The scene that followed may be more easily imagined than described.
Sub-Chapter XIV.
ALL COMES OUT.
It is time we went back to the scene on the cliff at Crocusville
narrated in the opening chapter.
Peeler, the coastguardsman, after descending the cliff, resumed his
ordinary avocations, and sent his daughter to a superior high school.
Hence her presence at the Duc's ball and on the desert mountain.
The Duc de Septimominorelli (for such was the mysterious traveller)
recoiled several hundred yards on finding himself confronted not only by
the aged father of his now middle-aged Velvetina, but by the form of his
old opponent the Marquis de Smellismelli.
"Aha!" said the latter, producing his plaster cast. "How do you find
yourself, Sep, my boy?"
"Hot," said Septimus, with characteristic coolness.
"Introduce me to the old gentleman," said the detective.
"Peeler," was the laconic reply.
It was Solomon's turn to turn inquiringly to the lady.
She only bowed.
"I wish very much I had known this before. I have wasted fifty years
over you," said Solomon, in injured tones. "I must lose no more time if
I am to detect anything. Good morning. Aha!
"Stay!" shouts Sep, in a voice of thunder. "It is I who have wasted
fifty years running away from you. You owe me an apology, sirrah!"
The caitiff's face underwent a kaleidoscopic change as these terrible
words rant? in his ears. With the bound of of a wounded antelope he
sprang to the summit of the nearest mountain, and stood there with arms
erect against the sky, like a statue of Ajax.
"He don't seem blooming, shiver my timbers if he do," said old Peeler.
"We shall not meet again," said Sep, grinding his teeth in his
direction.
"Why should we be standing here in the sun?" said Velvetina. "Let us
return to England."
They returned the same evening.
Sub-Chapter XV.
OMNIA VINCIT AMOR.
Septimus Minor and Velvetina Peeler were married quietly at the
Crocusville Cathedral.
The bride was given away by her father, Captain Peeler, R.N.
The company was select and the presents were costly.
Amongst the latter none attracted more attention or curiosity than an
excellent plaster cast of a horse's hoof, presented to the happy couple
by the Marquis de Smellismelli and his grandson the Lord Mayor of
London.
There were few knew its history; but it was eloquent in meaning for Mr
and Mrs Septimus Minor, who have given it an honoured place on the
mantelpiece of the second spare bedroom of their bijou residence in Pink
Street.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
A QUEER PICNIC.
Sub-Chapter I.
A MYSTERIOUS MOUNTAIN.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account