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+.. title: A BID FOR FORTUNE OR; DR. NIKOLA'S VENDETTA
+.. template: book.tmpl
+.. hyphenate: yes
+.. filters: filters.typogrify
+
+.. class:: subtitle
+
+By `GUY BOOTHBY <http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/3587>`__
+
+Author of "Dr. Nikola," "The Beautiful White Devil," etc., etc.
+
+.. figure:: /images/frontispiece.jpg
+   :class: bookfig
+
+.. topic:: The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Bid for Fortune, by Guy Boothby
+
+    This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+    almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+    re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+    with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+    Title: A Bid for Fortune
+    or Dr. Nikola's Vendetta
+
+    Author: `Guy Boothby <http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/3587>`__
+
+    Release Date: May 29, 2007 [EBook #21640]
+
+    Language: English
+
+    Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Mary Meehan and the
+    Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+    Originally published by:
+
+    WARD, LOCK & CO., LIMITED
+    LONDON, MELBOURNE AND TORONTO
+    1918
+
+.. figure:: /images/illus_001.jpg
+   :class: bookfig
+
+PART I
+======
+
+PROLOGUE
+--------
+
+.. role:: smallcaps
+
+
+:smallcaps:`The` manager of the new Imperial Restaurant on the Thames Embankment went
+into his luxurious private office and shut the door. Having done so, he
+first scratched his chin reflectively, and then took a letter from the
+drawer in which it had reposed for more than two months and perused it
+carefully. Though he was not aware of it, this was the thirtieth time he
+had read it since breakfast that morning. And yet he was not a whit
+nearer understanding it than he had been at the beginning. He turned it
+over and scrutinized the back, where not a sign of writing was to be
+seen; he held it up to the window, as if he might hope to discover
+something from the water-mark; but there was nothing in either of these
+places of a nature calculated to set his troubled mind at rest. Then he
+took a magnificent repeater watch from his waistcoat pocket and glanced
+at the dial; the hands stood at half-past seven. He immediately threw
+the letter on the table, and as he did so his anxiety found relief in
+words.
+
+"It's really the most extraordinary affair I ever had to do with," he
+remarked. "And as I've been in the business just three-and-thirty years
+at eleven a.m. next Monday morning, I ought to know something about it.
+I only hope I've done right, that's all."
+
+As he spoke, the chief bookkeeper, who had the treble advantage of being
+tall, pretty, and just eight-and-twenty years of age, entered the room.
+She noticed the open letter and the look upon her chief's face, and her
+curiosity was proportionately excited.
+
+"You seem worried, Mr. McPherson," she said tenderly, as she put down
+the papers she had brought in for his signature.
+
+"You have just hit it, Miss O'Sullivan," he answered, pushing them
+farther on to the table. "I am worried about many things, but
+particularly about this letter."
+
+He handed the epistle to her, and she, being desirous of impressing him
+with her business capabilities, read it with ostentatious care. But it
+was noticeable that when she reached the signature she too turned back
+to the beginning, and then deliberately read it over again. The manager
+rose, crossed to the mantelpiece, and rang for the head waiter. Having
+relieved his feelings in this way, he seated himself again at his
+writing-table, put on his glasses, and stared at his companion, while
+waiting for her to speak.
+
+"It's very funny," she said. "Very funny indeed!"
+
+"It's the most extraordinary communication I have ever received," he
+replied with conviction. "You see it is written from Cuyaba, Brazil. The
+date is three months ago to a day. Now I have taken the trouble to find
+out where and what Cuyaba is."
+
+He made this confession with an air of conscious pride, and having done
+so, laid himself back in his chair, stuck his thumbs into the armholes
+of his waistcoat, and looked at his fair subordinate for approval. Nor
+was he destined to be disappointed. He was a bachelor in possession of a
+snug income, and she, besides being pretty, was a lady with a keen eye
+to the main chance.
+
+"And where *is* Cuyaba?" she asked humbly.
+
+"Cuyaba," he replied, rolling his tongue with considerable relish round
+his unconscious mispronunciation of the name, "is a town almost on the
+western or Bolivian border of Brazil. It is of moderate size, is
+situated on the banks of the river Cuyaba, and is considerably connected
+with the famous Brazilian Diamond Fields."
+
+"And does the writer of this letter live there?"
+
+"I cannot say. He writes from there--that is enough for us."
+
+"And he orders dinner for four--here, in a private room overlooking the
+river, three months ahead--punctually at eight o'clock, gives you a list
+of the things he wants, and even arranges the decoration of the table.
+Says he has never seen either of his three friends before; that one of
+them hails from (here she consulted the letter again) Hang-chow, another
+from Bloemfontein, while the third resides, at present, in England. Each
+one is to present an ordinary visiting card with a red dot on it to the
+porter in the hall, and to be shown to the room at once. I don't
+understand it at all."
+
+The manager paused for a moment, and then said deliberately,--"Hang-chow
+is in China, Bloemfontein is in South Africa."
+
+"What a wonderful man you are, to be sure, Mr. McPherson! I never can
+*think* how you manage to carry so much in your head."
+
+There spoke the true woman. And it was a move in the right direction,
+for the manager was susceptible to her gentle influence, as she had
+occasion to know.
+
+At this juncture the head waiter appeared upon the scene, and took up a
+position just inside the doorway, as if he were afraid of injuring the
+carpet by coming farther.
+
+"Is No. 22 ready, Williams?"
+
+"Quite ready, sir. The wine is on the ice, and cook tells me he'll be
+ready to dish punctual to the moment."
+
+"The letter says, 'no electric light; candles with red shades.' Have you
+put on those shades I got this morning?"
+
+"Just seen it done this very minute, sir."
+
+"And let me see, there was one other thing." He took the letter from the
+chief bookkeeper's hand and glanced at it. "Ah, yes, a porcelain saucer,
+and a small jug of new milk upon the mantelpiece. An extraordinary
+request, but has it been attended to?"
+
+"I put it there myself, sir."
+
+"Who wait?"
+
+"Jones, Edmunds, Brooks, and Tomkins."
+
+"Very good. Then I think that will do. Stay! You had better tell the
+hall porter to look out for three gentlemen presenting plain visiting
+cards with a little red spot on them. Let Brooks wait in the hall, and
+when they arrive tell him to show them straight up to the room."
+
+"It shall be done, sir."
+
+The head waiter left the room, and the manager stretched himself in his
+chair, yawned by way of showing his importance, and then said
+solemnly,--
+
+"I don't believe they'll any of them turn up; but if they do, this Dr.
+Nikola, whoever he may be, won't be able to find fault with my
+arrangements."
+
+Then, leaving the dusty high road of Business, he and his companion
+wandered in the shady bridle-paths of Love--to the end that when the
+chief bookkeeper returned to her own department she had forgotten the
+strange dinner party about to take place upstairs, and was busily
+engaged upon a calculation as to how she would look in white satin and
+orange blossoms, and, that settled, fell to wondering whether it was
+true, as Miss Joyce, a subordinate, had been heard to declare, that the
+manager had once shown himself partial to a certain widow with reputed
+savings and a share in an extensive egg and dairy business.
+
+At ten minutes to eight precisely a hansom drew up at the steps of the
+hotel. As soon as it stopped, an undersized gentleman, with a clean
+shaven countenance, a canonical corporation, and bow legs, dressed in a
+decidedly clerical garb, alighted. He paid and discharged his cabman,
+and then took from his ticket pocket an ordinary white visiting card,
+which he presented to the gold-laced individual who had opened the
+apron. The latter, having noted the red spot, called a waiter, and the
+reverend gentleman was immediately escorted upstairs.
+
+Hardly had the attendant time to return to his station in the hall,
+before a second cab made its appearance, closely followed by a third.
+Out of the second jumped a tall, active, well-built man of about thirty
+years of age. He was dressed in evening dress of the latest fashion, and
+to conceal it from the vulgar gaze, wore a large Inverness cape of heavy
+texture. He also in his turn handed a white card to the porter, and,
+having done so, proceeded into the hall, followed by the occupant of the
+last cab, who had closely copied his example. This individual was also
+in evening dress, but it was of a different stamp. It was old-fashioned
+and had seen much use. The wearer, too, was taller than the ordinary run
+of men, while it was noticeable that his hair was snow-white, and that
+his face was deeply pitted with smallpox. After disposing of their hats
+and coats in an ante-room, they reached room No. 22, where they found
+the gentleman in clerical costume pacing impatiently up and down.
+
+Left alone, the tallest of the trio, who for want of a better title we
+may call the Best Dressed Man, took out his watch, and having glanced at
+it, looked at his companions. "Gentlemen," he said, with a slight
+American accent, "it is three minutes to eight o'clock. My name is
+Eastover!"
+
+"I'm glad to hear it, for I'm most uncommonly hungry," said the next
+tallest, whom I have already described as being so marked by disease.
+"My name is Prendergast!"
+
+"We only wait for our friend and host," remarked the clerical gentleman,
+as if he felt he ought to take a share in the conversation, and then, as
+an afterthought, he continued, "My name is Baxter!"
+
+They shook hands all round with marked cordiality, seated themselves
+again, and took it in turns to examine the clock.
+
+"Have you ever had the pleasure of meeting our host before?" asked Mr.
+Baxter of Mr. Prendergast.
+
+"Never," replied that gentleman, with a shake of his head. "Perhaps Mr.
+Eastover has been more fortunate?"
+
+"Not I," was the brief rejoinder. "I've had to do with him off and on
+for longer than I care to reckon, but I've never set eyes on him up to
+date."
+
+"And where may he have been the first time you heard from him?"
+
+"In Nashville, Tennessee," said Eastover. "After that, Tahupapa, New
+Zealand; after that, Papeete, in the Society Islands; then Pekin, China.
+And you?"
+
+"First time, Brussels; second, Monte Video; third, Mandalay, and then
+the Gold Coast, Africa. It's your turn, Mr. Baxter."
+
+The clergyman glanced at the timepiece. It was exactly eight o'clock.
+"First time, Cabul, Afghanistan; second, Nijni Novgorod, Russia; third,
+Wilcannia, Darling River, Australia; fourth, Valparaiso, Chili; fifth,
+Nagasaki, Japan."
+
+"He is evidently a great traveller and a most mysterious person."
+
+"He is more than that," said Eastover with conviction; "he is late for
+dinner!"
+
+Prendergast looked at his watch.
+
+"That clock is two minutes fast. Hark, there goes Big Ben! Eight
+exactly."
+
+As he spoke the door was thrown open and a voice announced "Dr. Nikola."
+
+The three men sprang to their feet simultaneously, with exclamations of
+astonishment, as the man they had been discussing made his appearance.
+
+It would take more time than I can spare the subject to give you an
+adequate and inclusive description of the person who entered the room at
+that moment. In stature he was slightly above the ordinary, his
+shoulders were broad, his limbs perfectly shaped and plainly muscular,
+but very slim. His head, which was magnificently set upon his shoulders,
+was adorned with a profusion of glossy black hair; his face was
+destitute of beard or moustache, and was of oval shape and handsome
+moulding; while his skin was of a dark olive hue, a colour which
+harmonized well with his piercing black eyes and pearly teeth. His hands
+and feet were small, and the greatest dandy must have admitted that he
+was irreproachably dressed, with a neatness that bordered on the
+puritanical. In age he might have been anything from eight-and-twenty to
+forty; in reality he was thirty-three. He advanced into the room and
+walked with out-stretched hand directly across to where Eastover was
+standing by the fireplace.
+
+"Mr. Eastover, I feel certain," he said, fixing his glittering eyes upon
+the man he addressed, and allowing a curious smile to play upon his
+face.
+
+"That is my name, Dr. Nikola," the other answered with evident surprise.
+"But how on earth can you distinguish me from your other guests?"
+
+"Ah! it would surprise you if you knew. And Mr. Prendergast, and Mr.
+Baxter. This is delightful; I hope I am not late. We had a collision in
+the Channel this morning, and I was almost afraid I might not be up to
+time. Dinner seems ready; shall we sit down to it?" They seated
+themselves, and the meal commenced. The Imperial Restaurant has earned
+an enviable reputation for doing things well, and the dinner that night
+did not in any way detract from its lustre. But, delightful as it all
+was, it was noticeable that the three guests paid more attention to
+their host than to his excellent *menu*. As they had said before his
+arrival, they had all had dealings with him for several years, but what
+those dealings were they were careful not to describe. It was more than
+possible that they hardly liked to remember them themselves.
+
+When coffee had been served and the servants had withdrawn, Dr. Nikola
+rose from the table, and went across to the massive sideboard. On it
+stood a basket of very curious shape and workmanship. This he opened,
+and as he did so, to the astonishment of his guests, an enormous cat, as
+black as his master's coat, leaped out on to the floor. The reason for
+the saucer and jug of milk became evident.
+
+Seating himself at the table again, the host followed the example of his
+guests and lit a cigar, blowing a cloud of smoke luxuriously through his
+delicately chiselled nostrils. His eyes wandered round the cornice of
+the room, took in the pictures and decorations, and then came down to
+meet the faces of his companions. As they did so, the black cat, having
+finished its meal, sprang on to his shoulder to crouch there, watching
+the three men through the curling smoke drift with its green blinking,
+fiendish eyes. Dr. Nikola smiled as he noticed the effect the animal had
+upon his guests.
+
+"Now shall we get to business?" he said briskly.
+
+The others almost simultaneously knocked the ashes off their cigars and
+brought themselves to attention. Dr. Nikola's dainty, languid manner
+seemed to drop from him like a cloak, his eyes brightened, and his
+voice, when he spoke, was clean cut as chiselled silver.
+
+"You are doubtless anxious to be informed why I summoned you from all
+parts of the globe to meet me here to-night? And it is very natural you
+should be. But then, from what you know of me, you should not be
+surprised at anything I do."
+
+His voice dropped back into its old tone of gentle languor. He drew in a
+great breath of smoke and then sent it slowly out from his lips again.
+His eyes were half closed, and he drummed with one finger on the table
+edge. The cat looked through the smoke at the three men, and it seemed
+to them that he grew every moment larger and more ferocious. Presently
+his owner took him from his perch, and seating him on his knee fell to
+stroking his fur, from head to tail, with his long slim fingers. It was
+as if he were drawing inspiration for some deadly mischief from the
+uncanny beast.
+
+"To preface what I have to say to you, let me tell you that this is by
+far the most important business for which I have ever required your
+help. (Three slow strokes down the centre of the back, and one round
+each ear.) When it first came into my mind I was at a loss who to trust
+in the matter. I thought of Vendon, but I found Vendon was dead. I
+thought of Brownlow, but Brownlow was no longer faithful. (Two strokes
+down the back and two on the throat.) Then bit by bit I remembered you.
+I was in Brazil at the time. So I sent for you. You came. So far so
+good."
+
+He rose, and crossed over to the fireplace. As he went the cat crawled
+back to its original position on his shoulder. Then his voice changed
+once more to its former business-like tone.
+
+"I am not going to tell you very much about it. But from what I do tell
+you, you will be able to gather a great deal and imagine the rest. To
+begin with, there is a man living in this world to-day who has done me a
+great and lasting injury. What that injury is is no concern of yours.
+You would not understand if I told you. So we'll leave that out of the
+question. He is immensely rich. His cheque for £300,000 would be
+honoured by his bank at any minute. Obviously he is a power. He has had
+reason to know that I am pitting my wits against his, and he flatters
+himself that so far he has got the better of me. That is because I am
+drawing him on. I am maturing a plan which will make him a poor and a
+very miserable man at one and the same time. If that scheme succeeds,
+and I am satisfied with the way you three men have performed the parts I
+shall call on you to play in it, I shall pay to each of you the sum of
+£10,000. If it doesn't succeed, then you will each receive a thousand
+and your expenses. Do you follow me?"
+
+It was evident from their faces that they hung upon his every word.
+
+"But, remember, I demand from you your whole and entire labour. While
+you are serving me you are mine body and soul. I know you are
+trustworthy. I have had good proof that you are--pardon the
+expression--unscrupulous, and I flatter myself you are silent. What is
+more, I shall tell you nothing beyond what is necessary for the carrying
+out of my scheme, so that you could not betray me if you would. Now for
+my plans!"
+
+He sat down again and took a paper from his pocket. Having perused it,
+he turned to Eastover.
+
+"You will leave at once--that is to say, by the boat on Wednesday--for
+Sydney. You will book your passage to-morrow morning, first thing, and
+join her in Plymouth. You will meet me to-morrow evening at an address I
+will send you, and receive your final instructions. Good-night."
+
+Seeing that he was expected to go, Eastover rose, shook hands, and left
+the room without a word. He was too astonished to hesitate or to say
+anything.
+
+Nikola took another letter from his pocket and turned to Prendergast.
+"*You* will go down to Dover to-night, cross to Paris to-morrow morning,
+and leave this letter personally at the address you will find written on
+it. On Thursday, at half-past two precisely, you will deliver me an
+answer in the porch at Charing Cross. You will find sufficient money in
+that envelope to pay all your expenses. Now go!"
+
+"At half-past two you shall have your answer. Good-night."
+
+"Good-night."
+
+When Prendergast had left the room, Dr. Nikola lit another cigar and
+turned his attentions to Mr. Baxter.
+
+"Six months ago, Mr. Baxter, I found for you a situation as tutor to the
+young Marquis of Beckenham. You still hold it, I suppose?"
+
+"I do."
+
+"Is the father well disposed towards you?"
+
+"In every way. I have done my best to ingratiate myself with him. That
+was one of your instructions."
+
+"Yes, yes! But I was not certain that you would succeed. If the old man
+is anything like what he was when I last met him he must still be a
+difficult person to deal with. Does the boy like you?"
+
+"I hope so."
+
+"Have you brought me his photograph as I directed?"
+
+"I have. Here it is."
+
+Baxter took a photograph from his pocket and handed it across the table.
+
+"Good. You have done very well, Mr. Baxter. I am pleased with you.
+To-morrow morning you will go back to Yorkshire----"
+
+"I beg your pardon, Bournemouth. His Grace owns a house near
+Bournemouth, which he occupies during the summer months."
+
+"Very well--then to-morrow morning you will go back to Bournemouth and
+continue to ingratiate yourself with father and son. You will also begin
+to implant in the boy's mind a desire for travel. Don't let him become
+aware that his desire has its source in you--but do not fail to foster
+it all you can. I will communicate with you further in a day or two. Now
+go."
+
+Baxter in his turn left the room. The door closed. Dr. Nikola picked up
+the photograph and studied it.
+
+"The likeness is unmistakable--or it ought to be. My friend, my very
+dear friend, Wetherell, my toils are closing on you. My arrangements are
+perfecting themselves admirably. Presently, when all is complete, I
+shall press the lever, the machinery will be set in motion, and you will
+find yourself being slowly but surely ground into powder. Then you will
+hand over what I want, and be sorry you thought fit to baulk Dr.
+Nikola!"
+
+He rang the bell and ordered his bill. This duty discharged, he placed
+the cat back in its prison, shut the lid, descended with the basket to
+the hall, and called a hansom. The porter inquired to what address he
+should order the cabman to drive. Dr. Nikola did not reply for a moment,
+then he said, as if he had been thinking something out: "The *Green
+Sailor* public-house, East India Dock Road."
+
+
+------------------------
+
+You can read the rest of "A Bid For Fortune; Or, Dr. Nikola's Vendetta" at `Open Library <https://archive.org/stream/bidforfortunenov00bootiala#page/12/mode/2up>`__