A Coin of Edward VII: A Detective Story
By Fergus Hume
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Fergus Hume
Fergus Hume (1859-1932) was an English novelist. Born in Worcestershire, Hume was the son of a civil servant of Scottish descent. At the age of three, he moved with his family to Dunedin, New Zealand, where he attended Otago Boy’s High School. In 1885, after graduating from the University of Otago with a degree in law, Hume was admitted to the New Zealand bar. He moved to Melbourne, Australia, where he worked as a clerk and embarked on his career as a writer with a series of plays. After struggling in vain to find success as a playwright, Hume turned to novels with The Mystery of a Hansom Cab (1886), a story of mystery and urban poverty that eventually became one of the most successful works of fiction of the Victorian era. Hume, who returned to England in 1888, would go on to publish over 100 novels and stories, earning a reputation as a leading writer of popular fiction and inspiring such figures as Arthur Conan Doyle, whose early detective novels were modeled after Hume’s. Despite the resounding success of his debut work of fiction, Hume died in relative obscurity at a modest cottage in Thundersley.
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A Coin of Edward VII - Fergus Hume
The Project Gutenberg eBook, A Coin of Edward VII, by Fergus Hume
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Title: A Coin of Edward VII
A Detective Story
Author: Fergus Hume
Release Date: July 15, 2008 [eBook #26063]
Most recently updated: May 12, 2010
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A COIN OF EDWARD VII***
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A COIN OF EDWARD VII.
Popular Novels by Fergus Hume
THE SECRET PASSAGE
The Albany Evening Journal says: Fully as interesting as his former books, and keeps one guessing to the end. The story begins with the murder of an old lady, with no apparent cause for the crime, and in unraveling the mystery the author is very clever in hiding the real criminal. A pleasing romance runs through the book, which adds to the interest.
12mo, Cloth bound, $1.25
THE YELLOW HOLLY
The Philadelphia Public Ledger says: 'The Yellow Holly' outdoes any of his earlier stories. It is one of those tales that the average reader of fiction of this sort thinks he knows all about after he has read the first few chapters. Those who have become admirers of Mr. Hume cannot afford to miss 'The Yellow Holly.'
12mo, Cloth bound, $1.25
A COIN OF EDWARD VII.
The Philadelphia Item says: This book is quite up to the level of the high standard which Mr. Hume has set for himself in 'The Mystery of a Hansom Cab' and 'The Rainbow Feather.' It is a brilliant, stirring adventure, showing the author's prodigious inventiveness, his well of imagination never running dry.
12mo, Cloth bound, $1.25
THE PAGAN'S CUP
The Nashville American says: The plot is intricate with mystery and probability neatly dovetailed and the solution is a series of surprises skillfully retarded to whet the interest of the reader. It is excellently written and the denouement so skillfully concealed that one's interest and curiosity are kept on edge till the very last. It will certainly be a popular book with a very large class of readers.
12mo, Cloth bound, $1.25
THE MANDARIN'S FAN
The Nashville American says: The book is most attractive and thoroughly novel in plot and construction. The mystery of the curious fan, and its being the key to such wealth and power is decidedly original and unique. Nearly every character in the book seems possible of accusation. It is just the sort of plot in which Hume is at his best. It is a complex tangle, full of splendid climaxes. Few authors have a charm equal to that of Mr. Hume's mystery tales.
12mo, Cloth bound, $1.25
G. W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY
PUBLISHERS NEW YORK
HE SAW THE FIGURE OF A WOMAN LYING FACE DOWNWARD ON THE SNOW.
—Page 45.
A COIN OF EDWARD VII.
A DETECTIVE STORY
BY
FERGUS HUME
AUTHOR OF
THE MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB
; THE PAGAN'S CUP
;
CLAUDE DUVAL OF 95
; THE RAINBOW FEATHER,
ETC.
G. W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY
PUBLISHERS NEW YORK
Copyright, 1903, by
G. W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
THE CHRISTMAS TREE
Two old ladies sat in the corner of the drawing-room. The younger—a colonial cousin of the elder—was listening eagerly to gossip which dealt with English society in general, and Rickwell society in particular. They presumably assisted in the entertainment of the children already gathered tumultuously round the Christmas tree, provided by Mr. Morley; but Mrs. Parry's budget of scandal was too interesting to permit the relaxing of Mrs. McKail's attention.
Ah yes,
said Mrs. Parry, a hatchet-faced dame with a venomous tongue and a retentive memory, Morley's fond of children, although he has none of his own.
But those three pretty little girls?
said Mrs. McKail, who was fat, fair, and considerably over forty.
Triplets,
replied the other, sinking her voice. The only case of triplets I have met with, but not his children. No, Mrs. Morley was a widow with triplets and money. Morley married her for the last, and had to take the first as part of the bargain. I don't deny but what he does his duty by the three.
Mrs. McKail's keen grey eyes wander to the fat, rosy little man who laughingly struggled amidst a bevy of children, the triplets included. He seems fond of them,
said she, nodding.
Seems!
emphasised Mrs. Parry shrewdly. Ha! I don't trust the man. If he were all he seems, would his wife's face wear that expression? No, don't tell me.
Mrs. Morley was a tall, lean, serious woman, dressed in sober grey. She certainly looked careworn, and appeared to participate in the festivities more as a duty than for the sake of amusement. He is said to be a good husband,
observed Mrs. McKail doubtfully. Are you sure?
I'm sure of nothing where men are concerned. I wouldn't trust one of them. Morley is attentive enough to his wife, and he adores the triplets—so he says; but I go by his eye. Orgy is written in that eye. It can pick out a pretty woman, my dear. Oh, his wife doesn't look sick with anxiety for nothing!
At any rate, he doesn't seem attentive to that pretty girl over there—the one in black with the young man.
Girl! She's twenty-five if she's an hour. I believe she paints and puts belladonna in her eyes. I wouldn't have her for my governess. No, she's too artful, though I can't agree with you about her prettiness.
Is she the governess?
Mrs. Parry nodded, and the ribbons on her cap curled like Medusa's snakes. For six months Mrs. Morley has put up with her. She teaches the Tricolor goodness knows what.
The Tricolor?
So we call the triplets. Don't you see one is dressed in red, another in white, and the third in blue? Morley's idea, I believe. As though a man had any right to interest himself in such things. We call them collectively the Tricolor, and Anne Denham is the governess. Pretty? No. Artful? Yes. See how she is trying to fascinate Ware!
That handsome young man with the fair moustache and——
The same,
interrupted Mrs. Parry, too eager to blacken character to give her friend a chance of concluding her sentence. Giles Ware, of Kingshart—the head of one of our oldest Essex families. He came into the estates two years ago, and has settled down into a country squire after a wild life. But the old Adam is in him, my dear. Look at his smile—and she doesn't seem to mind. Brazen creature!
And Mrs. Parry shuddered virtuously.
The other lady thought that Ware had a most fascinating smile, and was a remarkably handsome young man of the fair Saxon type. He certainly appeared to be much interested in the conversation of Miss Denham. But what young man could resist so beautiful a woman? For in spite of Mrs. Parry's disparagement Anne was a splendidly handsome brunette—with a temper,
added Mrs. McKail mentally, as she eyed the well-suited couple.
Mrs. Parry's tongue still raged like a prairie fire. And she knows he's engaged,
she snorted. Look at poor Daisy Kent out in the cold, while that woman monopolizes Ware! Ugh!
Is Miss Kent engaged to Mr. Ware?
For three years they have been engaged—a family arrangement, I understand. The late Kent and the late Ware,
explained Mrs. Parry, who always spoke thus politely of men, were the greatest of friends, which I can well understand, as each was an idiot. However, Ware died first and left his estate to Giles. A few months later Kent died and made Morley the guardian of his daughter Daisy, already contracted to be married to Giles.
Does he love her?
Oh, he's fond of her in a way, and he is anxious to obey the last wish of his father. But it seems to me that he is more in love with that black cat.
Hush! You will be heard.
Mrs. Parry snorted. I hope so, and by the cat herself,
she said grimly. I can't bear the woman. If I were Mrs. Morley I'd have her out of the house in ten minutes. Turn her out in the snow to cool her hot blood. What right has she to attract Ware and make him neglect that dear angel over there? See, yonder is Daisy. There's a face, there's charm, there's hair!
finished Mrs. Parry, quite unconscious that she was using the latest London slang. I call her a lovely creature.
Mrs. McKail did not agree with her venomous cousin. Daisy was a washed-out blonde with large blue eyes and a slack mouth. Under a hot July sky and with a flush of color she would have indeed been pretty; but the cold of winter and the neglect of Giles Ware shrivelled her up. In spite of the warmth of the room, the gaiety of the scene, she looked pinched and older than her years. But there was some sort of character in her face, for Mrs. McKail caught her directing a glance full of hatred at the governess. In spite of her ethereal prettiness, Daisy Kent was a good hater. Mrs. McKail felt sure of that. And she is much more of the cat type than the other one is,
thought the observant lady, too wise to speak openly.
However, Mrs. Parry still continued to destroy a character every time she opened her mouth. She called the rector a Papist; hinted that the doctor's wife was no better than she should be; announced that Morley owed money to his tradesmen, that he had squandered his wife's fortune; and finally wound up by saying that he would spend Daisy Kent's money when he got it. If it ever does come to her,
finished this amiable person.
Did her father leave her money?
asked Mrs. McKail.
He!
snapped the other; my dear, he was as poor as a church mouse, and left Daisy only a hundred a year to live on. That is the one decent thing about Morley. He did take Daisy in, and he does treat her well, though to be sure she is a pretty girl, and, as I say, he has an eye.
Then where does the fortune come from?
Kent was a half-brother who went out to America, and it is rumored that he made a fortune, which he intends to leave to his niece—that's Daisy. But I don't know all the details of this,
added Mrs. Parry, rubbing her beaky nose angrily; I must find out somehow. But here, my dear, those children are stripping the tree. Let us assist. We must give pleasure to the little ones. I have had six of my own, all married,
ended the good lady irrelevantly.
She might have added that her four sons and two daughters kept at a safe distance from their respected parent. On occasions she did pay a visit to one or the other, and usually created a disturbance. Yet this spiteful, mischief-making woman read her Bible, thought herself a Christian, and judged others as harshly as she judged herself leniently. Mrs. McKail was stopping with her, therefore could not tell her what she thought of her behavior; but she privately determined to cut short her visit and get away from this disagreeable old creature. In the meantime Mrs. Parry, smiling like the wicked fairy godmother with many teeth, advanced to meddle with the Christmas tree and set the children by the ears. She was a perfect Atê.
Giles said as much to Miss Denham, and she nervously agreed with him as though fearful lest her assent should reach the ears of Mrs. Parry. She has no love for me,
whispered Anne. I think you had better talk to Daisy, Mr. Ware.
I prefer to talk to you,
said Giles coolly. Daisy is like her name—a sweet little English meadow flower—and I love her very dearly. But she has never been out of England, and sometimes we are at a loss what to talk about. Now you?
I am a gipsy,
interrupted Anne, lest he should say something too complimentary; a she-Ulysses, who has travelled far and wide. In spite of your preference for my conversation, I wish I were Daisy.
Do you?
asked Ware eagerly. Why?
Anne flushed and threw back her head proudly. She could not altogether misunderstand his meaning or the expression of his eyes, but she strove to turn the conversation with a laugh. You ask too many questions, Mr. Ware,
she said coldly. I think Daisy is one of the sweetest of girls, and I envy her. To have a happy home, a kind guardian as Mr. Morley is, and a——
She was about to mention Giles, but prudently suppressed the remark.
Go on,
he said quietly, folding his arms.
She shook her head and bit her lip. You keep me from my work. I must attend to my duties. A poor governess, you know.
With a laugh she joined the band of children, who were besieging Morley.
Giles remained where he was, his eyes fixed moodily on the ground. For more than five months he had fought against an ever-growing passion for the governess. He knew that he was in honor bound to marry Daisy, and that she loved him dearly, yet his heart was with Anne Denham. Her beauty, her brilliant conversation, her charm of manner, all appealed to him strongly. And he had a shrewd suspicion that she was not altogether indifferent to him, although she loyally strove to hide her true feelings. Whenever he became tender, she ruthlessly laughed at him: she talked constantly of Daisy and of her many charms, and on every occasion strove to throw her into the company of Giles. She managed to do so on this occasion, for Giles heard a rather pettish voice at his elbow, and looked down to behold a flushed face. Daisy was angry, and looked the prettier for her anger.
You have scarcely spoken to me all night,
she said, taking his arm; I do think you are unkind.
My dear, you have been so busy with the children. And, indeed,
he added, with a grave smile, you are scarcely more than a child yourself, Daisy.
I am woman enough to feel neglect.
I apologize—on my knees, dearest.
Oh, it's easy saying so,
pouted Daisy, but you know Anne——
What about Miss Denham?
asked Giles, outwardly calm.
You like her.
She is a very charming woman, but you are to be my wife. Jealous little girl, can I not be ordinarily civil to Miss Denham without you getting angry?
"You need not be so very civil."
I won't speak to her at all if you like,
replied Ware, with a fine assumption of carelessness.
Oh, if you only wouldn't,
Daisy stopped—then continued passionately, I wish she would go away. I don't like her.
She is fond of you, Daisy.
Yes. And a cat is fond of a mouse. Mrs. Parry says——
Don't quote that odious woman, child,
interrupted Ware sharply. She has a bad word for everyone.
Well, she doesn't like Anne.
Does she like anyone?
asked Giles coolly. Come, Daisy, don't wrinkle your face, and I'll take you out for a drive in my motor-car in a few days.
To-morrow! to-morrow!
cried Daisy, her face wreathed in smiles.
No. I daren't do that on Christmas Day. What would the rector say? As the lord of the manor I must set an example. On Boxing Day if you like.
We will go alone?
Certainly. Who do you expect me to ask other than you?
Anne,
said Daisy spitefully, and before he could reply she also moved away to join the children. Giles winced. He felt that he was in the wrong and had given his little sweetheart some occasion for jealousy. He resolved to mend his ways and shun the too fascinating society of the enchantress. Shaking off his moody feeling, he came forward to assist Morley. The host was a little man, and could not reach the gifts that hung on the topmost boughs of the tree. Giles being tall and having a long reach of arm, came to his aid.
That's right, that's right,
gasped Morley, his round face red and shining with his exertions, the best gifts are up here.
As the best gifts of man are from heaven,
put in Mrs. Parry, with her usual tact.
Morley laughed. Quite so, quite so,
he said, careful as was everyone else not to offend the lady, but on this occasion we can obtain the best gifts. I and Ware and Mrs. Morley have contributed to the tree. The children have their presents, now for the presents of the grown-ups.
By this time the children were gorged with food and distracted by many presents. They were seated everywhere, many on the floor, and the room was a chaos of dolls, trumpets, toy-horses, and drums. The chatter of the children and the noise of the instruments was fearful. But Morley seemed to enjoy the riot, and even his wife's grave face relaxed when she saw her three precious jewels rosy with pleasure. She drew Anne's attention to them, and the governess smiled sympathetically. Miss Denham was popular with everyone save Daisy in that happy home.
Meantime Giles handed down the presents. Mrs. Morley received a chain purse from her affectionate husband; Mrs. Parry a silver cream-jug, which she immediately priced as cheap; Mrs. McKail laughed delightedly over a cigarette-case, which she admitted revealed her favorite vice; and the rector was made happy with a motor-bicycle.
It has been taken to your house this evening,
explained Morley. We couldn't put that on the tree. Ha! ha!
A muff-chain for Daisy,
said Giles, presenting her with the packet, and I hope you will like it, dear.
Did you buy it?
she asked, sparkling and palpitating.
Of course. I bought presents both for you and Miss Denham. Here is yours,
he added, turning to the governess, who grew rosy, a very simple bangle. I wish it were more worthy of your acceptance,
and he handed it with a bow.
Daisy, her heart filled with jealousy, glided away. Giles saw her face, guessed her feeling, and followed. In a corner he caught her, and placed something on her finger. Our engagement ring,
he whispered, and Daisy once more smiled. Her lover smiled also. But his heart was heavy.
CHAPTER II
AN ANONYMOUS LETTER
After the riot of the evening came the silence of the night. The children departed amidst the stormy laughter of Morley, and it was Anne's task to see that the triplets were put comfortably to bed. She sat in the nursery, and watched the washing and undressing and hair-curling, and listened to their joyous chatter about the wonderful presents and the wonderful pleasures of that day. Afterwards, when they were safely tucked away, she went down to supper and received the compliments of Morley on her capability in entertaining children. Mrs. Morley also, and in a more genuine way, added her quota of praise.
You are my right hand, Miss Denham,
she said, with a smile in her weary blue eyes. I don't know what I shall do without you.
Oh, Miss Denham is not going,
said the master of the house.
Who knows?
smiled Anne. I have always been a wanderer, and it may be that I shall be called away suddenly.
It was on the tip of Morley's tongue to ask by whom, but the hardening of Anne's face and the flash of her dark eyes made him change his mind. All the same he concluded that there was someone by whom she might be summoned and guessed also that the obeying of the call would come as an unwilling duty. Mrs. Morley saw nothing of this. She had not much brain power, and what she had was devoted to considerations dealing with the passing hour. At the present moment she could only think that it was time for supper, and that all present were hungry and tired.
Hungry Anne certainly was not, but she confessed to feeling weary. Making some excuse she retired to her room, but not to sleep. When the door was locked she put on her dressing-gown, shook down her long black hair, and sat by the fire.
Her thoughts were not pleasant. Filled with shame at the knowledge of his treachery towards the woman he was engaged to marry, Giles had kept close to Daisy's side during supper and afterwards. He strove to interest himself in her somewhat childish chatter, and made her so happy by his mere presence that her face was shining with smiles. Transfigured by love and by gratified vanity, Daisy looked really pretty, and in her heart was scornful of poor Anne thus left out in the cold. She concluded that Giles loved her best after all, and did not see how he every now and then stealthily glanced at the governess wearily striving to interest herself in the breezy conversation of Morley or the domestic chatter of his wife. In her heart Anne had felt a pang at this desertion, although she knew that it was perfectly justifiable, and unable to bear the sight of Daisy's brilliant face, she retired thus early.
She loved Giles. It was no use blinking the fact. She loved him with every fibre of her nature, and with a passion far stronger than could be felt for him by the golden-haired doll with the shallow eyes. For Giles she would have lost the world, but she would not have him lose his for her. And, after all, she had no right to creep like a serpent into the Eden of silly, prattling Daisy. In her own puny way the child—for she was little else—adored Giles, and as he was her affianced lover it would be base to come between her and her god. But Anne knew in her heart that Giles loved her best. If she did but lift her hand he would leave all and follow her to the world's end. But lift her hand she would not. It would be too cruel to break the butterfly Daisy on such a painful wheel. Anne loved sufficiently to be large and generous in her nature, and therefore broke her own heart to spare the breaking of another woman's. Certainly Giles was as unhappy as she was; that was patent in his looks and bearing. But he had forged his own chains, and could not break them without dishonor. And come what may, Giles would always love her best.
Anne's meditations were disturbed by a knock at the door. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was close on midnight, and wondering who wished to see her at so late an hour, she opened the door. Daisy, in a blue dressing-gown, with her golden hair loose and her face flushed, entered the room. She skipped towards Anne with a happy laugh, and threw her arms round her neck.
I could not sleep without telling you how happy I am,
she said, and with a look of triumph displayed the ring.
Anne's heart beat violently at this visible sign of the barrier between her and Giles. However, she was too clever a woman to betray her emotion, and examined the ring with a forced smile.
Diamonds for your eyes, rubies for your lips,
she said softly. A very pretty fancy.
Daisy was annoyed. She would rather that Anne had