The Upas Tree: A Christmas Story for all the Year

at the door of his own flat, a tall young man in an ulster dashed up the wide stone stairs, rapidly read the names on the various

voice. "Do you happen to be

nd a pair of exceedingly bright brown eyes, unwavering in the steady penetration of their regard. Already they had taken him in

was c

ng his electric bell, and no

time, already had one of his very muddy boots inside the door, and eagerly awaited the answe

ur," replied Aubrey, with th

must have a word with you; and then I am going r

saw he was not fit to be alone, so I sent to the hotel for his traps, and am putting him up here. He

his sitting-room, where the three easy ch

turning up the light, and motioning his visit

hap, he does so at this moment. But I am glad he has found a friend in you, and one really able to und

ged to accompany him,

ill save me

ross the red velvet sofa, flung his cap

tie, he looked like the capta

his position in the chair opposite. He felt many years older than this per

t eyes on to the empt

spent the eve

ha

the thi

ty was the Inf

till it may serve its silly use, if it takes his mind off his book, until we can get him safely home. I suppose you know, sir,

ell," said Aubrey. "What do you cons

tlet; and, on the top of all this, contracted some malarial germ, which has put up his temperature and destroyed the power of natural sleep. This condition of brain has enabled him to work practically night and day at his manuscript, and I have no doubt he has written brilliant st

"I hope you are taking an

jungle poisons is that we know precious little about them. But I have known Ronnie since he and I were at school together, and any poison goes straight to his brain. If he ge

recommend i

for coming to you. I don't know

n. I have known her in

d mail the letter so that it will

y intention

n sat forwa

ed to meet. Without alarming her too much, I want you to make Ronnie's condition quite clear to her. Tell her he must be ke

ld you re

ve you the name of a man who has also made a special study of the

down a name and address, tore out

irst. You might have difficulty in seeing Mrs. West alone, and mischief might be done in a moment, which you would be powerless to prevent. Tel

became violent to-night, while we were talking about his '

stantly bent upon Aubrey Tre

ly in his seat; then rose

ick sat

, Dick spoke-slowly, as if c

uld not be easily provoked. He is inclined rather to take a maudlinly affectionate and friendly view of things and people; to be very simply, almost childishly, pleased

. "A perfectly simple remark of mine apparently annoyed him. But I

ed Dr. Dick, drily; "and he caught you a good

nd appeared on awaking to have ab

over to the organ, and, bending down, examined the

n that the whole scene with Ronnie was being re-a

Aubrey'

"But if I am to post my letter to my cousin before m

once and took

me forward cordially

s get into his coat unaided. In so doing, he uses c

, and stood before Aubrey Treherne-v

hould do so? And if, by any chance, you are prevented from going, just let me kno

rossing by the Hook of Holland on the following evening. I have wired to the H?tel des Indes for a suite. I feel sure my cousin would wish him to have the best of everything, and to be absolutely comfortable and qui

r his hotel expenses! He is making a pot of money himself, now. You will be

and another is taken up in crossing, my cousin should

Dick, earnestly, "how dangero

ain fever?" que

f you mean meningitis-no, I trust not. But probably temporary loss of memory, and a complete upsetting

usin's husband is thre

y circumstances which are not in the least likely to have permanent results. He has always had the eccentricity of genius; but, since his genius has been recognised, people hav

" replied Dick. "But if he

e, his attitude one of unc

arkness. He stepped back into the passage, lighted a candle,

a chair beside the bed, on which lay his pocket-book, his watch, and a small leather miniature-case containing a portrait of Helen. Thi

it close to the light of his own

the miniature beside the pocket-book. "Of course Ronnie would. But it is also a noble face-

f the candle, was the grin of

apid respiration of his friend. Then he turned, took up an empty tumbl

ersonally, I am inclined to think that any sort of artificial sleep does more harm to a delicately poised brain, than insomnia. However, opinions differ. But there is no question that your e

, blew out the candle he carried, and replaced

owed, inwar

rocurable from Harley Street, W., his manner could hardly ha

rey to himself. "In

is cap was on the back of his head, his ha

have a wire reporting your safe arrival, and a letter, later on, with details as to Ronnie's state.

trance-hall, and ran ligh

e street door c

nd double lock

id. "Jackanapes!

people that which you know they ar

nted an immediate vent for his ill-hum

ck's note-book l

door of the stove, and thrust the l