The Czars Spy | Page 6

face of the empty frame had been purposely turned towards the
panelling, therefore when he entered he did not notice that the picture
had been destroyed; but after a brief pause, explaining that that cosy
little place was his wife's particular nook, he conducted me on through
the ladies' saloon and afterwards on deck, where we flung ourselves
into the long chairs, took our coffee and certosina, that liqueur
essentially Tuscan, and smoked on as the moon rose and the lights of
the harbor began to twinkle in the steely night.
As I sat talking, my thoughts ran back to that torn photograph. To me it
seemed as though some previous visitor that day had sat upon the

couch, destroyed the picture, and cast it where I had found it. But for
what reason? Who was the merry-faced girl whose picture had aroused
such jealousy or revenge?
I purposely led the conversation to Hornby's family, and learned from
him that he had no children.
"You'll get the repairs to your engines done at Orlando's, I suppose?" I
remarked, naming the great shipbuilding firm of Leghorn.
"Yes. I've already given the order. They are contracted to be finished
by next Thursday, and then we shall be off to Zante and Chio."
For what reason, I wondered, recollecting that formidable armory on
board. Already I had seen quite sufficient to convince me that the Lola,
although outwardly a pleasure yacht, was built of steel, armored in its
most vulnerable parts, and capable of resisting a very sharp fire.
The hours passed, and beneath the brilliant moon we smoked long into
the night, for after the blazing sunshine of that Tuscan town the cool
sea-wind at night is very refreshing. From where we sat we
commanded a view of the whole of the sea-front of Leghorn and
Ardenza, with its bright open-air café-concerts and restaurants in full
swing--all the life and gayety of that popular watering-place.
Presently, when Hornby had risen to call a steward and left me alone
with Hylton Chater, the latter whispered to me in confidence--
"If you find my friend Hornby a little bit strange in his manner, Mr.
Gregg, you must take no notice. To tell the truth, he is a man who has
become suddenly wealthy beyond the wildest dreams of avarice, and I
fear it has had an effect upon his brain. He does very queer things at
times."
I looked at my companion in surprise. He was either telling the truth, or
else he was endeavoring to allay my suspicions by an extremely clever
ruse. Now I had already decided that Philip Hornby was no eccentric,
but a particularly level-headed and practical man. Therefore I instantly

arrived at the conclusion that the clean-shaven fellow who looked so
much like a London barrister had some distinct and ulterior purpose in
arousing within my mind suspicion of his host's sanity.
It was past midnight when, having bade the strange pair adieu, I was
put ashore by the two sailors who had rowed me out and drove home
along the sea-front, puzzled and perplexed.
Next morning, on my arrival at the Consulate, old Francesco, who had
entered only a moment before, met me with blanched face, gasping--
"There have been thieves here in the night, signore! The Signor
Console's safe has been opened!"
"The safe!" I cried, dashing into Hutcheson's private room, and finding
to my dismay the big safe, wherein the seals, ciphers and other
confidential documents were kept, standing open, and the contents in
disorder, as though a hasty search had been made among them.
Was it possible that the thieves had been after the Admiralty and
Foreign Office ciphers, copies of which the Chancelleries of certain
European Powers were ever endeavoring to obtain? I smiled within
myself when I realized how bitterly disappointed the burglars must
have been, for a British Consul when he goes on leave to England
always takes his ciphers with him, and deposits them at the Foreign
Office for safekeeping. Hutcheson had, of course, taken his, according
to the regulations.
Curiously enough, however, the door of the Consulate and the safe had
been opened with the keys which my friend had left in my charge.
Indeed, the small bunch still remained in the safe door.
In an instant the recollection flashed across my mind that I had felt the
keys in my pocket while at dinner on board the Lola. Had I lost them
on my homeward drive, or had my pocket been picked?
Carducci, with an Italian's volubility, commenced to hurl imprecations
upon the heads of the unknown sons of dogs who dared to tamper with

his master's safe, and while we were engaged in putting the scattered
papers in order the door-bell rang, and the clerk went to attend to the
caller.