The Lair of the White Worm

"But," said Adam, "how could she have known we were here? She didn'tknow last night."

"I don't think we need trouble about that, Adam. There is so much we donot understand. This is only another mystery. Suffice it that she doesknow--perhaps it is all the better and safer for us."

"How is that?" asked Adam with a puzzled look.

"General process of reasoning, my boy; and the experience of some yearsin the diplomatic world. This creature is a monster without heart orconsideration for anything or anyone. She is not nearly so dangerous inthe open as when she has the dark to protect her. Besides, we know, byour own experience of her movements, that for some reason she shunspublicity. In spite of her vast bulk and abnormal strength, she isafraid to attack openly. After all, she is only a snake and with asnake's nature, which is to keep low and squirm, and proceed by stealthand cunning. She will never attack when she can run away, although sheknows well that running away would probably be fatal to her. What is theletter about?"

Sir Nathaniel's voice was calm and self-possessed. When he was engagedin any struggle of wits he was all diplomatist.

"She asks Mimi and me to tea this afternoon at Diana's Grove, and hopesthat you also will favour her."

Sir Nathaniel smiled.

"Please ask Mrs. Salton to accept for us all."

"She means some deadly mischief. Surely--surely it would be wiser not."

"It is an old trick that we learn early in diplomacy, Adam--to fight onground of your own choice. It is true that she suggested the place onthis occasion; but by accepting it we make it ours. Moreover, she willnot be able to understand our reason for doing so, and her own badconscience--if she has any, bad or good--and her own fears and doubtswill play our game for us. No, my dear boy, let us accept, by allmeans."

Adam said nothing, but silently held out his hand, which his companionshook: no words were necessary.

When it was getting near tea-time, Mimi asked Sir Nathaniel how they weregoing.

"We must make a point of going in state. We want all possiblepublicity." Mimi looked at him inquiringly. "Certainly, my dear, in thepresent circumstances publicity is a part of safety. Do not be surprisedif, whilst we are at Diana's Grove, occasional messages come for you--forall or any of us."

"I see!" said Mrs. Salton. "You are taking no chances."

"None, my dear. All I have learned at foreign courts, and amongstcivilised and uncivilised people, is going to be utilised within the nextcouple of hours."

Sir Nathaniel's voice was full of seriousness, and it brought to Mimi ina convincing way the awful gravity of the occasion.

In due course, they set out in a carriage drawn by a fine pair of horses,who soon devoured the few miles of their journey. Before they came tothe gate, Sir Nathaniel turned to Mimi.

"I have arranged with Adam certain signals which may be necessary ifcertain eventualities occur. These need be nothing to do with youdirectly. But bear in mind that if I ask you or Adam to do anything, donot lose a second in the doing of it. We must try to pass off suchmoments with an appearance of unconcern. In all probability, nothingrequiring such care will occur. The White Worm will not try force,though she has so much of it to spare. Whatever she may attempt to-day,of harm to any of us, will be in the way of secret plot. Some other timeshe may try force, but--if I am able to judge such a thing--not to-day.The messengers who may ask for any of us will not be witnesses only, theymay help to stave off danger." Seeing query in her face, he went on: "Ofwhat kind the danger may be, I know not, and cannot guess. It willdoubtless be some ordinary circumstance; but none the less dangerous onthat account. Here we are at the gate. Now, be careful in all matters,however small. To keep your head is half the battle."

There were a number of men in livery in the hall when they arrived. Thedoors of the drawing-room were thrown open, and Lady Arabella came forthand offered them cordial welcome. This having been got over, LadyArabella led them into another room where tea was served.

Adam was acutely watchful and suspicious of everything, and saw on thefar side of this room a panelled iron door of the same colour andconfiguration as the outer door of the room where was the well-holewherein Oolanga had disappeared. Something in the sight alarmed him, andhe quietly stood near the door. He made no movement, even of his eyes,but he could see that Sir Nathaniel was watching him intently, and, hefancied, with approval.

They all sat near the table spread for tea, Adam still near the door.Lady Arabella fanned herself, complaining of heat, and told one of thefootmen to throw all the outer doors open.

Tea was in progress when Mimi suddenly started up with a look of frighton her face; at the same moment, the men became cognisant of a thicksmoke which began to spread through the room--a smoke which made thosewho experienced it gasp and choke. The footmen began to edge uneasilytowards the inner door. Denser and denser grew the smoke, and more acridits smell. Mimi, towards whom the draught from the open door wafted thesmoke, rose up choking, and ran to the inner door, which she threw opento its fullest extent, disclosing on the outside a curtain of thin silk,fixed to the doorposts. The draught from the open door swayed the thinsilk towards her, and in her fright, she tore down the curtain, whichenveloped her from head to foot. Then she ran through the still opendoor, heedless of the fact that she could not see where she was going.Adam, followed by Sir Nathaniel, rushed forward and joined her--Adamcatching his wife by the arm and holding her tight. It was well that hedid so, for just before her lay the black orifice of the well-hole,which, of course, she could not see with the silk curtain round her head.The floor was extremely slippery; something like thick oil had beenspilled where she had to pass; and close to the edge of the hole her feetshot from under her, and she stumbled forward towards the well-hole.

When Adam saw Mimi slip, he flung himself backward, still holding her.His weight told, and he dragged her up from the hole and they felltogether on the floor outside the zone of slipperiness. In a moment hehad raised her up, and together they rushed out through the open doorinto the sunlight, Sir Nathaniel close behind them. They were all paleexcept the old diplomatist, who looked both calm and cool. It sustainedand cheered Adam and his wife to see him thus master of himself. Bothmanaged to follow his example, to the wonderment of the footmen, who sawthe three who had just escaped a terrible danger walking together gaily,as, under the guiding pressure of Sir Nathaniel's hand, they turned to re-enter the house.

Lady Arabella, whose face had blanched to a deadly white, now resumed herministrations at the tea-board as though nothing unusual had happened.The slop-basin was full of half-burned brown paper, over which tea hadbeen poured.

Sir Nathaniel had been narrowly observing his hostess, and took the firstopportunity afforded him of whispering to Adam:

"The real attack is to come--she is too quiet. When I give my hand toyour wife to lead her out, come with us--and caution her to hurry. Don'tlose a second, even if you have to make a scene. Hs-s-s-h!"

Then they resumed their places close to the table, and the servants, inobedience to Lady Arabella's order, brought in fresh tea.

Thence on, that tea-party seemed to Adam, whose faculties were at theirutmost intensity, like a terrible dream. As for poor Mimi, she was sooverwrought both with present and future fear, and with horror at thedanger she had escaped, that her faculties were numb. However, she wasbraced up for a trial, and she felt assured that whatever might come shewould be able to go throu

gh with it. Sir Nathaniel seemed just asusual--suave, dignified, and thoughtful--perfect master of himself.

To her husband, it was evident that Mimi was ill at ease. The way shekept turning her head to look around her, the quick coming and going ofthe colour of her face, her hurried breathing, alternating with periodsof suspicious calm, were evidences of mental perturbation. To her, theattitude of Lady Arabella seemed compounded of social sweetness andpersonal consideration. It would be hard to imagine more thoughtful andtender kindness towards an honoured guest.