Part 30 (1/2)
”Well,” he said, ”as you are aware, I am your father's friend, and have been so through many years. Recently there was a--well, a crisis, which was averted in a very unexpected and mysterious manner.”
”I know,” she remarked, turning rather pale. She wore turquoise blue that night, a beautiful gown of Paquin's which suited her admirably.
”My father has told me everything. You made every effort to wreck the Socialist conspiracy--and you were fortunately successful. I return you my very warmest thanks. You saved my father.”
”No; you are quite mistaken. I did not. The questions were abandoned for some mysterious motive which I am still endeavouring to discover.
It is in pursuance of my inquiries that I am now approaching you. Do you follow me?”
”Perfectly.”
”As far as I can gather, your father's enemies have only postponed their blow. It may fall at any time, therefore we must be prepared for it.
Montebruno received orders in secret to postpone his attack, and there must have been a reason for this. Perhaps the time was not yet ripe-- perhaps the Socialists feared a retaliation which might crush them. In any case, we must get at the truth, and thus be forearmed.”
”And how can I a.s.sist you?” she asked, knowing the bitter truth of her self-sacrifice, but determined to keep her secret to herself.
”By being frank with me.”
”Well?”
”You are to marry Jules Dubard?”
”Yes.”
”At your father's instigation?”
She was silent, and her cheeks turned slightly paler. Their long acquaintance gave him the right to put such a question to her, yet within her heart she resented it. Why should this secret agent, this man who was an adventurer, although so useful in her father's service, seek to learn the truth?
”My father gave his consent to our marriage,” she replied simply.
”I know that. He has already told me so. I speak plainly, and say that I am desiring to get at the truth.”
”The truth of what? I don't understand you.”
”The truth regarding certain circ.u.mstances which are exceedingly curious. I have been for three months in active pursuit of knowledge, and in my inquiries have discovered some very strange things. Remember, I am working in the interests of your father, and anything you may say to me is in strict confidence. We have known each other for a long time, Miss Mary,” he added--”indeed, ever since you wore short frocks and used to flirt with me in the salon at San Donato. Do you recollect it?”
She laughed as a slight blush suffused her cheeks at recollection of her girlhood days before she went to school at Broadstairs. She recollected how in those youthful days she had admired Vito Ricci, the well-dressed, debonair deputy who was her father's closest friend.
”I remember,” she admitted, laughing.
”Then let us speak in confidence,” he went on, deeply in earnest. ”You were acquainted with Felice Solaro, captain in the 6th Alpine Regiment, who fell in love with you?”
She nodded, with eyes open in surprise.
”He declared his love, and you refused him. Your father, who suspected that the young captain had had the audacity to court you, was furious, and forbade you to receive him. But you saw him in secret one day to bid him farewell as he was ordered to a garrison on the French frontier.
Your father being absent, you received him, at his own suggestion, in the library of the palace in Rome. While you were talking with him you heard some visitors approaching, and you rushed out, locking him in the library, pretending that your father had taken the key. He remained there in secret for over two hours, until you could escape from the callers, release him, and let him out in secret. Is that so?”
She blushed to the roots of her hair at recollection of that youthful escapade, and admitted that all he had alleged was the truth.
”And that man is now in prison, charged with having sold military secrets to France--a copy of a confidential doc.u.ment which was in a drawer in your father's writing-table.”