Violet Forster's Lover

PTE

d on th

turned h

g high--there you are, nine, ten, knave, queen, k

uggest that the other's hand was unexp

then, letting the five cards fall uppermost on the table, sat and stared at

--he's got you, Jack

ton. Obviously it contained a great deal of money; there wer

for it, Sydney?" a

odwell in

or--anything else. Perhaps he won't mind saying

-Beaton with a sudden s

you mean?

with a calmness which, in i

; I fancy you know quite well what I mean. Wil

om the table so as to enable him to see the floor. "I d

ou dropped it, there was bound to be. Dray

the assembled players, in whose demeanour, for some as yet

the nine

why Beaton dropped it; with the nine of

eet, his face flushe

you insinuating----"

ake another off the top of the pack--in the hope, I presume, that it was a better one. It clearly was; the card you dropped was the nine of spades; the hand you have shown th

nsiderable sums had been staked, and won and lost. Sydney Beaton in particular had punted heavily. For the most part he had lost--all his ready cash and more. For some time he had been betting with I.O.U.'s scribbled on odd scraps of paper. There had just been a jackpot. Five men had come in, dropping out one after the other until only Beaton and Tickell had been left. Tickell's last raise had been a hundred pounds; Be

appened to the muscles of his face, its expression seemed to have become so

what you say. Come, Sydney

d was gasped ra

s a

tinued unruffled. He

ye. Am I wrong in supposing th

fraid

ree cards he gave himself, and tak

fraid

the man and the chair on which he was seated both went together to the floor. The thing was so unexpected that it h

That wo

rust the table away in order to get at Dodwell, who was on t

m," he gasped,

ccuser, for they held him back; and they w

tter with which you can deal on quite those lines. Do w

not tend to cool a young man's already heated brain. For longer than they supposed Sydney had not been his real self; many and various were the causes which had been tendin

odwell? I tell you what I will do, I'll take them on both together and fight them to a standstill, and choke their inferna

haved like a lunatic. Those who tried to keep him from attacking Major Reith he fought tooth and nail. Between them he was borne

afterwards there was little to show. The sentry on duty, when closely questioned, said that Captain Beaton, in civilian dress, had passed him, reeling like a drunken man, and vanished into the night. The sentry was the last man connected with his regiment who saw him.

PTE

he Groo

very tight place. He had piled folly on to folly, and just lately he had surmounted the pile with the biggest of the lot. If he could not get money quickly matters would go very ill with him. Money-lenders and all those sort of people were not to be persuaded; he owed them already more than they ever expected to get. Nor did he know of any friend or

t get the money he wanted the family name might suffer. George, in reply, said right out what he thought of him; he made it quite cl

nly my money can't; I mean, nothing can save you from yourself. I mayn

u show yo

t; you're not safe either to ride or drive. You're absolutely certain to come a cropper, and probably a bad one. I give you my word that I have no

I will

ouple of years. But you're not going to have your own way; no

stening his lips before answering; t

t if you won't help

of our conversation, I could give you into custody for attempting to obtain money by means of threats, and you'd be convicted. If the family name is to be dragged in the mud by you, then I shal

t part of the world left early; another interview which immediately followed the one with his brother delayed him till it was daw

t after you came, but I thought I had better not

e open. Within was a sheet of pape

ht never have known. I shall be at the old place this evening at seven o'clock; mind you come. I don't know that I need give a specia

even! Just you

f; the dog-cart in which he had come was waiting at the door; he had not much time to spare if the train was not to go without him. He arrive

for me at 'The Grapes.' I'll

e winked at Ling, who had appeared on the d

mind your own business and leave others to mind theirs. You d

mind having a trifle on it that I keep on waitin

his best to keep him in his place. But the groom was right; the dog-cart waited outsi

a familiar short cut across his brother's property on to the neighbouring estate of Nuthurst. He came to a ring of trees which ran round a little knoll, on the top of which was what looked to be an old-fashioned summer-house. His footsteps must have been audible as they tramped through the dry leaves; that his approach had been heard was made plain by the fact that a feminine

! Why didn't you let me k

myself until I

me a telegram befor

I shall have to hurry off to ca

d to strike her. She drew a little awa

, what'

bearing seemed to lack that touch of boyi

ong with me? Aren't I one of those unlucky cr

rrelled with

for the night, which doesn't seem to p

she spoke again; and then it was

oney, S

d looked at her, something on his handsome face which seemed to have obscured its su

u know that I was coming; I didn't mean to let you k

, do you mean? Well, for one thi

nd only scrambles out of one hole to get into

matters to me. And, Sydney, d

mustn't t

ou mean,

ake you in my arms, and keep you th

arms--and keep me there

othing to pay them. What would your uncle say if he came upon us now? Wouldn't he warn me off the premises, as my brother has done? You know, my dear, you're not for such as

me you must have

hich, in spite of himself, brought

. One which is going

hook her h

fe, some of them awful croppers; there must have been quite twenty from which you were never going to rise again. B

that could save me. I am quite serious. He told me he would not give me so much as a sovereign; he even refused me a night's lodging. That means, as I tell you, that I'm done. I don't know qui

was with an attempt at gaiety, there was someth

makes my blood run cold to hear you t

I'm likely to be in as awk

is eyes met hers. Each might have

o you stil

I were to tell you straight out

o say, and also, I happen to know, an untrue one. I know that you do sti

become a

t things which are

would

croppers. I don't think you are capable of very strong and enduring emotions where a woman is concerned; nowadays men aren't. But, in your own

's it--if! So

rightfull

many times? And now, when for the first time in

ish than ever. You love me in your fashion, but you must remember that I lov

yet aw

e. But then, are you thinki

er woman if I don't marry yo

the average man makes the woman who loves him suffer; but I'd rather anything than lose you. Whatever may become of you, whatever you do, wherever you may be, be sure of one thing, always--that I love you. I'll make open confession. Sydney, I'd marry you to-morrow if you wished me. I don't think you're likely to, nor do I think that it would be good for either of us if you did,

PTE

p, T

days, and already he was brought to this. During the last few days he had been practically penniless; now he was literally without a farthing, or the prospect of getting one, and it was November in London, one of those damp, cold, foggy, uncharitable Novembers which Londoners know well. Never since the night when he had been thrown out of the room could he be said to have had all his wits about him, to have been, in any real sense, himself. It was as though a cloud had settled on his brain and dulled it; which was, perhaps, an explanation why from that last moment of his crowning degradation he had behaved like an utter fool. He had left the barracks with, as his whole fortune, the suit of clothes which he was wearing, his watch and chain, his studs and links, and about three pounds in money. All the rest of his cash,

er dreamt that clothes of his could ever be. It is unnecessary to enter into details, but his full wardrobe was in what, a very short time ago, would have been to him an unthinkable condition. He had to get money somehow, or--he could not think or what. He had contemplated suici

e slept at all--out of doors, under the November sky, in mist and mire, cold and gloom. To-night he found himself in Hyde Park. No man knows of what he is capable until his whole being cries out for food, and gets none. When a man who has been nurtured as Sydney Beaton had finds himself on the verge of starvation, his plight is much worse than that of the man who has fared hardly all his days. His powers of resistance are

ast the price of a loaf of bread; the mere thought of a hot crusty loaf fresh from the oven made his brain reel. If he could only get the wherewithal to purchase one from the men who were coming towards him! Nearer they came, and nearer; they were almost on him. He was just coming out from under the tree when one of them spoke and the other laughed. He shrank b

en him. He had noticed particularly that they never turned their heads; they were too anxious to press on to look his way--but if they had! It was some time after they were out of both sight and

ed, he was cowering under a clump of bushes not far from the Serpentine. No one saw him. A policeman tramped along the path, but did not trouble himself to sear

ed to show himself--a rain-sodden, half-frozen, shivering, weary, hopeless, starving wretch; his

ere have you been all night?

re I've just had breakfast. You haven't got a crust of bread about

take yourself outside of here.

e one, the equestrians became quite numerous. Sydney stood up against the rail to watch them. There had been times, not so very long ago, when he had taken his morning canter in the park. As he watched the riders come and go, it seemed incredible--now. In spite of his physical distress it still tickled him to notice how badly some of them rode; the "Liver Brigade" always had been famous for its bad riding. But what did it matter how they rode? The world went very well with them; they had slept on spring mattresses, between linen sheets, had come from luxurious homes, were returning to an excellent meal, which they probably lacke

ose up to the rails as he came towards them. They were within three feet of Sydney Beaton. He could hear distinct

and I'm the loser. Here a

reign purse, still open. A heavy gold chain stretched from pocket to pocket across his waistcoat unguarded. Probably there was a handsome gold watch at the other end of it. No thought of anything of the kind had been in Beaton's mind one instant; the next he stepped forward and, snatching at the unguarded ch

's taken my wa

s energies were centred in an attempt to escape. He rushed across the path, vaulted over the railing, tore across the grass as fast as his feet could carry him, with the chase at his heels. The old gentleman could not do much in the way of chasing, but seemingly his companion could, and there, were others who joined him who plainly were still capable of running after such a quarry. Swift-footed though he knew himself to be, before he had taken many steps Sydney knew that he would owe not a little to

keeper hurrying down the path which bounded the stretch of grass which he was crossing, possibly the keeper who had already accosted him. A constable was advancing from the other side. If he shook

a dozen yards lower down, alighting within a few feet of the constable. That official halted, seeming to take it for granted that the criminal had delivered himself into his hands. He was premature. Nothing was farther from his in

e next fence would bring him down. His breath was failing him; the world seemed spinning round;

was coming along the road, slowing as it came. It came to a standstill just as it was abreast of him. The sole occupant of the body of the car was a woman, who all at once opened the door, stood up, and beckoned to him. He did not pause to think what the gesture might mean, who this fair owner of a motor-car might be who had fallen from the skie

chapter. He just managed to drop back on to the seat, but almost before he reached it his few

PTE

od Sam

ood what was being done. It was a triumph of impudence. The car had joined the other traffic, and was running along Piccadilly, without anyone lifting so much as a

ttired as a lady might be who is taking the air in the park, or paying a morning call. It was not easy, from her appearance, to determine her age. Where a woman is concerned it seldom is, but she was certainly not old; she might have been anywhere between twenty-five and thirty-five. Nor was she ill-looking. At times, as she glanced at the man beside her, her face was lit by a smile which made it even more than pretty, then the smile went, and was succeeded by an expression which had in it something hard and cruel and even sinister; but even then, after some uncomfortable fashion, it was a handsome face, though scarcely one which one would have chosen for a friend. Her immobility was striking. Although she had been guilty of such a quixotic action as to rescue a man, a

closely enough; one felt that nothing about him escaped her scrutiny--that she noted the well-cut clothes as well as the state that they were in; the hand which dangled helplessly by his side, that it was not that of a man who had don

who kept her own feelings in the background; whose face was a mask; who was mistress of herself; who, to judge from her bearing, w

the chance to alight from the car, the door of the house flew open, and a tall, clean-shaven man appeared on the doorstep who might have been a serva

got

of the figure which was huddled in the car. He said nothing. Leaning forward, he put his arms under Beaton and raised him as if he were a child, carried him into the house, up a flight of stairs, into a room at the back, and laying him on a couch which it contained, looked down at him with an air of detached curiosity without showing any sign of

h, with a watch and chain and sovereign purse held in his hand. He

oes thi

educated person; his tone, though respectful, was that of one who a

holding. "It looks as if it were a watch a

watch--Charles Carter--and a crest, and the

why they

's t

ne side of me: one man was trying to get away from a number of others. When I saw the way

est the crowd was taking in him. I imagine that they are articles tha

from the way he hand

lieved the still unconscious Sydney, and which was hanging over the back of a chair. "Here

de for someone else and come into

well. His name is Sydney Beaton, and

d of person we

expression at all. His was one of those square faces whose blue cheeks and chin show how strong the beard would b

hen will he

to write at once to say that

word she had used had borne an odd significance. He continued to survey the unconscious Syd

ne can do that sort of

substitute for a smile, as if the wo

you say, I dare say I'll be ab

ookshelf filled with books; she took one down, it was Burke's "Landed Gentry." She took a case out of some receptacle in her bodice, and lit a cigarette. Se

am, Wilts; unmarried; next heir, his brother, Sydney, D.S.O., the Guards, captain, twenty

or. She inhaled the smoke of her cigarette, star

nd chains without good and sufficient reasons. And yet, in spite of the state he's in, he hardly looks it, and by this time I ought to be a judge of that kind of thing. He must have had some queer experienc

e smoke of her cigarette from between her pretty lips, and she smiled. Then she sat up

etend that this is a very g

PTE

ea

ll the apollinar

e was a real bed, in striking contrast to the makeshifts he had known of late; there were soft sheets, a soft pillow, and there were hangings. It was not really a large room, but, compared to the kind of accommodation with which he had recently been made familiar, it was

m I? Who

n which was a glass; in the other was a bottle, out of which he was pourin

nough apollinar

f you're talking to me.

ght, Sir Jocelyn." Sydney took the glass which the man adv

her drink. "I haven't tasted anything as good as t

find it refresh

e you? Where am I? How did I come to be

felt equal to it, Sir Jocelyn, she would

ladyship? Didn't you he

ith certain articles of the gentleman's w

three garments over the back of a chair, which Sydney felt, hazily

ever felt so stupid before. Before he clearly understood what was occurring, the bed-clothes were being removed from the bed, and he was being assisted on to the floor as if he were a child or a sick man; indeed, as

sudden thickness of voi

een scrutiny with which his attendant was observing him. His manner almost suggested a m

n. You've had rather a bad night. I thi

y far from restoring him to himself. The other dressed him, slipping on garment after garment with a curious deftness, for Sydney seemed incapable of giving him any help at all. Beaton was dressed actually before he knew it in garments which he realised were not his, but which someh

m to do so. He gave audible expression to his candid opinion; he was plainly aware

You want one more pick-me-up, made a trifle strong, then I think we'll take y

it was more potent it had a more visible effect upon him than either of the other two. The other watched the effect th

we feeling? Do you think yo

s an unsteadiness about the fashion with which he managed to

s----" He held out the glass with a hand that was shaky. "What was

man's tone, in spite of its suavity, could hardly have been drier. "

calling me Sir Jocelyn? That's no

r. But whether he was moving of his own volition or in obedience to the other's behest he would not have found it easy to say. The man open

elyn, how are

ble of expressing himself in articulate words. Had it not been that the other's arm

taste, Si

ok another taste; it had on him the same effect as before, seeming to steady his limbs and to clear his brain. Before the effect could pass away the man had led him

nk how anxious I have been. I hope you'

. He had a feeling that this must be some old and very dear friend. Yet he could not place her, he had not the dimmest notion who she was; his memory must be playing hi

ng quite a while. Will you have the seat by

wherever y

laughed, as if he had been guilty of

standing in the open doorway. They exchanged glances, of which Sydney was oblivious. The man made a significant gesture with the empty tumbler which he was holding in his hand, then to

n his face; he knit his brows; he glanced about him quickly,

play, but there's few can play a

PTE

s

an who, with the most natural air, was treating him as one who not only had an assured footing, but who was both near and dear. Whether in this matter it was he who dreamed or she, he could not make sure. He wondered if he had been ill. He had such a strange feeling that he very easily might have been; he might have been ill for

. If she was not his hostess, then who was she? She was ministering to his creature comforts

art, because at some remote period he had gone without breakfast, without--anything? He was frantically hungry. There was a fragrance about the hot rolls which recalled somethin

as if your thoughts were miles away.

od. He ate and ate, while she sat by, putting more food upon his plate as soon as it was empty or replaci

you must have a ci

en his lips, and, striking a match, held it up to him. The first puff at that cigar was ecstasy, so great as to be almost painful. What was the flood of recollections which it brought back? How long ago was it since he had tasted such a ciga

s if he were a puppet, moving when she pulled the string. And it seemed to amuse her to observe that it was so. One felt that she was curious to learn how far in t

are you

just right. But do you know--I hope you'll forgive my saying so-

ort of

ing; all sort

just what

each moment the smile on her face seemed to be growing more pronounced; it was, apparently, only with an effort that she could keep herself from bursting into a roar of laughter. He was looking her straight in the face with some

ed. She sat with her elbows on the ta

ing; indeed, I should say

t seems as if there was something wrong with the works. I can't think

ne that that mi

out where I am, or how I got here, or--and that's the worst of i

your

t took him aback was evident. He started and stared as

--w

r wi

se you'r

a wife is a very serious thing. Aren't you conscio

e been a smile, but, if it was, it was a pathetic one. She smiled back at him.

r Jocelyn Kingstone, and I am L

g up here." He touched his forehead with his finger. "I do know that my nam

d for, say, a few hours, perhaps eve

do you

a favour--I don't want to mention it, but I

of consciousness of it in my bones--but for t

rking order; he seemed to be gradually collapsing under the strain. Instead of b

nd that's enough. Now I want you to do me one, and as you're a gentleman, and all that sort o

, but there's precious little I can do; I'm so--w

do. I want you to consent to regard yourself as

're going to get from my pretending to be your hus

osition in which I've got to have a husband, just for a very few minutes; it doesn't matt

compliment, it

ad, but I still don't se

ich is due to me, but I can't get it without my husband's assistance. He's

, and things

t's

as trying to get at their meaning. "But, signing papers, and things like

e not drinking your liqueur." She took up the glass and put it into his hand. He sipped at it w

but to

the forms are on such occasions, but I guess--mind you, it's only a guess--that y

that be

trifle aback; it is conceivable that she had not supposed that he was sufficiently clear-headed for it to occur to him

here is you

le, or I shouldn't want to worry you. I'd

nothing to show that he observed it. He seemed to be struggling

be paid to your h

o him, but r

know ab

here I shall take you into a private room, and I shall tell them that you are my husband, Sir Jocelyn Kingstone; that you have not been very well, and cannot stand much worry, so that they're to get matters through as quickly as they can. If you like, you need not speak at all; you can leave all the talking to me, and, I may add, all the responsibility, too. Then, I imagine, they may ask you to sign a paper of so

ewitched him; her words charmed his ears. She refilled the big sherry glass, and, even unwittingly, he sipped the insidious liqueur. In short, she played the fool with him, which, after all, was easy. At the best, after what he had lately gone through, he was little more than the husk of a man; but they had taken care that

iciously close to the door, was the man. They exchanged a

ever since I br

I'll put it on for him. He's in a state in

e rubbed his chin

g shall

nside an hour. I shal

he stairs, the man wa

have a card up your sleeve which you mean to play;

e looked as if he meant them, and as if they had a significance

PTE

g Th

. Nothing could have been more gracious or graceful than her solicitude for his seeming incapacity to take proper care of himself; no wife could have taken more tender care of a delicate husband. He did not know what place this was at which they stopped, and she did not tell him. When presently he found himself seated in an arm-chair, he had only the

is asking if you are my husband,

nswer. Shortly something else was said to him, which the woman again repeated. He had a misty notion that she was doin

im on a chair which was drawn close up to it. "This is what

h he did not realise it,

all r

first thing he had said consciously since he was in the room. He had

t I assure you it's right. Would you rather I cou

matter, so lon

, and that he had a pen between his fingers, though he was not sure how

--Jocelyn Kingstone. My dear b

ady exchanged with the gentleman who was on the other side of the table,

nd worse." Then, to the elderly gentleman: "I'm afraid

he performance through a pair of

r Jocelyn; it would take an expert to decipher it. Would you mind, La

reciated the joke of the suggestion. "There--'Witness, He

rite a good bold hand, Lady Kingstone, t

derly gentleman said to a younger one

sort of person who, in a better ordered state of society, would be consigned to a lethal chamber at the earliest p

eemed to consider

rdinary drunken man. He seemed to be under the influence of some drug. She says that he's be

head. He seemed to be we

woman! She may have had her own motives when she promised to love, hon

pay any attention to him. On her lap was a pile of bank-notes which she was dividing into separate parcels; these parcels she was bestowing in distinctly surprising portions of her attire. She slipped one parcel in the top of one stocking, a second into the top of the other; she took off her shoes, and placed a wad of notes in each; she turned up the sleeves of her coat--into the lining about the wrists, in which an aperture seemed to have been purposely cut, she inserted quite a number. Loosening her bo

she looked at him, one perceived that he might just as well have been. He seemed to be as devoid of intelligence, as incapable of taking active interest in what was going on about him; it was probable that he had been quite oblivious of what

n, wake up! Haven't you been ill quite long enough? Try another sort of game. Do you hear me speak to you?" Apparently he did not

s, in its way--a grim way, ludicrous. His hat first tilted forward over his nose, then dropped on to the floor; his head fell forward over his chest. It seemed as if, if she

other things? Anyhow, I've had enough of it; I'm not going to have you

ashion. He raised his head with an effor

t is

ey of the street, the s

, she took off her right shoe, from it the wad of note

t's rest, a bath, and other luxuries; you've had good food and drink; you are rigged out in decent

o idea of what it was, or of what she was talking. This time she did seem to

u hear, it's a ten-pound note--for goodness sake do look as if you were trying to understand--and it's in your wa

test sign of interest in what she was doing; he seemed to be mumbling someth

yourself together; we're going to part--try

he carriage stopped; she op

eft your hat behind you, you can't go about London without a hat." Picking it up from the floor of the carriage, she placed it on his head. "That's not straight; ther

e man who had acted as Beaton's valet came round from the back and stood b

"I think, if you don't mind, or even if you do, that we'll

the sight of him by

doing here? I thought it was agreed that

it even struck me as just possible that you might

of what was taking place, of where he was; as incapable, just then, of taking care of himself as any inmate of an asylum. He remained standing where they had left him, swaying to and fro. The fog had thickened; a drizzling rain had begun to fall.

queer way the sort of men one would expect to find prowling about in such a place at such a time. At sight of Beaton they paus

When Sydney seemed to be unconscious even of his presence his tone became a litt

e at his companion which had

? What he wants is someone to take it with him; what

continued swaying to and fro. They again exchanged gl

t man went on. "Here, Gus, you take one of the gentleman's arms and I'll take the other: what

ney's arms; and without his attempting to remonstrate, or

TER

andwi

in front." On the board which was at the back of the man in front, to which your attention was directed, was "for Warmth And Sunshine Try Cox's Bitters." The legend was repeated all along the six. It almost seemed as if it must be a joke, of a grim order, to compel such u

ter, seemed to be struck by the fact that a jest might be intended, and w

gh on them to make them carry about a thing like that, when they're pretty nearly at death's

e sandwich-men were there. When she heard the words she glanced at them to see to what they might apply. As she did so she started and stopped, as if she had seen something which had am

em. Yet, although she walked so quickly, it was some little time before she caught them up, so that she had an opportunity to consider whatever it was that was passing through her mind. At last she was abreast of them again; was passing them; she scanned the last man, the fifth, the fourth, and, with much particularity, t

ething in his bearing which suggested that he was still a man. These others were but torsos. And although the hair beneath his greasy cap stood in crying need of both a barber and a brush, and there was an untrim

ff the man in front of him; and that although the woman kept step beside him in a manner which the others began to mark

ul

t excuse. This was the face of one of those men of whom society has good reason to go in terror. Desperation was in every line of it; something like madness was in

untenance was changed. He stopped, bringing those behind him to sudden confusion. He turned, the better to look at her; beyond doubt this was a woman of nerve, or she would have shrunk from that

. Not only did she show no sign of concern at the threat which was in it, something in the expression of her own fac

hings off and

f he wondered if his sense

with

. She smiled; at sight of the smile the gleam in his eyes grew more

didn't quite hear I'll repeat it. I said, 'Take those things off and come with me.' And be quick abou

e requested--he took the things off, meaning the boards which were s

ith them--shall I

her handbag she chose a coin,

ings apiece. Take these articles back to their owner, and explain

the seventies, small in stature, nearly bent double as if shrivelled by the cold. For some cause his words, uttered in shrill, quavering tones, seemed to amuse the bystanders. A crowd had gathered, a heterogeneous crowd which so quickly does gather in a London thoroughfare; the five remaining sandwich-men were explaining t

it was perhaps as well she did not see them, they were unfriendly. His grimy hands were clenched in front of him; to judge from his expression they might, in fancy, h

of a terrace of old-fashioned villas. The woman paid the cab, opened the door with a latch-key, ushered the man into a room of fair size, comfor

arm yourself; I should

t word with a ver

h was indescribable; in the word as he uttered i

a dr

e sideboard on which ther

d a drink at your expense, th

have been using you very

was not a r

you have

erience gives it to them. With

know that you've scarcely ever been out of my thought

very nic

e trouble, I've never quite been able to make up my mind what I'd do to you. I've told myself I'd kill you;

r y

r m

our heart's content." She had gone right up to him. He drew himself up straight, with a look upon his face as if he were about to take her at her word; but he stood still. Observing his indecision, s

l wa

't you come closer to the fire and h

ut to him

ou give

? It's w

ve me something w

king this is the same as that. I u

take neither food nor drink from y

his bearing was more than a little m

so you needn't glare at me--we'll clear that up abo

n it still. Now I've a chance I'm going to make

. I found that out long ago; and I'm a woman, and women

a woman?

nd I've mine; before you start paying that debt which weighs so heavily on your chest, you'll listen to what it is. I'll be as brief as I can, and while I'm talking I'll lay the table; I'm acting as my own maid just now. I may r

the sideboard she

better go and see what there is in the pantry that really is worth eatin

a smile on her face. Plainly he was in more than two minds as to what to do;

coming

my hat and coat and make myself look decent, even if I am to have my neck wrung di

she paused out of the

und the room, and stayed; as if it were all in such delightful contrast to what he had been used to that he had to stay. He made a half-step towards the fire, then drew back, with clenched hands and knitted brows; he would not warm himself beside this woman's fire. Then he saw the tumbler on the table, which she had left o

n could have shown keener interest in a tale told by the mirror; so absorbed was he by his own image that apparently he could not tear himself away. He became aware that the fire was just beneath; he stretched out his hands to the grateful blaze, then, remembered, glanced round him shamefacedly, moved away towards the window. How cheerless it

hile you do nothing. My maid is out; I only keep one, and it's her day out. You needn't eat anything; the fates forbid t

, I

're not

m not c

elp me to ca

won

much. You know, you u

r go, waiting, grimly, for her return, the greasy cap between

er standing. I'm going to have some tea, the kettle's boiling, and I feel like tea. I suppose it's no use suggesting tea to you, but I've brought a second cup, whic

urned from her, which was perhaps the reason why she imparte

ings which some people wouldn't turn their noses up at, whatever others may do. I don't know that I'm fond of a meat tea, or high tea, or whatever you call it, as a rule; though after all we do have sandwiches, all sorts of sandwiches, with tea; everybody does, so it doesn't make such a very great difference. Anyhow, I'm g

, making as if to pour out tea; then suddenly sprang up, turning

ama? Haven't you got sense enough to get in out of the rain? Do you suppose I

you not to as

ry different person from you to tell m

l leave y

u would, but you wouldn't; you may tell yourself that you will when you're all alone, but you won't, and you couldn't; you're that kind of man. The devil may get into you, but he won't get into you enough to induce you, when it comes to the pinch, to lay violent hands upon a woman. You say you are going to leave my house

an't do

as starved; but there have been times when I've gone without food for days together, and known what it is to feel as you are feeling now." She laid her finger-tips softly on his ragged coat-sleeve.

PTE

Dr

with her, a gargantuan tea. He ate of everything there was to eat, while she showed that the necessity that she should have something to eat of which she had s

t. I used to think that there wasn't such a thing in the world as laughter for me, that it was just as improbable that I should have a good time as that I should jump over th

oubt

n hands do; they tak

the infirmary more than a week before I came to my senses, after a fashion; then they wanted me to account for myself. I couldn't, or I wouldn't, they were not sure which, so they put me out again into the stree

arity of the parish and

e been having, an old-fashioned winter, the best skating we've had for years. I don't know how I've lived through it, but I have. And there are thousand

s not

fancy that I'm under any obligation to you because of it. I owe everything I've had to bear t

ould you rather I had

do you

you from the police? I came on the scene in the very nick of time. In anot

wn his kni

was

ut w

eet you. I know you took me to your house, and dosed and drugged me, and dyed my hair and painted my face, and that while I was still more than half stupefied by your drugs you made a catspaw of me to enable you to bring off

ene. There's his name inside the watch. I only have to communicate with the owner--I know all about him--and you'll be sentence

, that I did

do you mean to say tha

I do seem to recall some

your name, your record, the whole dirty story; you were as deep in the gutter when I first met you as you are now,

's my

tell me that y

e tip of my tongue, I can see it written, somewhere; b

you call

all me

's t

at it means a man who's not right in his head--not quite mad, but very nearly. I don't think I'm mad, or even nearly, bu

re was somebody else there besi

"I do seem to remember a man, a black-faced man. I suppose he

ad to do something to get life back into you. You certainly had your senses no more about you than you say you had in the workhouse infirmary. I declare to you that when I left you you were in a much better condition than when I met you. You had your senses more about

rue. What do you want with me now? Why have you broug

stand. Do you mind if I have a cigarette? I can always ta

ar when I sa

et again. You'll find that there's nothing the

ld rather they had not been there, but the craving that was in him got the

along. I should have been without a penny, absolutely, if it hadn't been for one of the assistants who lent me a sovereign. With that I came to town--I had ever an adventurous spirit. I went to a big shop, a famous shop; they took me on at once. A sale was coming on, they were in want of extra hands; with people of that sort they didn't want references; the assistants there never had a chance of being dishonest, they were too well looked after. They wanted no character when you came, and they gave you none when you left; you were liable to be discharged at

h off her cigarette, smilin

. It was in a shop which did a cutting trade, a low-class shop, an open-to-all-hours-of-the-night sort of shop, in a low-class neighbourhood in which peop

to be harking back,

the British public only knew--if every woman had to serve a term as assistant i

owards him o

or the chance of wringing theirs--I almost did wring one woman's, who was, ironically, called a housekeeper, and who was an unspeakable thing! Y

o seize her. She rose from her se

t prove it, and I don't believe they were, but they sent me packing that very day. You've no notion for how little, for nothing at all, a draper's ass

s if she were brushing fro

ery in all its phases; to this hour I can't enter a draper's shop without feeling a chill at the bottom of my spinal column; my skin goes all goose-fleshy; I think of what drapers' shops once meant to me. But there c

PTE

man Te

les was on; but for a year I had had no regular work. How I lived I can't tell you; you know, I had to live, and--well, you talk of the things you've endured, you hav

r; she presented a sufficiently dainty picture then, wi

ot been in very good condition in the morning, they had not grown fresher as the day went on. I offered them to a man who came sauntering along; he stopped to look at them, he

looking down into the fire, ta

ve tried to make of him a customer, but I hadn't. I had just seen that he was wel

arry the story any farther. When she did go on it was in an altered tone of voice; sh

seen me, in my rags, hawking faded flowers in the streets, I would--I would have done anything. When I tried to get away from him he wouldn't hear of it. He called a cab, put me in it, and took me home with him, to his wife; they had quite a nice littl

e man who was still seated at the table. He had scarcely moved since she had begun her story, as if he found in it a fa

othing, and shelter, and, something more, they gave me the secret of the philosopher's stone;

r she kept pressing the tips of the fing

g at all about it; they had not the slightest real evidence that she was the guilty party, but they sacked her all the same. And because the shop-walker sided with her, t

e first time since sh

d as others

re the funniest things. F

g at him with

l never

trade. They had given honesty a trial; they decided to try the other, and see if it couldn't be made to pay. It paid uncommonly well; the house in which they were living, the way in which it was furnished, the style in which they did things, was proof enough of that. They told me all about it, quite frankly; then they sug

n that you'

a gutter-snipe--a much less creditable, and a v

ing that she admitted was a trifle of no accoun

t you come into the busin

you to suggest

ing. I've had you in my mind ever since I saw you last. I did not do you anything like the ill turn you seem to imagine; I vow and declare to you that when we parted you were, if anything, better off than when we met. But

e side of the table, with one foot upon a c

I was conscious of feeling a sympathy for you which you might have found amusing. I told myself that if ever chance did throw us across each other's path again, I would, if I could, if you stood

o clear-headed as I might be. I wa

can possibly want them. First of all, I

t be troubling

t associates, though I do

ecame o

off with it to America, where they started a business of

you with them? Didn'

life; and I may mention, between ourselves, that, of late years, I'v

He sat stark, stiff and silent, his strange hollow eyes fixed on her face.

ainly would have been in mine. We parted on the very best of terms; we correspond; one of these days I'm going to pay them a long visit. But, from a pure

at the end of this; I'

f her cigarette smoke a

eir labours. There are one or two things in my mind, big things, things involving quite possibly thousands of pounds, which I can't work alone, in which I need the co-operation of a man whose birth and breeding

me to know any

l-worn coat which you had on when first I met you. I know

nee

otten such a lot; that your mind, b

r laughing eyes; he was grimly silent, meeting he

r not reme

enty of my own which I'd just as soon people kept their fingers off; I'm not pachydermatous quite. But there's one thing w

on

tion you once held? I repeat the question in another form because, as you said, I want to be plain; this

o probability, there

thousand to

rrection. There is no person of the name you mentioned any longer; s

ion, that you've everything to gain, and nothing to lose, by becoming

g that I should

any other name wou

ant for a smile distort

ed think nothing of stealing; they've robbed me times without number of the worthless trifles of which I could be plundered, an

tance, to enter, say, the London County and Westminster Bank attired

te right, I

I'll give you the means to replenish your wardrobe, which needs it, and to live in comfort for a reasonable time, on the understanding that you'll consider seriou

as so thin, there was something about him which was so little human, that the ill-ass

hat you can

sure o

ng my

ing in your record which hints that you ever played fal

you that I know you'll

I'm asking for; that what I propose is merely a matter of plain and open dealing, in which no question of trust or mistrust can arise on either side. Once more, is it a deal? Are you going back to carrying sandwich-boards in the Strand at a shilling a day in weather like this; with the certainty of there being certain intervals in which you'll be even without a sandwich-board; or are you willing to get

ked through the window at the snow which had begun to fall fast, and was being driven here and there by the shriekin

at you ha

PTE

the

fight still left in me. There's one thing which I should take it as a very great favour if you would tell me; have you sa

been so very nearly confident. The lady had been so kind--so very much kinder, perhaps, than he supposed, but for that she had her reasons. Then her uncle, old Geoffrey Hov

han that; you admit that the girl likes you--you can't

east endeavoured to make it clear that it was not as much as he wanted. Her answe

s wife; being conceivably quite aware of his intentions, she had given him one. It was the commencement of April. Spring promised to be ea

a secret passion which was not reciprocated, which she knew never would be, and yet which she was aware

her primroses; he stooped to pick them up for her; a great bunc

mine is; yet all the same--I

sense have you what you call a fellow-

some of these primroses again

what you say then I

of temperament. For example, I ought to be a very unhappy girl, b

ness? I should have thought that there were few people w

s as if I were as little likely to get it as if it were t

ay that one

wanted, and that was the girl you loved, meaning me. I am in the same delightful

ked at her in silence; it would have been hard to say which was the prettier--she

re is s

always has been, and

to understand that t

ld gentleman. No one is better acquainted with my piteous plight than he is; but because he wants yo

guessed that there was another I

n brother knew all about it

the lu

ge of exaggeration, but I doubt if there is a m

th you as he does I can hardly conce

if you d

les, at which I wa

ey Be

time not only his face, but his whole b

er, are you

e to have grown cold; he could hardly

shouldn't I

cult position; what answ

than I do that Sydney is not all wisdom, but do you s

are qualities that a w

are

primitive virtues, say, common honesty, som

s together? I ought to have brought a reel of cotton; as I haven't, you'll have to find me a nice lo

y should be very close together; her nearness so affected him that he found it difficult to comment upon

ed at cards; but I also know him much too well to believe for a si

y saying so--why

ou here for. You brought me here to propose; and I brought you because I wanted you to tell me thing

at your uncle is not the only Mac

believe that his brother is an unutterable creature. He has told me tales about him which have had quite a different effect to that which he intended; it sometimes is like that when a man tells a girl tales about another

t conscious of having even

u the justice to admit that I think it's quit

ite follow." Again his

Reith. George Beaton told me all about the affair--how all you men set upon one, and actually--according to Sir George--threw hi

id I can hardly discuss with you; there are s

hat I mean a good many men to discuss with this woman, and, to begin with, you're going to be one of them. What do you think I brought you into the wood for? Didn't I tell you? Now you're in the witness box; if yo

ted one card

see him

e original accusation was made by

thank you, that is quite enough. W

im also. Do you

o speak ill of no one, but I've heard him make some surprising statements, and I'm afraid I shouldn't beli

ot actual

urely in such a juxtaposition the word 'actually' is out of place. Explain yo

ll the other way. I should be only too glad to believ

he ever been suspected o

excuse him as it is; he had been drinking too much.

character is seen, because he is no longer able to hide it. If what you suggest is correct, then--Sydney Beaton must be past praying

become of him?

quiries in my own way, but I've found nothing. All I know is that one night his brother officers attacked him--about twelve men to one. I have the charity to suppose that they were in a condition in which they did not know what they were doing. Sydney was always apt to do things firs

ely nothing been heard of hi

to hear, if Sydney could help it. Y

concerned I c

on me; as I think otherwise, he shows what seems to me to be the most unfraternal eagerness to think the very worst of Sydney. And that seems to be the

ded among t

tired of waiting; and, while I'm looking, I'm going to find out the truth of what took place on that disgraceful night. You're going to tell me all you know; I'm sure that wi

propose to s

ry, very dear friend.

r presence, is there any

t to get at Mr. Noel Draycott under circumstances in which he will find it hard to get away. She has asked him down to Avonham, and I shall be there to meet him;

cott is concerned, I should imagine that you

one of his making; I am going to bring him out from under it into the sun. I am going to do it single-handed; and it's because I am so sure that I shall do it that I cannot be unhappy. M

the assistance which, in such a p

l right. Thank y

primroses, which she held close to h

PTE

Does i

er Ball--the event of

med to be a small memorandum book. She looked up as the Countess entered. Her ladyship came well into the centre of the room, drew herself to her full height, which was less than she would ha

el

elle

ink I s

ou're a drea

he dress? I was afraid there was

the slightest degree for the better; the gown and the

ip dropped

ed you to say. Now you stand up, an

hat I want it; I'm not the Countess of

you always look your best, which couldn't be improved." Her ladyship was arranging the d

I shall. I mean to drop a bomb at his f

ole regiment has decided to come. They telegraphed this afternoon that they would all be able to get off,

look at Mr. Noel Draycott I feel

of the a

eginning to drea

ve for dinner; eat nothing for at le

self from starving he was doing something so awful that it

late yourself that it was a dream

minute or two; don

eyes refused to be fixed upon the page; they stared into vacancy at something which was not there. She rose; placing th

l that something is going to happ

d came in. She advanced towards the gi

s Forster, but

The girl looked round quickly; she made as if to

e, but it resembles one I ha

k of fear. Then, turning her back, as if to hide the agitation which she could not help but feel, she touched a spring; the locket came open. At the sight of what was within she broke i

ou get this?

om. I was coming along and I saw it lying there, and it was s

? When did you

oon as I had picked it up

le! It certainly wasn't there jus

, miss; I didn't

ould have seen it." The girl mo

Miss Forster's manner, which was peculiar; so peculiar

s? I'm S

hing to say, but because she had so much that she didn't know ho

ase, exactly where you found

sage. As if, as was only natural, disconcerted by the young lady's

e exact spot--nobody could; but I should sa

went out; if she had she would have brough

, miss, I c

t your name

ss, Jane

u been h

nts who came in just before Easter

that the locket had a

. I thought that someone who was the other side of the door might have something to do with the locket

hat will do. I may have some questions to put to you later, Jane Simmons. You

the locket as if it were some strange, terri

gave him; the double o

haps intended to be a secret receptacle at the bottom, she took a locket which wa

leave him; that if it wasn't about his neck, it would always be somewhere about his person; how came it to be there, where that woman said it was? Is

led, staring eyes, as if she did not know for what she was looking. Then sh

id that come from? Surely it was not ther

e carpet; she was holding it gingerly between her

mething inside it." Tearing it open, she took out what it conta

TER

Al

out, he found her manner a little disconcerting. He was of the fatuous type of young man, a better dancer than conversationalist. He had a sort of cut-and-dried routine on such occasions, saying the same things, as much as possible,

ored him utterly. She not only said things which worried him--to him it always was a labour to find an answer to a remark that was unexpected--she a

ng his next partner, he unburdened hi

as pretty as paint, but when it comes to ask

you if you

hameful way in which a man could treat a friend. If I hadn't hooked it, I don't know what she wouldn't have asked

Dodwell advanced to the lady o

leasure of a danc

king Captain Dodwell up and down in a fashion which, to say the least, was ma

late." She looked him straight in the face, then she

on some of the faces about him, and while some observed him with curious eyes, there were others who kept their eyes carefully averted. On the whole, he carried the thing off uncommonly well. He strolled away, and

l round the room at this moment; people will be taking it for granted that I've behaved to her like--God alone knows what. I'll have an explanati

rds which would give adequate expression to his feelings. His partner asked him a question, he answered

found her as sympathetic as he could possibly have desired. He had made Miss Forster's acquaintance for the first time that night; had booked a dance with her with the brightest hopes, which were destined to be blighted. There was no mistake about her dancing, their steps went perfectly together; it was in other directions that disappointment came. He led her, when the music ceased, to a spot on which he had had his mind's eye all along. In the passage outside the ballroom there was an alcove, qui

for sitting out, if only so

ing dancer, awfully well turned out, and a dazzler to look at." He had no doubt that he was in for an extremely good time, and therein showed that the prophetic eye was certainly not his, because

fond of

s was one of his stereotyped openings; he liked to lead up to

if I were--is th

of view, it was not playing the game. While he was still floundering ab

re you

said it without the slightest hesitation; but somehow he felt that this was a partner with w

fond of g

led eyes, it seemed to him to be such a

ak, taking an answer for granted in a fashion which he found a trifle disconcerting.

something in it which made him conscious of a va

ly I've hea

at him over the top of her fan, w

ch o

ago when one of your brother of

rounder, the bad taste of such a remar

n't know to w

ow perfectly well; if y

ake you back to the ballroom; there's someone whom

practised hand on anybody else. You've presence of mind, Mr.

directed him to take the farther chair. He could scarcely get out of the alcove with

all your attention, right at the close, yo

came to know anything about it, but you'll understand that it's rather a p

to what he regarded as proper topics, his hope was

I've been given to understand, at the moment when Mr. Beaton covered your raise--you had a straight, king high; Mr. Bea

use me, Miss Forster, I don't know

eal to do with me. You

s Forster, I don't think this is the s

ou conveyed its conte

Forster, I must decline to discuss the subject with you, especial

determination, he was mistaken. She also stood up, in such a way that without an actual tussl

ou have given me certain explanations which

her manner, or more uncalled for; his visage

Fors

if you decline to sit down, if you try to leave this place, there'll be a scandal, because I shall follow you into the ballroom

appearance of the most extreme discomfi

never met you before. Of course, I've heard of you, everybody has; as--as to doing you a wr

n air that was much more commanding th

r. Tickell: why did you convey to your own pockets the contents of t

iss Forster--I give you my word I don't--but if you k

t ch

the c

r honour, that all the men who were present

s to, but, of course,

s only kept from knocking him down by the rest of you--brave men! What I want to know is if

say tha

ching him the

pose I

n the least suspicious

I didn't, at least

ny suspici

ne, we were chums; I would as

ion, corroborated by Mr. Noel Draycott, you had no reason to suppo

n't, if you look

e pool to Mr. Beaton, without even the s

had won it; his hand

done what Captai

anted to knock him down; h

ect calmness in the face of Capta

pecially as we were all of u

a man down who said tha

should want

e done, his brother officers, chivalrous creature

was a regular rough-and-tumble; Beaton fought l

one? They could scarcely have done without you. Cowards! And having assisted your friends in getting rid of the rightful claimant, you had no s

winced, the lady's t

who has behaved as you have done is entitled to show his face in such a house as this. Mr. Beaton cheated no one; he is incapable of such conduct as yours; you cheated him, having first joined yourself with some tw

PTE

is Si

pt that nefarious course of action, but because she had a strong feeling that for a few minutes she would like to be alone. She passed into the conservatory through a door which was at the end of the corridor. The music for the next dance had already commenced; the sitters-out, to who

Miss Forster, in

made as if to go away. He treated her as she had just treated Mr. Tick

ere is an explanation which you owe me, and which y

aside

h whom, indeed, any decent woman would care to dance. You did this publicly, in such a way that your treatmen

cent woman would care to dance, or talk. Are you going

u just now said--what have I ever

in any sense, an honest man, is certain; to what extent your dishonesty goes, you know better than I do, though I hope to make the thing quite clear before very long. Do you

ster; can you give me the name of any man who will be wil

ed with a foul lie which you uttered; but before very long I confidently hope that every man who was then present will be associated with me against you.

aming in; among the first was Lady Cantyre on the arm of

aught Violet's she seemed to have a glimmer of understanding. She turned to her partner. "That was a perfect dance she's m

ust as a young woman ought to who is having a first-rate time at a delightful ball. During the dances and in that more critical period between them, she was all that her partners could possibly h

ds, far from weakening, had rather strengthened their friendship. He was years older than she; what had passed between them on that occasion seemed to have produced in him the attitude, say, of an uncle, who was on the best

been saying to Anthony Dodw

what you hear

you? And you can

end to be any go

ance, which has set people's tongues wagging; you alone know what you s

u all I can; but, while I may remark that I have said to both the persons you name only a little of what I propose to say, I would r

it shall. Have you he

which puzzles me; but ask me about that also in the morning. As Mr. Tickel

of the conversation was more in harmony with the moment; that is, th

when, Lady Cantyre entering, she informed the maid that her services would no longer be required--and the friends were left alone. The countess, who was attired in a mysterious garment of sk

ld that you've

e all been

treated Captain Dodwell to a whipping in the middle of the ballroom. That is not

he brief interview I had with him, which he forced on me, made me absolutely certain that, for some purpose of his own, which I intend to get at the bo

the night. That was not a pretty thing for you to say. Vi, take care; be very sure of what you

ng has happened to Sydney--something dreadful; something which I

ng which she had taken out of t

ave you, with his picture? Why do y

ee me before you went downstairs; when you went out, did

I'm awar

see tha

't; why am I bein

about a maid in your

is there s

me into the room with that locket in her hand, and said that she'd picked it up of

e well, looking up and down to see who was about. I could hardl

ou know, I told you all about it--I showed him my locket, where it was; he put his finger inside his collar, he hooked up that chain, and on it was that locket; he declared i

es see

rt or kind, in spite of all my efforts; I've not had the faintest clue to his whereabouts. Isn't it an extraordinary thing that that locket--from which he was inseparable--s

e myself on the fact that I do know the names of all t

cket with her; that she'd never found it as she pretended, that she knows more about it than she chose to say--the feeling was strong on me as she stood there with her smiling face

at out

! And now that woman brings me his locket, from which I'm perfectly certain he would not allow himself to be parted unless he were at his last gasp--unless something worse than death stared him in the face. I do believe he'd stick to it--yes, Margaret, I mean it. I know Sydney, as no one else does, as no one else can; he has his faults--no one need tell me that, but I know he

ountess's side, she hid her face on he

PTE

e Dark an

s Forster had not gone to bed. There was something which kept her from placing herself between the sheets; and now that at l

, and really make herself ready for bed, when

t? Wasn't it

an attitude

door? I wonder if there's anyone there at t

gown to remain where it was. Rapidly crossing the

e, at this hour of the morning?

hough the lights were out, she was still able to make out dimly that a figure, but whether of a man

r who th

rned into her room,

ouse at any hour they please without consulting me. What was that? It sounded as if someone was calling

or, she returned

e calling for help. There's something queer going on downstairs. Someone is quarrelling. I'm going to find out what it is. I don't car

the electric light shining through her open door, it was not easy to find h

ill up. That's a man's voice. I seem to know it. Whose can it be? I know it quite well. And that's another man's voice. They're quarrelling. I believe they're fighting. What ar

g on below. A strange sound was coming through the darkness, as if furniture was being upset in all directions by persons who were chasing each other round the room; then--surely they were blows. Then a vo

on! M

errible voice. What did it mean? She was rushing down to see. As she neared the bottom she caught her heel in her dressing-gown; striving to disentangle it in her haste, in the darkness she missed her footing, stumbled, went bungling to the foot of the staircase. Luckily, she had only a short distance to fall, but it was far enough; the thing was

e listened, but all was still; there was no sound of voices, of struggling, of falling furniture, or blows--no s

ind her way among them. She did not know until she had come in sometimes painful contact with them that the things were there. Presently she tripped, with her bad foot, over what doubtless was a footstool; she would have gone headlong to the ground had not an arm-chair saved her. It wa

round, she would have to use it to stand and walk upon. She essayed a little experiment: putting it gingerly down, resting her weight upon it as lightly as she c

people without her eyes even hinting that a soul was there. There was something which did her better service than her eyes--perhaps it was her ears--some subtle sense which she would have been unable to define. She felt sure that she had been overheard by--she did not know by whom or by what--

mplest way of find

's t

was beyond her strength--there came what was undoubtedly a sound of an unmistakable kind. Someone had come hastening into the hall from the direction of the suite of rooms which was on the other side, someone who was pressed for time. Although he moved with a curious noiselessness, as if his feet had been shod with velvet, she felt sure that it was a man. She doubted if he was able to see any better than she could; the fashion of his progress suggested it. He seem

you? Take

urprise as she was. There was a muttered, distinctly masculine ejaculation. Then, as she continued to wail--there can be few things more painful than a twisted ankle, and the pain of that was really unendurable--all at once a light was shining in her face. Her unintentional assailant was carrying a d

d. "My darling! Th

he was conscious that the bearer of the lantern, instead of sharing her rapture, of coming to her assistance, of rushing to take her in his arms, was retreating with so much expedition that things were being overturned in all directions in his haste to get away. She had been aware that, as he started back instead of forward, something had

r. She was filled with a great fear; the presence of that bag had frightened her more than anything else. A cushion was on the ground besid

brought a box of matches with her, how much might have been avoided! The holder of the match moved f

hat on earth are

ndly, friendly face whi

or R

the world was whirling round; for the

PTE

cquere

necessary that she should keep her wits about her--and here she was losing them. They were willing to slip still farther away; with comfort she could have remained

ulse was to return upstairs and alarm the household; but before he could put his impulse i

eith, I've h

r looking prettier. He probably neve

gravity itself. "Is it very b

the cushion and, underneath, the bag, but she managed to make

, or would you rather tha

inful for the moment, but I shall manage; it's the f

at it was; it was that

oncerned he was a man of quick perception. He was already conscious that there was something in the

did yo

e in the hall just now, b

down to see what it was, tripped on the stairs,

my room I saw a light flashing

him a chance to answer the questions she asked: "D

of all, I heard someone runn

di

at someone might be ill; then I heard a din a

ear anyone

ard v

than

said, but it seemed to me that two men were slanging each other at the top of th

ve been able to get no farther than where you see me now. Like you, I heard what seemed

come down all alone. And you

ht that the argument was taking place in one of the rooms on the other side; but b

r will you stay here while I go and see? We may b

d to be c

mind you're not long. It's very silly of me, but I

den eyes were watching, but it was only with difficulty that she could move; there was not time, the major might be back at any moment. She took the bag from underneath the cushion; considering it was only a small, brown, brief bag, it was curiously heavy. All the time she had been talking to Major Reith she had been wondering what would be the nearest convenient place in which to hide it, if opportunity offered. Against th

rned to where the major had left her. She would have liked to sink into the chair, only to relieve her foot; something stopped her. She might have been guilty of some crime, her bearing was so strange. She pressed her hand

t be keeping him which perhaps she ought to know. She was suddenly afraid of what the major might have learnt. She would go and see what it was. She hobbled across the hall, ignoring the pain which each movement gave her, bent on

eep from crying out; she was conscious that beads of perspiration were on her brow, induced either by the effort or the pain. When she came to the door leading to the

ere overturned; scarcely anything seemed in its place. But she had found the major. He was on his knees about the centre of the room, leaning over something which was rec

r towards him, again resolute to disregard her suffering foot. She came

formed by ill-used articles of furniture, a man

he d

than if she had shouted it. Major Reith looked up at her, showing no sign

fraid

was wandering round the room. What she saw was eloquent; its condition so plainly showed what a scene of violence it had witnessed.

ou are in pain. Let me

me; she spoke as if her throat ha

id it

killed w

like a lacquered Oriental club; there

ave been th

can

that when y

s face; I turned him over to see if th

hat no one else-

d; they looked at each other, as if each were reading something wh

else in the room

n was on the surface; neither spoke; it was as if each

hat sounded like the report of a firearm rang through the silent room. The major spr

that?" s

lver--someone fi

he

next room; it was c

ning apartment. She stopped him. "Wh

see who fire

here--with him. If you let me lean upo

was the right thing for him to do. His

e here; this is no place for

leave me here--alone? You shall take me with you. Give me your arm;

o do it. Not only did he give her his arm, he put it round her, so that she w

one into the other; they passed

s are against the wa

he had done so, they were conscious of two things; one

re that the s

room is empty; who

rough the open window. Sit down on

the back of it; perhaps she feared that if she sat she would not be able to rise unaide

r to see, and examined it. "One of the chambers has been discha

else, but all at once, stopping, he s

hea

hat someo

ext room--there's someon

grac

be another room beyond, or, at any rate, there was another door. The major dashed

he was; what was taking place in front? Her helplessness rendered her position so much worse than it need have been. She tried to move, but she had done too much of that already; the moment she put her injured

ch made her think, as she glanced towards it, that a face had been looking through the open window, which had been quickly withdrawn as she turned her head? The sounds she heard--were none of them real? The footsteps outside the w

ly that she fancied that voices were speaking? Again she felt convinced that it was not imagination only; there was something going on which it behoved her to see--in the room behind her, outside the window--she knew n

blood has its limits; she had really reached them. She would either have to scream, o

r that something would have to go, that s

so long, but I can't help thinking that

nd her--the woma

in her ears that she did

ion has been diverted with some ulte

believe there has been

to that room on the road to bed; and I shall have to rouse t

port, could she return to the adjoining apartment. T

t only imagination, someone has

ared to be switches by every door, and it took Reith but an instant to have the room as radiant as

! Draycot

TER

ers A

ow long? At the most, three or four minutes. They had gone into the next room, been there not more than a minute when the woman was heard screaming. Although circumstances had made the time during which Miss For

g had been lying. And that stain was eloquent; the man from whom so much blood had come must have been in a parlous condition, certainly in no state to pick himself up and walk unassisted from the room. For he would probably have been bleeding still; his

nstairs had been heard above. A gentleman in a dressing-gown came along with a candle in his hand, followed by another, in the same attire, withou

omical expression. "What! Violet Forster! What on earth's the matter?" He was looking round the room. "Who has

s throwing the furniture about. Somebody

is lordship's tone was one of grievance. "What's the meaning of all this? I suppose the beggars disturbed you,

t it was only what Ackroyd calls a lark. I'm afra

eith--you'

upon the floor, still wet, and what's upon this club? When Miss For

w did that come about? Wha

I were trying to ascertain when you came along. He was

re's

ld be. Why do all you people want to come downstairs? You we

hem in surprising costumes. There were ladies, old and young; some of them were guests, some servants. They had one thing in common: that they were all in a state of considerable excitement. There was the same miscellaneous collection of men. Th

who was the first

oing on? What a state this room is in! And, my dear Violet, what is the matter with you? You look as if you'd seen, not one ghost, but several!

ing down the stairs, a

d upstairs. There's a carrying chair in the hall. But"--her ladyship's glance was wande

Reith

I don't think, at any rate, that

ot, Major Reith;

s eyes to the earl; the cou

m to be got rid of. I insist, Major Reith, upon yo

Cantyre, that ther

as plainly

house? Foul play?

t did not grow less, whi

u at least are my friend. What is it that Major Reith does n

aycott has b

ive feminine spirits shrieked. One elderly lady pressed boldly to the front, heedless of the fac

having been murdered, but I

ess turn

che

lery I brought with

e voice e

Ditchling

m to-night at the ball? Well, t

was regarding the hairless lady w

ting out of bed takes me some time. By the time I was well planted on my feet I knew quite well that whoever had been in my room was gone. I turned on the light at the door. As I expected, the room was empty, the door was shut; and, also what I expected, my jewel-case was lying empty on the floor. I thought I had heard something fall, and that was it. Everything was taken out of it; from what I saw, not so much as a ring had been left. I was just going to ring the bell, though whether any good would come of it I doubted--I have rung an

rent narrative was greeted by

en robbe

have

I had has

ipped of every

Avonham had suffered from a series o

argaret, I shouldn't wonde

per

had just been shut. I had it so strongly that I got up and went out into the passage to see if there was anyone about. The

the matter, and, instead of answering, you kept cramming yourself into your dressing-gown, and I co

om, and that it wasn't fancy my thinking that some

n the case o

very much as if the place had been plundered on a whol

major, who explained to the best o

t's what brought me. But--could it have been Draycott? Wh

ame from Sir G

him to bay, and in the row which followed he might have got

go into the bedrooms, one after the other. In each case it looks as if he knew just where the jewels were kept;

ion was address

ying dead that the shot was fired, and it was while we h

if you were sure that h

ning him before Miss Forster came in. I should have been prepared to assert positively that he was dead,

upon the floor, he could not have pick

umabl

nd you, it would have taken a good many minutes. Someone would have seen them, wouldn't they? The whole house was up and about by then. Two people can

to go up to Mr. Noel Draycott's room,

t, since he had dressed for the ball. There was a tweed suit, which he had exchanged for dress, lying just as it was extremely likely he had placed it. It was the same with all his

TER

B

Miss Forster's bedroom--the word "dashing" fairly

nd bandaged by sympathetic hands, and she had been placed between the sheets. She was given stern injunctions that she was on no account to move; the doctor wou

you don't

when I know that I do. I went stra

ly ten min

l I saw it; really, I am not sure that I quite believe the stories that those other women have been telling; but when I saw it--there, of al

o a chair, presented quite a char

ert is

he wasn't. While we were fast asleep in our beds, some dreadful creature must have had the incredible impudence to come into our room,

rga

old before I'm very much older. I would have all the jewels out of the bank; between ourselves, I knew the duchess was going to wear her diamonds, and I h

t them on

vonham diamonds, not the whole lot of them together, but they are--well, now they aren't, because they're stolen. And shan't I hear of it! Cantyre was quite unpleasant when I told him about having them all down here; in fa

e room--she was so very short that her longest steps could hardly be des

ght! What do you kn

s so unexpected that such a very singu

Whatever do

m not going to be, but you and I have been friends ever since we were tiny mites. You see what an awful hole I'm in. Not only have I been robbed myself, but practically all my guests--I do think if you can do anything to help me, you ought to. Now, don't trouble yourself to go in for denying; I know you

sudden appeal seemed to have taken her singularly aba

e seen it all along--you do know something. Now, what do you know? I've helpe

t to evade the direct issue which the other was pre

had stolen the jewels myself. Are you suggesting that I'm a

, if you choose, but I'm going to get one now. It's not necessary for me to say that I don't thin

rga

r saying 'Margar

with

d foot? Have you any suspicion as to who stole my

't answ

you have a

I'm not going to. Margaret

s, and turned her face from her friend. The countess observed her proceedings

giving you an opportunity to think things over. You've told me something of what I want to know, and I rather fancy that when I see you again, you will tell me all the rest. Good-night, Vi; pl

the one above her was not on, so that when the

d, for all the peace she had left behind. What, the girl asked herself, as she lay there wrestling with the thoughts which banished sleep--what had she said; what had she admitted; w

used to come. What did she not know? And, from what she knew, what did she not surmise? The leather bag in the old oak chest--wh

ot be sure--how could she be sure when she had only seen him for an instant in a light which, after all, was no light at all? It was ab

point that she dug her nails into the palms of her hands, and

. By what odd chance had he not visited her? He had visited so many of the others. Could

her bag in his hand, he would have found her

one of astounding daring. She had not gone to bed; others might have still been up; it was extraordinary that he had only

It was not Sydney; she had distinctly heard him, as she believed, rushing from one of the rooms beyond. What had he been doing in there, and what was

d not dare to put it to herself again. She was a young woman of strong will--with all her might s

terror that if the bag was found, there might be something about it, in it, which would associate it with--its owner. This fear became all at once such a terrible, masteri

wo, it would be too late. Servants would be about, then members of the household; she would never dare to go to that chest for the bag while a single soul was about. That

the morning was come; there would be light enough for her to see. Her foot hurt, but it was not so painful as it had bee

PTE

Two

sible to see; she wondered which was the stair on which, in the darkness, she had caught her heel in her draperies and stumbled. Her ankle was better, yet, in spite of the caution with whi

was no one to be seen, certainly nothing to be heard; she told herself that it was utter nonsense to suppose that anybody was watching her. It was not yet broad day, but there was light enough to render it difficult for anyone to keep from being seen, unless someone was cowering down behind one of the tall chairs, or

f which a moment before she had not thought she could have been capable, she slipped behind a long curtain which hung against the wall, suspended to a rod, which could be moved at will so as to form a sort of cosy corner; but quick though her movements had been, they had not been at all too fast. No sooner was she behind the curtain than she became conscious that someone had come down into the hall, and had done as she had done--stopped to take a good look round. Then the footstep

same as hers had been, with the old chest as an objective? That would mean that someone had been in the hall when Major Reith had switched on th

was must be standing very close to the chest; was possibly, at that very moment, raising the velvet cover; would in a second or two have lifted

recognised; but while her identity was known to someone, she had not the dimmest notion who that someone was. Since, in a sense, she was at someone's mercy, it was surely of the first importance that she should know whose. It might be--in an in

e of time; thoughts move quickly. To her it seemed longer than it was, for while

, she had been conscious that it creaked, though ever so

as an end of thinking; she decided before she knew it.

old herself that it might be any one of half a dozen; yet when

nt in kind. She retained her presence of mind in a very creditable manner. One felt as one looked at her that she might be used to being found in delicate positions. She said nothing, but she never moved--she kept just st

ght it

you r

was hard to tell from the tone alone

you doin

at it was that I saw you pu

hought that also--I

he girl's tone which the

to presently. Pray, miss, wha

th him last night; you

rster! What do you mean?

ort of thing in which practice has made you perfect. Now I

ave a trick of repeat

stand, Miss Forster, what you are talking about; will you ple

et him in? But you must have seen him earlier in the da

wered; when she did, it was in a tone which

r all she was worth. And I heard a queer noise coming from downstairs; I waited, thinking it would stop, but as it continued, and kept getting queerer, I thought I would go down and see what was the matter. I came down in the hall here, and it was pitch dark; there wasn't a sound, and I was more than half afraid, and told myse

ster int

one there, but my ankle was so painful that all I

didn't know w

ppose

dn't see, and though I don't mind owning that I wondered what was up, I didn't want to be caught in what looked like prying, though no idea of

you are not the kind of person wh

me rushing along, though I couldn't think from where. I heard him go rushin

e, not a wor

had; because I thought I heard him say, 'Here it is, take it. Look out--there's some

r makes me understa

couldn't hear quite all that you said to each other; then he went off, and you took something which was under a cushion on the seat of the chair by which you were. I could see that it was a leather bag, and I said to myself, 'That's what that other party gave he

feelings by which

ies' rooms, that set me thinking. Miss Forster, would you mind my seeing what is in the bag which you put insid

on the chest as if she waited for th

what a dangerous woman you really are. Do you actually su

you. If you'll excuse my saying so, I'm only a servant, but I've got m

last situation,

but I was in it for seven years, and a seven

me to believ

. May I see what's in the bag

lieve that you don't know

an a babe unborn. Am I to see what's in it, or would y

seeming to suggest that I was associated with what I have no

that I w

t suppose that that's your name; you probab

I nev

thief, and the associate of thieves; I have no doubt that what took place last night was carefully planned by you and your confe

the household, and I'm going to tell them what I saw you do; and you'll be able to explain, if you're as innocent as you

on in which you stayed for seven years; how you will come out of such an inquiry, you know better than I. You foolish woman! To think that sheer impudence wi

her eyes; yet, somehow, something seemed to have fallen from her; she seemed to have ceased to play the part of servant, and to have become a different cre

that I do not alarm th

I don't quite gr

n with each other--it will be good for both of us. There's a

on what it

tains; there's jewels in

is to become of it; y

ain; if I don't alarm the househo

be returned to th

wh

y

and where do

l be a point for the con

. Does that mean that you're going to give me away? If it does, let me beg you to be c

ng that I have been i

unny one; the girl could not but see that the sm

s serious when I said to you 'Just think.' For instance, you saw the person who came rushing into the hall last nigh

old yo

di

rst time something which the

id he t

t I should say about

u saw hi

r eyebrows, as if w

e was; I knew where to find him. The first t

d that

d; I could see that that was what worried him more than the recognition. Then something happened which turned his attention in another direction. You know as wel

PTE

eathe

d her almost as if she had thrown something in her face; she shrank back--shivered. The woman se

'm not the person whom you saw in possession of the bag, and you did see someone. That someone was a g

ome into her eyes; her bearing was in striking contrast to that of the woman

have you k

or two little matters together, ou

the first time, that he h

usiness quite a time; but I'm not g

ht out, while t

s he to

your

ere is he t

way? He'd get--well, he'd get penal servitude for this alone; and then the

nced about her, as if fearful that t

ean--about--Ca

ant me to tell you that. You know what cause he had; it wa

much for her. She put her hands up to her face; she sank on to a chair, so helpless before the stress of emotion which seemed to be raging w

it can't be any news to you, you must have known. You saw the man lying dead there; you knew the cause he'd given--the pers

sources of her being had bereft her of the powers of speech. The spectacle she presented, instead of moving the other to

out him? Let me tell you something about him, which may be a piece of genui

eased to sway to and fro; the dry sobs which seemed to be rending her bosom grew less ins

do not b

h an air of quiet convicti

n't you

believe him to be incapable of marrying such a creature as you. He may have sunk low, but I do not think that he could ever fall quite so low as that. The fact

you perjure yourself, and I don't think you'll do that, you haven't one shred of evidence against me, as you're perfectly aware. All the evidence you have is against my husband; you could send him to penal servitud

out stealing. I want to be placed in immediate communication with--the pers

ke to sell him, tha

ou know it well enough. I simply w

you expect to

s my a

to be forgetting th

to you, even if he occupies the posit

just what it is y

he next twenty-four hours, or at the earliest possible momen

sible that someone will before very long. But if you were to see him, and were to get out of him anything of what I'm dead sure you would try to get, then the situation would be changed altogether. As things are, no one can do anything to you, even if you do hold your tongue, because you don't know anything, whatever you may--well, we'll say suspect. But have you ever heard of an accessory after the fact? If you g

which me

's going to happen to this bag? It's his bag. As you pretend to have some sort of feeling about him, and I know he is an old friend of yours, why don't you go back upstairs to bed, and keep from interfering in what, after all, is no concern of yours? I give you my personal assurance t

position--you go upsta

the bag

mp

ou do with w

ill be returned to the

tess of Cantyre

says about the Countess o

either of them could move, or speak, a small figure came r

ingle wink of sleep, and at last I couldn't stay in bed any longer, I had to come to you. I had a feeling that you mightn't be getting much sleep either; but I didn't expect to find your bed empty, especially considering the state that your fo

replied, "is the person who

ons be doing here, at this h

iss Forster in the hall, and knowing that she had hurt her

person of her station than her manner of

Violet, has she bee

what

s, I should think

When she was out of sight, she turned towards the direction in which they were; she did not look plea

mind to get him hanged,

e and worn the girl was looking. It is possible that the consciousness of the pallid face beside her softene

ll,

l briefer; she merely echoed

ited; the girl

you have to

awn sigh of the sick at heart. H

s to tell--and I am so tired. I feel as if I hadn't s

p's tone wa

you're not feeling yourself, but don't y

ll you, since actions s

his time without interruption; from within she took a brown leather ba

bag is

it and

y, as if she feared that unpleasant co

and how did it get into that chest, and why hav

the outside of the bag, and that for a mom

t's not

shook h

ave you giv

inside, its contents w

ose bag

cannot t

e permission to look into a bag th

tents will explain why you should not stan

she was bid--then br

whatever i

hat I wan

f it were a di

rprised if there w

stuffed

inquiries, that you will find all those precio

Simmons who

would rather you asked me no q

r merely shook her head. "But in the face of this you can't expect to be

that the people will be too glad to have their

answer they'll begin to think unpleasant things of me. I must tell them something--what am I to tell them? Am I to tell them that I foun

me off, at least for a while; talk to me later on. Mayn't I go upstairs, and try to get a

against the lids as if they ached with wearine

l the sleep you can; sleep the clock round, if you like. Is

I could wish it to be, but I think I can manage

ch touched the other's heart; there was such a ring of

even friendly eyes that she did not turn to look at her. When the pit-pat of her

ving for solitude? I only hope she'll do nothing worse than she's done already. Now, who's that? Is she coming back again, or is

ter her, two or three stairs at a time--a gentleman who, rushing

you gave me. What the dickens made you get out of bed, out

sin

n thunder do you

the lady's side; she was looking

I've had

at? What's that

s the

are you talking a

s a bag, and the

big, wide open eyes which made them

eaming stil

o his questio

always believe e

f he might have been clearin

you now; you hear, Rupert, you must. You know what thos

forgotten? Am I eve

to believe--I dreamt that all those things we

C?sar's

I woke, I had to come downstairs t

on't m

the bag I do believe are all the jewels which we

wonderful, young

s and stopped him, commenting on his

t is delightful; nothing more fort

PTE

Env

table an amazing assemblage of triumphs of the jeweller's art, and the countess told them that story about the dream and the bag, was not quite clear. Becaus

amond brooch; the question arose as to which of those brooches belonged to each of them; before it was solved some very undesirable things had been said, and worse had been hinted. Nor was that the only instance of the kind; there were a couple of dia

sing of each one's property ought to have been the simplest thing in the world, it would seem, when the task of selection was done, as if no one lady was on the best

to her husband, "but they won't have a chance of talking to me; because you and

going to spend t

am

the house done u

the yacht ready to-morrow. I am going to see Sir James Jeffreys, and he is going to order

se that ankle of hers

tful to an injured ankle as the sort of life one leads

ent; he was dressed, and she had dismissed her maid. When she said that about the wire he b

a dream about that blessed bag, but I can't have a dream about that f

looking down with a contemplative air at the toe of her

nd usually is; but I don't see what is to be gained by your hanging about while somebody is looking into th

till worriedly clic

or you. I tell you I can't dream about a bag; I don't at all suppose that I shall be able to get awa

one each other; and you will join us when you can. I presum

p pulled a

; she'll be a companion. I shouldn't wonder--I've a feeling in my bones that there will be a fuss made about Noel Draycott; and if there is, you'd certainly better be out of it. Upon my word, I wish we'd never had this ball; I've a k

n command of the Earl of Cantyre'

hether something ought not to have been done in the matter, even in the dead of the night; it might, more than on

grasp; there really had been nothing to

ave been a discussion between Noel Draycott and, say, someone else, of a strictly personal kind, in which Draycott might have got the worst of it. It was a most regrettable incident, that such a thin

dreadful condition on the floor, he jumped to the not unnatural conclusion that he was dead, which, though natural, was a

en pretty badly knocked about; the major's story made that clear. He would doubtless be ashamed of himself; there was probably something not nice at the back of it all. He would probably have preferred to take his br

ever been either at Avonham or in that part of the country before. Then, in his

uld have gone wandering about the house--they had searched it from cellar to basement, to make sure that he was not hidden in it somewhere--he could have gone n

ty was that he had gone wandering, aimlessly, on. Then, in that case, he could scarcely have gone far; not beyond the park w

a motor-car. If the child's tale was true, then it must have been after half-past three in the morning, probably after four. Her father had been kept up by the ball at the house; he had had something to do with expediting the departing guests. It was half-past three when he went home; the child was then awake, had spoken to him. She said that after her father had left her she fell asleep, and was disturbed by the motor-car; the cars and carriages, she said, had been w

n easy quest

parties seemed to be most unwilling to do. It meant publicity. The news that the police had been summoned to Avonham would be flashed all over England inside an hour. It was just the spicy sort of tale the public would like. "Strange Occurrence in a Nobleman's

mpelled by circumstances. He would have inquiries set on foot, in a quiet way, in ever

ce in him a momentary qualm of doubt as to whether i

t there might be peace, when he saw in the hand of a bronze figure which stood on a pedestal--an envelope. It was so placed that he could not help but notice it; as he came along it caught him full in the eye. He had passed that figure only a min

, even in that moment of irritation, as a little odd. He tore it open. Within was a sheet of

the Ditchli

ey Be

led Noel

ey Be

for information t

s, when his wife, coming along with the Duchess of Ditchling beside her, snatched the pi

hat have you got there which

lashed to each other by the married couple's two pairs of eyes. Then the countess crushed t

TER

ntess a

ot yet been drawn. In the apartment, despite its size, was the stuffy smell which comes to a bedroom when the windows have not been opened through the night. Her ladyship, crossing the room, drew the curtains and threw the windows wi

said out loud. Then s

n her visitor entered, or even when the windows were thrown open. She was either

urned, stood waiting for her to show some signs of life. Presently ther

's t

very well

t, is th

, drawing the curtains and opening the windows and letting in the air? If you only knew

might have meant anything, followe

s the

e words were whispere

are

all r

become of your voice? And, if you are all right, w

st going

no immediate signs of it that I could

ng w

ng here to-day; we are starting on the Sea Bird to-morrow for whe

e w

n in which you take my surprising piece of information? Move some of

looked out at her from between the sheets, so whi

telling me you're all rig

sh I

e child mean!

ghost I sho

healthy idea, especially for a young w

that if she had occupied the position which people usually do upon a chair, Violet, on her high spring mattress, would have been above the level of her head,

furniture which people were never meant to take. You're going to tell me all about it. You and I have had our shar

y for you

will be easy for you wh

n't und

ydney Beaton was

the bedclothes off for herself, starting up

he girl attentively; th

guessed, though perhaps you've told

u? What do

i, something was wrong with you, so wrong that it had turned the girl I knew into one I didn't. What could it be? We know all about each other that there is to know, so that I knew that there was only one thing which could have on you such a

ng up in bed, whit

ow why I wished t

rved her closely, her h

to you as being just barely

m I a

I s

e evidently come here fo

, and fly at me, and scratch me,

ed; her tone brea

dn't be

if you only knew how

want your

hat your Sydney Be

dare to s

believe tha

, and

ns his? I presume they were confederates. Only th

her fists; she d

to tell you just h

ll

at the chance of mar

don't believe you. Even if you're a l

me ex

will need all the explanatio

what it is--t

her fond

meant to convey. "Do you know what it is for your love for a man to have b

d to say

hat, you see, is

or

er worth having. Don't speak; let me continue. You've read the fairy tale in which the heroine gets the gift of sight--it's an allegory. She meets one p

particular man was concerned. What would the police have said if they had caught the gentleman you name

n't und

, mak

ill keep interrupting. Sydney

u've t

ed of the interrupt

standard of honour, and hon

ould

ould see for myself that that consciousness was weighing on his mind. Major Reith tells me that it was all done in the hurry and whirl of a few mad moments. They talked it over after Sydney had gone; they were all agreed that they would have liked to have him back, to have questioned him when he was cooler and they also. I haven't seen Colonel Sandys, who, you know, was in command of the regiment. I haven't had a

last nigh

prefer to take the matter up in his own way, at his own time. But after last night I see how mistaken I may have been. Margaret, if you w

in his place, and been innocent, I think I should have recognised the danger

s. I can quite fancy what men can be in such a moment. Sydney wanted to fly at Dodwell's t

ave known of Captain Dodwell has moved me to affecti

h, it is nearly certain, very little money, and half mad with rage and shame and grief. Then the curtain fa

e pity of

a farthing, circumstanced as he was. When his money was gone, which probably lasted only a very little time, he perhaps went hungry. Oh, you don't believe that men do go hungry! My dear, since Sydney went, I've seen crowds of men, in London streets and parks and public places, who

on him, I grant. But, you know, Vi, you'

those who were even more desperate than himself, who pointed out to him a way of at least getting something to eat. There'

she has known what

et, that woman has stood at despair's very gate; she has never forgotten it, and never will. It's taken from her something which you and I have, but which she will never have again; she is not a woman in t

egarding her with

hat it amounted to this. I must take a look at Simmons myself, and see what m

him understand that, whether he would or wouldn't, I would stay by his side, lest worse befell him. I am going to do that now; I am going to leave no stone unturned to

may be very beautiful, but it's frightfully silly. Suppose it gets generally known--and these things do get out--that the gentleman in question committed what was really an act of burglary

you mean

in Draycott, who, by the way, is still nowhere to be found? Rupert tries to pretend that he thinks everythin

t's no use. I'm sure that if Sydney had anything to do wi

But will the po

two different pairs of eyes; we look on two entirely different worlds. In yours it's roses, roses a

f the bed, stood before

but I'll go if you'd rathe

there I've been planning what to do to find Sydney. We're not to see much of each other while I'm doing that, and when I've found him we're l

won't come

ou, I wi

a pig! I'm o

the circumstances, do

t you're more foolish than a goose--because a goose is quite a wise bird--all the same, I'm going to stick as close to you as you talk of

be the us

ind; you

shall leave the house t

towards me--that I tell you straight. You've had no breakfast, and it's lunch time. When you'r

e understanding that you will not even try to

suade or dissuade y

it was the sheet of paper which had been contained in the envelope which had been presented to the earl by the bronze figure on the pedestal. The lit

it--could it have

loor, she pressed it into the carpet with her shoe, so that none of it

d Simmons--Jane Simmons. Tell the

after the other, a number of envelopes which were in a tray upon a table. For the most part just glancing at thei

dy, that Simmons h

er enclosure she was dropping to put the question; no o

er room, and it was found she was gone. It seems that one of the

ve lunch in my room--lunch fo

ed to treat her correspondence

d gone. She was seen walking towards the lake, with a bag

TER

atest

se, the topic of the hour. "Where is Noel Draycott?" was the question, set in staring capitals, which faced newspaper readers day after day. The usual things were said about the inca

enough, but when it came to the amateur detective, his lordship drew

ey've had the greatest difficulty in keeping her out of the servants' hall, to say nothing of the butler's pantry; and the other day they found her under the dining-room table just as they were starting to lay the dinner. I've given instructions that all such persons are to be warn

rom Avonham to Nuthurst, her uncle's house, which had been her home for so many years. In an interview she had insist

Sir George Beaton?"

old man declared. "There are hundreds and thousands of men in the world

too much t

the girl does marry you, you'll want to drown her and yours

leman with doubtful glance, as if s

. Major Reith is not likely to find himself in su

omb at his feet, Mr. Hovenden cou

! Was there ever anything like

t your sentiments are on the subject

oing to d

income of

undred

han five hun

much

in London, and I'm going to live in it. Fo

with my house--or with me? If it come

ated in the school of experience, he did not s

oes tha

ar uncle, that i

an't be

r be candi

andour with you means sayi

h make me think that things are

n't be su

rised if you knew

to feed on the husks which the swine have rejected. I kn

is that I should remain in your house whil

uture h

of calmness which irritated the old gentlem

you marry that yo

she had to do was to make an announcement. "I am leaving Nuthurst this afternoon; I am going up to town by the three-twenty-three. I have told Cleaver to send my

elf at it. And she has waited upon you hand and foo

as a clean-bred old mastiff might an impertinent young lap-

u should forget it. It is quite respectable; you need be under no apprehension. All the occupants of Cobden M

d, he glared at her as if he would

u in ea

rried any of those hundred thousand gentlemen you just spoke of, I should have had to leave your house for his, so it comes to the s

I'm disappointed in yo

t cease to love you, and I hop

p of your fingers for me. I don't believe you're really quite right

u'll think better of me when I've gone. If you won't shake hands, once more good-b

is inclination was to stop her by strong measures, but second thoughts pr

s, she'll soon be back again. When a woman thinks that you don't care if she does make a fool o

nformation, he formed a still lower estimate of his niece's mental capacity. The young man

y greeting, "what's this idea about Violet h

from a bundle of papers whic

lance returned to the papers. "So far as I can unde

ayed signs of ac

know what's the latest

I saw you? The worst tales about you

or---- What do y

ce Sydney was a small boy you've b

another: he's been committing burg

re Sydney is concerned; you make of him 'an 'orrible tale'; th

s by striking his hand on the table a

Avonham all the women's jewellery wa

old yo

t's a fact. It's the topic

rk; he has a peculi

ll it peculiar. There's something else whic

committe

hat's bei

w you're talking of

ith the women's jewels he came across Draycott, there was a row, and he killed him. And this is the man Violet has gone to London to look for! She's not the only person who is doing i

Violet can know of this--of these ch

cranky notion in her head that this is a case in which, for love's sake

TER

den Ma

Nuthurst, and that her particular corner in that tall, ugly, red brick building left a deal to be desired. And so far as she could see, she had done no good by coming; she had lea

she had no doubt whatever; but whether that sense was one which would commend itself to the authorities was the problem which caused her many a sleepless night, which took the roses out of her cheeks, the light from her eyes, the spring from her steps; which had transformed the blooming, light-hearted, high-spirited maiden into a nervous, shrinking, white-faced woman. She who had never known what it was to have an hour's illness, had suddenly become the

beg your pardon,

n, she conjured up--it seemed wi

absurd head of mine makes me feel so stupid that anyon

er hurt him more than he would have cared to say. He was so unwilling that she should see the conce

u seen a

cure me, at least the sort of

answer; she shut her eyes and sat still. "Do you know you a

ust beginning t

re very long, and then what good will y

een me cry, have you? But I shall cry if you do; and I feel that if I once start I shall ne

raph to someone who'd pack you off to

; I've told you the only medi

s and sevens; in the whole of its history the

ow with your pr

ess; there's continual friction, the fellows are

gst such a set of individua

you may regard as some of that

hat's good;

her it's good or whether it's bad; from

that's n

ghout I've declined to express a positive op

I've hated

there may be something in y

; and what has brought it abou

plane. You consider one man only, there's nothing that matters except him; to me there's a v

nk I don't

which will be told of the regiment for many a day; but if it's going

justice should be done e

r, even though unjustly, rather than that a great and gloriou

credit; I wonder, since you hold the

I'm going to continue to speak t

't got you

table for the amount which was in the pool that night, and he said that, as circumstances had arisen which cau

moves in a mysterious way

t occur to you to think what the young ge

s to move in a mysterious way; I've always insi

well and Draycott had said the thing which was no

chose jugée; isn't that the phrase with whic

o be reopened it may be made infinitely worse; Tickell's action

him how glad I am to find that there

or paused for an answer, none came. "I believe that what you said, whateve

, with a smile which, this t

with your society if I were moved to stroll in it? I will go and put my hat on." She turned again just as she was leaving the room. "By the way, who is the correspondent who has

ledge of journalistic meth

nodded. "What do

er not think

trich who thinks that he hides himself and escapes from an unpleasant p

were you,

k of truth, then it throws a very lurid light on the continued mysterious disappearance of Captain Noel Draycott. It goes on to say that searching and exhaustive inquiries are being made into the statement, the result of which will be published

osition to fidget, on w

at your boots, or fingering your tie; everything is q

fficult

is a bona fide correspondent and

cts that the papers have got are not the real ones; there are--how many persons?--goodness only knows!--who are

that one of tho

is to keep things from them. Even the approximate truth of what took place at Avonham would make--if they knew it--the fortunes o

had again becom

me my headache; your medicine did it good; but now it's as bad again as

oming. Go and put on your hat; or

is not put on in a second. When she returned there was something about her eyes which filled

ertainly declined to help him. They were into the park before a dozen sentences had been exchanged. Then, when they had walked quite a

things; either that we are married--I've been given to understand that husbands and wives n

own his back, and his eyes were fixed

objection to their

. Will you please talk

A taxicab had gone rushing past, and as it passed, its occupant, a lady, put out her head to look at them. The cab had not gone another fifty yards before

er! This is

dy's face she was more than doubtful if it

ons!" she

no means ill-looking

ome time been most anxious to have a talk with you. Is there anywhere where I can say a few words to you in private? I

PTE

a Sp

er head was held a little back at an angle which became her. It was not easy to recognise in this elegant personage Jane Simmons in her cap and apron. Major Reith, who, with old-fashioned courtesy, stood with his hat in his hand, seemed as if he did not know what to make of her; while possibly the singularity of Miss Forster's bearing was owing to the fact that she was divided between anger

to say to me? Can

"Oh, I know you, Major--you're not the only officer in your regiment with whom I have the pleasure of being acqua

distress, made a somewhat blunde

ay command me; shall I walk on, or w

to be in doubt; her word

n the night of the Easter ball--or she pretended to be. Her conduct on that occasion was

of being hurt by the speaker

--actually from their bedrooms, when they were fast asleep. You remember how all the jewels were found again, in a leather bag? It was

ere as scarlet as they had just been white. Not only her

r with malicious amusemen

e, and only a moment ago I was thinking how pale you w

f he did not know what to make of the position

o say. She can come with me in this cab to my rooms; and may I ask y

much as she might have done if she had still bee

f you would let me tell Major Reith that s

as placed in the seat of honour by Miss Spurrier's side. When the cab reached Cobden Mansions, and the passenge

who do not wish to see them in their own apartments. I am going to take this pers

ster's flat on one of the upper floors. So soon as they were in, Miss Forster's manner entirely changed. All signs of co

en looking for me; I don't know what truth there may be in that, but I do know that I've been lookin

nt, Miss Forster-

eave this room, you're going to t

red hands with what was possibly meant

emely singular! Wh

idence--and odd

empty fireplace which was almost masculine, and again there was something which was almost masculine in the curt, unceremoni

d such a thing as that to

ster bit

eak of Mr. Beaton in my pres

hen he and I have been such frien

in a position to say; you'll speak of him

such a question to me, when one of the chief reasons why I was so anxious to have a t

to say that y

re idea tha

did k

ain point of

living when--I

r smile invested it with a charm, a tenderness, a something daintily malicious, which made it almost irresistible. Miss Forster admitted to herself that she would be easy for any man to fall

I have every reason to believe that you really are his friend, and have no sympathy with those objectionable creatures, the police, I don't min

making a note on

You say that was his address at the

he hadn't returned. I was a little surprised, but, of course--in the profession in which he was then engaged, accidents do happen--there's no shutting our eyes to that, is ther

es on the carpet with the end of her parasol, smilin

in perfect order, the rent had been paid up, and the landlady, who was a most innocent creature, and quite attached to her lodger, whom she believed to be something in the commercial way, w

s it her most outstanding characteristic--her face was irradiated b

that night had brought his thoughts back to the old channels, and--you knew where he was instead of me. I began to take it for granted

er, as she replied,

nd when you are lying; I am quite sure that you can lie like truth. What I do gather is that you wish me to believe that you have se

do or don't believe. Will you please answer me one

ave

Beaton, and if you haven't, then I don't like the look of things at all. Do you see"--the lady hesitated; looking down, she still described figures with the end of her parasol--"there's that business of Captain Draycott. It is, unfortunately, possible that Mr. Beaton may hav

a gold watch set i

se me, Miss Forster, if I am interrupting you when you were about to speak--but please

th you; what do y

stranger to me; I had no grudge against him; you know how it was--with Mr. Beaton. You don't want to put the noose about his neck, do you? An

happened to Captain Draycott, Mr

yourself nearly to a shadow, because you've been worrying about what you pretend you don't believe? If you were to go down on your bended knees, and swear that you were quite certain that he had nothing to do with it, still I shouldn't believe you; your face, everything about y

TER

pin

the mantelshelf, she pretended to be interested by the trifles which were on it, but to an observant eye few things can be more eloquent th

--that he's l

d the chance. If he has, let's hope he'll be able to

can I

in Miss Spurrier noticed the twitching shoulders. "There's one thing, nothing can be done till it is found;

visitor, holding out her gorgeous par

't mean only from this room, but out

have been more void of interest, but the

ng to be

dee

rn over a new leaf. We're going to America, to a town in one of the middle States, where we have, both of us, reason to believe that there's an opening for an enterprising couple. We are

girl said nothing; she sti

intend at the earliest possible moment to become American citizens; you do get such a pull on the other side if you are a citizen--since you and I are alone together for probably the

. I should advise you to be

n with, Mr. Beaton is a gentl

o you s

th when his pockets are empty and he has to trust to himself to fill them. So long as he has friends to give him a lift he may manage somehow, but when his only friend is himself he's scrambling for crusts in the gutter almost before h

id turn, and looked th

you first

ng her beautiful hat upo

on't know how little of a hero a man can be when his stomach's empty

l right. She rested both hands on the

d as much as possible what is unpleasant--and I don't want to keep you any longer than I can hel

rm a shre

l, Miss Forster, treats me as in every respect your equal. I was on my beam ends

is a condition of which I h

has Sydney Beaton. If it hadn't been for me he'd ha

hat t

ng himself alive and of putting money in his pocket, and he managed to do both. But it was a wa

hould i

was peddling matches at the corner of the street as we came along, with odd boots on--such boots!--and no stockings, and probably little more on than a skirt

n spite of herself, M

absolutel

as nothing but skin and bone; misery and hunger had made him half-witted. In that weather he had slept out of doors every night--in the streets. He hadn't had six-pennyworth of food in a week. You stand there, well-fed, well-housed, well-clothed, and you think yourself a paragon of all the virtues, entitled to

doubt about her having succeeded in interesting Violet Forster at las

dwichman--in the Strand, one of those

to which she had given way; but there was something

im again don't let him know that I told you; I shouldn't like him to think that I'd given him away on a thing like that--especially to

w he cares for

it--a sort of little silk bag stiffened with cardboard--he bought the silk himself, shaped it, put every stitch in i

carlet; what was almost like a f

ow did you come to be possessed of

breast of--to you. That locket was stolen from him when he was trying to get some sleep on one of the steps of the tunnel under Hungerford Bridge by two men who knew h

back to Mr. Beaton? Yo

ell you why; at least, it would take me a very long time to do it; human natur

were the s

at is something for which you are entitled to throw bricks at m

that light still flaming in her eyes and her cheeks all glowing, Miss Sp

ything that I came to tell you, an

owards the door. The

ng; at least, I don't understan

he values in the world is your good opinion; that still, althoug

t you don't kn

ng out, I would much rather continue in complete ignorance of his whereabouts until that business of Captain Draycott h

tly and gaily apparelled to take her walks abroad on a sunny day. Something which she per

I haven't been doin

man la

n injustice; that sort of thing depends a good deal on the mood you're in and on whether the world is

e came a tapping at the door; it was opened, and Major Reith came in. He found Violet Forster sitting on the floor beside the

. "What has that abominable

illed him wi

abominable woman, and--I'm not sure that

re was such a light upon her face, which was no longer white, and such a smile was shining from behind the tears that, almost incredible though he deeme

now I'll wash my face and dry my eyes, and I'll put my hat on straight; I know it's all lop-sided--you've no

TER

of Bi

the meal which was hardly genial. It is essential that all the members of a regimental mess should be as a band of brothers, as it were, a big and perfectly happy family. Unless they are on the best of terms with e

lorable business of Sydney Beaton. They were just beginning to recover from that when there came the peculiar conduct of Jackie Tickell, his own version of which we have heard Major Reith tell Miss Forster. Mr. Tickel's action had had an even more deplorable effect upon the morals of the

s heard in public. The regiment never had been concerned in any such inquiry as that which Dodwell suggested. If his suggestion was acted upon, all sorts of unpleasant consequences would follow. Not only would the whole disreputable business have to be made officially public, b

d gone--where, no one, not even his nearest and dearest, seemed to know. He had been one of the most popular persons in the regiment, not only with his brother officers, but w

something, but who that someone was no one seemed to know. Two stories had gone right through the regime

e to declare them in public now; he ought to have done it ages ago; the thing was all settled and done with. Then there was the absence of Draycott. If Draycott had been about, and he had said what he had said, Mr. Tickell would soon have been disposed of; Draycott would have agreed with Dodwell, there would have been two to one, Tickell would have been compelled to bow to the weight of evidence. As things were, the case against Beaton rested on one man's w

ing for a moment that you didn'

l inte

ation of that sort had I not been certain. Just as you see me strike this mat

t in the least, but,

I did strike this match, are you to be at liberty to do

ied that you saw Sydney Beaton cheat, it doesn't follow that I am; and un

rd, "that Dodwell wasn't the only person who saw. What abou

d all of us had as much as was good for us to drink--and that's where it was. As for Draycott, I had a ch

f that was the way in which Tickell chose to look at it, he would insist on having the

would render it impossible for them to continue to ignore it. It is possible that he had been given the hint not to, and that

the absent, but there were not infrequent occasions when it was only with difficulty that he said anything at all; his tongue was certainly not the readiest part of him, a fact of which Dodwell, apparently relying on his notorious good temper, had more than once taken advantage. Dodwell played all games well; the different varieties of billiards he played almost as well as a professional. Tickell played very few gam

y to his own skill, and almost as much to Jackie's generosity, Anthony Dodwell was piling up a huge score, and nearly every time he put a ball down he returned sarcas

e a white ball over one pocket and, in some mysterious fashion, the black over anothe

rather a mess of it to

to pay. If there's anything to which I personally object, it is to seeing Dodwell get that assistance th

lack, proceeded to make a break, for which he

he table I find that you have left me everything you possibly can; I hope the victims of your unnatural generosity wil

s was its wont, seemed to be tied in a knot. He moved away fro

antage of your leaves they'll think that I'm not trying;

the others more than hinted that in their opinion he was going t

, it would be awkward for you; you might have to break in on that little pot of money of which we have heard so much, and which yo

ho was the senior offi

no right to say t

? Thank you for

l came toward

east, I hope I didn't. Did I understand you to say

t for you--that someone has--would you prefer that I should

meone has murdere

y familiar to all those who heard it. With one accord each man in the room turned round to stare in the direction from which the words had come. Just s

TER

egular

m realised what had happened; it was certainly some little time befor

had opened. Leaning over the table, his cue in position, he stared at the man who had

ead, another right across his left cheek. His hair had been cut very close to his head, a strip of plaster came from the back to the front. The fact was unmistakable that he must ha

then on another with a glance as of pleased recognition. When they reached Dodwell they rested on him

ence which had followed his

Go on playing. You look as though you had got

room they broke into speech;

surprise on us like this when we were all thinking---- Why, on my word, I was very nearly on the po

welcome greeted h

eels. Do you know that when last I saw you I would have been willing to swear before a jury of medical men that you were dead? My d

as if the major's suggestion was hardly as m

ll have a prod at me with your cue, you'll find that I'm solid enough

rted, but none of them has ever come to anything. People were beginning to wonder if you had been snatched up by a flying machine, and carried above the clouds; and now you drop in in this unexpected fashion as if we'

s required; and it is to give it, after a fashion, that I've c

easonable terror with which people are supposed to regard spectral visitants in tales and legends. At the sound of Draycott's voice he had started as if someone had struck him a heavy blow; when, turning, he saw him standing in the flesh, he gazed at him as if he were the most horrible sight

ost as much surprise as Draycott's original unexpected appearance. There was no cooler person in the regiment than Anthony Dodwell. In a community in which sangfroid had been raised to the dignity of a fetish, his calmness had become a byword. That you could never take Antho

tirely that it almost seemed to them as if they looked upon a stranger. When Draycott uttered his quietly spoken request that he would not leave the room, he stood for a second motionless; then, as he glanced at the speak

n't I leave

raycott, looking steadily at him,

quire me t

ricked him. He seemed in doubt how to treat the challenge which they conveyed; that they d

I shall go, and y

er was so curt as

better t

lesson already. Shall I teach you another? I'll b

dwe

perceive. He had made a half-movement towards the door, and had already stretched out his han

narl, "or to a dog? Hang your impudence! Do you suppose I'm go

r, Noel Draycott tu

at present; in fact, it's against the doctor's orders that I'm here at all; but, as matters were going, I felt I had to come. If I were fit, I shouldn't t

eneral feeling by the

nt to go, Dodw

ffort to treat the speaker with the ai

learn that I am to be called to accou

he grave, as it were. It's pretty plain that he's been in the wars, and you know well enough what a p

hat doesn't appear to be a s

ptain Dodwell,

Major Reith. Dodwell alrea

can I do for you--w

h, you can sh

apidity, the major, wresting the d

I am going to take my orders

ur to them now, but you know very well what they were, but here is Draycott to answer for himself. In view of tho

himself up; there had been something hang-dog

at there is something in your attitude which makes me wonder if, in this business, you have not been guilty of conduct which is not altogether to your credit. If I am wrong, the fault is y

dwell, that I quite

. Tickell went bursting towards the pair at the door, still with his cue i

as you say he did, it seems jolly rummy now Draycott has turned up to give me the dressing-down which only half an hour ago y

s a bad-tempered big dog is apt t

kie Tickell; I don't intend to stand more than a

trepidation, the little ma

it, you'll do nothing; you won't even run away. Draycott, do you remember that poker business? I'v

cott cut

r on, if you want to talk to me at all after what I am going to say; but in the mea

he door. In front of him on one side was An

, "there's someone outside who

fficiently far to come into contact with his b

h to admit one of the orderlies of

uired the major, "w

lease, si

its widest the orderly

TER

sitor

fashion by one of their own servants, who knew the written and unwritten rules as well as anyone living--it was a crime almost equivalent to high treason. It was all done before they had really time to recover the

ntion became centr

ou

uch of a ghost to her as he had been to his colleagues of the mess. Major Reith stammeringly t

custom to receive ladies in this apartment. Some mistake has b

erruption came f

has been shown in here. She has a right to be present at what I am abo

he others to look at him askance. Miss Forster turn

t herself at the main entrance to the officers' mess to-night about ten o'clock, and will hand this car

e gave it to him. "This is the most extraordinary

his afternoon. I was told that a man had br

d the lady's explanatio

As Miss Forster is at least as much interested in Sydney Beaton as any of us, and has heard one story, I consider

mfortably conscious of the

y; but if it is the general wish

mself to answer before t

only too glad to have Miss Forster among

stand. One person declared himself to be in d

t Draycott is entitled to introduce his lady friends where n

what is it all about? Cut it as short as you can, old man, and then, as Reith puts it, i

y with a few outspoken, candid words; ever

credit, nor to that of others; I don't propose to try to excuse

as if to get his word

, in one: That night when Sydney Beaton was accused of cheating,

out the moment the

g in bed I began to feel it; I've not been easy in my m

raycott says the thing which is not; y

e all that I am likely to get. I behaved all throug

est intelligence that you behaved like a blackguard whichever way you put it. Either yo

nored the o

e, and I owed Dodwell money,

ty bounder--I

Jews, which I had promised my father I never would do. I didn't want to have a row, or a scandal; I've seen since what a fool I was, but it seemed to me then tha

have brought him to his senses, and then Mr. Draycott wouldn't ha

er's words; he went on with his story as i

he would say no more about the money which he made out I owed him, and

st, last, and altog

d seen Beaton cheating; then he looked at me, and he winked;

ard him; all the men began speaking at

ently; let us know wh

prevents me from characterising as he deserves. I don't wish to assert that he took care that the lady was here before he bega

or interruption; when he has finished you will be able, if you think it necessary, to tell yours; but you will not improve your cas

id n

him exchange one

id n

hing irregular, or indulge i

ieve it then; I believe it still less now. I believe he pla

vent Anthony Dodwell venting his wr

our body," he declared, "before I've

dily in the face. Clifford, the biggest and most powerful man

e owns he has done. Your case, Dodwell, is safer in our hands than in your own. After what has happened we'll sift his story to the bottom before we pronounce judgment on it either way; I'm afraid the time has gone by when his mere 'Yes' or 'No' would be accepted. But if you want to force us to the conclusion that you are the kind of person he says you are, you can't do better than co

what it

es to a very

bout that money. I took the wink to mean that that was the moment in which he wanted me to help him

talked Beaton over between you, and that each

e had found out that he was wrong in supposing that I owed him money,

got your

d

said about th

he knew I hadn't seen Beaton

you know

en watching him all the time, he was s

nother. There was a card upon the floor; Dodwell said

pon the flo

you had dropped

sed it as mine when I saw it--it was a nine of spades. I had two

Beaton had dropped it from his hand to take another, and a better one, in i

d

had cheated, having sufficient reasons for knowing otherwi

er thou

g Draycott out even blacker than he has painted himself. Consider, Draycott, before you speak; it's a very queer story you're asking us to swallow, much q

old m

t his making to you such

used before

efore very long I knew he hadn't. That nine of spades was on the floor. I didn't know I'd dropped it, but as I threw

ke you these fr

art of the story that

come to? What part's that? You seem to have been

ok place on the night of t

PTE

t Happened after

the back of the chair as if from the very intensity of the grip she derived moral support. She stood very straight, with her lips tightly pressed together, and with a strained look on her white face, as if with her ever

eing seemed to undergo a sudden transformation. Her hands fell to her side; a faint flush came into her cheeks; her lips

e there was an interposition from Anth

look of you that you're going to tell nothing else but lies--I'll call you to an account; a

looked Anthony Dodwell

id of you again--never

be just as much afraid of me as you ever were. Gentlemen of your habits of body are only courageous wh

't understand you, and I was a fool. But now I do understand you; if you were holding

turned to

e night of the Easter ball you said som

ber quit

der because of what had happened, of what I had said, then I was directly responsible for his undoing; although he had never done me a bad turn--I had done that to him. I und

en learning all this f

from Dodwell; it

y know that Beaton was a man of honour, and that I was not. But I had not found it easy, when it came

concerned one can always coun

at I could stand it no longer. I looked up Dodwell and I told him so

you wer

that if I would turn up after the dance

ore--look after th

after your own. You keep on talking about Draycott's cowardice, while a

nued as if he had n

went upstairs I

ere wer

rly asked, came fr

was in the c

n't the l

hem on again. Dodwell came to me.

elling drunk."

g; I knew you were interested in Beaton, and that you had a right to be the first to hear. Afterwards, I in

e animal--thr

to have a row with him; I knew there would be more than enough scandal anyhow; I was in a house in which I was a stranger. As you know, the whole lot of us we

d. Dodwell, seizing a billiard cue which rested against a chair, glared at

I know that we came to what seemed to be a sort of drawing-r

ter. She glanced at Majo

m I ever like

ott w

over the place. We made such an awful din that I

u--I did. And Major

n was Mis

e a good deal, and I told him what I thought of him. There was a sort of a club lying on a table; he sent me flying against the table, the table went over, and I with it; the club fell on to the floor. I told him

eft arm, touching it betwe

conscious that he kept on hitting me as I lay motionless. What is still queerer--I can't explain it, but I had an extraordinary feeling that Sydney Beaton had come into the room, tha

al." This was Clifford. He turne

farrago

udge and jury before whom you will possibly be brought, but if I were betting I should be inclined to lay odds-

ve you to ask

has anyone to ask you questions? As I expecte

rivate affairs

call attempted murder your private affair? Do yo

y ever

al denial only tells against you. What I don't understand, Draycott, is, where have you been since that night? I don't know if you are aware that the British public has been taking a most lively interest in your private affairs,

en with

rdon me, Miss Forster,

what he meant by--by saying th

e; I can only tell you what I know. The last thing I remembered at Avonham was, as I have

ake out what had happened, or where I was. Then by degrees I began to understand that I was in bed, in a strange room, and that Beaton was leaning over me. 'Why, Syd!' I said--it wasn't a very brilliant remark to make, but

ou I could have sworn that you were lying dead on the floor of that room at Av

was clubbing me, I felt that Beaton had come into the room; he had, and Dodwell had seen him--and he saw what

decided to take up a new position as regar

, I never have denied it, but what

he floor you struck him, wi

nd I meant to give him the thrashing he deserved, and if I went a little too far it was because I had

ndering what became of Draycott, and you

ust as much in the dark

t you had k

"You thought you had killed him, and

hadn't k

id you

re I left him; he wouldn't h

u had done to him that night had any

know what

d and throw some sort of light on what seemed an insoluble m

to avoid a

I suppose, that if you did tell your story you'd be in the hands of th

emed to be taking on himself the office of e

at Avonham that night?

I only know it was lucky

y. Why didn't Beaton, knowing that crime had been committed--because you must

y thought I should live; indeed, it's only by a miracle

t a crime had been committed, why e

ncy that, as Dodwell put it, he als

have been afraid of the police. Then are we to understand

ing for me; I owe everyt

does he ow

ntly I recovered consciousness--what you could call consciousness--and since then I've been hanging between life and death; I know I couldn't lift a finger. I fancy that Dodwell must have hit me on some peculiar spot, because I believe the doctor fellows never thought I should regain my reason; I must have been a handful to Syd Beaton. I had done him the worst turn possible, and he knew what I'd

, pray, where is Mr. Beaton, if, as

by now, he ough

TER

Forgi

tsi

owards the door; then, as if suddenly remembering, shrank back and went all red. If there were any there who smiled, it was with sympa

spoke, and it seemed wi

Beaton is in the buildi

ly was

me that he

ed you?

ut alone, but I shall be all right soon; he knew what I was coming for, and he promised

ked an eage

down--I passed it. It was open; there was a man sitting inside whom I had the strangest

d he'd wait in the cab; but

lifford, as it were,

here was an instant chorus of affirmatives. He turned to Violet. "Miss Forster, wit

be very glad

ton, you're a sight worth seeing. I cannot tell you how glad I am to see you. We have only just heard from

re ashamed. The few months which had elapsed since they had seen him last might have been years, so much was he changed; it needed the evidence of their own eyes to assure them that in so short a space of time a man could have so aged. The Sydney Beaton they had known was young,

eaton, as if not knowing what to make of their speechlessnes

; they know all about it; I think the si

k, and the first w

e was a pot of money in that pool--I haven't touched a farthing of it from that day to this, although there have been times when I've badly wanted it, but I knew all along that it was yours. I handed it over to the keeping of the mess--they'll tell

as they crowded round Be

you. I am more--more ashamed than I can tell you; to ask your pardon is to do nothing. Can you e

eaton

ou don't know what my

t you, I c

I believe it's pri

from the others--a

e lesson I've been taught wasn't worth learning even at the price I paid. I'm not the man you knew. I can see by the look that's on your faces th

Beaton? I admit that I, t

n the eyes which looked at him out of their hol

d me; I saw how you treated Draycott that night at Avonham; you would treat me, and Draycott, exactly the same again tomorrow--if you had the chance. You can't like the man whom you know is that kind of person; you avoid him,

you have our unanimous permission to do wh

impossible for the other to misunderstand. Anthony Dodwell showed h

m, so that she had been behind him, where she had sta

dne

ame; he took the hand which she offered, and b

think it possible that you are not over-anxious to stay with us much longer; if that is t

TER

he T

aiting. Draycott had been left behind. There had been a brief dis

going?" she

al, "that I'm not a fit person for you to consort with. Let us say to each other all that there is to be

It's very nice of you to exp

ame which suggests possibilities--which don't go any

s your

d and nin

e to the

Clapham Junction." Then to Beaton

e to her still stand

there; it's not the sort of pl

e accustomed the better.

especially at the beginning, was of a distinctly singular sort; as a matter of fact, she was enjoying herse

o be particularly

t have I t

, which makes it the more awkward--for me--that I should be rather glad

laughin

be an owl for gravity. You sit screwed up there in your corner as if you were afraid

. I don't wish to car

o you think you'd carry? I'd like, if I did as

e kind of cr

his is the very first time you and I have been alone together in a taxicab?" He was sil

hideous consciousness of b

ll that kind of thing when w

hat kind of place

on sh

he knew you were coming alone

hed rooms--of my own. I would have asked the man to drive us there, only I thought I would prefer

o live anywhere; especially after some

all ab

do you

of thing until we get to your--wretched rooms? Let us, while

gotten ho

eve you

h which you meet the dentist when he's

Couldn't you try? For instance, you seem to have forgotten that I possess a name; couldn't you start by calling me Violet?

rying

uch; does it requ

y stre

you go

y li

It's rather fine weather for the time of the year, isn't it? Is that the sort of remark

et me stop the

and it doesn't need much trying--my darling Sydney, my well-beloved Sydney--I'm going to be Mary Janeish--do you think I don't know what is going on inside you? You'd give--shall I say two

won

sed to be, but when I've really made up my mind you shall, you'll melt and become--oh, yes, much softer than that. How far is Lavender Sweep? I don't s

e we got into the cab; it will only make it worse for both of us if w

w are you goin

eman we meet, if there is no other way

dne

t. What's the good of either of

oing with you to your rooms, and nothing you can say or do will stop me. Now will you please be silent till w

n either side until the cab drew up in f

TER

V

e through the front door. It was the usual ground-floor front apartment of the ￡45 a year suburban "modern res

think it's very wretched, don't you know; it compa

observing her with singular intentness, br

rtment has come from; how it has been--earned? You saw me en

How terrible! W

; at least it is certain that y

anding is all on one side; you do seem to be so slow in grasping the true i

touching either cheek. Her pallor had given way to a faint pink flush, which kept coming and going.

ions you like to put, to

re faced by the rack and the thumb-screw, and similar pretty things.

didn't

oor Mr. Draycott lying on the floor, and I, as well as Major Reith, thought that he was dead. I've be

t I ran up agains

forget? You di

notion that you were in the hous

sk me how I was; I had hurt my foot most frigh

as I t

-do-you-do, you'd have known. In your h

he woman's pause was perhaps t

see what

-as probably Jane

t wo

e came to see m

ha

esting conversation. Sh

be marri

and the name unspoken; she smiled

likely to be him as anybody else. S

sh

o America with

u sure

her morning a little box came through the post, postmarked Pittsburg, and in it was a piece of weddi

Julia S

y she had one or two other names

rstood what kind o

she made me

told you one or tw

resently. I want you first to explain to me how

o that room, and I heard you both go out--I was outside the window. Directly you left it, I ope

w did you manage to get him away f

the path, about as silent a one as there i

rouble to take him at all? What affair was he of yours

hat it was the c

your life? Good

ey said I cheated; it wa

ted it themsel

idea, but it was an idea. I thought that if I could get hold of Draycott, and he wasn't quite dead, and I could bring him back to life, he might feel some--some sort of gratitude. It was Draycott who supported Dodwell; I don

of his face were working, and how his fingers t

it could have happened--all of it; it was so--so impossible that they could have thought such a thing of me. Then,

must have become a trick with him; he had done it

t to something besides his financial genius. I had a suspicion that Draycott had had a row with him of the same kind. He had told me that he would be even with me for the position which I had taken up; and I began t

way in which he did it which showed that, at any rate, that was an habitual trick of his. The abomination of desolat

me something, if he was to owe me nothing more. If he would only own to me, between ourselves, that he hadn't seen me do what he said he had, that would be some satisfaction. I didn't like to feel that there was any possibility th

raighter; but he continued to speak in the halftone

o the grave--but it was a labour of love. I hadn't been so happy for I don't know how long; I had never thought I should be so happy again, as I was as I sat by Draycott's bedside, sometimes all night and sometimes all day, watching him, sl

that, in any degree, or in any se

wires. It seems that the old man heard that he was missing and got flurried; but they've made that all right by telegram. Draycott's going back to his father; he is the only so

ey! R

I've made such a mess of things that I shouldn't be able to breathe if I stayed. I

training his eyes with the effort to

that

at the man you

k, but he looked at her. "Have you ever th

I will do presently, let me say wha

e quickly fr

stion, and then we'll say something to each other. Answer me--did you ever thin

a fair q

hy

uctions from my answer w

s afterwards. Answer me--did you ever think of m

d turned his face away. Sh

wer

so cold, and so deep down in hell, that I tr

locket from you

he devils! W

you made a case for it with a piece of silk with y

Who told you al

outh Wales you'll take

d mea

l soon find out from Mr. Draycott the ship he's going by, if I can't get the information from you, and, as I don't suppose that my money will be refused by the people who own that ship, we'll make a party of three. Of course, you needn't speak to me while we'r

tand what it is y

e well. What you don't understand is that if you go to New South

ole

miles away, and she doesn't even know where he is; is he absolutely incapable of projecting himself into hers? I know you've been thinking about me--thinking, thinking, thinking! And it's been bread an

d stood clo

f I took you at your word? What would y

your body burning with the d

When I had the consciousness tha

woman who loves him? Do that first--do it first, I tell you! Then, when you've kissed some of the craving out of me--if you only kn

he did what, from the first, with the whole force of h

V

--just like that; say it again, and again

m him, so that, standing face to f

hisper; she looked at him with eyes which seemed to make

ard to open; someone c

eone coming

it's Dr

needn't take your hands away

mit Noel Draycott. He

pardon, I ha

ome right straight in--because you understand. Mr.

hted to hear it; I

ned to

you see? He th

TER

ers and a

te to and fro, as if to make sure that the baby should go on sleeping. At a little distance two children were playing, a boy and a girl; sometime

contents almost by heart, yet she read it again; when she had read it she let it lie upon her knee, while, with something wistful in her glance, she seemed to be looking at some picture which the eye of her imagination conjured up befor

d her, the letters bundled together in her hand. All at once firm footsteps came hurrying towards her. Turning, a tall, upright, sinewy, wir

earlier than I expected. I

e earlier train. H

on either arm; they were full of questions which had to be answered, and news which requir

er train without letting me know

her on her husband's face; she could see that on it there wa

I've had a telegram from home. I've been

had quite a packet of English letters. Just

ps, the Aversham lawy

dead! Sydney! W

, died suddenly this morning. Letter follows.' That's all, excep

arching in his mind

even years since

ad a feeling that I should like to see him again; and now he's gone. He wasn't exactly the most affectionate of b

become of

be our Sydney's when I'm gone. The whole property, such as it is, goes to the next male heir;

e days on which if it rains it pours. You've had news--and such news, an

your u

e it, at his big table in the justice room, with his eyes, as it were, across

s you to

me to go, and he doesn't want to hurt me by asking me to do what I mightn't be able to; he thinks it might hurt me to have to refuse. But, Sydney,

e speak

n England, but his spirit is with us in New South Wales. If he weren't such an old man,

d feel like to go back

? I hardl

o bad with y

e to go--with you and with the children.

certainl

r with something qu

he dear homeland every night in their pra

ome? Do you think any of th

u are! They'd be tumbling ove

hat, if only from the point of view of dig

t look at this heap! There's another from Major Reith; he says that

ring him ba

Countess of Cantyre; she's lon

one was more th

been the hero of all kinds of wonderful stories, but she's never seen you once. She has the impertinence to say in this very letter that she is still convinced that you're only a perso

ll wire to Carr

nt an answer to

e by the earlier train; I wanted to see you

s

a catching of her breath, a suspicion of eagerness; all these thi

re I did anything; so much may hinge on the reply I

her rather than was uttered;

uld you

what a question to spring on one; as though--as though one co

ott, and he says that if we w

next

be springing o

ay in England,

ngland--sa

'd look after things. The question is, could y

does i

hustle you; if you want time f

consideration, you absurd creat

think

ink, I'm su

have you worrie

you don't ta

steamship people to secure our berths. I happen to know that there's a nice suite vacant, just the very thing

ou--darlin

E

mpany, Limited, La Bell