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'I don't want to hear it, retorted the other, harshly, having an intuitive idea what the story would be about. 'Possibly not, replied M. Vandeloup, smoothly; 'nevertheless it is my wish that you should hear it. Meddlechip looked as if he were inclined to resent this plain speaking, but after a pause evidently thought better of it, and went on tranquilly eating his supper.
Gollipeck, with his greasy coat, all rucked up behind his neck, and his frayed shirt cuffs coming down on his ungainly hands, sat sternly silent, so Vandeloup, after contemplating him for a few moments, had to begin the battle. 'My room is untidy, is it not? he said, nodding his head carelessly at the chaos of furniture. 'I'm going away for a few days.
All this precaution was somewhat needless, as he was talking rapidly in French, but then M. Vandeloup knew that walls have ears and possibly might understand foreign languages.
Being such a favourite entailed going out a great deal, and as no one can pose as a man of fashion without money, M. Vandeloup soon found that his capital was rapidly melting away. He then went in for gambling, and the members of The Bachelors, being nearly all rich young men, Gaston's dexterity at ecarte and baccarat was very useful to him, and considerably augmented his income.
A whole month had elapsed since Madame had engaged M. Vandeloup and his friend, but as yet the Devil's Lead had not been found. Madame, however, was strong in her belief that it would soon be discovered, for her luck the luck of Madame Midas was getting quite a proverb in Ballarat.
'M. Vandeloup, she said, in her clear voice, 'will you kindly come here a moment? 'Certainly, Madame, said Gaston, rising with alacrity from the piano, and coming to the fireside; 'is there anything I can do? 'You have heard of Miss Marchurst's disappearance? she asked, looking up at him.
Vandeloup stooped down to the portmanteau lying open at his feet, and picked up a revolver, which he pointed straight at Gollipeck. 'You make an excellent target, he observed, quickly, putting his finger on the trigger. Dr Gollipeck sat down, and arranged his handkerchief once more over his knees. 'Very likely, he answered, coolly, 'but a target you won't practise on.
'Yes, she replied, quietly, 'he is a most delightful man. 'So I have heard, answered Vandeloup, nonchalantly, 'and he had something to do with a former owner of this house, I think. 'Oh, don't talk of that, said Mrs Villiers, nervously; 'the first time I took the house, I heard all about the Hansom Cab murder. 'Why, Madame, you are not nervous, said Kitty, gaily.
Vandeloup laid the pistol down on the mantelpiece with a laugh, lit a cigarette, and, sitting down in a chair opposite Gollipeck, began to talk. 'You are a brave man, he said, coolly blowing a wreath of smoke, 'I admire brave men. 'You are a clever man, retorted the doctor; 'I admire clever men. 'Very good, said Vandeloup, crossing one leg over the other.
'Oh, I, said M. Vandeloup, airily; 'I am going to the Wattle Tree Hotel to see my friend Pierre off to Melbourne. Then he exerted himself to amuse Kitty as they walked down to town, and succeeded so well that by the time they reached Lydiard Street, where Kitty left him to go up to Black Hill, she was laughing as merrily as possible.
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