Blind Policy Part 23

"What the devil do you mean by that?" cried James Clareborough, savagely, as he tried to reopen the door, but his brother placed his back to it and held him off.

"To keep you cool, old man," growled the younger. "Get him in the Park at this time, with no one near! What did you mean to do?"

"Do what I'll do now."

"Got something in your pocket, old chap?"

"Yes, I have. Let me go out."

"And have a paragraph in the papers to-morrow morning about a discovery in the Park?"

"Yes. Curse him! he's getting dangerous. If he is not silenced, what's to happen next? Let me go, boy. There, he's ringing again. Let me go."

"Not if I can stop it, old man. We've got risks enough as it is."

"Curse you, Paddy, for a fool!" cried the other; and he seized his brother and tried to drag him away, while the great fellow reached down and drew a pistol from his brother's pocket.

"Got your sting, Jem," he cried. "You don't use that to-night."

"Wrong!" cried the other, s.n.a.t.c.hing it away; and as the bell was rung violently again he made for the door.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

a.s.sAULTING THE CASTLE.

Chester stood on the doorstep for some minutes, thinking, in perfect ignorance of what was taking place inside, and twice over he rang the bell, in the determination to enter and confront these men.

But reason stepped in.

"No," he thought, "I could do nothing. For Marion's sake I must bring subtlety to bear, not brute force. And this is leaving England, to try and forget everything," he added, with a mocking laugh. "No; I must stay and unravel it all."

He went home, had recourse to a drug again, and slept heavily till morning, and then, with his brain throbbing painfully from his anxious thoughts, he had left the house, determined to make another effort to obtain speech of Marion. That she was completely under the influence of her friends he felt sure, but if, he told himself, he could only obtain an interview, all might be well.

To this end and full of a fresh project, he took a four-wheeled cab and had himself driven to the end of Highcombe Street, where he bade the driver draw up and wait.

Here he threw himself back in one corner of the vehicle, opened a newspaper so as to screen his face and at the same time enable him to keep a strict watch upon the house.

Fortune favoured him. At the end of an hour he saw the carriage drawn up, and soon after the brothers and their wives came out and were driven off; then the butler stood airing himself upon the step for a time, and finally went in and closed the door.

Chester's heart beat high with hope, and he waited for a few minutes, which seemed to be an hour. Then, telling the man to wait, he was going down the street, when a shout brought him back.

"Beg pardon, sir; you didn't take my number," said the driver, with a grin.

"No, why should I?" said Chester, wonderingly.

"So as to be able to find me agin if you forgets to come back, sir."

"Oh, I see," said Chester, smiling, and then placing a couple of coins in the man's hand. "Don't be afraid; I shall return."

The opportunity had come, and without hesitation Chester went straight to the door and rang.

The butler answered the bell, after keeping him waiting some minutes, for it was not visiting time; and as soon as the man saw who it was he reddened a little and looked indignant.

"Take my card up to Miss Clareborough," said Chester, quietly.

"Not at home, sir."

"Look here, my man, I particularly wish to see your young lady, so have the goodness to take up my card."

"Not at home, sir," repeated the butler, pompously.

"To ordinary visitors, perhaps," said Chester, whose temper was rising at the man's manner; "but she will see me."

"I told you twice over that our young lady wasn't at home, sir," said the butler, more offensive in speech and manner than ever.

"Yes," said Chester, still quietly, "and I know perfectly well that this is only the customary formal reply to ordinary callers. My business is important, and I tell you that Miss Clareborough will see me, so take my card up at once."

"Look here, sir," said the man, insolently; "I have had my orders, and I know what to do. Once more: not at home."

"Am I to understand that you refuse to take up my card?"

"Yes, sir; that's it. They've seen your card, and master said he didn't know you, and if you came again the family was not at home."

"I have nothing to do with your master or his brother, my good fellow.

My business is with Miss Clareborough, and I insist on seeing her."

"Not at home," said the man, shortly; and he drew back to close the door.

But firmly convinced that the lady he desired to see was a prisoner, Chester in his excitement stepped forward, and, to the man's astonishment, entered the hall.

"Now," he said angrily, "no more of this insolence, sir; take or send my card in to Miss Clareborough."

"I say, look here," cried the the butler, whose face grew ruddy and then white, "haven't I told you she isn't at home?"

"Yes, more than once, my good fellow, and I tell you now that she is, and that I will not stir from here until I have seen her."

"Then look here, sir," cried the butler; "I shall send for the police."

"Do--at once," retorted Chester.

The butler's jaw dropped in his astonishment, but he recovered himself, closed the door, and took a few steps further into the hall, Chester following.

"Come, none of that," cried the man. "You'll stop there, and--"

"What's the meaning of this, Mr Roach?" said a familiar voice, and Chester eagerly pressed forward.