CHAPTER X.
A RECONCILIATION.
When Jack Harkaway came to himself he was in a strange room, and he didnot know what to make of it.
The apartment was elegantly furnished; pictures of value hung upon thewalls, and it was evident that he was in the house of people of tasteand wealth.
"Hello! where am I?" he asked.
The heavy damask curtains were drawn around the windows, so that only afaint light penetrated to the bedside.
Yet in the imperfect light Jack fancied he saw a shadowy female form,exquisitely symmetrical, get up from a lounge and leave the room.
A bell-rope hung by the side of the bed, which attracted Jack'sattention, and he rung it violently.
Raising himself up, he sunk down again as if unable to sustain hisweight.
"I'm frightfully weak," he murmured. "Wonder if I've been sick?"
Presently a footstep sounded on the stairs and a man opening the door,entered the apartment.
Jack recognized Alfred Van Hoosen.
"Well, my boy," he exclaimed. "So you have come to, at last?"
"Have I been very bad?" asked Jack.
"Only brain fever, that's all."
"How was that?"
"When you threw yourself off Warrior--by the way, I sold him for fiftythousand dollars, yesterday. Thanks to you."
"To me?"
"Yes, indeed--you made his reputation. But as I was going to say--youstruck your head against a stone, just before you made that famous'ride or die' speech."
"Is it famous?"
"Well, I should think so. It's been in all the papers, and you'll becalled 'Ride or die Jack,' as long as you live in this country."
"You don't say so?" replied Jack, while a smile of satisfaction stoleover his countenance.
He was not vain, but he liked to be praised when he deserved it, and heknew he had ridden Warrior for all he was worth.
"Where am I?" he added.
"In my house. I took the liberty of bringing you here," replied AlfredVan Hoosen.
"Don't apologize."
"Oh! but I must," said Alfred, laughing. "You apologized for riding myhorse to victory, don't you remember?"
"Have I been ill long?"
"About ten days--but don't excite yourself. The doctor says you'll beout in a week, if you keep quiet."
"Thanks. I'll be quiet. Who has been nursing me?"
"I am not at liberty to tell you."
"Was it your sister? I thought I saw--"
"Ask her yourself," interrupted Alfred Van Hoosen. "I must leave younow, as it is strictly against orders to talk to you. The nurse willbring up your beef tea in a few minutes; be good to yourself."
"One moment. Did you get the cup?"
"The steeple-chase cup? Yes, indeed. It adorns the family mahoganydown-stairs, and mother is really proud of it. Good-by."
Alfred quitted the room, and Jack sunk back on the pillow in a doze,filled with pleasant reflections.
Soon the nurse, who had been engaged from a neighboring hospital, cameup-stairs and sat down to watch the patient.
She was not in the best temper, for she had been disturbed while atsupper and was lamenting the good things she had left below stairs.
"It's very odd," she murmured, "that a sick man can't be left alone foran hour. This one wouldn't die or jump out of the window. That butteredtoast and those sardines I quitted were real elegant; my mouth watersat the thought of them."
Scarcely had the words escaped her lips than there was a knock at thedoor.
"Come!" she said, testily.
The door opened and a dark-haired man of swarthy complexion appeared.
"Please!" he exclaimed. "I've brought the medicine, from thedrug-store, and they told me down-stairs to come up with it."
"You ain't the young fellow that came before," the nurse said, eyinghim critically.
"No, he's a friend of mine, and he asked me to come."
"All right. What's the directions?"
"You're to give the gentleman the white mixture right away, and atmidnight, the red."
"Are those the doctor's orders?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"I wish you'd wait here, while I go and finish my supper; the folks areat dinner and no one will know."
The man's dark eyes flashed.
"Cospetto!" he muttered. "I'd like nothing better."
"What's that you said?" asked the nurse.
"Nothing, ma'am. I'll be glad to stay."
"What countryman are you?"
"Italian."
"Thought you were a foreigner. Well! you stay here and I'll give youten cents when I come back. If he wakes up, call me, by ringing thebell."
"Yes, ma'am."
The nurse at once quitted the room, and the Italian advanced to thebed, looking intently at Harkaway.
"It is he," he said in a low tone. "I have tracked him to his lair. Nowfor the medicine, but how to give it him? He will know me. Perhaps Ihad best wait for the nurse."
He handled the bottle, which was an ordinary two-ounce vial, andregarded it affectionately.
"Let him once swallow _this_," he added, "and he will never wake upmore."
Harkaway moved restlessly in his sleep.
Had he an intimation that Bambino was near him, preparing to carry outanother iniquitous scheme generated by his fertile brain?
In sober truth, to give the fellow his due, he served his master well.
Lord Maltravers had no cause to be dissatisfied with him.
The daylight had faded away and there was but a dim twilight existing,which made it difficult to discern objects.
Everything looked shadowy and ghostly.
Bambino had seen Harkaway's insensible condition when he was carriedoff the course and he had tracked him to the Van Hoosens' house.
The white mixture in the vial was a subtle poison, and he had gained anentrance to the house by pretending that he was a clerk from the drugstore.
Touching Jack on the arm, he saw him awake.
"What is it?" he asked, dreamily.
"Your medicine," replied Bambino.
"Give it me, and let me sleep. I am drowsy."
"It is to make you sleep," said the Italian, with a grim smile.
He took up a glass and poured out the colorless fluid, which in realitywas a death draught. Harkaway sat up and extended his hand for it, andhaving received it, raised the glass to his lips.
At this critical moment the door opened and the doctor who wasattending him made his appearance.
"What's this?" he said. "No light? and what have you got in your hand?I am the doctor, don't you know me?"
"Medicine!" answered Jack, replying to the first question.
"Eh? I don't understand," said the doctor, with a puzzled air.
"Some stuff you sent me, I suppose."
Bambino bent over the bed.
"Drink," he whispered.
Jack was about to do so, but the doctor snatched the glass out of hishands.
At the same time, he struck a match and lighted the gas.
"Now, let us see," he exclaimed.
Weak and sleepy as he was, this action on the part of the doctor rousedJack, whose eyes settled on the Italian.
"Bambino!" he cried, shuddering as if his gaze had rested on a blacksnake.
The doctor had removed the cork of the bottle and tasted its contentson the tip of his tongue.
"Strychnine!" he ejaculated.
Bambino, finding he was detected and his scheme frustrated, gnashed histeeth with baffled rage.
It was high time for him to endeavor to escape, and he made his waytoward the door.
"No you don't, my friend," exclaimed the doctor, barring his exit.
Bambino, as we know, was a man of unlimited resources.
He drew from his vest a long, polished dagger which scattered athousand flashes as he brandished it in the gas-light.
"_Santa Maria_!" he cried. "Steel talks, signor."
The doctor wa
s in no way disconcerted, for he quickly produced a pistol.
"Yes, my good fellow," he rejoined, "and here is an iron dog that canbark."
Bambino made a rush upon the doctor, who fired, but his bullet missedits mark and he received the point of the dagger in his arm.
The coat was cut open, the skin slightly ripped and blood flowed,though no serious injury was done.
This was a fortunate miss for the Italian, who at once made his escapedown the stairs, and into the street, where in the darkness he easilyeluded pursuit.
"Are you hurt, doctor?" asked Jack.
"Only got a scratch, a mere flesh wound. Do you know the fellow?" wasthe reply.
"Unfortunately I do; he is a hired assassin."
"This in the bottle is a deadly poison, you have escaped by a miracle."
The pistol-shot had aroused the whole house, and every one came rushinginto the room.
In a hurried manner the doctor explained what had happened, and havingcleared the room, gave Jack a composing draught.
Alfred Van Hoosen was much chagrined that such a dastardly crime shouldhave been attempted in his house, and notified the police.
No arrest was made, however, for every effort to find the Italian wasunsuccessful.
Time passed on, and in ten days, Jack was quite well, though still alittle weak.
His friends came to see him every day, and he determined to return tohis hotel.
Having announced his intention to Alfred, he thanked him very warmlyfor his kindness. All traces of animosity had faded away, and he was inreality a friend of the family.
Lena smiled upon him, and was sincerely rejoiced at his recovery, whichat first, with a woman's nervous anxiety, she had despaired of.
As he was going away, Alfred drew him on one side.
"You won't think me rude," he said. "But I should like to ask you a fewquestions."
"By all means," replied Jack.
"In the first place, who is this Italian and why does he persecute you?"
"He attempted my life on board ship; I have reason to think he put thewallet belonging to Mr. Cobb in my pocket; he frightened the horse andhe endeavored to poison me."
"But why? It is incomprehensible to me."
Jack hesitated for a moment, and colored slightly.
"I will tell you, since you urge me," he replied. "Lord Maltravers andmyself are rivals for your sister's hand."
"Ah! I suspected as much."
"Bambino, the Italian, is the paid spy and assassin of Maltravers."
Alfred Van Hoosen appeared confused, and a look of vexation crossed hisface.
"I have heard of Lord Maltravers from my mother," he said; "of course Iwas prejudiced against you, at first, on account of that affair of Mr.Cobb's; now that is all removed."
"Thank you," replied Jack. "I am glad to hear you say so, because Iwant to stand well with you."
"We Americans are quite as punctilious and particular as you English,"said Van Hoosen; "and I can tell you that the best families thinkas much of themselves as you aristocrats who are descended from theNormans."
"Why should you not?"
"Well, we are friends. You have proved yourself a man, Harkaway, and Ishall always esteem you."
"May I beg one favor?" exclaimed Jack.
"Anything in my power, to grant, you can command," was the warm reply.
"It is useless to disguise the fact that I love your sister, and I haveevery reason to believe that she is not indifferent to me. Will you useyour influence with her, on my behalf?"
The expression of vexation which Jack had previously remarked deepenedon Alfred's face.
"I will do so," he replied; "but I fear it will not avail you."
"Will you explain the reason?"
"Yes, it is as well to be candid with you: my mother, whom both Lenaand myself respect beyond every one and everything else in the world,has made up her mind that my sister shall contract a distinguishedalliance."
"What do you mean by that? I am a gentleman and I have a moderateincome."
"Don't think for a moment," Alfred hastened to say, "that I intendedto cast any reflection upon you. My mother tried in Paris to make Lenamarry a French count, and now she has set her heart on an English lord."
Jack felt a quivering at the heart.
"Noblemen are scarce in this democratic country," he said.
"Admitted; but my mother has already selected her future son-in-law."
"Will you kindly tell me who this fortunate scion of the aristocracyis?" inquired Jack, in a cold, hard voice.
"It is your enemy."
"Lord Maltravers?"
"The same," replied Alfred Van Hoosen.
Jack flushed with indignation.
"But, my dear sir, from what I have already told you," he exclaimed,"the man is a scoundrel."
"True; and we must band together to save Lena. I am with you all thetime. Yet the danger is imminent. We have had a dispatch."
"From his lordship?"
"Yes, and he is expected here to-day."
Jack looked blankly at Van Hoosen.
"Maltravers to be here to-day?" he ejaculated. "I fought a duel withhim in France, and I thought the sword-thrust I gave him, would disablehim for some time to come."
A servant entered the room in which they were sitting.
"What is it, John?"
"Lord Maltravers is down-stairs, sir, and Mrs. Van Hoosen requests yourpresence."
The young men looked at one another.
"Say I am indisposed," exclaimed Alfred; "desire my mother to make myexcuses."
"Yes, sir."
"And John--where is my sister?"
"Miss Van Hoosen is out, sir," replied the servant.
Alfred put his arm in that of Jack and drew him out of the room.
"Come," he said, "I will walk with you to your hotel. I want to talk toyou on the way."
They passed down-stairs and out into the street, Jack's onlyconsolation for the news he had just heard, being the knowledge thatthe brother of the girl he loved was his friend.
As they walked along, Alfred said: "I did not finish asking you all thequestions I wanted to. What brought you and your friends over here?"
"Frankly," answered Jack, "I came to see your sister. My friends cameover to find buffaloes in New York."
Alfred Van Hoosen burst into a roar of laughter.
"Buffaloes in New York!" he said. "You surely are not serious."
"Indeed I am."
"Why, you might as well look for Indians on Staten Island. Is itpossible that educated Englishmen, such as any friends of yours mustbe, can be so ignorant?"
"The average Englishman," replied Jack, "knows about as much ofAmerica, as he does of Kamschatka."
"Who are these friends of yours?"
"You have seen them, when they called at the house during the time Iwas sick. There is Captain Cannon, Mr. Twinkle, Professor Mole andHarvey, though the latter is not as foolish as the rest."
Alfred reflected a moment.
"We will have some fun with them," he said. "Of course you can postHarvey."
"How?" inquired Jack.
"An uncle of mine, who is at one and the same time very rich and veryeccentric, has a farm in New Jersey, not very far from New York,and his pet idea is to tame the buffalo and make him subservient tohusbandry."
"Has he any on his farm?"
"A score or more. Uncle is away in Philadelphia. The farm is in chargeof an old servant of the family, with whom I can do what I like."
"What's your plan?"
"I will invite your friends to a grand buffalo-hunt in New Jersey."
"But your uncle!"
"Never mind him; I am his favorite nephew and he has made his will inmy favor."
"He may revoke it."
"Not he. The old boy loves a joke too well," replied Alfred. "Shall wedo it?"
"Willingly."
"That is settled, then. I will make all my arrangements to-day, and ifyou will be good enou
gh to invite your friends on my behalf, we willstart early to-morrow."
"So soon?"
"Why delay? a little fun will relieve your mind."
"But with regard to Maltravers?"
"Leave him to me. I am your friend. You do not wholly understandthe service you did me in riding my horse to win. You saved me fromfinancial ruin, and made a friend of me for life."
"Yet he will meet your sister. You will be away and your mother'sinfluence may--"
"Be easy, Harkaway. If I have any voice in the matter, he shall nevermarry Lena!" exclaimed Van Hoosen.
"If--"
"Well, I mean, if the court knows herself and I think she does.Good-by. I will go home, see how the thing works, and talk to Lena.To-morrow you shall hear what she says."
This speech of Alfred Van Hoosen's cheered Jack up considerably. Sincehe had made friends with Alfred and been an inmate of his mother'shouse, his love for Lena had doubled in intensity. He felt that hecould not live without her.
The presence of Lord Maltravers in New York was a standing menaceagainst the accomplishment of his marriage with Lena. He had a bitter,unscrupulous and unrelenting enemy to deal with. It had already beenshown that he would stop at nothing.
With a heart full of conflicting emotions, Jack went to his hotel.
Jack Harkaway in New York; or, The Adventures of the Travelers' Club Page 10