CHAPTER X.
[_The Statement of the Second Detective_, _Ludovic Tiler_.]
I travelled via Ostend, Brussels and Strasburg, and was due at Baslefrom that side at 4.35 A.M. My instructions were to look outfor Falfani there, and thought I might do so if our train was fairlypunctual, as it was. We were "on time," and the answer to my firstquestion was that the Lucerne express was still at the platform, buton the point of departure.
I got one glimpse of Falfani and one word with him. He was in troublehimself; they had nipped him, caught him tight, and thrown him off thescent. I was now to take up the running.
"You've got your chance now, Ludovic," he said hurriedly, as he leanedout of the carriage window. "I'm not jealous, as you often are, butit's deuced hard on me. Anyhow, stick to her like wax, and keep youreyes skinned. She's got the wiles of the devil, and will sell you likea dog if you don't mind. Hurry now; you'll pick her up in thewaiting-room or restaurant, and can't miss her."
He gave me the description, and I left him, promising him a wire atthe telegraph office, Lucerne. He was right, there was no mistakingher. Few people were about at that time in the morning, and there wasnot a soul among the plain-headed, commonplace Swiss folk to comparewith her, an English lady with her belongings.
She was quite a beauty, tall, straight, lissom, in her tight-fittingulster; her piquante-looking heather cap perched on chestnut curls,and setting off as handsome a face as I have ever seen. And I haveseen and admired many, for I don't deny that I've a strong penchantfor pretty women, and this was the pick of the basket. It was rather abore to be put on to her in the way of business; but why should I notget a little pleasure out of it if I could? I need not bedisagreeable; it might help matters and pass the time pleasantly, evenif in the end I might have to show my teeth.
I saw her looking me over as I walked into the waiting-room,curiously, critically, and for a moment I fancied she guessed who Iwas. Had she seen me talking to Falfani?
If so--if she thought me one of her persecutors--she would hardly lookupon me without repugnance, yet I almost believed it was all the otherway. I had an idea that she did not altogether dislike me, that shewas pleased with my personal appearance. Why not? I had had mysuccesses in my time, and may say, although it sounds conceited, thatI had won the approval of other ladies quite as high-toned. By and byit might be my unpleasant duty to be disagreeable. In the meantime itwould be amusing, enjoyable, to make friends.
So far I had still to ascertain the direction in which she was bound.She had taken her ticket. That might be safely inferred, for she wasin the waiting-room with her porter and her bags, ready to pass outupon the platform as soon as the doors were opened. (Everyone knowsthat the idiotic and uncomfortable practice still prevails inSwitzerland of shutting passengers off from the train till the verylast moment.)
This waiting-room served for many lines, and I could only waitpatiently to enter the particular train for which she would besummoned. When at length an official unlocked the door and announcedthe train for Biel, Neuchatel, Lausanne, and Brieg, she got up to takeher seat, and I had no longer any doubt as to the direction of herjourney. So as I saw her go, I slipped back to the ticket-office andtook my place all the way to Brieg, the furthest point on the line.This was obviously my best and safest plan, as I should then be readyfor anything that happened. I could get out anywhere, wherever shedid, in fact. After getting my ticket I found time to telegraph toFalfani at Lucerne, giving him my latest news, and then proceeded tothe train.
I found the lady easily enough, and got into the same carriage withher. It was one of those on the Swiss plan, with many compartmentsopening into one another _en suite_. Although the seat I chose was ata discreet distance, I was able to keep her in view.
I was wondering whether it would be possible for me to break the iceand make her acquaintance, when luck served me better than I dared tohope. One of the Swiss guards of the train, a surly, overbearingbrute, like so many others of his class, accosted her rudely, and fromhis gestures was evidently taking her to task as to the number andsize of her parcels in the net above. He began to shift them, and,despite her indignant protests in imperfect German, threw some of themon the floor.
This was my opportunity. I hurried to the rescue, and, being fluent inGerman as in several other languages--it is part of my stock intrade--I sharply reproved the guard and called him an unmannerly boorfor his cowardly treatment of an unprotected lady. My reward was asweet smile, and I felt encouraged to hazard a few words in reply toher cordial thanks. She responded quickly, readily, and I thought Imight improve the occasion by politely inquiring if I could be of anyfurther service to her.
"Perhaps you can tell me, you see I am strange on this line," sheanswered with a perfectly innocent air, "do you happen to know at whattime we are due at Lausanne?"
"Not to the minute," I replied. "I have a railway guide in my bag,shall I fetch it?"
"No, no, I should not like to give you so much trouble."
"But it will be no trouble. Let me fetch my bag."
I went off in perfect good faith, anxious to oblige so charming alady. I had not the slightest suspicion that she was playing with me.Silly ass that I was, I failed to detect the warning that dropped fromher own lips.
When I got back with the Bradshaw I came upon them for just one momentunawares. The maid must have been making some remarks displeasing tomy lady, who was answering her with much asperity.
"I know what I am doing, Philpotts. Be so good as to leave it to me.It is the only way."
Then she caught sight of me as I stood before her, and her mannerinstantly changed. She addressed me very sweetly and with the utmostcomposure. "Oh, how very good of you, I feel quite ashamed of myself."
"Why should you? It is delightful to be of use to you. Lausanne Ithink you said?" I asked casually as I turned over the pages of theguide. "You are going to Lausanne?"
"No, Vevey to Montreux. I only wanted to know whether there would betime for _dejeuner_ at Lausanne. I think there is no dining-car onthis train?"
"No, it is on the next, which is extraordinarily bad mismanagement.It is a slow train the next, and we are a special express. But youwill have a clear half-hour to spare at Lausanne. That will be enough,I presume? Lausanne at 12 noon, and we go on at half-past."
"You, too, are going beyond Lausanne?"
"Possibly, I am not quite sure. It depends upon my meeting friendssomewhere on the lake, either there or further on. If they come onboard we shall run on to Brieg so as to drop over the Alps to LakeMaggiore by the Simplon route."
I threw this out carelessly but with deliberate intention, and theshot told. A crimson flush came over her face and her hands trembledviolently. I had not the smallest doubt that this was her plan also.She was bound to cross over into Italy, that we knew, or our employersfirmly believed it, and as she had been driven off the St. Gothard byFalfani she had now doubled back by Switzerland to make the journey toBrieg and across the mountains by road.
I had scored as I thought, but I forgot that in gaining the knowledgeI had betrayed my own intentions, and put her upon her guard. I was topay for this.
"Oh, really," she said quietly and with polite interest, havingentirely recovered her composure. "I dare say a very pleasant drive.How long does it take, have you any idea, and how do you travel?"
"It is about nine hours by diligence," I said, consulting theBradshaw, "and the fare is forty francs, but by private carriage orextra post a good deal more."
"May I look?" and I handed her the book, "although I never couldunderstand Bradshaw," she added pleasantly.
"I shall be very pleased to explain if you are in doubt," I suggested;but she declined laughingly, saying it would amuse her to puzzle outthings, so I left her the book and composed myself into a corner whilethe train rattled on. I mused and dozed and dreamily watched herpretty face admiringly, as she pored over the pages of the Guide,little thinking she was perfecting a plan for my undoing.
The first sto
p was at Biel or Bienne, its French name, and there was ahalt of ten minutes or more. I made my way to the telegraph office inthe station, where to my great satisfaction I found a message fromFalfani, informing me that he should make the best of his way toBrieg, unless I could suggest something better.
The answer I despatched at once to Goeschenen was worded as follows:"Declares she is going to Montreux only. Believe untrue. Still thinkher destination Brieg. Come on there anyhow and await further from me.May be necessary to join forces." We were in accord, Falfani and I,and in communication.
I was well satisfied with what we were doing, and on receiving thesecond and third telegrams at Neuchatel and Yverdun I was all the morepleased. At last we were nearing Lausanne, and I looked across to mylady to prepare her for getting out. I had no need to attract herattention, for I caught her eyes fixed on me and believe she waswatching me furtively. The smile that came upon her lips was sopleasant and sweet that it might have overjoyed a more conceited manthan myself.
"Are we near then? Delightful! I never was so hungry in my life," andthe smile expanded into a gay laugh as she rose to her feet and wasready to leave the carriage.
"I'm afraid you will have to wait, Philpotts, we cannot leave that,"she pointed to the child nestling sound asleep by her side. "But Iwill send or bring you something. This gentleman will perhaps escortme to the refreshment-room."
I agreed, of course, and saying, "Only too charmed," I led the way--along way, for the restaurant is at the far end of the platform. Atlast we sat down _tete-a-tete_ and prepared to do full justice to themeal. Strange to say, despite her anticipations, she proved to havevery little appetite.
"I must have waited too long," she said, as she trifled with a cutlet."I shall perhaps like something else better," and she went carefullythrough the whole _menu_, so that the time slipped away, and we werewithin five minutes of departure.
"And poor dear Philpotts, I had quite forgotten her. Come and help mechoose," and in duty bound I gallantly carried the food back to thetrain.
I walked ahead briskly, and making my way to the places where we hadleft the maid and child, jumped in.
They were gone, the two of them. Everything was gone, rugs, bags,belongings, people. The seats were empty, and as the compartment wasquite empty, too, no one could tell me when they had left or wherethey had gone.
I turned quickly round to my companion, who was, I thought, followingclose at my heels, and found to my utter amazement that she also haddisappeared.