The Avenger by Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips), 1866-1946

E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team

THE AVENGER

BY E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM

Author of

"The Master Mummer," "A Maker of History," "The Malefactor," "The Lost Leader," "The Great Secret," Etc.

1908

CONTENTS

I. A MYSTERIOUS VISITOR

II. THE HORROR OF THE HANSOM

III. DISCUSSING THE CRIME

IV. UNDER A CLOUD

V. ON THE TELEPHONE

VI. ONE THOUSAND POUNDS' REWARD

VII. THE COLONEL'S DAUGHTER

VIII. THE BARONESS INTERVENES

IX. A BOX AT THE ALHAMBRA

X. OUTCAST

XI. FALSE SENTIMENT

XII. TIDINGS FROM THE CAPE

XIII. SEARCHING THE CHAMBERS

XIV. THE DEAD MAN'S BROTHER

XV. THE LAWYER'S SUGGESTION

XVI. A DINNER IN THE STRAND

XVII. A CONFESSION OF LOVE

XVIII. AN AMATEUR DETECTIVE

XIX. DESPERATE WOOING

XX. STABBED THROUGH THE HEART

XXI. THE FLIGHT OF LOUISE

XXII. THE CHATEAU OF ETARPE

XXIII. A PASSIONATE PILGRIM

XXIV. AN INVITATION TO DINNER

XXV. THE MAN IN THE YELLOW BOOTS

XXVI. MADAME DE MELBAIN

XXVII. THE SPY

XXVIII. THE SCENE IN THE AVENUE

XXIX. A SUBSTANTIAL GHOST

XXX. THE QUEEN OF MEXONIA

XXXI. RETURNED FROM THE TOMB

XXXII. AT THE HOTEL SPLENDIDE

XXXIII. A HAND IN THE GAME

XXXIV. AN ILL-ASSORTED COUPLE

XXXV. HIS WIFE

XXXVI. THE MURDERED MAN'S EFFECTS

XXXVII. THE WIDOW'S ULTIMATUM

XXXVIII. INEFFECTUAL WOOING

XXXIX. THE COLONEL'S MISSION

XL. BLACKMAIL

XLI. THE COLONEL SPEAKS

XLII. LOVE REMAINS

ILLUSTRATIONS

"THERE PLASHED ACROSS HER FACE A QUIVER, AS THOUGH OF PAIN"

"AT THE SIGHT OF THE TWO MEN, THE BARONESS STOPPED SHORT"

"HE WAS THERE ON HIS KNEES, WITH HIS ARMS AROUND THE TERRIFIED WOMAN"

"'TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION! THAT'S WHERE I'M OFF.'"

CHAPTER I

A MYSTERIOUS VISITOR

The man and the woman stood facing one another, although in the uncertain firelight which alone illuminated the room neither could see much save the outline of the other's form. The woman stood at the further end of the apartment by the side of the desk--his desk. The slim trembling fingers of one hand rested lightly upon it, the other was hanging by her side, nervously crumpling up the glove which she had only taken off a few minutes before. The man stood with his back to the door through which he had just entered. He was in evening dress; he carried an overcoat over his arm, and his hat was slightly on the back of his head. A cigarette was still burning between his lips, the key by means of which he had entered was swinging from his little finger. So far no words had passed between them. Both were apparently stupefied for the moment by the other's unexpected presence.

It was the man who recovered his self-possession first. He threw his overcoat into a chair, and touched the brass knobs behind the door. Instantly the room was flooded with the soft radiance of the electric lights. They could see one another now distinctly. The woman leaned a little forward, and there was amazement as well as fear flashing in her soft, dark eyes. Her voice, when she spoke, sounded to herself unnatural. To him it came as a surprise, for the world of men and women was his study, and he recognized at once its quality.

"Who are you?" she exclaimed. "What do you want?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"It seems to me," he answered, "that I might more fittingly assume the role of questioner. However, I have no objection to introduce myself. My name is Herbert Wrayson. May I ask," he continued with quiet sarcasm, "to what I am indebted for this unexpected visit?"