THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH
SHORT STORY.
DEALING WITH DON JUAN
BY SAX ROHMER.
(The story which follows, ie taken from Maclure's and in- troduces us to one of the quaint est characters in modern fiction Captain Bernard O'Hagan.)
My friend Captain O'Hagan is a man fatally easy to misjudge, a | man monstrously difficult to ap preciate. Arraign him before bar of his peers, and no two findings would march in step, no two voicea be in unison...
But some there are who in stinctively detect O'Hagan's ater- ling qualities; some (ne myself) achieve to this knowledge, and some bave it thrust upon them.
I recall an illustrative incident. After dinner one evening," Sir Roger Randel called
upan O'Hagan in his chambers.
point of view. Understand? she means no harm;"
"What attitude have you adopted?
No attitude. Overlooked it. But I'm going away. And I will not have Val talked about, and will not be made to took ridiculous. In a word; O'Hagan, I'll have no damned cavaliere sercente, with Haverley's reput ation dangling after my wife!"
**Well?" said O'Hagan, calmly eipping coffes.
Val's younger than me, and don't want her to think that think-ses what mean? I can't speak to her."
EXTRA
HONGKONG, SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1914.
emit sparke; and he slowly moved To the box-office olerk: nearer to this adept in polished
insult
Captain O'Hagan, he said distinctly, "the door is immediate ly behind you.
11
"A matter of more prossing
import," replied O'Hagan ioils,
O'Hagan was discussing rolls and will either hand me a written, amazedly through the psh require a stall."
coffee, when Donohue announced undertaking to secure a transfor No one would dare to laugh a We have only three vacant, Captain Haverley and Mr. Salter to the 5th, Vice Captain Rasher, Sir Roger Rundel, believe me!
O'Hagan_rose ceremoniously invalided leaving for Burma on A far away look came into One will be efficient," He wore a slate-gray lounge suit, the 19th or remove that obsta-Lady Randel'e eyes at thees No traffic of the stage that with a silver-gray plush knot. in ole. You gait this room upon words. O'Hagan was glad to se evening had created anything lieu of a tio. This combination no other condition."
that look, glad for Sir Rogers approximating the impression suits him admirably, and affords 41 Open the door!" roared sake. He knew then that hit is immediately in front of me. occasioned by O'Hagan'sentrance. Donohue great scope for dis Haverley, clenching his fists and oarious duty was almost socom With three swing strides he My friend has been called a crimination in the selecting of a grinding his teeth with animal plished that Captain Haverley crossed to the mantelpiece. It postur, It is unjust. He can soft shirt to harmonize with the fury. was decorated with several wc-not belp it. Bernard O'Hagan scheme.
Open the door By was merely a passing amuse- men's photograpbe among them belongs to the age of plumes and
heaven, I'll clap you in pustody ment Enter Haverley, accompanied before another hour has passed!" Lady Rundel rose slowly from one of Lady Rundel. Santubing velvet. His is the soul of a true by a tall and thin gontleman who it, framed as it was, from i's courtier,
"If you decline," said O'Hagan her chair. O'Hagan observed her place, the broke it acro's hie kres
carried a leather onea. O'Hagan coldly, "I will hing for the door stim figure with smiling, esthetic Just within the big glass door bowed coldly to the Captain, and to be opened, as you desire- appreciation. She walked across the hearth! and hurled the fragments into he paused for a moment, and, upon his companion turned the Haverley drummed his right to a small table, glancing at some
At that, Haverley leaped. Cal-it before his right eye, studiad
the moncele glittering as be held monoole.
fist into the palm of his left and trifle which it bore, and turned, culating with a boxer's cunning the occupants of Raw B. Per-sweeping his hand toward Mr. foot. He was literally gasping he asked. At what are they. "This" be said frigidly, stomped upon the floor with his leaning back upon the table-edge. the exact instant when his man ceiving Lady Hundel (a con-Salter, I assume to be your in his fury,
"What do you mean, then? would turn, he launched a blow spicuously pretty woman) staring horsewhip?"
"in order,"
I
for the angle of his jaw. The at him fascinatedly, he bowed. Mr. Salter is my solicitor!ohilly voice, "that my man may
resumed the primitive, strong within him, A hundred sighs arose; a hundred replied Haverley loudly. I have thrash you. I offer you, for the now ruled supreme.
hearts lay unheeded at the feet of decided that a public exposure is last time, the satisfaction of a this incomparable Cavalier what you require! We have gentleman."
Haverley devoted his attention therefore-"
"Damn your impudent spee exclusively to the sage. He was gaawing his moustache.
ches! Open the door!"
Captain O'Hagan pressed the bell.
The door opened so suddenly
I
"I follow you perfectly," said O'Hagan. You can speak to either party without the risk of precipitating what you wish to avoid. Thanks for intrusting the matter to ine, Rundel. I will call ous Captain Haverley" to-morrow morning!"
"My dear fellow! Never do at all!”
Why I should see to it that he remained incapacitated in France throughout the term of your absence!"
worse,
True,"
2.
f:
But O'Hagan did not turn. stepped back upon Haverley, and stooped.
It is neelless to quoted the apposita precaps of Shushu Myu ku of Nagasaki (Dean of the College of Higher Jiu-Jitsu in ed. Haverley performed a complete order to make clear what happen somersault over O'Hagan's arched back, and fall, hec psd up, crash ing on the heath.
Captain O'lagen stepped to
:
O'Hagan lolled back in his stall, Throughout the performance, one leg negligently thrown coross of bored curiosity the ladies who the other, and studied with a kind constitute the principal attraction of this house."
O'Hagan prassed a bell. "I say we have therefore call- ed formally to advies you--”
Donohue entered,
laughing?".
era with feigned embarrassment.
O'Hagan shrugged his should-
"A man who has been tarred. and feathered" he began.
"Tarred and feathered!" Her eyes were opened widely, “Cap- tain O'Hagan, whatever do you mean?"
[ "
:
oasts ridicule upon any "that a police court sum- and violently as to precipitate woman who consents to be seen tons for drunken assault and-"Haverley forward into the room. in his company! Salterward
O'llagan, waving monoole He recovered himself, turned, and "Capain O'Hagan, ha so good
sprang with a cry upon Donohue, as to explain yourself!'
("Donohue," O'Hagan has in- O'Hagan raised bis monoole. formed me, is not, of course, an
"What! You did zot know- adept of the Higher Arte of Jin-about Haverley P."
"Frankly, loan not believe it!!! ficiency in the more ord ary she cried, flushing deeply.I holds and falls.")
11
"Donohue, kindly see this per- At the close of the play, Lady Jeon to the door. the door, and gained it as Haverstood in the lobby. O'Hagan bis briefcase, looked up alarmed-Jitsu; but he has a pleasing pro Rundel an Captain Haverley Mr. Salter, who was opening bowed low before madamo. Then, ly, to bor squire:
My solicitor, shouted Hover- "I believe I forbade you thisley, who was rapidly losing con- indy's fcolety, sir ?" said he, trol ot himself, "i---"
"Donohue !
ley's man hurriedly entered. "You 'understand 7 }}}
said O'Hagan. "I forbid you this lady's company. If you dispute
my
right to do so, I shall expect your friends in the morning."
Haverley, oboking, shaken, got upon his feet. His white-faced man barred the door.
make.
Thereare simple remarks which, at cortain times, you or I might make, but which you and I lack the stark audacity to Made, they strike the listener Excuse mo; eir-" O'Hagan bibed him asidow.one of them."
with a species of paralysis. This He has a sweeping motion of the left arm which would remove a life-guardsman from his path as kerchief bruches a fly from a effectively as the lick of a hand- bald head..
My friend's chambers overlook Whitehall, and in his mom nts ease he is always to be found in the room which he calls his library, but whose appointments more nearly correspond with those of a harem. To one who is but superficially acquainted with O'Hagan this apartment proves a surprise. Its arabesques dimly perceptible in the blue rays of a Too medieval, O'Hagan-too hanging lamp, the plash of water damu medieval Bar you the in a tiny marble basin enhancing country for twelve months at the illusion that one has lost one's least! Besides, he might refuse way, this mandarah possesses all-or
you might kill the charma of the unexpected." him!"
For golden carp in the basin you are, of course, prepared?"such mistakes have occurred.
agreed O'Hagan Prepare, further, fer O'Hagan in However if Captain Haverley ie a loose blue robe, O'Bagan not permitted the society of Lady extended upon a cushioned divan, Randel during your absence, sipping coffes from a tiny partake it that you will be satis-discordant finale of smashing celain cup and enjoying the solace of a Persian narghile.
Donohue, a model man, im 'maculate, in immaculate black, proclaimed the arrival, and nebered in the person, of Sir Roger. You would like Sir Roger Rundel Bronzed, well groomed, reserved, forty-five, he In that moment he was superb is what we mean by a typicala man worthy of the confidence English gentleman.
of kings, a man to hold stainless the honour of a queen.
"My dear fellow " said Sir Roger, and shook his hand furiously. "My dear, dear fel- low!"
:
He and O'Hagan, are old friends,
Sir Roger selected from the rack an amber mouthpiece neatly labeled "R. R.." and appropriated the guests' tube of the narghile.
O'Hagan:
"Bean hoping to see you every day since I heard of your retura, Randel.
Sir Roger: "Yes, yes, Since my-mar- riage, I fear I've neglected bachelor friends. 1 leave London to-night-on stato business.
fied?"
Cortainly certainly! If knew that-
Rely upon it, Rundel," said O'Hagan, rising. "Iwill put an end to this undesirable intimacy. I shall regard it as my sacred duty to do so!".
Ah, what a privilege it is to call Bernard O'Hagan your friend!
The man clutched at a bubl cabinet to save himself. Upon a
human cursing, Captain O'Hagan porcelain, intermingled with
made his exit to the plaudit of
the gods. He is a master of effective curtains.
No communication from Haver- ley reached O'Hagan during the following morning. Noon, and after, saw my friend engaged upon affairs of his own. But in the evening Donohue reported in
the mandarab..
started back.
Lady Bundol flushed and
um sare-I om almost certain- Donohue, then, met the attack that Captain Haverley would not in a novel way. He received submit to such an indignity from Captain Haverley in a loving em- any man!"
Donohue bowed to Mr. Salter brace. Then, like a teetotam, It is an indiguity, is it not P.”
and held wide the door.
Salter:
"Captain O'Hagan, as adviser—"
Haverley was spun right about, he said confidentially.
and held, purple-faced, eyes star- "Oh! I can not believe it! legal ting hideously, with his arms And it is known?"
looked behind him by the human That is the singular part of manacle of Duohus's irong ip.
the thing I have never been able "You have your instruens, Donohue," said O'flagan and, prasing the inarticulate Haverley, strode out of the roon.
"Donohue !! Donohue stepped forward and took op Mr. Saltor's case. Within
Rundel!" came hissing, forced firmness of a Milo of Crotons, led "Captain O'Hagan!" she began. bis right arm he linked the loft "Don't speak to him, Lady of Mr. Saltar, and with the gentle
me to 890 you to your car. I have Came a quavering cry. speech from Haverley. "Allow him rapidly, from the room. something very particular to say to Captain O'Hagan!"
O'Hagan bowed again inimit
ably,
have something very particular "Good night, Lady Randel. I
to say to you in the morning."
"You will pay dearly for this
insult!"
"The worse a man's reputation," Bernard O'Hagan holds, the more the women like him. In French comedy we find the jealous husband held up to ridicule Haverley, oyes oflime, bounded hence the superiority of the lover. to the door. It was locked. He Failing the sword, Ridicule, my against the mantelpiece, studied the career of Gallantry." turned to where O'Hagan, lolling boy, is the weapon to cat short
the
manoeuvros
mxning's through praised glass,
feily, allow solicitors in these "I do not," explained O'Hagan chambers."
Lady Randel received him with studied coldness. He bent, low over her hand in his remote, courtly fashion. ⠀
Աշ-աոմ Haverley did use as it ha my scamp Donohue who perpetrated
the outrage!" w
"Your man! Your man tar red and feathered Captain Llaverley ?"
He did, the rogue! I would have discharged the fellow, but he is the only man in England who knows how to pack dress trousers into a suit-case!"
It was designed for a home thrust, but O'Hagan rose de- lightedly.
Lady Kundel was watching Remembering this let us uc-O'Hagan. When he really gets fully into a lounge, and, the ob Captain O'Hagan sank repose
company Captain O'Hagan to into his stride, my friend's men-
dacity is fascinating. He be served of every one who passed
Lady Randel's. out of the theatre, awaited Haver- leg's return. At least a score of Haverley leaned back against doubtful if another man enjoyed
He was admitted. Following comes supernormally fluent; his upon such an affair as that of thetrathless discourse holds one ladies inquired sotto vace of their the door, almost as if he were the privilege of admission but slowly. I should like to hear
previona evening, it is more that enthralled.
"The car is ready," she said This remarkable man is worthy tinguished-looking man?".
escorts: Who is that dis preparing for a spring. He was Bernard O'Hagan is unused to this unsavory story from the man. of a brief inspection.
man swept by a tornado of Haverley presently returned sion, and before its force he
pas- refusals..
Donohue himself! " In figure he is sturdy, of no forcing his way roughly against quivered and ebook more than medium height, Ho the thinning stream of suppor- has, well brushed hair of the seekers. Over the heads of the churls,"
"The law is the weapon of
continued colour of stale mustard, and a outgoing, O'Hagan perceived the" You are a soldier-ne I regret O'Hagan. ruddy complexion, Cleanehaven, drawn face and angry, blazing to remind you. Upon the table of my conduct of last night," he Captain Haverley placed upon his apper lip usurps an undue a table beside him the card of share of his countenance, and his casually in that direction.
oyes. He turned his glase on your right are French foils, Captain the O'Hagan, V. O., D. S. O., as that its significance not modified by ley said, with hardly repressed your right to Lady Rundel's
Hon. Bernard jaw would spell truculence were
Italian rapiers, and three types Quivering before him, Haver of sabre. You clearly maintain
"I am curious to hear it !" distinguished officer was shown the humorous twinkle in the sky violence:
"That I do not doubt, Lady in.
society. I forbade you to see her Randel; for you must have again. We will settle the paint." perceived that I strongly disap and sp ke huskily
Eaverlay cleared his throat, prove of the man Haverley!"
She was caressing a midisture will see that you are treated as flushing.
“You are a midman and I dog, but at that she glanced up,
It is a pity—” she began. "Before wo commence," added "It is!" agreed O'Hagan, toy-
"Of course I have heard of Silence, broken by bubbling of you, Captain O'Hagan," he said; narghile. Enter Donohue with but this is our first meeting, oofico. Exit Donohue.
think ?" He glanced at his O'Hagan fumbled for the in-watch. "Better late than never!" dispensable pebble, found it, and O'Hagan bowed coldly. examined Sir Roger's face critically.
"There's a fly in the ointment, Rundel. Name the brute's species."
21.
Sir Roger put down his cup with a rattle.
"Captain Haverley," he snap- ped-and now I've said it!"
"Ah, mused O'Hagan, "Haverley, of theth Greys? Only know him by repute.
"What sort of repute?" grow led Rundel..
Haverley, a blond and arrog- antly handsome man at whose breast Eros aimed his darts every time ho went into a drawing room, and at whose back fifty per cant. of his company would sim their rifles the first time he went into action, believed that he had
blue eyes.
Behold Donohue, a man of little doubt that a public brawl You are a blackguard! I have attainments, a valet unsurpas would be to your low taste. But sable, of eye more true for the prefer to call apou you to fold of a a cloak than say modiste morrow. I shall bring a horse of the Rue de la Puiz; a colourist whip
in whom diacord between a scar! Unable further to trust him-
Donohue: "Sir."
Euch
"I have an explanation to offer explained blandly,
even for
Dear Lady Rundel," he said by all means. You honour me.” Some dolay occurred at the door of O'Hagan's chambers. "Donohue can not have gone out,
of me to have forgotten my key!" "said be." How careless
He rang impatiently ones- twice-thrice. Then the door was opened some three inches through the aperture. and Donohue's eyes peered
17.
"Exouse me, sir, eaid that treasure, ignoring O'Hagan'a ioy
and
I was about to refer to my and a soft shirt produces a blan self, to face the joy stare that met O'Hagan, taking up a writing. 20g with his monoole. "It is stare, but would, sir, --I don't hour," he explained; "bat, since hundred waistcoats having from the now empty lobby.". calling upon you at this Inte ching of the cheek; who, of o him, he turned and almost ranblcok, "we will each write a note indeed a thousand pities. For ask a favour often,would you: you have so rudely anticipated hundred shades will unerringly me, an apology becomes unnecse select the waisteant for the oward, in tara. A taxicab bad at attack and that the affair was an
Captain O'Hagan swang street-ing a new mode of mounted woman!"
to the effect that we were practis- you are such a charmingly pretty come back in half an hour sir!
Captain O'Hagan, thrust the sary. I will merely state my casion. He has cher qualities, that moment pulled up to the accident. One of these notes will understand you! But her eyes
dcor "Captain O'Hagan! I fail to
open and swept Donohue business."
against the wall to be displayed later.
curb, and Haverley was fumbline afterward be destroyed."
were less angry than her tones. Donohue! Who banging
"Consider youself discharged, with shaking fingers for a coin for "Open the door!" demanded. You presume too far, O'Hagan Well, Donohue the theatre attendant ere entering Laverley
to old a friend, when you at shouting drowned farther speech
An uproarious, Rundel, at. Folly Theatre; Row O'Hagan calmly opened the with a kind of unpleasant acquaintancea!
"Captain Haverley, with Lady it.
Captain O'Hagan observed him tempt to control my choiu of B numibora 6 and 7."
Lady Runde clearly was afraid to door, stepped in, and closed it, curiosity.
Dear Lady Bundel," he enter. Donohue shrunk away "Very good."
Leaning from the window: Exit Donohue.
"Junior Guarde Club!" he you cannot refuse, of course!" soothingly," it annoyed me so
As a soldier and a gentleman, bent forward and patted her hand before the fierce glare that sought
him through the pebble. misunderstood O'Hagan. But lighted the gloomy soul of Athos, do it in four minutes!
This paragon must have de said."Half a sovereign 1it
Donohue !"-portentously. you Open that door! Do you deeply (you know how acutely "In short, continued the
Sirt latter, swinging his monocle,ed his coffee, discarded the loose The taxidriver risked
hear me? You are mad "sensitive I am) to hear people BernardO'Hagan, having finish-
Gold is a talisman, my masters. O'Hagan swang the moacole, laughing !" with Lady a square of Persian carpet. Rundel must cease. It will be robe for the purple-lined cloak, quences and started breathing Haverley with undis met his eyes interrogatively.
conse and smiled upon the rapidly Laughing?" Lady Rundel "We know each other, O'Ha evident to you that in her bag pulled on his gloves, and sallied
JJ You 800, goos O'Hagan's guised contempt
"I felt that the position was so gan There's not another man in band's absence its continuance holding his osne like an Italian cab was the last in the rank, and "Sir Roger Bundel is my friend;izer Captain O'Hagan, ore you charge me if you like arguns
forth into Whitehall, oloik flying, explanation of this episode," the Capta Haverley, England I'd confide in. But would be compromising."
he said, very undignified Sir Roger well there's only one of yon Haverley knew then that he rapier, and generally comporting I had an appointment. Haverley and, whilst I live, any gay Lots insinuating that people are me, sir you have la But he come only one of you! This friend
hiraself as some Buckingham may have had one also; but harid who seaks to gratify his laughing at my husband ? here calling you such dirty named ahip between my wife and
pedigree baforo pork, Raymond." vanity by compromising my That Haverley is nothing from Val'e
"Yes." O'Hagan nodded, and dropped his monocle. "That
Bort!
Sir Roger got upon his feat
and began to pace up and down"your friendship.
had heard aright; and his face paled with an anger that was in- tense; his hazel eyes seemed to
bound for St. James":"
direction of the Folly, however, Be turned his steps in the
41
"What is that unseemly-dia-
turbance proceeding from the
store-room 7
Donohoe, with great hesitancy. I'm sorry, sir! You gan dis
air and exouse me, m'lad friend's wife shall find at least At your husband! At Sir said things about her ladyship The morning was young, and one obstacle in his path. You Roger!! O'Hagan stared (Continued on Pays 10.)
1210
НОТАРІ