The Red Widow; or, The Death-Dealers of LondonLe Queux, William
General
The Red Widow; or, The Death-Dealers of London
Le Queux, William
Mystery fiction
"Yes. She ought to pass the doctors in a week, for this young fellow is
pushing it through because of the handsome fee she will give him, and
then, in the following week, she must put on her best frocks and best
behaviour and take a ’sleeper’ on the nine twenty-five from Euston to
Glasgow."
"What an adventure!" remarked the handsome woman before him.
"Of course. But we are out for big money this time, remember."
"You have examined the whole affair, I suppose, and considered it from
every standpoint—eh?"
"Of course I have. As far as I can discover, there is no flaw in our
armour. This young solicitor is newly married, and is much gratified
that the wealthy Mrs. Morrison should take such notice of his young
wife. But you know Ena well enough to be sure that she plays the game
all right. She’s the rich widow to the very letter, and talks about her
’dear husband’ in a manner that is really pathetic. She declares that
they were such a devoted couple."
"Yes. Ena can play the game better than any woman in England," agreed
his wife. "Have some tea?"
"No; it’s too hot," he replied. "Get me some lemonade."
And she rose, and presently brought him a glass of lemonade. She
preferred to wait upon him, for she was always suspicious of the maids
trying to listen to their conversation, which, however, was discreet and
well guarded.
That night at about half-past nine, husband and wife having dined
together _tête-à-tête_—being waited on by the smart young Italian
footman—Ena Pollen was ushered into the drawing-room.
"Oh! Welcome back, dear!" cried Mrs. Braybourne, jumping up and
embracing her friend, making pretence, of course, before the servant.
"Sit down. I had no idea you were in London! I thought you were
somewhere in the wilds of Wales."
Then, when the door had closed, her attitude altered to one of deep
seriousness.
"Well," she said, "according to Bernie, everything goes well, doesn’t
it?"
"Excellently," replied the other. "You see in me Mrs. Augusta Morrison,
widow, of Carsphairn, New Galloway, who is in London on a visit to her
friend, Ena Pollen, and who is about to be passed as a first-class
life!" And she laughed, the other two smiling grimly.
"I congratulate you upon finding that young solicitor. What’s his
name?"
"Emery—just getting together a practice and looking out for the big
commission on the first of my premiums," she said. "We’ve met those
before. Do you recollect that fellow Johnson-Hughes? Phew! what an
ass!"
"But he was over head and ears in love with you, my dear Ena," said
Boyne, "and you know it."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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