CHAPTER XIV.
[_Colonel Annesley resumes._]
I left my narrative at the moment when I had promised my help to thelady I found in such distress in the Engadine express. I promised itunconditionally, and although there were circumstances in her case toengender suspicion, I resolutely ignored them. It was her secret, andI was bound to respect it, content to await the explanation I feltsure she could make when so minded.
It was at dinner in the dining-car, under the eyes of her persecutor,that we arranged to give him the slip at Basle. It was cleverlyaccomplished, I think.
[_Here the Colonel gives an account of all that happened between Basleand Brieg; and as the incidents have been already described by Falfaniit is unnecessary to retell them, except to note that Annesley hadquickly discovered the detective's escape outside Goeschenen and lostno time in giving chase._]
As may be supposed I rejoiced greatly on reaching Brieg to find thatFalfani had been bitterly disappointed. It was plain from the telegramthat was handed to him on arrival, and which so upset him that hesuffered me to take it out of his hand and to read it for myself, thata friend, his colleague, no doubt, had been checked summarily atLausanne. He said he had lost "her," the lady of course.
I was not altogether happy in my mind about her, for when we hadparted at Brieg it had been settled that she should take the Simplonroute through this very place Brieg, at which I now found myself sounexpectedly, and I ought to have come upon her or had news of hersomewhere had her plans been carried out. She certainly had notreached Brieg, for with my ally l'Echelle we searched the town fornews of her that night and again next morning.
The situation was embarrassing. I could decide upon no clear coursebut that of holding on to Falfani and clinging to him with the veryskin of my teeth; any light must come from or through him, or at leastby keeping him in full view I might prevent him from doing any moremischief.
One of us, l'Echelle or myself, continually watched him all that day,the third of this curious imbroglio into which I was plunged. At nightI took the strong and unjustifiable measure of locking him into hisroom.
When he discovered it next morning he was furious, and came straightat me open-mouthed.
"I'll appeal to the law, I'll denounce you to the authorities, I'llcharge you with persecution and with false imprisonment. You shall bearrested. I'll be rid of you somehow, you shall not stay here, youshall leave Brieg."
"With all my heart--when you do. Have I not told you that already?Where you go I go, where you stay I stay."
"But it is most monstrous and abominable. I will not submit to it. Youhave no sort of right to act in this way. Why is it?"
"You can guess my reasons, surely. Only it is not for your _beauxyeux_; not because I like you. I loathe and detest you. You are a low,slimy spy, who richly deserves to be thrashed for bullying a lady."
"I'll have you to know, sir, that I am fully entitled to act as I amdoing," he said with a consequential air. "I am the representative ofa court of law; I have great people at my back, people who will soonbring you to book. Wait a little, we shall see. You'll sing a verypoor song when you have to do with a nobleman. The Right Honourablethe Earl of Blackadder will arrive shortly. I hope this veryafternoon. You can settle it with him, ah! How do you like that, eh?"
I laughed him to scorn.
"Psha, man, you're an ass. I've told you before now what I think ofLord Blackadder, and if it be necessary I'll tell him to his face whenhe gets here."
This conversation took place just before the _table-d'hote_ luncheon,and immediately afterwards Falfani went out in the direction of therailway station. I followed, keeping him in sight on the platform,where, by and by, I saw him, hat in hand, bowing obsequiously before apassenger who alighted from the incoming train. It would have beenenough for me had I not already known Lord Blackadder by sight. Theywalked back together to the hotel, and so, at a certain distance, didI.
I was lounging about outside the house, wondering what would happennext, when a waiter came out to me bearing a card, which he tendered,bowing low, more in deference to the card, as I thought, than to me.
"Earl of Blackadder" was the name engraved, and written just below inpencil were the words, "would like to speak to Colonel Annesley atonce."
"Well, I've no objection," I began, stiffly. I thought the summons atrifle too peremptory. "Where is he?"
The waiter pointed back to the hotel, and I saw a white, evil faceglowering at me from a window on the ground floor of the hotel. Thevery look on it stirred my bile. It was an assumption of superiority,of concentrated pride and exaggerated authority, as though everyonemust yield to his lightest wish and humble himself in the dust beforehim. I resented this, and slipping the card carelessly in my pocket, Inodded to the waiter, who still stood awaiting my reply.
"Will monsieur come?" he asked.
"No. Tell his lordship he will find me here if he wants me. That willdo," and I waved him off.
Soon afterwards Lord Blackadder came out. Mahomet came to themountain. I liked his face less than ever. It wore an angry scowlnow; his dark eyes glittered balefully under the close-knit eyebrows,his lips were drawn down, and the curved nose was like the aggressivebeak of a bird of prey.
"Colonel Annesley, I understand," he said coldly, contemptuously, justlifting one finger towards the brim of his hat.
"That is my name," I responded, without returning the salute.
"I am Lord Blackadder; you will have had my card. I desired to addressyou somewhat more privately than this." He looked round the open yardin front of the hotel. "May I hope you will accompany me to my rooms?I have to speak to you on a matter that concerns you very closely."
"That I cannot admit. There can be nothing between you and me, LordBlackadder, that concerns me very closely; nothing that the wholeworld may not hear."
"What I have to say might prove very unpleasant to you in the telling,Colonel Annesley. You would be well advised in agreeing that ourinterview should be private."
"I can't see it, and I must tell you plainly that I do not care onejot. Say what you please, my lord, and, if you like, as loud as youplease, only be quick about it."
"With all my heart, then, if you will have it so. I wish to tell you,Colonel Annesley, that you have taken a most unwarrantable liberty inmixing yourself up with my affairs."
"I am not aware that I have done so."
"You shall not trifle with me, sir. Your conduct is inexcusable,ungentlemanlike."
"Take care, my lord," I broke in hotly.
"People who forget themselves so far as you have done must accept theresponsibility of their own actions; and I tell you, here and now,that I shall call you to strict account for yours."
The man was trying me hard, but still I strove to keep my temper.
"I don't care that for your opinion, and I do not allow that you are ajudge of what is gentlemanlike. No one would do so who had read thepublic prints lately."
"How dare you, sir, refer to my conduct, or presume to criticize orquestion it?" he burst out.
"Ta, ta, ta! It is a real pleasure to me to tell you what I think ofyou, Lord Blackadder; and as I am ready to give you everysatisfaction, I shall not stint myself."
"I insist upon satisfaction."
"By all means. It can be easily arranged. We are within a short stepof either France or Italy, and in both countries the old-fashionedplan of settling affairs of honour is still in force. We shall findfriendly seconds in the nearest garrison town, and I shall be glad tocross the frontier with you whenever you please."
"You talk like the hectoring, swashbuckling bully that you are," hecried angrily, but looking rather uncomfortable.... "I will swear thepeace against you."
"Do so by all means. It would be like you. A man who would descend toespionage, who could so cruelly misuse a lady, is capable of anything;of making assertions he cannot substantiate, of threatening things hedare not do."
"I have the clearest proof of what I say. You have chosen to c
ome intomy life--"
"I should be extremely sorry to do so."
"Will you deny that you have sided with my enemies, that you havejoined and abetted them in a base plot to defraud and rob me ofmy--my--property, of that which I most highly value and cherish ofall my possessions?"
"I don't know what you are talking about, Lord Blackadder, butwhatever your grievance I tell you candidly that I do not like yourtone or your manner, and I shall hold no further converse with you."
I turned my back on him and walked away.
"Stay, stay. You must and shall hear me out. I've not done with you."He came hurrying after me, following close and raising his voicehigher and higher. "Your very presence here is an offence. You have noright to be here at all."
"Do you think that you own all Switzerland, my noble earl?" I answeredover my shoulder as I walked on. "It is not your ground to warn meoff."
"I tell you you shall not remain here to annoy me and work against me.I forbid it, and I will put a stop to it. I give you plain warning."
"You know you are talking nonsense. I shall go my own road, and I defyyou to do your worst."
Here, when I was on the threshold of the hotel, I met Falfani full,as he came running out excitedly, holding in his hand the telltaleblue envelope, which, with his elated air, indicated clearly that hehad just received important news.
I paused for a moment, hoping he might commit himself, and wasrewarded by hearing him say aloud:
"It is from Geneva, my lord, from Ludovic Tiler," he beganindiscreetly, and was angrily silenced by my lord, who called him "atriple-dyed idiot," and with a significant gesture towards me bade himwalk away to some distance from the hotel.
The mischief was done, however, for I had of course heard enough toknow that the other detective had given signs of life at last, andthat the report, to judge by Falfani's glee, must be satisfactory. Themore pleased the other side, the more reason to fear that matters wereadverse on ours.