登陆注册
5229500000010

第10章 Miss Westerfield's Education(10)

"No. Leave me your name and address. I will send you the cipher, interpreted, at eight o'clock."

Mrs. Westerfield laid one of her visiting cards on his desk, and left him.

8.--The Diamonds.

The new week was essentially a week of events.

On the Monday morning, Mrs. Westerfield and her faithful James had their first quarrel. She took the liberty of reminding him that it was time to give notice of the marriage at the church, and to secure berths in the steamer for herself and her son.

Instead of answering one way or another, James asked how the Expert was getting on.

"Has your old man found out where the diamonds are?"

"Not yet."

"Then we'll wait till he does."

"Do you believe my word?" Mrs. Westerfield asked curtly.

James Bellbridge answered, with Roman brevity, "No."

This was an insult; Mrs. Westerfield expressed her sense of it.

She rose, and pointed to the door. "Go back to America, as soon as you please," she said; "and find the money you want--if you can."

As a proof that she was in earnest she took her copy of the cipher out of the bosom of her dress, and threw it into the fire.

"The original is safe in my old man's keeping," she added. "Leave the room."

James rose with suspicious docility, and walked out, having his own private ends in view.

Half an hour later, Mrs. Westerfield's old man was interrupted over his work by a person of bulky and blackguard appearance, whom he had never seen before.

The stranger introduced himself as a gentleman who was engaged to marry Mrs. Westerfield: he requested (not at all politely) to be permitted to look at the cipher. He was asked if he had brought a written order to that effect, signed by the lady herself. Mr. Bellbridge, resting his fists on the writing-table, answered that he had come to look at the cipher on his own sole responsibility, and that he insisted on seeing it immediately. "Allow me to show you something else first," was the reply he received to this assertion of his will and pleasure. "Do you know a loaded pistol, sir, when you see it?" The barrel of the pistol approached within three inches of the barman's big head as he leaned over the writing-table. For once in his life he was taken by surprise. It had never occurred to him that a professed interpreter of ciphers might sometimes be trusted with secrets which placed him in a position of danger, and might therefore have wisely taken measures to protect himself. No power of persuasion is comparable to the power possessed by a loaded pistol. James left the room; and expressed his sentiments in language which has not yet found its way into any English Dictionary.

But he had two merits, when his temper was in a state of repose.

He knew when he was beaten; and he thoroughly appreciated the value of the diamonds. When Mrs. Westerfield saw him again, on the next day, he appeared with undeniable claims on her mercy.

Notice of the marriage had been received at the church; and a cabin had been secured for her on board the steamer.

Her prospects being thus settled, to her own satisfaction, Mrs.

Westerfield was at liberty to make her arrangements for the desertion of poor little Syd.

The person on whose assistance she could rely was an unmarried elder sister, distinguished as proprietor of a cheap girls' school in one of the suburbs of London. This lady--known to local fame as Miss Wigger--had already proposed to take Syd into training as a pupil teacher. "I'll force the child on," Miss Wigger promised, "till she can earn her board and lodging by taking my lowest class. When she gets older she will replace my regular governess, and I shall save the salary."

With this proposal waiting for a reply, Mrs. Westerfield had only to inform her sister that it was accepted. "Come here," she wrote, "on Friday next, at any time before two o'clock, and Syd shall be ready for you. P.S.--I am to be married again on Thursday, and start for America with my husband and my boy by next Saturday's steamer."

The letter was posted; and the mother's anxious mind was, to use her own phrase, relieved of another worry.

As the hour of eight drew near on Wednesday evening, Mrs.

Westerfield's anxiety forced her to find relief in action of some kind. She opened the door of her sitting-room and listened on the stairs. It still wanted for a few minutes to eight o'clock, when there was a ring at the house-bell. She ran down to open the door. The servant happened to be in the hall, and answered the bell. The next moment, the door was suddenly closed again.

"Anybody there?" Mrs. Westerfield asked.

"No, ma'am."

This seemed strange. Had the old wretch deceived her, after all?

"Look in the letter-box," she called out. The servant obeyed, and found a letter. Mrs. Westerfield tore it open, standing on the stairs. It contained half a sheet of common note-paper. The interpretation of the c ipher was written on it in these words:

"Remember Number 12, Purbeck Road, St. John's Wood. Go to the summer-house in the back garden. Count to the fourth plank in the floor, reckoning from the side wall on the right as you enter the summer-house. Prize up the plank. Look under the mould and rubbish. Find the diamonds."

Not a word of explanation accompanied these lines. Neither had the original cipher been returned. The strange old man had earned his money, and had not attended to receive it--had not even sent word where or how it might be paid! Had he delivered his letter himself? He (or his messenger) had gone before the house-door could be opened!

A sudden suspicion of him turned her cold. Had he stolen the diamonds? She was on the point of sending for a cab, and driving it to his lodgings, when James came in, eager to know if the interpretation had arrived.

Keeping her suspicions to herself, she merely informed him that the interpretation was in her hands. He at once asked to see it.

She refused to show it to him until he had made her his wife.

同类推荐
  • Sketches by Boz

    Sketches by Boz

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 啸亭杂录

    啸亭杂录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 绥广纪事

    绥广纪事

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • The Elixir of Life

    The Elixir of Life

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 纯备德禅师语录

    纯备德禅师语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 侯门傻妃

    侯门傻妃

    不是吧,穿越了!还是一个侯府的痴傻大小姐,被指婚给了王爷,却对安家大少爷痴心一片,被戏耍、被耻笑,最后更是连性命都丢了去!齐王府里,女人一个个都忙不迭的来对付她这个正妃,阴谋诡计的都赶着上场,她一向是人不犯我我不犯人的!既然她们这么热情,那她就花点心思和她们玩一玩了,看她们怎么死的!推荐00的旧文:【-下堂妾-】【part1】“欲擒故纵,亏你也想的出来,但是这一套对我没用!”安家大少爷安弘文冷眼望着面前总是纠缠自己的女子。“公子自是放心,雅芙就算欲擒故纵,那对象也绝对不是安公子你!”舒雅芙柔柔一笑,丢下话,不再理会边上的男人,转身继续看手上的东西,嘴里嘀咕着:“哎!过去眼神真是不好!果然人不无知枉少年!”【part2】“他是我的儿子!”他冷冽的望着面前悠闲的女人。“宝贝,你要知道,你的人生信条,你是从娘肚子里出来的,娘的话才是正确的,娘才是最重要的,其他人的话你可以当耳边风!”某女伸手抱起面前的儿子,很是认真的教育。“嗯!宝贝知道了!娘~宝贝最爱你了!”可爱儿子一把抱住她的脖颈,在她的脸上亲了一口。【part3】“本王的女人做什么,轮不到你们来管!”冷冽无情的他,睥睨一众人的目光,视线扫过无人胆敢直视其凌厉的眼眸。“王爷你也别生气!人难免犯错…”舒雅芙微微一笑,唯独不惧怕他身上的冷意,灿烂微笑,“尤其是被狗咬了一口,狂犬病可没那么快好!”边上被指做狗,以及得了狂犬病的两个人,集体脸色黑了一片!推荐好友文文:【穿越之嫡妇难为】【下堂王妃值千金】
  • 当代孔师

    当代孔师

    【师者,传业授道解惑也!】没什么说的,看下去你就明白了,这是一个退学学生认真办学,然后将学校打理成世界第一学府的故事!本书系统流,不喜勿入!心智不健全者,请在监护人或医师指导下阅读,请勿与现实做任何比较。重点突出:大学生请保持理智,请勿与现实做任何勾连,最好在辅导员的陪同下一起看书:益智,健康,有利于身心发展!(不喜勿喷)
  • 非卿莫白

    非卿莫白

    人的一生会遇到许许多多的人,喜欢的人和不喜欢的人,喜欢的人同时也喜欢着你的概率微乎其微,她喜欢他从第一次见面开始,但是,他好像不喜欢她。
  • 霉女穿越制霸后宫:蛮妃难宠

    霉女穿越制霸后宫:蛮妃难宠

    他气宇轩昂,他铁血冷俊,他运筹帷幄,他傲然独立,总之——他帅翻一条街!可是,他不是她的菜啊!虽然他是她名义上的老公。她喜欢的可是激情型,虽然男配年纪小了点,不过,没关系,小正太也是她喜欢的型。所以,握拳!小正太,等着她来吧!
  • 活着,就要热气腾腾

    活着,就要热气腾腾

    5个鲜活主题,60个麻辣酸爽的故事。周国平式格调,冯唐式诙谐。让你看到“万种风情”和“无聊透顶”的差距,让你知道用心对自己、用力去生活的神奇功效。这个世界有时候很迷人,有时候也很操蛋:你若崇拜它万种风情,它就会把你宠得热气腾腾,颠倒众生。你若整日活得无聊透顶,它就会把你一拳击倒,再踩两脚。所以,请你擦亮双眼,看到这个世界的万种风情,拂去心尘,拒绝麻木、妥协、无聊透顶。希望你在用心对自己、用力去生活之后,能够在春风得意抑或一时矢志时,都有底气大声地喊出:“我知道这个世界很好,可我也不差。”然后,热气腾腾地活着。
  • 凤凰谋

    凤凰谋

    一道道宫墙,一重重宫门,把情爱权力和欲望编织成网,让他们身陷其中,为之纠缠不休。盈盈舞袖,暗藏杀机;飞花轻梦,硝烟四起。他们深受这红墙碧瓦所害。却也正是这片红墙碧瓦,让他们相遇,相知;让他们相恋,相怨;再让他们相守,相随。让那些曾经为爱、为欲,厮杀纠缠的影子重重叠叠地融进了那道红墙碧瓦之中。直到繁华落尽,一身憔悴时,方知早已掩埋了我的青春,你的爱情。
  • 胃肠病居家调养保健百科

    胃肠病居家调养保健百科

    胃肠病,怎么防治?怎么调养?最好的医生是自己!胃肠病是怎么发生的,您知道吗?胃肠病有哪些“信号”,您心中有数吗?食养食疗、运动锻炼、情志调养、经络调养、药物治疗,怎么做才能远离胃肠病?怎么做才能有效治疗胃肠病?居家调养,您的心中是否一清二楚?细节决定成败,健康来源于生活态度。健康,就在您手中!
  • 曾文正公家书

    曾文正公家书

    《曾文正公家书》是晚清一代中兴名臣曾国藩影响大、流传广的作品。首现于1879年,由李瀚章编撰、李鸿章校勘,由传忠书局刊刻传世,本书即以此为蓝本,并把《曾国藩家训》融其中去,针对原书中有疑问、错漏之处予以校正,另外还汲取了新的学术研究成果,内容更精粹。另外,为了让读者方便阅读,对曾国藩的思想有一个系统的了解,本书按照曾国藩一生重要的四个时期行了分卷:在京为官时期、镇压太平天国时期、镇压捻军时期和办理天津教案时期。与此同时,本书还附有吃宣统本的《曾国藩日记》,与《曾文正公家书》相呼应。
  • 重回八零风光正好

    重回八零风光正好

    新书《末日食欲》,有兴趣的可以来砸收藏,砸推荐,谢谢。自愿替人受了十年牢狱之灾,出来后,有钱有势的军婚老公死了,渣男成了闺蜜的老公,老父老母为她入/狱悲痛欲绝,老父心脏病发作死了,老母亲受不了刺激疯了。再次醒来,她发誓,一定要让背后这些耍小聪明的人,遭受到应有的报应!
  • 间谍皇后

    间谍皇后

    往昔如故,他是通天阁主,她不过是他的一枚棋子。——他骑马低眸,紫衣潋滟,瞧她眉目如画,眸似清泉,“秦卿?哼,这名字倒真是配极了你。”只是当他俯身提手,捉兔子一般将她拉上马背,圈在怀里时,竟然被她忽地踢下马!嗜虐如他君翊寒,“秦卿,你没有国家,你只是通天阁的暗谍,你不属于你自己,你是我的!”再相见,她身穿铠甲立于白驹之上,领千军万马:“君翊寒,你想要江山,可还得先问问我!”只是对面的男人黄袍白发,目光沉静。他身边的那个小鬼,拽住他的衣角,“父皇,那可是孩儿的母后?”片段一:她在一场“老鹰捉兔”的厮杀中,成为阁主月邪的猎物。——他骑马低眸,紫衣潋滟,瞧她眉目如画,眸似清泉,“秦卿?哼,这名字倒真是配极了你。”——她冷笑不语。要在前世,被自己杀死的人只会暗叹,秦卿,这名字可真和本人不合。他俯身提手,捉兔子一般将她拉上马背,圈在怀里。他想要在马背上要她,竟然被她忽地弄下马!——他阴鸷异常,咬牙切齿,“你,该死!”。她却衣袍猎猎,嬉笑如常,却被他的烈马所惊,收服不成,反手将他的爱马杀死,“一个不能为我所骑的马,要它何用?”片段二:他端着药碗的手骨节分明,苍白异常,“喝了它!”前世的身份,今世的因果。她唯求能够有自己骨肉相连的亲人,可她还是淡然接过,笑靥如花,“就这么想让我嫁给他?你就不怕,我一旦成为皇后,便会毫不犹豫的解脱?”那一刻,他前所未有的感觉到了,恐惧。片段三:东晋国来犯。她身披铠甲迎战对敌。奈何她怀有身孕,被俘晋营。她还没来得及等到暮回雪,君翊寒竟然赶到。他逼视众人,好似不可一世的皇者:“谁知道呢,朕的废后,不会再一次成为朕的皇后?”可是,盯着秦卿她日渐隆起的肚皮,他还是难掩眸子里的慌乱,“你不该留下它,它会害死你!”“不关你的事!”