Part 1 (1/2)

The Affair at the Semiramis Hotel.

by A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley) Mason.

I

Mr. Ricardo, when the excitements of the Villa Rose were done with, returned to Grosvenor Square and resumed the busy, unnecessary life of an amateur. But the studios had lost their savour, artists their attractiveness, and even the Russian opera seemed a trifle flat. Life was altogether a disappointment; Fate, like an actress at a restaurant, had taken the wooden pestle in her hand and stirred all the sparkle out of the champagne; Mr. Ricardo languished--until one unforgettable morning.

He was sitting disconsolately at his breakfast-table when the door was burst open and a square, stout man, with the blue, shaven face of a French comedian, flung himself into the room. Ricardo sprang towards the new-comer with a cry of delight.

”My dear Hanaud!”

He seized his visitor by the arm, feeling it to make sure that here, in flesh and blood, stood the man who had introduced him to the acutest sensations of his life. He turned towards his butler, who was still bleating expostulations in the doorway at the unceremonious irruption of the French detective.

”Another place, Burton, at once,” he cried, and as soon as he and Hanaud were alone: ”What good wind blows you to London?”

”Business, my friend. The disappearance of bullion somewhere on the line between Paris and London. But it is finished. Yes, I take a holiday.”

A light had suddenly flashed in Mr. Ricardo's eyes, and was now no less suddenly extinguished. Hanaud paid no attention whatever to his friend's disappointment. He pounced upon a piece of silver which adorned the tablecloth and took it over to the window.

”Everything is as it should be, my friend,” he exclaimed, with a grin.

”Grosvenor Square, the _Times_ open at the money column, and a false antique upon the table. Thus I have dreamed of you. All Mr. Ricardo is in that sentence.”

Ricardo laughed nervously. Recollection made him wary of Hanaud's sarcasms. He was shy even to protest the genuineness of his silver.

But, indeed, he had not the time. For the door opened again and once more the butler appeared. On this occasion, however, he was alone.

”Mr. Calladine would like to speak to you, sir,” he said.

”Calladine!” cried Ricardo in an extreme surprise. ”That is the most extraordinary thing.” He looked at the clock upon his mantelpiece. It was barely half-past eight. ”At this hour, too?”

”Mr. Calladine is still wearing evening dress,” the butler remarked.

Ricardo started in his chair. He began to dream of possibilities; and here was Hanaud miraculously at his side.

”Where is Mr. Calladine?” he asked.

”I have shown him into the library.”

”Good,” said Mr. Ricardo. ”I will come to him.”

But he was in no hurry. He sat and let his thoughts play with this incident of Calladine's early visit.

”It is very odd,” he said. ”I have not seen Calladine for months--no, nor has anyone. Yet, a little while ago, no one was more often seen.”

He fell apparently into a muse, but he was merely seeking to provoke Hanaud's curiosity. In this attempt, however, he failed. Hanaud continued placidly to eat his breakfast, so that Mr. Ricardo was compelled to volunteer the story which he was burning to tell.

”Drink your coffee, Hanaud, and you shall hear about Calladine.”

Hanaud grunted with resignation, and Mr. Ricardo flowed on: