Passenger from Calais — Chapters 27 & 28

CHAPTER XXVII.

When I first caught sight of Mr. Ludovic Tiler he was busily engaged in conversation with one of the guards and a couple of porters.

From his gestures, no doubt, he was describing our party, and I was half-inclined to walk up to him and say "Behold!"

But then I drew back hesitating.

I did not fear him in the least, but he would be sure to draw the others to him, and I did not quite like the idea of having three of them on my hands at once, and with no Colonel on my side.

I could only communicate with Colonel Annesley by a roundabout process, and it might take him some time to reach me, even if he was not otherwise engaged by Henriette.

This Tiler man would of course stick to me and follow me if he had the faintest clue, and I let him have that by directing Philpotts to show herself, passing quite close to him and walking on towards the train.

She was to return then to the waiting-room, where together we made some change in our appearance.

There were other cloaks in the bundle of rugs, which we put on over those we were wearing.

I got out a thick veil, and Philpotts replaced her neat bonnet by a soft motor cap.

More than all, we made away with the dummy child, broke up the parcel, resolved it into its component parts, a small pillow and many wraps, all of which we put away in the same convenient receptacle.

Tiler certainly did not recognize us as we walked separately to the train.

He was looking for a party of two and a baby, and all he saw was one woman who might remind him of me, but without her attendant or any encumbrance.

He had his suspicions, however, for as soon as we started he walked through the long line of _couloir_ carriages, deliberately peering and prying, examining the passengers of every compartment.

He passed us at first, and was much put out, I could see, disappointed no doubt, but he came back presently and stood for some time at our window, while I hid my face in among the rugs, and Philpotts cowered in a corner.

He came back more than once during the journey and stared.

No doubt he would have taken a seat in our compartment, but it was reserved for _dames seules_ or ladies alone.

He was evidently in great doubt, so much so that I began to fear he would sheer off altogether.

That we were the women he wanted was probably borne in on him, but what had become of the baby?

I could enter into the workings of his mind on that point.

What could we have done with it?

Hidden it, left it somewhere on the road in the lost property office or at a foundling hospital?

All sorts of suggestions probably presented themselves to him, but none would satisfy him; for why, he would reason, were we travelling to Marseilles or anywhere else without it?

To tie him still to our heels, I took the opportunity of having the compartment to ourselves to revive and reconstitute the dummy.

The baby was quickly reborn behind the drawn blinds of the carriage, and when at last we arrived at Marseilles at 10. 30 P.

M.

we sallied forth and marched in solemn procession to the Terminus Hotel under the very eyes of our watchful detective.

I almost laughed in his face as we entered the lift near the outer door, and were carried up to our rooms upon the second floor.

I slept late, and when I woke, refreshed and fortified against anything that might come, I looked out on to the little square with its fringe of plane-trees, and saw my friend Mr. Tiler walking to and fro like a sentry on his beat.

He had the hotel under observation that was clear, and it was little I should be able to do that day unknown to him.

It did not worry me in the least, for in the early hours of calm reflection that followed deep, restful sleep, I had thought out the course I should pursue.

I no longer dreaded pursuit; let them all come, the more the merrier, and I meant to fully justify Mr. Tiler in calling them to him.

I dressed slowly, lingered leisurely over my _luncheon-déjeuner_, and then ordered a carriage, a comfortable landau and pair.

I meant to lead my follower a fine dance, starting with the innocent intention of giving myself and my belongings an airing.

It was a brilliant day, the Southern sun struck with semi-tropical fervour, the air was soft and sleepy in the oppressive heat.

I brought out the baby undeterred, and installed it, slumbering peacefully, on Philpotts's knees in the seat before me, and lying back with ostentatious indifference, drove off in full view of the detective.

I shot one glance back as I turned down the long slope leading to the Grâce-à-Dieu Street, and was pleased to see that he had jumped into a _fiacre_ and was coming on after me.

He should have his fill of driving.

I led him up and down and round and round, street after street, all along the great Cannebière and out towards the Reserve, where Roubion's Restaurant offers his celebrated fish stew, _bouillabaise_, to all comers.

Then when Mr. Tiler's weedy horse began to show signs of distress, for my sturdy pair had outpaced him sorely, I relented and reëntered the town, meaning to make a long halt at the office of Messrs. Cook and Son, the universal friends of all travellers far and near.

I had long had an idea in my mind that the most promising, if not the only effective method of ending our trouble would be to put the seas between us and the myrmidons of the Courts.

I had always hoped to escape to some far-off country where the King's writ does not run, where we could settle down under genial skies, amid pleasant surroundings, at a distance from the worries and miseries of life.

Now, with the enemy close at hand, and the real treasure in my foolish sister's care, I could not expect to evade them, but I might surely beguile and lead them astray.

This was the plan I had been revolving in my mind, and which took me to the tourist offices.

The object I had in view was to get a list of steamers leaving the port of Marseilles within the next two or three days, and their destination.

As everybody knows, there is a constant moving of shipping East, West, and South, and it ought not to be difficult to pick out something to suit me.

The obliging clerk at the counter gave me abundant, almost unending, information.

"To the East?

Why, surely, there are several opportunities.

The P. and O.

has half a dozen steamers for the East, pointing first for Port Said and Suez Canal, and bound to India, Ceylon, China, and the Antipodes; the same line for Gibraltar and the West.

The Messagéries Maritime, for all Mediterranean ports, the General Navigation of Italy for Genoa and Naples, the Transatlantique for various Algerian ports, Tunis, Bône, Philippeville, and Algiers, other companies serving the coast of Morocco and especially Tangier."

Truly an embarrassing choice!

I took a note of all that suited, and promised to return after I had made a round of the shipping offices,--another jaunt for Tiler, and a pretty plain indication of what was in my mind.

After full inquiry I decided in favour of Tripoli, and for several reasons.

A steamer offered in a couple of days, Sunday, just when I wanted it, although it was by no means my intention to go to Tripoli myself.

That it was somewhat out of the way, neither easy to reach nor to leave, as the steamers came and went rarely, served my purpose well.

If I could only inveigle my tormentors into the trap, they might be caught there longer than they liked.

Accordingly, I secured a good cabin on board the S. S.

_Oasis_ of the Transatlantique, leaving Marseilles for Tripoli at 8 A. M.

the following Sunday, and paid the necessary deposit on the passage ticket.

It was a satisfaction to me to see my "shadow's" _fiacre_ draw up at the door soon after I left, and Mr. Ludovic Tiler enter the office.

I

made no doubt he would contrive, very cleverly as he thought, to find out exactly what I had been doing with regard to the _Oasis_.

Later in the day, out of mere curiosity, I walked down to the offices to ask a trivial question about my baggage.

It was easy to turn the talk to other matters connected with the voyage and my fellow passengers.

Several other cabins had been engaged, two of them in the name of Ludovic Tiler.

There was nothing left for me but to bide my time.

I telegraphed that evening to Colonel Annesley, reporting myself, so to speak, and counted upon hearing his whereabouts in reply next day.

Tiler did not show up nor trouble me, nor did I concern myself about him.

We were really waiting for each other, and we knew enough of each other's plans to bide in tranquil expectation of what we thought must certainly follow.

When I was at dinner in the hotel restaurant he calmly came into the room, merely to pass his eye over me as it were, and I took it so much as a matter of course that I looked up, and felt half-inclined to give him a friendly nod.

We were like duellists saluting each other before we crossed swords, each relying upon his own superior skill.

[_We need not reproduce in detail the rest of the matters set forth by Lady Claire Standish while she and the detective watched each other at Marseilles.

Tiler, on the Saturday morning, made it plain, from his arrogance and self-sufficient air as he walked through the hotel restaurant, that all was going well, and he had indeed heard from Falfani that he would arrive with Lord Blackadder that night.

_ _Later on that Saturday a telegram from Culoz reached Lady Claire from Colonel Annesley giving the latest news, and bringing down Lady Henriette's movements to the time of her departure for Marseilles.

He promised a later message from somewhere along the road with later information, and soon after 9 P. M.

Lady Claire was told they were coming through by the night train, due at Marseilles at 4 A. M.

next morning.

Thus all the parties to this imbroglio were about to be concentrated in the same place, and it must depend upon the skill and determination of one clever woman to turn events her way.

_] She goes on to say: It was a shock to me to hear that Henriette still lingered on the fringe of danger, and I was very much disturbed at finding she might be running into the very teeth of it.

But I trusted to my good fortune, and, better still, to good management, to keep her out of harm's way until the coast was clear.

I was on the platform at 10 P. M.

watching for the Blackadder lot when they appeared.

Tiler was there to receive them and spoke a few words to my lord, who instantly looked round, for me no doubt, and I slipped away.

I did not wish to anticipate a crisis, and he was quite capable of making a scene, even at the hotel at that time of night.

I was relieved at seeing him pass on, and the more so that he did not take the turn into the Terminus Hotel, my hotel, but went towards the entrance where a carriage was waiting for him.

He meant of course to put up in the town, either at the Noailles or the Louvre.

I lay down to take a short rest, but was roused in time to be again on the platform at 4 A. M.

to meet my friends.

It was a joyful meeting, but we lost little time over it.

Henriette was fairly worn out, and all but broke down when she saw me.

The Colonel came to the rescue as usual, and said briefly, after we had shaken hands: "Take charge of her, Lady Claire, I will see to everything now.

We can talk later."

"Can you be at the entrance to the hotel in a couple of hours' time?

I shall want your advice, probably your assistance."

"You know you have only to ask," he answered, with the prompt, soldierlike obedience, and the honest, unflinching look in his eyes that I knew so well and loved in him.

Here was, indeed, a brave, loyal soul, to be trusted in implicitly, and with my whole heart.

I felt now that I should succeed in the difficult task I had set myself.

The plan I had conceived and hoped to work out was to send Lord Blackadder to sea, all the way to Tripoli, with Philpotts and the sham child.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

We drove down, Philpotts and I, to the wharf where the steamers of the Transatlantique Company lie.

The _Oasis_ had her blue peter flying, and a long gangway stretched from her side to the shore, up and down which a crowd passed ceaselessly, passengers embarking, porters with luggage, and dock hands with freight.

At the top of the slope was the chief steward and his men, in full dress, white shirts, white ties, and white gloves, who welcomed us, asking the number of our stateroom, and offering to relieve us of our light baggage.

One put out his arms to take the baby from Philpotts, but she shook her head vigorously, and I cried in French that it was too precious.

Next moment a voice I recognized said: "Certainly they are there, and they have it with them.

Why not seize it at once?"

"Not so fast, Lord Blackadder," I interposed, turning on him fiercely.

"No violence, if you please, or you may make the acquaintance of another police commissary."

I had heard the whole story of the affair at Aix from the Colonel, who I may say at once I had seen shortly before, and who was at no great distance now.

"Go on, Philpotts, get down below and lock yourself in," I said boldly.

"Our cabin is thirty-seven--" checking myself abruptly as though I had been too outspoken.

"But, Lady Claire, permit me," it was Lord Blackadder behind, speaking with quite insinuating softness.

"Do be more reasonable.

Surely you perceive how this must end?

Let me entreat you not to drive me to extremities.

I mean to have the child, understand that; but we ought to be able to arrange this between us.

Give it up to me of your own accord, you shall not regret it.

Ask what you choose, anything--a pearl collar or a diamond bracelet--" "Can you really be such a base hound, such an abject and contemptible creature, as to propose terms of that sort to me?

How dare you think so ill of me?

Let me pass; I cannot stay here, it would poison me to breathe the same air.

Never speak to me again," I almost shouted, filled with bitter shame and immeasurable scorn, and I turned and left him.

Down-stairs I found Philpotts in the cabin, busily engaged in putting her "doll" to bed in the third berth.

"Are you at all afraid of being left with these wretches?"

I asked a little doubtfully, counting upon her devotion, but loth to lay too great a burden on her.

"Why, how can you suppose such a thing, my lady?

What can they do to me?

They will be furiously angry, of course, but the laugh will be against them.

If the worst comes to the worst they will appeal to the captain, and they will get no satisfaction from him.

I can take care of myself, never fear.

You shall hear from Tripoli to the same hotel in Marseilles."

"If we go on your letter will follow us.

Come back there as soon as you possibly can and you will find further instructions.

Now it must be good-bye, there goes the bell to warn people ashore.

One last word: I advise you when well out to sea to go to my lord and offer to go over to his side and desert me altogether.

Tell him you will help him to get the child,--that you will put it into his hands indeed,--at a price."

"As if I would touch his dirty money, my lady!"

"It will be only spoiling the Egyptians!

Squeeze all you can out of him, I say.

But that is as you please.

You know I shall always be your firm friend whatever you do, and that I shall never forget what I owe you."

I should have said much more, but now the second bell was ringing, and if I was to carry out my scheme it was time for me to go.

On leaving the cabin I walked forward along the lower deck seeking another issue, the position of which I had fixed the day before, having visited the _Oasis_ on purpose.

In a minute I had emerged into the open air, and found myself in the midst of the sailors sending down cargo into the forehold.

I should have been utterly confused, bewildered, and terrified, but I felt a strong, firm hand close on mine, and a quiet, steady voice in my ear.

"This way, Lady Claire, only a couple of steps," said the Colonel as he led me to the side of the steamer farthest from the shore.

A ladder was fixed here and a boat was made fast to the lowest rung.

Carefully, tenderly guided by my ever trusty henchman I made the descent, took my seat in the stern of the small boat, it was cast loose, and we pushed off into the waterway.

Half an hour later we were back at the Terminus Hotel.

For the first time in all that stirring and eventful week I breathed freely.

At any rate the present peril was overpast, we had eluded pursuit, and had a clear time of perfect security to consider our situation and look ahead.

As soon as Henriette was visible, I went up to her room to talk matters over.

She was very humble and apologetic, and disarmed me if I had intended to take her to task for all the trouble and anxiety she had caused us.

But when I magnanimously said, "I am not going to scold you," she was in my arms at once.

"Scold me!

I should think not!

I have been scolded quite enough these last twenty-four hours.

I never met a man I disliked so much as your fine friend, that Colonel Annesley, the rudest, most presuming, overbearing wretch.

He talked to me and ordered me about as if I was still in the schoolroom, he actually dared to find fault with my actions, and dictated to me what I should do next.

I--I--"

"Did it, Henriette?

Like a lamb, eh?

That's a way he has, my dear," I laughed.

"I don't envy you one bit, Claire.

You'll be a miserable woman.

You hate to give way, and he'll make you.

He'll tame you, and lord it over you, he'll be a hard, a cruel master, for all he thinks so much of you now."

"And does he?"

What sweeter music in a woman's ear than to be told of the sway she exercises over the man of her choice?

"Why, of course, he thinks all the world of you.

He would say nothing, decide nothing until you had been consulted.

Your word is law to him, your name always on his lips.

You know of your latest conquest, I suppose?"

"There are things one does not care to discuss, my dear, even with one's sister," I answered, rather coldly.

I was a little hurt by her tone and manner, although what she told me gave me exquisite pleasure.

"Come, come," Henriette rallied me.

"Make a clean breast of it.

Confess that you are over head and ears in love with your Colonel.

Why not?

You are free to choose, I was not," and her eyes filled with tears at the sad shipwreck of her married life.

I strove hard to calm her, to console her, pointing to her little Ralph, and promising her a future of happiness with her child.

"If I am allowed to keep him, yes.

But how can I keep him after that wicked decision of the Court, and with such a persistent enemy as Ralph Blackadder?

For the moment we are safe, but by and by he will come back, he will leave no stone unturned until he finds me, and I shall lose my darling for ever."

The hopelessness of evading pursuit for any time sorely oppressed me, too.

There seemed no safety but in keeping continually on the move, in running to and fro and changing our hiding place so soon as danger of discovery loomed near.

We were like pariahs ostracized from our fellows, wandering Jews condemned to roam on and on, forbidden to pause or find peace anywhere.

Yet, after a pleasant _déjeuner_, the three of us held a council of war.

"The thing is perfectly simple," said my dear Colonel, in his peremptory, but to me reassuring fashion.

"I have thought it all out and can promise you immediate escape from all your difficulties.

You must go as quickly as you can get there, to Tangier."

"Tangier!"

I cried, amazed.

"Yes, Lady Claire, Tangier.

It is the only refuge left for criminals--forgive me, I mean no offence," and he laughed heartily as he went on.

"You have broken the law, you are flying from the law, and you are amenable to it all the world over, save and except in Morocco alone.

You must go to Tangier, there is no extradition, the King's warrant does not run there.

You will be perfectly safe if you elect to stay there, safe for the rest of your days."

"You seem very anxious to get rid of us and bury us at the back of beyond," I said, nettled and unable to conceal my chagrin at the matter-of-fact way in which he wished to dispose of us.

"I venture to hope I may be permitted to accompany you, and remain with you--" It was now Henriette's turn to laugh outright at this rather blunt proposal, and I regret to add that I blushed a rosy red.

"To remain with you and near you so long as my services may be required," he went on, gravely, by no means the interpretation my sister had put upon his remark; for he fixed his eyes on me with unmistakable meaning, and held them so fixedly that I could not look away.

There could no longer be any doubt how "it stood with us;" my heart went out to him then and there, and I nodded involuntarily, more in answer to his own thoughts than his suggestion.

I knew from the gladness on his frank, handsome face that he understood and rejoiced.

"You see," he went on, quickly, dealing with the pressing matter in hand, "I know all about the place.

I have soldiered at Gibraltar and often went over to Africa.

It's not half bad, Tangier, decent hotels, villas furnished if you prefer it.

Sport in the season, and plenty of galloping ground.

The point is, how we should travel?"

I could be of service in this; my inquiries at Cook's had qualified me to act as a shipping clerk, and we soon settled to take a steamer of the Bibby Line due that afternoon, which would land us at Gibraltar in two or three days.

Thence to Tangier was only like crossing a ferry.

The Colonel's man, l'Echelle, was sent to secure cabins, and we caught the ship in due course.

Three days later we were soon comfortably settled in the Hotel Atlas, just above the wide sweep of sands that encircle the bay.

It was the season of fierce heat, but we faced the northern breezes full of invigorating ozone.