of neglect, as though the master had been long from home.
And by the sound of the steps it was obvious that the pair The cab was discharged, and the three gentlemen were had separated, and were proceeding in contrary directions.
not long in discovering the small door, which was a sort of Almost immediately after the postern door was cautiously postern in a lane between two garden walls. It still wanted opened, a white face was protruded into the lane, and a ten or fifteen minutes of the appointed time; the rain fell hand was seen beckoning to the watchers. In dead silence heavily, and the adventurers sheltered themselves below the three passed the door, which was immediately locked 66
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behind them, and followed their guide through several gar-three officers before him into a small apartment, lighted by den alleys to the kitchen entrance of the house. A single a smoky lamp and the glow of a modest fire. At the chim-candle burned in the great paved kitchen, which was desti-ney corner sat a man in the early prime of life, and of a tute of the customary furniture; and as the party proceeded stout but courtly and commanding appearance. His atti-to ascend from thence by a flight of winding stairs, a pro-tude and expression were those of the most unmoved com-digious noise of rats testified still more plainly to the di-posure; he was smoking a cheroot with much enjoyment lapidation of the house.
and deliberation, and on a table by his elbow stood a long Their conductor preceded them, carrying the candle. He glass of some effervescing beverage which diffused an was a lean man, much bent, but still agile; and he turned agreeable odour through the room.
from time to time and admonished silence and caution by
“Welcome,” said he, extending his hand to Colonel his gestures. Colonel Geraldine followed on his heels, the Geraldine. “I knew I might count on your exactitude.” case of swords under one arm, and a pistol ready in the
“On my devotion,” replied the Colonel, with a bow.
other. Brackenbury’s heart beat thickly. He perceived that
“Present me to your friends,” continued the first; and, they were still in time; but he judged from the alacrity of when that ceremony had been performed, “I wish, gentle-the old man that the hour of action must be near at hand; men,” he added, with the most exquisite affability, “that I and the circumstances of this adventure were so obscure could offer you a more cheerful programme; it is ungra-and menacing, the place seemed so well chosen for the cious to inaugurate an acquaintance upon serious affairs; darkest acts, that an older man than Brackenbury might but the compulsion of events is stronger than the obliga-have been pardoned a measure of emotion as he closed the tions of good-fellowship. I hope and believe you will be procession up the winding stair.
able to forgive me this unpleasant evening; and for men of At the top the guide threw open a door and ushered the your stamp it will be enough to know that you are confer-67
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ring a considerable favour.”
a moment of deadly peril that Brackenbury was overcome
“Your Highness,” said the Major, “must pardon my blunt-with respectful admiration; nor was he less sensible to the ness. I am unable to hide what I know. For some time back charm of his conversation or the surprising amenity of his I have suspected Major Hammersmith, but Mr. Godall is address. Every gesture, every intonation, was not only noble unmistakable. To seek two men in London unacquainted in itself, but seemed to ennoble the fortunate mortal for with Prince Florizel of Bohemia was to ask too much at whom it was intended; and Brackenbury confessed to him-Fortune’s hands.”
self with enthusiasm that this was a sovereign for whom a
“Prince Florizel!” cried Brackenbury in amazement.
brave man might thankfully lay down his life.
And he gazed with the deepest interest on the features of Many minutes had thus passed, when the person who the celebrated personage before him.
had introduced them into the house, and who had sat ever
“I shall not lament the loss of my incognito,” remarked since in a corner, and with his watch in his hand, arose and the Prince, “for it enables me to thank you with the more whispered a word into the Prince’s ear.
authority. You would have done as much for Mr. Godall, I
“It is well, Dr. Noel,” replied Florizel, aloud; and then feel sure, as for the Prince of Bohemia; but the latter can addressing the others, “You will excuse me, gentlemen,” perhaps do more for you. The gain is mine,” he added, he added, “if I have to leave you in the dark. The moment with a courteous gesture.
now approaches.”
And the next moment he was conversing with the two Dr. Noel extinguished the lamp. A faint, grey light, pre-officers about the Indian army and the native troops, a sub-monitory of the dawn, illuminated the window, but was ject on which, as on all others, he had a remarkable fund of not sufficient to illuminate the room; and when the Prince information and the soundest views.
rose to his feet, it was impossible to distinguish his fea-There was something so striking in this man’s attitude at tures or to make a guess at the nature of the emotion which 68
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obviously affected him as he spoke. He moved towards At last a hand was laid upon the door, and the bolt shot the door, and placed himself at one side of it in an attitude back with a slight report. There followed another pause, of the wariest attention.
during which Brackenbury could see the Prince draw him-
“You will have the kindness,” he said, “to maintain the self together noiselessly as if for some unusual exertion.
strictest silence, and to conceal yourselves in the densest Then the door opened, letting in a little more of the light of of the shadow.”
the morning; and the figure of a man appeared upon the The three officers and the physician hastened to obey, threshold and stood motionless. He was tall, and carried a and for nearly ten minutes the only sound in Rochester knife in his hand. Even in the twilight they could see his House was occasioned by the excursions of the rats behind upper teeth bare and glistening, for his mouth was open the woodwork. At the end of that period, a loud creak of a like that of a hound about to leap. The man had evidently hinge broke in with surprising distinctness on the silence; been over the head in water but a minute or two before; and shortly after, the watchers could distinguish a slow and even while he stood there the drops kept falling from and cautious tread approaching up the kitchen stair. At his wet clothes and pattered on the floor.
every second step the intruder seemed to pause and lend The next moment he crossed the threshold. There was a an ear, and during these intervals, which seemed of an in-leap, a stifled cry, an instantaneous struggle; and before calculable duration, a profound disquiet possessed the spirit Colonel Geraldine could spring to his aid, the Prince held of the listeners. Dr. Noel, accustomed as he was to dan-the man disarmed and helpless, by the shoulders gerous emotions, suffered an almost pitiful physical pros-
“Dr. Noel,” he said, “you will be so good as to re-light tration; his breath whistled in his lungs, his teeth grated the lamp.”
one upon another, and his joints cracked aloud as he ner-And relinquishing the charge of his prisoner to Geraldine vously shifted his position.
and Brackenbury, he crossed the room and set his back 69
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against the chimney-piece. As soon as the lamp had kindled, tone of his conversation, “this is a fellow who has long the party beheld an unaccustomed sternness on the Prince’s eluded me, but whom, thanks to Dr. Noel, I now have tightly features. It was no longer Florizel, the careless gentleman; by the heels. To tell the story of his misdeeds would oc-it was the Prince of Bohemia, justly incensed and full of cupy more time than we can now afford; but if the canal deadly purpose, who now raised his head and addressed had contained nothing but the blood of his victims, I be-the captive President of the Suicide Club.
lieve the wretch would have been no drier than you see
“President,” he said, “you have laid your last snare, and him. Even in an affair of this sort I desire to preserve the your own feet are taken in it. The day is beginning; it is forms of honour. But I make you the judges, gentlemen –
your last morning. You have just swum the Regent’s Ca-this is more an execution than a duel and to give the rogue nal; it is your last bathe in this world. Your old accomplice, his choice of weapons would be to push too far a point of Dr. Noel, so far from betraying me, has delivered you into etiquette. I cannot afford to lose my life in such a busi-my hands for judgment. And the grave you had dug for me ness,” he continued, unlocking the case of swords; “and as this afternoon shall serve, in God’s almighty providence, a pistol-bullet travels so often on the wings of chance, and to hide your own just doom from the curiosity of mankind.
skill and courage may fall by the most trembling marks-Kneel and pray, sir, if you have a mind that way; for your man, I have decided, and I feel sure you will approve my time is short, and God is weary of your iniquities.” determination, to put this question to the touch of swords.” The President made no answer either by word or sign; When Brackenbury and Major O’Rooke, to whom these but continued to hang his head and gaze sullenly on the remarks were particularly addressed, had each intimated floor, as though he were conscious of the Prince’s pro-his approval, “Quick, sir,” added Prince Florizel to the Presi-longed and unsparing regard.
dent, “choose a blade and do not keep me waiting; I have
“Gentlemen,” continued Florizel, resuming the ordinary an impatience to be done with you for ever.” 70
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For the first time since he was captured and disarmed the Colonel Geraldine.
President raised his head, and it was plain that he began
“Geraldine,” returned the Prince, “did you ever know instantly to pluck up courage.
me fail in a debt of honour? I owe you this man’s death,
“Is it to be stand up?” he asked eagerly, “and between and you shall have it.”
you and me?”
The President at last satisfied himself with one of the
“I mean so far to honour you,” replied the Prince.
rapiers, and signified his readiness by a gesture that was
“Oh, come!” cried the President. “With a fair field, who not devoid of a rude nobility. The nearness of peril, and the knows how things may happen? I must add that I consider sense of courage, even to this obnoxious villain, lent an air it handsome behaviour on your Highness’s part; and if the of manhood and a certain grace.
worst comes to the worst I shall die by one of the most The Prince helped himself at random to a sword.
gallant gentlemen in Europe.”
“Colonel Geraldine and Doctor Noel,” he said, “will have And the President, liberated by those who had detained the goodness to await me in this room. I wish no personal him, stepped up to the table and began, with minute atten-friend of mine to be involved in this transaction. Major tion, to select a sword. He was highly elated, and seemed O’Rooke, you are a man of some years and a settled repu-to feel no doubt that he should issue victorious from the tation – let me recommend the President to your good contest. The spectators grew alarmed in the face of so en-graces. Lieutenant Rich will be so good as lend me his tire a confidence, and adjured Prince Florizel to reconsider attentions: a young man cannot have too much experience his intention.
in such affairs.”
“It is but a farce,” he answered; “and I think I can prom-
“Your Highness,” replied Brackenbury, “it is an honour I ise you, gentlemen, that it will not be long a-playing.” shall prize extremely.”
“Your Highness will be careful not to over-reach,” said
“It is well,” returned Prince Florizel; “I shall hope to stand 71
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your friend in more important circumstances.” utes must have elapsed, the day was sensibly broader, and And so saying he led the way out of the apartment and the birds were singing more heartily in the garden before a down the kitchen stairs.
sound of returning footsteps recalled their glances towards The two men who were thus left alone threw open the the door. It was the Prince and the two Indian officers who window and leaned out, straining every sense to catch an entered. God had defended the right.
indication of the tragical events that were about to follow.
“I am ashamed of my emotion,” said Prince Florizel; “I The rain was now over; day had almost come, and the birds feel it is a weakness unworthy of my station, but the con-were piping in the shrubbery and on the forest trees of the tinued existence of that hound of hell had begun to prey garden. The Prince and his companions were visible for a upon me like a disease, and his death has more refreshed moment as they followed an alley between two flowering me than a night of slumber. Look, Geraldine,” he contin-thickets; but at the first corner a clump of foliage inter-ued, throwing his sword upon the floor, “there is the blood vened, and they were again concealed from view. This was of the man who killed your brother. It should be a wel-all that the Colonel and the Physician had an opportunity come sight. And yet,” he added, “see how strangely we to see, and the garden was so vast, and the place of combat men are made! my revenge is not yet five minutes old, and evidently so remote from the house, that not even the noise already I am beginning to ask myself if even revenge be of sword-play reached their ears.
attainable on this precarious stage of life. The ill he did,
“He has taken him towards the grave,” said Dr. Noel, who can undo it? The career in which he amassed a huge with a shudder.
fortune (for the house itself in which we stand belonged to
“God,” cried the Colonel, “God defend the right!” him) – that career is now a part of the destiny of mankind And they awaited the event in silence, the Doctor shak-for ever; and I might weary myself making thrusts in carte ing with fear, the Colonel in an agony of sweat. Many min-until the crack of judgment, and Geraldine’s brother would 72
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be none the less dead, and a thousand other innocent per-them forward in their public career, while his condescend-sons would be none the less dishonoured and debauched!
ing friendship adds a charm to their private life. To collect, The existence of a man is so small a thing to take, so mighty continues my author, all the strange events in which this a thing to employ! Alas!” he cried, “is there anything in life Prince has played the part of Providence were to fill the so disenchanting as attainment?”
habitable globe with books. But the stories which relate to
“God’s justice has been done,” replied the Doctor. “So the fortunes of The Rajah’s Diamond are of too entertain-much I behold. The lesson, your Highness, has been a cruel ing a description, says he, to be omitted. Following pru-one for me; and I await my own turn with deadly appre-dently in the footsteps of this Oriental, we shall now begin hension.”
the series to which he refers with the Story of the Bandbox.)
“What was I saying?” cried the Prince. “I have punished, and here is the man beside us who can help me to undo.
Ah, Dr. Noel! you and I have before us many a day of hard and honourable toil; and perhaps, before we have none, you may have more than redeemed your early errors.”
“And in the meantime,” said the Doctor, “let me go and bury my oldest friend.”
(And this, observes the erudite Arabian, is the fortunate conclusion of the tale. The Prince, it is superfluous to mention, forgot none of those who served him in this great exploit; and to this day his authority and influence help 73
Robert Louis Stevenson
THE RAJAH’S DIAMOND:
was not the man to lead armaments of war, or direct the STORY OF THE BANDBOX
councils of a State.
A fortunate chance and some influence obtained for Harry, UP TO THE AGE OF SIXTEEN, at a private school and after-at the time of his bereavement, the position of private sec-wards at one of those great institutions for which England retary to Major-General Sir Thomas Vandeleur, C.B. Sir is justly famous, Mr. Harry Hartley had received the ordi-Thomas was a man of sixty, loud-spoken, boisterous, and nary education of a gentleman. At that period, he mani-domineering. For some reason, some service the nature of fested a remarkable distaste for study; and his only surviv-which had been often whispered and repeatedly denied, ing parent being both weak and ignorant, he was permitted the Rajah of Kashgar had presented this officer with the thenceforward to spend his time in the attainment of petty sixth known diamond of the world. The gift transformed and purely elegant accomplishments. Two years later, he General Vandeleur from a poor into a wealthy man, from was left an orphan and almost a beggar. For all active and an obscure and unpopular soldier into one of the lions of industrious pursuits, Harry was unfitted alike by nature and London society; the possessor of the Rajah’s Diamond was training. He could sing romantic ditties, and accompany welcome in the most exclusive circles; and he had found a himself with discretion on the piano; he was a graceful al-lady, young, beautiful, and well-born, who was willing to though a timid cavalier; he had a pronounced taste for chess; call the diamond hers even at the price of marriage with Sir and nature had sent him into the world with one of the Thomas Vandeleur. It was commonly said at the time that, most engaging exteriors that can well be fancied. Blond as like draws to like, one jewel had attracted another; cer-and pink, with dove’s eyes and a gentle smile, he had an air tainly Lady Vandeleur was not only a gem of the finest of agreeable tenderness and melancholy, and the most sub-water in her own person, but she showed herself to the missive and caressing manners. But when all is said, he world in a very costly setting; and she was considered by 74
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many respectable authorities, as one among the three or on a more or less doubtful footing, in very genteel com-four best dressed women in England.
pany, he did little, he ate of the best, and he had a luke-Harry’s duty as secretary was not particularly onerous; warm satisfaction in the presence of Lady Vandeleur, which, but he had a dislike for all prolonged work; it gave him in his own heart, he dubbed by a more emphatic name.
pain to ink his lingers; and the charms of Lady Vandeleur Immediately after he had been outraged by the military and her toilettes drew him often from the library to the foot, he hurried to the boudoir and recounted his sorrows.
boudoir. He had the prettiest ways among women, could
“You know very well, my dear Harry,” replied Lady talk fashions with enjoyment, and was never more happy Vandeleur, for she called him by name like a child or a than when criticising a shade of ribbon, or running on an domestic servant, “that you never by any chance do what errand to the milliner’s. In short, Sir Thomas’s correspon-the General tells you. No more do I, you may say. But that dence fell into pitiful arrears, and my Lady had another is different. A woman can earn her pardon for a good year lady’s maid.
of disobedience by a single adroit submission; and, besides, At last the General, who was one of the least patient of no one is married to his private secretary. I shall be sorry military commanders, arose from his place in a violent ac-to lose you; but since you cannot stay longer in a house cess of passion, and indicated to his secretary that he had where you have been insulted, I shall wish you good-bye, no further need for his services, with one of those explana-and I promise you to make the General smart for his tory gestures which are most rarely employed between behaviour.”
gentlemen. The door being unfortunately open, Mr. Hartley Harry’s countenance fell; tears came into his eyes, and fell downstairs head foremost.
he gazed on Lady Vandeleur with a tender reproach.
He arose somewhat hurt and very deeply aggrieved. The
“My Lady,” said he, “what is an insult? I should think life in the General’s house precisely suited him; he moved, little indeed of any one who could not forgive them by the 75
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score. But to leave one’s friends; to tear up the bonds of moral point of view. Wickedness seemed to him an essen-affection –”
tially male attribute, and to pass one’s days with a delicate He was unable to continue, for his emotion choked him, woman, and principally occupied about trimmings, was to and he began to weep.
inhabit an enchanted isle among the storms of life.
Lady Vandeleur looked at him with a curious expres-One fine morning he came into the drawing-room and sion. “This little fool,” she thought, “imagines himself to began to arrange some music on the top of the piano. Lady be in love with me. Why should he not become my servant Vandeleur, at the other end of the apartment, was speaking instead of the General’s? He is good-natured, obliging, and somewhat eagerly with her brother, Charlie Pendragon, an understands dress; and besides it will keep him out of mis-elderly young man, much broken with dissipation, and very chief. He is positively too pretty to be unattached.” That lame of one foot. The private secretary, to whose entrance night she talked over the General, who was already some-they paid no regard, could not avoid overhearing a part of what ashamed of his vivacity; and Harry was transferred to their conversation.
the feminine department, where his life was little short of
“To-day or never,” said the lady. “Once and for all, it heavenly. He was always dressed with uncommon nicety, shall be done to-day.”
wore delicate flowers in his button-hole, and could enter-
“To-day, if it must be,” replied the brother, with a sigh.
tain a visitor with tact and pleasantry. He took a pride in
“But it is a false step, a ruinous step, Clara; and we shall servility to a beautiful woman; received Lady Vandeleur’s live to repent it dismally.”
commands as so many marks of favour; and was pleased Lady Vandeleur looked her brother steadily and some-to exhibit himself before other men, who derided and de-what strangely in the face.
spised him, in his character of male lady’s-maid and man
“You forget,” she said; “the man must die at last.” milliner. Nor could he think enough of his existence from a
“Upon my word, Clara,” said Pendragon, “I believe you 76
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are the most heartless rascal in England.” She kissed the tips of her fingers to him daintily; and the
“You men,” she returned, “are so coarsely built, that you brother withdrew by the boudoir and the back stair.
can never appreciate a shade of meaning. You are your-
“Harry,” said Lady Vandeleur, turning towards the sec-selves rapacious, violent, immodest, careless of distinction; retary as soon as they were alone, “I have a commission and yet the least thought for the future shocks you in a for you this morning. But you shall take a cab; I cannot woman. I have no patience with such stuff. You would have my secretary freckled.”
despise in a common banker the imbecility that you expect She spoke the last words with emphasis and a look of to find in us.”
half-motherly pride that caused great contentment to poor
“You are very likely right,” replied her brother; “you were Harry; and he professed himself charmed to find an oppor-always cleverer than I. And, anyway, you know my motto: tunity of serving her.
The family before all.”
“It is another of our great secrets,” she went on archly,
“Yes, Charlie,” she returned, taking his hand in hers, “I
“and no one must know of it but my secretary and me. Sir know your motto better than you know it yourself. ‘And Thomas would make the saddest disturbance; and if you Clara before the family!’ Is not that the second part of it?
only knew how weary I am of these scenes! Oh, Harry, Indeed, you are the best of brothers, and I love you dearly.” Harry, can you explain to me what makes you men so vio-Mr. Pendragon got up, looking a little confused by these lent and unjust? But, indeed, I know you cannot; you are family endearments.
the only man in the world who knows nothing of these
“I had better not be seen,” said he. “I understand my part shameful passions; you are so good, Harry, and so kind; to a miracle, and I’ll keep an eye on the Tame Cat.” you, at least, can be a woman’s friend; and, do you know?
“Do,” she replied. “He is an abject creature, and might I think you make the others more ugly by comparison.” ruin all.”
“It is you,” said Harry gallantly, “who are so kind to me.
77
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You treat me like – “
“Will you look at this, madam?” cried he. “Will you have
“Like a mother,” interposed Lady Vandeleur; “I try to be the goodness to look at this document? I know well enough a mother to you. Or, at least,” she corrected herself with a you married me for my money, and I hope I can make as smile, “almost a mother. I am afraid I am too young to be great allowances as any other man in the service; but, as your mother really. Let us say a friend – a dear friend.” sure as God made me, I mean to put a period to this dis-She paused long enough to let her words take effect in reputable prodigality.”
Harry’s sentimental quarters, but not long enough to allow
“Mr. Hartley,” said Lady Vandeleur, “I think you under-him a reply.
stand what you have to do. May I ask you to see to it at
“But all this is beside our purpose,” she resumed. “You once?”
will find a bandbox in the left-hand side of the oak ward-
“Stop,” said the General, addressing Harry, “one word robe; it is underneath the pink slip that I wore on Wednes-before you go.” And then, turning again to Lady Vandeleur, day with my Mechlin. You will take it immediately to this
“What is this precious fellow’s errand?” he demanded. “I address,” and she gave him a paper, “but do not, on any trust him no further than I do yourself, let me tell you. If he account, let it out of your hands until you have received a had as much as the rudiments of honesty, he would scorn receipt written by myself. Do you understand? Answer, if to stay in this house; and what he does for his wages is a you please – answer! This is extremely important, and I mystery to all the world. What is his errand, madam? and must ask you to pay some attention.” why are you hurrying him away?”
Harry pacified her by repeating her instructions perfectly;
“I supposed you had something to say to me in private,” and she was just going to tell him more when General replied the lady.
Vandeleur flung into the apartment, scarlet with anger, and
“You spoke about an errand,” insisted the General. “Do holding a long and elaborate milliner’s bill in his hand.
not attempt to deceive me in my present state of temper.
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You certainly spoke about an errand.” tune, and threatened day by day to engulph that of the hus-
“If you insist on making your servants privy to our hu-band. Once or twice in every year exposure and ruin seemed miliating dissensions,” replied Lady Vandeleur, “perhaps I imminent, and Harry kept trotting round to all sorts of fur-had better ask Mr. Hartley to sit down. No?” she contin-nishers’ shops, telling small fibs, and paying small advances ued; “then you may go, Mr. Hartley. I trust you may re-on the gross amount, until another term was tided over, member all that you have heard in this room; it may be and the lady and her faithful secretary breathed again. For useful to you.”
Harry, in a double capacity, was heart and soul upon that Harry at once made his escape from the drawing-room; side of the war: not only did he adore Lady Vandeleur and and as he ran upstairs he could hear the General’s voice fear and dislike her husband, but he naturally sympathised upraised in declamation, and the thin tones of Lady with the love of finery, and his own si