A Cabinet Secret : Chapter 8

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Chapter eight of A Cabinet Secret by Guy Boothby this
LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Reading by Maperard,
Chapter eight. As the Brone sped on its way through
the almost deserted streets, I sat and wondered as to
what it could have been that had induced Rotherhithe to

(00:23):
send such an urgent message to me that something serious
had happened. I had not the least doubt, for the
Duke was a self reliant man and at no time
given to the display of emotion. Taking the letter from
my pocket again, I endeavored to read it by the
light of the lamps we passed, but it was impossible.

(00:44):
The fear that underlay everything was that Count Conrad had
returned to town, had met Rotherhithe, and that there had
been trouble between them. After we had been driving for
something like five minutes, a most curious thing happened. I
was trying to make out an object in the street
through which we were passing, when suddenly I found myself

(01:07):
in total darkness. Putting my hand up to the right
hand window to see what had occasioned it, I found
that a sheet of iron had interposed itself between me
and the glass. The same thing had happened in front
and on the opposite side, though how it had been
arranged I could not, for the life of me discover.

(01:29):
Then I tried the doors, but the handles refused to turn.
I felt that I was trapped, indeed, and to make
matters worse, a villainous smell of gas was fast taking
possession of the carriage. I shouted for assistance with all
the strength of my lungs, but no help came. I
tried to force the panels of the carriage, but it

(01:51):
was a useless endeavor. Still, the sickening smell of gas increased,
until I felt that unless I could get into the
pressure air without delay, I should be suffocated. As a
matter of fact, my senses were already leaving me. Was
this how Waller and Castellan had died? I asked myself

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for in my own heart, I felt that my last
hour had come scarcely conscious of what I was doing,
I believe. I stood up and struggled with the door,
but with as little success as before then, I fell
back upon the cushions and became oblivious to everything. How
long I remained in this condition, I cannot say I

(02:35):
only know that my next waking thought was the realization
of a spasm of acute pain. It was as if
every muscle of my body were being drawn by red
hot pincers. My brain whirred as though to rattle of
a thousand pieces of machinery, while an indescribable nausea held

(02:56):
me in its grip. I could not have lifted my
head or have opened my eyes, had my life depended
upon my doing so. For what seemed an interminable time,
I lay like this, totally unconscious of my surroundings, and
indeed of everything else save my agony. After a time, however,

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my senses began to return to me, and I was
able to reduce my thoughts to something like order. At first,
I had no recollection of what had transpired since I
had left home, But little by little it all came
back to me. I recalled the letter I had received
from Rotherhith, and the haste with which I had complied

(03:38):
with these summons it contained. I remembered the drive through
the lamp lit streets, the sudden darkness that had descended
upon me, the overpowering smell of gas, and the sensation
which I could compare to nothing save that of approaching death,
which I had experienced when I fell back upon this street.

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At last I opened my eyes and looked about me.
Had I found myself in a vault, I doubt whether
I should have been more surprised, as it was. My
astonishment was the greater at finding myself in a comfortable bedroom,
not very large, it is true, but cheerful to an
eminent degree. The furniture was useful, but not luxurious. It

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consisted of a wash hand stand, a chest of drawers,
a toilet, table, two chairs, and the bed upon which
I was lying. There were also two pictures, I remember,
one of German origin and colors, representing the sale of
Joseph to the Ishmaelites, and the other as a print

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of Exeter Cathedral, in which the facade of that fine
building was entirely out of the drawing. There was a
fireplace but no fender, a skylight but no other window.
A strip of Dutch matting covered the floor on the
left hand side of the bed d And when I
have recorded that fact, I think I have given you

(05:04):
a description of everything in the room as for myself.
When I had taken these things in, I closed my
eyes and tried to rest the clang and were still
echoed in my brain, And when I endeavored to lift
my head, I discovered that I was as weak as
a baby. Though I tried hard to arrive at an

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understanding of the situation, the attempt was far from being
a successful one. That I was the victim of that
same mysterious power which I had abducted Walder Pastelen and
the commander in chief. I had not the least doubt.
But if they had taken me off, where was I now?
And what were they going to do with me? Was

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I to be retained as a perpetual prisoner or were
they only keeping me until a good opportunity presented itself
for doing away with me. Either. Theory, as I think
you will agree, was of a nature calculated to render
me sufficiently uncomfortable. After a time, I must have fallen

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asleep again, for I remember opening my eyes and feeling
much stronger than when I first woke. What was more,
I was also conscious of a decided sensation of hunger.
From the waning light in my room. I gathered that
the day was far advanced, and I groaned aloud as
I thought of the trouble my absence must be causing

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my friends, it seemed to me. I could hear the
cries of the newsboys in the streets as they shouted
disappearance of another cabinet minister, Sir George Mandeville missing. I
could picture the anxiety of my own household, and Rotherhithe's
anger when he discovered as discover he certainly would the

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use that had been made of his name. Then, an
overwhelming desire to find out something concerning my whereabouts took
possession of me, and I rose from the bed upon
which I had hitherto been lying. As I did so,
a handful of money fell from my pocket. Instinctively, I
felt for my watch. It was still in its accustomed place.

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It was certain, therefore, that robbery had no part in
the business. With tottering steps, I approached the door, only
to find, as I expected, that it was locked. I
looked at the skylight above my head and reflected that
by placing a chair on the chest of drawers, it
might be possible to reach it. In my present weak state, however,

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such a feat was out of the question. Even this
brief inspection of my surroundings taxed my strength severely, and
I accordingly once more laid myself down to rest. I
had one source of comfort, however, captive though I was,
I should at least be able to solve a problem

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which the great world had given up as hopeless. In
other words, I should be able to fathom the mystery
that surrounded the disappearance of General Waller, of the Colonial
Secretary and also the Commander in Chief. I should know
something of the members of that power which had, for
so long a time passed been exercising its malignant influence

(08:23):
upon England. The unfortunate part of it was that when
I had obtained the knowledge, it would be of no
use to me. All this time, the feeling of hunger
to which I have already alluded was gradually growing stronger.
Imprisonment was bad enough in its way, but imprisonment combined
with starvation was intolerable. Enable at last to bear it

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any longer, I rose from my bed and beat upon
the door with my fists in the hope of attracting attention.
Loud However, as was the noise I made, it elicited
no response. The house might have been deserted. For all
the answer I received. I beat upon the panels again,
and again, continuing my efforts until I was exhausted. Still

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no attention rewarded me. At last, tired out by my efforts,
I had returned to my bed and sat down upon it.
I had scarcely done so before the sound of footsteps
and the corridor on the other side of the door
reached my ears. A key was placed in the lock
and turned, the door opened, and a man entered the room.

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It would be difficult for me to express the surprise
I felt at seeing him. You will be in a
position to realize something of my feelings when I say
that the man before me was no less a person
than the impoverished music master I had seen appealing to
the Countess de Vanazza in the park, and whom I
had offered to help. That I was not deceived. I

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was quite certain I should have known him anywhere by
reason of his extraordinary dark eyes and hair. Good evening, Monsieur,
he said in French, with an assurance that showed me
he was aware of my familiarity with that language. What
may I have the pleasure of doing for you? His
calm insolence surprised me. I had expected rough treatment, possibly abuse,

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to be a prisoner, and yet to be treated with
such elaborate politeness was not at all what I had
pictured for my portion. I desire to be set at
liberty at once, I replied, with as much firmness as
I could muster up. If you have had a hand
in this business, which it seems only right to suppose,

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let me inform you that it is likely to prove
an expensive amusement for you. What treatment you may afterwards
receive at my hands will be estimated by the expedition
you show in releasing me. I sincerely trust Monsieur that
no violence has been used towards you, he said. The

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instructions were merely to bring you here with as little
inconvenience to yourself as possible. You may rest assured that
if those instructions have not been complied with, the offenders
will be punished. In the meantime, Perhaps it is possible
that I can be of some service to you. You
can provide me with food, I answered angrily. And since

(11:24):
my watch has stopped, perhaps you will be good enough
to tell me the time. I will do so with pleasure,
he said. If Monsieur will permit me, I will arrange
that dinner shall be served at once at the same time,
I will inform him as to the state of the clock.
Having said this, he bowed and left me. Ten minutes

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or so later, I again caught the sound of footsteps
in the corridor. The key was turned in the lock,
and the door opened. This time he carried in his
hand a tray upon which were set out the very
necessaries for a meal. He laid the table in silence,
and then again withdrew. When next he returned, he brought
with him a number of covered dishes, and what was more,

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an ice bucket, in which stood a bottle of champagne.
I trust Monsieur will find everything to his satisfaction, he said,
as he removed the covers. If the cooking is not
exactly what Monsieur has a right to expect, perhaps he
will remember the inconveniences under which we are laboring. Should

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he need anything further, there is a bell which Monsieur
has not noticed, beside the fireplace, and the summons will
be instantly obeyed. But my good fellow, I cried, this
sort of thing is all very well in its way,
you know. But if Monsieur will take my advice, he
will dine before his food gets cold. The man replied,

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the kitchen is in the basement. The viands have therefore
been already some time upon the road. I saw that
it was useless to argue or to attempt to extract
any information from him. I accordingly allowed him to bow
himself out without further words. When he had gone and
the door had been locked behind him, I approached the

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table and lifted the covers. On the first dish was
a pheasant roasted to a nicety. The potato chips were
exquisitely crisp, the breadcrumbs just what they should be. It
is very evident that they do not intend to stove me.
I said to myself, as I drew up my chair.
If ever I get out of this mess, what a

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tale I shall have to tell Last night the guest
of the Countess de Benette's at Wiltshire House, to night,
the guest of well, of whom can it be possible
that this is the headquarters of a secret society, and
that my unfortunate friends are concealed in it? This shouldn't
have afforded me food for reflection, but strangely enough, it

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did not interfere with my enjoyment of the meal. I
could not remember ever to have tasted so delicious a bird.
Never before had I drunk champagne with such a keen
appreciation of its delicacy. When at last I put down
my knife and fork, I was a different man, and
was able to look my affairs in the face with

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a greater amount of equanimity than I had yet felt.
By this time, night was drawing in, and very soon
it would be dark. I accordingly rang my bell in
order that the table might be cleared. The summons was
answered with a sufficient promptness to suggest the idea that
the man who had brought the meal to me had
been waiting outside. I trust his dinner has been to

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Messieur's satisfaction, he said, as he placed the various articles
upon the tray. Upon that score, I have no fault
to find, I replied, And now perhaps you will be
kind kind enough to let me have a little talk
with you. It will give me the greatest pleasure to
talk with Monsieur, provided he does not touch upon forbidden subjects.

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He answered. Should he do that, my lips will be
immediately sealed. I have yet to find out what those
forbidden subjects are, I said, affecting a coolness I was
far from feeling. I presume you mean with regard to
my detention here exactly, he replied. It is with regard

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to the reason for the detention of Monsieur that I
am unable to speak with him. I know how I
got here, I returned. What I want to know is
who brought me and what is to be done with me?
He only shook his head. My lips are sealed. I
must beg that Monsieur will put no further questions to

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me upon this matter. Seeing that it was useless to
do so, I complied with his request, contenting myself by
asking him if it would be possible to procure me
a lamp and a book. He replied to the effect
that it would give him the greatest pleasure, and once
more lucked the room, as usual, taking care to lock

(16:14):
the door behind him. Presently, he returned, carrying a lamp
in one hand and in the other half a dozen books,
which he placed upon the table. I fear our stock
of literature is not extensive, he said, doubtless. However, Monsieur
will find something here to interest him. Should he require
anything further, perhaps he will ring the bell. Our desire,

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as I said before, is to do all that we
can to insure Monsieur's comfort, but not his happiness, I replied,
otherwise he would scarcely be here once more. I must
remind Monsieur that we are treading upon dangerous ground, he said,
without another word. He bade me good night, and left

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me to derive what amusement and instruction I could from
the collection of books he had placed upon the table.
They were, in truth, a motley assortment comprising two volumes
of sermons by a divine who had flourished at the
commencement of the century, a book of poems by a
lady of whom I had never heard, Caesar's commentaries in

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the original, and the second volume of Pride and Prejudice,
with the label of a seaside circulating library upon the cover.
I chose the last named for preference, and, not having
read it before, and knowing nothing of what had taken
place in the previous chapters, endeavored to interest myself in it.
The result, however, scarcely justified the labor. Heaven forbid that

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I should be little a work that has given pleasure
to so many thousands. But that night I was not
only unable to derive any satisfaction from it, but found
that it produced the feeling that might almost be described
as one of prolonged bewilderment. After a time I exchanged
it for one of the volumes of sermons, only to
be equally bemused. The worthy divine style was, if I

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may so express it, of the bigoted yet argumentative order.
Never before had my own spiritual outlook appeared so ominous.
I could plainly see that I had nothing to hope
for in my present or future state. Almost in fear,
I closed the book and placed it with its fellows.
Then I rose from my seat and crossed to the

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door and examined it. It was as securely fastened as before.
Not a sound reached me from the other portions of
the house. So quiet, indeed was it, that, had I
not had evidence to the contrary, I could have believed
myself its sole occupant. Having convinced myself that I was
not likely to be disturbed, and making as little noise

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as possible, I placed one of the chairs upon the
chest of drawers. By standing upon the latter, I found
that I was just able to reach the skylight. I
tried to open it, but a few attempts were sufficient
to show me that it had been made secure from
the outside, doubtless in preparation for my coming. So far, therefore,

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as that exit was concerned, my escape was hopeless. Bitterly disappointed,
I descended from my perch and pushed the table back
to its original position in the corner. It looked as
if I were destined to remain a prisoner. In a
very dejected state of mind, I threw myself upon the bed,
and it is not to be wondered at if my

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dreams that night were of a disturbed and depressing condition.
Punctual to the stroke of eight o'clock, my jailer entered
the room, bringing with him the various articles necessary for
my toilet. In case Monsieur would like to see what
the world thinks of his disappearance, said the man, with
his usual politeness. I have brought copies of several of

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the morning papers. Monsieur will see that it has caused
quite a sensation in England. He said this with such
respect and civility that had a stranger who was not
aware of the real state of the case been present,
he would have found it difficult to believe that the
man was in any way concerned in the affair. I
am inclined to think that an experience such as mine

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has never befallen another man. Here I was in captivity,
if not in the heart of London at any rate,
in one of her suburbs. Setting down to peruse in
cold blood a newspaper account of my own abduction. The
first I picked up recorded the fact that I had
been present at a dinner at Wiltshire House on the

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previous evening, and that I had returned to my own
abode afterwards. My servant Williams, had given evidence as to
the receipt of a note by me which purported to
have been written by the Duke of Rotherhithe. In it,
the latter asked me to come to him at once,
His grace sent one of his carriage, Williams remarked in conclusion,

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and when my master got into it, that was the
last I saw of him. Then came rather High's vehement
declaration that the letter was a petery, and his most
positive assertion, corroborated by his head coachman, that not one
of his horses or carriages had left the stables after
his return from Wilcher House. The fact therefore remains, said

(21:27):
the writer at the termination of his article, that the
disappearance of Sir George Manderville must be relegated to that
catalog of inexplicable crimes to which so many of our
foremost men have fallen victims of late The reports in
the other papers were, for the most part couched in
similar language. As soon as I was dressed, my breakfast

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was brought to me, But while I had no fault
to find with the cooking, I scarcely touched it. I
was turning over in my mind a scheme for making
my escape, which had suddenly curt me, and which I
could not help thinking possessed a considerable chance of being successful.
What was to prevent my springing upon my jailer when

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he next entered the room, overpowering him, and then rushing out.
Even if I did not succeed in getting away from
the house, I might at least be able to attract
the attention of people in the street, and thus be
able to induce them to communicate with the authorities. The
idea seemed feasible enough, but I had not only to

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remember that my keeper was a muscular fellow but that
he would be fighting for what he knew to be
a desperate cause. So far as strength went, however, I
felt convinced I was his equal. Besides, I should have
the advantage of taking him off his guard, which would
be many points in my favor. At any rate, I
was prepared to try. The settled. The next thing to

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be decided was when would be the best time to
put the plan into to execution. Should I make the
attempt when he returned to take away my breakfast things,
or at midday when he brought my lunch to do
so at night? Would I know be useless, since there
would not be so many passers by. And if the

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windows were dark, and I had every reason to suppose
they would be, I would stand but little chance at
being seen, and the razandetre of the whole affair would
be gone. At last, on the principle that there is
no time like the present, I determined to strike while
the iron was hot, and to tackle him when he
next entered the room. I made my plans accordingly. In

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order to reach the table at the further end of
the room, it would be necessary for him to go
round at the foot of the bed. It was while
he was there, that the attempt must be made. Having
got him down, I would endeavor to take the key
from him and reach the door before he could sound
the alarm or get upon his feet again. After that,

(24:01):
I must act as circumstances dictated. On this occasion he
was somewhat more dilatory than usual. At last, however, I
heard his footsteps in the corridor outside. Then the key
was inserted in the lock, and a moment later he
had entered the room. Having closed the door behind him,
he passed round the bed on his way to the table.

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My heart, by this time was beating so furiously that
it seemed impossible that he could fail to hear it.
I had been careful to observe in which pocket he
placed his key, for he knew that upon my finding
that all my hopes depended, an hour seemed to have
elapsed before he was bending over the table, engaged in

(24:44):
collecting the various articles upon it. On this particular occasion,
he was in a somewhat more taciturn mood than usual,
a fact for which I was not altogether sorry. Perhaps,
he addressed me, my nervousness must surely have aroused his suspicions.
At last the moment for action arrived, and I rose

(25:04):
from my seat upon the bed. I had scarcely taken
a step forward, however, before he turned and, divining my intentions,
prepared to receive me. This was more than I had
bargained for. But I had gone too far to turn back.
He muttered something in Italian which I did not catch.
Then I was upon him, had caught him by the throat,

(25:26):
and the struggle had commenced. As a youngster, I had
won some little notoriety among my companions. As a wrestler,
the tricks I had learnt then stood me in good stead.
Now the man, as I have said, was muscular and heavy,
but I soon found that I was quite his match.
We rocked to and fro turned over a chair, and

(25:46):
on several occasions came perilously near the table. So tight
was my grip upon his throat, that though he made
two or three attempts, it was impossible for him to
give the alarm. How it was that the noise we
made did not attract the attention of the other inmates
of the house. I am at a loss to understand.
Little by little I began to get the upper hand

(26:09):
of him. Then, putting forth all my strength, and bringing
into play a certain trick that had been an especial
favorite in younger days, I threw him heavily backwards the
roof was a complete success, and so violent was the fall,
and with such force did his head strike the floor
that he lay insensible. As soon as I had recovered

(26:31):
my own equilibrium, I knelt beside him and searched his
pocket for the key. Having obtained it, I went to
the door, unlocked it, and got into the passage outside.
One glance was sufficient to show me that the house
was of the typical suburban pattern, reception rooms on the
ground floor, bedrooms on the next, and servants quarters under

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the roof. My room was at the top of the house,
and probably had once been a housemaid's apartment. Once in
the corridor, I paused to lock the door, thus making
my cap door doubly secure, after which I made my
way towards a door at the further end of the
passage to find it locked. I tried another, with the

(27:12):
same result, after which only one remained. Turning the handle
of this I entered to discover that the window of
the room looked over the back upon a long strip
of garden, at the end of which were some high
trees limes, if I remember correctly, escape from the house
by this room was plainly impossible. There was nothing for it, therefore,

(27:36):
but for me to descend the stairs and try my
fortune elsewhere. If the rest of my jailers were not
aware that the man who waited upon me was prisoner
in my room, it was within the bounds of possibility,
I argued that they might mistake my step for his. Accordingly,
I wasted no time, but descended the stairs, keeping a

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sharp look out over the banisters. As I did so.
I had reached the next floor in safety, and was
preparing to descend to that below when the sound of
a door being closed in the basement caused me to hesitate.
It was followed by a man's laugh, and a moment later,
some one whom I could not see, began to ascend
the stairs. In another second he would have turned the

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corner and have seen me. I can assure you it
was one of the most anxious moments of my life.
To go on was impossible to go back. More dangerous still,
I had only two seconds grace in which to act.
But which door should I choose, having selected that immediately
opposite me, I softly turned the handle and entered the

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room to make a discovery which for a moment deprived
me not only of the power of locomotion, but even
of thought. My readers will appreciate this when I say that,
standing beside the fireplace with one elbow resting on the
mantelpiece and a cigarette between his lips was no less
a perse then Conrad Riefenberg whild seated in a comfortable chair,

(29:04):
her dainty feet resting on the brass fender. Before her
was his cousin, the Countess de Vanazza. So you have
managed to escape from your room, have you, said Conrad,
with the utmost coolness and without any apparent surprise. I
wonder how you did that? You here, I said, addressing

(29:26):
the Countess and disregarding him altogether. What on earth does
this mean? Have I gone mad? She was quite equal
to the emergency. There was not a tremor in her
voice when she replied, not at all, mad, my dear
sir George. It simply means that you have to thank
me for saving you from a terrible death. Quite by chance,

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I became aware that there was an anarchist plot in
preparation against yourself and certain other members of your government.
To have revealed my knowledge to the authorities would have
been to implicate several of my dear but misguided friends,
while to have appealed to them for mercy would have
been as useless as it would have been dangerous. I

(30:10):
therefore took what I deemed the next best course and
removed you out of the reach of harm. Can this
be true? I asked, for the whole thing seemed too
wildly improbable. You surely would not doubt the Countess's word,
Conrad put in. I paid no attention to him, however,

(30:31):
But there was a plot against me. Why did you
not warn me? I continued, I could have then taken
steps to ensure my own safety. Impossible, she replied, you
would have communicated with the police at once. No, the
only thing was to act as we did, and I think,
since you are still alive, that you have every reason

(30:52):
to be thankful that we adopted such prompt measures. I
remembered the precautions that had been taken to prevent my
leaving the brougham, and the peculiar smell of gas which
had caused me to lose consciousness. No, I felt convinced
in my own mind that the story the Countess had
told me was pure fiction, that is to say, so

(31:14):
far as any desire went to save me from harm. However,
I was wise enough to control myself and to appear
to credit her assertion. And now that the danger is over,
when shall I be at liberty to go into the
world again? I asked to Night, your freedom shall be
restored to you? She answered, I have every reason to

(31:35):
suppose that you will be quite safe. Now this was
agreeable news, indeed, if only I might credit it. But
by this time my suspicions were so thoroughly aroused that
I did not feel inclined to trust anybody. What was
I to do? I had no desire to return to
my prison. Yet if I ran to the window, there

(31:57):
was still a long strip of garden between the house
and the street, and it was likely that my cries,
even supposing I were permitted to get so far, would
not be heard by the passers by. I had already
noticed that Conrad's hand was in his coat pocket, and
my imagination told me what that pocket contained. Then the

(32:17):
sound of some one descending the stairs reached my ears,
and next moment my jailer burst furiously into the room.
His relief at seeing me was evident, but he seemed
quite unable to understand how it was that he found
us conversing so quietly together. He looked from one to
the other of us as if for an explanation. I

(32:39):
have put the situation before Sir George, said the Countess.
And I have also told him that the danger is
over now, and that to night he will be at
liberty to go where he pleases. And for the present,
what is to become of me? I inquired, before the
man could say anything. We shall be delighted if you
will give us the pleasure of your company, said the Countess.

(33:03):
Forgive me for not having asked you to sit down before,
having by this time made up my mind as how
I should play my part. I did as she suggested,
and for the rest of the morning remained in the room,
conversing with her on a hundred different subjects, at acting
for all the world, as if our meeting had been
of the most casual description. At one o'clock luncheon was served,

(33:26):
and we sat down to it, still on as friendly
terms as ever as I had noticed, with regard to
the previous mills of which I had partaken in the house,
the cooking was perfect, the wines excellent, and the waiting
all that could be desired. On one point. By this
time my mind was quite made up. As soon as

(33:46):
I escaped from captivity, I would open rother Hyde's eyes
as to the true character of his fiancee. One thing,
I must confess, puzzled me considerably. I could not understand why,
if I had been at such pains to secure me,
they should be willing to liberate me so soon. I
was destined to be better informed on this point. However,

(34:09):
before very long, during the progress of the meal, the
Countess chatted with me as pleasantly as if we were
sitting in her dining room at Wiltshire House. It was significant, however,
that Rother Hyge's name was never once mentioned. When the
meal was at an end, she gave us permission to smoke,
and accordingly, after our coffee had been handed to us,

(34:32):
Conrad proffered me his cigarette case. How was I to
know that the coffee had been drugged, and that within
a quarter of an hour of my drinking it, I
should be lying fast asleep in my chair beyond all
knowledge of my surroundings. The Countess had scored another trick

(34:53):
end of chapter eight,