The Devil and Ms. Baxter - Part III

A development between Ms. Baxter and the mysterious stranger which may bode ominous.

Lucy paid her customary visit to her sister that night, and it so happened that, as they sat in the drawing-room conversing, her brother-in-law appeared, carrying a bunch of banknotes.

“Good evening, dear”, he said to his wife, kissing her on the forehead.

“Good evening, dear”, she replied.

“Good evening, Lucy”, he said.

“Good evening, John”, Lucy replied.

Lucy then watched as he went to a large portrait of the Duke of Wellington that hung over the fireplace, carefully removed it from its perch, and placed it on the floor. There was a small hollow in the wall into which he placed the money. Lucy was pleased that tomorrow she would be able to give Aleister the information he required.

 

Aleister greeted the news in silence, as they walked along the moors together. Finally, he said: “Lucy, I am going to confide in you now, something that you must not tell.”

“Oh, I shall never tell. I should die before telling.”

“Very well. I am in great personal peril. There are people who seek my life.”

“But why should anybody -“

“It is money. It is always money, blast them. I am indebted to someone, I cannot tell you who, for knowledge of it would imperil your life as well as mine. I have been in debt to this man for some time and, try as I might, I have been unable to acquire the funds to discharge it. Now I am threatened with imminent demise.”

“What will you do?”

“I must flee. To the ends of the earth if needs be. This man has contacts in every inhabited corner of the globe. I do not know if I can escape him, but I must try.”

“Oh, no. I’m coming with you.”

“No, my sweet darling. I esteem you far to much to allow that.”

Here he softly caressed her cheek. “If I ever can, I wil return to you. But now I must take to the fox’s path, and shun the society of man to avoid my enemies’ fatal clutches. I leave this evening.”

“Is there no other way?”

“I fear not.” Aleister fell silent, as if in contemplation. “Unless I were to procure the money. But I have no money, and no hope of it.”

He paused again. “There is only one possibility of getting it. Your brother-in-law. He is the richest man in these parts.”

“Do you intend to ask his charity?”

“No. that would never do. I must procure it, borrow it, without his knowledge.”

“Do you mean…”

“Yes, my dear. You are my only hope. Though it pains me almost beyond endurance to ask it, will you get that money?”

“No. I couldn’t steal it. That is what you are saying, isn’t it?”

“Is it to steal when I must die for want of it? Do not doubt that these men are after my blood. They will be appeased only by blood or by money. Is my blood not more precious than your brother’s gold?”

“But…” Lucy could not continue, as her underlip began to quiver.

“It is a man’s life hangs in the balance. The man who loves you, Lucy.”

Lucy was silent.

“You said your brother is away for some days?”

“Yes.”

“Then if you were to take the money we may yet replace it before he notes its absence. I have certain speculations that may be on the verge of coming good. Only I cannot wait. And even if he were to notice, he would not suspect you. Who could suspect one so sweet and guileless as you?”

“You would replace it, then?” she asked.

“Certainly. I would not allow myself rest until I had replaced it all, with interest. The honour of my soul would rest on the repayment.”

Lucy raised her eyes to look at Aleister; his once cold eyes seemed to be melting with emotion, and his countenance seemed to be expressive of the utmost nobility and pride. Without seeming to will it, her voice said: “I will do it.”

“Thank you,” he said, embracing her. “Now, you must do it, come what may come. My life depends on it."

 

End of Part Three