SOCIETY 
 
 CECIL RALEIGH
 
 Of. 
 
 7-s-
 
 THE 
 
 SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 BY 
 CECIL RALEIGH AND HENRY HAMILTON 
 
 G. W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY 
 
 PUBLISHERS NEW YORK
 
 IN RECOLLECTION 
 
 OF 
 
 MANY PLEASANT YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP, 
 
 AND MANY ANXIOUS HOURS OF WORK, 
 
 THIS STORY 
 
 is 
 DEDICATED 
 
 TO 
 ARTHUR COLLINS, 
 
 Managing Director of Drury Lane Theatre, 
 BY 
 
 THE AUTHOR 
 
 2137847
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 I. THE "BRIDGE" OF SIGHS . . % 
 
 II. SECURITY? . . . . 6ii 
 
 III. THE DESPERATE RACE . . 88; 
 
 IV. IN THE TOILS . . * ioi|j 
 V. DESPERATION! . . . . 125] 
 
 VI. FOR THE SIN OF ANOTHER . . 15 a 
 
 VII. THE FUGITIVE .... 11771 
 
 VIII. THE PRICE OF SILENCE . . 203 
 
 IX. "HASTE! To THE WEDDING?" . 232 
 
 X. "THE DARKEST HOUR ..." . 2635
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 THE "BRIDGE" OF SIGHS 
 
 LADY GWENDOLIN ASHLEY rose from 
 the table and walked slowly out of the great 
 Card Room at the Pontifex Club, knowing that 
 she had lost more than she could pay. 
 
 The crowd of smart players were far too intent 
 on their game to notice the pain and the panic 
 stamped on the child's face for she was little 
 more than a child, and a sweetly pretty child at 
 that. Fair, fresh, delicate, with deep pleading 
 eyes and a complexion like Sevres china, her 
 proper place on a glorious Summer afternoon was 
 a garden of roses certainly not a gilded, stifling
 
 io /THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 caravanserie solely devoted to the insane pursuit 
 of a silly and pernicious game. 
 
 The powdered footmen silently swung open the 
 heavy mahogany doors, and she passed out to the 
 head of the great staircase. Behind her came 
 the Hon. Mrs. Murgatroyd, glancing at her ivory 
 tablets and softly purring the words that fell like 
 
 the knell of doom on the ears of the frightened 
 girl. 
 
 "Two hundred yes that's it, isn't it, dear 
 exactly two hundred and thirty pounds?" 
 
 Gwendolin steadied herself against the bannis- 
 ter and began slowly to descend. 
 
 "Facilis descensus . . . ' 
 
 Why had she ever played ! 
 
 "Two hundred and thirty pounds . . . ' 
 
 "I don't know how I can pay it," the girl stam- 
 mered, "I don't know how I can ever pay 
 it!" 
 
 "I should have paid you, dear, if / had lost." 
 The thin lips of the Hon. Mrs. Murgatroyd came 
 together with a snap, and her watery gray eyes 
 glistened. 
 
 "O yes, yes, I know, of course," Gwendolin
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY n 
 
 protested quickly, "only only I assure you when 
 I sat down I never thought " 
 
 "That you wouldn't get up a winner? We 
 never do ; but people who can't pay, shouldn't play 
 at all." 
 
 "I never have before, and I never shall again!" 
 
 "Quite right, dear." 
 
 "And please please if I might ask, you won't 
 won't " 
 
 "Won't tell your sister, Lady Marion? I hope 
 I shan't have to." 
 
 "She'd be so angry. She's always forbidden 
 me to play." 
 
 "And now you've done it and lost. Well, it 
 is much better for you than winning. A burnt 
 child dreads the fire. You will remember." 
 
 "I shall indeed." 
 
 The girl reeled from the foot of the stairs, 
 towards the recessed Cosy Corner, at the end of 
 the long entrance Hall. 
 
 "You will remember, also," purred Mrs. Mur- 
 gatroyd, mincing after her, "that I shall expect 
 your check in the usual way by twelve o'clock to- 
 morrow. And I am sure I shall get it." The thin
 
 12 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 lips parted in a wintry smile. "It's the custom, 
 dear. You quite understand." 
 
 "O yes I I quite understand " 
 
 "I thought you would. Two hundred and thirty 
 pounds." 
 
 Trying to stifle a sob the child sank limply 
 and buried her face among the cushions of the 
 big sofa at her side. 
 
 The Hon. Mrs. Murgatroyd smiled acidly and 
 closing her tablets with a snap minced away to- 
 wards the tall glass doors which at the precise 
 moment flew open very suddenly and a small 
 tornado of jingling chatelaine and rustling silk, 
 cannoned on to her shoulder and nearly threw her 
 backwards. 
 
 "Lady Goldbury," she exclaimed "really " 
 
 "Awfully sorry. Trodden on your pet corn?" 
 
 "I have none. But in decent Society one is 
 unaccustomed to being hustled." 
 
 "Can't get along in these days, without hus- 
 tling!" The Tornado swept on its path. 
 
 "Indeed! I suppose that means we must ex- 
 pect from City Matrons City manners !" 
 
 Mrs. Murgatroyd was gone. The glass doors
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 13 
 
 closed on her Parthian dart. It stung. For 
 though Lady Goldbury was a bit of a character 
 and professed to be proud of it, she winced oc- 
 casionally when her decided commercial predilec- 
 tions were superciliously criticised by some sneer- 
 ing member of the Smart Set. Keen, clever and 
 energetic, the widow of a City Knight, she stuck 
 to the business of her late husband and conducted 
 it with more than the average man's ability. The 
 money that she made she spent, but never wasted. 
 The affectations of "Society" amused, but never 
 enslaved, her. She did not care for cards really, 
 but she deliberately lost enough at the Pontifex 
 to make her popular with people of good social 
 position who were pleasant company at dinner. 
 She knew their exact value, and she paid for it 
 fairly but not extravagantly. She understood the 
 Hon. Mrs. Murgatroyd thoroughly and she meant 
 precisely what she said when she furiously hurled 
 after her the one curt comment "Cat!" 
 
 Turning, she caught sight of Gwendolin, and 
 every outline of the pathetic little figure was elo- 
 quent of distress. In an instant she was at the 
 girl's side in an instant her quick eye caught the
 
 i 4 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 glisten of tears on the long drooping lashes. In 
 an instant her warm heart leaped with sympathy 
 and in an instant, she determined to know the 
 Truth. 
 
 She took the child's hand and stroked it gently. 
 "Lady Gwen," she said, "look at me, dear what 
 are you crying for?" 
 
 "N nothing," was the stammering reply. 
 
 "Twaddle !" came the quick retort.- "Girls cry 
 for the moon, but they don't cry for nothing. 
 Come now tell me the trouble can't I help?" 
 
 "Impossible!" 
 
 " 'Urn. Big word. Tell me and try." 
 
 Shame and fear caught the girl by the throat. 
 "I I can't," she gasped. 
 
 "Tut tut. Why not? You mayn't believe it, 
 but I was a girl too, once upon a time, and a very 
 silly girl at that. You can trust me." She slid 
 her arm tenderly around Lady Gwen's shoulder 
 and her voice softened. "Is it Love?" 
 
 "O no!" 
 
 The prompt and emphatic answer was so ob- 
 viously genuine that Lady Goldbury drew in her 
 breath sharply as her brows contracted and the
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY* 15, 
 
 t, 
 inevitable alternative dropped from her lips 
 
 "Money!" 
 
 The girl's head sank as she whispered very 
 faintly, "Yes." 
 
 A smile was struggling with the frown for 
 mastery on Lady Goldbury's keen cut face. "Well, 
 well," she said, "we all get into the same muddle 
 of course it's Frocks?" 
 
 She stopped. The child did not answer and 
 did not look up. 
 
 Lady Goldbury waited a moment and the 
 smile vanished. 
 
 "Not, Frocks?" 
 
 "N-no." 
 
 "Not not borrowed." 
 
 "O, indeed, no!" 
 
 "BRIDGE?" 
 
 Gwen sank back again among the cushions and 
 covered her face with her hands. "It is the first 
 time," she sobbed, "I give my word, the very first 
 time." 
 
 "And what did the 'first time' cost, eh? ... 
 *How much?" 
 
 "Two . . . two hundred and thirty pounds!"
 
 1 6 THE SINS OF SOCIETY. 
 
 "Two Christopher! To whom?" 
 
 "Mrs. Murgatroyd " 
 
 "Cat! And she looked as if she'd been eating 
 the canary ! What will your sister, Lady Marion, 
 do I mean think about this." 
 
 There was a pause. Lady Goldbury had floun- 
 dered on to delicate ground. She knew it. She 
 glanced at Gwen, wondering how much she knew. 
 Then she wondered how much there was to know, 
 and whether a young girl's foolish gamble was 
 going to precipitate a Family crisis, if not a Social 
 Scandal? 
 
 She knew, indeed, not being deaf she could not 
 help knowing, that people in the Pontifex Club 
 had begun to say that Marion was "a bad parter." 
 At first she had paid no particular heed because 
 women, even the smartest women, do not look on 
 card debts from the man's point of view. A Club 
 man regards a card debt as a debt of honor a 
 debt taking precedence far before such common 
 liabilities as those due to the tailor, the butcher 
 and the baker, for clothes, bread and meat, for 
 the actual necessaries of life. The Club man 
 places the card debt on the highest social plane
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 17 
 
 and on occasion deliberately pays for It with 
 his life when he finds that he can't pay it in 
 money. If the wine merchant whose liquor he 
 has drunk presses for the bill, he goes bank- 
 rupt without hesitation or regret. If he loses 
 money at Bridge and can't pay he cuts his 
 throat for very shame. 
 
 Women have no hallucinations on this point. 
 They never take card debts seriously. It is a 
 curious fact, but a fact it remains. Women 
 who gamble unsuccessfully are annoyed but never 
 embarrassed! If Lord A. has not paid his card 
 debts he is cut in Hyde Park. If Lady B. does 
 the same thing people go to her parties just the 
 same. 
 
 Moreover in mixed Clubs Clubs where both 
 sexes meet women as often as not lose their 
 money to men. Chivalry forbids that the 
 stronger sex should be exacting. An irregular 
 and unpunctual habit is consequently fostered, 
 and women, frequently young unmarried women, 
 go about under pecuniary obligations to the men 
 that they meet in Society every other afternoon. 
 A more demoralizing condition of things it is
 
 1 8 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 difficult to imagine, and it is needless to lay stress 
 on its occasional results. 
 
 As a rule when a thing is thoroughly bad 
 and everybody knows it, everybody says nothing. 
 But sometimes Society suddenly becomes as can- 
 did, as it is cynical. There had been "a little 
 trouble" over more than one member of the 
 Pontifex Club, and the Committee it was a 
 very "Smart" Committee had put its foot down. 
 So far, however, Lady Marion had escaped. 
 But the friends of those who had been compelled 
 to an abnormal morality complained. First one 
 whispered, then another talked out loud and so 
 the gossip ran. Lady Goldbury had heard it. 
 Marion was "a bad parter." She knew it. Now 
 she anxiously wondered why? Whatever may 
 have happened in the past, she entertained an 
 uncomfortable suspicion that Marion did not pay 
 her gambling debts because she couldn't not be- 
 cause she wouldn't. If she were suddenly called 
 on to find over two hundred pounds for her sis- 
 ter, the embarrassment might be serious. In 
 view of the present mood of the Committee the 
 consequences might be socially disastrous for
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY* i 9( 
 
 Gwen. This was a thing that Lady Goldbury 
 in the goodness of her heart was determined to 
 avoid. 
 
 "Come, come," she said, patting the girl's 
 hand, "Don't cry, Gwen people will notice it, 
 you don't want to advertise your bad luck. 
 Besides, you've only been doing what we all do 
 in this idiotic place, and it's frightened you. 
 Now I er don't like secrets but er if I 
 were you I wouldn't tell my sister for a day or 
 two." 
 
 "I must!" 
 
 "Why?" 
 
 "Because I must pay Mrs. Murgatroyd by 
 twelve to-morrow she said so, and so so sternly 
 and I haven't the money myself " 
 
 "Of course. But look here will you promise 
 me something?" 
 
 "Promise?" 
 
 "Yes. Promise me you will never play Bridge 
 again." 
 
 "I'll never touch a card again as long as I 
 live!" 
 
 "Hum. Park Lane's paved with good in-
 
 20 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 tendons. Swear off Bridge for a start." 
 
 "Indeed, yes!" 
 
 "That's right. And now just for a week or 
 two till your sister has a lucky day, or you find 
 a good opportunity for telling her er let me 
 be your Banker." 
 
 "Lady Goldbury " 
 
 "It's my trade, you know." 
 
 "I I can't " 
 
 "Twaddle!" 
 
 Lady Goldbury unclasped the gold satchel that 
 hung on her arm and turned a bundle of notes 
 onto her lap. 
 
 "It's here in 'ready'," she said, ignoring pro- 
 test, and counting the money rapidly as she 
 talked. 
 
 "Two fives I'll talk to Murgatroyd six fives 
 one of these days creature ten fives fifty 
 talk of Sparrow Hawks and fifty's a hundred 
 she'd play baccarat with a baby in its bassinette 
 and rook it of its rattle! and forty's two hun- 
 dred three tenners right there you are, that's 
 the lot!" 
 
 As she squeezed the money into Gwen's
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 21 
 
 hand the girl blushed scarlet to the ears and 
 Lady Goldbury liked it. It was genuine. 
 Whatever feminine accomplishments may be 
 acquired later, you cannot at seventeen pretend 
 to blush, even in Society! So Lady Goldbury 
 beamed, snapped her satchel and rose, while 
 Gwen tried to stammer, "I I don't know how to 
 thank you " 
 
 "Don't try," cut in the Banker's Widow, "but 
 don't forget your promise, dear." 
 
 "Indeed, indeed, I shan't. I should never have 
 played at all, only only everyone comes here 
 nowadays " 
 
 "More's the pity I" 
 
 "And when I came day after day, to wait 
 for Marion, and hear people talk nothing but 
 Bridge, Bridge, Bridge . . . Bridge ! by the hour, 
 it was so dull never playing oneself." 
 
 "Of course." 
 
 "And as all my girl friends do " 
 
 "I know." 
 
 "Though 7 ought to have known better. I 
 knew what Dora Langton lost." 
 
 "To whom?"
 
 22 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 "O to Mrs. Murgatroyd. And I remember 1 
 the scandal there was when the Moorfields had 
 to let their town house because Kitty lost in one 
 night " 
 
 "Yes, I heard. Who won that time?" 
 
 "Mrs. Murgatroyd hasn't she wonderful 
 luck?" 
 
 "Luck? Yes, and knows how to help it a 
 bit, I should say. Was it ever reported to the 
 Committee?" 
 
 "I think not. You know people hate making 
 a fuss " 
 
 "I don't! And I will, too. It's disgraceful. 
 If no one else dare speak I will and what's 
 more " 
 
 Lady Goldburj stopped short. A small 
 door marked "Private: Committee only," had 
 quietly opened and an ominous, impressive figure 
 loomed high at the head of the staircase. 
 
 "Ah! The very woman I want," whispered 
 Lady Goldbury, "Carrotty Caroline herself!" 
 
 Nobody else would have dared, even to 
 think so irreverently of Caroline, Duchess of 
 Danebury. For she was a very great Lady
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY; 23 
 
 indeed. Tall, spare, angular, aquiline, impas- 
 sive, deliberate, very stiff and very rich, an 
 Aristocrat of the Past who barely tolerated the 
 Present and let the Present know it. She 
 was of the Class that walks unmoved to a 
 Revolutionary Scaffold merely asking for a 
 scent bottle to obscure the odor of the mob! 
 Men who had dined with Kings pined in vain 
 for her invitations. It was told of her that 
 after being introduced about six times to the 
 especial pet of a particular season, the Repre- 
 sentative of a small European Power, she 
 continued to cut him dead. Somebody dared 
 to expostulate, and added, "Really, my dear 
 Duchess, you know he is the So-and-So Am- 
 bassador." 
 
 "Exactly," the Duchess replied, "one must 
 draw the line somewhere." And in spite of the 
 most Exalted protestations she continued relent- 
 lessly to draw it. 
 
 Such was the personality that Lady Goldbury 
 determined to tackle, and she braced herself for 
 the fray as the Duchess, leaning on her ebony 
 crutch handled stick, came slowly down the stairs
 
 24 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 her dress and sweeping hat both of the very 
 latest and rather juvenile modern fashion, and 
 the bright henna dye on her wiry white hair, con- 
 trasting curiously and almost comically with her 
 faded watery blue eyes and her stiff, halting gait. 
 But there was nothing funny about an interview 
 with the Duchess. The Committee knew it. She 
 was Lady-President of the Club. And the Club 
 knew it. Lady Goldbury knew it, too, and she 
 set her jaw. Gwen knew it also, and rose in 
 some embarrassment, but just at that moment 
 the big glass doors swung open, and Mrs. Mur- 
 gatroyd returned. 
 
 "Quick," said Lady Goldbury, "there you are, 
 go and get it over at once. But don't tell her 
 who helped you it will annoy her so, guessing!" 
 
 And it did. She sat and purred with Gwen 
 in the tea room trying to find out. But failed. 
 Behind the mystery, she scented a possible scandal. 
 And ready cash is no consolation for ignorance, 
 when you really enjoy speaking ill of your neigh- 
 bor. 
 
 Meantime Lady Goldbury, planted at the bot- 
 tom of the staircase, fired off a rather aggressive
 
 25 
 
 and staccato "Duchess er Duchess," at the de- 
 scending figure. 
 
 The Duchess paused, blinked for a deliber- 
 ate moment through her pince-nez, then said 
 in a slow, level voice, "Lady Goldbury isn't 
 it?" 
 
 "Yes. You remember me?" 
 
 "Distinctly. The instant I heard your voice 
 I knew it could be nobody else." 
 
 There was not the ghost of a sneer in the 
 words, but somehow they sounded like the raw 
 statement of a rather disagreeable fact. Lady 
 Goldbury bridled a little, and snapped shortly, 
 "Thanks! Now er you sit on the Commit- 
 tee." 
 
 "Frequently," said the Duchess. This was 
 another fact! 
 
 "Very well, then!" blurted out Lady Gold- 
 bury. "What I want to know is how long are 
 you going to let that Murgatroyd madam come 
 here and " 
 
 "One moment," interrupted the Duchess calmly, 
 "Are you referring to the Honorable Mrs. Mur- 
 gatroyd ?"
 
 26 THE SINS OF SOCIETY; 
 
 "Yes, I am!" came the angry answer "if 
 you call it 'honorable' to come here and fleece 
 children in pinafores rook babies in arms ! and 
 -and " 
 
 The Duchess checked the torrent of invective 
 with a warning wave of her tortoise-shell lor- 
 gnettes. "Is this a specific allegation?" she in- 
 quired frigidly. 
 
 Lady Goldbury was going a little bit too 
 far and she knew it, so for the moment she con- 
 trolled her wrath, sniffed impressively, looked 
 unutterable things and only said, "O dear, no! 
 Of course not! It's a hint that's all! But I 
 think you know what I mean!" 
 
 "I am sorry, Lady Goldbury," came the im- 
 perturbable answer, "but since you compel the 
 avowal I do not know what you mean." 
 
 "Then I'll put it in once," blazed the Widow. 
 
 "Put it in a letter to the Committee." 
 
 "I'll put it in a nutshell." 
 
 "It is no good there. Put it in black and 
 white." 
 
 "Skittles, Duchess! That's all my eye and 
 Betty Martin "
 
 JHE SINS OF SOCIETY 27 
 
 "I do not know Miss Martin and she is not 
 a Member of the Club." 
 
 "But Gwendolin Ashley is, and I say, are you 
 going to let a child like that come here and lose 
 her money to a woman of the World " 
 
 "If she chooses, Lady Goldbury. It is her own 
 business. This' is a Card Club, not a Kinder- 
 garten. In the absence of any specific allegation 
 I can only say that if the girl has lost money 
 I hope she will pay it punctually." The Duchess 
 looked Lady Goldbury very straight in the face 
 and there was an uncomfortably metallic ring in 
 her voice as she went on "since of late the Com- 
 mittee has had seriously to consider the course it 
 should pursue towards members who pay too little 
 and play too much." 
 
 "If you mean Me, your Grace !" 
 
 "I don't. If I did I should say so. I am 
 always definite. I am saying that we mean to 
 stop people in this Club gambling as no doubt 
 you would put it 'on the nod.' The Committee 
 will make an example will begin, if need be, with 
 the Chief offender and ' 
 
 "Chief? Why, who ... ?"
 
 28 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 . . . The big glass doors swung wide as Lady 
 Marion Beaumont swept into the Hall. 
 
 For the fraction of a second the thin eye- 
 brows of the Duchess rose, and her pale lips 
 contracted grimly. Then she turned to the new- 
 comer and Lady Goldbury watched very anxiously 
 the manner of her greeting. 
 
 "Marion Beaumont is a 'bad parter'." 
 
 . . . That was the whisper in the Club. That 
 was the muttered scandal. 
 
 Was she going to be openly told of it? Lady 
 Goldbury forgot, however, that Marion was 
 "born." Her mother was a Devonshire Courte- 
 nay: her father was the ninth Marquis of Usk. 
 She herself might have been a Countess had 
 her husband lived. She was not the kind of of- 
 fender upon whom the Duchess would let the 
 Sword of Damocles fall without a word of warn- 
 ing. Moreover, the Duchess knew what had hap- 
 pened in the Card room, so the moment was 
 opportune. And with her usual imperturbable 
 directness she took it. 
 
 Therefore, when Lady Marion looked up at 
 the clock and said, "Not going yet, surely, Duch-
 
 29 
 
 ess lots of time for a rubber," she replied. "Are 
 you going to play?" 
 
 "I think so," said Lady Marion. 
 
 And the Duchess said, "Don't." 
 
 "Don't? but why not?" 
 
 "Your Luck's out." 
 
 "My luck " 
 
 "Yes. Family Luck your Luck your sister's 
 Luck." 
 
 "Gwen? I assure you she never plays." 
 
 "She has been playing this afternoon and 
 losing heavily." 
 
 "Losing ! how how much ?" 
 
 "Ask Mrs. Murgatroyd, and pay her promptly, 
 if I may advise. She talks like a great many 
 other people in the Club lately about unsettled 
 debts. I shouldn't play against my luck if I were 
 you. Luck isn't like a man it won't be bullied 
 and it can't be coaxed. Take my advice." 
 
 Without another word the Duchess moved 
 slowly away to a table near the door and sat 
 down to write a note. 
 
 Agitated and flushed, Lady Marion turned 
 quickly to Lady Goldbury. Since the Duchess
 
 30 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 had told, it was usely to deny the Truth. Yes. 
 Gwen had been playing, and losing, "but don't 
 scold her too much," Lady Goldbury pleaded, 
 "she's quite cut up enough and frightened." 
 
 "At the amount she lost? Was it was it 
 much . . . ?" 
 
 "Two-thirty." 
 
 "Two hundred and thirty pounds! Good 
 gracious, how does she dream she can ever pay 
 it?" 
 
 "Don't know. But she's not the only one who 
 plays beyond her means. Still as it's the first time, 
 and the child was upset I er I let her draw 
 on me" 
 
 "You paid it! O my dear really it's too 
 good of you, I I can't allow it I " 
 
 "That's all right. You can send me your 
 check." 
 
 "Yes, yes. Of course, and I will I and 
 you've been so good to me yourself, 
 already!" 
 
 "I wish you'd put yourself under another obli- 
 gation " 
 
 "Another ?"
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 31 
 
 "Yes. Pull yourself together, Marion. You 
 are plunging and you'll come a cropper." 
 
 "I I want to stop, believe me and I will 
 directly " 
 
 "Yes, I know, directly the double event comes 
 off. You are plunging to get home. It's a fine 
 game if you win. But if you plunge deep enough 
 some day you won't come up. So turn it 
 upj" 
 
 "That's what the Duchess says . . . ' 
 
 "She's right about one thing. People who 
 can't pay shouldn't play." 
 
 "Did she say that to you?" 
 
 "Yes, and that the Committee meant to 
 stop it I" 
 
 "In deed " 
 
 "High time too, dear. If we weren't in Society 
 people who gambled for what they couldn't pay 
 would be called 'Swindlers'." 
 
 "Swindlers!--" 
 
 "That's what we call 'em in the City of 
 London." 
 
 "Really! I thought you called them Company 
 Promoters."
 
 32 THE SINS OF SOCIETY- 
 
 "Like your friend, Mr. Noel Ferrers? Where 
 on Earth did you meet that man?" 
 
 "I don't know. Here, I think. He gives me 
 excellent tips." 
 
 "About what to buy in the 'bucket shop'." 
 
 "I find he is always right." 
 
 "And he finds you always useful. Your house 
 is his open door into the Fool's paradise where 
 he goes guinea pig hunting and gathering bait 
 for his 'mug traps'." 
 
 "O nonsense he has plenty of money " 
 
 "On paper." 
 
 "Knows a lot of people." 
 
 "Thanks to you!" 
 
 "O no when a man owns race horses " 
 
 "Across the Turf is a short cut into So- 
 ciety " 
 
 "Believe me, I have found him a very good 
 friend a very real friend often when I've been 
 worried and wanted er advice. When a 
 woman is alone in the world she must have some- 
 one to lean on. If unconsciously I have learned 
 to lean on him . . . ' 
 
 "Drop him," said Lady Goldbury decisively,
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 33 
 
 "drop him, or you'll drop your money then he'll 
 drop you, and talk of the Devil !" 
 
 Tall, broad shouldered, dark, sleek, smiling 
 and sinister Noel Ferrers stood at the door. 
 What could there be in common between a 
 woman like Marion Beaumont and himself? 
 Lady Goldbury stared and wondered. Then 
 there came back to her mind the bitter comment 
 of old Sir George Drake when first "the Ash- 
 ley Girls" dawned on Town. "Gwen's a race 
 horse," he said, one day as they passed the Turf 
 Club window "clean bred as Eclipse. But on her 
 looks Marion would take the seven pound allow- 
 ance!" 
 
 According to the Laws of Racing thorough- 
 bred horses of the same age carry the same 
 weight in "Classic Events," but for horses that 
 have a half-bred strain in them an allowance of 
 seven pounds less can be claimed. There was 
 no known blot on the Ashley escutcheon, no 
 fault in the pedigree, but the Ashley girls were 
 hopelessly unalike. Gwen was a Sevres china 
 shepherdess incarnate. Marion was almost Orien- 
 tal. Tall, sinuous, sweeping, she always burst
 
 34 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 rather than walked into a room, looking as Sir 
 George said, "as if she had a deuce of a mes- 
 sage and never delivered it!" Her deep, dark, 
 lustrous eyes he described quite correctly, if un- 
 kindly, as "Headlights in front of an empty van!" 
 She had a curious trick of throwing back a stray 
 coil of raven black hair from her low, white 
 forehead, with the third finger of her left hand, 
 as tho' she wanted more room to think but she 
 never uttered a solitary word suggesting any sort 
 or kind of intelligent reflection. "When they 
 made Marion," said Sir George, "they forgot 
 nothing except brains." 
 
 Handsome, heavy, a shade underhung, she 
 was, however, stupid and obstinate rather than 
 foolish. Her negative qualities were excellent. 
 Her moral character was beyond reproach. Ad- 
 miration was her due, and she accepted it as 
 a sort of natural right, but her name had never 
 been tainted with the faintest breath of scandal. 
 She was much older than Gwen. Too old to 
 be a sister, but not old enough to be a mother. 
 Yet when they were left orphans she tried to 
 mother the girl-^on strictly conventional lines.
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 35 
 
 Saw that she was educated saw that she was 
 "brought out," in accordance with the most 
 correct traditions. She had never been in love 
 not even with her husband, and she enjoyed 
 the complete freedom of widowhood, which in 
 fact was a misfortune. Marion Beaumont wanted 
 a strong, guiding hand, and there was none 
 to guide. Wherever it came from, the drop of 
 Oriental blood that filtered down into her veins 
 from some forgotten adventure of the past in- 
 clined her to indolence and luxury. She found 
 no relaxation in the more serious interests of the 
 hour. Politics at least for women she con- 
 sidered "bad form." Athletics, unbecoming. Art 
 bored her tho' she liked pretty things in the 
 ordinary feminine way jewels silk soft lights 
 the pleasant clamor of a smart restaurant 
 and the obvious impression that she made it. 
 Also, not for itself but for what it could com- 
 mand, she liked money. And she had not quite 
 enough. In her husband's time she had lived in 
 a certain style. On her jointure her establish- 
 ment should have been reduced. But it was not. 
 She got into debt. She had to dip into her
 
 36 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 capital. This reduced her income. But she did 
 not reduce her expenditure. The difference had 
 to come from somewhere, and she sought it on 
 the Stock Exchange and at the cardtable where 
 Luck is proverbially good to beginners. 
 
 She was not a gambler at heart. But all 
 Society gambles more or less. She had "punted" 
 mildly with the others played for a sovereign 
 backed horses for a five pound note. She had 
 often won. Nothing was more easy and natural 
 than to increase her stakes and to take a feverish 
 interest in the result, not for the gamble's own 
 sake, but for what she would do with her win- 
 nings. A long-price winner at Sandown meant 
 a check for her dressmaker. A rise in Kaffirs 
 meant a quarter's rent and so on. Lots of 
 people live like this who would not soil their 
 hands with work. When things go wrong they 
 grow desperate. And things were going very 
 wrong with Marion Beaumont. 
 
 At such a time she could not have had a 
 worse Counsellor than Noel Ferrers. It did not 
 pay him to let her get too much out of debt. 
 She was under obligations to him, and it served
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 37 
 
 his purpose to keep her there. Women like 
 Marion were the opportunity of men like 
 Noel. 
 
 The extravagant spirit of the age, the wild 
 scramble for money at any price, has permitted 
 the entry into Society of the professional money- 
 maker. If he is very successful a crowd of 
 sycophants cling to his skirts. To be "Some- 
 thing in the City" is no longer a reproach. 
 Younger sons of the Best Families are found 
 in City Offices where they are tolerated for the 
 patronage they bring. In return, their employ- 
 ers are tolerated in Mayfair then welcomed, 
 sometimes run after. Nobody inquires too closely 
 about their antecedents so long as a golden 
 shower besprinkles their path. So nobody asked 
 who Noel Ferrers was or where he came from. 
 He had a rather ornate flat in Bond Street. He 
 did things correctly. Drove in the Park, played 
 Bridge, gave discreet dinners, raced successfully 
 but modestly, and was known to be very keen in 
 the City. 
 
 But in the City so far as business was 
 concerned, there were lots of people who were
 
 3* FTHE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 keener ! Ferrers had all the aptitudes and natural 
 instincts of the high class adventurer. He judged 
 rightly that in the West End he would find his 
 most favorable opportunities. So he had fre- 
 quented the smartest Restaurants, attended the 
 best "first nights," and had generally been "seen 
 about" until both his face and name were fairly 
 familiar in Mayfair, and his presence anywhere 
 did not attract comment. The next step was 
 easy. Stock-brokering is just at present rather a 
 depressed industry. A big speculator is a client 
 to be carefully sought-after, whatever you may 
 think of his operations. A few orders judiciously 
 placed with a Firm, the junior Partner in which 
 was the younger son of an impoverished peer, very 
 soon brought Social recognition cards for "at 
 homes" and an invitation or so, to dinner. Then 
 a chance introduction to Marion Beaumont, and 
 a quick appreciation of her character and necessi- 
 ties, opened the coveted door, and Noel Ferrers 
 unobtrusively slid into Society. 
 
 Having gained his foothold, he would in the 
 ordinary course have passed on, leaving the 
 recollection of pecuniary advantages and a good
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY; 39 
 
 reputation behind him. But in the course of his 
 visits to Marion he had frequently met Gwen, 
 and his rather brutish soul, accustomed to more 
 tawdry amours, was at once inspired and inflamed 
 by her sweetness and delicate beauty. At first 
 he tried to put the infatuation out of his mind. 
 But the passion only grew, till it lived with him 
 
 and possessed him night and day. In his manner 
 
 i 
 to Gwen he was reserved deferential almost too 
 
 deferential, for the girl instinctively realized 
 that there was some undisclosed meaning, or, 
 purpose, behind his constrained and obviously 
 artificial address. When he tried to be interesting 
 he felt that he was a bore. So did she, and he 
 knew it. This piqued his vanity, excited his anger, 
 but did not abate his ardor. 
 
 Though she did not love him, and probably 
 never would, he meant to marry Gwendolin 
 Ashley by fair means or by foul. 
 
 And he was a very resourceful, unscrupulous, 
 and determined man. 
 
 Still, when he calmly and deliberately added 
 up his chances he knew that they were small. 
 Daily they seemed to grow smaller. He feared
 
 40 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 that the girl had begun to suspect, and distrust 
 if not positively to dislike him. His only hope 
 of success lay in having Marion not only on his 
 side, but absolutely under his thumb. Yet he 
 judged quite correctly that a mere monetary 
 obligation was not quite enough for his purpose. 
 Wary, watchful, ever waiting for an opportunity, 
 it was into his arms that the Fates drove Marion 
 at the moment of her extremity. "Facilis 
 descensus. ..."... ! 
 
 When Marion tripped on the Downward 
 Path, here was a Spirit of Evil ready to drag 
 her lower still. 
 
 She turned almost in resentment from the 
 brusque honesty of the Banker's Widow, and 
 waited impatiently while the Duchess who had 
 button-holed Ferrers slowly cross-examined him 
 for it was a habit of the Duchess when she wanted 
 information to ask for it so suddenly and directly 
 that the person interrogated had rarely time to 
 frame a lie. 
 
 So, directly Ferrers entered the Club the Duch- 
 ess tapped him on the arm and said, "Are you 
 going over to Paris for the Grand Prix, Mr. Fer-
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 41 
 
 rers?" He answered evasively, and the Duchess 
 went on, "How will your horse, The Dragon, 
 run?" 
 
 "In the ordinary way, Duchess, on all fours !" 
 Ferrers answered quickly. The question was 
 exactly what he expected. It is one racing men 
 particularly dislike. But the Duchess was not to 
 be put off. 
 
 "Do you think he will win?" she asked. 
 
 "Have you backed him?" he replied. 
 
 "Not yet. But he is at a nice long price " 
 
 "Thirty to one. Quite so." 
 
 "I should like to have a flutter if you thought 
 I could do no harm." 
 
 She certainly could do harm. She could 
 spoil his market if she talked! Still the 
 Duchess was the Duchess. He could not 
 exactly put her off, so he discreetly assumed an 
 air of mysterious confidence and sinking his 
 voice said, "To tell the truth, Duchess the real 
 truth, I have not tried him yet. But he'll have 
 a rough up in a day or two, and then I shall be 
 most pleased to tell you, if you will permit me 
 the honor in strict confidence, of course "
 
 - 4 2 [THE SINS OF SOCIETY! 
 
 His voice sank lower still, and his manner 
 became that of a Cabinet Minister imparting 
 a State Secret to his most trusted friend while 
 in his innermost heart of hearts he profoundly 
 wished the Duchess at the bottom of the sea. He 
 could see that Marion was waiting to speak to 
 him, and just as he hoped to escape, another 
 interruption came that brought a quick, ugly 
 scowl to Noel Ferrers' face, for he heard 
 the door swing behind him and heard the voice 
 of Dorian March. Without seeing him he knew 
 that he was looking round eagerly for Gwen. 
 And he knew that Gwen would be delighted when 
 they met. 
 
 Sir Dorian March was her cousin certainly, 
 but of late Gwen had begun to evince a rather 
 more than cousinly preference for his companion- 
 ship. 
 
 And she had reason. 
 
 When a young Greek god goes abroad in 
 the regimentals of the Household Cavalry, and 
 the possession of a faultless birth, an historic 
 Title, a laughing mouth and the affectionately 
 pathetic eyes of the best bred Collie dog, his
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 43 
 
 path is littered with the darts of Cupid and 
 echoes with sentimental sighs. When you are so 
 nearly related to such an idol that you may with 
 propriety call it by a pet name and greet it with 
 platonic kisses, the result is a foregone con- 
 clusion. 
 
 As old Sir George Drake said, "Why waste 
 time courtin'? Marry, and get it over." 
 
 There was only one obstacle. Dorian was 
 poor. So it was not an open engagement. In- 
 deed it was not even a secret one, for Gwen 
 was not yet of age, and neither the mistress of 
 her destinies nor of her income about 700 a 
 year. 
 
 In a few months' time things might be different. 
 Noel Ferrers knew it. 
 
 Marion had to find the money that Gwen 
 had lost. 
 
 It was not a large sum but she had not 
 got it. 
 
 'And it was to 'Noel Ferrers that she turned for 
 advice I 
 
 By a perverse and unhappy chance Dorian 
 March, of all people, elected quite unconsciously
 
 44 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 to pile fuel on the fire and precipitate an even 
 graver crisis. 
 
 U O there you are, Marion," he said, directly 
 he entered. "Made up a set yet?" 
 
 In the presence of the Duchess and remem- 
 bering her warning, Marion hesitated in some 
 embarrassment and faltered, "Eh o er no 
 not yet " 
 
 "Well, here we are," cut in Dorian. "Only 
 want one more. You'll play, Lady Goldbury?" 
 
 "No, thanks," snapped the Widow. "Seen 
 enough for one day. I'm going home." 
 
 "Really?" said Dorian. "So sorry," and be- 
 fore Marion could stop him he turned to the 
 Duchess, and asked if she would take a hand. 
 
 "Who with?" inquired the great lady. 
 
 "My cousin Marion and myself." 
 
 "No, thank you," came the deliberate tone- 
 less answer. "Marion is out of luck. I would 
 rather not win her money." 
 
 "Dooced nice of you," laughed Dorian. 
 "You'll play, of course, Ferrers " 
 
 "Delighted if " 
 
 "I'll draw the card room for a fourth."
 
 45 
 
 Dorian scampered up the big staircase and dis- 
 appeared. The Duchess looked after him for a 
 moment, glanced for a second at Marion a fate- 
 ful second, in which she made up her cool, in- 
 flexible mind then she asked Ferrers, "Have you 
 seen Thesiger, anywhere?" 
 
 "What, the Club Secretary?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "I think he's in his office. Shall I see?" 
 
 "No, thanks. I'll go myself." 
 
 "If I can take a message " 
 
 "No. It's an order I had better deliver per- 
 sonally." 
 
 "Er something gone wrong, Duchess?" 
 
 "Not yet. But somebody who won't take a 
 hint, I fear must have a lesson. I don't like 
 it. But in some cases it's more than cruel to be 
 too kind. Anyway, I won't have a scandal in the 
 Club so long as I am President." 
 
 Looking neither right nor left the Duchess 
 climbed again to the door marked "Private. 
 Committee Only." Marion had caught her last 
 few words and watched her disappear with a 
 sinking heart. She came quickly to Ferrers'
 
 46 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 side, as Lady Goldbury rustled away to the Tea- 
 room, and asked anxiously, "Where has the 
 Duchess gone?" 
 
 "To the Secretary, she said." 
 
 "What for?" 
 
 "O somebody has been naughty, and is to 
 have a hint a warning, or something. I don't 
 know who." 
 
 "I I can guess. Look here, I want to see you 
 particularly er will you dine to-night?" 
 
 "Delighted! By the way might I bring 
 a feller to introduce? He's bringing out a very 
 big company and might be very useful you un- 
 derstand and would appreciate " 
 
 "Yes, yes, certainly but I wanted to talk " 
 
 "Finance?" 
 
 "Yes. You know my shares those Rose- 
 fonteins?" 
 
 "Believe me, hold them. To-day they are 
 comparatively worthless, but " 
 
 "But I must have money! I know what's 
 coming. I've had a shocking week I can't 
 pay. I shall be posted posted as a defaulter 
 here in the Club. It will bring down every
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY; 47 
 
 creditor I've got upon my head and and there's 
 230 I must return to Lady Goldbury for 
 Gwen." 
 
 Ferrers turned sharply, "For Gwen not for 
 cards?" 
 
 "Yes. It's my fault I ought never to 
 have let her come here but she liked it liked 
 to meet Dorian " 
 
 "I've noticed that." 
 
 "Well we're cousins " 
 
 "I detest cousins." 
 
 "Can I raise nothing on those shares?" 
 
 "Nothing!" 
 
 "Then what can I do! If the Duchess 
 speaks " 
 
 "Well let's think a minute. You have a small 
 annuity from your late husband that you can't 
 anticipate. You've never exactly told me how 
 your private fortune " 
 
 "It was the same as Gwen's and it's gone! 
 I've spent it like a fool thrown it away. 
 I've been bitten by the crazes of the hour, ex- 
 travagance and gambling. Now the taint's in 
 my blood and I can't stop. I'm not a woman
 
 48 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 any more I'm a gambling machine and a broken, 
 ruined one at that!" 
 
 For a moment she sobbed hysterically, and 
 Ferrers looked around to see that they were not 
 overheard. 
 
 "I am awfully sorry," he said, "really, most 
 awfully sorry. I er I'd no idea it was as bad 
 as this. Unhappily, every shilling of my own is 
 so tied up for the moment that " 
 
 "Thank you!" Marion waved away the 
 bare suggestion of that kind of help. The mere 
 thought of it came as a shock that pulled her 
 together. She bit her lip and stifled her tears. 
 Ferrers saw he had made a slight mistake and 
 went on quickly. 
 
 "Now, let's have a Council of War. Nothing 
 like getting things in black and white never 
 look so bad then where's a bit of paper? yes 
 now there's Lady Goldbury first " 
 
 "I can't owe that for an hour!" 
 
 "Two thirty. Yes. Other people?" 
 
 "Here?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Twe twelve hundred."
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 49 
 
 "Twelve hundred pounds! phew! then of 
 course there are servants, tradesmen and things." 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 11 All rather behind?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Rent house in town cottage at Windsor 
 insurances interest on loans, and tist!" 
 
 Lady Goldbury was coming back with Gwen. 
 Ferrers' voice sank, and Marion answered in 
 whispers, while the long column of fatal figures 
 grew. 
 
 In the Tea Room Lady Goldbury had been 
 speaking her mind at the top of her voice. 
 Incidentally Mrs. Murgatroyd had listened to a 
 number of unpleasant truths. 
 
 "Whatever she's won I don't think she'll talk 
 much about it, my dear," she said to Gwen, as 
 they entered the Hall. "Now cheer up and 
 think of something else. Are you going to the 
 Bosworths' Fancy Ball?" 
 
 "Yes, I think so." 
 
 "What as?" 
 
 "Oh, something simple and silly, I suppose. 
 Rosebuds or cornflowers you know 'suitable
 
 50 ./THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 for a young lady in her first season.' I 
 wish I was of age then I could choose my own 
 frocks." 
 
 "You'd look sweet in anything, dear if it was 
 only a tablecloth and clogs. What's Marion's 
 dress?" 
 
 "Boadicea. But she talks of not going at the 
 last minute." 
 
 "Bless me! Why?" 
 
 "Queens want jewels to match. And Marion 
 can't I mean er doesn't like wearing paste." 
 
 "Neither do I. Can't bear it won't wear 
 it. But I've got a genuine tiara I daren't put on." 
 
 "Really?'' 
 
 "Presented when my husband was Lord Mayor 
 only fit for a Crowned Head. Brilliants inset 
 with blue diamonds and emeralds. I had it 
 out from the Bank to-day but I can't face it. 
 I'll lend it her if she likes, before I send it back 
 again." 
 
 "Now that is sweet of you! Marion, you 
 hear that? Lady Goldbury says you can have 
 her wonderful tiara for the Bosworths' ball. 
 Now you must come !"
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY] [51 
 
 Marion smiled. Even in the midst of her 
 troubles the idea of frocks and jewels appealed 
 to her. "It's awfully good of you," she said, 
 "but I don't like especially if it's real " 
 
 "Oh, it's real enough!" said Lady Gold- 
 bury, "I'll bring it around and show it you this 
 evening. It's a blazer!" And she went on chat- 
 ting aimlessly but with an uneasy eye on Ferrers. 
 He had finished his calculations and spoke 
 in a low voice that only Marion could hear. 
 "Y yes. It is a big figure seven thousand." 
 
 "I know. I've added and added it up over 
 and over again till my eyes ache and my head 
 swims " 
 
 "Is there no relation friend of the Family 
 from whom, for the moment, you might 
 borrow " 
 
 "I've done that till I can borrow and beg 
 no more!" 
 
 "And er forgive the suggestion it's done 
 every day haven't you any trinkets jewels 
 you wouldn't mind ?" 
 
 "I've done it! On everything worth a 
 sou! "
 
 52 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 "Pity that tiara of Lady Goldbury's she's go- 
 ing to lend you isn't your own." 
 
 "My own?" 
 
 "Old Morris would lend the money on that 
 like a shot." 
 
 Marion winced. A flush of angry humiliation 
 came to her pale cheek. Morris, as a matter 
 of fact, was a pawnbroker. Ostensibly, he was 
 a jeweller in a large way of business and in- 
 cidentally he was a Money-lender. Though his 
 name was rarely mentioned, Society knew Morris. 
 And Morris knew a great deal about Society 
 a great deal that is not written down in Books 
 and never appears in the papers. Visits to 
 Morris were not things of which anyone 
 boasted. 
 
 Ferrers saw Marion's color change. "Thought 
 of anything?" he said. 
 
 "No only his name " 
 
 "Morris, eh? Been there before?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "All the better." 
 
 "Better? What for?" 
 
 "Business." He paused for a moment an
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 53 
 
 ugly gleam came into his eyes. He looked across 
 at Gwen. "Nothing like establishing credit. . . . 
 For how long is Lady Goldbury going to lend 
 you that tiara?" he asked. 
 
 'Till after the ball." 
 
 "On Thursday. Why not 'phone Morris to 
 come and see you to-night?" 
 
 "What's the use?" 
 
 "He's a good-natured old chap ; he might lend 
 you a bit on a temporary security" 
 
 "But I have none." 
 
 "If he lent you a thousand and you had it 
 down on Dragon for the Grand Prix, you'd win 
 a fortune!" 
 
 "But I say I've not got anything!" 
 
 Ferrers smiled. " 'Phone for Morris," he 
 said, "take my advice. Don't be frightened and 
 cheer up. Look here," he added, changing the 
 subject quickly and taking a small packet from 
 his pocket, "I had to go to the docks to-day and 
 was offered this by a Lascar sailor." 
 
 "Blue scarab Egyptian. What is the inscrip- 
 tion?" 
 
 "Don't know, but it's an infallible charm, my
 
 54 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 sailor said, to the Bold Gambler, and will bring 
 to anyone in sore extremity one wish. I want 
 you to accept it." 
 
 "Indeed I will may it bring me " 
 
 "Don't wish too soon. One has to be awfully 
 definite you know, in dealing with magic and 
 spells. Wait till I come around and see you this 
 evening. Perhaps I may have thought of some- 
 thing that may surprise you." He pressed the 
 Blue Scarab into her hand and went quickly out 
 of the Club. He heard the voice of Dorian as 
 he went, and he set his teeth. He had made up 
 his mind to a bold and reckless move that would 
 either ruin his chances for ever, or place his rival 
 hopeless and helpless under his heel. But the 
 prize that he played for was Gwen, and he meant 
 to win if he could find a trump card of any sort 
 in his hand or up his sleeve. 
 
 Dorian neither saw nor thought of him as he 
 came from the Card room looking just a little 
 puzzled and annoyed. He hesitated as he spoke 
 to Marion and stumbled over his words. 
 
 "I er I'm dooced sorry," he said, "but er 
 everyone seems goin' or er or says they are "
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 55 
 
 He caught the pained look on the face of 
 Marion, and a half suspicion of the truth dawned 
 on him. She was being given the cold shoulder 
 openly and publicly. He had seen the same 
 sort of thing done once before. He knew how 
 it must hurt a proud woman besides, she was 
 Gwen's sister and he determined she should play 
 that day, whatever happened afterwards, if only 
 for the sake of appearances. 
 
 His determination only made bad worse. For 
 as several people came streaming down the stairs, 
 he heard Jack Craven grumbling that his set 
 was broken up and he had a spare half hour on 
 his hands. 
 
 "Then come and join us, Jack," he said, "we 
 want a fourth." 
 
 He counted on Gwen playing as a last ex- 
 tremity. 
 
 "Capital," said Craven, as he turned, putting 
 up his eye glass, "who with " He caught sight 
 of Marion and paused. He was a simpering yel- 
 low haired little creature, who played the piano, 
 painted in water colors, paid cabmen their legal
 
 56 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 fares and argued over his luncheon bill. He 
 rarely rose from the card table a loser. 
 
 "L Lady Marion?" he stammered with a 
 slushy watery smile, "Delighted of course most 
 charmed. Dear me!" He looked up with af- 
 fected surprise at the clock. "I why I'd no 
 idea it was so late. Good gracious awfully 
 sorry I I've an awfully important appointment 
 with er with I must keep. If you will excuse 
 dear Lady Marion to-morrow with er pleas- 
 ure. I shall be delighted Good bye !" 
 
 He hurried away. 
 
 Dorian swore under his breath. 
 
 Lady Goldbury said quietly, "You see?" 
 
 "Yes Idol" 
 
 The big, black eyes blazed. After all Marion 
 was not an Ashley for nothing. A hint from the 
 Duchess was one thing. A snub 'from a thing 
 like Craven was quite another. 
 
 "Dorian," she said, "will you take Gwen 
 home?" As the door closed on them her full 
 rage burst almost in hysteria. 
 
 "Now," she said to Lady Goldbury, "New I 
 will see something for myself!"
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 57 
 
 "My dear " 
 
 "Yes! Am I the only one? The only Black 
 Sheep in this whited fold? You know I know, 
 and I'll go straight to the Card Room this 
 minute and tell them all out loud what I know 
 then we'll see!" 
 
 "My dear, I entreat " 
 
 But Marion swung away flaming . . . and 
 met Mr. Thesiger, the Club Secretary, face to 
 face. He spoke in a low, deferential voice. 
 
 "Lady Marion," he said, "I beg pardon could 
 you er give me one minute?" 
 
 "Yes, Mr. Thesiger." 
 
 He was the quintessence of tact and good 
 breeding. His manner gave no indication of 
 his intention as he went on quietly. 
 
 "You will please understand, of course, I 
 am only speaking in my official capacity as 
 Secretary." 
 
 "Yes?" 
 
 Marion clenched her hands. "Official ?" 
 
 What was coming? 
 
 "The Committee have passed a Resolution to 
 the effect that Members owing more than a cer-
 
 5$ THE SINS OF SOCIETY; 
 
 tain amount for card debts shall be notified that 
 until er until they have paid " 
 
 "I know it they shall not be allowed to 
 play." 
 
 "Exactly. I have been directed to remind 
 you" 
 
 "Very good." 
 
 " And er and to add that the names of 
 Members who do not settle after being er so 
 reminded must be reported to the Committee 
 er for " 
 
 "Expulsion?' 
 
 Thesiger bowed. 
 
 "I I regret" he said. 
 
 "When when does the Committee meet 
 again?" Marion asked. 
 
 "To-morrow at three." 
 
 There was a moment'^ painful silence. 
 Marion's heart was in her throat and her head 
 swam. ' 
 
 "I will see to it," at length, she said hoarsely. 
 "By to-morrow " 
 
 And Thesiger, bowing, went noiselessly up the 
 stairs.
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY? 59 
 
 By to-morrow . 
 
 She must find the money by to-morrow, or 
 pass out of Society, out of her world and all 
 that it meant to her, with a tainted name. It 
 was more than ruin. It was utter disgrace! 
 Mean and sordid disgrace, too. The sort of 
 disgrace she never could hope to forget or live 
 down. It was indeed a bitter punishment for 
 her head-long folly it was black humiliation. 
 Was there no escape ! Her long, white fingers 
 writhed and twisted and her lip trembled. . . . 
 
 "Marion," said Lady Goldbury quietly, "hadn't 
 you better come home? My motor is waiting 
 let me give you a lift?" 
 
 "Thanks very much I I'll be there directly. 
 I er I want to telephone for a minute, first." 
 
 Lady Goldbury went out. 
 
 Marion crossed slowly to the telephone and 
 paused. 
 
 In the hour of her degradation she saw only 
 one ray of hope. "To-night I may have 
 thought of something that may surprise you," 
 Ferrers had said. "Send for Morris." 
 
 Morris the Money Lender.
 
 6o 
 
 Morris who lent money on ? 
 
 What . . . ? 
 
 She did not know, she could not think 
 Ferrers must tell her. Wherever the path led 
 she must take it! It was the only way! Help- 
 less and blindfold she must follow it! 
 
 Blindfold indeed . . . Facilis descensus! . . . 
 
 She snatched the receiver from the hook and 
 called quickly decisively . . . 
 
 "Yes. Certainly. Mr. Morris would wait 
 upon her Ladyship at eight that evening . . . ' 
 
 It was finished. For good or evil she had 
 taken the leap in the dark. 
 
 Noel Ferrers had won his First Trick.
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 SECURITY ? 
 
 TWO hours . . . 
 The clock struck six as Marion Beaumont 
 entered her boudoir . . she had two hours 
 before her of agonized suspense. Two hours 
 of vain regret two hours of panic stricken fear. 
 
 She could not face them ! 
 
 There was only one escape one deadly door 
 that opened on brief oblivion. It was unhappily 
 not the first time that she had entered. 
 
 She flung herself into a loose wrap, and told 
 her maid to call her in time to dress. Directly 
 she was alone she took from a locked drawer a 
 small case containing a tiny bottle and a needle 
 pointed syringe. 
 
 Morphia . . . ! The curse of the idle, the 
 foolish, the cowardly and the uncontrolled. 
 Another woman had taught her the fatal habit,
 
 62 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 with all the specious logic that goes with it. 
 "Smart" women who turn night into day must 
 find some means of sleeping soundly while sane 
 people are awake. The complexion demands it. 
 No harm is done if you don't overdo it. Besides, 
 if you are worried, it is such a relief to .... 
 
 She came back out of the deep dreamless gulf 
 with a swimming head to hear the maid announc- 
 ing that some one had arrived. 
 
 "Mr. Mor er who do you say?" 
 
 "A gentleman to dine, my lady Mr. Hogg 
 Hogg?" 
 
 O yes. Of course. Noel Ferrers had asked 
 leave to bring a friend. 
 
 "With Mr. Ferrers?" 
 
 "No, my lady alone." 
 
 "Tell Lady Gwen say I will be down 
 directly." 
 
 She heard the grinding whirr of a stopping 
 taxi in the street the front door banged 
 another guest had arrived, and she began to 
 dress hurriedly. 
 
 Meantime Mr. James Hogg walked about the
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 63 
 
 Library into which he had been shown and felt 
 miserably uncomfortable as a first comer 
 invariably does. 
 
 Apart from this he was utterly out of his 
 Element. 
 
 His Father, and Mother, people of humble 
 origin, had emigrated from the North of England 
 to Australia, where he was born, and where he 
 found himself at the age of thirty an orphan and 
 a Bank Clerk with no particular advantages save 
 a keen head for figures and excellent health. At 
 an early age he thoroughly acquired the true Aus- 
 tralian spirit of Sport that is to say, he was 
 always ready at a moment's notice to bet about 
 the result of anything, from a dog fight to an 
 Earthquake. In this direction his native York- 
 shire shrewdness and his arithmetical aptitude 
 gave him certain advantages. His successful 
 wagering with his fellow clerks at last became so 
 proverbial that his field of enterprise was limited, 
 and he sighed for fresh worlds to conquer. At 
 last, carefully choosing his occasion, he boldly 
 abandoned the bank and emerged on the race 
 course as a full fledged Bookmaker. He pros-
 
 64 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 pered, and for quite ten years was a popular and 
 respected figure in the Ring. 
 
 During this period he received a letter from 
 home. Family tradition recorded that his Father 
 had left an elder brother working in a Lancashire 
 Cotton Mill. From this, his only living relation, 
 the missive came. It asked briefly for pecuniary 
 assistance. As an evidence of bona fides the 
 writer mentioned a mark on the shoulder of 
 Hogg's Father caused by the accidental explo- 
 sion of an old shot gun in his youth. No one 
 but a member of the Hogg family was likely to 
 know anything of this circumstance, so James 
 accepted the letter as genuine and sent his Uncle 
 a kindly and affectionate reply, together with a 
 sum of twenty pounds, a request for further in- 
 formation and a promise of further help if it was 
 needed. 
 
 As a matter of fact the elder Hogg required 
 no help at all. He had risen on top of the 
 Cotton Wave, owned factories in several towns 
 and was reported a millionaire. In his old age 
 for he was a very old man a Secretary 
 whom he had befriended and greatly trusted,
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 65 
 
 tried to rob him. The attempt failed miserably, 
 but it soured the remaining years of the old 
 man's life. Ever cautious and canny, his right 
 hand now regarded his left with suspicion, if not 
 dislike. He looked at his millions and felt that 
 the long endeavor of his strenuous life had been 
 empty, futile and vain. Then he thought of the 
 brother, and the brother's son whom he had so 
 long forgotten. He made cautious inquiries. 
 Shook his head at the discovery of Jim's career. 
 But at last wrote a test letter, and found in the 
 reply a lesson and a reproof. The younger Hogg 
 had never begged of him had made his own life 
 in his own way yet his heart responded at once, 
 warmly and generously to an appeal from one 
 of his own kin. 
 
 The old man used to keep the letter in his 
 pocket and read it over and over again, though 
 he never answered it. When he died it was 
 found by his bedside . . . and under it his 
 last Will and Testament leaving without con- 
 ditions, or reserve, the whole of his large 
 fortune and estate to the nephew he had never 
 seen.
 
 66 THE SINS OF SOCIETY) 
 
 To take out Probate and take up his in- 
 heritance James Hogg came home and after 
 a brief stay he wanted to go back again. 
 Nothing he had ever experienced was more 
 depressing than solitary life in a big Hotel 
 more especially in a strange city. Interviews with 
 Lawyers and Mill Managers did not enliven 
 the monotony. By comparison with the eternal 
 sunshine of the South, the atmosphere of London 
 was horrible that of the Black Country was 
 worse. 
 
 But here in England was his property here 
 was his wealth. How was he to realize it 
 translate it into a lump sum and transfer it to 
 Australia? That was the problem. The more 
 he saw of Mills and Mines the more he hated 
 them. When he sat in a lordly office and im- 
 portant men addressed him in reverential whispers 
 he longed to spring on to the table and shout, 
 "Sixty to Forty on the Field!" He wanted to 
 stand under the aching blue of a fleckless sky 
 hearing the thunder of hoofs and the wild roar 
 of the multitude ! In England the sky was gray, 
 and he was always and utterly alone alone with
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY, 67 
 
 great riches. Yet his quick observation told him 
 that he was quite a common person, and that his 
 clothes were badly cut. 
 
 In a morbid, dejected, and deprecatory frame 
 of mind he cut short his interviews in the City 
 one morning and came away early. In Queen 
 .Victoria Street he suddenly gave an exclamation 
 of delighted surprise. He saw a face he had 
 known and what was better had known on the 
 race course in Australia. Noel Ferrers 
 groomed, curled, and polished a trifle over 
 polished, but looking to the miserable Hogg a 
 concentrated extract of all the gentilities had 
 nodded to him as he passed. 
 
 Promptly Hogg turned and followed him 
 a thing he would not have done on the other 
 side of the world. For, in the Colonies Noel 
 Ferrers had acquired a rather variegated repu- 
 tation. He had never exactly been caught but 
 he was generally regarded as a sharp in embryo. 
 This did not much concern Hogg, for, like many 
 racing men, though absolutely honest himself few 
 sharps could teach him anything. You must
 
 68 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 understand "the Great Game" thoroughly if you 
 mean to play it from either side. 
 
 Still, he would not have sought after the 
 company of Ferrers in Australia. Here he ran 
 after it. 
 
 They dined together the same night. Directly 
 Ferrers understood the situation directly he 
 knew how the land lay he showed how useful 
 he could be. 
 
 Knowing his man he told him nothing but hard 
 clean truth. He left it to soak into his mind and 
 patiently waited till Hogg had verified his state- 
 ments and asked for more. 
 
 In this manner a kind of guarded intimacy 
 arose between them, and Ferrers suggested the 
 possibility of turning the Hogg Estate the Mills 
 and the Mines and the rest of it into a great 
 Industrial (limited) Company. 
 
 "Don't take my advice," he added. "Inquire 
 for yourself. Your Uncle banked as you do 
 still with Goldbury's. Rummy old Firm 
 older than Coutts and stronger than the Bank 
 of England. Oddly enough there's a woman at 
 the top of it the widow Lady Goldbury
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 69 
 
 wonderful business head when she likes to use it 
 ask her opinion as a big client you've a right 
 to do so." 
 
 Hogg did. 
 
 And met his destiny. 
 
 Lady Goldbury had a perfect little figure and 
 it was always perfectly dressed. James gazed at 
 it. He saw also her square, clean cut face, her 
 resolute mouth, and her keen twinkling, humorous 
 eyes. For one incidental instant he caught a 
 flying glimpse of a particularly neat foot and 
 ankle. 
 
 From the moment of their first meeting he 
 fell and grovelled a helpless victim before his 
 Idol. It was not love at first sight it was hope- 
 less blithering adoration. 
 
 During the initial stages of the complaint Lady 
 Goldbury was pleased after a fashion, rather 
 flattered and very much amused. 
 
 Later on she was only amused. Then the 
 thing ceased to be funny and she became irritated. 
 
 Hogg became a bore. 
 
 He could not write a letter without asking 
 for an interview with Lady Goldbury first.
 
 70 THE SINS OF SOCIETY; 
 
 Wherever he thought it likely that she would 
 go in public there he went. He prowled about 
 the Carlton, dined at the Ritz, supped at the 
 Savoy took stalls for six theatres on the same 
 evening and visited them all in the vain hope of 
 catching her at one. He wrote poetry and sent 
 it to her inside his business communications. He 
 called at her house with "floral tributes" at un- 
 earthly hours. When she went to bed she could 
 see him looking up at her window from beneath 
 the lamp opposite once she saw him there 
 interrogated by the Police as a suspicious 
 character ! 
 
 When she declined to interview him personally 
 and wrote only through her secretary it merely 
 made matters worse. 
 
 Hogg was in love. Really and genuinely in 
 love. And he had never been in love before. 
 
 In the company of Noel Ferrers he found 
 his solitary consolation. Ferrers stood any 
 amount of amatory confidence on the off chance 
 of making money out of the "Hogg Industrials 
 (limited)." It was a thoroughly sound promo- 
 tion, which would enhance his reputation, and
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 71 
 
 out of which he could dispense valuable pickings 
 to useful friends not forgetting Lady Marion. 
 So he honored Hogg, listened sympathetically, 
 and occasionally contrived accidental meetings 
 with the thrice adored Lady Goldbury. Such 
 encounters, however, became more difficult of 
 attainment as Lady Goldbury became more irri- 
 tated and more shy. For this reason Ferrers 
 had merely spoken of Hogg to Marion as "a 
 chap" he wished to introduce. He did not men- 
 tion his name. 
 
 He smiled to himself confidently at the pleas- 
 ant little surprise he had in store when he found 
 Hogg in radiant evening dress, fidgeting ner- 
 vously about Lady Marion's Library. 
 
 "Sorry I missed you," he said, for they had 
 arranged to come along together. "But I had 
 to do a little commission for Lady M." 
 
 "To win and a place?" Hogg answered. 
 
 "No. Nothing in that line." Ferrers smiled, 
 as he put a light parcel wrapped in brown paper 
 on the desk, "Just er something she wanted 
 - that's all. Now let's have a look at you?" 
 
 "All right?" Hogg asked pulling at his lapels.
 
 72 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 "Splendid! Diamond studs diamond sleeve 
 links! They'd inspire enormous confidence on a 
 Race Course but in a drawing room " 
 
 "What's the matter don't they suit me?" 
 
 "They would admirably in your old getup 
 with your bag and your 'briefs' " 
 
 " 'Ang it, I say they're real they ain't flash." 
 
 "Of course not and they might be sported 
 by a successful Bookmaker. But you don't want 
 people to know you've been in that line espe- 
 cially Lady Goldbury." 
 
 "No Good Heavens!" 
 
 "Then remember in good Society a man may 
 give diamonds but he mustn't wear them." 
 
 "Thanks" 
 
 "I hear dinner has been put off half an hour." 
 
 "Yes so the waiter I mean the footman 
 feller told me." 
 
 "Well, you won't find waiting tedious. There's 
 just a little stroke of luck in store for you. Who 
 else do you think is dining?" 
 
 "Can't guess." 
 
 "Lady Goldbury ! There ! When I heard she 
 was coming I asked leave to bring you talk
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 73 
 
 Industrials to Lady Marion, and let her in on 
 bed rock for some of the Preferences she 
 knows a heap of smart people and will be very 
 useful when it comes to selecting the Board." 
 
 "My dear chap I can't thank you enough 
 I'll do anything anything " 
 
 He stopped choking with gratitude and 
 delighted anticipation. 
 
 Lady Goldbury . . . 
 
 He was going to see her, speak with her, 
 at least, speak to her sit near her, gaze at her, 
 dine with her enjoy the mixed ecstasy and 
 anguish of her society for the next two hours. 
 Two whole long hours he, to whom she had 
 refused a personal word for over three weeks. 
 Would it be another three, possibly six before 
 he would again . . . ? 
 
 A Motor stopped outside. The door bell 
 clanged. Was it ? 
 
 The simple soul of honest James Hogg was 
 suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of desperate 
 determination. He laid a trembling hand on the 
 arm of Ferrers. "Could couldn't you leave us 
 a alone for a few minutes?" he said.
 
 74 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 "Certainly," Ferrers answered. "If you wisK 
 it" 
 
 And he passed out of a further door into the 
 Drawing Room as Lady Goldbury entered from 
 the Hall carrying a blue velvet large jewel case. 
 
 What James Hogg said in the course of the 
 next ten minutes neither he nor she ever exactly 
 remembered. Seizing his opportunity and dread- 
 ing momentary interruption he poured out his 
 passion in a stuttering spluttering flood of inter- 
 jection. He almost literally hurled at her feet 
 his undying devotion and a million's worth of 
 Cotton Mills. She was annoyed, irritated, resent- 
 ful then she began to laugh and then being 
 mortal the obvious depth of his sincerity flattered 
 and touched her vanity. Little by little she 
 relented. She pooh-poohed at any rate for the 
 present, any consideration of marriage, but she 
 withdrew her stern decree of banishment. She 
 gave him permission to call not too often; and 
 promised that perhaps she would dine with him 
 at the Carlton if he gave up writing poetry. 
 
 Incidentally, and as a deterrent, she threw out 
 a hint that if ever she married again it would
 
 75 
 
 be to an athlete, an adept at manly games and 
 exercises, an all-round sportsman. The chance 
 phrase stereotyped itself in the mind of Hogg, 
 and, such are the strange accidents of life, the 
 result had a vital influence on the lives of every 
 single person who sat round Marion Beaumont's 
 dinner table that evening. 
 
 For Dorian March had joined them, and they 
 were all assembled in the Drawing Room when 
 Ferrers quietly slipped back into the Library and 
 found Marion seated at the desk, gazing aim- 
 lessly at the gorgeous diamond tiara that Lady 
 Goldbury had brought according to her promise 
 to complete the Boadicea costume for the Fancy 
 Ball. 
 
 Ferrers looked at it over her shoulder. 
 "Splendid!" he said, "What brilliants! Jolly 
 singular too inset with emeralds and blue 
 diamonds. Shouldn't think there is another like 
 it in London. She was quite right though it's 
 only fit for a Princess ... or a pawnbroker." 
 
 Marion colored and started at the word. 
 
 "Pawn " she said.
 
 76 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 "Yes," answered Ferrers quietly. "Isn't 
 Morris coming?" 
 
 "What's that to do with " 
 
 "When?" Ferrers interrupted. 
 
 "At at eight but " 
 
 Ferrers glanced at the clock. "Just time," he 
 said. 
 
 "For for what?" Marion asked vaguely. 
 The morphia had not quite faded from her brain. 
 
 "To arrange the security on which Morris 
 will lend you Seven thousand pounds." 
 
 She stared at him blankly. Her lips were dry. 
 
 "Who else will lend it?" he said. "You are 
 in a deuce of a corner. Now I'll tell you a secret. 
 My horse the Dragon, was tried this morning. 
 The Grand Prix is a certainty for him. Yet the 
 ring will lay you thirty to one. If you backed 
 him for a thousand a thousand at thirty to one 
 and won thirty thousand pounds you could pay 
 every debt you owe twice over!" 
 
 "A thousand," Marion whispered hoarsely, 
 "A thousand" 
 
 "Exactly. But you'd want the ready to do it.
 
 77 
 
 Too many people know I mean bookmakers 
 aren't a trustful race." 
 
 "I haven't" 
 
 "A spare shilling. I know. But " He hes- 
 itated for just one second. There was still time 
 to avoid speaking the final words that might get 
 him kicked out of the house on the spot or might 
 make him its Master forever . . . 
 
 ... A piano tinkled. He heard the tiny but 
 sweet and faultless voice of Gwen singing snatches 
 from a favorite musical play a queer contrast 
 like a banjo in Paradise. He heard Dorian 
 laugh Dorian who . . . 
 
 Ferrers took the plunge. "Morris would lend 
 you plenty on that" he said, pointing to the Tiara, 
 and the next instant Marion sprang blazing to 
 her feet. 
 
 But Ferrers raised a reassuring hand and 
 smiled. 
 
 "I am not for an instant suggesting that you 
 should really pawn it," he said, "you need only 
 . . . show it." 
 
 "To to Morris?" 
 
 "Why not?"
 
 78 THE SINS OF SOCIETY, 
 
 "As my own?" 
 
 Boadicea her very self could not have looked 
 more scornfully imposing in a moment of mag- 
 nificent indignation. Ferrers' heart beat hard. 
 Had he made a hideous blunder? Had he hope- 
 lessly miscalculated the odds against his coup? 
 In three seconds he would know for he made 
 no outward sign, but just shrugged his shoulders 
 without concern and said quietly: 
 
 "I assure you, my dear Lady Marion, this sort 
 of thing is done much more often than you sup- 
 pose. Besides there is nothing in it it is thor- 
 oughly understood by people like Morris. It's 
 a form a ceremony a show of security that 
 for the moment you have not got made by er 
 people like yourself whose repayments are a 
 certainty." 
 
 "A certainty! Mine a certainty?" 
 
 With a quick emphatic gesture Ferrers was at 
 her side. "I tell you," he said in a hoarse feverish 
 whisper, "the Dragon is a certainty an absolute 
 certainty a fortune is. as good as in your pocket 
 if you'd only the money, the ready money to 
 back him with!"
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY* 79 
 
 Fearless, Defiant, Dominant, he looked hard 
 into Marion's face. He saw the slack mouth 
 tremble he heard the short laboring sob he 
 watched the big luminous eyes fall, then wander 
 in furtive questioning back to his own and he 
 felt that those eyes were inflamed by the passion 
 of the gambler, not by the wrath of a queen. 
 Promptly, and with quick decision, he gave her 
 his instructions commands, not advice. 
 
 He tore open the parcel he had brought and 
 placed before her two large white cardboard 
 boxes. 
 
 "You see they are exactly alike," he said, "and 
 they contain nothing but a little cotton wool." 
 He took up the Tiara in its case and judged the 
 weight on his hand. Then from one box he 
 took the wool, went across to the unlit fire, and 
 selecting two pieces of coal carefully wrapped 
 the wool round and put it back in its box again. 
 He compared the weight with that of the Tiara, 
 replaced the lid, and taking some string from a 
 ball on the table, carefully tied up the box. 
 "Now," he said, "place this box in that drawer 
 so that when you are sitting at the desk it is
 
 8o THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 close to your left hand. Then show Morris the 
 Tiara. Make some excuse for keeping the case. 
 Put the Tiara in the second box. Tie it with 
 string exactly as I tied the first. Then where 
 is your seal yes you see I put it here on the 
 mantelshelf almost hidden by this book tell 
 Morris you want to seal the string, and ask him 
 to fetch the seal for you. . . . Directly he turns 
 his back open the drawer containing the first box 
 on your left and at the same time open the empty 
 drawer on your right . . . put the box contain- 
 ing the Tiara quietly into the right hand drawer 
 . . . put the box containing the coal on the table 
 in front of you . . . close both the drawers 
 quietly . . . seal the box on the table carefully 
 and let Morris take it away . . . when he has 
 gone open the other box, destroy it put the 
 Tiara back into its case and return it to Lady 
 Goldbury . . . you will redeem the box from 
 Morris directly the Dragon wins, and " 
 
 "I can't," gasped Marion, horrified, terrified, 
 "I can't!" 
 
 "How else will you get the money? Bah 
 you're a gambler so am II Nothing venture,
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 81 
 
 nothing win! Besides " his voice sank per- 
 suasively, "It's only a loan. You do the man no 
 harm. And he understands right enough . . . 
 If you don't do it well, you know the corner you 
 are in. Are you going to back down, going to 
 give in, going to cry beaten before all the world? 
 . . . And I tell you the Dragon's a certainty! 
 Here's your chance will you take it, or leave it? 
 If you don't " 
 
 The door opened and Morris, the Pawnbroker, 
 stood before them. 
 
 Ferrers knew him perfectly well but he made 
 no sign. Morris never spoke till he was spoken 
 to. 
 
 "Someone to see you on business, eh?" said 
 Ferrers. "I'll join the others, and," he added in 
 a lower voice, "you may be sure you won't be 
 interrupted." 
 
 She drew a curtain over the door when he 
 had gone, and tried for a moment vainly, and 
 vaguely, to think. 
 
 "Where else will you get the money? If you 
 don't" . . . Disgrace! 
 
 Luckily Morris was so well accustomed to
 
 82 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 confidential interviews with embarrassed Ladies 
 of Fashion that her embarrassment did not sur- 
 prise him. Calm, discreet, decorous, a handsome 
 man with a pointed, well-kept, white beard, he 
 stood patiently waiting for whatever revelation 
 was to come. 
 
 "I hope I have not put you to any inconvenience 
 in asking you to call " she said at length. 
 
 "Not at all, my lady. It is a pleasure to wait 
 upon a client. Especially if the business is 
 urgent." 
 
 "It is rather urgent unexpected. And I 
 er I want a large amount." 
 
 "How much, my lady?" 
 
 "Seven seven thousand pounds." 
 
 " Thousand? It is fairly large." 
 
 "I suppose I I couldn't raise it on my Bill 
 or note of hand?" 
 
 "Not without security, my lady I may say 
 large security. But if your ladyship has any to 
 suggest " 
 
 "There are some jewels" Marion said. Her 
 lips stuck. She could say no more. She pointed 
 nervously to Lady Goldbury's Tiara, and Morris
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 83 
 
 took it from its case, then he quietly placed a 
 jeweller's powerful magnifying lens in his eye 
 and examined the glittering mass of gems care- 
 fully. 
 
 "Superb," he muttered as he gazed. "Quite 
 perfect brilliants exceptionally perfect and 
 a unique design very curious alternate emer- 
 alds and blue diamonds inset. I should remember 
 it anywhere " 
 
 "Can I have the money, Mr. Morris?" Marion 
 said quickly. 
 
 "On this, my lady." 
 
 The lens slipped through his fingers and fell 
 on the floor. As he stooped to find it he did not 
 notice the reeling figure and the hoarse voice of 
 the tortured woman. 
 
 He only heard the answer. 
 
 Experience had taught him that such interviews 
 should not be prolonged. Without a word he 
 sat down at the desk and wrote out a check. 
 
 "Seven thousand pounds," he said, and defer- 
 entially extended his hand towards the Tiara. 
 
 Marion coughed. She wanted every ounce of
 
 84 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 courage for the final ordeal. Every nerve was 
 taut and tense. 
 
 "I er I thought, Mr. Morris if er if 
 it doesn't matter I er I don't want my maid 
 to notice the absence of the case you you 
 understand? I I thought perhaps we might 
 put the Tiara into into this box, and and I can 
 seal it, you know, instead of locking it." 
 
 "With pleasure, my lady. May I assist " 
 He took the Tiara from its case himself, and 
 placed it carefully on the cotton wool in the box. 
 
 Then he put on the lid. 
 
 Marion took the string and tied it securely 
 round the box exactly as Ferrers had done 
 exactly as he had tied the box that lay in the 
 drawer, ready, to her left hand. 
 
 Morris lit a wax taper. 
 
 Now . . . she looked about the table for the 
 seal. 
 
 "Ah, of course how stupid of me," she said. 
 "It's over there on the mantelpiece might I 
 ask you " 
 
 Morris turned at once. 
 
 Had she the courage? Would he look back
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 85 
 
 . . . she opened the left hand drawer . . . she 
 never took her eyes from Morris . . . she opened 
 the right hand drawer ... he half turned and 
 she sat rigid . . . would he ... no, he went 
 further in his search . . . and she lifted the Box 
 with the Tiara into the right hand drawer, just 
 as she drew out the box from the left hand 
 drawer, and put it in the other's place . . . 
 she closed both the drawers quietly . . . the 
 blood surged and pounded in her head . . . her 
 heart seemed bursting . . . she stifled a gasp and 
 leaned back heavily as Morris exclaimed, "Is 
 is this it?" 
 
 "Thank you. Would you mind lighting the 
 wax . . . I I am afraid I am rather nervous 
 tonight my hand shakes. . . ." 
 
 Morris had seen the same sort of thing before, 
 and murmured that it was always distressing for 
 ladies to be mixed up in matters of business. He 
 trusted she would now have no further cause for 
 anxiety. He would hear from her again?" 
 
 "Yes, yes, of course, Mr. Morris shall repay 
 you without fail " 
 
 Morris bowed.
 
 86 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 "I merely meant, how long might your lady- 
 ship wish " 
 
 "Immediately after the Grand Prix," Marion 
 answered quickly, "that is er directly I return 
 from Paris." 
 
 i 
 
 "Quite so." There was just a tinkle of sar- 
 casm in the voice of the Pawnbroker. "After the 
 Grand Prix, I have no doubt I shall hear from 
 your ladyship again!" 
 
 He bowed himself out. Marion stood, it 
 seemed for an age, till she heard the front door 
 close heavily upon her honor, upon her heart 
 . . . she had taken the man's money ... he 
 had gone . . . and left her there ... a Crimi- 
 nal! A Swindler. . . . 
 
 She dared not think . . . she could not stop 
 
 now . . . she must go on ... quickly . . . 
 
 
 
 she dashed to the right hand drawer, tore out 
 the white box, broke it into a dozen fragments 
 and tossed them into the basket under the desk 
 . . . she replaced the Tiara in its velvet case, and 
 took it back to Lady Goldbury with thanks arid 
 excuses. It was too gorgeous, too valuable 
 she could not think of wearing it.
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 87 
 
 "Very well," Lady Goldbury answered, neither 
 could she. So it must return to the Bank again 
 for another year or two. . . . 
 
 . . . "Where no one will see it, what a pity," 
 Noel Ferrers commented as he caught Marion's 
 eye. . . . 
 
 She was safe then ... at any rate for the 
 time . . . till after the Grand Prix . . . but 
 that was a certainty, an absolute certainty ! 
 
 But when the evening was over, and she was 
 locked in her room alone with Memory and 
 Conscience she turned to the Morphia needle 
 again.
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 THE DESPERATE RACE 
 
 IT ain't Racin' it's a Flower Show," said an 
 old-fashioned Sportsman, the first time that 
 he clapped eyes on the vast assemblage at Long- 
 champs. His description was apt, and largely 
 accurate. 
 
 Three fourths of the people who flocked to 
 the great French race course came there to see 
 everything except the horses. The paths among 
 the trees and flower beds, and the interminable 
 parade at the back of the tall Stands were more 
 popular than the lawns in front of them. 
 
 The ghost of Isabelle, the celebrated and 
 variegated Flower Seller to the Jockey Club, was 
 supposed to haunt the steps of the Presidential 
 Pavilion, now-a-days guarded by neat little Sol- 
 diers of the Line in place of the imposing
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 89 
 
 Cuirassiers who were the glory of the bygone 
 Empire. 
 
 The Pavilion was the pivot and center of the 
 hour around which the tide of Fashion flowed. 
 
 Here came the Mannequins the girl models 
 from the more famous dressmakers wearing 
 the frocks which it had been decreed should 
 govern the mode for the ensuing year. They 
 were seen for the first time on the day of the 
 Grand Prix, and all chic Paris came to see them; 
 and others besides the sporting section of Smart 
 Society came over from London with a similar 
 object in view. 
 
 Here the Kodak snapped and the busy 
 pencil noted while the horses were often for- 
 gotten. But the race was a great race for all 
 that English owners were always eager to 
 win it and it was defended by the French with 
 keenness and determination. The French, more- 
 over, betted about it heavily often backing 
 their own horses as Patriots rather than as 
 judges of sport. The Grand Prix was, there- 
 fore, a race over which large sums of money 
 could be lost and won.
 
 90 tTHE SINS OF SOCIETY; 
 
 Unhappily there are upon the Turf at all 
 times those who remember that winning is 
 always a problem, but losing can be made a 
 certainty. 
 
 Noel Ferrers was one of them. 
 
 But in this particular year he could certainly 
 have won the Grand Prix had he wished to 
 do so. 
 
 His decision hung in the balance until the 
 eleventh hour. 
 
 He determined not to back the Dragon 
 until the last minute and he made his plans 
 accordingly. He did not in any case intend to 
 back the horse openly upon the course. His 
 trusted Commissioner had a sheaf of written 
 telegrams in his pocket ready for instant despatch 
 when the right moment came and when the 
 time for the race drew nearer and the excite- 
 ment began to increase, he wondered at the reason 
 for delay. 
 
 Just then drums began to rattle, a military 
 band blared, Gendarmes and Sergents de Ville 
 cleared a way through the pushing crowd and a 
 Guard of Honor came at a rattling trot along
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 9* 
 
 the gravelled drive. People stood on chairs, 
 waved their handkerchiefs and race cards, 
 cheering loudly as the bayonets of the soldiers 
 flashed to the salute, and the open barouche of 
 the gray-haired President of the Republic stopped 
 before the Pavilion. 
 
 Smiling, bowing, with his wife on his arm, 
 Monsieur Fallieres passed out of sight. More 
 cheering welcomed his appearance in the Presi- 
 dential Box. 
 
 Meantime Marion Beaumont feverishly waited 
 for the coming race, and thought only of the 
 Dragon. 
 
 Noel Ferrers looked at Dorian March and 
 thought of Gwen. Fate had played into his 
 hand beyond his expectation. Marion, having 
 once accepted his advice, pursued it to its 
 logical conclusion. She had borrowed seven 
 thousand pounds from Morris on "Security." 
 If by risking one thousand she could get out of 
 all her difficulties, she could by risking two 
 thousand win a small fortune. By risking 
 three a large one. By risking more she could 
 win more. She hated poverty. She loved
 
 92 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 luxury. She had gambled away everything 
 she possessed save a small jointure. Here 
 was affluence within her grasp. It was a 
 "certainty." She had risked her honor because 
 it was a "certainty." Why not reap the full 
 harvest of her risk? 
 
 She paid her card debts at the Club and she 
 repaid Lady Goldbury, but with every other 
 shilling of the borrowed money she backed the 
 Dragon at the longest odds that she could get. 
 
 And why not? 
 
 It was a "certainty!" 
 
 When she told Ferrers he smiled and said 
 she was a fine "Sportsman." Nothing venture, 
 nothing win! 
 
 But even he looked a little grave when he 
 thought of what must must inevitably happen, 
 if-! 
 
 The thought was in his mind when he 
 glanced at his watch, and managed to intercept 
 Gwen as the crowd for a moment separated 
 her from the Duchess of Danebury and the 
 English Party with whom she had come over to
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 93 
 
 see her first Grand Prix, and pay her first visit 
 to Paris. 
 
 The girl was happy, excited, delighted, just 
 a shade flushed, a perfect type of her class and 
 of her race, she looked more beautiful, more 
 fascinating than ever amidst the highly decorated, 
 and kaleidoscopic, cosmopolitan crowd. 
 
 For over a week since the night that he had 
 dined at the house of her sister Ferrers had 
 studiously avoided her. In the whole of his life 
 he had never spoken a word to her beyond the 
 ordinary commonplace of casual conversation. 
 Yet instinctively she shrank from him and felt 
 constrained and on her guard in his presence. 
 Her manner showed it perhaps. In any case 
 Ferrers realized that while he could talk easily 
 to women of the world there was nothing in com- 
 mon between himself and this sweet and simple 
 girl. 
 
 But it only whetted his appetite. He looked 
 at her as a wolf looks into the sheep fold, wait- 
 ing for the shepherd to be gone. He had waited 
 as the wolf waits in grim silence. 
 
 Something, however, possibly the thought of
 
 94 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 Marion, of all she had done, of all that must' 
 must inevitably happen, suddenly loosened his 
 tongue. His Commissioner was standing near 
 waiting for final orders. His jockey, little Jack- 
 man, was close by. The Saddling Bell would 
 ring directly. Then 
 
 "Won't you sit down for a minute with me 
 and look at the frocks?" Ferrers said to Gwen. 
 
 "Thanks," she answered, "I er I'm not very 
 much in love with frocks, you know." 
 
 "Not other people's, of course. But don't 
 you like to wear them to be able to buy them, 
 and all the other pretty things that were meant 
 for pretty ladies?" 
 
 "O, they are all very nice, Mr. Ferrers, but 
 but money can't buy everything." 
 
 "Hum," Ferrers shook his head. "Better be a 
 rich man's darling than a young man's slave." 
 
 "/ shall be no one's slave 1" Gwen flashed. 
 
 "An old man's darling even, rather than a 
 young man's slave?" 
 
 "I don't think age counts in er " 
 
 "Marriage?" said Ferrers quickly. 
 
 "It doesn't count in Love."
 
 TOE SINS OF SOCIETY 95 
 
 "I I am glad you think that," said Ferrers 
 earnestly : he knew he was over forty and looked 
 it. "I I hope you always will." 
 
 "Yes?" Gwen answered. Straight in front 
 of her, a dozen yards away, Dorian March 
 stood in the sunlight, very tall, handsome, and 
 young. 
 
 "I don't think the question will trouble me 
 very much," she added. 
 
 Ferrers followed her eye. 
 
 "It is " he said, "It is the privilege o 
 ladies sometimes, to change their minds." 
 
 Then Gwendolin Ashley pronounced her sister's 
 doom. 
 
 "My mind is quite made up," she said, firmly 
 and with intention. 
 
 Ferrers' jaw set. 
 
 "So is mine," he said. 
 
 "About what?" 
 
 He looked into her eyes hungrily, savagely. 
 "My chance of winning the Great Prize." 
 
 Without another word he turned away to his 
 Commissioner. 
 
 "I am not betting," he said to him in a low,
 
 96 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 sharp voice, "the horse doesn't look as well as I 
 could wish. You can tear up those telegrams." 
 
 With his hand on the shoulder of Jackman 
 he disappeared in the crowd, leaving the Com- 
 missioner staring after him, open mouthed. 
 
 And just then the Saddling Bell clanged and 
 the Gendarmes began to clear the course. 
 
 Whatever else in the way of sport the crowd 
 ignored, it always crushed to see the one great 
 race itself. Soon the lawns and the huge stands 
 were packed to overflowing while for the moment 
 the open garden-like parade was left empty and 
 deserted. 
 
 Here for the moment three people remained 
 alone. James Hogg, ecstatically happy at 
 being permitted to do so for that particular 
 afternoon, fluttered in constant attendance on 
 Lady Goldbury, who never left Marion for 
 very long together since the pale face of the 
 latter, and her momentary nervousness and 
 agitation troubled her. 
 
 "Aren't you coming to see the Race, dear?" 
 she asked. 
 
 "I can't."
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 97 
 
 "Can't?" 
 
 "I I daren't!" 
 
 "But why?" 
 
 "Because it means so much " 
 
 "To you, dear?" 
 
 "Yes! It means a Fortune " 
 
 "You you've been gambling again O Ma- 
 rion I betting ?" 
 
 "Yes no, I mean it's not a gamble it's a 
 "certainty" and a Fortune, too! what's that!" 
 
 She started as a big shout rent the air. 
 
 "Nothing, dear they're only cheering the 
 President coming out into his Box." 
 
 "Ah ! They'll be cheering the Dragon directly ! 
 What are they waiting for! Why doesn't the 
 race begin!" 
 
 "Come, come," said Lady Goldbury, "Sit here 
 with me now it will be run in a few minutes. 
 Mr. Hogg, take your glasses tell us what they 
 are doing." 
 
 Hogg, standing on the steps at the back of 
 the President's Pavilion could see most of the 
 course, through a gap between the Stands. 
 
 "They are at the" ("at the Post" he was
 
 9.8 THE SINS OF SOCIETY, 
 
 going to say, but suddenly realized that the 
 phrase revealed a greater familiarity with Race 
 course colloquialisms than he wished to display 
 in the presence of Lady Goldbury. So he coughed 
 and recast his phrase) "The er the Horses are 
 waiting to commence, I think." 
 
 "You know the colors," Marion asked quickly, 
 "Don't forget Mr. Ferrers All Yellow." 
 
 Hogg knew them perfectly, but he ostenta- 
 tiously consulted his card. 
 
 "O ah-r-yes quite so, All Yellow Number 
 Seven." 
 
 "That's it Seven the Lucky Number! the 
 Favorite is the French horse Mentor Blue and 
 iVVhite Hoops" 
 
 "Yes number Nine." 
 
 "There's nothing else in it but Rattle Black 
 and White Cap number Three." 
 
 "Yes I see them all by the Starting Ga er 
 ham, in front of a white barrier sort of thing 
 . . . they are moving slowly towards it ... 
 there is a white flag flying . . . ' 
 
 Marion held her breath. There was a tense 
 silence in the very air. She noticed that the
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY) 99 
 
 strong sunlight threw shadows even from the 
 blades of grass . . . she heard birds twittering 
 in the branches overhead . . . the crunch of the 
 sentry's heel as he turned on the gravel scratched 
 her brain as a finger nail tears linen . . . the 
 flowers glared too vividly from the parterre . . . 
 
 "They're of!!" 
 
 It is always a curious sound at the start of 
 any race . . . but when twenty thousand voices 
 shout the same thing at one and the same instant 
 there is a marvellously impressive weight behind 
 the words . . . 
 
 ... In an instant the dead still motionless, 
 silent, waiting, watching crowd was swept by 
 movement, restlessness, and wild excitement 
 people strained to see the horses, stood on chairs 
 asked questions called to others in the Stands 
 shouted encouragements unheeded and unheard 
 to horse and jockey as they thundered past, an 
 avalanche of straining nerve and muscle capped 
 with whimpering silk . . . 
 
 "What's in front? Mr. Hogg please " 
 1 'Rattle', making the running like er hem 
 galloping quite swiftly."
 
 ioo THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 "And the Dragon?" 
 
 "Inside, next the er nearest to the further 
 white railing." 
 
 "Mentor?" 
 
 "Going strong " 
 
 "Anything else dangerous ?" 
 
 "Nothing that I can see ... my! the pace 
 is a cracker . . . Field trailing to nothing . . . 
 some of them riding now . . . ' 
 
 Lady Goldbury stared in astonishment. "Mr. 
 Hogg ?" she said. But Marion Beaumont 
 grasped her arm. 
 
 "Go on," she cried, "you can see tell me I 
 daren't look !" 
 
 "They're at the bend!" The passion of the 
 race had seized Hogg by the throat, he forgot 
 everything in the joy of the struggle. "Coming 
 round Gad! Jackman's an artist! in the 
 straight now they're Rattle's BEAT! Ha! Ha! 
 
 that whip's no good, my boy you're done 
 
 Dragon walks in! go on, Jackman nothing left 
 but Mentor remember his turn of speed go on 
 don't chance it, he's too near you go on, boy 
 he's at your quarters don't draw it fine Jack-
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 101 
 
 man! go on! he's at your girth your shoulder 
 your neck at Dragon's head they're locked ! ! 
 the Finish it's stride for stride ride, Jackman ! 
 you must win Damn it! what are you doin'? 
 go on ride, boy, ride!" 
 
 Hogg sprang from the steps and vanished. 
 
 It was over! 
 
 A great roar went up from the crowd. 
 
 "I've won!" cried Marion, "Victory ..." 
 
 But Lady Goldbury stood still with uplifted 
 hand . . . the roar of the crowd was not the 
 grand generous cheer that greets a winner . . . 
 beneath it crackled an angry coppery thunder 
 ... a deep bass note . . . what was it? ... 
 what did it mean? ... it swelled to a savage 
 howl of execration! ... it centered about the 
 horses as they came back to weigh in ... a 
 yelling crowd swirled and surged . . . fists and 
 sticks were shaken . . . suddenly the bright 
 jacket of a jockey vanished ... he had been 
 pulled from his horse and the crowd were after 
 him! . . . white and terrified, the boy plunged 
 for safety through the fashionable mob on the 
 lawn . . but even there he found neither sane-
 
 iroa THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 tuary nor mercy . . . like a hunted beast he fled 
 through a gap in the stand, only to find retreat 
 cut off on every hand ... in an access of despair 
 he dashed towards the sentries round the Presi- 
 dent's Pavilion ... on its very steps his pur- 
 suers ran into their quarry. 
 
 It was an ugly scene . . . ! 
 
 Into the midst of it the strong, square shoulders 
 of Noel Ferrers forced their way. He could "put 
 up his hands" very prettily at a push and he 
 did not hesitate. He gave no heed to blows or 
 curses till he stood over the bruised and draggled 
 body of little Jackman and hit out right and left 
 ... a line of Gendarmes were pressing to the 
 rescue ... in an instant he picked up the boy 
 like a feather and with one mighty rush carried 
 him through and flung him at Marion Beau- 
 mont's feet. 
 
 The Boy whimpered blood was trickling down 
 his face . . . 
 
 "Good God! What is it" she cried. 
 
 "We've been robbed that's all," hissed Fer- 
 rers Was his anger a shade unreal? "We've 
 been robbed ! The little thief pulled my horse in
 
 THE SINS OE SOCIETY 103 
 
 the last stride pulled him when he had the race 
 in hand pulldd him! the crowd saw it and 
 want to lynch him that's all!" 
 
 "Pulled!" Marion gasped, "Pulled? What 
 d'you mean. He's won!" 
 
 "No!" came the answer, "Second beaten a 
 head Mentor first Mentor, the French horse, 
 first . . . !" 
 
 The Great Race was over . . . 
 
 The trumpet notes of the Marseillaise, crashed 
 out in triumph from the Military Band ... a 
 mixed roar of cheers and execration rose from 
 the crowd . . . but Marion Beaumont saw only 
 before her the impassive face of Morris, the 
 searching eyes, the white pointed beard . . . she 
 heard only the dry, quiet voice saying: 
 
 "I have no doubt, my lady, I shall hear from 
 you again, after the Great Race . . . ' 
 
 Then she reeled and fell forward on the grass, 
 insensible.
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 IN THE TOILS 
 
 MORRIS the Pawnbroker read the para- 
 graph carefully three separate times. 
 
 It was not contained in a hurried report. He 
 found it in the columns of The Dais, a responsible 
 and reliable Society journal, and he knew that 
 he could depend upon its accuracy. 
 
 He put the paper down and reflected. Two 
 weeks had passed since the Grand Prix had been 
 run, but he had not heard from Lady Marion 
 Beaumont. This had not surprised him. Ladies 
 are frequently casual and unbusinesslike ; besides, 
 she might not yet have returned from Paris. 
 Still . . . 
 
 After a moment's thought he went to the 
 telephone and rang up the Victoria Club, and 
 asked for Mr. Hiram Marks, the well-known
 
 105 
 
 Book-maker. Marks had been under obliga- 
 tions to him on more than one occasion when 
 he had wanted money in a hurry. Marks had 
 often given him useful information in return. 
 Marks "Hullo," "What? Yes Lady Marion 
 punted a bit pretty often rather lucky as a rule 
 what? The Grand Prix O ah! yes in the 
 cart with the rest of 'em all the clever division 
 had their shirts down on Dragon thought it 
 was a cop she's a pal of the owner Ferrers 
 and plunged how much? find out if you like 
 but a bad race I took two thou' off her more 
 besides that to others did a faint after the finish 
 the knock? can't say hasn't betted since 
 shall I ask no? all right g'bye." 
 
 She had tried to win a fortune. But she had 
 actually lost thousands. 
 
 Was that the reason why he had not heard 
 from her? And now, would he ever hear? 
 
 Morris read the paragraph again. There 
 was nothing much in it to the ordinary eye. It 
 merely recounted the fact that an Illustrious Per- 
 sonage, to celebrate the laying of a foundation 
 stone of a new Hospital irr the City, had elected
 
 10(5 rTHE SINS OF SOCIETY; 
 
 to honor the Goldsmiths Company by dining with 
 them in their famous and historic Hall. 
 
 The occasion had been illuminated by a 
 marvellous display of the Guild's priceless gold 
 plate, and by a brilliant assemblage of City 
 notabilities, among them being Lady Goldbury, 
 who was accorded the seat of honor which would 
 have been the due of her late husband, Sir Joseph 
 Goldbury, the eminent Banker, a former Wor- 
 shipful Master of the Goldsmith Company. 
 
 The Dais described in detail Lady Goldbury's 
 dress, and it added that appropriately to the 
 place and the hour she wore the wonderful Tiara 
 which was presented to her by the Goldsmiths 
 when she married their esteemed and respected 
 chief. The design of this Tiara, which had never 
 been seen on Lady Goldbury's head outside the 
 City, was quite unique. The brilliants were of 
 unusual purity and most carefully matched. They 
 were curiously inset with alternate Emeralds and 
 Blue Diamonds. 
 
 This was the exact description of the Tiara 
 that Lady Marion Beaumont had pledged with 
 Morris as security for seven thousand pounds.
 
 Could there possibly be two? If not, ? 
 
 A fool might have rushed to his Safe and 
 torn open the sealed cardboard box to convince 
 himself of the truth. 
 
 But Morris was not a fool. If he had found 
 that the box were empty there would be nothing 
 for it but a criminal prosecution. He could not 
 have compounded a felony. He did not rush to 
 his safe because he did not want to know too 
 much. He wanted his money. And he pondered 
 for a little while before he determined on the 
 best way to get it. 
 
 So he marked the paragraph in The Dais with 
 thick blue pencil, put the paper away with the 
 Box, and patiently waited until the end of the 
 week. 
 
 Now just at this particular period "week-end 
 cottages" were very much in fashion. 
 
 Morris always did what his patrons did in a 
 modest, unobtrusive manner. He liked to keep 
 in touch with them. For this reason he had 
 for a couple of seasons leased a comfortable 
 little villa close to the river bank, at Windsor. 
 The story of smart life is written very plainly,
 
 io8 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 for those who can read the signs, in a crowded 
 Lock on a Summer Sunday. 
 
 Morris judged correctly that he would find 
 Lady Marion Beaumont at her Windsor Cot- 
 tage on any fine Saturday afternoon. 
 
 As a matter of fact, she had gone there 
 immediately upon her return from Paris. Lon- 
 don was unbearable to her. She could not face 
 her friends by day nor the roar and hammer of 
 the noise at night. Her brain ached. Every 
 nerve was on edge. She tried vainly to "pull her- 
 self together," to think calmly and deliberately. 
 The result was always the same. Tears, hysteria, 
 panic, and morphia! 
 
 Noel Ferrers, on the excuse of imperative 
 business, kept away, despite appealing letters. 
 He had no intention of hurrying his master 
 stroke. 
 
 Marion could not, dared not, confide in 
 Gwen. 
 
 She could only wait, writhing, trembling, till 
 it pleased her Arch Counsellor to come down, 
 and pronounce on the situation. 
 
 Along the terraced walk, backed by a blaze
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 109 
 
 of rhododendrons, she paced for hours, gazing 
 aimlessly at the lovely landscape and the broad 
 stretch of sunlight river that swept and curved 
 below the steep slope to the Castle. 
 
 Gwen found ample leisure for long uninter- 
 rupted talks with Dorian, and the lovers would 
 have been happy enough but for the growing 
 anxiety inspired by Marion's pale, drawn face. 
 
 Dorian was not a rich man, and like most 
 young soldiers lived cheerfully above his income. 
 He felt that Marion's trouble was financial, but 
 he was powerless to help her. He could only 
 condole with her upon her health, and when he 
 did so he knew that he was talking nonsense. 
 
 Once or twice Lady Goldbury motored down 
 from town for afternoon tea, and sometimes 
 James Hogg ventured to call, for he also had 
 gone in for the proper thing a River cottage 
 where he assiduously and surreptitiously sought 
 to acquire such a proficiency in manly exercises 
 as he hoped would meet with Lady Goldbury's 
 approval. 
 
 Night after night he crept out quietly with 
 sculls, or punt pole. And day after day as a
 
 rule he paid for the incidental damage! He 
 had listened to language choice and varied when 
 he plunged into a house boat at midnight with 
 all the determination of an ironclad ram, or had 
 nearly overturned a skiff drifting beneath the 
 silent stars while love's young dream nestled with 
 a guitar amidst the cushions in the stern. By 
 day he "punched the ball" and swung dumb-bells. 
 By night he perspired in his punt when he did 
 not fall heavily out of it. 
 
 It was an uphill struggle. But he thought 
 of Lady Goldbury, and persevered. 
 
 And she encouraged him for it kept him away 
 from Town! At least that is what she said. 
 As a matter of fact the man's devotion and sim- 
 plicity began to attract her a good deal. He 
 was a keen business man and could talk figures 
 all day long, but he did not eat, dream, and think 
 money like the people in the City. He was ab- 
 solutely natural and entirely unpretentious very 
 unlike the people in Society. 
 
 An hour with Hogg was a refreshing change. 
 
 So one brilliant Saturday afternoon her motor 
 stopped outside his River cottage. And presently
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY in 
 
 she took him on to tea with Marion Beau- 
 mont. 
 
 It was a blazing day and they sat in the gar- 
 den, with Gwen and Dorian, of course, while 
 Lady Goldbury dilated on the glories of the 
 Goldsmiths' recent Reception, of Illustrious af- 
 fability, and the hideous frocks worn by other 
 women and the beauties of her own. There 
 was a sketch of it in The Dais with pardon- 
 able pride she had brought down a copy for 
 Gwen, who half aloud began to read out the 
 Description. 
 
 Marion paid very little heed. She seized the 
 chance of questioning Hogg about the Industrial 
 Cotton Company the Company out of which 
 Ferrers had hinted she might possibly "make a 
 good thing." She had almost forgotten it. But 
 suddenly it loomed before her, not as a last straw, 
 but as a raft of refuge. 
 
 But it melted at her touch. 
 
 No. Hogg told her, glancing at Lady Gold- 
 bury, that he did not mean to pursue the promo- 
 tion. His mills and factories had begun to 
 interest him. He had abandoned his intention
 
 ii2 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 of returning to Australia. He had determined 
 to remain in England and run his business him- 
 self. The Company was "off." 
 
 There was no hope in that direction. . . . 
 
 "Oh ! So you wore the Tiara after all !" 
 
 Marion started. . . . 
 
 "What what's that, Gwen?" she asked. 
 
 "The Tiara you know the one you wouldn't 
 wear for Boadicea Lady Goldbury's she wore 
 it after all at the Goldsmiths' here's all about it 
 in The Dais," 
 
 She brought the paper over to her sister, who 
 stared at it in stupefied horror . . . "brilliants." 
 . . . "inset Emeralds and Blue Diamonds." 
 . . . Good God! If Morris should see? 
 
 "I never thought I should," Lady Goldbury 
 explained. "But it's a sort of sacred rite when 
 I visit the Guild on State occasions they'd as 
 soon expect to see me without my petticoat!" 
 
 The others laughed. Lady Goldbury chattered 
 on. 
 
 Marion's heart was in her throat. Had the 
 end the inevitable end come suddenly and at 
 last?
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 113 
 
 She tried to steady her thoughts. There 
 could be two Tiaras almost alike. Why not? 
 But if Morris suspected doubted wanted his 
 
 money 
 
 A maid announced "Mr. Ferrers ..." and 
 Marion almost sprang to her feet. 
 
 "Noel Ferrers . . . at last!" 
 
 Broad shouldered, calm, unruffled, confident, 
 every line of the resolute face inspired hope. 
 
 She packed off the others to tea in the house, 
 and, almost before they were out of hearing, 
 thrust the paper into his hands. 
 
 "Read it," she cried, "there ruin if Morris 
 sees it " 
 
 "He will probably ask for his money," said 
 Ferrers coolly. 
 
 "And you know I can't pay him !" 
 
 "I don't see that it makes any difference. He 
 was bound to ask for it some day sooner or 
 later" 
 
 "But I hoped to make some. I I thought I 
 could depend that you would help me, show me 
 somehow how to to win " 
 
 "I tried, my dear lady, no man could do more.
 
 ii4 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 It didn't come off. Upon my word, I hardly like 
 risking advice again " 
 
 "You mean you won't help me?" 
 
 Ferrers smiled curiously. He took from his 
 pocket a small package. "In your letter yester- 
 day, you intrusted me with a small commission. 
 I always do my best to gratify your wishes." 
 
 He bowed and handed to her a phial of 
 Morphia. 
 
 "It's a bad habit," he went on. "But at any 
 rate it helps one to forget while waiting." 
 
 "Waiting!" exclaimed Marion. "Waiting for 
 what?" 
 
 "For something to happen before Morris 
 opens the Box." 
 
 Marion turned deadly pale and reeled against 
 a garden chair. 
 
 "That is the danger," Ferrers said calmly. 
 "There would be no hope after that. As long 
 as he only worries for his money you are safe. 
 But if for any reason he wants to realize his 
 security " 
 
 The trim Maid came across the lawn with a 
 visiting card on a silver tray.
 
 THE SINS OE SOCIETY 115 
 
 Marion waved her away. 
 
 "I am out," she said impatiently. The Girl 
 hesitated. 
 
 "The Gentleman said it was on business, my 
 lady rather important." 
 
 Marion glanced at the card, then looked at 
 Ferrers with the one word "Morris." 
 
 "See him," he whispered. 
 
 Marion nodded to the Maid. 
 
 "Here," she said shortly. 
 
 "Keep cool. Be careful," Ferrers admonished. 
 'I'll wait close by. Remember any excuse for 
 ^elay " 
 
 \"And then . . . ?" 
 
 "I'll tell you when he is gone. There 1*5 just 
 one chance if tist!" 
 
 He slid away among the tall rhododendrons 
 as Morris appeared and came forward, bowing 
 ceremoniously. 
 
 "I trust your ladyship will forgive what must 
 appear like an intrusion," he said, "but my at- 
 tention has been attracted by a paragraph in a 
 paper called The Dais" He took a copy from 
 his pocket, and deferentially handed it to Marion,
 
 n6 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 pointing at the same time to a short, thick, blue 
 pencil mark scored against a column. "If your 
 ladyship will be so good as to glance at it you will 
 see that a certain valuable Tiara of unique design 
 is minutely described. The description tallies 
 exactly with that of the Tiara which your lady- 
 ship er entrusted to my keeping." 
 
 "Really," said Marion with a forced smile 
 as she looked up from the paper. "What a 
 curious er coincidence." 
 
 "It is," said Morris, "so much so that I have 
 come here on purpose to assure your ladyship 
 that the Box remains exactly as you gave it to 
 me your seal unbroken." 
 
 "I have no doubt of it, Mr. Morris, but you 
 are very kind. Believe me, I have every con- 
 fidence " 
 
 "I am obliged, my lady, but I do wish that 
 your ladyship would positively prove to your- 
 self" 
 
 "Prove . . . ?" 
 
 "Yes. I have brought the Box down with 
 me to-day. It is in my safe at my cottage 
 perhaps your ladyship knows it River Bank?
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 117 
 
 and if your ladyship would only open the 
 Box" 
 
 Morris did not look at her. But his keen ear 
 caught the tremble in her voice through the af- 
 fected laugh. 
 
 "Indeed, Mr. Morris, you need not trouble. 
 I am perfectly satisfied, and have no doubts " 
 
 "I have, my lady," Morris answered, "I am 
 sorry to say grave doubts." He watched the 
 color come and go in the frightened woman's 
 face. His doubts were certainties! But he fol- 
 lowed the course of action he had mapped out 
 to the end. 
 
 "Honesty," he went on, "is a more rare quality 
 than your ladyship supposes. Though I pick 
 and choose the men in my employ most carefully 
 I have more than once been grievously disap- 
 pointed. For the sake of all who do business 
 with me, and trust me with valuable securities, 
 I must always use my best endeavors to be sure 
 that there is no thief about me. It is due both 
 to my clients and to my reputation. Your Box is 
 sealed, apparently quite safe but even if you are 
 satisfied, I should like to be quite sure myself
 
 n8 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 that what it should contain is safe as well." 
 
 "It seems very ridiculous," Marion answered, 
 "but if it will give you the smallest satisfaction, 
 Mr. Morris, one day when I am in town I will 
 call" 
 
 "I mentioned that to save your ladyship 
 trouble, I had brought the Box down here," 
 Morris interrupted. 
 
 "I am perfectly aware of it," said Marion 
 decisively, "but just at present I have a number 
 of engagements " 
 
 "I beg your ladyship to excuse my anxiety, 
 but I fear you hardly realize the value of your 
 Tiara. If it is missing and you called on me to 
 replace it as you undoubtedly would the loss 
 to me would be a severe one. In justice to 
 myself, I must press the matter." 
 
 "Press, Mr. Morris . . . ?" 
 
 " If your ladyship will not voluntarily assist 
 me. The Box ought most emphatically to be 
 opened to-night. I will bring it here with pleas- 
 ure" 
 
 "I shall be out." 
 
 "To-morrow ?"
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 119 
 
 "I am returning to town." 
 
 "Then Monday?" 
 
 "I really cannot say." 
 
 "I am sorry." The voice was still quiet and 
 courteous, but the note hardened. "Your lady- 
 ship's attitude compels me to a decision. At 
 my office in London on Monday at twelve 
 o'clock in the presence of my Solicitor and 
 I hope of your ladyship / shall open the. 
 Box" 
 
 "Mr. Morris!" 
 
 "I have explained to your ladyship the im- 
 perative necessity. I will not trespass further on 
 your time " 
 
 "I protest!" 
 
 "I regret . . . on Monday, at twelve o'clock." 
 
 Morris bowed and moved silently away across 
 the soft green lawn. 
 
 The next instant Ferrers stood at Marion's 
 elbow. 
 
 "Well-?" he said. 
 
 "On Monday," the scared woman whispered 
 hoarsely, grasping his arm, "on Monday at 
 twelve o'clock . . "
 
 "He will open the Box. He he will know I 
 am a CRIMINAL!" 
 
 "Shall you let him?" 
 
 "Let ! ! How can I prevent " 
 
 "Pay his money." 
 
 "Seven thousand pouuds I haven't a shilling 
 you know it who will lend seven thousand 
 tome!" 
 
 "/ will." 
 
 "You I !" 
 
 She turned with a great sob of gratitude, and 
 her eyes swam with tears. Then she sank sob- 
 bing on a chair. 
 
 "I I knew you'd help me I knew you would 
 save me at the finish," she blurted. "You at 
 least were always a real friend you" 
 
 "And I always shall be, if you'll let me," said 
 Ferrers. "I've had a bad time, as I told you, it 
 will be a squeeze to get the money just at the 
 moment, but don't be afraid, you shall have it 
 all right . . . at a price." 
 
 "Price ?" She looked at him quickly. 
 
 "Certainly. At a price," he said. "Now 
 realize exactly what this means to you. You
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 121 
 
 realize exactly what this means to you. You 
 are face to face with ruin, utter disgrace, and 
 gaol a most unpleasant place for a lady in your 
 position." 
 
 She stared at him blankly. There was a 
 strange sardonic ring in his voice. . . . 
 
 "I treat life as I find it, Lady Marion," he 
 went on. "Up to the present moment you have 
 taken and I have given without any return. 
 That is the habit of your class. But a little 
 social patronage does not make up for solid cash 
 advantages. I have waited patiently for my re- 
 ward. Now I must have it." 
 
 "Have have what?" she stammered. 
 
 Ferrers ignored the question. 
 
 "Can Dorian March get you out of the present 
 mess save you from gaol?" he asked. 
 
 "Dorian? No !" 
 
 "Then he can't marry Gwen, either." 
 
 "GWEN!" 
 
 She had risen to her feet. 
 
 "I can save you," said Ferrers. "And I will 
 marry Gwen. You can make her if you choose. 
 Now, then. I will pay my price. Will you?"
 
 122 THE SINS OF SOCIETY, 
 
 "Never I" 
 
 ll WEy?" I'm a clever man sure to get on 
 Member of Parliament and all that some day 
 you can push us socially I can help you 
 financially on Monday you'll stand in the dock 
 if I don't save you. Give me Gwen." 
 
 "Sell my own flesh and blood, to save 
 myself!" 
 
 "Nothing else can." 
 
 "And you dare say this you who told me what 
 to do, to" 
 
 "My dear lady, you were in trouble. I threw 
 out a suggestion. You were a free agent. You 
 did the thing. I, culpably perhaps, held my 
 tongue. Unhappily, I could do no more. As a 
 gentleman, I could do no less." 
 
 "Ah" 
 
 " one moment. Heroics won't help you. I 
 know exactly what you've thought of me. I 
 know exactly what use you made of me. I know 
 exactly what I've done, and how I've done it. I 
 know exactly that you are exactly where I meant 
 you to be. I could get Gwen in no other 
 way. Now she is mine mine, you understand
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 123 
 
 if not, on Monday, at twelve o'clock exactly " 
 
 "Go!" 
 
 Quivering from head to foot Marion Beau- 
 mont stood towering and erect, magnificent in 
 her misery. The sweeping gesture of dismissal 
 was queen-like, and superb. Indignation and 
 contempt rang in her clarion command. 
 
 "Go!" 
 
 "Certainly," said Ferrers, rising slowly. "But 
 I shall come back when you send for me as 
 you must for you've no one else to help you 
 and you can't help yourself. You see, I bear 
 no malice, and I'm not at all proud. I can wait. 
 But meantime " He lit a fresh cigarette with 
 insolent deliberation "as a real friend, and a 
 prospective brother-in-law, there is one question 
 I should like to ask you, and which I beg 
 of you ask yourself between now and Mon- 
 day at twelve o'clock, what are you going to 
 'dof 
 
 Then he left her, laughing softly to himself. 
 He had shown his full hand. He had played 
 his last card. He was an unmixed scoundrel, 
 and she knew it. He had won. He had her at
 
 i2 4 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 his mercy and there was no escape. Passing the 
 long open windows of the drawing room he heard 
 Gwen's voice. 
 
 His evil eyes burned hungrily and he laughed 
 to himself again.
 
 DESPERATION ! 
 
 MARION BEAUMONT excused herself 
 from dinner and sat alone in her room 
 as the last clinging twilight of the long summer 
 evening faded from the sky. 
 
 From her window she could see a few stray 
 yellow lamps flickering here and there amongst 
 the dense black foliage of the trees, between which 
 the river wound like a broad ribbon of dead silver. 
 Dim stars grew out of the purple haze above her 
 . . . somewhere a mellow bell clanged musi- 
 cally ... a chippering bat flittered round the 
 eaves . . . the heavy scent of flowers rose from 
 the dew drenched garden. . . . 
 
 She saw nothing. She heard nothing . . . 
 saving the echo of Noel Ferrers' voice. . . . 
 "What are you going to do?"
 
 126 THE SINS OF SOCIETY] 
 
 What, indeed! 
 
 The revelation of the man's villainy had 
 stunned her. She recalled now the whispers at 
 Longchamps after the Grand Prix. The Dragon 
 was pulled surely enough . . . but who gave the 
 jockey orders? Had Ferrers lost a fortune? Not 
 a farthing ! Well ? And this man, pitiless, delib- 
 erate, diabolic in his ruthlessness and cunning, 
 knew that she was a Criminal ... on Monday 
 the wide world would know, unless . . . 
 
 His hand could save, or strike . . . Was 
 there no escape . . . could she do nothing? 
 Nothing? . . . 
 
 She rose with no definite purpose, and hur- 
 riedly wrapped round her shoulders a long dark 
 cloak . . . nervously she turned over the trinkets 
 in her jewel case . . . her hand fell on the Blue 
 Scarab brooch . . . the talisman that brought 
 Luck . . . I ! 
 
 All this time she had kept it for Luck . . . 
 kept? . . . was that why the spell had not 
 worked properly . . . should she have worn 
 it ... she pinned her cloak with it ... hid 
 her face in a long lace scarf . . . black as a
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 127 
 
 mask . . . and stole quietly out into the dark- 
 ness. . . . 
 
 Over the chalk dust of the long white road 
 she moved silently, swiftly, like a shadow . . . 
 down towards the river . . . for what . . .? 
 
 She could not think coherently . . . she could 
 not tell herself where she was going ... or 
 why? . . . Terror drove her . . . that was all 
 . . . forward . . . away from the stifling walls 
 of her room . . . and memory . . . she must 
 go ... past the water . . . the whispering lap 
 of the river cooled and soothed her aching brain 
 . . . past the demure cottages and the trim little 
 gardens . . . past . . . she paused unseen in the 
 darkness while a policeman flashed his lantern 
 on a gate across the way . . . "River Bank" 
 . . . rather new gold lettering on crude green 
 paint . . . "River " . . . Morris! . . . not 
 a dozen yards away, her fate lay locked in a 
 flimsy box held only by a seal . . . opened 
 'already . . . Great God I What if it were! 
 . . . what if the man's suspicions had got the 
 better of him ... if her manner had angered 
 him ... if he had not waited after all and
 
 128 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 . . . she must know! . . . SHE MUST . . . she 
 saw the Policeman lift the latch and enter the 
 garden . . . when he came back she would . . . 
 what? . . . she shrank further into the darkness, 
 fought with her fear and waited ... it seemed 
 an eternity .... 
 
 She heard the measured deliberate footfall 
 pass away round the back of the house ... a 
 burglar might have heard it half a mile off ! . . . 
 Morris heard it too, looked up from his pipe and 
 his evening paper, as the bulls-eye flashed through 
 the open French window of his comfortable oak- 
 lined dining room, and rising, beckoned the 
 Policeman in. 
 
 Morris never wasted time upon the obvious. 
 He mixed a short strong whiskey and soda for 
 the constable and a long weak one for himself. 
 Then he took up his glass and said "Good Luck!" 
 
 The Policeman took off his helmet, removed 
 his cuff badge, and said "Respecks." 
 
 When they had drunk, Morris handed the 
 Policeman a cigar, and the regular evening ritual 
 was completed. 
 
 Morris knew the value of being popular with
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 129 
 
 the Police. Despite the temptation of its reputed 
 treasures, the Evil-Doer held aloof from "River 
 Bank." 
 
 But of late the Evil-Doer had been busy in the 
 vicinity, and that was what Morris meant when 
 he said to the Constable : 
 
 "Any news this evening, Bates?" 
 
 Bates frowned for a moment like a Cabinet 
 Minister in possession of a disturbing Interna- 
 tional Secret. Then he settled himself down to 
 a disquisition on the abnormal artfulness of 
 thieves in general, and the high intelligence of the 
 Local Police. 
 
 They had been faced with a series of daring 
 and puzzling crimes. 
 
 In the height of Summer, pleasure seekers 
 lead careless lives upon the River. They paddled 
 about after nightfall, parties from one Houseboat 
 visiting another leaving handsome dressing 
 cases, silver backed toilet things, and sometimes 
 jewelry, loosely kicking about in their pretty little 
 cabins, from which their valuables had taken to 
 disappearing in a most inexplicable manner. 
 
 Servants had been suspected and discharged.
 
 130 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 Constables had patrolled the River bank. Rail- 
 way stations had been watched. Suspicious 
 Motor cars had been stopped and searched. 
 
 But the river robberies still went on. At 
 length the Chief Constable solemnly came to the 
 conclusion that they were the work of expert 
 river thieves practically Pirates I 
 
 Their method was simple and obvious. After 
 dark a skiff or a canoe bumped against a house- 
 boat in the shadow. A voice said, "I beg par- 
 don." If there was no reply and the house boat 
 were unguarded or its guardian asleep, the cabins 
 were swiftly looted, and the Pirates slid quietly 
 away down stream. 
 
 But what did they do with their booty? 
 
 That was the problem. 
 
 The astute Chief Constable hunted in vain 
 through empty villas, and cottages "To Let." 
 But one day he was struck by a happy thought. 
 Under the trees of a small eyot, to which the long 
 Weir stretches outward from the Lock, an old 
 dilapidated house boat had been anchored for 
 many seasons. It had been left there to rot, out 
 of the way of the river traffic, so near to the
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 131 
 
 falling cascade of water that only an expert boat 
 man could approach it safely. Mildewed, water 
 logged, unoccupied, it was immune from the 
 casual intruder. 
 
 The Chief Constable wondered if the Pirates 
 thought so ? 
 
 He investigated, and to his joy discovered the 
 spoil of a dozen raids ! 
 
 This was not enough however. His high in- 
 telligence prompted the Chief Constable to a 
 further demonstration of his great ability. He 
 left the spoil as he had found it undisturbed. 
 He set a secret watch upon the boat. And every 
 night he put on board of her a small garrison of 
 well-armed plain-clothes men. Sooner or later 
 the Pirates would return, probably with more 
 booty. They would be captured red-handed ; and 
 the glory, and the promotion, of the Chief Con- 
 stable would be assured. 
 
 Bates finished his glass with a long impressive 
 swig, put on his helmet, replaced his cuff badge, 
 and Morris, who had listened with approving 
 interest, said, "Very good indeed excellent very 
 clever."
 
 i 3 2 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 "Yes, Sir," Bates replied confidently. "I will 
 say we do our dooty down 'ere not like the 
 London p'leece we are you're quite safe, Sir, 
 while we're about, I give you my word. Quite 
 safe." 
 
 "I am sure of that, Bates," said Morris, and 
 for an instant his eye wandered to the drawer 
 of an old oak cabinet, wherein lay a certain white 
 cardboard Box "and I'm very glad of it. See 
 you tomorrow night, I suppose." 
 
 "Thank you, sir," Bates touched his helmet 
 respectfully, "and good night, sir." 
 
 "Good night, Bates." 
 
 The bulls-eye flashed on the gravel path, and 
 the heavy measured tread died away . . . the 
 gate clicked . . . Morris refilled his pipe and 
 once more settled down to read. The clock ticked 
 loudly . . . flies hummed . . . the night was 
 hot and close ... a lump of ice clinked grate- 
 fully in the long tumbler ... an electric bell 
 whirred sharply, but he took no notice . . . 
 urgent excited telegrams late at night were not 
 unusual in his business. . . . 
 
 A moment later the door opened. "I beg
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 133 
 
 pardon, sir," said Parker, his old white-headed 
 servant. "There is a er female person sir 
 won't give 'er name . . . wishes for to see you 
 at once, sir. . . ." 
 
 Even this was not altogether a circumstance 
 without precedent. 
 
 " A lady?" asked Morris. 
 
 "Perhaps, sir," Parker answered stiffly, for it 
 was past eleven, and he was something of a purist. 
 
 "Well, we'll see," Morris smiled, "show her 
 in." 
 
 "Very good, sir," Parker answered, but he did 
 not look as if he meant it. 
 
 ... A tall figure swept into the room. Morris 
 stared and bowed. The door closed . . . and 
 the heavy lace veil fell. . . . 
 
 "Lady Marion!" Morris started back. 
 
 She did not move. She did not speak. The 
 great dark eyes burned with a strange fire, and 
 gazed at him, questioning . . . appealing . . .? 
 
 "Won't you be seated?" 
 
 She sank into a chair near the table. . . . 
 
 Still she did not could not speak. 
 
 She could not read his face.
 
 134 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 Had he opened the fatal Box? 
 
 Did he know . . . ? 
 
 At last she steeled herself to ask hoarsely 
 and with dry stiff lips. ''Could I see that is the 
 reason for my calling the the Box . . . I I 
 have thought a great deal of what you said this 
 this evening, and I feel that after all I ought 
 to-" 
 
 "Open it?" 
 
 "Assure myself it has not been tampered with." 
 
 Her voice sounded a long way off ... the 
 figure of Morris looked vague and uncertain 
 . . . like a shape in a dream ... he turned and 
 took the Box out of the Cabinet . . . placed it 
 on the table under the lamp . . . safe, tied, 
 sealed . . . Unopened. 
 
 There was no dream after that, the blood 
 rushed back to her face and tingled in her ears, 
 everything was vividly, vitally, raw, red, real . . . 
 every look, every word meant danger . . . she 
 took up the Box with trembling hands, tried the 
 string and examined the seals carefully. 
 
 Then with the particularly gracious and ingra- 
 tiating smile that people of her class find so useful
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 135 
 
 upon occasion, she gave a deep sigh of relief, 
 and handing back the Box, said : 
 
 "I am quite satisfied, Mr. Morris." 
 
 "Really, my lady? Well I am not." 
 
 "Not ! when I tell you that I am perfectly 
 certain " 
 
 "Yet I am so foolish as still to be doubtful. 
 I invite your ladyship I beg your ladyship to 
 confound me, and convince me." 
 
 He took a pen knife from his pocket. 
 
 * . . . Open the Box, now." 
 
 "If I am wrong if you have been robbed 
 I will bear the loss. I shall open the Box when 
 I choose after the money is paid." 
 
 "I shall open it on Monday if the money is 
 of paid." 
 
 "You have not the right!" 
 
 "Your ladyship's lawyers will advise you." 
 
 "Mr. Morris " She was desperate now. r An 
 appeal was her only hope. "Give me a few days' 
 grace in a week " 
 
 "In a week, or a month, your ladyship will 
 only be deeper in debt than you are to-day. Lady 
 Marion," he tapped the Box with his pen knife,
 
 136 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 u do you think that I don't understand the mean- 
 ing of this visit? You know that my reputation 
 the repute of my business depends on this Box 
 being opened your reputation depends upon it 
 remaining closed." 
 
 "Mr. Morris-" 
 
 "Go to your friends raise the money find the 
 money the more desperate your need the more 
 certainly will you do so. That's business. I have 
 dealt with cases like this before. That's why I 
 will not give you an hour's grace. A day is 
 really too much for you are in grave danger, 
 my lady " 
 
 "Mr. Morris, have you no no Mercy!" 
 
 "None for fraud none for Felony." 
 
 "Sir !" 
 
 "Felony. I repeat. That was the word I used. 
 And it is the only one. It is the word that the 
 World will use, that the Court will hear, that the 
 Judge will speak when he condemns " 
 
 With a cry of anguish Marion Beaumont 
 reeled back half fainting into a chair . . . and as 
 she did her hand fell lightly on the phial of 
 Morphia which, when Ferrers gave it to her, she
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 137 
 
 had thrust into the bosom of her dress. . . . 
 
 Morphia . . . ? 
 
 Morris, almost regretting the sternness of his 
 words, sprang to her side. 
 
 "You are faint, my lady a glass of water " 
 
 Morphia . . . / 
 
 There was one escape at least from the open 
 disgrace of conviction gaol one certain escape, 
 now, this instant, if she were left for a minute 
 alone. . . . 
 
 Her eye caught the tray of glass, the spirit 
 decanters. . . . 
 
 What excuse . . . ? 
 
 "Thank you," she said faintly. "If if I might 
 have a glass of of wine." 
 
 She guessed that there was none in the room. 
 
 "Certainly at once." 
 
 Morris hurried away. As the door slammed 
 she stood up desperately with the Morphia 
 phial in her hand, and looked round for a 
 glass. 
 
 On the table close to her hand there stood two 
 glasses one empty from which Bates had drunk, 
 and the other half filled from which Morris had
 
 138 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 been drinking and from which he would drink 
 again. . . . 
 
 Again . . . ? 
 
 Just beyond the glass lay the Box. 
 
 The long French window leading on to the 
 Lawn was open. If she snatched up the Box and 
 made one desperate rush. . . . No. That would 
 incriminate, condemn, her eternally. But . . . 
 
 What had Morris called her? . . . Felon. 
 And the world would say it, and the Judge, when 
 she stood in the Dock . . . awaiting gaol. 
 Better the Morphia a thousand times. Death! 
 Though Death was very terrible . . . horrible 
 . . . again she looked at the Box, and ... at 
 the glass . . . the half filled 'glass . . . from 
 which Morris would drink . . . again . . . 
 when she was gone. If he would only sleep . . . 
 if she could only come back, when he slept, 
 unseen, . . . 
 
 Suddenly the whole thing formed itself in her 
 brain a wild plan, a fierce temptation and on 
 it she acted without a pause the Morphia was 
 in her hands, Morphia, colorless and tasteless 
 she knew the dose only too well the door that
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 139 
 
 meant absolute insensibility, and sure . . . she 
 snatched up the half filled glass, counted the drops 
 as they fell, and put the glass back exactly in its 
 place where Morris would find it and drink 
 again! Then . . . ! 
 
 She heard a door close, and Morris found her 
 lying back in the chair and breathing heavily 
 when he returned. 
 
 She drank the wine that he brought and 
 presently recovered some composure. 
 
 "If I spoke sternly," he ventured. 
 
 "You were quite right," she interrupted. "Des- 
 perate ills need desperate remedies. I know what 
 I have to do ... and I must do it. Will you 
 ring for your man, please ?" 
 
 "You won't rest a little longer " 
 
 "No, thank you. The walk home in the fresK 
 air will do me good." 
 
 Parker gravely bowed her out, and they heard 
 the garden gate click loudly . . . but Marion 
 Beaumont remained on the inner side, shrinking 
 into the shadow, and creeping silently back over 
 the soft grass to a spot where she had a full view 
 of the long window opening on to the room that
 
 i 4 o THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 she had left . . . she saw Morris standing by 
 the table with the Box in his hands ... he 
 seemed to be judging its weight ... he shook 
 his head, then turning, locked the Box up in the 
 Cabinet ... he put the key into his vest pocket 
 . . . then he filled his pipe and settled down to 
 read . . . without looking round he stretched out 
 his hand for the tumbler . . . and drank. 
 
 . . . The blue tobacco smoke rose in heavy coils 
 . . . the old man servant entered the room, and 
 crossing to the window closed it ... she had 
 never thought of that ... if he barred the shut- 
 ters too there would be no chance of ... he 
 paused, Morris was speaking . . . Parker 
 opened the window again ... it was a close 
 sultry night . . . now Morris was alone . . . 
 lights went out about the house . . . and then a 
 window upstairs glowed . . . Morris read on 
 . . . Marion stood motionless like a graven 
 statue ... a field mouse scuttered across the 
 dew at her feet and plunged rustling into the ever- 
 green undergrowth ... a stag-beetle boomed 
 majestically round the standard roses ... a 
 limpid, lustrous planet swung up over the black
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 141 
 
 tree tops . . . Morris took the tumbler and at a 
 draught emptied it. ... How long ? . . . 
 the book dropped from his hand, fell with a dull 
 thud on the floor, and he pulled himself up with 
 a jerk, rubbing his eyes ... he rose, with some 
 difficulty, and stood swaying and irresolute . . . 
 he wiped his forehead and walked unsteadily 
 towards the window, pulling it wide open . . . 
 he seemed to gasp for air ... then staggered 
 back . . . groped blindly for the table . . . and 
 fell forward . . . darkness? 
 
 . . . The faint crash of glass struck her ear 
 . . . the electric lamp had fallen . . . would the 
 noise alarm the house? . . . there was no time 
 to hesitate . . . she darted across the tiny lawn, 
 and crept into the silent room . . . held her 
 skirts tightly round her, picking her way silently 
 . . . till she knelt by the fallen insensible man. 
 
 . . . The key ... it was soon found . . . 
 the Cabinet . . . trembling she fumbled for the 
 lock . . . creak! . . . surely the whole world 
 would hear it turn . . . one snatch . . . the Box 
 was in her arms hidden under her cloak. . , .
 
 i 4 2 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 There was a loud rapping at the door and a 
 voice called "Master?" . . . 
 
 . . . With the veil tightened over her face 
 Marion flew, as a Black Ghost flies at dawn . . . 
 she was barely on the gravel when she heard the 
 door open and the voice calling again ... a 
 switch clicked and the room was flooded with a 
 light ... a loud cry followed . . . and as she 
 reached the gate, and plunged into the shadows 
 of the road, chains rattled, bolts were drawn, and 
 a long piercing whistle blew the alarm! . . . 
 
 . . . Not fifty yards away someone ran past 
 her in the darkness . . . other whistles blew 
 . . . she raced on ... with no plan in her mind 
 ... no exact object . . . only . . something 
 drew her to the river . . . she wanted to keep 
 the Box till she could destroy it ... but at the 
 worst the river would hold her secret for a little 
 while . . . the next turn would bring her to the 
 towing path . . . did she hear voices? . . . men 
 running? . . . men shouting? . . . more whis- 
 tles . . . long strident notes screaming accusa- 
 tion through the night . . . would she be caught 
 . . . taken . . . now doubly a criminal . . .
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 143 
 
 maddened . . . dishevelled . . . breathless 
 . . . she stumbled recklessly across a patch of 
 moonlight, and almost into the arms of ... 
 Dorian March ! 
 
 "Marion!" 
 
 He had no need to question her face told him 
 enough. Some terrible climax had attended the 
 mysterious miseries of the past ten days what it 
 was did not matter. 
 
 "Save me," she gasped. "If I am caught 
 taken" 
 
 "Great Heaven for what?" 
 
 "Don't ask! I was mad mad, I tell you 
 but if they find this take it save me for 
 Gwen's sake.'' 
 
 "For Gwen " He snatched the Box from her 
 hands. 
 
 "Keep it, I entreat safe somehow bring it 
 me unseen Dorian it holds my honor?" 
 
 "And yours is Gwen's Marion for Heaven's 
 sake keep calm don't hide your face, walk 
 slowly, no one will suspect you Lady Marion 
 Beaumont " 
 
 "But o "
 
 i 4 4 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 "I'll save you if I die for it! Go." 
 
 She was no longer a fugitive. 
 
 The tall, dark, stately figure moved slowly 
 through the pale moonlight over the white dusty 
 road, a hurrying policeman running past barely 
 glanced at her and rushed on. 
 
 She was safe . . . ! 
 
 And Dorian March, bundling James Hogg into 
 his punt, pushed out into the stream. 
 
 For Dorian coming home from dinner with 
 a friend to his regimental quarters in the Castle 
 barracks had met Hogg starting out to his 
 nocturnal exercises, and had good-naturedly 
 helped him to unmoor his punt and indeed to get 
 into it when the Police whistles startled them, 
 and the flying woman had rushed into his arms. 
 
 Such are the ways of Fate . . . 
 
 If Lady Goldbury had not expressed her 
 admiration of athletics, Hogg would not have 
 been trying to please by learning modestly to punt 
 at night, and there would have been no friendly 
 craft at hand in which Dorian could escape from 
 the pursuers, when Marion thrust the Box into 
 his keeping
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 145 
 
 Even as it was, loud voices ordered him to 
 "Come back !" as, with a couple of vigorous drives 
 he sent the punt out into the river. 
 
 "Lie still!" he hissed at Hogg, who lay 
 sprawling in the stern. 
 
 "All right," gasped the little man, "but what 
 the deuce is up 1" 
 
 "Don't know and I don't care," snapped 
 Dorian, as he drove the punt swiftly up stream. 
 "But a woman's honor is at stake . . . and I am 
 going to save it if I can. Will will you help 
 me?" 
 
 "Help?" The sporting spirit rose up in James 
 Hogg and swept aside precaution. "What do 
 you think!" 
 
 "Then grab that Box and don't wobble " 
 
 Here and there on the Towing Path a lantern 
 flashed, and long warning whistles echoed from 
 bank to bank. To chance a landing anywhere 
 in the midst of such a commotion would be mad- 
 ness. But Dorian did not wear the South African 
 medal for nothing. The art of scouting had 
 been rubbed into him by bitter experience and 
 the most wily of Boer Commandants, which was
 
 I 4 6 THE SINS OF SOCIETY, 
 
 why he started up stream, along a reach of the 
 river that he knew backwards. Passing a big 
 bed of osiers he drew into the bank then stopped 
 dead in the shadow and shot the punt back 
 through a long canal-like alley amongst the 
 rushes. 
 
 "Keep very quiet, and don't move," he cau- 
 tioned as he pulled in the punt pole, and crouched 
 'down beside Hogg. 
 
 Slowly they drifted, till the strong current bore 
 them, a mere streak on the dark water out into 
 mid stream, and rapidly down river as the shouts 
 and whistles of their pursuers died away behind 
 them. 
 
 Dorian did not stir. 
 
 "Listen," he whispered to Hogg. "If we get 
 down to the Weir we shall be all right. The 
 reach widens, and if we don't like risking the 
 Towing Path there are meadows on the other 
 side, where I can make a clean run for it they'd 
 be too pumped to catch me if they do see and 
 follow us, for we are going a fair pace the 
 river here runs all six knots. . . ." 
 
 Hogg nodded.
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 147 
 
 "You will go back with the Punt, and swear 
 you've never seen me. . . ." 
 
 "Right. But, Sir Dorian, where will you go 
 then?" 
 
 "Walk till daylight, then catch the earliest train 
 anywhere back to Windsor, and drive openly into 
 barracks as if I'd been to town for the night." 
 
 "Sounds all serene if was that a whistle!" 
 
 They listened. 
 
 "No ... do you hear now that's the Weir 
 . . . you see how the bend widens. . . ." 
 
 Dorian rose and quietly resumed punting. He 
 kept their little craft as far from the Towing 
 Path side of the stream as possible edging under 
 trees and through osier beds, till presently the 
 last broad reach lay before them, a sheet of 
 rippling silver in the moonlight. They saw the 
 low masonry of the Lock, and the Keeper's snug 
 squat Cottage, they saw a ghostly tracery of the 
 Pallisade along the Weir edge and the gap at 
 the end where the stream ran strongest and 
 plunged a dozen feet sheer into the seething back 
 water under the flank of the Eyot . . . Here a 
 low sparkling cloud of spray rose through the
 
 148 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 light river mist and the swishing roar of the 
 water sounded deliciously cool and refreshing on 
 the close air of the hot night. . . . 
 
 "Steady . . ." Hogg whispered. His quick 
 eye caught two figures flitting dimly and swiftly 
 along the path . . . men on cycles! . . . police? 
 ... a light shone in the Cottage ... a whistle 
 . . . was it a whistle . . . another . . . 
 
 "We're done," he said, "you you can't beat 
 'em going back up stream " 
 
 "I know," said Dorian. "But they can't cross 
 the stream, and there's no road within a mile of 
 our side I must try the Meadows and chance it 
 it's bad landing and I don't want to get 
 covered with mud it would look suspicious but 
 there's a small hand bridge from the Eyot thank 
 goodness it's in shadow. . . ." 
 
 Softly, and they hoped unseen, they drifted 
 on ... there was silence now . . . perhaps 
 they had been mistaken after all ... they 
 crouched low as the stream swept them out across 
 an open stretch of moonlight . . . still there was 
 no sound . . . 
 
 "Take the pole," commanded Dorian; "you
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 149 
 
 can punt enough for this just keep her close in 
 easy does it that's right steady now just 
 there against that old Houseboat I know it's 
 empty I can land there capitally " 
 
 Very gloomy and dilapidated, the old House- 
 boat looked, mouldy, rotting, deserted in the 
 darkness, sagging sideways to its mooring wharf, 
 staring with blank windows like empty sockets at 
 the river . . . they slid greasily along its slimy 
 side, Hogg grasped a stanchion and Dorian 
 stepped lightly on board. . . . 
 
 "Quick," he said. 
 
 Hogg passed the Box to him and 
 
 "Stop that" shouted a stern voice, while half 
 a dozen strong hands pinned Dorian from behind. 
 
 Into the very jaws of the Chief Constable's 
 trap, he had fallen ! 
 
 Somebody grabbed at Hogg, but the punt 
 bumped and drifted a yard out of reach . . . 
 Dorian fought like a desperate tiger, . . . for an 
 instant he fell with his captors in a heap . . . for 
 an instant he shook himself free. . . . 
 
 "Save . . ." he called wildly, as he flung the 
 Box out over the water and saw it fall safely into 
 the Punt ... a startled voice shouted, "Sir
 
 150 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 Dorian March ! !..."... and Dorian half 
 stumbling, slid over the side and struck out boldly 
 across the river. 
 
 Fear lent Hogg the strength and courage to 
 drive the punt for a little way back along the 
 course by which they came, and he found 
 sanctuary among the osiers, while the Police, who 
 had not seen his face, were all intent on the fugi- 
 tive under their eyes the fugitive they had 
 recognized a capture that would be a capture 
 indeed 1 
 
 Dorian fought with the stream for freedom 
 . . . and felt that the stream was too strong 1 
 
 But he had crossed the open gap and was close 
 to the Pallisade ... if he could scramble up he 
 could reach the Lock and might at least make a 
 run or a fight for it ... a nail gave foothold 
 here ... a bolt there . . . slowly he dragged 
 himself from the river and climbed to the narrow 
 footway ten feet above the Fall. 
 
 The Police on the Houseboat were shouting 
 and whistling alarm . . . Dorian paused to take 
 breath and shake the water from his clothes, then 
 . . . from the Lock two Constables were cau- 
 tiously coming out along the Pallisade towards
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 151 
 
 him. . . one held a revolver and shouted some- 
 thing he could not hear . . . another Constable 
 on the Houseboat flourished a revolver also . . . 
 he was caught on either hand . . . the stream 
 above was too strong . . . the Weir roared 
 thundering twenty feet below . . . but Dorian 
 March had faced death on the battlefield and he 
 would face it again sooner than face dishonor 
 , . . once more he heard the men shouting his 
 name . . . that settled it! ... Lifting his 
 hands high above his head he poised for an 
 instant, then with one clean strong spring he dived 
 sheer down the face of the cataract and plunged 
 into the seething caldron below ! 
 
 ... A revolver cracked amidst wild cries of 
 anger and astonishment, just as a merciful cloud 
 darkened the Moon . . . when it passed the men 
 peered in vain into the deadly swirl of foaming 
 angry water. . . . 
 
 . . . Dead, or Alive, Dorian March had 
 vanished.
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 FOR THE SIN OF ANOTHER 
 
 WHEN morning broke, radiant and glorious, 
 it aroused Marion Beaumont slowly from 
 the blank dreamless stupefaction of deep morphia 
 laden sleep. 
 
 For a little while she stared aimlessly around 
 her, remembering nothing then, suddenly, she 
 remembered all! 
 
 She sat up with a start. Her head swam, and 
 her lips were dry. 
 
 Every incident of the past night came back 
 to her dazed brain with the ghoulish vividness 
 of faces seen by a lightning flash. 
 
 She saw Morris at her feet, she heard the 
 tapping at the door, she heard Dorian's fearless 
 voice . . . what had become of Dorian?
 
 153 
 
 ... At the earliest compatible hour she rang 
 through to the Officers' Quarters in the Castle. 
 "He was not there." 
 
 . . . Was he already on his way to her? 
 "Was he on duty?" "No." "Had he gone 
 out early," she asked. A dry voice merely re- 
 peated that "he was not there." She dared ask 
 no more. But she listened eagerly when Gwen, 
 keen for a day on the River, rang up later on. 
 The result was the same. 
 
 Morris? 
 
 She tried hard to convince herself that he 
 could suspect nothing. She had called on 
 him, certainly, but he had bowed her out of his 
 room himself, and his servant had seen her to 
 the door. There was no circumstance connected 
 with her visit which could possibly suggest a 
 criminal intent much less an actual crime. 
 
 It all occurred after she left, and might as 
 reasonably have occurred had she never paid her 
 visit at all. 
 
 The presence of daring, and ingenious, thieves 
 in the vicinity was notorious. An attempt on 
 the house of a wealthy jeweller was only to be
 
 154 THE SINS OF SOCIETY, 
 
 expected. Inevitably she would be questioned 
 concerning the value of their plunder. But that 
 was the worst. She had only to stick to her guns 
 and swear to the contents of the Box. No one 
 could contradict her now! 
 
 She was safe! 
 
 If only she were sure that Dorian . . . ? 
 By noon she had worked herself into a fever. 
 Where was he? What was he waiting for? 
 Suppose he learned that Morris had been robbed, 
 what would he do? Dorian was the soul of 
 honor and even for the sake of Gwen would he 
 let himself become the innocent accomplice in a 
 definite crime ? She wanted the Box in her hands 
 to burn it destroy it! 
 
 They could say what they liked after that. 
 
 She would deny everything. 
 
 They could prove nothing! 
 
 Gwen came in after Church, saying that she 
 had stayed to hear the Guards Band play, in 
 accordance with immemorial custom, on the 
 Castle Terrace afterwards. But she had not 
 seen Dorian. She had asked "Billy" Thesiger 
 where he was and Billy had said rather shortly
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 155 
 
 that he did not know. She thought "Billy's" 
 manner rather curious. 
 
 Did Marion think this, and did Marion thinlc 
 that? 
 
 Her wholly unintentional and ingenuous cross- 
 questioning was maddening! 
 
 Marion answered so sharply that Gwen cried. 
 
 When the light breeze rustled the evergreens 
 she started, when the gate clicked she almost 
 screamed, the glare from the river was intoler- 
 able, the heat was stifling, the quietude and 
 silence of the whole place a tense torture, she 
 longed to hide herself, to find refuge in a whirl- 
 pool of roar and rattle. . . . 
 
 By a midday train she went back to her 
 London house, and a little later Sir Benjamin 
 Harley sat by her side and shook his head. The 
 great doctor saw at a glance that this was &. 
 case beyond his skill. His fashionable practice 
 brought him into contact with many such" cases. 
 He was able to help sometimes when they told 
 him the truth. But not if they didn't. 
 , Marion didn't. 
 
 His age and position justified plain speaking,
 
 156 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 however, if he were sufficiently interested to 
 resort to it. In this case he did. He warned, 
 rather seriously. "My dear child," he said, 
 for he had known Marion for many years, "if 
 you don't pull up, you'll break up. And that 
 would not be clever, would it? Go steady for 
 a bit you know play Golf instead of Bridge 
 it's just as fashionable, and a much healthier 
 craze give up cutting for partners and take to 
 cutting the turf it will annoy the Caddie, but 
 it's much cheaper. Six hours a day in a stuffy 
 room, smoking cigarettes, forgetting hearts while 
 you stare at knaves and wish for diamonds 
 what's the matter?" 
 
 The mere word "diamonds" was enough! 
 Sir Benjamin noticed it and raised his eyebrows. 
 He had seen similar symptoms. Eventually, he 
 concluded the Family Lawyer would prove the 
 best physician. That's what it generally came to. 
 So he talked soothingly of diet and sedatives, 
 and drove away in his speckless, faultless brough- 
 am, mentally noting the case as one of "Financial 
 Nerves." 
 
 The night came with no news of Dorian.
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIEXY 157 
 
 Gwen wrote a long letter and cried herself to 
 sleep. . . . Marion, rummaging through her 
 jewel case for the Morphia needle, noticed for 
 the first time that the Blue Scarab brooch was 
 missing. . . . 
 
 She recalled distinctly wearing it the night 
 before. 
 
 She had pinned her cloak with it. 
 
 It must have fallen unnoticed. . . . 
 . Where . ? 
 
 She was destined to learn the truth under 
 curious circumstances, at a curious time and 
 place. 
 
 When she came down in the morning, rather 
 earlier than usual, she found Gwen up and 
 dressing tearful, wrathful, and resentful, for 
 still there was no word or sign from Dorian 
 March. 
 
 Marion bit her lip in anxiety and turned away, 
 when she heard, and Gwen did not see because 
 she was really very angry indeed. 
 
 At an early hour she had telephoned to the
 
 i $8 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 Cottage at Windsor and had learned that Sir 
 Dorian had not called. 
 
 They had said good-bye on Saturday night, 
 and here was Monday morning without a word! 
 
 Her conversation became monosyllabic, and 
 she evinced an inclination to slam cupboards and 
 doors. At length she banged on her hat becom- 
 ingly and said, "Aren't you coming?" 
 
 "Where ?" Marion asked vaguely. 
 
 "To the Duchess's," snapped Gwen. "You 
 know we're asked." 
 
 Then she flounced downstairs and sniffed her- 
 self haughtily into the street. 
 
 "To the Duchess's " O yes. Marion did 
 remember at last. The Duchess of Danebury 
 had bidden a carefully selected number of her 
 acquaintances to an unusual function. 
 
 Like many of the spare and sallow women to 
 whom Nature has denied the possibilities of 
 maternity, she lavished a wealth of perverted af- 
 fection on domestic pets. 
 
 She would have shrunk from the contami- 
 nating touch of a poor man's child, playing in 
 the Park. But she kissed the stertorous slobber-
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY, 159; 
 
 ing pugs that sat beside her in her carriage. 
 
 There are others like her. 
 
 For their edification and that of their 
 pampered animals she elected to give a Dogs' 
 Dejeuner at Danebury House, Park Lane, it 
 being understood that the dogs were the guests, 
 and that their respective owners would come to 
 wait on them. 
 
 Gwen was among the first to arrive, and she 
 found the Duchess, in a large room opening on to 
 the Conservatory, superintending the final ar- 
 rangements. High, satin cushioned chairs, were 
 placed close around a long flower decked table, 
 laid out with bowls of Devonshire cream, Pate 
 de fois gras, carefully flavored soup and minced 
 chicken. 
 
 The Dogs of Society have delicate appetites. 
 Their Wardrobes also, if scanty, are expensive. 
 These, as they began to arrive, were closely 
 scanned by critical and envious eyes. A Black 
 Poodle made rather a sensation, by aid of two 
 diamond bangles unusually placed on his left 
 hind leg. A shivering goblin-eyed, hairless 
 Japanese Terrier, ran him close by appearing
 
 160 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 in white doe-skin boots and a quilted silk coat, 
 cut with a pocket containing a handkerchief 
 edged with real Mechlin lace. A snapping, 
 yapping Pom wore a bright bow of ribbon 
 edged with alternate silver bells and genuine 
 black pearls. A Toy Bull Dog wore a gun- 
 metal collar set with Turquoise. They were all 
 whimpering and yelping together, and their Mis- 
 tresses were all talking at the same time, when 
 the Duchess noticed that Lady Goldbury was 
 present without any attendant dog. 
 
 "Dear me, Lady Goldbury," she said, "where 
 is your animal?" 
 
 "Mr. Hogg!" loudly announced the Footman. 
 
 Lady Goldbury waved her hand towards the 
 door though she colored a little. And the Duch- 
 ess smiled. 
 
 The Duchess did not want Lady Goldbury 
 and she did not want Hogg. But she wanted 
 a finger in Industrials, on the advice of Noel 
 Ferrers, who climbing by the usual path, had 
 recently put the Duchess into more than one 
 good thing. She did not want the money, but 
 the instinct of Acquisition is strong in the upper
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 161 
 
 class. It had always been highly developed in 
 the Daneburys. 
 
 She was especially gracious to Ferrers when 
 he arrived therefore. People noticed it, and were 
 gracious also. He was shown this dog, and he 
 patted that. He was assiduous in his attentions 
 to them when they were assembled at the table. 
 When Lady Cirencester's Poodle dropped a half 
 chewed truffle on the floor, he began promptly to 
 replenish its place with chicken and cream, but 
 the anxious owner stopped him. 
 
 "No please, Mr. Ferrers don't press him 
 I am afraid my dear Nigger has been a naughty 
 boy he made quite a little pig of himself on 
 marron glaces yesterday besides, you know, he 
 always goes a little bit off color at the end of 
 the Season." 
 
 There appeared to be similar difficulties in 
 other directions. 
 
 "Curious moral," Hogg whispered to Lady 
 Goldbury. 
 
 "What!" 
 
 "Those little beasts won't eat what hundreds 
 of people within half a mile would beg for ! ...
 
 1 62 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 If they only knew that there was half a chance 
 they would be standing outside in rows, praying 
 that the old Duchess would come down to the 
 door and . . . feed the Poor on the crumbs that 
 fall from the Rich Dog's Table!" 
 
 "Yes!" replied the Widow. "It is not exactly 
 the picture I should care to chalk on the pavement 
 in Winter time for hungry men to see." 
 
 "I am beginning to think it's not the picture 
 for anyone to see," Hogg muttered morosely, "for 
 tuppence I'd stop my check." 
 
 "What check?" 
 
 "Subscription to the Duchess's Canine Defence 
 something or other . . . still what does it mat- 
 ter? It's only gone to the dogs, like so many 
 other things in this life. . . . Reputations . . . 
 hopes . . . lives . . . ' 
 
 "What are you thinking about!" 
 
 "Nothing," said Hogg shortly. But it was 
 not true ... he was thinking of voices calling 
 in the moonlight, of loud wailing whistles, of 
 straining oars creaking in the rollocks, of merci- 
 ful gloom, the sound of rain drops pattering on 
 the oily river, of sudden darkness, a fierce blaze
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY; 163 
 
 of greenish lightning, the crash of thunder and 
 a tropical downpour as a Summer storm burst 
 over the Thames Valley and gave him his 
 desperate chance of escape from the Osiers near 
 the Lock ... he was thinking of wild, wob- 
 bling efforts in his punt ... of a safe landing, 
 drenched to the skin, with a mysterious Box 
 hidden under his coat ... of a friendly Police- 
 man who knew his name and habits, hailing him 
 with a chuckle near his own door, under the 
 impression he had had another ducking. "Been 
 at it again, Mr. Ogg?" ... of a drink handed 
 to that Policeman in the darkness, with a brief 
 but vivid description of his adventures up stream 
 and a complaint that he had shouted for help, 
 but np one came to him ... of an explanation 
 that men on "dooty" were "pretty busy" that 
 night ... of a journey to town next day with 
 a Box for safe disposal in his Private Safe . . . 
 of an anxious waiting for news of Dorian March 
 and an elucidation of the mystery . . . and then 
 of blank unfathomable silence. 
 
 That is what he was thinking of when he said 
 that he was thinking of nothing, and he thought
 
 1 64 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 of it all the more when he saw Noel Ferrers 
 speak to Gwen, and noticed the look of repulsion 
 that flitted over her sweet face. 
 
 Not knowing what might have been the out- 
 come of his last interview with Marion, it was 
 characteristic of Ferrers that he should f ace the 
 situation with dogged, insolent resolution, and 
 learn the worst or best at once. 
 
 "Lady Marion is quite well, I hope?" he 
 said. 
 
 "Thanks not very " 
 
 "Indeed. Lady Gwendolin, has she said any- 
 thing to you about er Me!' 
 
 "No." 
 
 "No?" Victory. Her Courage had failed 
 after all. She knew what he was what he 
 meant. He had told her in plain words. And 
 she had said nothing! For an instant he smiled. 
 Then looked very serious. 
 
 "You are very fond of her, are you not," he 
 said. 
 
 "Very." 
 
 "Don't you know that worry constant cruel 
 worry, is nearly killing her?"
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 165 
 
 "Indeed I do, and I am very, very anxious, 
 Mr. Ferrers " 
 
 "Better help her" 
 
 "I wish I could!" 
 
 "You can if you choose." 
 
 "I? How?" 
 
 "By remembering what I said to you in France 
 that a rich man's wife is rich herself, and with 
 her riches " 
 
 The girl flushed quickly. "Do you think," 
 she said indignantly, "that Marion would let me 
 help her at that price? That because she has 
 lost money she would let me sell myself to get 
 it back?" 
 
 "Lady Gwendolin," urged Ferrers impres- 
 sively, "there is no telling when a man who 
 loves you loves the ground you walk upon 
 would give you his whole heart and all he 
 has in the world if you would only take 
 it" 
 
 "In return for what? Contempt for myself 
 falseness to the love I have for Someone else ? 
 Don't think me ungracious, please I I don't 
 want to seem unkind, but if anyone loved me
 
 iTHE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 really they would not ask me, would not even 
 wish me to be faithless to myself." 
 
 Ferrers bowed. "Quite right," he said slowly. 
 "It is only for time to show who does love you 
 best, and who is most worthy of your regard." 
 
 Gwen looked him proudly in the face. 
 
 "I have no doubts," she said. Then she turned 
 away as a Footman standing at Ferrers' elbow, 
 put before him a cable message on a silver salver. 
 
 He tore it open and took it eagerly to the 
 Duchess. 
 
 "Not bad," he whispered impressively, "a very 
 nice turn in the market." 
 
 "Most excellent," said the Duchess, though 
 she did not understand the message. "How much 
 shall I make?" 
 
 "Can't tell till we see the New York prices." 
 
 "Cable for them." 
 
 "They will be in the first edition of the Star 
 it should be out by now." 
 
 "I'll send for it at once. Downes ?" 
 
 For the first time in the history of Danebury 
 House an astounded Footman was despatched 
 hurriedly to purchase a Radical Evening paper I
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 167 
 
 Even in the Best Families political convictions 
 go down before a Stock Exchange quotation. 
 Money wins. Ferrers knew it. Despite his open 
 avowals Marion Beaumont had remained silent 
 she was in a desperate corner for money. Money, 
 would win again the money he had offered her. 
 
 But he glanced at his watch anxiously. It was 
 nearing the time when Morris had said he would 
 open the Box. 
 
 Would she be fool enough to let him? No. 
 He could not believe it. She would probably ask 
 for an hour's grace, and come to him. 
 
 Then money would win Gwen! 
 
 Incidentally the Duchess was talking of money. 
 
 "Your sister is fortunate," she said to Gwen, 
 "in having such a clever friend as Mr. Ferrers. 
 He is quite presentable for his class. He has 
 such excellent information. Marion would soon 
 be out of her difficulties if she took his advice. 
 Where is she, by the way?" 
 
 "She will be here presently, Duchess. Gone 
 to her Solicitors we are letting the town house, 
 you know." 
 
 "Quite right. Big House is a big worry."
 
 1 68 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 "Yes, and she can't stand much more. It was 
 so unlucky on Saturday she had quite a shock." 
 
 "Dear me what from?" 
 
 "Well, we are at Windsor, you know it was 
 awfully hot, and she went all alone for a stroll 
 by the River in the evening There was an excite- 
 ment about Burglars or something and some 
 stupid policeman ran after Marion in the dark 
 and caught hold of her." 
 
 "Really? And she doesn't look a bit like a 
 cook." 
 
 "No, or a burglar. Of course they apolo- 
 gized in seven positions when they saw who it 
 was, but it frightened her fearfully!" 
 
 "I should have been angry." 
 
 "Well, she came home shaking like a leaf 
 as white as a ghost fainted and cried, and I 
 simply insisted on her coming to town and seeing 
 a Doctor." 
 
 "Most sensible." 
 
 Just then Ferrers rapped on the table with a 
 silver spoon and said, "Ladies, may I crave your 
 attention for just one moment. I have been asked 
 by the Duchess of Danebury to explain to you
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 169 
 
 something that is very near her heart I may 
 say all our hearts the practical side of this very 
 charming function." 
 
 There was a brief pause while the Toy Bulldog 
 who was breathing thickly had his Turquoise 
 collar removed. 
 
 "We are all dog lovers," Ferrers went on, 
 "and to us the need for a Dogs' Defence League 
 is obvious. People are so foolish about dogs. 
 If, in trying to avoid a dog, a cyclist is killed or 
 a motorist is maimed the dog is called a dan- 
 gerous nuisance. This is unfair. The Road is 
 habitually used as a Market, as a Chapel, as a 
 Political Platform, as a Children's Playground, 
 yet if people, ignoring this, insist on using the 
 Road as a Thoroughfare, and come to grief 
 they blame our dogs." 
 
 A chorus of indignant approval followed, 
 several of the dogs yelped furiously, and the 
 Pom was taken out to be sick in the Conservatory. 
 
 Warming to his work Ferrers continued. 
 "Then look at the state of the Road? The dog 
 likes to roll in it. The Dog likes, dear foolish 
 darling, to vary his menu by eating odd scraps
 
 170 THE SINS OF SOCIETYj 
 
 from the gutter then he comes home, lies on 
 your dress, licks your hand, kisses the baby and 
 sleeps on its bed. Next day if you are ill or the 
 child is you wonder where contagion came from. 
 Obviously from the Road. It is not the Dog's 
 fault. The Road must be cleaned properly 
 thoroughly we must insist on it for the Dog's 
 sake. 
 
 "But to do this we want money. 
 
 "Money may be the root of all evil, but the 
 lack of it is worse." 
 
 There was a shadow at the door. The Foot- 
 man stood back silently, not liking to announce a 
 name in the midst of Ferrers' oration, and no one 
 but Ferrers noticed Marion Beaumont enter the 
 room. Their eyes met as very clearly and de- 
 liberately he went on, with a slight emphasis she 
 could not fail to understand. 
 
 "Without money we can do nothing. We 
 cannot help our Dogs. Without money we can- 
 not help ourselves, or save ourselves in times of 
 difficulty or danger." 
 
 Marion turned away. Her dress rustled. The 
 Duchess looked up.
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 171 
 
 "Don't mind me, Mr. Ferrers," she said, rising 
 from the table, "pray proceed ' She crossed to 
 welcome the newcomer, and they talked together 
 unheard while Ferrers continued to enthrall a de- 
 lighted audience with the felicities of his address. 
 
 "I am very sorry, dear, to see you looking so 
 pale," said the Duchess, "also to hear from 
 Gwen that you have recently had a distressing 
 shock." 
 
 "Yes. It was very stupid of me, but I I was 
 really frightened " 
 
 "Quite so. And what does the Doctor say?" 
 
 "O, the old story. Nerves. I want rest. 
 Freedom from worry." 
 
 "What not take it?" 
 
 "I am afraid, Duchess, my affairs " 
 
 "Pooh. Try a little polite Bankruptcy every- 
 body does it and winter in the Riviera." 
 
 "It it's Social Bankruptcy I am most afraid 
 of." 
 
 "Why? You paid your debts of honor at 
 the Pontifex. You have no other serious financial 
 obligations?" 
 
 "Only Tradesmen who will mostly wait I
 
 172 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 think so my Lawyer says I've been a good 
 customer." 
 
 "And no private worry?" 
 
 "None, I hope I mean, nothing more to fear, 
 I I think. The worst of Luck must turn some 
 day." 
 
 "Of course it must ah! the paper excuse me 
 for a moment Mr. Ferrers." 
 
 The Duchess took the early Star from Downes, 
 and handed a News and Post to her financial 
 adviser. They both read eagerly and silently. 
 But Ferrers looked up under his brows as Marion 
 passed without any sign of recognition. Did she 
 mean to cut him in public? Was it to be open 
 war between them? If so what of Morris and 
 the Box? 
 
 Curiously enough James Hogg suddenly 
 thought of the Box also. Something about 
 Marion's figure, the carriage of her head, the 
 trick of tossing back her hair with her left hand, 
 took his mind back to the river bank, and Dorian 
 March. "For a woman's sake." He heard the 
 words again. What woman? And what did the 
 mysterious Box contain?
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 173 
 
 The thought of Dorian was naturally upper- 
 most in Marion's mind. She spoke truly when 
 she said that she "felt safe." She did to a 
 degree, thinking the Box was with Dorian. 
 There was no longer any fear of exposure at 
 the hands of Morris. Dorian had no doubt some 
 good reason for his silence. Still if she only 
 knew for certain 
 
 "Splendid," said the Duchess to Ferrers, "I 
 shall clear a cool thousand comfortably!" 
 
 Ferrers bowed, smiling, and read on. The 
 Duchess sighed complacently and turning over 
 the paper glanced for a moment at the news 
 column. 
 
 Then she said suddenly, "O Marion, here is 
 something to account for your scare the other 
 night. 'Sensational Robbery at Windsor'?" 
 
 Hogg's eyes opened and he bit his lip. 
 
 Marion turned a shade paler. 
 
 "Robbery?" she said. 
 
 "Yes," the Duchess quoted from the report, 
 "at the house of a Mr. what is it Morris, a 
 jeweller pawnbroker person." 
 
 Ferrers looked up with a start. Several people
 
 174 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 at the table caught the familiar name and came 
 forward to listen. 
 
 In a flat, expressionless voice the Duchess 
 calmly read on. 
 
 "A box containing valuable jewels was 
 stolen under mysterious circumstances. . . . The 
 Thieves must have concealed themselves in the 
 house and contrived to drug the owner . . . 
 traces of Morphia were found in the glass at his 
 side ... it is feared that the Burglars, being 
 perhaps ignorant of the nature of the drug, ter- 
 ribly blundered . . . when discovered by his 
 servant Morris was unconscious . . . medical aid 
 was immediately obtained . . . but latest rumors 
 assert that the unhappy man is dead." 
 
 "Dead . . . !" 
 
 Marion and James Hogg gasped the same 
 word at the same instant, and both stood rigid 
 paralyzed. 
 
 "Dead," the Duchess repeated. 
 
 The word fell on Marion's ear. like a death 
 knell. 
 
 "Dead ... on the garden path close out- 
 side the window by which access to the room
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 175 
 
 was obtained the Police picked up a small Egyp- 
 tian Brooch a Blue Scarab which did not be- 
 long to Morris, and may or may not be a clue 
 to the identity of the Criminals." 
 
 "A Blue Scarab a Blue Scarab." That was 
 where it fell, then! Marion repeated the words 
 again, "A Blue Scarab," in a voice that was mean- 
 ingless and metallic. 
 
 She turned slowly towards Ferrers with deadly 
 fear in her eyes and saw that his blazed with 
 savage triumph. 
 
 "The police have found a clue, I think," he 
 hissed at her, and his finger trembled on the paper 
 before him. "It says here Latest Painful De- 
 velopment a young officer well known in Society 
 is missing from his quarters at Windsor." 
 
 "Missing !" Gwen was at his side. 
 
 "Missing ?" Marion reeled. 
 
 " Missing. Yes. 'He was last seen on the 
 River with another man, unrecognized, under 
 remarkable circumstances. The Police are reti- 
 cent. But to-day on a charge of attempted Mur- 
 'der t a warrant was issued for the arrest of Sir 
 Dorian March!'"
 
 176 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 "Dorian . . . !" 
 
 Like the last despairing cry of a lost soul the 
 name of her lover burst from the lips of Gwen. 
 Then she fell forward, and lay motionless, un- 
 resisting, insensible in the arms of Noel Ferrers ! 
 
 His eyes devoured her. His lips silently 
 framed the two words "At Last!" 
 
 Only Marion heard. 
 
 To her it seemed that his grip tightened around 
 the fair lithe body as that of a python crushing 
 a dove. Animal, reptilian, his face flushed with 
 hideous exultant passion. She sprang forward 
 to tear the girl from his grasp. But their eyes 
 met, and she read their defiant message. 
 
 "The Blue Scarab . . . I" 
 
 Verily her Sin had found her out. She had 
 scattered ruin and misery on every hand. 
 
 A self confessed scoundrel held her in the 
 hollow of his hand. He had but to speak one 
 word and she would take the place of Dorian 
 March accused of Theft and Murder. 
 
 Facilis Descensus ... I
 
 T 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 THE FUGITIVE 
 
 HE oily heave of a fast incoming tide red- 
 dened beneath a glowing sky as the setting 
 sun dipped, and sank beyond the dark outline of 
 the Isle of Wight. 
 
 The evening gun barked sharply from Ports- 
 mouth Fort. The Union Jack came down from 
 the peak of the Victory, and every flag in the great 
 Harbor obediently followed suit. 
 
 Outside the high arched gateway of a big 
 Barrack the Sentry frowned at an importunate 
 private soldier, whose general appearance was 
 decidedly not a credit to his corps. His cap was 
 stuck at the back of his head. The buttons of his 
 tunic were undone. His belt was awry. He was 
 obviously worse for drink and his inquiries were 
 persistent and inarticulate. The Sentry sternly
 
 178 THE SINS OF SOCIETY, 
 
 ordered him to go away, but he would not, and 
 serious trouble was brewing when a kindly Re- 
 cruiting Sergeant intervened and led the man 
 away. 
 
 "What's the trouble, my man?" he said; "put 
 your cap straight button that tunic what's your 
 name?" 
 
 "B Bains," said the Private, 
 
 "Very well, Bains, what's wrong?" 
 
 "I want my Sergeant want 'im most 
 p'tickler." 
 
 "O? Where d' you come from?" 
 
 Bains thought for a moment, then answered 
 with literal accuracy: 
 
 "Fro' the Rose and Crown." 
 
 "No doubt," said the Sergeant, "but I mean 
 before that?" 
 
 "Fro' the Spotted Dog." 
 
 The Sergeant knew the name of every pub in 
 Portsmouth, and he did not want an inventory, 
 so he asked a little sharply: 
 
 "What town d' you come from?" 
 
 He got another literal reply. 
 
 "Born in Preston in Lank-shir'."
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 1179 
 
 "Confound you, do you come from a Depot?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Which?" 
 
 "Carlisle." 
 
 "Where are you going?" 
 
 "Back to the Rose and Crown," said Bains 
 triumphantly, and the Sergeant retired from the 
 contest muttering something about the imminent 
 possibilities of "Clink" which is soldier slang 
 for gaol. 
 
 Bains solemnly saluted him as he went: pon- 
 dered, swaying for a few seconds, then as the 
 moth is drawn to the candle he lurched once more 
 towards the Sentry, when luckily the man for 
 whom he was looking, Sergeant Hayman of 
 his own regiment, came quickly round the 
 corner. 
 
 "Bains," he said angrily, when he saw the man's 
 condition. "What the Deuce d'you mean by 
 wandering about like this? What are you doing? 
 What do you want?" 
 
 Bains steadied himself and hiccoughed im- 
 pressively.
 
 1 8o THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 " 'Portant information," he said in a hollow 
 voice. "Honor of the cor'." 
 
 "Yes," retorted the Sergeant, "you look a nice 
 honor to the corps, don't you? Where have you 
 been?" 
 
 "To the Rose and Crown." 
 
 "I should think so. With Private Lang?" 
 
 Bains held up one hand, then waved it vaguely. 
 
 "That's it," he said. 
 
 "What's it?" said the Sergeant. 
 
 "Lang." 
 
 "Is he drunker than you are?" 
 
 Bains shook his head. 
 
 "He's gone." 
 
 "Gone where?" 
 
 "Dunno but he's gone." 
 
 "No fool either. Tired of boozing gone 
 for his kit?" 
 
 "No. Not for his kit." Bains' whisper was 
 sepulchral and awe-inspiring. "He's gone for 
 good." 
 
 "For what? Dash it." The Sergeant seized 
 Bains by the shoulder, "you don't mean 
 Deserted?"
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 181 
 
 "I do," said Bains. "That's it!" He saluted 
 the universe in general, then came unsteadily to 
 attention, and added, "But / am here." 
 
 A quick oath leaped to the lips of Hayman. 
 "Deserted! Well, I'm" 
 
 "Naughty!" interjected Bains reprovingly. 
 
 "D'you know his road?" the Sergeant 
 demanded. 
 
 "No. Train somewhere . . ." 
 
 "That settles it! Mayn't catch him for a 
 year and we sail tonight. I'm in for it!" 
 
 And he was. 
 
 Troops were already streaming on board the 
 transport Beachy Head as she lay at the dock 
 side. Derricks clanked and baggage swung over, 
 and disappeared into, her capacious hold. On 
 the top of the tide she would drop down the 
 harbor and proceed on her way to the Mediter- 
 ranean carrying mixed drafts for Gib, Malta, 
 and the East linesmen for one garrison, gun- 
 ners for another, engineers and promiscuous 
 "details" to fill up the blanks left by invalids or 
 time-expired men coming home. 
 
 Sergeant Hayman had come down from the
 
 i82 ,THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 'depot at Carlisle in charge of two privates of the 
 old Border Regiment. It was his duty to see 
 them safe on board the Transport. Soldiers 
 going abroad are always treated leniently, so, 
 finding that he had several hours to spare, Hay- 
 man left his "details" to their own devices, while 
 he went in pursuit of local beauty. During this 
 amatory interval Lang got sentimentally drunk, 
 and became stricken, among other things, by 
 severe Home Sickness. He maundered of his 
 mother, and the dear old Cottage by the Mill 
 Stream, and his dog "Tinker," and his fair young 
 sister Lizzie, who was about to marry a parcel 
 postman who was quite unworthy of her. He 
 told all this to the sympathetic Barmaid of the 
 Rose and Crown, who, he said, had hair like 
 Lizzie, but otherwise bore a striking resemblance 
 to his deceased Aunt. The Barmaid squeezed 
 his hand and told him to bear up, but the kindly 
 act unnerved him. He broke down and wept 
 into his beer. For a brief period emotion battled 
 with strict principle. Then desperation got the 
 best of Duty. He swallowed a lot of raw whiskey, 
 bought a Belgian Cigar and informed Bains that
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY i8r. 
 
 he meant to "off it." A flood of alcoholic argu- 
 ment failed to shake his determination. He left 
 his kit where it lay in a corner of the bar room, 
 reeled off to the Railway Station, and blubbered 
 himself to sleep in an outgoing London train. 
 Bains was far too muddled to prevent him, but 
 he did the next best thing, he hunted about for 
 his Sergeant in various inviting hostelries and 
 after a protracted interval found him, and broke 
 the horrid truth. 
 
 For Hayman it meant the loss of his stripes 
 and degradation to the ranks all because a fool 
 of a Private had abused his freedom and run 
 away. Now, loss of his stripes, his rating as 
 Sergeant, meant a considerable loss of pension 
 to Hayman, who had almost served his full time, 
 and was shortly leaving the Army. His soul, 
 therefore, was filled with black and bitter wrath. 
 He cursed Bains freely, told him it was all his 
 fault and ordered him to go back and sit on his 
 kit at the Rose and Crown. 
 
 Bains went, and left Hayman standing in the 
 fast deepening shadows. The glories of sunset 
 were fading from the sky, the lamps were not
 
 1 84 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 yet lit, and in the dim uncertain half light, a 
 tall young man, with a cap pulled well over his 
 eyes, and his collar turned up, partially hiding 
 his face, slouched nervously under the Barrack 
 wall, and paused for a moment to read a placard 
 at the Gate. He looked at Hayman, hesitated 
 a little, and then coming up to him, said : 
 
 "Are are you the Recruiting Sergeant?" 
 
 "No," said Hayman, shortly. "You'll find 
 him " He paused and looked the stranger up 
 and down, a wild and desperate notion had 
 suddenly come into his mind. 
 
 "Want to 'list, my lad?" he said more amiably. 
 
 "Yes," said the stranger, glancing furtively 
 from side to side. 
 
 "Any choice of a regiment?" 
 
 "No you see I I've been playing the fool 
 gone a bit of a mucker want to get away 
 from my own people, and and out of the country 
 for a while, as soon as I can any regiment going 
 abroad " 
 
 "Foreign Service." Hayman's heart leaped. 
 He'd heard the sort of story often enough before, 
 and at other times he might have been a little
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 185 
 
 dubious. Now he only hoped "the trouble" was 
 bad enough for his purpose. 
 
 "Quite right," he said confidentially; "nothing 
 like Foreign parts for a youngster who's gone the 
 pace. But it means six months training at the 
 depot first." 
 
 "I know," said the stranger, but corrected him- 
 self quickly. "I mean I've heard." 
 
 "O, have you?" Hayman commented. "Really. 
 Not the first time you've taken the shilling, I'm 
 thinking." 
 
 "You're wrong," the man stammered. 
 
 "Am I?" said Hayman firmly. "By the set 
 of them shoulders I'm talking to a soldier d'you 
 hear soldier to soldier man to man. Now, if 
 I do you a turn, will you do me one?" 
 
 "What what is it?" 
 
 "Listen," said Hayman, "and listen care- 
 fully." 
 
 Briefly he detailed the circumstances of Lang's 
 desertion. Then he went on. "The Beachy 
 Head sails at midnight. What I have to do is to 
 put on board of her two Privates. One's all right 
 and will hold his tongue. I know him. If I'd
 
 i86 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 got another, as would answer to the name of 
 Private Lang and knew his drill . . ?" 
 
 "Well ?" said the Stranger feverishly. 
 
 "I'd take him to the Rose and Crown ami 
 give him the deserter's kit he was about your 
 height I'd rig him out in the uniform or buy 
 him another there's plenty of time, and then 
 if I was sure that he'd answer to the name of 
 Private John Lang, Border Regiment, six months' 
 recruit from the depot at Carlisle I'd march 
 him aboard the Beachy Head and he'd sail for 
 Gib tonight. . . ." 
 
 "Tonight!" 
 
 "Yes." Hayman took the Stranger by the 
 arm. "How bad's the trouble you're bolting from, 
 my boy? Here's a chance of leaving it behind you 
 if you like. Have you got the pluck to take it?" 
 
 "Yes!" The Stranger gripped his hand. 
 "You've helped a lame dog over a stile, Sergeant, 
 and he won't forget it. Let me get into the 
 uniform quick! Where's the other detail and the 
 kit?" 
 
 The last words rang with a curious authority. 
 Instinctively Hayman responded to the note of
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY '187 
 
 command. He came smartly to attention and 
 saluted. 
 
 "This way, sir," he said. Then his eyebrows 
 lifted. "I mean this way, Private Lang" he 
 added. 
 
 He turned and went forward along the dim 
 street without another word. His desperate 
 expedient had succeeded beyond his wildest hope. 
 He would be out of the Army with his com- 
 muted pension in his pocket long before his fraud 
 could be discovered if it were ever discovered 
 still he wondered many things. 
 
 But he did not dream that behind him, foot- 
 sore, bedraggled, mud-stained, with hidden face, 
 skulking through the shadows, there followed 
 
 Dorian March! 
 
 ******* 
 
 The glorious calm of a perfect summer day 
 lay on the gray tides of the Channel, as the Trans- 
 port, "Beachy Head," lumbered comfortably 
 towards the South. 
 
 Children raced and scampered on the deck. 
 The soldiers' wives gathered, chatting in little 
 groups, the men sat about playing cards, smoking,
 
 1 88 THE SINS OF SOCIETY! 
 
 or listening to a duet between a banjo and a 
 concertina. Many crowded to the bulwarks when 
 the islands of Jersey and Guernsey were passed 
 in the distance, and later others stared with 
 interest at the low line of the French coast on 
 the horizon. There was practically no motion 
 save for the reverberation of the thudding screw. 
 
 As evening fell the sun set in a low cloud bank 
 to the West, and presently the cool night breeze 
 drove here and there a ghostly patch of white mist 
 over the water. On the far off coast a low light- 
 house winked and blinked its appointed warning. 
 
 Suddenly from a nearer headland, looming 
 tall and dark over the water, there shot into the 
 air long lustrous fan-shaped beams which began 
 slowly to revolve like a luminous windmill. Out 
 there on the deep sea it seemed rather a ridiculous 
 performance, and the children laughed and 
 clapped their hands. 
 
 "Ushant," said a Gunner, who was leaning 
 over the side next Dorian, a little apart from the 
 others. 
 
 "Cape Ushant?" 
 
 "Yes. And we're rather close in too. Beastly
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 189 
 
 dangerous place don't know why the Captains 
 hug it 'cept it's the last bearing that they get 
 afore crossing the Bay." 
 
 "Seen it before?" 
 
 "Yes. Comin' home from India. Wish I'd 
 stayed there an' rotted first." 
 
 "Why?" 
 
 The Gunner looked at Dorian. Chance had 
 thrown them together for the greater part of 
 the day. A dozen little things betray one soldier 
 to another, but every heart knows its own bitter- 
 ness, and they are invariably loyal to each other's 
 secrets. 
 
 "Why?" said the Gunner, and he stared out 
 into the darkness; " 'cos if I hadn't come home I 
 shouldn't have to have done, what er others 
 sometimes do, change my name and list all over 
 again haven't you never read Kipling's poem 
 about the chap that was driven 
 *To lie and to cheat 
 To get out of the street 
 
 And back to the Army again.' 
 only I didn't do my lying for the sake of a living, 
 I done it for the sake of a gal."
 
 1 9 o THE SINS OF SOCIETY] 
 
 Dorian's cheeks reddened in the darkness. 
 
 "For for the sake of a a girl?" 
 
 "Yes. More fool me. She'll have forgotten 
 all about me and married someone else in a twelve 
 month." 
 
 "You you think that really?" 
 
 "Course I do. They're all alike." 
 
 "Then why?" 
 
 ' 'Cos I was struck on her dead struck and 
 she was in trouble." 
 
 "Poor girl perhaps it it wasn't her 
 fault. . . ." 
 
 "O yes, it was. Flash lot you know, yaller 
 hair, cheap jewelry, and a silk petticoat wot 
 rustled on Sundays Barmaid at Chatham 
 sneaked money from the till to buy finery. She 
 come to me howlin' and I played the bloomin' 
 heroic idiot went to her Boss, did a confession, 
 swore I had the money, then bolted." 
 
 "Deserted . . . ?" whispered Dorian. 
 
 "That's it," the Gunner replied. "Don't much 
 care who knows it, neither. Deserted listed to 
 hide from the p'leece wondered every day what 
 would 'appn next who'd know me, who'd take
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY] 191 
 
 me me, with ten years' service and my stripes 
 doin' goose step and playing at rookey in the yard 
 all for a gal's sake me, with clean 'ands wait- 
 ing for the 'and-cuffs nice sort of fool, wasn't I? 
 Think there's another fool like me in the 'ole wide 
 world?" 
 
 "Who knows?" said Dorian, "when a man 
 loves truly. . . ." 
 
 "He ought to be hanged for a warning! He 
 ought to be told ... see that light there the 
 whirley-gig on Ushant? . . . there's a Marconi 
 on that head-land . . . wireless telegraph, you 
 know . . . nice I should look if they was callin' 
 up this old packet now saying, 'you've a gunner 
 aboard, deserter, fraudulent listed . . . Thief 
 . . . put 'im in irons and land 'im at Gib' . . . 
 all for a gal's sake . . . 'ow would you like that, 
 eh?" 
 
 Dorian did not answer but his heart beat 
 quickly and his mind raced back over the fears 
 and tortures of the last three days. He asked 
 himself what had he done, what was he doing 
 now, for a girl's sake? 
 
 . . . His eyes were fixed on the sweeping
 
 i 9 2 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 beams of light, but he hardly noticed that they 
 dimmed a little behind a drifting curtain of cold 
 damp fog ... he remembered only a desperate 
 struggle on a rapid river . . . later a panting 
 struggle to the bank . . . the finding of a boat, 
 and a sharp pull in pouring rain down stream 
 . . . passing two locks, over the rollers, in the 
 darkness while the Lock Keepers slept . . . the 
 coming to a small town before dawn, the ringing 
 up of a little "reach-me-down" clothes shop with 
 a tale of a night row for a bet a ducking, and 
 the need for a dry rig out just anything to get 
 home in ... the long tramp across the fiefds and 
 through bye-lanes to a country station ... a 
 short train journey another walk . . . another 
 journey . . . doubling and changing to hide his 
 tracks . . . always with one end in view . . . 
 the Sea. 
 
 . . . Always with one terror at his heels the 
 Unknown from which he flew till the hour when 
 his eye caught a flaring news placard and he 
 walked from the Railway down a quiet shaded 
 Lane to feverishly scan an evening paper . . . 
 and out of its print the Known sprang up and
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 193 
 
 struck him in the face . . . the Jewel Robbery 
 at Windsor . . . Morris . . . the man's possi- 
 ble death . . . then the Warrant for his own 
 arrest . . . theft and attempted Murder! . . . 
 and that was the work of Marion Beaumont 
 the sister of Gwen, the girl he loved . . . one 
 word from him and Marion would stand, 
 accused, in his place, . . . and Gwen? . . . 
 No! For her sake he would go on ... get 
 clean away and give Marion time to repair the 
 wrong she had done if it were possible if 
 Morris only lived ... if not? . . . could he 
 ever go back and call Gwen's sister a Murderess 
 . . . flight and hope were the only things left 
 at the moment . . . Morris hung between life 
 and death . . . and on his life all things were 
 hanging . . . till the issue were proved . . . 
 well, at least the Fates were merciful in that 
 Dorian changed safely to plain John Lang was 
 speeding to a Sanctuary of oblivion beyond the 
 Sea . . . for a girl's sake ... all for a girl's 
 sake. 
 
 "There's no fool like a fool in love," said the 
 Gunner. "Cupid the God of Love, indeed 'be
 
 194 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 hanged for a tale,' the proper God of Love's a 
 bloomin' Blindfold Jack Ass !" 
 
 The whirling beams of light dimmed suddenly, 
 paled, flickered and faded as the Beachy Head 
 slid into a low white fog bank, that clung 
 around her rattlings and streamed about her great 
 tall funnels like a damp, dank, shroud. 
 
 The steam whistle boomed out one deep wail- 
 ing warning note, voices were hushed, sounds 
 muffled, the uncanny silence was broken only by 
 the lap and ripple of the water and the 
 steady churning of the screw . . . even the 
 huge forereaching bulk of the big ship seemed 
 to blur and vanish as she drove forward, and 
 the fog thickened about her . . . Dorian felt 
 that he was passing away utterly from the very 
 World itself and all he knew of it drifting out 
 on a vague journey into immeasurable space 
 into the unknown, the unseen for ever cut off 
 from everything. . . . 
 
 "Below thereOrderly?" 
 
 A muffled voice was calling down from the 
 Bridge. 
 
 "Where's the Officer of the Deck?"
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY] 195 
 
 "Forward, sir." 
 
 "Ask him to step this way at once quick 
 Marconi message from the Shore important ' 
 
 Dorian's vague vision vanished at the touch 
 of raw reality. The Gunner gripped him by 
 the arm. 
 
 ' 'Member what I said?" he whispered. 
 "Marconi from the shore! It's me, right enough 
 'ang it and no time for a square drink they'll 
 shove me in the cells sober! There's no fool 
 like a fool in love !" 
 
 But Dorian neither spoke nor stirred. He 
 watched the dim figures of Officers moving 
 quickly in the darkness. He saw the Colonel 
 come aft . . . there was a hurried consultation 
 round a piece of paper held before a ship's lan- 
 tern then a low order. 
 
 Instantly a hoarse bugle note sounded the 
 "Fall in!" 
 
 Right and left men scrambled to their feet and 
 ranged up along the bulwarks, looking from one 
 to another, whispering curiously. What was hap- 
 pening? Through the fog and the darkness one 
 could scarcely see a dozen yards over all the
 
 196 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 Ship's Bridge and tall funnels loomed indistinct- 
 ly the red and green head lights swam in a wet 
 misty halo now and again the heavy fog horn 
 boomed 
 
 The Colonel spoke in a low voice. 
 
 Then an Officer called "Drafts Border Regi- 
 ment?" 
 
 From somewhere in the shadow Bains an- 
 swered "Here, sir." 
 
 The Gunner sank back against the bulwarks 
 and Dorian's breath caught as he faltered 
 "Here" 
 
 "Parade." 
 
 Bains stepped forward and came to attention. 
 For an instant Dorian felt the Gunner's hand 
 clasp his own, and he heard the whisper "Poor 
 chap." Then he joined his comrade. 
 
 The Colonel faced the two men. 
 
 ''Private George Bains, Private John Lang 
 which is George Bains?" 
 
 Bains saluted. 
 
 "Right turn. Dismiss. Come here, Lang." 
 The Colonel moved a few paces towards the 
 mast, where he was out of the general hearing.
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 197 
 
 "You are Private John Lang six months' 
 recruit from the depot at Carlisle?" 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 "That's a Lie. Private John Lang deserted 
 at Portsmouth when drunk had the sense to 
 give himself up when sober has been con- 
 fronted with his Sergeant, who has confessed 
 his fraud but denies all knowledge of your 
 identity." 
 
 "Does that matter sir," Dorian pleaded des- 
 perately. "As a fact, like lots of other chaps 
 I I got into a foolish scrape and for every- 
 one's sake it was best I should get away and 
 make a new name for myself if I could . . . 
 mayn't I have the chance a soldier's chance 
 if I get it I shan't fail, sir!" 
 
 There was a pause. The Colonel looked 
 Dorian full in the face and his voice was low 
 and solemn. 
 
 "Listen to me," he said. "I am very proud 
 of the cloth I wear very proud of the King's 
 Service. No soldier would see them disgraced. 
 I have here," he tapped the Marconi message 
 in his hand, "I have here the description of a
 
 198 THE SINS OF SOCIETY* 
 
 certain man. Answer me on your Honor. 
 Are you Captain Sir Dorian March of the Third 
 Life Guards?" 
 
 His honor? He was given his full rank and 
 title, by a Man of Honor as a Man of Honor, 
 by a Soldier as a Soldier. 
 
 And the Honor of the Soldier answered . . . 
 
 " Yes " 
 
 JL C-O * 
 
 The Colonel's lip twitched painfully. His 
 
 voice dropped lower still. 
 
 i 
 
 "If you snatch the revolver from my belt and 
 blow your brains out," he said, "I won't stop you. 
 If you make a dash for the side go over and 
 drown I won't stop you. For your Honor's 
 sake finish it!" 
 
 "Finish?" 
 
 ".Yes. You are leaving behind you no fool- 
 ish scrape. You are leaving behind you a man, 
 Morris a jeweller, who was drugged and robbed 
 a man so badly drugged that his life hangs in 
 the balance finish it! Don't you understand 
 me you an unknown man finish it here at sea, 
 you'll have no chance once you're under arrest 
 Finish it! For if Morris the jeweller dies to-
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 199 
 
 night, you, Captain Sir Dorian March will hang 
 for Murder ! Finish it." 
 
 "Finish it! Finish it or Speak. Finish it 
 or hang Gwen's sister." 
 
 "Finish it ... God help me !" 
 
 Dorian's hand snatched towards the revolver 
 svhen . . . the great Ship echoed from end to 
 end with a tearing crashing shock! 
 
 All about him men were flung from their feet 
 and lay sprawling on the deck, shouts, screams, 
 curses, rent the darkness, a frightened herd of 
 women and children screaming, half-clad, poured 
 up the hatchways, a cloud of hissing steam roared 
 up from the engine room, Dorian was swept 
 against the bulwarks by a wild panic-stricken mob 
 . . . for the Gunner's prediction had been real- 
 ized. The "Beachy Head" had followed the 
 footsteps of the ill-fated "Drummond Castle" . . 
 she had made the Ushant Light too close . . . 
 under the fog bank, the strong current had swept 
 her from her course on to the terrible sunken 
 rocks of the French Coast. 
 
 Almost instantly a dull thud was followed by 
 a volume of reeking smoke through her torn
 
 2OO 
 
 sides the water had poured into the fires power 
 was gone, the engines stopped, the electric light 
 went out under the night, in the thickening fog 
 the doomed ship lay in the double darkness ! 
 
 . . . Sharp commands brought order presently, 
 and with it the added terror of silence ... I 
 silence in the fog . . . silence with only a few 
 yards of wet deck visible . . . silence and the 
 calmly black water over side . . . silence and 
 the fear of instant calamity on the slowly sloping 
 planks . . . silence . . . for how long? . . . 
 a blue Flare suddenly flamed over the side, blocks 
 creaked ... a white ghostly boat swung over 
 and splashed down ... a surge of trampling 
 feet ... a stern voice, "Stand back . . . the 
 Women first!" . . . would there be time for 
 the men to follow? . . . Dorian felt it as he 
 stood . . . wondered . . . then heard the Col- 
 onel's voice giving, calmly as though on the par- 
 ade, the order "All ranks fall in" . . . and 
 voice after voice took up the words, "Fall in 
 fall in." 
 
 For a moment the instinct of discipline pre- 
 vailed, and soldiers struggled to their posts
 
 2OI 
 
 but death has many aspects courage many forms 
 and one man maddened by smothering horror 
 of drowning in silent fog sprang to the rattlings 
 screaming, "Fall in be damned! Can't you feel 
 she's sinking will you stay here and drown 
 like rats while the officers go first? No! Save 
 yourselves The BOATS !" 
 
 A wild rush followed . . . officers shouted, 
 even drew their swords . . . women were rough- 
 ly pushed aside . . . men fought like beasts, 
 forgetting everything . . . when Dorian saw 
 leaning against the Mast beside him a light pole 
 topped by a color case. The Colors! The 
 Regiment's Flag! How many men had died to 
 follow how many to save it! The Colors! 
 The Emblem of all that the Soldier holds most 
 dear! In a second it was in his hand in a 
 second the battle-stained silken folds fluttered 
 high in the air, and Dorian's strong young 
 voice thundered above the din. 
 
 " 'Tention. Stand to your Colors, MEN 
 fall in!!" 
 
 He knew the magic of those words. 
 
 "Stand to your Colors MEN!"
 
 202) (THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 Like magic the babble ceased like magic the 
 ranks were formed . . . the women hurried to 
 the boats . . . the men stood like men . . . fac- 
 ing the end with set teeth . . . "Stand to your. 
 Colors j MEN" . . . never a muscle moved 
 . . . the great ship sagged rolled ... a voice 
 gasped, "She's gone," . . . "What does it 
 matter," Dorian cried. "We've faced death un- 
 der the Old Flag before what does it matter if 
 we face it again as long as we face it like men" 
 . . . "'Tention there . . . Men . . . salute the 
 Flag!" 
 
 He raised the Colors with both hands, and 
 the Colonel stood before him with his sword hilt 
 at his lips, as a deafening cheer went up ... 
 and the last boat pushed away. 
 
 . . . Then the "Beachy Head" rolled heavily, 
 and the merciful Fog with pitying hand spread a 
 shroud of honor over the last agony of brave 
 men, as the huge vessel pitched, and sank beneath 
 the Sea.
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 THE PRICE OF SILENCE 
 
 A SHUDDER of horror ran through Eng- 
 land when the news came home. 
 
 Among other things special columns were given 
 to the story of Private John Lang's desertion, his 
 confession, his trial, and the Police theory that 
 the man who took his place was the missing Sir 
 Dorian March. Color was lent to this surmise 
 by the narratives of the few survivors who were 
 picked up by the boats. 
 
 But Dorian was not among them. So the 
 Windsor Mystery remained unsolved and soon 
 came to be forgotten in the greater tragedy. 
 
 It was rarely absent from the mind of James 
 Hogg, however. In his private safe he left the 
 fatal Box untouched though its description was 
 widely advertised and circulated. Whatever 
 police, or people, might think, nothing had been
 
 204 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 proved against Dorian March, and Hogg would 
 not blacken his memory. Besides, there was the 
 woman whoever she might be. Dorian had 
 paid for his devotion to her with his death. That 
 at least was certain. Hogg pitied. He had no 
 heart to punish even if he could. For the sake 
 of the quick and the dead his lips were sealed. 
 But he pondered long and often. 
 
 The skill of Sir Benjamin Harley just saved 
 Marion from brain fever. Society was sympa- 
 thetic. Her financial difficulties were notorious, 
 and it was felt that the tragedy of Dorian filled 
 her cup to the brim. Nobody wondered that she 
 should give up her town house and especially 
 her Windsor Cottage when Sir Benjamin in- 
 sisted that she should go away for a long rest 
 cure to a quiet village on the Devonshire Coast. 
 
 Morris the jeweller did not wonder either. 
 Being a healthy man of sound constitution he 
 recovered rapidly directly the first effects of his 
 overdose began to pass away. A few days in the 
 tonic air of Folkestone soon put him on his legs 
 again. There, in the midst of a walk along the 
 Leas on a gloriously bright morning, he paused
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 205 
 
 to watch the shipping in the Channel. A large 
 steamer, belching volumes of black smoke, seemed 
 rather close in land, and he asked the attendant 
 of the Lift to the Undercliff, opposite the Metro- 
 pole, what the ship might be. 
 
 "Transport, sir," the man replied. "Troop 
 ship same as the 'Beachy Head.' Terrible job 
 that, sir wasn't it?" 
 
 "It was indeed," said Morris, and he gazed 
 down at the steamer for some time without a 
 word, for the catastrophe had placed him in a 
 strange position. 
 
 As a pawnbroker and jeweller he was generally 
 insured against burglary or theft at his business 
 premises. But Lady Marion's Tiara had been 
 stolen from his Windsor Cottage, to which the 
 insurance did not extend. If Lady Marion asked 
 for the return of her Box he could not give it 
 to her. Then she would be entitled to ask for 
 the value of what it was supposed to contain. 
 He firmly believed that the Box contained nothing. 
 But as the Box was gone he could not prove it. 
 On the day that she paid him seven thousand 
 pounds she could demand her Tiara or its equiva-
 
 2o6 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 lent in cash which meant for him a very heavy 
 loss against which he was not insured. 
 
 He had received a formal letter from her 
 solicitors saying the condition of her health was 
 such that she had been forbidden by her medical 
 advisers to receive letters or attend to business. 
 
 Some day she would recover. Then what would 
 happen? 
 
 The prospect of being, as it were, robbed twice 
 over was very distasteful. Morris, therefore, 
 protested to the police that they should continue 
 their efforts and he increased the Reward which 
 he had offered for the discovery of the Box. 
 The police shook their heads. But Morris in- 
 sisted that though the theory of Dorian's com- 
 plicity was plausible, it was only a theory at 
 least a second man was somehow connected with 
 the affair, a man who had been seen but never 
 found, and above all that the true clue to the 
 actual perpetrator of the theft lay in ... the 
 Blue Scarab brooch. 
 
 To one very eminent Detective, a really clever 
 and discreet investigator whom he knew well, 
 Morris privately disclosed the whole of the facts.
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 203 
 
 According to all the rules of logic Lady Marion 
 Beaumont was the only person who had an 
 interest in stealing the Box. In her interview at 
 his Cottage she had revealed her intense anxiety. 
 Outside his window was found such an ornament 
 as a woman might wear, therefore 
 
 The great Detective shrugged his shoulders 
 and smiled deprecation. 
 
 "Mr. Morris," he said, "that's all right but 
 on grave suspicion only I could hang half May- 
 fair! That poor Sir Dorian was in your affair 
 somehow is fairly proved that she was in it 
 isn't." 
 
 "And if I can't prove it I may have to pay " 
 
 "Certainly. For if you can't prove it who 
 can?" 
 
 Marion Beaumont knew. 
 
 She was safe now from all things except Noel 
 Ferrers. 
 
 In her desperate effort to escape from his 
 clutches she had rivetted her chain. He knew 
 where the Blue Scarab came from to whom it 
 belonged. More surely than ever he held her in 
 a vise. More certainly than ever he determined
 
 208 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 that Gwen should pay the price of mercy. 
 
 During the first days of Marion's prostration 
 in London he had called with flowers and 
 inquiries as though he were her oldest and best 
 friend. Mercilessly he sent her under sealed 
 cover a cutting from a paper in which the Blue 
 Scarab brooch was minutely described. He most 
 admirably advised her solicitor concerning the 
 realization of her stocks and shares, suggested 
 the necessity for a personal interview which the 
 Solicitor frankly recommended and, under the 
 circumstances, her doctor did not refuse. 
 
 He sat by her side and smiled at the wreck 
 of a woman as a Tiger purrs over a stricken 
 Antelope. 
 
 Quite brutally he put the truth. 
 
 "You haven't the pluck to die," he said. "If 
 you want peace and health which means life 
 to you see me whenever I choose, as your best 
 and closest friend speak of me like that, warmly, 
 gratefully, to Gwen then I'll help you in every 
 way. If not " 
 
 The cowed and broken creature obeyed in 
 deadly fear like a beaten animal in his presence
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 209 
 
 or his absence, doing his work so well that even 
 Gwen was reconciled in a measure to his visits. 
 
 When the time came for moving and the 
 little house was taken by the Sea, he saw to 
 everything and after they were installed he 
 was never long away. The long railway journey 
 did not deter him. He thoughtfully brought 
 Gwen whatever he fancied she might want from 
 town his manner to her was always courteous, 
 respectful, sympathetic: he was quite content to 
 wait till time began to blunt the keen edge of 
 her grief. Now that his rival was gone he 
 wanted to win her without open compulsion, if 
 possible. He could rely on Marion's help. 
 
 He calculated also that changed circumstances 
 would contribute. Youth is elastic. When the 
 memory of Dorian began to fade, poverty would 
 be felt more keenly. For the sisters now were 
 comparatively if not almost actually poor. Life 
 becomes very irksome in a Devonshire fishing 
 village after successive seasons of luxury in Lon- 
 don. There would be escape from the utter 
 dullness and the boredom of it all whenever 
 Gwen chose to countersign his check book.
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 Society forgets quickly. Girl friends who write 
 effusively at first soon find that they have no time 
 for a regular correspondence. Interests flag. 
 Ferrers knew it. Eternally fine summers, the ach- 
 ing sea, the little fishing boats, the quaint old 
 church, no friends, a dreary round of drowsy 
 monotony with no companion but a fretful invalid, 
 no relaxation but a twice read book till Ferrers 
 came from London, smiling, bringing this and 
 that, a charming present, news of town gossip of 
 the world a ray of sunlight and a breath of Life. 
 
 One day he would ask her to come back to 
 Life. 
 
 Young, a girl, and mortal would she refuse? 
 
 He thought not. 
 
 But there was no need for haste. Besides, he 
 realized that Gwen's love for Dorian was real 
 and deep. He read it in her eyes, in every tender 
 note of the pitiful young voice that echoed her 
 heart's misery. 
 
 Therefore there was need for waiting. 
 
 So the weeks slipped by and as Marion re- 
 covered something of physical health she was the 
 first to weary of her surroundings. She had no
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 211 
 
 intellectual resources. Unconsciously Gwen's pale 
 face was a perpetual mute reproach her slight 
 somberly clad figure a memorial to a dead man's 
 devotion. Her thoughts, Marion knew, were 
 with that dead man always, and his name was 
 daily on her lips. If Marion had been made of 
 finer metal the refinement of an hourly torture 
 would have been maddening. In her case it 
 fretted till she almost pitied herself and began 
 to resent her mental miseries. Morris was out 
 of danger, and she was no longer in it. The idea 
 of penance, penitence, or reparation never oc- 
 curred to her. Having lived as her class lived 
 she had been unlucky, and ultimately the victim 
 of misfortune. She hardly blamed herself for 
 anything she had done. If she only had more 
 money and Ferrers would cease his importunities, 
 she could begin to be happy again and go back 
 to town back to the Society which was the end 
 and the beginning of her existence. 
 
 Ferrers had consequently had rare need for 
 threats, or pressure. She lent herself readily to 
 his wishes. He ingeniously imagined some little 
 speculations on the Stock Exchange and sent her
 
 212 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 from time to time small, but very welcome, checks. 
 Quite willingly she acquiesced to his suggestion 
 that she should write to the Duchess saying that 
 he and Gwen were much together, and that really 
 a wealthy marriage would be quite the best cure 
 for the dear child's melancholy. Already there 
 were signs of improvement. As Ferrers expected, 
 the Duchess bluntly asked him in public if she 
 was to congratulate? With well affected con- 
 fusion he had replied, not yet at least not for 
 certain he could not hope for too much luck all 
 at once, and so on. Naturally people talked and 
 soon afterwards a paragraph followed in the 
 Gossip column of The Dais, which mentioned 
 Ferrers by name, and alluded to Gwen in terms 
 which left no doubt as to her identity for all those 
 who knew anything of her set. Marion was 
 careful to keep The Dais out of sight, but one 
 or two friends wrote to Gwen whose disclaimers 
 were attributed to decorous modesty. But they 
 opened the way for occasional discussions on the 
 subject between Marion and Gwen, who could 
 not but admit the unvarying and unwavering 
 thoughtfulness and kindliness of Ferrers. Her
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 213 
 
 positive and active dislike for him had cer- 
 tainly gone, but beyond that she could say 
 nothing. 
 
 As evening fell she used to stretch her tiny 
 hand out towards the sea, saying with a piteous 
 little sob, "My heart is there for ever it will 
 never be mine again, to give to anyone 1" 
 
 When Marion impatiently told Ferrers, he 
 only smiled and said, "Time does wonderful 
 things occasionally." 
 
 Time did. 
 
 In time it happened that one day when he 
 came down from town he found himself smoking 
 a cigarette in Marion's garden and waiting till 
 the sisters should return from a stroll across the 
 tall red Cliffs. He looked abstractedly at the 
 sea, blew a cloud of heavy aromatic smoke and 
 wondered how long he would have to wait for 
 more than one thing in this World. The path 
 was clear, quite clear at last, but the climb was 
 very slow, . . . like the climb up the road from 
 the village . . . along which the old asthmatical 
 postman was trudging painfully. 
 
 Ferrers watched him stop at a cottage here
 
 214 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 and there . . . leaning over this gate . . . 
 chatting at that ... he did not hasten with his 
 missives, even if they carried news of life or death 
 ... he plodded n steadily ... as Ferrers 
 must ... to reach a certain end. 
 
 Certain? 
 
 Ferrers smiled. It was a long road, but there 
 were no obstacles now. None 
 
 The Postman stopped and touched his hat. 
 Ferrers went forward, and the old man handed 
 over the wicket the letters for the house paused 
 for a brief space to wheeze and pant about the 
 weather then touched his hat and plodded on 
 . . . and Ferrers gazed aimlessly at the corre- 
 spondence . . . some gorgeous highly gilded cir- 
 culars . . . Ferrers wondered why elaborate, 
 costly, and profusely decorated circulars offering 
 Motor Cars at Two Thousand Guineas a piece 
 are sent constantly in large numbers to people 
 who can't afford to purchase a perambulator! 
 ... a bill ... a lawyer's letter . . . two notes 
 sealed with colored wax, impressed, one by a 
 coronet, the other by some fanciful signet . . . 
 two letters from Abroad, one of them for Gwen
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 215, 
 
 . . . from Abroad . . . from whom? ... he 
 looked at the stamps more closely . . . they were 
 identical . . . A R G . . . Argentina . . . 
 South America . . . and the Post Mark "Buenos 
 Ayres" ... he h-ad never heard Gwen speak of 
 anyone likely to write from . . . yet somehow 
 the hand writing, the same upon each envelope, 
 did not seem quite unfamiliar ... a man's hand, 
 flowing, bold, and strong ... a man's . . . 
 where had he seen . . . who was it wrote . . . 
 Great God! DORIAN MARCH ! 
 
 Alive? 
 
 No. Impossible. Written no doubt on the 
 "Beachy Head," picked up at Sea in some strange 
 place and posted by a kindly rescuer. A weird 
 uncanny Message from the Dead. Marion had 
 better see it before Gwen was told 
 
 He put the two letters in his pocket and placed 
 the others on a garden table, thought for a mo- 
 ment, then took out the two envelopes and looked 
 at them again very carefully. 
 
 They were not soiled or water stained. 
 
 They were not enclosed, as they well might 
 have been, with any note of explanation.
 
 216 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 There was no inscription "found at Sea" or 
 anything like that. 
 
 The envelope bore no Ship's monogram. 
 
 The paper did not seem to be of English 
 manufacture or of the sort used in this country. 
 
 Ferrers noted curiously that they were both 
 addressed to Windsor redirected to the now 
 let Town house sent to Marion's Solicitor and 
 by him posted on. All this had involved at least 
 a week's delay in their delivery. 
 
 And now ? 
 
 Was the heart of Gwen to be wrung all over 
 again as it would not have been if the letters 
 had never arrived at all? 
 
 Would it not be almost merciful to throw them 
 into the fire? Why harrow Marion, why torture 
 Gwen by vividly reawaking memories, . . . only, 
 the thought came like a flash, why had Dorian 
 written at all? It was a madly dangerous thing 
 to have done under the circumstances if the letter 
 had gone astray if Morris had died surely he 
 must have had some strong, some overwhelming 
 motive? 
 
 Would it affect his own plans in any way?
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 217 
 
 Would it be safe to let Marion read women are 
 so emotional until he had read first. 
 
 If he opened her letter, what could she do! 
 The Blue Scarab had made him her Master. 
 
 He went to the gate and looked right and 
 left up and down the road. There was no sign 
 of the sisters. He glanced at the house, and 
 turned his back to it while his fingers crept into 
 the crisp crackling envelope tore harshly 
 plucked for its contents opened stealthily and 
 read. . . . 
 
 "Marion" . . . there was a date, but no 
 address . . . "for Gwen's sake, to save you and 
 to save your name, I have been content to let 
 the World think that I died at sea when the 
 Beachy Head went down. It was agony to let 
 Gwen think it, but I feared to communicate in 
 any way till I knew whether that man Morris 
 lived. Apart from that I had no chance for 
 many days. Heaven only knows how I struggled 
 out of the ghastly fight for life among the drown- 
 ing men when the Transport sank all around I 
 heard despairing prayers and curses more than 
 once I was compelled to dive to shake off some
 
 2i8 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 poor wretch's strangling hands a drifting spar 
 struck me in the darkness and nearly sent me 
 under, but it saved me after, for I clung to it till 
 dawn, when the fog lifted, but our boats were 
 out of sight. 
 
 Clinging for hours without food or water, and 
 I knew my strength must fail, I almost wished 
 that I had perished with the others indeed 
 when a small sailing ship hove in sight, I could 
 neither cry out, nor raise a hand for help. By 
 good luck a shift of wind brought her course 
 quite near me. I was seen from the deck, a boat 
 was lowered and I was hauled on board nearly 
 insensible. The Ship I found was Spanish, bound 
 for Buenos Ayres with a cargo of iron rails, 
 making, therefore, a slow voyage and touching 
 nowhere. I could not understand the crew, but 
 the Captain spoke a little French. I gave the 
 name of a poor devil I had seen go down at my 
 side said I was a common soldier so that he 
 should take little interest in my doings when we 
 came to land. Having no money I paid for my 
 passage as best I could by work, for long weary 
 weeks when adverse winds drove us from our
 
 ,1'HE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 course, and we broiled in the endless calms of the 
 tropics. But we reached harbor at last, and I 
 went ashore tanned like a red Indian, with a 
 sprouting beard, dressed in the rough rags they 
 had given me not fearing recognition from my 
 dearest friend. For a week I worked as a dock 
 hand, fretting every hour for news from home, 
 wondering hopelessly how I could get it. 
 
 One day passing the Office of a big newspaper 
 I saw a notice "Wanted a Porter." The natives 
 here are lazy beyond speech and all the best work 
 is done by Americans and Scotch, with a few 
 English. So I got the job at once when I applied 
 for it. I was afraid to seem too anxious, but 
 presently when they got accustomed to me I asked 
 leave to see occasional English papers. I found 
 that they kept the Times filed for reference, and 
 hunting through it I found, thank God, that 
 Morris had recovered and was out of danger. 
 There is no possible charge of murder now hang-* 
 ing over anyone's head, as it once hung over mine, 
 as it would have hung over yours if I had not 
 kept silence for your sake. If the worst had 
 Happened I might have kept silence to the end,
 
 220 
 
 for Gwen's sake, for, Marion, it is hopeless to 
 deny what you alone must have done. God for- 
 give you, what madness possessed you? 
 
 I thanked God that the danger had passed; 
 and then my first thought was to write and insist 
 on Morris being paid, and there being some 
 possibility of my return, but turning over the old 
 English papers I came on a chance copy of The 
 Dais. There I read what you know was written. 
 
 The name of Noel Ferrers linked clearly with 
 Gwen. 
 
 If I can stop it that shall never be. Sooner 
 than see it I will tell Gwen the truth the whole 
 truth and if need be, the whole world, too. I 
 have not done it yet. I have written to tell her 
 as I tell you that to prevent her marriage I am 
 coming home to face anything. If what I read 
 is true I will swear that she is not doing it of 
 her own free will. I hold you to blame. You, 
 and only you. 
 
 So I warn you, see Morris, pay him, make 
 yourself safe while there is time. I have signed 
 on as Deck Steward of a Plymouth Boat and 
 about the time this reaches you I shall have sailed
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 221 
 
 it is the earliest chance I can get of working 
 my way home. If Gwen is true, as I know she is, 
 when she gets my letter she will wait for me 
 if she does not, at least I will clear my name. 
 If I have lost her it was through my sacrifice for 
 her sake. 
 
 If you have any gratitude for that sacrifice 
 you will add your words to mine to save the girl 
 I love, your own flesh and blood, from what I 
 know must be an utterly loveless marriage. It 
 is a marriage that will only break Gwen's heart 
 in the end. Haven't you made misery enough in 
 your life already." 
 
 There were some pages more of passionate 
 protest, but Ferrers only glanced at these. He 
 did not open Gwen's letter at all. He made a 
 careful note of the date of posting on his shirt 
 cuff and read the phrase again "about the time 
 this reaches you I shall have sailed." Reposting 
 had delayed the delivery of the letter for a week. 
 Dorian therefore was in all human probability 
 already on the high seas. It was too late for the 
 Police to cable for his arrest at Buenos Ayres. He 
 did not say by what boat he was coming or under
 
 222 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 what name he had signed. To intercept him was 
 practically impossible. Plymouth was the only 
 clue. But many boats touch at Plymouth. Be- 
 sides, after all, his arrest mattered very little to 
 Noel Ferrers. His arrest would only proclaim 
 on the house-top the fact that he was alive. 
 Directly Gwen knew that he was alive there would 
 be an end to the hopes of Ferrers. He realized 
 that completely. Whatever he did must be done 
 before Dorian returned. A quick run from 
 Buenos Ayres takes about six weeks. One had 
 already gone. He had just five weeks five clear 
 weeks in hand, for having already started, no 
 letter that Dorian could post would anticipate 
 his own arrival. 
 
 Five weeks. 
 
 Noel Ferrers set his teeth and made up his 
 mind. Then he struck a match, lit a cigarette 
 and in a few seconds the letters of Dorian 
 March flamed and blew over the close-cropped 
 grass of the soft green lawn in a feathery spray 
 pf gray-white ashes. They clung to Gwen's skirt 
 as she came in at the gate, then fell away and 
 were crushed to nothingness under her small
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY! 223 
 
 arched foot. Ferrers saw and smiled. It was a 
 good omen. But her manner was ever the same 
 ,' frank, but never quite unrestrained. He had 
 brought down a book she especially wanted, new 
 music, and some of her favorite scent she seemed 
 genuinely pleased, but there was a wall between 
 them. He had meant, with infinite patience, to 
 scale it. 
 
 There was no longer time for that. 
 
 He must force a breach. 
 
 His resolution once formed he went straight 
 to the attack. 
 
 "Gwen dear," he said it had come to that 
 at length, not a familiar, but a sympathetic 
 fatherly "Gwen dear" "I want to talk over a 
 little business with your sister nothing very 
 important but would you leave us for five 
 minutes?" 
 
 Gathering the book and packages Gwen went 
 into the house. Marion looked rather anxiously 
 at Ferrers. 
 
 "Business ?" she said. 
 
 "Purely personal," he answered. "I want your 
 help."
 
 22 4 THE SINS OF SOCIETY, 
 
 "You know-" 
 
 "I am tired of waiting." 
 
 "What for?" 
 
 "Gwen." 
 
 "Gwen ? I you know what I wish I I've 
 told you but what can I do?" 
 
 "Consent to our marriage. And tell her to do 
 the same." 
 
 "I have tried all I could indirectly." 
 
 "Put it plainly then." 
 
 "She would only refuse " 
 
 "Put it plainer still." 
 
 "Plainer?" 
 
 "Tell her," he said slowly, "that tKe Po- 
 lice have not yet found the owner of the Blue 
 Scarab. That if she does not marry me, they 
 will." 
 
 "Good God-!" 
 
 "Tell her that you sent Dorian March to his 
 grave does she know it?" 
 
 "No, nol" 
 
 "Then tell her or shall I?" 
 
 "I implore " 
 
 " precisely what I am doing. I implore you
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 225 
 
 to invent any lie you like, and tell it to her at 
 once " 
 
 "That you tempted me you told me you 
 showed me the way you threatened me 
 drove me " 
 
 "If you wish it, certainly. Only remember 
 that you can't prove what you say. If I start 
 talking I can. And what is more, I will. I 
 don't care a fig what happens after. I would 
 die for Gwen. I would go to Gaol for her. I 
 would go to Hell for her. There is only one 
 thing I won't do for her I won't give her up." 
 "I know, and and I am sure in time " 
 "In a month. That's the limit of time." He 
 glanced at the date scribbled on his cuff. "In a 
 month she must be my wife or you must stand 
 in the Dock. Whichever you like. I am be- 
 ginning to feel that I have no preference. Take 
 your choice." 
 
 "When when you visit us again, I " 
 "No. Now. As I told you I am tired of 
 waiting." 
 
 "Give me time to think ! A day " 
 
 "Not an hour. Nothing like facing the music,
 
 226 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 taking the plunge and getting it over as you did 
 with Morris nothing venture, you know." 
 
 "Great Heaven, what can I say to her." 
 
 "Say Morris must be paid, or something dread- 
 ful will happen don't go into details say you 
 can't get the money from anyone but me say, 
 put it as nicely as you can, that I have my price. 
 She must consent." 
 
 "To be engaged " 
 
 "No. Married Westminster Abbey or the 
 Village Church, I don't care which, but married, 
 publicly, legally, absolutely, married to me be- 
 fore the month's over." 
 
 A deep sob was the only answer. 
 
 "I am going down to the village to send a 
 telegram. Shall I send another to the Detectives 
 at Scotland Yard, or will she give me my answer 
 when I come back." 
 
 "I will try I can only try " 
 
 "Of course. Only try hard, won't you? Re- 
 member how much depends on it for me and 
 for yourself! I shan't be long." 
 
 Dominant, resolute, with his savage jaw set 
 firm, the big man crunched heavily over the
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 227 
 
 gravel and swung away down the steep winding 
 road. 
 
 Coming to the window Gwen looked after 
 him, then glancing at the garden saw Marion, 
 with her face buried in her hands. Instantly she 
 called to her, and in a moment more was kneeling 
 at her side. 
 
 "Dearest, dearest," she cried, "what is it? 
 Bad news? Never mind, whatever it is, tell 
 me." 
 
 For some minutes the dazed and frightened 
 woman could not find her speech. She could 
 only sob and moan, and sob again, till the child 
 cried once more, "Marion, dearest, O don't, don't 
 speak to me you frighten me I" 
 
 "I I must do more than that," came the 
 slow, broken answer. "I must make you hate 
 me." 
 
 "Dearest never " 
 
 "Never? Suppose I told you that I had done 
 something very wrong, very wicked, about about 
 that man Morris and " 
 
 "The jewels?" 
 
 "Yes, suppose I told you Dorian Knew and
 
 228 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 tried tried to save me. Suppose I told you that 
 somebody still knew the truth " 
 
 "Morris!" 
 
 " Somebody, and that only money, a very, 
 very large sum would buy his silence. Suppose 
 suppose only one person in the world would lend 
 it give it to me " 
 
 "Mr. Ferrers?" 
 
 "And he only at a price." 
 
 "Price?" 
 
 "Yes. If that were true would you do what 
 Dorian did?" 
 
 "Dorian ..." 
 
 "Save me!" 
 
 "At . . . what . . . price . . . ?" 
 
 "Noel Ferrers loves you very truly believe 
 me very tenderly, very dearly . . . ' 
 
 "And for my sake he will give you the 
 money . . . ?" 
 
 "He would ... if ... if you were his ... 
 wife." 
 
 She did not dare look up and face the mute 
 anguish in the child's eyes. She could only moan 
 on, "No, no you can't, I know it's impossible
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 229 
 
 what does it matter gaol, dishonor, anything but 
 not that, it would soon kill me, the utter shame, 
 the disgrace . . . ' 
 
 The little hand closed gently on her shoulder 
 the small, sweet, tender voice sounded far, far 
 away like the echo of an angel's sob. 
 
 "What does it matter! . . . Dorian is dead! 
 . . . still I can do his work ... if I can save 
 you ... as he would .../... will." 
 
 They sat together, silent, till the gate clicked 
 softly and the tall shadow fell across the 
 grass. 
 
 No one spoke for a little while. Then Noel 
 Ferrers said quietly: 
 
 "Have I my answer?" 
 
 Gwen rose slowly with the old familiar gesture 
 the one small hand stretched out towards the 
 Sea. 
 
 "You know where my heart is," she answered 
 softly, "I can never give you that. But for her 
 sake, if you will save her I I will be your 
 wife." 
 
 "And by God, Gwen, I'll make you a good 
 husband I"
 
 230 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 His voice rang defiantly it was the impious 
 protest of a triumphant devil, as he stretched 
 forward to take her in his arms ! 
 
 She shrank back . . . "Please !" 
 
 . . . Sweetly on the Summer wind came the 
 chimes for Even Song. She motioned him to let 
 her pass. 
 
 "I I want to go there," she faltered. 
 
 "Where?" 
 
 "Where those Bells call me where I can 
 ask for help and know that I shall find 
 it." 
 
 Marion rose. 
 
 "Let me come with you, dear one." 
 
 "No. Please. Not now let me go there 
 alone." 
 
 Slowly she passed out of the garden. 
 
 The two stood watching till she was out of 
 sight while the mellow Bells rang on. 
 
 "In a month's time they will peal for us," said 
 Noel Ferrers smiling. 
 
 All the brute in his nature gleamed in his face. 
 Marion Beaumont saw, and for once all the 
 wrong that she had done stood UJD before her
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 231 
 
 eyes, and horror of the culminating sacrifice 
 stabbed at her shallow heart. 
 
 Still the Bells chimed. 
 
 "In a month's time may they toll for me!" 
 she cried as she buried her face in shame between 
 her hands.
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 "HASTE! TO THE WEDDING?" 
 
 ON half a dozen different pretexts Noel 
 Ferrers called at the Offices of the British 
 Shipping Company in Fenchurch Street, City, 
 and upon the information that he obtained there 
 he came to the conclusion that Dorian March 
 was returning by S. S. Magdala. 
 
 The date of her sailing seemed to coincide 
 exactly with what Dorian had said, and if this 
 was so, Ferrers began to fear that things were 
 being drawn rather fine. She was a good old 
 boat, rather more heavily sparred, and conse- 
 quently spreading a rather larger sail area, than 
 is customary in these days. With a following 
 gale under her stern she had made some wonder- 
 ful passages. If she repeated her best there
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 233 
 
 seemed a chance of Dorian landing on Gwen's 
 Wedding Day. 
 
 If she did better? 
 
 Ferrers realized that his chance of winning 
 Gwen would finally hang on the turn of an hour. 
 If Dorian were arrested at Sea, the news would 
 flash to the shore, all the world would know 
 it, immediately and there would be no mar- 
 riage. 
 
 If Dorian landed free, he would probably wire 
 to Gwen at once. Again there would be no mar- 
 riage. But if he landed half a day too soon, and 
 were instantly arrested, the time occupied in con- 
 veying him to London, charging him before a 
 Magistrate and so on, might be vital to Ferrers. 
 Down in remote Devonshire Gwen might hear 
 nothing until it was much too late. 
 
 Noel Ferrers therefore saw to it that the Police 
 had all the information that they needed, and that 
 their arrangements were thorough and complete. 
 He took extra pains because from time to time 
 his mind had been disturbed by anxious specula- 
 tion concerning Dorian's reason for saying "I 
 shall land at Plymouth." Why Plymouth?
 
 2 3 4 THE SINS OF SOCIETY* 
 
 Ferrers searched carefully through a file of The 
 Dais and found the paragraph hinting at his en- 
 gagement to Gwen. It followed upon another 
 referring to the health of Lady Marion Beau- 
 mont and her rest cure, which might be protracted, 
 at the "quaintly sweet old world village of 
 Mothercombe, in South Devon." 
 
 Had Dorian seen this? 
 
 The paragraph named no place of residence, 
 so Dorian had written to London that he knew 
 would find Marion for a certainty. But when he 
 landed would he go to Mothercombe? 
 
 That was the problem the contingency against 
 which Noel Ferrers took every possible 
 precaution. 
 
 As time went on his anxiety increased and he 
 made one determined endeavor to raise the ques- 
 tion of a Wedding at an earlier date. He went 
 down to Devonshire, especially, and to Marion 
 he gave excellent business reasons for wishing to 
 be "back home" at a certain period and Marion 
 threw out hints to Gwen. They were not well 
 received, however, indeed Marion confessed 
 frankly that she feared at any moment a revulsion
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 235 
 
 of feeling on the girl's part any pressure, any; 
 haste, any undue emphasis on the loveless side of 
 the marriage might induce her to withdraw from 
 it altogether. 
 
 For Marion's sake she had promised to go 
 through with it but the highest courage, like 
 the finest steel, has its breaking point. Gwen 
 was not selling herself, she was giving her self for 
 Marion's it was not safe to speak too loudly of 
 the price and the hour of the sacrifice. 
 
 Ferrers, sitting in the Up Express, stopped 
 gnawing his nails and ground his teeth, as the 
 train passing Dawlish suddenly roared out of 
 a cutting, and rattled along close to the edge of 
 the sea. Half a gale was blowing, and the spray 
 flew in diamond clouds around the weird and 
 rugged shapes of the strange sentinel-like red 
 rocks. On the near horizon a full rigged ship; 
 carrying all the canvas that she dared tore along 
 up channel, in the full glare of the noonday Sun, 
 like a pyramid of snow. 
 
 Was the "Magdala" doing anything like that 
 racing home beating her own record? 
 
 If a burst of lip blistering profanity could have
 
 236 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 sunk her she would have gone to the bottom then 
 and there ! 
 
 The Fashion Editor of The Dais thrilled with 
 pardonable pride when he officially announced 
 that the event "first foreshadowed" in his columns 
 was an accomplished fact. "A Marriage has been 
 arranged and will shortly take place between Lady 
 Gwendolin Ashley and Mr. Noel Ferrers." 
 
 There followed a portrait of Gwen, "an 
 appreciation," and an outline of her Family 
 History. Ferrers was described as a distinguished 
 ornament of the Haut Finance, a popular owner 
 of horses, and a favorite in Society. A graceful 
 allusion was made to the "obvious attachment 
 of many months," and the inspiring influence of 
 real "love matches." 
 
 When Lady Goldbury's eye caught the con- 
 cluding phrase she pitched the paper into the 
 corner of the room, and promptly wrote to Gwen. 
 She did not and she would not believe what she 
 had read. 
 
 Two days later she left Monte Carlo and
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 237 
 
 found an answer waiting for her in Paris. 
 
 Then she came home in a bad temper and worse 
 weather. She dined alone, and did not sleep well. 
 She got up early and fumed till she suddenly made 
 up her mind to pour out her annoyance on some- 
 one before going into the City and, as was her 
 custom after returning from a trip abroad, she 
 took her jewelry with her to replace it in her own 
 Bank Safe. 
 
 Thus, angry and encumbered, she drove off to 
 the spacious Flat of James Hogg, in Cavendish 
 Square. 
 
 As the days flew by she had come to like Hogg 
 more and Society less. 
 
 One was genuine. The other was not. And 
 the more she showed her liking, the harder he 
 worked to secure her regard. Morning after 
 morning he broke a variety of niblicks, drivers, 
 and other valuable clubs, while learning Golf in 
 the curious cat-wired School at the Botanic Gar- 
 dens. He sweated on a 'cycle, and bumped on 
 a cob. When the season waned and boating 
 became impossible he had mechanical gymnastic 
 contrivances fitted up in his Library, among them
 
 238 THE SINS OF SOCIETY. 
 
 being an arrangement like the sliding seat and 
 sculls of an outrigger, which he vigorously worked 
 while his valet with a stop watch timed his per- 
 formance. 
 
 His costume for this last endeavor was always 
 accurate bare kneed, bare armed, and generally 
 abbreviated. 
 
 Not knowing that Lady Goldbury had returned 
 from the Continent, and little dreaming that her 
 electric landaulette was hastening to his door, he 
 sat and slid, tugging at the imitation oars while 
 the faithful Williams counted his strokes . . . 
 Twenty-nine . . . Thirty . . . Thirty-one . . . 
 Thirty-two . . . spurt! . . . one ! two ! three ! 
 four! . . . and he quickened up with the set 
 determination of an Oxford Stroke till the well- 
 trained valet clicked the watch and, in the author- 
 itative tones of a 'Varsity coach, ordered "hease 
 all." 
 
 Hogg hung over the scull handles breathless, 
 sucking a piece of lemon, and sponging the back 
 of his head. 
 
 "How how have I done, Williams?" he 
 panted.
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 239 
 
 Williams looked at the watch solemnly and 
 shook his head. 
 
 "Hindifferent, sir." 
 
 "Not up to yesterday?" 
 
 "No, sir. First 'alf mile in particular very 
 shaky." 
 
 "Yes I er I'm afraid I was a little late at 
 the Eccentric Club last night I mustn't do it 
 here, give me a hand with the leg developer, and 
 I'll finish for this morning." 
 
 The Leg and Arm Muscle developer is simply 
 a long box standing on its end and screwed to the 
 wall. Inside the box are various weights. To 
 these cords are attached which come out at 
 the top of the box. When you pull down 
 the handle at the end of the cord you 
 pull up the weight which in its turn pulls 
 back at you. 
 
 Close to the machine Hogg lay down flat on his 
 back. Williams firmly buckled to his ankle a 
 cord, the weight at the end of which drew his foot 
 sharply into the air at right angles to his body. 
 Hogg had to move his leg out and down like the 
 hand of a clock till he drew the weight up again;
 
 2 4 o THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 simultaneously, with his hands he raised and low- 
 ered two dumb-bells. 
 
 The number of times that these actions were 
 repeated had to be carefully counted. This was 
 part of "the System" guaranteed to give 
 "symmetry and suppleness to the limbs, grace and 
 elasticity to the walk." Solemnly, and without 
 the vestige of a smile, Williams counted as the 
 leg came down and the arms went up. Heavily 
 Hogg panted and strove. Nobly he stuck to his 
 task. Slowly the numbers rose when the electric 
 bell thrilled loudly! 
 
 "If that's my tailor," gasped Hogg, "show 
 him in that last frock coat was a crime without 
 the benefit of clergy I'll talk to him . . . 
 fourteen . . . fifteen . . ." 
 
 Williams vanished. 
 
 . . . sixteen . . seventeen . . . eighteen . . . 
 
 A door slammed a silk skirt rustled in the 
 passage quick imperative footsteps burst into 
 the adjoining drawing-room Williams flying 
 before them had barely time to hurl himself into 
 the Gymnasium-Library exclaiming "Lady Gold- 
 bury!" when her sharp little knuckles rapped on
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 241 
 
 the door, and her voice called "Are you there?" 
 
 Startled, surprised, and feeling that neither his 
 attitude nor his costume was suitable to the recep- 
 tion of a lady, Hogg made a convulsive effort to 
 rise, somehow lost grip of the dumb-bells which 
 slipped through his fingers and falling, hit him 
 heavily in the stomach, doubling him up like a 
 whiting and entirely depriving him of breath. 
 
 Rap rap knocked Lady Goldbury again. 
 "Mr. Hogg," she called, "are you there can I 
 come in?" 
 
 He tried to answer but was speechless. 
 
 "Can I come" 
 
 He heard the handle turn. He had no time to 
 get the leg cord off his ankle. He could not reply. 
 He pointed frantically to a long dressing gown 
 and struggled to his feet. 
 
 "O bother where are you?" 
 
 Williams flung the brocade wrap quickly on to 
 his shoulders and discreetly disappeared as Lady 
 Goldbury flung open the door and entered. 
 
 "Good Heavens," she exclaimed angrily, 
 "What's the matter why on Earth didn't you 
 answer me?"
 
 242 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 "C couldn't," Hogg whispered with an 
 effort. 
 
 "Voice wrong? Caught a cold on your chest?" 
 
 "N no. C caught a dumb-bell on my 
 waist." 
 
 "Shouldn't play with such things. What's that 
 ridiculous looking box thing for?" 
 
 "Patent Leg and Arm developer." His voice 
 was getting better now, and his "wind" slowly 
 returning. "Wonderful machine with it you can 
 practice anything in your own room boxing, 
 rowing swimming " 
 
 "I hate swimming." 
 
 "Why?" 
 
 "Nothing in the world so hideous as a raw, 
 half dressed, nubbley man with naked knees." 
 
 Painfully conscious of the brevity of his own 
 costume Hogg drew the brocade dressing gown 
 more tightly round him, and faintly murmured 
 "O?" 
 
 "Yes," Lady Goldbury went on. "Whenever 
 I see a Highland Regiment in kilts I always say 
 the same thing." 
 
 "What's that?"
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 243 
 
 "Flounces! . . . Come and sit down. I want 
 to talk to you." 
 
 She banged a couple of jewel cases on to the 
 table and threw herself into a deep armchair 
 beside it. Forgetting his tethered ankle James 
 was about to follow, but directly he moved his 
 foot to walk the inexorable Developer promptly 
 pulled his leg into the air nearly throwing him 
 on to his face and greatly disarranging his dress- 
 ing gown. 
 
 Happily Lady Goldbury was not looking so he 
 discreetly composed his garments, and said "Er, 
 thanks if you don't mind I'll stand I'm not 
 tired." 
 
 "I am," said Lady Goldbury. "For I've 
 traveled all night. And what's more I am 
 wretched." 
 
 "I am awfully sorry. Bad Passage?" 
 
 "Bad news." 
 
 "Not, I hope, business news money." 
 
 "Worse, Marriage." 
 
 "Marriage 1" Hogg started violently. "Mar- 
 riage, Lady Goldbury whose?" 
 
 "Gwen Ashley's."
 
 244 THE SINS OF SOCIETY, 
 
 "Ah Lady Gwendolin's." 
 
 "Yes who d'you think it's to?" 
 
 "Well, of course, I've heard rumors." 
 
 "They're true. It's to Noel Ferrers." 
 
 "Really" 
 
 "Yes. And I can't stand him in painting. I 
 believe he's as crooked as a Ram's Horn. I 
 can't help it if he's a friend of yours, but I loathe 
 the sight of the man especially when he glares 
 at and gloats over Gwen. Who is the beast, and 
 where does he come from?" 
 
 Hogg waved an indefinite hand. 
 
 "Nonsense," said Lady Goldbury, "you know 
 him. He was the man who gave you your first 
 introductions in this country. What is he what 
 was he what did he do?" 
 
 Hogg colored and coughed. His knowledge 
 of Ferrers dated back to Australia. In Australia 
 he had been a Bookmaker. Ferrers knew it. 
 Certainly he had been an honest Bookmaker, 
 but he was not particularly proud of his calling, 
 and he dreaded any allusion to it in the presence 
 of Lady Goldbury, who, although she was in 
 every sense a "good sportsman," regarded the
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 245 
 
 business of bookmaking with very unfavorable 
 eyes. Hogg himself could not see much difference 
 between Bookmaking and Stock Jobbing between 
 the Betting Ring and the Stock Exchange but 
 Lady Goldbury thought differently and that was 
 enough for him. He had often been on the verge 
 of alluding to his past, but her vehement denuncia- 
 tions of Bookmakers and all their ways and works 
 had deterred him. It was in his Bookmaking past 
 that he had met Ferrers, and he colored a little 
 when Lady Goldbury repeated her question. 
 
 "Well, what's the mystery? Where did you 
 meet him first?" 
 
 "O, merely in Australia," said Hogg. 
 
 "And what was he?" she persisted. 
 
 "Champion skater," he replied tersely. 
 
 "What!" 
 
 "Lived on thin ice and never quite went 
 through." 
 
 "I wish he had, I wish you knew enough to 
 hang him." 
 
 "I might have," said James Hogg suddenly 
 looking very thoughtful and serious. "I might 
 have, and I don't know who else besides if "
 
 246 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 "If " Lady Goldbury rose from her seat. 
 "Good gracious 1 if what?" 
 
 "If that chap Morris, the Pawnbroker, had 
 died." 
 
 "Morris I Now, in the name of wonder what 
 had Ferrers to do with Morris ? No, don't stand 
 there playing at oracles, speak up, tell me at 
 once." 
 
 "Tell me," Hogg answered slowly, "Why 
 Lady Gwendolin is going to marry him." 
 
 "It is exactly what I don't understand. I never 
 thought she would look at another man after 
 poor Dorian died. When I saw the engagement 
 in the papers I wrote to her from Nice she wrote 
 back it was a heart-broken letter, you could see 
 it in every line, practically all she said was, 'I 
 marry because I must'." 
 
 "Must?" said Hogg, and for the moment he 
 gnawed at his finger nail. 
 
 "Yes," said Lady Goldbury, "those were her 
 words must now look here, I am very fond of 
 Gwen, so I tore home at once I er don't know 
 exactly what for but I could not sit still over 
 there and do nothing. Come on Come on"
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 247, 
 
 "Don't jump me off, please," said Hogg, "this 
 is a serious business a very strange business. 
 Do you know what was stolen from Morris?" 
 
 "Of course I know," snapped the Widow, 
 "jewels." 
 
 "Have you seen the Police description of 
 them?" 
 
 "No." 
 
 "Then " He was going to move forward, 
 but the Developer plucked at his ankle and he 
 stood still again. "It is in that drawer at 
 your elbow," he said, "a full description, with 
 a rough drawing, of your Tiara." 
 
 "Mine/" 
 
 "Yes letter for letter, word for word " 
 
 "But I've had mine for years. Good Heavens I 
 Does anyone suspect does Morris suspect me in 
 this matter?" 
 
 "No, no, of course not." 
 
 "There's no of course about it if what you 
 say is true. It's a most extraordinary thing 
 he has written me several letters while I was 
 away asking permission to see my Tiara. On my 
 way down to the Bank I was taking it to him now."
 
 248 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 "Don't," said Hogg quickly. 
 
 "Don't why?" 
 
 Hogg paused for a moment and then he said 
 very earnestly, "For Lady Marion Beaumont's 
 sake." 
 
 "James ! !" 
 
 "Yes. Now I will tell you something I have 
 never told before something that has weighed 
 on my conscience like a nightmare, for months. 
 I was on the River bank just outside my cottage 
 on on the night of the trouble. Poor Dorian 
 March was there, too, chatting with me. Sud- 
 denly we heard police whistles blow and a tall 
 woman ran past, I could not see her face but 
 Dorian stopped her, they spoke, she hurriedly 
 gave him a white cardboard Box and then ran on. 
 You know the rest. Poor Dorian got away and 
 went to his death." 
 
 "But the Box," said Lady Goldbury, "the Box?" 
 
 Hogg glanced furtively at the door, paused 
 a moment, and then said in a low voice, "/ have 
 got that and I have kept it." 
 
 "You then why have you never spoken ! Why 
 have you never said "
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 249 
 
 "Because," Hogg answered, "Sir Dorian's last 
 words were, 'It holds a woman's honor.' ' 
 
 "Woman honor what woman?" 
 
 "The sister of the girl he loved who else? 
 As she fled past she dropped a small bottle, I 
 picked it up and examined it afterwards. It was 
 half full of morphia. Morris was drugged with 
 morphia. Now that bottle I have taken the 
 trouble to find out was bought by Mr. Noel Fer- 
 rers, and if Morris had died it's on the cards 
 that bottle would have hanged him." 
 
 "Impossible! What had he got to do with 
 it?" 
 
 "This. He bought the cardboard Box that 
 held the jewels, you could see the maker's name 
 underneath, and what's more," Hogg looked very 
 straight at Lady Goldbury, "he bought two boxes 
 exactly alike. One night you took your Tiara to 
 Lady Marion's house, she was with it for an hour 
 alone. That night Morris called on her. And if 
 Ferrers and Lady Marion did not work the good 
 old double box trick with your Tiara I'll eat Fer- 
 rers and the box." 
 
 For a moment Lady Goldbury's head went
 
 250 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 round, then she gasped, "We'll go to the Police 
 at once." 
 
 "What," said Hogg, "and give away Marion 
 Beaumont?" 
 
 "O, good Heavens! no " 
 
 "Exactly," said Hogg, "now you begin to see 
 what I mean. Ferrers knows what he knows and 
 this is the screw he puts on her this is the threat 
 this is why poor little Lady Gwen 'must 
 marry.' ' 
 
 "I know, I know, and she shan't, she must 
 not," Lady Goldbury cried. 
 
 "She need, not," said James Hogg quietly 
 and triumphantly, "if you will sell me your 
 Tiara." 
 
 "Sell it," gasped the Widow. 
 
 "Yes," said Hogg emphatically, "what the 
 deuce do I care what it costs me? It'll save her. 
 It's what you want it's what I want. She shall 
 be free to-morrow I'll guarantee it. Will you 
 sell it to me?" 
 
 "No," choked Lady Goldbury, her eyes filling 
 with tears, "never. But I'll give it you. Bless 
 your good, kind heart, James, you're you're
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 251 
 
 about the best chap I ever met and look here, 
 if you like there you may kiss me." 
 
 "If I like if " He dashed forward to 
 realize the dream of his life, when the Leg 
 Developer pulled his foot smartly from the 
 ground. For a moment he hopped wildly like 
 an inebriated stork, and instead of kissing Lady 
 Goldbury fell in a heap on the floor. 
 
 It was not what Lady Goldbury expected. 
 
 "My dear," she exclaimed. 
 
 "Don't look around, please," he said hurriedly, 
 "my my foot caught, if if you'll just turn your 
 back for one minute " 
 
 Lady Goldbury snorted. "And play Bo-peep 
 hands over my eyes, guess who kissed me. Don't 
 be silly, James." 
 
 "No, no, I won't be," he answered, and he 
 struggled violently with the cord on his ankle,, 
 rapidly getting the buckle free, "but just while 
 while I'm here would you ring up Morris?" 
 
 "Morris?" 
 
 "Yes, 41416 Gerrard, he'll be at his place in 
 Oxford Street expecting you, he can walk around 
 here in a couple of minutes."
 
 252 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 "Certainly, if you wish it, but what for?" 
 
 "To make him tell the Police that he with- 
 draws all accusations and that the jewels arc 
 found." 
 
 "You can make him do that!" Lady Gold- 
 bury cried delightedly. 
 
 "You'll see," grunted Hogg, squatting on the 
 floor and looking like an idol of Buddha in re- 
 duced circumstances. "Then," he went on, "I'm 
 going to have ten minutes with the seals of that 
 box, a piece of putty and a hot knife, then you 
 are going to Devonshire to tell Lady Marion she 
 has nothing to fear, then dear little Lady Gwen 
 can do as she likes, and then Ferrers can go to 
 the" 
 
 "41416 Gerrard," said Lady Goldbury ju- 
 diciously. 
 
 In a moment the answer came, and she con- 
 tinued, "Yes, yes, Mr. Morris personally, yes, 
 can he come around to Mr. Hogg's flat Mr. 
 Beverley Hogg, the Australian millionaire hem, 
 that'll fetch him Harcourt House, Cavendish 
 Square, at once please important business right, 
 thank you." She banged on the receiver as Hogg
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 253 
 
 at last free of the strap rose to his feet with a 
 beaming smile. 
 
 "Amelia," he said, "I'm ready." 
 
 Lady Goldbury looked a little confused, but 
 she only murmured, "Very well, James." 
 
 He had almost put his arm around her waist 
 when he stopped short. Unlike many people 
 James Hogg obeyed his conscience when it really 
 pricked him. He looked at Lady Goldbury and 
 he sighed. The temptation was strong, but he 
 shook his head and said, "No, I won't do it under 
 false pretences." 
 
 For a moment Lady Goldbury stared blankly, 
 then with the quick intuition of a woman she 
 jumped at what she thought could be the only 
 possible reason for his hesitation. "James," she 
 said quickly, "you are not going to tell me you 
 are a married man?" 
 
 "I'm worse," he answered. 
 
 "Engaged!" 
 
 "I am a deceiver." 
 
 "Breach of promise," she snapped. 
 
 "No." He shook his head. "But I have a 
 past."
 
 254 THE SINS OE SOCIETY 
 
 Lady Goldbury heaved a sigh of relief. "O 
 well," she said, "every man has. There, don't 
 talk to me about it, I don't want to hear, I'm sure 
 she was in the wrong." 
 
 Hogg shook his head this time. "There was 
 no 'she'," he said, "it is only me, I am just an 
 ordinary commercial liar." 
 
 "About what?" 
 
 "Myself. But I can't be to you any more. 
 
 Out in Australia before my uncle left me all his 
 
 i 
 
 money, I was," he clenched his hands for the con- 
 fession, "a Bookmaker." 
 
 "Bookmaker," Lady Goldbury answered, "You 
 mean a Publisher?" 
 
 "No," said Hogg, holding up his head, "not 
 as bad as that. I was a Betting Bookmaker." 
 
 "O James, how very, very dreadful." 
 
 "I know it is. And what is worse I was 
 successful." 
 
 "Don't," gasped Lady Goldbury. 
 
 "I must," Hogg went on, "let me make a 
 clean breast of it. I never took the knock or 
 welshed anyone. I was sordidly honest and 
 morbidly respectable. But I was a Bookmaker
 
 (THE SINS OF SOCIETY 255, 
 
 for all that." There was almost anguish in his 
 voice, and he stood looking the picture of genuine 
 misery. 
 
 Lady Goldbury kept a straight face and her 
 eye twinkled, but she answered dramatically, "I 
 never dreamed a man could be so vile. I hate 
 betting, yet you come here betraying me with 
 your false unsporting smile. I never took you 
 for a better." 
 
 "Take me for a better or a worse," Hogg 
 pleaded desperately. 
 
 Lady Goldbury's face relaxed and broadened 
 into one big, happy smile. " 'Pon my word, 
 James," she said, "I would not say 'yes' to any- 
 one else." 
 
 "I don't want you to," he said. "Say it to 
 me, say 'yes' to the one question that you know is 
 always in my heart, say 'yes' and I will save 
 little Gwen for you " 
 
 "I won't say it for that reason," said Lady- 
 Goldbury, and she laid her hand upon his arm, 
 "but I will say it because," she looked up at 
 him and added simply, "because I love you, 
 Jim."
 
 256 THE SINS OF SOCIETY. 
 
 There was no hesitation about the kiss that 
 time. 
 
 Indeed, there might have been more than one, 
 but Williams, who was discreetly coughing at the 
 door announced "Mr. Morris," and the great 
 jeweller, quiet, courteous, trimmed and groomed, 
 stood before them bowing. 
 
 "Ah," said Hogg, with businesslike rapidity, 
 "Good morning, Mr. Morris, thanks for coming 
 around. My friend, Lady Goldbury, wanted to 
 see you for a minute, then I want to talk business." 
 
 Morris bowed. "I am obliged, sir." 
 
 Lady Goldbury snapped the lock of the nearest 
 jewel case. ".You wanted to see my old Tiara, I 
 think, Mr. Morris," she said. 
 
 "If your ladyship has no objection " 
 
 "Well, there it is," she said, and placed the 
 Tiara in his hands. 
 
 The Pawnbroker stared at it in blank amaze- 
 ment. For a moment he examined it closely, 
 "Good gracious," he exclaimed, "I could swear 
 to it." 
 
 "Swear to what," said Lady Goldbury sharply. 
 
 "That it was stolen from me at Windsor."
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 257 
 
 "Are you daring to suggest that I .?" 
 
 "No, no, my lady." 
 
 "That Tiara was presented to my late husband 
 years ago " 
 
 "And has never been out of your possession?" 
 
 "Never," Lady Goldbury replied, and she 
 triumphantly carried the Tiara back to its case. 
 
 "It is most remarkable," Morris murmured, 
 "but but Lady Marion Beaumont had one 
 exactly like " 
 
 Lady Goldbury had her back to him, but there 
 was not a quiver in her voice as she fulminated 
 the Lie of the Century. "I have seen her Tiara 
 often," she said, "I believe it was made for her 
 in Paris I lent her the design." 
 
 "Yes, and what are you going to do when 
 she asks for it back," said Hogg with Napoleonic 
 decision, carrying the war into the enemy's 
 camp. 
 
 "Ask for it?" said Morris, taken abaclc. 
 
 "Exactly," snapped Hogg, "she has shown you 
 great consideration, Mr. Morris." 
 
 "Sir consideration !" 
 
 "Certainly. Things are never pledged for
 
 258 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 more than one third of their value er at least 
 so I am told." 
 
 "Precisely." 
 
 "What did you lend her on her jewels?" 
 
 "Seven thousand pounds." 
 
 "And when she puts seven thousand pounds 
 on the table, what are you going to say?" 
 
 "The jewels were stolen." 
 
 "That's your fault, my friend." 
 
 "Mine, sir?" 
 
 "Certainly. You chose to lug them about the 
 country in your pocket instead of leaving them 
 in your safe. They were clearly worth 21,000. 
 iWhen she puts down her money she will want her 
 jewels or your money." 
 
 Morris took off his glasses and wiped them 
 slowly. "I venture to suggest," he said, "that she 
 has not yet made the offer." 
 
 "She makes it now," Hogg answered sharply. 
 "She is ill, you know, I act for her, I will write 
 you a check now for seven thousand pounds. In 
 her name I ask for her Tiara or twenty one thou- 
 sand pounds." 
 
 "For twenty one thousand "
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETYj 1259 
 
 "If you please." 
 
 "Really, Mr. Hogg, it-^it seems very hard" 
 
 U I don't say it's not, but business is business. 
 Still, I have something to suggest. You and the 
 Police between you, like a lot of idiots, got out 
 a warrant for the arrest of poor Sir Dorian 
 March. He is dead. But his memory is still 
 very dear to a lady we know." 
 
 "I can quite understand, I deeply regret," said 
 Morris. 
 
 "Now I have made certain enquiries," Hogg 
 went on, "A rich man can do a lot of things 
 when he makes up his mind, as you know, and I 
 have certain information that your box was stolen 
 by an ordinary common thief, one of those con- 
 cerned in the many burglaries that took place 
 on the River at the time. There was such a hue 
 and cry that the man did not dare open the box, 
 but he has kept it safely ever since. Now, if it 
 were recovered and restored to you " 
 "The Box?" 
 
 "Yes, the box sealed " 
 "Is that," said Morris slowly, "is that what 
 Lady Marion Beaumont wishes?"
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 "It is what I wish, it is what I am prepared 
 to do if no questions are asked, mind you, if all 
 accusations are withdrawn, if the warrant is 
 cancelled, the Box shall be placed in your hands 
 to be opened by you in the presence of Lady 
 Marion herself." 
 
 For the moment Morris could hardly believe 
 his ears. The story all sounded too strange and 
 too wonderful, but he was not there to unravel 
 mysteries. Hogg had him in a corner, and he 
 knew it. Hogg's check was as good as a bank 
 note. If Hogg paid it for Lady Marion what 
 was he, Morris, to do? He shrugged his shoul- 
 ders. 
 
 "If you have Lady Marion's instructions, sir," 
 he said, "and I am not as it were compounding 
 a felony " 
 
 "That's your job," Hogg interrupted, "a 
 Pawnbroker with scruples is a bit of a novelty. 
 I've made my offer, if you don't like it hand me 
 your twenty-one thousand and " 
 
 "The warrant shall be cancelled to-day," said 
 Morris. 
 
 "Good. And you'll travel with me to-night."
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY] 261 
 
 "To-?" 
 
 Hogg smiled. "To the place where the Box 
 will be waiting. I'll phone you where to meet me 
 when I hear you've been to Bow Street." 
 
 "Nothing, of course, will be said?" 
 
 "Nothing, my guileless friend. What do you 
 think? Good-day to you." 
 
 "Good-day, sir. Good-day, my lady." Morris 
 bowed and walked out of the room as a man walks 
 in a dream. 
 
 "Breakfast is served, sir," said Williams. 
 
 Lady Goldbury picked up her jewel cases. 
 
 "Won't you stop and pick a bit of chicken," 
 said Hogg. 
 
 "What! begin 'hen pecking' already!" 
 
 "I should like it and drink one glass with me 
 a toast, fortune, health and happiness " 
 
 "And peace," said Lady Goldbury. "Happi- 
 ness and peace as much as we can bring of it in 
 this world to Marion and my little Gwen." 
 
 That night off the Irish coast a whole gale 
 was blowing. Through the heavy squalls and
 
 262 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 the drifting rain ships passed unseen in the dark- 
 ness. 
 
 In the little Devonshire cottage Gwen knelt 
 by her bedside in prayer, a wan, pathetic little 
 figure, the masses of her golden hair falling from 
 her bent head over her folded hands. 
 
 To-morrow was her Wedding Day.
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 'THE DARKEST HOUR . . ." 
 
 NO man can know everything. James Hogg 
 did not know that Dorian March was 
 alive, and naturally never dreamed that the 
 Police were waiting to intercept him. He was 
 quite content therefore when he heard that Morris 
 had completed the necessary formalities for 
 withdrawing his criminal charge, and in due 
 course he notified the jeweler that they would 
 travel at midnight from Paddington by the night 
 train which reaches Plymouth at seven in the 
 morning. The drive to Mothercombe, Hogg 
 calculated would take another two or three hours. 
 The Police, however, who are always reticent 
 and sometimes leisurely, made no immediate 
 haste about notifying the Plymouth Head Con-
 
 264 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 stable. They sent no special wire or anything of 
 that kind. They merely wrote in the ordinary 
 way, saying that if arrested Sir Dorian March 
 was to "be detained" pending instructions. As a 
 matter of fact, the sudden withdrawal of the 
 charge by Morris, coinciding with the private 
 information, given by Ferrers, that a man sup- 
 posed to be dead was actually alive, looked 
 suspicious. A shining light in the Criminal 
 Investigation Department advised caution. So 
 while Hogg, Lady Goldbury and Morris were 
 rattling through the darkness and dozing pleas- 
 antly in the Down Express, the detectives at 
 Plymouth were very much awake. 
 
 Noel Ferrers was also awake. Savagely, 
 feverishly, awake in a Plymouth Hotel, from 
 which he meant to drive over to his Wedding 
 at Mothercombe in the morning. More than 
 once during the day he had visited the local offices 
 of the Shipping Cpmpany, but there was no news 
 of the Magdala. The old boat was not fitted 
 with a modern Marconi installation, and therefore 
 could not notify her approach. She might easily 
 pass the nearest signal station unseen. Her lights
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 265 
 
 off the Hoe would probably give the first indi- 
 cation of her arrival. 
 
 And they did. 
 
 In the midst of his sulky, solitary dinner Noel 
 Ferrers was rung up by an obliging Shipping 
 Clerk, and told that the Magdala was in sight. 
 By the time he reached the great gray wharf the 
 Steam Tender had already started with the 
 watchful detectives on board. 
 
 Ferrers gnawed a cigar while he watched the 
 big green and red lights moving among the sta- 
 tionary shipping as the liner forged slowly 
 forward waited and watched, it seemed for an 
 age, till she came solemnly and majestically 
 alongside and was wharped to her berth. 
 
 But the gangways did not fall. Nobody came 
 ashore or was allowed to go aboard. 
 
 Ferrers peering through the darkness saw a 
 stream of passengers file up from the Saloon, 
 where he judged that they had been assembled 
 for inspection. Later a number of men in some 
 uniform, possibly the Stewards, came from the 
 direction of the Second Class Cabins they also 
 had probably been inspected.
 
 266 [THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 Then at last the gangways fell, and everybody 
 coming on shore was again carefully scrutinized 
 by the detectives as they passed. 
 
 But without avail. 
 
 The parade and examination of the Crew, 
 Stokers and Firemen followed. Still without 
 apparent result. At last the Police finished their 
 work and Ferrers, intercepting the Inspector in 
 charge, heard the result and heard it with an 
 impotent oath. 
 
 On board the Magdala there was no trace of 
 Sir Dorian March, but one of the Second Class 
 deck stewards was missing! 
 
 He had signed on at Buenos Ayres under the 
 name of Martin. His description answered to 
 that of the wanted man. He had been seen at 
 his work shortly before the Police Tender came 
 alongside, but in the bustle and excitement that 
 ensued he had disappeared that was all 
 vanished. 
 
 Ferrers angrily insisted that the ship should 
 be searched again, that detectives should be left 
 on board of her, but the Inspector shook his head. 
 Obviously the man had guessed at what might
 
 [THE SINS OF SOCIETY 267 
 
 happen on his arrival, and had boldly slipped over 
 the side. If he were a bad swimmer he would 
 most certainly drown. He had taken the chance. 
 If he were a strong swimmer he might just 
 possibly get ashore in the darkness. 
 
 Dorian March was a very strong swimmer. 
 Ferrers knew it, and he cursed aloud. 
 
 The Inspector offered some consolation, 
 however. The man's draggled condition would 
 naturally attract attention wherever he was seen. 
 The Harbor police would be notified at once so 
 would the night patrols on the outlying roads 
 the telephone travels faster than a fugitive. The 
 man could not remain at large for long. 
 
 Acting on the advice of Mr. Ferrers the 
 Inspector would see that the roads to, and the 
 vicinity of, Mothercombe should be given especial 
 attention. 
 
 "Don't be afraid, sir," he said. "If he's alive 
 twe shall have him right enough directly the sun's 
 up these parts ain't no place for a stranger to 
 wander in." 
 
 But Dorian March knew this just as well as 
 the Inspector. As a lad he had hunted Red Deer
 
 268 THE SINS OF SOCIETY! 
 
 on the Moors and had fished in the countless bays 
 and inlets that indent the rough coast. He had 
 quietly looked up a map on the voyage and had 
 thoughtfully and thoroughly worked out his plan 
 of campaign. Never doubting that his letters 
 had safely reached their destination he imagined 
 that Gwen knew he was alive. With the pardon- 
 able vanity of a handsome young man, and the 
 foolish confidence of a devoted lover, he put all 
 thought of finding Gwen married out of his mind. 
 He felt sure that she was in no danger now. He 
 felt less certain about Marion. During moments 
 of calm reflection he realized that it was all very 
 fine to say, "You must settle with Morris," but 
 how was she going to do it? How had she done 
 it? Had she done it at all? And if not ? 
 
 Should he give himself up to the police at once, 
 and tell the Truth which would certainly ruin 
 Marion: or should he again fly the country, a 
 hunted criminal? If so, would Gwen fly with 
 him? 
 
 All was conjecture, all was doubt. He did not 
 even know whether there was a possibility of his 
 being arrested on landing, or not. It was clear,
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 269 
 
 however, that he must not take the risk until he 
 had seen and spoken with Marion Beaumont. 
 What he would do must depend on what she had 
 done, or was doing. 
 
 Though the wind had shifted to the North and 
 the gale had begun to blow itself out, the 
 Magdala passed the Woolf Rock, the Lizard, and 
 even the Eddystone in thick squally weather and 
 exchanged no signals, but under the lea of the 
 land the off shore breeze left an easy sea and com- 
 parative calm. Directly they passed Devonport 
 and entered the deep sheltered, land-locked 
 harbor, Dorian March took a change of dry 
 clothes, wrapped up in a piece of water-tight 
 tarpaulin, together with a flask of brandy and 
 some biscuits, slung them over his shoulder, and 
 when all attention was attracted to the Police 
 Tender as she bumped along the strake, he 
 dropped quietly and silently down a rope into the 
 dark water and immediately disappeared. 
 
 But he made no attempt to land. He knew 
 that directly he was found to be missing, a hue 
 and cry would be raised, and that anywhere about 
 the immediate shore the police would be on the 
 watch for him.
 
 270 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 Treading the water, with his head barely above 
 it, he presently drifted to the place he had marked 
 as they passed, the place he was making for the 
 anchorage of the Fishing Boats. From some of the 
 smaller craft the crews had gone on shore for 
 the night possibly they lived on shore anyhow 
 the boats were empty. Dorian crawled silently on 
 board the smallest he could find, and putting to 
 good account the seamanship he had learned 
 on the Spanish boat that rescued him, he man- 
 aged to raise the lug sail a yard or two just 
 enough to give steering way, then he slipped the 
 anchor hawser overside, and for half a mile or, 
 so he stood boldly out to sea. 
 
 Presently he tacked, sharply, an'd later ran 
 partly before the wind till the little boat tossed 
 dangerously below .Yealm Head. 
 
 There was safety on the other side, however. 
 The high cliffs screened him from the wind, 
 though he had to run outward for a while passing 
 Ravelstoke. He knew that his sailing must lools 
 a little curious and erratic to expert eyes, and he 
 did not court attention. 
 
 But he did not guite escape it. Lacking knowl-
 
 ITHE SINS OF SOCIETY 1271 
 
 edge of the lights by which to steer, he crept close 
 inland, groping along round Bigbury Bay for the 
 small river that pours into it, just below Mother- 
 combe village. More than once he glanced 
 anxiously ahead of him, for the Eastern stars 
 were paling, the black water was streaked and 
 patched here and there with touches of ghostly 
 livid green a few moments later lit and sparkled 
 reflecting the shield of opal and amber that began 
 to glow above them color came to the faces of 
 the cliffs, deep red, capped with turf of marvelous 
 green the shore was sprinkled with sand of 
 silver white, over which the dark shadows of 
 queer goblin-shaped rocks fell in distorted length 
 clean cut, with curious intensity. Almost cursing 
 the coming day Dorian saw the cliff wall suddenly; 
 break and seem to recede. At last! There was 
 the river mouth, and on the heights the little 
 village Mothercombe he had no doubt of it. 
 He tacked in. Then changed his mind and held 
 his course till the next headland hid him. Once 
 put of sight, he chose a stretch of low sand and 
 ran his boat straight for the shore. 
 
 It is not the easiest thing in the world to beach
 
 272 THE SINS OF SOCIETY) 
 
 a boat properly. Dorian did it very badly. He 
 let his boat ground with a glancing blow, and as 
 he had forgotten to lower his lug sail, the little 
 vessel was promptly blown over and lay on her 
 side in shallow water. 
 
 No fisherman ever leaves his boat in difficulties. 
 But Dorian promptly sprang ashore and went 
 rapidly towards a path that led up to the cliff. 
 This was a thoughtless advertisement to the whole 
 world that he did not belong to the boat, and that 
 the boat did not belong to him. 
 
 To whom then did it belong? 
 
 That is just the kind of thing that the Coast 
 Guard have a right to inquire. And one Coast 
 Guardsman having swept the Bay with his glass 
 directly there was light enough to see, returned 
 to a curious observation of Dorian's little craft 
 more than once. He could see only one man 
 aboard of her. She ought to have carried three. 
 The half-hoist of the sail was peculiar. Her 
 steering was a shade erratic. Was her skipper 
 intoxicated, or had one of her crew run off with 
 her on some drunken spree? 
 
 When she sheared away suddenly from the
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY! 273 
 
 River mouth, the Coast Guard frowned. When 
 he saw her beached awkwardly and promptly 
 abandoned by a man who came hurrying up the 
 cliff, he felt the time had come to interfere, and 
 therefore just as Dorian reached the summit of 
 the path he found the burly form of the Ex-man- 
 o'-war's man planted across his way between the 
 rocks just two yards too soon! 
 
 Six feet further on and the road spread openly 
 he could have dodged and run for it. Here 
 he was caught like a rat in a trap if the Coast 
 Guard suspected anything. 
 
 He was not left long in doubt! 
 
 "And where be you going to, my lad?" said 
 the Sailor. 
 
 "To er to Mothercombe," Dorian an- 
 swered. 
 
 "Then why didn't 'e sail there?" the Sailor 
 asked. Dorian knew he had been watched and 
 naturally, suspected. 
 
 "I sail where I like," he said, "it's my own 
 business." 
 
 "Is it? Well an' who's boat do 'e sail in? 
 That's my business."
 
 274 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 "She's my own boat." 
 
 "Is she? What's her name then?" 
 
 "The " Like a flash Dorian struck the 
 Coast Guard full in the face, leaped across him 
 as he fell and bolted. 
 
 Beyond about a mile of broken Down land, 
 dotted with patches of glorious golden gorse, 
 lay the village. The low roofs and the squat 
 Church Tower stood out clear cut, as the morn- 
 ing grew, and Dorian raced boldly towards them, 
 with an angry Coast Guardsman panting at his 
 heels. For Dorian had in his mind but one idea 
 he meant to see Marion, face to face, and 
 alone, before he was captured. From the hour 
 that he started he knew that at the last moment 
 he would probably have to make a dash for it, 
 and he was making it now. His pursuer was an 
 older man, and inclined to be fat. The gap 
 between them widened, and presently Dorian, 
 feeling that he was fairly safe, stopped 
 and turned to see where the other man was. 
 
 To his dismay he saw him standing on a large 
 stone, swinging his arms from side to side and 
 striking strange attitudes. As a soldier Dorian
 
 THE SINS OE SOCIETY! 
 
 K ..-V 
 
 knew in an instant what was happening. Some- 
 where ahead of him was another Coast Guards- 
 man to whom his pursuer was making semaphore 
 signals. He was cut off ! 
 
 Then the memory of many an anxious moment 
 in South Africa came back to him, and quickly; 
 flinging away his bundle he dived into the fern 
 and heather and dealt with his Coast Guards as 
 he had often dealt with Boers. . . . 
 
 It was a long bit of work. 
 
 The first Coast Guard semaphored to the 
 Signal Station on the heights from which a tele- 
 phone message brought out a couple of local 
 police and perhaps a dozen or so lads and idlers 
 would have joined and made things more difficult 
 but for the earliness of the hour and the fact 
 that every man, woman and child who had risen 
 to look upon the coming Dawn that morning, was 
 kneeling in the little Church, at prayer. 
 
 In the quiet Old World village the custom 
 still prevailed of humbly asking God's Blessing 
 on the Work when the Herring Boats put out to 
 cast their great skein nets for the first time in 
 the year. Wives prayed for their Husbands,
 
 276 THE SINS OF SOCIET\ 
 
 Mothers for their Sons, Children for their 
 Fathers that the Lord would fulfil their labors 
 and guard them from the dangers of the deep. 
 
 Since time immemorial they met together 
 before the Dawn broke, and saw in the golden 
 splendors of the morning a portent of the Harvest 
 that they prayed the sea might yield. 
 
 They heard no shout from the Man Hunt on 
 the Down. They did not hear the Lytch Gate 
 click, and did not know that a crouching shadowy 
 figure slipped panting into the green Church 
 Yard, and creeping close up to the Porch lay 
 hiding among the simple wooden cross and moss 
 grown stones that guarded the silent graves. 
 
 Through the open door the voice of the old 
 gray haired Pastor speaking in solemn reverent 
 exhortation reached the ears of the fugitive 
 the voice that charged them to remember that 
 they should live worthily, to deserve the Blessing 
 for which they prayed, to remember that as 
 sinners they were asking not only for God's Bless- 
 ing but for God's Mercy. 
 
 "Speak not in haste or anger," said the Voice. 
 "Judge not, that ye be not Judged. Forgive as
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY, 277 
 
 ye would be Forgiven. Remember ye who come 
 here, that the House of the Lord is not for the 
 righteous alone. It is the Refuge for the Sinner, 
 the Suffering, and for the Oppressed. Kneel 
 here, and ask and you shall find Comfort, Pity, 
 Peace. At the hands of the Lord you shall find 
 Mercy, as you shall find Sanctuary in His House." 
 
 "And now ... " 
 
 There followed the faint rustle and scuffling 
 of feet as the Congregation knelt for the final 
 blessing. Then the soft melodious tones of the 
 Organ swelled, and the people trooped out, sturdy 
 weather-beaten men in blue jerseys, pulling on 
 their red-knitted caps, women with shawls or 
 kerchiefs about their heads, scampering children, 
 moving off in a straggling procession down the 
 steep road to the little wave worn jetty for, such 
 was the custom and usage, each man went from 
 prayer straight to his work upon the waters, while 
 the women stood by the quay waving them God 
 Speed. 
 
 "Sanctuary . . . ' 
 
 Gazing hungrily from his hiding place at the 
 open Church door, Dorian wondered if he could 
 find it there.
 
 278 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 He saw the Organist, who was also the School- 
 master, hurry out with a roll of Music under his 
 arm. 
 
 Later the Verger hobbled away down the 
 path. 
 
 Then the Vicar came, pausing for a moment 
 to look out over the Bay, and up at the speck- 
 less morning sky, before he closed and locked 
 the door! 
 
 From the distance came a shout then another 
 nearer still. 
 
 And Dorian rising like a ghost among the 
 tombs rose and touched the Vicar on the arm. 
 
 The old man started at the sudden apparition, 
 the haggard face, but before his lips could open 
 Dorian desperately gasped out the one word 
 
 "Sanctuary!" 
 
 In the eyes of the Vicar there was some curi- 
 osity, but more kindliness and no fear. 
 
 "Sanctuary?" he said quietly. "You ask for 
 yourself?" 
 
 "No, Sir," said Dorian between his teeth. "I 
 don't ask for any one. I claim it." 
 
 "Claim?"
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY, 279 
 
 "Yes, claim no matter who I am, or wha': 
 I am claim, what you promised, here promised 
 in your own words, 'Here in this place is Pardon, 
 here is Sanctuary !' That was your Message > 
 that is your Faith. Now prove it." 
 
 The Vicar heard the feverish voice, noted the 
 hunted, restless look, and wondered what might 
 be the trouble of this particular soul. 
 
 "You ask for Sanctuary," he said, "but not 
 for Pardon?" 
 
 "My hands are clean, sir," Dorian interrupted. 
 "I ask for Sanctuary a few hours refuge and 
 rest that I may prove it." 
 
 A whistle shrilled uncertainly blown by a man 
 who was running and a loud hallo sounded not 
 far off. The Vicar saw Dorian's hands clench, 
 and his lips tighten. The danger, whatever it 
 might be, was very near. Sanctuary was it fit- 
 ting? The face and the voice of the supplicant 
 bespoke education and birth. Yet he was clearly 
 flying a Hunted Man, who for all the Vicar 
 knew might be an escaped Convict, a Murderer, 
 a "Judge not" the Vicar heard his own words 
 ringing in his ear had not the Lord Himself said
 
 280 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 unto the sinner "go and sin no more." He had 
 not punished him. Moreover, the man before 
 him claimed Sanctuary pleading Innocence. Cer- 
 tainly he had no proof but "Judge not." 
 
 The Vicar looked at the big key in his hand. 
 
 "My Son," he said to Dorian, "I am but God's 
 servant. He is your Judge. On your own head 
 be it if you claim the protection of His House 
 impiously and unworthily," . . . the key grated 
 in the lock, the bolt screeched slowly out of its 
 socket, the big oak door swung back, and Dorian 
 stood bareheaded amid the cool serenity of dim 
 shadows. . . . 
 
 "Remember in Whose House you are in 
 Whose presence you stand," the Vicar whispered. 
 
 "If He called me to be Judged, sir now, this 
 instant," Dorian answered, "I should not fear. 
 I am Innocent." 
 
 The Vicar turned without a word and passing 
 into the porch, closed and safely locked the heavy 
 door behind him. 
 
 "Judge not . . ." the full blaze of morning 
 sunlight poured on the bent and venerable head, 
 while the sea breeze stirred the silver hair .
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 281 
 
 "Judge not" ... he had not judged . . . and 
 as he went forward, with half-closed eyes, towards 
 the Lytch Gate his lips moved in prayer to God 
 that he had done rightly ... a clattering of feet 
 stopped in the road way and the Vicar looking 
 up saw the Sergeant of Police touching his helmet. 
 
 "Anything wrong, Morgan," he inquired. 
 
 " 'ardly know, sir," said the Sergeant, "Coast 
 Guard say they've seen someone suspicious come 
 ashore round the point an' certain sure some- 
 one's slogged Tom Peyton in the jaw. We've 
 been warned from Plymouth to mind for a man 
 what's wanted " 
 
 "Wanted for what, Morgan?" 
 
 "Suspicion far as I know, sir nothing cer- 
 tain. Beg pardon you've closed the Church 
 door, sir?" 
 
 "Yes. And locked it. Do you want to go 
 in?" 
 
 "You see it's just the place a man might slip 
 into unbeknown like " 
 
 "You can search if you like," said the Vicar, 
 with no apparent show of concern, "but I have 
 only just come out. And," he added very dis*
 
 (282 (THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 tinctly, with a quiet smile, '7 do not think you will 
 'fnd any criminal hidden there." 
 
 "No, nor me, neither, 'a course, sir, thank you, 
 sir." 
 
 The Sergeant touched his helmet and walked 
 away quickly down the road. 
 
 The Vicar paused. 
 
 "I pray that it was no lie," he said to himself. 
 "On my conscience I believe that I spoke truly." 
 
 He looked at the sparkling sea, the speckless 
 sky and the gorgeous panorama of beautiful 
 scenery that stretched away far inland. 
 
 Verily all things that God made were very 
 good. 
 
 In this soft Eden of the West there was no 
 place for crime nor criminals, nor any evil. 
 
 Somewhere in the distance a cloud of white 
 dust proclaimed the presence of a hurrying Motor 
 Car. 
 
 Noel Ferrers was hastening to his Wedding. 
 ****** 
 
 Stretched at full length on the hard seat of 
 a pew, with nothing but a hassock for a pillow, 
 Dorian fell into a fitful sleep, from which he woke
 
 0THE SINS DF SOCIETY, a8 3 
 
 with a start at the sound of bells clanging in the 
 Tower above him. Bells yes, and Wedding 
 Bells, too, pealing joyously ! Who for? Dorian 
 wondered aimlessly, then shook himself up to 
 consider his next step. Surely after this Wedding 
 it would be safe to leave the Church with the 
 Other onlookers, inquire casually of someone 
 where abouts Lady Marion lived and make one 
 dash for it I 
 
 Just then the key creaked, and the Church 
 door was set wide open by the Verger. Two 
 bare legged, bright eyed, brown faced lads went 
 whispering up a side aisle to their place as "blow- 
 ers" behind the organ. The Sexton's wife, and 
 her niece, did a little quiet dusting, while Dorian 
 hid, crouching in the shadow of pillars, or beneath 
 the shelter of tall pews. 
 
 The interval seemed intolerable before the 
 usual curiosity congregation began to arrive and 
 he could drop into a place as though he were one 
 of them. They were mostly women of course, 
 but not all Fisher folk for some had evidently 
 driven in from the big houses in the district, and 
 others had come from domestic work, or from
 
 284 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 serving in little shops men of the same class were 
 present also, together with the Postman and the 
 Crier. 
 
 Dorian realized that the Wedding was one 
 of unusual local importance, especially when a 
 very well groomed, self-possessed gentleman 
 walked slowly to the altar steps and stood there 
 placidly surveying the assembly which fluttered 
 with excitement while some one whispered in 
 Dorian's hearing, "Dr. Trevellyan the best man 
 he " . . . the rest of the sentence was 
 drowned in the snuffling, shufflng, advent of the 
 Infants' School. 
 
 Then the deep hum of a large Motor cul- 
 minated in the nerve tearing screech of its brake. 
 People craned their necks. A Police Sergeant 
 looked in at the door for a moment, then stood 
 respectfully to make way for a tall man, who 
 paused to speak with him earnestly. The Ser- 
 geant shook his head. The big man strode up 
 the aisle, and shook hands with the Doctor. "The 
 Bridegroom " someone whispered again, and 
 Dorian completely hidden in the shadow, watched 
 curiously through his fingers as the big man turned
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 285 
 
 and the light fell full on the white, anxious, evil 
 face of Noel Ferrers ! 
 
 Ferrers ? 
 
 FERRERS ! I 
 
 Good God, what next? In another moment 
 would Gwen be at his side? Was her love all a 
 sham, a dream? Was that what he had come 
 home to realize? She knew that he, Dorian, was 
 alive, but there stood Ferrers. He had begged 
 her to wait till he came back, but here was a 
 Wedding. Faithless! Faithless and why not? 
 Faithless as her sister Marion was Worthless! 
 
 And it was for these two he had given his 
 honor almost his life! 
 
 A blaze of impotent wrath was quenched sud- 
 denly as Dorian's eye passing beyond Ferrers to 
 the draped Altar fell on the tall, simple Cross 
 perpetual symbol of Sublime Sacrifice. Dorian 
 felt himself wither in his own regard, as a 
 momentary flash of comparison adjusted life's 
 perspective. But it left him as in the darkness 
 after lightning. Everything sounded a very long 
 way off, and very unreal. He heard the hoofs 
 of horses, the clatter of harness, and an uncer-
 
 286 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 tain cheer outside . . . around him people moved 
 and rustled ... he heard whisperings . . . the 
 organ was played loudly . . . and well played, 
 too ... he liked it ... he would not look 
 around ... he was conscious of a slow, steady 
 swish, swish ... the noise that silk makes, get- 
 ting nearer . . . the Vicar advanced to the Altar, 
 rail . . . Ferrers' lips were pale and distinctly 
 trembling, but he was forcing a smile . . . how 
 small and fragile the little figure looked at his 
 side ... so very still . . . why did she glance 
 around ... he caught her full face then . . . 
 Gwen . . . Gwen . . . how dear she had been ! 
 . . . he'd never seen that expression ... as 
 if ... as if she were looking for somebody . . . 
 but looking hopelessly . . . Gwen . . . whom he 
 had loved better than honor and life . . . was 
 just there ... in front of him . . . knowing he 
 was alive . . . being married to Ferrers . . . 
 and he, of all men, Dorian, was standing there, 
 motionless, speechless, looking on ... how odd 
 the Service sounded . . . words, words . . , 
 and . . . and . . . and "wilt thou take, this man 
 to be. thy^ wedded husband" . . .
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY] 287 
 
 "STOP!" 
 
 Something seemed to snap in Dorian's brain 
 and his shout echoed through the Church 
 
 STOP! 
 
 In a bound he stood at the Altar rail. 
 
 "Gwen!" he exclaimed. 
 
 "Dorian !!!"... All the love and anguish 
 of the child's heart spoke as she threw herself into 
 his arms. 
 
 "Gwen what does this mean didn't you 
 know that I was alive that I was coming back 
 to you did someone keep it from you?" 
 
 "O Dorian Dorian . . . !" 
 
 To ask more just then was useless but the 
 face and the voice of the girl that he loved told 
 fifty times the truth ! 
 
 For the next ten minutes nothing was very 
 clear or very sure. The incongruity of such a 
 scene in such a place was obvious, but Noel 
 Ferrers took no heed of that. He beckoned to 
 the Police Sergeant and pointing to Dorian said, 
 "There's your man." It was an empty, useless 
 vengeance, but he did not pause to think. The 
 plans and the villainies of months were robbed
 
 288 THE SINS OF SOCIETY* 
 
 of their fruit literally when it was within his grasp. 
 The word "yes" was actually hovering on the lips 
 of Gwen when this thrice accursed ghost rose 
 from the dead to thwart him. Very well, let 
 Dorian or Marion or both fall together now, he 
 did not care. He would humiliate his rival in 
 public, if nothing else. "That is your man," he 
 said, "arrest him." 
 
 To her honor be it said that the germ of a 
 generous feeling stirred in Marion's sluggish 
 heart. She stretched out her hands as though 
 she were going to speak and who knows 
 perhaps she might have done so, but close on the 
 heels of the Constable came a breathless, hurrying 
 pair, James Hogg and Lady Goldbury, with 
 Morris, curious and amused, behind them. Not 
 knowing that this was the Wedding Day Lady 
 Goldbury had gone off like a rocket when she had 
 arrived at the cottage and found that the party 
 had already started for the Church. She burst 
 on to the strange scene like a whirlwind and tried 
 to say ten things at one time, when Hogg laid 
 his hand upon her arm. The little man's natural 
 sense of the fitness of things made him lower his
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 289 
 
 voice. Speaking very apologetically and respect- 
 fully to the Vicar, he said, "In the proper place 
 we can prove, sir, " 
 
 And the Vicar, remembering the struggle with 
 his conscience, remembering his prayer and his 
 hope, answered, "There is no place more proper, 
 or more fitting, than this in which to do Justice 
 to the Innocent." 
 
 And Morris whispered to the Sergeant of 
 Police that the Warrant was withdrawn, and 
 Hogg told the Vicar in a low voice how a common 
 thief had stolen the Box, concerning the contents 
 of which there had been some doubt. He had 
 brought the Box with him, and before Marion 
 had time to protest he added, suiting the action 
 to the word, "I will open it now." The ribbon 
 broke and the seals cracked, as Hogg tore off the 
 lid. He handed the Box to Morris and said, 
 "Restore it to its owner." 
 
 Morris looked into the Box and held it before 
 Marion's eyes. For a moment she lifted out of 
 it a magnificent Diamond Tiara of quite unique 
 design, curiously inset with blue emeralds and 
 diamonds. She dropped it back with trembling
 
 290 THE SINS OF SOCIETY* 
 
 hands and her eyes sought Noel Ferrers' face. 
 On that face was stamped the agony of a black 
 soul in torment of a devil under the lash. For 
 a moment he looked at Gwen and his lips moved, 
 but no word came. Then with shaking knee and un- 
 certain tread he reeled down the aisle and was gone. 
 
 The Vicar closed his Book. 
 
 The Organist, who was not only a school- 
 master but a man of discernment, had the tact to 
 indicate the termination of the proceedings by 
 playing a loud and ebullient Voluntary. 
 
 Dr. Trevellyan took Gwen back to the cottage 
 and after a little while recommended that she 
 should be allowed to sit and hold Dorian's hand 
 as long as ever she liked. And she did. And 
 they did not say much. Their eyes told them all 
 that they wanted to know. The others talked a 
 good deal. Lady Goldbury swore she knew 
 Dorian was alive all along. Marion posed a little 
 and took sal volatile. Hogg had the common- 
 sense to send off telegraphs which ensured Dorian 
 something faintly approaching a reasonable 
 change of clothes in the morning. In the brief 
 interval when he and the young soldier were al-
 
 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 291 
 
 lowed to smoke alone, he took his courage in his 
 hands and spoke of the future, of his marriage 
 with Lady Goldbury, of Dorian's marriage he 
 hoped on the same day and of his, James Hogg's 
 immediate need for an administrator, a young, 
 clever, and resourceful man to be a Partner in his 
 big business undertaking. "We were together, you 
 know," he said, "in the strangest adventure in the 
 world. You are not a rich man. You want work. 
 Don't let's dissolve the Partnership." 
 
 Dorian shook him gratefully by the hand. He 
 was thinking of another partnership, and Gwen's 
 voice called him back from the garden into the 
 house. 
 
 * * * *, * * 
 
 When the surprised and excited congregation 
 had dispersed, and the little Church was empty, 
 the Vicar came and stood alone for a while by 
 the Altar rail and thought deeply. 
 
 What would have happened if he had locked 
 Borian March out of his Church, and if the 
 Police had taken him, and his arrest had not 
 been known until the marriage were over? How 
 near he had been to a life tragedy. He knelt and
 
 292 THE SINS OF SOCIETY 
 
 thanked God in the fulness of his heart that he 
 had judged not as men judge, but as they are 
 told to judge according to the Word of Heaven. 
 Neither within the Church nor without was there 
 any sound. In the stillness of that utter peace the 
 lips of the Vicar silently framed the words : 
 
 "Verily, O Lord, in Thy House there is 
 Sanctuary." 
 
 ****** 
 
 When he came down to the Lytch Gate again 
 it was full noon. The sea was deep azure touched 
 with foam, the sky an arch of aching blue. The 
 swelling moors and deep warm coombs stretched 
 away inland a fragrant, heaving Paradise. 
 
 God made the Country! 
 
 '(Man made the City.) 
 
 And all that God made was good. 
 
 Somewhere in the distance a cloud of white 
 smoke told of the presence of a hurrying Motor 
 Car. In it Noel Ferrers sat. He had stood on 
 the threshold of Paradise, its most precious fruit 
 had been just within his reach, but now the gates 
 were closed and he was going back, broken, 
 beaten, hungry, alone to the City.
 
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