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I understand he is hard as nails in financial matters; but to us the man has disclosed his one weakness ambition to promote his three nieces. Since we have discovered this vulnerable point, let us take advantage of it. I am satisfied the loan of three hundred thousand was but a lure and how cleverly the man gauged us!" Von Taer scowled. "Get your wraps, Diana.
Hedrik Von Taer appeared for an hour this evening. He quietly expressed his satisfaction at the complete arrangements of the Kermess, chatted a moment with his daughter, and then innocently marched over to the flower booth and made a liberal purchase from each of the three girls.
Contempt for herself and contempt for her cousin mingled with well-defined fears for her cherished reputation, and so it was that Miss Von Taer had almost decided to telephone Madame Cerise and order her to escort Louise Merrick to her own home when Beth's card came up with a curt demand for a personal interview. The natures of these two girls had never harmonized in the slightest degree.
Diana Von Taer was stationed in the "Hindoo Booth," and the oriental costume she wore exactly fitted her sensuous style of beauty. To enhance its effect she had worn around her neck the famous string of Von Taer pearls, a collection said to be unmatched in beauty and unequaled in value in all New York.
Arthur's own detective opened the door to them and Diana Von Taer, whom they certainly did not expect to meet here, confronted them with the thrilling statement that Louise had gone. Arthur was the first to recover his wits. "Gone!" he repeated; "gone where?" "She had escaped run away!" explained Diana, in real distress. "When?" asked Uncle John. "Just now. Within an hour, wasn't it, Cerise?"
Von Taer was doubtless solvent, for he controlled large means; but unless a saving hand was extended at this juncture his losses were sure to be severe, and might even cripple him seriously. All this Mr. Merrick shrewdly considered in the space of a few moments. As he left the train he looked at his watch and found it was barely eleven. He decided not to await the hour of appointment.
Presently, while chatting with a group of acquaintances, she suddenly clasped her throat and assuming an expression of horror exclaimed: "My pearls!" "What, the Von Taer pearls?" cried one. "The Von Taer pearls," said Diana, as if dazed by her misfortune. "And you've lost them, dear?" "They're lost!" she echoed. Well, there was excitement then, you may be sure.
I used to weep with mortification when I found myself 'written up'; now, however, I have learned to bear such trials with fortitude if not with resignation." "Forgive me!" said Patsy, contritely. "Somehow I've had a false idea of these things. If I knew you better, Miss Von Taer, you'd soon convert me to be an admirer of society." "I'd like to do that, Miss Doyle, for you interest me.
"They tell me, though," continued the speaker, "that your family has long ago climbed into the top notch of society. You're one o' the big guns in the battery, an' hold the fort against all comers." Von Taer merely bowed. It was scarcely necessary to either admit or contradict the statement.
There were three for the afternoon. At twelve o'clock he had promised to meet Von Taer. "H-m-m. Von Taer." Gazing reflectively from the window he remembered a conversation with a prominent banker some month or so before. "Von Taer," the banker had said, "is an aristocrat with an independent fortune, who clings to the brokerage business because he inherited it from his father and grandfather.
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