A Fatal Dose. Fred M. White
is that I am dealing with business people, and if I can give them a positive assurance of payment by a certain date, they will take no steps in the matter. If I can assure them that I am going to marry one of the richest men in England, they will abandon their threatening attitude and grovel at my feet.”
“How can you give this assurance?” Cleave asked.
“That is easy enough,” Eleanor said coolly. “If I can keep out of the way of those men for four-and-twenty hours, I am safe. Critical as the danger appears to be now, by the end of that time Lena Grey’s engagement to Philip Hardy will be at an end, and a few hours later he will be pledged to me. There are diamonds in the Hardy family, family diamonds, almost beyond price. If necessary, I would not scruple to obtain possession of some of those, and thus free myself from some of the most pressing of my liabilities. Everything depends upon the next hour and the way in which you play your part in the conspiracy. Remember, if I fail, you fail also. If I lose, you are ruined as hopelessly as myself. You will have to pawn your fine wardrobe again and face the world once more with nothing in your pocket. And one thing more—”
The speaker broke off abruptly as the big clock over the stables gave the half-hour after ten.
“You must go at once,” she cried. “I had no idea it was so late. If you go down the shrubbery path that I showed you this morning, you will find yourself presently at the bottom of the cypress walk which leads directly to the way to the private station. In a few minutes from now Fiona Dear will be here, and you must meet her as arranged. I almost think I can hear the noise of the train approaching. Oh, don’t wait for any more, but get away at once,”
Without another word Cleave turned on his heel and took the path indicated by his companion. He had half decided it to be necessary to assume something in the way of an overcoat, but, after all, in the palpable guise of a guest, his accosting of the stranger would arouse less suspicion.
He had barely reached the foot of the cypress walk when he heard the train pull up at the station. The engine only stopped for a moment, and then a tall, slim figure in a motor veil and long cloak stepped into the roadway, carrying a bag in her hand. With subservient air and manner, Cleave approached the solitary figure, but not until she was well within the walk and in the thick shadow of the trees.
“I am sure, I beg your pardon,” he said, “and I hope you will pardon this liberty. It does not matter in the least who I am, but it is sufficient to say that I am one of the Duke’s guests. If I have the pleasure of speaking to Miss Fiona Dear—”
“That is my name,” the stranger replied. “But it is not usual for me to be accosted in this way—”
“I am perfectly well aware of that,” Cleave said eagerly, “but I happen to know something about you which impels me to ask a favour at your hands. I have no doubt that from time to time many curious requests are made of you, requests which—”
Despite his coolness, Cleave stopped and stammered as he saw another figure come swiftly through an opening in the hedge. A second later and a pair of strong, lithe arms were thrown from behind round the neck of the thought-reader, and a white handkerchief, strong with some pungent odour, was thrust into her mouth. The victim struggled feebly for a second or two, then collapsed without a sound unconscious on the road.
“So far, so good,” Eleanor Marsh said breathlessly. “I flatter myself that it was accomplished quite neatly. Now don’t stand there staring at me like that. Lift her up and I will help you to place her where there is no chance of her being discovered. Bring the bag along—I shall want that. There is no time to lose.”
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