28 chapters
6 hour read
Selected Chapters
28 chapters
THE BOX WITH BROKEN SEALS
THE BOX WITH BROKEN SEALS
1919 James Crawshay, Englishman of the type usually described in transatlantic circles as "some Britisher," lolled apparently at his ease upon the couch of the too-resplendent sitting room in the Hotel Magnificent, Chicago. Hobson, his American fellow traveler, on the other hand, betrayed his anxiety by his nervous pacing up and down the apartment. Both men bore traces in their appearance of the long journey which they had only just completed. "I think," Crawshay decided, yawning, "that I shall
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER II
At just about the hour when Crawshay and Hobson were receiving the visit of Chief Downs in the Chicago hotel an English butler accepted with due respect the card of a very distinguished-looking and exceedingly well-turned-out caller at the big, brownstone Beverley house in Riverside Drive, New York. "Miss Beverley is just back from the hospital, sir," the former announced. "If you will come this way, I will see that your card is sent to her at once." The caller—Mr. Jocelyn Thew was the name upon
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER III
Mr. Jocelyn Thew descended presently from his taxicab outside one of the largest and most cosmopolitan hotels in New York—or the world. He made his way with the air of an habitué to the bar, the precincts of which, at that time in the late afternoon, were crowded by a motley gathering. He ordered a Scotch highball, and gently insinuated himself into the proximity of a group of newspaper men with whom he seemed to have some slight acquaintance. It was curious how, since his arrival in this democr
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER IV
The two men—Crawshay and Sam Hobson—still a little breathless, stood at the end of the dock, gazing out towards the river. Around them was a slowly dispersing crowd of sightseers, friends and relations of the passengers on board the great American liner, ploughing her way down the river amidst the shrieks and hoots of her attendant tugs. Out on the horizon, beyond the Statue of Liberty, two long, grey, sinister shapes were waiting. Hobson glanced at them gloomily. "Guess those are our destroyers
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER V
Crawshay found himself a popular hero when at a few minutes before eleven o'clock the next morning he made his appearance on deck. With little regard to the weather, which was fine and warm, he was clad in a thick grey suit and a voluminous overcoat. The fact that his borrowed hat was several sizes too large for him detracted a little from the dignity of his appearance, a misfortune for which he endeavoured to atone by a distinct aloofness of manner. The newspaper men, however, were not to be de
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VI
Crawshay knocked at the door of the captain's room, received a stentorian invitation to enter, and sank a little plaintively into a vacant easy-chair. The purser, who had been in close confabulation with his chief, hastily took his leave. "Good morning, sir," the visitor said languidly. "Good morning, Mr. Crawshay," the captain replied. "Feeling a little stronger this morning, I hope?" Crawshay sighed. "The memory of that experience," he began, settling down in his chair,— "Well, well, you ought
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VII
Crawshay walked slowly along the deck until he found a completely sheltered spot. Then he summoned the deck steward and superintended the arrangement of his deck chair, which was almost hidden under a heap of rugs. He had just adjusted a pair of spectacles and was preparing to settle down when Katharine, in her nurse's uniform, issued from the companionway and stood for a moment looking about her. Crawshay at once raised his cap. "Good morning, Miss Beverley," he said. "You do not recognise me,
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER VIII
That night at dinner time a stranger appeared at the captain's table. A dark, thick-browed man, in morning clothes of professional cut, was shown by one of the saloon stewards to a seat which had hitherto been vacant. Crawshay, whose place was nearly opposite, leaned across at once with an air of interest. "Good evening, Doctor," he said. "Good evening, sir," was the somewhat gruff reply. "Glad to see that you are able to come in and join us," Crawshay continued, unabashed. "You are, I believe,
13 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER IX
Robins, the wireless operator, bent closer over his instrument, and the blue fires flashed from the masthead of the steamer, cutting their way through the darkness into the black spaces beyond. The little room was lit by a dull oil light, the door was fast-closed and locked. Away into the night sped one continual message. "Steamship City of Boston , lat…. long…. lying four points to northward of usual course. Reply." A time came when the young man ceased from his labours and sat up with a yawn.
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER X
CHAPTER X
The captain sank into his easy-chair a little wearily. It had been a long and rather trying vigil. His steward filled two cups with coffee and at a sign from his master withdrew. "Any news?" "I have been compelled," Crawshay announced, stirring his coffee, "to dismantle your wireless." "The devil you have!" "Also, to speak words of wisdom to young Robins. I detected him signalling our location to the Blucher ." The captain set down his coffee cup. "Mr. Crawshay," he said, "this is a very serious
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XI
CHAPTER XI
Katharine came on deck that morning in a somewhat disturbed frame of mind. It was beginning to dawn upon her that her position as sick nurse to Mr. Phillips was meant to be a sinecure. She was allowed to sit by the sick man's side sometimes whilst the doctor took a promenade or ate a meal in the saloon, but apart from that, the usual exercise of her duties was not required from her. She was forced to admit that there was something mysterious about the little stateroom, the suffering man, and the
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XII
CHAPTER XII
Throughout the night reigned an almost sepulchral silence, and when the morning broke, the City of Boston , at a scarcely reduced speed, was ploughing her way through great banks of white fog. The decks, the promenade rails, every exposed part of the steamer, were glistening with wet. Up on the bridge, three officers besides the captain stood with eyes fixed in grim concentration upon the dense curtains of mist which seemed to shut them off altogether from the outer world. Jocelyn Thew and Craws
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIII
CHAPTER XIII
Towards six o'clock that evening, without any apparent change in the situation, Captain Jones descended from the bridge and signalled to Crawshay, whom he passed on the deck, to follow him into his room. The great ship was still going at full speed through a sea which was as smooth as glass. "Getting out of it, aren't we?" Crawshay enquired. The captain nodded. His hair and beard were soaked with moisture, and there were beads of wet all over his face. Otherwise he seemed little the worse for hi
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIV
CHAPTER XIV
The City of Boston passed through the danger zone in safety, and dropped anchor in the Mersey only a few hours later than the time of her expected arrival. Towards the close of a somewhat uproarious dinner, during which many bottles of champagne were emptied to various toasts, Captain Jones quite unexpectedly entered the saloon, and, waving his hand in response to the cheers which greeted him, made his way to his usual table, from which he addressed the little company. "Ladies and gentlemen," he
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XV
CHAPTER XV
The morning—grey, slightly wet—broke upon Liverpool docks, the ugliest place in the ugliest city of Europe. A thin stream of people descended at irregular intervals down the gangway from the City of Boston to the dock, and disappeared in various directions. Amongst the first came a melancholy little procession—a coffin carried by two ship's stewards, with Doctor Gant in solitary attendance behind. After the passengers came a sprinkling of the ship's officers, all very smart and in a great hurry.
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVI
CHAPTER XVI
The City of Boston docked in Liverpool on Sunday night. On Tuesday, at five o'clock in the afternoon, Crawshay, who had been waiting at Euston Station for a quarter of an hour or so, almost dragged Brightman out of the long train which drew slowly into the station. "We'll take a taxi somewhere," the former said. "It's the safest place to talk in. Any other luggage?" "Only the bag I'm carrying," the detective replied. "I have got some more stuff coming up, if you want me to keep on this job." "I
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVII
CHAPTER XVII
For a few seconds Jocelyn Thew was certainly taken aback. His little start, his look of blank astonishment, were coupled with a certain loss of poise which Crawshay had been quick to note. But, after all, the interlude was brief enough. "Exactly what does this mean, Nora?" he demanded. Her vivid brown eyes were fastened upon his face, eager to understand his attitude, a little defiant, a little appealing. There was nothing to be gathered from his expression, however. After that first moment he w
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVIII
CHAPTER XVIII
Crawshay took a taxicab from the Savoy to Claridge's Hotel, sent up his card and was conducted to Katharine Beverley's sitting room on the first floor. She kept him waiting for a few moments, and he felt a sudden instinct of curiosity as he noticed the great pile of red roses which a maid had only just finished arranging. When she came in, he looked towards her in surprise. She appeared to have grown thinner, and there were dark rims under her eyes. Her words of greeting were colourless. She see
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIX
CHAPTER XIX
At a quarter to eight that evening, a young man who had made fitful appearances in the lounge of Claridge's Restaurant during the last half-hour went to the telephone and rang up a certain West End number. "Are these Mr. Crawshay's rooms?" he asked. "Mr. Crawshay speaking," was the reply. "Brightman there?" Crawshay turned away from the telephone and handed the receiver to the detective. "What news, Henshaw?" the latter enquired. "Miss Beverley dines at her usual table, sir, at eight o'clock," w
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XX
CHAPTER XX
Crawshay, having the good fortune to find, as he issued from his rooms, a taxicab whose driver's ideas of speed were in accordance with his own impatience, managed to reach the Savoy at a few minutes before eight. He entered the hotel by the Court entrance. An insignificant-looking young man with a fair moustache and watery eyes touched him on the shoulder as he passed through the Court lobby. Crawshay glanced lazily around and assured himself that they were unobserved. "Anything fresh?" he aske
8 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXI
CHAPTER XXI
Crawshay, about half an hour later, piloted his companion to the table which he had engaged in the restaurant with all the savoir faire of a redoubtable man about town. She was, in her way, an exceedingly striking figure in a black satin gown on which was enscrolled one immense cluster of flowers. Her neck and arms, very fully visible, were irreproachable. Her blue-black hair, simply arranged but magnificent, triumphed over the fashions of the coiffeur. The transition from Fourteenth Street to h
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXII
CHAPTER XXII
The dinner of the red roses, as though in emulation of its rival entertainment, seemed on its way to complete success. Jocelyn Thew, from whose manner there seemed to have departed much of the austerity of the previous evening, had never been a more brilliant companion. He, who spoke so seldom of his own doings, told story after story of his wanderings in distant countries, until even Katharine lost her fears of the situation and abandoned herself to the enjoyment of the moment. His tone was kin
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXIII
CHAPTER XXIII
Crawshay was awakened the next morning a little before the customary hour by his servant, who held out a card. "Gentleman would like a word with you at once, sir," the latter announced. Crawshay glanced at the card, slipped out of bed, and, attired in his dressing gown and slippers, made an apologetic entrance into the sitting room. The young man who was waiting there received him kindly, but obviously disapproved of the pattern of his dressing gown. "Chief wants a word with you, sir," he announ
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXIV
CHAPTER XXIV
Captain Richard Beverley, on his way through the hotel smoking room to the Savoy bar, stopped short. He looked at the girl who had half risen from her seat on the couch with a sudden impulse of half startled recognition. Her little smile of welcome was entirely convincing. "Why, it's Nora Sharey!" he exclaimed. "Nora!" "Well, I am glad you've recognised me at last," she said, laughing. "I tried to make you see me last night in the restaurant, but you wouldn't look." He seemed a little dazed, eve
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXV
CHAPTER XXV
About three-thirty on the following afternoon, in the grounds devoted to the much advertised Red Cross Sale, that eminent comedian, Mr. Joseph Bobby, mounted to the temporary rostrum which had been erected for him at the rear of one of the largest tents, amidst a little storm of half facetious applause. He repaid the general expectation by gazing steadfastly at a few friends amongst the audience in his usual inimitable fashion, and by indulging in a few minutes of gagging chaff before he proceed
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXVI
CHAPTER XXVI
From six o'clock until half an hour before the time fixed for the commencement of the performance, a steady crowd of people elbowed and pushed their way that night into the cheaper parts of the Alhambra Music-hall. Soon afterwards, the earliest arrivals presented themselves at the front of the house. Brightman and Crawshay arrived together, and made their way at once to the manager's office, the former noticing, with a little glint of recognition which amounted to scarcely more than a droop of t
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXVII
CHAPTER XXVII
On the extreme edge of a stony and wide-spreading moor, Jocelyn Thew suddenly brought the ancient motor-car which he was driving to a somewhat abrupt and perilous standstill. He stood up in his seat, unrecognisable, transformed. From his face had passed the repression of many years. His lips were gentle and quivering as a woman's, his eyes seemed to have grown larger and softer as they swept with a greedy, passionate gaze the view at his feet. All that was hard and cruel seemed to have passed su
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XXVIII
CHAPTER XXVIII
One by one, the next morning, in all manner of vehicles, the guests left the Castle. Sir Denis bade them farewell, parting with some of them in the leaky hall of his ancestors, and with others out in the stone-flagged courtyard. Crawshay alone lingered, with the obvious air of having something further to say to his host. The two men strolled down together seaward to where the great rocks lay thick upon the stormy beach. "These," Sir Denis pointed out, "are supposed to be the marbles with which t
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter