It was in a blazoned envelope. "Ha!" said Sir Nathaniel, "from the White Worm! I expected something of
the kind." "But," said Adam, "how could she have known we were here? She didn't
know last night." "I don't think we need trouble about that, Adam. There is so much we do
not understand. This is only another mystery. Suffice it that she does
know--perhaps it is all the better and safer for us." "How is that?" asked Adam with a puzzled look. "General process of reasoning, my boy; and the experience of some years
in the diplomatic world. This creature is a monster without heart or
consideration for anything or anyone. She is not nearly so dangerous in
the open as when she has the dark to protect her. Besides, we know, by
our own experience of her movements, that for some reason she shuns
publicity. In spite of her vast bulk and abnormal strength, she is
afraid to attack openly. After all, she is only a snake and with a
snake's nature, which is to keep low and squirm, and proceed by stealth
and cunning. She will never attack when she can run away, although she
knows well that running away would probably be fatal to her. What is the
letter about?" Sir Nathaniel's voice was calm and self-possessed. When he was engaged
in any struggle of wits he was all diplomatist. "She asks Mimi and me to tea this afternoon at Diana's Grove, and hopes
that you also will favour her." Sir Nathaniel smiled. "Please ask Mrs. Salton to accept for us all." "She means some deadly mischief. Surely--surely it would be wiser not." "It is an old trick that we learn early in diplomacy, Adam--to fight on
ground of your own choice. It is true that she suggested the place on
this occasion; but by accepting it we make it ours. Moreover, she will
not be able to understand our reason for doing so, and her own bad
conscience--if she has any, bad or good--and her own fears and doubts
will play our game for us. No, my dear boy, let us accept, by all
means." Adam said nothing, but silently held out his hand, which his companion
shook: no words were necessary. When it was getting near tea-time, Mimi asked Sir Nathaniel how they were
going. "We must make a point of going in state. We want all possible
publicity." Mimi looked at him inquiringly. "Certainly, my dear, in the
present circumstances publicity is a part of safety. Do not be surprised
if, whilst we are at Diana's Grove, occasional messages come for you--for
all or any of us." "I see!" said Mrs. Salton. "You are taking no chances." "None, my dear. All I have learned at foreign courts, and amongst
civilised and uncivilised people, is going to be utilised within the next
couple of hours." Sir Nathaniel's voice was full of seriousness, and it brought to Mimi in
a convincing way the awful gravity of the occasion. In due course, they set out in a carriage drawn by a fine pair of horses,
who soon devoured the few miles of their journey. Before they came to
the gate, Sir Nathaniel turned to Mimi. "I have arranged with Adam certain signals which may be necessary if
certain eventualities occur. These need be nothing to do with you
directly. But bear in mind that if I ask you or Adam to do anything, do
not lose a second in the doing of it. We must try to pass off such
moments with an appearance of unconcern. In all probability, nothing
requiring such care will occur. The White Worm will not try force,
though she has so much of it to spare. Whatever she may attempt to-day,
of harm to any of us, will be in the way of secret plot. Some other time
she may try force, but--if I am able to judge such a thing--not to-day. The messengers who may ask for any of us will not be witnesses only, they
may help to stave off danger." Seeing query in her face, he went on: "Of
what kind the danger may be, I know not, and cannot guess. It will
doubtless be some ordinary circumstance; but none the less dangerous on
that account. Here we are at the gate. Now, be careful in all matters,
however small. To keep your head is half the battle." There were a number of men in livery in the hall when they arrived. The
doors of the drawing-room were thrown open, and Lady Arabella came forth
and offered them cordial welcome. This having been got over, Lady
Arabella led them into another room where tea was served. Adam was acutely watchful and suspicious of everything, and saw on the
far side of this room a panelled iron door of the same colour and
configuration as the outer door of the room where was the well-hole
wherein Oolanga had disappeared. Something in the sight alarmed him, and
he quietly stood near the door. He made no movement, even of his eyes,
but he could see that Sir Nathaniel was watching him intently, and, he
fancied, with approval. They all sat near the table spread for tea, Adam still near the door. Lady Arabella fanned herself, complaining of heat, and told one of the
footmen to throw all the outer doors open. Tea was in progress when Mimi suddenly started up with a look of fright
on her face; at the same moment, the men became cognisant of a thick
smoke which began to spread through the room--a smoke which made those
who experienced it gasp and choke. The footmen began to edge uneasily
towards the inner door. Denser and denser grew the smoke, and more acrid
its smell. Mimi, towards whom the draught from the open door wafted the
smoke, rose up choking, and ran to the inner door, which she threw open
to its fullest extent, disclosing on the outside a curtain of thin silk,
fixed to the doorposts. The draught from the open door swayed the thin
silk towards her, and in her fright, she tore down the curtain, which
enveloped her from head to foot. Then she ran through the still open
door, heedless of the fact that she could not see where she was going. Adam, followed by Sir Nathaniel, rushed forward and joined her--Adam
catching his wife by the arm and holding her tight. It was well that he
did so, for just before her lay the black orifice of the well-hole,
which, of course, she could not see with the silk curtain round her head. The floor was extremely slippery; something like thick oil had been
spilled where she had to pass; and close to the edge of the hole her feet
shot from under her, and she stumbled forward towards the well-hole. When Adam saw Mimi slip, he flung himself backward, still holding her. His weight told, and he dragged her up from the hole and they fell
together on the floor outside the zone of slipperiness. In a moment he
had raised her up, and together they rushed out through the open door
into the sunlight, Sir Nathaniel close behind them. They were all pale
except the old diplomatist, who looked both calm and cool. It sustained
and cheered Adam and his wife to see him thus master of himself. Both
managed to follow his example, to the wonderment of the footmen, who saw
the three who had just escaped a terrible danger walking together gaily,
as, under the guiding pressure of Sir Nathaniel's hand, they turned to re-
enter the house.