Charles Rex

nt of the house. He shot towards them in his car with that characteristic suddenness of his, swerving and coming to a stand before

e. "Oh, Charlie," she said, "I have wanted to shake

mented lightly. "Had you begun to wear mourning for me, I wonder? It

with its half-mocking smile with a species of maternal tendern

t milk, Maud of the Roses." He uttered his old name for her with

you smile

m. "Well, Jake, I've taken you at your word, you see, and intruded into your virtuous

done, Charlie! How clever o

ask if all goes well with you, Jake. Your prosperity is obvious, but don't wax fat on it. Bunny now-he's

rotested Bunny. "I'm as

him not to

ile. "Come inside, my lord! The children are all flo

by!" declared Saltash,

arm. "I will take you t

like that. But I shall probably want to shoot

confidence. "Yes, I think

feed!" s

of the wreck of The Night Moth, but no word did he utter of the gift that had been flung to him on that night of stars in the Mediterranean. He was always completely at his ease in Jake'

s manner. But he had always been elusive, often subtle. She did

ul he had behind the mask. Somehow she did not wholly believe in that entity which so often looked jibing forth. Though she could ascribe no reason for it, she had a strong suspicion that the real se

e asked her once and laughed and chang

or for her with that royal bonhomie of his which somehow ga

!" he murmured. "I w

th a flash of surprise

ose. I shall not forget to clai

matter of course. "Come for a turn in the garden wi

lap on the shoulder that testified to the exce

o the room, and threw h

as the door closed upo

e can

he attention of the man accustomed to probe beneath the surface. There w

crutiny as he chose his cigar. He was never

consult you about, Jake," he said eas

ening," s

s his cigar kindled. "Prepared to tur

little. "Prepared to

ith young Bun

"Very smart of you! Bunny certainly is my first

several seconds in silence. Saltash

roblem, eh?" he s

. "He's not going to turn into a fancy-dress loafer, my lord," he sa

not proposing to adopt him. But I can give him employment,

d upon him. "Just an hones

m from Saltash's half-closed eyes. "All contami

was s

you, Jake," he said. "We mustn't spoil the boy. He shan't learn any naughty way

" said

ilosopher," he made light reply. "I don't set up for a model of virtue

d he wants to join me in running the stud. I could do with him of course, but I've a strong feeling against it, anyway till he's older. It's not the right atmosphere for him, and it doesn't bring him in contact with the right people. He ought to be in the Army, but he wasn't strong enough.

d Saltash, with a gr

ke, "if it's for

him is the post of bailiff at Burchester Castle, as old Bishop has got beyond his job. I can't turn the old beggar out, but I want a young

jump at the cha

thy brother-in-law does on

it's a chance that doesn't come every day, and I know you

aid Saltash. "Bunny

ot as if he sought for anything in the baffling, mo

urning philanthropist, Jake. Do you know the symptoms?

uddenly, hasn't i

r doing Bunny a good turn. The boy can have play as well as wor

ill he live?

within reach of you and Maud at the same time. It's time you eased t

ady quite as much as is good for him. I don't need to ho

you. You've a genius for that sort of thing, Jake. The boy will pro

thing you wanted to

m of it for a few seconds with a curiously irresolute air. "Do you know I think I'll

the same thin

t with defiance. "Doubtless you are master in your own h

" the red-brown eyes began to smile, "that Maud and

ot so bad after ei

e were an ill-matched pair, wouldn't you? But we'v

been about the same height and breadth, my friend. I saw that a long time ago.

ll, it wasn't a very lucky

, to take things much to heart. I've loved heaps of women since-even some good

turned sober,"

ine-glass. For a moment the restlessness of his face de

turn to somebody-just for a change-to see what it feels like. Perhaps-who knows-it may take the taste of rottenness out of my mouth.

ty damnable,

, my good Jake. But we won't discuss it. Let's come to bus

d. "I've m

eteen-a jolly little thing-half French. Larpent doesn't know what to do with her. He has no people. She-quite properly-wants to earn her own living. But she's too young yet to fight the world. Larpent's a rover, he'll never settle on land. She's never had any home life, poor kid. And she wants it. Y

ash turned his head towards Jake, watchi

ly drawn. He spoke at last, slowly and softly as his manner was. "A

ould be a kindness on your part, and you wouldn't regret it. She's a taking little thing. I'd like you to have her for a month, and if you d

r her now?" said Ja

ss, and in a moment was pacing the room, his face arrogantly lifted. "I know very well the sort of story that's going round, but if you're a white man you'll help me to give it the lie. I know I'm a blackguard, Ja

ght," s

to no harm with you. You never even parley with the devil, do you, Jake? Remember that time-it's ten years ago,

remember it, my

tempting you to do anything wrong now. I'm asking you to do something that doesn't appeal to you; but if you do it, it'll be one of the most dece

"I'll have to talk it o

very well what Maud will say. Don't be an ass

rrace and the sound of low voices talking together. Jake lifted hi

plain truth about

dly, with the sort of fitful shining that comes from a coat of mail in an uncertain l

word, Jake?" he said, with a wry twist of

e square and forceful.

rutiny that-possibly-pi

d. "I will take your w

hild?" sai

The child too-

smile that gave his ugly face so great a charm. "I

go to her?