thing was so staggering and unexpected. Was it possible that the
queen knew of the deception, and was party to the plot? But that theory
was impossible. A royal guest could not be privy to such a trick upon
her hostess.
With her head in a whirl but her senses quite alert, Jessie crossed the
room. As she came close to the queen, a lady-in-waiting rose up quite
casually and moved away, and Jessie slipped into the vacant seat. She
could see now how lined and wearisome behind the smile was the face of
the Queen of Asturia. And yet it was one of the most beautiful faces in
the world.
"You are not surprised that I have sent for you, _cherie_?" the queen
asked.
"No, Madame," Jessie replied. She hoped that the epithet was correct.
"If there is anything that I can do----"
"Dear child, there is something you can do presently," the queen went
on. "We have managed to save him to-night. You know who I mean. But the
danger is just as terribly imminent as it was last night. Of course, you
know that General Maxgregor is coming here presently?"
"I suppose so," Jessie murmured. "At least, it would not surprise me.
You see, Madame----"
"Of course it would not surprise you. How strangely you speak to-night.
Those who are watching us cannot possibly deduct anything from the
presence of General Maxgregor at your aunt's reception. When he comes
you are to attach yourself to him. Take him into the garden. Then go up
those steps leading to the corridor and shut the General in the
sitting-room next to your dressing-room--the next room to where _he_ is,
in fact. And when that is done come to me, and in a loud voice ask me to
come and see the pictures that you spoke of. Then I shall be able to see
the General in private. Then you can wait in the garden by the fountain
till one or both of us come down again. I want you to understand this
quite clearly, for heaven only knows how carefully I am watched."
Jessie murmured respectfully that she knew everything. All the same, she
was quite at a loss to know how she was to identify the General
Maxgregor when he did come. The mystery of the whole thing was becoming
more and more bewildering. Clearly Vera Galloway was deep in the
confidence of the queen, and yet at the same time she had carefully
concealed from her majesty the fact that she had substituted a perfect
stranger for herself. It was a daring trick to play upon so exalted a
personage, but Vera had not hesitated to do it. And Jessie felt that
Vera Galloway was all for the cause of the queen.
"I will lie in wait for the General," she said. "There is no time to be
lost--I had better go now."
Jessie rose and bowed and went her way. So far everything had gone quite
smoothly. But it was a painful shock on reaching the hall to see Prince
Boris Mazaroff bending over a very pretty girl who was daintily eating
an ice there. Just for a moment it seemed to Jessie that she must be
discovered. Then she reflected that in her party dress and with her hair
so elaborately arranged, she would present to the eyes of the Russian
nothing more than a strange likeness to the Bond Street shop-girl. At
any rate, it would be necessary to take the risk. The prince was too
deep in his flirtation to see anybody at present.
Once more Jessie breathed freely. She would linger here in the hall
until General Maxgregor came. He would be announced on his entrance, so
that Jessie would have to ask no questions. Some little time elapsed
before a big man with a fine, resolute face came into the hall.
Somebody whispered the name of Maxgregor, and Jessie looked up eagerly.
The man's name had a foreign flavour--his uniform undoubtedly was; and
yet Jessie felt quite sure that she was looking at the face of an
Englishman. She had almost forgotten her part for the moment, when the
General turned eagerly to her.
"I'll go upstairs presently," he murmured. "You understand how
imperative it is that I should see the queen without delay. It is all
arranged, of course. Does the queen know?"
"The queen knows everything, General," Jessie said. She felt on quite
firm ground now. "Let us stroll into the garden as if we were looking
for somebody. Then I will admit you to the room where the queen will
meet you presently. Yes, that is a very fine specimen of a Romney."
The last words were uttered aloud. Once in the garden the two hurried on
up the steps of the corridor. From a distance came the divine notes of
the diva uplifted in some passionate love song. At another time Jessie
would have found the music enchanting. As it was, she hurried back to
the salon and made her way to the queen's side. One glance and a word
were sufficient.
The song died away in a hurricane of applause. The queen rose and laid
her hand on Jessie's arm. She was going to have a look at the pictures,
she said. In a languid way, and as if life was altogether too fatiguing,
she walked down the stairs. But once in the garden her manner altogether
changed.
"You managed it?" she demanded. "You succeeded? Is the General in the
room next to your sitting-room? How wonderfully quick and clever you
are! Would that I had a few more like you near me! Throw that black
cloak on the deck chair yonder over my head and shoulders. Now show me
the way yourself. And when you have done, go and stand by the fountain
yonder, so as to keep the coast clear. When you see two quick flashes of
light in the window you will know that I am coming down again."
Very quietly the flight of steps was mounted and the corridor entered.
With a sign Jessie indicated the room where General Maxgregor was
waiting for the queen; the door opened, there was a stifled, strangled
cry, and the door was closed as softly as it had opened. With a heart
beating unspeakably fast, Jessie made her way into the garden again and
stood by the side of the ornamental fountain as if she were enjoying the
cooling breezes of the night.
On the whole, she was enjoying the adventure. But she wanted to think.
Everybody was still in the house listening to the divine notes of the
great singer, so that it was possible to snatch a half breathing space.
And Jessie felt that she wanted it. She tried to see her way through;
she was thinking it out when the sound of a footstep behind caused her
to look round. She gave a sudden gasp, and then she appeared to be
deeply interested in the gold fish in the fountain.
"I hope he won't address me. I hope he will pass without recognition,"
was Jessie's prayer.
For the man strolling directly towards the fountain was Prince Boris
Mazaroff!