"'Presumably Mr. Toft.' Sir Francis Marwood, I thank you for the
suggestion. To continue. An alarm was raised by the agent of someone
unknown. This agent was a lady who did not know that she was betraying
an old friend. A minute later we were face to face. Instantly she
pierced through my disguise, and by her presence of mind and fertility
of resource alone did I escape."
"Like Sir Francis Marwood, I thought my betrayer was Mr. Toft, and I
hastened to interview that gentleman. I found him in a state of extreme
nervous prostration, but I left him convinced that it was not he who had
betrayed me. So your suggestion, Sir Francis Marwood, is wrong. Can you
give me another clue?"
Sir Francis did not reply. He looked uncomfortable at the attention
bestowed upon his remark.
"My next step was to trace the lady who had helped me. That also was not
difficult. I did not know she was in England, but being here I concluded
that the Foreign Office would have her address. I was not mistaken. I
found my friend, and learnt that she had her instructions to raise an
alarm from--mark the name well, gentlemen--from Sir Francis Marwood, a
member of this Club."
Had a live shell fallen into their midst it would probably have caused
less consternation than did this announcement. There was an involuntary
exclamation from everyone. For a moment all eyes were fixed on Sir
Francis. Then each man drew himself up and stared blankly into space.
"The fame of your Club had reached me, and the novelty of its membership
appealed to me." Again Lord Horton was speaking. "I felt that its risks
would give a pleasing zest to civilian life, but I did not know that
members were allowed to pay off old scores on each other through its
medium. Last year I considered it my duty to advise against Sir Francis
Marwood's appointment to Lisbon. This was his revenge. I was prepared to
run any and all risks from without, but did not anticipate betrayal from
within. Gentlemen, you have done me the honour to elect me as a member
of your Club. I have paid my subscription. Now I beg to tender my
resignation."
"No, no!" responded on all sides. Then cries of "Marwood! Marwood!"
"Order!" called the Duke. "Sir Francis Marwood, we are waiting."
Sir Francis rose. He was a man of some distinction in the diplomatic
world.
"Gentlemen," he said, making a desperate attempt to speak his words
lightly; "I really did not anticipate the matter would be taken up in
this serious way. I do not dispute the accuracy of Lord Horton's
statement, though I absolutely deny the motive he has ascribed to me.
The reason of my action was simple. This Club was formed by us, not
merely for passing time, but for keeping up our wits in degenerate days.
To such a man as Lord Horton I felt that the purloining of the
Fellmongers' Goblet must fall flat indeed. I have read the marvellous
account of his adventures in Thibet, and I felt that some further spice
of danger in this particular affair was necessary to make it worthy of
Lord Horton's reputation. I took the liberty of supplying it, though
perhaps in so doing I exceeded my rights. If so, I tender my regrets."
Sir Francis resumed his seat amidst loudly expressed disapprobation.
The President rose. "Gentlemen," he said, "you have heard Lord Horton's
charge and Sir Francis Marwood's reply. Our Club can exist only as long
as there is absolute good faith between its members, and I never dreamt
of anything less than this being possible. Two duties are obviously
mine. The first, Sir Francis Marwood, is to inform you that you are no
longer a member of the Club. The second is to express our sincere
regrets to Lord Horton, and our earnest hope that he will reconsider his
resignation."
Sir Francis rose, pale and defiant. "So be it, Duke. Some day you may
regret this. Horton, you and I have a big score to wipe out now." Then,
with an ugly sneer, "It is hardly necessary to say that the F.O. will no
longer require the services of a lady who cannot be depended upon; but
Lord Horton's interest will no doubt find her another situation."
"Stop!" thundered Horton. "A lady has been mentioned. Two years ago this
same lady saved my life in Russia. I asked her to marry me, and she
refused, because, absurdly enough, she thought it would spoil my career.
We did not meet again till yesterday. Marwood, instead of an injury, you
did me the greatest service in the world.
"A week ago I was offered the post of British Agent at Kabul. It was a
post after my own heart, but single-handed I should have failed in it.
With this lady as my wife anything would be possible. Yesterday I begged
her to reconsider her decision, and to help me in my career. I am proud
to say she consented. We are to be married at once. Because bachelors
alone are eligible as members of your Club, I am forced to confirm my
resignation. Gentlemen, and Sir Francis Marwood, good-evening."
Thus did Lord Horton leave the Burglars' Club for married life,
happiness, and his brilliant after-career.