第84章 Erica to the Rescue (4)

There was no time to lose; the latest train for the Continent left at 9:25, and before Haeberlein had adjusted his new disguise the clock struck nine.Erica very carefully blackened his eyebrows and ruthlessly sheared the long black wig to an ordinary and unnoticeable length, and, when Tom's ulster and hat were added, the disguise was so perfect, and made Haeberlein look so absurdly young, that Raeburn himself could not possibly have recognized him.

In past years Raeburn had often risked a great deal for his friend.

At one time his house had been watched day and night in consequence of his well-known friendship with the Republican Don Quixote.

Unfortunately, therefore, it was only too probable that Haeberlein in risking his visit this evening might have run into a trap.If he were being searched for, his friend's house would almost inevitably be watched.

They exchanged farewells, not without some show of emotion on each side, and just at the last Raeburn hastily bent down and kissed Erica's forehead, at his heart a sickening sense of anxiety.She too was anxious, but she was very happy to have found on the evening of her baptism so unusual a service to render to her father, and, besides, the consciousness of danger always raised her spirits.

When, as they had half expected, they found the would-be natural-looking detective prowling up and down the cul-de-sac, it was no effort to her to begin at once a laughing account of a school examination which Charles Osmond had told her about, and so naturally and brightly did she talk that, though actually brushing past the spy under the full light of the street lamp., she entirely disarmed suspicion.

It was a horrible moment, however.Her heart beat wildly as they passed on, and every moment she thought she should hear quick steps behind them.But nothing came of it, and in a few minutes they were walking down Southampton Row.When this was safely passed, she began to feel comparatively at ease.Haeberlein thought they might take a cab.

"Not a hansom," she said, quickly, as he was on the point of hailing one."You would be so much more exposed, you know!"Haeberlein extolled her common sense, and they secured a four-wheeler and drove to Cannon Street.

Talking now became more possible.Haeberlein leaned far back in the corner, and spoke in low tones.

"Thou has been my salvation, Erica," he said, pressing her hand.

"That fellow would never have let me pass in the Italian costume.

Thou wert right as usual, it was theatrical how do you call stagey, is it not?

"I am a little troubled about your mouth," said Erica, smiling, "the mustache doesn't disguise it, and it looks so good-tempered and like itself.Can't you feel severe just for half an hour?"Haeberlein smiled his irresistibly sweet smile, and tried to comply with her wishes, but not very successfully.

"I think," said Erica, presently, "it will be the best way, if you don't mind, for you just to stroll through the booking office while I take your ticket.I can meet you by the book stall and I will still talk for us both in case you betray your accent.""HERZBLATTCHEN!" exclaimed Haeberlein, "how shall I ever repay thee! Thou art a real canny little Scot! I only wish I had half thy caution and forethought!""Don't look like that!" said Erica, laughing, as the benignant expression once more came over his lips."You really must try to turn down the corners! Your character is a silent, morose misanthrope.I am the chatter box, pure and simple."They were both laughing when they drew near to the station, but a sense of the risk sobered Haeberlein, and Erica carried out her programme to perfection.It was rather a shock to her, indeed, to find a detective keenly inspecting all who went to the ticket office.He stood so close to the pigeon hole that Erica doubted whether Herr Haeberlein's eyebrows, improved though they were, could possibly have escaped detection.It required all her self command to prevent her color from rising and her fingers from trembling as she received the ticket and change under that steady scrutiny.Then she passed out on to the platform and found that Herr Haeberlein had been wise enough to buy the paper which least sympathized with his views, and in a few minutes he was safely disposed in the middle of a well-filled carriage.

Erica took out her watch.There were still three minutes before the train started, three long, interminable minutes! She looked down the platform, and her heart died within her; for, steadily advancing toward them, she saw two men making careful search in every carriage.

Herr Haeberlein was sitting with his back to the engine.Between him and the door sat a lady with a copy of the "Graphic" on her knee.If she could only have been persuaded to read it, it might have made an effectual screen.She tried to will her to take it up, but without success.And still the detectives moved steadily forward with their keen scrutiny.

Erica was in despair.Herr Haeberlein imagined himself safe now, and she could not warn him without attracting the notice and rousing the suspicion of the passengers.To complete her misery, she saw that he had pushed his wig a little on one side, and through the black hair she caught a glimpse of silver gray.

Her heart beat so fast that it almost choked her, but still she forced herself to talk and laugh, though every moment the danger drew nearer.At the very last moment an inspiration came to her.

The detectives were examining the next carriage.