Vicky Van

  CHAPTER II

  MR. SOMERS

  It was nearly midnight when Steele came, and with him was a man I hadnever seen before, and whom I assumed to be the Mr. Somers I had heardabout.

  And it was. As Steele entered, he cast his eye around for Vicky, andsaw her at the bridge table down at the end of the room. Her back wastoward us, and she was so absorbed in the game she did not look round,if, indeed, she heard the noise of their arrival.

  The two men stopped near the group I was with and Steele introducedMr. Somers.

  A little curiously I looked at him, and saw a large, self-satisfiedlooking man wearing an expansive smile and expensive apparel. Clothesthe very best procurable, jewelry just inside the limits of goodtaste--he bore himself like a gentleman, yet there was an unmistakableair of ostentatious wealth that repelled me. A second look made methink Mr. Somers had dined either late or twice, but his greetingswere courteous and genial and his manner sociable, if a littlepatronizing. He seemed a stranger to all present, and his eye rovedabout for the charming hostess Steele had told him of.

  "We'll reach Miss Van Allen presently." Steele laughed, in answer tothe glance, "if, indeed, we dare interrupt her game. Let's makeprogress slowly."

  "No hurry," returned Somers, affably, beaming on Cassie Weldon andmeeting Ariadne Gale's receptive smile. "I'm anchored here for themoment. Miss Weldon? Ah, yes, I've heard you sing. Voice like alark--like a lark."

  Clearly, Somers was not much of a purveyor of small talk. I sized himup for a lumbering oldster, who wanted to be playful but didn't quiteknow how.

  He had rather an austere face, yet there was a gleam in his eye thatbelied the austerity. His cheeks were fat and red, his nose prominent,and he was clean shaven, save for a thick white mustache, that droopedslightly on either side of a full-lipped mouth. His hair was white,his eyes dark and deep-set, and he could easily be called a handsomeman. He was surely fifty, and perhaps more. Had it not been for acertain effusiveness in his speech, I could have liked him, but heseemed to me to lack sincerity.

  However, I am not one to judge harshly or hastily, and I met him halfway, and even helped him in his efforts at gay affability.

  "You've never been here before?" I asked; "Good old Steele to bringyou to-night."

  "No, never before," and he glanced around appreciatively, "but Ishall, I hope, come often. Charming little nest; charming ladies!" abow included those nearest.

  "Yes, indeed," babbled Ariadne, "fair women and brave men."

  "Brave, yes," agreed Somers, "to dare the glances of such bright eyes.I must protect my heart!" He clasped his fat hands pretty near wherehis heart was situated, and grinned with delight as Ariadne also"protected" her heart.

  "Ah," he cried, "two hearts in danger! I feel sure we shall befriends, if only because misery loves company."

  "Is it really misery with you?" and Ariadne's sympathy was soevidently profound, that Cassie Weldon and I walked away.

  "I'll give Ariad her innings," said the vivacious Miss Weldon, "andI'll make up to the Somers kid later. Where'd Vicky pick him up?"

  "She doesn't know him at all. Norman Steele brought him unbeknownst."

  "No! Why, Vick doesn't allow that sort of thing."

  "So I'm told. Any way, Steele did it."

  "Well, Vicky's such a good-natured darling, maybe she won't mind foronce. She won't, if she likes the little stranger. He's well-meaning,at any rate."

  "So's Ariadne. From her smile, I think she well means to sell him herlatest 'Autumn In The Adirondacks,' or 'Lady With A Handbag'."

  "Now, don't be mean!" but Cassie laughed. "And I don't blame her ifshe does. Poor Ad paints above the heads of the public, so if this isa high-up Publican, she'd better make sales while the sun shines."

  "What's her work like?"

  "You can see more of it in this house than anywhere else. Vicky is sofond of Ariadne and so sorry her pictures don't sell better, that shebuys a lot herself."

  "Does Miss Gale know Miss Van Allen does it out of--"

  "Don't say charity! No, they're really good stuff, and Vicky buys 'emfor Christmas gifts and bridge prizes."

  "Does she ever play for prizes? I thought she liked a bit of a stake,now."

  "Yes, at evening parties. But, often we have a dove game of anafternoon, with prizes and pink tea. Vicky Van isn't a gay doll, youknow. She's--sometimes, she's positively domestic. I wish she had anice husband and some little kiddies."

  "Why hasn't she?"

  "Give it up. She's never seen any man she loved, I s'pose."

  "Perhaps she'll love this Somers person."

  "Heaven forbid! Nothing less than a crown prince would suit Vicky Van.Look, she's turning to meet him. Won't he be bowled over!"

  I turned, and though there were several people between us, I caught aglimpse of Somers' face as he was presented to Miss Van Allen. He wasbowled over. His eyes beamed with admiration and he bowed low as heraised to his lips the dainty, bejeweled hand.

  Vicky, apparently, did not welcome this old-time greeting, and shedrew away her hand, saying, "not allowed. Naughty man! Express propercompunction, or you can't sit next me at supper!"

  "Forgive me," begged Somers. "I'm sorry! I'll never do itagain--until after I sit next you at supper!"

  "More brains than I thought," I said to Cassie, who nodded, and thenVicky Van rose from her chair.

  "Take my place for a moment, Mr. Somers," she said, standing beforehim. "I--" she dropped her eyes adorably, "I must see about thearrangement of seats at the supper table." With a merry laugh, she ranfrom the room, and through the long hall to the dining-room.

  Somers dropped into her vacant chair, and continued the Bridge gamewith the air of one who knows how to play.

  In less than five minutes Vicky was back. "No, keep the hand," shesaid, as he rose. "I've played long enough. And supper will be readyshortly."

  "Finish the rubber,--I insist" Somers returned, and as he determinedlystood behind the chair, Vicky, perforce, sat down.

  He continued to stand behind her chair, watching her play. Vicky wastoo sure of her game to be rattled at his close scrutiny, but itseemed to me her shoulders shrugged a little impatiently, as hecriticized or commended her plays.

  She had thrown a light scarf of gauze or tulle around when she was outof the room, and being the same color as her gown, it made her seemmore than ever like an houri. She smiled up into Somers' face, andthen, coyly, her long lashes fell on her pink cheeks. Evidently, shehad concluded to bewitch the newcomer, and she was making good.

  I drew nearer, principally because I liked to look at her. She was alive wire to-night! She looked roguish, and she made most brilliantplays, tossing down her cards with gay little gestures, and doingtrick shuffles with her twinkling fingers.

  "You could have had that last trick, if you'd played for it," Somerssaid, as the rubber finished.

  "I know it," Vicky conceded. "I saw, just too late, that I was gettingthe lead into the wrong hand."

  "Well, don't ever do that again," he said, lightly, "never again."

  As he said the last word, he laid his finger tips on her shoulder. Itwas the veriest touch, the shoulder was swathed in the transparenttulle, but still, it roused Vicky. She glanced up at him, and I lookedat him, too. But Somers was not in flirtatious mood. He said, "I begyour pardon," in most correct fashion. Had he then, touched herinadvertently? It didn't seem so, but his speech assured it.

  Vicky jumped up from the table, and ignoring Somers, ran out to thehall, saying something about looking after the surprise for thesupper. To my surprise, Somers followed her, not hastily, but ratherdeliberately, and, quelling an absurd impulse to go, too, I turned toNorman Steele, who stood near.

  "Who's this Somers?" I asked him, rather abruptly. "Is he all right?"

  "You bet," said Steele, smiling. "He's a top-notcher."

  "In what respects?"

  "Every and all."

  "You've known him long?"

  "Yes. I tell you Cal, he's a
ll right. Forget it. What's the surprisefor supper? Do you know?"

  "Of course not. It wouldn't be a surprise if we all knew of it."

  "Well, Vicky's surprises are always great fun. Why the grouch, oldman? Can't you chirrup?"

  "Oh, I'm all right," and I felt annoyed that he read in my face that Iwas put out. But I didn't like the looks of Somers, and I couldn't sayso to the man who had brought him there.

  "Oh, please! Oh, _please!_" shouted a hoarse, strange voice, and onescarcely to be heard above the hum of gay voices and peals of gaylaughter, "oh, _somebody_, please!"

  I looked across the room, and in the wide hall doorway stood a man,who was quite evidently a waiter. He was white-faced and staring-eyed,and he fairly hung on to a portiere for support, as he repeated hisagonized plea.

  "What is it?" said Mrs. Reeves, as everybody else stared at the man."What do you want?" She stepped toward him, and we all turned to look.

  "Not you--no, Madame. Some man, please--some doctor. Is there onehere?"

  "Some of the servants ill?" asked Mrs. Reeves, kindly. "Doctor Remson,will you come?"

  The pleasant-faced capable-looking woman paused only until DoctorRemson joined her, and the two went into the hall, the waiterfollowing slowly.

  In a moment I heard a shriek, a wild scream. Partly curiosity andpartly a foreboding of harm to Vicky Van, made me rush forward.

  Mrs. Reeves had screamed, and I ran the length of the hall to thedining room. There I saw Somers on the floor, and Remson bending overhim.

  "He's killed! He's stabbed!" cried Mrs. Reeves, clutching at my armas I reached her. "Oh, what shall we do?"

  She stood just in the dining-room doorway, which was at the end of thelong hall, as in most city houses. The room was but dimly lighted, thetable candles not yet burning.

  "Keep the people back!" I shouted, as those in the living-room pressedout into the hall. "Steele, keep those girls back!"

  There was an awful commotion. The men urged the women back, butcuriosity and horror made them surge forward in irresistible force.

  "Shut the door," whispered Remson. "This man is dead. It's an awfulsituation. Shut that door!"

  Somehow, I managed to get the door closed between the dining-room andhall. On the inside were Remson, Mrs. Reeves, who wouldn't budge, andmyself. Outside in the hall was a crowd of hysterical women andfrightened men.

  "Are you sure?" I asked, in a low voice, going nearer to the doctorand looking at Somers' fast-glazing eyes.

  "Sure. He was stabbed straight to the heart with--see--a small, sharpknife."

  Her hands over her eyes, but peering through her fingers, Mrs. Reevesdrew near. "Not really," she moaned. "Oh, not really dead! Can't we doanything for him?"

  "No," said Remson, rising to his feet, from his kneeling position."He's dead, I tell you. Who did it?"

  "That waiter--" I began, and then stopped. Looking in from a dooropposite the hall door, probably one that led to a butler's pantry orkitchen, were half a dozen white-faced waiters.

  "Come in here," said Remson; "not all of you. Which is chief?"

  "I am, sir," and a head waiter came into the room. "What hashappened?"

  "A man has been killed," said the doctor, shortly. "Who are you? Whoare you all? House servants?"

  "No sir," said the chief. "We're caterer's men. From Fraschini's. I'mLuigi. We are here to serve supper."

  "What do you know of this?"

  "Nothing, sir," and the Italian looked truthful, though scared.

  "Haven't you been in and out of the dining-room all evening?"

  "Yes, sir. Setting the table, and such. But now it's all ready, and Iwas waiting Miss Van Allen's word to serve it."

  "Where is Miss Van Allen?" I broke in.

  "I--I don't know, sir," Luigi hesitated, and Doctor Remsoninterrupted.

  "We mustn't ask these questions, Mr. Calhoun. We must call thepolice."

  "The police!" cried Mrs. Reeves, "oh no! no! don't do that."

  "It is my duty," said the doctor, firmly. "And no one must enter orleave this room until an officer arrives. You waiters, stay there inthat pantry. Close those doors to the other room, Mr. Calhoun,please. Mrs. Reeves, I'm sorry, but I must ask you to stay here--"

  "I won't do it!" declared the lady. "You're not an officer of the law.I'll stay in the house, but not in this room."

  She stalked out into the hall, and Doctor Remson went at once to thetelephone and called up headquarters.

  The guests in the living room, hearing this, flew into a panic.

  Of course, it was no longer possible, nor, as I could see, desirableto keep them in ignorance of what had happened.

  After calling the police, Doctor Remson returned to his post justinside the dining-room door. He answered questions patiently, atfirst, but after being nearly driven crazy by the frantic women, hesaid, sharply, "You may all do just as you like. I've no authorityhere, except that the ethics of my profession dictate. That does notextend to jurisdiction over the guests present. But I advise you as amatter of common decency to stay here until this affair isinvestigated."

  But they didn't. Many of them hastily gathered up their wraps and wentout of the house as quickly as possible.

  Cassie Weldon came to me in her distress.

  "I must go, Mr. Calhoun," she said. "Don't you think I may? Why, itwould interfere greatly with my work to have it known that I was mixedup in a--"

  "You're not mixed up in it, Miss Weldon." I began to speak a littlesternly, but the look in her eyes aroused my sympathy. "Well, go on,"I said, "I suppose you will testify if called on. Everybody knowswhere to find you."

  "Yes," she said, slowly, "but I hope I won't be called on. Why, itmight spoil my whole career."

  She slipped out of the door, in the wake of some other departingguests. After all, I thought, it couldn't matter much. Few, if any, ofthem were implicated, and they could all be found at their homes.

  And yet, I had a vague idea that we ought all to stay.

  "I shall remain and face the music," I heard Mrs. Reeves saying."Where _is_ Vicky? Do you suppose she knows about this? I'm going upin the music room to see if she's there. You know, with all theexcitement down here, those upstairs may know nothing of it."

  "I shall remain, too" said Ariadne Gale. "Why should anyone kill Mr.Somers? Did the caterer's people do it? What an awful thing! Will itbe in the papers?"

  "_Will_ it!" said Garrison, who was standing near. "Reporters may behere any minute. Must be here as soon as the police come. Where isMiss Van Allen?"

  "I don't know," and Ariadne began to cry.

  "Stop that," said Mrs. Reeves, gruffly, but not unkindly. "Stay if youwant to, Ariadne, but behave like a sensible woman, not a sillyschoolgirl. This is an awful tragedy, of some sort."

  "What do you mean, of some sort?" asked Miss Gale.

  "I mean we don't know what revelations are yet to come. Where's NormanSteele? Where's the man who brought this Somers here?"

  Sure enough, where was Steele? I had forgotten all about him. And itwas he who had introduced Somers to the Van Allen house, and no oneelse present, so far as I knew, was previously acquainted with the mannow lying dead the other side of that closed door.

  I looked over the people who had stayed. Only a handful--perhaps halfa dozen.

  And then I wondered if I'd better go home myself. Not for my own sake,in any way; indeed, I preferred to remain, but I thought of Aunt Lucyand Win. Ought I to bring on them any shadow of trouble or opprobriumthat might result from my presence in that house at that time? Wouldit not be better to go while I could do so? For, once the police tookcharge, I knew I should be called on to testify in public. And even asI debated with myself, the police arrived.