The Bond of Black. Le Queux William

and to whom a lover was no new experience. Beneath these strange declarations there was, I felt certain, some hidden meaning, but its nature I utterly failed to grasp.

      I was young, impetuous, madly in love with this mysterious, beautiful woman who had come so suddenly into my otherwise happy, irresponsible life, and I had made my declaration of affection without counting the cost.

      “I care not what evil may fall upon me,” I said boldly, holding her hand in tightening grip. “I have heard you, and have decided that I will love you, Aline.”

      Again I raised her hand, and in silence she allowed me to kiss her fingers, without seeking to withdraw them.

      She only sighed. I thought there was a passing look of pity in her eyes for a single moment, but could not decide whether it had really been there or whether it was merely imaginary.

      “Then, if that is your decision, so let it be!” she murmured hoarsely.

      And we were silent for a long time.

      I looked into her beautiful eyes in admiration, for was I not now her lover? Was not Aline Cloud my beloved?

      The dying day darkened into night, and Simes entering to draw down the blinds compelled us to converse on topics far from our inmost thoughts.

      She allowed me to smoke, but when I invited her to dine, she firmly declined.

      “No,” she answered. “For to-day this is sufficient. I regret that I called to visit you – I shall regret it all my life through.”

      “Why?” I demanded, dismayed. “Ah, don’t say that, Aline! Remember that you’ve permitted me to love you.”

      “I have only permitted what I cannot obviate,” she answered, in a hard, strained voice. I saw that tears were in her eyes, and that she was now filled with regret.

      Yet I loved her, and felt that my true, honest affection must sooner or later be reciprocated.

      Without further word she rose, drew on her gloves, placed her warm cape around her shoulders and pulled down her veil. Then she stretched forth her hand.

      “You will not remain and dine? Do!” I urged.

      “Not to-night,” she answered, in a voice quite different from her usual tone. “I will accept your invitation on another occasion.”

      “When shall I see you?” I asked. “May I hope to-morrow?”

      “I will call when it is possible,” she replied. “You say you love me. Then promise me one thing.”

      “Anything you wish I am ready to grant,” I answered.

      “Then do not write to me, or seek me. I will call and see you whenever my time admits.”

      “But may I not write?” I asked.

      “No,” she answered firmly. “No letters must pass between us.”

      I saw that she meant to enforce this condition, therefore did not argue, but reluctantly took leave of her after her refusal to allow me to accompany her back to Hampstead.

      Again she allowed me to kiss her hand, then turning slowly she sighed and passed out, preceded by Simes, who opened the door for her.

      I sank back into my chair when the door closed upon her, puzzled yet ecstatic. This woman, the most beautiful I had ever seen, had allowed me to love her.

      I had at last an object in life. Aline Cloud was my well-beloved, and I would live only for her. In those moments, as I sat alone gazing into the fire, I became filled with a great content, for infatuation had overwhelmed me.

      The clock striking seven at last aroused me to a sense of hunger, and I rose to dross before going along to the club to dine. As I did so, however, my eyes suddenly fell upon the mantel-shelf, and I stood amazed, dumbfounded, rooted to the spot.

      Upon the shelf there had been a small wooden medallion, a specimen of the Russian peasants’ carving, representing the head of a Madonna – I had bought it in Moscow a year before – but an utterly astounding thing had occurred.

      I could scarce believe my own eyes.

      It had been consumed by an unseen fire, just as the crucifix had been, and nothing but a little white ash now remained!

      “Good heavens!” I gasped; and with my finger touched the ashes.

      They were still warm!

      I stood wondering, my gaze fixed upon the consumed Madonna, reflecting that upon the occasion of Aline’s last visit my crucifix was destroyed in the same manner by some unseen agency, and now, strangely enough, this second sacred emblem in my possession had with her presence disappeared, falling into ashes beneath my very eyes.

      The mysterious influence of evil she confessed to possessing was here illustrated in a manner that was unmistakable.

      In an instant all the strange words she had uttered swept through my bewildered brain as I stood there terrified, aghast.

      The mystery surrounding her was as inexplicable as it was startling.

      Chapter Five

      The Bony-Faced Man

      Daily the problem grew more puzzling.

      The fusing of the crucifix and the carved medallion of the Madonna were clearly due to the presence of the mysterious Aline, the beautiful woman who had warned me against the strange evil she exerted over those with whom she came in contact. Such occurrences seemed supernatural; yet so curious were her words and actions, and so peculiar and impressive her beauty, that I could not help doubting whether she actually existed in flesh and blood, or only in some bright vision that had come to hold me in fascination. Yet Simes had seen her, and had spoken with her. There was therefore no doubt that she was a living person, even though she might be a sorceress.

      Nevertheless, they were something more than mere conjuring feats which caused the sacred objects in my room to spontaneously consume in her presence. Had she not told me plainly that evil followed in her footsteps? Did not these two inexplicable events fully bear out her words?

      I called Simes, and when I showed him the Madonna he stood glaring at it as one terrified.

      “I don’t like that lady, sir,” he exclaimed, glancing at me.

      “Why not?”

      “Well, sir, pardon me for saying so, but I believe she can work the evil of the very Devil himself.”

      That was exactly my own opinion; therefore I preserved silence.

      As lover of a woman possessed of a mysterious influence, the like of which I had never before heard, my position was certainly an unique one. In the days which followed I tried to argue with myself that I did not love her; to convince myself that what she had alleged was true, namely, that I admired but did not love her. Yet all was in vain. I was fascinated by her large blue eyes, which looked out upon me with that calm, childlike innocence, and remaining beneath their spell, believed that I loved her.

      The mystery with which she had surrounded herself was remarkable. Her refusal to allow me to call upon her, or even to write, was strange, yet her excuse that her aunt would be annoyed was plausible enough.

      Compelled, therefore, to await her visit, I remained from day to day anxious to meet her because I loved her.

      On entering the club one afternoon I found Roddy alone in the smoking-room, writing a letter.

      “Well!” he cried, merrily, gripping my hand. “How goes it – and how’s your little mystery going on?”

      I sank into a chair close to him and told him of Aline’s visit.

      “And you’re clean gone on her – eh?” he queried.

      I shrugged my shoulders and gave him a vague reply.

      “Well, take care,” he said in a serious tone. “If I were you I’d find out who and what she is. She might be some adventuress or other.”

      “Do you suspect her to be an adventuress?” I inquired quickly.

      “My