The Hunchback of Westminster

by William Le Queux

hunchback's request, and by which that precious pair of worthieshoped to throw all unpleasantly close inquirers off the scent when thechase got too hot at the curiosity shop in Westminster.

  "It's a pity that these should not have a chance of showing what theycan do in the direction of baffling the inquisitive and theunprincipled," I observed, with a sly smile, adding the particulars ofhow and when I got possession of them. "What do you say to labellingthese quite openly: `Documents _re_ Sacred Lake,' and placing them inthe safe of the Order of St Bruno, the first place thieves will searchif they have come after the deeds?"

  "A most excellent suggestion!" exclaimed Cooper-Nassington, with anapproving nod.

  "And I move," added Casteno, "that we act on it at once."

  So we did. The Prior himself fetched a lantern, which he lit, and withmany a merry smile and jest we three monk-like figures, our black habitsmaking us appear in that dim radiance like ghostly visitants fromanother sphere, took our way down the flight of stone steps that ledfrom the main corridor of the building to the cellars, where a strongroom had been built to hold the archives of the Order. In a whisper, mycompanion showed me where the keys of the inner door (I had the outer onmy armlet), were always hung ready for any member who chose to go andtake them down to inspect the contents of the treasure-room. Also theyexplained that the word to which the lock was always set was "Clytie,"the name of the lady of the statue, as the Council of Three felt certainthat only the initiated would remember the circumstances of that lady'scareer and her rather occult association with the destinies of theOrder.

  The door swung open quite easily, and as the Prior deposited theforgeries in a rather accessible position I caught a glimpse of theinterior, with its row upon row of huge brass-bound ledgers, its bundleupon bundle of deeds and share certificates and documents in parchment,with many heavily-sealed bags of leather, which, I was told, containedgold or precious stones. Of the increasing value of the latter, I wastold, Bruno Delganni had a quite childish faith, hence his investmentsin them.

  Cases, too, were piled on the floor. These contained bullion directfrom the Bank of England, to be used only when it was necessary for anypolitical or other purposes to send remittances to the branch houses inDelhi, Sydney, or any other far-off corner of the earth, wheretransactions through a local bank might attract an unnecessary amount ofattention and speculation.

  Later, we returned upstairs, and there I expounded what was, after all,the crucial point in my plan--the reconciliation of the principaldifferent interests that were now fighting us with so much deadlybitterness and precision.

  "What I suggest," I said, gazing very determinedly at the two men infront of me, "is nothing more and nothing less than a round-tableconference between the lot of us--Lord Cyril Cuthbertson, EarlFotheringay, the Napiers, the hunchback, ourselves!"

  "Why, that's preposterous!" snapped the Prior, and his eyes flashed, butI would not be gainsaid.

  "I am sure it is not," I retorted with great firmness. "After all, whatis it, really, that makes them all so bitter against us? It is no meredream of making themselves rich--no stupid desire to rob anyone. It issimply pride, when the whole facts are reduced to their proper level,mistaken pride, and, being that, I am convinced it can, in a full andfree discussion, be eliminated from this contest between us."

  "I will never meet Cuthbertson," interposed the Member of Parliament,"never! You forget: our cause of difference is too deep for words toremove!"

  "That may be," I reasoned; "but, after all, are you not patriots first,and men with mere human passions like jealousy and revenge afterwards?"

  "And I will not meet Peter Zouche," declared Jose, drawing himself up tohis full height and folding his arms. "He is my father, but he has notbeen a father to me. He drove me from my home, and made me a wandererall over the earth, because I loved England and things English andrejoiced in the fact that, because I was born here, I was able to claimthe rights of an Englishman."

  "More than that," artfully added the Prior, "you, Glynn, forget howbadly Fotheringay has treated you. He has made use of you, taken you upand flung you down, and finally had you carted about, as though you werea piece of furniture in his drawing-room. You could not say to him,like I sent word to Casteno, `In reparation' for old unkindnesses withwhich I treated him when first he wanted to join the Order, and, later,to wed that charming little ward of mine, Camille Velasquon, who, by theway, I myself in panic abducted from you at Vauxhall Station."

  "Indeed I could," I answered boldly. "We are not one of us as black asthe others pretend to make out. Naturally, perhaps, we all want toshine and to become famous over the discovery and translation of thosemanuscripts. But at present we are all engaged in the amiable task ofcutting each other's throats. Why go on? After all, if England isgoing to get hold of all those millions and millions now lying intreasure at the bottom of that sacred lake, we must really pulltogether. The task, even from the diplomatic standpoint, is no easyone. It will test us all to the uttermost. Then why fight amongstourselves?"

  "We sha'n't," corrected the Prior; "they will fight us!"

  "No, they won't. They will all come to my round-table conference," Isaid gaily. "You see? Now how shall we manage it?" I pretended tostop for a moment to think, and then I went on. "Oh, I see. Its simpleenough. We Avili call the gathering together at my office to-morrownight at half-past ten, when we three ringleaders will assemble. For10:45 we invite Cuthbertson. In half-an-hour we ought to persuade himthat his interest lies in the same direction as ours, so at 11:15 wewill bid the hunchback to the conference. Give him half-an-hour too,for he is a stubborn old man," I observed, with a jocular nod in thedirection of Casteno, "and then issue invitations to Colonel Napier andhis daughter for 11:30, and Lord Fotheringay, who really seems to haveless to do with the business than anyone, for 11:45."

  "And, pray, how," queried Casteno, with obvious incredulity, "shall youcommunicate with them? Call on them, and ask them? Why, not one ofthem will see you, or, if he does, he will do it only to discoverwhether he can't have you arrested for one or other of our recentpranks."

  "Why, we will telegraph, of course," I cried snatching up some formsthat happened to lie on a davenport close within my reach. "Look here,both of you, how will this do, to be sent to each one's last known placeof address?" And I bent down and scribbled rapidly the followinginvitation:--

  "Please come to-morrow night to the Glynn's Inquiry Offices, StantonStreet, WC. Manuscripts have been found and decoded. Will put beforeyou a scheme that will ensure success for all.--John Cooper--Nassington,Jose Casteno, Hugh Glynn."

  "There!" I added. "All we've got to do now is to make four copies ofthese and address each one to the different conspirators, and in eachinstance put the time we have fixed for our interview with them."

  "I'll be hanged if I put my name to a meek and mild bread-and-buttercome-and-let-us-all-be-friends message like that," roared the Prior.

  "And I'll be shot if I bribe the pater to do anything for me!" stormedCasteno.

  But even then I would not be gainsaid. In the end I carried my point,and the telegrams were despatched by special messenger to StMartins-le-Grand, so that the recipients could not guess their place oforigin.

  Then, worn out with the adventures of the day, we all retired to ourbeds, and not until the morning was far advanced did Jose come to myroom, and, whilst I struggled on the border line between sleep andconsciousness, shake me violently by the shoulder.

  "Wake up, wake up, thou sluggard!" he cried with a gaiety that was mostrefreshing and infectious. "While thou art dozing all manner of strangethings are happening at these monastery gates. Wake up, I say, anddevour this breakfast of hot coffee and grilled chops that one of thelay brethren has brought you. In truth, you will need all the physicalsupport it is possible for man to receive from a well-lined stomach, foroutside some most tremendous surprises await you."

  "What the dickens do you mean?" I growled, sitting suddenly boltupright
in the bed and gazing at him with the most rueful countenance."Why puzzle with riddles a man that is but half aroused? What's up?"And I made a grab for the cup of coffee that stood on the tray on achair by the side of my bed, and took therefrom a tremendous draught.

  None the less, Casteno would not give in. He perched himself in hismonk's robes at the foot of my bed, and with the aid of many a merryjest and joke at my expense he induced me to devour the good things thathad been brought so thoughtfully to the room for me. It was not,indeed, till I had bolted to the bathroom, had a most refreshing tub,and arrayed myself in my own ordinary clothes