The Fifth String Page 7

  VII

  Perkins, seated in his office, threw the morning paper aside. "It's nouse," he said, turning to the office boy, "I don't believe they everwill find him, dead or alive. Whoever put up the job on Diotti was apast grand master at that sort of thing. The silent assassin that lurksin the shadow of the midnight moon is an explosion of dynamite comparedto the party that made way with Diotti. You ask, why should they killhim? My boy, you don't know the world. They were jealous of hisenormous hit, of our dazzling success. Jealousy did it."

  The "they" of Perkins comprised rival managers, rival artists,newspaper critics and everybody at large who would not concede that theattractions managed by Perkins were the "greatest on earth."

  "We'll never see his like again--come in!" this last in answer to aknock.

  Diotti appeared at the open door. Perkins jumped like one shot from acatapult, and rushing toward the silent figure in the doorwayexclaimed: "Bless my soul, are you a ghost?"

  "A substantial one," said Diotti with a smile.

  "Are you really here?" continued the astonished impresario, usingDiotti's arm as a pump handle and pinching him at the same time.

  When they were seated Perkins plied Diotti with all manner ofquestions; "How did it happen?" "How did you escape?" and the like, allof which Diotti parried with monosyllabic replies, finally saying: "Iwas dissatisfied with my playing and went away to study."

  "Do you know that the failure to fulfill your contract has cost me atleast ten thousand dollars?" said the shrewd manager, the commercialside of his nature asserting itself.

  "All of which I will pay," quietly replied the artist. "Besides I amready to play now, and you can announce a concert within a week if youlike."

  "If I like?" cried the hustling Perkins. "Here, James," calling hisoffice boy, "run down to the printer's and give him this," making anote of the various sizes of "paper" he desired, "and tell Mr. Tompkinsthat Diotti is back and will give a concert next Tuesday. Tell Smithto prepare the newspaper 'ads' and notices immediately."

  In an hour Perkins had the entire machinery of his office in motion.Within twenty-four hours New York had several versions of thedisappearance and return, all leading to one common point--that Diottiwould give a concert the coming Tuesday evening.

  The announcement of the reappearance of the Tuscan contained a line tothe effect that the violinist would play for the first time his newsuite--a meditation on the emotions.

  He had not seen Mildred.

  As he came upon the stage that night the lights were turned low, andnaught but the shadowy outlines of player and violin were seen. Hisreception by the audience was not enthusiastic. They evidentlyremembered the disappointment caused by his unexpected disappearance,but this unfriendly attitude soon gave way to evidences of kindlierfeelings.

  Mildred was there, more beautiful than ever, and to gain her loveDiotti would have bartered his soul that moment.

  The first movement of the suite was entitled "Pity," and the musicflowed like melodious tears. A subdued sob rose and fell with thesadness of the theme.

  Mildred's eyes were moistened as she fixed them on the lone figure ofthe player.

  Now the theme of pity changed to hope, and hearts grew brighter underthe spell. The next movement depicted joy. As the virtuoso's fingersdarted here and there, his music seemed the very laughter of fairyvoices, the earth looked roses and sunshine, and Mildred, relaxing herposition and leaning forward in the box, with lips slightly parted, wasthe picture of eager happiness.

  The final movement came. Its subject was love. The introductiondepicted the Arcadian beauty of the trysting place, love-lit eyessought each other intuitively and a great peace brooded over the heartsof all. Then followed the song of the Passionate Pilgrim:

  "If music and sweet poetry agree, As they must needs, the sister and the brother, When must the love be great 'twixt thee and me Because thou lov'st the one, and I the other. * * * Thou lov'st to hear the sweet melodious sound That Phoebus' lute (the queen of music) makes; And I in deep delight, am chiefly drown'd When as himself to singing he betakes. One god is god of both, as poets One knight loves both, and both in thee remain."

  Grander and grander the melody rose, voicing love's triumph withwondrous sweetness and palpitating rhythm. Mildred, her face flushedwith excitement, a heavenly fire in her eyes and in an attitude ofsupplication, reveled in the glory of a new found emotion.

  As the violinist concluded his performance an oppressive silencepervaded the house, then the audience, wild with excitement, burst intothunders of applause. In his dressing-room Diotti was besieged by hostsof people, congratulating him in extravagant terms.

  Mildred Wallace came, extending her hands. He took them almostreverently. She looked into his eyes, and he knew he had struck thechord responsive in her soul.