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Page 30
Just then a lady's fluttering voice rose from the room beyond
inquiring for the Countess, and hurriedly taking the placque from my
hand with an impulsive "O there's Amy," she passed into the adjoining
apartment, leaving the door open behind her.
I saw a quick interchange of greetings between her and a fashionably
dressed lady, then they withdrew to one side with the ornament I had
brought, evidently consulting in regard to its merits. Now was my
time. The book in which she had placed the letter she had been writing
lay on the table right before me, not two inches from my hand. I had
only to throw back the cover and my curiosity would be satisfied.
Taking advantage of a moment when their backs were both turned, I
pressed open the book with a careful hand, and with one eye on them
and one on the sheet before me, managed to read these words:--
MY DEAREST CECILIA.
I have tried in vain to match the sample you sent me at Stewart's,
Arnold's and McCreery's. If you still insist upon making up the
dress in the way you propose, I will see what Madame Dudevant can
do for us, though I cannot but advise you to alter your plans and
make the darker shade of velvet do. I went to the Cary reception
last night and met Lulu Chittenden. She has actually grown old,
but was as lively as ever. She created a great stir in Paris when
she was there; but a husband who comes home two o'clock in the
morning with bleared eyes and empty pockets, is not conducive to
the preservation of a woman's beauty. How she manages to retain
her spirits I cannot imagine. You ask me news of cousin Holman. I
meet him occasionally and he looks well, but has grown into the
most sombre man you ever saw. In regard to certain hopes of which
you have sometimes made mention, let me assure you they are no
longer practicable. He has done what--
Here the conversation ceased in the other room, the Countess made a
movement of advance and I closed the book with an inward groan over
my ill-luck.
"It is very pretty," said she with a weary air; "but as I remarked
before, I am not in the buying mood. If you will take half you
mention, I may consider the subject, but--"
"Pardon me, Madame," I interrupted, being in no wise anxious to leave
the placque behind me, "I have been considering the matter and I hold
to my original price. Mr. Blake of Second Avenue may give it to me
if you do not."
"Mr. Blake!" She eyed me suspiciously. "Do you sell to him?"
"I sell to anyone I can," replied I; "and as he has an artist's eye
for such things--"
Her brows knitted and she turned away. "I do not want it;" said she,
"sell it to whom you please."
I took up the placque and left the room.
CHAPTER IX
A FEW GOLDEN HAIRS
When a few days from that I made my appearance before Mr. Gryce, it
was to find him looking somewhat sober. "Those Schoenmakers," said
he, "are making a deal of trouble. It seems they escaped the fellows
up north and are now somewhere in this city, but where--"
An expressive gesture finished the sentence.
"Is that so?" exclaimed I. "Then we are sure to nab them. Given time
and a pair of low, restless German thieves, I will wager anything,
our hands will be upon them before the month is over. I only hope,
when we do come across them, it will not be to find their betters too
much mixed up with their devilish practices." And I related to him
what Fanny had told me a few evenings before.
"The coil is tightening," said he. "What the end will be I don't know.
Crime, said she? I wish I knew in what blind hole of the earth that
girl we are after lies hidden."
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