CHAPTER XXVPHANTOMS OF THE NIGHT
Kathryn Allen, taking care that her starched white nurse’s uniform made no crinkling sound, bent over Mrs. Fordyce and listened to her regular breathing. Satisfied that her patient was at last asleep, she arranged the night-light, placed several bottles and glasses on the bedstand, and left the room. Her rubber-soled shoes made no sound, and she passed through the empty rooms and halls in ghostly silence. First, she paid a lengthy visit to Marjorie’s old room, and when she emerged into the hall her white gown was covered by a dark coat-sweater which Mrs. Fordyce had given to Marjorie at Christmas, and the becoming white nurse’s cap nestled in one of the pockets of the sweater. Finally, reaching the drawing-room floor, she paused to listen to the distant hum of voices and gay laughter coming faintly from the dining-room, then she peeped into the ballroom. It was empty, and the drawing-room likewise.
Convinced that the way was clear she entered the library and was about to make herself comfortable in Mr. Fordyce’s own easy-chair, when the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps startled her, and shedarted behind the long silken window curtains which effectually concealed her from view.
The curtains had barely fallen back into place when the hall door opened and Calderon Fordyce came in and walked over to the telephone. He was in much too great a hurry to observe his surroundings closely, and becoming absorbed in his conversation over the wire, never heard the faint rustle of the curtains as Kathryn Allen peered out between them into the room, drinking in every word she could overhear. She jerked her head out of sight as Fordyce hung up the receiver.
“Well, I’m blessed!” he exclaimed aloud. “I don’t want any more scenes; where in thunder did Janet put the evening paper?” But his search was unavailing, and he left the library still grumbling.
Kathryn allowed several minutes to elapse before she stirred from behind the curtains. Finally convinced that Calderon Fordyce was not likely to return at once, she went directly to his desk, and selecting pen and paper, scribbled rapidly:
Dear Joe,They know, and have telephoned Calderon Fordyce. Get a taxi and wait for me around the corner. Don’t fail.K. A.
Dear Joe,
They know, and have telephoned Calderon Fordyce. Get a taxi and wait for me around the corner. Don’t fail.
K. A.
She reread what she had written, then drawing out a folded paper from the same pocket which contained her nurse’s cap, she picked out a long envelope stamped with Calderon Fordyce’s house address, and wrote above it Marjorie Langdon’s name; thenstraightening out the folded paper, enclosed it in the envelope which she sealed and addressed, and making free with Calderon Fordyce’s stamp-book, soon had it ready for the mail.
“I think my ‘find’ will square accounts with both Marjorie Langdon and Chichester Barnard,” she murmured, with malicious fury. “He won’t marry me, and he shan’t marry her. God! how I—I—love him”—and the unhappy woman bowed her head in anguish. The fact that her habit of self-deception had magnified Barnard’s attentions to her did not soften the realization that he cared nothing for her. It was but another version of the moth and the flame, and pretty Kathryn, her wings singed, turned with sore heart to Joe as her haven of refuge. But even so she could neither forgive Barnard nor forget him.
Replacing the envelope in her pocket, she rearranged the displaced desk ornaments, and picking up the note addressed to Joe, left the room. No one saw her make her way into the men’s cloakroom on the ground floor, but once there she stuck Joe’s note on the mantel in plain view and sped into the hall. Not wishing to encounter any servant she entered the lift and shot up to the drawing-room floor. She made certain the way was clear before venturing down the hall to the Chinese room. Mrs. Fordyce had sent her there earlier in the evening to get theEvening Star, and she had used the private staircase to go and return. It would be the quickest way to reach her patient undetected.
But the contents of the Chinese room fascinated her, and she lingered on, examining with growing interest the many beautiful curios. So absorbed was she that she never heard the opening and closing of the hall door.
“Oh, ho, Kathryn!” said a well-known voice, and with a stifled cry she faced about.
“Chichester!”
Barnard laughed softly as he observed her confusion. “Pretty, pretty, Kathryn!” he mocked. “Why so far from your patient, my dear?”
“What business is that of yours?”
“My general interest in your welfare prompts the question.”
“Rot!” bitterly. “You have already shown me that you care nothing for me.”
“Interest does not necessarily mean affection, my dear Kathryn. You are so emotional you confuse the terms.”
“I don’t want your interest,” she replied sullenly, her resentment rising.
“Oh, yes, you do,” with a provoking smile. “Suppose I lost interest in you and reported your neglect of Mrs. Fordyce to her husband. Is your reputation as a reliable nurse of no value to you?”
“Not particularly.”
“Indeed. Found a bonanza?”
“No; a man who respects me.”
Barnard laughed again. “Poor fool!”
Kathryn’s cheeks turned as red as her hair as her smoldering wrath kindled under his look and words.“You are the pitiful fool; wasting your love on a girl who betrays you,” she snapped, and meeting his blank stare, added: “Marjorie Langdon has other intentions since being thrown with Duncan Fordyce. You don’t believe me? Well, I have proof she’s off with the old love. I found out tonight that she plans to ruin you.”
“Bosh!” but Barnard paled. “I am in no woman’s power....”
“Then why should Marjorie Langdon write to Admiral Lawrence?” she supplemented.
“Why shouldn’t she?” he countered.
“Put it down to a change of heart,” she taunted. “Perhaps Marjorie wants her old secretaryship back again, perhaps conscience prompts her to make restitution. The envelope was long, it could easily have held a legal document ... for instance, a codicil to a will.”
“Where did you make this interesting discovery?”
“Among Marjorie’s belongings.”
“While playing hide-and-seek,” he jeered. “Well, did you leave it there?”
“For you to steal?” The sneer cost her dearly, for Barnard’s quick wits grasped the situation.
“No, of course you didn’t; an unscrupulous woman would not leave capital behind. Give it to me.”
“I haven’t it”—but Barnard, paying no attention to the denial, sprang toward her. “Stop, you hurt my arm”—struggling in his grasp. “You brute!”
“Give me the letter!” Barnard shook her violently. For answer she sank her teeth in his hand. “Youdevil!” he gasped, and she reeled backward under his blow. As her weight fell on the unlatched door leading to the private staircase, it opened and precipitated her into the short passage way. In an instant Barnard was by the fallen woman’s side, but before he could search her for the letter he supposed she had, Janet Fordyce stepped into the Chinese room. The passage way was fortunately dark, and she did not observe Barnard kneeling by Kathryn. With a swift movement Barnard pushed the door to, leaving however, a crack through which he could peer into the Chinese room.
Humming a gay tune Janet paused by the electric droplight, then sitting down before the desk she opened the left-hand drawer and putting in her hand felt about until her lingers found a spring which she pressed. Instantly the panel between the two drawers, which usually looked as solid as the rest of the desk, flew out, and Janet, bending down slipped her hand inside the opening and pulled out a jewel-box. With leisurely movement she opened the case and held it directly under the lamp, and the light fell on a superb ruby set as a pendant. She gazed at it admiringly and taking the jewel out of the case carefully inspected the exquisite workmanship of the pendant. She fondled the jewel for a moment, then replaced it in its case, and laid the latter back in the secret drawer. But before closing the drawer she evidently thought better of it and again lifted out the ruby pendant, replaced the empty case, closed the drawer, and unhurriedly left the room.
Through the crack of the door Barnard, with eyes almost starting from his head, watched Janet’s every movement; so intent was he that he failed to notice Kathryn. Taking advantage of his absorption, she had risen to her knees and was also peering into the Chinese room. As Janet disappeared, she sprang to her feet, intending to run upstairs, but Barnard pulled her back and stared at her in horror. She was shaking with noiseless mirth which threatened to break out into hysterical weeping.
“The girl’s a thief, a common thief,” she gasped faintly. “Trust you to find it out, and use your knowledge to bend her to your will. Well, you may make her your wife, but she loves Tom Nichols.” She blanched before his furious expression. “I tell you, Janet Fordyce loves Tom Nichols,” she repeated stubbornly. “I’ve just read the young fool’s diary.”
“Your inordinate curiosity will be your ruin,” said Barnard, with ominous quietness. “Give me the paper you found in Marjorie Langdon’s room,” folding his handkerchief around his bruised hand.
“Hush!” A murmur of voices sounded down the hall, and Kathryn seized on the interruption. “Go in there,” she directed, “unless you wish to be caught out here with me.” Barnard hesitated; the voices were most certainly drawing nearer; it would be one thing to be found waiting in the Chinese room alone, and quite a different matter to be discovered apparently hiding in a back passage with a trained nurse. He dared not risk another struggle withKathryn, they most certainly would be overheard. With a muttered oath he laid his hand on the door knob.
“You send that paper to Admiral Lawrence at your own peril,” he whispered. “I know of certain escapades which will forfeit any man’s respect for you—you understand. Don’t push me too far,” and jerking open the door he stepped back into the Chinese room.
He had been there but a moment when Calderon Fordyce entered with Representative J. Calhoun-Cooper. With a hasty word of greeting to the latter, Barnard backed toward the hall door, eager to be gone.
“Stop a second, Barnard,” exclaimed Calhoun-Cooper. “I am glad to have you here. Perhaps you can help me in a legal way.”
“Anything I can do, sir,” Barnard was careful to remain in the shadow as much as possible, keeping his bandaged hand in his pocket. “I am entirely at your service.”
“Thanks,” Calhoun-Cooper turned his attention to his host, to Barnard’s relief. “Have you sent for Joe?”
“Yes,” replied Fordyce shortly. “Look here, Cooper, can’t you contrive to settle this affair without a scene?”
“I’ll try. Barnard, here, will help me.” Barnard looked wonderingly at the two men. “What is the legal age for marriage in the District, Barnard?”
“With or without the consent of parents?”
“Without.”
Before Barnard could reply, the hall door opened and Pauline stepped into the room.
“What’s to pay, father?” she inquired. “I saw you arrive, and overheard the footman tell Joe to come to this room. Is mother ill?”
“No, go back to the drawing-room, Pauline, and hurry Joe in here.”
“He won’t come.” Pauline, scenting excitement, was reluctant to leave.
“Won’t he?” Calhoun-Cooper’s temper was aroused. Stepping past the others, he jerked open the hall door just in time to see Joe dash by. “Stop him!” he commanded. Tom Nichols, who happened to be returning from the smoking-room, instinctively tripped up the running man, and not until he helped him to his feet, did he recognize Joe.
“Go back into that room,” ordered Calhoun-Cooper, and Joe quailed before the look in his eyes. “Come with us, Nichols; no, there’s no use trying to run away again,” as Joe made a sideways motion to duck by them.
Much astounded Tom followed the father and son into the Chinese room. Janet, getting out of the elevator, saw the little procession, and moved by curiosity, also entered the room. Calderon Fordyce glanced vexedly at the increasing group around him, his request that there should be no scene was not to be granted. Calhoun-Cooper was about to speak when Duncan opened the hall door.
“What do you mean by running off and leavingyour guests, Janet?” he demanded. “They are saying good-bye, and Marjorie....” he stopped abruptly as his eyes fell on the others. “Go back to the drawing-room, dear,” and he pushed Janet through the door and closed it behind her.
“Tell me the truth, Joe,” commanded Calhoun-Cooper. “Have you taken out a marriage license?”
“Yes,” answered Joe sullenly.
“What?” screamed Pauline. “Who are you going to marry?”
“None of your business,” retorted her brother.
“It is very much my business,” broke in Calhoun-Cooper, who had been holding a hurried conversation with Barnard. “Considering you are not of legal age to marry in the District without your parent’s consent.”
“We can be married in Rockville,” replied Joe heatedly. “I suppose you read the marriage license published in theStartonight.”
“Your mother read it after dinner, and at once notified me at the Capitol.”
“It’s rotten luck!” complained Joe bitterly. “I didn’t know they’d publish it. Why should you withhold your consent, father? Kathryn Allen is worthy of respect and love.”
“Kathryn Allen!” Pauline’s face turned red with mortification and rage. “You propose marrying that girl of questionable repute? You dare to think of bringing her into our family!”
“My family is quite as good as yours,” retorted a voice from the other side of the room, and KathrynAllen, who had been an interested listener in the passageway, stepped to Joe’s side. She had discarded Marjorie’s sweater, and straightened her dress. She looked a model trained nurse in her simple white uniform. For a moment the others were too astounded to speak.
“Are you Kathryn Allen?” asked Calhoun-Cooper.
“Yes,” proudly. “And your son has the honor to be engaged to me.” She flashed a triumphant look at Pauline whose indignation prevented speech on her part.
“Where have you been most of the evening, nurse?” questioned Calderon Fordyce sternly. “My wife informed me, when I went to see how she was, that you had been absent for over an hour.”
“I came downstairs to do an errand for her,” lied Kathryn. “Your wife was asleep when I left her.”
“I do not like such conduct,” said Fordyce curtly. “I have already telephoned to the hospital for another nurse. You may leave at once.”
Kathryn’s eyes blazed with wrath. “You—you—send me away,” she paused to gain control of her trembling voice. “You, whose own daughter is a thief!”
“How dare you?” Both Calderon Fordyce and Duncan moved toward the enraged woman. No one paid the slightest attention to Marjorie and Paul Potter who entered at that moment, and stood regarding the tableau too surprised to speak.
“I am telling the truth,” shrieked Kathryn. “Mr.Barnard and I both watched her take your ruby pendant.”
There was dead silence as all eyes turned to Barnard. Quickly he decided; helped by the promise he read in Kathryn’s eyes: she would give him the codicil if he backed up her charge against Janet. Utterly unscrupulous himself, he never doubted that Marjorie, on impulse, had stolen the codicil; his intense egoism making him believe her past friendship for him had prompted the theft. With that codicil once safely in his possession he stood to win one hundred thousand dollars. He could depend on Kathryn’s dog-like fidelity if he showed her the slightest affection. Janet? Well, Janet could go in the discard. He cleared his throat nervously.
“The nurse’s story is quite true,” he acknowledged sorrowfully.
Calderon Fordyce staggered into the nearest chair, and Duncan paused irresolute, as remembrances crowded upon him.
“We saw Miss Fordyce go over to that desk, press a spring, open the middle part, and take out the case,” went on Kathryn vindictively, after casting a grateful look on Barnard. He had not failed her. “She removed the ruby pendant, replaced the case, and left the room.”
“It’s all a rotten lie!” gasped Tom. “It must be,” turning appealingly to Marjorie. But she stood silent. She had done her loyal best, she could do no more. The inevitable had happened.
“Did you tell your daughter that you had thependant, Fordyce?” asked Calhoun-Cooper, forgetting for the moment Joe’s prospective matrimonial plans.
“Yes, I showed it to her.”
“Anyone who reads theStarknew father had the ruby,” said Duncan slowly.
“But no outsider knew where your father kept the jewel,” interrupted Kathryn.
“Suppose you look and see if it is gone,” suggested Duncan, and Calderon Fordyce rose and opened the secret drawer. A groan of horror escaped him on seeing the empty case.
“Janet saw me place the case in there,” he gasped. “Her mother uses the secret drawer for many private documents and sometimes for her jewelry. Janet, my own dear daughter, a thief!” His agony was unconcealed.
“Do not condemn Janet so soon,” said Paul Potter quietly. “The girl was acting under auto-suggestion.”