after the young man had made an end of his narrative; “and And he dismissed him with a movement of his hand.
your position is full of difficulty and peril. Many would
“And now,” added the Prince, turning to Francis, “give counsel you to seek out your father, and give the diamond me the diamond.”
to him; but I have other views. Waiter!” he cried.
Without a word the casket was handed over.
The waiter drew near.
“You have done right,” said Florizel, “your sentiments
“Will you ask the manager to speak with me a moment?” have properly inspired you, and you will live to be grateful said he; and Francis observed once more, both in his tone for the misfortunes of to-night. A man, Mr. Scrymgeour, and manner, the evidence of a habit of command.
may fall into a thousand perplexities, but if his heart be The waiter withdrew, and returned in a moment with man-upright and his intelligence unclouded, he will issue from ager, who bowed with obsequious respect.
them all without dishonour. Let your mind be at rest; your
“What,” said he, “can I do to serve you?” affairs are in my hand; and with the aid of heaven I am
“Have the goodness,” replied the stranger, indicating strong enough to bring them to a good end. Follow me, if Francis, “to tell this gentleman my name.” you please, to my carriage.”
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So saying the Prince arose and, having left a piece of passing cab, gave an address, and a quarter of an hour gold for the waiter, conducted the young man from the afterwards, having discharged the driver some distance cafe and along the Boulevard to where an unpretentious lower, he was knocking at Mr. Vandeleur’s garden gate.
brougham and a couple of servants out of livery awaited It was opened with singular precautions by the Dictator his arrival.
in person.
“This carriage,” said he, “is at your disposal; collect your
“Who are you?” he demanded.
baggage as rapidly as you can make it convenient, and my
“You must pardon me this late visit, Mr. Vandeleur,” re-servants will conduct you to a villa in the neighbourhood of plied the Prince.
Paris where you can wait in some degree of comfort until I
“Your Highness is always welcome,” returned Mr.
have had time to arrange your situation. You will find there Vandeleur, stepping back.
a pleasant garden, a library of good authors, a cook, a cellar, The Prince profited by the open space, and without wait-and some good cigars, which I recommend to your atten-ing for his host walked right into the house and opened the tion. Jerome,” he added, turning to one of the servants, “you door of the salon. Two people were seated there; one was have heard what I say; I leave Mr. Scrymgeour in your charge; Miss Vandeleur, who bore the marks of weeping about her you will, I know, be careful of my friend.” eyes, and was still shaken from time to time by a sob; in the Francis uttered some broken phrases of gratitude.
other the Prince recognised the young man who had con-
“It will be time enough to thank me,” said the Prince, sulted him on literary matters about a month before, in a
“when you are acknowledged by your father and married club smoking-room.
to Miss Vandeleur.”
“Good evening, Miss Vandeleur,” said Florizel; “you look And with that the Prince turned away and strolled lei-fatigued. Mr. Rolles, I believe? I hope you have profited surely in the direction of Montmartre. He hailed the first by the study of Gaboriau, Mr. Rolles.” 135
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But the young clergyman’s temper was too much embit-Vandeleur, receive me with a smile, but you know right tered for speech; and he contented himself with bowing well that your hands are not yet cleansed from miscon-stiffly, and continued to gnaw his lip.
duct. I do not desire to be interrupted, sir,” he added impe-
“To what good wind,” said Mr. Vandeleur, following his riously; “I am here to speak, and not to listen; and I have to guest, “am I to attribute the honour of your Highness’s ask you to hear me with respect, and to obey punctiliously.
presence?”
At the earliest possible date your daughter shall be married
“I am come on business,” returned the Prince; “on busi-at the Embassy to my friend, Francis Scrymgeour, your ness with you; as soon as that is settled I shall request brother’s acknowledged son. You will oblige me by offer-Mr. Rolles to accompany me for a walk. Mr. Rolles,” he ing not less than ten thousand pounds dowry. For yourself, added with severity, “let me remind you that I have not I will indicate to you in writing a mission of some impor-yet sat down.”
tance in Siam which I destine to your care. And now, sir, The clergyman sprang to his feet with an apology; where-you will answer me in two words whether or not you agree upon the Prince took an armchair beside the table, handed to these conditions.”
his hat to Mr. Vandeleur, his cane to Mr. Rolles, and, leav-
“Your Highness will pardon me,” said Mr. Vandeleur, ing them standing and thus menially employed upon his
“and permit me, with all respect, to submit to him two service, spoke as follows:-
queries?”
“I have come here, as I said, upon business; but, had I
“The permission is granted,” replied the Prince.
come looking for pleasure, I could not have been more
“Your Highness,” resumed the Dictator, “has called Mr.
displeased with my reception nor more dissatisfied with Scrymgeour his friend. Believe me, had I known he was my company. You, sir,” addressing Mr. Rolles, “you have thus honoured, I should have treated him with propor-treated your superior in station with discourtesy; you, tional respect.”
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“You interrogate adroitly,” said the Prince; “but it will With these words, motioning the clergyman to follow, not serve your turn. You have my commands; if I had never Florizel left the apartment and directed his steps towards seen that gentleman before to-night, it would not render the garden gate; and the Dictator, following with a candle, them less absolute.”
gave them light, and once more undid the elaborate fasten-
“Your Highness interprets my meaning with his usual subtlety,” ings with which he sought to protect himself from intrusion.
returned Vandeleur. “Once more: I have, unfortunately, put the
“Your daughter is no longer present,” said the Prince, police upon the track of Mr. Scrymgeour on a charge of theft; turning on the threshold. “Let me tell you that I under-am I to withdraw or to uphold the accusation?” stand your threats; and you have only to lift your hand to
“You will please yourself,” replied Florizel. “The ques-bring upon yourself sudden and irremediable ruin.” tion is one between your conscience and the laws of this The Dictator made no reply; but as the Prince turned land. Give me my hat; and you, Mr. Rolles, give me my his back upon him in the lamplight he made a gesture full cane and follow me. Miss Vandeleur, I wish you good of menace and insane fury; and the next moment, slipping evening. I judge,” he added to Vandeleur, “that your si-round a corner, he was running at full speed for the nearlence means unqualified assent.”
est cab-stand.
“If I can do no better,” replied the old man, “I shall submit; but I warn you openly it shall not be without a struggle.” (Here, says my Arabian, the thread of events is finally
“You are old,” said the Prince; “but years are disgraceful diverted from The House with the Green Blinds. One more to the wicked. Your age is more unwise than the youth of adventure, he adds, and we have done with The Rajah’s others. Do not provoke me, or you may find me harder Diamond. That last link in the chain is known among the than you dream. This is the first time that I have fallen inhabitants of Bagdad by the name of The Adventure of across your path in anger; take care that it be the last.” Prince Florizel and a Detective.) 137
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THE ADVENTURE OF PRINCE FLORIZEL
place some faith in your penitence, young as it is.” AND A DETECTIVE
“Suffer me to touch your hand,” pleaded Mr. Rolles.
“No,” replied Prince Florizel, “not yet.” PRINCE FLORIZEL WALKED with Mr. Rolles to the door of a The tone in which he uttered these last words was elo-small hotel where the latter resided. They spoke much to-quent in the ears of the young clergyman; and for some gether, and the clergyman was more than once affected to minutes after the Prince had turned away he stood on the tears by the mingled severity and tenderness of Florizel’s threshold following with his eyes the retreating figure and reproaches.
invoking the blessing of heaven upon a man so excellent
“I have made ruin of my life,” he said at last. “Help me; in counsel.
tell me what I am to do; I have, alas! neither the virtues of For several hours the Prince walked alone in unfrequented a priest nor the dexterity of a rogue.” streets. His mind was full of concern; what to do with the
“Now that you are humbled,” said the Prince, “I com-diamond, whether to return it to its owner, whom he judged mand no longer; the repentant have to do with God and unworthy of this rare possession, or to take some sweep-not with princes. But if you will let me advise you, go to ing and courageous measure and put it out of the reach of Australia as a colonist, seek menial labour in the open air, all mankind at once and for ever, was a problem too grave and try to forget that you have ever been a clergyman, or to be decided in a moment. The manner in which it had that you ever set eyes on that accursed stone.” come into his hands appeared manifestly providential; and
“Accurst indeed!” replied Mr. Rolles. “Where is it now?
as he took out the jewel and looked at it under the street What further hurt is it not working for mankind?” lamps, its size and surprising brilliancy inclined him more
“It will do no more evil,” returned the Prince. “It is here and more to think of it as of an unmixed and dangerous in my pocket. And this,” he added kindly, “will show that I evil for the world.
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“God help me!” he thought; “if I look at it much oftener,
“I have the honour of addressing Prince Florizel of I shall begin to grow covetous myself.” Bohemia?” said he.
At last, though still uncertain in his mind, he turned his
“Such is my title,” replied the Prince. “What do you want steps towards the small but elegant mansion on the river-with me?”
side which had belonged for centuries to his royal family.
“I am,” said the man, “a detective, and I have to present The arms of Bohemia are deeply graved over the door and your Highness with this billet from the Prefect of Police.” upon the tall chimneys; passengers have a look into a green The Prince took the letter and glanced it through by court set with the most costly flowers, and a stork, the only the light of the street lamp. It was highly apologetic, one in Paris, perches on the gable all day long and keeps a but requested him to follow the bearer to the Prefecture crowd before the house. Grave servants are seen passing to without delay.
and fro within; and from time to time the great gate is thrown
“In short,” said Florizel, “I am arrested.” open and a carriage rolls below the arch. For many reasons
“Your Highness,” replied the officer, “nothing, I am cer-this residence was especially dear to the heart of Prince tain, could be further from the intention of the Prefect.
Florizel; he never drew near to it without enjoying that sen-You will observe that he has not granted a warrant. It is timent of home-coming so rare in the lives of the great; and mere formality, or call it, if you prefer, an obligation that on the present evening he beheld its tall roof and mildly illu-your Highness lays on the authorities.” minated windows with unfeigned relief and satisfaction.
“At the same time,” asked the Prince, “if I were to refuse As he was approaching the postern door by which he to follow you?”
always entered when alone, a man stepped forth from the
“I will not conceal from your Highness that a consider-shadow and presented himself with an obeisance in the able discretion has been granted me,” replied the detective Prince’s path.
with a bow.
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“Upon my word,” cried Florizel, “your effrontery asing incident – it was a peril to his honour. What was he to tounds me! Yourself, as an agent, I must pardon; but your say? What was he to do? The Rajah’s Diamond was in-superiors shall dearly smart for their misconduct. What, deed an accursed stone; and it seemed as if he were to be have you any idea, is the cause of this impolitic and uncon-the last victim to its influence.
stitutional act? You will observe that I have as yet neither One thing was certain. He could not give the required refused nor consented, and much may depend on your assurance to the detective. He must gain time.
prompt and ingenuous answer. Let me remind you, officer, His hesitation had not lasted a second.
that this is an affair of some gravity.”
“Be it so,” said he, “let us walk together to the Prefec-
“Your Highness,” said the detective humbly, “General ture.”
Vandeleur and his brother have had the incredible presump-The man once more bowed, and proceeded to follow tion to accuse you of theft. The famous diamond, they de-Florizel at a respectful distance in the rear.
clare, is in your hands. A word from you in denial will
“Approach,” said the Prince. “I am in a humour to talk, most amply satisfy the Prefect; nay, I go farther: if your and, if I mistake not, now I look at you again, this is not Highness would so far honour a subaltern as to declare his the first time that we have met.”
ignorance of the matter even to myself, I should ask per-
“I count it an honour,” replied the officer, “that your High-mission to retire upon the spot.”
ness should recollect my face. It is eight years since I had Florizel, up to the last moment, had regarded his ad-the pleasure of an interview.”
venture in the light of a trifle, only serious upon interna-
“To remember faces,” returned Florizel, “is as much a tional considerations. At the name of Vandeleur the hor-part of my profession as it is of yours. Indeed, rightly looked rible truth broke upon him in a moment; he was not only upon, a Prince and a detective serve in the same corps. We arrested, but he was guilty. This was not only an annoy-are both combatants against crime; only mine is the more 140
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lucrative and yours the more dangerous rank, and there in your steps and recommend myself to the grace of God.
is a sense in which both may be made equally honourable It is thus, thanks to that modest and becoming habit alone,” to a good man. I had rather, strange as you may think it, he added, “that you and I can walk this town together with be a detective of character and parts than a weak and untarnished hearts.”
ignoble sovereign.”
“I had always heard that you were brave,” replied the of-The officer was overwhelmed.
ficer, “but I was not aware that you were wise and pious.
“Your Highness returns good for evil,” said he. “To an You speak the truth, and you speak it with an accent that act of presumption he replies by the most amiable conde-moves me to the heart. This world is indeed a place of trial.” scension.”
“We are now,” said Florizel, “in the middle of the bridge.
“How do you know,” replied Florizel, “that I am not seek-Lean your elbows on the parapet and look over. As the wa-ing to corrupt you?”
ter rushing below, so the passions and complications of life
“Heaven preserve me from the temptation!” cried the carry away the honesty of weak men. Let me tell you a story.” detective.
“I receive your Highness’s commands,” replied the man.
“I applaud your answer,” returned the Prince. “It is that And, imitating the Prince, he leaned against the parapet, of a wise and honest man. The world is a great place and and disposed himself to listen. The city was already sunk stocked with wealth and beauty, and there is no limit to the in slumber; had it not been for the infinity of lights and the rewards that may be offered. Such an one who would refuse outline of buildings on the starry sky, they might have been a million of money may sell his honour for an empire or the alone beside some country river.
love of a woman; and I myself, who speak to you, have
“An officer,” began Prince Florizel, “a man of courage seen occasions so tempting, provocations so irresistible to and conduct, who had already risen by merit to an eminent the strength of human virtue, that I have been glad to tread rank, and won not only admiration but respect, visited, in 141
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an unfortunate hour for his peace of mind, the collections of ing, unscrupulous man, who learns the clergyman’s secret.
an Indian Prince. Here he beheld a diamond so extraordi-What does he do? Tell his brother, inform the police? No; nary for size and beauty that from that instant he had only upon this man also the Satanic charm has fallen; he must one desire in life: honour, reputation, friendship, the love of have the stone for himself. At the risk of murder, he drugs country, he was ready to sacrifice all for this lump of spar-the young priest and seizes the prey. And now, by an acci-kling crystal. For three years he served this semi-barbarian dent which is not important to my moral, the jewel passes potentate as Jacob served Laban; he falsified frontiers, he out of his custody into that of another, who, terrified at connived at murders, he unjustly condemned and executed what he sees, gives it into the keeping of a man in high a brother-officer who had the misfortune to displease the station and above reproach.
Rajah by some honest freedoms; lastly, at a time of great
“The officer’s name is Thomas Vandeleur,” continued danger to his native land, he betrayed a body of his fellow-Florizel. “The stone is called the Rajah’s Diamond. And” –
soldiers, and suffered them to be defeated and massacred by suddenly opening his hand – “you behold it here before thousands. In the end, he had amassed a magnificent for-your eyes.”
tune, and brought home with him the coveted diamond.
The officer started back with a cry.
“Years passed,” continued the Prince, “and at length the
“We have spoken of corruption,” said the Prince. “To diamond is accidentally lost. It falls into the hands of a me this nugget of bright crystal is as loathsome as though simple and laborious youth, a student, a minister of God, it were crawling with the worms of death; it is as shocking just entering on a career of usefulness and even distinc-as though it were compacted out of innocent blood. I see it tion. Upon him also the spell is cast; he deserts everything, here in my hand, and I know it is shining with hell-fire. I his holy calling, his studies, and flees with the gem into a have told you but a hundredth part of its story; what passed foreign country. The officer has a brother, an astute, darin former ages, to what crimes and treacheries it incited 142
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men of yore, the imagination trembles to conceive; for years NOT LONG AFTER, the marriage of Francis Scrymgeour and and years it has faithfully served the powers of hell; enough, Miss Vandeleur was celebrated in great privacy; and the I say, of blood, enough of disgrace, enough of broken lives Prince acted on that occasion as groomsman. The two and friendships; all things come to an end, the evil like the Vandeleurs surprised some rumour of what had happened good; pestilence as well as beautiful music; and as for this to the diamond; and their vast diving operations on the diamond, God forgive me if I do wrong, but its empire River Seine are the wonder and amusement of the idle. It ends to-night.”
is true that through some miscalculation they have chosen The Prince made a sudden movement with his hand, and the wrong branch of the river. As for the Prince, that sub-the jewel, describing an arc of light, dived with a splash lime person, having now served his turn, may go, along into the flowing river.
with the Arabian Author, topsy-turvy into space. But if
“Amen,” said Florizel with gravity. “I have slain a cocka-the reader insists on more specific information, I am happy trice!”
to say that a recent revolution hurled him from the throne
“God pardon me!” cried the detective. “What have you of Bohemia, in consequence of his continued absence and done? I am a ruined man.”
edifying neglect of public business; and that his Highness
“I think,” returned the Prince with a smile, “that many now keeps a cigar store in Rupert Street, much frequented well-to-do people in this city might envy you your ruin.” by other foreign refugees. I go there from time to time to
“Alas! your Highness!” said the officer, “and you cor-smoke and have a chat, and find him as great a creature as rupt me after all?”
in the days of his prosperity; he has an Olympian air behind
“It seems there was no help for it,” replied Florizel. “And the counter; and although a sedentary life is beginning to now let us go forward to the Prefecture.” tell upon his waistcoat, he is probably, take him for all in all, the handsomest tobacconist in London.
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THE PAVILION ON THE LINKS
and go as I pleased, I could tolerate his presence without concern. I think we called each other friends.
CHAPTER I – TELLS HOW I CAMPED
When Northmour took his degree and I decided to leave IN GRADEN SEA-WOOD,
the university without one, he invited me on a long visit to AND BEHELD A LIGHT IN THE PAVILION
Graden Easter; and it was thus that I first became acquainted with the scene of my adventures. The mansion-house of I
Graden stood in a bleak stretch of country some three miles WAS A GREAT SOLITARY when I was young. I made it my pride to keep aloof and suffice for my own entertainment; from the shore of the German Ocean. It was as large as a and I may say that I had neither friends nor acquaintances barrack; and as it had been built of a soft stone, liable to until I met that friend who became my wife and the mother consume in the eager air of the seaside, it was damp and of my children. With one man only was I on private terms; draughty within and half ruinous without. It was impos-this was R. Northmour, Esquire, of Graden Easter, in Scot-sible for two young men to lodge with comfort in such a land. We had met at college; and though there was not dwelling. But there stood in the northern part of the estate, much liking between us, nor even much intimacy, we were in a wilderness of links and blowing sand-hills, and be-so nearly of a humour that we could associate with ease to tween a plantation and the sea, a small Pavilion or Belvidere, both. Misanthropes, we believed ourselves to be; but I have of modern design, which was exactly suited to our wants; thought since that we were only sulky fellows. It was and in this hermitage, speaking little, reading much, and scarcely a companionship, but a coexistence in unsociabil-rarely associating except at meals, Northmour and I spent ity. Northmour’s exceptional violence of temper made it four tempestuous winter months. I might have stayed no easy affair for him to keep the peace with any one but longer; but one March night there sprang up between us a me; and as he respected my silent ways, and let me come dispute, which rendered my departure necessary.
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Northmour spoke hotly, I remember, and I suppose I must I could camp without the fear of interruption; and hence, have made some tart rejoinder. He leaped from his chair being in another part of the same shire, I bethought me and grappled me; I had to fight, without exaggeration, for suddenly of the Pavilion on the Links. No thoroughfare my life; and it was only with a great effort that I mastered passed within three miles of it. The nearest town, and that him, for he was near as strong in body as myself, and seemed was but a fisher village, was at a distance of six or seven.
filled with the devil. The next morning, we met on our For ten miles of length, and from a depth varying from usual terms; but I judged it more delicate to withdraw; nor three miles to half a mile, this belt of barren country lay did he attempt to dissuade me.
along the sea. The beach, which was the natural approach, It was nine years before I revisited the neighbourhood. I was full of quicksands. Indeed I may say there is hardly a travelled at that time with a tilt cart, a tent, and a cooking-better place of concealment in the United Kingdom. I de-stove, tramping all day beside the waggon, and at night, termined to pass a week in the Sea-Wood of Graden Eas-whenever it was possible, gipsying in a cove of the hills, or ter, and making a long stage, reached it about sundown on by the side of a wood. I believe I visited in this manner a wild September day.
most of the wild and desolate regions both in England and The country, I have said, was mixed sand-hill and links; Scotland; and, as I had neither friends nor relations, I was links being a Scottish name for sand which has ceased drift-troubled with no correspondence, and had nothing in the ing and become more or less solidly covered with turf. The nature of headquarters, unless it was the office of my so-Pavilion stood on an even space; a little behind it, the wood licitors, from whom I drew my income twice a year. It was began in a hedge of elders huddled together by the wind; in a life in which I delighted; and I fully thought to have grown front, a few tumbled sand-hills stood between it and the old upon the march, and at last died in a ditch.
sea. An outcropping of rock had formed a bastion for the It was my whole business to find desolate corners, where sand, so that there was here a promontory in the coast-line 145
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between two shallow bays; and just beyond the tides, the its shuttered windows, not like a house that had been de-rock again cropped out and formed an islet of small di-serted, but like one that had never been tenanted by man.
mensions but strikingly designed. The quicksands were of Northmour was plainly from home; whether, as usual, sulk-great extent at low water, and had an infamous reputation ing in the cabin of his yacht, or in one of his fitful and in the country. Close in shore, between the islet and the extravagant appearances in the world of society, I had, of promontory, it was said they would swallow a man in four course, no means of guessing. The place had an air of soli-minutes and a half; but there may have been little ground tude that daunted even a solitary like myself; the wind cried for this precision. The district was alive with rabbits, and in the chimneys with a strange and wailing note; and it was haunted by gulls which made a continual piping about the with a sense of escape, as if I were going indoors, that I pavilion. On summer days the outlook was bright and even turned away and, driving my cart before me, entered the gladsome; but at sundown in September, with a high wind, skirts of the wood.
and a heavy surf rolling in close along the links, the place The Sea-Wood of Graden had been planted to shelter told of nothing but dead mariners and sea disaster. A ship the cultivated fields behind, and check the encroachments beating to windward on the horizon, and a huge truncheon of the blowing sand. As you advanced into it from of wreck half buried in the sands at my feet, completed the coastward, elders were succeeded by other hardy shrubs; innuendo of the scene.
but the timber was all stunted and bushy; it led a life of The pavilion – it had been built by the last proprietor, conflict; the trees were accustomed to swing there all night Northmour’s uncle, a silly and prodigal virtuoso – presented long in fierce winter tempests; and even in early spring, the little signs of age. It was two storeys i