But Ram Lal Singh’s slight defenses fell instantly before the golden battering-ram of Madame Berthe Louison’s direct onslaught. “I was busied in the bazaars, buying jewels,” he expostulated, when Jules Victor led him into Madame Louison’s boudoir. Even then Major Hawke was curiously noting the dismantled condition of the reception-room, where Johnstone had at last thrown off the mask.
“I leave Major Hawke here to close all my business, Ram Lal,” she said. “I go to Calcutta. I may be gone for some months. But I have watched you and him. You are close friends—very close friends. Now, remember that I pay him and I pay you. I wish you to give me—to sell me—the list of the jewels which Johnstone took away from you and hid, when he was Hugh Fraser.” The old scoundrel began to protest. Berthe Louison rang her silver bell. “Jules!” she said, “I wish you to go to General Willoughby with this letter, and tell him to send a guard here to arrest a thief who has government jewels.”
Ram Lal was on the floor at her feet, groveling, before she grimly smiled, as he held out a paper, quickly extracted from his red sash. “That will do, Jules.” The Frenchman stood without the door. “You will not run away. You are far too rich, Ram Lal. And you will be watched every moment. Sign and seal the list, and date it to-day.” The old craven begged hard for mercy. “Here is a hundred pounds. Hawke will pay you four hundred more when I am safely on the sea, but only then! He will close all my bills. Remember, I shall come back again. And,” she whispered a word, “he will watch you closely.” The jeweler sealed the document, and scribbled his certificate. “Not one word of my business, not even to Hawke, on your life,” she said. “I shall come again! And General Willoughby will throw you in prison on a word from me.”
Major Alan Hawke was astounded, after an hour’s yielding to the social charm of Madame Alixe Delavigne, when the happy woman led him away from the dinner table. “Now for a half-hour’s business chat,” she gayly said. “No, no notes. We shall next meet at No. 9 Rue Berlioz, Paris. You will receive my sealed directions from Grindlay’s agent here, with funds to settle my affairs. I go to-night to Calcutta, and thence to Europe. Obey my orders. You will get them, sealed, from the agent here. You can come on, by Bombay, when I cable to you. I will cable direct here to Grindlay’s. They’ll not lose sight of you,” she smiled.
“And my relations with old Hugh?” he gasped in surprise.
“Just watch him and follow him on to Europe. Neither you nor he can do me any harm, but your reward for your manly stand to-day will reach you in Paris. I knew of it.”
“Shall I not see you to the train?” Hawke stammered.
“Ah!” she smiled, extending her hand warmly, “I have a double guard and my servants. I will be met at Calcutta, and I go on my way safely now to work a slow vengeance!”