Part 54 (1/2)
”They will be back in a moment. It is absurd to doubt either of them, Ducaine. Yet I shall keep silent. I have an idea. Agree to everything I say.”
The Duke and Ray returned together. Lord Chelsford turned to them.
”Mr. Ducaine,” he said, coldly, ”persists in his denial of any knowledge of to-day's affair. With regard to the future, I have offered him his choice of an arrest on the charge of espionage, or a twelve months' cruise on the Ajax, which leaves to-morrow for China. He has chosen the latter. I shall take steps of course to see that he is not allowed to land at any calling-place, or dispatch letters.”
Ray smiled a little cruelly.
”The idea is an excellent one, Chelsford,” he said. ”When did you say that the Ajax sailed?”
”To-morrow,” Lord Chelsford answered. ”I propose to take Mr. Ducaine to my house to-night, and to hand him over to the charge of a person on whom I can thoroughly rely.”
The Duke looked at me curiously.
”Mr. Ducaine consents to go?” he asked.
”It is a voyage which I have long desired to take,” I answered coolly, ”though I never expected to enjoy it at my country's expense.”
The Duke rang the bell.
”Will you have Mr. Ducaine's things packed and sent across--did you say to your house, Lord Chelsford?”
”To my house,” Lord Chelsford a.s.sented.
”To No. 19, Grosvenor Square,” the Duke ordered. ”Mr. Ducaine will not be returning.”
Lord Chelsford rose. I followed his example. Neither the Duke nor Ray attempted any form of farewell. The former, however, laid some notes upon the table.
”I believe, Mr. Ducaine,” he said, ”that there is a month's salary due to you. I have added something to the amount. Until to-day I have always considered your duties admirably fulfilled.”
I looked at the notes and at the Duke.
”I thank your Grace,” I answered. ”I will take the liberty of declining your gift. My salary has been fully paid.”
For a moment I fancied I caught a softer gleam in Ray's eyes. He seemed about to speak, but checked himself. Lord Chelsford hurried me from the room, and into his little brougham, which was waiting.
”Do you really mean me to go to China, sir?” I asked him, anxiously.
”Not I!” he answered. ”I am going to send you to Braster.”
CHAPTER x.x.xVII
LORD CHELSFORD'S DIPLOMACY
I dined alone with Lord and Lady Chelsford. From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation. It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition. Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
”Mr. Ducaine,” he said, ”from the time of our last conversation at the War Office and our subsequent _tete-a-tete_ I have reposed in you the most implicit confidence.”
”I have done my best, sir,” I answered, ”to deserve it.”