



Produced by Suzanne Shell and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from images generously made available by The
Internet Archive/American Libraries.)






THE HARLEQUIN OPAL

A ROMANCE


BY

FERGUS HUME

_Author of "The Island of Fantasy," "Aladdin in London," etc._


VOLUME I


    Once a realm of Indian glory,
    Famed in Aztec song and story,
    Fabled by Tradition hoary
        As an earthly Paradise;
    Now a land of love romances,
    Serenades, bolero dances,
    Looks of scorn, adoring glances,
        Under burning tropic skies.


LONDON
W. H. ALLEN & CO., LIMITED
13, WATERLOO PLACE, S.W.
1893

WYMAN AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON AND REDHILL.




    PROEM.


    The stone had its birth in the nurturing earth.
      Its home in the heart of the main,
    From the coraline caves it was tossed by the waves
      On the breast of an aureate plain;
    And the spirits who dwell in the nethermost hell
      Stored fire in its bosom of white;
    The sylphs of the air made it gracious and fair
      With the blue of the firmament's height.

    The dull gnomes I ween, gave it glittering sheen.
      Till yellow as gold it became:
    The nymphs of the sea made the opal to be
      A beacon of emerald flame.

    The many tints glow, they come and they go
      At bidding of spirits abhorr'd,
    When one ray is bright, in the bosom of white,
      Its hue tells the fate of its lord.
    For yellow hints wealth, and blue meaneth health,
      While green forbodes passing of gloom,
    But beware of the red, 'tis an omen of dread,
      Portending disaster and doom.




Transcriber's Note: Minor typographical errors have been corrected
without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have
been retained as printed. Words printed in italics are noted with
underscores: _italics_. The cover of this ebook was created by the
transcriber and is hereby placed in the public domain.




INDEX.


CHAP.                                                PAGE

   I.--CHUMS                                            1

  II.--THE DEVIL STONE                                 27

 III.--"THE BOHEMIAN"                                  54

  IV.--IN THE TRACK OF COLUMBUS                        78

   V.--DON MIGUEL IS COMMUNICATIVE                    100

  VI.--CHALCHUIH TLATONAC                             125

 VII.--DOLORES                                        152

VIII.--VIVA EL REPUBLICA                              177

  IX.--THE CALL TO ARMS                               201

   X.--PADRE IGNATIUS                                 221

  XI.--THE DRAMA OF LITTLE THINGS                     238

 XII.--A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE                        262




THE HARLEQUIN OPAL.




CHAPTER I.

CHUMS.

    Long years have passed since last we met,
    And left their marks of teen and fret;
    No longer faces plump and smooth,
    Proclaim the halcyon days of youth.
    But haggard looks and tresses white
    Betray the ardour of the fight;
    The same old friends: we meet once more--
    But not the merry boys of yore.


"It is a great mistake," said Sir Philip Cassim, looking doubtfully at
the piece of paper lying on his desk; "then we were foolish boys, now
we are--I trust sensible men. Certainly it is a great mistake."

The piece of paper was yellow with age, a trifle grimy, and so worn
with constant foldings, that it was wonderful the four quarters had not
long since parted company, as had the four friends, each of whom
carried a similar piece in his pocket-book. Often in his wanderings had
Sir Philip pondered over that untidy boyish scribble setting forth the
foolish promise, which he now, half regretfully, characterised as "a
great mistake."

    "Bedford Grammar School,

    "_24th July, 1874._

    "If we live and are in good health, we promise faithfully to meet
    at Philip's house, in Portman Square, London, on the twenty-fourth
    day of July, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine, at seven
    o'clock in the evening.

    "(Signed)

    "PHIL