TIE & TRICK,

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2379, 8 October 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

TIE & TRICK,

Uoudist*

BY HAWLEY SMART,

AUTHOR of "UkKKZIH LaNHTON," “Krokkn Ronds," "Suciai. Sinnkus," “Tim Great Tostink,” “At Fault," &c., CHAPTER XX. FIXING- THE RANSOM. At length it had fairly dawned upon the whole party that falling into the hands of the Italian brigands had a really serious aide to it ; that though their freedom might he only a matter of money, yet that it might be priced so highly as to make them poor for many a long day, if not for life. 'Thirty thousand pounds! They could raise it, amongst them in time, no doubt, but it would necessitate a pro longed stay at I’atroceni's u* fn-nm hotel, and they all began to recall stories of the brutal treatment to which these scoundrels sometimes submitted their captives. Stories of mutilation, aye, of cold-blooded murder occured to them, and from treating their situation rather with jocularity they turned round and began to take a most gloomy view of their position. As Glanfield expressed it" the starch was all out of their collar now.” " What are wc to do ?" exclaimed Sir Jasper. "What will become of ns? What, will happen, Fred, if we do not pay all tills money?" asked Maude, in quavering tones. •' We shall probably be detained till wc have paid something,” replied Hainnerton. “We must come to some sort of arrangement with this fellow, I’atroeoni.” “ Tho fellow, boar in mind, was your intimate friend, and introduced by you to a London dab, and to some slight extent to English society,” said Olanfield, sharply. “ I should suggest Captain ITammcrton exerts his influence, which is, of course, all powerful with this—this foreign nobleman,” said Mrs Fullerton, querulously. “ Don't bo unkind, Aunt. Fred was deceived like tho rest of us,” interposed Maude, tearfully.

“ Tell you what it is, Sir Jasper,” remarked Glanfield, dogmatically. “ There's only one thing to do, it. appears to me, That is, to leave Hammerton and myself to make the best terms we can with liia rascally friend. Hero, you sir, where are you going to lodge us.” I’etro, who chanced to bo the brigand addressed, replied “ I will send the Siunor Sarini.” “ What the deuce docs ho say ?” asked Glanfield. “ That he will send the Signor Sarini to us. He evidently does not understand your question.” Another moment, and Sarini appeared, and with a polite bow requested to know what he could do for the ladies, and upon Mrs Fullerton acquainting them with their desires at once motioned them towards the hut, “ Yes, that will do.” exclaimed Glaufield. “Now, Sir Jasper, if you will take care of Mrs Fullerton and Maude, Hammerton and I "’ill try to negotiate with the head bandit.” “Ah, father,” cried Maude, passion-

ately, “and it was upon the testimony of this bandit that you condemned Cyril.” “ No," said Sir Jasper, as he sadly shook his head. “There was the evidence of my own eyes to boot. Come, do the host yon can for us, Glanfield," and then the baronet turned and .somewhat ruefully led the way towards the lint, lie was a liberal, free-banded gentleman, and would have laughed at being mulcted in any moderate sum, in order to extricate himself from the scrape he had got into, regarding it much as ho would have looked at a bad night at cards in his younger days, but thirty thousand pounds, of which he would have to find by far the largest part, for ho could look to nobody hut Glanfield to help in making up such an unconscionable demand, was no flea bite. Hu had already begun to recognise that it would have to bu'found. He could not permit either his sister nr daughter to suffer such detention as this if any money he could raise would restore them to liberty : and be already perceived that if Patroceni was very suave and pclite, he was equally stern and relentless. It was the affability of the cat to the mouse within its claws, the purring of the tiger before its spring, “ Now, Hamrnerton, the sooner this is settled the better. Signor Sarini, perhaps you wouldn’t mind letting the Count know wo wish to speak to him.” “Si, Signor,” replied Sarini, and rapidly disappeared into the further tent. “Now, Hammerton, I don’t want to he unpleasant,” said Glanfield, “ but Sir Jasper has placed this business in my hands, ami I’m going to play my hand alone. I shall be glad to have your help, of course, but we run in different interests, Y’ou, as usual, for yourself; I for Sir Jasper and the rest of us.” “ You dome injustice,” rejoined Hammerton, hotly. “You cannot understand—yon cannot know.” “ No, I rather wish I did,” replied Glanfield, dryly. “I should like dearly to get at the lights of that night at Wrottaley, and find out by what juggling Cyril Wheldrake was made to appear a eardsharper. I have an idea that you could explain the Count’s little game if yon chose. Ah, here lie comes.” Patroceni lounged up to them in his usual courteous manner, for all the world like a country gentleman about to propose the diversion of the day to his guests. “ Yon did me the honour to send for mo, gentlemen. Nothing serious to find fault with in your accommodation I trust: if it is rude, remember in these mountain solitudes we are some distance from the railway and civilisation,” Glanfield looked at him for a minute, not a little perplexed at the persistent manner in which Patroceni regarded them as guests, and ignored the fact that they were ids prisoners. “Now, Count,” lie said at last, “ let’s proceed to business. It’s waste of time haggling about the pri-e when yon really mean dealing, but thirty thousand pounds is rather too stiff. “ It is merely the mairiago portion of Captain Hammerton's elected biide, and can anyone suppose ho would wish to marry Miss Eversley for anything but lieraelt!” “ Scoundrel ! traitor ! liar 1” exclaimed Hammerton.

“ Dangerous words in onr relative positions, but no matter. Ho wants to marry his cousin, Miss Eversloigh, nr rather her i/nt,” rejoined Patroc.cui quietly. “ I assisted at that little business nt Wrottsley, which crushed his rival, Wheldrake." The blood rushed to Mammerlon’s temples, lie bit his lips, and taking a couple of stops towards Patroceni scorned about to rush upon him, but quick as thought Sar'nii and one or two more brigands intervened, and Hammorlon, ■mistering his passion, remained motionless. “I demand my percentage on that tin/,” continued the Count, with a shrug of his shoulders. “ Ah, lie has no judgment. He is mad enough to refuse me— Mo! Presto! Another shullle of the cards, and now I take the whole pool.” “Liar!’’ thundered Hummerton, furiously. “ Stop, sir,” said Patroceni, fiercely ; “ don’t go too far. I warn you. I have sent in fhiii/ uni as wcdl as to testify to the urgency of prompt payment of a ransom ere now. As I said before, I shall take the whole pool.” “Please bold your tongue, Hammerton. Ishould in your ease pretty closely, if I set any value on it. It is only children who quarrel over matters of business. When a man is master of the situation what is the good of saying he became so unfairly. No use objecting when you can’t sustain it'f” “ You are a man of business, Signor,” rejoined Patroceni, politely. “It is quite u pleasure to deal with you.” “It’s no use, Count, killing the goose with the golden eggs,” rejoined Glanlield, significantly. “The sum named is absurd,” interposed Hamnicrton with blustering vehemence. " I’d never submit so such infamous extortion.”

“Oh, hang it! I say,” exclaimed (llanfield. “You have bolted clean out of the course. The extortion don’t concern you much, you are not going to find the money.” "No, Captain,” rejoined Palrooeni, contemptuously, “ I should have hardly deemed yon worth the trapping.” “Thirty thousand pounds, Count,” continued Ghudield, "is an enormous ransom.”

"There is ride in meddling with you English,” rejoined I'atrnceni. “I always calculate whether the game is worth the candle. Thanks to him”—-and boro he pointed scornfully at Hammerton —“ I know it is, and that is the price I put upon you.” “ And if wo say, No ; what then ?” inquired Glantield. "It will be uncomfortable for you all,” replied Fatroeoiii; 11 very uncomfortable for some of you. My wolves don't like waiting for their share of the plunder.” ‘‘ And supposing wo consent r” said Mr (ilantield, quietly. "It is very simple,” replied the Count, " One of you will go back to Naples to get the money—settle whom among yourselves ; on his return with it you will bo free ; but if my spies or scouts give notice of treachery, there will bo a short shrift for the rest of you.” “ I understand,” replied Glanfield, “ yon will let us talk this over amongst ourselves. “ Certainly, Signor,” replied the Count. “ T)ll Sarini there to lot me know when you have come to a decision.” And with these words Patroce.ni strolled leisurely off in the direction of his own tent. “ Now the question lies in a nutshell,” said Glanfield. “ We’ve got to find thirty thousand pounds; that means ST Jasper has mainly, for I can’t do a great deal Inwards it, and you I presume less.” “ No, I don't think the Count would fancy my lOC’s, ’ sneered Hammerton.

11 Well, you’re not popular, as a rule, rejoined Glanfield. “ Sir, do you mean to insinuate ?” “ Of course not. I only mention facts. There s a prejudice generally about that sort of security.” “ My bills, Mr Glanfield, are, I have no doubt, as freely accepted as your own.” "I dare say; but what is the use of nrguimr about the obsol-Uo c ma..- n . circulation here, Sir d as P ei P a y s i now

who’s to go ? How am wo to settle that ?” “ Leave it to Patroceni,” rejoined Hammerton, curtly. “Good, Here, Signor. Lot the Count know wo wish to speak with him,” “ Si Signor,” replied Sarini, who in consequence of his knowledge of English had boon told off as personal attendant on the prisoners. “ Wo shall not be allowed much time to negotiate matters,” remarked Hammerton, musingly. I’atroeoni now issued from the far tent in accordance with Sariui’s summons, ami walking across towards them seated himself on a fallen tree, and smoked on in silence. 1 ‘ We must do the best we can to accede to your terms, Count,” said Glanficld, after a short pause, “ but it is, of course, necessary that one of ns should return to Naples to make arrangements.” “Quito so,” replied the Count. “To Sir .lasper, as the monied man in the firm, I shall still offer hospitality. ” “ I presume so ; you shall also settle which of ns goes to Naples.” “ It is settled,” replied Patroooni, laconically. ‘‘Settled already?” interposed Hammerton, sharply. “I thought we were to make our own arrangements.” “ Well, not quite,” rejoined Patroceni. “Ah, stop! Another idea—chance ! chance ! shall decide.” “ This is no time for jesting, Count,” said Hamrnerton, savagely. “ No, especially as far as you are concerned. I think you had better draw lots.”

“ Yes, that's as good n way of deciding it as any,” said Glanfiold. “ Hah ! and now I think of it,” as if the idea had just struck him. “The game will bo much more interesting with three players. Don’t disturb yourselves, gentlemen. I have here an old play companion of yours, who will enjoy another game with you both. You shall all draw straws. The man with the longest straw is out, the others to draw again, Ho with the longest straw is again out. The third goes, and carries all your lives in his hand. Excuse me one moment, I will fetch this countryman of yours, now so fortunately staying with me.” “Who can this stranger be wham ho has picked up?” said Hamnicrton, impatiently. “ You and I, tossing up who is to go, is all as it should be, but what the deuce has a stranger got to do with our affairs?” “ Our affairs !” rejoined Glanfield, with a contemptuous glance at his companion. “I should call it Sir Jasper’s affairs, However, it strikes me we arc pretty much in the bands of Count Patroceni to dispose of ns as he will. I have no doubt he means what lie says, but remember one tiling, if you try any of your juggling this time you will probably cost us all our lives.” At this moment Patroceni reappeared from the tent, followed by Wlieldrakc. “ Good heavens, Cyril ” “Wlieldrakc, by all that’s damnable,” cried Han.merton, “ what cursed chance brought him here ?” “All, gentlemen,” ssid Patroceni, “ there was some little difference amongst yon, I think, the last time you met, but if I recollect right Mr Wheldrake had a presentiment that you would meet again and play for rather higher stakes than you were playing that evening, and if I remember right Captain Haminerton, Wheldrake pointed out to you that it would be Ills turn to win. It looks rather as if this forecast of Ids is about to bo accomplished. You three, Mr Wheldrake, are about to draw lots as to which of you will proceed to Naples to raise the ransom I have placed upon your party, and gentlemen, I say emphatically, pray bear in mind that should that negotiation fall through, it will he very unfortunate for the men who are left behind.”

Hammerton’s face blanched; superstitions, like all gamblers, he felt too sure that he would he the loser this time. Wheldrake’a last words again rang in his ears, “We shall play once again; outlives the stakes, and it will be my turn to win.” He glanced at his antagonist, for already he had put Glanlleld on one side as having uo part in tho game. It was a duel between him and Wholdvake. and as he glanced at Cyril’s set face and glittering eyes his heart sank with a foreboding that Wluddralte’s words would prove true ; Patroceni, too, was tho arbiter of this lottery, and the Count was little likely to favour him after what had passed between them. On the whole Hammorton could not divest himself of tho idea that he would not be allowed fair play, besides having to face his antagonist’s hick. CHAPTER XXL "OUR LIVES THE STAKE.” It was a striking scene : The sun still topped the trees, and there in the centre of the plateau, around the fallen tree, stood these three players at this game for life and death, which was about to begin. At a few paces distant were grouped the majority of the brigands, curious to sec who might bo tho lucky scapegoat, lucky in this instance, insomuch as ho did not carry the sins of tho people, hut only the price at which they were appraised, leaving them to expiate their own iniquities, until he brought hack the pence of absolution. Patroceni, with bis back turned towards them, was engaged in receiving from Sarini some half score wheaten straws, from which lie proceeded to carefully select three. Turning round, ho held these throe straws, of various lengths, high in tho air. “ The game is about to begin, gentlemen,” he exclaimed, in clear, ringing tones, so that his followers could hoar what he said. "The man drawing the largest straw retires, the two others fight tho battle out, and he who holds tho shortest goes to Naples and is in safety ; for tho others it will depend if their friends value their society as highly as I do-I who would see them die sooner than bo deprived of it.” A low murmur of applause followed Patroooni's cynical speech, which was couched in Italian for the benefit of his comrades. As for tho chief actors in tho drama about to ho enacted, Glanfiold looired on with calm curiosity, but between the other two passed glances of hatred, bitter and unforgiving. " Now, gentlemen,” said Patroceni, as ho lifted tho eombero and placed it over bis rigtit hand, “ tho play is about to commence." For a few seconds bis two hands were busy beneath his hat, then tho somhero fell to the ground, and discovered his right hand almost enveloped in a gaily coloured silk handkerchief, the exti cine top only—that is the part between the fore finger and thumb—alone was visible and from that peeped the beads of three straws.

“ May I trouble you to draw, gentlemen. Signor Wbeldrake, as the guest who has been longest with me, I will ask yon to draw first.” “ With pleasure, Count,” rejoined Wbeldrake fiercely, "the game is already a foregone conclusion, it is either ClanHeld or myself—as for that hound—pointing to Hammerton, if there's any shooting to be done you will find him still with you. Captain Hammerton would you like one more bet before wc begin. I will lay you teu sovereigns that I vivo you a loser and I name yourself. Ha ha yon won’t bet,” he exclaimed, with a burst of derisive laughter, as

Hammerton made no response.” He has plenty of pluck at play when he can tamper with the cards at will, hut when it comes to playing for his life, and all chicanery i-s beyond bis reach, he blanches like the cur he is. Look at him, Gianfield !”

llammcrton, indeed, was paleas death; his eyes gleamed with mingled hate, rage, and terror, like those of a trapped animal; but this last taunt roused him, and it was with something of his old savage temper when excited that he hissed out — “Liar! the game as yet is not played out between ns.” “ No," sneered Wheldrake. “Ties as yet, but here goes for the trick !” and as he spoke ho stepped out from the Count, and slightly twitched a straw from between his fingers. “Captain llammcrton,” said the Count, “as my oh!friend," and it is impossible to describe the. sarcastic inflexion upon these last words, “ may I trouble yon to draw next?" Haminerton took one of the remaining straws, and then, stepping hack, gave place to Cslanfield, who, without waiting to he called, stepped forward, and quietly took the remaining straw from Patroceni’s hand. “Bring np your straw's, gentlemen, to be measured ; and as he spoke ho took the straw back from Glanfield’s hand, Wheldrnko and Hammerton hastened to return their straws also, and in a moment the Count declared that Glanfiold had drawn the longest straw', and was consequently out of it. “Now', gentlemen,” continued Patroccni, as he once more arranged the straws under his sombero, “ wo will—ah ! what do you call it ?” “ Pam the deciding heat,” rejoined Olanlield, promptly. “ Will yon once more oblige me,” said the Count, courteously. Wheldrake, as before, stepped forward, and carelessly twdtohed a straw from Patroooni’s hand, leaving Hammerton the other. Another instant, the Count having stretched forth his hand to receive Wheldrake’s straw back, compared the two and adjudged Wheldrake the winner. “ Mr Wheldrake, gentlemen, is your ambassador to Naples. The rest of you will honour me with your company a little longer. Mr Wheldrake, you will start about an hour before day-break. Sarini will make every preparation for your journey, and be your guide as far as you require one. I recommend you to go to rest as soon as you have had your dinner. Yon know as well as I do you have a couple of hard day’s travel before you, and yon are on business Signor that brooks not delay. For the rest of you, gentlemen, your wants shall be attended to as far ns means permit. Once more I say adieu, and to you, perhaps, MrWkeldrake, good-bye. Still remember this business once adjusted, yon are free of the mountains for life and will find “ tire safe conduct" of Patroceui more powerful than a troop of gendarmes.” “My dear Cyril, I am delighted to meet yon again, and we will all gladly trust you to arrange for our extrication from our present unpleasant position. I was afraioi it was to be left to that specious scoundrel and hypocrite whom, from what I now know, I should be loth to trust with my dog’s life, much leas my owir” “ You will answer for such words as those, Mr. Glanfiold,” said Hammerton, his face pale with passion. “ I will repeat, them and stand to them at every club in London, if you will. Wo know now why your ruin was plotted, Cyril.” “ And I think I can tell you how it was done.”

“If you are going to believe all the tales that arch scoundrel Patroceni tells you,” exclaimed Hammerton, in a voice hoarse with passion, “Your intimate friend, remember,” interposed Glanfiold, sarcastically, ‘ whom we know now to be a robber, a villain.” “But a man, Captain Hammerton,” interrupted Wheldrako “He may threaten our lifes, but ho does not stab characters in the dark.” 11 You will both account to me when we regain our freedom,” snarled Hammerton ; “ but remember it was Count Patroconi discovered and denounced your foul piny at Wrottsley, not mo, Mr. Wheldrake.” “I have my own idea about that,” said Glanfiold. " Men like the Count soli tbeir swords or their talents wherever they are well paid for it. He has told us the price he demanded for his services. You refused it ! You thought him your tool, and you have found him your master. Wo may get safe out of ids clutches, but I wouldn’t take uO to t about you. Come along, Wheldrako. I want a short chat with j'ou before you are “ racked up for the night ’ ” —and the two men strolled away towards Wheldrake’s tent.

Hammerton seated himself on the fallen tree, and muttered execrations upon Ida ill-luck, which had been bettor bestowed on his evil doings. Then he began to consider the desperate position in which he stood. These two men had cast him out from amongst them like a pariah. Just as society had cast out Wheldrake, so would society oast out him when ho— Wheldrake—should reappear amongst them and tell the story of that night’s play at Wrottsley, with which it was evident lie had been made acquainted. Supported by a man like Glanfield, the charge would be too big for him to face. Moreover, there was his confederate, who might always be induced to confess. He had bought him, but the fellow knew his power, and had more than once since come down for sums in excess of the stipulated price of his assistance; indeed, only just before ho left England Hammerton received an urgent appeal for another twenty pounds. The request, was couched lespeotfully, but Hammerton knew only too surely that it was but the forerunner of a threatening communication. Hammerton knew human nature too well to doubt that; he bitterly repented his folly ; he was quite aware that to pay your confederate in crime, and think yon have done with him, is a mistake no man of the world can be pardoned for falling into. He knew very well that unless yon have the rope, or pretty near its equivalent, round the neck of the man you have suborned, that he next becomes a suppliant for alms, and then the mendicant grows audacious, finally ho threatens, and the end is “ chantage ” or “ black mail," as we call it in England. Ho had disregarded this man’s letter because he was leaving the country. Abroad he would he beyond the reach of his menaces, and were he, Hammerton, only safely married to his cousin, he could afford to laugh at his threats. Now all was changed. To marry Maude would be sheer madness, now that her fortune was gone, or as good as gone. To face England again would be difficult. Still a wealthy marriage was the one chance ho had of repairing his shattered fortunes, and where was handsome Fred Hammerton to accomplish that save in England ! He was in a deuce of a scrape, no doubt. Sir Jasper and the ladies, of course had not as yet heard Patroceni’s allegation against him, hut it wasn’t likely that Glanfiold would leave them much longer in ignorance on that point. It would simplify tilings amazingly if Patroceni should take it into his head to shoot both Glanfield and Wheldrake, but hah ! what was the use of speculation of this kind. Wheldrake was to go to Naples to arrange about the ransom that night, and Glanfield, ah 1 what did that fellow mean by saying that they might escape ! but that he

wouldn’t take fifty to one about hi« — Hammerton’s chance. Was his life absolutely in danger ? His honour was gone already ; his money had left him long ago ! —his last throw for wealth had fallen deuce-ace on the hoard 1 Was his life to go too ! He had as much courage as the generality of men, but he clung to life. Many men who had lost honour, fortune, and bride, would have deemed it but little worth keeping; men in Hammerton’s position—aye 'in half his position—have died by their own hand, many a time and oft! To some of these unfortunates the idea of loss of honour has been nueu durable ;to others loss of wealth has been a bitterness they shrank from facing; but Hammerton’s fine feelings had been long ago blunted. He argued that he was too young to die, that his career was so far from ended, there was plenty of time to recover himself, and then, ho thought, how did ho really stand with Patroceni ? He had scouted the Count’s proposition in London ; had thrown hard words at him since he had been his prisoner, it was foolish of him ! Stupid to lose his temper in this wise! You can hardly indulge in the luxury of abusing a man who holds your life at his disposal. Ah ! why had he not kept his temper? Would Patroceni revenge himself for these insults ? Would ho forgive him for having refused his proposal of percentage on Maude’s fortune ? What was he to do ; how was he to make peace with his dear friend of former days ? And here Hammerton fell into a brown study, for schemer and plotter as he was, he saw no solution of this problem. Jackson bad accompanied bis master and the ladies into the hut to assist in unstrapping the baggage, &c., and at once displayed the utter helplessness that might ho expected from the confidential old family butler under such circumstances.

“ Nonsense, Jackson,” said Sir Jasper, in answer to some querulous complaint of tlie former’s, “ we shall do very well here. You don’t expect to find the accommodation of (V rottsley in the mountains, do you ?” “ Why. Sir Jasper, that there Count bragged of his country seat when he was there. I heard him myself at your own table ; and to think I was pouring out our best champagne for a throat-slitting scoundrel whose trade is robbing and whose country seat’s a hovel like this. I wish I was safe in the dog-kennel at Wrottesley this minute. It’d be a blessed chauge. Do you think, Sir Jasper, we’ll be murdered in our sleep to-night F” “ I think if the Count hears you call him a throat-slitting scoundrel he’ll be tempted to make your words come true. You’d better curb your tongue if you value your life. Clara,” be continued, “can you manage in there?” “ Oh, yes, replied Mrs Fullerton. “If it was only the accommondation I should think nothing of it, but our situation is very serious. There cinbe no doubt that our lives are at stake if we fail to find this money. “Don’t fret, Clara; don’t get frightened. The scrape is serious enough, heaven knows. We must find the money and part with it, but I believe our lives to be safe.”

J’ati'oceni, in a rough way, hail made evident preparation for his prisoners, or //ucfls, as he would have termed them. The hut consisted of two rooms; the inner had been fitted up with a couple of beds, a rude toilet table with lookingglass, two washing stands, &e,, and was meant for the accommodation of the ladies. The outer had a low pallet bed in one corner, a good-sized table in the middle, and some half-dozen chairs and stools. This was to be their living room. The Count, in fact, had fitted up his own hut to the beat of his ability for his visitors.

Jackson, in the meantime, continued to potter over Ids master’s dressing bag in a most disturbed state of mind. Two things harrowed Ids soul. Would his life be spared ? and where was his bedroom ? If that pallet bed was destined for Sir Jasper, Jackson feared the accommodation for the servants, even the upper servants, mast be mean—terribly moan. (To be eontimini.)