Part 17 (1/2)

Hugh, following him along the deck, was hastily reviewing the voyage; and failing to recall any previous occasion wherein the n.o.bleman had addressed him his sense of perplexity increased. Was there some hidden purpose, some crafty machination lurking behind the elaborated manner with which the invitation was delivered? On the other hand, perhaps, his imagination was playing him a trick, and this selection of an adversary was merely accidental.

And yet, had he but known, it was his own absorbing jealousy of Veath that precluded the recognition of a like sentiment directed against him, even surpa.s.sing in intensity its owner's l.u.s.t for gain at play.

The smoking-room was empty, which, to the younger man, appeared as rather extraordinary, and served to augment his supposition that such a condition was presupposed. This, in turn, was dimissed, for he remembered that the usual occupants were either dancing or looking on.

Taking the initiative, as if such a course was inc.u.mbent, Lord Huntingford placed his cribbage-board on a table and drew up chairs for both; with equal politeness the proffered seat was accepted, Hugh registering inwardly a determination to force high stakes, and, if possible, recoup the losses of the young officers. Not for an instant did he doubt his ability to detect the slightest irregularities in the count of his discredited opponent.

”Sovereign a point?”

”Done! Five, if you like!”

This answer from the young American caused an avaricious glint to leap into the other's eyes. Plainly, two master pa.s.sions fought for supremacy: an inordinate greed for money and a choleric determination to prohibit any further attentions to his wife. The struggle was brief, for the vehemence of his enmity, triumphant, the hope of immediate emolument was sacrificed, and the rooking of the young man postponed to some future occasion. Then, subtly concealing his purpose, he nodded an ambiguous acceptance.

Cards were ordered. A steward fetched them and awaited further commands.

Lord Huntingford strangely distrait, it seemed to Hugh, considering the amount at stake, shuffled the pack and offered them for the cut. This conventional operation performed and his Lords.h.i.+p successful, he dealt the hands, at the same time giving the steward a sharp order to leave.

The man's reception of his dismissal was so insolent that it attracted Hugh's attention. Looking up, to his surprise, he recognized his room steward.

”With whom have I the pleasure of playing?” came suddenly from Lord Huntingford.

”Ridgeway, Hugh--”

Quick as the thought in the mind preceding it, inevitably connected, the name escaped unwittingly from his lips; for with the discovery of the steward's ident.i.ty there flashed like a bolt from the blue an appalling recollection! Exposed to view on the table in his stateroom were valuable doc.u.ments addressed to him by his banker, which he had forgotten to replace in his dispatch-box!

”Eh? What's that? What name?” The interrogation, icily formal, told nothing; but upon its answer hinged limitless consequences.

Hugh was in a dilemma. Should he correct himself, or rely on the slip pa.s.sing un.o.bserved? The peculiar expression on the steward's face returned to him; and he wondered if the knowledge of his adopting an incognito had been elicited from the garrulous servant, and the Englishman about to take advantage of it? Reddening with anger as much against himself as against the cynical old aristocrat, who was cornering him cavalierly, he decided to brave exposure:

”Ridge! H.B. Ridge is my name, Lord Huntingford!”

There was a reckless disregard of possibilities in the eyes that fastened themselves on the face of the n.o.bleman for a clue, some enlightenment as to the impression produced; but all in vain. The shrewd, small eyes answered the scrutiny impa.s.sively, and without as much as the flicker of an eyelid. Taking one of the little ivory pegs, he stuck it in the starting hole at the end of the cribbage-board.

Unconsciously, while waiting for the mental move which would determine his future address, Hugh following the other's lead, picked up one and pegged. Then to his infinite relief Lord Huntingford apparently allowed the correction, accepted the alias.

”Ridge!” he p.r.o.nounced with malicious uncertainty. ”Ridge! I am acquainted with the English Ridges;” and the sneer in the voice increased. ”Do I understand you to pretend that you are one of that distinguished family?”

Hugh clenched his lips and his blood boiled at the treatment.

”I am an American, Lord Huntingford,” spoken easily, his pride showing only by a perceptible lift of the head; ”and my ancestors were not Tories in the Revolution. Relations.h.i.+p, if any, would be--er--distant. I claim none.”

”A trifle strained,” admitted his Lords.h.i.+p, laughing disagreeably.

At that moment the band could be heard in the distance playing the strains of a waltz; also the voices of the couples who were promenading and pa.s.sing the open door. To Hugh's amazement, Lord Huntingford, obviously heedless of his peculiar action, recommenced shuffling the stack of cards, though the dealt hands remained untouched on the table.

Instinctively, Hugh was convinced that no play was intended. There was something on the mind of the wily old diplomat far more momentous than a mere game of cards; yet no chance had been given to him to penetrate into the other's motives.

It was not long forthcoming.

Suddenly, clear as a bell, Hugh distinguished the laughter of Lady Huntingford, and involuntarily he smiled. This seemed to enrage his Lords.h.i.+p. Hatred and menace shone from his eyes as he glanced at the man opposite him. With an oath he rose, walked to the door and closed it.

Then ruthlessly laying aside the last vestige of his a.s.sumed courtliness, he picked up his stick from the table, leaned far over, shook it in Hugh's face, and became an irascible, shouting old man.