The Brotherhood of the Seven Kings | Page 3

made me restless. I knew Hugh
Doncaster's character well. Reports of his evil ways now and then
agitated society, but the man had hitherto escaped the stern arm of
justice. Of course, there could be no real foundation for Mrs. Kenyon's
fears, but I felt that I could sympathize with her. The child was young
and delicate; if Doncaster could injure him without discovery, he would
not scruple to do so. As I thought over these things, a vague sensation
of coming trouble possessed me. I hastily got into my evening dress,
and having dined at my club, found myself at half-past ten in a
drawing-room in Grosvenor Square. As I passed on into the
reception-rooms, having exchanged a few words with my hostess, I
came across Dufrayer, a lawyer, and a special friend of mine. We got
into conversation. As we talked, and my eyes glanced idly round the
groups of smartly dressed people, I noticed where a crowd of men were
clustering round and paying homage to a stately woman at the farther
end of the room. A diamond star flashed in her dusky hair. On her neck
and arms diamonds also glittered. She had an upright bearing and a
regal appearance. Her rosy lips were smiling. The marked intelligence
and power of her face could not fail to arrest attention, even in the most
casual observer. At the first glance I felt that I had seen her before, but
could not tell when or where.
"Who is that woman?" I asked of my companion.
"My dear fellow, he replied, with an amused smile, "don't you know?
That is the great Mme. Koluchy, the rage of the season, the great
specialist, the great consultant. London is mad about her. She has only
been here ten minutes, and look, she is going already. They say she has
a dozen engagements every night."
Mme. Koluchy began to move towards the door, and, anxious to get a
nearer view, I also passed rapidly through the throng. I reached the
head of the stairs before she did, and as she went by looked her full in
the face. Her eyes met mine. Their dark depths seemed to read me
through. She half smiled, half paused as if to speak, changed her mind,

made a stately inclination of her queenly head, and went slowly
downstairs. For a moment I stood still, there was a ringing in my ears,
and my heart was beating to suffocation. Then I hastily followed her.
When I reached the pavement Mme. Koluchy's carriage stopped the
way. She did not notice me, but I was able to observe her. She was
bending out and talking eagerly to some one. The following words fell
on my ear:
"It is all right. They sail to-morrow evening."
The man to whom she spoke made a reply which I could not catch, but
I had seen his face. He was Hugh Doncaster.
Mme. Koluchy's carriage rolled away, and I hailed a hansom. In
supreme moments we think rapidly. I thought quickly then.
"Where to?" asked the driver.
"No. 140, Earl's Terrace, Kensington," I called out. I sat back as I spoke.
The horror of past memories was almost paralyzing me, but I quickly
pulled myself together. I knew that I must act, and act quickly. I had
just seen the Head of the Brotherhood of the seven Kings. Mme.
Koluchy, changed in much since I last saw her, was the woman who
had wrecked my heart and life ten years ago in Naples.
With my knowledge of the, past, I was well aware that where this
woman appeared victims fell. Her present victim was a child. I must
save that child, even if my own life were the penalty. She had ordered
the boy abroad. He was to sail to-morrow with an emissary of hers. She
was in league with Doncaster. If she could get rid of the boy, Doncaster
would doubtless pay her a fabulous sum. For the working of her she
above all things wanted money. Yes, without doubt the lad's life was in
the gravest danger, and I had not a moment to lose. The first thing was
to communicate with the mother, and if possible put a stop to the
intended voyage.
I arrived at the house, flung open the doors. of the hansom, and ran up
the steps. Here unexpected news awaited me. The servant who

answered my summons said that Mrs. Kenyon had started for Scotland
by the night mail Ñ she had received a telegram announcing the serious
illness of her eldest girl. On getting it she had started for the north, but
would not reach her destination until the following evening.
"Is Lord Kairn in?" I asked.
"No, sir," was the reply. "My mistress did not like