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Chapter　9　

AN　OFFER　REFUSED

It　was　rarely　that　Derek　Kettering　allowed　his　temper　to　get　the　better　of　him。　An　easygoing　insouciance　was　his　chief　characteristic　and　it　had　stood　him　in　good　stead　in　more　than　one　tight　corner。　Even　now；　by　the　time　he　had　left　Mirelle's　flat；　he　had　cooled　down。　He　had　need　of　coolness。　The　corner　he　was　in　now　was　a　tighter　one　than　he　had　ever　been　in　before；　and　unforeseen　factors　had　arisen　with　which；　for　the　moment；　he　did　not　know　how　to　deal。　

He　strolled　along　deep　in　thought。　His　brow　was　furrowed；　and　there　was　none　of　the　easy；　jaunty　manner　which　sat　so　well　on　him。　Various　possibilities　floated　trough　his　mind。　It　might　have　been　said　of　Derek　Kettering　that　he　was　less　of　a　fool　than　he　looked。　He　saw　several　roads　that　he　might　take　…　one　in　particular。　If　he　shrank　from　it；　it　was　for　the　moment　only。　

Desperate　ills　need　desperate　remedies。　He　had　gauged　his　father…in…law　correctly。　A　war　between　Derek　Kettering　and　Rufus　Van　Aldin　could　end　only　one　way。　Derek　damned　money　and　the　power　of　money　vehemently　to　himself。　He　walked　up　St　James's　Street；　across　Piccadilly；　and　strolled　along　it　in　the　direction　of　Piccadilly　Circus。　As　he　passed　the　offices　of　Messrs。　Thomas　Cook　&　Sons　his　footsteps　slackened。　He　walked　on；　however；　still　turning　the　matter　over　in　his　mind。　Finally；　he　gave　a　brief　nod　of　his　head；　turned　sharply　…　so　sharply　as　to　collide　with　a　couple　of　pedestrians　who　were　following　in　his　footsteps；　and　went　back　the　way　he　had　e。　This　time　he　did　not　pass　Cook's；　but　went　in。　The　office　was　paratively　empty；　and　he　got　attended　to　at　once。　

〃I　want　to　go　to　Nice　next　week。　Will　you　give　me　particulars？〃　

〃What　date；　sir？〃　

〃The　14th。　What　is　the　best　train？〃　

〃Well；　of　course；　the　best　train　is　what　they　call　'The　Blue　Train。'　You　avoid　the　tiresome　Customs　business　at　Calais。〃　

Derek　nodded。　He　knew　all　this；　none　better。　

〃The　14th；〃　murmured　the　clerk；　〃that　is　rather　soon。　The　Blue　Train　is　nearly　always　all　booked　up。〃　

〃See　if　there　is　a　berth　left；〃　said　Derek。　

〃If　there　is　not　…〃　He　left　the　sentence　unfinished　with　a　curious　smile　on　his　face。　

The　clerk　disappeared　for　a　few　minutes；　and　presently　returned。　〃That　is　all　right；　sir；　still　three　berths　left。　I　will　book　you　one　of　them。　What　name？〃　

〃Pavett；〃　said　Derek。　He　gave　the　address　of　his　rooms　in　Jermyn　Street。　

The　clerk　nodded；　finished　writing　it　down；　wished　Derek　good　morning　politely；　and　turned　his　attention　to　the　next　client。　

〃I　want　to　go　to　Nice　…　on　the　14th。　Isn't　there　a　train　called　the　Blue　Train？〃　

Derek　looked　round　sharply。　

Coincidence　…　a　strange　coincidence。　He　remembered　his　own　half…whimsical　words　to　Mirelle；　〃Portrait　of　a　lady　with　grey　eyes。　I　don't　suppose　I　shall　ever　see　her　again。〃　But　he　had　seen　her　again；　and；　what　was　more；　she　proposed　to　travel　to　the　Riviera　on　the　same　day　as　he　did。　

Just　for　a　moment　a　shiver　passed　over　him；　in　some　ways　he　was　superstitious。　He　had　said；　half…laughingly；　that　this　woman　might　bring　him　bad　luck。　Suppose　…　suppose　that　should　prove　to　be　true。　From　the　doorway　he　looked　back　at　her　as　she　stood　talking　to　the　clerk。　For　once　his　memory　had　not　played　him　false。　A　lady　…　a　lady　in　every　sense　of　the　word。　Not　very　young；　not　singularly　beautiful。　But　with　something　…　grey　eyes　that　might　perhaps　see　too　much。　He　knew　as　he　went　out　of　the　door　that　in　some　way　he　was　afraid　of　this　woman。　He　had　a　sense　of　fatality。　

He　went　back　to　his　rooms　in　Jermyn　Street　and　summoned　his　man。　

〃Take　this　cheque；　Pavett；　cash　it　first　thing　in　the　morning；　and　go　around　to　Cook's　in　Piccadilly。　They　will　have　some　tickets　there　booked　in　your　name；　pay　for　them；　and　bring　them　back。〃　

〃Very　good；　sir。〃　

Pavett　withdrew。　

Derek　strolled　over　to　a　side…table　and　picked　up　a　handful　of　letters。　They　were　of　a　type　only　too　familiar。　Bills；　small　bills　and　large　bills；　one　and　all　pressing　for　payment。　

The　tone　of　the　demands　was　still　polite。　

Derek　knew　how　soon　that　polite　tone　would　change　if　…　if　certain　news　became　public　property。　

He　flung　himself　moodily　into　a　large　leather…covered　chair。　A　damned　hole　…　that　was　what　he　was　in。　Yes；　a　damned　hole！　

And　ways　of　getting　out　of　that　damned　hole　were　not　too　promising。　

Pavett　appeared　with　a　discreet　cough。　

〃A　gentleman　to　see　you　…　sir　…　Major　Knighton。〃　

〃Knighton；　eh？〃　

Derek　sat　up；　frowned；　became　suddenly　alert。　He　said　in　a　softer　tone；　almost　to　himself：　

〃Knighton　…　I　wonder　what　is　in　the　wind　now？〃　

〃Shall　I　…　er　…　show　him　in；　sir？〃　

His　master　nodded。　When　Knighton　entered　the　room　he　found　a　charming　and　genial　host　awaiting　him。　

〃Very　good　of　you　to　look　me　up；〃　said　Derek。　

Knighton　was　nervous。　

The　other's　keen　eyes　noticed　that　at　once。　

The　errand　on　which　the　secretary　had　e　was　clearly　distasteful　to　him。　He　replied　almost　mechanically　to　Derek's　easy　flow　of　conversation。　He　declined　a　drink；　and；　if　anything；　his　manner　became　stiffer　than　before。　

Derek　appeared　at　last　to　notice　it。　

〃Well；〃　he　said　cheerfully；　〃what　does　my　esteemed　father…in…law　want　with　me？　You　have　e　on　his　business；　I　take　it？〃　

Knighton　did　not　smile　in　reply。　

〃I　have；　yes；〃　he　said　carefully。　〃I　…　I　wish　Mr　Van　Aldin　had　chosen　someone　else。〃　

Derek　raised　his　eyebrows　in　mock　dismay。　

〃Is　it　as　bad　as　all　that？　I　am　not　very　thin　skinned；　I　can　assure　you；　Knighton。〃　

〃No；〃　said　Knighton；　〃but　this　…〃　

He　paused。　

Derek　eyed　him　keenly。　

〃Go　on；　out　with　it；〃　he　said　kindly。　〃I　can　imagine　my　dear　father…in…law's　errands　might　not　always　be　pleasant　ones。〃　

Knighton　cleared　his　throat。　He　spoke　formally　in　tones　that　he　strove　to　render　free　of　embarrassment。　

〃I　am　directed　by　Mr　Van　Aldin　to　make　you　a　definite　offer。〃　

〃An　offer？〃　For　a　moment　Derek　showed　his　surprise。　Knighton's　opening　words　were　clearly　not　what　he　had　expected。　He　offered　a　cigarette　to　Knighton；　lit　one　himself；　and　sank　back　in　his　chair；　murmuring　in　a　slightly　sardonic　voice：　

〃An　offer？　That　sounds　rather　interesting。〃　

〃Shall　I　go　on？〃　

〃Please。　You　must　forgive　my　surprise；　but　it　seems　to　me　that　my　dear　father…in…law　has　rather　climbed　down　since　our　chat　this　morning。　And　climbing　down　is　not　what　one　associates　with　strong　men。　Napoleons　of　finance；　etc。　It　shows　…　I　think　it　shows　that　he　finds　his　position　weaker　than　he　thought　it。〃　

Knighton　listened　politely　to　the　easy；　mocking　voice；　but　no　sign　of　any　kind　showed　itself　on　his　rather　stolid　countenance。　

He　waited　until　Derek　had　finished；　and　then　he　said　quietly：　

〃I　will　state　the　proposition　in　the　fewest　possible　words。〃　

Knighton　did　not　look　at　the　other。　His　voice　was　curt　and　matter…of…fact。　

〃The　matter　is　simply　this。　Mrs　Kettering；　as　you　know；　is　about　to　file　a　petition　for　divorce。　If　the　case　goes　undefended　you　will　receive　one　hundred　thousand　on　the　day　that　the　decree　is　made　absolute。〃　

Derek；　in　the　act　of　lighting　his　cigarette；　suddenly　stopped　dead。　

〃A　hundred　thousand！〃　he　said　sharply。　〃Dollars？〃　

〃Pounds。〃　

There　was　dead　silence　for　at　least　two　minutes。　Kettering　had　his　brows　together　linking。　A　hundred　thousand　pounds。　It　meant　Mirelle　and　a　continuance　of　his　pleasant；　carefree　life。　It　meant　that　Van　Aldin　knew　something。　Van　Aldin　did　not　pay　for　nothing。　He　got　up　and　stood　by　the　chimney…piece。　

〃And　in　the　event　of　my　refusing　his　handsome　offer？〃　he　asked；　with　a　cold；　ironical　politeness。　

Knighton　made　a　deprecating　gesture。　

〃I　can　assure　you；　Mr　Kettering；〃　he　said　earnestly；　〃that　it　is　with　the　utmost　unwillingness　that　I　came　here　with　this　message。〃　

〃That's　all　right；〃　said　Kettering。　〃Don't　distress　yourself；　it's　not　your　fault。　Now　then　…　I　asked　you　a　question；　will　you　answer　it？〃　

Knighton　also　rose。　He　spoke　more　reluctantly　than　before。　

〃In　the　event　of　your　refusing　this　proposition；〃　he　said；　〃Mr　Van　Aldin　wished　me　to　tell　you　in　plain　words　that　he　proposes　to　break　you。　Just　that。〃　

Kettering　raised　his　eyebrows；　but　he　retained　his　light；　amused　manner。　

〃Well；　well！〃　he　said；　〃I　suppose　he　can　do　it。　I　certainly　should　not　be　able　to　put　up　much　of　a　fight　against　America's　man　of　millions。　A　hundred　thousand！　If　you　are　going　to　bribe　a　man　there　is　nothing　like　doing　it　thoroughly。　Supposing　I　were　to　tell　you　that　for　two　hundred　thousand　I'd　do　what　he　wanted；　what　then？〃　

〃I　would　take　your　message　back　to　Mr　Van　Aldin；〃　said　Knighton　unemotionally。　〃Is　that　your　answer？〃　

〃No；〃　said　Derek；　〃funnily　enough　it　is　not。　You　can　go　back　to　my　father…in…law　and　tell　him　to　take　himself　and　his　bribes　to　hell。　Is　that　clear？〃　

〃Perfectly；〃　said　Knighton。　He　got　up；　hesitated；　and　then　flushed。　〃I　…　you　will　allow　me　to　say；　Mr　Kettering；　that　I　am　glad　you　have　answered　as　you　have。〃　

Derek　did　not　reply。　When　the　other　had　left　the　room　he　remained　for　a　minute　or　two　lost　in　thought。　A　curious　smile　came　to　his　lips。　

〃And　that　is　that；〃　he　said　softly。　

Chapter　10　

ON　THE　BLUE　TRAIN

〃Dad！〃　

Mrs　Kettering　started　violently。　Her　nerves　were　not　pletely　under　control　this　morning。　Very　perfectly　dressed　in　a　long　mink　coat　and　a　little　hat　of　Chinese　lacquer　red；　she　had　been　walking　along　the　crowded　platform　of　Victoria　deep　in　thought；　and　her　father's　sudden　appearance　and　hearty　greeting　had　an　unlooked…for　effect　upon　her。　

〃Why；　Ruth；　how　you　jumped！〃　

〃I　didn't　expect　to　see　you；　I　suppose；　Dad。　You　said　good…bye　to　me　last　night　and　said　you　had　a　conference　this　morning。〃　

〃So　I　have；〃　said　Van　Aldin；　〃but　you　are　more　to　me　than　any　number　of　darned　conferences。　I　came　to　take　a　last　look　at　you；　since　I　am　not　going　to　see　you　for　some　time。〃　

〃That　is　very　sweet　of　you；　Dad。　I　wish　you　were　ing　too。〃　

〃What　would　you　say　if　I　did？〃　

The　remark　was　merely　a　joking　one。　He　was　surprised　to　see　the　quick　colour　flame　in　Ruth's　cheeks。　For　a　moment　he　almost　thought　he　saw　dismay　flash　out　of　her　eyes。　

She　laughed　uncertainly　and　nervously。　

〃Just　for　a　moment　I　really　thought　you　meant　it；〃　she　said。　

〃Would　you　have　been　pleased？〃　

〃Of　course。〃　She　spoke　with　exaggerated　emphasis。　

〃Well；〃　said　Van　Aldin；　〃that's　good。〃　

〃It　isn't　really　for　very　long；　Dad；〃　continued　Ruth；　〃you　know；　you　are　ing　out　next　month。〃　

〃Ah！〃　said　Van　Aldin　unemotionally；　〃sometimes　I　guess　I　will　go　to　one　of　these　smug　guys　in　Harley　Street　and　have　him　tell　me　that　I　need　sunshine　and　change　of　air　right　away。〃　

〃Don't　be　so　lazy；〃　cried　Ruth；　〃next　month　is　ever　so　much　nicer　than　this　month　out　there。　You　have　got　all　sorts　of　things。　You　can't　possibly　leave　just　now。〃　

〃Well；　that's　so；　I　suppose；〃　said　Van　Aldin　with　a　sigh。　〃You　had　better　be　getting　on　board　this　train　of　yours；　Ruth。　Which　is　your　seat？〃　

Ruth　Kettering　looked　vaguely　up　at　the　train。　At　the　door　of　one　of　the　Pullman　cars　a　thin；　tall　woman　dressed　in　black　was　standing　…　Ruth　Kettering's　maid。　She　drew　aside　as　her　mistress　came　up　to　her。　

〃I　have　put　your　dressing…case　under　your　seat；　Madam；　in　case　you　should　need　it。　Shall　I　take　the　rugs；　or　will　you　require　one？〃　

〃No；　no；　I　shan't　want　one。　Better　go　and　find　your　own　seat　now；　Mason。〃　

〃Yes；　Madam。〃　

The　maid　departed。　

Van　Aldin　entered　the　Pullman　car　with　Ruth。　She　found　her　seat；　and　Van　Aldin　deposited　various　papers　and　magazines　on　the　table　in　front　of　her。　The　seat　opposite　to　her　was　already　taken；　and　the　American　gave　a　cursory　glance　at　its　occupant。　He　had　a　fleeting　impression　of　attractive　grey　eyes　and　a　neat　travelling　costume。　He　indulged　in　a　little　more　desultory　conversation　with　Ruth；　the　kind　of　talk　peculiar　to　those　seeing　other　people　off　by　train。　

Presently；　as　whistles　blew；　he　glanced　at　his　watch。　

〃I　had　best　be　clearing　out　of　here。　Good…bye。　Don't　worry；　I　will　attend　to　things。〃　

〃Oh；　father！〃　

He　turned　back　sharply。　There　had　been　something　in　Ruth's　voice；　something　so　entirely　foreign　to　her　usual　manner；　that　he　was　startled。　It　was　almost　a　cry　of　despair。　She　had　made　an　impulsive　movement　towards