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It was an old invention of thieves and possessed no originality. I wondered that Rayne's friends employed such a contrivance, which, of course, was useful when it became necessary that valuable objects should disappear. "Well, and what of it?" I asked, as, opening the case, he took out my collar-box and replaced it upon the table. "I am told that you are on very friendly terms with Lady Lydbrook.
Rayne's history before her marriage?" I said to Frank as I joined him in his walk. "Nothing to speak of only she was a widow." "Oh!" said I, feeling that a spot or two had suddenly appeared on the face of the sun. "That's nothing against her, is it?" "No, but I have no patience with second marriages." "Nor first ones, either," said Frank wickedly.
All that had already happened had so astonished me that I was only slightly surprised at finding a few moments later that the lady I had seen at Overstow Hall, and again a couple of hours before in the vestibule of the hotel, was Duperré's wife. He must, I think, have told her that we had met before, for she seemed in no way astonished at Mr. Rayne's chauffeur being presented to her.
Everyone raved about Honor, and with reason, it was quite amusing to see how demonstrative the majority of the young ladies present tried to be with her, intending that this lavish display should be interpreted by the rest as a mark of the familarity which existed between them and Henry Rayne's handsome protegee.
"Never mind the consequences," her guardian answered good-humoredly. And so it was settled that there would be a grand ball at Mr. Rayne's house during Christmas week; the invitations were issued and busy preparations begun by all hands. The long drawing room and library were opened into one, and all their furniture conveyed into other apartments.
Then, turning to me, he said: "You'll keep one door, Hargreave, and I'll keep the other, while Mr. Blumenfeld gives information." Thus we waited. But I was sorely puzzled as to the whereabouts of the stolen bonds. If Duperré had taken them, how had he got rid of them? That he had done so was quite plain by Rayne's open attitude.
Rayne's door to ascertain how he had passed the night, but as she reached it, she met Aunt Jean coming out, with her forefinger on her lip, and whispering "Sh sh " in such premature warning, that Honor looked bewildered as she enquired the cause. "He is sleeping nicely now, run off, we must not disturb him, it is such a natural little sleep," Madame d'Alberg said in a low voice. "Oh, is that it?"
Rayne was called to London quite unexpectedly upon some very urgent business. He presents his apologies and asks whether you can manage to meet him in London when it is convenient to you. Will you telephone to him?" And I gave him the address of Rayne's rooms. "His apologies!" echoed the Italian, with a very marked accent and a gesture of ridicule.
I, alas! dropped into the trap, whereupon she, on her part, compelled me to steal old Madame Rodanet's wonderful ruby; and thus, though I confess it to my shame, I became an actual thief and one of Rudolph Rayne's active agents. What happened to me further I will now tell you.
Whether her father had inadvertently dropped a word in her presence I know not, but she had somehow become aware that I had received orders to travel with Mr. Lloyd to Spain. What was intended? The "business" upon which I was being sent to Spain was some coup which Rayne's ever-active brain had carefully conceived.
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