When the valet had disappeared, Kenneth turned to his wife with a chuckle.
"Who was right? You made me scold him for nothing."
Helen shook her head.
"I detest the man. There is something crawly and repulsive about him. I can read evil in his face. Don't trust him, Kenneth. Remember, if anything goes wrong, don't blame me. I warned you. My instinct seldom fails."
Her husband laughed and, advancing, put his arm tenderly around his wife.
"I guess I'm able to take care of myself, dear. Don't let's discuss François any longer. Tell me about yourself. How are you going to amuse yourself while I'm away?"
Her head drooped on his breast and once more her eyes filled with tears. With affected carelessness which cost her a great effort, she replied:
"Oh, the time won't hang so heavy on my hands. It never does when one has resources within oneself. I'll read and ride and sew. I suppose I'll have plenty to do."
"Mr. Parker said he would drop in and look after you."
"Yes—tell him to come and see me very often. He's rather tiresome with his prosy talk, but he's a dear old soul."
With a mischievous twinkle in his eye her husband went on:
"It's not unlikely that Keralio will call, also."
"I hope not," she said quickly. "I'll soon show him he's not wanted."
Kenneth laughed. It amused him to see how set she was against the Italian. He did not know the man any too well. He had met him in a business way and the fellow had been of service, but he had not the slightest idea of making a friend of him. He rather suspected he was an adventurer although, a stranger in New York, no one knew anything against him. Protestingly he said:
"It's hardly fair to attack a man because he admires you."
"He shows his admiration in a most offensive way. If you could see the way he looks at me sometimes you'd be the first to resent it."
Kenneth laughed.
"Oh, you mustn't mind that. It's a way all foreigners have. They ogle women more from force of habit than any desire to effect a conquest. Besides, you won't be alone."
"No, I shall have Ray. She is excellent company—far jollier than I——"
Kenneth protested.
"No, she isn't by a long shot. Ray is all right as sisters-in-law go, but I'd never change you for her. I'm d——d if I would!"
Quickly Helen put her white hand over his mouth. With mock severity she exclaimed:
"Kenneth! How can you be so profane? I hate to hear such language from you. Ray is the sweetest thing on earth. It's a shame she never got married. Oh, don't be uneasy on that score. We'll have a good time. We'll go to the theater. We'll have teas and little dinner parties. I'll invite some interesting men to meet her. I'd love to see her married to some nice man. There's Mr. Steell, for instance. He's rich, young, has a brilliant future——"
Kenneth made a grimace. Quickly he retorted:
"It's you he admires, not Ray. He will accept your invitation—less with the idea of letting Ray hook him in the matrimonial net, than for the opportunity it affords for a renewed flirtation with you. Oh, quite innocent, of course, but still a flirtation. Have I forgotten what close friends you used to be before I appeared on the scene?"
"And carried me off, a new Lochinvar come out of the West!" she laughed. "Oh, Kenneth, how can you be so foolish? It is absolutely indecent of you. I like Mr. Steell, and I think he likes me, but our friendship is purely platonic. I never give him a thought, I assure you."
"I know you don't, but I'm not so sure about him. He's a man and men are only human——"
"He's a gentleman," corrected Helen. "He never forgets that."
Kenneth gave a grunt of incredulity. Sulkily he said:
"All right—all right. Have a good time. Marry him to Ray. Perhaps it's safer that way. When he's my brother-in-law, he'll stop making sheep's eyes at my wife."
Helen laughed outright.
"You silly goose. I never suspected you of having a jealous streak in your nature. How could I prefer anyone to my handsome Kenneth?"
As she stood before him, playfully patting his cheek, her glance alighted on the solitary lock of gray hair in the center of his forehead. Toying with it, she went on:
"Isn't it strange that your hair should be white just in that place. I rather like it. It gives an added note of distinction to your face. I wonder what caused it."
Kenneth laughed.
"That's my trade mark. If ever I'm brought home on a stretcher you'll know me by that white lock."
Helen raised her hand in protest.
"Don't talk that way. Never jest about accidents. Sometimes they happen."
"Well—I said nothing. I only said that if you were ever in doubt about my identity, you would know me by my white lock."
She smiled, as she patted his cheek lovingly, and said:
"That would not be necessary, Ken dear. No matter how changed you looked, what disguise you wore, I should still know you."
"And if it wasn't me," he laughed, "but only someone who looked like me?"
"I could never be mistaken. The ring in the voice, the expression in the eyes—no woman who really loves could ever be deceived."
She had drawn nearer to him, her mouth upturned and tempting, her face with that gentle, wistful expression he was never able to resist. Throwing his arms impulsively about her, he clasped her passionately to his breast.
"Sweetheart," he whispered, "you don't know how dear you are to me!"
"Nor can you," she replied, as he smothered her with kisses, "ever realize what you are to me!"
Suddenly they were interrupted by a sound at the door behind them. Some one coughed discreetly. Quickly separating, Helen turned round. In some confusion she exclaimed:
"Hello, Ray. I thought you were out. When did you come in?"
"I was out. I have been shopping. I met Mr. Steell in the park and we had a lovely walk." Slyly she added: "I am afraid I returned too soon. I see you're both busy."
"Never too busy for you, Ray," smiled Helen trying to hide her confusion, while Kenneth grinned broadly.
The young girl laughed as she flung down on the sofa her muff and fur neck-piece. Roguishly she said:
"Lovemaking so early in the day. Aren't you ashamed of yourselves?"
Kenneth liked to tease his sister-in-law, but the young girl was quite his equal when it came to a battle of wits and it was not often that she gave him the opportunity.
"What time do you do your love making?" he demanded.
Her cheeks reddened a little as she retorted:
"I'm never so foolish. I leave that to you married people. My purpose in life is far more serious."
"Oh, come now," protested her brother-in-law, "I've noticed you and Steell spooning often enough."
Stylishly and tastefully dressed, her face beaming with animation, her eyes sparkling with intelligence, Kenneth's sister-in-law was a pretty, wholesome looking girl. She had beautiful blond hair like her sister, and fine, white teeth that told of good health and perfect digestion. Helen's junior only by three years, she was still unmarried and for the present at least seemed more inclined to remain single and partake of life's pleasures than incur the risks and responsibilities of matrimony. Not that she had been without offers. A girl as attractive and clever could hardly have failed to please the sterner sex. All sorts and conditions of men had prostrated themselves at her tiny, well-shod feet, but, capricious and headstrong, she would have none of them. She was what might be called a singular girl. She liked men, not because of their sex, but because their point of view was different, their grasp of things stronger than her own. One day she must marry. She knew that. It was, she insisted laughingly, an ignoble state of slavery, a humiliating, degrading condition of subjection to the male which every woman must endure, necessary perhaps, but an ordeal to be put off, something unpleasant to be postponed as long as possible, like the taking of a dose of unsavory physic or having a tooth pulled at the dentist's. Meantime, heart whole and fancy free, she enjoyed life to the limit and kept her admirers guessing.
"Oh, I saw such lovely things in the stores," exclaimed the young girl. "I wish I had the money to buy them all."
"You will have when I get back from South Africa," he laughed.
"Don't forget," she laughed. "I'll hold you to that promise. Helen is witness."
"I swear it!" he said with mock solemnity. "You shall have carte blanche in any Fifth Avenue shop to the amount of—$1.75."
"Will you be ready in time?" she laughed, looking around with dismay at the litter of open trunks.
"I won't, if you stay here chattering like a magpie."
"What time does the steamer sail?"
"Eleven o'clock," said Helen.
"We're all coming to see you off. Mr. Steell told me that he's coming, too."
"Not exactly to see me, I'm afraid," smiled Kenneth.
"Who else?" she retorted. "If you mean me, you're mistaken. He doesn't need to make the uncomfortable trip to Hoboken to see me."
Her brother-in-law smiled, amused at her petulance.
"My dear," he said, "you don't know what hardships a man will endure for the girl he's sweet on." With mock seriousness he went on: "Say sis, Helen and I have been having an argument. Who does Steell come here for—for you or for me?"
Ray burst into merry laughter.
"How silly you are, Ken. For me, of course. At least, I flatter myself that——" With a wink at her sister she added facetiously: "Of course, one never knows when dealing with these handsome men. And Helen is quite adorable. If I were a man, I should be crazy about her."
Helen held up a protesting finger.
"Don't talk like that, dear, or he'll believe you."
Kenneth laughed.
"Yes, I'm as jealous as Othello and quite as dangerous. Don't I look it?"
As he spoke, the front door-bell rang downstairs. Ray hastily took up her things.
"Here's company!"
"I hope not!" exclaimed Helen. "I'm in no mood to see anybody."
"I'll see them," whispered Ray, "and say you're out. It won't be the first fib I've told."
She ran lightly out of the room and upstairs, while Helen and her husband went on with the work of packing. They were just stooping together over a trunk when there came a rap on the door, and François appeared.
"A lady to see monsieur."
Kenneth looked puzzled.
"A lady? What lady?"
Helen laughed merrily. Triumphantly, she exclaimed:
"It's my turn now to be jealous."
"Not exactly a lady, monsieur. An elderly person."
"What's her name?"
"Mrs. Mary O'Connor."
Kenneth smiled broadly.
"Mary O'Connor, my old nurse. Well, well, show her right in." Turning to his wife he added quickly: "Dear old soul—no doubt she's heard I'm off to Africa and wishes to say good-bye."
An instant later an old woman bent with age and with a kindly face framed with silvery white hair came in, hands outstretched. Without any air of condescension on his part, Kenneth went forward to greet her. Through all the long stretch of years, from his boy days to his manhood he had never forgotten how kind Mary had been to him when a child, taking the place of the mother he had lost in infancy. A Christmas was never allowed to pass without a fat turkey for the old nurse and many a little present of money had accompanied the bird. The old woman's lips quivered as she said tremulously:
"It's a long way you're going, Mr. Kenneth."
"Oh, I'll soon be back, Mary," he rejoined jovially.
She shook her head.
"It's a long way and I'm getting old."
The promoter laughed boisterously. Leading her gently to a chair he exclaimed:
"Old! Nonsense; You're just as young to me now as when I first remember you."
The old lady smiled. Nodding her head feebly, she replied:
"When you used to play hide-and-seek with me. When I wanted to put you to bed you were nowhere to be found."
Helen laughed while Kenneth protested:
"Oh, come now, Mary, I wasn't so bad as that."
"No. You weren't bad—just lively and natural as all healthy children. You were always a better boy than your brother."
Helen looked up quickly.
"Your brother, Kenneth? I never heard you speak of a brother."
He looked at the old lady in amazement.
"My brother? What brother?"
The old lady smiled.
"That's so—you never knew. You were too young to remember. Yes, you had a brother—a twin brother. People hardly knew you apart. There was only one way in which your mother and I could tell."
"What was that?" demanded the promoter eagerly.
"He had a scar. He caught his hand in some machinery when a baby and it left a scar in the index finger of the left hand."
Transfixed, Kenneth listened open-mouthed. At last breaking the spell, he exclaimed:
"I never heard of him. You never spoke of him before."
"How should you remember?" went on the old woman. "It's many years ago. Your father and mother are dead. You have no relatives living. No one knows. But I know."
"Did he die?" asked Kenneth, deeply interested.
The old lady nodded affirmatively.
"I shall never forgive myself. It was my fault. You were playing together in the garden. I didn't dream either of you could come to harm. I went into the house for a moment to get something. When I came back your brother was gone—no trace of him anywhere. We never saw him again. Your father, heart-broken, offered a fortune for news of him. The police hunted high and low all over the country. There was no trace. Some gypsies had passed recently through the town. I always suspected them. That is thirty years ago and more."
"So it's not even known if he's dead," interrupted Kenneth eagerly.
The beldame shook her head sorrowfully, as she answered sagely:
"Oh, he's dead all right. That's sure. There was money left to him by your grandfather. For years the lawyers advertised for news of him. But it was no good. If he'd been alive, he'd have claimed his own."
"He might still be alive, yet unaware of his identity," broke in Helen, who was a keenly interested listener. She had been so accustomed to regard her husband as the only son of parents, both of whom were dead, that the mere possibility of his having a brother awakened her curiosity.
Still under the spell of the old woman's unexpected revelation, Kenneth had relapsed into a thoughtful silence. The surprising news had affected him strangely. So—he had had a brother—a twin brother, and all these years he had been in ignorance of the fact. Yet who could be nearer or dearer than a twin brother? Together they had lain under the same mother's heart. Together they had first seen the light and laughed in the sun. Ah, if he had only lived to be his comrade, his partner! With a brother at his side, to second him in his hazardous enterprises, he felt he would indeed be invincible. He could have conquered the world!
The old nurse held out a withered hand, and her eyes were moist with tears as she said:
"Good-bye, Mr. Kenneth. A safe journey to you. Keep out of danger. I'll be praying for the Lord to watch over you."
Helen turned away so they might not see her emotion. Kenneth laughed lightly as he kissed the old woman's cheek, and then, slipping a bank note into her hand, he said carelessly:
"All right, Mary, I'll be careful. I'll come back safe and sound,—never fear, and I'll bring you something nice,—perhaps a big diamond. Out in South Africa they pick 'em up like stones."
The old woman's eyes opened incredulously.
"Really, Mr. Kenneth?"
"Yes, really. Diamonds as big as apples. They're found every day. When I come back I'll have all sorts of adventures to tell you about. Who knows? I might even run across this twin-brother of mine. Stranger things have happened."
"Diamonds as big as apples," she echoed. "Do you mean that, Mr. Kenneth?"
He laughed.
"Indeed I do! Some of the gems are as big as cocoanuts. Didn't you hear of that wonderful diamond we found the other day? It's worth a million dollars."
The old woman opened her eyes and gaped with astonishment.
"A million dollars, Mr. Kenneth!"
"Yes, a million dollars. What's more, I'll soon be able to show it to you, Mary. My trip out to South Africa is ostensibly for the purpose of negotiating for more land. The real purpose of my journey is to bring home this astonishing stone."
"But how will you carry it, Mr. Kenneth? A stone worth a million dollars must be big as a house."
Kenneth laughed.
"No—no, Mary. It can easily go in my waistcoat pocket. But for safety's sake it won't. I don't mind letting you into my confidence. I'm to have a secret bottom made in——"
Before he could complete the sentence, Helen quickly clapped her hand over his mouth, and he had not yet recovered from his astonishment when she sprang to the door and opened it. The movement was so sudden and unexpected that a man who had been leaning against it, fell all his length into the room. It was François, the French valet.
"Excusez," he stammered, "I stumbled."
Kenneth stared first at the servant, then at his wife. Slowly he began to comprehend. Turning to the Frenchman he demanded angrily:
"What were you doing behind that door?"
"Excusez. I came back to ask monsieur how many shirts I pack."
Thoroughly aroused, the promoter pointed to the door. Sternly he said:
"Get out of here—you fool! If you don't know your business, I'll get some one else who does."
The Frenchman beat a rapid retreat. There was a malevolent look on his face, but he murmured respectfully enough:
"Oui, monsieur."
Kenneth turned to his wife.
"What did he come back for?" he demanded.
"He was listening—behind the door," she replied calmly.
The dirty, sullen waters of the harbor washed lazily against the black, precipitous sides of the giant liner which, under a full head of steam, vibrated with suppressed energy, straining at mighty cables as if impatient to start on her long and hazardous voyage across the tumbling seas. A raw, piercing northeaster, howling dismally above the monotonous creaking and puffing of the donkey-engine, swept through the cheerless, draughty dock, chilling the spectators to the marrow. The sun, vainly trying to break through the banks of leaden-colored clouds, cast a grayish pall over land and sky. A day it was of sinister portent, that could not fail to have a depressing effect on sailor and landlubber alike.
Yet unpropitious skies and chilly wind did not appear to keep people at home. The steamer was crowded, both with those who were sailing and those who were not. The gangways, staterooms were overrun not only by passengers, but by all sorts of visitors curious to get a glimpse of the luxurious liner. The first-class saloon, heaped high on all sides with American Beauty roses and orchids, looked as gay and full of color as a florist's shop.
"Isn't it perfectly stunning? How I adore ships!" exclaimed Ray, eager to see everything.
Keeping close together, the two young women with difficulty elbowed their way through the excited throng. They were anxious to rejoin Kenneth whom they had left in the stateroom giving instructions to François, and they began to be afraid they might lose him in the crush. Delighted at everything she saw, Ray could not contain herself.
"Oh, how I wish I were going! Why doesn't Ken take me?"
Helen turned to her in mock despair.
"If you went, what would I do? Who would take care of me?"
"I would," said a masculine voice close by.
The women turned quickly.
A tall, fair man still in his thirties, had stopped and raised his hat.
"Why, it's Mr. Steell!" exclaimed Ray, her pleasure at the meeting betraying itself in the tone of her voice.
"Do you doubt my ability to take care of you? Could any man wish for a more congenial task?"
"Flatterer!" laughed Helen. Cordially she added: "I'm awfully glad to see you. It was very good of you to come and see Ken off."
"Nonsense," exclaimed the newcomer. "I wanted to come—if only to make sure he wouldn't change his mind. I'm as anxious to see those diamonds as you are."
"Hush!" said Helen putting up her finger to her mouth while Ray's attention was momentarily diverted elsewhere. "No one knows—not even Ray. It's a great secret."
An anxious look passed over the young man's face. He hadn't approved of this South African trip. It was wholly unnecessary. In his opinion his old chum was taking a great risk.
"That's right," he muttered. "You can't be too careful."
In metropolitan legal circles Wilbur Steell was looked upon as the coming man. His success in the courts had given him a wide reputation before he was five and thirty, and his gifts as a public speaker, his strong, aggressive personality made more than one political leader anxious to secure his services. Already he was mentioned as district attorney. Even the Governorship might have been his for the asking. But he showed no liking for politics. His sympathies leaned more towards the literary, intellectual life. Having all the money he needed, he preferred to keep out of the social and political maelstrom, leading a quiet life, following his own tastes and inclinations. Match-making mammas saw in him a prize, but so far he had shown no disposition to marry. He cultivated few people, in fact, was considered somewhat of a misanthrope. Kenneth he had known all his life. They were boys together, and the Traynors were among the few on whom he called frequently. He made no secret of his attraction for Ray, and the young girl liked him as well as she chose to like anybody. He had qualities, not usually met with in successful men, that made a strong appeal to her—fine ideals, and a purpose in life. She liked his seriousness, finding him different in this respect from any other man she knew. She felt he admired her, but he did not make love to her and she was grateful to him for that. She liked his society and never tired of discussing with him sociology and other subjects in which both were interested.
"When does the steamer sail?" interrupted Ray anxiously, as if afraid that they might go off with her on board.
"In half an hour," said the lawyer. "They ring a warning bell. There is plenty of time. Where's Kenneth?"
"Down below in his stateroom—wrestling with baggage," replied Helen. "He said he would join us here."
"Well, suppose we sit down a bit," he suggested.
"Yes—that will be jolly," exclaimed Ray.
The lawyer pulled up three steamer chairs and sitting down, they watched the crowd which had already begun to thin out. The novelty of the scene held both women fascinated. The constant bustle and excitement, the going and coming of well-groomed men and women, the little scraps of conversation overheard, interested them both beyond measure. Helen studied each individual couple, wondering who they were, how long married, if they were happy, where they were going to. She wondered if that coarse, loudly dressed woman really cared for her husband, or if this brutal looking man with insolent stare of the libertine, illtreated his delicate little wife. She herself could not understand marriage without genuine affection on both sides. Any such intimate relation as the marriage tie involved must surely be repellent and abhorrent to any self-respecting woman unless love were there to sanction and sanctify it.
Ray glanced at her sister and laughed.
"Why so serious, Helen? He hasn't gone yet."
Helen sighed.
"But he soon will be. I wish he were here instead of downstairs."
Ray protested.
"Please be nautically correct. Remember we are on a ship. You don't say 'downstairs'; you say 'below.'"
Mr. Steell turned round with a smile.
"I had no idea you were so well posted in sailor's parlance."
The young girl laughed.
"Oh, you don't know half my accomplishments. I'm cleverer than you give me credit for."
The young man leaned half over the chair as he whispered:
"I wouldn't dare tell you how clever I think you."
"Why?"
"Because—of my own peace of mind."
Helen broke in on the conversation. Addressing the lawyer, she said:
"Now Kenneth is away, we shall expect you to come to the house very often."
The lawyer bowed.
"It's always a pleasure to call."
"Be sure to come next Sunday evening. I expect some friends. We'll have some music."
"May I bring someone?"
"Certainly. Any friend of yours is welcome."
"Who is it?" asked Ray impertinently. "Male or female?"
"I believe it's a male," smiled the lawyer. "It looks like a male and talks like one." More seriously he went on: "His name is Dick Reynolds. He has just passed his bar examination and is practicing temporarily in my office. His people live out West and being alone here, he is glad enough to have somewhere to go."
"Bring him by all means," exclaimed Ray. "Has he any accomplishments—apart from being a male?"
"Yes—he plays the piano indifferently, and tennis admirably. He swims like a fish, and can run like a hare. But his best accomplishment is a gift that one seldom sees developed——"
"What is that?" exclaimed both his listeners at once.
"He is a born detective—a regular Sherlock Holmes in real life. I have tested him several times with extraordinary results. I have given him the most difficult cases to unravel. He has found the solution in every one."
Ray clapped her hands.
"Oh, I love that," she said. "Don't forget to invite him. Only the trouble is we have nothing to unravel."
"I have a skein of silk," interrupted Helen facetiously.
Suddenly the lawyer stopped speaking and quickly sitting up in his chair stared intently in the distance at a face in the crowd which had caught his eye.
"Who is it?" demanded Ray, her woman's jealousy aroused.
"I may be mistaken," he replied, "but I thought I saw your friend Signor Keralio."
Helen looked up quickly.
"My friend?" she exclaimed. "He's no friend of mine. I wonder what he's doing here. He can't be sailing."
"He's up to no good, I wager that," growled the lawyer.
"You don't like him either, do you?" smiled Ray.
"Does anyone?" he answered. "I don't see how Kenneth can have anything to do with such a cheap type of adventurer."
Helen hastened to explain.
"Ken doesn't care for him at all, only they are both interested in the same business deal—a silver mine in Mexico. Ken bought stock and Keralio is the only man he knows connected with it. That's why."
The lawyer gave vent to a grunt of disgust.
"If Keralio has anything to do with it, good-bye to Ken's money. In my opinion the fellow's a crook."
Suddenly Helen pointed to a spot away down at the other end of the deck.
"Yes—you're right—there he is—behind that third lifeboat. He's talking to some one."
The lawyer looked in the direction indicated.
"Yes—and do you see the secretive way in which they're talking—hiding behind that boat, as if so that no one might see them. They're plotting some mischief, you may be sure of that. Who's the other fellow?"
Helen strained her eyes to see.
"I can't see his face. Oh, yes I can—why—it's our François—Kenneth's valet. What can they be talking about? I don't trust that valet. Only the other day I caught him reading some letters. I warned Ken about him; but he insists he is faithful—I wonder what they can have in common? He used to be in Signor Keralio's employ."
The lawyer shook his head ominously. Gravely he said:
"That fellow Keralio will bear watching. I think I'll put my Sherlock Holmes on his track."
Ray laughed.
"Oh, that would be exciting—a drama in real life. Please do——"
"Good morning, ladies!" said a voice close at hand. "Good morning, Mr. Steell."
All looked up. A tall, elderly man with white hair, distinguished looking and fashionably dressed, had stopped.
"Why, it's Mr. Parker!" exclaimed Helen holding out her hand. "You came to see Kenneth off?"
"Yes—where is he?"
"In his stateroom—attending to his baggage. He'll be here directly."
"I must see him at once."
"Anything important?"
"Very important, indeed," replied the newcomer.
Helen jumped up, all flushed from excitement.
"Please tell me what it is?" she exclaimed.
The old gentleman drew a telegram from his pocket.
"I've just received this from our agent in Cape Town. Another diamond of extraordinary size has been picked up. It weighs over 2,000 carats and is calculated to be worth five hundred thousand dollars. That's the second stone of extraordinary size that we have found. Possibly there is some exaggeration in the reports, but there is no doubt whatever that we are on the verge of discoveries little short of sensational. Meantime, the treasury of the Americo-African Mining Company has been enriched by at least a million. When Kenneth returns to New York with these wonderful gems in his possession, there is likely to be a boom in the company's shares."
The old gentleman spoke glibly, even eloquently and it was obvious that he was sincere and not talking for effect. It was, indeed, largely due to his distinguished air, and fine oratorical powers that Cornelius Winthrop Parker had been elected president of the Americo-African Mining Company, with fine offices in New York and London and stockholders in every country under the sun. Trained for the ministry and enjoying a wide acquaintance but a slim income, he had found the business of stock company promotion more profitable than preaching the gospel, and when Traynor had first gone to him with the suggestion that a company be formed to take up the large tract of Transvaal land where precious stones had actually been found he was not slow to grasp at the unusual opportunity. He managed cleverly the preliminary publicity campaign. The company was promptly organized and successfully floated, the public snapping as eagerly at the shares as a fish at the bait. It was only logical to infer, therefore, that when Kenneth returned to New York with actual proof of the company's suddenly acquired wealth in his possession, the stock would soar above par. With this pleasing prospect in view, it was not surprising that Mr. Parker wore to-day his most engaging smile.
Ray looked up in surprise.
"What!" she exclaimed. "Kenneth to bring home the diamonds? This is the first I heard of it. Helen never told me."
"Hush!" said Mr. Parker, holding up his handy warningly. "Some one might hear you." Continuing, he said blandly:
"Of course not, my dear lady, of course not. Your sister is far too discreet and clever a woman to disclose her husband's plans to the world. There are some things a man must keep secret from everyone—even from his wife. It would have been the height of folly to make any such announcement from the housetops. The highways are full of rogues; even the walls have ears. Some crook might have learned of our plans and acted accordingly. Kenneth might be followed to South Africa, shadowed till he has the gems in his possession and then waylaid and murdered. Remember, he will have stones in his waistcoat pocket worth a million. Do you suppose desperate men will stop at anything to secure such a prize?"
Ray turned to her sister.
"Did you know?"
Helen nodded.
"Yes, and it has made me very unhappy. It is terrible that he is taking such risks." Turning to Mr. Parker she asked apprehensively: "Do you think he will run any danger?"
The old gentleman shook his head.
"Of course not, my dear lady. It is preposterous to even think of such a thing. We have kept the matter too secret. Don't be uneasy. He will come to no harm." Raising his hat, he added: "Excuse me, ladies. I'll go and find Kenneth and bring him to you."
The next instant he was swallowed up by the crowd.
Helen, uneasy at her husband's prolonged absence, suggested that they go below and join him.
Suddenly a stentorian voice called out:
"All ashore—all ashore!"
Quickly, Helen jumped to her feet, only to bump into Kenneth, who at that moment ran up, followed by Mr. Parker.
"All ashore, dear," he said hastily, "you had better go."
She made no reply, but averted her head so he might not see her red eyes.
All about them the bustle and excitement was bewildering. People pushed this way and that in their efforts to reach the gangway.
The siren sounded its last deep toned blasts of warning; the final greetings were exchanged.
Tall and handsome looking in his tourist knicker-bockers and close fitting steamer cap, Kenneth held both Helen's hands in his. Ray and Mr. Parker, under the pretence of visiting the anchor weighed, had discreetly withdrawn. François, the valet, could be seen in the distance, making signals to some one on shore. Husband and wife were standing alone behind one of the big ventilators, Helen glad that no one saw them, ashamed that anyone should detect the big tears she was unable to control. How she had dreaded this moment of actual parting, this ordeal of saying good-bye!
"You'll write every day, won't you?" she asked in choking voice.
Tenderly he drew her to him.
"Every day, sweetheart."
"And you'll come back safe to me?"
"I'll come back safe to you."
Bravely she forced back the tears that blinded her. Gently she murmured:
"I'll wait for you, Kenneth. I shall count the days, every moment, until you return. I never realized till now how much we are to each other. I'll pray for you, Kenneth; I'll pray God that He watch over and protect you."
He said nothing, but drew her toward him. Looking searchingly into her eyes, he said half in jest, half in earnest:
"You'll be true, always true!"
Gravely she answered:
"Always—until death!"
"You'll look at no other man."
"How can you be so foolish, Ken dear? I see no one but you. I hear no voice but yours. You are my life, my soul. When you return you'll find me here, at this same dock, arms outstretched, waiting, just waiting."
The bell rang.
"All ashore! All ashore!"
He bent low. His mouth met hers in one deep, lingering kiss.
"God bless you, darling."
"Good-bye, Ken, good-bye."
The next thing she knew she was back on the dock among a crowd of spectators waving hats and handkerchiefs—the women weeping, the men shouting and gesticulating.
The passengers stood at the rail, waving frantic adieux in return. The siren sounded deep-toned blasts of warning to the smaller river craft to get out of the way. The huge vessel strained and trembled, vibrating more violently as she gradually began to glide into the open. Assisted by a fleet of energetic tugs she finally swung clear and pointed her nose eastward. Slowly, majestically, the leviathan moved out to sea.
It was bad enough to see him go at all, but to have him sail on such a gloomy day as this, with not a ray of sunshine to cheer him on the way, was more than Helen could bear. Blinded by tears she stood kissing her hand to the familiar figure now only faintly discernible on the fast receding steamship, and she stood there long after every one else had left the dock watching until theMauretaniawas only a speck in the horizon.
Sunday evenings at Mrs. Traynor's were always enjoyable. No formal invitations were issued. Friends just dropped in as they felt inclined. There was good music, excellent teaà la Russeand always a number of interesting people.
To-night, the second Sunday since Kenneth went away, promised to be duller than usual. Mr. Steell was there, of course, and he had brought Dick Reynolds, a slightly built, shrewd looking young man with glasses, who kept everybody amused with exciting stories of the underworld. Yet, for all the animation, there was an atmosphere of gloom in the air, an indefinable sense of depression which all felt and could not explain. The lawyer, Dick, and Ray were in a corner carrying on an animated discussion. Helen, her mind preoccupied, her thoughts hundreds of miles away with the loved absent one, sat quietly at the piano, running her fingers lightly over the keys, her thoughts many leagues distant with the man who had carried her heart away with him.
Her face was pale, her expression grave. Why had Kenneth's going away affected her like this? She had not had a moment's peace of mind since his departure. She could not sleep. Horrible dreams and thoughts haunted her all night. Some danger threatened, that she felt instinctively. Something dreadful was going to happen. What it was, she did not know. But it was something that threatened her happiness, perhaps her life or Kenneth's——. At the mere thought a shiver ran through her, and a convulsive sob rose in her throat, almost choking her. Not until this moment had she fully realized how much she loved him.
A sudden burst of laughter at the other end of the room aroused her from her reverie. Looking up, she asked:
"What are you all so amused about?"
Ray smiled as she replied:
"We're arguing about dual personalities. Mr. Steell insists that there is no such thing. Mr. Reynolds agrees with him. He is wrong of course. I know of several well-authenticated cases, and the medical records are there to back me up."
"Exactly what do you mean by dual personality?" demanded the lawyer.
Ray returned to the attack, while Helen, amused, rose from the piano and went over to listen to the argument.
"I mean that a person we know well may suddenly cease being that person and assume a personality entirely different."
Mr. Steell laughed derisively.
"Does the patient change her or his skin?"
"No, the change is wholly mental. Although in fact, the new mental attitude does result in certain physical modifications. For instance, a person who in his normal condition may be most punctilious and neat in his dress is likely to become unkempt and slovenly in the new character he unconsciously assumes."
"Have you ever encountered any such dual personalities?"
"Personally, no. But I have heard of them, and physicians often encounter them in their practice."
The lawyer shrugged his shoulders as he turned to Helen.
"What do you think about it?" he asked, with an incredulous smile.
"About what?"
"These so-called dual personalities."
Before his hostess could answer, the drawing-room door opened and Mr. Parker entered. Helen rose and went forward to greet the president of the Americo-African Mining Company.
"Oh, Mr. Parker, how are you? I am so glad you came to see us."
The visitor advanced smiling into the room. With a salute to all present, he asked cheerily:
"Well, what news of the wanderer?"
Helen sighed.
"None as yet."
The visitor chuckled as he crossed the room to shake hands with Ray and Mr. Steell.
"Oh, well you must be patient. He'll soon be there, and then we shall hear wonderful tales."
"What's the latest news from the seat of war—I mean the mines?" asked Ray roguishly.
Mr. Parker smiled.
"Everything is going well, thank you."
"No new big finds?" demanded Mr. Steell.
The president laughed. Shaking his head, he said:
"We can't expect to make such finds every day. If we often picked up stones of that size, we'd soon own all the wealth in the world."
"More likely," retorted Ray quickly, "that diamonds would become so cheap that children would buy them for marbles."
Mr. Steell looked interested.
"What is the real market value of the two big gems you have already picked up?"
The president looked at him for a moment in silence. Then, slowly, he said:
"A very conservative estimate is $1,200,000 for both stones. They are the purest white. There are larger stones in the world, but none of finer quality."
"What do you expect to do with them?"
"First, they will be brought here and exhibited in their crude state. You can easily realize the value to our company of such a gigantic advertisement. Crowds will flock to see the wonderful crystals. The newspapers all over the country will give them the widest publicity. After everybody has seen them, we shall probably send them to Amsterdam to be cut."
"Then, what will you do with them?"
"To tell you the truth, we have not made up our minds. Such very large stones have really no commercial value. Take for instance the famous Cullinan, the wonder of the modern world. That gem was so huge that it was of no real value to the owners; so, unable to realize on it themselves, they induced the Transvaal government to buy it and present it to the King of England. We shall try to be a little more practical. Our first duty is to our stockholders. We shall probably have the stones cut up into a number of smaller stones, on which we shall be able to realize a large sum. It's a rare stroke of good fortune for us."
Helen had said nothing, but stood listening in silence. It was less of the money involved in the adventure that she was thinking than of her husband's safety.
"Suppose Kenneth loses the gems?" she faltered.
he old gentleman laughed.
"There's no fear of him losing them. He may have to fight for them, but he'll never lose them I know him too well for that."
Helen's eyes opened wide.
"He may have to fight for them," she echoed. "Do you mean that?"
"No—no, of course not," said the president hastily. "No one will even know he has them in his possession. We have kept the matter very quiet."
Mr. Steell shrugged his shoulders. Drily he said:
"Oh, I guess Ken is big enough to take care of himself. It does look as if it were tempting Providence to carry loose on one's person valuables for so large an amount, but it's hardly likely that any of the denizens of the underworld know of his departure. Still less that he is carrying a million loose in his clothes. I don't see that there's any reason to worry."
"That's precisely my opinion," said a musical voice immediately behind them.
All started and looked up. Everyone had been so intent on the conversation that they had not noticed a man who had entered the room.
He was a tall, dark-complexioned man of five and thirty with strong, stern features, which, in repose, were actually forbidding. The mouth, partly concealed by a long, bristling moustache, was firm, suggesting relentless will power, and his eyes, restless, keen and searching, had taken in every person there long before anyone was aware of his presence. He was fashionably, even elegantly dressed, and on his left hand he wore a solitaire of uncommon size and luster. His hair, carefully curled, scented and parted, was extraordinarily dark, contrasting sharply with the unusual pallor of his face. He spoke low and musically, with a slight foreign accent.
Helen started involuntarily on hearing the sound of his voice, and a cloud passed momentarily over her face. It lasted only a moment. She was too tactful, too much the woman of the world not to greet with at least apparent cordiality any visitor under her roof, no matter how unwelcome he might really be. Turning quickly, she advanced and held out her hand.
"How do you do, Signor Keralio? How you startled us! I did not hear you come in."
The newcomer's black eyes flashed, and his thin lips parted in a smile as he bent low and ceremoniously kissed his hostess' hand in continental fashion. Fond, as are most men of the Latin race, of making extravagant compliments, he murmured softly:
"Your tiny ears, Madam, were not intended to distinguish such gross sounds as ordinary mortal's footsteps. Dainty and delicately fashioned as the shells strewn along the beach, they were modeled only to listen to the gods or re-echo the music of the murmuring sea." Apologetically he added:
"But I'm afraid I intrude. Possibly you discuss family affairs——"
A look of annoyance crossed Helen's face. Quickly withdrawing her hand, she said:
"Oh, not at all. We were only talking about my husband. You know he sailed for South Africa two weeks ago. This is Mr. Steell, Signor Keralio. I think you know my sister. Mr. Parker—Signor Keralio."
The old gentleman nodded affably, and, putting on his glass, scrutinized the newcomer narrowly. The president of the Americo-African Mining Company had always made it a point not to neglect any chance introduction. He had no idea who the visitor was, but he looked prosperous. Possibly with a little careful manipulation, he might be induced to invest in some A. A. M. stock. Holding out his hand, he said affably:
"Signor Keralio—— Let me see. Where have I heard that name before?"
Ray came to the rescue.
"Signor Keralio is the well-known fencing master."
A look of disappointment came over the president's face. Only a fencing master? Ugh! He was hardly worth bothering about. He wondered whether the business were profitable and if all fencing masters dressed like millionaires and had such polished manners. Helen explained:
"Signor Keralio is a friend of my husband. Kenneth enjoys fencing, and Signor Keralio is his teacher."
"Oh, yes, to be sure," smiled Mr. Parker. "Capital idea—splendid exercise. I'd try it myself, only I'm afraid I'd do my adversary some injury."
The Italian gave a low chuckle. With veiled irony, he said:
"Monsieur is right. He no doubt has a good eye, a supple wrist. An encounter might be very unpleasant for his opponent."
Ray, unable to control her mirth, hastily beat a retreat, followed more leisurely by Mr. Steell, and taking refuge at the far end of the room sat down at the piano, and began to play softly a Chopin nocturne.
Waving the newcomer to a seat, Mr. Parker offered him a cigar, which the fencing master, with a courteous bow, asked his hostess' permission to smoke.
"By all means," she said, "and with your permission I'll leave you gentlemen alone a few moments. I have a letter to finish. It must go tonight to catch the boat."
"It's to your husband, I wager," said Keralio, with a sardonic smile.
"An easy guess," she retorted. "I write him every day."
The fencing master gave a sigh as he exclaimed:
"Ah, such devotion is truly beautiful! Why have I never known such love as that?"
"Perhaps you never deserved it!" she retorted.
Mr. Parker chuckled.
"That's what we in the American vernacular call 'a knock-out.'"
Helen laughed lightly. There was a swish of silken petticoats, and she disappeared in an alcove, where she sat down at a desk. Keralio looked after her with undisguised admiration and puffed his cigar in silence for a few moments. Then he said:
"It's a big job which you and Traynor are doing out there in South Africa. I see by the papers that you've already made some valuable finds."
He appeared unconcerned, and looked narrowly at hisvis à visto see what effect his words had on him, possibly to draw him out. But Mr. Parker was too old a bird to be caught napping, even by a clever adventurer. Instantly on his guard, he said carelessly:
"The outlook is very bright, very promising indeed. Our stockholders are quite satisfied, and it is likely that we shall make good money. But of course everything is in the experimental stage as yet."
"But you have found diamonds—big diamonds?"
"Oh, yes," replied the president with affected carelessness; "we have picked up a few stones. As I told you, the prospects are very promising."
"But haven't you recently made some extraordinary finds?"
Mr. Parker shook his head.
"No—nothing worth mentioning.'"
Keralio smiled skeptically.
"Isn't your memory somewhat at fault, cher monsieur? Surely you haven't forgotten the two stones of enormous size just picked up—finds of sensational importance. The newspapers have been full of the story."
Mr. Parker made a deprecatory gesture.
"Pshaw! My dear sir, you ought to know what newspaper talk is worth! No yarn is too fantastic to print so long as it sells their papers. We found two stones of fair size, it is true, but to say that they are of priceless value is a gross exaggeration."
The Italian eyed his companion closely. Significantly he said:
"They're valuable enough, however, to justify you in refusing to trust their shipment to ordinary channels and in going to the expense of sending to South Africa one of your officers to whom is confided the task of bringing the gems home."
"How did you know that?" demanded Mr. Parker, surprised.
"There is very little I do not know," smiled Keralio ironically, as he blew a ring of cigar smoke up to the ceiling.
His curiosity aroused, the president of the A. A. M. Co. was about to question his companion farther, but at that moment Helen rose from the desk and came toward them.
"I'm not in the humor to write now," she said. "I'd rather talk." Sitting in a chair near them, she added quickly: "Won't you let me get you some tea?"
Both men shook their heads. Mr. Parker rose. With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, he said:
"I'll go over to the others and take a hand at bridge. I want to make some money, Signor—I'll leave you to entertain Mrs. Traynor."
With a courteous salutation to his hostess, a graceful act of chivalrous politeness of which he was a past master, Mr. Parker crossed the room in the direction of the card table.