A MOVE BY THE ENEMY
There was a moment's pause, and then in a leisurely fashion Tony
knocked the remaining tobacco out of his pipe, and put it away in his
pocket.
"How jolly!" he observed. "What have you done with them?"
"I have shown them into the library, Sir Antony."
Tony got up from his chair and pulled down his coat.
"Do I look respectable, Spalding?" he asked. "I shouldn't like to
receive such distinguished visitors with any suggestion of
slovenliness."
Spalding inspected him carefully, and then stepping forward removed a
small piece of white thread from the knee of his trousers.
"There is nothing the matter now, Sir Antony," he replied.
Tony walked leisurely up the steps into the house, and crossing the
morning-room and the hall, opened the door of the library.
Da Freitas and the Count, both irreproachably dressed in frock coats,
were standing on the hearth-rug.
"Hulloa, Marquis!" observed Tony. "This is awfully nice of you to
come and look me up. A sort of burying of the pugilistic hatchet,
eh?"
With an affable bow the Marquis accepted his proffered hand.
"It is my hope that we shall always be good friends," he replied in
that smooth purring voice of his. Then indicating his companion, he
added: "May I have the honour of presenting you to the Count de Sé?"
Tony shook hands in turn with the Count, who in contrast with the
urbane Da Freitas appeared nervous and ill at ease.
"How do you do?" said Tony. "I suppose it's my imagination, but
d'you know I can't help feeling I have seen you before somewhere."
For a moment the Count seemed at a loss how to reply, and before he
could recover himself the Marquis da Freitas had taken up the
gauntlet.
"You are right, Sir Antony. You made the Count's acquaintance in
Richmond Park the day before yesterday. It is that meeting to a
certain extent which is responsible for our visit."
With an air of pleased remembrance, Tony turned back to Isabel's
guardian.
"Why, of course," he exclaimed. "How stupid of me! I say, I hope
you didn't hurt yourself when you fell off the car?"
The Count drew himself up. "It is through a miracle that I was not
killed," he replied with some stiffness.
Tony nodded sympathetically. "I know," he said. "That's the danger
of a clay soil. It gets so hard in hot weather."
A sudden tinge of colour appeared in the Count's parchment-like face,
and once again the soothing tones of Da Freitas broke in upon the
conversation.
"I expect," he said suavely, "that we have all been more or less
under a misunderstanding. I am quite sure that when matters are
explained this little Comedy of Errors will settle itself."
"I shouldn't wonder," said Tony. "But won't you both sit down and
have a cigar? There's no reason we shouldn't be comfortable while we
are talking."
He took a box off the mantelpiece and held it out in turn to his two
guests. Da Freitas helped himself, and after a second's hesitation
the Count followed suit, as though the tempting appearance of the
cabanas that it contained had proved too strong for his contemplated
refusal.
It was Da Freitas who reopened the conversation. Having seated
himself on the broad leather-covered couch against the wall, he took
an appreciative pull at his cigar, and then removed it carefully from
between his thick lips.
"I suppose," he said, "that you are aware who the young lady is that
you have apparently been good-natured enough to assist?"
It was the identical question that Congosta had opened with, and Tony
answered it in much the same fashion.
"Why, of course," he said. "When I make new friends I am always most
careful about their antecedents."
The Marquis looked up at him sharply, but Tony's face remained
absolutely expressionless.
"As you may imagine," continued the former, "it was a cause of
infinite relief to the Count and myself to learn that her foolish
escapade had had no more serious consequences." He paused. "We
should be interested to learn how and under what circumstances you
became acquainted."
"We were introduced by a mutual acquaintance in Long Acre," said Tony.
The Marquis raised his eyebrows. "Ah, indeed!" he replied
courteously. "I had no idea that Isabella had any acquaintances in
London. That was one thing that made us so extremely anxious about
her."
He paused again as though giving Tony an opportunity to be a little
more communicative--a thoughtful attention which the latter appeared
to overlook.
"I suppose," he continued with a good-natured laugh, "that the dear
foolish child has been telling you of the terrible tragedies of a
high destiny. She is incredibly romantic as you have doubtless seen.
It's a charming weakness in a young girl, but"--he shrugged his
shoulders--"well, sometimes we poor elders are forced to appear
unsympathetic in order to be kind."
"Yes," said Tony, "so I gather."
Again the Marquis glanced at him quickly, and then as if partly
reassured by the perfect tranquillity of his countenance, proceeded
in the same strain of benevolent urbanity.
"To youth the claims of duty must always seem hard and unreasonable.
One would not wish it otherwise. If we were not a little unwise and
impatient in the spring-time of life, what interest would be left to
us for the autumn and the winter?" He took another pull at his
cigar, and blew out a philosophic cloud of smoke. "I presume," he
added smilingly, "that you are fully acquainted with the main cause
of our little runaway's desperate decision?"
"I understand," said Tony, "that she was unable to appreciate the
more subtle points of her selected husband?"
Da Freitas waved his hand indulgently. "Ah, well, my dear Sir
Antony, between ourselves I do not mind admitting that His Majesty is
not perhaps the figure of Romance that a young girl pictures in her
dreams. But what would you? He loves her devotedly, and he will
make her a good--an excellent husband. It will be an ideal marriage
in every way."
"You really think so?" said Tony artlessly.
"I am sure of it. Why should I have encouraged it otherwise? We
have nothing to gain politically by such a match. His Majesty might
have made an alliance with one of the most powerful reigning houses
in Europe, but he loves his cousin, and I am old-fashioned enough to
believe that when there is no great objection it is best to follow
the counsels of the heart."
"But there is a grave objection," said Tony, "--on the lady's part."
Again Da Freitas shrugged his shoulders. "My dear Sir Antony--a
young girl's whims and fancies! What are they anyway? Three parts
shyness and modesty. Within a week of her marriage she will be
perfectly happy and contented."
Tony leaned back and crossed his legs. "Well, I'll tell her what you
say," he observed, "but I am afraid I can't hold out much hope."
There was a short and rather pregnant silence.
"The position does not appear to be quite clear to you, Sir Antony,"
remarked Da Freitas with a somewhat excessive politeness. "While we
appreciate your friendly offer of assistance, there can be no
question of our sending messages through any third party. The Count
de Sé is Her Highness's legal guardian, and the sooner she is
returned to his care and protection, the better it will be for
everybody concerned."
"I daresay," replied Tony lazily; "but you see there's a difficulty
in the way. She dislikes him even more than she does you and Pedro."
Da Freitas controlled himself admirably.
"It is scarcely a question of Her Highness's personal feelings," he
observed. "I fancy that we are the best judges of her future
welfare, and in any case the present state of affairs cannot possibly
be allowed to continue."
"I don't see why," persisted Tony cheerfully. "I have adopted Isabel
as a cousin, and the arrangement suits us both excellently. Of
course I am sorry in a way that Pedro should be disappointed, but
after all it only serves him right. I don't approve of a young man
marrying a nice girl, unless he has led a healthy and reputable life."
This was too much for the Count de Sé, who started up in his chair
with an indignant gasp.
"Sir!" he exclaimed. "You are insolent."
Tony looked across at him with perfect good temper.
"We are all insolent in England," he said. "It's the result of there
being no duelling."
"Sir Antony is indulging his sense of humour," broke in Da Freitas
with a dangerous suavity. "We can hardly insult his intelligence by
suggesting that he is taking up this position seriously. Otherwise
it might be necessary to remind him that in this great and admirable
country of his there is such a thing as the Law."
"I have been told," said Tony, "that it is our supreme national
achievement."
"It is at least effective," replied Da Freitas with some
significance. "I understand that it takes a very definite view as to
the detention of a minor from her legal guardian."
"There is only one trouble about the law in England," said Tony.
"It's inclined to be slow in its operation."
Da Freitas' white teeth exhibited themselves in a smile.
"That," he observed, "is a universal weakness in legal systems, but
fortunately there are ways and methods of overcoming it. In the
present case, for instance, I fancy that a few words from me to your
extremely courteous and obliging Foreign Office might have a very
far-reaching effect."
"I am sure they would," said Tony cordially. "In fact I shouldn't be
the least surprised if they reached as far as Livadia. It's
extraordinary how news travels--especially interesting and romantic
news of this sort."
Once again there was a pause in the conversation. Then Da Freitas
laughed--easily and pleasantly.
"If that remark is intended for a threat, I am afraid that your
information is a little out of date. His Majesty's intentions are
already known to the government at Portriga."
Tony shook his head. "I wasn't thinking so much about the
government," he said. "It was the friends and supporters of the late
Don Francisco that I had in my mind. I've got an idea that some of
them might like to come over to Richmond and congratulate the Count
on having arranged such a satisfactory marriage."
The effect that this innocent remark produced upon Isabel's uncle was
prompt and remarkable. His naturally unpleasant complexion went a
sort of dirty green, and flinging his half-smoked cigar on the carpet
he rose unsteadily to his feet.
"Are we to sit here and be threatened and insulted any longer?" he
demanded.
"Apparently not," said Tony, "but all the same there's no need to
burn a hole in my nice carpet."
With a masterful gesture Da Freitas checked his companion's outburst.
Then he too rose from the sofa, and stood facing Tony with the same
easy and smiling urbanity that he had displayed all through the
interview.
"We are flattered at your interest in the affairs of our afflicted
country, Sir Antony; but if you will forgive my offering you a little
advice, it is a dangerous habit to make a plaything out of what other
people take seriously."
Tony stepped to the fireplace and pressed the electric bell.
"All real pleasure seems to have a certain amount of risk about it,"
he admitted sadly. "The only thing to do is to hope for the best and
take every proper precaution."
The Marquis picked up his hat from the table on which he had placed
it.
"I have heard more foolish remarks," he observed, "from considerably
wiser people."
There was a sound outside, and then the door opened and Spalding
appeared on the threshold.
Tony turned to his guests. "Have you got a car?" he inquired, "or
can my man drive you anywhere?"
Da Freitas bowed. "You are very kind," he said, "but there is no
need to trouble you. We are in the fortunate position of being able
to look after ourselves--in every way."
He walked to the door, followed by the Count de Sé, who haughtily
ignored Tony's polite farewell. Leaning against the mantelpiece the
latter waited placidly until he heard the grind and scrunch of the
departing car, and then strolling out into the hall discovered
Spalding in the act of closing the front door.
"Have Miss Francis and Mr. Guy come back yet?" he inquired.
"Yes, Sir Antony," replied Spalding. "They returned a few minutes
ago and are waiting in the garden. I took the liberty of informing
them who your visitors were. You had given no instructions, but I
thought you might wish them to know."
"It's a waste of time giving you instructions, Spalding," said Tony.
"Your instincts are so invariably accurate."
Spalding, as usual, acknowledged the compliment with a slight bow.
"Would you wish lunch to be served, sir?" he inquired. "Or shall I
put it off for a quarter of an hour?"
"Oh, no, you can bring it up," said Tony. "I want support. There is
something very exhausting about the foreign aristocracy."
He strolled out into the garden, where Isabel and Guy, who were back
in their old seats, jumped up eagerly to meet him.
"Well?" they inquired simultaneously.
"Fairly so," said Tony, "considering what I have been through. I had
no idea that this conspiracy business was such an intellectual
strain."
"Oh, what did Da Freitas say?" asked Isabel clasping her hands. "I
could almost see him standing there smiling and threatening you in
that horrible smooth way of his."
"He was in quite good form," said Tony cheerfully, "and so was Uncle
Phil." He put his arm through hers. "But come along in and I'll
tell you all about it while we are having some food. We mustn't
allow our pleasures to interfere with the more serious duties of
life."
They made their way to the dining-room, where Spalding was just
bringing in lunch, and over an excellent saddle of mutton Tony gave
them a leisurely but animated description of his recent interview.
"I don't know what you think," he finished, "but my own idea is that
Da Freitas was skidding a little from the truth when he said that the
Republican government knew all about Peter's matrimonial plans. I
don't see how they can, unless Congosta's people have told them, and
that isn't likely."
"They may have spies of their own," suggested Guy. "They must know
that the King is plotting to come back, and you can be pretty sure
that they are keeping an eye on him some way or other." He paused.
"I wonder what Da Freitas will do next!" he added.
"We needn't worry ourselves," said Tony. "We shall find out before
very long. I never saw a middle-aged nobleman more obviously bent
upon immediate mischief."
Isabel nodded her agreement. "He always has some plan ready if
another one fails. In Livadia when he was Prime Minister they used
to call him the Black Spider."
"Do you think he knows where Isabel is?" asked Guy.
"I shouldn't wonder," said Tony placidly. "He gave me the impression
of having several aces up his sleeve."
Guy frowned thoughtfully. "I don't think it's very safe leaving her
at Spalding's with only Bugg to look after her. These people have
big interests at stake and they won't mind what methods they employ."
"No," said Tony, "to do Da Freitas justice I shouldn't think there
was any maudlin fastidiousness about him." He paused to mix himself
a whisky and soda. "I am inclined to think you're right, Guy. The
best thing with these strong, unscrupulous men is to put temptation
out of their reach."
"How do you propose to do it?" asked Guy.
"I shall go along this afternoon to Aunt Fanny and see if I can't
persuade her to ask Isabel to come and stay. She ought to be quite
safe there. No one would ever think of looking for a Queen in
Chester Square. It's so respectable."
"I seem to be getting more of a bother than ever," observed Isabel in
rather a distressed voice.
"Not at all," said Guy firmly. "Every right-minded person finds it a
pleasure and a privilege to prevent injustice being done."
"Especially to any one beautiful," added Tony. "It's wonderful how
beauty quickens one's ethical sense." He turned to Isabel. "How
would you like to go to a music hall to-night?" he asked.
"Very much," said Isabel promptly.
A faint cloud of disapproval showed itself on Guy's forehead.
"Don't you think a theatre would be more--more appropriate?" he asked.
"No," said Tony, "I don't. Isabel knows nothing of the deeper and
better side of our English national life, and it's quite time she
learned. I shall take her to the Empire." He paused. "I don't like
leaving her alone all this afternoon though," he added thoughtfully.
"I suppose you couldn't possibly snatch an hour or two, Guy----?"
"Oh, I shall be all right," interrupted Isabel hastily. "You mustn't
think of putting yourself out for me, Cousin Guy."
Guy laid down his knife and fork. "My dear Isabel," he said in that
precise and dignified manner of his; "when you know Tony as well as I
do, you won't pay the faintest attention to his remarks. I am not
the least busy this afternoon and I shall be only too pleased if you
will accept my company."
"I shall be delighted," said Isabel, "but I am not really frightened
of Da Freitas now. Look what I got yesterday."
She slipped her hand into an inside pocket of the tailormade coat
that she was wearing, and pulled out a tiny little ivory-handled
pistol, which she held out for Tony's inspection.
"It's one of Harrod's," she added, "I saw it in his list. Isn't it
nice?"
"Charming," said Tony. "I had no idea that Harrod was so
blood-thirsty."
"Is it loaded?" inquired Guy with a faint trace of anxiety.
"Oh, yes," said Isabel promptly. "Harrod says it will kill a man at
ten yards."
"You ought to hit Da Freitas all right at ten yards," observed Tony
critically. "He's very podgy."
"You mustn't encourage her in such ideas," broke in Guy. "We are not
in Livadia or South America." He turned to Isabel. "People don't
shoot at each other in England," he explained. "It's against the law
and they would be very severely punished. You had better give me
that to look after for you."
Isabel shook her head. "I shall shoot at him if he tries to take me
back," she said with determination. "I would rather go to prison
than marry Pedro."
"A very healthy and reasonable sentiment," remarked Tony. "Guy has
the most morbid ideas about the sanctity of human life. He ought to
belong to the National Liberal Club."
Isabel put back the pistol into her pocket, and after one more
unavailing effort Guy abandoned his protest as useless.
"I suppose it's on a par with the rest of the situation," he observed
gloomily. "We shall probably all end in prison or something worse
before we've finished."
Tony laughed and pushed across the whisky.
"Never mind, Guy," he replied in an encouraging voice. "We shall be
able to look back on beautiful and well-spent lives, and that's the
only thing that really matters."
It was close on four o'clock when Tony arrived at Chester Square, and
was shown up to the drawing-room by Lady Jocelyn's trim and
efficient-looking parlour-maid. Lady Jocelyn herself was sitting on
the sofa reading one of Anatole France's earlier novels, and she shut
the book up with a pleased smile as her visitor appeared on the
threshold.
"Dear Tony," she said. "How nice of you to come so soon. I have
been positively ill with curiosity. It's the only disease I can't
bear with dignity."
Tony kissed her affectionately and sat down on the sofa beside her.
"I have brought you the cure, Aunt Fanny," he replied, "but I'm
afraid it's rather an exhausting one. Do you feel strong enough to
listen to a long and distressing story, involving some of the noblest
names in Europe?"
"The longer and distressinger it is," said Lady Jocelyn, "the more I
shall enjoy it." She stretched out her hand to a small table beside
her, and pressed an electric bell. "But perhaps we had better have
tea up first," she added. "A cup of tea improves the best scandal in
the world. It makes it seem more abandoned."
"I suppose that accounts for the great wealth of Lipton and Lyons,"
said Tony. "I had always put it down to their Scottish blood."
The neat parlour-maid returned, and having been requested to bring
tea, duly performed that operation with the deftness and celerity
that characterized all Lady Jocelyn's servants. Then, having
received instructions that no other visitors were to be admitted, she
retired gracefully from the scene, closing the door behind her.
"Now you can begin, Tony," said Lady Jocelyn, handing him one of her
fragile Sèvres cups. "Speak slowly and don't omit any of the more
painful details. I can bear anything provided it's sufficiently
scandalous."
Thus encouraged Tony entered upon his task, and in practically the
same words as he had already told it to Molly he repeated the moving
story of his discovery of Isabel, and the bracing results which had
sprung from their acquaintance. Lady Jocelyn listened to him with a
silent but deep enjoyment which showed itself plainly in her
twinkling black eyes. Like Molly she made no interruptions until he
had finished, contenting herself with an occasional nod or an
appreciative smile as the more interesting developments gradually
unrolled themselves. When the whole story was finally concluded, she
lay back against the cushions and surveyed him with a sort of
affectionate approval.
"My dear Tony," she said. "I have done you a great injustice. Ever
since you were a small boy, I have admired your efforts at
brightening the family life, but I never suspected you were capable
of anything like this."
"I think I have always been a little misunderstood," answered Tony
modestly. "Some people develop late, you know."
Lady Jocelyn laughed softly. "I can now depart in peace," she said.
"If any one had told me that I should live to see Laura and Henry
mixed up even remotely in a bloodthirsty European scandal--" She
broke off, as if mere words were inadequate to express the depth of
her emotions.
"It is rather joyous, isn't it?" said Tony. "Still it's their own
fault, you know. They have been worrying me to take up some serious
profession ever since the war."
"Well, they can't complain then," agreed Lady Jocelyn. "Kidnapping
Queens is one of the most serious professions that any young man
could possibly adopt." She arranged herself a little more
comfortably on the sofa, and looked across at Tony with a smile.
"And what about my part in the play?" she asked. "Am I to be the
Fairy Godmother?"
For a moment Tony paused. "I don't know," he said. "Upon my soul I
don't like to drag you into it, Aunt Fanny."
"Nonsense," retorted Lady Jocelyn briskly. "People of my age require
a little mental stimulant to keep their interest in life alive." She
paused. "Besides, you must think of the girl. Even a Princess's
reputation has to be considered."
Tony nodded. "That's our weak point," he observed. "We've got a
good hand, but we're a bit thin on chaperons."
"It's quite simple," said Lady Jocelyn. "You must bring her to stay
with me. I am sure we should get along together excellently. I like
girls with red hair."
"I did think of it," admitted Tony; "but you know, Aunt Fanny, it's
really rather risky. Those sleek purring people like Da Freitas are
dangerous beggars when they mean mischief."
"I am not frightened," answered Lady Jocelyn calmly. "There is a
very reliable policeman at the corner, and the house is heavily
insured." She laid down the piece of silk knitting which she had
picked up after tea. "Tony," she said suddenly, "I have got an idea.
If you are really determined to play the knight errant for this young
woman, why don't you put that very comfortable steam yacht of yours
into commission and take her away out of danger? If you will go to
some nice place I don't mind coming with you and looking after the
proprieties. I am very fond of a sea voyage even now."
Tony sat up and gazed at her with admiration.
"My dear Aunt Fanny!" he exclaimed. "That's not an idea. That's a
stroke of pure genius." He paused as if to allow the full brilliance
of the suggestion to sink into him. "I could bring Guy too," he
added, "and then we should have a four for bridge."
"If Guy would come," said Lady Jocelyn. "He probably considers the
ocean not quite respectable."
"Oh, he'd come all right," said Tony. "He's getting much
broader-minded, especially where Isabel's concerned." He got up from
the sofa. "I will send a wire to Simmons on my way back. The
_Betty_ is in Southampton and it won't take more than a day or two to
get her ready."
"You are going to bring Isabel to stay with me just the same, I
suppose?" asked Lady Jocelyn. "Apart altogether from Mrs. Grundy, I
should think it would be much safer for her to leave Hampstead. I
expect Da Freitas knows where she is, and in that case she must be in
a certain amount of danger."
Tony nodded. "I will bring her along myself to-morrow morning," he
said. "The house is probably watched, but I shall take her a nice
little run in the Peugot first. I don't think any one will find out
where we finish up." He paused. "You really are a darling, Aunt
Fanny," he added. "I have no idea how to thank you."
Lady Jocelyn smiled at him placidly. "I will tell you, Tony," she
said, "after I have seen Isabel."
There is a small confectioner's shop, not a hundred yards from
Victoria Station, which for some dark purpose of his own the Post
Master General has enriched with a Telegraph Office. Here Tony
halted the car on his return journey, and sauntering up to the desk
inside, selected a form, which after some consideration he filled up
with the following message:----
To CAPTAIN SIMMONS,
Steam yacht Betty,
Southampton.
Please make all preparations immediate sailing. Party of six or
seven including servants. Duration of voyage uncertain. Wire
earliest date likely to be ready. Hope you're well.
CONWAY.
He handed it to the girl behind the counter, an anæmic young lady of
about seventeen, who having read it carefully with the aid of a
pencil, looked up at him with a rather wistful envy.
"One shilling and eightpence," she observed. Then in a low voice she
added: "Wish I was comin' too. Some people have all the luck."
Tony put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a five-pound note. He
glanced round, and seeing that no one was observing them, pushed it
across the counter.
"Never mind, Gwendoline," he said encouragingly. "Pay for the
telegram out of that, and try to keep the other nine commandments."
Then, before the astounded young lady had recovered her power of
speech, he lifted his hat, and strolled off out of the shop in the
same leisurely fashion as he had entered it.