The Brotherhood of the Seven Kings | Page 4

to leave him here
alone, and be has been sent over to Mme. Koluchy's, 100, Welbeck
Street. Perhaps you are not aware, sir, that his lordship sails to-morrow
evening for Cairo?"
"Yes, I know all about that," I replied "and now, if you will give me
your mistress's address, I shall be much obliged to you."
The man supplied it. I entered my hansom again. For a moment it
occurred to me that I would send a telegram to intercept Mrs. Kenyon
on her rapid journey north, but I finally made up my mind not to do so.
The boy was already in the enemy's hands, and I felt sure that I could
now only rescue him by guile. I returned home, having already made
up my mind how to act. I would accompany Cecil and Dr. Fietta to
Cairo.
At eleven o'clock on the following morning I had taken my berth in the
Hydaspes, and at nine that evening was on board. I caught a momentary
glimpse of young Lord Kairn and his attendant, but in order to avoid
explanations kept out of their way. It was not until the following
morning, when the steamer was well down Channel, that I made my
appearance on deck, where I at once saw the boy sitting at the stern in a
chair. Beside him was a lean, middle-aged man wearing a pair of
pince-nez. He looked every inch a foreigner, with his pointed beard,
waxed moustache, and deep-set, beady eyes. As I sauntered across the
deck to where they were sitting, Lord Kairn looked up and instantly
recognised me.
"Mr. Head!" he exclaimed, jumping from his chair, "you here? I am
very glad to see you."

"I am on my way to Cairo, on business," I said, shaking the boy warmly
by the hand.
"To Cairo? Why, that is where we are going; but you never told mother
you were coming, and she saw you the day before yesterday. It was
such a pity that mother had to rush off to Scotland so suddenly; but last
night, just before we sailed, there came a telegram telling us that Ethel
was better. As mother had to go away, I went to Mme. Koluchy's for
the night. I love going there. She has a lovely house, and she is so
delightful herself. And this is Dr. Fietta, who has come with me." As
the boy added these words Dr. Fietta came forward and peered at me
through his pince-nez. I bowed, and he returned my salutation.
"This is an extraordinary coincidence, Dr. Fietta!" I exclaimed. "Cecil
Kenyon happens to be the son of one of my greatest friends. I am glad
to see him looking so well. Whatever Mme. Koluchy's treatment has
been, it has had a marvellous effect. I am told that you are fortunate
enough to be the participator in her wonderful secrets and cures."
"I have the honour of assisting Mme. Koluchy," he replied, with a
strong foreign accent; "but may I take the liberty of inquiring who gave
you the information about myself?"
"It was Mrs. Kenyon," I answered. "She told me all about you the other
day."
"She knew, then, that you were going to be a fellow-passenger of her
son's?"
"No, for I did not know myself. An urgent telegram calling me to Egypt
arrived that evening, and I only booked my passage yesterday. I am
fortunate in having the honour of meeting so distinguished a savant as
yourself. I have heard much about Mme. Koluchy's marvellous occult
powers, but I suppose the secrets of her success are very jealously
guarded. The profession, of course, pooh-pooh her, I know, but if one
may credit all one hears, she possesses remedies undreamt-of in their
philosophy."

"It is quite true, Mr. Head. As a medical man myself, I can vouch for
her capacity, and, unfettered by English professional scrupulousness, I
appreciate it. Mme. Koluchy and I are proud of our young friend here,
and hope that the voyage will complete his cure, and fit him for the
high position he is destined to occupy."
The voyage flew by. Fietta was an intelligent man, and his scientific
attainments were considerable. But for my knowledge of the terrible
past my fears might have slumbered, but as it was they were always
present with me, and the moment all too quickly arrived when
suspicion was to be plunged into certainty.
On the day before we were due at Malta, the wind sprang up and we
got into a choppy sea. When I had finished breakfast I went to Cecil's
cabin to see how he was. He was just getting up, and looked pale and
unwell.
"There is a nasty sea on," I said, "but the captain says we shall be out of
it in