CHAPTER V
THE LURE
That Ruxton Farlow was a creature of destiny rather than a man whowrought only through the force of his own self-guidance wasextraordinarily apparent. The purpose of his life filled his wholebeing. It was all of him, a dim light in the mist and fog of thefuture, ever encouraging onwards, yet yielding to him no vision of thepath by which it might be the more easily reached. It was his lot toflounder on, frequently stumbling and yawning as the conformation andobscurities of the road compelled, but every step, every stumble, everybruise and buffet, added to the sum of progress achieved and pointedthe unyielding nature which inspired his set purpose of reaching thatray of light beyond.
The coming into his life of the woman who called herself Vita Vladimirwas an incident in his progress of far greater significance that evenhe had dreamed. Whither it inclined his footsteps he knew not. All heknew was that, almost in a moment, she had become definitely linked upwith his future through a bond, the meaning of which even he had nofull understanding of. All he knew was that she had some great bearingupon the ultimate, and that it was his desire to follow blindly thetrack she had opened up before him.
Nor had he any delusion as to his desire. There was not the smallestdoubt but that her attraction had influenced his decision. He hadlistened to her words with a brain inspired by the warmth of themanhood within him, which her extraordinary beauty had stirred as ithad never been stirred before.
It was in answer to this feeling that he left Yorkshire at the earliestopportunity, and hastened back to town. He merely gave himself time tochange and hold a brief consultation with his secretary. Then he setout in search of the rather obscure little flat in Kensington.
His mind was perfectly clear as to the object of this visit. Just as heperfectly understood that even without that object it would have beenhis desire to make it. He wished to give this woman an answer to herrequest. He wished to fathom the manner by which she had learned of hispromotion. And, apart from these things, he desired ardently to see heragain. The recollection of that moonlit figure was a sharp negative onthe photographic plates of memory, and he was anxious to study theoriginal in the full light of day. Her undoubted beauty, and theromance of their first meeting, had left behind them an irresistibleattraction; nor had he any desire to resist it.
His position in the world as the only son and partner of the greatestamong the ship-owners of Britain, his political career, and hisposition as under-secretary in the Foreign Office of the late Ministry,had brought him into contact with the social world of London. But,hitherto, women had had small enough place in his life. Thehunting-field and the coverts, with golf and rowing, had entirelyclaimed his leisure, which would have been considered something verylike wasted had it been spent in Society's drawing-rooms. He was a big,strong, outdoor man, and possessed a great deal of that curiousdiffidence which is more apt to attack men of his bulk than those oflesser stature.
All these things had served to make him difficult as a prize worthstriving for in the matrimonial market, and, doubtless, he had beenthus saved to the work which he believed lay before him. He had neverbeen a man of marked celibate tendencies. It was simply the fact thatthe sex question had always been dominated by the simple, hard-working,outdoor life he lived. Those who knew him had always taken a delight inprophesying that one day some woman would get hold of him, he would getit badly, and it would be a thousand to one chance she would be thewrong woman, and he would make a complete mess of things.
Now as he sat, filling to overflowing a small drawing-room chair, inVita Vladimir's flat in Kensington, listening to the musical tones ofthe wonderful Polish beauty facing him on a wholly inefficient windowseat, with his dark eyes, shining and intent, fixed upon her mobilefeatures, it looked as though at least one part of his friends'prophecy was within measurable distance of being fulfilled.
The woman was talking rapidly, and the light and shade of emotionpassing over her expressive face were quite irresistible.
"Your coming was more than I dared to hope," she said. "And yet--I knewyou would. I mean underneath my fears. You know I feel I ought to tellyou so many things that I have purposely hidden, and yet I know itwould be a mistake to do so until--I have shown you all that which Ipromised. It makes me feel mean. It makes me feel almost as if I werenot acting honestly. And yet I know I am. But I think I can tell youone thing which may astonish you. Our meeting on the cliffs was theresult of nearly two months' preparation and consideration. It was evenin the nature of a plot, in which I was to be the instrument ofcommunication. Furthermore it took me nearly two weeks of waiting andwatching before I could decide that the right moment had arrived. Yousee, so secretly had we to move that I dared not chance a thing. Therisk for all concerned was so great. Mr. Farlow, will you believe mewhen I say that yours is not the only life at stake in this adventure?Even now I dare not give you the details. You must still take me ontrust, as you were kind enough to do--that night."
Ruxton nodded soberly, though his eyes were feasting upon the woman'ssuperlative beauty as she reclined against the window casing in an allunconscious pose of considerable grace.
"I think I understand better than you imagine since I have seen--Mr.Charles Smith and his invention."
The woman's deeply-fringed grey eyes were widely alert.
"You have--associated us?"
"Veevee, London."
The woman nodded. There was no attempt at denial.
"I see," she said, and the grey eyes became interestedly speculative.
Ruxton glanced about him. He was swiftly taking in the details of theplainly furnished, extremely modern little drawing-room. It was thepreliminary to the next step in this strange adventure. He saw abouthim no single suggestion of the personality of the woman who claimed itas her home. It might have belonged to anybody, from a superiorbusiness woman, who used it as a nightly refuge from the cares andworries of a commercial life, to a foreign visitor to London, desiringa convenient headquarters. It was to his mind a typical "furnishedflat" as designated in the house agent's catalogue.
His eyes came back to the woman herself, and a deep, restrainedadmiration grew in their depths.
All that he had believed of her in the deceptive moonlight was morethan confirmed in the warm light of day. He had no thought for hercostume. In his man's way he realized a perfect harmony between thatand the wonderful face and head that adorned it. He was aware only ofthe deep sleepy grey eyes so exquisitely fringed. The smooth,delicately tinted cheeks, and the mouth so ripe and full of thesuggestion of youth. Above all was that wonderful glory of red-goldhair massed on the head with all the art of the hair-dresser, whichtransformed it into a crown which any queen might well have envied.
"I want to say something that may sound rough, even brutal," Ruxtonsaid abruptly after the prolonged pause. "But then there are times inlife when the suaveness of diplomatic methods becomes whollymisplaced--even an insult to the person towards whom they are directed.You will permit me to assure you that what I have to say is the outcomeof the interest you have roused in me by all you have confided." Hepaused again thoughtfully. He was endeavoring to shut out of his mindthe picture of the woman's personality which made what he was about tosay seem so harsh and unnecessary. He nerved himself for the effort andproceeded.
"Let me say at once, that against all my--what shall I say--bettersense? That will do. Against all my better sense I accepted andbelieved your story to me on the cliffs. Had I acted as my senseprompted I should have thrust it aside and ignored it, regarding youmerely as one of my country's enemies, seeking, for some inexplicablereason, to leave me at the mercy of your confederates.
"However, for once instinct served me well. I committed no suchinjustice. Then on my return home I discovered a link, as I thought,between you and another matter which has since proved to be ofconsiderable importance. I refer to Veevee, London. That link you donot deny. The combination suggests more fully the importance and_truth_ of what you told me."
"The comb
ination of the two things was part of the--preparation."
Vita Vladimir smiled. Her smile was like a sunbeam of early morning,and Ruxton was compelled to respond.
"That is how I now supposed. You must forgive me for what else I haveto say. The natural result of a mind left groping is the dominance ofimagination. 'Fact' is the only thing which can pin imagination down.At the present moment I am lacking in facts. I have only been told, andso my imagination has been turned loose. The result has been one or twothings which I am going to put to you, and you can answer them or not.But my future action will be undoubtedly governed by your attitude.First, then, this is not your actual home. Second, your name is notVita Vladimir. Third, you were kind enough to send me congratulation onmy promotion to Cabinet rank when only the Prime Minister, and his mostintimate colleagues, were aware of it. Even the ubiquitous press hadfailed to steal the information."
Ruxton's challenge came as it was intended to come, shortly, sharply,even with a suggestion of brutality in it. He had outraged his ownfeelings in doing so. He knew in his heart he had no doubt of thiswonderful creature, but his mind, that simple, keen, straightforwardorgan, trained in the hypocritical world of diplomacy, dictated itswill upon him. He had been asked to believe something very like afairy-tale, and the lips which had formulated the request were the mostperfect it had ever been his lot to behold. However, the dictates ofhis heart, the warm young manhood in him were still subservient to thetrained mind. The day might come when rebellion would overthrow suchsway, but, for the moment, it held.
The woman took no umbrage. There was a quickening of the rise and fallof her beautifully rounded bosom, but that was the only sign of emotionpermitted to escape her.
"Your observation is--quick," she said, with a slightly heightenedcolor. "And what if these things are--true? Are they so verysignificant?"
Ruxton shrugged. Something of the warmth had passed out of his eyes.But he displayed not the smallest impatience.
Then the woman smiled. Her smile grew into a deep musical laugh.
"I am foolish. I am not clever enough for the work entrusted to me,"she cried, spreading out her hands in a deprecating manner. "Here am Istriving to win your perfect confidence by methods which might wellcharacterize the most absurdly cumbersome and blundering child. I amdeputed to urge you to an enterprise that entails risks--untold; maybeI am striving to send you to your--death. And this work is vital to theworld, and, more than all, to your country. We are both striving in thecause of humanity, partners bound by no other tie, and yet in myendeavor I am raising doubt in your mind. Doubt of me, doubt of mypurpose, even doubt of my honor. That is so like a woman--isn't it?"
The smile which the self-denunciation raised upon the man's face nolonger lacked warmth.
"The clever knave is rarely at a loss for explanation," he said drily."The lack of explanation often carries conviction."
The woman's slumberous eyes only smiled the more deeply.
"I have explanations for all these things, and I would give them," shesaid promptly. "And those explanations might astonish you--a little.But at present I have only admission to make, which may have adisastrous effect upon my hopes. This is not my home. It is only a sortof--office. My name is not Vita Vladimir, except in part. And as for mywire to you, the moment the personnel of the new Cabinet was decidedupon by Sir Meeston Harborough and his colleagues, the news wasconveyed by the usual underground methods--abroad. That is all."
"And you are in touch with--abroad?"
"It is quite simple," the woman went on, with a shrug. "No politicalmovement, no movement of any significance goes on here but it is knownin foreign official circles even before the press get it here. Rememberthe war. My father, who is interested in this matter I am engaged upon,is in touch with those official circles, and so I received the newswithin a few hours of the time Sir Meeston knew it himself."
The interest of this woman was very great. Its influence was growing onthe man even more quickly than he knew. Her ready admission, herobviously true explanation of how she received the news which inspiredher message of congratulation, these things had immediate effect. To alesser mind than that of this youthful statesman, these things mightwell have inspired added doubt, but to Ruxton they told him all hewanted to know with definite assurance. He was convinced of herabsolute sincerity, as he was convinced of--other things.
The woman was waiting anxiously for the attitude which was to followher explanations. Her anxiety did not display itself in her eyes, whichwere as calm as though matters of vital importance were beyond even herappreciation. Nevertheless, her blood was tingling with an apprehensionwhich left the silence which had fallen almost insupportable.
But Ruxton was thinking swiftly. For the moment all thought of thewoman herself had been brushed aside. He was gazing at that dim mistylight ahead, which was his goal, and he seemed to see the shadowyobstacles looming up which perhaps meant a life and death struggle intheir surmounting. There was no pathway to the right or left. He mustgo on. It was the only road, a dangerous, deadly road, and it was theroad this woman had offered him. He had probed deeply, far deeper thanhad seemed possible at first, and his probing had helped him to hisdecision.
He rose from his seat and stood towering and large in that small room.The sleepy eyes of the woman were raised expectantly to his face, and,deep down in their depths, a light of admiration, which had only hismanhood for its object, was growing with each passing moment. She toorose from her seat at the window, and they stood facing each otherperfect in their splendid youth.
"Well?"
The woman could no longer restrain her impatience. Her interrogationbroke from her almost unconsciously.
"I came here to--accept your invitation to visit that--to see thosethings first hand, which is the duty of our country's politicalleaders," he said, with a smile which thrilled the expectant woman.
"And you will--accept?"
Ruxton nodded. His fine head, with its fair hair, was inclined inacquiescence.
"Thank God!"
The woman's exclamation was one of unrestrained thankfulness andrelief. Had Ruxton needed any added proof of her honesty and sincerity,it was in that wonderful expression of fervid thankfulness whichaccompanied her words. But he had needed none, and it was the result ofa coalition of heart and brain.
"I shall communicate with your father and appoint a time when I canstart with him--on his submersible."
The woman's eyes were wide.
"My father!" she exclaimed.
"Surely--Mr. Charles Smith."
The laugh which followed Ruxton's announcement was full of delightedadmiration.
"And we took so much trouble. We planned so carefully. We came to youbecause we believed you to be the only man approachable on such asubject. We did not realize we were approaching an intellect capable offathoming and turning inside out our closely kept secrets."
"Intellect?" Ruxton laughed as he held out his hand in "good-bye." "Itis not necessarily intellect which recognizes strong family likenesses.But I regret to say that your father, brilliant as he may be as aninventor, does not do you justice in the matter of his personalappearance. However, I shall send him a message addressed Veevee,London, which you will doubtless see, and I pray that Providence maybless our feeble efforts. From all I can imagine the immediate futurewill contain many uncertainties for me, so I do not know if we shallever meet again. But I want to tell you that I thank you from thebottom of my heart for coming to me. If things are as bad as you think,then you have done our country an inestimable service--you and yourfather."
But his words had a different effect from that which might have beenexpected. A shudder of pain seemed suddenly to affect the woman and agreat distress shadowed her beautiful eyes.
"Please don't," she cried. "If you knew all that is in here," she wenton, pressing her hands upon her bosom, "you would understand all thisthing means. Mr. Farlow, you have never felt terror as a woman can feelit. How could you? You, a man, so big, and strong, a
nd fearless. Evenyour imagination, riot as it may, could never know the haunt which thesinking of the _Lusitania_ has created in my woman's mind. Those poorhelpless souls. Think of them, and think of some future, distant daywhen---- Oh, God! No, no! The service you speak of is no service. Itis--Duty."
Ruxton was deeply affected by the evident sincerity of her distress. Hehad nothing to add. But Vita Vladimir brushed her moment of weaknessaside, and gazed up at him with luminous, searching eyes.
"I had almost forgotten," she cried. "I am afraid I am but a poorplotter. The delight that you have accepted has put so much out of mypoor brain." Then her eyes grew wide with awe and dread. "I told youthat other lives than yours hang upon this matter. So--it is necessaryfor inviolable secrecy. Need you tell even your--father of your going?Need any one know? Your servants? Any one at all? It is a big thing toask, but--life is very dear to us all, and---- No, no, what am Italking about? I must not beg. I must demand. For as sure as the sunrises to-morrow you will be silenced forever if word of this leaks out.We shall all be."
The woman's manner was far more impressive than her words. But Ruxtontreated the matter almost lightly.
"Don't worry. I have given my promise to go. I am wilfully thrusting myneck into the noose waiting for it. I shall not take unnecessarychances. No one, not even my father, shall hear of this thing from me.So--good-bye until I return from--Germany."
Vita's relief found expression in a grave sort of smile.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "But--but you are not going to--Germany."