The Ghost Breaker: A Novel Based Upon the Play Read online

  X

  A WAGER WITH THE DUKE

  What a curious sea voyage!

  The Duke's attempt to warn the captain of the nature of this oneparticular passenger never eventualized. When the _Mauretania_ hadfinally left behind all sight of America, Jarvis relaxed his severity.

  "You may enjoy yourself, Excellency," he said, as he put away therevolver. "But I would like to speak to you alone. As therepresentative of the Princess, on a most important mission, I amcompelled to look after her interests in a definite manner."

  He faced the girl meaningly.

  "Will you excuse us for a moment's interchange of pleasantries?"

  She nodded, and retired to her bedroom with Nita.

  "What do you want, you scoundrel? I know that you are an impostor--amake-believe, and worse!"

  "Take it easy, Duke. I'm really not too enthusiastic over you. But thisColt revolver is not a make-believe. I am only going to bother youraristocratic memory with this one little idea--that if there is anyreporting to the captain or ship's officers, to interfere with myservices as Ghost Breaker for the royal house of Aragon, there is goingto be a nice band concert in the public square of your native town--andthe special number on the programme will be the 'Dead March from Saul,'with pretty black crepe on the ducal doorknob! Do you catch mymeaning?"

  "You Yankee pig!"

  "I'm not a Yankee--I'm a Johnny Reb, by birth and education. But bothYankees and Rebels acquired a reputation for marksmanship about fiftyyears ago." The jest died out of his voice. "One whimper from you, damnyou, and I'll shoot you as I would a mad dog!"

  There was such a savage rasp in that mellow Southern voice that theDuke instinctively dodged backward, as though expecting the firstvolley.

  "We shall see what we shall see!" were his final words. "And if I seeyou about the cabin of my cousin again,--well, perhaps the officers ofthis ship may take a hand."

  Warren pursed his lips into an ironical grin.

  "You know, a member of my profession doesn't take a solemn oath to waituntil the remains are resting in pieces: it might not be a difficulttask to take up an avocation as well as a vocation. I wonder if Icouldn't be a pretty good Ghost Maker? Think it over."

  Jarvis, with a simple word of good-bye to the Princess, returned to hisown cabin, where he lost himself in slumber. The tortures of his trunktrip were still with him, in aching muscles and strained ligaments.

  The girl wondered what had become of him, for it was not until late inthe evening that he telephoned to her at the suite.

  She was on the deck, listening to the orchestra concert. Nita respondedat the 'phone. Jarvis surprised the girl by a voluble discourse inSpanish. He had mastered it in his tropical travels. It was to come inas a life-saving accomplishment before the end of the adventure.

  "Tell me, Nita. Have you good eyes?" he curiously inquired.

  "Ah, senor, so I am told," was the ingenuous reply.

  "Well, in that sense I have my doubts about their goodness ... but whatI want you to do, for the sake of your Princess and her brother, is tokeep those black eyes eternally watchful. I am expecting some curioustricks from one we know. Let her know what you see--and she will tellme. Remember--keep looking, listening all the time."

  Nita promised, and Warren repaired to the lounge, where he observed theDuke nursing his ill-humor over a lonesome absinthe _frappe_.

  Warren did not seek companionship either, upon this journey. He knewtoo many men in the ranks of the international traders, to dare riskrecognition. The great roadway between New York and the European portshas now become a veritable promenade, thronged with travelers: it is nolonger a lonely passage.

  The great steamship was crowded on this trip, Rusty being in good luckto obtain a stateroom relinquished just before sailing time. Withnearly two thousand people on board, it was a floating town--and morethan once in the crowded decks and saloons he caught glimpses of men heknew in club, college, or business. He would invariably beat aprecipitate retreat. His daily procedure was hermit-like. With theexception of an early morning stroll, alone, on the promenade deck, hetook no more chances after that first morning. His meals were served inhis stateroom. From the splendid library of the ship he secured amplereading material to while away the time.

  At night he spent an hour in walking with the Princess--and they werewonderful moments. Each evening he seemed to grow better acquaintedwith this unusual woman--finding beneath the surface of courtly reservea depth of feeling, a breadth of humanity which would hardly have beenbelievable from her calm, almost indifferent manner.

  Her education in an English school had internationalized her--her wideknowledge of books, in all the literatures of Europe, her familiaritywith the best of art, poetry, the drama and music--had made of her adelightful, ever surprising traveling companion.

  The girl was interested in everything American. She plied him withquestions about the city, the country, the customs. Her brief stay inNew York had been all too limited--her curiosity was only whetted bythe brief survey of externals which is all that a stranger may get,without the guidance of an initiate.

  To her, America represented a great new universe, teeming withvitality. Compared with the mediaevalism of her own country, themodernity of the States was a wonderful poetic drama of ideals,accomplishment, and goals worth while.

  "What do you think of titles, Mr. Jarvis?" asked the girl, one evening."When you made your recessional into the Middle Ages by taking thefeudal oath to me, you were flippant, almost sarcastic: yet by mystandards, I could not feel that any man could defend my interests withpropriety unless he were of my own people--so, you were adopted withmore seriousness than you supposed."

  Jarvis flicked a cigarette into the swirling waters far beneath them,as he answered.

  "Titles do not appeal to Americans, as a general thing. To the simplerfolk, they represent the yoke of the ancient Lion whose mane wascropped in 1776. To the broader folk, they are no more than the marksof family: although I must confess that your worthy cousin would createmuch fluttering of hearts and waving of ivory fans around Newport andLennox,--where American hearts, of a sort, and American fortunes ofquestionable worth are bartered for a tin-plated coronet. But that'sthe revenge of the Great God of Misfits."

  He turned toward her, resting his hand upon the rail.

  "You are no different physically, mentally, socially from many of theSouthern, Northern, and Western girls I have met in my own country. Youare dependent upon the fashions, to bring your charms to the utmosteffectiveness." The Princess blushed in the dark. "But, differing frommany of them, you do succeed!" he added.

  "You are just as human as the fine girls I have met back home--yourtitled classes correspond with the fine old families of the UnitedStates--and we have the advantage over you that by our own endeavor wecan change the titles, by our own efforts, without waiting for thedeath of our loved ones."

  His mind turned to his own mother, to whom his successes had been asource of increasing happiness.

  "I was only a little knight back home in Kentucky--when I was a tinychap. As I went into the world, and fought the battles, and won some(after losing more), to my dad and the mother I became a prince.... Andthe great thing about being a prince--to your family--in a republic, ascompared with being a prince in a monarchy, is that a chap must keep onmaking good in the job, or he'll fail of election, just in the yearswhen he wants it most!

  "To tell you the truth, your Highness, America is crowded with 'wealthyfamilies,' 'socially prominent,' 'old Colonial families,' two or threemillion _Mayflower_ blossoms, and similar Philistines! There arehundreds of clever people who make good annual incomes in our countrywith their ingenuity in connecting the Joneses and the Browns and theSmiths with Richard the Lion-Heart and Bill the Conqueror, by marriage.In my native State, Kentucky, there are enough majors, colonels, andgenerals to officer the armies of Europe--and as for judges!... Thereare enough badges, fraternity pins, cockades, and association medals tokeep second-hand jewelers busy
for their lifetimes! My countrymen arethe most passionate collectors of heraldic certificates andgenealogical maps in the world. The instinct for decoration isprevalent--the more obscure the family, the more plentiful the frameddiplomas of aristocratic origin on the walls!"

  The Princess was unable to follow the cynicism of the speech, but agrowing admiration for Jarvis' analytical powers led her to putconfidence in his opinions.

  "And what harm does it do?" he concluded. "They are titles of universalbrotherhood, and peace breeds more American colonels and majors than aninternational Armageddon. And it is all in the game!"

  "And then, you do not have such a disgust for titles and the marks ofgood family, after all?"

  She was almost eager in her inquisition of the vassal.

  "Your Serene Highness has no cause for worry: although you willdoubtless never need care for any American opinion" (and Warren studiedher face, as the fine silhouette was illumined by the nearby decklight), "for in my country a princess is recognized whether she wearermine robes, or a calico shirtwaist and a ragged skirt. You see,--arepublic is at least well illuminated. We're not afraid of thelight!... However, I imagine that your title will be changed beforeanother year, and in that case you will have no cause for curiosity!"

  The girl's eyes burned as she questioned him.

  "What do you mean, Mr. Jarvis? For a vassal, you are decidedlypresumptuous. You need not come to court again until you are summoned.Good-night."

  And then she turned, as Jarvis maintained a discreet silence, walkingrapidly toward the promenade door of her suite. He bade her good-night,without response.

  Jarvis remembered an old verse of the greatest balladist of the century:

  "_For Julia O'Grady and the Colonel's lady, Were both the same, under the skin-- And I learned about women from 'er!_"

  Maria Theresa was not in a mood to see Jarvis for two more days.Instead of trying to win her forgiveness for a wrong--he had notcommitted--he stuck the closer to his stateroom, where, with thesolicitous attention of Rusty, he lived a drone-like and peacefulexistence, poring over books. They were not fiction or philosophy--theKentuckian's interest was in Baedeker and other books on Spain. Withthe same application which had carried him over the thin ice of collegeexaminations, he had grasped a valuable understanding of the customsand peculiarities of Spain. He gave especial attention to the railroadmaps, for Warren was not trusting too implicitly to the permanenthumility of the Duke.

  That worthy was passing a most disagreeable voyage.

  He was naturally of an irascible, dictatorial temperament--accustomedto flattery and adulation. On this return trip to the Continent, theship's list comprised Americans for the most part. They were in littlehumor to cajole the swarthy, sarcastic, and unsociable Spaniard. Theirminds were too full of the pleasures of the months to come, of plansand frolics in contemplation, to sacrifice their time to this dourpersonage.

  The Duke endeavored to mellow his own discomfiture at Maria Theresa'scoldness with numerous visits to the grill. The result was a morning"grouch," an afternoon headache, and a twilight bitterness which kepthim permanently aloof from all companionship.

  On two occasions he had observed Warren in earnest and apparentlyfriendly conversation with the captain and first officer. He was notaware that it was intended for his own benefit--and that nothing moreintimate than the weather was under discussion. But it presaged aprompt information to the "Ghost Breaker" in case he registered hiscomplaint. The Duke's methods of warfare were not of thegallant-charge-against-intrenchments variety. He specialized in theexecutive ability which directs the activities of other men; and so hebided his time.

  The fifth evening out from New York harbor--they were due some time thefollowing day in the Mersey, dependent largely upon the tide andweather--he could stand no longer the evident growth of friendlinessbetween his cousin and her "employed" assistant.

  Maria Theresa had forgiven the Kentuckian for his jest--without theformality of an apology, because she was a woman. She had once moreyielded to her loneliness, and walked the wind-swept promenade deck todiscuss their common subjects.

  As Jarvis bade her good-night and stepped into the shadow of the deck,he observed the aristocrat knocking angrily upon the cabin door.

  "Let me in, Maria," cried the Duke, in Castilian. "I must talk to you,for your own good."

  "I suppose that means my bad," muttered Jarvis. "I'll just smokeanother cigarette in the neighborhood, to see how things go."

  The Duke was admitted--his conversation in the parlor of the suiteseemed to last for half an hour. At last the door opened, and hereappeared. He was talking excitedly at the doorway.

  "What I have said to you, I would say before him, were he not skulkingin his cabin, afraid of justice. He is a pig of a poltroon!" cried hisExcellency. "I wish he were here now, and I would tell it to his face."

  The girl replied calmly--so quietly indeed that Jarvis could notdistinguish the words.

  But he stepped forward, and laid a hand upon the nobleman's arm. Carlosjumped nervously, as though bitten by a snake.

  "Here I am, your Excellency. Let's hear what it is you have to say?"

  The other swallowed his choler, speaking with difficulty.

  "I ... I ... cannot speak on the deck of the ship!" he exclaimed.

  "Then come into my cabin again," said the Princess with pardonableasperity. "You may tell Mr. Jarvis your opinion of him now."

  Jarvis gave the Duke an ungentle shove, with the result that thetroublesome door threshold again intercepted to demonstrate the laws ofgravity. The Duke sprawled most unromantically upon the deck inside. Hescrambled to his feet, muttering Spanish oaths.

  "Dog! If you were my equal socially I would challenge you!" hespluttered.

  "If you were my equal physically I would punch your head," was the aptreply of the American. "Now, let's hear this opinion which you were soanxious to tell to my face."

  There was a humorous twinkle in the dark eyes of the Princess, andWarren observed, down the passageway to the private stateroom, thesmiling face of Nita, the maid.

  "Well, Mr. Warren ... I ... merely ... said that I know you to be whatyou Yankees call a humbug! For some purposes of your own--perhaps toattempt a theft of this imaginary fortune, you are trying to get toSeguro ... However," and at the quiet interest on the face of Jarvis hewas emboldened to make his statements more emphatic, "I have my doubtsabout your honesty in the whole matter."

  "And that means what, your Excellency?"

  "I don't believe you even intend to risk the chances in Spain. You haveduped my cousin, a helpless, innocent girl--ignorant of the sharp waysof American adventurers. You have secured a free passage on this ship,and doubtless an advance payment, to engage you. I would wager anythingthat you will never see Spain, in this case."

  Jarvis smiled ingratiatingly.

  "You are a clever student of character. Such men make good gamblers.How much are you willing to wager on this little affair? How much willyou bet that I do not appear in Spain?"

  The Duke of Alva bit his lip. He had lost too much in recent gamings toafford greater risks just now. But he was a sportsman--particularly didhe wish to impress his kinswoman.

  "I will wager a thousand pounds of English money,--five thousanddollars in your American rags,--that you will not appear at Seguro intime to help the Princess."

  "That's a great deal of money, especially for a hard-working businessman like myself," answered Warren. "What are the exact stipulations ofthis wager? I might borrow the money from the Princess, as an advancepayment for breaking the ghost?"

  Carlos sneered exultantly.

  "Yes, you might borrow it but there is not so much ready money aroundSeguro. My terms, if you care to know them, are these: I wager thethousand pounds that you will not be at Seguro three nights fromto-morrow--the time when we will arrive, according to the trainschedule. However, why should I waste talk, with a man, on a bet whichis not for tradesmen but for gentlemen?"

 
"Who would hold the stakes?"

  The Duke smiled, and waved a gallant hand toward his cousin.

  "Who better than my kinswoman, the Princess of Aragon?"

  "Who better?" echoed Jarvis.

  He was fumbling with his waistcoat, his back to the Princess and hercousin. Suddenly with a jerk, he brought forth a leather money beltwhich had been tightly bound about his body, diagonally over one andunder another shoulder. The Duke's eyes protruded. Jarvis dropped thetreasure "chest" upon the table, while even the Princess evidenced hersurprise. Opening the little pockets, which joined each other along itsentire length, he began to pile up gold pieces.

  "I believe I have the amount handy, your Excellency!" he remarkedamiably. "May I trouble you to invite you to produce the money for yourown side of the bet? We have a vulgar custom among us in America, ofrequesting the other man to either 'put up or shut up.'"

  It happened that this cash had been carefully drawn from his resourcesbefore the eventful last evening at the club. Jarvis had preparedhimself for all exigencies: he had not imagined that the first usewould be a reversal to the ancient custom of his ancestors in the BlueGrass State,--a bet upon a race. But blood will tell, and here he wasin the time-honored custom of the family!

  The Duke had not seen so much cash since his last ill-fated pilgrimageto Monte Carlo. He was staggered. But the musical laugh of the Princessbrought back the haughty _savoir faire_ for which he was noted!

  "Ah ... well ... I understand you, sir," he stammered, with improvingvolubility. "Very good. As the Duke of Alva, it is not necessary for meto produce the exact cash on the spot. The word of a Spanish noblemanis as good as his bond. It is a wager, and the terms stand."

  His black eyes studied the pile of gold coins with sparkling interest.

  "Very good,--twice in the same place. The word of a Kentuckian is asgood as his bond. I agreed to let the Princess be the stakeholder--shemay hold your word, and my money-belt. Your Serene Highness--will youdo me the honor?"

  And he turned toward the blushing girl, as he handed over the treasure.The insult was not lost on the Duke. But, as Jarvis reached for hishat, he could not resist a final slap!

  "Good-night, your Highness. I advise you to be very careful with thelock on the door. The ship lands to-morrow evening, and some villainmay break into your stateroom, rob you of the Duke's word of honor andsell it to some enterprising Liverpool pawnbroker. Pleasant dreams! Ihope to welcome you to Seguro, your Excellency. Don't spend the fivethousand until you get there--remember, the home industries needencouragement."

  And he walked out to the promenade deck. The Duke looked at his cousin,flushed a swarthy red at the cynical laugh on her pretty face. Then he,too, hurried out--through the saloon passage. He was anxious to get tohis own stateroom to think things over.