Chronicles of the Secret Service by Alexander Wilson Page B

had ever seen in a human face; another, of medium height, had a sallow face like Karen’s, the chief feature of which was a broken nose; the third was as nondescript, and of similar build to the second, with large teeth protruding from a loose mouth,giving him the appearance of wearing a perpetual grin. The fourth was perhaps the most striking. There was not a vestige of hair on his head, his face was dead white, and he had large fish-like, unblinking eyes. These might have been redeemed by eyelashes or brows but, as he had neither, his appearance was startling. He was as tall as the bearded man, but extremely thin, with long arms and talon-like hands. Altogether he was a repulsive object.
    Karen touched the tramp on the shoulder. The latter leered up at him; then blinked foolishly as he caught sight of the four newcomers. Apparently he had not previously been aware of their presence.
    ‘S’truth!’ he muttered, ‘wha’s all thish? Whereish the beau’y chorush c’m from?’
    The Russian smiled. Anstruther and Sonia, watching anxiously, had no reason to think that he bore the little man anything but the friendliest feelings. In fact, there was something almost affectionate in the smile.
    ‘You would like the drink – yes?’ he inquired.
    ‘Drink?’ echoed the tramp in the eager tone of a dying man in a desert sighting an oasis. ‘Mishter, you’ll shave m’life ’f you gimme drink.’
    ‘Good. After, we will resume the game.’ He turned to the bearded man, spoke rapidly in Russian; looked back at the tramp. ‘Go wi’ heem, my frien’. He will give you all the drink you want.’
    The little man struggled to his feet; patted Karen on the arm with drunken affection.
    ‘You’re pal tha’s wha’ yerrar – a pal,’ he pronounced.
    The Russian smiled again.
    ‘I like you also,’ he confessed. ‘Nevaire have I meet any mancan play the Noughts and Crosses like you. You play so well drunk, how great mus’ you be not drunk!’
    ‘Drunk! Who shays I’m drunk?’ He paused, looked Karen in the face, and nodded solemnly. ‘Tha’s it,’ he agreed. ‘Knew some’ing was’h wrong. You’re ri’, pal, abs’lu’ly ri’ – I’m drunk.’
    He followed the bearded man from the room, chuckling hoarsely, as though at some great joke. Directly the door had closed behind him and his companion, Karen drew up a chair, and sat down. He subjected Anstruther and Sonia to a long, insolent look, and now there was no mistaking the evil in his eyes.
    ‘Look here,’ protested Tony angrily. ‘What is the meaning of this? Who are these men? Am I to understand you intend keeping us here against our wills?’
    ‘Oh! So many questions you ask,’ returned Karen. ‘Sit down at the table, and we will talk – yes?’
    ‘I’ll be damned if I will,’ came violently from the young Englishman. ‘Miss Hardinge and I are leaving at once, and you will attempt to stop us at your peril.’
    ‘How fierce that is!’ he laughed, and made a remark in his own language to his followers, which seemed to cause them much amusement. ‘Well,’ he went on to the two who realised now they were, to all intents and purposes, his prisoners, ‘if you will not sit, you will stand. It makes no matter to me. The men wit’ me are my frien’s. I bring them to show you you will be mooch foolish to try run away. The leetle man I sent out of the room, because it is not wise he should hear what I say. It is true he is drunk; he also likes not the rich peoples, but he is English, and I do not take the risks. I like heem mooch, because he, the same as me, have the passion for the Noughts and Crossesgame. Now listen, Monsieur, and you also, Madame. Tonight you will not go to the home. There is one leetle service from you I want. Two, three days maybe you are free. No harm is intended to you, if you are behave.’
    ‘This is outrageous,’ broke out Anstruther. ‘You can’t keep us here, do you understand?’ He turned to Sonia. ‘Come on, dear.