She shook her head.
"My friend Faversham, of course," and Romanoff glanced towards Dick, who sat listening and looking with a kind of wonder at the face of the girl.
"Of course, Wendover is just lovely," she replied.
"And only a very short motor-run from here," remarked Romanoff.
The girl pouted as though she were vexed at his words, but it was easy to see she was not. There could be little doubt that she loved flattery, and although she felt slightly uncomfortable under the Count's ardent gaze, she was pleased at his admiration.
She was also bent on being agreeable, and Dick felt that surely no handsomer woman ever lived than this glorious creature with whom he chatted and laughed. More than once he felt his heart beating wildly as her eyes caught his, and while he wished that Romanoff was not there, he felt it to be one of the happiest days of his life.
"If Romanoff were not here I'd ask her to-day," he reflected. "It's true she's almost a stranger to me; but, after all, what does it matter? Love does not depend on a long acquaintance."
For Dick felt sure he was in love. It is true there seemed a kind of barrier between them, a certain something that kept them apart. But that he put down to their different upbringing. She was a patrician, the child of long generations of aristocratic associations, while he, although his father and mother were gentlefolk, was a commoner. All his life, too, he had been poor, while during the last few years he had had to struggle constantly with poverty. It was no wonder, therefore, that there should be a kind of barrier between them. But that would break down. Already he was feeling more as if "he belonged" to his new surroundings, while his neighbours had received him with the utmost kindness. It was only a matter of time before he would feel at one with them all. Meanwhile, Lady Blanche charmed him, fascinated him. She appealed to him as a glorious woman, regal in her carriage, wondrous in her youth and beauty.
Once during the afternoon they were alone together, and he was almost on the point of declaring his love. But something kept him back. What it was he could not tell. She was alluring, gracious, and seemed to offer him opportunities for telling her what was in his heart. And yet he did not speak. Perhaps he was afraid, although he could not have told what he feared.
"When are you going to give me another game of golf?" he asked, as they parted.
"I don't like threesomes," she laughed, looking towards Romanoff.
"I share your antipathy," said Romanoff, "but could you not suggest someone who might bear with me while you and Faversham break the record?"
"Please manage it," pleaded Dick.
"There's a telephone at Wendover, isn't there?"
"Of course there is. You'll ring me up and let me know, won't you?"
"Perhaps."
Her smile was bewildering, and as he felt the warm pressure of her hand he was in Arcadia.
"I congratulate you, Faversham," remarked Romanoff, as they neared Wendover Park. "She's a glorious creature, simply glorious. Cleopatra was plain compared with her. My word, what a mistress for your new home. Such eyes, such hair, such a complexion – and what a magnificent figure. Yes, Faversham, you are a lucky man."
"If I get her," sighed Dick.
"Get her! Of course you'll get her. Unless – "
"Unless what?" asked Dick as the other hesitated.
Romanoff looked at him for some seconds very searchingly; then he sighed.
"Yes, what is it?" persisted Dick, who felt uncomfortable under Romanoff's look.
"I'm wondering."
"Why and at what?"
"If you are a wise man or a fool."
"I'm afraid I don't understand."
"No, but you will presently."
There seemed to be something so ominous in his words that a feeling like fear possessed Dick's heart. He had always felt somewhat uncomfortable in Romanoff's presence, but now the feeling was so intensified that he dreaded what he might mean.
"The sun is still shining," went on the Count, "and I told you that I should be in a festive mood until dark. In another hour the king of day will have disappeared; then I shall have some serious things to say to you."
"Let's have no more play-acting," and Dick laughed nervously.
"I can assure you, there'll be no play-acting. Everything will be real – desperately real. But I'm going to say no more now. After dinner I am going to be serious. But not until. See! Aren't you proud of it all? Don't you revel in it? Was there ever such a lovely old house, standing amidst such gorgeous surroundings? Look at those giant trees, man! See the glorious landscape! Was there ever such a lucky man! What a mistress Lady Blanche will make!"
They were now passing up the long avenue which led to the house. Away in the distance they could see the mansion nestling amidst giant trees centuries old. From the house stretched the gardens, which were glorious in the beauty of early summer. And Dick saw it all, gloried in it all; but fear haunted him, all the same.
"What is the meaning of this strange mood of yours, Romanoff?" he asked.
"After dinner, my friend," laughed the other. "I'll tell you after dinner."
Throughout dinner the Count was apparently light-hearted, almost to flippancy, but directly the servants had left them to their coffee and cigars his mood changed.
"I told you I was going to be serious, didn't I?" he said slowly. "The time for laughter has ceased, Faversham. The next hour will be critical to you – ay, and more than critical; it will be heavy with destiny."
"What in Heaven's name do you mean?"
"Have you ever considered," and Romanoff enunciated every word with peculiar distinctness, "whether you are really the owner of all this?"
CHAPTER XI
The Real Heir
Dick Faversham could not repress a shudder as the other spoke. The Count's words were so ominous, so full of sinister meaning that for the moment he felt like crying out with fear. He mastered himself after a few seconds, however, and his reply was calm.
"I see what you mean," he said quietly. "A few weeks ago I was poor, and without great expectation. Now – Naturally you wonder whether it is real to me, whether I can believe in my good fortune."
"It goes deeper than that, Faversham," was the Count's rejoinder – "very much deeper than that."
"What do you mean?"
"You believe that you are the owner of all this. You regard yourself as the lawful possessor of the Wendover Park estate, with all its farms, cottages, and villages; you also think of yourself as the owner of mining rights, shipping interests, and a host of other things, added to a very magnificent credit balance at your bankers'. Isn't that so?"
"Of course I do. What have you to say against it?" Dick spoke almost angrily. He was greatly excited, not only by the Count's words, but by his manner of speech.
"On the strength of it you have cast eyes of love on one of the most beautiful women in England; you have dreamed of marrying Lady Blanche Huntingford, who bears one of the oldest names in the land?"
"And if I have, what then?"
"Has it ever occurred to you that your fortune rests on a very slender, a very unsafe, foundation?"
"I say, Count Romanoff – "
"Don't be angry, my friend, and, above all, look at everything calmly."
"Really, this is a trifle thick, isn't it? I'm afraid I must ask for an explanation of this peculiar manner of speech."
"I deeply regret that I shall have to give an explanation," and there was curious vibration in Romanoff's voice. "But please, please, Faversham, don't think unkindly of me because of what I have to tell you. Perhaps I have been very clumsy, but I have been trying all day to prepare you for – for what you will regard as bad news."
"Trying to prepare me? Bad news?"
"Yes, my friend. I told you this morning that I was not going to be serious while the sun shone, but that after the sun went down I was going to be tragically in earnest. The time has come."
"You spoke of my having no right here!" and a gleam of anger shot from Dick's eyes. "Might I suggest, Count, that it is a little out of the common for a guest to tell his host that he has no right to give him hospitality?"
"I was afraid you might take it like that," and Romanoff spoke almost gently. "Doubtless I have been very clumsy, very gauche; all the same, I have come only in kindness."
"Am I to understand, then, that you came here for the purpose of telling me that I am an impostor, an interloper? That, indeed, is interesting."
"I came as a friend, a well-wisher – as one deeply, very deeply, interested in your welfare. I came as one who wants you to enjoy what you believe is your good fortune, and to marry the most beautiful woman in England. If, after you have heard me, you wish me to leave you, I will do so – sadly, I will admit, but I will leave you."
"At least, do not deal in hints, in innuendoes. Tell me exactly what you mean, and perhaps you will also tell me what particular interest you have in the matter, and by what right you – you – talk in this way."
"Faversham, let me first of all admit frankly that I took a great liking to you during the voyage that ended so – tragically. I am no longer a boy, and I do not take to people easily; but I felt an unaccountable interest in you. There were traits in your character that attracted me. I said to myself, 'I should like to know that young fellow, to cultivate his acquaintance.' That must be my reason for taking what interest I have in you. It would have been easy to let you drown, to – to listen to the appeal of the other occupants of the boat, and – "
"Pardon me," interrupted Dick impulsively, "I have behaved like a cad. I forgot that I owed my life to you. But I was excited – angry. You see, the suggestion that I am here under false pretences naturally upsets me. But tell me what you mean. I do not understand you – I am bewildered by your hints."
"Of course, I understand your feelings, and am not in the least offended. I think I know you too well not to take offence easily; besides, my desire, and my only desire, being to help you makes me impervious to ordinary emotions."
"Still," cried Dick, "tell me what you mean. You say my position as owner of my Uncle Faversham's estates rests on a very slender, a very unsafe foundation. That is surely a serious statement to make. How do you know?"
"Your uncle's will – yes, I will admit I went to Somerset House and paid a shilling for the right of reading it – states that he gave his fortune to his sister's sons, and after them to the next-of-kin."
"Exactly."
"Presently it came to pass that only one person stood between you and possession."
"That is so. I did not know it at the time, but such, I am informed, was the case."
"This person's name was Mr. Anthony Riggleton, at that time the only surviving son of your uncle's sister!"
"That is so."
Romanoff lay back in his chair and quietly smoked his cigar.
"But why these questions?" persisted Dick.
"I was only thinking, my friend, on what small issues fortune or poverty may rest."
"But – but really – "
"Here is the case as I understand it. Your lawyer told you that Mr. Anthony Riggleton, the only man who stood between you and all your uncle's possessions, was killed in a drunken brawl in Melbourne, and that on his death you became heir. That was why he sent you that wireless; that was why he summoned you back to England."
"Exactly."
"But what if Mr. Anthony Riggleton is not dead?"
"There is no doubt about that," replied Dick, in tones of relief. "Mr. Bidlake realised the importance of this, and sent to a lawyer in Melbourne to make investigations. Every care was taken, every possible loophole of mistake was investigated. I saw all the documents, all the newspaper reports."
"Has it ever struck you that mistakes might be made about this?"
"Of course. As a consequence I questioned Bidlake closely, and he told me that doubt was impossible."
"Let me understand," and Romanoff continued to speak quietly. "Your position is that Anthony Riggleton, the then heir to all your Uncle Faversham's fortune, was living in Australia; that he was known in Melbourne; that he went to a house near Melbourne with some boon companions; that there was a night of orgy; that afterwards there was a quarrel; and that Mr. Anthony Riggleton was killed."
"Evidently you've worked up the case," and there was a sneer in Dick's voice.
"But I'm right, am I not?"
"As far as you've gone, you are roughly right. Of course, his body was afterwards identified by – "
"By the cashier of the bank from which he had drawn money, and by others," interrupted Romanoff. "But what if that cashier made a mistake? What if it paid him to make it? What if the others who identified the body were paid to do so? What if Mr. Anthony Riggleton is still alive?"
"What if a hundred things are true?" cried Dick angrily. "One can ask such questions for ever. Of course, if Mr. Anthony Riggleton is still alive, I have no right here. If he is alive, I clear out."
"And does the prospect please you?" and the Count looked at Dick like one anxious.
"Of course, it doesn't please me. If it's true, I'm a pauper, or next door to one. If it's true, I should have to leave everything and go out into the world to begin again."
"And give up all thought of Lady Blanche Huntingford," added the Count.
"I say, Romanoff, if you've anything definite to tell me, tell it. I tell you honestly, I don't enjoy all this."
"Of course you don't. The thought of giving up all this is like thinking of having your eyes pulled out, isn't it?"
"But of course it's all rubbish. Of course you are imagining an ugly bogey man," and Dick laughed nervously.
"I'm imagining nothing, Faversham."
"Then you mean to tell me – "
"That Mr. Anthony Riggleton is alive? Yes, I do."
Dick gave the Count an angry look, then started to his feet and began to pace the room.
"Of course it's all nonsense," he cried after a few seconds. "Please don't imagine that I'm going to accept a cock-and-bull sort of story like that. Do you think that Bidlake would be deceived? Do you imagine that the man he employed in Melbourne would be duped? No, no, I'm not such a fool as to accept that. Besides, what have you to do with it? Why did you come here in such a fashion, and with such a story? It does not look very friendly, does it?"
"Why I came here, and why I have told you the truth, will leak out presently. You will see then that I came not as an enemy, but as a friend."
"As a friend!" and there was an angry sneer in Dick's voice.
"As a friend," repeated Romanoff. "Of course," he went on quietly, "I expected that you would take it in this way; but you will soon see that my motives are – not unworthy of a friend."
"Tell me then how you came to know of this. Perhaps you will also give me some proofs that Mr. Anthony Riggleton, who was found dead, whose body was identified by responsible witnesses, has so miraculously come to life again. Believe me, this hearsay, this wonderful story does not appeal to me. Do you come to me with this – this farrago of nonsense with the belief that I am going to give up all this?" and he looked out of the window towards the far-spreading parks as he spoke, "without the most absolute and conclusive proof? If Mr. Anthony Riggleton is alive, where is he? Why does he not show himself? Why does he not come here and claim his own?"
"Because I have stopped him from coming," replied Romanoff.
"You have stopped him from coming?" cried Dick excitedly.
"Exactly."
"Then you have seen him?"
"I have seen him."
"But how do you know it was he? Are Mr. Bidlake's inquiries to go for nothing? No, no, it won't do. I can't be deceived like that."
"I know it was he because I have the most absolute proofs – proofs which I am going to submit to you."
"You saw him, you say?"
"I saw him."
"But where?"
"In Australia. I told you, didn't I, that – after leaving you I went to Australia? I told you, too, that I left Australia quickly because I did not like the country. That was false. I came because I wanted to warn you, to help you. You asked me just now why, if Mr. Anthony Riggleton was alive, he did not show himself. I will tell you why. If I had allowed him to do so, if he knew that he was heir to all you now possess, you would be a poor man. And I did not want you to be a poor man. I did not want your life to be ruined, your future sacrificed, your hopes destroyed. That's why, Faversham. That's why I left Australia and came here without wasting an hour. That's why I examined your uncle's will; that's why I came to warn you."
"To warn me?"
"To warn you."
"Against what?"
"Against dangers – against the dangers which might engulf you – ruin you for ever."
"You speak in a tragic tone of voice."
"I speak of tragic things. I told you that this was your hour of destiny. I told you the truth. This night will decide your future. You are a young fellow with your life all before you. You were born for enjoyment, for pleasure, for ease. You, unlike your uncle, who made all the wealth we are thinking of, are not a business genius; you are not a great master personality who can forge your way through difficult circumstances. You are not cast in that mould. But you can enjoy. You have barely felt your feet since you came into possession of great wealth, but already you have dreamt dreams, and seen visions. You have already made plans as to how you can suck the orange of the world dry. And to-night will be the time of decision."
Dick laughed uneasily. "How?" he asked, and his face was pale to the lips.
"Is there a photograph of Mr. Anthony Riggleton in the house?" asked Romanoff.
"Yes, I came across one the other day. Would you like to see it?" He went to a drawer as he spoke and took a packet from it. "Here is the thing," he added.
"Just so," replied Romanoff; "now look at this," and he took a photograph from his pocket. "It's the same face, isn't it? The same man. Well, my friend, that is the photograph of a man I saw in Australia, weeks after you got your wireless from Mr. Bidlake – months after the news came that Mr. Anthony Riggleton was dead. I saw him; I talked with him. He told me a good deal about himself, told me of some of his experiences in this house. There are a number of people in this neighbourhood who knew him, and who could identify him."
"You are sure of this?" gasped Dick.
"Absolutely."
"And does he know – that – that his uncle is dead?"
"Not yet. That's why I hurried here to see you. But he has made up his mind to come to England, and of course he intends coming here."
"He told you this, did he?"
"Yes. I came across him in a little town about five hundred miles from Melbourne, and when I found out who he was I thought of you."
"But how do you explain the news of his death, the inquest, and the other things?"
"I'll come to that presently. It's easily explained. Oh, there's no doubt about it, Faversham. I have seen the real heir to all the wealth you thought your own."
"But what do you mean by saying that you stopped him from coming here?" and Dick's voice was husky.
"I'm going to tell you why I stopped him. I'm going to tell you how you can keep everything, enjoy everything. Yes, and how you can still marry the woman you are dreaming of."
"But if the real heir is alive – I – I can't," stammered Dick.
"I'm here to show you how you can," persisted Romanoff. "Did I not tell you that this was the hour of destiny?"
CHAPTER XII
The Day of Destiny
Dick Faversham wiped away the beads of perspiration that stood thick upon his forehead. It seemed to him that he was surrounded by peculiar influences, that forces were at work which he could not understand. In one sense he did not at all believe in the story that Count Romanoff had told him. It appeared to him chimerical, unconvincing.
It did not seem at all likely that a man of Mr. Bidlake's experience and mental acumen could have been so deceived. This subtle-minded lawyer, who had lived in London for so many years and had been spoken of as one of the most astute and level-headed men in the profession, would not be likely to communicate news of such great importance to him without being absolutely certain of his ground. He had shown him details of everything, too, and Mr. Bidlake was absolutely certain that Mr. Anthony Riggleton was dead, that he was murdered near Melbourne. The proofs of this were demonstrated in a hundred ways. No, he did not believe in Romanoff's story.
Besides, it was absurd, on the face of it. Who was this Count Romanoff? He knew little or nothing of him. Though he owed his life to him, he knew nothing of his history or antecedents. He was afraid of him, too. He did not like his cynical way of looking at things, nor understand his mockery of current morality. And should he believe the bare word of such a man?
And yet he did believe him. At the back of his mind he felt sure that he had spoken the truth.
It came to him with ghastly force that he was not the owner of this fine old house, and of all the wealth that during the last few weeks he had almost gloated over. There was something in the tones of Romanoff's voice – something in his mocking yet intense way of speaking that convinced him in spite of himself.
And the fact maddened him. To be poor now after these few brief weeks of riches would drive him mad. He had not begun to enjoy yet. He had not carried out the plans which had been born in his mind. He had only just entered into possession, and had been living the life of a pattern young man. But he had meant to enjoy, to drink the cup of pleasure to the very dregs.
His mind swept like lightning over the conversation which had taken place, and every word of it was burnt into his brain. What did the Count mean by telling him that he could retain everything? Why did he persist in urging that he had hurried from Australia to England to save him from losing everything? What did he mean by telling him that this was his hour of destiny – that on his decision would depend the future of his life?
"You mean – to say then, that – that – " he stammered, after a long, painful silence.
"That Anthony Riggleton, the legal heir of old Charles Faversham, is alive," interrupted Romanoff. "I myself have seen him, have talked with him."
"Does he know that he is – is the rightful heir?"
"Not yet," and Romanoff smiled. "I took good care of that."
"You mean – "
"I mean that I did not save your life for nothing. When I had fully convinced myself that he was – who he said he was – I of course reflected on what it meant. I called to mind what you had told me on that island, and I saw how his being alive would affect you."
"How did you know? I did not tell you the terms of the will. I did not know them myself."
"Does it matter how I knew? Anyhow, he – Riggleton – would guess."
"How did he know?"
Romanoff shrugged his shoulders. "How should I know, my dear fellow? But one can easily guess. He knew he was next-of-kin to old Charles Faversham, and would naturally think he would inherit his wealth. But that is not all. Australia, although a long way from England, is not away from the lines of communication. Melbourne is quite a considerable city. It has newspapers, telephones, cablegrams, and a host of other things. But one thing Anthony Riggleton did not know: he did not know that the terms of the will were published in the Melbourne newspapers. He was afraid to go near Melbourne, in fact. He thought it best for the world to think of him as dead. Indeed, he paid a man to personate him in Melbourne, and that man paid the penalty of his deceit by his life."
"It's anything but clear to me."
"Then I'll make it clear. Riggleton had enemies in Melbourne whom it was necessary for him to see, but whom he was personally afraid to meet. He had served them very shabbily, and they had threatened him with unpleasant things. He had as a friend a man who resembled him very closely, and he offered this friend a sum of money if he would go to Melbourne and personate him. This man, ignorant of his danger, accepted the offer – now, do you see?"
After he had asked many questions about this – questions which Romanoff answered freely – Dick looked long and steadily at a picture of old Charles Faversham which hung on the wall. He was trying to co-ordinate the story – trying to understand it.
