Part 25 (1/2)

Then they parted, never to meet again.

CHAPTER XV.

THE LAST OF LORD LYDSTONE.

The mixed population of Constantinople in these busy, stirring times was ripe for any great surprise. It was much moved and excited by a startling bit of news that spread very rapidly next day.

An atrocious murder had been committed on the Stamboul side, near the Bridge of Boats.

Certainly, murders were not unknown in this hive of complex life, harbouring as it did the very sc.u.m and refuse of European rascality.

But the victims were mostly vile, nameless vagabonds, low Greeks, Maltese suttlers, Italian sailors, or one or other of the hybrid mongrel ruffians following in the track of our armies, any of whom might be sent to their long account without being greatly missed.

It was otherwise now: the murdered man was a prominent personage, an Englishman of high rank, a rich and powerful representative of a great people. No wonder that Constantinople was agitated and disturbed.

On this occasion Lord Lydstone was the murdered man.

He had been found at daybreak by the Turkish patrol, lying in a doorway just where he had fallen dead, stabbed to the heart.

The body was taken to the nearest guard, and inquiries were inst.i.tuted. A card-case found on the body led to identification, and a report made to the British Emba.s.sy set in motion the law and justice of the peace.

Nothing satisfactory or conclusive was brought to light. No one could account for his lords.h.i.+p's presence in that, the lowest quarter of the city; the only clue to his movements was furnished by his steward and body-servant on board the yacht.

The valet came on sh.o.r.e and gave his evidence before the informal court, which was dealing with the case at the British Emba.s.sy, presided over by the _attaches_.

”When did you see his lords.h.i.+p last?”

”Last night. My lord dined on board alone. He appeared depressed, and altogether low. He told me he should go to bed early.”

”And did he?”

”No. Late in the evening a sh.o.r.e-boat came off--one of those caiques, I think they called them--with a letter, very urgent.”

”For Lord Lydstone?”

”For his lords.h.i.+p. He seemed much disturbed on reading it.”

”Well?”

”My lord called me and said he would dress to go on sh.o.r.e. I gave him out the suit which he was wearing when the body was found.”

”He said nothing about the letter, or its contents?”

”Oh, no! My lord was never given to talking much, although I was his confidential valet since he left college. He never spoke to me of his affairs. My lord always kept his distance, as it was proper he should.”

”Could you tell at all what became of this letter?”

”My lord put it in his pocket when he was dressed.”