Page:Guy Boothby--A Bid for Fortune.djvu/188

178 "Then let us go to Government House at once and unmask them. That is our bounden duty to society."

"Then all I can say is that if it is our duty to society, society will have to wait. No, no! We must find out first what their little game is. That once decided, the unmasking will fall in as a natural sequence. Don't you understand?"

"I am afraid I don't quite. However I expect you're right."

By this time we were back again at the ferry. It was not time for the boat to start, so while we were waiting we amused ourselves staring at the placards. Then a large theatrical poster caught my eye and drew me to wards it. It announced a grand viceregal "command" night at one of the principal theatres for that very evening, and still further set forth the fact that the most noble the Marquis of Beckenham would be amongst the distinguished company present.

"Here we are," I called to my companion, who was at a little distance. "We'll certainly go to this. The Marquis of Beckenham shall honour it with his patronage and presence after all."

Noting the name and address of the theatre, we went back to our hotel for dinner, and as soon as it was finished returned to the city to seek the theatre.

When we entered it the house was crowded, and the arrival of the Government House party was every moment expected. Presently there was a hush, then the orchestra and audience rose while God save the Queen was played, and the Governor and a brilliant party entered the viceregal box. You may be sure of all that vast concourse of people there were none who stared harder than Beckenham and myself. And it was certainly enough to make any man stare, for there, sitting