The door was hardly closed upon them when the coffee and cigars were served, when Johnstone, striding forward, locked the door.
“See here, Hawke!” abruptly said the host “I want you to serve me to-night, and to stand by me while this she-devil is in Delhi. I’ve got to run down to Calcutta on business for a few days. She will not be here. She has some business of her own down there, also. First, find out for me, for God’s sake, all about her. How she came here; where she hides in Europe; who her friends are. When you are able to, you can follow her over the world. I’ll foot the bill, as the Yankees say.
“Now, to-night, I wish you to take your leave conventionally. Get away at once, and go immediately and telegraph to Anstruther in London. No, don’t deny you are intimate with him. I know it. Telegraph him that I am in a position, now, to trace out and restore those missing jewels. The secret of their hiding is mine at last. Here’s a hundred pounds. Don’t spare your words. Within a month they will be in the hands of the Viceroy. I have to play a part to get them—a dangerous part. I pledge my whole estate to back this. But I must have my Baronetcy so that I can leave India, for I fear the vengeance of the devils who robbed the captured Princes of Oude.
“Once in England, I am safe. I’ll not leave till I get the Baronetcy, and the jewels will not be delivered up until I get it. I am closely watched here.”
Hawke’s eyes burned fiercely. “And if I was to take the train and tell the Viceroy this?” he boldly said.
“Then I would say that you had lied—that is all.”
“What do I get?” coolly demanded Hawke.
“Five thousand pounds the day that I get my Baronetcy,” quietly replied Johnstone.
“I’ll not do it,” hotly cried Hawke. “You might say I lied,” he sneered. “I want it now!”
The two men glared at each other in a mutual distrust. Hugh Johnstone pondered a moment, and said deliberately: