A Prince of Swindlers (23 page)

“What an extraordinary story!”

“And now, having told you the news with which the place is ringing, we must be off about our business,” said Orpington. “Is it quite certain that you are going to leave us to-morrow?”

“Quite, I am sorry to say,” answered Carne. “I am going to ask as many of my friends as possible to do me the honour of lunching with me at one o'clock, and at five I shall weigh anchor and bid England good-bye. I shall have the pleasure of your company, I hope.”

“I shall have much pleasure,” said Orpington.

“And I also,” replied Amberley.

“Then good-bye for the present. It's just possible I may see you again during the afternoon.”

The luncheon next day was as brilliant a social gathering as the most fastidious in such matters could have desired. Every one then in Cowes who had any claim to distinction was present, and several had undertaken the journey from town in order to say farewell to one who had made himself so popular during his brief stay in England. When Carne rose to reply to the toast of his health, proposed by the Prime Minister, it was observable that he was genuinely moved, as, indeed, were most of his hearers.

For the remainder of the afternoon his yacht's deck was crowded with his friends, all of whom expressed the hope that it might not be very long before he was amongst them once more.

To these kind speeches Carne invariably offered a smiling reply.

“I also trust it will not be long,” he answered. “I have enjoyed my visit immensely, and you may be sure I shall never forget it as long as I live.”

An hour later the anchor was weighed, and his yacht was steaming out of the harbour amid a scene of intense enthusiasm. As the Prime Minister had that afternoon informed him, in the public interest, the excitement of his departure was dividing the honours with the burglary of the Emperor of Westphalia's gold plate.

Carne stood beside his captain on the bridge, watching the little fleet of yachts until his eyes could no longer distinguish them. Then he turned to Belton, who had just joined him, and, placing his hand upon his shoulder, said:

“So much for our life in England, Belton, my friend. It has been glorious fun, and no one can deny that from a business point of view it has been eminently satisfactory. You, at least, should have no regrets.”

“None whatever,” answered Belton. “But I must confess I should like to know what they will say when the truth comes out.”

Carne smiled sweetly as he answered:

“I think they'll say that, all things considered, I have won the right to call myself ‘A Prince of Swindlers.'”

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