蓝色特快上的秘密-蓝色列车之谜-蓝色列车(英文版)-第2部分

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〃It　has　often　annoyed　me；〃　said　M。　Papopolous；　with　great　simplicity。　

〃So　that　is　M。　le　Marquis；〃　said　Zia　slowly。　〃Does　he　always　wear　a　mask；　father？〃　

〃Always。〃　

There　was　a　pause。　

〃It　is　the　rubies；　I　suppose？〃　asked　Zia。　

Her　father　nodded。　

〃What　do　you　think；　my　little　one？〃　he　inquired；　with　a　hint　of　amusement　in　his　beady　black　eyes。　

〃Of　M。　le　Marquis？〃　

〃Yes。〃　

〃I　think；〃　said　Zia　slowly；　〃that　it　is　a　very　rare　thing　to　find　a　well…bred　Englishman　who　speaks　French　as　well　as　that。〃　

〃Ah！〃　said　M。　Papopolous；　〃so　that　is　what　you　think。〃　

As　usual；　he　did　not　mit　himself；　but　he　regarded　Zia　with　benign　approval。　

〃I　thought；　too；〃　said　Zia；　〃that　his　head　was　an　odd　shape。〃　

〃Massive；〃　said　her　father　…　〃a　trifle　massive。　But　then　that　effect　is　always　created　by　a　wig。〃　

They　both　looked　at　each　other　and　smiled。

Chapter　3　

HEART　OF　FIRE

Rufus　Van　Aldin　passed　through　the　revolving　doors　of　the　Savoy；　and　walked　to　the　reception　desk。　The　desk　clerk　smiled　a　respectful　greeting。　

〃Pleased　to　see　you　back　again；　Mr　Van　Aldin；〃　he　said。　

The　American　millionaire　nodded　his　head　in　a　casual　greeting。　

〃Everything　all　right？〃　he　asked。　

〃Yes；　sir。　Major　Knighton　is　upstairs　in　the　suite　now。〃　

Van　Aldin　nodded　again。　

〃Any　mail？〃　he　vouchsafed。　

〃They　have　all　been　sent　up；　Mr　Van　Aldin。　Oh！　wait　a　minute。〃　

He　dived　into　a　pigeon　hole；　and　produced　a　letter。　

〃Just　e　this　minute；〃　he　explained。　

Rufus　Van　Aldin　took　the　letter　from　him；　and　as　he　saw　the　handwriting；　a　woman's　flowing　hand；　his　face　was　suddenly　transformed。　The　harsh　contours　of　it　softened；　and　the　hard　line　of　his　mouth　relaxed。　He　looked　a　different　man。　He　walked　across　to　the　lift　with　the　letter　in　his　hand　and　the　smile　still　on　his　lips。　

In　the　drawing…room　of　his　suite；　a　young　man　was　sitting　at　a　desk　nimbly　sorting　correspondence　with　the　ease　born　of　long　practice。　He　sprang　up　as　Van　Aldin　entered。　

〃Hallo；　Knighton！〃　

〃Glad　to　see　you　back；　sir。　Had　a　good　time？〃　

〃So　so！〃　said　the　millionaire　unemotionally。　〃Paris　is　rather　a　one…horse　city　nowadays。　Still　…　I　got　what　I　went　over　for。〃　

He　smiled　to　himself　rather　grimly。　

〃You　usually　do；　I　believe；〃　said　the　secretary；　laughing。　

〃That's　so；〃　agreed　the　other。　

He　spoke　in　a　matter…of…fact　manner；　as　one　stating　a　well…known　fact。　Throwing　off　his　heavy　overcoat；　he　advanced　to　the　desk。　

〃Anything　urgent？〃　

〃I　don't　think　so；　sir。　Mostly　the　usual　stuff。　I　have　not　quite　finished　sorting　it　out。〃　

Van　Aldin　nodded　briefly。　He　was　a　man　who　seldom　expressed　either　blame　or　praise。　His　methods　with　those　he　employed　were　simple；　he　gave　them　a　fair　trial　and　dismissed　promptly　those　who　were　inefficient。　His　selections　of　people　were　unconventional。　

Knighton；　for　instance；　he　had　met　casually　at　a　Swiss　resort　two　months　previously。　He　had　approved　of　the　fellow；　looked　up　his　war　record；　and　found　in　it　the　explanation　of　the　limp　with　which　he　walked。　Knighton　had　made　no　secret　of　the　fact　that　he　was　looking　for　a　job；　and　indeed　diffidently　asked　the　millionaire　if　he　knew　of　any　available　post。　Van　Aldin　remembered；　with　a　grim　smile　of　amusement；　the　young　man's　plete　astonishment　when　he　had　been　offered　the　post　of　secretary　to　the　great　man　himself。　

〃But　…　but　I　have　no　experience　of　business；〃　he　had　stammered。　

〃That　doesn't　matter　a　cuss；〃　Van　Aldin　had　replied。　〃I　have　got　three　secretaries　already　to　attend　to　that　kind　of　thing。　But　I　am　likely　to　be　in　England　for　the　next　six　months；　and　I　want　an　Englishman　who　…　well；　knows　the　ropes　…　and　can　attend　to　the　social　side　of　things　for　me。〃　

So　far；　Van　Aldin　had　found　his　judgment　confirmed。　Knighton　had　proved　quick；　intelligent；　and　resourceful；　and　he　had　a　distinct　charm　of　manner。　

The　secretary　indicated　three　or　four　letters　placed　by　themselves　on　the　top　of　the　desk。　

〃It　might　perhaps　be　as　well；　sir；　if　you　glanced　at　these；〃　he　suggested。　〃The　top　one　is　about　the　Colton　agreement　…〃　

But　Rufus　Van　Aldin　held　up　a　protesting　hand。　

〃I　am　not　going　to　look　at　a　darned　thing　tonight；〃　he　declared。　〃They　can　all　wait　till　the　morning。　Except　this　one；〃　he　added；　looking　down　at　the　letter　he　held　in　his　hand。　And　again　that　strange　transforming　smile　stole　over　his　face。　

Richard　Knighton　smiled　sympathetically。　

〃Mrs　Kettering？〃　he　murmured。　〃She　rang　up　yesterday　and　today。　She　seems　very　anxious　to　see　you　at　once；　sir。〃　

〃Does　she；　now！〃　

The　smile　faded　from　the　millionaire's　face。　He　ripped　open　the　envelope　which　he　held　in　his　hand　and　took　out　the　enclosed　sheet。　As　he　read　it　his　face　darkened；　his　mouth　set　grimly　in　the　line　which　Wall　Street　knew　so　well；　and　his　brows　knit　themselves　ominously。　Knighton　turned　tactfully　away；　and　went　on　opening　letters　and　sorting　them。　A　muttered　oath　escaped　the　millionaire；　and　his　clenched　fist　hit　the　table　sharply。　

〃I'll　not　stand　for　this；〃　he　muttered　to　himself。　〃Poor　little　girl；　it's　a　good　thing　she　has　her　old　father　behind　her。〃　

He　walked　up　and　down　the　room　for　some　minutes；　his　brows　drawn　together　in　a　scowl。　Knighton　still　bent　assiduously　over　the　desk。　Suddenly　Van　Aldin　came　to　an　abrupt　halt。　He　took　up　his　overcoat　from　the　chair　where　he　had　thrown　it。　

〃Are　you　going　out　again；　sir？〃　

〃Yes；　I'm　going　round　to　see　my　daughter。〃　

〃If　Colton's　people　ring　up　…〃　

〃Tell　them　to　go　to　the　devil；〃　said　Van　Aldin。　

〃Very　well；〃　said　the　secretary　unemotionally。　

Van　Aldin　had　his　overcoat　on　by　now。　Cramming　his　hat　upon　his　head；　he　went　towards　the　door。　He　paused　with　his　hand　upon　the　handle。　

〃You　are　a　good　fellow；　Knighton；〃　he　said。　〃You　don't　worry　me　when　I　am　rattled。〃　

Knighton　smiled　a　little；　but　made　no　reply。　

〃Ruth　is　my　only　child；〃　said　Van　Aldin；　〃and　there　is　no　one　on　this　earth　eans　to　me。〃　

A　faint　smile　irradiated　his　face。　He　slipped　his　hand　into　his　pocket。　

〃Care　to　see　something；　Knighton？〃　

He　came　back　towards　the　secretary。　

From　his　pocket　he　drew　out　a　parcel　carelessly　wrapped　in　brown　paper。　He　tossed　off　the　wrapping　and　disclosed　a　big；　shabby；　red　velvet　case。　In　the　centre　of　it　were　some　twisted　initials　surmounted　by　a　crown。　He　snapped　the　case　open；　and　the　secretary　drew　in　his　breath　sharply。　Against　the　slightly　dingy　white　of　the　interior；　the　stones　glowed　like　blood。　

〃My　God！　sir；〃　said　Knighton。　〃Are　they　…　are　they　real？〃　

Van　Aldin　laughed　a　quiet　little　cackle　of　amusement。　

〃I　don't　wonder　at　your　asking　that。　Amongst　these　rubies　are　the　three　largest　in　the　world。　Katherine　of　Russia　wore　them；　Knighton。　That　centre　one　there　is　known　as　Heart　of　Fire。　It's　perfect　…　not　a　flaw　in　it。〃　

〃But；〃　the　secretary　murmured；　〃they　must　be　worth　a　fortune。〃　

〃Four　or　five　hundred　thousand　dollars；〃　said　Van　Aldin　nonchalantly；　〃and　that　is　apart　from　the　historical　interest。〃　

〃And　you　carry　them　about　…　like　that；　loose　in　your　pocket？〃　

Van　Aldin　laughed　amusedly。　

〃I　guess　so。　You　see；　they　are　my　little　present　for　Ruthie。〃　

The　secretary　smiled　discreetly。　

〃I　can　understand　now　Mrs　Kettering's　anxiety　over　the　telephone；〃　he　murmured。　But　Van　Aldin　shook　his　head。　The　hard　look　returned　to　his　face。　

〃You　are　wrong　there；〃　he　said。　〃She　doesn't　know　about　these；　they　are　my　little　surprise　for　her。〃　

He　shut　the　case；　and　began　slowly　to　wrap　it　up　again。　

〃It's　a　hard　thing；　Knighton；〃　he　said；　〃how　little　one　can　do　for　those　one　loves。　I　can　buy　a　good　portion　of　the　earth　for　Ruth；　if　it　would　be　any　use　to　her；　but　it　isn't。　I　can　hang　these　things　round　her　neck　and　give　her　a　moment　or　two's　pleasure；　maybe；　but　…〃　

He　shook　his　head。　

〃When　a　woman　is　not　happy　in　her　home　…〃　

He　left　the　sentence　unfinished。　The　secretary　nodded　discreetly。　He　knew；　none　better；　the　reputation　of　the　Hon　Derek　Kettering。　Van　Aldin　sighed。　Slipping　the　parcel　back　in　his　coat　pocket；　he　nodded　to　Knighton　and　left　the　room。　

Chapter　4　

IN　CURZON　STREET

The　Hon　Mrs　Derek　Kettering　lived　in　Curzon　Street。　The　butler　who　opened　the　door　recognized　Rufus　Van　Aldin　at　once　and　permitted　himself　a　discreet　smile　of　greeting。　He　led　the　way　upstairs　to　the　big　double　drawing…room　on　the　first　floor。　

A　woman　who　was　sitting　by　the　window　started　up　with　a　cry。　

〃Why；　Dad；　if　that　isn't　too　good　for　anything！　I've　been　telephoning　Major　Knighton　all　day　to　try　and　get　hold　of　you；　but　he　couldn't　say　for　sure　when　you　were　expected　back。〃　

Ruth　Kettering　was　twenty…eight　years　of　age。　Without　being　beautiful；　or　in　the　real　sense　of　the　word　even　pretty；　she　was　striking　looking　because　of　her　colouring。　Van　Aldin　had　been　called　Carrots　and　Ginger　in　his　time；　and　Ruth's　hair　was　almost　pure　auburn。　With　it　went　dark　eyes　and　very　black　lashes　…　the　effect　somewhat　enhanced　by　art。　She　was　tall　and　slender；　and　moved　well。　At　a　careless　glance　it　was　the　face　of　a　Raphael　Madonna。　Only　if　one　looked　closely　did　one　perceive　the　same　line　of　jaw　and　chin　as　in　Van　Aldin's　face；　bespeaking　the　same　hardness　and　determination。　It　suited　the　man；　but　suited　the　woman　less　well。　From　her　childhood　upward　Ruth　Van　Aldin　had　been　accustomed　to　having　her　own　way；　and　anyone　who　had　ever　stood　up　against　her　soon　realized　that　Rufus　Van　Aldin's　daughter　never　gave　in。　

〃Knighton　told　me　you'd　phoned　him；〃　said　Van　Aldin。　〃I　only　got　back　from　Paris　half　an　hour　ago。　What's　all　this　about　Derek？〃　

Ruth　Kettering　flushed　angrily。　

〃It's　unspeakable。　It's　beyond　all　limits；〃　she　cried。　〃He　…　he　doesn't　seem　to　listen　to　anything　I　say。〃　

There　was　bewilderment　as　well　as　anger　in　her　voice。　

〃He'll　listen　to　me；〃　said　the　millionaire　grimly。　

Ruth　went　on。　

〃I've　hardly　seen　him　for　the　last　month。　He　goes　about　everywhere　with　that　woman。〃　

〃With　what　woman？〃　

〃Mirelle。　She　dances　at　the　Parthenon；　you　know。〃　

Van　Aldin　nodded。　

〃I　was　down　at　Leconbury　last　week。　I　…　I　spoke　to　Lord　Leconbury。　He　was　awfully　sweet　to　me；　sympathized　entirely。　He　said　he'd　give　Derek　a　good　talking　to。〃　

〃Ah！〃　said　Van　Aldin。　

〃What　do　you　mean　by　'Ah！'；　Dad？〃　

〃Just　what　you　think　I　mean；　Ruthie。　Poor　old　Leconbury　is　a　wash…out。　Of　course　he　sympathized　with　you；　of　course　he　tried　to　soothe　you　down。　Having　got　his　son　and　heir　married　to　the　daughter　of　one　of　the　richest　men　in　the　States；　he　naturally　doesn't　want　to　mess　the　thing　up。　But　he's　got　one　foot　in　the　grave　already；　everyone　knows　that；　and　anything　he　may　say　will　cut　darned　little　ice　with　Derek。〃　

〃Can't　you　do　anything；　Dad？〃　urged　Ruth；　after　a　minute　or　two。　

〃I　might；〃　said　the　millionaire。　He　waited　a　second　reflectively；　and　then　went　on。　

〃There　are　several　things　I　might　do；　but　there's　only　one　that　will　be　any　real　good。　How　much　pluck　have　you　got；　Ruthie？〃　

She　stared　at　him。　He　nodded　back　at　her。　

〃I　mean　just　what　I　say。　Have　you　got　the　grit　to　admit　to　all　the　world　that　you've　made　a　mistake？　There's　only　one　way　out　of　this　mess；　Ruthie。　Cut　your　losses　and　start　afresh。〃　

〃You　mean　…〃　

〃Divorce。〃　

〃Divorce！〃　

Van　Aldin　smiled　drily。　

〃You　say　that　word；　Ruth；　as　though　you'd　never　heard　it　before。　And　yet　your　friends　are　doing　it　all　round　you　every　day。〃　

〃Oh！　I　know　that。　But　…〃　

She　stopped；　biting　her　lip。　Her　father　nodded　prehendingly。　

〃I　know；　Ruth。　You're　like　me；　you　can't　bear　to　let　go。　But　I've　learnt；　and　you've　got　to　learn；　that　there　are　times　when　it's　the　only　way。　I　might　find　ways　of　whistling　Derek　back　to　you；　but　it　would　all　e　to　the　same　in　the　end。　He's　no　good；　Ruth；　he's　rotten　through　and　through。　And　mind　you；　I　blame　myself　for　ever　letting　you　marry　him。　But　you　were　kind　of　set　on　having　him；　and　he　seemed　in　earnest　about　turning　over　a　new　leaf　…　and　well；　I'd　crossed　you　once；　honey。。。〃　

He　did　not　look　at　her　as　he　said　the　last　words。　Had　he　done　so；　he　might　have　seen　the　swift　colour　that　came　up　in　her　face。　

〃You　did；〃　she　said　in　a　hard　voice。　

〃I　was　too　darned　soft…hearted　to　do　it　a　second　time。　I　can't　tell　you　how　I　wish　I　had；　though。　You've　led　a　poor　kind　of　life　for　the　last　few　years；　Ruth。〃　

〃It　has　not　been　very　…　agreeable；〃　agreed　Mrs　Kettering。　

〃That's　why　I　say　to　you　that　this　thing　has　got　to　stop！〃　He　brought　his　hand　down　with　a　bang　on　the　table。　〃You　may　have　a　hankering　after　the　fellow　still。　Cut　it　out。　Face　facts。　Derek　Kettering　married　you　for　your　money。　That's　all　there　is　to　it。　Get　rid　of　him；　Ruth。〃　

Ruth　Kettering　looked　down　at　the　ground　for　some　moments；　then　she　said；　without　raising　her　head：　

〃Supposing　he　doesn't　consent？〃　

Van　Aldin　looked　at　her　in　astonishment。　

〃He　won't　have　a　say　in　the　matter。〃　

She　flushed　and　bit　her　lip。　

〃No　…　no　…　of　course　not。　I　only　meant　…〃　

She　stopped。　Her　father　eyed　her　keenly。　

〃What　did　you　mean？〃　

〃I　meant　…〃　She　paused；　choosing　her　words　carefully。　〃He　mayn't　take　it　lying　down。〃　

The　millionaire's　chin　shot　out　grimly。　

〃You　mean　he'll　fight　the　case？　Let　him！　But；　as　a　matter　of　fact；　you're　wrong。　He　won't　fight。　Any　solicitor　he　consults　will　tell　him　he　hasn't　a　leg　to　stand　upon。〃　

〃You　don't　think　…〃　she　hesitated　…　〃I　mean　…　out　of　sheer　spite　against　me　…　he　might　try　to　make　it　awkward？〃　

Her　father　looked　at　her　in　some　astonishment。　

〃Fight　the　case；　you　mean？〃　

He　shook　his　head。　

〃Very　unlikely。　You　see；　he　would　have　to　have　something　to　go　upon。〃　

Mrs　Kettering　did　not　answer。　Van　Aldin　looked　at　her　sharply。　

〃e；　Ruth；　out　with　it。　There's　something　troubling　you　…　what　is　it？〃　

〃Nothing；　nothing　at　all。〃　

But　her　voice　was　unconvincing。　

〃You　are　dreading　the　publicity；　eh？　Is　that　it？　You　leave　it　to　me。　I'll　put　the　whole　thing　through　so　smoothly　that　there　will　be　no　fuss　at　all。〃　

〃Very　well；　Dad；　if　you　really　think　it's　the　best　thing　to　be　done。〃　

〃Got　a　fancy　for　the　fellow　still；　Ruth？　Is　that　it？〃　

〃No。〃　

The　word　came　with　no　uncertain　emphasis。　Van　Aldin　seemed　satisfied。　He　patted　his　daughter　on　the　shoulder。　

〃It　will　be　all　right；　little　girl。　Don't　you　worry　any。　Now　let's　forget　all　about　this。　I　have　brought　you　a　present　from　Paris。〃　

〃For　me？　Something　very　nice？〃　

〃I　hope　you'll　think　so；〃　said　Van　Aldin；　smiling。　

He　took　the　parcel　from　his　coat　pocket　and　handed　it　to　her。　She　unwrapped　it　eagerly；　and　snapped　open　the　case。　A　longdrawn　〃Oh！〃　came　from　her　lips。　Ruth　Kettering　loved　jewels　…　always　had　done　so。　

〃Dad；　how　…　how　wonderful！〃　

〃Rather　in　a　class　by　themselves；　aren't　they？〃　said　the　millionaire；　with　satisfaction。　〃You　like　them；　eh？〃　

〃Like　them？　Dad；　they're　unique。　How　did　you　get　hold　of　them？〃　

Van　Aldin　smiled。　

〃Ah！　that's　my　secret。　They　had　to　be　bought　privately；　of　course。　They　are　rather　well　known。　See　that　big　stone　in　the　middle？　You　have　heard　of　it；　maybe；　that's　the　historic　'Heart　of　Fire。'〃　

〃Heart　of　Fire！〃　repeated　Mrs　Kettering。　

She　had　taken　the　stones　from　the　case　and　was　holding　them　against　her　breast。　

The　millionaire　watched　her。　He　was　thinking　of　the　series　of　women　who　had　worn　the　je