Whither Thou Goest Part 42

"I quite understand," he said. "Well, Farquhar is a white man, a man in a thousand. I wrung a promise from him some time ago that he would come over here to help me to save Mr Rossett. You can guess why he gave me that promise."

"Yes," answered Isobel in a low voice. "I can guess why he gave that promise. He wanted to help me. You cannot tell how mean I felt. Oh, I think I will risk it. Please ask him to come and see me."

Moreno shook his head. "No, better perhaps not to risk it. Farquhar is content to do good by stealth. We cannot be quite sure of the view the other gentleman might take of it, if it came to his ears."

Isobel felt a frightful coward, but she was relieved by Moreno's words.

Guy was very impetuous, and terribly jealous. She could not afford to rouse his suspicions. He left her feeling a little miserable and self-reproachful. Why could not men take a broad-minded view of things?

Even if a girl were engaged, it did not follow that she should not be allowed to have a faithful friend.

She had grown very weary of Madrid. She hated the place and the people, under these most unhappy circ.u.mstances.

The good-natured Mrs G.o.dwin had done her best to amuse her. She had taken her to the Museo del Prado, and pointed out to her the masterpieces of Velazquez, Murillo, Ribera, and other great masters.

She had conducted her down the animated plaza of the Puerta del Sol.

She had shown her the view from the Campillo de las Vistillas. They were too late for the Carnivals, and to a bull-fight Isobel would not go.

Moreno betook himself to the quarters of Farquhar. He found the self-contained young barrister stretched on a sofa, reading a French novel.

Farquhar was already a bit tired of it. On reflection, he was not quite certain if he had not been a little foolish in giving that promise. He had rushed over to Spain to help a man whose only claim to consideration lay in the fact that he had taken away from him the woman he wanted for his wife.

Then he thought of the charming Lady Mary, her warm praise and flattering words. When he got back to England and recounted his exploits to her, he was sure he would receive a very warm welcome.

Farquhar threw down his book, and lighted a cigar. "Well, my good old friend, things seem devilish slow just now. Is anything going to happen shortly?"

Moreno nodded. "Things will happen the evening after to-morrow. Curb your impatience till then."

"You have got it all cut and dried, then?"

"I think so. To-morrow morning I will take you to my excellent friend, the Chief of Police, and tell him that you represent me. We will spend an hour or two afterwards in discussing our plans. I have just come from Miss Clandon."

"Ah," said Farquhar, with affected carelessness--that name had still power to thrill him in spite of Lady Mary. "Did you find her quite well?"

"Perfectly, so far as her health is concerned, but naturally full of doubts and fears. I told her you were here; she was, of course, greatly surprised. She expressed a wish to see you." This, of course, was not the strict truth, but Moreno always wanted to make everybody feel happy and comfortable.

A pleased expression stole over the man's face. "Oh, she said that, did she?"

Moreno did not answer the question directly.

"I pointed out to her that, in my opinion, such a meeting might be extremely dangerous, and that it is essential you should lie very low."

Farquhar accepted the glib explanation. Moreno had one of the greatest qualities of a diplomatist, that he could impress nearly everybody with his sincerity.

Next morning the two men interviewed the Chief of Police, or rather the Chief of Police, by appointment, interviewed them at the journalist's modest lodgings. In the course of that interview many things were explained at length.

Moreno, always cautious, always on the look out for accidents, stood by the window, keeping a vigilant eye on pa.s.sers-by. Farquhar and the Chief sat at the far end of the room.

Suddenly he espied the tall form of Contraras nearing the house. He bundled his guests into his bedroom. "The old devil! I had a suspicion he might turn up. It is quite safe here. If I give a loud whistle, get under the bed."

But Contraras did not pay a long visit; he did not even sit down. He had only strolled round to ascertain that things were going right.

Moreno, resolutely avoiding details, a.s.sured him that everything was in train. On the evening after to-morrow Guy Rossett would be delivered into the hands of the brotherhood, to be dealt with as they thought fit.

Contraras left well pleased. Moreno was certainly a great acquisition to the organisation. When he was well out of sight the two men were brought out of the bedroom.

The Chief of Police shook his fist vindictively in the direction of the vanished figure.

"I was itching to take the old scoundrel straight away, Mr Moreno," he remarked.

The journalist smiled. "Impetuosity never pays, senor. You could have proved nothing if you had. A most respectable old gentleman, highly connected, through his wife, with some of the best families in the country, pays me a visit to inquire after my health, or perhaps to ask me to dinner at his hotel. You would not have made much out of it."

The Chief cooled down immediately under this sensible speech. "You are a very wonderful man, Mr Moreno. You never allow yourself to be carried away by your feelings."

He turned with his gracious foreign manner to Farquhar.

"I understand, sir, you are an old and trusted friend. I have no doubt that you have the same faith in his judgment that I have."

On the afternoon of that same day Moreno went to see Violet Hargrave.

He found her restless and agitated.

"You are sure that it will take place to-morrow night?" was her first question.

"I am as near sure as can be. Unless a miracle happens he will be brought up for judgment before the brotherhood," was the answer.

Violet shuddered; her face went pale. "I have never been at one of their so-called trials, but it must be very horrible."

"Neither have I," said Moreno. "I see, like myself, you don't antic.i.p.ate much pleasure from it."

"But you are going to save him, and I am going to help you," she cried a little wildly. "You have not yet told me where I come in. The time is very short; you will have to speak soon. Why not speak now?"

The young man hesitated for a few seconds. How far should he trust her?

Caution whispered not too far.

He spoke in a gloomy tone. "To tell you the truth, I am not so sure of saving him as I was. Certain things have happened which I had not taken into my calculations."

He was watching her narrowly as he spoke, to note the effect upon her of his words. She clasped her hands together and her voice faltered.

"I am so in the dark, you tell me nothing, you keep everything to yourself." She betrayed great agitation, but it was evident she believed his statements implicitly.

As a matter of fact, nothing had occurred to upset Moreno's plans in the slightest degree. But there was something about which he had been a little careless. He had pretty well secured his own safety, but he had not secured hers.

"I cannot enter into a lot of explanations, when circ.u.mstances alter from hour to hour," he said rather brusquely. "On the whole, I believe I have a better chance of saving him without your co-operation. Now, please don't ask me why I think so!"

"I won't, if you don't wish it," she answered submissively. "I wish you could have been more frank with me, have given me some hint of what you intend to do. It will be very terrible for me to be there, waiting on the turn of events."

"You no longer desire revenge on Guy Rossett?" he asked, looking at her intently.

"Not that sort of revenge," she answered truthfully. "For I suppose murder is in their thoughts."

"I had a brief talk with Contraras this morning; he came round to my rooms. He was more frank than he usually is with his subordinates. I suppose he was pleased with the way in which I have, so far, conducted the affair. He thought there would be great difficulty in getting hold of Guy Rossett."

"Will you tell me, some day, why you found it easy?"