Part 40 (1/2)
”Felicia,” I said, ”I do not trust your uncle. I do not believe in his great mission. I think that you yourself are deceived.”
She held her head up. Her eyes flashed angrily.
”As to that,” she said, ”I am the best judge. If my uncle is an adventurer, I am his niece. I am one with him. Please understand that. It seems to me that you are working against him, thinking that you are helping me. That is a mistake.”
”Felicia,” I said, ”give me a little more of your confidence, and the rest will be easy.”
”What is it that you wish to know?” she asked.
”For one thing,” I answered, ”tell me when your uncle left South America and when he arrived in Paris?”
”He had been in Paris ten days when you saw us first,” she said, after a moment's hesitation.
”And are you sure that he came to you from South America?” I demanded.
”Certainly!” she answered.
”To me,” I said slowly, ”he seems to have the manners of a Parisian. Two months ago I lunched at Henry's with some old friends. Can you tell me, Felicia, that he was not in Paris then?”
”Of course not!” she answered, s.h.i.+vering a little.
”Then he has a wonderful double,” I declared.
”What is this that is in your mind about him?” she asked.
”I believe,” I answered, ”that he is personating some one, or rather I have believed it. I believe that he is personating some one else, and is afraid of being recognized by those who know.”
”Will it satisfy you,” she said slowly, ”if I tell you, upon my honor, Capitaine Rotherby, that he is indeed my uncle?”
”I should believe you, Felicia,” I answered. ”I should then feel disposed to give the whole affair up as insoluble.”
”That is just what I want you to do,” she said. ”Now, listen. I tell you this upon my honor. He is my uncle, and his name is truly Delora!”
”Then why does he leave you here alone and skulk about from hiding-place to hiding-place like a criminal?” I asked.
”It is not your business to ask those questions,” she answered. ”I have told you the truth. Will you do as I ask or not?”
I hesitated for a moment. She was driving me back into a corner!
”Felicia,” I said, ”I must do as you ask me. If you tell me to go away, I will go away; but do you think it is quite kind to leave me so mystified? For instance,” I added slowly, ”on the night when that beast Louis planned to knock that young Brazilian on the head, and leave me to bear the brunt of it; he was up here talking to you, alone, as though you were equals.”
”It is my uncle who makes use of Louis,” she said.
”I'm hanged if I can see how he can make use of a fellow like that if his business is an honest one,” I answered.
”It is not for you to understand,” she answered. ”You are not a policeman. You are not concerned in these things.”
”I am concerned in you!” I answered pa.s.sionately. ”Felicia, you drive me almost wild when you talk like this. You know very well that it is not curiosity which has made me set my teeth, and swear that I will discover the truth of these things. It is because I see you implicated in them, because I believe in you, Felicia, because I love you!”
She was in my arms for one long, delicious moment. Then she tore herself away.