[Gutenberg 1976] • Peter Ruff and the Double Four

Excerpt: ..."My wife brought Lady Brownloe, and the brougham only holds two comfortably." Prince Albert made no reply. He seemed just then scarcely capable of speech. When they had reached the pavement, however, the Baron took his arm. "My young friend," he inquired, "how much does it all amount to?" The Prince turned towards him with darkening face. "You knew, then," he demanded, "that Mr. Courtledge was going to speak to me of my debts?" "I was sorry to hear that it had become necessary," the Baron answered. "You must not take it too seriously. You know very well that at a club like the Berkeley, which has such a varied membership, card debts must be settled on the spot." "Mine will be settled before mid-day to-morrow," the young man declared, sullenly. "I am not sure that it may not be to-night." De Grost was silent for a moment. They had turned into Piccadilly. He summoned a taxicab. "Do you mind coming round to my house and talking to me, for a few minutes?" he asked. The young man hesitated. "I'll come round later on," he suggested. "I have a call to make first." De Grost held open the door of the taxicab. "I want a talk with you," he said, "before you make that call." "You speak as though you knew where I was going," the Prince remarked. His companion made no reply, but the door of the taxicab was still open and his hand had fallen ever so slightly upon the other's shoulder. The Prince yielded to the stronger will. He stepped inside. They drove in silence to Porchester Square. The Baron led the way through into his own private sanctum, and closed the door carefully. Cigars, cigarettes, whiskey and soda, and liqueurs were upon the sideboard. "Help yourself, Prince," he begged, "and then, if you don't mind, I am going to ask you a somewhat impertinent question." The Prince drank the greater part of a whiskey and soda and lit a cigarette. Then he set his tumbler down and frowned. "Baron de Grost," he said, "you have been very kind to me since I have had...