The Clock and the Key

had so obviously admired him. He stood for the very qualities that I lacked. The glamour of his name, the luxurious environment he scorned so vigorously, his verve, and, abov

uite different directions. Jacqueline to her side; the brother to his assistance in Rome. The young fool was in trouble–trouble serious

tful. 50It was no longer the reserved Jacqueline that spoke. There was a delightful shy

and myself to dinner that evening. After I had left them yesterday he had hinted at a wonderful st

ly, I could not tell her why I had to leave Venice so peremptorily. Neither she nor her aunt must know that the youngster had

goons. There had been complications and delays; and in his remorse th

rrived only a day or two before. Her annoyanc

d, when one came to think over the matter calmly, was it worth while attempting to discover one? And was I really interested in writing the book–that is, for

indow. I was bitterly

ored near the Salute, tossed and swayed at their anchors. The goddess over the customs-hou

her rouge-pot and powder. Venice, in short, was a painting, a masterpiece, if you wish, which the mischievous fist of some mawkish infant had smeared and smudged. The pigeons,

for the landing outside my windows. It touched the steps. The old gransieri, shivering in an archway, pa

What humble attraction had I for the noble gentleman? The seven others bore the name of St. Hilary. Seven calls in ten days! I looked at them thoughtfully. And then–why, I have no idea–I thought of the mysterious clock that Mrs. Gordon had entrus

lk to. Just returned from a littl

here’s your whisky? I am drenched through. T

ook in every detail of my room.

when I have slipped into a bath-robe. Y

creak of a wicker-chair as he threw himself into it. Then there was silence. I was about to rejoin him,

. Another puzzled glance about the room, and he sank noiselessly into the chair. It was not difficult to put two and two together. He was looking for Mrs. Gordon’

e,” I said, and went into the sala. I banged the doo

nto my bedroom. I waited considerately for

e rare and odd, what is the news of the past

me closely. The nouns w

d in the palazzo of the duke, making an inve

a cloud of cigarett

hap, th

ded a

gallant to

, but without

iment, his giving th

talian would hav

disgusted at the poo

y s

uperb cloisonné Kioto vase? With carved ivories galore and a plaque

, “you had an eye on that c

and odd. By the way, she asked you to keep it for her.

d an acquaintance. He asked me to go to the opera with him, I did not refuse, though the invitation, coming from him, surprised me. And the inevitable happened, of course. At the very box-office,

ivilege, I put my hand in my pocket to oblige him. Accidenti! Was the

such an odd coincidence. And so we went our separate ways, quite good-naturedly

to do with an old tim

rd and tapped

as my captain, are too crafty by half. You know the time

derstand yo

that cabinet, behind the portière there? By Jove, you had th

ion, I was much mistaken. He stared at me a m

oolly. “I should have acted with my customar

this customary frankness of yours, you 57guard t

of it. Now that my cards are on the ta

ail to see those cards of yours on the

,” he said, and his nec

but slyly. When I was curious in my turn, you were hardly pleased. You pooh-poohed the chamber. You made fun of the clock. You blew out the candle promptly that no one might examine it. When Mrs. Gordon insisted on doing

perate cases require

ould you deny it? There is nothing to be ashamed of. Your eight calls have made me quite

hed, a little t

I were to confess that this old clock interests me beyond belief, why should you not satisfy my curiosity? Ha

ossible,” I an

est really conf

answered, s

y way and you yours.” He picked up his hat

or a cigar. “However, let me remin

ed to write up the legend connected with it, if legend there was. But I browbeat him 59to punish him. He had not come to me frankly and openly. He

ce with that same searching glance that had s

n to betray a confidence–certainly not the confidence of a

hat, too,” he sai

why

n that has grit and resource–who can even be unscrupulous on occasion–yes, look into a friend’s trunk and not feel too sque

could have said nothing that would have touc

you laughed at me; you consoled me with sneers. If I had not a soul to appreciate art and beauty, there was still the sensuous Venice for me to enjoy. And so, month by month, I have

he walked over to where I sat a

at the woman you lov

ly. He passed his han

me. I am in the sere leaf and brown. I had forgotten that love might come into your life. S

es

e, courage, faith, a will that is 61relentless. If I sha

that demands action, and if it concerns

e your legend. If you succeed, you will share equally with myself. I have needed one for this quest in whose honesty I could

aid again.