CHAPTER XXX
SHADOWED
An unusual cold had continued for nearly a week, and the ice feteorganized by the skating club upon the upper lake in the Bois deBoulogne had been announced for this particular day. This fete had beenalready frequently postponed on account of the weather. It had become ajoke among Parisians to receive an invitation for a date which wasinvariably followed by a period of thaw, turning the lake into ice waterand mud.
And now the afternoon of this January day, which began with theexplosion in the Sud-Nord tunnel, had been finally decided upon. Theclear atmosphere and severe cold promised no further disappointment. Thefete was to be given in aid of the poor of the town and the admissionfee was put at a high figure for the purpose of drawing a fashionablecrowd and keeping out the mob. Vehicles of all kinds drew up and wereparked by the shore of the lake, giving the place the appearance of afashionable reception.
M. Fouquet-Legendre, President of the Committee, stood chatting with theMarquis de Serac, and both men cast frequent glances in the directionof the town.
"You are sure he will come?" M. Fouquet-Legendre inquired for thetwentieth time.
"You may rely upon it, His Majesty himself promised to honor with hispresence the reunion organized by your Committee."
M. Fouquet-Legendre moved away to superintend the preparation of a lunchtable containing sandwiches, cakes and champagne. The Marquis de Seracsauntered among the crowd, exchanging bows and handshakes with hisnumerous friends.
To see this elegant old gentleman, jovial, smiling, without an apparenttrouble in the world, it would be hard to imagine that he was theformidable and elusive Fantomas.
* * * * *
The arrival of a superb limousine aroused the curiosity of the crowd. Adistinguished-looking man, wearing a striking cloak and a cap ofastrakhan, stepped out of it.
It was King Frederick-Christian II. The worthy president immediatelysuggested a glass of champagne, but the King made it quickly known thathe had come to skate, and desired to remain officially incognito.
Frederick-Christian had regained his popularity in the eyes of theParisians. The suspicion of murdering his mistress which had attachedto him had gradually given way to the belief that he was innocent, andthe real perpetrator of the crime was now supposed by the public to beFantomas.
* * * * *
The King proved himself to be an expert skater, and under the respectfulgaze of the crowd, described graceful curves and difficult figures uponthe ice. At length the attention of the King was drawn to a woman, who,equally clever, seemed to be amusing herself with copying hisevolutions. The figure of this woman seemed not unfamiliar to him, andhe finally set himself to follow her, increasing his speed, until thetwo brought up face to face. Involuntarily a name escaped his lips:
"The Grand Duchess Alexandra! You here, Madame!"
He could not forget that this woman, with all her seductive charm, wasactually a redoubtable adversary of his dynasty. The pseudo GrandDuchess, however, manoeuvred skilfully, affecting such a timid andembarrassed air that by degrees the King's severity melted under hercharm. She seemed a little tired and out of breath from the chase, andwhen she glanced round in search of support, he could scarcely do lessas a gallant man than offer her his arm.
Profiting by this chance, the adventuress adroitly whispered her regretsat the unjust scandal and calumny which had coupled her name with thatof Prince Gudulfin.
"Sire," she finally murmured, "give me the opportunity of proving mydevotion."
The two, separated from the others, slowly skated away together.Suddenly the King stopped short; he realized he had listened with closeattention to the confidences of the troubling person he still took forthe Grand Duchess.
What had she been saying to him?
* * * * *
A few minutes later Frederick-Christian, deciding it was time to returnto his Hotel, skated toward the bank. The Grand Duchess made a deepcurtsey and ended her conversation with these words:
"Sire, may I beg your forgiveness for one of your subordinates?"
"It is granted, Madame ... if what you tell me comes true...."
"Your Majesty will permit me to be present at the Gare du Nord when youleave this evening."
* * * * *
A taxi arrived at the lake. Juve sprang out of it.
The detective bit his lip and swore upon seeing a superb limousine inwhich he saw seated Frederick-Christian and the Marquis de Serac.
"Too late again!" he muttered. "I miss Lady Beltham at the AmericaHotel; I miss the King at the skating. At least, let me make sure thatthe so-called Grand Duchess is still here."
A thorough search on the ice and among the crowd on shore failed todiscover the lady, who had doubtless left at the same time as the King.While skating from group to group Juve was brought up by a conversationin low tones between M. Annion and M. Lepine. Hiding behind a tree, helistened attentively.
"Well, you know the last news?"
"Yes," declared M. Annion, "but it seems very extraordinary."
"There is no doubt, however, this Grand Duchess Alexandra should be wellposted ... now. She has formally promised the King that his diamond willbe found in the possession of our man ... who will be under arrest thisevening...."
"You believe that?" questioned M. Lepine, with a skeptical smile.
"Well, I believe in the arrest--that is certain; but whether we shallfind the diamond is another matter."
Juve's first impulse was to make himself known to his chief; but onsecond thoughts he decided to keep silent. He had gathered from theconversation that the arrest of Fantomas was imminent. That, of course,was satisfactory in every respect.
The conversation continued and, as he listened, Juve could not helpsmiling.
"They are all right! They realize the work I've done and they want me toreap the reward of it."
M. Lepine had, in fact, asked M. Annion:
"You are quite sure Juve will be at the Gare du Nord this evening?"
"Quite sure; I have given him orders to that effect."
Juve decided it was not worth while going home to get the order.Evidently they counted upon him to be at the Station at nine o'clock;ostensibly to assist at the departure of the King, in reality to arrestFantomas.
The detective moved away, there was not a moment to spare. Whateverhappened it was absolutely necessary that he should have an interviewwith Lady Beltham.
In her small oriental salon, the Grand Duchess Alexandra sat chattingwith Wulf, about five o'clock in the evening.
"Really, Monsieur Wulf, you are an extraordinary man, and yourintelligence is amazing."
"Madame is too indulgent," replied Wulf, beaming.
"Oh no, I am only fair to you; I know you are a man of value and that iswhy I have been at pains to re-establish you in the good graces of yoursovereign."
Since her return to the America Hotel, Alexandra had been exceedinglybusy. To begin with, she had received a visit from her lover, theMarquis de Serac. A long conversation in low tones had taken place, andthe Marquis had left her, nervous and agitated. The adventuress had thenput on a smiling face to meet the ridiculous Wulf, and after somemysterious and complicated business with him had been transacted, shehad ended by loading the officer with outrageous compliments and saying:
"And now, thanks to you, Monsieur Wulf, the elusive Fantomas is about tobe arrested. Be assured the King will give you the very highest proof ofhis gratitude for this service. Your position at the Court ofHesse-Weimar will be more important than ever."
* * * * *
Night had fallen and the lamps of the Paris streets were lit up.
At the corner of the Boulevard Malesherbes and the Avenue de Villiers,not far from the door of the America Hotel, a man was seated on a bench;he seemed to be merely resting; but in reality he was closely watchingeach individual who ente
red and left the Hotel.
This man was Juve.
He began rubbing his hands with a satisfied air.
"Good, good! The evening is beginning well.... There is one importantthing for me to do now; shadow Lady Beltham, and not lose sight of herfor a single moment, from the time she leaves this Hotel until...."