Annie, by no means abashed; "with theexception of the necklace. But now, you are a judge of jewels, aren'tyou?"
"Well, I rather flatter myself that I am."
"I saw two or three ladies from this hotel looking at the necklaceyesterday. I was dying to tell you, but I had not an opportunity. I amso awfully afraid it may be snapped up. Do, do come at once and look atit!"
"If they are really fine pearls," said Lady Lushington--"and the oldFrench _noblesse_ were noted for the beauty of some of their gems--itwould be exceedingly cheap--exceedingly cheap at forty pounds. Butthen, of course, the whole thing is a hoax."
"Oh, do, do come and see! It would be such a beautiful present forMay."
"She can't wear ornaments until she is presented," said Lady Lushington.
"Well, but think what even a string of pearls would cost, you know, inBond Street."
"Of course I know I could not get anything decent under a hundredpounds. You say forty pounds. Of course, the thing could be re-set--Would you really like it, May?"
"Like it?" said Mabel, trembling. "I'd--I'd adore it, auntie!"
"Well," said Lady Lushington, "if your conjecture, Miss Brooke, withregard to Mrs Priestley is correct and Mabel has really only spent fortypounds on her dress, I should not mind doing a deal for the necklace;but as things are--"
"As things are," said Annie, "I should not be one scrap surprised if MrsWarden has the necklace already in her possession. It is certain to bebought up immediately, for it is a real bargain."
"In that case," said Lady Lushington, "I had better, Mabel, ring forParker. I will just walk down with you to Zick's. You can both comewith me."
Annie skipped as she ran up to her attic bedroom. Mabel, it may bementioned, had a very nice room on the same floor as her aunt.
Priscie was out and all alone among the mountains. So much the better.Uncle Maurice, in his room which faced west, was listening for a lightfootstep that did not come, for the pressure of a little hand that wasnot present, for the love that he imagined shone out of blue eyes, butwhich in reality was not there. Annie forgot both Priscie and UncleMaurice. Things were going swimmingly. How clever she was! Howabundantly Mabel would thank her and love her and help her all the restof her days!
Lady Lushington, accompanied by the two girls, went to Zick's, and soonbegan the fierce war of words over the necklace. She perceived at oncethat Annie was right, and that the pearls were a very great bargain evenat forty pounds; but she would not have been a true bargain-hunter ifshe did not try to bring Zick to accept lower terms. Unfortunately forher, however, two other ladies had been in the shop that morning, hadexamined the necklace, and had promised to call again. Lady Lushington,in the end, was afraid of losing it. She paid the money, and thenecklace became her property.
"Oh May, you are in luck!" said Annie. "Lady Lushington has bought thisfor you."
Mabel looked longingly at the little box in her aunt's hand.
"Take it, child," said Lady Lushington impulsively. "Be sure you don'tlose it. Let Parker pack it for you to-night with your other smalltrinkets; but on no account wear it until after your presentation.Really, those pearls are so fine that I think they might be re-set forthe occasion. It is my strong impression that I have only given halfthe worth of that necklace to Zick. What an idiot the man must be tosell it so cheap!"
CHAPTER NINETEEN.
A PROFITABLE TRANSACTION.
Annie Brooke was the sort of girl who was sure to be popular wherevershe went. She had already made many friends in the Hotel Belle Vue atInterlaken. Amongst these was a quaint old gentleman with shaggy hair,deep-set eyes, a much-hooked nose, and a decidedly Jewish appearance.Few people were attentive to the old man, and he used to be glad whenAnnie came and sat next him in the big lounge after dinner, and listenedto his rather rambling and rather meaningless talk. But Annie Brookewas the sort of person who does nothing without intent. She never metany one without trying to learn something with regard to that person'speculiarities, that person's past, and, if possible, that person'spresent history.
Now Mr Manchuri was a dealer in gems, and it darted through Annie'sfertile brain as she was returning to the hotel with Lady Lushington andMabel that she might do a little stroke of business both for herself andher friend if she showed the precious necklace to him. The more shethought on this, the more did this idea fascinate her. It would be_very_, very much better than taking the necklace back to Zick oroffering it for sale to some other dealer at Interlaken. The jewellersthere were not so clever with regard to the true value of gems as was MrManchuri; and besides, it was quite on the cards that they might exhibitthe necklace in their windows for sale during the afternoon of that sameday, and there was also a possibility that Lady Lushington, who wasalways rather wayward and uncertain in her movements, might postponegoing to Zermatt for a day or two; in short, it would be very much saferto consult Mr Manchuri with regard to the necklace. He was going toreturn to England that very afternoon. If he took the necklace with himall would be safe; but Annie did not dare to confide her thoughts toMabel. She was certain Mr Manchuri would not betray her, but she had toact warily and with tact.
Now Priscie had gone for a long walk into the mountains, and when shecame back she was very tired. She went accordingly to sit in the lovelyshady garden which was one of the principal features of the hotel. Shechose a comfortable rustic seat under a wide-spreading tree, and sat forsome time with a book on her knee lost in thought. By-and-by Annieentered the garden. She saw Priscilla, and was much annoyed. She knewthat it was Mr Manchuri's custom to smoke in the garden before lunch.She meant to join him and have a pleasant little talk. But the mostshady seat--the seat, in fact, which he generally occupied--was nowfilled by the--to Annie--ungainly figure of Priscilla Weir.
"Oh dear me, Priscilla!" said Annie, pausing when she saw her friend,and looking at her with a great deal of exasperation.
"Yes," said Priscie; "what is the matter?"
"I want to sit just where you are."
"Well, I suppose you can; there is room for two."
"But there isn't room for three," said Annie.
"Three?" said Priscilla. "Who is the third?"
"Oh, never mind," said Annie; "I suppose we'll find another seat. It isMr Manchuri; he is going to England, you know, to-day. He is such anice old man, and I did think I could send a little present by him asfar as London, and then it could be posted to dear old Uncle Maurice. Iwanted to give him a _special_ message about it. But there, nevermind."
"I will go in if I am in the way," said Priscie. She rose hastily andwent towards the house. She felt that Annie was becoming almostunendurable to her. Such a queer, sore sensation was in her heart thatshe almost wondered if she could live through the next term at MrsLyttelton's school in the presence of this girl--this girl so devoid ofprinciple. But then, where were Priscilla's own principles? What righthad Priscilla to upbraid another when she herself was so unworthy? Shecrushed down the dreadful thought, and went back into the house feelinglimp and miserable.
Meanwhile Mr Manchuri walked slowly down the garden in his meditative,cautious fashion, never hurrying in the very least, and gazingabstractedly at a view which he did not in the least admire, for he hadno eyes for the really beautiful things of nature. Nevertheless heconsidered the strong, sweet air of the Swiss mountains good for him,and as such was the case, was satisfied with his surroundings.Presently he caught sight of Annie's white frock. He liked AnnieBrooke; she was a pretty little thing, very good-natured and amusing.He thought to himself how much nicer she was than any other girl in thehotel. She had no nonsensical airs about her, and could listen to anold man's maunderings without showing the slightest sign of weariness.Her eyes were very blue, too, and her hair golden. He did not considerher pretty; no one ever thought Annie Brooke quite pretty; but then shewas charming, and had a way of making a man feel at his very best whilehe talked to her; and she did not object to his smoking.
He acco
rdingly made his way as straight as an arrow from the bow to thecomfortable seat where Priscilla had been reposing, and which Annie hadleft vacant for him. Annie was seated on a far less comfortable chairherself. She was looking straight before her, her hands lying idle inher lap, her hat slightly pushed back. She did not appear to notice MrManchuri until he was close to her side. But when he said, "Hallo, MissBrooke!" she looked up, and a happy smile parted her childish lips.
"Oh, now, this is nice!" she said. "I was wondering if I should see youbefore you went."
"I am not going until late this evening," was the answer.
"I thought you were going this afternoon."
"No; I have decided to travel by night. It is too hot for daytravelling at present."
He sank into a seat and began to pull at his pipe vigorously. Anniegave a gentle sigh.
"What is the matter?" he asked.
She looked at him, glanced round her, and then, dropping her voice to awhisper, said:
"I wonder if I might confide in you."
"Of course you may, Miss Brooke," he said.
"But it is," said Annie, "a most sacred confidence. I mean that if Itell you, you must never tell anybody else."
"I am very honoured, I am sure," said Mr Manchuri. "Now what is thisconfidence, young lady?"
"You will respect it?" said Annie.
"Here is my hand on it," he said; and he laid his wrinkled hand for aminute in her little white one.
"Then it is just this," said Annie. "I have a dear, dear uncle inEngland--Uncle Maurice. He is a clergyman; he is awfully good andsweet, and he is not at all well, and he is not rich, although he hasenough. I am most anxious to send him a little present, something allfrom myself. Now I happened to get this to-day," and she took a boxfrom where it lay concealed in the folds of her dress. "I got thisto-day at Zick's, the jeweller's. You must not ask me what I paid forit. I assure you it was not a great deal, but I am under the impressionthat it is worth far more than Zick has any idea of. I--I want to sellit in order to send a little present to dear Uncle Maurice, and you aresuch a judge of gems and precious stones of all sorts. May I show it toyou? The fact is, I got it as a great bargain; but if you could tell mewhat I ought to ask for it, it would be such a help in disposing of itagain. Do you think you could--and--_would_?"
Mr Manchuri gave Annie a long glance. It was the first very observantglance that he had given her. Hitherto he had simply regarded her as anice, well-mannered, pleasant little girl, who did not mind amusing anold man with little nothings of conversation and little scraps of localnews; but now it seemed to him all of a sudden that he saw somethingmore in her face.
"And how," he asked after a pause--"how is it, Miss Annie Brooke, thatyou happen to know that I am a judge of gems and precious stones?"
Annie did not expect this question, and in consequence she coloured veryvividly. After a pause she said:
"I am always fond of putting two and two together; and don't youremember that evening when you told me the wonderful story of theDuchess of Martinborough's bracelet, and--and--about the ring that wasstolen and sought for afterwards by the Secret Service people?"
"Yes, I remember quite well. Well, go on."
"I thought what a lot you knew about those things. Don't you?"
"Bless your heart, child!" he said, "I am in that trade myself; I havemade a pretty snug fortune in it. Yes, I can glance at your littlebargain and tell you, if you like, whether it is a bargain or not."
"And you remember your promise; you will never tell any one?"
"Honour bright," was his answer.
She then put the box into his hand. He opened it, and took out the oldnecklace with its pearls of various sizes and different shapes, and itsvery quaint, old-world setting. Annie glanced at him and saw a subtlechange creep over his face. He had hitherto regarded the whole thing asa joke. Annie Brooke, child as she was, could not possibly know abargain when she saw it, and those Swiss fellows were as sharp as knivesand never let anything good escape them. And yet, and yet--here wassomething of real merit. Those centre pearls were distinguished--roundand smooth and of the most exquisite colour.
He dangled the thing lightly in his hand.
All the tricks of the trade, all that which had made him the rich oldman what he was, rushed quickly through his brain, and yet he lookedagain at Annie Brooke. For the life of her, Annie could not keep theeagerness out of her eyes.
"Is it a bargain, or is it not?" she said. "Have I been fooled aboutit?"
"Will you tell me in strict confidence what you gave for it?" he asked.
Annie had hoped he would not put this question to her.
"I was a little mad, I think," she said. "I gave my all for it."
"That tells me nothing. What is your all?"
"Forty pounds," she said in a choked sort of voice.
"Were you not rather unwise to part with your last penny?"
"You don't understand," said Annie, who, having at last declared a partof the truth, felt better able to go on. "I have studied pearls a greatdeal; and Uncle Maurice, dear Uncle Maurice, has taught me their truevalue and something of their history, and I guessed that this was reallycheap, and thought I could sell it for more."
"By Jove!" said Mr Manchuri, "you are the sharpest girl I ever saw. Howold are you?"
"Seventeen," said Annie.
"God help the man who marries you!" said Mr Manchuri under his breath.
"What did you say?" asked Annie.
"Nothing, nothing, my dear. Of course I admire your cleverness. Well,you have come to the right person. I will give you one hundred poundsfor this necklace; there, now."
"And you won't say anything about it?" said Annie, who felt at oncefaint and delighted, overpowered with joy, and yet subdued by an awfulweight of apprehension.
"Nothing to any one in this hotel. But the thing is a curio, and Ishall probably sell it for double what I give you. I do not concealanything from you. Miss Annie Brooke. You might try for ever, and youwould find it difficult to get your forty pounds back. But I, who am inthe trade, am in a different position. Had I gone to Zick before you, Iwould have probably bought the thing for thirty pounds and thought noshame to myself for doing so. But I won't cheat a young lady,particularly such a very clever young lady, and you shall have yourhundred pounds at once. Here; I have notes on my person. You wouldprefer them to a cheque?"
"Oh yes, please!" Annie trembled with joy.
Mr Manchuri counted out ten ten-pound notes, and Annie gave him thequaint pearl necklace.
She then lingered a little longer trying to talk on indifferent matters,but her interest in the old Jew was gone, and, as a matter of fact, shedid not want to see him any more.
As to the old man himself, he felt that he hated her; but he was glad tohave made a good stroke of business, although he was very rich. Thatwas always worth something. He would in all probability clear onehundred and fifty pounds on the necklace, which would more than pay forhis trip abroad and for the benefit he had derived from the air of theSwiss mountains.
Annie went into the house, rushed up to Mabel's room, and, taking threeten-pound notes out of her pocket, said exultantly:
"There, I have done it! Now who is clever?"
"Oh, you are," said Mabel. "But where did you sell it, and to whom? Wemust keep Aunt Henrietta from going to any of the shops to-day."
"Oh, we will easily manage that," said Annie. "She is going to have alittle drive after lunch, and I am going with her--trust me. We mustget to Zermatt to-morrow. Now I am going to write a long letter to MrsPriestley enclosing this. I shall barely have time before _dejeuner_."When that day Annie Brooke did sit down to _dejeuner_ she consideredherself a remarkably wealthy young woman, for she had in her possessionnearly eighty pounds, every one of which she intended to keep for herown special aggrandisement; and Mrs Priestley was paid--paid in full,with a long explanatory letter desiring her emphatically to send anaccount to L
ady Lushington which would only amount to forty pounds.
Annie was exceedingly pleased. The colour of excitement bloomed on hercheeks; her eyes looked quite dark. At these times she was so nearlypretty that many people remarked on her and turned to look at her again.She was in her wildest, most captivating mood, too, and Priscillalooked by her side both limp and uninteresting. If only Priscilla wouldgo. Her very face was a reproach. Annie wondered if she couldaccomplish this feat also. Mr Manchuri could take her to England. Whatan excellent idea, if Annie could only work it!
"I have had everything else I wanted to-day," thought the girl, "and ifI can do this one last thing I will see the pinnacle of my successreached."
"You will come for a drive, won't you?" said Annie, bending towards LadyLushington as the tedious meal of _dejeuner_ was coming to an end.
Lady Lushington yawned slightly.
"Oh, I don't know," she said; "the heat is so great that I have notenergy for anything. I wonder if I ought to travel to-morrow."
"Oh yes," said Annie; "it will be cooler at Zermatt."
"That is true; but the journey--"
"We have taken our rooms in the hotel, have we not?" said Annie.
"Well, that is just it; I am not sure. I telegraphed this morning tothe `Beau Sejour,' but have