Part 41 (1/2)
”Yes.”
”Hurrah!” she cried, almost dancing for joy; ”now we are safely rid of him we shall have nothing to fear. But, tell me, how did you manage to carry out the suggestion?”
”It was quite simple. We met in London three weeks ago, and I told him that he was running a great risk in remaining there, because the girl Vivian had discovered that it was he who gave her the little gash in the throat, and that she had placed the matter in the hands of the police.
He asked my advice as to where he should go, and, of course, I suggested Paris. We arranged to go over separately, and meet at the old place a week later. He went, and as he stepped from the train at the St. Lazare he fell into the inviting arms of that vulture Chemerault.”
”You had previously given information, I suppose?”
”Exactly.”
”What was the charge?” she asked in a low tone.
”Complicity in the affair of the Englishman.”
”Is he already sentenced?”
”Yes; to-day the a.s.size Court sent him to penal servitude for ten years.
I had a telegram an hour ago. It will be in the papers to-morrow.”
”Do you think that he'll peach upon us?” Valerie asked seriously.
”No, never fear that. He does not suspect that we put the police upon him; besides, he will live in the hope of escaping, and returning to you and your newly-acquired wealth.”
”Yes, I suppose he will,” she said, laughing. ”But you've managed the affair very cleverly, and although it is hard to send such a boon companion to prison merely because you and I love one another, yet, after all, I suppose it's the best course.”
”Undoubtedly, _ma chere_,” he said. ”Now both are safely in prison, we need fear nothing. Our manoeuvres have been successful in obtaining for us a fortune ample for our needs, and by keeping on this house, as well as yours in the Avenue de la Toison d'Or, we can continue to amuse ourselves profitably by getting our guests to stake their louis on the _tapis vert_. We have had many obstacles to face, but they are now all removed.”
”Where is your wedding-ring--the one he gave you?” he asked.
She drew it from her purse, and handed it to him, wondering why he required it.
”This reminds you of him, I know,” he said, as he turned and threw up the window. ”See, I fling it away, for it's merely a worthless bond,”
and he tossed the ring as far as he could out into the road.
Valerie sighed. A tear stood in her eye. Even at that moment she was thinking of Hugh Trethowen. It was unusual for her to be troubled by recurring pangs of conscience, nevertheless his face had haunted her constantly during the past few months, and she could not get rid of the thought that some day a terrible Nemesis might fall and crush her.
”Why look so serious?”
”I was only thinking. It is one of woman's privileges,” she said, laughing.
”Come, there is no cause for sadness surely. You have a handsome income. What more could you desire?”
Soon afterwards the unsuspecting guests departed, with aching heads and empty pockets. And Valerie was left alone.
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
AND YOU--A CLERGYMAN.
”Where is Mr. Holt? I must see him at once.”
”He's in the vestry, miss, talking to a gentleman. But he'll be disengaged in a moment,” the verger replied.