Part 66 (1/2)
”In your charming and for the most part veracious story there is only one slight mistake, my good friend.”
”I do not understand.”
”I will tell you. Eugene Chabot, your brother?--yes; your brother.
Well, he could not have written to you as you tell me--”
”But I a.s.sure you--”
”For the simple reason, that, just one week before the seizure of Valetta Joe, Chabot was killed--in a sortie from the enemy's lines.”
”Impossible! I--”
”Have been lying throughout and must take the consequences. You have thrust your head into the lion's jaw. Hold!”
Seeing that Hyde had thrust his one hand beneath his blouse, seeking, no doubt, for some concealed weapon, Hobson suddenly struck a bell on the table before him.
Four men rushed in.
”Seize him before he can use his arm! Seize him, and unmask him!”
The ruffians, laying violent hands on Hyde, tore off his blouse and dragged the wig with its elaborate curls from his head. In the struggle he gave a sharp cry of pain. They had touched too roughly the still helpless arm which hung in its sling beneath the blouse.
”Ah! I knew I could not be mistaken. It is you, then, Rupert Gascoigne! I thought I recognised you from the first, although it is years and years since we met.”
”Not quite, villain! Cowardly traitor, murderer, despoiler of the dead!”
”What do you mean by that?”
”That I saw you at your craven work just after the Alma; you ought to have been shot then. The world would have been well rid of a miscreant.”
”Pretty language, truly, Mr. Gascoigne! I must strive to deserve it.”
”What are you going to do with me?”
”I am not sure. Only do not hope for mercy. You know too much. I might make away with you at once--”
”But why spill blood?” he went on, musing aloud. ”The guillotine will do your business in due course if I hand you over to the law. That will be best, safest; the most complete riddance, perhaps.”
There was a pause.
”You see you are altogether in my power,” said Ledantec, ”either way.
But I am not unreasonable. I am prepared to spare you--for the present,” he said, with an evil smile--”only for the present, and according as you may behave.”
”On what conditions will you spare me--for the present?” asked Hyde, elated at the unexpected chance thus given him.
”Tell me how you came to know of this address. Who sent you here?”
”Valetta Joe, the Maltese baker at Kadikoi.”