VIII
THE PEARLS OF ISIS
Mr. Barnes sat for a while in silence, gazing at Mr. Mitchel. Themasterly manner in which that gentleman had managed the affairthroughout won his admiration and elevated him more than ever in hisesteem. The denouement was admirable. Before handing over the check Mr.Mitchel had led Mr. Livingstone to state in the presence of a concealedwitness that the opal about to be sold was genuine, whereas, as a matterof fact, the one on the desk at that moment was spurious. Then thepayment with a check and the exacting of a receipt furnished tangibleproofs of the nature of the transaction. Thus, even eliminating thetheft of the other opal, Mr. Mitchel was in the position to prove thatthe man had obtained a large sum of money by false pretenses. Therecovery of the stolen opal practically convicted Mr. Livingstone of astill greater crime, and with a witness to the various details of theoccurrence Mr. Mitchel had so great a hold upon him that it would bemost improbable that Mr. Livingstone would pursue his scheme further.The second conspirator, Domingo, was equally well disposed of, for ifhe returned to Mexico with the imitation opals, either the priests woulddiscover the fraud and deal with the man themselves, or, by theirfailing to do so, he would gain possession of the opal mine.
In either event there would be no reason for him to return to troubleMr. Mitchel.
"I see the whole scheme," said Mr. Barnes at length, "and I mustcongratulate you upon the conception and conduct of the affair. You havecourteously said that I have been of some assistance, and though I doubtit, I would like to exact a price for my services."
"Certainly," said Mr. Mitchel. "Every man is worthy of his hire, evenwhen he is not aware of the fact that he has been hired, I presume. Nameyour reward. What shall it be?"
"From my place of concealment, a while ago, I observed that before youtook out the opal, you removed from the box a magnificent string ofpearls. As you have claimed that all valuable jewels have some story ofcrime, or attempted crime, attached to them, I fancy you could tell aninteresting tale about those pearls."
"Ah; and you would like to hear the story?"
"Yes; very much!"
"Well, it is a pretty old one now, and no harm can come, especially ifyou receive the tale in confidence."
"Assuredly."
"They are beautiful, are they not?" said Mr. Mitchel, taking them upalmost affectionately, and handing them to Mr. Barnes. "I call them thePearls of Isis."
"The Pearls of Isis?" said Mr. Barnes, taking them. "An odd name,considering that the goddess is a myth. How could she wear jewelry?"
"Oh, the name originated with myself. I will explain that in a moment.First let me say a few words in a general way. You ask me for the storyof that string of pearls. If what is told of them in Mexico is true,there is a pathetic tale for each particular pearl, aside from the manylegends that are related of the entire string."
"And do you know all of these histories?"
"No, indeed. I wish that I did. But I can tell you some of the legendry.In Humboldt's _American Researches_ you will find an illustrationshowing the figure of what he calls 'The Statue of an Aztec Priestess.'The original had been discovered by M. Dupe. The statue was cut frombasalt, and the point of chief interest in it is the head-dress, whichresembles the calantica, or veil of Isis, the Sphinxes, and otherEgyptian statues. On the forehead of this stone priestess was found astring of pearls, of which Humboldt says: 'The pearls have never beenfound on any Egyptian statue, and indicate a communication between thecity of Tenochtitlan, ancient Mexico, and the coast of California, wherepearls are found in great numbers.' Humboldt himself found a similarstatue decorated with pearls in the ruins of Tezcuco, and this is stillin the museum at Berlin, where I have seen it. Humboldt doubted thatthese statues represented priestesses, but thought rather that they weremerely figures of ordinary women, and he bases this view on the factthat the statues have long hair, whereas it was the custom of thetepanteohuatzin, a dignitary controlling the priestesses, to cut off thetresses of these virgins when they devoted themselves to the services ofthe temple. M. Dupe thought that this statue represented one of thetemple virgins, while, as I have said, Humboldt concluded that they hadno religious connection. My own view is that both of these gentlemenwere wrong, and that these and similar statues were images of thegoddess Isis."
"But I thought that Isis was an Old World goddess?"
"So she was, and the oldest world is this continent. We need not nowenter upon a discussion of the reasons upon which I base my belief.Suffice it to say that I think I can prove to the satisfaction of anygood archaeologist that both Isis and Osiris belong to Central America.And as those pearls in your hand once adorned an Aztec basaltic statuesimilar to those of Dupe and Humboldt, I have chosen to call them the'Pearls of Isis.'"
"Ah; then it is from their origin that you imagine that so many storiesare connected with them. I have always heard that the priests of ancientMexico were a bloodthirsty lot, and as pearls are supposed by thesuperstitious to symbolize tears, I can imagine the romances that mightbe built around these, especially if they were guarded by virginpriestesses."
"Now you are utilizing your detective instinct to guess my tale beforeit is told. You are partly right. Many curious legends are to be heardfrom the natives in Mexico, explanatory of these pearl-bedecked idols.Two are particularly interesting, though you are not bound to acceptthem as strictly true. The first was related to me personally by an oldman, who claimed a connection with the priesthood through a lineage ofpriestly ancestors covering two thousand generations. This you willadmit is a long service for a single family in worshipful care of a lotof idols, and it would at least be discourteous to doubt the word ofsuch a truly holy man."
"Oh, I shall not attempt to discredit or disprove the old fellow'sstory, whatever it may be."
"That is very generous of you, considering your profession, and I amsure the old Aztec would feel duly honored. However, here is his story.According to him, there were many beautiful women among the Aztecs, butonly the most beautiful of these were acceptable to the gods aspriestesses. Their entrance into the service of the temple, I imagine,must have been most trying, for he stated that it was only when thewomen came before the priests with their chosen lovers to be marriedthat the priests were permitted to examine their faces in order todetermine whether they were beautiful enough to become temple virgins.If, on such an occasion, the bride seemed sufficiently beautiful, thepriest, instead of uniting her to her lover, declared that the godsdemanded her as their own, and she was forthwith consecrated to theservice of the temple. They were then compelled to forswear the world,and, under threats of mysterious and direful punishments, they promisedto guard their chastity, and devote their virgin lives to the gods. Themysterious punishment meted out to transgressors the old priestexplained to me. Usually in such instances the girl would elope, mostoften with the lover of whom she had been deprived at the altar. Noeffort was made to recapture her. Such was the power of the priests, andsuch the superstitious dread of the anger of the gods, that none wouldhold communication of any kind with the erring couple. Thus isolated andcompelled to hide away in the forests, the unfortunate lovers wouldeventually live in hourly dread of disaster, until either the girl wouldvoluntarily return to the priests to save her lover from the imaginedfury of the gods, or else to save himself he would take the girl back.In either case the result would be the same. None ever saw her again.But, shortly after, a new pearl would appear upon the forehead of theidol."
"A new pearl? How?"
"The old priest, whose word you have promised not to doubt, claimed thatbeneath the temple there was a dark, bottomless pool of water in whichabounded the shell-fish from which pearls were taken. These molluscswere sacred, and to them were fed the bodies of all the human beingssacrificed on their altars. Whenever one of the temple virgins broke heroath of fidelity to the gods, upon her return she was dropped alive intothis pool, and, curious to relate, at the appearance of the next newmoo
n the tepanteohuatzin would invariably discover a pearl of marvelloussize."
"Why, then, each pearl would represent a temple virgin reincarnated, asit were?"
"Yes; one might almost imagine that in misery and grief over her unhappylove affair, she had wept until she had dissolved, and that then she hadbeen precipitated, to use a chemical term, in the form of a pearl.Altogether the legend is not a bad one, and if we recall the connectionbetween Isis and the crescent moon, you must admit my right to callthese the Pearls of Isis."
"Oh, I promised to dispute nothing. But did you not say that there wasanother legend?"
"Yes, and I am glad to say it has a much more fortuitous finale and isaltogether more believable, though this one was not told to me by a manof God, or perhaps to be more accurate I should say a 'man of the gods.'According to this rendition the temple virgins were chosen exactly asrelated in the other narrative, but before actually entering upon theirduties there was a period of probation, a period of time covering 'onemoon.' You see we cannot escape the moon in this connection. During thisprobationary period it was possible for the lover to regain hissweetheart by paying a ransom, and this ransom was invariably a pearlof a certain weight and quality. By placing these pearls on the foreheadof the goddess she was supposed to be repaid for the loss of one of hervirgin attendants. All of which shows that her ladyship, Isis, in herlove for finery, was peculiarly human and not unlike her sisters ofto-day."
"This second story is very easy to believe, if one could understandwhere the pearls were to be found."
"Oh, that is easily explained. Humboldt was right in supposing thatthere was a communication with the Californian coast. There was aregular yearly journey to and from that place for the purposes of trade,and many of the Aztecs travelled thither purposely to engage in fishingfor pearls. Whenever one of these fishers was fortunate enough to find apearl of the kind demanded by the priests, he would hoard it up, andkeep his good luck a secret. For with such a pearl could he not woo andwin one of the fairest daughters of his tribe? We can well imagine thatwithout such a pearl the more cautious of the beauties would turn a deafear to lovers' pleadings, fearing to attract the eyes of the priests atthe altar. Verily, in those days beauty was a doubtful advantage."
"Yes, indeed. Now I understand what you meant when you said that each ofthese pearls might have its own romance. For, according to the legends,they are either the penalty or the price of love. But you have not toldme the particular story of these pearls."
"There may be as many as there are pearls, but I can tell you but one;though as that involves a story of crime, it will interest you I amsure. You will remember that when we were going to the yacht on that daywhen we solved the first opal mystery, I explained to you my reasons forbuying up large gems. I think I told you of my first venture?"
"Yes; you overheard a plot to steal a ruby, and you went to the hostessand bought the jewel, which you then stuck in your scarf, where theplotters could see it and know that it had changed hands."
"That is the tale exactly. You will consider it a curious coincidencewhen I tell you that these pearls came into my possession in an almostsimilar manner."
"That is remarkable, I must say."
"And yet not so remarkable, either, all things considered. Crime, orrather the method of committing a crime, is often suggested by previousoccurrences. A body is found in the river dismembered, and is a ninedays' wonder. Yet, even though the mystery may be solved, and themurderer brought to justice, the police may scarcely have finished withthe case before another dismembered body is discovered. Often, too, thesecond criminal goes unpunished; in imitating his predecessor he avoids,or attempts to avoid, his mistakes. I suppose that is easier thanformulating an entirely new plan. So I imagine that the attempt to stealthe ruby, which I frustrated, and the stealing of the pearls, which wassuccessfully managed, may have some connection, more especially as bothaffairs occurred in the same house."
"In the same house?"
"Yes, and within a month, or, to follow the legend, I might say in thesame 'moon.' I was in New Orleans at the time, and as it was in theMardi Gras season, masked balls were common occurrences. One who wasespecially fond of this class of entertainment was Madame Damien. Shewas a widow, not yet thirty, and as her husband, Maurice Damien, hadbelonged to one of the wealthiest and most distinguished of the oldCreole families, there was no apparently good reason for denying her therightful privilege of mixing with and receiving the best people of thecity. Nevertheless, there were a few who declined to associate with her,or to allow the younger members of their households to do so."
"What were their reasons?"
"Reasons there were, but of such an impalpable nature that eventhose who most rigorously shunned her, ventured not to speak openlyagainst her. For reasons, it might have been said that she smokedcigarettes--but other good women did likewise; she entertained often,and served wine intemperately--others did the same; she permittedcard-playing in her rooms, even for money stakes,--but the same thingoccurred in other houses, though perhaps not so openly. Thus none ofthese reasons, you see, was sufficiently potent. But there were others,less easily discussed and more difficult to prove. It was whispered,very low and only in the ears of most trustworthy intimates, thatMadame Damien permitted, nay, encouraged, young men to pay court to her.If true, she managed her courtiers most admirably, for openly she wasmost impartial in distributing her favors, while secretly--well, nonepenetrated the secrets of Madame Damien. One thing was certainly in herfavor; there were no duels about her, and duelling was not uncommon inthose days."
"I should say she was a clever woman."
"Just the word. Some, who could say nothing more, said she wasaltogether too clever. It was this woman who sold me the ruby."
"The first acquisition to your collection?"
"Yes. I may as well briefly give you the facts, for thus you may see theconnection between the two affairs. Land is not so valuable in oursouthern country as it is here in New York, and the houses of thewealthy are often in the midst of extensive gardens. Some of these notonly have beautiful flower-beds, but likewise palms, cacti, oleanders,azaleas, and other tropical plants. Madame Damien's residence was in agarden which might almost be called a miniature park. The paths were ofsnow-white oyster shells, rolled and beaten until they resembled smoothwhite marble. The hedges were of arbor vitae cut with square top, excepthere and there where the trees were trained to form arched gatewaysthrough which the flower-beds could be reached. In places, often nearlyconcealed by flowering plants, were little houses,--lovers' nooks theyare called,--made also of trained arbor vitae. Of larger trees therewere the palmetto, the orange, and the magnolia. On fete nights thesebeautiful grounds would be illuminated with Chinese lanterns,sufficiently numerous to make the scene a veritable fairy picture, butnot shedding enough light to interfere with the walks of lovers whosought the garden paths between the dances."
"Your description reminds one of Eden."
"The similarity is greater than you imagine, for the serpent lurked inthe rose bowers. At one of Madame Damien's masquerade fetes I had leftthe warm rooms for a breath of the perfume-laden air without, and waswalking along a path which led to the farthest end of the garden, when Iwas attracted by a stifled cry. I stopped and listened, and as it wasnot repeated I was just thinking that I had heard the mournful cry of adove, when a tug at my sleeve caused me to turn quickly. At my side wasa little creature in a green domino scarcely distinguishable from theshrubbery that lined the walk. The girl stood on her toes, drew my headdown to hers, and in a frightened tone whispered:
"'The men. They mean mischief--to them--in there.'
"She pointed to one of the little arbor-vitae houses near us, and turningfled back along the path before I could restrain her.
"Much mystified, I stepped softly toward the little house, intending todiscover if possible who might be within, when I seemed to hear voicesbehind me. Listening intently, I traced the sounds to the opposite sideof the hedge, and therefore
I crept cautiously in that direction,satisfied that here were the men to whom the girl had made allusion.Here is what I heard:
"'As they come out, we must follow them. When I whistle, you jump onmadame; I will take care of him. I will undertake to hurt him enough tomake him squeal. That will alarm Madame, who will be so fearful lest herprecious lover be hurt that you will have no difficulty in getting theruby.'"
"Quite a neat little plot; only needs the detail of garroting to affordus a perfect picture of the Spanish brigand," said Mr. Barnes.
"The men were undoubtedly professional thieves who considered themasquerade a good opportunity. As soon as they mentioned the ruby, Iknew that the woman was none other than Madame Damien, who possessed astone of rare beauty which she frequently wore. The point of greatestinterest was that Madame seemed about to lose her usual good luck byhaving one of her love affairs discovered. How could I warn her withoutmyself learning who was with her? Strange though it may seem, I had nowish to know the name of her companion, so I hit upon an expedient.Going to the door of the little house I called aloud:
"'Madame Damien! Will you allow me to speak to you a moment?' Of courseshe did not reply. From the deathlike stillness of the place one mighthave thought it empty. I was too sure, however, that she was there, so Ispoke again.
"'Madame, your very life is in danger, if you do not come out and speakto me.' In an instant she was at my side, talking in a quick whisper.
"'Who are you? What do you mean?'
"'Pardon my intruding, but I was obliged to adopt this course, I assureyou.'
"I was speaking loudly enough to be heard by the men on the other sideof the hedge. 'I was passing here just now, with no suspicion that youwere here, alone,'--I purposely used the word, so that she might feeleasy about her companion,--'when I chanced to overhear the plotting oftwo ruffians who are even now hidden in the hedge. They are lying inwait for you, intending to rob you of your ruby.'
"'Steal my ruby? I don't understand.'
"'Had I not heard their plan, they would undoubtedly have partlystrangled you while they stole the jewel. It was to save you from thedanger of this encounter and the loss that I felt it my duty to call youout to speak with me.'
"'What shall I do?'
"'I advise you to sell the stone to me.'
"'Sell it to you? How would that help matters?'
"'I have my check-book with me. You know who I am,--Leroy Mitchel. Thereis light enough by this lantern to write, and I have a fountain-pen. Ifyou sell me the ruby, and take the check, you may safely go to thehouse. The would-be thieves are listening and perhaps watching us.Consequently, they will know of this transaction and will have no reasonto follow you.'
"'But yourself?'
"'I can take care of myself, especially as I am armed. I shall followyou in a few moments, and I am sure no attack will be made upon me.'
"She hesitated a moment. She did not really wish to sell the stone, yether only other alternative was to inform me that as another man waspresent we might go to the house together without fear. But not wishingto disclose the presence of this other man, she decided to sell me thestone, or rather to appear to do so, for her plan was to return my checklater and recover the ruby. This offer she made to me on the followingday, but I declined because the idea of forming my collection of raregems had entered my mind when I heard the plotters talking. Beforefinally yielding she made one effort, being a plucky woman.
"'I need not sell you the ruby, Mr. Mitchel, for if, as you say, you arearmed, I have no fear of accepting your escort to the house.'
"This of course would have defeated my purpose, so I hastily explainedto her that I wished to stay behind because I intended to attempt tocapture one or both of the ruffians. Whether or not she might have foundsome other means of avoiding my offer, she did not think of one then, soshe handed me the ruby and I gave her the check. After she had left me,I cautiously searched the hedges but met no one. I was satisfied,however, that the men had heard all that had passed, and I also believedthat they might still imagine that there would be a chance to get theruby, under the supposition that my purchase was but a pretense, andthat as soon as I should return to the parlors I would restore thejewel. It was for this reason that I wore it conspicuously in my scarf."
"What of the little woman in the green domino? Did you see her again?"
"I caught a glimpse of her only, though I am sure she got a better viewof me. It was in the house. Here, also, there was a profusion of green,the place being literally strewn with potted plants. I was standing neara group of palms when I caught sight of my lady of the green domino,gazing intently at me. As she saw that I had detected her presence, sheswiftly glided away, and I lost her in the throng. I was certain,however, that she saw the ruby in my scarf, and so knew that I hadprevented the mischief of which she had warned me."
"It would have been interesting to discover her identity."
"All in good time, Mr. Detective. We come now to the story of the stringof pearls. It was just three weeks later. Madame was holding anotherfete. Once more I was destined to play eavesdropper, though this timewith even still more startling results. I had been dancing a quadrille,my unknown partner being charmingly dressed in a costume which at thetime I did not understand. I had noticed her several times during theevening, standing always alone, apparently neglected by the young men.So I asked her to be my partner, rather in the spirit of giving hersome of the pleasures of the evening, though you must understand that Iwas at that time young myself and quite susceptible to the charms of theopposite sex. She had seemed reluctant at first to dance with me, andthen, as though impulsively altering her mind, she had expressed herwillingness more in act than by any word, for she had not spoken.Clutching my arm nervously, she had led me a little way across thefloor, and stopped where a couple was needed to fill a quadrille. _Envis-a-vis_ was a couple who attracted her attention to such an extentthat I almost imagined that my partner had brought me into this set withthe purpose of watching them. The man was unmistakably dressed as Romeo,while the costume of his partner was as mystifying to me as that of thegirl beside me. I afterwards learned that she was assuming the guise ofHelen of Troy."
"Your hostess, Madame Damien, I'll be bound."
"You make a good guesser, Mr. Barnes. Madame Damien it was, though,truth to tell, I was so much interested in the silent, watchful girlbeside me that I paid little attention to the others. The quadrille hadjust ended and I was wondering how best to make my little sphinx talk,when a strange thing happened. The couple opposite to us crossed towardus, and as they approached my partner swayed as though about to fall,and then suddenly toppled over against me, and in a whisper she said:
"'I am dizzy. Take me out in the air.'
"Just then, 'Helen of Troy,' hanging on the arm of her 'Romeo,' passedso close to us that the women's costumes touched. She lookedscrutinizingly at the girl with me, and I heard her say to hercompanion,--
"'That girl is a sphinx.'
"Then they passed on. Her words startled me, for I had just used theepithet in my own mind in connection with my partner. I thought of heras a sphinx because of her silence. But now that some one else calledher a sphinx, I observed that she wore a curious head-dress whichreminded one of the great monument of the Eastern desert. Perhaps, then,she was but playing the part which she had assumed with her costume. Atall events there seemed to be a mystery worthy of the effort atpenetration. So I hurried out into the air with my little sphinx, andsoon we were walking up one of the snow-white walks. I tried to induceher to talk, but though she seemed willing to remain in mycompanionship, she trembled a good deal but kept as mum as the stoneimage to which I now likened her. I was wondering by what device I mightmake her talk, when she utterly startled me by crying out:
"'I wish I dared to tell you everything. Perhaps you might help me.'
"'Tell me what you will, little one,' said I, 'and I will help you if Ican, and keep your secret besides.'
"'Oh, there is no secret,' she e
xclaimed; 'I am not so wicked as that.But we cannot talk here. Come, I know a place.'
"I followed her as she hurried me on, more mystified than before. Shetells me 'there is no secret,' and that she is 'not as wicked as that.'Why need she be wicked, to have a secret? I could not fathom it, but asI was to know all, even though it were no secret, I was able to awaitthe telling. Oddly enough, as it seemed to me then, she led me to thevery lovers' nook in which I had found Madame Damien when I purchasedthe ruby. Before entering, my little sphinx took the precaution toextinguish the lanterns at the doorway, so that when we passed inside wewere in gloom as impenetrable as that of one of the passageways in thepyramids. She seemed familiar with the place, for she took my hand andled me away to one side, where there was a rustic bench. Here we satdown, and after a few minutes she began.
"'You do not know me, of course,' said she.
"'Why, no,' I replied; 'how should I?'
"'I was afraid you might have recognized my voice. But then I haven'tspoken much to you, have I?'
"'No; but now I do recognize your voice at least. It was you who warnedme, here at this very spot, at the last fete. Was it not?'
"'Yes; I heard the men talking and I was afraid they might hurt--mighthurt some one. Then you came along, and so I told you. I recognized youto-night because you have the same dress.'
"I began to suspect that the 'some one' whom she had shielded that nightwas not our fair hostess, but rather the man who had been with her. Iwas wondering whether it would be wise to ask her this question, orwhether to wait for her to tell her story in her own way, when I wasstartled at feeling the softest of hands pressed tightly over my lips,and to hear a whisper close to my ear.
"'Don't speak,' she said; 'they are coming--they are coming here.'
"I strained my ears and at first heard nothing, but love sharpens theears I suppose, for presently I did hear footsteps, and then low voices,growing louder as though approaching, and finally the persons, evidentlya man and woman, actually entered our place of concealment. Thesituation was embarrassing, especially as that little hand still restedover my mouth as though warning me to do nothing. Luckily, the intrudersdid not come to our side of the place, but took seats apparentlyopposite. They were talking in earnest tones, the woman finishing asentence as they came in.
"'--my mind, whether to release you or not. At all events, I must knowmore about this somewhat curious proposition of yours.'
"I recognized at once the voice of Madame Damien. It was evident,therefore, that the man was her partner of the dance, and that it was hewho had been with her in this place on the other occasion seemed aprobability. He answered her as follows:
"'I do not think the proposition is a curious one. I only do what womenalways do. Certainly my sex should have the same privileges in anaffair of this character.'
"'That is a question that philosophers might discuss,' said MadameDamien, 'but we need not. Whether you have the right or not it isevident that you choose to exercise it. And what is this right?'
"'The right to tell you the truth. The right to tell you that I do notlove you, that I have made a terrible blunder.'
"The little hand over my mouth trembled violently, and slipped away. Icould hear the girl next to me breathing so distinctly that it seemedodd that the others did not hear also. Perhaps they were too muchoccupied with their own affair.
"'The right to tell me that you do not love me,' repeated Madame; 'butyou have so often told me that you do love me, and you have told me ofyour love so eloquently, that now when you come to me and say that youhave made a blunder, naturally I have the right to question you. Hereare two opposite statements. How am I to know which to believe?'
"'I am telling you the truth, now.'
"'Perhaps; you may be right. You may know your heart at last, and ifwhat you say is really true, of course I have no desire to try to keepwhat you only supposed to be love, however eloquently you told about it,however well you played the part. The awkward thing is that to-morrow,next week, by the new moon perhaps, you may be at my feet again singingthe same old songs, old love songs. You will tell me that what you saythen is truth, but that what you are telling me now is false. How, then,shall I know what to think?'
"'What I tell you now is true. I shall not tell you otherwise at anytime in the future.'
"'Of this you are quite sure?'
"'Quite sure!'
"Up to this point the woman had spoken softly, almost with love in hervoice. It sounded like a mother talking with her son who was confessinga change of heart, or rather a change of sweethearts. Now, suddenly, allwas changed. When she spoke again it was in the voice of rage, almost ofhate. It was the woman spurned; more than that,--it was the womanjealous of the rival who had replaced her in her lover's heart.
"'So you are quite sure that you will not make love to me again!' shecried, with such ferocity that the girl beside me moved closer to me asthough seeking protection; 'you are sure of that? Then you love another.There is no other test by which you could be so sure. Answer me, is ittrue? Is it true, I say? Answer me at once; I want no lies.'
"'Well, and what if it is true,' said the man, angered by her speech.
"'What if it is true? You ask me that? Well, I'll answer. If it is true,then the other girl is welcome to you. She may have you, with yoursecond-hand love. May she be happy in the love that changes with themoon. So much for her. But with you. Ah, that must be different. Youwish to be released? Well, you shall pay for your liberty, my ficklelover; you shall pay!'
"'I will pay you whatever you demand. What is it?'
"'So. You value your liberty so much that you promise before you know myterms! Very well, then. You will bring me to-night, before an hour haspassed, the string of pearls that your mother wore on her wedding-day.'
"'My God, no! Not that! It is impossible!'
"'How quickly you make and break promises! Your ideas of honor are asslim as your notions of love. And why is it impossible to give me thepearls?'
"'They are not mine. Anything that is mine I will give. But the pearlsare not mine.'
"'If not yours whose are they, pray?'
"'Let me explain. They have been in my family for generations. They weretaken from an idol in Mexico by one of my ancestors who was with Cortez.He gave them to his bride, and declared that they should descend to theeldest sons for all time, to be given as a bridal present to theirwives. Moreover he declared that so long as this behest was strictlyfollowed, no dishonor should come to our house and name.'
"'What you tell me makes me only more determined to have the pearls.Your ancestor was a good prophet. You dishonor your house when you offerme your love and then withdraw from your contract. You asked me to beyour wife, and according to your ancestor's will the pearls should bemy bridal decoration. I could claim them in that manner, did I choose.'
"'What do you mean?'
"'I mean to have those pearls. No other woman shall wear them. If theloss brings dishonor to your house, yours is the fault. But I havetalked long enough. I loathe myself for bartering with you. Now I giveyou my command. Bring me those pearls within an hour.'
"She rose and started to leave the place. The man jumped up and calledafter her:
"'What if I should refuse?'
"She paused for a moment to reply, and her words reminded me of the hissof a serpent.
"'If you do not obey, when my guests unmask to-night I will announce myengagement, our engagement, and introduce you as my Romeo.'
"She laughed mockingly, and hurried away. The man did not wait, but wentout immediately. I felt about for my companion, but she seemed not to benear me. I took out a match and struck it, only to find myself alone.Seated nearer to the door than I, she must have slipped out without myknowledge."
"Then you did not learn the secret of your sphinx maiden after all,"said Mr. Barnes.
"Not immediately. But hear the sequel. You may be sure I was near ourhostess when midnight arrived and the moment came to unmask. MadameDamien herself gav
e the signal, and then, standing at the end of theroom, she slowly unwound a thread-lace scarf which covered her head andface, serving in place of a mask, and draped about her shoulders. Theshawl thrown aside revealed her bare neck, around which hung resplendentthe pearls in your hand. Madame made a sensation with her pearls. Thoughshe owned many jewels of rare price she often wore them, and her guestswere quite familiar with her usual display; but pearls she had neverworn before. And such pearls! What wonder there were whisperings andguessings! I looked around for the other two actors in the romanticdrama, but neither Romeo nor my sphinx maiden was to be seen.
"Refreshments were served in several small rooms, and it was from one ofthese that presently a cry was heard that startled all of the guests, sothat they rushed back into the main ballroom. There we found MadameDamien, pale with rage, calling for her servants, who rushed from alldirections.
"'I have been robbed,' she cried; 'robbed of my pearls! They have beentaken from me within a minute! Let no one leave the house! Close andlock the doors! No one shall leave this house, until my pearls arerestored!'
"Imagine the consternation and indignation which this aroused. Madamewas so enraged at the loss, and so wildly determined to recover thejewels, her jealous fear lest her rival might obtain them so intense,that she had entirely forgotten all the courtesy and duties of a hostessto her guests. All that she knew, all that she cared for, was that theperson who had robbed her was still in the house, and she wished toprevent escape.
"You may guess the hubbub that followed. Women and men congregated ingroups asking each other what it all meant. Some demanded their wrapsand the opportunity to leave instantly. Others declared that they werequite willing, nay, anxious, to await the denouement, which wouldcertainly prove interesting. 'At least it was well to know who of theirnumber might be a thief,' etc.
"In these circumstances, I undertook to relieve the tension and restoretranquillity. I went up to Madame Damien, and said to her in a low tone:
"'If you will let me speak to you alone for two minutes I will recoverthe lost pearls.'
"'What do you know? What can you do?' she asked eagerly. 'Come into thisroom; we will be alone.'
"I followed her into an anteroom, and we stood as we talked. She waslaboring under such excitement that it was impossible for her to sitquietly.
"'Tell me first just how the pearls were taken, Madame.'
"'That is the miserable part of it. To think that a thief could takethem from my neck! It is mortifying. All I know is that I was in one ofthe refreshment-rooms, standing near the window that opens into theballroom. I knew nothing, felt nothing, until like a flash they weretwitched from my neck. I clutched at them, but too late. The thief hadstood in the ballroom, and passed her arm through the window, till shereached and unlocked the clasp of the necklace. Then with one quick tug,she had the pearls. I cried out, and the stupid people crowded about meso that it was a whole minute, a precious minute, before I could get outinto the ballroom. It was empty, of course. The woman had hurried intoone of the small rooms. But she has not left the house and she shallnot, until the pearls are in my possession again.'
"'You allude to the thief as a woman. How did you discover that, sincefrom your account you could hardly have seen her?'
"'No; I saw no one. But I know it was a woman. Never mind how I know.What, though, if it were--no! no! Impossible. He is not here; besides,he would not dare.'
"Of course I understood that she referred to our friend Romeo, and Imight also have thought of him, had I not made sure that he was notpresent after the unmasking.
"'If you did not see the thief, you cannot be sure it was a woman,' Icontinued. 'Now, Madame, I have a proposal to make. I will purchase yourpearls.'
"'You will do nothing of the sort, Mr. Mitchel. You got my ruby, but youwill not get the pearls. Besides, I have not them to deliver, even if Iwere willing to sell them to you.'
"'That is the attractive feature of my proposition. I will pay for thepearls, their full value, and I will undertake to recover them.'
"'But I tell you I won't sell them. And besides, how could you recoverthem?'
"'I will tell you nothing in advance, except that I guarantee to recoverthem, and that, I imagine, is the main object with you.'
"'What do you mean? You talk in riddles.'
"'Listen. I will make my purpose clear to you. You obtained those pearlsto-night, and----'
"'How do you know that?'
"'And you obtained them for a purpose,' I went on, ignoring herinterruption. 'You made a man give them to you, because you weredetermined that another woman should not have them.'
"'You are a magician,' she cried in wonder.
"'You are angry at the loss of the pearls, not so much because of theirvalue, as because you fear they may be restored to that other woman. Youeven think that she herself is the thief.'
"'You are right; I do think that. What other woman would do such a thingas to steal a string of pearls from a woman's very person?'
"'What if I tell you that she is not in the house?'
"'Ah, then you know her? Who is she? Tell me who she is and you may havethe pearls.' Madame spoke eagerly.
"'I will only tell you enough to convince you that she is not the thief.You remember after one of the quadrilles passing a girl and saying,"That girl is a sphinx"?'
"'Yes; was she----'
"'Yes. Now if you search your rooms you will not find her. I know thisbecause I have looked for her for half an hour.'
"'If not she, then the thief was some emissary of hers. Those pearlsshall never reach her. Never! never! never! I'll search every person inthis house first.'
"'And accomplish what? Nothing, except to ruin yourself before theworld. Remember, your guests have rights. Already you have insulted themby having the doors locked. Come, we are wasting time. Sell me thepearls, and I will promise you two things. First, I will satisfy yourguests and restore you to their good opinion. Secondly, I will recoverand keep those pearls. Your rival shall never wear them.'
"'My rival?'
"'Your rival. Why mince matters? Is it not evident to you that I knowall the details of this affair?'
"'You are a devil! Have your own way then. Take the pearls at your ownprice, and pay for them when you like. All I demand is that you fulfilyour agreement. She must not have them. Good night. I cannot meet myguests again. Explain things for me, will you?'
"She was nothing but a woman again--a conquered woman, relying upon thechivalry of her conqueror.
"'Trust me,' I replied. 'Lean on me and I will escort you to thestairway.'
"All eyes followed us as we crossed the ballroom, and Madame looked illenough to evoke pity. At any rate, my explanation was acceptedgenerously, and Madame was forgiven."
"I am curious to know," said Mr. Barnes, "how you recovered or expectedto recover those pearls?"
"It certainly was a unique bargain, to purchase stolen property whileyet in the possession of the thief. I will tell you what I did. Afterleaving Madame in the care of her maids at the foot of the stairway, Ireturned to the ballroom, and made a little speech. Addressing thethrong that crowded about me, I said:
"'Friends, I beg that you will forgive Madame Damien's hasty words. Shewas overwrought, and spoke irresponsibly. She had just met with aserious loss under most peculiar circumstances. Imagine her standing atthe refreshment table, while one of her guests intrudes an arm throughthe window behind her, unclasps and removes from her neck a string ofpearls worth a fabulous sum of money. Naturally her first thought was torecover the pearls, and to her distracted mind the only way seemed to beto demand that no one should leave the house. Of course she now regretsher words, for no loss can excuse such treatment of guests. But I amsure you will forgive her, especially the ladies, who will appreciateher feelings. Now, in regard to the pearls I may state that I haveundertaken to recover them. Fortunately I witnessed the theft, thoughfrom a distance, so that I could not prevent it. But I know who tookthe pearls, and who has them.
Consequently it is unnecessary to causeanyone any further annoyance in the matter. To the thief, I will saythat I understand the motive of the theft, and that I am in a positionto promise that that motive can be consummated if the pearls arereturned to me within three days. If they are not returned, it will benecessary to have the person arrested and imprisoned.'"
"A bold stroke, and ingenious too," exclaimed Mr. Barnes. "The thief, ofcourse, could not know whether you saw the act or not, and if a personof high social position it would be too great a risk not to return thepearls."
"So I argued. Of course, had it been a man, he might have taken eventhat risk, believing that my threat was a 'bluff,' as we say in poker.But a woman--a woman would not take such a risk, especially as Ipromised that her purpose could still be fulfilled."
"Now it is my turn to be mystified. Did you not say that your sphinxmaiden was absent? Who else could steal the pearls? What other woman, Imean?"
"Why, no other woman, of course. Therefore it followed that my littlemysterious maiden must have been present, which merely means that assoon as she found that Madame would insist upon having the pearls, sheboldly plotted to recover them. Her first move was to rush off andchange her costume. You see, I was the one she most feared. Othersmight know her face, but they would not know her reasons for committingsuch an act. I could do that but I could recognize her by her costumeonly. Thus I was sure that she was still in the house, thoughdifferently attired."
"How did your plan result?"
"Of course she brought me the pearls, though not until the third day.She delayed action as long as she dared. Then she came to me openly andconfessed everything. It was really a pitiful tale. She was an orphan,living with an aged aunt. She met the young man, and at once they loved.After a time she began to suspect that he was not absolutely true toher, and she followed him to the first masquerade to spy upon him. Sheoverheard enough that night to make her believe that the young man wasmaking a dupe of her. Then she also heard the men plotting the robbery,and feared that he might be hurt. Seeing me she told me enough toprevent that. Then she went home, and brooded over her sorrow until shedecided to go into a convent. Then came the second fete, and thetemptation once more to watch her fickle swain. This time what she heardbrought her happiness, for did he not give up the other woman for her?Did he not even yield up his greatest family treasure, the pearls?
"She decided to recover the pearls, and she had the courage to carry outher purpose. When compelled through fear of arrest to bring them to me,she was delighted to know that they would not be restored to MadameDamien. It was when I told her this, that she drew from her bosom thepink pearl which is now in the centre of the string, but which does notbelong to the set as they came from the brow of the idol.
"'There is a story,' said she, 'that these pearls each represent theprice of a maiden's honor; the price of withdrawing from the service ofGod's temple. So I will add this pearl to the string, for I had promisedto devote myself to God's work, and now I am going to my lover. Thispearl was worn by my mother, and it is said that her mother also woreit, and that her blood stained it the color that it is. Her stupidhusband, my grandfather, doubted her wrongfully and stabbed her with adagger, so that she died. I think the pearl is worthy of a place amongthe others.'
"I took the pink pearl, agreeing with her that it might better be withthe others. Then, as she turned to go, I asked her:
"'Why did you choose the costume of the Sphinx for the ball?'
"Her reply astonished me, as it will you. She said:
"'Why, I did not represent the Sphinx. I was dressed as Isis.'
"A strange coincidence, was it not?"