The Paradise Mystery

asleep and he was afraid of waking him. He had a gentle step which was soft without being stealthy,

ourself, he said to himself. And for the moment, after replying to his assistant's greeting-a greeting as quiet as his entrance-he went on reading his letters, and Bryce turned off to that part of the surgery in which the drugs were kept, and busied himself in making up some presc

why, he was not quite sure. Outwardly, Bryce was rather more than presentable-a tall, good-looking man of twenty-eight or thirty, whom some people-women especially-would call handsome; he was the sort of young man who knows the value of good clothes and a smart appearance, and his professional manner was all that could be desired. But Ransford could not help distinguishing between Bryce the doctor and Bryce the man-and Bryce the man he did not like. Outside the professional part of him

u," he said curtly. "I

imself in his work. Ransford knew that he must have recognized a certain significance in the words just addressed to him-but h

yce inquiringl

ned round. Not a man to be easily startled-not easily turned from a purpose, this, thought Ransford as he glanc

e brought it on yourself. I gave you a hint some time ag

ntly against the table at which he had been busy with drugs and bottles, he took a

id, after a

"you've since addressed her again on t

sed his feet as he leaned back against the table-his whole attitude s

s a certain young woman to become his wife, what right has any other man-or the youn

d he only does it once-and take

y word of a woman's as being final is a fool. What a woman thinks on Monday she's almost dead certain not to

ryce went on, coolly and imperturbably, as

irst time of asking. She may be too surprised. She mayn't be quite decided. She may say one thing when she really means another. That often happens. She isn't muc

ing to discuss theories and ideas. I know one young woman, at any rate, who is certain of herself. Miss Bewery does not feel any inclin

is senior with a

t be inclined to-in the future?" he asked

and be done with it. She doesn't like you-and she doesn't

nception of a m

ood one," excl

onception of a man is of a being who's got some perseverance. You

Ransford. "That's flat! She doesn't want you-and

say, you support her in her resolution not to listen to my

rly unnecessary. So I'm not going to answer it. I've nothing against you as

uietly. "That means-yo

k it would be bes

ected to as a suitor? You, at any rate, know who I am-you know that my father is of our own profession, and a man of reputation and standing, and that I myself c

hair as he noticed the emphasis

ou mean?"

hing to me. Any question about me can be answered. Now, you can

a somewhat quick one. And he made a strong effort in that direction now, recognizing that there

st said," he answered. "W

from school, a year ago, Wrychester people have been much interested in Miss Bewery, and in her brother, too. And there are a good many residents

impudence!" gr

coteries of a cathedral town, consisting mainly of the relicts of deceased deans, canons, prebendaries and the like, and of m

ssiping about my affairs,"

ryce cheerfully. "Of course they gossip about your affairs; have gossi

ord, who was too vexed to keep b

e sort of thing I have heard. 'That dear, delightful Miss Bewery-what a charming girl! And that good-looking boy, her brother-quite a dear! Now I wonder who they really are? Wards of Dr. Ransford, of course! Really, how very romantic!-and j

Ransford unde

Do you want more? I can supply an unlimited quantity in

er qualities," remarked Ran

slowly and sh

I say-there's no mystery about me. If Miss Bewery will honour me with her han

that hers won't?"

f, of myself. Pressing my own claim, if you like, on you, the guar

d. "You've got no claims! What

people say there is-about Miss Bewery, it would be safe with me. Whatever y

Ransford. "What are you t

ery bad enemy,"

during which the two men loo

any idea whatever of ever marrying you. She earnestly hopes that that eventuality may nev

ered Bryce

d, with a faint show of

see signs of a changed mind in

," declared Ransford. "That's certai

"I'm not the sort of ma

ocked it and took some papers from an inside drawer. He consulted one of these and turned to Bryce. "You remember our agreement?" he continued.

reed Bryce. "I re

w," said Ransford, and sat down again at his desk. "That

ching Ransford write the cheque. And when Ransford laid the che

thing I can do. I can't have any man who's not-not welcome to her, to put it

rs. You're really turning me away-as if I were a dishonest foreman!-because in my opinion it would be a ve

ce. The thing was done now, and his dismissed assistant seemed

know whether you're the most cynical young man

" interrupted Bryce. "

n't want you!" said Ransford. "Hang it!-for anything you k

arden. And Ransford turned-and saw Mary Bewery walking there with a tall lad, whom he recognized as one Sackville Bonham, stepson of M

yonder callow youth, who's the apple of her eye, is one of the inquisitive ladies of whom I've just told you, and if her son unites himself with an

to you. You needn't remain-I'll see to everything. And I'm going ou

s hat and gloves, left the surgery by the side doo