Queens and Knaves: a novel

Front matter

® (Itovef BY CELIA NASH LONDON DIGBY, LONG & CO., PUBLISHERS l8 BOUVERIE STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C. CONTENTS. Chap. page I. CAT AND MOUSE .... j II. "GOOD-BYE, SWEETHEART" ... 8 III. INJURED INNOCENCE - - . - IQ IV. GOING DOWNHILL - . . - 26 V. WHAT A FOG DID .... ,„ 34 VI. SISTER CHARITY - 41 VII. LORD BOB ---... -0 VIII. A FURIOUS QUARREL 59 IX. PAST AND PRESENT - - . - 69 X. PLEASANT PROSPECTS 75 XI. AFTERNOON TEA ----- 84 XII. BREAKERS AHEAD - - . - 91 XIII. GATHERING CLOUDS - - - - IOO XIV. SHADQWED - - - - - 109 XV. AN UNSEEN VISITOR - - - - 1 19 XVI. A FEW LETTERS - - - - - VI CONTENTS. Chap. Page XVII. STEINSEN IN LUCK - - - 13 1 XVIII. A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS - - - 138 XIX. PLANS FOR THE OLD UN - - - 1 46 XX. IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT - - - 150 XXI. AVENGED - - - - - - 157 XXII. ALAS ! ALAS ! - - - - - 1 65 XXIII. FAREWELL ! - - - - - 177 XXIV. FRIENDS, OLD AND NEW - - 1 83 XXV. LIFE OR DEATH? .... 192 XXVI. ROSEMEAD ..... -o

Chapter I. Cat And Mouse

WHAT a room ! Room, did I say ? Nay, what a den ! — dark, dirty, dismal — the walls and ceiling black with grime ; the atmosphere thick with smoke from the smoky chimney, and redolent of tobacco fumes, issuing from a half-burnt cigar, held between the fingers of one of the occupants of the gloomy apartment. This person suited the place. Thick red hair, matted and unkempt, a red beard to match, and a moustache, that, for the sake of convenience, was cut straight on a line with the lips, presenting the appearance of a scrubbing-brush, and disclosing to view the man's heavy sensual mouth. His eyes were small, deep-set, and crafty ; and his nose, which was of the Jewish type, was broken and flattened, thus widening the nostrils, and giving a more hideous expression, if possible, to the already repulsive coun- A tenance.

He stood with his shoulders up against the narrow mantel-shelf; one dirty hand thrust deep down into his trousers pocket, the other occupied with the cigar. He emitted a huge puff of smoke through his nose, as he held his head back, and looked serenely down at his companion. A queer pair they were ! about as ill-assorted as could well be imagined. James Hemery was a well-dressed, good-looking young fellow, tall, with dark eyes and hair, and a good nose, but a mouth which sadly re vealed the weakness and selfishness of his character. He looked very miserable, very helpless, as he swung himself round on his ricketty wooden chair, pushed his hat to the back of his head, and glared angrily and anxiously at the dirty man facing him. He spoke now testily and peevishly. " It's no use, Steinsen, look at it how you will !

I tell you, I have not got the money, and can't get it, and then you say you must have it ! What the deuce is a fellow to do ? By Jove ! it's enough to make a man go and jump off London Bridge ! and," dismally, " I don't see what else there is left for me to do ! " " No, don't do that," said the other ; and his slow, nasal twang seemed more irritating than ever. " A good cigar 'ould be warmer, and — drier, this sort of weather," nodding his head towards a fresh box which lay near James, on a table littered with dusty papers. "'Elp yerself! No, don't you try no CAT AND MOUSE. 3 gymnastics off of London Bridge just yet. You'd be sure to get a cold in the 'ead ; and Thames water ain't got the pleasantest taste in the world ! Besides, perleese 'ud be sure to fish you out again, and you'd a spilt all yer nice close, and yer 'air wouldn't curl for a month.

Do take a cigar ! " " Hang it all, Steinsen ! " cried James in despera tion ; " I can't stand much more of this. How do you expect me to smoke, or — anything else, when I am nearly distracted ? Tell me, at once, what you will do to help me ! You know I am in an awful fix — just at present, that is. Why can't you wait and give me more time ? It would not hurt you ! " Steinsen leaned one hand on the table, while he took up one of the neglected cigars, tried its weight, smelled it, felt it lovingly, and muttered : " Not a bad brand ! I may say, a hexcellent brand ! Just my size, in fact ! Miles Steinsen ain't a fool about terbaccer ! 'E knows within a little what to hoffer a gen'leman like yerself." " There you are, you see ! " cried James. " Why, these cigars must have cost you twenty-five shillings a box, if they cost a penny ; and yet you keep grind ing at me for a bit of money which can be of no consequence to you !

Why can't you wait a bit ? " An odd gleam came into Steinsen's eyes, as James spoke, but it quickly passed, and his voice and whole demeanour took an expression of sad reproach. " Look 'ere, Mr. 'Emery," he said with his head on one side, " I'm surprised at yer ; I am, indeed. I didn't expect it of yer. I've been a good friend to yer ; I'm allers willin' to 'elp nice young gents like yerself, and now ye're a trying to teach me the little game of ' Can't eat yer cake, and 'ave it' I've given yer a lot o' cake ; but, bless yer boots ! I means to 'ave some on it back again ! and jest becos I axes perlitely for a crumb, or a bit o' lemon-peel, and offers yer a tidy weed, yer turns up yer nose as if it was dirt, and jumps down my throat, fit to choke me ! I don't think you've treated me fair — I don't, indeed, Mr. 'Emery !

" and he sadly shook his head. " Never mind sounding my name so often," said James, glancing nervously round ; " you know we agreed the other would do." " Oh ! yes, begs pardon, Mr. — let me see — what was the name ? Oh ! ay, Roberts, of course ! Mr. Joseph Roberts, you needn't be afeared of listeners ; the winder's double, and screwed down — ain't been opened this three year or more ; and that green baize door don't let out no secrets. But, if you'll hexcuse me, I've got a engagement to-night — with a voo to bizness o' course — with a gent ; a horful swell toff 'e is, Lord Bob Grosvenor! I've often given 'im a 'elping 'and — " " And I suppose you'll help him again to-night," James interrupted mournfully ; " and with a man in his position, no doubt it will be a matter of thousands ! " CAT AND MOUSE.

" That 'ere's about the figger, I should say," acquiesced Steinsen, with a reflective nod, and an other queer gleam in his eyes, as he reached a greasy deer-stalker cap from a nail, and advanced with outstretched hand towards the gas jet, as if to turn it out. " But, good heavens ! " cried James, " you are not going ? For God's sake, Steinsen, tell me the worst, or — the best ! I could not endure another hour of this misery," and his face was white and his eyes wild. " Now, don't distress yerself about it, Mr. 'Em — Roberts, pray don't ! " Steinsen's voice was soothing in the extreme. " Now let's see ! Yer aunt ain't no good, yer say ? " " My aunt ! Not a bit ! Poor, dear soul ! I don't suppose there's a thing in the house that would bring more than five pounds ! " " Lord ! now you don't say so !

" compassionately ejaculated Steinsen. " I'll make a note o' that, so as to save the trouble of arstin' you again. Well, look 'ere. I don't want to be 'ard on yer, so I'll stretch a pint to meet yer 'alf-way. You bring me twenty five pounds, day arter ter-morrer, and I'll wait for the rest, say — this day week'll do for another — twenty-five ; and the same amount this day three weeks. Come, now, nothin' could be fairer than that; could it? And to show yer I means it, I'll put it on paper ; " and before James could say a word in protest, the other had scrawled, and dried at the gaslight, a few lines on a smeary bit of paper, which he folded and handed to James, with: " There ye are ! Oh, it's all right and above board. You take it home; and you'll find Miles Steinsen is a good fellar — a werry good fellar.

Now, Mr. Roberts, if you please ! " and after turning down the gas to a glimmer, he unlocked and unbolted the green baize door, slipped into a slit in the outer-door a narrow strip of card-board, which informed the public that Mr. Miles Steinsen would be back in fifteen minutes, and then unlocked the second door, and stood a moment listening. " All right, Mr. Roberts," he said. " Good-night ! good-night ! mind 'ow yer goes down. Give my love to your aunt ! Poor soul ! terrible 'ard on 'er to be so badly off! 'Ello ! what's up?" as James, stepping back at the top of the stairs, collided with Steinsen as he stood dispensing his sympathy. A slight, diminutive figure in a knicker-bocker suit was softly ascending the stairs. Was it a man or a boy, with that old wizened face, those cunning eyes peering anxiously into the gloom ?

" Oh ! it's you, is it? " said Steinsen snappily. " I wish you wouldn't creep about like a ghost ! Why doesn't yer master give yer proper honest boots ? Why ! yer might 'a sent this 'ere nice young gent into a fit ! Just yer stop grinnin', yer young imp, and deliver yer message. I s'pose Lord Bob wants me at CAT AND MOUSE. 7 once, don't 'e ? Good-night ! — good-night again, Mr. Roberts." " Ye're about right there," said the boy, with a leer at James as he went down the stairs ; " 'e's been a ravin' a good un, cos you wasn't there a hour ago!" And James, poor miserable James, thought that, from a nobleman, this messenger was a somewhat queer one.

Chapter II

" GOOD-BYE, SWEETHEART." " CHARLIE ! dear old friend ! believe me, I am doing right. Don't make it so hard for me to act as I feel I ought!" and there was a little break in the speaker's voice that went at once to the heart of Charlie Best, and made him lift his head off the table with a jerk, as he jumped up from his chair, and seizing the little hand that lay on his shoulder, he pressed it tightly between his own, saying, " Lois ! of course you are right ! you are always right. You are an angel, and I'm a brute — a selfish brute ! But you know, I liked you all along, and — I love you so dearly now ! You see, I had come to look upon it as a certainty that we should be married some day or other, so no wonder I feel completely bowled over. But there ! " he continued, shaking himself like a great dog fresh from a swim, and re leasing Lois' hand, " I intend to say no more. 'J'ai fini ! ' as old Aunt Maria used to say when she had had a squabble with my poor mother, and had got the best of it, as she always did, too.

What time will Jim be in to-night, do you know?" " He will be late to-night," replied Lois. " There is " GOOD-BYE, SWEETHEART." 9 some extra work on, and Jim has to stay to do it, poor fellow ! I often think he is given more work than any of the others. If I were he, I should complain." " Ah ! but then," replied Charlie, " you will never find Jim shirk his work. He is a right good fellow. Dear old boy ! how I shall miss him, and — you," looking earnestly and longingly at the girl, who stood with troubled face at his side. " Lois ! " he continued, " you will think of me sometimes, won't you ? I may be lonely out there in Canada, and it will be a bit of comfort if I know you have not for gotten me." " Charlie ! " cried Lois, " don't talk as if you were going away for ever ! Why, you will be back here again as soon as you have settled about the ranche, and you will have led such a strange life, and seen so much, that you will keep us all amused for six months at least."

"Yes," said Charlie, reflectively, "I shall have a few things to talk about, I daresay, when I come back. By Jove ! look at the time — nearly two ! and I have to see Jim, and get through I don't know what before six o'clock." He took the girl's hands and held them tightly. " God bless you, dear," he said softly, bending his tall head, till he could look closely into her face. " Lois, would you mind very much ■would it be — I mean, may I kiss you, once ? " The flush on the girl's face was not of coyness or maidenly modesty. It was the flush that accompanied the sudden rush of tears to her eyes, as, for answer, she held up her face silently to Charlie ; and after his lips had touched her cheek, a sudden impulse made her take the curly head between her hands and kiss the smooth, white forehead.

" God bless you, Charlie," she said. Then he went silently out of the room and across the hall to the door. He seemed to have some difficulty with the handle, but when, after fumbling with it a few seconds, he succeeded in opening the door, the face he turned to Lois was bright again, the blue eyes a little softened, perhaps, by emotion, but the smile as sunny as ever. " Say good-bye to Miss Hemery for me, won't you? I'm awfully sorry not to have seen her. I shall go straight off to Jim now. Hi ! cabby," waving his umbrella to a passing hansom. " Isn't that luck, now? Good-bye, Lois," taking her hand again, " don't for get me ! " and then he stared at the girl's face. What was the matter ? She was not looking at him, but beyond him ; and her eyes seemed filled with shy happiness, while a bright flush suffused face and neck with its tell-tale hue.

Charlie dropped her hand, and turned — to find the cause of this disturbance ascend ing the steps. A man of middle height, in clerical costume, with grey eyes, and a face almost stern in repose, but lighted up ever and anon by a smile of utmost sweet- " GOOD-BYE, SWEETHEART." 11 ness and kindliness. The smile was apparent now, as he raised his soft hat to Lois, disclosing a broad forehead, somewhat bald at the temples. Charlie took it all in at a glance ; the girl's flushed, happy face; the unmistakable lingering hand-pressure which he noticed as he jumped into the hansom, shouting " Lothbury ! " to the driver. Then, leaning out to cry " Good-bye ! " again, his eyes rested, for the last time, on the slight, fair girl, standing waving her handkerchief; and the well-built figure beside her, his hat raised again in polite salutation to Lois' friend.

" So that's it, is it ? " muttered he, as he sat back in the hansom, fairly dazed by this new experience. " That's the ' other one ' who has stepped in before me and won ! A poor devil of a curate ; of course without sixpence to bless himself with. And she — why, the poor darling hasn't a penny. What a miserable look-out. They can't marry on nothing, that's certain ; they'd starve. Fancy Lois — my pretty Lois — starving. Why ! the very idea is absurd. Jim must see to this, and put his foot down at once. I wonder if she cares for him ? Looked like it when he appeared. I suppose, now, they will waste their lives in keeping up each other's spirits, by the hope that something may turn up in the shape of a living. By George ! it may go on for years, unless — " and here Charlie sat up very straight, and stared fixedly at nothing.

After remaining thus for about five minutes, his face cleared slowly, his eyes regained their usual untroubled expression, and he laughed softly to him self as he rubbed his hands together in evident keen enjoyment. His pleasant thoughts lasted till his charioteer pulled up, and asked, through the aperture in the top of the cab, what part of Lothbury he wanted. " Morrison's ! " answered Charlie, and then sotto voce, " Now, Charlie, my boy ! mum's the word ! " and telling the cabman to wait, he sprang out, hurried into the bank, and asked a messenger in uniform to direct him to Mr. Hemery. The man led him to a small room up a flight of stairs, and there he found James Hemery, perched on a high stool, writing busily ; the desk in front of him covered with huge imposing-looking volumes. " Hullo ! old fellow, all alone in your glory ?

What have they put you into solitary confinement for ? " James started, and turned a troubled, anxious face to his visitor. He looked more cheerful when he saw who it was, and replied with a half laugh : " Oh ! I'm not dangerous yet ! but the office is so full, and there is so much to get right to-night, that they have stuck me in here ; thinking, I suppose, I should work better, and without interruption." " Poor old fellow ! " said Charlie ; " how I wish the old books were at the bottom of the Thames, and that you were coming with me to-morrow. It would do you an awful lot of good." " To-morrow ? are you really off to-morrow ? " " GOOD-BYE, SWEETHEART." 13 " Yes, and just got about five minutes to say ' good bye ' to you in. I've been to see your aunt, but she was out ; awfully sorry to miss her."

" Didn't you see Lois ? " asked Jim. " She would be cut up if you went without saying ' good-bye.' " " Oh yes, I saw Lois," answered Charlie, carelessly. "I say, Jim!" — abruptly — "I wonder if things will change much while I am over there ! I expect you will have made your fortune when I come back ! " — a groan from Jim — "and Lois! well, she will be married, of course ; to a millionaire, equally of course ! " Charlie glanced anxiously and nervously at Jim, who answered gloomily. " Married ! not she ! and there isn't much of a millionaire about poor Vane." "Vane? is that his name ? I mean, is she engaged to any one of that name ? " " Not exactly engaged, but there is what is termed an 'understanding' between them. If the 'under standing ' means that they are waiting for money to live upon, they will wait long enough ; for it's hard to get, heaven knows !

" and Jim's face grew wretched and downcast. Charlie did not seem to notice his friend's trouble ; his thoughts were evidently very pleasant and amus ing again. He jumped off the stool he had been occupying during his short stay, rubbed his hands together, as he had done in the cab, shouted, " Hurrah ! I'll do it ! " seized the astonished Jim by his two hands, shook them in his firm hearty grasp, murmured, " Good-bye, old fellow ! God bless you, Jim ! " looked at him lovingly with glistening eyes, and was gone — before Jim had time to realise the fact. Down the stairs flew Charlie and into the cab, gave " Bedford Row " as a guide to the driver, and was soon at the door of " Curzon & Curzon, solicitors." His interview lasted over half an hour, and during that time a messenger was dispatched in haste for a solemn-looking old gentleman from the next office, who arrived with his hat crooked, and his top-coat not at all comfortable.

The head clerk was then called in, the door closed, and for a few moments there was almost silence in that private room, only broken by the scratching of a pen, and a few mur mured directions from the solicitor. Then the door opened again, the old gentleman returned to his own domain, the clerk to his work in the office ; while Mr. Curzon followed Charlie to the street door, shook hands with him kindly, saying : " It shall be seen to at once, Mr. Best. Good-bye, good-bye ! a safe voyage and a quick return ! " and Charlie was again driven away; this time to his bankers, Gregson and Hewitt, in Holborn. Here he burst in with a rush that caused the clerks to lift their heads in surprise, to find the incomer only a big, happy-looking young fellow, " GOOD-BYE, SWEETHEART." 15 with a red face flushed with eagerness, making a dash for the manager's room, glancing at the clock as he passed with : " Only just in time, by Jove !

" The manager received him with polite deference ; and when Charlie left the bank he took with him a small square brown paper parcel, tied up with stout string. With this parcel he hurried back to Mor rison's ; ascertained that Mr. Hemery was still in the little office upstairs, gave the parcel and a note to the messenger, with strict injunctions to hand it at once to Mr. Hemery — waited at the foot of the stairs till he heard the man's voice delivering the message, and then with a gleeful " What a joke ! " he rushed into the cab again, and was soon at his club in Pail-Mall. He stood on the parapet and took some loose money out of his pocket, which he examined by the light of the street lamp, as the dull November daylight was now nearly gone. Cabby thought he might have some trouble with his fare, as young gentlemen were occasionally afflicted with a total disregard for time ; so he was on the parapet too, pulling off his thick gloves.

He was a superior sort of looking man, with a sad, rather refined face. " Let me see," said Charlie ; " how long have you been bowling me about ? " " Two hours and a-half, sir," promptly replied the man ; " which, at two-and-six the hour, is—" " Oh ! never mind that," said Charlie ; " you never did a better two and a half hours' work in your life ; so here you are ! Good-night to you ! " and the cabby found himself alone, with two glittering gold coins in his palm. He stared at them for a moment in sheer amaze ment ; then up the steps of the club went he, and asked a man at the door if he could see the young gentleman who had just come in. Charlie was just bounding upstairs, but he turned at the sound of the man's voice, and came towards him with an inquiring expression on his face. " Look here, sir," said the man, in a low voice, "you must have made a mistake."

" Oh, no ; no mistake," answered Charlie, with a laugh ; " it's all right." " I can't take all this for two and a half hours' work, sir. Are you going home ? Can't I drive you home, sir ? " Charlie shook his head. " I am sleeping here," he said. " I have to catch the 5.15 train from Euston to-morrow morning, but I don't suppose you would care to turn out at that hour, would you ? " " I'll turn out at any time, to drive you anywhere you like, sir," said the man earnestly. "The 5.15, did you say? I'll be here in time, sir, never fear; and thank you, sir." Very early the following morning the hansom was at the door of the club ; Charlie got in with a " GOOD-BYE, SWEETHEART." 17 small Gladstone bag, and was driven to Euston to catch the train to Liverpool. While waiting for a sleepy porter to take the bag, the cabman said : " You have done more good to me than you think, sir. You see, the wife's ill, and two of the children are bad with whooping-cough, and that there money of yours was a perfect God-send.

I was able to get a doctor to see 'em, and some light food and things for 'em to take, being as they're rather squeamish as to what they eat, and, Lord bless you, they seemed better already ! " " Ah ! " said Charlie sympathetically. " It must be awful to be ill ; never had a pain or an ache in my life myself, so don't know much about it." " Here you are, sir ! " said the porter, at this moment. " Train just starting, sir ; hurry up, please ! " " All right," said Charlie. He took something that rustled out of a pocket-book, and handed it to the cabman. " Look here, my man," he said, " I don't suppose I shall ever see you again ; no knowing if I shall come back ; just take this as a little parting gift, don't you see ? and — I hope the children will soon be better," and Charlie was gone. The train steamed out of the station, and all that remained to remind the driver of that bright, generous young soul, was a £$ Bank of England note.

And in Messrs. Curzons' safe keeping reposed a B QUEENS AND KNAVES. document, duly signed and witnessed, purporting that, in the event of his death, Charles Best be queathed the sum of ten thousand pounds to Lois Hemery.

Chapter III. Injured Innocence

As James Hemery travelled home that evening by the underground railway, he certainly did not look happy. His young face was gloomy and sad, his forehead puckered into anxious lines ; and the movements of his fingers, as he played nervously with the string of a brown paper parcel on his knee, betokened an unquiet mind. His pipe was filled for lighting, and his match-box was held in one hand, but he forgot to take out a match, and thus deprived himself of even that small atom of comfort. He hurried out of the station, forgetting his usual " good-night " to the ticket-collector, and walked rapidly up the Grove, till he turned into the quiet road, where Miss Lydia Hemery lived. Here there seemed to be a hubbub of some sort. A sound of dismal howls and entreaties, mingled with stern manly tones ; a small knot of people, gathered round and listening to a woman standing at the top of the area' steps of a house, in front of which the commotion was taking place.

A policeman, big and burly, was holding by the arm a diminutive, trembling figure of a boy, who was giving forth the lamentable sounds that greeted James' ear, as he stopped to glance at the group. " Little wretch ! " cried the woman, " nearly scared me out of my senses, he did ! I was jest agoing to light the gas in the front kitchen, when, what should I see, but his ugly face lookin' in at the winder ! Give it 'im well, pleeseman ; he deserves it, if only for the fright he's gave me ! " " What were you doing down there, eh ? " asked the policeman, emphasising his words with a shake of his prisoner. " I've told yer what I was a-doing of," blubbered the boy. " Nothink ! only lookin' fur a marble wot I'd dropped, and thought 'ad rolled down the bloomin' steps. Let me go, yer big bully ! I'd be ashamed to 'urt a man only 'alf yer size.

I 'ould — O — oh ! let me go, I say," and he renewed his howls and struggles. " Poor boy," said a bystander. " I daresay he was doing no harm. Let him go, policeman, he won't do it again ; will you, child ? " "Never no more," howled the culprit, "s'welp me — " " There, stow that," said the policeman ; " never no more till next time, I suppose. Now, look here, youngster, you just take yourself off sharp, and if I catches you on my beat again, you'll spend the night in the lock-up. Now, walk ! " and suiting the action to the word, the man gave the boy a push, which sent him careering into the middle of the road. Not long did he stay there, but was off like a flash, with his INJURED INNQCENCE. 21 ragged coat cuff pressed against his eyes, while piteous sobs still reached the ears of the little crowd.