Eventually he reached a ramshackle house. It was wedged between two tall factories and served as an opium den and pub—of sorts. He gave a peculiar knock at the door and heard the heavy chain clank as it was unhooked from within. A shadowy figure admitted him and he passed by into a dimly light hallway. The end of the passage was barred by a green curtain that had certainly seen better days. Dragging the tattered cloth aside, he entered what was once a third-rate dancing-saloon. The floor was covered with trampled sawdust and mud mixed with the dark stains of spilled liquor. A sailor was sprawled over an uneven table in the corner and two haggard looking women clung to the rusted bar. The odor of opium hung heavy in the air. An aging staircase at the end of the room led to an obscure, darkened chamber. Standing by the staircase was a disheveled young man with a head of thick blonde hair. He nodded a greeting to Dorian over his thin pipe.
Dorian’s voice was low and deep. “That you, Robert? I thought you had left England.”
The man sighed heavily as if bearing the weight of the world upon his back. “Nowhere else to go. None of the chaps will speak to me now. I don’t really care. As long as I have this stuff, I don’t need any friends.”
Dorian winced in response and gazed at the other twisted shapes that lay on patched, moldy mattresses in the surrounding rooms. The gaping mouths and listless eyes gave the observer no clue as to what hells or joys they were seeing. Suddenly, he felt the need to be away from this place and particularly away from any other who knew him.
Dorian took one more look at the room before coming to a decision. “I am going on to the other place.”
“On the wharf?”
“Yes. The stuff is better there. Come, join me for a drink at the bar before I go.”
Robert wearily followed Dorian over to an uneven set of uncomfortable, patchwork-leather stools. The two ordered their drinks from an ugly bartender. He was squat-shaped and bedraggled. His clothes stunk of cheap liquor and piss and he had a long cut over his left eye. The man merely grunted in response and reached behind him, where depressingly dusty bottles waited in a small group. They shared a bottle of French brandy in the stained tumblers the bartender set out on the bar.
The two women sidled up and began demonstrating their wares. When neither of the men showed any interest, the taller one cracked a crooked smile and sneered. “Too proud tonight?”
Dorian’s voice was dangerous and threatening. “Don’t speak to me. What do you want? Money? Here—now be silent.” He slammed coins down on the counter. The woman’s eyes flashed for a moment with some hidden retort, before she tossed her unwashed hair and raked the heavy coins from the counter with greedy fingers.
“Good night Robert. Write to me if you need anything.”
“Good night then.”
As Dorian exited the room and drew the curtain aside, a hideous laugh escaped the painted lips of the woman who had taken his money. She coughed and spoke in a hoarse voice that dripped with venom. “There goes the devil’s bargain.”
“I told you not to speak!” He glared at the woman and then quickly turned to leave.
Her voice followed his retreat. “Prince Charming indeed. ‘Tis what you like to be called, ain’t it?”
At those words, the drowsy sailor leapt to his feet as if stung and looked around wildly. He rushed out of the room, hot in pursuit of Dorian.
Dorian moved quickly down the quay, his route was erratic and dictated by any cover that might shield him from the fat drops of rain that fell continuously from the weeping sky. At last he reached a narrow alley that had served him well as a short cut to the next opium den.
As he entered, he was grabbed from behind and slammed brutally against the cold wall. His shoulder stung from the impact. A strong hand that smelled of whiskey and sweat clamped over his mouth to prevent any outcry. Dorian heard the audible click of a revolver, which silenced the yell Dorian was preparing in the back of his throat. The barrel of the handgun was pointed straight at his head. The other side of the weapon was held by a stocky, muscular man. His face was obscured by shadow and a heavy, wool-grey pea jacket.
“Keep quiet,” said the man as he removed his meaty palm from Dorian’s face. “If you move, I’ll shoot you right here on the street.”
Dorian gasped as he again inhaled clean air. “Take my wallet—whatever you want.”
“I don’t want your money. You destroyed the life of my sister, Sibyl Vane. However she died, it was your doing. As soon as I heard the news, I swore an oath to end your life myself. For years I have been tracking you down with nothing but the name she used to call you. You were her Prince Charming. I heard it tonight by happenstance and knew at once that it must be you. At long last, James Vane can take vengeance for his sister. Make your peace with God, Sibyl will be avenged tonight.”
Dorian felt the blood drain from him and his fear rose as an ominous storm in the night. His voice sputtered like the rain. “I-I-I d-don’t know who you are talking about. You are insane. You have me confused with someone else.”
A powerful arm violently pushed Dorian down to the soggy ground. “On your knees and confess your crime! I’ll give you one minute to pray, then it all comes to an end.”
Dorian panicked, but the gears in his mind began to twirl and spin until he settled on a desperate gambit. “Wait. How long has it been since your sister’s death? How many years?”
The man thought for a moment. “Eighteen years. My God has it been that long? But it seems as if only yesterday when I last said goodbye to her. Why does it matter?”
Dorian’s forced laugh rang with triumph. “Eighteen years. Look at my face under the lamp.”
James paused, then dragged Dorian out and into the street. The light was dim and wavering from the frozen wind and cascading rain, but still it revealed the boyish face of a youth—far too young to belong to the man whom he had sought for all these years. Why, the man he saw before him was nearly the same age as his sister at the time of her death. He had made a terrible mistake. This could not be the same man who had destroyed his sister’s life.
James released Dorian and drew back. “My God, I would have murdered you. Forgive me, sir.” Aghast at what he had almost done, he turned away quickly and stowed his revolver inside his coat. He moved off, repeating his apologies and asking for forgiveness. Dorian rose slowly to his feet. He trembled as he watched the shadow that had almost ended his life recede into the darkness.
James returned to the place where he had first seen Dorian, immediately ordering and downing two shots of single malt whisky with a shaking hand. The haggard woman who had taken Dorian’s money hissed. “Why didn’t ya kill him? Ya lummox, he’s filthy wi’ money an’ as vile as they come. Ya wo’ have done eve’yone a favor by endin’ his miserable life.”
“He wasn’t who I thought he was. The man I am looking for must be in his forties by now. That one was only a boy.”
The woman laughed bitterly. “A bo’ ya say? Why, it’s been neigh eighteen years sin’ Prince Charming turned me ‘to what I am.”
James growled. “Liar!”
“May God strike me dead here an’ now if’n I’m ly’in. He’s t’a most vile person I have ever met. They say he sold his soul to the devil, in order to freeze tha’ pretty face o’ his in time. He has hardly changed in the eighteen years sin’ I’ve met him.”
“You swear this?”
“I swear! His real name is Dorian Gray. But ya didn’t hear tha’ here fro’ me. Just keep me away from him. Pe’haps ya could use some company t’night?”
With a disgusted look, he pushed his way free and rushed out into the night. But Dorian Gray had long since disappeared.
Chapter 20.
Country Estate
A week later, Dorian was sitting in the conservatory of the country estate of the Duke of Manhound. He had grown paranoid as of late and decided that a change of scenery would be the best thing to rid him of the nagging feeling of being followed. Wherever he went he imagined seeing the haunti
ng face of James Vane in random windows or doorways.
Lady Helena was describing some philosophical treaty, as well as politics and the state of the Stock Exchange. Dorian had difficulty concentrating upon what she was saying. The tea was served with a selection of moist sandwiches and fruity cakes. His thoughts were drawn again to the window and the forest surrounding the estate. Despite the absurdity of it all, he was quite certain that he had seen a shape hiding behind a large oak tree in the distance. A gardener of some sort, certainly. It was only his imagination that Sibyl Vane’s brother had followed him out to the country and was now stalking around the trees, waiting for the opportunity to kill him.
In his distracted state he had to be prompted multiple times to respond when the Duke invited Dorian to join his shooting party. They would be hunting for quail. Dorian thought it would make a good distraction and it certainly couldn’t hurt to be armed with a gun and cartridges. Shortly thereafter, the two men were afield and striding through the undergrowth engaged in conversation.
Dorian was quite familiar with the Duke and he thought it proper to address him by his first name. “Herbert, how do you find the sport this year?”
“Scarce at best, Dorian. The game is quite sparse this year and I am not sure why. Perhaps the quail have all gone off to the open fields or moved to new ground on the other side of the forest.”
“Why would they do that?”
“Surely you have heard of the attacks occurring in the area? It is likely some feral pack of Bulldogs or some sort, but they have frightened away most of the animals. The Duchess has halted her daily rides. She is quite convinced that her prize mare will be set upon and devoured. The servants and gardeners all avoid the woods at night.”
Suddenly there was a terrified yell and a single shot rang out from deep within the woods. The trees were suddenly filled with snarling and all manner of disturbing sounds. The head-keeper began shouting and organized the beaters into a group.
The men entered the woods together to search for the source of the commotion. Everyone else in the party was ordered to stay back. After an age, the men emerged dragging a bloody, savaged body between them.
A crowd formed with Sir Beamish at the head. They could see the question on his face as he approached. “What on earth could have killed this man in such a way? If it was a Bulldog he might have hit it. Surely, that shot didn’t come from anyone in our line.”
Dorian looked on in horror. The head-keeper called a halt to the day’s hunt and a groundskeeper ran to notify the local constable. Some poor peasant had met their end in the most gruesome of fashions. The scene filled Dorian with a sense of dread and he decided to pack his things at once. He would take the night-express back into town. He could not spend another night in this accursed place.
Back in his room, Dorian was lying down when a knock came at the door. His valet answered and announced that it was the head-keeper who wished to see him. Dorian frowned. “Please do come in Henderson. Have you come about the terrible accident this morning?”
“Yes, sir.”
Dorian picked up his leathered checkbook and jeweled writing pen. “Tell me, was the poor fellow married or had he any dependents? I feel terrible and should like to pay for any necessary arrangements.”
“That’s the worrisome bit, sir. We don’t righ’ly know who he is. T’is why I came to you.”
“Whatever do you mean? He isn’t one of your men?”
“No, sir. Never seen his face a’fore. Looks ta’me like some sorta’ sailor.”
The pen dropped from Dorian’s hand. “A sailor? Did you say a sailor?”
“Yessir. With both arms tattooed, real rough-like and that sort.”
“Was there anything else on him that would give you his name?”
“No sir. He was only carryin’ so’ money an’ a five-shot revolver.”
“You must take me to the body at once!”
“Yes sir, if’n you like. He’s in an empty stable roun’ back. I’ll take your Lordship there.”
Dorian struggled to mask his apprehension as they walked towards the stables. Upon reaching the door he held up a hand indicating that he would go in alone. The stables were darkened and damp, with a window in the corner providing light enough to see by. The body was wrapped in some sacking in the corner of the stall. Dorian came closer to inspect it. The coarse shirt and blue trousers of the man were ripped to shreds and covered with blood and dirt. Dorian shuddered and looked away from the exposed organs and ragged flesh. Flies buzzed around the corpse and the smell of the voided bowels was nearly unbearable. Determined, Dorian clutched his lace handkerchief to his mouth and pulled away the fabric covering the victim’s face. He staggered with relief and a great release of tension rushed from his shoulders. The body was that of James Vane. Tears brimmed in his eyes as he exited the stables, for he knew he was once again safe. The men waiting outside no doubt misinterpreted his crying as tears of sorrow.
Chapter 21.
The Soul
“Oh, Lady Helena there you are.”
“My dear Mr. Gray, you really mustn’t shut yourself away like this.”
“Tell me what is going on in town? I have not been to the club for ages.”
“Everyone is still debating the mysterious disappearance of poor Sage. It is the talk of the town.”
“Shouldn’t they be tired of that topic by now? They usually tire of such things so quickly.”
“Unfortunately, the British public seems quite fascinated with the fate of famous artists and they continue to focus on it. Despite other such news such as Beatrice Ashford’s suicide and my own divorce case, they are quite fascinated with Sage’s mysterious exodus. Scotland Yard insists she boarded the train to Dover at midnight, the ferry at Calais, and the train to Paris. The French police are adamant that she never even arrived in Paris. Some people have made claims to have seen her leading an artistic revival in San Francisco.”
Dorian examined her eyes closely. “What do you think happened to Sage?”
“I haven’t the foggiest. Perhaps she is hiding herself away from the world. She may have simply forgotten her plans and ended up painting some great work for months at a time. Or she is dead and I no longer want to think of her. Death is the only thing I have ever been afraid of.”
“Why is that?”
Lady Helena paused to light an expensive looking cigarette. “Because, one can survive anything except for death. Now let us take our coffee in the music room—you must play some Chopin for me. My husband ran away with a woman who played Chopin quite exquisitely. Poor man, I was so fond of him and the house is terribly lonely without him.”
Dorian stood and together the two walked into the parlor. Lady Helena seated herself in a comfortable leather chair and looked expectantly at Dorian as he seated himself at the piano in the corner. It was a Steinway Grand with rosewood finishes, dark red cabriole legs, and gold edging on the pedal lyre and music rack.
Dorian rested his fingers on the ivory piano keys. Before beginning to play, he looked over warily at Lady Helena. “What if Sage was murdered?”
Lady Helena yawned. “Sage was popular, but terribly dull. She was not clever enough for enemies. Then again, there are some dangerous places in Paris, but Sage was not likely to visit any of them. She rarely strayed long from her canvas and brushes.”
Dorian was quiet for a moment. “What if I told you—that it was I who murdered Sage?”
She laughed in a slow, deliberate way. “It is not possible for you to commit a murder, Mr. Gray. It is something far too vulgar for you and reserved for the lower classes. They take the same pleasure such a beastly act as you and I might in viewing a complex painting. Though, I suppose anything can become pleasurable if one repeats the act too frequently. Let us talk of Sage no longer. It would be highly improbable for her to meet such a romantic end as that. Far more likely that she had too much wine to drink and fell off an omnibus and broke her neck. Someone has simply covered it up out of embarr
assment.”
Dorian sighed and began playing Prelude, Op. 28, No. 15, as Lady Helena strolled across the room. “Besides, her art had suffered much in recent years. I don’t think she would have produced the same quality of work as when the two of you were friends. She lost something when the two of you stopped spending time together. Why was it that you became estranged again? I suppose that she bored you. Where did that exquisite portrait she did of you and that wolf pup ever get to? I haven’t seen it since it was finished. Now I remember. You said that you had sent it down to the Selby and it was stolen? What a pity. It was quite the masterpiece and I would have loved to buy it to have something to remember dear Sage by.”
“How can you speak like that? The whole memory is hateful.”
“I don’t mean to distress you. I was only wondering. I have been thinking of so many strange things of late. What does it profit someone if they gain the whole world, yet lose their soul?”
Dorian took his hand from the keys and stared at his friend. “Why do you ask me that?”
Lady Helena looked disappointed. “My dear Mr. Gray, I was only curious if you might give me the answer. I have always thought that art had a soul, but mankind clearly does not.”
Dorian lowered his head and began to softly play Mazurkas, Op. 17. “How wrong you are. The soul is disastrously real. It can be bought and sold, bartered and poisoned like a loaf of bread. I know without a doubt that each of us has a soul.”
“How serious you have become. I never thought you would give into the superstitions that plague this world. Do play me something and then tell me as you play, in a lowered voice, how is it you have kept your youth preserved for all of these years? There must be some secret. I am only a decade older than you and I am worn, wrinkled, and faded. But you have never looked more charming or more wonderful. You look just as you did on the first day that I met you. I wish you would tell me your secret. I would do anything to have my youth back. I have so many sorrows that you know nothing of. What an exquisite life you have. The world blossoms at your feet and you have drunk deepest of it all. Yet, for all your experience you are completely unmarred.”
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