by Guy Boothby
CHAPTER XIV.
PLOTTING AND PLANNING.
Directly I realised who my guest was, I rushed forward and seized hishand with a show of delight greater than, I believe, I have ever feltat meeting a man before or since. If I had been given the pick of allmen in the world at that particular juncture in my life's history, Ibelieve I should have declared for _him_.
"We had no idea that you were in England," I said when the firstexcitement had somewhat subsided. "Both Alie and I thought you wereten thousand miles away. You have heard the awful news, I suppose."
"How could I help it when every board in the streets sets it forth,and all the paper boys are bellowing the latest news of the capture ofthe Beautiful White Devil. But I want to know the real facts."
"You shall know everything directly. But first tell me what hasbrought you home in this providential manner?"
"I came because I heard that Barkmansworth was coming. I received awarning from Hong Kong that he had applied for leave, and I knew thatif he found out her ladyship was in England he would lose noopportunity of revenging himself for that affair outside Singapore.But he got away before me, and my welcome to London yesterday was thenews of her ladyship's arrest. You did not see me at the preliminaryexamination this morning, I suppose?"
"No! I certainly did not. And I thought I scanned every face."
"And yet I was standing beside you all the time!"
"Good gracious, how do you mean?"
"Pray tell me who stood next to you? Wasn't it a medium sizedmilitary-looking man in a much worn frock coat with a velvet collar?"
"Now I come to think of it, it was!"
"Well, I was that man. I'm beginning to think my disguises areartistic after all."
"But _why_ all this disguise? What are you afraid of in London?"
"I am afraid of our friend Barkmansworth, if you want to know. I wasthe man who took him off the mail boat, remember, and my face must beunpleasantly familiar to him. If he saw me, I should be arrestedwithin an hour, and whatever happens, seeing the work that lies beforeus, that must not!"
"Do you think you can be of use to her ladyship in her defence then?"
"It must never come to a defence. It would be fatal to allow her to besent to Hong Kong. They would convict her at once. No! There isnothing for it but for us to plan some means of escape for her, andyet, when one thinks how perfect English police arrangements are, thatseems wellnigh impossible. However, done it must be, by hook or crook,and we must set about it at once."
"But how? Have you any idea in your head?"
"Not at present, but it will be strange if I don't hit upon one beforevery long. If only her ladyship could help us!"
"Wait one moment. Perhaps she can. When I left her this afternoon shegave me a note, which I was not to open until I got home. Let us seewhat it says."
I took it out of my waistcoat pocket, opened it, and read it aloud. Itcertainly contained the germs of an idea and ran as follows:
"I have been thinking over what we spoke of this morning and it seems to me that, if I am to escape at all, the attempt must be made during the time I am being conveyed from Bow Street to Holloway in the prison van. The question is whether sufficient temptation could be put before the driver and the guard to induce them to assist me. Will you think this out?"
When I had finished reading, I asked Walworth for his opinion. But fornearly five minutes he allowed no sign to escape him to show that hehad heard my question, only laid himself back in his chair, looked upat the ceiling, and meanwhile slowly tore my newspaper into rags. Whenhe had finished his work of destruction, he sat up straight andslapped his hand on his knee.
"Her ladyship is always right. I believe I _do_ see a way now!"
"What is it?" I asked, in almost breathless excitement.
"You must not ask me just yet. I'll go away and make a few inquiriesfirst. To-night at nine o'clock I'll come back here, and we'll go intothe matter thoroughly. For the present then, good-bye, and keep upyour heart. Have no fear, we'll rescue her yet."
There was something so strong and confident about the man that thisassurance roused and braced me like a tonic. I stopped him, however,before he could reach the door.
"One word first, Walworth. Do you know the position in which I standtowards Alie?"
"I know that you were to have been married within the next threeweeks, if that's what you mean?" he answered. "And so you shall be yetif I can bring it about. Dr. De Normanville, you have got a woman forwhom we all would die. This is your chance to show yourself worthy ofher, and, if you will allow me to say so, I think you will. I am yourfaithful servant as well as hers, remember that. Now I must go!"
"Good luck go with you!"
I let him out by the front door, and then went back to my room to tryand discover what the idea could be that he had got into his fertilebrain. I felt I would have given anything to have known something alittle more definite. However, as I _didn't_ know, there was nothingfor it but to exercise my patience until nine o'clock should arrive.
It may be guessed how anxiously I watched the hands of the clock uponmy mantelpiece. At last, however, they drew round to the appointedhour and I prepared myself for Walworth's arrival. But, though I sawno sign of him, I had not very long to wait for a visitor. The laststroke of nine had hardly died away before my ear caught a ring at thebell and a moment later a "Mr. Samuel Baker" was ushered into theroom. As he entered, I took stock of him, half fearing he might besome sort of police officer in disguise. He was a stout, ratherpompous man of middle height, with fluffy whiskers, clean shaven chinand upper lip, and from his dress might have been a linen draper orsmall tradesman from some cathedral town. Having warmly shaken handswith me he put his top hat down on a chair, seated himself on another,mopped his forehead with a red bandanna handkerchief, took off andcarefully wiped his spectacles, returned them to his nose, and thensaid quietly, "What do you think of this for a make-up, Dr. DeNormanville?"
"Walworth," I cried, in utter amazement. "You don't really mean to sayit's you. I was just beginning to wonder how I should manage to ridmyself of Mr. Samuel Baker before you should arrive. You are certainlya genius at concealing your identity, if ever there was one."
"I have had to do it so often," he replied, "that I have reduced it toa science."
"Have you anything to report?"
"A good deal," he answered. "But before I begin, may I light acheroot? I see from the ash trays you smoke in here!"
"Smoke as much as you please," I replied. "May I also offer you somerefreshment. Perhaps you haven't dined? If so, I can tell them tobring you up something!"
"No, thank you," he answered; "I have dined, and excellently. Now letus get to business without any further waste of time."
"With all the good will in the world," I said, seating myself again."Go on. Tell me all."
"Well! in the first place, you must understand that when I left herethis afternoon I went for a walk to think out my plan. To begin with,I saw quite clearly that any attempt to rescue her ladyship fromeither Bow Street police station itself or Holloway Gaol would only bea farce, and by proving a failure would end by completely spoiling thewhole thing. I settled it, therefore, that the only time when it couldbe done, with any hope of success, would be on the journey _from_ thecourt _to_ the prison. In other words, during the time she is in thevan. But how that is to be managed is more difficult to see. To bribethe officials, as her ladyship suggests, would be altogether toohazardous a proceeding, even if it were possible, nor is it to beimagined that we could secure the van for ourselves."
"It seems a very difficult matter."
"Difficult, certainly, but by no means as hopeless as you would beinclined to suppose. No! I have an idea in my head that lookspromising, and you must assist me in carrying it out."
"You have every reason to know that you may count upon my doing that,"I answered. "Who would so gladly assist as I?"
"Of course I understand that, but I have t
o warn you that this willmean, either way you look at it, social extinction for you. If itfails and we are caught, you are done for as far as your reputationhere is concerned. If we are not caught, well, I suppose you will flywith her, and in that case you will certainly never see Englandagain."
"Do you suppose I shall allow my own social position to weigh with me,if by risking it I can save her?"
"No, I don't think you will. But now let me detail my scheme as I havethought it out. In the first place I have ascertained that the vanleaves the prison at a definite hour every day. It drives down, takesthe prisoners up, and drives back again. This being so, it is certain,as I have said before, that it must be stopped on its way _from_ theprison _to_ the court, and in such a way that it cannot go on againfor at least half an hour. In the meantime another van must drive downequipped in every way like the real one. This one will take up theprisoner and drive off. Once out of sight of the station it will driveinto the yard of an empty house, a conveyance will then be in waitingin the other street, her ladyship passes through the house, gets intothat and drives off to a railway station; there a Pullman must be inreadiness to take her to the seaside, whence a yacht will convey herto some place where we can have the _Lone Star_ to meet her. I shallcable to Patterson to set off and be in readiness to pick us updirectly we have decided where that place shall be."
"But how will you cable to him without exciting suspicion?"
"You need have no fear on that score; we have a means of communicatingof our own, which I would explain now only it would be waste of time.What do you think of my scheme?"
"It sounds all right, but is it workable?"
"I really think so! However, we will discuss it, item by item, and tryand arrive at a conclusion that way. To begin with, money must beconsidered no object. If even L10,000 is necessary to its success,L10,000 will be spent. In the first place, we must find a competentcoachbuilder at once. If he has a van on hand, which is hardly likely,we'll purchase it! If not, well, then he must put on all his hands andmake one, even if he has to work day and night to do it."
"But how will you explain the purpose for which we want it?"
"I have thought of that, and, when I left you, I sent the followingtelegram:"
Here he produced a duplicate form from his pocket and read it aloud:
"TO THE LESSEE OLYMPIC THEATRE, MANCHESTER:
"What dates this month? Reply terms, Stragaus, West Strand Telegraph Office.
"MAXIMILLIEN STRAGAUS."
"But who on earth is Maximillien Stragaus, and what has the RoyalOlympic Theatre, Manchester, to do with our scheme?"
"Everything. In the first place you must realise the fact that I amMaximillien Stragaus, the world-renowned theatrical _entrepreneur_,and that you are his secretary, Fairlight Longsman. Having received areply from Manchester, I decide to open there with my wonderful andintensely exciting prison drama, 'Saved by a Woman's Pluck,' on thethird Saturday in June. Here is the preliminary announcement. I had itstruck off this afternoon."
He took from the small bag he had brought into the room with him alarge theatrical poster, covered with printing of all colours of therainbow. It read as follows:
ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE, MANCHESTER.
Lessee, MR. WILLIAM CARRICKFORD.
FOR TEN NIGHTS ONLY,
Commencing Saturday, June 20th.
Mr. Maximillien Stragaus' World-renowned Standard Company, in the intensely exciting Prison Drama,
"SAVED BY A WOMAN'S PLUCK."
Detectives--Police--Bloodhounds--Real Horses and Real Prison Vans.
Sole Manager and Proprietor, MR. MAXIMILLIEN STRAGAUS. Secretary, MR. FAIRLIGHT LONGSMAN.
"There! what do you think of that for a poster?"
"Very startling," I answered. "But I must reiterate my former remark,that I do not understand in the very least degree what it has to dowith us."
"Why, look here, it means that to-morrow morning we go to thatcoachbuilder I was speaking of and give him an order for a prison van.Incidentally we will show him this poster, and state that, owing tochange of dates, we must have the van delivered this day week. Don'tyou see? If we hadn't something to show, he might suspect; thisposter, however, will set his mind completely at rest, and, at thesame time, be an excuse for haste. Now, do you understand?"
"I do, and I must say I admire your wonderful resource. What next?"
"Well, the next thing will be to obtain two police uniforms and twotrustworthy men, one to drive the van the other to act as guard. That,however, will be easily managed. The next item will be rather moredifficult!"
"What is that?"
"Why, to find a sure and certain means of stopping the real van on itsway down to the court."
"We couldn't waylay the driver and keep him talking, I suppose?"
"We could try it, of course; but it wouldn't be sure enough. He mightbe a conscientious man, you see, and not like to stop, or he mightstop and afterwards whip up to make up lost time. No! we must hit onsomething that will absolutely prevent him from going on for at leasthalf an hour, and yet something that will not excite suspicion. Ithink I see a way to do it, but it will require the most minute andcareful working out to insure its success. To begin with, I shall haveto find a first-class man for the job, and possibly I shall have tocable to America for him."
"What is your idea?"
"To arrange a collision. To have a runaway, and crash into thehorses."
"Would that do, do you think?"
"If I can find the right man and the right sort of horses."
"I don't like it. To quote your own words, it doesn't sound sureenough."
"We shall have to do it if we can't hit out a better way. Then we mustdiscover a house somewhere in a handy neighbourhood; it must have ayard at the back, opening into an obscure street. The yard must havehigh gates and be in such a position that it cannot be overlooked bythe neighbours. Then the day before the business comes off we mustfind an invalid carriage, engage a Pullman car for Portsmouth, andhire a yacht for a voyage to the Cape."
"It will mean simply superhuman labour, if it is all to beaccomplished in a fortnight."
"It will, but I don't think either of us is afraid of work. Aren't wefighting for what is more precious to her than her life? Yes! We'll doit between us. Don't you doubt that. Now I must be off again; I've alot to do before I can get to bed to-night. By the way, will it beconvenient for you if I call here at half-past five to-morrow morning?We must be at the coachbuilder's by seven o'clock."
"Come at three if you like, you will find me quite ready."
"Then good-night."
He went away and I to bed. At five o'clock I woke, had a bath,dressed, and went down stairs. Punctually, almost to the minute, aslightly Jewish, black-ringletted man, wearing a profusion ofdiamonds, put in an appearance, bag in hand. Though I should neverhave recognised him as Walworth I felt certain it was he, so I let himin and we went into my study together.
"Now," said my friend, for it was Walworth, as I suspected, "I don'tknow what you'll say to it, but it's absolutely necessary for thesuccess of our scheme that you should assume some disguise. As you areknown to be the affianced husband of her ladyship, the police will becertain to have their eyes on you."
"Do with me as you like," I replied; "I am in your hands entirely."
"Then, with your permission, we will set to work at once. I have takenthe liberty of bringing a few things with me. You have anold-fashioned frock coat, I presume."
"A very old-fashioned one," I answered, with a laugh.
"Then put it on, also a pair of light check trousers, if you havethem."
I went to my room and did as he desired. When I returned to the studyhe had arranged a number of articles upon the table--crepe hair,spectacles, a curiously low cut collar, and
a soft felt hat with adented crown. He gazed at me with approval, and then said:
"The effect will be excellent, I feel sure. Sit down here."
I did as commanded and he immediately set to work. As he was occupiedbehind me I could not of course see what he was doing, but after awhile he took off my own collar, put on the low one he had broughtwith him, cut up some crepe hair and gummed it to my face, with what Ibelieve is technically termed "spirit gum," trimmed its exuberanceswith a pair of scissors, and finally combed my moustache over it. Thisaccomplished, he placed the spectacles upon my nose and the soft felthat rather rakishly upon my head, patted me on the shoulder, and said:
"Look at yourself in the glass."
I rose and went over to the fire-place. But, though I looked in themirror above the chimney piece, I did not recognise myself. Mymoustache was waxed to a point and stood out above a close-croppedchestnut beard, while over my coat collar hung a profusion of curls ofa corresponding colour. Indeed, my whole appearance suggested a manwhose aim in life it was to copy, as nearly as possible, the acceptedportrait of the Bard of Avon.
"It is wonderful," I said. "Nobody would ever recognise me. I feel atheatrical agent all over."
"Remember you are Fairlight Longsman, the author of several farces,and my secretary. Whatever you do, don't forget that. Now we must begoing. Come along."
We left the house unnoticed, and, having hailed a hansom, were drivento the carriage builder's yard at Vauxhall. Walworth had evidentlywritten preparing him for our visit, for, early as it was, we foundhim waiting to receive us.
"Zir," began Mr. Maximillien Stragaus, in broken English, as soon ashe had descended from the cab. "Is it you dot are Mr. Ebridge?"
"That is my name, sir," said the coachbuilder. "And you are Mr.Stragaus, I presume."
"Dot is my name. Dis shentleman is my secretary, Mr. FairlideLongsman. Now, you know, an' so we can our business begin to dalk!"
"Perhaps you will be good enough, gentlemen, to step into my officefirst. We shall be more private there."
We followed him into the room he mentioned, and took possession of thechairs he offered us.
"Now, Mr. Stragaus, in what way can I be of service to you?" he asked,seating himself as he spoke at his desk.
"Zir! My segratary sprechens the Anglaish better nor me, he vill dellyou."
I felt that it behoved me to do my best, so leaning forward in aconfidential manner, I said:
"My employer, as doubtless you are very well aware, Mr. Ebridge, isone of the largest theatrical _entrepreneurs_ in England. His dealingsare gigantic. And it is the business connected with one of thoseenormous productions that brings us here. In the first place, you mustknow that, on the third Saturday in this present month, he hasarranged to produce the entirely new and original drama, "Saved by aWoman's Pluck," at the Royal Olympic Theatre, Manchester. By the way,have you the preliminary poster with you, Mr. Stragaus?"
In answer Mr. Stragaus produced from his bag the placard beforedescribed and spread it upon the table, at the same time looking atthe coachbuilder as if to demand his opinion on such a fine display ofcolour.
"You will observe, Mr. Ebridge," I continued, when the other had readit, "that the whole production will be on a scale of unparalleledsplendour,--police, bloodhounds, live horses, and one large prisonvan, all on the stage,--it will be one of the greatest successes ofthe century. But we want your assistance."
"You mean, of course, that you want me to make you a van!"
"Exactly!"
"Just a makeshift affair for the stage, I presume?"
"Oh, dear, no! That is not Mr. Stragaus' way of doing business at all.If he has a fire engine on the stage, as he had in his lastproduction, it must be a real engine, with every detail complete andin proper working order. In the same way then, when he orders a policevan, he wants it made in every particular just as you would make itfor Her Majesty's Government. There must be no difference at all inany one respect, neither the painting, lettering, nor the internalfittings."
"It will cost you a lot of money, Mr. Stragaus," said the builder.
"Dot is no madder at all to me," replied Mr. Stragaus pompously; "Ivill 'ave de ding berfect or nod at all. Vot is more, I must 'ave itat once."
"Mr. Stragaus, I may point out to you, Mr. Ebridge," I continued, "isin a very great hurry. There has been a slight pushing forward ofdates, and in order to insure a success he is willing to pay youhandsomely if you will complete the work in a short space of time."
"How long can you give me, sir?"
"A week exactly. Not a day longer!"
"Impossible. It cannot be done!"
"Den ve must go elsewhere, mine vriend," said Mr. Stragaus. "Dot isall. If you will underdake to do de vork and to 'and me over de vangomplete on next Duesday evening at twelve o'glock, I vill pay youdwice de sum you ask me now."
The man looked up in surprise at this extraordinary offer, and askedto be excused for a moment while he consulted with his foreman. Whilehe was absent, Walworth whispered:
"I think he'll do it. And if we can arrange it that way we shall beable to get it safely up to the yard of the house unobserved."
Here the coachbuilder returned.
"My foreman tells me he thinks it can be done, sir. But you must seethat it will mean night and day work for us all. And the charge willhave to be on a corresponding scale."
"Dot is nodings to me. You do de work, and I vill pay der money. Youagree? Den it is arranged I shall send my men for der van 'ere onDuesday night at twelve o'glock, and you will 'ave it gomplete! Den wecan zend it on by rail vorst ding in der mornin'. But, mind you dis,if it is not done den, I vill not pay you von farding, you agree?"
"I agree. I have given you my promise, Mr. Stragaus, and whateverhappens, it shall be completed by that time!"
"Dot is goot. You might, too, 'ave a tarbaulin to cover it mit, sothat de publick shall not see it ven ve take it away. Now, zir, I vishyou goot morning. You vill be paid for de van ven my men dakedelivery."
"Thank you, sir! Good-morning, gentlemen."
When we were once more in the cab, and on our way back to town,Walworth discarded his German accent and resumed his natural tongue.
"So far so good. That bit of business is satisfactorily accomplished."
"You did not say anything to him about observing secrecy."
"It wasn't necessary. That poster, which you will notice I have leftupon his table, will account for everything."
"But supposing the police get to hear of it, and it rouses theirsuspicions?"
"Well, let them get to hear of it. If they suspect, they will call onEbridge and make inquiries. He will then describe us and show theposter. They may then possibly telegraph to the Olympic, Manchester,and learn that Mr. Stragaus _has_ booked a season there for his newplay. That will put them off the scent completely."
"And what are we to do now?"
"Well, now, you had better come to breakfast with me, I think, at mylodgings. You can there resume your own everyday appearance. Duringthe morning I am going to meet two men I have in my mind for thepolicemen; after that I shall visit a tailor's shop and order theuniforms as arranged. In the afternoon I'm going to hunt for a house."
"Can I do anything else to help you?"
"Not just at present. Unless you can find me a trustworthy lady whowill consent to masquerade for a little while as a hospital nurse?"
"There I think I _can_ help you. My sister Janet, I'm sure, wouldgladly do so. I'll call upon her this afternoon and see."
I did so, and of course secured Janet's immediate promise ofco-operation.
