The Crooked House | Page 5

a hand on Tranter's arm.
"My friend," he said--and there was the faintest tremor in his voice, "I ask you again--into what manner of house have you brought me?"
"I am beginning to wish that I had not brought you," Tranter returned. "I don't like the atmosphere."
"That," said Monsieur Dupont, drawing him aside, "is where we differ. To me the atmosphere is extremely interesting. If I were a sportsman, I would make you a bet that this will be an eventful evening."
"I feel strongly," said Tranter seriously, "that we should be wise to leave. We don't want to be mixed up in an affair with a madman."
Monsieur Dupont shook his head.
"The millionaire was not mad, my friend. He may have been mad yesterday. He may be mad to-morrow. But he is very sane to-night."
"I don't like it," Tranter maintained. "I would much rather go. Events under this roof have a trick of being a little too dramatic."
Laughter from the clergyman, the financier, and the danseuse, greeted the conclusion of a story with which the theatrical manager had attempted to relieve the strain. Monsieur Dupont drew Tranter still further back.
"This Mademoiselle Manderson--do you know her?"
"No," Tranter replied. "I've never heard of her. I suppose she is some new friend of Copplestone's. If she is really engaged to him, I don't think she is altogether to be envied."
Monsieur Dupont's glance found Mrs. Astley-Rolfe.
"No," he remarked softly--"I do not think she is."
Two heavy curtains at the extreme end of the room were drawn apart, and the figure of a man appeared between them--a tall, thick-set man, in full evening-dress, with a large white flower in his button-hole. For a moment he stood still, looking intently down the room.
"Copplestone," Tranter whispered to his companion.
"Mon Dieu," muttered Monsieur Dupont.
It was the face of a fanatic--wonderful, fascinating, cruel--a fanatic who neither feared God nor regarded man--an infinite egotist. The fires of a great distorted soul smoldered in his eyes. The broad, lofty forehead proclaimed a mind that might have placed him among the rulers of men--but instead he was little above the level of a clown. The destinies of a nation might have rested in the hands that he turned only to selfish fantasy. The whole appearance of him, arresting and almost awe-inspiring as it undoubtedly was, had in it the repulsiveness of the unnatural--and, with that, all the tragedy of pitiful waste.
To-night, he confronted his guests in an attitude, and with an air, of triumph. But as Mrs. Astley-Rolfe turned quickly to him with something of a challenge in her bearing, a faint mocking smile appeared and lingered for a moment on his face. Then he moved aside, his hand on the curtains.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said deliberately, "permit me to present you to my fiancée--Miss Christine Manderson."
He drew the curtains apart.
"Mon Dieu," said Monsieur Dupont again.
A half-strangled sob came from the lips of Mrs. Astley-Rolfe. Tranter uttered an exclamation. The danseuse, the clergyman, and the theatrical manager burst into vigorous applause.
Framed in the darkness behind him was the white form of a woman, of transcendent loveliness. In the soft light it seemed almost a celestial figure. She smiled with entrancing sweetness, and held out her hands.
But as her gaze swept over the occupants of the room, the smile vanished. Her eyes became fixed and staring; her face set. She uttered a sharp cry--and fell forward in a dead faint.
CHAPTER III
THE ENDLESS GARDEN
Confusion followed. Copplestone knelt beside her, calling her by name in a strange excess of fear. The theatrical manager tore a flask from his pocket, and administered its contents freely. The spirit revived her. She opened her eyes. They lifted her gently, and laid her on a couch.
"It was that madman rushing in unnerved her," Copplestone cried fiercely. "Wish I'd called in the police. Curse him!"
Her hand closed on his. "No, no," she whispered. "He must not be touched. He didn't mean it."
"Mean it be damned!" said Copplestone savagely. "If I see any more of him, he'll find himself in jail in less time than it takes to say it."
The manager proffered further stimulant. The color began to return to her face, but her eyes were wide and strained. Copplestone watched her closely.
"Look here," said the manager, re-corking his empty flask, "she'd better rest. Let's all clear off, and go on with this another night."
"Thertainly," agreed the financier.
But Christine Manderson rose, and leant on Copplestone's arm. Her self-control was exerted to the utmost, but she trembled.
"Forgive me," she said softly. "I am all right now. Please don't go."
"Good!" Copplestone exclaimed, recovering his equanimity. "It would be a pity to break up. We'll have a jolly night." He laughed loudly. "Tranter, of all people!" he cried boisterously. "And----" he looked towards Monsieur Dupont.
"I was sure you wouldn't mind my bringing a friend with me," Tranter said.