Part 37 (2/2)

”The Clenarvon diamonds!” she whispered. He nodded.

”It is just the sort of affair which would appeal to the 'Double-Four,'”

he said. ”They are worth anything up to a quarter of a million, and it is an enterprise which could scarcely be attempted except by some one in a peculiar position. Violet, if I were not sure that he had seen me, I should leave the house this minute.”

”Why?” she asked, wonderingly.

”Don't you understand,” Peter Ruff continued, softly, ”that I myself am still what they call a corresponding member of the 'Double-Four,' and they have a right to appeal to me for help in this country, as I have a right to appeal to them for help or information in France? We have both made use of one another, to some extent. No doubt, if the Marquis has any scheme in his mind, he would look upon me as a valuable ally.”

She turned slowly pale.

”Peter,” she said, ”you wouldn't dream--you wouldn't dare to be so foolish?”

He shook his head firmly.

”My dear girl,” he said, ”we talked that all out long ago. A few years since, I felt that I had been treated badly, that I was an alien, and that the hand of the law was against me. I talked wildly then, perhaps.

When I put up my sign and sat down for clients, I meant to cheat the law, if I could. Things have changed, Violet. I want nothing of that sort. I have kept my hands clean and I mean to do so. Why, years ago,”

he continued, ”when I was feeling at my wildest, these very jewels were within my grasp one foggy night, and I never touched them.”

”What would happen if you refused to help?”

”I do not know,” Peter Ruff answered. ”The conditions are a little severe. But, after all, there are no hard and fast rules. It rests with the Marquis himself to shrug his shoulders and appreciate my position.

Perhaps he may not even exchange a word with me. Here is Lord Sotherst coming to talk to you, and Captain Hamilton is waiting for me to tell him an address. Remember, don't recognize Sogrange.”

Dinner that night was an unusually cheerful meal. Peter Ruff, who was an excellent raconteur, told many stories. The Marquis de Sogrange was perhaps the next successful in his efforts to entertain his neighbors.

Violet found him upon her left hand, and although he showed not the slightest signs of having ever seen her before, they were very soon excellent friends. After dinner, Sogrange and Peter Ruff drifted together on their way to the billiard-room. Sogrange, however, continued to talk courteously of trifles until, having decided to watch the first game, they found themselves alone on the leather divan surrounding the room.

”This is an unexpected pleasure, my friend,” Sogrange said, watching the ash of his cigar. ”Professional?”

Peter Ruff shook his head. ”Not in the least,” he answered. ”I have had the good fortune to render Lady Mary and her brother, at different times, services which they are pleased to value highly. We are here as ordinary guests--my wife and I.” The Marquis sighed.

”Ah, that wife of yours, Ruff,” he said. ”She is charming, I admit, and you are a lucky man; but it was a price--a very great price to pay.”

”You, perhaps, are ambitious, Marquis,” Peter Ruff answered. ”I have not done so badly. A little contents me.”

Sogrange looked at him as though he were some strange creature.

”I see!” he murmured. ”I see! With you, of course, the commercial side comes uppermost. Mr. Ruff, what do you suppose the income from my estate amounts to?” Peter Ruff shook his head. He did not even know that the Marquis was possessed of estates!

”Somewhere about seven millions of francs,” Sogrange declared. ”There are few men in Paris more extravagant than I, and I think that we Frenchmen know what extravagance means. But I cannot spend my income.

Do you think that it is for the sake of gain that I have come across the Channel to add the Clenarvon diamonds to our coffers?”

Peter Ruff sat very still.

”You mean that?” he said.

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