The Bunch of Violets | Page 6

believe in patriotism, I know, but
Kato happens to. When he learns that it isn't ten thousand pounds at all,
but confidential war plans, that this scoop consists of, something
terrible may happen."
"It might, Violet. Therefore I haven't told him, and I am so arranging
things that he will never know. Cheer up, my girl, there will be no
tragedy. All the same, thanks for the hint. It shows a proper regard for
your husband's welfare."
"Oh, Hugh, Hugh," murmured Violet, "if only you were more often-"
Whatever might have been the result-if indeed there was yet hope in an
appeal to another and a better nature that he might once have
possessed-it came too late. The words were interrupted by the sudden
reappearance of Kato, his business with Sims completed. He opened

and closed the door quietly but very quickly, and at a glance both the
Darraghs saw that something unforeseen had happened.
"Here's pretty go," reported the Japanese. "Hulse just come and brought
someone with him!Ó
For a moment all the conspirators stood aghast at the unexpected
complication. Hugh Darragh was the first to speak.
"Damnation!" he exclaimed, with a terrible look in his wife's direction;
"that may upset everything. What ghastly muddle have you made
now?"
"I-I don't know," pleaded Violet weakly. "I never dreamt of such a
thing. Are you sure?"
"Slow man," amplified Kato with a nod. "Fellow who walk-" He made
a few steps with studied deliberation.
"'Blind! It's Max Carrados," exclaimed Violet, in a flash of
enlightenment. "They have been great friends lately and Jack has often
spoken of him. He's most awfully clever in his way, but stone blind.
Hugh, Kato, don't you see? It's rather unfortunate his being here, but it
can't really make any difference."
"True, it' he is quite blind," admitted Kato.
"I'll look into it," said Darragh briskly. "Coat's all ready for you, Kato."
"I think no, yet," soliloquised the Japanese, critically examining it.
"Keep door, 'alf-a-mo', Violet, if please." His own contribution to the
coat's appearance was simple but practical-a gentle tension here and
there, a general rumple, a dust on the floor and a final shake. "One
week wear," he announced gravely as he changed into it and hid his
own away.
"Take your time, Mr. Carrados," Darragh's voice was heard insisting on
the stairs outside, and the next moment he stood just inside the room,

and before Hulse had quite guided Carrados into view, drew Violet's
attention to the necessity of removing the button-hole that the
Americans still wore by a significant movement to the lapel of his own
coat. It required no great finesse on the girl's part to effect the transfer
of the little bunch of flowers to her own person within five minutes of
the guests' arrival.
"A new friend to see you, Violet-Mr. Carrados," announced Darragh
most graciously. "Mr. Carrados, my sister."
"Not to see you exactly, Miss Darragh," qualified Carrados. "But none
the less to know you as well as if I did, I hope."
"I wanted you to meet Max before I went, Miss Darragh," explained
Hulse; "so I took the liberty of bringing him round."
"You really are going then?" she asked.
"Yes. There seems no doubt about it this time. Twelve hours from now
I hope to be in Paris. I should say," amended the ingenuous young man,
"I dread to be in Paris, for it may mean a long absence. That's where I
rely on Carrados to become what is called a 'connecting file' between
us-to cheer my solitude by letting me know when he has met you, or
heard of you, or, well, anything in fact."
"Take care, Mr. Hulse," she said. "Gallantry by proxy is a dangerous
game."
"That's just it," retorted Hulse. "Max is the only man I shouldn't be
jealous of-because he can't see you!"
While these amiable exchanges were being carried on between the two
young people, with Max Carrados standing benignly by, Darragh found
an opportunity to lower his voice for Kato's benefit.
"It's all right about him," he declared. "We, carry on.Ó
"As we arranged?" asked Kato.

"Yes; exactly. Come across now." He raised his voice as he led Kato
towards the other group. "I don't think that either of you has met Mr.
Kuromi yet-Mr. Hulse, Mr. Carrados."
"I have, been pining to meet you for weeks, sir,Ó responded Hulse with
enthusiasm. "Mr. Darragh tells me what a wonderful master of ju-jitsu
you are."
"Oh, well; little knack, you know," replied Kato modestly. "You are
interested?"
"Yes, indeed. I regard it as a most useful accomplishment at any time
and particularly now. I only wish I'd taken it up when I had the leisure."
"Let me find you an easy-chair, Mr. Carrados," said Violet attentively.
"I am sure that you