With that I desired my driver to pull up, and waved my hand to the others, motioning to them that the road was theirs.
But when I stopped they stopped, and the Colonel jeered.
When I drove on they came along too, laughing.
We did this several times; and when at the two roads just through Hospenthal, one by the St. Gothard, the other leading to the Furka, I took the first for a short distance, then turned back, just to try my pursuers.
They still stuck to me.
My heart sank within me.
I was in this accursed soldier's claws.
He had collared me, he was on my back, and I felt that I must throw up the sponge.
"I gave you fair notice that you would not get rid of me, and by heaven you shall not," he cried fiercely, putting off all at once the lighter mockery of his tone. "I know what is taking you to Brieg.
You think to find your confederate there, and you hope that, combined, the two of you will get the better of that lady.
You sha'n't, not if I can prevent you by any means in my power; understand that, and look out for squalls if you try."
I confess he cowed me; he was so strong, so masterful, and, as I began to fear, so unscrupulous, that I felt I could not make head against him.
Certainly not alone.
I must have Tiler's help, his counsel, countenance, active support.
I must get in touch with him at the earliest possible moment and my nearest way to him, situated as I was now, must be at or through Brieg.
So I resigned myself to my fate, and suffered myself to be driven on with my pertinacious escort hanging on to me mile after mile of my wearing and interminable journey.
We pulled up for luncheon and a short rest at the Furka; again in the afternoon at the Rhone Glacier. Then we pursued our way all along the valley, with the great snow peak of the Matterhorn in front of us, through village and hamlet, in the fast fading light, and so on under the dark but luminous sky into Munster, Fiesch, and Morel, till at length we rolled into Brieg about 11 p.m.
I drove straight to the Hotel de la Poste, careless that my tormentors were accompanying me; they could do me no more harm, and Tiler was at hand to help in vindicating our position.
There was no Tiler at the Hotel de la Poste; no Tiler in Brieg.
Only a brief telegram from him conveying unwelcome and astounding intelligence. It had been despatched from Vevey about 2 p.m., and it said:
"Lost her somewhere between this and Lausanne.
Am trying back.
Shall wire you again to Brieg.
Wait there or leave address."
My face must have betrayed my abject despair.
I was so completely knocked over that I offered no opposition when the Colonel impudently took the telegram out of my hand and read it coolly.
"Drawn blank!" he cried, unable to contain himself for joy. "By the Lord Harry, that's good."
CHAPTER X. [The Statement of the Second Detective, Ludovic Tiler.]
I travelled via Ostend, Brussels and Strasburg, and was due at Basle from that side at 4.35 a.m. My instructions were to look out for Falfani there, and thought I might do so if our train was fairly punctual, as it was.
We were "on time," and the answer to my first question was that the Lucerne express was still at the platform, but on the point of departure.
I got one glimpse of Falfani and one word with him.
He was in trouble himself; they had nipped him, caught him tight, and thrown him off the scent.
I was now to take up the running.
"You've got your chance now, Ludovic," he said hurriedly, as he leaned out of the carriage window. "I'm not jealous, as you often are, but it's deuced hard on me. Anyhow, stick to her like wax, and keep your eyes skinned.
She's got the wiles of the devil, and will sell you like a dog if you don't mind.
Hurry now; you'll pick her up in the waiting-room or restaurant, and can't miss her."
He gave me the description, and I left him, promising him a wire at the telegraph office, Lucerne.
He was right, there was no mistaking her.
Few people were about at that time in the morning, and there was not a soul among the plain-headed, commonplace Swiss folk to compare with her, an English lady with her belongings.
She was quite a beauty, tall, straight, lissom, in her tight-fitting ulster; her piquante-looking heather cap perched on chestnut curls, and setting off as handsome a face as I have ever seen.
And I have seen and admired many, for I don't deny that I've a strong penchant for pretty women, and this was the pick of the basket.
It was rather a bore to be put on to her in the way of business; but why should I not get a little pleasure out of it if I could?
I need not be disagreeable; it might help matters and pass the time pleasantly, even if in the end I might have to show my teeth.
I saw her looking me over as I walked into the waiting-room, curiously, critically, and for a moment I fancied she guessed who I was.
Had she seen me talking to Falfani?
If so—if she thought me one of her persecutors—she would hardly look upon me without repugnance, yet I almost believed it was all the other way. I had an idea that she did not altogether dislike me, that she was pleased with my personal appearance.
Why not?
I had had my successes in my time, and may say, although it sounds conceited, that I had won the approval of other ladies quite as high-toned.
By and by it might be my unpleasant duty to be disagreeable. In the meantime it would be amusing, enjoyable, to make friends.
So far I had still to ascertain the direction in which she was bound.