"Oh!--you would not deceive me?" she whispered.
"I wish to God it were not true!" I cried.
"In his room--his room!" she muttered. Suddenly she sank down in a
crumpled white heap on the floor.
I gathered her up in my arms and laid her on the sofa. I called Mrs.
Bleecker, who came running, accompanied by Irma's maid. A senseless
scene of confusion followed. The foolish women roused half the hotel
with their outcries. I myself, carried the beautiful, inanimate girl
into her bedroom. For me it was holy ground. It was almost as bare as
a convent cell. It pleased me to find that she instinctively rejected
luxury on retiring to her last stronghold. I laid her on her bed--the
pillow was no whiter than the cheek it bore, and returned to the outer
room to await the issue. All this time, I must tell you, Mrs. Bleecker
was relieving her feelings by abusing me. From the first I had
apprehended hatred in that lady.
I waited a few minutes, feeling very unnecessary, and wondering if I
would not do better to return to my office, when Mrs. Bleecker came
back, and with a very ill grace said that Miss Hamerton wanted to know
if it was convenient for me to wait a little while until she was able
to see me, and would I please say whatever was necessary to people who
called. I almost wept upon receiving this message. I sent back word
that I would stay all day if she wanted me. Mrs. Bleecker glared at
me, almost beside herself with defeated curiosity. I had the necklace
safe in my pocket and she was without a clue to what had happened.
So there I was established as Miss Hamerton's representative.
Everybody took orders from me, and wondered who I was. The word had
spread like wildfire that the famous star had been taken ill, and the
telephone rang continuously. I finally told the hotel people what to
say, and ordered it disconnected. I had a couple of boys stationed in
the corridor to keep people from the door. I sent for two doctors, not
that Irma was in any need of medical attention, but I wished to have
the support of a professional bulletin. I told them what I thought
necessary. They were discreet men.
Miss Hamerton had no close relatives, and I could not see the sense of
sending for any others. I forbade Mrs. Bleecker to telegraph them. In
a case of this kind solitude is the best, the most merciful treatment
for the sufferer. As it was I pitied the poor girl having to endure
the officious ministrations of her inquisitive servants, but I did not
feel justified in interfering there.
Only two men were allowed past the guard in the corridor, Mr. Maurice
Metz, the famous theatrical manager, and Mr. Alfred Mount. The former
stormed about the room like a wilful child. His pocketbook was hard
hit. I was firm. He could not see Miss Hamerton, he must be satisfied
with my report. Miss Hamerton had suffered a nervous breakdown--with
that phrase we guarded her piteous secret, and it would be out of the
question for her to act for weeks to come. It was her wish that the
company be paid off and disbanded.
"Who the devil are you?" he demanded.
"I speak for Miss Hamerton," I said with a shrug. I remembered how
humbly I had besieged this man's door with my play a few weeks since,
and now I was turning _him_ down.
To satisfy him I had Mrs. Bleecker in. He demanded of her who I was.
"I don't know," she snapped.
Nevertheless she had to bear me out. Miss Hamerton had sent word that
the company was to be paid off with two weeks' salary, and the amount
charged to her. I referred Mr. Metz to the doctors. They impressed
him with medical phrases he didn't understand. He finally departed
talking to himself and waving his hands.
Mr. Mount, of course, was very different. He came in all suave
sympathy, anxious to uphold me in every way. I had wished to see him
for a special purpose. I couldn't allow the possibility of a ghastly
mistake being made.
I produced the fateful little seal leather box, and snapped it open
again. "Are these the lost pearls?" I asked.
The man had wonderful self-control. No muscle of his face changed.
Only his black eyes flamed up. He took the case quietly, but those
eyes pounced on the pearls like their prey, and wolfed them one by one.
He returned the case to me. A curious smile wreathed the corners of
his voluptuous mouth.
"Those are the pearls," he said quietly.
"You are _sure_?"
"Sure?" He spread out his hands. "There are no other such pearls in
the world."