The Knave of Diamonds

wing-room before a blazing fire, was surprised by the sudden opening of the door, a

he, entering with that light, half-stealthy tread

one of my friends have been able to give me any news of you, I determi

poke with a certain stateliness notwithst

eginning to think I must be," he said, "since you

sponse. She did

ap, surveying her with bold dark eyes that we

be in soon," she

make his acquaintance,"

been h

seemed to be unaware of the fact tha

the hearth with his back to the fire. "Yo

sionally,"

Say, Lady Carfax, why don't you?" He smiled upon her disarmingly. "Are yo

will she fai

hy didn't you ask me? Are these scone

ck up the dish, and in that att

acious. She could only seat herself at

help yoursel

able," he said. "Really, you know, you ought to hunt more often. I have

ings," s

ngs?" he

and try to keep an eye on the poorest tenants. And then I pra

s likes it, or I suppose I should have given it up long ago. But I generally have to manage without an ac

is interest. "Tell me m

f music do y

o sonatas. I never play to please myse

der brother?"

ssly crippled, poor chap, and suffers infernally. I often wonder why he pu

is a good ma

lance. "What do you

o does his duty

re plenty of men that do that, and yet

does his duty, he has not lived in vain. I

you define 'd

r a moment. "I can only defi

o for my benef

d past him into the fire. There was a deep

do. I have to content myself

same," he questioned in a drawl that was unmis

t your capabiliti

il," he told her, with a cynical

k again. "I am

, staring straight at her, challenging her. "I tell you frankly," he said, "I am not what

rned face with its fiery eyes and savage jaw. Perhaps the lips w

ng the pause his eyes never flinched from he

gth. "Quite honestly,

at I asked," said Nap,

f drawing your own conclus

r. He began to munch scone

that he could purr when he was pleased. Yes, there was undoubtedly something feline about him, a supple grace, a noiselessness, a guile, that made her aware of the necessity for caution in her dealings with him. This was a man of many subtleties-she knew it instinctively-a man of tigerish temperament, har

Nap. "You have such interesting thoughts, it

said, "if you kn

dd look as he li

said. "When the door of her pleasaunce is clos

eet proceeding, I f

sent." He drained his tea with an arrogant gesture and handed the cup for more. "Which is the exact reason why I

e glanced up with a start. The blood rose to her face

staring at her, till the door began to open. Then, with a sudd

led Sir Giles Carfax handsome, though every feature in his face was well formed. The blotchy complexion of the man and his eyes of glaring malice marred him all too c

of the room and glare at the visitor

Errol, Giles. Mr.

t as if she did not wish to see them meet. Perhaps she divined that a gle

you," he drawled. "I dropped in on the chance,

ily than before. He shot a

e growled. "And what did you want to s

the words somewhat di

early rode over me on the last occasion. Doubtless the episode has e

Your animal came down with you. You pushed in front of me. But it was your own fault. Yo

Nap politely. "It must

ve the slim American, but the latter did not appear to shirk comparison with him. With his han

dured the encounter with a mask-like patience that bet

me for?" Sir Giles demanded, wi

building of a Town Hall. My brother considers that the lord of the Manor"-he bowed with thinly-veiled irony-"should have first say in

mper to see Anne's eyes flash sudden interrogation at Nap's serenely s

the scheme," he said

his brows. "No? I un

r your intelligence is at fault," he said, with that in his voice that wa

tervened. "I think you ought to explain to Mr. Errol,

has that to do with it, or with you, for that matter

"And in the main, I agree with her, though my sentiments are a little stronger than hers. I'll tell you exactly what they are some day. I think you would be interested, or at least not

r a few moments till the speaker's steady regard became too

he rag, tag, and bobtail, that'll mix with the very scum of society so long as ther

find it difficu

ho sat so rigid behind him. His fingers drummed a careless tattoo upon the table-edge.

d at her through eyes narrowed to evil slits. Her very impassivity goaded him. It seemed in s

ap turned. "So l

hing, but for that instant her eyes ent

ling good humour as he t

e met you. I'll give your messag

he door, elaborately deaf to Sir Giles's half-strangled reply

but the moment that the clang of the front

cursed the departed visitor in lurid language, cursed the err

I will never have him in the house again. Understand that! I know him. I've heard Shirley talk of him. The man's a blackguard. And

earing of a queen, down the long room, and without a single wor