The Shadow's Shadow

CHAPTER XXII CARLETON GIVES ORDERS

AT four o’clock the next afternoon, Shelton Milbrook called at the home of Stanford Devaux. He frowned when he stood in the hall, for he could see the form of Douglas Carleton at the other side of the living room.

A servant approached and ushered Milbrook upstairs to Devaux’s study. Passing the living-room door, Milbrook caught a glimpse of Virginia Devaux, seated at the piano. The girl’s bright eyes sparkled as she saw Milbrook glance in her direction.

Shelton Milbrook was a man who did not hold mistrusts. Nevertheless, he did not like Douglas Carleton.

It was not because he loved Virginia Devaux that made Milbrook feel this prejudice toward the girl’s fiance. Milbrook was too fair-minded to feel antagonism on that account. He merely had the intuition that enabled him to detect Carleton’s real character. He seemed to know that the man was crooked.

Virginia Devaux was constantly in Shelton Milbrook’s mind. He knew that the girl was unhappy. He had learned that she admired him. The thought that she would be forced to marry such a craven as Carleton was indeed disturbing.

Milbrook had managed to talk to the girl during his recent visits to the Devaux mansion. She had given intimations that proved how greatly she detested the man to whom she was engaged. This had only served to increase Shelton Milbrook’s dislike for Carleton.

Stanford Devaux greeted the representative of the United Diamond Syndicate when he entered the study. The door closed behind them, and the two men engaged in serious conversation.

“Regarding to-night,” said Milbrook, “I must make sure that everything is properly arranged. You have told no one that you called me regarding the diamonds?”

“No,” responded Devaux. “I have spoken to no one since last night.”

“Then,” said Milbrook, “it will be safe for me to bring the entire collection as you requested. You understand, of course, that uncut diamonds valued at two million dollars cannot be handled carelessly. Therefore, I shall be armed; and I intend to bring another man with me.”

“Certainly,” agreed Devaux. “I expect you to use every precaution against possible trouble, although I am sure that none will occur.”

“Your purchase, Mr. Devaux,” began Milbrook, “will certainly be large enough to justify the risk that I am taking!”

“I expect to buy a half million dollars’ worth,” said the multimillionaire. “But I must see the entire collection in order to make my choice.”

“That is agreed,” declared Milbrook. “I have one question more, however. Who will be here beside yourself?”

“My daughter,” responded Devaux, “and possibly her fiance, Mr. Carleton.”

Milbrook puckered his lips, and a frown appeared upon his high forehead. Devaux saw his expression and questioned it.

“Do you object?” he asked.

“No,” said Milbrook thoughtfully. “In fact, I would prefer to have Carleton here — rather than somewhere else.”

There was a significance in the reply. Devaux frowned; then broke into a long chuckle. He arose from his chair and stepped forward to clap Milbrook on the shoulder.

“So you mistrust Carleton!” he exclaimed. “That is laughable, Milbrook. Carleton is a man of high social standing. Worth a million in his own right!”

“Have you ever seen the million?” questioned Milbrook pointedly.

“What a preposterous idea,” laughed Devaux. “Carleton is engaged to my daughter. I have approved their marriage. That is sufficient, Milbrook. I unquestionably know more about Carleton than you do.”

“All right,” returned Milbrook reluctantly, “I shall make no objection to him being here. But if you happen to notice me watching him, don’t raise a protest. I dislike the man.”

With that, Milbrook departed, after stating that he would visit the syndicate office some time later, to appear with the diamonds before nine o’clock.

From the tone of his voice, it seemed possible that the diamonds had already been removed from the syndicate’s safe in the Archive Building. Stanford Devaux did not appear to be at all interested in the matter. He was looking forward to the display of the diamonds in this room.

PASSING the living room on the way through the hall, Milbrook caught another glimpse of Virginia. He knew that the girl had been watching for his return. A deep blush spread over her face when her eyes met Milbrook’s.

“I suppose you love that fellow,” growled Carleton, a few minutes after Milbrook had gone. “That would be just like you, Virginia, to pick out a rowdy-faced brute like Milbrook.”

The girl stared defiantly toward her fiance. She arose and walked to the door of the living room. There she paused to fling a parting challenge.

“You forget,” she said, “that you are in my father’s home, and that Mr. Milbrook is my father’s friend. If you are attempting to draw a contrast between yourself and Shelton Milbrook, I should advise you to study his courtesy and his deportment. You might learn much to your advantage. Shelton Milbrook is a gentleman — not in appearance only.”

The girl swept from the room. Carleton followed her with scowling eyes. Then he laughed, arose leisurely from his chair, and went up the stairs to Stanford Devaux’s study. He sat down opposite the millionaire.

“Ah, Carleton,” remarked Devaux, in an easy tone, “a gentleman was just speaking to me about you.”

“Who?” demanded Carleton. “Milbrook?”

“Yes.”

“What did he have to say?”

“He doubted the advisability of your being here to-night. He says that he is not convinced of your honesty.”

“Yes? What did you say?”

“I allayed his fears. It will be quite all right for you to be here — under his close observation.”

“Did he mention Virginia?”

“No.”

Carleton was thoughtful. He looked at Stanford Devaux with a knowing glance.

“She has fallen for him,” said Carleton, in a low tone. “While Milbrook is around, it is going to be tough for me. He’s a trouble-maker, that fellow. You didn’t tell him that I suggested you have the diamonds brought out, did you?”

“No,” responded Devaux, with a quiet smile. “That might have made him change his purpose.”

“Hm-m-m,” said Carleton. “We must talk about this later — after dinner. In the meantime” — he pointed toward the desk — “may I use your telephone?”

“Certainly,” agreed Devaux.

The millionaire arose and left the room. He passed Virginia in the hall, and looked questioningly at the girl, suspecting that she had been listening to his conversation with her fiance. No words passed between father and daughter. They went downstairs together.

Alone and unheard, Douglas Carleton spoke across the wire to Felix Zubian. His words were significant. They added a new duty to to-night’s job.

“Be sure,” said Carleton in a low voice, “that Shelton Milbrook gets the works to-night. He knows too much!”