The Eventful Journey.

Thames Star, Volume LII, Issue 13934, 12 July 1919, Page 3

The Eventful Journey.

-(Br EOUISTRACY) -""

CHAPTER XII. . l j , WHEREIN WRATH BEGUILES jfeOOD JUDGMENT. Next morning, Medenham was up betimes. He;heard the early posit - man's kuock^ and Tomkinson in - person brought the letters. "There's nothink in the name of Fiteroy, my lord," said he, having been warned in that matter overnight. Medenham took his packet with tihe best grace possible, trying v© assure himself that Sylvia had ■ written> at a late hour and' had „ missed the first London mail in consequence, i Glancing hurriedly through the correspondence, however," his glance fell on, a letter bearing the '. Windermere postmark. It was ad- ■ dressed in an- unfamiliar hand, to . "Viscount Medenham," and ,-the writing was bold, well-formed, and 'business -lik&. Then ihe read: "Sir.-—My daughter received a note from ,you this morning, and she was to answer it whem I informed^ her that she »was' communi- j eating with a person who had) given . her an assumed name. I also ask . ed her, as a favour, to permit me to reply in her stead. Now, ■I. have this' to say—'Miss Vanirenen ,' does not know, and will never (know ' from me, the true nature of the trick you played on her. . You bear the label of a gentlemen, so ft :-s ; my earnest hope'—lind'eed', my sin-' -1 cere belief—that you will respect, i the trust she placed in you, andM not expose, her to the idle chatter i of clubs and scandal-spreading' < drawkig-rooms. During two days'* I have been very bitter against^ you. To-day I take a calmer. i view, and, provided that neither my 1 daughter nor I ever see or hear of : < you again, I shall be willingl to I credit that you acted more in a j ' spirit of youithful caprice than from. \ any foul desire. to injure the good i repute otf one who has dome: no' i (harm, to you. or your^.—l am, p yours truly, \ ..,:« Peter Vanremea." - Medenham read' and re-read 1 this biting letter many times. Then, out of brooding chaos, leaped one < fiery question—-where was... Marigny? The gate which Sylvia's father f had shut and bolted in hi® focei did j not frighten him. He had leaped , ( a wall of brass and triple steel when • he won Sylvia Vanremen's love in the guise of a humble ohauiffeur, so it was unbelievable that -the barrier j interposed by a father's misiguided ( wrath should prove uns!urmoiun.table. { But Marigny! He, wanted to feel i his fingers clutching that slender . throat, to see that pink and white : face empurple and .grow black »m- ( der their strain, and it was all-im-portant that the .scoundrel should be brought'to book*before the Vanrenens returned to London. He- gave . a passing thought to Mirs. Leland, it was .true. If she shared with Vanrenen. the' silly little secret >i his identity, it -was beyond comprehension that, fi he shouldi let her firend hold the view that he (Medenham) Ava.9 .merely am einterprsdng ■ blaokjfuaird. \ . ; Still, these considerations were light as thistledown compared with, •the need of fin-ding Mtarigny. Hej .and Dale, began to hunt London for i , the Frenchman. But they had: to J deal with a wary bird, who. would not break covert till it suited liis own convenience. And then,, the sublime cheejk of,the'man! Oni the' Friday mornimor, when Medenham. rose, with a fixed 1 resolve to .obtain the services of a private defective, • he received this note: | "Dear Viscount Medenfliam.--I | have a notion, as our mutual acquaintance Mr. Vanrenen would say * (Do you know him? Now that I consider the, matter, I think not), i that you are anxious to meet me- } ■ Woi have things to discuss, haive we j not? Well, then, I await you .-at j the above address. Your s to com-: mand, Edmiard Marigny. I

CHAPTER XIV. > AND GOOD JUDGMENT YIELDS TO FOLLY. At amy other moment the tone of ! confidence uinderlying..'the effrontery of this letter would certainly -have revealed its p'res>c©nce to a brain j j^fc^brdinariLy acute. But; B^W-n; tb^Bii* and stress of his^riaige H^ agains^^Hte and mem, Medenh'am P^^did not^^Rt to ponder subtleties of No maitter what the hidden ISbon. that inspired Ma.rigirv's peiw it was enougSh for Medenhara ta know that ait last this /a.rdi-plottlr..a(nd very .perfect -ra'soal. wa s 'uithm his veajrii. He breakI ''tster] jaY fury 'or'haste, cnainm^, I on a /hatband rushed away, mean I nir tp d^ive Tni a ea.b to the hotel in l/.jTj^f'iiimberlaiTid Avenue from which wi-ote. . was his agitated state, that was not even surprised when he

found the Mercury waiting outside, with Dale, taciturn' as ever j scriitin- _ ising the day's sporting news. "" In sober fact, the man was almost a,s perturbed' as his master. For an hour in. the morning, and again during certain periods of suspense iin fthe afternoon., he forigot his tf^iublas- mi .the effort eiither w> "spot winners" or to persuade himself that the horses had not run, since their names failed to appear .-.among- the ■■■"first three." 3vi< 'these spasms of anticipation, and disillusionment soon , passed. During the remainder of the long ihouns 'of daylight Dale was ever on the qua vive, for *a wild rush of two or three hundred miles in pursuit of: the woman, whose charms had so> effectually subjjugaitedi the yopjina 1 Viscount.. Even tihe hunt for Marigny did n<weaken Dale's belief, and Medenham was never .in Cavendish Square or at his club at any practicable hour .that the Mercury was riot at hand, with petrol tanlks fuM, luggage carriers attached, and a full stock of spares and reserve spirit on board. 'A,t any rate, on this |occa^R|Oin|, ¥|;Kieinhain' merejly gave him Marigny's address, and jump- . ed inside. Dale was disappointed. He expected the order to be "Car-* lisle," at the least; Soonr-his lordship was 'being conducted, by a hotel servant to a private sitting-room. The Frenchmain, -who was seated at a taiblei writing when he entered, rose and bowed politely. "I thought it highly probable that I should have the honour of seeing you this morning, Viscount Medenham," he said, and there wa.s a touch of restraint, of formal courtesy, in Ihis voice that the other even in his anger against the man, did not fail to notce. Oddly enough, it' savoured of brutality to . attack him without preface, and Marigny seemed- to be unconscious of his ViisiiitKw's unconcealied. animoisii/tiy. "I am, glad you are here," he went on-glibly. "Recent events call for a full discussion between you and me, do you agree? But before we come' to close quarters, as you say in England, I wish to 'know whether "tibe argunienjt is !to be conducted ■on lines that befit gentlemen;. On the last occasion when we diffeared you used the methods of the: coetermoiigeiir"" "They served their purpose,'' said Medenham, annoyed at finding tihe Frenchman's coolness rather disconcerting. Stoddieniy he decided on ia mew plain of action, amdi resolved to let* the man say what, he chose. Dearly as he would have liked to wreak physical vengeance on him, 1 he felt that such, a proceeddng offered the least satisfactory way out of a situation fraught with no small risk of publicity. Marigny must have had some 'all-powerful motive in sending for • him: better learm that before his bitter and contemptuous words sealed an, adversary's lips. ' "Won'iti you sit dlown?" came the urbane request. "I prefer standing, if* you don't mind," .saidl Medenham curtly. Then he added, after a little pause: "It may clear the , atmosphere somewhat if I 'tell you that I threat-, aned you at Bristol merely because . a certain issue had to be determined within a few seconds. That consideration does not apply now. You are. at liberty ■■ to say what you like without fear of consequences." The Frenchman elevated his eyebrows. "Fear?" he said. "Oh! don't bandy words with me. You know what I mean. 'I • suppose a man must possess. courage of a sortt" .even to become a •!s&<&--mailer, which is what you threaten to develop into. , At any rate, I promise to. keep my hands off you, if that is what you want.'.' 1 "Not exactly!" was the .quiet answer. "One may draw distinctions, even in that regard, but I do wish for an opportunity to dis * cuss our quarrel without an, appeal Ito -brute force." , "In other words," said Medenham sternly, "you want to 'be free | !to say something which under or- [ dinary conditions would earn you a ; thrashing. Well—say it!" ! Marigny nodded, pulled a chair round so that he was. straddled | across it, facing, Medenham, with his arms resting on !the back. He lit a cigarette, and! seemed to-diypAV inspiration) from the. first dense clo"d !of snuolke, for his eyes dwelt on it | rather than sought the Emclrshma,n's frown. i "In a dispute of this kind," he ■ said, "it is veil to begin! ajtthe be- | ginning otherwise one's motives are | apt to be misunderstood. Even, you, I suppose, will admit' that I was first in the field." There was no answer. To his 'credit, Medenham, thought, Marigny :' jsJiO'wed ai curious unwillingness to j mention Sylvia's name, but nio mat I ter what he had in mind, Medenham 'certainly did not intend to render i his task easier. "You see," went on Count Marigny, after a. reflective puff or two. "I am quite as well-bom a man 'n my country as you are in yours. I haye 1 not ascertained the date whAT the Fair-holme Earldom wa. s cr&ated, but there has been a Comte Marig-

Ny on the Loire since 1434. Of course, you. understand thait I .do ■mot mention ithis trivial fact in any ridiculous spirit of 'boasting. I only put it .forward as constituting a claim to a certain equality, 'ihn.t is a3SL.: % UiujfortuTiiiitely, .recent events ■in my family have robbed be of those .necessary appurtenances. 'to rank and position which a happier fate has preserved to you. ' i am poor, you are rich; I must many a wife with money, you can afford to marry for love. Why, then, Viscounit Medenhain, should you step in, and 1 rob me of a rich wife?".

In spite of his loathing o'f^ the means adopted by this self-proclaim-ed rival to snatch an advantage, Medenham did not hesitate to 1 re-

"My answer to that is, of course, that I have done nothing *of . the sort.. I simply intervened. between a crew of adventurers and their possible, though most improbable, victim.''

"Unfortunately, our points of view are irreconcilable," went on the Frenchman airily. "I might claim that the term adventurer, as applied to. me, is a harsh' one. You may inquire There and how r you choose in Paris, and Jk>u ■will find no discredit' aittached to my name. But that phase of the difficulty is now of no- consequence. Let us: keep ito tibe maitn issue. iSom©. 'three months ago I maid© the acquaintance of a lady fitted in every respect to fill my ideal. I "was on. gioiod terms 1 '|vvith heir falther. and by no means distasteful to the lady herself. Given a fair opportunity, I thought I might win her, and i was puzzling my "wits to know how best to. attain that mosit desirables end. wheri fate 1 apparently opened) a way. ..- But you have no doubt obiserved in Me that while on,e can seldom misinterpret fate's frowns, her smiles can be damnably misleading. Sometimes they are lititla, else than malicious leers; it was so boiw 1, and I quidkly fouind that I had erred badly in thinking that I had been vouchsafed a golden opportunity—~"

/'Can't. y<"u spare me some of theoriising!?" broke in Medenham with a cold impatience. "You happened' to s]endi for me ait a inioltoeiniti whem I was exceedingly anxious to meet you. The fact that I am here-.in response 'to your request sitops me Iroin carry ing iout the. special purpose I had in riew. i.Th^ can wait, though not very long, i^t any rate, you might save yourself soimia 'hlajir-sipliiltltiinig, and, ma eicimie' exercs© of self-restraint by telling ■me what it is that ,yom want."

"A thousand regrets if I >;am boring you," said Marigny, leaning back in the chair and laying the cigarettes on the mantJepiece. "Yet bear with me a little while, I pray you; these/-expla.natlons are necessary. A sane man. acts■■• with' motive, and it is only reasonable" that you! should uinderstaind my inuotive before you hear my project." ; "Ah," then, there is.a project?"

"Yes. You have stepped in between me and the realisation of mv dearest wish, of my main object :n life. You are, I take it, a soldier and a gentleman. .There is a w.ay by which men of s honour settle th ese disputes—l .invite you to" follow it."

.The fantastic, proposal was made ■with .an air of dignity that robbtid dt of any inherent* ludicrousness. Greatly as. he despised his man, Medentiam could not wholly conc'ea.i the wonder that,leaped to his eyes. •'Are you suggesting that 'we fiheuld fight a. duel?" he asked, smiling wd'th incredulity, -yet constrained to, believe that Marigny was really spefcking in cold' blood. "Yes—oh', jyes. A duet—no make-believe!" • A curious change came into Marigny's voice at that instant. He seemed to bark each staccato phrase; a (vindictive fire gleamed in, his black eyes, and the olive tint showed beneath the pink and white of his skin. Medenharo laughed, almost igoodnaturedly. • _ , "The notion, is worthy of you," he said. "I might have • expected it, but I fancied you were more sensible. Surely you know enough of my world to realise tha,t such a thing is impossible." ' '. . "It must be made possible," said Marigny gravely. "Jt cannot—T refuse."----"I am partly < prepared for some such answer, but I shall be just to you in my thought, Viscount Medenha.m. I know you are a brave man. It is not cowardice, 'but your Imsulair convention Jfchait restiraiins you from facing me oil the field. Nevertheless, I insist./' Medenham threw out an impatient ha.nd. "Yon are talking arrant nonsense, for what purpose I can hardly conceive," he said, frowndriig with vexation at the tragi-comedv into which he had been drawn. "Frenchmen, at is true, regard these things from.' a different sitandpoinit. That which seems rational fo you is little else than buffoonery to me. If 'that is your object in seeking .an interview, it has now been: accomplished. I absolutely'decline to entertain the propositioni for a moment. You hajve oertairaiy succeeded) in lendibg an air of drivel to .a controversy . thaifc I regard' as seriousi. I cia^e here filled with very bitter thoughts towards you, but your burlesque has disarmed me. It, Hs only fair, however, that I stould warn youl not to cross my path laisraini, since one's sense of humour may become strainedl, <aond that will be bud for youi."

Hh's a.ttiitiude fieemed to> betloken an immediate departure, but. Marigny looked at him so fixedly that

he -waited to hear -what the other had to say. He was quite determined now to keep Sylvia.' out of the discussion. Even Vainirerien's letter need not be mentioned until he had seen the millionaire on, person, amd disabused his mind of the linept inventions wijtjh wh^ch the Frenchman had perplexed him. . f'l don't take your refusal as final," said Oouinit Edouakl, speaking very slowly, and choosing each sentence with evident care. "I was at pains to explain my position, and there now devolves upon me the disagreeable duty of telling you what will happen if you do not fight. You English may cot care: to defend your honour in. the manner that appeals 'to a more sensitive nation like |the French, but you are vailneraible in yoiir womenfolk. I now tall yoiui qui/te frankly, that if you do not (abandon your pjretensaons, to Miss Sylvia Vamrenen, I shall make it my special business in life to ruin) her socially." #

Medenham! listened more, amalzement than indignatajom.

<Afc fiflst, the torue. signfificaniciei rof the threat l^ft him unmoved. Int his ears it was a mere repetition of the bogey raised by Vaorenen, and that was 'the wildest nonsense.

"I really do nob thinfc you are responsible for your words," he began, i

Mariigaiy swept) aside the protest with an emphatic gesture.

"Oh, yes,''l am," lie said, liis voice low, sibilant, menacing. "1 i'have laid ;my plans, and! shall pursue 'them with a complete detachment. ' Others may suffer —so shall I. I have practically reached: the limit of my resources. In a month or less I shall be penniless. What money I could scrape together I devoted to the furtherance of this marriage project, and! 'I am ' well aware that, when, you meet Mr Vanrenen, my poor little cobweb of intrigue wiill be blown into thin aar. You 1 are quite a desirable party, Viisoofiint .Medenha/m —>eveiry ooindfc-' tion point® to your speedy and happy uwion to the lady of your choice. It is, however, a most unfortunate and lamentable • fact that she also happens to be the lady of, my choice,' and I shall revenge myself oai you, through her, in, the best way calculated to pierce your thick* British hiide. 'The future Countess of Fairholme should • be superior to Caesar's wife in being not. only above suspicion., bait altogether removed from -lit® taint. I am afraid that it will 'be my task ito tarnieh .'her ascutcheonJ"

"You miserable' rascal," cried Medienham, stung beyond endurance '. by this extraordinary declaration of a vile purpose, "why should you imagine that I shall allow you lo sit there and pour forth your venom unscathed? Stand up, you beast, or must I kick you up!" i "Ha! You ar-e ready toi fight me now» my worthy Viscount! But not tin yooir cos'termonger fashion.. ' You cannot, because I hare your promise. You see, I have taken; your measure with some accuracy, and hard words will not move me. 1 mean you to understand the issue clearly. Either you. meet me under conditions that will ensure a clear field for the survivor, or I devote myself to spreading in: •every quari.ter most likely to i'prove. danger - ... ous to Miss Vanrenen the full, though, perhaps, untrue, but none the less fascinating, story. of her ■Jpoakmg excursion oa the Wye' st midnight." He did then spring to his feet, for Medenhani was advanqing oa him- with obvious intent to stifle the monstrous accusation 'by force. "Nol-inol you wiill achieve nothing, .by violence," he shouted. "You are not so much my physical superior that 1 cannot defend myself until assistance arrives, and i will asJt you to 'consider wh^tf manner of gloss, will be placed upon you actions if J drag you before a magistrate for an, aasault. Why, man, you are absolutely a;t my mercy. You yourself would be my best witness. ' Ah, touche! You felt the point that time. Que dia,ble! I gave you orediiti for a quicker wit, but" it is gratifying to learn: that you are 'beginning 1 at last to .seen th?a,ti I am in deadly earnest. When I strike there is uotihinig half-hearted, behind my blow; I swear .to you that I shall neither relent nor draw back. If ruiii overwhelms-me, Sylvia Vanrenreriem shall be involved in. my downfall. Picture to yourself the smiles', the whispers, the haif- . spoken, scandal that will cling to her through life. Who will believe her wheini she says that she was Agjnorarot iof your rank when she started out fromi London. The incomparable Sylvia and.' the anaugthty Viscount touring 1 • their thousand)' milesl through England with Mrs. Devar as a shield of innocence! Mrs Devar! Can't youi hear the long and loud guffaw that would convulse^ society as. soon as her name cropped up? Ah, you are writhing under the lash now, 'I faincy I .. . It is dawning on you that a peril greater than thei swordl or .bullet may be near. Dozens of people in Pads and' Londonl know, or guess, at any rate, that I was Sylvia Vanreoiefn's suitor, 'but as (many bun-, jireds as there were dozens 1 shall he that "I cast her off because of the 'traint placed on her by your silly masquerading. You- have v-> escape—you (have no answer—your marriage will only serve to confirm my wordis*. .-...D0 you hear? I shall siay—►—but' you know what I shall say. Now, will'you fight me?"

"Yes," said Medenham-

\To be continued.)