CHAPTER IX
The string orchestra, adroitly concealed behind a bank of gracefulexotic plants, struck up a languorous waltz, and the couples, only tooeager to respond to the invitation, began to turn and glide over thepolished parquet floor.
Not since its master's departure for South Africa had the Traynorresidence been the scene of so much life and gayety. Every windowliterally blazed with light. From the front door at the top of thehigh stoop down to the edge of the street curb, stretched a canvasawning to protect arriving guests from the inclemency of the weather.
It was a stormy night. The rain was falling in torrents, but no onecared. Everybody was out for a good time and they knew that this wasthe house to get it.
Helen's first impulse had been to postpone the affair, held really incelebration of Ray's birthday, until Kenneth's return, but as this ideahad met with decided opposition from the younger element, she hadreluctantly given way. Besides, there was no knowing when Kennethwould return. Nothing as yet had been heard from him excepting a briefcablegram announcing his safe arrival at Cape Town, and it wasmanifestly unfair to let her own inclinations stand in the way of thehappiness of others. So, after due reflection, she had surrenderedcompletely, giving Ray _carte blanche_ to make what arrangements shechose. That young person did not stand on the order of going. Sheacted at once and sent out invitations to what proved to be one of thebiggest _soirees dansantes_ of the season. Everything was done on amost liberal scale. The house was decorated by Herly, threepicturesque fiddlers were obtained from an agency, and Mazzoni, whoprovides delicacies for the "400," had charge of the catering.
Everybody who was anybody was invited, all Ray's personal friendsbesides a lot of people she did not know so well. A number of Helen'sintimates were there and also some men friends of Mr. Steell and DickReynolds. The girls in their light gowns looked pretty as angels. Themen were handsome, attentive and gallant. Altogether, everyone votedit one of the most enjoyable social affairs of the year.
Ray had danced her sixth waltz and at last utterly exhausted, unable tostand any more, she allowed Dick Reynolds to escort her to a sofa.
"Please get me an ice, will you? That's a dear boy," she gasped.
"Will I!" echoed the youth. "What wouldn't I do for you--fire andwater--that's all!"
"As bad as that?" laughed the girl panting. "Please don't be silly.Go and get me an ice."
Obediently, he left her and forced his way through the throng to thebuffet, while Ray, left alone, started to fan herself vigorously. Asshe sat there Helen passed on the arm of Mr. Parker. The Presidentstopped short and quizzed the young girl.
"You here?" ejaculated the old gentleman in mock amazement. "Whyaren't you dancing? This will never do."
Helen smiled.
"I expect she's tired out. This is the first time I've seen her sitdown all evening."
Ray nodded.
"You've guessed right, sis. I'm nearly dead. I sent Dick for an ice."
"Did you ever see such a crowd?" remarked the president of the A. A. M.Company as he surveyed the throng that passed in and out of the rooms.
"Oh, Mrs. Traynor we're having such a jolly time," exclaimed a tallgraceful girl, gracefully dressed in light blue empire gown withGrecian head dress.
"I'm so glad, dear," smiled the hostess amiably. Turning to Mr. Parkeras the girl passed on she asked: "Do you know who that is?"
He shook his head.
"She's the granddaughter of John R. Rockerford, the money king. Fancyher saying this is jolly after the grandeur she is accustomed to!"
"No doubt she likes this better," retorted Ray. "Those very richpeople don't do things any better than we--sometimes not so well.Their parties are too stiff and formal."
Suddenly Mr. Parker nudged his hostess.
"Here comes Mrs. Brewster-Curtis," he said in a stage whisper. "Theysay her husband's worth ten millions--all made from graft."
A handsome woman, blazing with diamonds, came up. Addressing Helen,she exclaimed gushingly:
"Oh, Mrs. Traynor, isn't this perfectly delightful? How do you do, Mr.Parker. Do you know I haven't enjoyed myself so much this season.What's the news from your dear husband?"
"No news as yet."
"Dear me--you poor thing! How interesting--so pretty and husband away.What an opportunity for some of our gay Lotharios!"
"They wouldn't have much chance with Helen!" laughed Ray.
Mrs. Brewster-Curtis turned, and putting up her gold lorgnon, stared atthe unknown young woman who had been so bold to venture to express anopinion. Ray, meantime, was wondering what detained Dick. Here shewas famishing with thirst and still no ice. Her partner haddisappeared completely.
Addressing her hostess Mrs. Brewster said languidly:
"Your niece, I believe."
"No--my sister," corrected Helen with a smile. It was a mistake oftenmade.
"Of course--of course, how silly of me. I might have known that. Youlook enough alike."
"Do you think so?" interrupted Ray hotly. "Helen is far prettier thanI."
"You are no judge, my dear. You must let the men decide that."
"They do," said Ray, "and they all declare in favor of Helen."
"Not by the way Mr. Steell dodges [Transcriber's note: dogs?] yourfootsteps." Looking up she exclaimed: "There he is now."
"Oh, Mr. Steell," cried Helen, "don't forget our next waltz."
His face all smiles, the lawyer forced his way through the press ofpeople.
"Have you seen Dick?" asked Ray. "I sent him to get me an ice."
Mr. Steell laughed outright.
"Oh, it was you who sent him. If I had known----"
"Why?" demanded Ray, opening wide her eyes. "Where is he? I want myice."
"I'll get you an ice, dear," said Helen.
"No, let me go," exclaimed Mr. Parker.
"No--no one will get the ice but myself," said Mr. Steell. "It's myfault that the ice is not already forthcoming. It is only just that Isuffer accordingly."
Mr. Parker laughed.
"The ice episode threatens to become a diplomatic incident."
"Why--whatever is the matter?" smiled Helen.
The lawyer was so much amused that he could hardly keep his facestraight. With an effort he controlled himself, and said:
"Just now I was talking with a pretty girl and Dick suddenly forced hisway through the crowd, going in the direction of the buffet. I had noidea on what a serious mission he was bound, of course, and so I calledhim to introduce him to the pretty girl, who had with her an aunt, averitable witch, as hideous as a Medusa, and who, in addition, isafflicted with a wooden leg. Dick gave the aunt only a glance. Thatwas enough, but he was all smiles for her pretty niece, who, I mustadmit, is somewhat of a flirt. Anyhow she rolled her eyes soeloquently at him that he forgot all about the important errand onwhich he was bound. Just at that moment the musicians struck up a_schottische_, and, on the spur of the moment, he asked the pretty girlto dance. She declined, with an arch smile, but, pointing to the oldwitch, said her aunt would be delighted. Poor Dick! There was no helpfor it. The Medusa got up, seized him in her claws, and, the lastthing I saw of the poor youth, they were doing a sort of Bunny Hug, thewooden leg of his lady partner marking time on the waxed floor."
"Please stop! If you go on--I shall expire."
Ray was nearly in convulsions of laughter in which all joined. WhenHelen had somewhat regained her composure, she said:
"I think it's unkind to make fun of the poor woman. Who is she?"
"I haven't the least idea. Perhaps Dick will tell us."
At that moment the youth emerged from the throng and came towards them,his linen mussed, his hair dishevelled. But in one hand he held grimlya plate of ice cream. Looking shamelessly at Ray, he smiled:
"I've got it--at last."
"Where have you been all this time?" she demanded innocently.
"Oh, I've been having no end of a good time
!"
Steell burst out laughing.
"Did she ask you to call, Dick?"
"If she had I'd have killed her."
"How did the artificial leg work?"
"She jammed it on my foot once. How it did hurt!"
Ray, by this time, was almost in hysterics, and Helen and the others,catching the contagion, the whole group were soon shaken byuncontrollable laughter.
The orchestra struck up a quadrille. A man came rushing up to Ray.
"My dance, I believe."
With a comical expression of resignation, the young girl allowedherself to be led away, while Helen and Mrs. Brewster-Curtis took seatsto watch the figures.
"Come, Dick," said Steell in an undertone. "Let's go and smoke acigar."
Leading the way he went into the smoking-room, where cigars and liquorswere laid out. Turning to the youth, he inquired eagerly:
"Well--what about the Signor? What have you found out?"
Dick lit a cigarette and then calmly he said:
"Everything."
"What--to be specific."
"He's all and more than we expected."
"In other words--a crook?"
"Yes, and a dangerous one."
"What's his game?"
"Confidence man, bank robber, blackmailer."
"How did you find out?"
"Very easily. I found his record. The police haven't disturbed himbecause his clever disguise has deceived them. They have notrecognized in the polished, suave Signor Keralio, the popular fencingmaster, the man they have been hunting for years. His real name isRichard Barton. His pals call him Baron Rapp. Five years ago he wasconvicted of robbing a bank out West and was sent up for ten years. Heserved a year in Joliet and then broke jail and he has been at libertyever since."
"Good!" exclaimed the lawyer, rubbing his hands with satisfaction."We've got him where we want him. What else?"
"He has managed to elude the police so far owing to the fact that hehas not been operating of late, but from what I've been able to ferretout, he is preparing some big haul. Everything points that way. Idon't know what it is, but it's the biggest thing in which he has yetbeen mixed up. He's affiliated with crooks who operate all over thecountry. Some of his men are disguised as servants and valets in richhouses. They spy on their masters and tell him if there is anythingworth robbing. He is the master-mind that schemes the operations thatothers carry out. He tells his men what banks and homes to break intoand instructs them how to do it. He receives all the stolen property.At this very moment his flat in the Bronx is full of stolen loot. Ialso suspect him of being engaged in counterfeiting."
The lawyer was lost in admiration.
"Dick, you're a wonder!"
The young man grinned with pride.
"Well--what's it to be--shall we tip off the police?"
"Not by a long shot. We'll have the gun loaded--all ready for use. Ifthe Signor gets ugly we'll shoot--that's all. Not a word, do you hear.Leave everything to me. Come, let's go back or they'll thinksomething's wrong."
In the ballroom, they were still dancing the quadrille, the prettygowns of the girls and black coats of the men making a picturesquesight as they blended in the ever changing figures.
The gayety was at its height when the maid entered and whispered in herear:
"There's a gentleman downstairs."
Helen looked at the girl in surprise.
"A gentleman? What's his name?"
"I don't know, m'm. He wouldn't say."
"Very well, I'll go down."
Slipping away unobserved, Helen made her way downstairs and throwingback the heavy tapestry portieres entered the drawing room which wasalmost in complete darkness. The maid had forgotten to switch on theelectrolier and as the only light came from the distant dining-room,the big parlor was practically all in gloom. Before her eyes hadbecome quite accustomed to the dark, a man advanced out of the shadow.It was Signor Keralio.
She recognized him instantly and instinctively she shrank back,alarmed. How had he dared come again to her house after what hadoccurred? He noticed the movement and asked:
"I see that I'm unwelcome. Do I frighten you so much?"
Coldly she answered:
"You do not frighten me. You surprise me. I did not expect thispleasure after what passed between us the last time you were here."Making a half turn, as if about to leave the room, she added quickly:"I have company upstairs. You must excuse me."
She walked away and had almost reached the door, when, with a quickstride, he intercepted her.
"Please don't go. I am here in your own interest. I want to talk toyou--just a moment, about----"
She hesitated.
"About what?" she demanded haughtily.
"About your husband."
"My husband?" she echoed, turning and facing him.
"Yes--your husband. He is in danger. I want to help you and--him."
"Kenneth in danger?" she faltered. "What do you mean?"
He pointed to a chair.
"Won't you sit down. I won't keep you a moment. I will tell youeverything----"
She sat down like one in a dream. Taking a seat near her, he began inhis low, musical tones.
"Peril threatens your husband. It is known that he has gone to SouthAfrica to bring home diamonds of almost inestimable value. A number ofdesperate men, who stop at nothing to accomplish their ends, have takensteps to secure the diamonds at any cost--even at the price of a humanlife."
A chill ran through her, but her voice was firm as she demandedscornfully:
"You know these men--these murderers?"
"Yes--I know them."
Instantly came the bitter retort:
"Maybe you are one of them!"
His eyes flashed in the darkness and his voice vibrated with passion ashe answered:
"I know you think ill of me. You do me an injustice. I have no sharein these men's operations, but I have great power over them. They mustobey my command. They know that and so respect my orders. A word fromme and your husband will be unmolested."
Like the drowning man who in his agony will grasp eagerly at a floatingstraw, Helen seized at the hope his words held out. That Kenneth wasin peril she readily believed. It was a dangerous mission. She hadscented danger from the outset. This man might be lying, and yet hemight have the influence he boasted.
"You can avert the danger?"
He nodded.
"I can."
"How?"
"I will give orders that he be unmolested."
"And they will obey you?"
"They will."
Her face brightened. More amiably she said:
"You'll do this, won't you?"
"Yes--for a price."
"What price?"
"That you recall what you said the other day and restore me to a placein your friendship."
There was no mistaking his true meaning. It was a price noself-respecting woman could pay. She rose indignantly, and haughtilyshe said:
"You have never had a place in my friendship, Signor Keralio, and younever will. I see through your motive and I despise you now all themore. My husband, who is an honorable man, would be the first to havedone with me forever if I entered into any such bargain. He hasmistaken your character. When he returns I will enlighten him, and hewill tell you himself that his wife has no dealings with a scoundrel.As for your threats, and tale of mysterious danger, I don't believe aword you say. But I may think it worth while to cable my husband inorder to put him on his guard and to inform the police. Good night!"
Before he could stop her, she had touched an electric bell and left theroom. The next instant Roberts, the butler, appeared and threw openthe front door. There was nothing to do but go.
She had defied him.