The game played in the dark by Ernest Brammer. It's a funny thing,
Sir, said Inspector Beadle, regarding mister Carrados, with the pensive respect that
he always extended towards the blind amateur. It's a funny thing, but nothing
seems to go on abroad. Are but what you'll find some trace of it
here in London if you take trouble to look in the right quarter, contributed
Carrados. Why yes, agreed the inspector. But nothing comes of it nine
times out of ten, cause it thou wants particular business to look here.
All the thing's been taken up and finished from the other end. I don't
mean ordinary murders or single handed burglaries, of course, but a modest ring
of professional pride betrayed the quiet enthusiast. We'll first class crimes the state Antonio
five percent bond coupons, suggested Cardos. Oh you're right, mister Carandors Beadle
shook his head sadly, as though perhaps on that occasion someone ought to have
looked. A man has a fit in the Inquiry Office of the Agent General
for British Equatoria and two hundred and fifty thousand pounds worth of fake securities is
the result in Mexico. Then look at that jade phil Fox charm pawn for
one and three down the basin, and the use that could have been made
of it at the Carkoff whichual murder trial the West Hampstead had lost memory puzzle,
and the barry Per bomb conspiracy that might have been smothered if one had
known quite true, sir, and the three children of that Chicago millionaire Cyrus
V. Bunting, wasn't it kidnapped him broad daylight outside the New York Lyric
And here, three weeks later the dumb girl who chalked the ball at Charing
Cross. The reading on in a financial article that every piece of foreign gold
had a string from it leading to thread Needle Street A vigorous speech, so,
of course, but apt enough, I don't doubt well. It seems
to me that every big crime done abroad leaves a finger print here in London,
if only, as you say, we look in the right quarter and
at the right moment, added Carrados, the time is often the present,
the place, the spot between our very noses. We take a step,
and the chance has gone forever the inspector nodded and contributed a weighty monosterable of
sympathetic agreement, the most prosaic of men, in the pursuit of his ordinary
duties. It nevertheless subtly appealed to some half dormant streak of vanity to have
his profession taken romantically when there was no serious work on hand. No,
perhaps not for ever in one case in a thousand, after all, amended
the blind man thoughtfully. This perpetual duel between the law and the criminal has
sometimes appeared to me in the terms of a game of cricket. Inspector,
Law is in the field, the criminal at the wicked. If Law makes
a mistake, sends down a loose ball or drops a catch, the criminal
scores a little or has another lease of life. But if he makes a
mistake, if he lets a straight ball pass or spoons towards a steady man,
he's done. For his mistakes are fatal. Those of the law are
only temporary and retrievable. Very good, Sir, said mister Beadle rising.
The conversation had taken place in the study at the Turrets, where Beadle had
found occasion to present himself very apt. Indeed, I must remember that well,
Sir, I hope that this Guido the Razor Lot will send a catch
in our direction, that this delicately marked Inspector Beadle's instinctive contempt for Guido.
As a craftsman, he was compelled on his reputation to respect him, and
he had accordingly availed himself of Carrados's friendship for a confabulation. As a man,
he was a foreigner, worse an Italian, and if left to his
own resources, the Inspector would have proposed, to his sinuous flexibility, those
rigid, essentially Britannia metal methods of the force that strike the impartial observers so
ponderous, so amateurish and conventional, and it must be admitted, often so
curiously and inexplicably successful. The offense that had circuitously brought il Rasojo and his
Lot within the cognizance of Scotland Yard outlines the kind of story that is discreetly
hinted at by the society paragraphist of the day, politely disbelieved by the astute
reader, and then at last laid indiscreetly bare in all its details by the
inevitable princessly recollections of a generation later. It centered round an impending royal marriage
in Vienna, a certain jealous countess X. There you have the discretion of
a paragrapher and a document or two that might be relied upon the aristocratic biographer
will impartially sum up the contingencies to play the deuce with the approaching nuptials.
To procure the evidence of these papers, the countess enlisted the services of Guido,
as reliable as scoundrel as she could probably have selected for the commission to
a certain point to the abstraction of the papers. In fact, he succeeded,
but it was with pursuit close upon his heels. There was that disadvantage
of employing a rogue to do the work that implicated roguery. For whatever moral
right the countess had to the property, her accomplice had no legal right whatever
to his liberty. On half a dozen charges, at least he could be
arrested on site in as many capitals of Europe. He slipped out of Vienna
by the Nord Barn, with his destination known, resourcefully stopped the express outside
Sasslau and got away across to Khrudin. By this time the game and the
moves were pretty well understood in more than one keenly interested quarter. Diplomacy supplemented
justice, and the immediate history of Guido became that of a fox hunted from
covert to covert, with all the familiar earths stopped against him. From partu
Bits, he passed on to Glatz, reached Breslau, and went down the
Odor to Schetin, out of the liberality who his employer's advances, he had
ample funds to keep going, and he dropped and rejoined his accomplices as the
occasion ruled. A week's harrying found him in Copenhagen, still with no time
to spare, and he missed his purpose. There. He crossed to Malmo
by ferry, took the connecting night train to Stockholm, and the same morning
sailed down the SATs Yon, ostensibly bound for Obo, intending to cross the
Ravow and so get back to Central Europe by the less frequented routes. But
in this move again luck was against him, and receiving warning just in time,
and by the mysterious agency that had so far protected him, he contrived
to be dropped from the steamer by boat among the islands of the crowded archipelago,
made his way to Helsingfor, and within forty eight hours was back again
on the Friehaven, with pursuit for the moment blinked and a breathing time to
the good. To appreciate the exact significance of these wanderings, it is necessary
to recall the conditions. Guido was not zigzagging a course across Europe in an
aimless search for the picturesque, still less inspired by any love of the melodramatic.
To him, every step was vital, each tangent or rebound, the
necessary outcome of his much badgered plans. In his pocket reposed the papers for
which he had run grave risks. The price agreed upon for the service was
sufficiently lavished to make the risks worth taking time after time. But in order
to consummate the transaction, it was necessary that the booty should be put into
his employer's hand. Halfway across Europe. That employer was waiting with such patience
as she could maintain, herself, watched and shadowed at every step. The
Countess X was sufficiently exalted to be personally immune from the high handed methods of
her country's secret service, but every approach to her was tapped. The problem
for Guido was to earn a long enough respite to enable him to communicate his
position to the Countess, and for her to go to reach him by her
trusty hand. Then the whole fabric of intrigue could fall to pieces. But
so far Guido had been kept successfully on the run, and in the meanwhile
time was pressing. They lost him after the utoler Bedell reported in explaining the
circumstances to Max Carrados. Three days later they found that he had been back
again in Copenhagen, but by that time he'd flown. Now they're without a
trace except the inference of these orange peach blossom agonies in the times. But
the Countess has gone hurriedly to Paris, and Lava Yard thinks it all points
to London. I suppose the Foreign Office is anxious to oblige just now.
I expect so, sir, agreed Bidell. But of course my instructions don't
come from that quarter. What a be used to us is that it would
be a feather in our caps. They are still a little sore up at
the Yard about hands the piper naturally assented Carrados, Well, I'll see what
I can do. If there's any real occasion, let me know anything,
And if you see your chance yourself, come round for a talk if you
like, on today's Wednesday. I shall be in at any rate on Friday
evening. Without being a precision, the blind man was usually exact in such
matters. There are those who hold that an engagement must be kept at all
hazard, men who would miss a deathbed message in order to keep literal faith
with a beggar. Cardos took lower, if more substantial ground. My word,
he sometimes had occasion to remark, is subject to contingencies, like everything
else about me. If I make a promise, it is conditional on nothing
which seems more important to rising to counteract it. And that among men of
sense is understood. And as it happened, something did occur. On this
occasion. He was summoned to the telephone just before dinner on Friday evening to
receive a message personally greater X. His secretary had taken the call, but
came in to say that the caller would give him nothing beyond his name,
Bredna. The name was unknown to Carrados, but such incidents were not uncommon,
and he proceeded to comply. Yes, he responded, I am Max
Cardoff speaking what is it? Oh, it's you Sorr is it er?
Mister Brickwill told me to get to you direct. Well are you all right,
Brickwill? Are you the British Museum? Yes, yes, I am
Brebner in the Chaldean art department, the agreed stew here. We just found
out that some one has managed to get access to the second inner Greek room
and looted some of the cabinets there. It's all a mystery as yet.
What is missing? Asked Cardos. It's so far we we can only definitely
speak of about the six trays of Greek coins one hundred tow one hundred and
twenty roughly important. The line conveyed a caustic bark of tragic amusement. Why
yes, I should say so. The beggar seems to have known his business,
all fine specimens for the best period Syracuse Misana croton amphipholis Eanese, the
Vientos kimmons. The chief quite wept. Carados groaned. There was not a
peace among them that he had not handled lovingly. What are you doing,
he demanded. Mister Brickwell has been to Scotland Yard and our advice. We
are not making it public as yet. We don't want a hint of it
to be dropped anywhere. If you don't mind, sir, that will be
all right. It was for that reason that I was to speak with you
personally. We're notifying the chief dealers and likely collectors to whom the coins or
some of them may be offered at once if it is thought. We haven't
found out yet. Judging from the expertness displayed in the selection, we don't
think there's any danger of the lot being sold to a pawnbroker or metal dealer,
so that we're running very little real risk in not advertising the loss.
Yes, probably it is as well, replied Kardos. Is there anything that
mister Brickwell wishes me to do? Only this, sir. If you are
offered a suspicious lot of Greek coins, or hear of them, would you
have a look, I mean ascertain whether they are likely to be ours,
and if you think they are, communicate with us in Scotland Yard at once.
Certainly, replied the blind man. Tell mister Brickwall that he can rely
on me. If any indication comes my way, convey my regrets to him
and tell him that I feel the loss quite as a personal one. I
don't think that you and I have met as yet, mister Brebner, No,
sir, said the voice diffidently, But I have looked forward to the
pleasure. Perhaps it's unfor at business will bring me an introduction. Your very
kind was Carrados's acknowledgment of the compliment. Any time, I was going to
say that, perhaps you don't know my weakness, but I have spent many
pleasant hours over your wonderful collection that ensures the personal element. Good Bye.
Carrados was really disturbed by the loss, although his concern was tempered by the
reflection that the coins would inevitably, in the end find their way back to
the museum. That their restitution might involve ransom to the extent of several thousand
pounds was the least poignant detail of the situation. The one harrowing thought was
that the booty might, through stress or ignorance, find its way into the
melting pot. That dreadful contingency, remote but insistent, was enough to affect
the appetite of the blind enthusiast. He was expecting Inspector Beadle, who would
be full of his own case. But he could not altogether dismiss the aspects
of possibility that Brebner's communication opened before his mind. He was still concerned with
the chances of destruction, and a very indifferent companion for Greater ex who alone
sat with him. When Parkinson presented himself. Dinner was over, but Carrados
had remained rather longer than his custom, smoking his mild Turkish cigarette in silence.
A lady wishes to see you, sir. She said, you would
not know her name, but that her business would interest you. The form
of message was sufficiently unusual to take the attention of both men. You don't
know her, of course, Parkinson inquired his master. For just a second,
the immaculate Parkinson seemed tongue tied. Then he delivered himself in his most
ceremonial strain. I regret to say that I cannot claim the advantage, sir,
he replied. Better let me tackle her, Sir, suggested Greater X
with easy confidence. It's probably a sub The sportive offer was declined by a
smile and a shake of the head. Carrados turned to his attendant I shall
be in the study. Parkinson, show her there. In three minutes you
stay and have another cigarette greater X. By that time she'll either have gone
nor have interested me. In three minutes time, Parkinson threw open the studied
door. The lady sir, he announced, Could he have seen Karados would
have received the impression of a plainly, almost dowdily dressed young woman of buxom
figure. She wore a light veil, but it was ineffective in concealing the
unattraction of the face beneath. The features were fought, and the upper lip
darkened with the more than incipient mustache of the southern brunette. The worse remained
for a disfiguring rash had assailed patches of her skin. As she entered.
She swept the room and its occupant with a quiet but comprehensive survey. Please
take a chair, madam, you wish to see me. The ghost of
a demure smile flickered about her mouth as she complied, and in that moment
her face seemed less uncomely. Her eye lingered for a moment on a cabinet
above the desk, and one might have noticed that her eye was very bright.
Then she replied, you are Signor Carrados in the person. Carrados made
his smiling admission and changed his position of fraction, possibly to catch her curiously
pitched voice. The better. They are great collector of the antiquities. I
do collect a little, he admitted guardedly. Though you will forgive me,
Signora, if my language is not altogether good. And when I live at
the Naples with my mother, we let boardings her chiefly to English and American.
Sir, I pick up the words a bit, since I many and
gotti living Callaria. My English has gone nor read them. No, you
say an ARSTI yes, that is it, quite a rusty. It is
excellent, said Carrados. I am sure we shall understand one another perfectly.
The lady shot a penetrating glance, but the blind man's expression was merely suave
and courteous. Then she continued, my husband is of the name of Raga,
Michhael Fraga. We have a vignyard and a little proverty near Foranzanna.
She paused to examine the tips of her gloves for quite an appreciable moment.
Signor, she burst out, with some vehemence, the laws of my country
are not good at all from what I hear on all sides, said Carrados,
I am afraid that your country is not alone, that is in Forranzana,
poor laborer jia Verde of name, continued the visitor, dashing volubly into
her narrative. He is a one day a digging in the vignyard, the
vineyard of my husband, when his spade strikes itself upon an abstraction. AHAs
is Yan, what have we here? And he goes down upon his knees
to see it is an oil jar of rederta signor such as once anciently used,
and in it is filled with the silver money. Yan is poor,
but he is the wiser. Does he call upon the authorities? And no,
no, he understands that they are all corrupt. He carries what he
has found to my usband, for he knows him to be a man of
great honor. My husband also is of brief decision. His mind is made
up, Yan, He says, keep your mouth shut, this will be
your ultimate profit. Yan understands, for he can't trust my husband. He
makes a sign of a mutual implication. Then he goes back to the spade
digging my osband, and he understands a little of these things, but are
not enough. We go to the collections of messina and apples and ifanoroma,
and there we see other pieces of silver manny similar and learn that they are
of great value. They are of different sizes, but most will covering clearer
and of the thickness of two And on one side, imagine the great head
of a peg and a deity, none the other, nor so many things
I cannot remember what a gesture of circumferential despair indicated, the hopeless variety of
design A bigger or quadriga of mules suggested karadas, an eagle carrying off a
hair, a figure flying with a wreath, a trophy of arms. Some
of those perhaps see is he man cried Madame farraja A. You understand that
I perceive a signor and we are very cautious, for on a reside is
extocon and an unjust law. See it is even forbidden to take these things
out of the country. Yet if we try to dispose of them at home,
they will be seized and we punished. A rare trestora robato, what
you call tresure troven and belonging to the state. These coins, which are
the industry of Yan discovered and which had learned for so long in the ground
of my husbands a vignyard. So you brought them to England as he is
in your It is a spoken of us, a land of justice, and
a rich and nobility who buy these things at highest prices. Also, my
speaking a dittle of the language would serve us here. I suppose you have
the coins for disposal, then you can show them to me. My husband
retains them. I will take you, but you must first give up para
pola do noorre of an English signor not to betray us, sir, or
to speak of the circumstances to another. Carrados had already foreseen this eventuality and
decided to accept it. Whether a promise exacted on the plea of treasure Trove
would bind him to respect the despoilers of the British Museum was a point for
subsequent consideration. Prudence demanded that he should investigate the offer at once, and
to cavil over. Madame Ferraja's conditions would be fatal to that object. If
the coins were as there seemed little reason to doubt the proceeds of the robbery.
A modest ransom might be the safest way of preserving irreplaceable treasures, and
in that case Carrados could offer his services as the necessary intermediary. I give
you the promise you require, Madame, he accordingly declared. It is soficiente
assented, Madame. I will now take you to the spot. It is
necessary that you alone should accompany me, For my husband is so distraught in
the country where he understands not a word of what is spoken, that his
poor spirit would cry, we are surrounded if he thought tool strangers approached the
house. Oh, he is become most dreadful in his anxiety. My husband,
imagine only he keeps under fire a chuldron of molten lead, and he
would not hesitate to plunge into it at this treasure and obliterate it existence,
Sir, if he imagined himself endangered, so speculated Karrados inwardly, a likely
precaution for a simple vine grower of Calabria. Very well, he assented aloud,
I will go with you alone. Where is the place? Madame Vraja
searched in the ancient purse that she discovered in her rusty hand bag and produced
a scrap of paper. People do not understand sometimes my ear my way of
saying it. She explained, Sit dear Ingbourne, May, I said Karados.
Stretching out his hand. He took the paper and touched the writing with
his fingertiss. Oh, yes, seven Heronsbourne Place. That is on the
edge of Heronsbourne Park, is it not? He transferred the paper casually to
his desk as he spoke and stood up. How did you come, Madame
Ferrajes. Madame Farage followed the curl of action with a discreet smile that did
not touch her voice. By a motor bus, sir first to one and
then another, inquiring at every turning, Oh but it trous in Termindaubler sighed
the lady. My driver is off for the evening. I did not expect
to be going out, but I will phone up a taxi and it will
be at the gate as soon as we are. He despatched the message,
and then turning to the house teller, switched on to Greater Ex. I
am just going round to Heronsbourne Park, he explained, don't stay Greater X.
But if anyone calls expecting to see me, they can say that I
don't anticipate being away more than an hour. Parkinson was hovering about the hall
with quite novel officiousness. He pressed upon his master a succession of articles that
were not required. Over this usually complacent attendant, the unattractive features of Madame
Varraga appeared to exercise a stealthy fascination. For a dozen times the lady detected
his eyes questioning her face, and a dozen times he looked guiltily away again.
But his incongruities could not delay for more than a few minutes the opening
of the door. I do not accompany you, sir, he inquired,
with the suggestion plainly tendered in his voice. But it would be much better
if he did not this time. Parkinson very well, sir. Is there
any particular address which we can telephone in case you are required? Sir?
Mister greater X has instructions. Parkinson stood aside, his resources exhausted. Madame
Farage laughed a little mockingly as they walked down the drive. Yon a man,
sir, venteth I may eat your signor Carrados, sir, she declared
vivaciously. Carrados, who held the key of his usually exact attendants perturbation,
for he himself had recognized in Madame Farrage the angelic Nina Brun of the Sicilian
Tetradram incident from the moment she opened her mouth admitted to himself the humor of
her audacity. But it was not until half an hour later that enlightenment rewarded
Parkinson. Inspector Beadle had just arrived and was speaking with greater x when the
conscientious valet, who had been winnowing his memory in solitude, broke in upon
them, more distressed than either had ever seen him in his life before,
and with the breathless introduction it was the ears, Sir, I have her
ears at last poured out his tale of suspicion, recognition and his present fears.
In the meantime, the two objects of his concern had reached the gate.
As the summoned taxicab drew up. Seven heronsbourn Place called carrados to the
driver, and no No interposed the lady with decision and let him stop out
the beginning of the street. Her it is not far to walk, and
my husband would be on the verge of distraction if he thought in the dark
that it was the arrival of the police, who knows Black Edge Road,
opposite the end of Heron's Bourn Place amended Carrados. Heron's Born Place had the
reputation, among those who were curious in such matters of being the most reclusive
residential spot inside the four mile circle. To earn that distant action, it
was needless to say a cul de sac. It bounded one side of Heronsbourne
Park, but did not, at any point of its length give access to
that pleasence. It was entirely devoted to unostentatious little houses, something between the
villa and the cottage, some detached and some in pairs, but all possessing
the endowment of larger, more umbrageous gardens than can generally be secured within the
radius. The local house agent described them as delightfully old world or completely modernized,
according to the requirement of the applicant. The cab was dismissed at the
corner, and Madame Farrage guided her companion along the silent and deserted way.
She had begun to talk with renewed animation, but her ceaseless chatter only served
to emphasize the Carrados. The one fact that it was contrived to disguise.
I am not causing you to miss the house with looking after me. Number
seven, Madame Farage, he interposed, No, certainly, she replied readily.
It is a little further. The numbers are from the upper winder,
but we are there. Cho She stopped at the gate and opened it,
still guiding him. They passed into a garden moist and sweet, scented with
distillate odors of a dewy evening. As she turned to relatch the gate,
the blind man endeavored politely to anticipate her. Between them, his hat fell
to the ground. My clumsiness, he apologized, recovering it from the step.
My old impulses and my present helplessness, alas Madame Perraja wonder Len's appuldance
by experience, Sir, said Madame sagely. She was scarcely to know,
poor lady. But even as she uttered this triteaphorism under cover of darkness and
his hat, mister Karados had just ruined his signaturing by blazoning a golden seven
upon her garden step, to establish its identity if need be. A cul
de sac that numbered from the closed end seemed to demand some investigation. Seldom
he replied to her remark, but one goes on taking risks, So we
are there. Madame Farraga had opened the front door with the natch key.
She dropped the latch and led Carados forward along the narrow hall. The room
they entered was at the back of the house, and from the position of
the road, it therefore overlook the park. Again, the door was knocked
behind them, they celebrated. Mister Ricard does sir, announced Madame Farraga,
with a sparkle of triumph in her voice. She waved her hand towards a
lean dark man who had stood beside the door as they entered. And my
asbander beneath our poor Ruth in the most fraternal manner, commented the dark man
in the same derisive spirit. But it is wonderful, the even more celebrated
Monsieur Danpierre. Unless I am mistaken, retorted Carrados, blandly, I bow
on our first real meeting, you knew, exclaimed the Danpierre of the earlier
incident. Incredulously, Stoker, you were right, and I owe you a
hundred lira. Who recognized unina ma? How should I know? Demanded the
real Madame Danpierre. Crossly this blind man himself. By chance, you pay
a poor compliment to your charming wife's personality to imagine that one could forget her
so soon. Put in Carrados, and you are Frenchman Danpierre. You knew
Monsieur Carrados, and yet you ventured here. You are either a fool or
a hero an enthusiast. It is the same as both interposed. The lady,
what did I tell you? What does it matter? If he ignized
you see, surely you exaggerate, Monsieur Danpierre contributed Carrados. I may yet
pay tribute to your industry. Perhaps I regret the circumstance and the necessity,
but I am here to make the best of it. Let me see the
things Madame has spoken of, and then we can consider the detail of their
price, either for myself or on behalf of others. There was no immediate
reply. From Don Pierre. Came a saturnine chuckle, and from Madame Danpierre
a titter that accompanied a grimace. For one of the rare occasions in his
life, Cardos found himself wholly out of touch with the atmosphere of the situation.
Instinctively, he turned his face towards the other occupant of the room,
the man addressed as Stoker, whom he knew to be standing near the window.
This unfortunate business has brought me an introduction, said a familiar voice.
For one dreadful moment, the universe stood still round Carrados. Then, with
the crash and grind of overwhelming mental tumult, the whole stratagy revealed itself,
like the sections of a gigantic puzzle, falling into place before his eyes.
There had been no robbery at the British Museum. That plausible concoction was as
fictitious as the intentionally transparent tale of treasure Trove. Carrados recognized now how ineffective
the one device would have been without the other in drawing him, how convincing
the two together, and whilst smarting at the humiliation of his plight, he
could not restrain a dash of admiration at the ingenuity, the accurately conjectured line
of inference of the plot. It was again the familiar artifice of the cunning
pitfall, masked by the clumsily contrived trap just beyond it and straightway into it.
He had blundered, And this continued the same voice is Carrados, Max
Carrados, on whose perspicuity a government only the present government, emmy injustice say,
depends to outwit the undesirable alien. My country, oh my country?
Is it really, Monsieur Carrados, inquired Dompierre in polite sarcasm. Are you
sure, Nina that you have not brought a man from Scotland yard instead?
Maaster, he is here. What more do you want? Do not mark
the poor, sightless and gentlemen? Answered Madame Dompierre in doubtful sympathy. That's
exactly what I was wondering, ventured Carrados mildly. I am here. What
more do you want? Perhaps you, mister Stoker, excuse me. Stoker
is a mere colloquial appellation based on a trifling incident of my career in connection
with the disabled Liner. The title illustrates the childish weakness of the criminal classes
for nicknames, together with their pitiable baldness invention. My real name is A
Montmorency, mister Carrados, Eustace Montmorency. Thank you, mister Montmorency, said
Carrados gravely. We are on opposite sides of the table here to night.
But I should be proud to have been with you in the stokehold of the
Benvenuto. That was pleasure, muttered the Englishman. This is business, oh
quite so, agreed Carrados. So far I am not exactly complaining, but
I think it is high time to be told. And I addressed myself to
you why I have been decoyed here? And what your purpose is? Mister
Montmorency turned to his accomplice Dampierre. He remarked, with great clearness, why
the devil is mister Carrados kept standing? Oh oh heaven, exclaimed Madame Danpierre
with tragic resignation, and flung herself down on a couch. A scoozy grinned
the lean man, and with burlesque grace, he placed a chair for their
guest's acceptance. Your curiosity is natural, continued mister Montmorency, with a cold
eye towards Dompierre's antics. Although I rarely think that by this time you ought
to have guessed the truth. In fact, I don't doubt that you have
guessed, mister Carrados, and that you are only endeavoring to gain time for
that reason, because it will perhaps convince you that we have nothing to fear.
I don't mind obliging you better, Ason, murmured Dompierre uneasily. Thank
you, Bill, said the Englishman, with genial effrontery. I won't fail
to report your intelligence to the rassujour. Yes, mister Carrados, as you
have already conjectured, it is the affair of the Countess X to which you
owe this inconvenience. You will appreciate the compliment that underlies your temporary seclusion.
I'm sure. When circumstance, chance has favored our plans and London became the
inevitable place of meeting you and you alone stood in the way. We guessed
that you would be consulted, and we frankly feared your intervention. You were
consulted. We know that Inspector Beadle visited you two days ago, and he
has no other case in hand. Your quiescence for just three days had to
be obtained at any cost. So here you are, I see, assented
Carrados. And having got me here, how do you propose to keep me?
Of course, that detail has received consideration. In fact, we secured
this furnished house solely with that in view. There are three courses before us.
The first quite pleasant hangs on your acquiescence. The second, more drastic,
comes into operation if you decline the third. But really, mister Cardoss,
I hope you wonn't obliged me even to discuss the third. You will
understand that it is rather objectionable for me to contemplate the necessity of two able
bodied men having to use even the smallest amount of physical compulsion to one who
is blind and helpless. I hope you will be reasonable and accept the inevitable.
The inevitable is the one thing that I invariably accept, replied Carradoss.
What does it involve? You will write a note to your secretary explaining that
what you have learned at seven Heron's born Place makes it necessary for you to
go immediately abroad for a few days. And, by the way, mister
Carradoss, although this is Heron's born place, it is not number seven.
Dear dear me, sighed the prisoner you seem to have had me at every
turn, Mister Montmorency an obvious precaution, the wider course of giving you a
different street. Altogether, we reject it as being too risky in getting you
here to continue to give conviction to the message. You will direct your man
Parkinson to follow by the first boat train tomorrow with all the requirements for a
short stay, and to put up at Mascots as usual, waiting your arrival
there and very convincing, agreed, Karados, Where shall I be in reality
in a charming though rather isolated bungalow on the south coast. Your wants will
be attended to. There's a boat you can row or fish. You will
be run down by motor car and brought back to your own gate. It's
really very pleasant for a few days. I've often stayed there myself. Your
recommendation carries way to suppose, for the sake of curiosity, that I decline.
You will still go there, but your treatment will be commensurate with your
behavior. The car to take you is at this moment waiting in a convenient
spot on the other side of the park. We shall go down the garden
at the back, cross the park and put you in the car. Anyway,
And if I resist, the man whose pleasantry it had been to call
himself Eustace Montmorency shrugged his shoulders. Don't be a fool, he said,
tolerantly. You know who you are. Dealing with, and the kind of
risks we run. If you call out or endanger us at a critical point,
we shall not hesitate to silence you effectively. The blind man knew that
it was no idle threat. In spite of a cloak of humor and fantasy
thrown over the proceedings. He was in the power of coolly desperate men.
The window was curtained and shuttered against sight and sound. The door behind him
locked. Possibly at that moment a revolver threatened him. Certainly, weapons lay
within reach of both his keepers. Tell me what to write, he asked,
with capitulation in his voice. Don Pierre twirled his mustachios in relieved approval.
Madame laughed from her place on the couch and picked up a book,
watching Montmorency over the cover of its pages. As for that gentleman, he
masked his satisfaction by the practical business of placing on the table before Carrados.
The accessories of the letter put into your own words the message that I outline
just now, perhaps are to make it altogether natural. I had better write
on a page of the notebook that I always use, suggested Carrados. Do
you wish to make it natural, demanded Montmorency, with latent suspicion. If
the miscarriage of your plan is to result in my head being not, yes,
I do, was the reply. Good chuckled Dompierre, and sought to
avoid mister Montmorenc's cold glance by turning on the electric table lamp for the blind
man's benefit. Madame Dompierre laughed shrilly. Thank you, monsieur, said Cardos,
you have done quite right. What is like you is warmth to me,
heat, energy, inspiration. Now to business. He took out the
pocket book he had spoken of and leisurely proceeded to flatten it down upon the
table before him, as his tranquil, pleasant eyes ranged the room. Meanwhile,
it was hard to believe that the shutters of an impenetrable darkness lay between
them and the world. They rested for a moment on The two accomplices who
stood beyond the table picked out Madame Danpierre, lolling on the sofa to his
right, and measured the proportions of the long, narrow room. They seemed
to note the positions of the window at the one end and the door almost
at the other, and even to take into account the single pendent electric light,
which up till then had been the sole illuminant. You prefer pencil,
asked Montmorency. I generally use it for casual purposes, but not, he
added, touching the point critically like this, alert for any sign of retaliation.
They watched him take an insignificant penknife from his pocket and begin to trim
the pencil. Was there in his mind any mad impulse to force conclusions with
that puny weapon. Don Pierre worked his face into a fiercer expression and touched
reassuringly the handle of his knife. Montmorency looked on for a moment, and
then, whistling softly to himself, turned his back on the table and strolled
towards the window, avoiding Madame Nina's pursuant eye. Then, with overwhelming suddenness,
it came, and its form altogether unexpected. Carrados had been putting the
last strokes to the pencil, whittling it down upon the table. There had
been no hasty movement, no violent act to give them warning. Only the
little blade had pushed itself nearer and nearer to the electric light cord lying there,
and suddenly and instantly the room was plunged into absolute darkness to the door.
Tom shouted Montmorency in a flash. I'm at the window. Don't let
him pass, and we are all right. I am here, replied Don
Pierre from the door. He will not attempt to pass. Came the quiet
voice of Carrodors from across the room. You are now all exactly where I
want you. You are both covered. If either moves an inch, I
fire, and remember that I shoot by sound, not sight. But but
what does it mean, stammered Montmorency, above the despairing wail of Madame Don
Pierre. It means that we are now on equal terms, three blind men
in a dark room. The numerical advantage that you possess is counterbalance by the
fact that you are out of your element. I am in mine, dom,
whispered Montmorency across the dark space. Strike a match I have none.
I would not, Don Pierre, if I were, you, advised Carrados
with a short laugh. It might be dangerous. At once, his voice
seemed to leap into a passion. Drop that match box, he cried.
You are standing on the brink of your grave, you fool. Drop it,
I say, let me hear it. Fall, a breath of thought,
almost too short to call a pause. Then a little thud of surrender
sounded from the carpet by the door. The two conspirators seemed to hold their
breath. That's right, the clacid voice once more resumed its sway. Why
cannot things be agreeable? I hate to have to shout, but you seem
far from grasping the situation. Yet, remember that I do not take the
slightest risk. Also, please remember, mister Montmorency, that the action,
even of a hair trigger automatic, scrapes slightly as it comes up. And
remind you of that for your own good, Because if you are so ill
advised to think of trying to pot me in the dark, that noise gives
me a fifth of a second's start. Of you were any chance know Zinghi's
in Mercer Street the shooting gallery, asked mister Montmorency, a little sulkany the
same, If you happen to come through this alive and are interested, you
might ask Zinghi to show you a target of mine that he keeps seven shots
at twenty yards, the target indicated by four watches, none of them so
loud as the one you are wearing. He keeps it as a curiosity.
I wear no watch, muttered Dompierre, expressing his thought aloud. No,
Monsieur Danpierre, but you wear a heart, and that's not on your sleeve,
said Carrados. Just now it is quite as loud as mister Montmorence's watch.
It is more central too. I shall not have to allow any margin.
That's right. Breathe naturally for the unhappy Danpierre had given a gasp of
apprehension. It does not make any difference to me. And after a time
holding one's breath, because I am really painful, monsieur, declared Dampierre earnestly.
There was no intention of submitting you injury. I swear this englishman did
but speak within his act, and the most extreme you would have been but
bound and gagged. Take care. Killing is a dangerous game for you,
not for me, was the bland rejoinder. If you kill me, you
will be hanged for it. If I kill you, I shall be honorably
acquitted. You can imagine seeing the sympathetic court, the recital of your villainies,
the story of my indignities. Then, with stumbling feet and groping hands,
the helpless blind man is led forward to give evidence sensation. No,
no, it isn't really fair, but I can kill you both with absolute
certainty, and Providence will be saddled with all the responsibility. Please don't fidget
with your feet, Monsieur Danpierre. I know that you aren't moving, but
one is liable to make mistakes before or I die, said Montmorency, and
for some reason laughed unconvincingly in the dark before I die, mister Carrados,
I should really like to know what has happened to the light that surely isn't
Providence. Would it be ungenerous to suggest that you are trying to gain time?
You ought to know what has happened. But as it may satisfy you
that I have nothing to fear from delay, I don't mind telling you.
In my hand was a sharp knife, contemptible. You were satisfied as a
weapon. Beneath my nose the flex of the electric lamp. It was only
necessary for me to draw the one across the other, and the system was
short circuited. Every lamp on that fuse is cut off, and in the
distributing box in the hall you will find a burned out wire. You perhaps,
but Monsieur Dantierre's experience in plaiting ought to have put him up to simple
electricity. How did you know that there is a distributing box? In all?
Asked dom? With dull resentment, My dear Dampierre, why beat the
air with futile questions, replied Max Carrados. What does it matter? Have
it in the cellar if you like? True, interposed Montmorency. The only
thing that need concern us now, but it is in the all nine feet
high, muttered Dompierre in bitterness. Yet he this blind man, the only
thing that need concern us, repeated the Englishman, severely ignoring the interruption.
Is what you intend doing in the end, mister Carrados. The end is
a little difficult to foresee, was the admission. So far? I am
all for maintaining the status quo. Will the first gray light of morning find
us still in this impasse? No, For between us we have condemned the
room to eternal darkness. Probably about daybreak Dompierre will drop off to sleep and
roll against the door. Aye, unfortunate mistaking his attention will send a bullet
through. Pardon, madame, I should have remembered, But pray don't mouse
a protest, monsieur, don't protest, just sit still. Very likely it
will be mister Montmorency who will fall off to sleep the first. After all,
then we will anticipate that difficulty, said the one in question, speaking
with renewed decision. We will play the last hand with our cards upon the
table. If you like Nina, mister Carrados will not injure you. Whatever
happens. Be sure of that when the moment comes, you will rise one
word put in cardos with determination. My position is precarious, and I take
no risks. As you say, I cannot injure Madam Danpierre and you two
men are therefore my hostages for her good behavior. If she rises from the
couch, you Dompierre fall. If she advances another step, mister Montmorency follows,
you do nothing, rash Curissima urged her husband with passionate solicitude. You
might get hit in place of me. We will yet find a better way.
You dare not, mister Karados flung out Montmorency for the first time,
beginning to show signs of wear in this duel of the temper, He dare
not. Don Pierre in cold blood and unprovoked. No jury would acquit you
another who fails to do you justice. Madam Nina, said the blind man,
with ironic gallantry. The action might be a little high handed, one
admits, But when you appropriately clothed and in your right complexion, stepped into
the witness box, and I said, gentlemen of the jury, what is
my crime that I made Madame Danpierre a widow? Can you doubt their gratitude
and my acquittal? Truly, my countrymen are not all bats or monks.
Madame Dompierre was breathing with perfect freedom now, while from the couch came the
sounds of stifled emotion. But whether the lady was involved in a paroxysm of
sobs or of laughter, it might be difficult to swear. It was perhaps
an hour after the flourish of the introduction with which Madame dan Pierre had closed
the door of the trap upon the blind man's entrance. The minutes had passed,
but the situation remained unchanged, though the ingenuity of certainly two of the
occupants of the room had been tormented into shreds to discover a means of turning
it to their advantage. So far the terrible omniscience of the blind man in
the dark, and the respect for his marksmanship with which his coolness had inspired
them dominated the group. But one strong card yet remained to be played,
and at last the moment came upon which the conspirators had pinned their despairing hopes.
There was the sound of movement in the hall outside, not the first
about the house, but was the new complication. Carrados had been strangely unobservant.
True. Montmorency had talked rather loudly to carry over the dangerous moments.
But now there came an unmistakable step, and to the accomplices it could only
mean one thing. Montmorency was ready on the instant. Down Tom. He
cried, throw yourself down, Break in, Guido, break in the door.
We are held up. There was an immediate response. The door,
under the pressure of a human battering ram, burst open with a crash on
the threshold. The intruders, four or five in number, stopped starkly for
a moment, held in astonishment by the extraordinary scene that the light from the
hall and their own bull's eyes revealed flat on their faces to present the least
possible surface to Carradoss's aim. Dompierre and Montmorency lay extended beside the window and
behind the door on the couch, with her head buried beneath the cushions.
Madame Danpierre sought to shut out the sight and sound of violence Carados Carrados had
not moved, but with arms resting on the table and fingers placidly locked together,
he smiled benignly on the new arrivals. His attitude, compared with the
extravagance of those around him, gave the impression of a complaisant modern deity presiding
over some grotesque ceremonial of pagan worship. So, Inspector, you could not
wait for me, after all, was his greeting. End of the game
played in the dark.