The Blotting Book

y dedicated to exercise. It was but seldom that he broke into the routine of habits so long formed, and indeed the most violent rain or snow of winter, the most cutting easter

ss and sultriness. It had been sunless all day, and all day the blanket of clouds that beset the sky had been gathering themselves into blacker and more ill-omened density. There would certainly be a thunderstorm before morning, and the approach of it made Mr. Taynton feel that he really had not the energy to walk. By and by perhaps he might be tempted to go in quest of coolness along

nted the strongest possible contrast to the appointments of his partner's flat with its heavy decorations, its somewhat gross luxury. A few water-colours hung on the white walls, a few Persian rugs strewed the floor, a big bookcase with china on the top filled one end of the room, his writing-table, a half dozen of C

nd his eyes had been idle, his mind had been very busy. Yet for all its business, he had not arrived at much. Morris, Godfrey Mills, and himself; he had placed these three figures in all sorts of positions in

ly from just inside came the fierce clanging peal of a bell, which made him start from his recumbent position. It was the front-door bell, as he knew, and as it continued ringing as if a maniac's grip was on the handle, he heard the steps of his

he cried, "What's the use of

e door of his room whi

Morris,"

behind them, that there was any excitement of any sort raging within him. He sat down at once in a chair opposite the window, and Mr. Taynton saw that in spite of the heat of the day and the violen

at once to see you. He has told me everything. Godf

at down heavi

ay it," he murmured. "It can't

suggested that you should go and talk it over with

his hand with a

k it over. I must get used to this dreadful,

like some Greek presentment of the Furies or Revenge. Never, so thought his old friend, had he seen such glorious youthful beauty so instinct and inspired w

ed. "I must see him a

p, his rage agai

with?" he said. "Wha

aynton forgot himsel

are saying," he cried. "Thank God

ed not to b

im here? I have already been to your office, and he

" ejaculate

like. But I've got

e is

night. Now attend. Of course you must see him, I quite understan

ld like other people to see what I've got t

ain sign what he has signed, or work with him, or-or-except once-see him again. He is coming he

he door. A sudden spasm of anxi

going to do

s, and tell Sir Richard you cannot see him

romise me you will do nothing rash, nothing th

le sorrow on a man wh

uld probably get the upper hand of blind rage. But how deadly a weapon Mills had in store against himself; he would certainly tell Morris that if one partner had slandered him the other, whom he so trusted and revered, had robbed him; he would say, too, that Taynton had been cognizant of, and had approved, his slanders. There was no end to the ruin that would certainly be brought about his head if they met. Mi

t the house, somehow, in the last hour had become terrible to him, any movement or action, even on a day like this, when only madmen and the English go abroad, was better than the nervous waiting in his darkened room. Dreadful forces, forces of ruin and murder and disgrace, were abroad in the world of men; the menace of the low black clouds and stifling heat was more bearable. He wanted to get away from his house, which was permeated and soaked in association with the other two actors, who in company with himself, had surely some tragedy for

e sea, but the drivers of these, despairing of fares, were for the most part dozing on the boxes, or with a more set purpose were frankly slumbering in the interior. The dismal little wooden shelters th

rspiration, and the natural reaction and cooling of the skin. Some internal excitement and fever of the brain cut off all external things; the loneliness, the want of correspond

hen his thoughts turned to the downs above this stricken place, where, even in the sultriest days some breath of wind was alway

*

teeple of St. Agnes's Church, just opposite Mr. Taynton's house, and the crash of thunder answered it more quickly than his servant had run to open the door to Morris's furious ringing of the bell. At that the sluices of heaven were opened, and heaven's artillery thundered its salvoes to the flare of the r

ousers so that he should not soak his Persian rugs. But from him, as from the charged skies, some tension had passed; this tempest which had so cooled the air and restored the equili

ightning was terrific, was it not? I will just change, and have a little suppe

ed himsel

toss up a hot dish for him. Oh, yes, and Mr. Mills will be here at half-past nine, or even sooner, as I cannot think

liams, "Will you ha

attered the poor garden will l

*

etable soup for him, and some cold lamb with asparagus and endive salad. A macedoine of strawberries followed and a scoop of cheese. Simple as his fare

he said, and hel

vening clothes with a dinner jacket

come yet?"

host s

you. Ever since you left this afternoon I have ha

d, a curious

rink his heal

erk, and leaned his

th to carry him through t

e water, and Mr. Taynton insta

like port," he said. "Wh

ry well," said Morri

ed?" asked hi

hink I did. I

clock chimed a r

lling his glass again. "You

ys very punctual,"

and again the clock chimed. Morris who at first had sat very quiet had begun to fidget and stir in his chair; occasionally when he happened to notice it, he drank of

ened," he said. "Can he

ught he to

with a little emphasis on the last word, "at a

him with a furtiv

. "I went up there again after I left you to

ng of him?" as

ly a soul on the road; the storm was coming up

doesn't branch off for

ion," said

n till ten. Then Mor

his rooms to see if h

" said his host, "

tle delay, Mills's servant was rung up. His master had not yet

ntment with you for h

is a

nk what has happen

quickly to t

u don't want me to meet him. I believe he is in

ront-door and banged it behind him, and was off hatle

ke himself; this discovery of Mills's treachery seemed to have changed his nature. Violent and quick he always was, but to-night he was suspicious, he seemed to dis

momentous to him. But something, this strangeness in Morris, no doubt, and his general anxiety and suspense as to how this dreadful knot could unravel itself, preoccupied him now, and even when he did take up the pa

ore Morris returned with matted and

ught I was mad. I searched them you understand; I insisted. I shall go round there again first thing to-mor

ked at him grav

hope nothing is wrong. And now, my dear boy, let me implore you to go straight home, get off yo

out of him.