house in Porchester Terrace.I was ceremoniously shown into the drawing-room by the grey-headed oldbutler, and presently Mrs Tremayne, an angular old person in a cap withyellow ribbons, appeared, staring at me through her gold-rimmedspectacles and carrying my card in her hand.
I had met her on one occasion only, in the days when Ella and I used tomeet in secret in those squares about Bayswater, and I saw that she didnot recollect me.
"I have called," I said, "to ask if you can tell me whether yourbrother, Mr Murray, is in London. I heard that he and Miss Ella havegone back to Wichenford, but I think that they may possibly be in townjust now. I have only to-day returned from abroad, and do not want tojourney down to Worcestershire if they are in London."
She regarded me for a few moments with a puzzled air, then said in ahard, haughty voice: "Your name is somehow familiar to me. Am I rightin thinking that you were the Mr Leaf whom my niece knew two or threeyears ago?"
"I am," I replied. "I have met Miss Murray again, and our friendshiphas been resumed."
"Then if that is so, sir," replied the old lady, glaring at me, "I haveno information whatever to give you concerning her. I wish yougood-afternoon." And the sour old lady touched the bell.
"Well, madam," I said, in rising anger, "I believed that I was callingupon a lady, but it seems that I am mistaken. I fail to see any reasonfor this treatment. You surely can tell me if your brother is in town?"
"I refuse to say anything. My brother's affairs are no concern of mine,neither are yours. There was quite sufficient unpleasantness on thelast occasion when you were running after Ella. It seems you intend toresume your tactics."
"On the contrary, I hear that your niece is engaged to be married to agentleman named Gordon-Wright."
"That is so," she answered, thawing slightly and readjusting herglasses. "They are to be married very soon, I believe. The wedding wasfixed for Thursday week, but it has been postponed for a short time. Mybrother is much gratified at the engagement. Mr Gordon-Wright is sucha nice gentleman, and just fitted to be her husband. He dined here aweek ago, but has now gone abroad."
"And you found him charming?" I asked, though I fear that my voicebetrayed my sarcasm.
"Most charming. They appear to be an extremely happy couple."
"And because you think I have an intention to come between them, MrsTremayne, you refuse to answer a simple question!"
"I am not bound to answer any question put to me by a stranger," was herhaughty reply.
"Neither am I bound to return civility for incivility," I said. "Icongratulate this Mr Gordon-Wright upon his choice, and at the sametime will say that when we meet again, madam, you will perhaps be atrifle less insulting."
"Perhaps," she said; and as the butler was standing at the open door Iwas compelled to bow coldly and follow him out.
As he opened the front door I halted a moment and said, as though I hadforgotten to make inquiry of his mistress:--
"Miss Ella is staying here--is she not?"
"Yes, sir," was the man's prompt reply. "She came up from the countryyesterday."
I thanked the man, descended the steps, and walked along PorchesterTerrace wondering how best to act. Of love there is very little in theworld, but many things take its likeness.
I must see my love at all costs. She had continued to postpone hermarriage so as to allow me time to unmask her enemy and free her fromthe peril which threatened.
Gordon-Wright was abroad. Therefore a secret meeting with Ella was allthe easier. Yes, I would keep watch upon that house, as I had done inthe days long ago, and see if I could not meet her and make anappointment. To write to her would be unwise. It was best that Ishould see her and reassure her.
Therefore through all the remainder of the afternoon I waited about inthe vicinity, but in vain. Even if she went out to dine, or to thetheatre, she certainly would return to her aunt's to dress, and, sureenough, just before seven, she came along in a hansom in the directionof the Park.
I was about to raise my hat as my dear one passed, when I suddenlydiscovered that she was not alone. By her side, elegant in silk hat andfrock-coat, sat the clean-shaven man who held her enthralled.
He was therefore not abroad, as the snappy old woman had said.
I turned my face quickly to the wall, so that neither should recogniseme, and passed on.
For three days in succession I kept almost constant watch along thatwide-open thoroughfare. Several times I saw Mr Murray, but hesitatedto come forward and greet him. Mrs Tremayne drove out each afternoonin her heavy old landau and pair, but curiously enough I saw nothingfurther either of Ella or of the man to whom she was betrothed.
The hours of that vigil were never-ending. I wanted my dear one to knowthat I was awaiting her. Time after time I passed the house in the hopethat she would recognise me from the window, but never once did I catchsight of her.
One afternoon I received a telegram from Miller asking me to call at thehotel. I did not know that they were still in London. On arrival Ifound him with Lucie. There was another caller, a middle-aged Americannamed George Himes, who appeared to be an intimate friend. After someconversation we all four went out together, and subsequently Mr Himes,who seemed a very amusing type of shrewd New Yorker, invited all of usto his rooms to dinner--to take pot-luck, as he called it.
At first I declined, feeling myself an interloper. Miller's friendswere such a mixed lot that one never knew whether they were thieves,like himself, or gentlemen. Himes appeared to be a gentleman.Therefore on being pressed to join the party I consented, and later onwe drove to a cosy little flat at Hyde Park Gate, where we dined mostexcellently, Lucie joining us when we smoked our cigars.
Himes, a rather stout rosy-faced man, seemed a particularly pleasantcompanion and full of a keen sense of humour, therefore the eveningpassed quite merrily. Miller and he were old friends, I gathered, andhad not met for quite a long time.
"You won't go for a minute or two, Mr Leaf," he said, when, soon aftereleven o'clock, Miller drained his glass and with Lucie rose to leave."You'll get home to Shepherd's Bush quickly from here." And thuspersuaded, I remained and joined him in a final glass of whisky andsoda.
We were alone in the pretty little smoking-room, lounging in the longlow cane chairs. My host was lazily blowing rings of smoke towards theceiling and remarking what a very excellent fellow Miller was, when Iraised my whisky to my lips and took a gulp. It tasted curious, yet Idid not like to spit it out or to make any remark.
My host, I noticed, had his eyes fixed strangely upon me, as thoughwatching my countenance.
In an instant I grew alarmed. His face had changed. Its good-humourhad given place to an expression of hatred and triumph.
At the same moment I felt a strange sensation of nausea creeping overme, a chill feeling ran down my spine, while my throat contracted, andmy limbs became suddenly paralysed.
"You scoundrel!" I cried, staggering to my feet and facing him. "Iknow now! You've poisoned me--you devil!"
"Yes," he laughed, with perfect sangfroid. "You are one of JimmyMiller's crowd, and one by one I shall exterminate the lot of you! Iowe this to you!"
I swayed forward as I drew my revolver to defend myself, but nextinstant he had wrenched it from my nerveless grasp.
I saw his grinning exultant face in mine. There was the fire of murderin his eyes.
Then I sank to the floor and knew no more. He had mistaken me for oneof Miller's accomplices, and I was helpless in his revengeful hands.
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.
TWO MYSTERIES.
My first recollections were of endeavouring to see through a blood-redcloud that hid everything from my distorted vision.
The pains in my head and through my spine were excruciating, while mythroat burned as though it had been skinned by molten lead poured downit. I tried to speak, but my tongue refused to move. I couldarticulate no sound.
I felt the presence of persons about me, people who moved an
d spokesoftly as though in fear of awaking me. My eyes were, I believe,wide-open, and yet I could not see.
Some liquid was forced between my teeth by an unseen hand, and I drankit eagerly, for it was deliciously cold and refreshing.
Then I fell asleep again, and I believe I must have remained unconsciousfor a long time.
When at last I opened my eyes, I found myself in a narrow, hospital bed.A row of men in other beds were before me, and a nurse in uniform wasapproaching from the opposite side of the ward.
I turned my head, and saw that a rather plain-faced nurse was seatedbeside me, holding my hand, her finger, I believe, upon my pulse, whileon the opposite side sat a bald-headed man in uniform--a policeconstable.
"Where am I?" I managed to ask the nurse.
"In St George's Hospital, and you may congratulate yourself