into which I was thrown by this awful and inexplicable occurrence, I
hurriedly dressed, and seeing nothing of the doctor, went over at once
to his cottage. Remembering his caution about Miss Regina, and not
wishing to otherwise frighten her, I ran around to the alley at the rear
of the grounds and climbed over the fence. The doctor's library and
bedroom were adjoining apartments on the ground floor, and the long, low
windows of each opened upon a porch at the side of the house. All the
blinds were closed and securely fastened. I knocked on them several
times, but there was no response, though a dim light was burning in the
library. I heard some one moving inside, and for a moment I thought I
heard the sound of voices in angry argument or expostulation. But of
this I cannot be positive. I remained on the porch at least ten minutes,
vainly trying to get into the rooms, then I gave it up and left the
premises.
"My state of mind after the harrowing events of the night was indeed
distressing. I did not--could not--return home. I have an indistinct
recollection of walking swiftly up and down the deserted streets and far
out into the country. Daylight found me several miles from the town;
hatless, wild-eyed, a sorry spectacle, at whom one or two farmers, on
their way to early market, gazed in amazement. When I turned back, the
sun was high in the heavens. I went again to Doctor Matthai's. A crowd
stood about the door. I was rudely seized and placed under arrest,
charged--oh, my God!--with the murder of Doctor Matthai! The shockingly
mutilated body had just been found in the hallway of the old house in
Queen Anne Street! * * * I am innocent, innocent! Weeks--they seem
centuries--pass, and I yet await trial. * * *
* * * * *
"George Delwyn Ploat, the writer of the above remarkable story, was
hanged in the jailyard at A---- for the wilful and brutal murder of
Doctor Ambrose Matthai, a retired practitioner of that place. The plea
of insanity, so strongly urged by the prisoner's counsel, proved
unavailing, and the condemned man paid the penalty for his crime on
Friday morning last."
* * * * *
"You know what a story like that demands, I suppose," said Colonel
Manysnifters, reaching for the button; "and as I seem to be the
self-appointed chairman here, I will now call upon the gentleman from
Michigan for a few remarks. I am sure that he will not disappoint us.
Senator, we are waiting for you, sir."
"Very well," said Senator Hammond, "since there seems to be no escape, I
will do the best I can."
IX
SENATOR HAMMOND'S EXPERIENCE
"The facts that I am about to relate occurred many years ago while I was
on a visit to relatives in Charleston, South Carolina. The old house
where I was a guest stands on the Battery, and with its beautiful
gardens is still one of the show places of the city.
"It was on a warm Sunday afternoon, and I found myself alone in the
house, the family and servants at church, and a brooding stillness that
presaged the approach of a storm, settling over all. At that time I was
a dreamy, romantic, long-haired youth with all sorts of notions about
the artistic temperament, carelessness in dress, and painting miniatures
for a living. They told me I had some talent, and I believed them
thoroughly.
"I had wandered in from the garden, my hands full of flowers for the
vases in the library, when a sudden gust of wind tore through the wide
hall, the door shut with a bang, and I found myself face to face with my
ancestors. Grim gentlemen with somber faces, simpering almond-eyed
beauties in cobwebby laces; and in the place of honor a frowning hag,
whose wrinkles even the flattering painter dare not hide. Time had added
to the sallowness of her complexion, and certain cracks in the canvas
but intensified her ugliness. Artistic cracks they were, too, for they
fell in just the right places, and heightened the general effect
amazingly.
"Doubtless it was from this person, thought I, that I inherited my
rather nasty temper and other moral and mental infirmities. I gazed at
the lady long and earnestly, for as an ardent believer in heredity I
felt that here I had the key to a problem which often worried me. I
resolved to look her up at once in the family records.
"But I was saved that trouble.
"'Young man,' piped a high, thin voice close at hand, 'in my day it was
considered boorish in the extreme to stare at any one as you are now
doing. No gentleman, I am sure, would have been guilty of such a thing.
But these modern manners, and modern ways are quite beyond me. Perhaps
it is the mode nowadays to ape the rude youths who hung about the London
playhouses in my time. N'est'ce pas?'
"I felt decidedly uncomfortable.
"'Pardon me, I----'
"'Stop!' said the voice, which came from the ugly one in the corner,
'stop, if you please! Don't attempt to apologize or explain; it takes
too much time, and time with me is very precious just now. You see,' she
added in milder tones, 'when one is allowed to have a say only once in a
century, and but fifteen minutes at that, one naturally wants to do all
the talking. That's perfectly reasonable, is it not? So keep quiet, my
dear, and listen to me. No interruptions, if you please.
"'I am Margaret Holmead, your blood relation. You have the Holmead
figure, and coloring, and I knew you were one of us as soon as you came
into the room. Well.
"'Do you see that hussy in the ruff over there? That is Mary Darragh,
Lady Benneville, my bitterest, bitterest enemy! See how she smiles at
me! Deceitful minx! When I tell you all you will surely take her out of
the room and fling her into the fire! For sixty years she has hung there
taunting me. They brought her down from the hall above just to spite me,
I do believe. 'Twas done in your grandfather's time. He was a Benneville
all over, and of course had no use for me. So for sixty long years I
have had to face Mary Darragh and submit to her impertinence, and I tell
you I am sick of it! Why do I hate her? For a very good reason, sir. Let
me tell you about it.
"'My troubles began at the Duchess of Bolton's ball, long before I came
to this dreadful America. The King was there, and Lady Morley-Frere. If
my voice trembles as I mention their names, it is with rage I assure
you, and no wonder--for God knows that between them they played me a
scurvy trick! Yes, these two were there, and Lord Benneville, my cousin,
the handsomest man in all England--indeed, in all the world, I thought.
He was tall and slight, with wavy hair, light brown, almost golden, in
the sunlight. His eyes were gray, a lovely shade, though those who hated
him swore 'twas green. A clever supple swordsman, and to the fore in all
the rough games that men delight in. His face was very winsome, yet
often swept by varying moods. I have seen it hard and stern, and again
alight with the keenest appreciation of one of my Lord Kenneth's
witticisms. And, too, I have seen it tender, pleading, and melancholy
almost unto tears. Ah me!
"'Lord Kenneth, older by several years; taller, darker, soured by a
great disappointment--so 'twas said--loved my Lord Benneville with all
the affection his selfish nature allowed. And Benneville returned it
frankly, in his open boyish fashion. They were ever together, and their
adventures and daring escapades more than once nearly threw them into
serious trouble. But what cared they, crack-brained as they were? Why,
on one pitch dark night, masked and mounted, my Lords Kenneth and
Benneville held up the Royal Mail, frightened the passengers almost to
death, and alarmed the whole countryside; sober folk who thought the
Devil himself was abroad! But the King only smiled indulgently, and
nothing came of it save much gossip at court. They were merry days for
all of us; balls and routs, and parties on the river, the King so
handsome and debonair, and the world so bright with sunshine and
happiness. Youth, my dear, is a great thing; what is there to compare
with it?
"'But I am losing time. I must hasten to the ball at the Duchess's. 'Tis
hardly fair, this terrible silence they have imposed upon me. A century
at a stretch--think of it!
"'I looked my best that night, at least every one said I did, and I had
my mirror to tell me so too. My gown was a wondrous figured thing from
the Indies--a soft, clinging, silken stuff that became me well. Royalty
sent an armful of great purple blossoms, strange in shape and smelling
ravishingly. My clever Prue spent hours on my hair, with the little
Lafitte for the finishing touches. My father was waiting below, and his
eyes shone with joy when he saw me; for he was proud, very proud of his
only daughter.
"'The King patted my cheek and said such pretty things, and kissed me.
Little did I know what was to follow! Child, beware of Princes and
princely favor, for therein lies destruction!
"'The night wore on, and the affair became gayer and more crowded. I had
been much with my Lord Benneville, who seemed quiet and preoccupied, yet
very tender and sweet withal. At that time there existed an
understanding between Arthur and me. Nothing announced as yet, for my
lover feared the King. His Majesty, of late, had been singularly
attentive to me. In fact, so marked had this been that the Queen's
manner toward me became more distant every day; thanks to Lady
Morley-Frere, Mary Darragh, and the other busybodies who had the royal
ear, and hated me. If I coquetted with the King 'twas but to see my
heart's real master frown, and his face grow wan and sad, for by those
very tokens I knew that he loved me.
"'As I say, something was wrong with my dear Lord that night, and after
I had danced twice with the King, and once with the old Duke, Benneville
came to claim me. He took me away from the throng into a little gilded
room with scattered tables for cards, and there we were quite to
ourselves.
"'"My darling," said he, "the King has honored me with a very special
mission. His Majesty deems that of all his loving subjects I am the best
fitted for this most important business," and my lover's voice
hoarsened, and there was hatred in his face. "I start at once for that
far city where the Grand Turk holds court. It is a long journey, and a
hard; and who can say when I will return? I have feared this all along,
sweetest one, and I have tried in vain to put off the evil day; and yet,
by Heaven, I will thwart him! You shall be Lady Benneville before
sunrise! And you will, dearest?"
"'He took me in his arms. I was trembling from head to foot; fearful,
yet joyous. Mine is an emotional nature. But his next words sent a chill
through me.
"'"Lady Morley-Frere has promised to help me. You must leave the palace
with her, and drive straight to St. Stephens-in-the-Fields. She has
arranged it all, like the dear, clever woman she is. As for me, I am in
Kenneth's hands."
"'"No! No!" I cried out suddenly, quite aghast. "Not Lord Kenneth! O
God; not that man!" I feared and hated Robert, Lord Kenneth, and knew
well that he had no liking for me. "Not Lord Kenneth," I urged.
"'"He is my friend," said Lord Benneville gravely.
"'So what more could I say?
"'"Your father has gone home, tired out," he said, by all this
frivolity, but Lady Morley-Frere will keep you to the end; and then to
Morley House with her. That at least is what she told him, and he seemed
well content."
"'I nodded passively, but wondered, knowing as I did my father's
especial detestation for Lady Morley-Frere. Why, they scarcely spoke!
But of course my Arthur knew. There was no further time for parley,
however, as several of the guests, upon gaming bent, invaded our
retreat, and we returned to the ballroom.
"'Old Lady Morley-Frere gave me a meaning look when we met at supper,
but had only the opportunity to whisper in passing, "At two o'clock; the
little door under the green lanthorn." I knew the place well, having
often taken chair there when the crowd pressed in front. Two o'clock
came, and we succeeded in leaving the palace quite unobserved, thanks to
the private door. It was bitterly cold and snowing hard, and we had
scarce left the court-yard when I fell to shivering, my teeth clicking
like castanets. Lady Morley-Frere, seeing my plight, held out a silver
flask, and from the depths of her cloak growled out, "Drink, drink!
'Twill set you right in a trice. 'Tis hot and spiced, and good for you."
I obeyed her. I had hardly swallowed it before a delicious warmth stole
over me, and every nerve tingled with pleasure. I sank back into the
cushions revived--exalted! Then I fell asleep. Oh, the shame of it! The
shame of it! A thousand curses upon a tipple that caused such woe! May
eternal perdition be the portion of the giver!
"'Strong arms enfolded me when I came to my senses. My Benneville, I was
sure of it!
"Darling," I murmured, still feeling strangely, "I have come to you.
Yes, out of the storm have I come to you! Like a weary, drenched bird, I
seek rest in thy dear arms! Kiss me, my dearest, kiss me!"
"'He kissed me again and again ... How can I go on?... There was a sound
of smothered laughter--the irritating laugh of a woman I hated.... His
face was close to mine.... I opened my eyes.... Oh, God! It was the
King!
"'In my rage and confusion I flung him from me, and fell, half-fainting,
to the floor. Then I heard my Lord Benneville say brokenly, as one
crushed by awful trouble, "Your Majesty is right. I pray you forgive my
harsh words of yesterday. Fool, fool that I am to have been so tricked!
O my Liege, my Liege, death would have been far preferable to this!" And
then my dear Lord, sobbing, went out into the gray dawn, and out of my
life forever!
* * * * *
"'They took me from the King's chamber, and revived by the sharp air in
the street I managed to grope my way to my father's house. To _him_ I
told nothing, for he was proud of me, and should I have killed him? Yet
he was much perplexed at my determination, for I never showed my face at
court again!'
"My relative's voice, growing weaker every moment, flickered and died
out in a hissing whisper just as the silver chime over the mantel
proclaimed that her time was up. Then I must have awakened.
"It may have been a dream, but so impressed was I by the old lady's
story that all the rest of the week I searched for further light upon
it. Into old carven chests I dived, opening package after package of
mouldy papers. In the attic trunks and boxes were rifled, until at last,
about to give up in despair, I found in an old desk a letter. It was in
French with the Benneville crest and seal, brown with age, and by no
means easy to decipher. The place of writing, and the date, quite beyond
human ken, so frayed and stained was the upper margin. Freely
translated, the letter read:
"'My Dear Old Bobby:
"'Here we are, safe and sound. And what can I say to you, friend of
friends? This last scrape was the worst of all; was it not? Worse
by far than the affairs with the little Italian, or the fat
Princess, eh, Bobby, my boy? Our heartfelt thanks to his Majesty,
God bless him! and to Lady Morley-Frere, and to your dear self--our
eternal love! Oh, Bobby, the thought of marrying that sour-visaged
cousin of mine makes me ill, even now! And yet--at the time, before
I told you--I felt myself slowly drifting into it. The ground
seemed to be slipping from under my feet, as it were. I felt wholly
lost--trapped, by Jove! She was very determined. We are here with
the Ambassador until the affair blows over. My sweetest Mary joins
me in love.
"'Ever your affectionate friend,
"'BENNEVILLE.'"
"A dirty low trick of that fellow Benneville, I must say," said Colonel
Manysnifters disgustedly. "That sort of thing could never have happened
in these days. Did they ever move the Darragh woman's picture out of the
room?" he asked.
"I believe so--some years later," replied Senator Hammond dryly; "in
fact, they were _all_ moved out, and hurried into the up-country for
safe-keeping. That was about the time that we boys in blue were making
it particularly unpleasant for the residents of that part of the State.
I never knew the fate of the collection. I have not been South since
'64."
"Well, anyway, Senator," said the Colonel, "I see you have got a line on
your ancestors, and that's more than many of us can say. I've never
bothered about mine. Descendants are bad enough. My forebears came over
to America years ago as ballast--didn't have any names, just numbers,
mostly thirteen and twenty-three! That old lady you were telling us
about certainly got it in the neck, and I hope that she will even
matters up in the other world. If she hasn't, by the time I get there I
will do all I can to help her out--always assuming, of course, that I am
going to the same place.
"Now, if you gentlemen of the press will kindly step to the front and
favor us with your yarns we will all be mightily obliged to you. I have
heard nothing from any of you since 'way back in the dining-car. Some
observation about the moon, I believe."
Mr. Callahan, the dean of the corps, blushed slightly.
"It was O'Brien who got off the spiel about the moon. _I_ have outgrown
that sort of thing. In my younger days I might have--well, we won't be
hard on O'Brien. He is not a bad fellow at heart, and I believe he will
try to do better in future. Now, as it seems to be my turn at
word-painting, I am going to tell you of an affair that occurred in
Washington a few years ago. It has to do with a well-known society girl,
an irascible father, a bad Chinaman, and a high collar--seemingly
irreconcilable elements, I'll admit, but I will do my best to mix 'em
in. I had the story in sections from most of the parties concerned; a
wide acquaintance with the police and an intimate knowledge of the
Chinese quarter helping out considerably. The odds and ends, pieced
together, make, I hope, a hearable tale."
X
MR. CALLAHAN'S STORY
"My story begins, then, on a bright Sabbath afternoon in mid-autumn when
Miss Janet Cragiemuir left her home in K Street and set out leisurely
upon her walk to Bethany Church, where she revelled in her latest fad.
She had recently taken a class in the Chinese Sunday-school. The good
work began at three o'clock, and as it was nearly that hour, groups of
Chinamen stood out on the sidewalk chattering as only Celestials can.
They greeted Miss Cragiemuir with grave courtesy when she approached,
and shuffled lazily out of her way as she swept past. She was followed
into the building by her three scholars, one of whom presented her with
a small package which was accepted with some reluctance. Then a brief
whispered argument took place between the two, the Chinaman appearing to
have decidedly the best of it, for he displayed his broken, yellow teeth
in a hideous grin when his teacher turned from him to the other members
of the class.
"Miss Cragiemuir was attached to her scholars, an intelligent lot of
men, speaking English fairly well, and at times quite electrifying her
by their naive observations on men and things. But Ah Moy, the ugly
fellow at the end of the form, was her especial pride. That gorgeously
clad individual was considered the star scholar of the school, and as a
shining example of what Christian training can do for the heathen was
often pointed out to visitors. Well, Ah Moy _was_ undeniably clever, but
not in just the way the good people of Bethany imagined. As a matter of
fact, a more corrupt Chinaman had never been smuggled into America.
Ostensibly in the laundry business, and really a master workman in that
line, the astute Chink had long since relinquished the labor over the
tubs and ironing-board to Hop Wah, his silent partner. Ah Moy's chief
interest in the establishment lay in its cavernous sub-cellar, where he
conducted gaming tables and a smoking-'parlor' with flattering success.
The gods evidently smiled upon him, for his den seemed to be unknown to
the police, though they had ferreted out all other resorts of the kind
in the city. As there is no 'graft' in Washington, and 'the Finest' are
above reproach, the idea that Ah Moy enjoyed police protection should be
dismissed with indignation.
"Ah Moy's place bore an unsavory reputation even among the saffron-hued
residents of Four-and-a-half Street, but its bland proprietor was
regarded by the authorities as a particularly inoffensive and
law-abiding specimen--his high standing at Bethany proving a very strong
card. He was also the head of a powerful secret society, or 'tong,' and
wielded a tremendous influence in the Washington settlement, so his
countrymen dared not betray him. There was another, and in its way an
equally potent reason why the Chinaman played so well the role of
convert. He had fallen desperately in love with Miss Cragiemuir, and to
the unconscious girl his antics were puzzling, to say the least. He
annoyed her, too, with presents--trifles which she could not well refuse
without a scene, for after much surly mumbling he would sulk in his
corner like a spoiled child unless she instantly accepted his offerings.
So jars of preserved ginger, hideous ivory images, and trinkets of every
description were showered upon her, much to her discomfiture.
"On the afternoon I speak of, Ah Moy, who had eclipsed all previous
records for brilliant recitations, became decidedly uneasy as the
benediction was being pronounced, and when he arose from his knees
tapped Miss Cragiemuir gently with his fan.
"'Can Ah Moy walk home with pletty lady?' he asked in dove-like tones.
"Now Miss Cragiemuir's fads were invariably carried through to the last
extremity, and Ah Moy's request, instead of embarrassing her, afforded a
thrill of gratification. She felt sure that he yearned for a fuller
knowledge of the great truths that had been unfolded in the afternoon's
lesson, and she also felt, with some exaltation of spirit, that her
influence over the man was being exerted for much good. So she nodded a
pleasant assent to the delighted Celestial, who blushed and trembled
with joy; and a blushing, trembling Chinaman is a sight for the gods!
"'Well, Ah Moy,' she said in her best manner, 'I hope you will think
over what you have learned to-day, ponder it in your heart, and let it
be a subject of prayer. I see a great change in you--a change for the
better. The good seed has taken root, and my puny efforts will yet bear
fruit in due season. Now next Sunday we will take up the wonderful story
of "Daniel in the Lion's Den." That will interest you, I am sure.'
"'Ah Moy takee up anysing that Missee want,' said the Chinaman
gallantly. 'Ah Moy velly, velly fond of Missee. He no come to
Slunday-school at all if teacher no come too! Slunday-school is a great
big bluff most allee time--it seem to me. Humbug, eh?'
"This was a staggerer.
"'Why, Ah Moy, how perfectly shocking! "Bluff!" "Humbug!" Where did you
learn such words? Oh, Ah Moy, you don't know how much you distress me! I
thought better of you than that; I did indeed! What do you come to the
school for? Isn't it because you want to be a better man, and to lead a
good and useful life? I certainly thought so. I am disappointed in you,
Ah Moy, more than I can say. This is dreadful!'
"'Ah Moy rich,' he continued, unnoticing; 'got plenty money, habee heap
house--one in 'Flisco, one in San Looey, one here in this city. He want
get mallied; lovee gal, 'flaid tell her. 'Flaid makee mad. Ah Moy
bashful!'
"'Really?' said Miss Cragiemuir with interest, wondering which of the
two or three women at the Mission he meant, 'In love! Oh, Ah Moy, how
romantic! Who is she? Perhaps I can help you.'
"'I don't likee say,' replied he coyly.
"'How foolish, Ah Moy. Tell me--I will promise not to mention it--not to
say a word to any one. Understand?'
"'Plomise?' asked he craftily.
"'Certainly I will promise. Don't you think I can keep a secret? Lots of
people tell me things--that's because they trust me. Who do you want to
marry? Ah, I believe I know. Isn't it Hoi Kee?'
"'No-o.'
"'Oo-Chow?'
"'No-o.'
"'Hoi Sing?'
"'No-o.'
"'Well, I declare! Who on earth is it then?'
"'Ah Moy want mallie _you_!'
"'What?'
"Miss Cragiemuir, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, giggled
hysterically. A flush of rage darkened the Chinaman's sallow features,
and his eyes glittered with anger. Had the street been deserted he would
have strangled her, then and there, after the pleasing Oriental fashion.
But the time and place were unpropitious.
"'Mellican gal makee fun of Ah Moy,' he said gruffly. 'She think he
joke, when allee time he mean velly much what he say!'
"Then the teacher lost her temper.