The Devil's Cocktail (21 page)

‘I'm afraid he will get no regrets from me,' grunted Rahtz. ‘I did my best to make it impossible for him to remain in Sheranwala College and now I suppose I shall have to withdraw my words and apologise. Such a thing as an apology is distasteful to me. I think he had better die before it becomes necessary.'

‘We must not be hasty, my dear Rahtz,' said Novar smoothly, ‘otherwise we may spoil the full artistic finish that you – er – promised us.'

‘There is no fear of its being spoilt,' replied the other, with an ugly laugh. ‘I will use the utmost care!'

‘I should like to know how you propose to relieve Shannon of the necessity of living?'

Rahtz stood smiling for a few moments as though the contemplation of his plan was affording him some amusement, then:

‘You know, of course, that there is a very well-equipped laboratory in my College?'

The other two nodded.

‘In that laboratory,' he went on, ‘there is a sealed tube containing enough cholera bacilli to kill twenty people. I intend removing a certain quantity from the tube, resealing it, and putting it back in its place. Shannon and Miles are visiting me to look over the College very soon. What more natural than that they should have a drink with me afterwards?
And Shannon's glass will contain his death
!'

Hudson shivered as though with the ague, but Novar laughed as if he had just heard a very good joke.

‘A splendid notion, my dear fellow,' he said, ‘and one that appeals to me immensely. Two or three days later our friend will be no more! Splendid! There is only one point that occurs to me which may possibly spoil it. That is, that perhaps Shannon may refuse a drink!'

‘I'll see that he doesn't!' said the other with conviction.

Novar rubbed his hands together and looked pleased.

‘You must take care in removing the bacilli,' he remarked.

‘I'm not a fool!' retorted Rahtz.

The other turned to Hudson.

‘What do you think of the idea?' he asked. ‘Our friend is certainly artistic, is he not?'

‘He's a devil!' said Hudson hoarsely.

The next few days contained almost a series of triumphs for Hugh. The Committee of the Club made special efforts to clear his name, the secretary making an official announcement whilst a crowded dance was in progress and a statement even being put into the local paper. Everywhere he went he was greeted by people anxious to show their friendship, and those who had been the first to turn their backs on him were now among the first to fawn upon him. They declared that they had never believed a word of the accusation and made Hugh thoroughly sick with their smug assurances of unshattered faith in his honour. Invitations poured in for various functions, and altogether he was made as much of as though he had performed something notable. Rahtz, who had tried so hard to damn him with the College authorities, now telephoned to explain matters and apologise, and Hugh felt a real sense of triumph when the Chairman of the College Board, by force of necessity, came to beg his pardon.

Among the many visitors were Groves and Miss Palmer. The latter
walked into the bungalow as though she owned it, whilst Groves blustered his way in, the hearty good fellow as ever.

‘Of course, you knew that we never believed such a scandalous thing,' said the former to Joan. ‘It sounded false, and I could see in the woman's face that she was lying. It was so obvious and I really felt very sorry for your brother.'

‘I noticed that as you walked away,' put in Miles, who happened to be present.

‘I walked away to show my disbelief, and because I thought it would be embarrassing to you if I stayed.
Besil
agreed with me!'

‘Sure!' said the irrepressible American, ‘
Besil
would!'

‘It was a bad business,' said Groves in his strange voice. ‘But you can never trust a half and halfer and she was one, absolutely – I saw that at once. Keep away from 'em, is my advice, now and always. I loathe the breed. They'll turn a harmless flirtation into God only knows what, and—'

‘I didn't even have a harmless flirtation,' interrupted Hugh.

‘Of course not; still there you are! A drink? Yes, I don't mind, thanks! It's just about peg time!'

Two days after his encounter with Kamper, Hugh received a letter from Rahtz, saying that he would be delighted to show him and Miles over Mozang College on the following Sunday morning, if they would call about eleven. In reply Hugh rang him up and told him that they would be glad to come along and would be there at the time appointed.

Sunday arrived, and they were about to set out when Joan came to them.

‘Be careful, both of you,' she said. ‘I suppose I am very silly, but I have a premonition that you are going into danger.'

Hugh laughed.

‘There won't be any danger today,' he assured her.

‘Don't you worry any, Joan!' said Miles. ‘I'll look after Hugh!'

‘You be careful too, Oscar!' she said with an adorable smile.

‘I'll take care of him,' said Hugh, ‘and return the compliment; so we'll both be well looked after.'

On the morning after his confession of love to Joan, Miles had come to Hugh and told him the news. Hugh had listened solemnly and when the American asked formally for his sister's hand, pretended to hum and haw as though very doubtful. Miles immediately said that he knew that he was asking for an awful lot, but would make Joan very happy and would give her everything she wanted as he was a fairly wealthy man. Thereupon Shannon had laughed and confessed that he had almost walked in upon them the night before. He also said that he could not wish for a better brother-in-law and many other things to the same effect. That was a day of rejoicing in the bungalow, and the congratulations, intermingled with quotations, were kept up by Cousins until late at night. Miles borrowed the car during the afternoon and went out and purchased the most expensive engagement ring he could find – an exquisite affair of sapphires and diamonds.

Arrived at Mozang College they found Rahtz waiting for them at the gate, and he conducted them to his office, where he offered them cigarettes before starting out on their tour of inspection.

‘The first thing I must do, Captain Shannon,' said the Russian, ‘is to apologise most humbly for believing the accusations that were made against you at the Club, and for reporting the matter to your authorities. I'm afraid I felt very strongly about it at the time, and allowed my indignation to outweigh my better judgment – I am sorry!'

‘Please say no more about it!' said Hugh. ‘You made ample amends by telephoning to explain matters, when the truth was discovered.'

‘It is kind of you to remember my reparation and not my faults!'

‘At least you admit that you believed in my guilt,' said Hugh, ‘while the others who turned their backs on me that night, now come forward and protest that they knew the girl was lying all the time!'

‘Indeed!' murmured Rahtz. ‘But that is typical of the people here, I'm afraid.'

‘I guess you're right there,' remarked Miles. ‘I doubt if I have ever struck a bunch of folk I despised more.'

Rahtz smiled.

‘You seem to be bitter,' he said.

‘I am, when they show themselves to be so darned narrow-minded!'

‘I can't understand what object the woman could have had,' said the Russian.

‘Haven't you heard that she had someone behind her?' asked Hugh.

‘Really! And who was this person?'

‘I guess it was more than one person,' put in Miles.

Rahtz darted a look at him.

‘How do you know that?' he asked.

‘Guessed it for one thing, and she admitted it for another,' was the reply. ‘Unfortunately she wouldn't say who they were.'

‘Ah! Then you have no means of discovering the identity of these people?'

‘Well, I'm in the dark, but I've got a hunch that Shannon will do the trick. He's got a nice little bunch of brains in that head of his.'

Rahtz looked at the man of brains, and there was a gleam in his eye which did not escape the notice of the American.

‘You, no doubt, suspect somebody, Shannon?' asked Rahtz.

‘Can't say that,' replied Hugh; ‘but when I find them, if I do, there'll be trouble.'

A faint smile passed across the Russian's face.

‘But why should anybody plan such a plot against you?' he said in a puzzled tone. ‘You surely haven't made any enemies out here?'

‘I made one, besides Miss Gregson, on board,' said Hugh, looking straight at him. ‘He treated my sister abominably, and we had a bit of a row. He's the type of fellow to do anything mean and underhanded.'

‘Who is that?' asked Rahtz, almost sharply.

‘I'd rather not discuss the matter any more, if you don't mind,' said Hugh.

‘Just as you like, of course,' said the other courteously. ‘Let me show you round now!'

Mozang College was a much better building, and far better equipped than Sheranwala College, and apart from the real object of their visit, which was to take a mental note of the place Hugh and Miles found a great deal to interest them. Rahtz proved an able cicerone, and he dilated at great length upon the various places and objects which claimed their attention. They wandered over the whole of the premises, including the playing fields, gymnasium and library, and spent some time in a students' hostel near by, inspecting the cubicles, arrangements for meals, and the reading and rest rooms.

‘Unlike your College, Shannon,' said Rahtz, as they walked away from the hostel, ‘we have students of all creeds, but they live separately. This place, for instance, is exclusively devoted to Hindus, and there is one for Mohammedans, with a small mosque attached, and another for Sikhs, but they are both some distance away.'

‘Do you ever have trouble between the Hindus and Muslims?' asked Hugh.

‘Not the slightest!'

‘What do you do when communal riots take place?'

‘Nothing! Of course we keep a close watch on the students, but
there has never been any cause for misgiving. During every riot that has taken place while I have been here, the fellows have behaved in an exemplary manner.'

He took them into the laboratory, which they found most interesting. He himself was a doctor of science, and he seemed to be in his element as he spoke, at great length, of the research work his science professors were carrying on, and became quite enthusiastic as he showed them the apparatus, which was certainly very up-to-date. At last they returned to his office, where Hugh and Miles expressed their thanks for his courtesy in showing them round.

‘It has been a great pleasure,' he declared. ‘And now you must come across to my bungalow and have a drink!'

Both Shannon and the American protested that they felt no inclination to drink just then, but Rahtz was so insistent that they gave in in the end for fear of appearing rude, and accompanied him across the road to his bungalow, a very fine place lying back amidst a perfect riot of colour from the beautiful flowers, which were growing all round it.

Rahtz apologised for the absence of his wife, who, he explained, was lunching out. He showed them into an exquisitely furnished drawing room done completely in the Indian style, with rich hangings from Kashmir, rugs from Afghanistan, brasses from Benares, marble work from Agra and Lucknow, and curios which seemed to have been collected from all parts of the country.

‘What will you drink?' asked their host, as soon as they were seated.

‘Let it be something light,' replied Hugh; ‘I couldn't face beer or whisky.'

‘I guess I feel the same,' said Miles.

‘What about cocktails?'

‘That sounds good to me,' nodded the American.

‘The only thing I can think of with equanimity,' agreed Hugh.

‘Well, if you'll excuse me for a few minutes,' smiled Rahtz, ‘I'll go and mix them. I never allow such a sacred rite to be performed by a servant.'

He hurried from the room. As soon as he was out of earshot Miles leant across to Hugh.

‘Say,' he whispered, ‘I'd like to know why he was so almighty anxious for us to have a drink.'

‘Wanted to impress us with his friendship, I suppose.'

‘I wonder!' murmured the American, and sat back.

In five minutes Rahtz was back followed by a bearer carrying a tray on which were three glasses full to the brim with a sparkling amber liquid. He handed one each to his guests, and took the other himself.

‘You must tell me how you like this, gentlemen!' he said. ‘It is a concoction of my own. Here's to your very good health!' There was a slight emphasis on the last word.

He raised the glass to his lips, and the others followed suit.

‘Gee!' exclaimed the American suddenly, and Hugh stopped in the act of drinking to stare at him. ‘Have you a telephone, Mr Rahtz?'

‘Yes; why?'

‘Can I borrow it? I forgot to cancel a luncheon appointment, and it's nearly one now!'

‘Of course! Come this way!'

He put down his glass and led the way from the room, followed by Miles, who, before going, whispered tersely in Hugh's ear:

‘Change your glass for his!'

When they had disappeared into the corridor, Hugh smelt his cocktail, and examined it curiously, then with a smile and a shrug
of his shoulders he pulled Rahtz's glass a little towards him, and put his in its place. He knew that Miles had no luncheon appointment, and he walked across the room to look at a picture wondering what had made the American suspect that there was any danger to be apprehended from an apparently innocent-looking cocktail. He was inclined to ridicule the whole thing. It was absurd to think that Rahtz would dare to make an attempt on his life in circumstances when his guilt would be so evident. But Miles was no fool and Hugh had placed the glasses close together in order that the drama could have a fitting climax if the American was disposed to give it one.

In the meantime Miles telephoned to a friend of his. He was immediately answered by the man himself, who listened in a state of bewilderment while the former apologised profoundly for not ringing up sooner to say that he was unable to come to luncheon. The poor man tried to explain that the American had not been invited, as far as he knew, whereupon Miles threw him into an even greater sense of stupor.

‘Thanks very much,' he said. ‘I guess you're a darn good sort to take it so well. Another day? … Sure, I'll be delighted!' And he placed the receiver back on its hook.

He turned and smiled at Rahtz.

‘I guess I'm a forgetful sort of guy,' he said. ‘I'll be getting myself a bad name if I break appointments like that.'

He linked his arm in the other's in the most friendly fashion, and they returned to the drawing room.

Hugh was still gazing at the picture, but he turned as they entered, and seeing Miles looking at him questioningly nodded significantly towards the glasses. Rahtz picked up the one he thought was his.

‘Why, you haven't touched your cocktail yet, Shannon,' he said.

‘I naturally waited,' was the reply.

He raised the glass, the three men pledged each other, and sipped the liquor.

‘It's jolly nice,' said Hugh.

‘Bully,' agreed Miles.

‘I'm glad you think so,' said Rahtz, sitting back in his chair and apparently well pleased with the praise. ‘I always mix this cocktail for special guests, and I've had no end of fellows bothering me to give them the recipe, but I always keep it to myself.'

‘I guess you do,' said Miles. ‘Say, Rahtz,' he went on, ‘let me see your glass, may I?'

The Russian handed it to him, and watched with a frown on his face while Miles examined it with a look of curiosity.

‘I like this ornamental ring round it,' he said. ‘It's sure artistic!'

‘Ornamental ring!' gasped Rahtz, and his face went a sickly white.